Why is Canadian food so bland ?

Question

With the exception of Quebec, food in Canada is generally not very good. No offense, and I am not just the average "ignorant" American- I've been to every Canadian province (and NW Territories), and while there are a few exceptions, they are few and far between.

Answer 1

Where the h**l have you been eating?  Canada is so multicultural and you can find just about anything here.  halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver.... all foody heavens!!!!!  I am aserious foody, and honestlt, the only place I been in the States ( and I have been to'em all except idaho a nebraska) that can even compare to Toronto and vancouver for food is New York.

Answer 2

It is just the English influence on most of their food. I am married to a Canadian and have lived in Canada for the past 7 years. They tend to use very little seasoning in their food. I compare their sausage to rolled up greasy cardboard. We always buy our sausage in the states. And heaven forbid, they grind brisket into hamburger instead of BBQing it!

You have to learn as I did...carry your personal bottle of Tabasco with you and use it. I have a pouch that attached to my belt.

But until you try "mushy peas" you haven't eaten bad. It takes close to a half bottle of tabasco to make it edible!...LOL

My wife now knows how to cook with more spices, likes Tabasco on her eggs and even eats Jalapeños on her nachos!

Answer 3

Canadian food is just like American food. . . I know this because I am a dual citizen who lives in Canada every summer. The only things that I can think of that vary is that canadians put vinegar and sometimes gravy on their fries, have a greater variety of potato chips (like ketchup and all dressed) and have more types of chocolate bars.

And they have butter tarts, which most americans don't have a clue about.

So if you think canadian food is bland, maybe you are lacking in taste buds because it's just slightly better than american food.

Answer 4

Just so you know "McDonald's'" and "Burger King" are not Canadian!!

Answer 5

I agree with the third answer, totally!

Answer 6

It was taken from English food, not french food.

Answer 7

Go to Vancouver. It's a total food town!

Answer 8

Please, please, please, Colorado!  Outside of Québec (where, as a québecoise, I can say that our classic québecoise-French restaurant food, although very good, is still not spicy except in ethnic places and we tend too often to sweeten up our classic sauces) have you not enjoyed the fine culinary experiences in much of British Columbia, spurred by the development of the wine industry there to a point where many B.C. wines are among the best in the world?  And the ethnic immigration into Toronto (now the most multi-cultural city in the world, more so than N.Y.C. or L.A.) has made that city into a most eclectic gustatory heaven.  

But as to the rest of Canada you may have a point  -- but the food is not that dissimilar to what one would find in 95% of the USA (outside of the South)only 30 years ago and still in most of the restaurants and cafes of "American Gothic" America today.  And for lots of people that/this is delicious "comfort food".

Answer 9

What the heck is Canadian food? maple syrup, back bacon, canola oil and Prairie wheat come to mind, all ingredients but not food. The trouble with Canadian food is a lack of an identifiable and distinct culinary identity, i don't even know if there is a national dish.  We've got great ethnic foods but not sure if that would be classified as "Canadian".  We're too new of a country, give us some time and something will pop up eventually.

Answer 10

You probably find Canadian food bland, because Americans are used to greasy foods and consider this grease flavourful.  No offense.