Tee Pee Treats is a brand new indigenous owned and operated restaurant that just opened in Edmonton today.
“I started Tee Pee Treats because I wanted a food service that represents our people in Edmonton, Alberta as there is a lack of representation in the industry. We are a 100% Indigenous owned and operated company and our goal is to get quality food to customers of all walks of life and to Give Back to our people. Tee Pee Treats has been 10 years in the making. I started off selling bannock out of my backpack in 2011at Pow Wows in the Edmonton area. Our future long term goal is to have a restaurant built as tipis all across the globe where people can come dine in and enjoy Indigenous music and watch our cooks prepare meals right in front of their eyes. I want people to come not only for the food but for the experience of it all. ” Curtis Cardinal
Curtis is an amazing human that has overcome a lot of adversity to be able to open up Tee Pee Treats today. Curtis is the chief cook and bottle washer, doing just about everything all on his own to make his dream a reality.
That dream opened today.
Due to COVID restrictions, Curtis determined that it would be safer for all concerned if the business opened with take-out and delivery only for now.
As you can see, there are 2 specials available per day as well as some desserts. Each special is named after an indigenous Chief. Each daily special has a Cree name; E.g. “Tansi” means hello.
**it is worth it to note that on Tuesday, you can snag some gluten free bannock!
From selling bannock out of his backpack at powwows to this:
Chief Crowfoot Chili with cheddar bannock. You have your choice of air fried (thank you Curtis!) or baked bannock to accompany this 16 oz of rich, warm chili. It’s not super spicy, but it does warm up your insides and it is hearty!
I have a terrible sweet tooth. I just can’t do a lovely lunch like this without trying the dessert. I chose the wildberry bannock cake.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this! I was pleasantly surprised. It’s so pretty. The air fryer crisps up the outside of the bannock and leaves the insides nice and soft. That is a non-dairy whipped topping dripping in chocolate sauce and sprinkles. What a lovely, delicious end to the meal.
If you have an event that needs catering, Tee Pee Treats has got you covered! There is much more variety (for now) offered for catered events. Prices are reasonable and food quality is awesome. I can’t wait to try the rest of the menu.
Now go out there and get some bannock before he sells out!
As I reflect back on some of my favourite moments in 2018, a large quantity of them came from Rendezvous.
As well as being a food judge, I am also a huge metalhead. Rendezvous is like a second home to me. Calvin, Dez and the rest of the staff have always been welcoming and it feels good to be recognized when you walk through the doors of your favourite pub.
The Vous has stepped it up a lot over the past year. I can remember the good old days when there wasn’t a lot of choice for what you were drinking when you sat down to enjoy a live show. Now there are local breweries available on tap. There is a great selection of bottles as well. This beer snob appreciates the chance to enjoy local.
Although the Vous is not renowned for its food, the wings are some of the best that I have been able to find in Edmonton. Thoughtful right down to the finger bowls, which no one else in the city seems to do any longer. Wing night is Wednesday and they are 40 cents per wing with a minimum order of 12. You can’t beat that deal!
There is a menu featuring a selection of your pub favourites. Nothing fancy, just simple, delicious food. If you go for food, be patient. The kitchen is always open, but there isn’t always a cook for the late night hours.
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Earlier this year, the City of Edmonton had proposed a plan where the building that houses the Vous was to be demolished and the LRT track was going to be built there. This gave a lot of us in the community a huge panic attack. Calvin and the rest of the crew were not going to stand for it and went directly to City Hall to let them know this was not okay! Thankfully the decision was rescinded. Way to go team Vous!
The Rendezvous is so supportive of the local live music community. It’s not a huge venue, but they bring in some great talent and there is a live band just about every weekend. Calvin is awesome about supporting local charities as well. The Christsmash Eve event complete with Church burning at midnight was awesome for us Christmas orphans. The Edmonton Food Bank was the charity of choice for the night.
I almost forgot about karaoke! I’m too chicken to get up on stage myself, but I know most karaoke places don’t have a lot of metal on the playlist. It’s cool to see your favourite front man from a local band belting out some karaoke tune. Only at the Vous.
And we can’t forget about Calvin… Calvin has been the Manager of Vous for as long as I can remember. He is generally quiet and can appear a bit intimidating, but don’t let that fool you. He works hard for our little community and brings all of his wrestling and Dead Jesus experience to the table. It’s much easier to book shows when you have actually put in the time on the stage. Thank you for all that you do for us Calvin!
I am looking forward to many more Wednesday Wing Nights with my crew in 2019 and can’t wait to see what awaits the Vous for live shows.
Check out the Vous this year where the wings are hot, the beers are cold and the shows are live! Tell them YEGfoodie sent you.
This one is definitely a hidden gem. It is located in an out-of-the-way strip mall in north Edmonton. I was tipped off by another great burger lover, Mr. Gerry Gratziano. When he recommends a burger place, you listen! If you have tried the burgers at Re:Grub then you will appreciate YEGburger.
So besides being hidden away in a discreet location, this place has another unique quality – everything on the menu is Halal or Zabiha. (Beef bacon is available as well) The owners are wonderful at supporting their Muslim community; they have currently adjusted their opening hours to accommodate Ramadan.
The atmosphere is minimalistic with lots of wood. There is definitely a “street vibe” with the graffiti-type mural on the long wall. There is plenty of seating, booths along the wall, and tables in the main area. I’m not sure that I would bring a huge group in, but I am sure they would be able to accommodate.
Fresh and natural ingredients are the theme of the menu. I would highly recommend the “featured burger” for those that would like to have a taste adventure. On my visit the featured burger was buttermilk chicken and waffles with sriracha maple syrup. I can’t even remember which burger my husband had, but it was super delicious looking as well. You can even lettuce wrap it if you are worried about the carbs. It is nice to see healthier options available, although there are no salads on the menu here.
The burgers cater to a wide range of tastes and are very creative. Sauces are made in house (YEGmustard and YEGbbq sauce to name a couple). There is a donair burger and a falafel burger on the menu as well as Havarti Grilled Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano
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They also have hotdogs, poutine, and milkshakes. Not just your typical flavours either; double Reese, Oreo, Nutella, Ferrero Rocher etc., and they are only $5!! Just the milkshake is worth the drive.
The joint is family friendly, accessible and has a parking lot. The kids menu is tiny with only four items, but I am sure they are just as delicious as everything else on the menu. There is no alcohol served here.
The staff was very friendly. Your burgers are “made to order” and brought to your table. Make sure you get lots of napkins, you are going to need them. It’s messy, but it’s “good messy”. It might not be the greatest place for a first date, but you will definitely not go home hungry.
Economic!! The most expensive burger on the menu is $10. The pricing was refreshing because I have had a lot of gourmet burgers in the city that are double that price.
There is no snooty, epicurean fare here. Fresh, natural and simple with creative ingredients are what you will find at YEGburger.
I am at least ¼ Cree on my father’s side. My family always told us not to tell anyone about our Aboriginal roots because we would be looked at differently. I never met my Kookum and that fact makes me sad. I was too young when she passed to know any different.
My father was adopted by his Aunt. This is the lady that I grew up to call Grandmother. She was a wonderful lady that raised my Dad and his brother as her own. She had a huge heart and did a lot of charity work throughout her lifetime. I really looked up to her. Out of respect, I waited until I was an adult and she had passed to do any kind of searching on my family history. The first search I did came to a dead end because my Dad’s adoption records were sealed, even though I could identify myself as his daughter.
It struck me really hard as a kid in elementary school. My brother looks very Aboriginal, looks very much like my father. I got the German looks from my Mom’s side; blonde hair and blue eyes. Chief Dan George was coming to our school to do a presentation and a healing circle. All the Aboriginal children were allowed to attend and take time off of their regular classes to go. I asked my teacher but was denied because I “wasn’t aboriginal”. My brother got to enjoy meeting a man that I had looked up to my whole life. I never did get to meet him before he passed a short time later.
That struggle continued for me my whole life. Wanting to learn, wanting to belong but never fitting in.
Fast forward to meeting Ian and discovering Native Delights
It wasn’t just a restaurant and it is not just a kiosk. It is an experience.
Ian was born in Treaty 8 territory. When all the other kids wanted to grow up and play hockey or become doctors or scientists, Ian wanted to cook. It spoke to him. He did go out and work in the oil patch like just about every Albertan does at some point in their life. His dream was always to cook, to open that restaurant and he never swayed from that path. Ian overcame a lot of adversity to be where he is today, and I have nothing but love and respect for him and his family. They are amazing human beings.
When I first experienced one of his bannock burgers, I was hooked from the delicious tastes and textures that hit me. I am also one of those people that quietly observes (introverted) and you can see the people enjoying themselves and friends going up to talk to Ian. It was good energy all around.
When Ian got to open a brick and mortar restaurant, I was thrilled! Now there was flavoured bannock and locally made medicinal teas, stew and more. I liked how there was no liquor on the menu and it wasn’t even something that Ian was considering. The atmosphere here was one of family. When you stepped into the restaurant for dinner, many of the people there knew each other. It was relaxing to be able to enjoy a meal with my family in a space filled with such positive energy.
The restaurant closed its doors a couple of years ago. I miss it. Native Delights went back on the road with the trailers to different events. I enjoyed the bannock when I could.
2017 brought back the Native Delights kiosk and “Pânsâwân”. “Pânsâwân” is traditional dry meat. (Elder Approved!) Thin strips of Buffalo meat that are smoke to dry them. No salt, no added preservatives. If you like a nice smoky flavour without all the crap that is in commercial jerky, then you really need to get yourself some Pânsâwân. It is available at both kiosks. The smaller size is $20 and there is a lot of jerky for your money, and much healthier for you!
The kiosk in the Super Flea Market in Edmonton has a separate store area with the Pânsâwân, some products from local makers and Mother Earth Essentials. I do need to give praise to Mother Earth Essentials. I first discovered their products on a trip to Ft McMurray. The hotel I was staying in uses their shampoo and conditioner in the rooms. I looked them up and found out that they were Edmonton based and immediately went and bought items for home. Her products are AMAZING. I can see why Ian supports her. Give the store a visit. The Peppermint and Sage line makes your scalp feel so good.
2018 brought the first franchise for Ian and family. The Super Flea Market location is now owned by the lovely Melissa, who will be sure to uphold the same quality as Ian would himself. I attended the grand opening of the kiosk on February 24th. They know how to put on a party! It all opens with a prayer… There was free bannock and stew, face painting for the kids, singers and drummers and so much more. I was sad that I couldn’t stay longer. The place was super busy and the energy was amazing! The drummers overflowed my heart with pride and brought tears to my eyes.
I got to congratulate Ian briefly as he was very busy and also got to meet Melissa.
The menu at the Super Flea kiosk is a little different. They took over a kiosk that had been there for years churning out breakfast, pub type foods and ice cream. They decided to keep all of these flea market favourites and add the Native Delights menu to it as well. From what I can see, it works for this space!
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The Bison Bannock Burger is my favourite and the Indian Taco is a close second. If you follow the Facebook Page, they are very good about getting the daily specials out there for the Athletic Club kiosk. If you haven’t experienced bannock yet, this is a great place to get started. Their bannock is pretty damn good.
If you see Native Delights out and about on the streets of Edmonton this summer, be sure to stop and grab a burger. A great local business that supports other great local businesses.
Thank you Ian for all that you do for the Aboriginal community here in Alberta. Âyihây!
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there was a man with a dream… A dream to make Bannock, not war! Fast forward to three years into the future, and this young man is well on the way with the opening of his new restaurant.
I have had the distinct pleasure of indulging in Native Delights food on several previous occasions. My tastebuds thank me every time. This visit was no exception. Bannock is in my blood.
Native Delights has taken over the old “Sloppy Hoggs” location just East of NAIT campus. They didn’t change the decor much, but it really works. It is cozy and inviting.
As I am sure you can tell, “Gastro Pubs” are one of my favourite places to visit. I am a bit of a beer snob, I would like to be MORE of a beer snob someday. (Of the non-pretentious variety) Beer goes great with food, just the same as wine, only you don’t need a sommelier to pour it for you. The Pourhouse always has a rotating selection of taps and bottles as well as a regular selection. The beer are all listed by flavour profile, which makes it easier for the non beer drinkers.
Ok, now that you know you can go to Pourhouse for a great brew, let’s talk about BurlyChef Lager… Pourhouse’s heart belongs to Chef Daniel Huber. No, he isn’t the only one that brings the Pourhouse to YEG, but he is the flavour creator. He wanted to bring a “normal” beer to Pourhouse, like the one Dad used to drink when they were BBQ’ing. Before your start grumbling and complaining about the brewery he chose, please note that he did try the “local” breweries and they were not able to give him the flavour profile that he was looking for. Labbatt’s brews “Burly Chef Lager” for the Pourhouse. It is a nice, light lager that goes with anything that the menu has to offer for food. For the entire month of August, $1 per pint will be donated to the Bissell Centre to help them with the rebuilding of the “Thrift Shoppe” after the two devastating fires.
As I am sure you can tell, “Gastro Pubs” are one of my favourite places to visit. I am a bit of a beer snob, I would like to be MORE of a beer snob someday. (Of the non-pretentious variety) Beer goes great with food, just the same as wine, only you don’t need a sommelier to pour it for you. The Pourhouse always has a rotating selection of taps and bottles as well as a regular selection. The beer are all listed by flavour profile, which makes it easier for the non beer drinkers.
Ok, now that you know you can go to Pourhouse for a great brew, let’s talk about BurlyChef Lager… Pourhouse’s heart belongs to Chef Daniel Huber. No, he isn’t the only one that brings the Pourhouse to YEG, but he is the flavour creator. He wanted to bring a “normal” beer to Pourhouse, like the one Dad used to drink when they were BBQ’ing. Before your start grumbling and complaining about the brewery he chose, please note that he did try the “local” breweries and they were not able to give him the flavour profile that he was looking for. Labbatt’s brews “Burly Chef Lager” for the Pourhouse. It is a nice, light lager that goes with anything that the menu has to offer for food. For the entire month of August, $1 per pint will be donated to the Bissell Centre to help them with the rebuilding of the “Thrift Shoppe” after the two devastating fires.
Krush Ultralounge located at 16648 109 Avenue in Edmonton, has a bit of a stigma attached to it. It has been through many incarnations. Most recently a “stripper bar”. The lovely ladies are no more…. Now you have a posh space with two large, beautifully finished lounging areas, several televisions and a great sound system.
They have also found themselves a new Chef. Chef Kelly hails from “Kids in the Hall Bistro” which offers on the job training, life skills, connection to school and outreach support for youth. Kelly left Kids in the Hall to pursue the next chapter in life and ended up being the new gem at Krush.
Kelly also happens to be a friend and he had a little convincing to do to get a bunch of us out for some Tuesday Shenanigans at his new venue. Previous to this, I had never had the chance to experience Kelly’s cuisine. The following review is in no way colored by the fact that Kelly is a friend.
During my trip to the newly opened Mother’s Market (post to follow) I came across Ian Gladue and his shiny new concession stall for Native Delights. Technically this is “not” a food truck, but Native Delights does have mobile carts that you will see in and around the city sharing his love of food. They are now in their second year.
