They are supposed to be famous for their pupusas. Pupusas are a traditional Salvadorean dish that are handmade with a corn flour. There are three filling options: pork, beans & cheese, and mixed for $2.75 each. They are served with a side of pickled cabbage and watery salsa. You are supposed to eat the side accompaniments with the pupusas at the same time. Everyone has their own method, but the side can be put into the pupusas and eaten by hand or with a knife and fork. There was too little cabbage and salsa for 6 pupusas.
The mixed pupusa (above; shredded pork, bean, and cheese) was barely filled and tasted mushy, because there wasn’t enough cheese or shredded pork and the beans were a little watery. The outer shell was nicely made, because it was soft but slight crispy.
The pork filled pupusa were the best of the three that they have. The pork by itself was flavourful and it was filled perfectly. The pupusas from Rinconcito Salvadorean are not recommended because they are a little bland and dry, but the outter shell was made and cooked nicely.
Location: 2062 Commercial Drive, Vancouver (map)
SkyTrain Stop: Commercial Station
Price: $5 – $35
Vancouver’s health conscious atmosphere is apparent through the popularity of large natural and organic supermarkets throughout the city. Choices Markets are only found throughout BC in Vancouver and surrounding areas. Whole Foods originated in Austin, Texas and is now available all over the U.S, Canada, and the UK; claiming to be the largest natural health food store. Whole Foods is starting to pop up in Toronto, but there are more stores in Vancouver. These markets drift away from the main stream commercial supermarkets and carry exclusive high quality brands including produce, seafood, meat and poultry. They are also socially responsible to the communities they serve and they are environmentally friendly - Whole Foods utilizes paper bags and provides compost-able containers for take-out foods. Of course the cost of shopping at these markets is more than commercial ones, but Vancouverites are willing to pay the extra dollars for “natural” and organic foods. Personally, I cannot to afford to shop at these stores on a regular basis but they are useful when I am looking for particular or special items. For example, my friend and I love getting fresh oysters from Whole Foods! They carry a wide selection of oysters for about $0.69 to $2.00 each and they shuck em’ for free. They are great if you are an oyster fan or if you’re having a dinner party.
More Info? http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ and http://www.choicesmarket.com/
Belgian Fries is located in Vancouver’s Little Italy, also known as the Commercial Drive area. The restaurant is very casual and they have a small patio. Although you shouldn’t visit here if you are on a diet, I think Belgian Fries is a little healthier than Fritz which is great after a night out at 2am. They offer some interesting mayo dips including curry and wasabi and they also have vegetarian gravy (not too familiar with what’s in that!). We ordered the poutine with chicken kabobs and it was enough for two people. They are served in asian noodle soup bowls and they are overfilled with fries. I saw many people sharing, but some finished the whole portion by themselves. The fries were not soaked in grease and the gravy was good because it was light. Hands down, best poutine I’ve had in Vancouver.
Location: 1885 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 4A6 (map)
Getting There: Bus #020; Free street parking around Commercial Drive on the residential streets
Price: $5.00-$10.00, they also are licensed to serve liquor
More Info? They don’t have a website but this site is all about Belgian Fries: http://www.belgianfries.com // For more about poutine: www.poutinechronicles.blogspot.com
