Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It's All About The Condiments

Since moving to the U.S., I've had numerous people make the same observation about me, and by extention, all Canadians. They say...

"Dude... look at you. Canadians are all about the condiments!"

I've come to realize that there might be some truth to this.... I do love sauces. So many of my favorite foods are only my favorites because of the sauces I dip them in. I spent some time thinking about my favorite condiments yesterday, and here is my top 5.

Number Five: Tartar Sauce



I know it's pretty much just mayo and relish combined, so it's pretty basic... but this stuff is good! Fish and Chips with tartar sauce? Yum.


Number Four: Ketchup



Again, I know this is a basic choice, but how could it not make the list? This is my go-to sauce whenever I'm facing condiment-indecision. It's great on hamburgers and hot dogs, it's a must for french-fry dipping, and I love it on grilled cheese or mac n' cheese (Jess hates it when I do that one...)


Number Three: Chick Fil A's Polynesian Sauce



This sauce was a bit of an acquired taste for me. I initially didn't like it very much, but now I can't get enough. I'm not much for southern-influenced foods, but dipping nuggets, a chicken sandwich, or waffle fries in this stuff... that's a southern experience I can enjoy!


Number Two: Sweet and Sour Sauce



Sweet and Sour Sauce is one great condiment. I have favorites within this category.... Most Chinese restaurants have decent sweet and sour... but my favorites aren't from a Chinese Restaurant. Believe it or not, McDonald's and Wendy's both make killer sweet and sour sauces. I'll dip almost anything I can in that stuff. MMmm good.... and Yes, I will pay the 16 cents or whatever for extra sauces. Well worth it.


Number One: Swiss Chalet Sauce



Now this is my number one condiment, and I only get it once a year or so. It's a dipping sauce from Canada's own Swiss Chalet. This sauce is to DIE for. It's kind of a spicy gravy. It's somewhere between gravy, barbeque sauce, and sweet and sour. I can't really explain it... but IT IS GOOD! You can dip your chicken, fries, and buns in it. Basically anything. Solid foods basically become vehicles for sauce when this stuff is around.

Pretty much every Canadian I know loves this stuff.... but I'm yet to meet an American that likes it. It's odd. Jess hates it, my friends Aaron and Molly tried it and didn't care for it.

I still hold though... that this is the BEST. SAUCE. EVER!

Aaaaand those are my thoughts on condiments. MMmm Condiments.

j.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

The polynesian sauce is the best!!!!! I'll be getting a job soon at Chik-fil-A too! Haha.. That was random....
What kind of gravy do you guys put on poutine?

Anonymous said...

Ya baby! Swiss Chalet sauce- coming from another Canadian...nothing beats it hand down!

*:.Jesi.:* said...

i was in canada this weekend and had swiss chalet one night for dinner. i had never been there. my friends i was with both hated the sauce so i was a little too scared to try it....and they are both canadian. ;) next time i might try it. if i'm ever up there again.


have you ever had cane's chicken fingers? their sauce is interesting....not my fav but definitely interesting.

Anonymous said...

i love sweet and sour sauce. i think thats the only one on the list ive ever tried. haha. [besides ketchup of course.]

Anonymous said...

May I be the first American you know to say that I love Swiss Chalet Sauce. Jason brought some back after visiting home and we ate it for Canadian Thanksgiving. I smothered everything in it. Yumm..

Anonymous said...

Can you find Swiss Chalet sauce in America? I am obssessed with sauce as well..you are not alone!

Adam said...

Amen to Swiss Chalet Sauce

Anonymous said...

so i dont know if you've tried the "chick-fil-a sauce" but you should. Its new to most states (all but a small section of VA actually). I grew up in the city that it was created in so I've had it since they started making it and i liked it better when it wasnt mass produced but its still amazing especially with their chicken strips....or any of their chicken really :D

Anonymous said...

wow. i will have to try all of these condiments. very interesting blog today. :D when i go to Canada for vacation next year i will have to try some of that swiss chalet sauce. maybe my neighbor likes it and has some. he's Canadian. and he always gives us some Canadian food. you guys have really good food. i love that poutine stuff. it's so good!!!!!

ChrisBCrazy said...

i LOVE ketchup on mac and cheese..i'll have to try the grilled cheese though...

one condiment you might really like that seems to be a utah thing s fry sauce. yes fry sauce. you think, ketchup, but it's not. it's usually a combo of ketchup and mayo. so good. you can get it at most fast food places in utah, and you can buy it bottled at the grocery stores....or make your own!

jonathan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

p.s.

is this what you do all day while i'm at work?

jonathan said...

pretty much, yep honey.

Z-Girl said...

I have to say this is my avorite blog you posted:)...that's all I have to say...

Keela said...

ok so i'm like the most picky person in the world... i dont eat anything green...i've only tried 3 vegatables...i dont drink dark liquids...etc. BUT Polynesian Sauce
IS AMAZING! and thats coming from a person who has never tried 85% of food lol it might of took me 3 or 4 years to try it but i find it to be rather tasty!:)

nice blog jon:)

Anonymous said...

As an American girl transplanted into Canada, I agree with Jess...the Swiss Chalet dipping sauce, not so good...and don't get me started on what Harvey's refers to as a burger, I have never experienced a burger with such a "rubbery" consistency!

Anonymous said...

oops, didn't mean to be anonymous, I am rather proud of my opinion so wish to be known LOL!

Anonymous said...

okay, Jonathan, it's Michele Gerow and I can't figure out this page, so I am the anonymous one! :)

jon schneck said...

arent polynesian sauce and sweet and sour sauce the same thing?

js

Anonymous said...

sounds like somethin' my dad would like he's wierd like that not that you're wierd :D

Matte Downey said...

dean offers his own top 5 from Montreal:
5. Frank's red hot sauce
4. Montreal steak spice in any form
3. BBQ sauce (yo Diana)
2. mustard
1. ketchup

Flash said...

Arby sauce is good, I think its litterally a mix between ketchup, BBQ, and sweet and sour sauce. Quite good.