The Grizzly Bar is set to open in Toronto next week, embracing an undeniably Canadian theme amidst ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. The establishment aims to stand out with decor featuring maple leaves and animatronic bears. Diners will have the opportunity to indulge in dishes such as Montreal smoked meat and calamari from the Maritimes while enjoying unique twists on Canadian classics like Caesars topped with ketchup chips served in mini paper boats. Payments can be made in cash, card, or even Canada's unofficial currency, Canadian Tire money.
Entertainment at the Grizzly Bar will include heavy rotations of Canadian music from artists like Blue Rodeo, Rush, and Loverboy. The venue will also host a quirky event called the "Hoser Olympics," where customers can compete in playful challenges such as the "loonie toss," "hockey tape escape," and a "sorry-not-sorry" Canadian apology competition. Jessica Langer Kapalka, co-owner of Grizzly Bar, described the ambitious concept as featuring an array of attractions, including the bar manager in a nine-foot inflatable grizzly bear costume and tents for campfire-like experiences with s'mores.
The Grizzly Bar exemplifies how Canadian restaurants are adapting to the tariff tensions impacting the North American food supply chain. With U.S. President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on various products, Canadian eateries are increasingly replacing U.S. ingredients with local alternatives. This shift has prompted some establishments to alter their menus, eliminating items like the Philly cheesesteak and introducing "Canadians" in place of Americanos. Jo-Ann McArthur, president of Nourish Food Marketing, emphasized that restaurants vary in their responses, each needing to navigate customer preferences along with changing pricing impacts.
Some business owners, such as James McInnes of Odd Burger Corp., are taking their responses a step further. McInnes decided to pause plans for opening 60 franchises in the U.S. due to escalating political tensions, concerned about how fluctuating tariffs would affect his business operations. He highlighted the unpredictability of tariffs and their impact on cost formulation for franchisees, leading Odd Burger to focus solely on domestic operations to mitigate risks associated with U.S. products.
In similar fashion, Kanoo Coffee in Guelph, Ontario, adapted its offerings after initially focusing on international brews. Co-owner Steve Neville decided to emphasize Canadian coffee after recognizing the importance of supporting local producers amid tariff conflicts. The cafe's new menu highlights Canadian brands, featuring coffee from roasters located in cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Montreal. Neville sees a silver lining in the current challenges, promoting the notion of reconnecting with local priorities and businesses.
Grizzly Bar is also proud to highlight Canadian sourcing, managing to find local ingredients for menu items like poutine, chicken wings, and bison burgers. Langer Kapalka expressed her surprise at the ease of sourcing Canadian food, stating that while some items may still need to be imported from allies like New Zealand and Mexico, the focus remains primarily on local products. The couple invested an estimated budget of $15,000 in the venture, utilizing borrowed decor from friends to create a unique thematic experience at the former Offworld Bar, which previously rotated through different themes. The Canadian pop-up is expected to outlast the previous beach-themed concept, suggesting a longer term commitment to the new direction.
Kapalka humorously mentioned the idea of running the bar until 2028, anticipating a potential political shift in the U.S., while expressing hope that evolving political circumstances might soon negate the need for such a heavily themed establishment.
