A Love of Food.

I'm a natural born foodie. One of those free dictionaries online describes a foodie as "someone who has refined interest in food." Urban dictionary refers to a foodie as "a person that spends a keen amount of attention and energy on knowing the ingredients of food, the proper preparation of food, and finds great enjoyment in top-notch ingredients and exemplary preparation." In another excerpt, they also call foodies snobs. Pft. In my own definition, I'm just somebody who gets excited about the world of food and flavours.

In reflecting on this during one of my many bus rides in the past 2 and a half weeks of living in Calgary, I realized that I don't share this love for food as frequently as I wish on my blog. So, I am going to try and devote more of my blog posts to favourite recipes, food experiences, and sharing my love for flavour. This story comes from an experience I had not all that long ago. The first Saturday that I was living in Calgary...

Along with being a foodie, I am a Food Network freak. Whenever there is a television available with the Food Network station "unlocked," I'm glued. There is this one show I love to watch called "You've Gotta Eat Here!" In this show, the host John Catucci travels all over Canada hoping from restaurant to restaurant checking out what our country has to offer in the food department. He's even traveled up to the middle of nowhere New Brunswick - Shippagan - and sampled food at a local seafood restaurant. However, Catucci makes most of his visits to big cities...like the one I'm currently residing in, Calgary. Every time he visited a restaurant in Calgary before I moved here, I'd immediately think to myself "I've gotta eat there" (guess they picked an appropriate show title). I'm pleased to announce that of the four places featured on the show from Calgary, I've currently eaten at one: Tubby Dog. 

What a place! They specialize in hot dogs. When I saw the show, one hot dog stuck out in particular. "The Captain's Dog." This all beef hot dog is bacon wrapped, topped with peanut butter, grape jelly, and Captain Crunch cereal. I know what your thinking (it was my first thought, too) - EWWW! But how could I go to this place and NOT get such a unique hot dog. So when Jenny, Andrea, and I ventured to Tubby Dog that first full day in Calgary almost three weeks ago, we decided to buy one and split it three ways then each get our own hot dog. I have to say, if and when I go back I'll be ordering my own Captain's Dog. It was surprisingly tasty. Think about all the best things about breakfast and put them in one bite. That's the Captain's Dog. 

The Captain's Dog

So besides the previously mentioned delicacy, I also had the A-Bomb. This bad boy was topped with mustard, mayo, ketchup, bacon bits, a variety of flavours in crushed potato chips, and nacho cheese. It was HUGE! And I ate every last bite. The onion rings were enormous as well and we split one order between the three of us. I didn't have to eat for the rest of the day after this meal (seriously - not a figure of speech this time). 

The A-Bomb

I highly recommend going to Tubby Dog when you come to visit Calgary. It was cheap considering the amount of food you get, and it's an experience. There is so much to look at on the walls and in display cases. Plus you have a great view of the cooks putting together the masterpieces of hot dogs. They even have old school arcade machines like Mrs. PacMan. 

Six onion rings in an order - plenty for three people!

It's not gourmet, but it is unique. I loved it. And I think my excitement shows in the pictures. Just ask the girls, I was a overflowing with excitement and emotions - I couldn't sit still. And this is my constant feelings about the world of food.