My dream vacation destination has always been Canada. This may seem strange to those who look for sand and sunshine, but I wanted nothing more than hockey and greasy food. As a girl who has watched hockey her whole life, it was easy for me to notice the difference between Canadian and American sporting events.
To be honest, the biggest difference wasn’t the environment…it was the food.
Towards the end of my spring break week, my dad and I ventured to Toronto for a couple of days to attend a Toronto Maple Leafs game. I was excited to see hockey in its natural environment and to see how a Maple Leafs game would differ from the many New York Rangers games I had attended in the past.
Poutine
The second I entered the Air Canada Centre, it was obvious that I was no longer in the United States. Stands serving poutine were prevalent and stood with those serving other kinds of classic sports food.
Each poutine stand varied in the type of meat it offered to top the french fries, cheese curds and gravy. Chicken, sausage and bacon are just a few examples.
No hot dogs
Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and chicken tenders and heaping servings of french fries were sold as well. To my dismay, I did not notice hot dogs. I was both shocked and confused by their absence.
In my mind, hot dogs are such a staple at sports games and possibly one of the easiest things to eat while keeping your attention on the game. But, maybe hot dogs are just a little too American.
Younger drinking age
The largest difference, which I especially welcomed, was the drinking age. The drinking age in Toronto, ON is 19. I was able to enjoy a beer with my dad while watching the game, something I could not do in the US.
Although, nothing compares to watching the Rangers play in the world’s most famous area, Madison Square Garden, there were definitely some enjoyable changes to my sports experience while up north. Experiencing some classic Canadian culture while watching hockey and eating poutine is a spring break memory that I’ll never forget.