Indigenous Restaurant on Ottawa

A local man wants to bring Indigenous culture to Windsor with unique cuisine.  

 Native Wonders Gourmet Grub on Ottawa St. serves indigenous staple foods and Canadian dishes. Right next to the food area is Native Wonders Gifts and Gallery, so you can have a bite to eat while checking out their jewelry and art.  

 Owned by Mark Peltier, the restaurant has a unique menu introducing native dishes as well as serving familiar favourites. 

 “We have what is called an ‘Indian taco,’ which is our native fry bread, some people call it bannock, and it is covered with chili, lettuce, cheese…just like a regular taco but it is on the bannock,” said Peltier. The restaurant also includes vegan and halal dishes on their menu. Peltier said he has been cooking his whole life and previously worked at Bentley’s Roadhouse. 

 Adriano Ciotoli, founder and co-owner of WindsorEats, said this is the first indigenous restaurant they have seen since they started in 2004. 

 “There is a big interest in indigenous cuisine at the moment, and more is in the works within the region,” said Ciotoli. “From what I understand of indigenous cuisine, it is really about embracing and emphasizing your surroundings. It is a focus on head-to-tail cooking that utilizes all aspects of any animal used as well as in-season fruits and vegetables.” 

 Peltier said the restaurant is an expansion of the gift shop. Although he said his family wants to expand to a franchise, Peltier prefers to keep his business local. 

 “I have been involved with the native community my whole life. What we are looking forward to in the future, if this takes off properly, we will be able to bring in aboriginal kids and train them in the food industry,” said Peltier. “It’s not about money. It’s about sharing with the community and giving back to the kids in this community that could use the lift up.”