Before heading to Elmira, I was trying to figure out the perfect plan to avoid the crowd. Should I head over early in the morning, or late in the afternoon? However, I soon realized there was absolutely no way to avoid the crowd.

It was like that ALL DAY!

It is best to go with a small group of friends or family. In that way, you will be able to try out as many different food as possible but not lose each other in the crowd. Important tip – pace yourself! Never start with eating a gigantic gyro or you’ll be too stuffed to have any other delicious items on sale there.

A typical Maple eating style – dessert first.

Funnel Cake with whipped cream & berries - $10

After eating the deep fried dough,  there’s the legendary deep fried Mars Bars…

Deep Fried Mars Bars - $6

… not for the weak-hearted. Some crazy profit though, $6 to deep fry mars bars which typically cost around $1!

Why Mars Bars, I’ve been wondering. Deep fried KitKat? Deep fried Hersheys? Deep fried Snickers? Deep fried Kinder surprise!!? Just don’t think about the calories. What you don’t know won’t hurt you… right? ;)

German potato pancake - $3

We couldn’t decide which condiment would be the best so a bit of everything – ketchup, mustard, sour cream… and maple syrup. The syrup was in a huge container which labeled Apple Cider so I had to ask the vendor -

Potato pancakes goes with apple cider?!

That was a small pancake appetizer before our pancake entree. To the right of the main crowded street were pancake tents. Many volunteers helping to serve piping hot pancakes with generous portions of maple syrup. I spoke to a vendor at around noon and they’ve already sold more than 3000 pitas. Imagine the number of pancakes made that day!

Thank you for making pancakes!

$4 for one and $5 for two. Both options include a drink – milk, coffee or tea.

Eat your pancakes with Maple and Syrup

After an overdose of sweets, we decided it was time for some savoury.

Potato and Chedder perogies - $6

Pulled pork burger - $5

Maple Burger - $3.50

We were about to leave at this point, but did not want to go without having arguably most popular item there. The vendor ran out of them and had to re-order from St. Jacobs. However, the traffic was terrible so it took quite a while. After a grueling 1 hour wait…

Turkey Drumsticks - $8

The triumphant feeling

A Saturday well spent – 5 hours there! If you missed out this year, be sure to check it out next year!

The Commons

First and foremost, it’s simply the least expensive place to get a warm meal in an inspiring atmosphere downtown.  It’s inexpensive for a few good reasons:  the food is vegetarian, it’s staffed mostly by young volunteers, and proceeds from the restaurant fund a local community organisation, The Working Centre.

You win friends with salad.

It’s very nice inside.  Tall ceilings, wooden furniture, a piano, a huge storefront window.  You’re surrounded by eclectic people, and definitely feel that you’re participating in something meaningful.  There are books about gardening, bicycles, and disabilities. Obviously, the coffee is fair trade, the tea is served in ceramic, and you put your own dishes away.

The Meal

There are too many dishes on the menu (rather, on display), but my personal favourite is the pizza.  They have a soup and salad combo for under $4 (!!) but the salads are touch-and-go depending on the day.  The pizza, on the other hand, is consistently delicious.  It’s baked when you order it, the dough is soft, the toppings are delicious, and there is usually too much for me to finish.   This time I got a mint tea to go along with it.  Total cost of the meal with a light tip is $6.

Pizza, Mint Tea, Great Deal!

If you’re feeling bored with local coffee shop culture (no dig at the awesome, brand new Coffee Culture just down the street! Heck yes!), give the Queen Street Commons a try. You’ll end up having business lunch there, seriously.