The Beginning
Mother Tucker, or Mama Lisa as she was affectionately called by the workers, was a remarkable woman who played a vital role in the construction of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. Born in 1789 in Ireland, she immigrated to Canada with her husband John Tucker, a carpenter, in 1816. They settled in Bytown, a small town that would later become Ottawa, and opened a boarding house near the canal site.
Mama Tucker was known for her kindness, generosity, and culinary skills. She cooked for Colonel By's men, who were mostly Irish immigrants like herself, and served them hearty meals of stew, bread, and tea. She also provided them with comfort and care, tending to their wounds, illnesses, and grievances. She was a mother figure to many of the workers, who often faced harsh conditions, discrimination, and danger while building the canal.
Mama Tucker witnessed the completion of the Rideau Canal in 1832, a remarkable engineering feat that connected the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario. She was proud of her contribution to the project, and of the workers who became her friends and family. She continued to run her boarding house until her death in 1847, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, courage, and community.
Mama Tucker's descendants inherited her boarding house and continued to operate it as a restaurant, serving the same traditional dishes that she had cooked for the canal workers. The restaurant was named Mother Tucker's Food Experience, in honor of her nickname and her influence on the local cuisine. The restaurant expanded to several locations across Ontario, and became a popular destination for family gatherings and special occasions.
In 1994, the restaurant rebranded as Tucker's Marketplace, offering a buffet-style dining experience with a variety of food stations, such as The Corner Baker, The Green Grocer, The CookStove, and Carvery & Co. The restaurant also maintained some of the original features of Mama Tucker's boarding house, such as the barn siding, wooden beams, and antique decorations. The restaurant's name was also a reference to a British expression, "tuck in", meaning to enjoy a large meal.
Due to the pandemic, the restaurant had to close most of its locations, but reopened in Ottawa in 2023. The restaurant still pays tribute to Mama Tucker's legacy, and strives to provide its customers with quality food, comfort, and care. **Mama Tucker was always attentive to her guests' preferences and feedback, and she expanded her menu to incorporate more of their favourite dishes, such as roast beef, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and apple pie. These dishes became staples of the restaurant, and are still enjoyed by many customers today.** We are delighted to welcome you back to our Ottawa location, where you can enjoy Mama Tucker's amazing food and charm, and experience a taste of history and culture..
