The BeaverTail

The Beaver Tail is a fried-dough pastry made with whole wheat flour and pulled by hand to resemble the long, flat tail of a beaver. The pastries are served up with a variety of toppings at special events throughout the year and at the permanent kiosk in the ByWard Market.

BeaverTails received media attention in the US and Canada when it was served at the Canadian embassy during the first inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama. The product was also mentioned in newscasts during the lead-up to his visit to Ottawa on February 19, 2009, as an example of how Canadian businesses were participating. While in town, he stopped at the ByWard Market on his way to the Ottawa International Airport to buy a BeaverTails pastry. One variation of the product was called the "Obama Tail", in honour of the visit.