Foo Asian Street Food
769 Yates Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 383-3111
Put me on a zip line, and I’ll be making one super fast trip to Foo Foods whenever I’m downtown. They have an octopus salad that’s out of the ordinary.
This fusion style diner is making a name for itself. It opened Sept of last year and it has been getting a lot of attention. The place is still going on strong, and after a year, I’m still liking this place.
When I first visited, I tried their beef and prawn combo.
Fan Tan Cafe
549 Fisgard Street
Chinatown District
Victoria, BC
(250) 383-1611
J: It was dinner and a movie day. Ed and I were to be used as extras in a local indie zombie film. But before we reached the set, a little stop over in Chinatown was in order. Becoming the undead is hungry work and what better to serve two overweight zombies than brains in a bowl of broth.
E: Well, you were the sound man, and I was the hungry zombie. And, y’know… those dumplings that are found in won ton noodle soup are like little brains. They’re juicy, delectable and plump. And the best part, no humans were harmed in the making of this review. Well, maybe some pigs and sea life.
Editor’s Note: This establishment is no longer located at the address below.
Pizza Zone
2571 Quadra St.
Victoria, BC
E: It’s just ice-cream James … really, it is. C’mon now, Island Farms?
Well, okay, I admit we needed something different after going to Young’s Restaurant but just to see a bloke turn into a tyke was amusing enough when we stopped in at Pizza Zone across the block.
They had a section offering soft ice cream that started at $2.50 for a cone. But what set James off were the bottles of cola. They were tiny. They were the old-style coke bottles from the 80’s.
J: They weren’t tiny. Tiny is Coke’s recent 6-pack of glass bottles. Now that’s tiny. These were my fond memories as a kid. These were the original bottles.
Young’s Restaurant
2638 Quadra St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 384-0234
J: Unlike Ed, Young’s Restaurant holds many happy memories. In the late 70’s it was home to Babbling Books, the shop where I bought my first comic. In around 1986 or 87′ my then best friend Terri Lizotte, tried to open my eyes to many new things.
And one of these was my first taste of won ton. Young’s had no qualms about letting two kids take up space and share a bowl. It’s been 21 years since I last stepped foot into this little restaurant and the memories long tucked away in the back of my mind resurfaced.
Very little has changed. The wonton is just as tasty as I remember.
E: I’ve had better. There’s nothing like the taste of home-made and the taste of pork and shrimp. They can be blended together or the shrimp tucked on one side to give the little ball of meat that extra flavour. That’s my all time favourite and nothing has yet to beat that.
Chef Dave Higgins passed along word of his plans to open a deli in September in the Happy Valley Market. He wants to offer a take-out option for families seven nights a week, and his plan is to use fresh local ingredients. The menu for the takeaway will alternate daily with meat pies, lasagna, pizza and shepherds pie. He’s estimating the price for a meal for four might be $19.95.
Higgins recently exhibited his talent at the Goldstream Station Market’s zucchini show-off. And he’ll be cooking for the 4th Annual Harvest Supper at Colwood’s Church of the Advent (September 26, 2010). Tickets are $15 for adults and they can be purchased at the Goldstream Station Market. It’s a good opportunity to taste some of Chef Higgins’ work. But hurry, the supper sells-out every year.
Update (July 8, 2011):
Chef Dave Higins is currently employed at the Basilico Ristorante & Lounge at 832 Goldstream Avenue in Langford.
Smoken Bones Cookshack
#101 – 721 Station Rd.
Langford, BC
(250) 391-6328
E: Y’know, if I wanted to go wrestle an alligator, I don’t think I’d be able to at the Smoken Bones Cookshack.
I had certain expectations when we decided to go here. I thought I’d follow in the footsteps of the late great crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin. Instead I’m in the realms of mediocrity. I really don’t think the name of this place means anything, other than sounding cool just to get the attention of diners from down the street.
Anyone walking this beat won’t really find authentic Cajun food here.
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