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28 reviews for BeaverTails Pastry
Review Highlights
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"Mine was topped with cinnamon sugar and lemon juice, mmm." In 6 reviews -
"The Byward Market was bustling with activity." In 5 reviews
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"Hot yummy deep fried dough with the simplest yet delicious..." In 9 reviews
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28 reviews in English
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Review from Hina Q.
5/23/2012
One day my bro-in-law asked me if I ever had beaver tails. Mind you, I live in Toronto and he lives in Ottawa. Well, I replied "no" to which he replied "they are amazing!" What could possibly possess a person to eat the tail of a beaver?!!?!?!?!?
Beavertails is a pastry that is Ottawa's specialty. And it is DELICIOUS!! This place is on the corner of a street in a busy part of downtown Ottawa and is always busy with a line going pretty far. But the service is fast and friendly so the line keeps moving fast.
The pastries come in all different flavors. When I first visited I couldn't even make up my mind on which one to get. It was a good thing that I had gone with my family so I kind of made different people get different flavors...all working out to my advantage because then I got to taste the different flavors. BUT, the one I had, the cheese one was the best one for me...lucky, I know!
I would definitely urge everyone to try this out if you are ever in the area or visiting. These pastries are delicious!! -
Review from Dawn M.
1/18/2012
Beaver Tails are a must for any visit to Ottawa... or if you have visitors from out of town. It's one of those unwritten rules. ;-)
Service is fast and friendly. The taste combos are great and it's a fun way to get a fried dough treat.
Faves for our family: Garlic and Cheese, Kilalou (sp?) Sunrise and Maple. Garlic and Cheese is a reasonable substitute for lunch, with the other two making a great dessert for said lunch.
Hint: We often split one between two people - less filling and cuts calories by 1/2. Everything in moderation, right?
Hint 2: Pack wipes! You'll have sticky hands by the time you finish eating.
Would I return: Yes
Would I recommend: Yes -
Review from Jeff S.
Ottawa, ON
1/17/2012
First of all, know this: No beavers were harmed in the process of making quintessential Ottawa fare. Beavertails grew from Ottawa lore, to quickly become a significant addition to Canadiana.
BeaverTails is a Canadian-based franchise that began humbly in the Capital City. Their simple yet decadent product is a variation on a fried dough pastry. It is a crispy flat thin donut - but oh so good, and so much better. The dough is hand stretched before your eyes, and it basically resemble's a beaver's tail. The BeaverTail is not the cleanest treat to eat, but the only way to eat it, is messily in your paws.
My consistent choice is the "Killaloe Sunrise", it never dissappoints. It is zesty, sweet and flavoursome. It is simply topped with cinnamon sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
The BeaverTails are devoured with cinnamon sugar, or covered in a plethora of sweet or savory choices.
BeaverTails cemented itself into Ottawa lore, when U.S. President Barack Obama stopped at the ByWard Market location during his first presential visit to Canada.
The cost for the Killaloe Sunrise BeaverTail was $4.
As a Ottawa resident, Beavertails are still one of my favourite things about Ottawa winters. -
Review from Rodney L.
Ottawa, ON
5/18/2012
Does it get any better than this? I think not! A true East Coast staple. So tasty and so many varieties to choose from.
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Review from Chris Y.
11/8/2011 2 photos
What the heck, I'll give it 5 stars.
It's not a life-changing experience or anything, but just a tasty sugary snack that's an integral part of the whole Ottawa experience. Gotta give props for the local-flavor sorta thing.
It's convenient, in a central ByWard Market location. Quick and easy to satisfy a sweet tooth here -- though parking might cost you a lil bit.
Legend has it that President Obama stopped by this very location while in Ottawa!Listed in: Food, eh?!, Canadia! - The Experience
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Review from Reg A.
Ottawa, ON
3/13/2012
A must have in Ottawa, the best flavour... KILLALOE SUNRISE.
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Review from Laura R.
1/25/2012 4 photos
Absolutely LOVE these! I'm partly glad I live about 14 hours away because otherwise I'd be eating these babies every day and gaining about 500lbs! They are absolutely delicious!! The Chocolate-Hazelnut (Nutella) one is my favorite. They also have a Chocolate-Banana one, but I'm thinking of a custom "Nutella - Banana" mmmmm... There are so many choices and all are fantastic! I am craving them now!
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Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
9/15/2011 3 photos
Elephant Ears...
Beaver Tail...
Roadkill du Jour.
Call it what you will.
Look at that, mine even had decorative Tire tracks. (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...)
Maple Butter($4.50) spread on Fried Dough, Chocolate drizzled on top.
Sandwich it like NY-style Pizza and enjoy the WARM sugariness.
I see why local Ladies migrate here in packs at night. 3.5'd
Good North American Dessert for the North American palate. :D -
Review from Calvin S.
Markham, ON
3/3/2011
Now I wish I lived in Ottawa. Then again, it's not something one should have daily; sugar content on the extreme.
I tried the avalanche flavour. It was an avalanche of a flavour indeed. YEAH. There's so many other ones I wanna try, but my stay in Ottawa was limited.
I was actually scared it would be an actual beaver tail. Although now after eating this I actually do wonder how an actual beaver tail would taste like...maybe I'm better off not knowing. -
Review from Jenny C.
Kingston, ON
1/28/2011
Deep fried pastry has got to be a weakness for most people. Even the most steadfast dieters have got to get weak in the knees when they get a whiff of the beaver tail scent from this place.
It's delicious. It's terrible for you. Eat some! I'd strongly recommend the banana & chocolate combination (but when isn't there a good time to mix chocolate and bananas together?!)
Yum yum!
TIP: This is where Obama also got his beaver tail! -
Review from Amanda B.
Ottawa, ON
11/25/2010
Ah, my love for BeaverTails. I can't tell you how many times I've made my way over to this stand. I've had so many of their flavours, but it's my goal to one day try them all. I've had cinnamon and sugar, Killaloe Sunrise, chocolate hazelnut, apple cinnamon, banana chocolate, Triple Trip, and Avalanche. No matter what you chose, guaranteed you'll be satisfied, regardless of what season it is. Hot, crispy, gooey, and sweet.. mmmm!
It seems that even though my cravings are always huge, I can never seem to finish one! They're pretty enormous for the price. Usually friends and I will each order a different flavor and just share between us so that we get a little bit of everything, but those with nut allergies beware of cross-contamination. -
Review from Christina A.
2/14/2010
So, I'm not Canadian. My roommate and her bf are. They tried to convince me that a Beaver Tail was in fact a beaver tail chopped off, and deep fried in dough.
Usually I'm not that gullible.
It was delicious, when I found out it was only fried dough. And I was upset I didn't buy my own. -
Review from Steve Y.
10/19/2009
Whenever I was in Ottawa for business, I made a special trip here, even in the coldest of winter days. Frost bite...Beaver Tail.....Frost bite.... Beaver Tail. Frost bite was worth every bite of the Beaver Tail's Canadian (Maple butter, chocolate syrup, and walnuts). It's a whole wheat dough, which is the healthiest part about this fried dough. It's crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. I don't go to Ottawa anymore so I can only dream about it until someone franchises it in the US.
For bitter Dooley M., "If your country has something that tourists love, why complain? I'd be opening a Beaver Tail stand at every mall in America!"Listed in: Ottawa
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Review from Jyotsna M.
11/5/2008
The first time someone told me to eat a Beaver Tail, I really thought they meant a beaver tail. Needless to say, I thought Canadians were crazy and vehemently refused. When I saw this stand in the market, I realized my mistake and decided to try the real thing!
Beaver Tails are fried dough, but they are long and thin. They're not super heavy which makes them all the more yummy! The maple walnut with chocolate drizzle is delicious! I will have a hard time resisting trying the other flavors on my market runs! -
Review from Randy G.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2009
I've been to Ottawa a number of times now, but this trip was my first that included the Byward Market, and thus the first to include a stop at Beaver Tails. This omission will not be committed in the future, let me assure you.
I went for the cinnamon sugar, which was quite tasty, but was eclipsed by the garlic and cheese my friend got, which smelled amazing, and apparently had a flavour to match. Next time, the plan is to go for one of the Reese's Pieces concoctions, which easily looked ridiculous enough to be interesting.
Also noteworthy: the street performer out front was decidedly animated. I've never seen a busker dance that much - are they just more muted in Toronto? - nor an old dude kick that high. Kudos to that guy. -
Review from Naureen H.
If you leave Ottawa without trying this you have done your self a disservice!! Hot yummy deep fried dough with the simplest yet delicious toppings it the way to end it off!! Especially on a cold wintery day :) My personal favorite is the kilaloo sunrise (lemon, cinnamon and sugar)!! Under $6 usually so thats pretty perfect for a yummy treat!
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Review from Dooley M.
Ottawa, ON
9/30/2009
4-5 stars are you kidding me!!? They're like flat "churros" with way too much brown sugar and cinnamon (or topping of your choice)...
If we are suggesting these are representative of a Canadian delicacy, then we are embarrassing ourselves, seriously! If these were sitting in amongst other products in a good pastry shop (as opposed to being beaver tails from Beaver Tails Pastry), they'd be getting sold as day olds.
I only bought one because they gave one to Obama. I took a couple bites and threw it in the garbage.
So I give the glorified churros 2 stars but I'm taking 1 star away because the shop itself is crowded with little brats and tourists and there are wasps all over the place at that location. -
Review from lil l.
7/9/2009
When my Canadian friend told me to get a Beaver Tail, I really thought he meant, "The meat of the beaver's tail is a delicacy here in Ottawa!"
Then I figured out it really was just a pastry. Unfortunately, I went trekking throughout all the bakeries in Quebec asking for "queues de castors," to no luck (though I had my fair share of croissants and éclairs). When I finally arrived in Byward Market, lo and behold, there it was! And I didn't even have to use any French to place my order.
It was definitely worth the wait. I picked the sugary one with a squeeze of lemon and oh lordy was it delicious! It dripped all over my watch, but man that is a good piece of fried dough. There's really nothing like it, and I can't wait to try the savory ones next time.
Beaver Tail Pastry company.. please bring yourself to California so I don't have to wait so long until my next trip to Ottawa! -
Review from Jim E.
1/9/2011
Always a great treat while walking around the by-ward market. So many different selections to choose from your guaranteed to find something you'll love.
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Review from Dan S.
Sudbury, ON
6/30/2010
Nothing wrong with these Beaver Tails. Way better than the ones the trapper down the street use to cook.
Listed in: Foods
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Review from pf y.
9/11/2011
My first tail was garlic and cheese followed by chocolate and bananas. One should not leave Ottawa without trying multiple beaver tails.
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Review from Dena B.
Ottawa, ON
1/13/2011
It is probably the one thing I look forward to the most when the cold winter hits Ottawa, putting on my skates...hitting the canal and getting a hot Beaver Tail and hot chocolate. My son had his first Beaver Tail last weekend and I know you have another customer for life!!!
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Review from Queen N.
9/24/2010 3 photos
I don't even like sweets, but theirs was the best thing I ever had. It's basically like a pancake with maple syrup and chocolate? I was in heaven. I hope to go back when I visit Canada again.
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Review from Daniella F.
Vancouver, BC
1/14/2010
My cab driver suggested getting a beaver tail and going ice skating on the canal. It was alright for fried dough, though the variety of toppings make it more unique than a donut. I had the cinnamon sugar one.
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Review from Deb L.
4/2/2009 1 photo
Much to my surprise, the beaver tail is actually a thin, long fried dough pastry that looks like a flattened-out long donut. Mine was topped with cinnamon sugar and lemon juice, mmm....
The little food stand actually had a lot of foot traffic on a Thursday afternoon. My coworker and I enjoyed our beaver tails on high stools and table while listening to live music by the guitar player on the street corner. The Byward Market was bustling with activity. I love Canada! -
Review from Dave B.
Oakville, ON
9/11/2009
These are amazing hands down. If you have not had one before, I strongly suggest that you go out and try yourself a beaver tail. They are generally a long flat pastry in the shape of a beaver tail, hence the name. The original kinda is with brown sugar I believe. There are also many other flavours and toppings such as chocolate sauce that can be thrown onto your beaver tail.
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Review from Nikki K.
Oakville, ON
4/27/2011
Great mid-afternoon pick-me-up - we stopped there every day we were in Ottawa. There's always a line and it's for a good reason. We stuck with the original (cinnamon and sugar).
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Review from Jason D.
Ottawa, ON
10/22/2008 1 photo
Beaver Tails. I know what you are thinking...probably something naughty. But, get your mind out of the gutter! Beaver Tails are Canada's answer to Elephant Ears - fried dough desserts. Traditionally, Beaver Tails are sold at county fairs, winter festivals or other outdoor events. But, Beaver Tails Pastry in the Byward Market is there all year long selling these doughy treats. You can have them sweet (cinammon, maple syrup, powdered sugar) or savoury (cheesy). Either way, they are delish! My wife and I were wandering the market one afternoon and grabbed a sweet one to fill a hole in between bars (yes, we are lushes!). We had a maple syrup one - hey, there is nothing more Canadian than maple syrup. It was messy, but very tasty. Not to worry: you get plenty of napkins and there is seating and tables if you need to carefully dissect your Beaver Tail and not get any on ya. They are about $5 apiece, but they are worth it.
