Tbh, most in America wouldn’t have known what would have been offensive to Canadians. Frankly, they changed that around the early 2000’s. They wore a white uniform and used their real names, no jokes from that time on. The food improved as well. I did ask why the change and the manager said they had some complaints. So your reaction was warranted.
To be fair, in the 90’s, at least in the restaurant near me, they rarely did jokes. The waiters wore plaid (before the change) but never said anything about Canada. They had a talking moose and bison that made jokes about the food and nature but never anything degrading about the people or culture. The servers never talked with an accent either. So specifically besides wearing plaid I really don’t know what was offensive.
That menu is hilarious. "Canadian" Spinach Dip?!? You mean like regular spinach dip only more polite, right? Then they should have checked before designing their restaurant that way, really.
I don’t think Canadians were offended by it’s design. That doesn’t seem to have been one of the complaints from what I could tell. It was a steakhouse designed as a hunting lodge, set in the Canadian Rockies.
To be fair, in the 90’s, at least in the restaurant near me, they rarely did jokes. The waiters wore plaid (before the change) but never said anything about Canada. They had a talking moose and bison that made jokes about the food and nature but never anything degrading about the people or culture. The servers never talked with an accent either. So specifically besides wearing plaid I really don’t know what was offensive.
Maybe it’s just where I lived, that they never did anything controversial. It was known as a great family outing and a great meal place.
I think people just laughed off the cheesy jokes because the food was so good. I wish Bugaboo lasted long enough for grub hub/door dash. They would have still have been around.
Oh definitely. Chicken strips doused in honey mustard is one of our most cherished national dishes. And sweet potato fries and salmon with soy and ginger? Nothing says "true north strong and free" better. A spin on the “Canadian mosaic”?
I was using "design" broadly - not specifically the decor.
I honestly wish I could remember what it was from our visit that totally put us off. I watched through the clips you posted, to see if it was the talking animals, but I didn't hear anything in those. Our visit was likely 20 years ago now (give or take), and we haven't had a Bugaboo Creek in our area for well over a decade or more. I remember when they left and something better moved in (Jaspar White's Summer Shack restaurant), we weren't sad to see Bugaboo go. Now, sadly, the location is a Hooters.
I was reading online last night, trying to find a recipe for those crazy Snowbird Chicken Tenders that Buzz was talking about, when I came across a post where someone said they loved their Canadian jambalaya. What???? The description sounded just like regular jambalaya, except put spaghetti or pasta??? in, in place of the rice??? Well, now it is DEFINITELY Canadian!
Bugaboo Creek no longer exists since they went bankrupt in 2016. I kind of wonder if sit down restaurants will go away for good like movie theaters.
Don't you ever sleep??? It is 3:45am, Buzz!!!
