Bagels on Broad

No. 126

<2010-10-09 Sat>

When I am downtown and want a quick sandwich, I turn to Bagels on Broad. Ok, it is not a sandwich, it is a bagel, but the objective is the same: a quick bite.

I like their California Bagel, which is essentially a vegetarian one. The bagels are good (I think they come from Mount Royal). It is not a "gourmet" dish, but very satisfying nonetheless. It is comprised primarily of artichokes, spinach and cheese.

You have to wait few minutes for the oven to do its magic, time you can invest sitting by the window looking at the people passing by.

There are one fast food alternative close by: the taco truck of Puerto Vallarta Amigos. They are very different products and types of locations, and my choice will depend on my mood.

Verdict: simple, cheap, but good fast food.

Paid: It was around 6.50, but was treated, so I didn't keep track.

For more information, including address, please visit:

Subway, Pandora and Quadra

No. 115

<2010-09-27 Mon>

For some inexplicable reason, whenever I need take-out I always think of Subway (I am not sure it is a good thing).

This day I was in a rush, and in that area of the city there are few options (I had already being at McDonals!) and decided to get a sub.

The location is medium sized, with plenty of tables. It was clean and inviting. It was relatively busy when I was there. As you can expect from a restaurant close to "Our Place" homeless shelter, the washrooms sport a big sign: "Only for customers".

The sandwich tasted the same as any from another Subway (I presume most of you have been at Subway, so what would the point of a "food" review by then). The franchise has done a great job of making them totally uniform. And I think I am fed up with them. Time to find an alternative. Suggestions?

Verdict: Feels like any other Subway.

For more information, including location, please visit:

Sally Bun

No. 57

<2010-07-21 Wed> Sally Bun offers simple and inexpensive buns either for dine-in or take out.

My plan was to have dinner out, which means I had to have a light lunch. I wasn't sure where to go. I drove to Fort and Cook, and started walking and came across Sally Bun. It had been almost five years from the last time I had been there, and had forgotten about it. It was the perfect destination for the type of meal I had planned.

Sally Bun sells, well, buns, with various fillings, including vegetarian ones. It was a difficult choice, and settled for a cream cheese and mushroom. It was less than 4 dollars including tax! It is cafeteria style: you order from the wall, wait for your bun to be heated (if you so choose) and take it to your table.

I understand the need to warm them in microwaves (it would take too long to use a toaster) but I recommend that ify you buy them to take home, you invest the time and warm them in a "real" oven. Microwaves make the bread soft, rather than crispy.

It was 2:00 PM and there was only one other customer. I noticed the back garden was open, and decided to venture there. What a surprise! It was like being thrown to a different city and time. It was pleasantly warm and under the shade, and it was all for myself. Eating in the backyard is worth the price of the bun.



The bun itself was very good, but the filling was messy. The cream cheese overwhelmed the mushrooms. I will have to try others.

In the context of many coffee shops that sell expensive and bad snack food, Sally Bun is a gem. I recommend it as a quick snack, either for lunch, or to take out. Its only disadvantage is that they don't open very late (Mon-Fri: 5:30 PM, and Sat 4:30 PM).

Verdict: A very good snack at an unbelievably inexpensive price.

Paid: $4

For more information, visit:

Subway--1964 Fort St

No. 22

<2010-06-08 Tue> I needed a quick sandwich and I find subway to be
reliable. I am also starting to understand that I only need 6" for a
lunch. Not more.

Verdict: In this area, one of the few choices for take out.

Price: 8.05 for a foot-long.

For more information, including its address, please visit:

Red Fish Blue Fish

<2010-05-29 Sat> Location, location, location. The fate of this place
would be different if it wasn't for its setting. I ordered two
different tacos (or tacones, as they call them) that got my mouth
watering: chipotle shrimp and adobo fish. What a disappointment! The
shrimp were cold machine pealed baby shrimp with nothing on them. The
chipotle sauce was the mayonnaise used on the tortilla (the flour
tortilla was the only thing that impressed me: fresh, and warmed with
a grill). The fish tacos did a bit better (they reminded me of a cod
stew) but were drown by the flavour of the cole slaw they use as a
garnishing (why put more cole slow when they serve it with a side of
cole slaw)? The only saving grace is that they sell each taco
individually (6 and 5 each). By the way, the roll them into cones,
which makes them difficult to eat and makes them look bigger than they
are (and they can put most of the prime filler towards the front of
the cone). Definitely only a place to have a quick snack while in the
area but I rather go to Hernandez or Jeff's Pig BBQ Joint for better
food. Why is it one of the top rated places in Trip Advisor? Because
tourists (and some locals) love to eat by the water. It also
highlights the way populism works: a person that goes to this place
has completely different expectations than one going to Brasserie
L'Ecole; I suspect that for many, Red Fish Blue Fish is less about
food than a cheap meal by the ocean. Reviews need context, and that is
why editors of information will continue to be needed.

By the way: this is a "take out" place with some seating. It has
absolutely no service.

Verdict: Avoid with reservations (unless you want a quick snack in a
picturesque location)