The CrowBar
Address: 202 S. Second Street, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: https://www.thecrowbarandgrill.com/
Countries Represented: Canada
Specials:
Fries: Traditional Poutine- chicken gravy, curds, salt and pepper.
Burger: Smoked cheddar, creamy mustard and beer braised onions.
Pizza: Canadian Luau Pizza (apparently the Hawaiian pizza was started in Canada) Canadian bacon, pineapple, red sauce and regular bacon.
Dessert: Nanaimo bars
Drink: The Shaft drink--a bit like an espresso martini
Paden Knull
UW Petroleum Engineering Student
A Note About My Love of Poutine-
While there is many flavours that remind me of home, perhaps one of the most recognized Canadian Dishes is that of the Quebecois Poutine. A simple recipe from French Canada, but found from coast to coast to coast, with each regions own specialization to it. The original style you'd find would be a basic Poutine; Double Fried French Fries, with Cheese Curds and smothered in Brown Gravy. However each region likes to add their own spin; In Montreal they have smoked meat poutine, in Alberta you may find Perogy Poutine, in Vancouver Gyoza Poutine, Toronto a Butter Chicken Poutine, in the northern Territories you'd be likely to find a combo prepared with Wild game killed on the Tundra, and in the Maritimes a Lobster or seafood based poutine. The options are limitless, and each region has found ways to adapt it to their own tastes; yet the basic fries cheese and gravy have always been a hit. No matter if you're going to McDonalds, or to a poutinerie, or out to a normal restaurant for dinner, you'll almost always be able to find this treat in Canada in some variation.
About The Shaft- Calgary is renowned for being a trend setter and a trailblazer, which is part of why this drink is so odd, yet a smash hit amongst the folks in Calgary. For many young professionals who frequent downtown Calgary this is a go to. My favourite memory is being at a stampede party with people constantly asking if I wanted a shaft, with no idea what it was at the time. What an odd question to ask if I "Want a shaft". The humour of the name caught me off guard, but since then it's been a staple for drink choice when visiting friends in the city. Easy to make, and easy to drink.
The Nanaimo Bar – this is a classic Canadian dessert at dinners, house warmings, and parties. Named after a town in British Columbia, this treat inspires memories of the Canadian Pacific coast, with a crisp refreshing feeling. Freshly made, or store bought these treats always go quick at event. Often in the summer my mom would buy a box and given my families apprehension towards coconut there wouldn't be a ton of competition for them. Nothing will rival in my mind quite like coming in from a long day of work or school in the summer to find a brand-new box of nice cold Nanaimo bar waiting for me in the fridge.