It is abundantly clear that we like to travel. But what is the point of travel if we cannot indulge once in a while? A few places are a must-visit every time we are in the area. All of these places are food-related and are worth the visit every time.
The one place we visit the most is Donut Monster. This is the best place for the finest, most incredible donuts ever. Every time we are in Hamilton or passing through, there is a mandatory stop at Donut Monster. Each visit presents us with new flavours of donuts. My favourites have been the dill pickle donut (tastes much better than it sounds), root beer, peanut butter and jam, any of their fritters, creme brule, pistachio, and so many more. I have never been disappointed, and limiting myself is always a struggle when we go there.
When we are in the Buffalo area, there are competing desires. We must pass Donut Monster to get to Buffalo, where Paula’s Donut is located. Paula’s has the best apple fritter we have ever experienced. Even though Donut Monster has amazing apple fritters, it pales compared to Paula’s Donut version. The apple fritter is heavy. It is a meal in itself. The inside is filled with apples, which is a challenge for us to finish. It is the only thing we go there for, but in the odd time that the fritters are sold out, I love their cinnamon roll. Also large and very tasty. Again, a must-visit for us.
Another must-visit is Reid’s Dairy in Belleville. I remember being so excited as a kid to go there. The outside resembles a castle, and being young was a major achievement in finally going inside a castle. However, when I discovered they only sold milk, my heart was dashed. When we started touring several years ago, we visited Belleville on one occasion. I wanted to show my wife the disappointing Reid’s Dairy. We walked in, and there was a large lineup for their ice cream bar. Naturally, we had to have some. I had ordered a large soft serve in a waffle cone and was presented with an eye-watering amount of ice cream. It is now my favourite ice cream location. There is another location in Kingston that we have also visited.
In Guelph is Lady Glaze Doughnut. Another fine example of culinary greatness. I believe I have yet to take Charlene here since it is rare for us to stop by Guelph together. I do it as part of my job, and when I have the time, I pop in for one of their selections. They had a pineapple fritter that was one of the best I ever had. Their prices are higher than that of Paula’s Donut or Donut Monster, but they are still worthy of a must-visit when I have in the area.
Fromagerie Victoria is my all-time favourite poutine place. I see it as a great injustice if we are in Quebec and I do not have a poutine. The size of the poutine is impressive. The price is also impressively large, but the quality of the curd, fries and gravy inspires so many of my dreams that involve food. There are many locations between Montreal and Quebec City, but going there is a major trip, so it is rare for us to enjoy this delicacy. I sincerely hope they make their way to Ontario.
Scholtens Inc – Cottage Country Candies is a dangerous place if you want to lose weight. The candy is manufactured on-site and is the freshest you will find anywhere. Also, the prices are unbeatable; money goes a long way here. We have left this place with a regrettably large amount of sweets several times. Thankfully, their hours do not match when we are in Burlington.
Pizza buns are a staple in every Canadian grocery store, but they are sorely missing in the USA, except at Great Harvest Bread Company in Grand Haven, MI. We were checking out the local shops when we decided to stop at the bakery. There, we saw they had pizza bread. It had cheese, pepperoni, and even the right amount of pasta sauce in a high-quality loaf. We had this for over two days, and I cannot wait to return to this location. Sadly, it is almost eight hours away. I do not know when that would even be.
We do not usually eat at restaurants; instead, we opt for something that we cook up at camp or throw into a microwave from Walmart. It is nice to eat out once in a while, and on our way back from Alaska, we passed through Illinois. I do not recall the exact events leading up to selecting Pizza Ranch, but we went there two days in a row when we discovered it. This will be a must-visit for us, but it is at least seven hours away. It is probably a good thing that it is so far away because their buffet includes pizza of all types. If there is a pizza you want, they will make it and bring it to your table. We discovered a taco pizza that had shredded lettuce on it. Never have we seen this before. Interestingly, people have joined the hype against pineapple on pizza, yet there is no mention of lettuce. Also included in the all-you-can-eat buffet is salad and chicken. People were lining up for the chicken when we were there. If only it was closer – oh well.
Another great place that we will likely never visit again was a food truck way out west in B.C. They served a delicacy called Sasquatch Poutine. Having recently encountered Big Foot, I had to honour this experience with a gastronomical experience of stuffing my face.
I hope a location in Michigan will become a must-visit. H&D Chuckwagon serves donuts the size of a plate, but it is out of the way being some seven hours. Still, it might become a stop sometime soon!
Another dream location I hope to visit soon is one I cannot remember where. Is it in Latrobe, PA, home of the original banana split? I know the size of the split is measured in pounds! Or was it in Lexington at Barbeque Center- an 8-pound monster split. There is Poky Dot in West Virginia. Turkey Hill Experience also serves up these banana splits, but I am sure I saw a place that served up a twenty-pound version and cannot find where that is. If I ever find it, there will be pictures.
Finding a good place to eat is great, but what makes travelling all the better is sharing the experience with someone. I am thankful I have my wife with me on our excursions.
- All The Places We Have Been will show how to reach these locations.
- Most of the places we have been to are reasonably priced.
