Tag Archives: British Columbia

08.16.23
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Oh My MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillería and the Taste of the Exotic!

MAIIZ TORTILLIASMAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillería
540 Fisgard St
Victoria, BC

Hours: Daily 11 AM to 6 PM
Website: https://maiiz.ca
Phone: (778) 433-1544

MaiiZ is the home to more than just tortillas. Here, they serve all the basics of Mexican food–tamales, tacos and quesadillas. I visited one week for their mushroom tacos, another for their huitlacoches (corn smut) and finally grasshoppers! Regarding the former, these shrooms were slow cooked and basted in a special recipe to bring out the extra flavour. And anyone willing to accept that eating bugs isn’t gross, these insectas aren’t just randomly plucked from anywhere!

One layer of the flatbread isn’t enough to hold some of these tacos. Depending on the ingredient, two gets used to keep everything from sagging. When I first visited, I was curious about the fungi, and the woodsy scents and flavours that made my mouth salivate are perfect. In the middle are a wonderful mix of fresh cilantro, cabbage and pickled red onion. I prefer mild salsa so that my mouth isn’t burning afterwards, but maybe next time I’ll go all the way.

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08.02.23
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Not Necessarily Coocoo for Coco Grill at Victoria, BC’s Inner Harbour

Don at Coco Ftont1 Dallas Rd
Victoria, BC

Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(varies on weekends)
Website: http://cocogrillvictoria.com
Phone: (250) 589-0729

DK: I’ve never seen a group of kitchen staff having more fun than the ladies at Coco. Multiple times during our visit, they were doubled-over in laughter. You’ve gotta be doing something right if your staff is having a riot while smack-dab in the middle of a high-volume tourist trap. But is eating their food as enjoyable as making it seem to be?

ES: That depends on whether everything on the menu is considered authentic to Polynesia. To be specific, I’ve always wanted to try Hawaiian food. It’s not always about eating spam. One look at what Cocos menu offers got half my taste buds salivating. Although ceviche is considered Peruvian, can that region be considered close enough? What say you, Don?

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06.21.23
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Kattia’s Kitchen is Certainly A Hit in this Top Three List of Favourite Hispanic Operations in #YYJ!

Kattia's Kitchen at Spot Prawn Fest4636 Elk Lake Dr
Victoria, BC

Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00pm daily
Website: https://www.kattiaskitchen.net/
Phone: (250) 812-2565

Kattia’s Kitchen may well rank as my second most favourite authentic Mexican experience when that craving hits. What this food truck offers is ice cream burritos, and if that’s not enough to whet one’s appetite for the summer, then I don’t know what will. The restaurant is located by Saanich Commonwealth Place, which is at the outskirts of Victoria proper, and I just may have to visit there more often!

That’s because I want to sample more of Kattia’s wares. At the diner are a lot more than the usual street food offerings–tacos, burritos and quesadillas–since they post on social media what their specials are, and in a proper kitchen, what’s offered allows them to advertise Tortas Ahogadas and offer more sweet, colourful treats! My mouth is already salivating.

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05.03.23
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Sometimes It’s Tough to Rate Victoria’s Favourite–Floyd’s Diner

Inside Floyd's DinerMultiple Locations 
Victoria, BC

Hours: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Daily
Website: floydsdiner.ca
Phone: (778) 440-1200

In Victoria, BC, Floyd’s Diner has been a mainstay since the start of the century. Although the original location on Quadra and Yates closed down (it’s become a poke salad lounge according to Google), I’m glad they have other locations to keep going at. Regulars come her for the ambience. You can feel it with all the vintage and pop culture decor that decorates the place. And the vibe you feel from entering is what defines the experience. The staff are very friendly, and as for what to eat, not many appetites are prepared for the Mahoney!

This meal can be anything. It’s described as whatever the cooks want to whip up! Pictures from their website show just how innovative and huge they are. And the pricing reflects that. It’s not so much about whether this meal can be finished in a sitting, but if you’re willing to gamble! If you flip a coin and call it right, you pay double the price, otherwise it’s a free meal! Or to be fair, one can just pay the listed price which is $23.95! 

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04.05.23
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Limey, There’s A Lotta Sweets Here!

Limey Store FrontLimey, The British Shop
515 Chatham St, Unit 101, Victoria, BC
Phone: (778) 432 4620

1882 Dayton St, Kelowna, BC
Phone: (236) 420 4620

Website: https://www.limeyshop.com/

While I don’t recall when the Old English Sweet Shop closed its doors, this fixture from my younger days was my go-to place for my Jelly Babies. Every once in a while, when I have that craving or I want something else from across the pond, I’d always prefer to visit locally run operation that hows what to import in. And it seems not every sweet shop in town is built to last. The last time I was in Oak Bay, I forgot about Sweet Delights ceased operations–perhaps a result of the pandemic.

While I’m glad a few grocery stores in town like Fairway has a few items, I want my jelly babies in a white bag like The Doctor keeps them in. This time traveller helped introduce me to UK sweets, and from there, that’s how my belly became so jolly. Thankfully, there’s Limey to take over! And they also acknowledge why the TARDIS is important, since it’s painted onto one of their doors.

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03.01.23
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Too Many Yummy Waffles at Le Petit Belge Might Put a Bulge in Your Tummy

ed and waff340 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC

Phone: (604) 440-8781
Website: lepetitbelge.ca
Hours:
Mon – Fri at 8am – 3pm
Sat – Sun at 8am – 4pm

Sadly, Scoozi’s is no more. This fond breakfast place in Vancouver, BC closed sometime during the pandemic, and in its place is Curry Hut Indian Bistro. I will one day try, but as for why–that’s because I loved the ambience the space represented. Fortunately, Le Petit Belge is a terrific replacement, especially if you love waffles. Unfortunately, it’s located nowhere close to the Vancouver Convention Centre. It’s a fair walk away for those going to this city for events there. But if you’re here for a concert, it’s a hop and skip away from BC Place!

I was back in the big city for Fan Expo Vancouver, which brings nearly everything pop culture related under one roof. My convention report can be read here. This event packs a bit of everything into the large hockey-ring sized gymnasium located in the West Convention Centre building. Unlike that sport, there’s no stadium seating. On the three days I went, it felt jam packed! When compared to restaurants operating at full capacity, finding a chair is based on how long you’re willing to wait. There was a small recharge lounge within the convention though, so thankful people have a spot to unwind.

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