[Bus pass]

I vote for something involving poutine and I want to see as many of them as we have Starbucks. Also, is Tim Horton's considered a restaurant? -because it should be! I want to see them plastered over the entire U, S and A.

[ExcaliburKid]

Funky Pickle would rock the after-bar crowd in any American city (or college campuses for that matter)

[Taller Better]

I vote for something involving poutine and I want to see as many of them as we have Starbucks. Also, is Tim Horton's considered a restaurant? -because it should be! I want to see them plastered over the entire U, S and A.


It is a restaurant, and they are expanding in the States. I don't think they are Canadian any more. In fact they were the only thing that was keeping poor Wendy's afloat. I can't really think of another Canadian restaurant chain that has cracked the American market. Was A&W originally Canadian? I think (but am not sure) that it is in America, too....

[BlackRedGold]

It is a restaurant, and they are expanding in the States. I don't think they are Canadian any more. In fact they were the only thing that was keeping poor Wendy's afloat. I can't really think of another Canadian restaurant chain that has cracked the American market. Was A&W originally Canadian? I think (but am not sure) that it is in America, too....

A&W is American.

Boston('s the Gourmet) Pizza has cracked the American market with locations throughout the country.

[SteelTown]

The Keg

[Waterlooson]

Boston Pizza.

[vid]

Not exactly a restaurant, but I think the Americans will fully enjoy shopping at the Couche-Tard.

[salvius]

It is a restaurant, and they are expanding in the States. I don't think they are Canadian any more. In fact they were the only thing that was keeping poor Wendy's afloat. I can't really think of another Canadian restaurant chain that has cracked the American market. Was A&W originally Canadian? I think (but am not sure) that it is in America, too....

Tim Hortons is now a public company.

[IntotheWest]

Tim Horton's, The Keg, and Earl's already are in the US.

[MolsonExport]

LaFleur's.
http://www.auventsprovincial.com/en/realisations/img/vanguard.jpg

[SHOFEAR]

Bad Ass Jacks

[IntotheWest]

^I haven't been to Bad Ass Jacks in a looonnnggg time. They seemed to expand quickly in the late 90's/early 2000...and then ran out of steam. The last I went, I still thought it was pretty good - but there was something different (i.e. not as good) as I remember way back. Maybe they grew too fast?

Does anyone know if Wrapture still exists - on 17th (Calgary), and I think they had one in Edmonton???

Anyhow - not sure if these places would be competitive in the US anyway.

[furrycanuck]

Does anyone know if Wrapture still exists - on 17th (Calgary), and I think they had one in Edmonton???

Oh yeah, I go there all the time. They have good chicken congee, believe it or not, a bowl of that and a small wrap is a nice lunch. Decent smoothies too. They have a second location downtown too, Bow Valley Square maybe?

Places like Wrapture and the like seemed to peak and then die and then sort of be resurrected- same thing with juice places. I expected both wraps and juice bars would go the path of frozen yogurt (which was HUGE in the late 80s), but both seem to be hanging in there.

[vid]

LOL, we had a Bad Ass Jacks here and all the suburban bible thumpers got all pissed off saying it's sending children the wrong message. :rolleyes: It first opened in the old Clarkson Street Safeway building in 1999 I think, then moved in to 24 South Cumberland in 2004. It's now called Jack's, so it probably isn't part of Bad Ass Jacks anymore but the menu is similar. They also have a lot of local talent performing there.

[ReginaGuy]

Boston's is Canadian?? And isn't Houston Pizza a Regina based restaurant?

Can't we use our own city names? It's sad though, because I bet no one would go to them if they were called Toronto Pizza or Regina Pizza

[IntotheWest]

Oh yeah, I go there all the time. They have good chicken congee, believe it or not, a bowl of that and a small wrap is a nice lunch. Decent smoothies too. They have a second location downtown too, Bow Valley Square maybe?


Good to hear...I lived down on 14th (across the park from Good Earth), and would walk down there for a bite - always liked it. I recall a wrap with a LOT of garlic, it tasted so good, but you wouldn't want to talk to anyone after - it was that much garlic :-)

I agree about wraps and juice places - though, I always thought with planned growth Jugo could do well...glad to see they are.

Vid - I believe Bad Ass Jacks did change their name to just Jacks - at least for some locations. I think they did find resistance to their growth in new markets because of their name. They're quality did go down since the first one in Edmonton...but still better than most fast food places.

[ReginaGuy]

oh, and how could I forget? BURGER BARON! Best fast food burgers on the planet, hands down

[The Jabroni]

Salisbury House.

[ibz]

Lets export steamed hotdogs and poutine to the USA by opening Ashtons everywhere

[AlbertaBeef]

Some decent (using the word loosely for a few) Canadian chains that could do well in some American markets are:
Boston Pizza (I know, already there)
Burger Baron (a small town/rural icon)
Montana's Cookhouse (love the brisket)
The Keg (Prime Rib anyone?)
Good Earth (lazy kids need work too)
Mr. Sub
Swiss Chalet
Second Cup
CinnZeo
White Spot
O'Sheas (Mmmm, corned beef and saurkraut)
Kelsey's (thought I would add it for the heck of it)
Moxie's (same as above)
East Side Mario's (I get ill smelling this place)
Harvey's

[West_aust]

Not exactly a restaurant, but I think the Americans will fully enjoy shopping at the Couche-Tard.
a lot of them already do, Couche-Tard the second largest convenience store chain in the US right behind 7-eleven

[vid]

Really? :P

But is it called Couche-Tard or something else?

[kool maudit]

Boston's is Canadian?? And isn't Houston Pizza a Regina based restaurant?

Can't we use our own city names? It's sad though, because I bet no one would go to them if they were called Toronto Pizza or Regina Pizza





the name 'boston pizza' actually does sound sort of canadian, as an american would know that boston isn't famous for pizza.

there are a ton of 'montreal' delis in toronto, and there's a 'halifax donair' in vancouver....but i don't know how well regina pizza would fly.

it's sort of 'corner brook taco.'

[BlackRedGold]

Oh yeah, I go there all the time. They have good chicken congee, believe it or not, a bowl of that and a small wrap is a nice lunch. Decent smoothies too. They have a second location downtown too, Bow Valley Square maybe?

Close.

The Petro Canada building.

[Xelebes]

Boston's is Canadian?? And isn't Houston Pizza a Regina based restaurant?

Can't we use our own city names? It's sad though, because I bet no one would go to them if they were called Toronto Pizza or Regina Pizza

There is Victoria Pizza. Well, at least one off of Stony Plain Road in E-town.

[vid]

'corner brook taco.'

:ack:

That's almost as vile sounding as "Thunder Bay Restaurant" :D

(Thunder Bay Restaurant is actually pretty good. But not as good as the Hoito nearby.)

[Jay in Cowtown]

I think Ricky's would do well down south... they give you a 'Texas' sized breakfast for about the same price as that shithole Denny's American Slam.

[furrycanuck]

Some decent (using the word loosely for a few) Canadian chains that could do well in some American markets are:
Boston Pizza (I know, already there)
Burger Baron (a small town/rural icon)
Montana's Cookhouse (love the brisket)
The Keg (Prime Rib anyone?)
Good Earth (lazy kids need work too)
Mr. Sub
Swiss Chalet
Second Cup
CinnZeo
White Spot
O'Sheas (Mmmm, corned beef and saurkraut)
Kelsey's (thought I would add it for the heck of it)
Moxie's (same as above)
East Side Mario's (I get ill smelling this place)
Harvey's

There are already Kegs in the US, so yeah.
Second Cup tried the US- they were once the owners of the very good Oregon chain called Coffee People (sold to LA-based Dietrichs, which is another US chain I want to see in Canada), and a very shitty chain called Gloria Jean's, but they have since pulled out.

[Waterlooson]

Boston's is Canadian?? And isn't Houston Pizza a Regina based restaurant?

Can't we use our own city names? It's sad though, because I bet no one would go to them if they were called Toronto Pizza or Regina Pizza

Yes, Boston Pizza is Canadian. It was started by an illegal Greek immigrant who jumped ship in Vancouver!

[West_aust]

Really? :P

But is it called Couche-Tard or something else?

they are called Circle K, they bought that chain, and then many other smaller regional chains and have rebranded them as Circle K

Couche-tard in Quebec
Mac's in ROC
Circle K in the US

[IntotheWest]

^Boston Pizza is also in the US...as Bostons.

[vid]

they are called Circle K, they bought that chain, and then many other smaller regional chains and have rebranded them as Circle K

Couche-tard in Quebec
Mac's in ROC
Circle K in the US

I forgot about Circle K :P

We had two but they became Macs a couple years ago when the bought out 7-11 of Northern Ontario. The city has been in a nachos and cheese drought since summer 2004. :(

[raggedy13]

I put my support behind White Spot, but maybe they should first work on spreading east within Canada. Are they only in BC and Alberta at the moment? They have a pretty diverse menu these days but all I ever get is the zoo sticks, BC burger, and chocolate milkshakes. I would probably get the pirate pack if I still could though. Do they still have them? Anyways, they have the only burgers I ever get a craving for (besides Mcdonald's which is probably due to some sort of addictive chemical additive).

[SpongeG]

Boston's is Canadian?? And isn't Houston Pizza a Regina based restaurant?

Can't we use our own city names? It's sad though, because I bet no one would go to them if they were called Toronto Pizza or Regina Pizza

Boston Pizza is a Canadian Chain named after an American city owned and started by a greek family dishing italian food :haha:

[SpongeG]

Red Robin Is Canadian and in the states - at least in washington state and i think i sawe some in oregon

[CCF]

Some decent (using the word loosely for a few)
Burger Baron (a small town/rural icon)


I wasn't aware that Burger Baron had branched out of Regina? It was started here and only in the summer of 2005 did we get a second Burger Baron.

[BrannyMuffin]

I wasn't aware that Burger Baron had branched out of Regina? It was started here and only in the summer of 2005 did we get a second Burger Baron.

I don't think it's the same thing...Someone was telling me that they ate once at the Burger Baron in Red Deer I believe it was (it was in Alberta somewhere). He said it was nothing like Burger Baron in Regina. Pretty sure it's a different company. I've always wondered why they don't branch out, I'm sure they'd be successful.

[Xelebes]

I wasn't aware that Burger Baron had branched out of Regina? It was started here and only in the summer of 2005 did we get a second Burger Baron.

There are 4 or 6 in the Edmonton, one in Leduc and one in Onoway. As far as I know

[SHOFEAR]

Boston Pizza is a Canadian Chain named after an American city owned and started by a greek family dishing italian food :haha:

The first location was in Edmonton I believe. Frankly, I've never liked their food. Their pasta sucks and although their pizza is good...it's way to expensive.

[malek]

Dic Ann's

La Belle Province
:p

[IntotheWest]

Red Robin Is Canadian and in the states - at least in washington state and i think i sawe some in oregon

Red Robin is American, and is in Canada I believe...they have over 300 locations in the US, and only 18 in Canada (still not sure why they closed in Calgary???)

[Taller Better]

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/671/ronaldmacdonald0tl.jpg

[Bassic Lab]

There are 4 or 6 in the Edmonton, one in Leduc and one in Onoway. As far as I know

There is also one in Sundre. So there are probaboly a few more spread over the province but there isn't one in Calgary.

[jaydee]

Harvey's, my favourite burger chain :) Swiss Chalet would be good, too.

[PhilippeMtl]

premiere moisson
harvey's

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Swiss Challet and Licks.

[Taller Better]

premiere moisson
harvey's



premiere moisson makes excellent bread. I would like Harvey's more but I am not crazy about the meat they use. Their veggie burger is not bad.

[Jay in Cowtown]

Red Robin is American, and is in Canada I believe...they have over 300 locations in the US, and only 18 in Canada (still not sure why they closed in Calgary???)

I've often wondered that myself... their burgers were good, and their fries were exceptional!

must have closed up shop because of high rent or something... the restaurants were usually full.

[SHOFEAR]

I've often wondered that myself... their burgers were good, and their fries were exceptional!

must have closed up shop because of high rent or something... the restaurants were usually full.

IMO best wings ever. The hot sauce used is as good as it gets. If they only had a night were they were cheaper.

Overall it's a pretty good restaurant. It's one of those types of places that you go to when you don't want a surprise and just want a decent meal at a good price.

[SpongeG]

ah never knew that - i guess the plethera of maple leafs in their signage threw me off

yah they have some decent burgers and food - the ones here are always busy

[401_King]

Harveys


Is EDO JAPAN in USA?

[401_King]

what is all this nonsense. Boston Pizza, New york Fries , Houston PIzza, MONTANAS?!1 we have no soul when it comes to restaurants. except tim hortons. but that place blows

[West_aust]

what is all this nonsense. Boston Pizza, New york Fries , Houston PIzza, MONTANAS?!1 we have no soul when it comes to restaurants. except tim hortons. but that place blows

It's true that Brandon Pizza, North York Fries, Halifax Pizza and Manitoba's Cookhouse sounds much better lol

[vid]

Since when is Houston known for it's pizza?

And it's ironic that we have a restaurant specialising in beef, named after a state that opposes American imports of Canadian beef!

[crooked rain]

Houston's is one of the finest pizza restaurants anywhere.


I think Americans should be forced to endure Boston Pizza. Why should Canadians be the only ones to suffer?

[IntotheWest]

And it's ironic that we have a restaurant specialising in beef, named after a state that opposes American imports of Canadian beef!

The state doesn't...it's a protectionist group known as R-CALF, which is relatively strong in Montana.

[IntotheWest]

I think Americans should be forced to endure Boston Pizza. Why should Canadians be the only ones to suffer?

If you look a page back you'll see that Boston Pizza does exist in the US...it's called Bostons Gourmet Pizza.

[Jay in Cowtown]

And it's ironic that we have a restaurant specialising in beef, named after a state that opposes American imports of Canadian beef!

How very true!

Mind you, I wouldn't want that shithole of a restaurant named after Alberta.

[vid]

Well of course not. :/

Call it "Northern Ontario's" or something. The quality of beef from this region (used in feed for cattle in Guyana? :shrug:) would much better fit the restaurant's degree of finesse! :tup:

[big W]

I cant believe nobody in Quebec has mentioned St Hubert yet. Its an instituition there.

[West_aust]

I cant believe nobody in Quebec has mentioned St Hubert yet. Its an instituition there.

i love st-hubert, but i don'T think they would do well in the states, they opened one in florida, and the only people who would go were quebecers.

I guess it's not bbq enough for the americans

[mbeaumont]

they opened up a St-Hubert in Toronto and it closed down a couple years ago too

[marmorek]

they are called Circle K, they bought that chain, and then many other smaller regional chains and have rebranded them as Circle K

Couche-tard in Quebec
Mac's in ROC
Circle K in the US

"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K." - Ted

http://www.dvdfever.co.uk/reviews/billted2.jpg

http://www.dvdfever.co.uk/reviews/billted1.jpg

[Kilgore Trout]

white spot is a BC institution and i've never seen it anywhere outside of that province... except for hong kong. actually, that makes sense.

wouldn't fly in the states, though. they have enough burger chains.

[furrycanuck]

white spot is a BC institution and i've never seen it anywhere outside of that province... except for hong kong. actually, that makes sense.

wouldn't fly in the states, though. they have enough burger chains.

There are two in Calgary, one by Southcentre and one in the NE around 32nd and 32nd (which is also where Nando's recently opened).

[Taller Better]

I think Americans should be forced to endure Boston Pizza. Why should Canadians be the only ones to suffer?

LOL! I'm with you on that one. I used to have an aching jaw from trying to chew all that dry thick crust, because crust is cheaper than topping. eeewww!

[Taller Better]

Harveys


Is EDO JAPAN in USA?


LOL! I designed an EDO about 15 years ago. I don't know if EDO is in the USA, but there are loads of that type of fast food Japanese place around. I'm not all that crazy about the food. Plate of rice with greasy bean sprouts and chicken-bits.
I was at a fast food Asian place in an underground mall around King/Yonge a week or so ago, and had an AMAZING fresh meal made in front of me by a few chef's and electric woks. My god it was good. I am going back for more. and cheap, too.

[Xelebes]

It's true that Brandon Pizza, North York Fries, Halifax Pizza and Manitoba's Cookhouse sounds much better lol

Actually, Manitoba's Cookhouse could very well be a marketable restaurant! Just think of the cuisine!

[Taller Better]

they opened up a St-Hubert in Toronto and it closed down a couple years ago too


I don't like St Hubert, or Swiss Chalet. The chickens they use taste like they were hormoned to develop to full size in a week or two. Watery and weird tasting. And those side sauces... gaahhh :yuck: And, what is with the half a dry hamburger bun for your 'bread'? The ribs are not so great, either. Not crazy about Baton Rouge, either. Firstly it doesn't taste like Southern cooking, and the ribs taste like they are cooked and at the last moment brushed with Kraft barbecue sauce.

[SD]

they opened up a St-Hubert in Toronto and it closed down a couple years ago too

They used to have quite a few St. Huberts in Toronto years ago...but most closed down a long while back.

[SD]

LOL! I designed an EDO about 15 years ago. I don't know if EDO is in the USA, but there are loads of that type of fast food Japanese place around. I'm not all that crazy about the food. Plate of rice with greasy bean sprouts and chicken-bits.
I was at a fast food Asian place in an underground mall around King/Yonge a week or so ago, and had an AMAZING fresh meal made in front of me by a few chef's and electric woks. My god it was good. I am going back for more. and cheap, too.

If EDO is the same mall food court Japanese place Im thinking of, it's garbage. Some of the worst food I've ever eaten. Greasy, tasteless crap.

[Taller Better]

There is another one called "Made in Japan" and lots more of them, too. You get a big greasy plate of mostly bean sprouts and rice and a bit of shredded chicken. So much oil used to fry this stuff, but I think people think of it as a healthy alternative.

[SpongeG]

the Edo here - well Brentwood mall is pretty good

not sure of other locations

[Canadian Mind]

Some decent (using the word loosely for a few) Canadian chains that could do well in some American markets are:
Boston Pizza (I know, already there)
Burger Baron (a small town/rural icon)
Montana's Cookhouse (love the brisket)
The Keg (Prime Rib anyone?)
Good Earth (lazy kids need work too)
Mr. Sub
Swiss Chalet
Second Cup
CinnZeo
White Spot
O'Sheas (Mmmm, corned beef and saurkraut)
Kelsey's (thought I would add it for the heck of it)
Moxie's (same as above)
East Side Mario's (I get ill smelling this place)
Harvey's

I bolded all the ones I didn't know were Canadian... wholly crap.


You guys forgot Old Spaghetti factory eh!