Calling All Canadians

[lanie]

Hi there - I know that there are 'some' of you/us out there. Planning a 'border' shopping - which products do you find the best to buy that we cannot obtain here. I know the $ is at an all time low, however, while I am there, might as well get some of the things we only hear about. Thanks for any input.

Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[funnybone]

I'm a Canadian living in the US. Funny thing is that when we go back and visit, I bring back all the things I cannot find here (such as Peek Freen Fudge'os and Ketchup chips, garlic dill pickles, lol).

What types of products are you looking for? There are so many things that I used to be able to get in Ontario, that I cannot find in the states I have lived in. Narrow down the types of things you like, and maybe we can be of greater help.

[lanie]

Hi Funnybone! Actually, keep hearing things like spray butter, low/non fat 'everything', salad dressings, velveeta low-fat, rotel tomatoes, spices, etc.

Just about anything you can think of that you really enjoy being able to purchase there that you couldn't here - I am a 'pathological' food shopper - so many recipes I've come across and can't find the ingredients. I live in Toronto, which is pretty good, but sure are tons of goodies not available.

[funnybone]

I find that there is a better selection of "hot sauces" and other spices, but most are found in specialty shops. The salsa's and BBQ sauces are great too (again in specialty shops). I don't like a lot of the non-fat dressings because I don't like bottled dressing, but there are many to choose from. However, most contain more sugar than regular to make up for the taste I guess.

I find more junk food available here than in Canada, and the frozen food aisles are endless. When we first moved to the US, I tried to find frozen hamburger patties for the kids (just to have on hand for a quick burger). I couldn't find the patties, but I could find a frozen burger, bun and meat! LOL.

Are you going over to the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area? We used to cross border shop there when we lived in Ontario. Oh one thing, Philly Cream cheese is cheaper down here. I can find it on sale for 88 cents. I used to pay about 2.99 in Canada. There are non-fat and 1/3 fat varieties too. I love making cheesecakes, and when you need 5 in some recipes, it really is more affordable.

Have fun - I find that when I don't look for anything in particular is when I find them.

What I miss the most are the Italian bakeries in Ontario. What they call Italian bread here is NOT the same.

[lanie]

FB - yes, going to cross Niagara - apparently a whole pile of new stores - there is a Target there - what type of things to they sell and what is a good grocery store to hit?

You don't get ketchup chips - I love those things! Ok - will get the cream cheese. Going to take a cooler with me as well.

Yes, the bread is not the same in the US period - that I have always felt - the bread here is much denser (sp?) and I don't believe I have seen Italian Bakeries.

If you think of anything else - let me know pleassseeee. Thanks for input.
Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[funnybone]

Lanie, it's been at least 3 years since we shopped in that area, but "Top's Market" comes to mind - there was a SuperStore not to far from the outlets I believe. I thing the other local store was Wegman's, but I can't remember where they were. Ususally if you ask a sales clerk where stores are, they will tell you.

As for specialty stores, I don't know of any there, but we have Le Gourmet Chef where I live now (in PA) and I could spend the entire day there looking at their sauces and spices.

Target is basically like a Wal-mart or K-Mart, but much nicer. We don't have one in our area here, but I lived near Atlanta before and there was a nice one. They have some different houseware things that are colorful, from what I remember.

As for the bread, it never goes stale here. It is so gummy, I find. The shelf life is always at least a week or more. I don't think the shelf life was longer than 4 days in Ontario.


Have fun - hopefully you will get more responses from other people.

[jd]

hi lanie - I keep an ongoing list of things to buy when I am in the US, but usually pick up more just by going up and down the aisles. The produce sections are usually so much better - different kinds of pears, tomatos, onions, etc. Last trip I got a container of Margarita salt - love the convenience, and enchalada sauce for the white bean enchalada recipe a couple of months back. I drooled over the oils, vinegars, spices and ethnic food sections. Happy Shopping!

[aka]

Can't resist adding some things here. I used to live in the US and (like Funnybone) I found myself missing a lot of the things I could get in Canada (#1: chocolate bars...the selection in the US is TERRIBLE!)

Now, I live in Vancouver and sometimes we make it down to Seattle and I try to pick up some things. Here's a crazy list of some things I like to come back with:

Bigelow "cinnamon stick" tea (it's not herbal and it is very nice and cinnamon-y)

cinnamon flavoured dental floss (see what I mean about crazy?)

I also like to check out the liquour stores to see what flavoured vodkas they have; specifically I am looking for cinnamon flavour...I could buy it in Texas and it made a great martini. [By now you may have a sense that I'm a fan of cinnamon!]

Mentadent "surround" toothbrush

Starburst Hard Candy (for some unknown reason I can't find it here...only the "gummy/chewy" kind...it's not for me, dh adores hard candy and after two years in the US, only Starburst will do)

Altoids (if you look, you can find them here...but they're everywhere in the US...again candy for dh, I only like one now and again)

If I had the means to, I would bring back Ben and Jerry's "duet" ice-cream: chocolate and orange. (Maybe I'm lucky I can't bring it back...)

I don't know if they'll have it where you're going, but when I was in Seattle in January the grocery store there had a new "self-check" system...you can scan your own items and pay for it at a machine. Ironically, it's all Canadian technology (or so one of the helpers there told me)

Well, there's a mixture for you....from keeping your teeth healthy to ruining them!

As a non-food related item no trip is complete without a stop at Half Price Books. It's not a full-blown chain so there may not be one where you're going. To find out go to www.halfpricebooks.com (http://www.halfpricebooks.com) and navigate the site to see if there is one in the State you are going to.

Have fun and let us know what goodies you bring back...I'm hoping to make a trip down in the next month or so...maybe I'll have to keep my eye out for something.

Lilia

[funnybone]

JD, funny you say the produce isle has a better selection in the US. It all depends on where you live I guess, because I have a hard time finding the variety I did in my Toronto Suburb stores. I live in a more rural area now, so that is the problem. As for ice-cream, I used to bring back different ones, but only in the winter. I also have a soft sided (foldable cooler bag) that works wonders. It would be my last purchase and would stay soft, but not melt until I got home (about 1-1/2 hours). It's do-able.

[AndreaU]

lanie and funnybone,
As one who grew up in Buffalo, NY (and made many trips to the OTHER side of the border...), may I suggest another supermarket? TOPS is o.k. but for a nicer shopping experience, try WEGMANS! There is a store located across from the Prime Outlet Center on Military Road in Niagara Falls. Their specialty departments are fabulous. You won't be sorry (I hope!)- there isn't one where I live now, so I stock up when I'm in town. Enjoy! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lanie]

Andrea - thanks for input and to you ALL - is the Wegman's new - and is that whole area new - mean the Military Road - do you know of any 'nice' places to stay in Niagara - we stayed across from the Galleria Mall at the Marriott (think that it what it is was) in Buffalo a couple of years ago - it was very nice and I guess that would work - but I hear the shopping is really in Niagara (I know the distance is minimal). Our dollar just 'sucks' pardon me, right now - we are supposed to be going to SC - weather awful apparently and $ 'sucks' - so will prob end up in Niagara/Buffalo for a couple of days - have to stay 48 hours in order to do $200.

FB - I live in Unionville - you must have lived in either end - we have fantastic produce here.

[funnybone]

Have fun Lanie. Sorry I can't help you with hotels. We used to do the day trip thing, and pay duties on all we bought. In most cases, it was still worth it.

I used to live in Oakville. I'm in Pennsylvannia now, and we lack the produce I used to find in Ontario. However, we have outlet malls here and our Canadian friends go crazy down here because we have no sales tax on clothing and shoes! Even with exchange rate, there are many deals. Have fun!

[AndreaU]

lanie,
No problem- always happy to help. As for the Wegmans, it's fairly new. The outlet shopping has been there for, oh, at least 15+ years (it used to be called something like Niagara Falls Outlets but they recently changed it to the Prime Outlet Center). There is a Marriot (Courtyard, I think) across from the Galleria and also a Sheraton next door. I'm not too familiar with NF hotels (I lived nearby so I never had the opportunity to stay in hotels). There are some nice places to stay around the Galleria area and in the Amherst/Williamsville/Airport area. But definitely check out Wegmans! Have fun.

[Gail]

Excuse a non-Canadian for butting in here (well, I once got mistaken for Canadian by some other Canadians in Greece...) but I simply had to make a comment. Since my local markets have recently been stocking more and more cookies from Canada I've become increasingly aware that your bakers know something ours don't. With the notable exception of Pepperidge Farms and some of Archway's products, American commercial cookie makers are CLUELESS! I am so glad to get product from Canada!!

[lanie]

BRAVO Gail!!!!!

I am going to copy this and send on to Jean Chretien - our Prime Minister aka
Jean Poutine - loling!

[funnybone]

Gail, that is why I stock up when I go back to Canada. You know, even the Oreo's are different back ther. You can split them and the middle can be eaten very easily (it basically comes out in one piece). Here, if you split it, usually one of the ends breaks.

[kima]

Hey good to know OUR Oreos are better than your Oreos http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gifHave any of you fellow Canadians been to a Trader Joes- do we have any thing comparable here? Yes we must tell Jean Poutine about our superior cookies!!! I love This hour has 22 minutes segment "Talking to Americans"! Okay I better be careful here amonst my dear Yankee friends!!

[erinyyc]

aka... I can't remember where you live, but in Calgary we have the hard Starburst candies and I noticed Altoids at Zellers (of all places) the other day! Also regarding your cinnamon fetish (LOL), I've found the dental floss at Safeway and Shoppers Drug Mart. Have you tried Gold Schlager (sp?) the liqueur with the gold flecks? Very cinnamony, but packs a punch!!
Erin

[SusieO]

Originally posted by aka:
Altoids (if you look, you can find them here...but they're everywhere in the US...again candy for dh, I only like one now and again)


Did you know they also make cinnamon Altoids?

[aka]

That's it...we're moving to Calgary! Actually, we're in Vancouver. Hearing all the things that you have in Calgary, makes me think they ought to be here too, but I just haven't been looking hard enough! I've only been here 6 months so.... Maybe I'm looking for love in all the wrong places?

I know about the cinnamon Altoids...thanks! Now I'll also have to keep an eye out for the Gold Schlager...thanks for all the info!

Lilia

[JJ40]

This topic is bringing back such memories...I grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario...loved shopping OTR (over the river, as we call it!)

Funnybone, I am with you on the Italian bread thing. I live in Quebec now and have yet to find Italian bread that rivals what I used to get at a little bakery in the Falls!
Mmmm....

Julie

[kima]

I am not surprised about those tomatoes- cause I have no idea what they are!! Could you describe what they are? Maybe we have somethng comparable here??

[Sarah]

There is nothing comparable to Rotel here. I'd never heard of it before my vacation to Texas. The woman I stayed with used it as a base for practically everything. It's kind of a stewed tomato...but with peppers. Any suggestions?

[kima]

The only thing I can suggest are Stewed Tomatoes Mexican style. They are readily available here in B.C. but I am not sure about the rest of the country. Hope you fins something that will work. Be sure to ask where you shop- I have found most grocers most helpful in that regard! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Luiza]

Peajaybee, you can find canned tomatoes with chilies (and a few other varieties), Muir Glen brand, at Fruiterie du Parc in the La Cite Shopping Mall (Park and Prince Arthur). Their stock varies, but they've been carrying this brand for quite a while, so it's probably there to stay. I think Optimum has some as well (it's a health food store on Sherbrooke and Union, close to Fruiterie du Parc). Optimum is worth checking for a few other things, like bulk grains of any type and organic products. They even have the much-touted Pirate's Booty. Hope this helps.

Sarah and Kima, I haven't seen this kind of stuff in the regular grocery stores. They're basically canned chopped tomatoes with some other things like chilies or garlic and spices. Possibly chopped canned tomatoes and canned chilies, with some extra spices...? No help there, I'm afraid.

Luiza

[peajaybee]

I'm a Texan now living in Quebec. One thing that I can't find here (or anywhere in Canada; the manufacturer tells me they don't have their product in Canada)is Ro-Tel canned tomatoes. It's hard to make King Ranch Chicken without Rotel. Yum!

P