How to do the Fringe Part 3: On the Bison Trail

5th Street Bar & Grill
1028 Hillside Ave.

Victoria, BC

(250) 380-4600

Ever since Connoisseur Catering’s storefront operation was forced into closure (the building’s space wasn’t up to code), I had to wonder where could I get my bison fix. Sadly, I don’t think much of where Pink Bicycle gets their bovinae (it’s from Vancouver Island Bison), and when I was last at 5th Street Bar and Grill, I asked where they get their meat. They gave me the answer that nearly made me go Hallelujah. It’s Albertan.

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Losing their Chinese Marbles

Marble Arch Fish & Chips
3468 Tllicum Rd.
Saanich, BC
(250) 386-7141

E: When considering the price of popcorn and pop at the movie theatre these days, trying to stave off a case of the munchies while watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two was difficult. James had an idea to check out a chinese diner… or is that a seafood place? I’m not sure what that restaurant was, but it was like I walked into magical mystery store.

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I’m Jumping Jack Flash

This operation has closed.

Jackalope Bistro
760A Yates St.
Victoria, BC
(778) 430-5673

I originally wrote this piece for Nexus Newspaper to print, and instead of giving a director’s cut with extra details here, I thought I’d simply add a few extra notes about the evolution of Diagon, er Odeon Alley.

Actually this place is supposed to be known as Millie’s Lane, but for me, this location is always going to be the Odeon.

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Burger’s in the Village

The Village Burgers
Unit 105 – 3800 Bayview St.
Richmond, BC
(604) 275 6710

While away from the rock, and adventuring to a part of Richmond that I haven’t been to before, I found a little dive known as The Village Burgers. They serve up a variety of burgers. And the French fries I saw the kids there nibbling on looked good. I was treated to a rousing rendition of “O Canada” while waiting for my Hinden Burger ($9.95), and the wait was worth it.

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When James goes awry, Ed gets to play

Maude Hunter’s Pub
3810 Shelbourne St.
Victoria, BC

(250) 721-2337

I’m left with the task of holding down the fort because my partner, James, is struggling through some tough financial times. That means we won’t be doing as many articles together. Not like this mattered before, since we live in two different areas of Victoria, but this news is important for those readers looking for our humorous banter about the eateries we hit.

The straight man is out and the little fella will be running around loose.

So down the road I went, to Maude Hunter’s Pub to enjoy a meal and to hang out with my buddies from the Nexus Newspaper. It was the end of the Fall/Winter publishing year and we usually have a gathering before people spread their wings as Spring hits.

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Trip the Fountain Fantastic

Fountain Diner
#102-2800 Bryn Maur Road
Langford, BC
(250) 590-6130

I said I was going to return to Fountain Diner for their lunch and boy was I surprised…at the line-up.

But once more, my parents were in tow as willing test subjects. Breakfast before was a disaster but what about lunch? I had seen Fountain’s previous advertisement for line cooks and I hoped it was of some good. I wasn’t willing to look my dad in the face for a second time just to see his disappointment.

I ordered their ‘Bad Ass Burger’ with fries that came to a slightly higher price of $12.49. It came with the usual trimmings of tomato, lettuce, mushrooms and cheese under a whole wheat bun top. An addition was red onion rings and bacon. Perhaps ‘Bad Breath Burger’ would be a more suitable name.

It’s not hard to make a burger but for some it’s harder to make a decent one.

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