r/OttawaFood

I need a yummy spot for 16 people next Wednesday night in downtown Ottawa (walking distance from the Delta hotel). I'm looking for something that a foodie would like (so not a chain) but that isn't extremely expensive. Must take reservations and have space indoors in case it rains. Thank you!!!

EDIT to add: Apologies for no budget provided! Looking for something with options for mains around $20-30 per person. Thanks!

I need help finding a spot to connect with a friend. They will be near airport, with a dog. I will be travelling by OC Transpo (so near the LRT is preferred).

Ideas?

I’m feeling adventurous! Any good spots in Ottawa or around serving traditional cuisine of a lesser-known culture/country?

TLDR:
So question to the masses is....

Best burger joint fries. Who's got them and why?
Many exceptions, exclusions and tangents.

There are Pub fries
There are Chip wagon fries.
There are Paper hat fries that come with a new collectable SpongeBob toy.

And there are burger joints fries. If it has waiters it doesn't count.

Umbrella burger
Pearson street
5 guys and fries
All-out burger
Burgers & fries forever.

And many I am no doubt missing.

So the basics for good fries.

Use russets.
A basic potato press.
Either rinse first or submerge directly in a basic brine.
After a bit, Blanche them in the frier then ready to finish off.

Others add cornstarch to their brine mixture to great effect.
And then there are brine nerds who want everything to taste like pickles!

Everyone's got their own variation

So question to the masses is....

Best burger joint fries. Who's got them and why?

I'm Saint Laurent area.
The three I've clocked so far.
Umbrella burger. We were the first customers of the day. From the looks of them,they did all the basics. They came out as basic.
All-Out Burger on Montreal road. Wedge cut/wide cut. They do the basics and then some. Crispy texture, Something else. Great fries.
Pearson Street. They did straight cut(no shoe string fries here) . Umbrella has the same cut of fries but Pearson has that something ,Great

Hello OttawaFood,

I’m headed to the queensway carleton hospital to visit a family member. Does anyone know of a good takeout restaurant in that area, something I could bring for them to eat for dinner? I’m coming from centretown. Any recommendations are appreciated!

Popped in for a couple of days from Toronto. haven’t visited in 15 or so years and was excited for the food.

Miss:

1. tayanti (peruvian joint). I was so excited for this place and was completely bummed that it was a total miss. before we could even order or look at the menu, the server rattled off a list of at least 10 items they didn’t have. food was so mediocre. 1 main, 1 cocktail and 1 appetizer. $100 total with the server not checking in even once. he looked overwhelmed but there were 4 tables occupied. such a bummer.

2. Mr Fez. what is all the hype? it was really average shawarma $20 for a combo and spent $4 on 2 balls of falafel. I always try falafel to compare them. they were almost inedible.

wins:

1. Belmont for brunch- MY GOD. I wanted to eat it all over again the minute I finished the meal. the French toast is easily one of the best I’ve had, alongside huevos rancheros. wonderful service too. also bought their in house hot sauce. it’s so good.

2. Gooneys- rancheros arepa. delicious and so generous portion wise.

3. corazon de maiz at the byward market building- truthfully the tacos and meat itself is just fine. I’m confident I make a better barbacoa BUT their sauces. their sauces are so so good. I even bought the Diego XXX to take back home.

4.The pizza joint next to King eddy was wonderful.

other wins:

I just really liked the low pace nature of the city. it felt slow even though it was a long weekend. the traffic was manageable, most people we dealt with were nice. I’d even considering moving there.

our windshield cracked on the drive there cuz of a rock hitting it and JT auto glass helped us out and attended to it first thing Tuesday morning.

purchased a really wonderful blanket from the indigenous non profit store inside the market building. it was designed by my fav designer morningstar. the girl helping us was very lovely.

thanks for a great visit. was bummed that we didn’t get to try torta boyz which was on the list but next time.

Looking for a nice restaurant that serves pizza with a good patio. Gluten-free options are a must for my partner.

Anywhere in the Ottawa area is fine, but we prefer a comfortable spot with a good view! (Not next to a big parking lot/construction zone/etc).

Seems like the owner posted the prices and menu for lunch and dinner on google.

45 / pp for dinner.

If anyone ends up going please drop a review !

Has anyone actually had a good experience here? My wife and I had an awful experience tonight and left after I started reading the reviews while we were waiting quite a while for our food. It didn't help that the place reeked, that the water somehow tasted awful, and we started questioning the hygiene after reading the reviews and noticing that no one was wearing hairnets in the kitchen. It was a shame, as we always see it full after leaving the movies, and we have always wanted to try it. Now, I don't understand how it is always so busy? Also gives off the vibe that it's a front for scamming LMIAs.

My wife and i will be driving through on May 24 and would love to find a place we could stop for lunch or brunch that Sunday. I currently have a reservation at Ember but not sure if it’s the best option? We will also be celebrating one year of being married that day so would love something nice but not too pricey? Ideally somewhere with easy parking - not a big deal if not a we can always spothero a spot.

Have an app't early afternoon on Tuesday. West end boy here so any places I should think about for lunch before hand?

Does anyone do a proper Irish Spice Bag in Ottawa?

Hey Ottawers, will have myself about 22 hours in Ottawa to explore the city for the first time. What places would you recommend for lunch, dessert and dinner that aren’t as prominent in Montreal that I could go for? Or just city staples in general. Also ideally pls no shawerma recommendations, I worked in a shawerma joint for 2 years lol. Thank you all!

Does anyone have a recommendation? Would really appreciate it I'm from out of town

Hey there! My friend’s birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I’m searching for someone who does custom cakes and offers an earl grey flavour. Any recommendations would be much appreciated, though I recognize this is a specific request. Thanks!