No, NOT World of Warcraft

Wieners of Waterton. With a name like that the business almost needs no further explanation. But you know us, we just can't help ourselves.

We found ourselves in Waterton this past weekend to celebrate the wedding of Jessica's brother, Gabriel. How romantic: a small, simple service beside Waterton Lake, no wind, slightly overcast (perfect for pictures), and a young couple in love. And yet, what had us, I dare say, almost as excited during this blessed event? The promise of a wedding lunch at Wieners of Waterton.

Sure, Waterton has an abundance of independent restauranteurs, but this special business needs to be highlighted partly for it's terrific food and service, and partly because of the horrifying Subway located right next door! Honestly, people, Subway? Choose WoW!

At around 11:30 am the roughly 20 people that formed the Olsen/Snyder wedding party descended on this tiny eatery. Fortunately we were just ahead of the lunch rush. That didn't stop a half dozen kids from trying to obstinately cram themselves into the place a few minutes later. Honestly, kids, read a situation! Those poor suckers had to wait.

Sorting out the orders for the crowds was a little confusing at first (this was our fault - we should have had a written list) but the two guys and girl behind the counter were calm and organized and sorted us out with great skill. As soon as the dogs were ordered and on the grill the sweet potato fries started coming thick and fast.

A word about these fries. It is hard not to run into a person who claims to have had the "best" sweet potato fries "ever" at any one of a dozen different establishments - none of which have sweet potato fries that I would be happy to serve our dog (if we had one). We can, with great surety proclaim that these fries are, in fact, the best sweet potato fries you will ever eat!!! Heck, the best fries in general. They are so crispy and sweet - no sogginess to be seen or hinted at - and just the right amount of salt, totally nowhere near over salted. They come with your choice of a selection of delicious dips. We won't go into the dips here, but we recommend the rosemary parmesan. The wasabi ginger was also very fine.

In terms of hot dogs you can choose from ye olde traditional 1/4 lb. wiener or locally made sausages or smokies. There are kids' hot dogs, too, and they are nothing to sneeze at. The dogs come in a soft bun with a delicately crusty outside (so important), and your choice of about 9 different toppings. Jess and I chose Special Sauce (every restaurant should have a "special sauce"), deli mustard (grainy), sauerkraut and banana peppers. Perfection. The toppings we did not choose (onions, dill pickle, potato chips, etc...) continue to call us back, tempting us to try another dog.

A big bonus - drinks are included in the price of the hot dog.

Even with the price of park admission this place is worth it. We will be back as soon as we can.

In other news: a big, and we mean BIG, shout out to our non-regularly-meeting-but-well-intentioned dinner club. We feasted this past Sunday on:

1. Francesco's Mussel Soup and baguette
2. Alex's Buttery, Garlicky Shrimp; Tomatoes Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Garnished with Roasted Peppers and Fresh Basil; and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken
3. Sheriann's Spicy, Fruity, Summer Salad; Green Beans and Bacon (hmmm, what could make beans better, I know...); and Delicious Organic Lemon and Limeades
4. Francesco and Sarah's Tiramisu
5. Adam's Peach Cobbler (to round out the evening, because, you know, we didn't have enough food)

All we can say is that everything was so amazing we couldn't really pick out a winner - and for us that's tough. Thank you, our dear foodie friends!

I Get Full For Less...

O.k. folks, this one is going to be short but sweet. I know that we've talked about supporting the more independent businesses, but sometimes the corporate teat just sucks you back in. And we love it. This is one of those times.

Today, whilst grocery shopping at the Sherwood Park (this is very important) Save-On-Foods, we were struck by the desire to pick up some in-store, ready-made, hot/fresh Chinese food. It is very important to remember that we were in the Sherwood Park Save-On-Foods because this is the ONLY Save-On-Foods left in the city (nay, the province) to offer this sublime convenience.

But we digress. We ordered the poorly named "Dinner for 2" for $19.99. We say poorly because after our family of 4 ate as heartily as humanly possible, there was still enough food for 2 or 3 hungry people. For our measly $20 we got 6, count 'em, 6 items (2 of which had to be starches): chow mein, fried rice, beef and broccoli, lemon chicken, sweet and sour pork, and szechuan beef - each individual container full to bursting.

Let's get real here, this is not the best Chinese food you will ever have. It's pretty good, don't get us wrong - when it comes to the meat and rice it's really fresh - but the cost to quantity ratio is really the main consideration here. That's what blew us away.

Summing it up: it was dirty, it was fast, it was cheap, and it was still hot when we got home. Perfect.

One More Reason to Live Near Campus

I should start by telling you that I, Adam, am writing this post. Jessica is watching "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" that we got from the Library and simply can't be pulled away. When it comes to the success of this Blog, though, I am determined. And I am unanimous in this.

Well, if you've been paying attention to the comments on last week's post, the topic of today's post should come as no surprise. While it is probably true that there is no one thing loved by everybody, we believe there are many things that are loved by most people, and those who don't love those things are just being contrary, or are clinically insane. One of these "many things" is the topic of discussion today, namely pizza.

Campus Pizza, that is.

Found at 7610 112 St. NW, (780) 434-4414, this little, pink hole-in-the-wall pizza place no bigger than your thumb delivers the goods, pun intended. This is not authentic Italian pizza or hoity toity artisan pizza by any means. This is down-home, dirty, deep dish, unabashedly North American pizza.

On Wednesday night we had a hankering for some pizza that was not of the usual, homogenous, familiarly flavoured, franchise variety. We decided to order from Campus Pizza, a place whose pizza we have often had the pleasure of eating, but, for some reason, never ordering ourselves. It will now be a staple of the Robertson household, let me assure you.

Now the prices are very reasonable. Most weekdays there is some sort of deal to be had. But on Wednesday it just so happened that we accidentally took advantage of their special offer on their House Special (fully loaded). We ordered a large half hawaiian/half house special (yup, two pizzas in one) for pickup and they told us that that would be $17.33 and ready in 20-25 minutes. I'm sorry? What was that price again? Move over Panago! I arrived in 22 minutes to find the steaming, succulent disc sitting on the back counter, not yet sliced.

By the time I got home, the pizza was almost still too hot for consumption. This was probably due to the overwhelming amount of cheese acting as insulation for the equally overwhelming amount of toppings. I feel the need for a sidebar here, however pretentious this may sound.

I'm aware that "Chicago Deep Dish Pizza" has long held a reputation for loading their pizzas with toppings. This reputation is justly deserved, those pizzas are loaded, to say the least. They are, however, loaded to a level of grotesque over-indulgence that makes eating their pizza a chore and not an enjoyment. Part of enjoying pizza, I dare say, is the ability to eat multiple slices. If you can do more than two slices of "Chicago Deep Dish", Jillian Michaels should probably pay you a visit.

Back to the awesomeness that is Campus Pizza. Where to begin?

1. Tons of sweet, unbearably stringy cheese

2. Mounds of toppings that are flavourful and enjoyable, not a tiresome, gut-busting gauntlet like a Carnegie Deli sandwich

3. High next-day-reheat value (this is a must for pizza with true staying power)

4. Square slices. So much fun.

So, in conclusion: taking time and price into account, this is one of the better pizza deals in the Strathcona area. Taking quality into account, it's one of the best. Sure our perennial favourite Domino's has that behemoth of a marketing promotion that gives people with valid student IDs 50% off the regular price, but for an extra $6 or so this place has taken me hook, line, and pie.

And So We Begin...

A brief introduction. The entire purpose behind this blog is to share some of the awesomeness we have experienced in Edmonton in the hopes that someone else reading this will want to experience that awesomeness, too. Each week we will explore something dear to our hearts that we think you should try. Sometimes this will be a place, sometimes this will be an event, most times this will be food.

First up: E-ZEE Mart, 8611 109 St. NW, Edmononton, (780) 439-7176. This is a beautiful little asian grocery and spice mart that is just around the corner from us. What makes it so awesome? In no particular order:

1. You can find any ingredient you need for Indian cooking

Seriously, ANY ingredient (but don't hold us to that, we're not experts). It can be hard to find certain spice mixes at the big grocery stores, but here they are commonplace. Some examples: lime leaves, sumac, amazing curry and vindaloo pastes. Our knowledge is not that profound so we won't go on. Sufficient to say, if you want it, it's probably there.

2. You can get wonderful homemade takeout

As far as we're concerned, this is the last of the good deals. All the food is made in the store in slow cookers in the back. The list of meals is small (about 7 items) but when they're this good it doesn't need to be any bigger. Our favourite is the Chicken Vindaloo - aMAZing. It's only about $8 and enough for two seriously hungry people. Just make sure you pair it with their fantastic naan bread, which is the hottest deal at $2.75 for three large, tender pieces. Many times the naan is still warm! This is a serious dinner in a pinch, people.

3. Jars of spectacular homemade condiments

They have kimchi, chutney (several kinds) and our very favourite archar - a sweet, spicy blend of pickled vegetables. The condiments are a little more expensive ($10-20) but the jars are huge and last forever. Plus, once you taste them you will regret nothing.

4. The fabulous owners

The couple that runs the store is a husband and wife from Malaysia (we asked them once but can't remember 100%) and are the kindest people ever. They always give our two boys candy and are always willing to answer any questions we have about the various products.

Well, we hope those 4 things make E-ZEE Mart worth a visit. We're lifers, for sure. Tune in next week for a new and exciting store near you (or us).