Canadian vs. American PB, and grocery stores

[mike777 0]

So, I thought this would be an interesting topic to see what others think. and to maybe cause a little trouble

So myself as an American, being in Canada to see my wife plenty of times has some observations about store food brands and grocery stores in general.

I LOOOOVE peanut butter. Always have. What is up with Kraft PB? It's not that good. Peter Pan PB without a doubt is the best. I am constantly complaining to my wife about that and that the individual containers of yogurt are SOOOO small! Come on! And the lack of chicken finger subs in the niagara region of canada, as well as American style chicken wings (deep fried, and breaded). Not just deep fried and skinless.

But I do give canada props on some of the yogurts that are out there, they are pretty good - the ones in the big containers. I also give Canada prop for Kelsey's Buffalo Chicken Sandwich...awesome!

Cheers for Zehs - it's a pretty nice grocery store. Not as good as Wegmans though! Wegmans has that nice earth tone going on, like chapters books or Barnes and Noble book stores.

Jeers for discount grocery stores such as price choppers, no frills and good basics (actually I think some of these are in the states too, just not near me) I seriously get depressed going into food basics and no grills, the yellow walls are disgusting and they are always out of items that are on sale. While I'm thinking of yellow, what's with no name brand and the yellow, bleh!

Jeers for bagging my own groceries and paying a nickel for them. lol

I keep razzing on my wife about these things, now curious what others say!

[trailmix 77]

Canadian food is better.

Funny you should mention it as I am just eating some Ritz crackers that taste right. Yay Canada!

I never found a huge difference in the supermarkets in the U.S. compared to Canada.

Kraft PB (in Canada) is superior to all other peanut butter ever made anywhere in the world.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

The few times I've been up to Toronto and in grocery stores I feel lost up there.

I'm from the south here in Texas and NOTHING compares to the food we have down here and the options we have. It seems like once you reach anywhere north of Missouri (yes in the US too) the food options dwindle a bit.

That's not to say there aren't some good options in stores and for eataries, but our options are much much more vast here and the quality is much better too!

I take the time to prove all of this to my fiance when she's down to visit

[Pauley 2]

Cheers for Zehs - it's a pretty nice grocery store. Not as good as Wegmans though! Wegmans has that nice earth tone going on, like chapters books or Barnes and Noble book stores.

Wegmans is made of AWESOME, and it's from right here in Rochester, NY.

Coming from North York and the land of Loblaws and Metro (née Dominion), Yvonne is looking forward to being able to go to Wegmans again. :-D

[trailmix 77]

I guess it depends on what you eat. Mostly when I shop I am shopping for fruit, vegetables and meat - not a lot of anything in packages (maybe stuff like perogies or a deli pizza).

If you are in to prepackaged foods, then hands down the U.S. has a much bigger variety of that kind of stuff.

[KnJ 0]

I guess it depends on what you eat. Mostly when I shop I am shopping for fruit, vegetables and meat - not a lot of anything in packages (maybe stuff like perogies or a deli pizza).

If you are in to prepackaged foods, then hands down the U.S. has a much bigger variety of that kind of stuff.

Packaged foods in the US scare me.

No fat, no cholesterol, no calories??

That's... not food.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I guess it depends on what you eat. Mostly when I shop I am shopping for fruit, vegetables and meat - not a lot of anything in packages (maybe stuff like perogies or a deli pizza).

If you are in to prepackaged foods, then hands down the U.S. has a much bigger variety of that kind of stuff.

I agree with this. The selection of fresh produce, fresh meat and poultry and fresh bread etc. is really terrible in the US compared to Toronto. The grocery stores have a lot more selection of packaged items, like a HUGE amount more, but the actual fresh stuff is expensive and minimal. At least where I live anyways.

I HATE the yogurt in the US. I miss the small portions with 40 or 60 calories and no aspartame and added flavours and colours. Unless I buy organic (which is ridiculously expensive) the yogurt just tastes so processed to me.

Sigh, I miss Loblaws and No Frills.

For the most part I've gotten used to the grocery shopping here and like the selection, but just miss the Ontario produce and yogurt. I also miss the canned tuna (the tuna in the US is mushy and gross) and old cheddar.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I agree with this. The selection of fresh produce, fresh meat and poultry and fresh bread etc. is really terrible in the US compared to Toronto. The grocery stores have a lot more selection of packaged items, like a HUGE amount more, but the actual fresh stuff is expensive and minimal. At least where I live anyways.

You've never been to Texas

Everything is fresh along the lines of meat, produce, poultry, fish, etc.. and it's not pricey at all!

Texas > the world though

[The_Dude 1,142]

The markets that I've seen in Ontario are have significantly fewer choices across the board. Fewer choices of vegetables, meats, and fruits as well as packaged foods. But then again, we don't really have seasons here, so everything is always available here in Southern California

[ashenflowers 5]

I REALLY miss Loblaws and No Frills, and especially the President's Choice brand. Nothing compares.

Trying to come on here and tell a bunch of Canadians that their food and grocery stores suck is kind of a dumb idea btw... just my 2 cents on that.

[kballtex 0]

You've never been to Texas

Everything is fresh along the lines of meat, produce, poultry, fish, etc.. and it's not pricey at all!

Texas > the world though

Agreed! I'm not biased or anything (born and raised in Texas)

There are pros and cons to both, but I find in general, I experience fewer options up north. That said I think food (real food, meat and veg) is less expensive, at least in Ontario.

Edited February 23, 2010 by kballtex

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I don't really have a whole lot against American food. I admit some things ARE better in Canada (like cheese, cheese is just terrible here), but otherwise I just eat it.

Good old Cali, fruit's always in season and always cheap.

[SapphireDreams 71]

You've never been to Texas

Everything is fresh along the lines of meat, produce, poultry, fish, etc.. and it's not pricey at all!

Texas > the world though

No offense by Texas is no NYC. I'll give up my selection at the grocery store to live in NYC... it's definitely give and take!

[The_Dude 1,142]

I think it all boils down to what you are used to. If you've lived 20+ years in one country where food tastes are a bit different, of course you're going to prefer that.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

No offense by Texas is no NYC. I'll give up my selection at the grocery store to live in NYC... it's definitely give and take!

To each his/her own I suppose, but I'll take the less crowded, friendlier, lower taxes, better politics, better food area than the other