Vegan Practically

In the past week I’ve gone twice to the Canadian National Exhibition for the first time since 1989. The CNE or “the Ex” as we used to call it when I was a kid holds so many wonderful memories for me, but it has changed a lot over these several decades. Familiar landmarks like The Flyer (a rickety old roller coaster, decommissioned in 1992) and the Bulova Tower (taken down in the late-80s to make way for the Molson Indy) are no longer. New buildings, like the massive Enercare Building, adjacent to the still functioning Coliseum (now the Coca-Cola Coliseum) have sprung up as well. But the arches at the Dufferin Gate and the angel atop the Princes’ Gate remain, as does the Food Building.

The CNE ends on Monday, but if you happen to be planning a visit this weekend, I have some recommendations (and one “what to avoid”) about vegan food options.

Lick’s Nature Burger. Lick’s doesn’t have a physical location in Toronto these days but they do have an outlet in the Food Building during the CNE. I’d heard good things about their vegan burger so when I needed something substantial in the afternoon, I went for it. On the Friday I went there was no line-up at Lick’s (or really anywhere) and they served up my burger quickly. You get to choose your toppings. It was an excellent burger and a nice departure from the Beyond and Impossible burgers that seem to be the only burger options these days. $12.99.

Dutch Frites. Also in the Food Building, the only thing this place sells is fries and variations thereof (like poutine). They seem to be known for their sauces — mostly mayo-based dips but people also rave about the curried ketchup. They have vegan mayo and the curried ketchup is also vegan. Their fries are exceptionally good, really nicely brown and crispy. They also have regular ketchup, which was a relief for me because I didn’t like either the vegan mayo (I don’t really understand fries with mayo, though I know it’s popular in Europe) or the curried ketchup. Be prepared to pay $19.99 for two orders of fries (that’s a special — if just one it’s $12.99).

Eva’s . We have an Eva’s just down the road from us so I know their sundaes are great. I saved this until the end of the day as a special treat to look forward to. I got a non-dairy soft serve berries sundae and it was SO GOOD. Most people get their house-made Chimney cone, but I like the sundae (and at about $9 it’s a bit cheaper).

Watermelon drink in the main hall of the Coliseum. This was an unexpected treat that I got myself at the end of the night on my second trip to the CNE when I went specifically to take photos of the Midway after dark. On my way in, I saw them making this drink, which is essentially watermelon pulverized into a liquid. If you like watermelon you’ll like this. You can get it pure, or with mango or coconut. I went pure and it was delicious. I’ve never had anything like it and it’s going on my list of must-haves for next year when I go back. $9.90.

The only thing I had an regretted was, believe it or not, a mojito-flavoured lemonade from a Midway stand. It looked so good but it was too tart for me and I ended up throwing more than half of it away. The mint of the so-called mojito was undetectable. I felt totally ripped off (everything is way expensive at the CNE) but on balance I would say I did well that day.

I didn’t get to Bub’s Beyond Burgers, but they have an outlet in the Food Building that sells only Beyond burgers, so that’s a good option. There’s also a good selection of South and East Asian cuisines, but I didn’t have any so I can’t report on their vegan options, but there is one in particular called Avsar (in the Food Building) that is all veg.

I’m also told that Beaver Tails are vegan if you don’t get the ice cream and ask them to leave off the butter. Then there are candy apples, candy floss, and popcorn. Fries and more fries in all shapes and sizes. A whole food truck alley that I didn’t get to. And all manner of deep-fried this and that, none of which appealed to me and all of which seemed sketchy on the vegan front (though I am told the Onion Blossom thing is vegan).

Bon Appétit and have fun!