More than Words
It's a whole-wheat pastry deep-fried to perfection, topped with any combination of sugar and cinnamon, maple syrup, apples, or chocolate, to name a few. For lunch or dinner, heartier toppings such as bacon, cheddar cheese, or garlic hit the spot. Washed down with great coffee, their own choice of juices or specialty sodas, a Beavertail is good food, fast, and unless you've tried one, words will not do them justice.

They Get Around
The Beavertail phenomenon began more than 20 years ago in the heart of Ottawa's Byward Market. Since then, you might say they've found new ponds to swim in: this traditional “baking day treat” can now be found in Disney World, Puerto Rico, Scotland and Whistler. Currently, there are 130 stores worldwide. In Ottawa, you'll find them along the Rideau Canal (three stores during the skating season, eight during Winterlude) and at special events throughout the year. Movie-goers at Famous Players Silver City enjoy them instead of popcorn, and sports fans catching a Senators game have been known to pass on the hot dogs and beer nuts for—you guessed it—a Beavertail.

Musical Chairs
This is more concession stand than eat-in dining. When you're in the Byward Market, just look for a crowd of people draped over, and squeezed into any possible free space, silently enjoying hot, steaming pastries in the shape of a beaver tail (what else?), and you'll have found the flagship Beavertail store. Most locations offer outdoor seating (the St. Laurent Shopping Centre store has indoor) but when that fills up, the sidewalk will do nicely: after the first bite, you won't even notice you're sitting on the ground.