HAL’S KITCHEN: Oh Canada burger leads the pack

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As I write this, three of the top five burgers in Canada are from Winnipeg and Manitoba. Leading the way in La Burger Week voting is Carlo’s Cucina in Sandy Hook. It’s a familiar spot for Carlo Guzzi, as he’s taken the national title two of the last three years including last fall. His entry this year, Oh Canada, is fighting it out against two Winnipeggers, Here’s The Beef from Jonesy’s Restaurant and The Weekender at PVG Eats, as well as two burgers in Quebec. As for the local burger competition, Between The Buns, the voting there is kept secret until the end. Both events wrap up on Sunday.

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BIG ARCH REVIEW

Speaking of burgers, have you tried the Big Arch yet? McDonald’s says it’s their biggest burger ever. And it really is a whopper. The Big Arch is being tested in Canada and Portugal, with plans to release it in the U.S. at some point soon. It features two patties, three layers of white cheddar cheese, a new tangy sauce, crispy and slivered onions, lettuce and pickles on a brioche bun topped with sesame and poppy seeds. I thought it was good but not great, a bit too salty for me. My inbox is always open for your food reviews at Hal@HalAnderson.ca.

TACO BELL CHICKEN NUGGETS

Keep your eyes peeled for new chicken nuggets at Taco Bell. They were tested a few months ago in Houston and apparently, they’ll be released widely before the end of the year. The nuggets are made with chicken breast meat marinated in jalapeño buttermilk.

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TABLE FOR ONE?

Solo dining is more common than ever. OpenTable says reservations for just one person are up 29% over the last two years and 60% of us have dined alone at a restaurant at least once in the past year. Experts believe it’s a combination of more people working remotely and marrying later, thus living alone.

HONEY DEUCE COCKTAIL

The real winner of the U.S. Open this year is the Honey Deuce Cocktail. Sales from the drink last year hit $10 million, more than the $7 million paid to the men’s and women’s champions of the tennis event. Even Serena Williams was spotted sipping the $23 cocktail at this year’s tournament which wraps up on Sunday. If you’re looking to enjoy the drink at home, the Honey Deuce is made with Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur and honeydew melon balls which look like tennis balls.

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WEIRDEST PUMPKIN SPICE FLAVOURS

–Busch Pumpkin Spice Dog Brew: It’s an alcohol-free drink for dogs made with pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and water.
–Krispy Kreme Pup’kin Spice Doggie Doughnuts: These baked doughnut-shaped dog biscuits contain pumpkin, peanut butter and carob.
–Hefty Cinnamon Pumpkin Spice Ultra Strong Trash Bags: Forget about scented candles. What you need is trash that doesn’t smell like garbage.
–Pumpkin Spice Avocado Oil Caviar: Chosen Foods came up with this one. It’s made from their avocado oil and a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice but no fish eggs.
–Pumpkin Spice Latte Body Wash: Part of Tree Hut’s Café Collection, it contains notes of pumpkin, orange zest, cinnamon and nutmeg.
–Pumpkin Spice Latte Engagement Ring: Jewelry company Angelic Diamonds offers this $12,500 custom ring which features a rose gold band that holds white diamonds and orange sapphires in a conical shape, mimicking the foam atop a PSL. It comes in a box with a pumpkin-shaped clasp and a cardboard wrap, like the
sleeve on a hot cup of coffee.
–DUMPkin Spice Wipes from DUDEwipes: These wipes are exactly what you think they are. Rear-end wipes made with clove, nutmeg and other fall “crap,” according to the company.

-Hal has written columns for years. He’s also the host of Connecting Winnipeg weekday mornings from 10 to noon on 680 CJOB. You can email him at Hal@HalAnderson.ca.

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