[Victoria, BC] Post Fringe Festival Thoughts and Upcoming Events Schedule

victoria fringe 2022

The 2022 Victoria Fringe Festival is a wrap, and it’s almost a full return to form. This event ran from August 24 to Sept 4 and was well attended. I passed by many lineups while wandering Downtown Victoria at those venues that hosted, and the one big thing that changed, as a result of the pandemic, was the lack of seeing talents run from venue to venue to pass along flyers of their shows, and saying you must check it out. While there were fewer places hosting, that’s to be expected (assuming if they adhered to indoor health code regulations).

An internal change that not every patron is aware of is to buy tickets in advance (online or at the box office). I observed a few people were unaware, and instead of being turned away, were allowed to purchase at the door. I’m glad Intrepid Theatre was aware this situation may happen, and were prepared. I suspect further revisions will be in store to help streamline future events. And as the world transitions to accepting Covid-19 won’t go away, further tweaks will be made. All anyone can do is to be mindful in how things must now operate to keep everyone healthy and safe.

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When It’s Time to Return to Parks Kitchen

20220724_140815606 Trounce Alley
Victoria, BC

Hours: Weds to Sun 11:30am to 9pm.
Phone: (778) 265-2227

ES: Park’s Kitchen reinvented itself many years ago. The last time I’ve been there, this restaurant was a Japanese only restaurant but these days (even prior to the pandemic), they expanded their menu to include Korean, and I think that’s a good thing! The only downside is that their Japanese selection isn’t as varied anymore.

I’ve been meaning to return here, but every time I walk through Trounce Alley, it’s en route to Quazar’s Arcade to play video games rather than for a bite. I’ve often been tempted in because of the daily specials, but alas, I’m meeting up with other pals. After hanging out with Don at the said place and challenging each other to Street Fighter and other intensive battle games, we worked up an appetite!

DK: Let’s see now–I’ve got a notepad open, a photo of Park’s lunch special for inspiration, a refreshing glass of ice water–all the elements required to knock off another barn-burning blokepost.

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Maham & Pop’s Donair & Poutine Serves ’em Up Hot and Sweet

20220628_131850Maham & Pop’s Donair & Poutine
2639 Quadra St B
Victoria, BC

Hours: Daily from 11:00am to 11pm.
Phone: (778) 265-6889
Website: https://mahamandpops.com/

Sadly, Poutine 66 closed and in its place is Maham & Pop’s Donair & Poutine. Technically, I’m not all that surprised since there’s only so much any cook can do with the classic Québécois comfort food, but as for putting donair on the menu, I’m all for it! They opened two months ago, and it seems locals love it. I got there on a not so busy time and am glad to have avoided the lineups.

It’s said they have Halifax-style beef here, and I’m inclined to agree. As for whether it is roasting on an open fire will define whether the sandwich is called a donair, gyro or shawarma. I love to have my meat seared with belching flames, but alas, this operation doesn’t cook ’em that way.

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Tomahawk Chips, A Brand Needing to Find It’s Fire.

Indigenous-owned, Manitoba-based potato chips brand heading to shelves  across Canada - Winnipeg | Globalnews.caThe Tomahawk is being thrown far and wide for its particular brand of potato chips to hit everywhere in North America. While the production is no different than how Lays makes ’em, the huge selling point for this brand is that it’s Canadian and sales of this company’s art from its web store help support local Indigenous youth initiatives.

The eye-catching packaging is enough to get me to notice, and when I saw them on sale at Thrifty’s Foods, I had to try each flavour out. Of the three different designs, I find the turtle and eagle are the most eye-catching. I’d love to put those images on my wall.

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Victoria, BC Has Frickin’ Delights Donuts in Town!

20220521_161023632 Yates Street
Victoria BC

Hours: Tues to Sunday 9:00am to 3:00pm
Phone: (250) 353-2687

Frickin’ Delights Donuts is almost ready to unseat the mighty Empire Donuts, if the talk around downtown Victoria is any sign. But I see both can comfortably satisfy the city core. However, I should note other local makers also exist, and it’s tough to decide who is the king. Just where they rank is a separate article in itself. 

Barely a week since opening its doors, the lineups aren’t yet crazy. Their selection of tastes aren’t too different from other places, and as for their famous dill pickle soup–it’s intense! It took a while for my taste buds to adjust to the savoury concoction, but I was sold. I ended up using it as a dip for my roast beef sandwich over the included cornbread donut.

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Can the Golden Duck Brand Make It Rich?

Golden Duck Salted Egg Fish Skin Crisps/ Potato Ridges/ Tempura ...There’s a new snack food that’s come to North America, and I had to ask which Golden Duck tastes better? Their Gourmet Salted Egg Fish Skin crunchy crisps or Singapore Chilli Crab Seaweed Tempura. 

Both are very pricey when considering the volume per bag (102grams), but if I wanted more, to shell out nearly $12 CAD per bag is a deterrent. It’s three times the price of chips. Not everyone will want to purchase, much less believe they’re made with real ingredients.

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