Dee's General Store and Bakery

GPS: That wonderful little device that has revolutionized our driving experiences, making things easier, more efficient and less stressful for our commute. In an automotive world that is trying to move so fast that it manages to slow itself down, this little guy can help us avoid a traffic jam, find another gas station, point us to a different restaurant and ultimately save us those precious minutes that we struggle so hard to earn. But what if the reverse were true? What if we had an excess of time at the end of our day? Maybe the boss let us go an hour before the clock struck five, perhaps it's the joyous occasion of a long weekend. Whatever the case may be, we are once in a while awarded a little extra freedom in our day, and on these occasions isn't it nice to plug in a scenic detour to the TomTom and just cruise?

This story actually takes us back to Easter long weekend, the weather could not have been better, and it was one of those perfect situations of having whatever time we wanted to do anything our hearts desired. Driving off into the afternoon Sun, we had no plans but to enjoy ourselves at Tews Falls and wherever else we might decide to rest during our day. And while I must admit that it was not my initial idea to take the back roads home from the falls, had I not heeded the very wise and foretelling suggestion from my girlfriend, we likely would have never experienced the wow factor behind the greatest butter tart these taste buds have ever encountered.

Located in Valens, Ontario, on concession 97, I can't say that the location screams drive-by, stop-in traffic, but then again, I don't live in Valens so I could be totally wrong on that account. However well travelled or baron that route may be, on this fine day, as we passed by the lot of a simple looking general store, a sign advertising butter tarts for sale seemed just too good to pass by; and so, open to the public on a stat holiday, we found ourselves moments later at the bakery counter in Dee's General Store.

Now, I realize the extreme nature in making the claim that any place has the best of anything you can get, but even in knowing that I will still say that Dee's has the best butter tart I've come across in all my 28 years. Of course, being that I'm a man who doesn't bake, I cannot tell you what it is that needs to happen for these beauties to come from the oven with such epic flavour, but something, most likely care, has been placed into each one so that it comes out perfect every time. The pastry is flaky and buttery, the filling is gooey and runny, yet not so runny that it doesn't hold up should you need to put it down for a moment (though the concept of letting one go from your grip does seem more than a tad outrageous); and while the construct is balanced perfectly in texture, it speaks nothing to the flavour that comes from each rich, delectable bite.

Be it the plain, peanut butter and chocolate chip, Skor bar, coconut, maple walnut, every single tart delivers what precisely what its description promises, satisfying your desires and cravings, and slowing the world down for just a brief moment. I know, I know, it sounds extreme for a butter tart to be able to stop time, but until you've tried one, nay, experienced one, there's no arguing my claim. Again, I wish I could tell you what formula Dee must follow to get this balance of flavour and texture so perfect, but as I've mentioned many times before, sometimes there is just more magic and enjoyment behind leaving these kinds of things to the professionals and to those who've dissevered or invented it; and since 1996, that kind of magic is precisely what Dee has been serving.

We've been back to Dee's since that fateful day when the GPS led us straight to the end of the rainbow, and though it may not be directly within the city limits of Guelph, it is a worthwhile trip, a scenic departure and a rewarding excursion. Although, if one were not so inclined or perhaps incapable of making said thrifty-five minute drive, all is not lost; simply jump onto the website or make a phone call and before you know it butter tarts will be hand delivered to your doorstop (there is a minimum order, but I assume that not be a deterrent for any true butter tart connoisseur).

So next time you find yourselves stocked with an extra half hour, twenty minutes, or whatever you can spare, plug an alternate into your little dashboard companion and see what turns up. It may just led you to the best "whatever" you've yet to experience.

Hope you're all still enjoying Kazoo!

Phil

http://www.buttertartstodiefor.ca/