A year has passed, and the Cronut burger is just a nausea-inducing memory. Today, the wacky, extreme and sometimes delicious food offerings for this year’s Canadian National Exhibition were unveiled, and we were there to give each dish a taste. Below, our highlights from the Food Building and the Midway:
Cocoa-infused fried chicken
Apparently this is all the rage in Los Angeles, and for kind of a good reason. At first you think “ew, chocolate on chicken?” But the people at Coco’s Fried Chicken in the Food Building marinates, coats and seasons their chicken in cocoa, and then gives you a chocolate ketchup to dip it in that blends sweet and salty beautifully. The chicken itself is succulent.
Liquid nitrogen sorbet
This frozen treat appeals to the nerd in everyone. Using liquid nitrogen and a kitschy mixer, culinary scientists create a refreshing bowl of sorbet right in front of you. Choose from four fruity flavours, like tangerine and orange, at Eative in the Food Building.
Butter coffee
Butter coffee is exactly what it sounds like: instead of milk or soy, the good people at Hula Girl Espresso use actual butter. They claim it can regulate your cholesterol, act as an appetite suppressant and is rich in Omega-3 essential fats. It is the creamiest coffee you’ll ever have, and it goes down smoothly. Coffee connoisseurs, rejoice!
Crowbar
Also from Hula Girl in the Food Building, this sweet snack takes the chocolate croissant one step further by adding a chocolate bar (pictured: Kit Kat) to the centre of a croissant pastry, rather than just any old chocolate. This treat is for the less adventurous, but it sure goes well with that butter coffee.
S’more bao
This offering from Far East Taco is so sweet, you might get sick from eating the whole thing yourself. This is best to share this with a friend or family. That said, the bao bun is pillowy soft and sweet, which complements the Graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate draped over it. These treats are located in the Food Building.
Elvis Presley’s grilled cheese
As legend would have it, a certain rock ‘n’ roll king loved this sandwich. It sounds weird – peanut butter, banana, cheese and bacon are all melted together between two slices of bread. If you’re still feeling iffy about this bizarre combination of flavours, perhaps this will sway your decision: the bread tastes like flaky pie crust. Find this gem on the Midway at Coffee Zone.
Thanksgiving waffle
We’re still a couple of months away from holiday dinner season, but you can get your fix from Fran’s at the CNE this summer. The waffle is basically chewy stuffing, and it’s topped with real cranberry sauce and a mix of real dark and white turkey meat. Eat this with a knife and fork, or folded up into a sandwich. Tip: eat this immediately, while it’s still hot. Otherwise it tastes like Thanksgiving leftovers, and not the good kind.
Brownie cheesecake milkshake
Fran’s has also graciously provided us with a dessert to wash down that Thanksgiving meal. This is literally the most delicious milkshake in the world. You will not be disappointed. Fran’s is also set up in the Food Building, which is great because after the waffle and the milkshake, you’ll probably need to sit down for a while.
The Ex opens this Friday.
