15 Foods Canadians Miss After Moving to the United States

This post may contain affiliate links.

In 2022, CTV News reported that over 126,000 people moved from Canada to the U.S., a 70% increase from the previous year. Of those, 53,000 were Canadian-born, 46,000 were Americans returning home, and the remaining 30,000 had immigrated to Canada from outside North America before relocating to the U.S. Canadians who make the move often long for the familiar tastes of home.

American cuisine offers a wide range of flavors and foods, but some uniquely Canadian items like ketchup chips and desserts are hard to come by. These cherished foods carry nostalgic value and cultural significance, making them greatly missed by Canadians abroad. Here are 15 such foods that Canadians often crave after moving south of the border.

Ketchup Chips

Ketchup chips, a quintessential Canadian snack, hold a special place in the hearts of Canadians. Known for their tangy and slightly sweet flavor, these chips are a favorite in households nationwide. Unlike any standard potato chip flavor in the United States, ketchup chips deliver a unique taste that blends tomato, vinegar, and a hint of sweetness.

Popular brands like Lay’s and Old Dutch have perfected this flavor profile, making it a staple snack in Canada. However, these chips are virtually nonexistent in most supermarkets in the United States. The absence of this flavor often leads Canadians to turn to specialty stores or online shops to satiate their craving, where they are usually met with high prices and limited availability.

Poutine

Poutine is perhaps one of the most iconic dishes of Canadian cuisine. Originating from Quebec, poutine consists of crispy fries smothered in rich brown gravy and topped with fresh cheese curds. This dish offers a satisfying combination of textures, from the crunch of the fries to the gooeyness of the cheese and the warmth of the gravy.

Americans have versions of loaded fries, but none genuinely capture the essence of authentic poutine. Cheese curds, an essential component of poutine, are rarely available in U.S. grocery stores, making it difficult to replicate the dish at home.

Butter Tarts

Butter tarts are a classic Canadian dessert known for their flaky crust and sweet, gooey filling. Some variations include raisins or pecan toppings, offering a slight twist on the traditional recipe. American desserts like pecan pie may seem similar but differ significantly in taste and texture. Canadians crave the sugary, buttery filling of a butter tart, often reminiscing about this beloved treat.

All-Dressed Chips

All-dressed chips are another popular Canadian snack that combines several flavors into one bag. These chips blend barbecue, salt & vinegar, and ketchup flavors, creating a taste experience that is both complex and satisfying. The Ruffles brand, widely recognized for its all-dressed variety, has a loyal following among Canadians. In the United States, these chips are not an everyday snack option and are only sporadically found in select stores or as part of limited-edition offerings.

Nanaimo Bars

Named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia, Nanaimo bars are no-bake dessert bars with distinctive layered structures. They feature a coconut crumb base, a rich custard filling, and a smooth chocolate top. This combination of textures and flavors is a hallmark of Canadian baking. Despite their deliciousness, Nanaimo bars are limited in most U.S. bakeries.

Coffee Crisp

Coffee Crisp is a Canadian chocolate bar loved for its layers of light, crispy wafers infused with a mild coffee flavor and coated in milk chocolate. The unique combination of coffee and chocolate flavors and its distinctive texture make it a go-to snack for Canadians who enjoy a subtle caffeine kick with their sweets. There is no direct equivalent to Coffee Crisp in the United States; chocolate wafer bars like Kit Kat lack the coffee element that sets this Canadian treat apart.

Smarties

The Canadian version of Smarties, which are candy-coated chocolates, differ significantly from the American version, which goes by the same name but consists of tart candy tablets. Canadian Smarties resemble M&M’s but have a different, slightly sweeter chocolate center and a distinct flavor coating. The difference between the two versions often confuses Canadians when they first encounter the American Smarties, which are almost the opposite of what they expect.

BeaverTails

Beavertails are a beloved Canadian treat. They consist of fried dough shaped like a beaver’s tail and topped with various sweet toppings. Popular in cities like Ottawa and Toronto, these pastries offer a delectable combination of crispy and chewy textures. Funnel cakes in the U.S. may seem similar, but BeaverTails differ in texture and topping variety, making them a unique Canadian delight that’s hard to replicate south of the border.

Swiss Chalet Sauce

Swiss Chalet Sauce, often called Chalet Sauce, is a savory gravy-like dipping sauce served with rotisserie chicken at the famous Canadian chain restaurant Swiss Chalet. This sauce has a distinctive flavor that is both tangy and slightly sweet, making it perfect for dipping fries or chicken. Its unique taste is complex and cannot be replicated with any sauces available in the U.S., leaving Canadians craving it. Packets of the sauce mix can sometimes be found in Canadian grocery stores or ordered online, but these are rare and often come with high shipping costs.

Hickory Sticks

Hickory Sticks are thin, smoky-flavored potato sticks that are a favorite snack in Canada. They offer a crunchy texture and a unique hickory smoke seasoning that sets them apart from other potato snacks. Unlike American potato sticks, which tend to be plain or salted, Hickory Sticks carry a distinct flavor that many Canadians grow up loving.

Kraft Peanut Butter (With the Bears)

Kraft Peanut Butter, recognizable by its green jar with teddy bears, is a creamy peanut butter brand many Canadians grew up with. The distinct taste and texture of Kraft Peanut Butter make it a favorite for sandwiches, baking, and snacking. In the U.S., famous brands like Skippy and Jif are available, but they can’t quite replicate the unique flavor that Canadians love.

Canada Dry Ginger Ale (Made in Canada Version)

Canada Dry Ginger Ale, produced in Canada, is known for its robust ginger flavor, which sets it apart from its U.S. counterpart. The Canadian version offers a more authentic taste, making it a popular choice for those seeking an actual ginger ale experience. In contrast, the U.S. version is milder and less gingery, leaving Canadians longing for the bolder taste of the original.

Aero Chocolate Bars

Aero chocolate bars, known for their bubbly texture, offer a unique eating experience that is light and creamy. These bars come in several varieties, such as milk and mint chocolate, each delivering a distinct burst of flavor. The air bubbles inside the chocolate give it a lightness unmatched by any American chocolate bar.

Jos Louis and Mae West Snack Cakes

Jos Louis and Mae West are famous Canadian snack cakes made by Vachon, a company that has been a staple in Canadian grocery stores for decades. Jos Louis features a fluffy cream filling sandwiched between two round layers of chocolate cake and coated in a chocolate shell. At the same time, Mae West offers a vanilla version with a similar cream filling. These treats are reminiscent of American snacks like Ding Dongs but have a unique texture and taste that is distinctively Canadian.

Tourtière

Tourtière is a traditional French-Canadian meat pie made from a savory blend of pork, beef, or game mixed with various spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It is popular in Quebec during the holiday season but is enjoyed throughout Canada. The flaky crust and seasoned meat filling create a comforting, hearty dish that brings warmth during the cold months. American meat pies, such as pot pies, might appear similar but often lack the distinct spice profile and flaky crust that defines a true tourtière.

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

This article will show you how to clean your smoker grill combo like a pro, using the right tools and techniques for different parts of your grill. You will also learn some tips on how to avoid common cleaning mistakes and maintain your grill’s performance and longevity.

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

10 Big Things Non-Americans Believe All Americans Have in Their Homes

Having the perspective of someone on the outside looking in can make you rethink what you’re accustomed to every day. This can be as simple as your specific life to the lives of a country as a whole. People who don’t live in America share their thoughts on what every American has in their homes on an online forum. Whether these ten items are genuinely in every household in the US is up to you to decide.

10 Big Things Non-Americans Believe All Americans Have In Their Homes