Need Help! Christmas Present, something that is exclusive to US.

[chinkecheese]

I'm visiting a friend who lives in Canada on New Years Eve. He wants something as a late Christmas present. He wants something that he CANNOT find in Canada, and he wants it to be food.

Or also something that is just a MUST-HAVE in the US, I live in Texas, if that broadens the choices.

Any ideas? I tried googling for a list, but I returned unsuccessful.

thanks alot guys! :D

[Silverwing]

I live in Canada and when I come to the USA, I generally buy things that are related to the local cuisine of where I am visiting. So in the south, I'll buy grits and cornmeal muffin mixes, in New Mexico, I bought chile powder and green chile sauce, and wish I had bought some blue corn meal/flour. Also, there are a lot of mail order sites that either won't ship to Canada or the shipping cost is just too high. I'd love to try Penzey's spices but can't justify $60 in shipping. I wish I could try Zingerman's, or some of the specialty chocolate shops.

Also, since there's no Trader Joe's here, I buy anything at TJ that ships easily. Like coffee beans, condiments, etc.

There are the usual candy bars that we can't get -- like butterfingers, or specialty or flavoured cereals, so get him the Trix - that really is a treat for us, if you like it!

[smartie]

grits?

[OT45]

What about Aretha Frankensteins Pancake Mix? I order a case for Christmas presents - I saw it on AOL a few years ago and tried it. AWESOME. My friends called me for more.

[chinkecheese]

thanks guys so much for your repies! As to 'Whats for dinner' I have no idea what kind of food he likes.. he mentioned that he wanted Trix, but bleh.. I figured I can do better than that!

keep the suggestions coming, and thank you all for your input thus far!

[just_M]

I'd give him the Trix and whatever else, but definitely the Trix if that is what he has a taste for. My in laws send us a beautiful gift package from Harry & David every year. I'm grateful, don't get me wrong but what I *really* want is the southwest stuff they take for granted like citrus and chilies.

[Chris VR]

If he likes Trix, then sweet and fruity stuff is probably up his alley. I don't know if these are found in Canada but they're the closest food to Trix that I can think of. And hey, they do say "Boston"!

http://www.bostonfruitslice.com/home....

[mikehunt69]

Masa harina?

[Whats_For_Dinner]

My first instinct when I think of things that I can't find here: Muir Glen canned tomatoes, which I've heard raves about but are damn near impossible to find, in my neck of the woods anyway.

This is one of those things where I can't think of any specific examples right now... but I'll wake up at 3 AM and think "Oh my God! (nameoffood)!"

What does your friend like, food-wise? Any idea?

[danhole]

I have no idea what they have or don't have in Canada, but here is a place that has some very unusual pickled vegetables, jams, jellies, jerky, etc. Tons of stuff and it is in Texas:

http://www.woodys-smokehouse.com/

Enjoy browsing the site.

[Chris VR]

Pralines! I order mine from http://www.auntsallys.com/

[vttp926]

definitely 2nd this but i think my friends would have to say that southern candymakers is better.

[tweaked]

here's some options from my usual list of pick-ups when I'm in the states:

- mountain dew (yours has caffeine, whereas ours in canada does not)
- corn pops (totally different, and much tastier in the US - try some in Canada if you get a chance, they're god-awful), and cap'n crunch crunchberries...
- bourbon (maker's mark, for instance, is about half the price in the US... and there are kinds you guys have that we don't)
- nutter butter cookies!

and we can get jalapenos here!

[celeryroot]

BQ brisket , smoked texas sausage and ribs
or a Greenberg smoked turkey

[chinkecheese]

well my friend lives in canada, i dont nkow if i really can bring BBQ brisket, etc in my briefcase. lol. but Jalapenos are a possibilty!

[foiegras]

What about okra pickles? Jalapenos can be hard to find in the great white north ...