Papipas
Poutine. Pretty much says it all
(801) 569-1884
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O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
What sweeter lyrics than Canada’s national anthem? I originally intended this post to be uploaded during the Olympics but following the defeat of the USA at the hands of Team Canada in Ice Hockey I decided to step back so I would not lambaste this food establishment… It didn’t make a difference.
I lived with a Canadian for two years in Boston. This spry young lad in all his French-Canadian speaking custom introduced me to many of the stereotypes and fallacies we as American often have towards our Northern Brethren.
Myth 1: Canada is icy, cold, and barren; filled with nothing but white European transplants.
Fact: Canada is actually quite warm in certain areas, particularly the East Coast of Nova Scotia and PEI. Summer temperatures can get up to the mid and high 70’s! (Think Fall here is summer there) Contrary to the notion of Canadians as just a bunch of white frenchies, there are in fact many many communities with diverse populations. Have you ever considered African-Candians or Asian-Canadians?! They have them!!!
Myth 2: – Canadians have a crazy wacky language and speak nothing but French
Fact: French is mainly spoken in areas such as French Quebec. While we associate Canada with the “Strange Brew” culture of “aboot” , “eh”, and my favorite “deckal” (in place of decal), Canadians could easily subvert and infiltrate our country by posing as white Americans!
Myth 3: Canadian food consist of maple syrup, Canadian bacon, and facsimiles of American products.
…. Well this part is somewhat true.
A recent deli opened up in my hometown of West Jordan, Utah. With it’s plainly designed sign featuring it’s namesake in a smiling facial, Papipa’s Deli offers Utah with it’s first true delicatessen. Does it live up to the experiences I’ve had with my fine Nova Scotian friend and the other random Canadian’s I’ve associated with? Quite simply, no.
There’s a sense of simplicity and familiarity that comes with “Canadian Food.” Just like American food there is an eclectic narrative food, particularly when you consider the influence of so many cultures. Basically, nothing is going to surprise you. That said some of the things I was first exposed to via my Canadian pal include Poutine, his daily musing of Donairs, and Tim Hortons. Papipa’s proports to offer a taste Canada.
You tell me what it is and I'll tell you if you're right
Their main attraction: Poutine. The rudimentary meal of fries, gravy, and cheese. Not cheese fries. Not Mashed potatoes. Rather, Poutine is a super Canadian snack that takes regular fries (thicker the better), cheese (curds are best) and then a salty and in some places spicy beef gravy. I’ve had poutine supposedly made the correct way by my Canadian friends. What can be said of this “difficult” to construct meal? While the gravy at Papipa’s was a saltiness I would prefer with my poutine, the fries and few curds on my plate didn’t do the dish justice. I also ordered a pierogi drenched in the gravy sauce but this time the saltiness and thick mush of bread didn’t settle my palate. Ironically though, my 2 year old nephew devoured the poutine and most of the peirogi.
Amazing... This photo has not been doctored
For dessert I ordered none else than Canada’s national dish: Maple Syrup Pie. hah! The pie was frozen and while they offered to “warm” it up at the deli, I offered to take mine home and eat it defrosted. Sufficient to say, it reminded me of pumpkin pie with a cup full of maple syrup. Not spectacular and not complimentary of what the nation to the north has to offer.
The deli did have other sandwiches made with different cured meats and while the first experience was somewhat a let down, I plan on visiting again and hope this small establishment fixes the little cracks and manages to bring a TRUE Canadian experience to my neighborhood. Unlike other reviews I’ve read online, the food isn’t expensive and those who complain that it is are cheap and too used to the dollar menus or casseroles of abundance in their homogeneous palate.
Friend Meter: None yet.
FYI: Feel free to check out KSL’s vid about this: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=9737246
Peng's Palate 
Canadian food, where to begin! There are so many cultures here that it is hard to say what is truly Canadian cuisine. Can’t say that I’ve ever heard of Maple Syrup pie so I think saying it is our National dish is a long shot!
I think if you were to describe Canadian cuisine it would be to say that we are wise in the use of our resources and make the best of what we find in our “backyard” and in the water that surrounds this vast country. Think global, eat local is the order of the day!
I think if you really want to experience Canadian food you need to come and visit the Great White North and see/taste for yourself!
Lol. Yeah, I’m pretty sure the Maple Syrup Pie was just to play of the maple leaf stereotypes we have of Canada.
I recall watching Iron Chef once and they featured a chef from Eastern Canada (PEI?) who was all about sustainable cuisine and featuring things native to the region. I love that idea. He made some killer looking meals!
What would you say is your quintessential dish ?
Are you asking what would be my personal quintessential dish?
If so, I would need to return to my Acadian roots and say Pate a la viande (meat pie) or Fricot
(Acadian Chicken soup).. sorry I don’t know how to add the accents on the letters here. These 2 dishes would definitely be classed as staples in any Acadian home, and they were indeed in mine. I still make these dishes for my family to this day.
Acadians were noted for simple one pot dishes which were made with seasonal ingredients and of course the meat would either have been raised in the backyard…chickens, pigs etc… or hunted/fished. When I was growing up in Cape Breton in the 60’s most of the meat/fish we ate was either hunted or caught by my father and grandfather. We also had a large family garden.
Today on the East Coast of Canada, we still like to highlight our local ingredients. Seafood dishes are at the top of the list… who can resist a seafood chowder or a freshly caught lobster boiled in a pot over an open fire on the beach? How about steamed mussels or fish and chips? OR a Hodge-Podge (vegetable stew) made with garden fresh carrots, sweet peas, and new potatoes! My mouth waters just thinking about it all!
Desserts too are simple yet elegant… how about a blueberry pie or apple crisp? Oxford, Nova Scotia is the blueberry capital of the world. The Annapolis Valley is also world-renowned for apples. Some varieties having originated there.
I think when you live in an area like Atlantic Canada, where the growing season is so short, you learn to appreciate and make the most of things that are “in season”. We look forward with much anticipation to the first crop of fresh strawberries in July, blueberries in August, Gravenstein apples in September etc… Farmer’s markets are a thriving business here as people who do not garden want to take advantage of the freshest produce possible. Restaurants will also feature what is “in season” and vary their menus accordingly to take advantage of what is available just around the corner.
Canada is such a vast and multicultural country that I think you need to think in terms of “regional” cooking as opposed to a national food identity. Hope I didn’t bore you with my comments!