UPS N' DOWNS in Sarnia, Ontario
This is the last (almost) restaurant review from our quick trip to Niagara Falls. We left Michigan, stopped in London for some Bangers N Mash, did some sight-seeing and eating in Niagara Falls. We drove there, hung out and drove back all in 3 days. On the way back we stopped in Sarnia. We stopped at a place called The British Shop after the advice of my husbands dad and wife. Sadly we learned too late that they stopped serving food at 3 p.m. My in-laws rave about this little shop all the time. So we’ll have to make it a point to go back very soon. Thankfully Sarnia is only a couple of hours drive from our place so that is very doable. The owner of the shop knew my in-laws by name and description. She was very sad she could not feed us but was more than happy to point us in the direction of another place called UPS N’ DOWNS, which was another place my in-laws had suggested.
UPS N’ DOWNS was right on the water. I love anything that is right on the water so I was a very happy girl. Our server, Jennifer *JEN*(she deserves a shout out because she ROCKED! I mean, ROCKED. I am just sad to say that the day we were there was her last day. But I do wish her good luck on her future projects. She was just an amazing girl with such a wonderful personality and I know she is going to do amazing things with her life. More on her in a bit.)
Here is us on the water!
They do have quite a bit of British cuisine, but they have a lot of other goodies, too. Check out their Facebook and their website for more nifty information.
And look – they still have payphones!
Ok. I know you are here for the food. My husband did not break from tradition. He ordered Shepherd’s Pie, again. He ordered that on our way to Niagara Falls when we stopped in London at the Waltzing Weasel. I’m glad he ordered it though. Not to disrespect the Weasel (Hey, I love Pauly Shore!) but UPS Shepherd’s Pie had a different flavor and the portion was a little larger. The flavor was much more robust and I enjoyed it a great deal more. I prefer my Shepherd’s Pie with seasoning and cheese – just the way UPS N’ DOWNS prepared it.
The Waltzing Weasel does get props for their mixture of meat because UPS only uses minced beef, but the perfectly whipped potatoes with seasoning and cheese with rich gravy blew my husband (and me, the taste tester) away. It was served with a heaping portion of mixed vegetables which he promptly traded for a side salad.
I almost ordered the Steak & Kidney Pie. Then I wanted Cornish Pasties. Once Jen told us that they had a special not listed on the menu – Scottish Pie’s – I knew I had to have these little dreams. If you’ve never had a Scott’s Pie you are missing out. I don’t make a habit out of eating them because they are not super-duper healthy and because they are made out of lamb. I just have a hard time eating the lambsy divey. Sorry, folks. Since we don’t get to eat a lot of heritage cuisine, we do when we can.
Scott’s Pie it is.
And look at how pretty they are.
I ate every bite of my mixed vegetables. Love the super large chunky cuts. I added a bit of butter, salt, pepper, and I was good to go. I had two cute little Scott’s Pie’s covered in gravy with two heaping scoops of mashed potatoes. The pies had a nice flakey crust. I felt as if my grandma (or my great-grandma) had just rolled out the dough for these right before I got there. It was nice and light, flakey. So warm, buttery. So good in my belly. But I could not eat the second pie or much of the potatoes. So, my husband gladly cleaned my plate.
Jen made our meal that much more fun. She was a pure delight to converse with. She told us at one point we were some of the “smartest Americans” she had met. We spent a lot of time discussing a bit of politics, the Queen, Will and Kate, baby George, and my dear favorite, Princess Diana.
UPS N’ DOWNS was the perfect ending to our three-day adventure. I could not of asked for a better ending to our super short vacation.
Thankfully Sarnia is a short drive from our house because I plan to visit there again very soon.
Maybe with a whole lot of wishing – we’ll move to Port Huron and Sarnia will be a short drive over the bridge.
It’s about time you put a picture of your pretty face into one of your posts!!!!! I love that picture of you guys. It looks like you ate well, too!
I need to find this place! it looks so fun (and I love visiting Niagara Falls. My dad used to live close and we went so often.)
The food looks amazing. I am so glad you had such a great time!
I want to visit Niagara Falls one day. This will be a place that I look for. Thanks for sharing.
A payphone with a credit card slot. That is even a new one for me. haha! Love the name of the place.
The food looks amazing!
I wonder if my kids know what a payphone even looks like.
That food looks so good,I would love to eat there.
I have never heard of Scott’s Pie. It looks and sounds really tasty, though.
Yum! That food looks so good! I love eating out with my family. You guys make a cute couple!
That was really fun to hear about this place and see all the yummies. I haven’t tried Scotts Pies, but it’s now on my bucket list!
Now I want to go! I have to remember this for when we get to visit that area!
thanks,
Mitch
I want to visit Ontario! Looks like yall had a great time and ate some delicious food.
Don’t stop dreaming. You might get your chance to move to Port Huron, at least I hope you can. Those dishes look so good. Now I want it to be dinner time.
that’s a great looking place. I love the bright red doors.
I love the pictures, it looks like a great time! My husband is wanting to visit Ontario and this is definitely going to be one of our stops!
Sounds like a wonderful place. Food looks so delish.
Sounds like a fun place! We have friend who live near there, so we will have to try to stop in the next time we visit!
Sarnia looks like a great time. I love the atmosphere, and the food looks delicious.
I would love to visit Niagra Falls- I grew up in PA and somehow still haven’t been! It looks like you had a great trip, and I agree- waterfront dining is always better.
Looks like you had a lot of fun. I would love to visit Niagara Falls.
Ups n Downs looked like a delicious place to eat! I love the picture of you and your husband!
I love finding new places to eat. Sounds like this would a great option. I love that it’s by the water.
Can you send that place down to Florida please? Looks like a great place!
This looks like a great place to eat. I am from Ontario but have yet to travel to Sarnia.
Looks like a great place to eat and I love the ambiance! Haven’t seen a pay phone in ages either!
Looks delicious! I’ve always wanted to visit the Niagara Falls. That’s the first time I’ve seen a pay phone that accepts credit cards!
That Shepard’s pie looks delicious! My family and I love it!
Wow, haven’t seen a payphone in like a decade! Looks like a fun place to go.
Looks like you had a great time – your food looks amazing! That is a very nice pic of the two of you.
Thank goodness that it is almost dinner time! I am drooling after reading this post!
There’s nothing like a good pub to pop into. It looks like this is a nice one.
Yum looks so good! I know done folks in sarnia and they too have spoken about this place! Looks delicious
I haven’t seen a payphone in years! Technology has really improved.
That’s hilarious that payphones are throwbacks now! Looks like fun!
The food there looks so delicious. I haven’t been to Niagara Falls but hope to one day.
That sounds and looks so good. I’ve never been to Sarnia before but I do plan on seeing more of Ontario in the future. Thanks for sharing.
What a fabulous restaurant! The Shepherds Pie looks so yummy!
What a great idea for a name! Looks like their food was delicious!