Trendy foods in Ottawa

Graphic by Kylee Weber

Food trends have soared in popularity in the last few months. New trends reveal themselves each day on social media as others join along in the fun. The big trends have found their way onto menus across the globe … and in Ottawa. So the question is: Are some of these trends worth it?

Travis Scott Burger:

This popular, limited-time-only order at McDonald’s has made its way onto Twitter and has created a burst of excitement for the rapper’s fans. This trend has made its way onto the McDonald’s menu shortly after its uprising on social media. This order consists of a Quarter Pounder with bacon and lettuce, medium fries with BBQ sauce and a medium Sprite, with extra ice, of course. Many people have reviewed this order and said it was magical and the best thing they ever tasted. However, this is what I think: It is the same burger and fries I get every time I go, just with bacon and BBQ sauce. The title itself earns the excitement of hungry people instead of the actual taste of the food.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte:

It is that time of the year where pumpkin is everything! Surprisingly, fall has yet to hit but the Pumpkin Spiced Lattes at Starbucks are rising in their yearly popularity. This seasonal item opens at the beginning of September and goes until early December. Personally, I absolutely despise the taste of pumpkin. But I officially tried this drink, and it is not what I expected. This sweet hot coffee burned my mouth with overpowering ingredients. Many people will argue that this is their favorite drink at Starbucks and that it gives them “Fall Feels.” In my opinion, it is an overpriced coffee that tastes like October.

Ottawa Roll:

One of the popular restaurants in town, Nagoya, created an Ottawa Roll; a special sushi roll that has shrimp tempura, avocado and asparagus inside, topped with crab mix, eel sauce and crunch. Before you start thinking to yourself “ew,” let me tell you I am new to sushi and this was absolutely delicious. This Ottawa Roll is a little bite of our home. It brings in customers all around town because it is specially made for “Ottawans.”

Food trends have found their way on social media and continue to grow in popularity over the course of this year. I urge you to try these options and put them to the test. Who knows, a new trend can pop up next month for you to try. You can even create your own trend -- and you never know if it might be the next Travis Scott meal.