Preston Valley Shopping Center at LBJ and Preston Road is making a comeback. After years of suffering from the construction around LBJ Freeway, new businesses are joining those who have been there for many years: Stein’s Bakery, Terry Costa, Penzeys Spices, and India Palace.
I popped in a few weeks ago to visit Harvey Gough. He opened a burger joint in the center. He named it Harvey’s.
As I was leaving, I noticed a sign covered in maple leafs, the iconic symbol of Canada. I ran across the parking lot, found Maple Leaf Diner, and fell in love. I sent Catherine out to take some gorgeous pictures. Check out her gallery above.
The owners are Michael DeLaurier and his aunt Debra DeLaurier, a darling of Food Network Canada’s You Gotta Eat Here. Her menu combines Canadian favorites such as poutine (real deal) and peameal bacon, the Montreal Canadiens of pork. “Everything but the ketchup is made from scratch,” says Michael.
That goes for all of the baked goods (burger buns!) and the huge selection of pastries at the counter. The menu is long and filled with kooky burger concoctions such as the pizza burger topped with sautéed pepperoni, bacon, bell, and hot peppers, Bolognese sauce, fried mozzarella cheese, and crowned with a six-inch skewer of breaded mushrooms. A showy bargain at $9.99.
I’ve eaten a lot of poutine, Canadian nachos, in Canada and I busted my gluten-free diet to try the pot roast and brown gravy poured over thick-ish, fresh-cut fries and perfectly square cheese curds. It tops any I’ve eaten in the U.S.
Watching the servers carting plates of mile-high chicken and waffles is a treat. Almost every dish has an over-the-top presentation and once the plates hit the table, you can’t help but smile.
Debra also turns out stellar versions of some eastern European classics such as such as pierogies and cabbage rolls (both are served with fried chicken). The Dairy Bar offers boozy milkshakes and sundaes made with “flavours” of ice cream from Henry’s in Plano.
The walls are decorated with random Canadian-themed plates and platters. They sell Canadian souvenirs. (I picked up a t-shirt with “I’m a Member of the EH Club” printed across the front.) Service is friendly and chatty. The dining is a mosh pit during brunch hours on the weekend, but at night it’s a great to sit at the bar, call for a Labatt Blue, and watch a Star’s game. Just like Hockey Night in Canada, eh?
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