👻 Halloween Comes to Town

Here’s what’s on the lineup this week:

🍬 Top 10 Candies to Be on the Hunt For

🥩 Theodore’s Artisan Butcher Opens in St. Davids

🍟 The Great Poutine Debate in NOTL

🎭 NOTL News Halloween Costume Bingo

Let’s dive in — no tricks, just treats!

🍫 10. Coffee Crisp - A proud Canadian staple — subtle, crunchy, and often confiscated by parents under the guise of “just testing.”

🍬 9. Skittles - A fruit-flavoured free-for-all. Every handful’s a gamble, but it’s one worth taking.

🍫 8. KitKat - Snap, share, or secretly eat all four — there’s no wrong way to enjoy a KitKat, just morally questionable ones.

🍬 7. Sour Patch Kids - They attack your taste buds, then immediately apologize. Chaotic good.

🍫 6. Twix - Crunchy, caramel perfection. Left or right — both sides lead to happiness.

🍬 5. Fuzzy Peaches - Sticky, sweet, and an instant flashback to childhood convenience store hauls.

🍫 4. Caramilk - Still no one knows how they get the caramel inside — and at this point, we’re fine with the mystery.

🍬 3. Maynards Swedish Berries - Perfectly chewy, perfectly sweet, and perfectly gone in 30 seconds.

🍫 2. Mini M&M’s (the tube kind) - Pure chaos in candy form. Loud, colourful, and impossible to sneak without everyone knowing.

🍫 1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - The undisputed king of Halloween. Creamy, chocolatey perfection WITH PENUT BUTTER — the only candy worth trading everything else for. If you get your hands on some, you’ve officially won Halloween. 🔥

A big congratulations to friends Brandon and John on the opening of Theodore’s Artisan Butcher, which officially opened its doors this past Wednesday, October 29th! Located in St. Davids, right beside local favourite Junction Coffee, this new spot already feels like it’s been part of the neighbourhood for years.

With over 12 years of combined experience in the industry, Brandon and John have truly brought the artisan part of their name to life. The moment you walk in, you can tell — this isn’t just another butcher shop. From the craftsmanship in their displays to the warm, personal atmosphere, everything about Theodore’s reflects care, quality, and community.

Make sure to stop by, say hello, and welcome them to NOTL — it’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Let’s face it — no one can seem to agree on how to pronounce poutine. Some say pooTEEN, others swear by pooTIN. Growing up in Ottawa, the French influence had me firmly in the pooTIN camp — the “proper” way, or so I thought. But here in Niagara, that pronunciation tends to earn me a few confused looks whenever I order it.

No matter how you say it, we can all agree that poutine is peak Canadian comfort food. And in Niagara-on-the-Lake, there are plenty of places serving it up right. Here are our Top 5 Poutines in NOTL, ranked by flavour, comfort, and portion size 👇

5. Butler’s Sports Bar & Grill – Classic, no-fuss, and loaded with flavour. A generous helping of fries, curds, and gravy that never disappoints.

4. Corks Winebar & Eatery – Rich, hearty, and perfectly layered. A go-to for those who like their comfort food with a little class.

3. Caroline Cellars (Farmhouse Café) – A cozy, homestyle version that tastes like it came straight from the family kitchen.

2. Sandtrap Pub & Grill – Crispy, cheesy, and perfectly sauced. Sandtrap delivers that ideal pub-style poutine we all crave.

1. Silversmith Brewing Co. – The undisputed champion in our books. Their portions are generous, their quality unmatched, and every bite strikes that perfect balance of crunch, cheese, and gravy. Comfort food royalty.

However you pronounce it — pooTEEN or pooTIN — one thing’s clear: Niagara’s poutine game is strong.

We’re wrapping up this week’s Halloween edition with something fun — the NOTL News Halloween Costume Bingo Card! 👻

Whether you’re out trick-or-treating, at a Halloween party, or just people-watching around town, keep an eye out for these classic costumes. Screenshot the bingo card below and compete with your friends to see who can get five in a row first!

From Steve from Minecraft to The Lorax, and of course someone dressed as a cat or dog, the real challenge isn’t if you’ll spot them — it’s how quickly.

Happy hunting, Notlers — and may your bingo card be full long before your candy stash runs out. 🍬🎃

📸 Tag us @notl.news on Instagram and show us your completed card!

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