Saturday, June 16, 2007

Meebs 'N' Quarts - More Ottawa Fast Food Tradition

Up in the Nation's Capital yesterday just for the day and by 11:00 the team was throwing lunch ideas around.

"NO". Sheena said.

"I'm only here for one day and I miss The Prescott.

"OK". They said

Friday lunch at the Prescott Hotel on Preston, right in Little Italy, is something any visitor to Ottawa must experience. It's the same menu any other day, but there is something special about the Friday lunch. It is not unlike those African savannah watering holes where species of all sizes, makes and models come together - warily, carefully - to drink the same cooling waters. The Prescott is also one of the last holdouts in Ottawa still serving quart bottles. Usually it's a Quebec thing. Nice to order a communal beer and share, or just feel classy like you're drinking wine and just pour a few ounces into the miniature draft glasses in front of you.

The propeller heads sit at the tables next to the government middle managers. And sometimes the head snaps are audible as they endeavour to keep corporate secrets from their customers 2 feet away. The blue collar dirty fingernail staple clientele mix readily with the suits and ties, all eyes together as one on the big screen watching highlights of last night's game.

The old guys often sit solo. They got there at 11. Working on their second quart, little glass half full. They'll be there on Monday too.

Sheena recalls seeing a menu once, and there is usually a great range of daily specials, but when my time is limited, I default to the comfort zone. Most people rave about the square pizzas, which are good, but not my thing.

My thing? The Meatball Platter with Cheese. I usually only get through about 10% of the fries, and never eat the cole slaw, but the Meebs are divine. One of the very few sandwiches actually best eaten with a spoon.

6 Comments:

At 3:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does that ever look like good hangover food.

 
At 8:30 PM, Blogger Jacques Beau Vert said...

You should write a book about your dining travels, Sheena.

Did you make up "meebs"? I've never heard it before - it's funny.

 
At 10:45 PM, Blogger pumpernickel said...

ahh the Prescott - the Meatball sandwich on white.mmm..mmm

 
At 11:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

what are meebs? So there is a meatball sandwich under that tomato sauce?

 
At 11:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

do they still have those ka-ching ka-ching change belts like they used to have at A & W?

 
At 1:04 PM, Blogger Sheena said...

Yes spy, there are is a meat ball sandwich under all of that sauce. With or without cheese, your choice.

And some of the guys do indeed still have the ka-ching belts. Mostly the older guys. I believe there is a father & son combo that both work there.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home