A short trip to the quaint town of Cobourg, Ontario
I arrived at the VIARail platform 40 minutes later than scheduled due to a delay in neighbouring Oshawa, my already precarious mood hanging on by a thread. A trespasser they said. I stepped off the cool train and was greeted by a warm balmy breeze and wide empty space. I stopped to survey my surroundings. The mostly open air station, a remodelled historic building, was quaint, just like the town I supposed. I adjusted the large leopard print tote hanging off my left shoulder and went in search of my rendez-vous. They weren’t hard to find.
We exited the station and took a left and then a right onto Division Street headed for downtown Cobourg. We both agreed lunch and beer was first in order. Within a few short minutes we arrived at our destination, King Street, West or East depending on the direction. We chose East, and then West, and finally back East again when it occurred to us that the short strip of shops, businesses and restaurants was indeed all of downtown Cobourg. We found parking, paid the meter and went in search of an ideal restaurant. I noticed we were being closely watched by a local resident standing on his front porch. I can only imagine what he was thinking as two black outsiders strolled towards downtown on a Monday in small town Cobourg, ON.
Most of the shops and restaurants were closed. We passed the first open restaurant which wasn’t to our taste. The second seemed more appealing, there was a young white couple waiting for a seat on their road side patio. Unwilling to look any further, we made our stop at what we later found out was Taps & Corks on King. The server, who was very friendly and attentive our entire stay, told us they didn’t serve any food but we were welcome to order from the neighbouring restaurant, The El Gastro and Pub, with whom they have a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. From my understanding, the El has food but doesn’t have a patio on which to serve customers. We all know how crucial patio space has become in the pandemic. Taps & Corks on King has a sizeable patio but no food. Taps will allow the El customers on their patio as long as they order their drinks from them. With this agreement, the El customers can enjoy patio space and Taps & Corks has access to more customers, especially those looking for both food and drink. I just love this!
We took our seat. The white couple next to us struck up a conversation and made a few drink and food recommendations as they left. I was warmed by this friendly encounter. By their recommendation I ordered a flight of beer, all of which was delicious, and a mushroom brie burger with a caesar salad which didn’t disappoint. My companion ordered “any beer you have that tastes like Keiths,” and a Holy Cow burger with a side of bacon and fries.
I ordered #s 6, 7, 9, 10 from the craft beer menu. I started at Clem, went to Square, then Haze then Evolution which was my favourite.
Before we were served, an older white couple took a seat next to us and ordered some drinks. We engaged in some light banter about the mint the server picked right in front of us from a planter to make her mojito. They also passed some comments about our order and the restaurant in general. As engrossed as I was in the very interesting discussion I was having with my companion during our meal, I felt their curiosity about us mostly from their stolen glances. They could tell we were outsiders too, or maybe we were just loud. I tend to speak very passionately. After our meal, the retired couple, formerly from Brampton, Ontario, engaged us in full conversation and we learned the following about Cobourg:
The population of Cobourg is mostly older people who appreciate the peace and quiet and close-knit community a small town like Cobourg offers (my companion had hinted at this from observation but I didn’t believe them until it was confirmed). Everyone knows your name and your business in Cobourg.
Most restaurants and shops in Cobourg are closed on Monday and Tuesday so beware if you’re planning a trip. No real explanation was offered, simply that they can. It’s a prosperous town and most buildings have been fully owned by the locals for generations.
Cobourg beach (the town’s biggest attraction) is closed on the weekend which I find very odd. I assume it is a COVID-19 measure to keep Torontonians living in hot spot areas from flocking into town on the weekend to spread the virus. Cobourgers are weary of outsiders in that way.
Cobourg residents are mostly white although locals are slowly and grudgingly opening up to the idea of diversity in their small town with the arrival of a small population of Muslim immigrants.
Cobourg youth have a drug and drinking problem. I’m guessing the quiet, peaceful, close-knit community lifestyle doesn’t suit them very well.
Cobourgers are very friendly, or at least appear to be. We were greeted with smiles and hellos everywhere we went and I received several compliments on my outfit of the day which always makes me happy :-).
Our conversation ended when our local guides were forced to vacate their table for an upcoming reservation. Before leaving, they recommended a stroll along the waterfront and beach, and a visit to their favourite chocolatier, which you guessed, was closed. We were handed two separate bills to be paid on two separate machines, one belonging to the El, the other to Taps & Corks on King where we spent our time.
Our stroll along the Cobourg Marina and Beach was every bit as enjoyable as we thought it would be. We ended it at “the air-conditioned spot”, so called by a local man who spotted us seated in the shady green corner just off the boardwalk as you exit the beach to Bay Street.
To end ...
Did I like Cobourg? YES.
Would I visit again? YES, but only during the weekday when the nuisance Torontonians aren’t around LOL.
