Taco Shack
1937 Cornwall Ave.
Vancouver (just over the Burrard st. bridge)
604.736.8226
www.tacoshack.ca (coming soon)

I like variety. I like options. I like to customize. I'm not picky...all the time, but I do like getting what I want. Taco shack appears more California meets Mexico then vice versa. Sometimes a Mexican craving can be fulfilled with sufficient substitutes. Meet The Taco Shack. It is simple, fresh, casual, and fast. What I like about it also slightly turns me off too. I like that I can watch my food being assembled just the way I like, but I hate watching laytex gloved men dish up my dinner through a plexi glass viewing platform. It reminds me of my old subway days, which I'm happy to say are long gone. I can appreciate a fast food lunch like the rest of them, but if we are paying almost $20 for a meal, I want to feel like I'm dining not stuffing in combo platter B before I head back to the classroom.

The menu is simple. Choose your vessel (burrito, quesidilla, taco etc), meats (or veg), and the rest is customized by you. I like to challenge my chef to maximize their creativity, as it is always evident they have tried and tested every combination they could imagine. I don't appreciate skimpy, and skimpy they are not. They happliy load on whatever 'extra's' you want (even expensive toppings like cheese and guacamole). The Taco's are what makes this place. Funny how they got their name. I got one beef, one fish, and one chicken. Apart from a slight fishy flavour with the fish taco, they all melt into one undefined taco. It is sad to say, but I am used to the 'U' shaped crunchy taco of my childhood, therefore when I was presented with an open playing field of ingredients I was a little stunned. I think they leave them open to show off all the yummy inerds, but it might be because they are oh so petite too. Regardless, just roll up your sleeves, set aside your pride, apologize to you date, and go for it. Juice will be running down your arm, but let it happen.

These taco's are crunchy, sweet, tangy, fresh, and spicy (but only if you please). Grab a trio ($7.50 aprx.) and walk 10 steps to Kits beach. Don't forget a yummy (sweet) Mexican pop to wash it all down.



(This is a photo of my boyfriend Cam with his game face on ready to go to town!)

Abigail's Party....indeed

Abigail's Party
1685 Yew St (2 blocks up from Cornwall)
604. 739. 4677
http://www.abigailsparty.ca/

This cozy 20(ish) seat restaurant in trendy kits hits the spot for a tasty, reasonably priced brunch option. I am always on the lookout for new brunch spots that offer something a little bit different from the ordinary 2 eggs any style. I don't mind paying a little bit more, but I'd like the chef to put a spin on a classic. Abigail's does just that. Cam and I decided on this as a treat to ourselves for having to eat frozen pizza the night before (such a tough life). I had been warned about the long lines, but we ventured in on a holiday Monday at about 10am. We had no trouble getting seated right away, and there were a few more empty tables waiting for hungry, hungover kities.

I have issues when it comes to breakfast/ brunch. I want both sweet and salty on my plate. (on a side note, I love cafe Zen for this reason. I can get half a benny and half an order of waffles for practically the same price as 1 entree. warning: it is a lot of food!) Anyway, because this sweet/salty dilemma is a disorder of mine, I am constantly trying to convince Cam to order the opposite so that we can share. The 'S' word really gives him the chills. He somehow thinks that he is losing out...I haven't figured out how to convince him that it is brilliant idea! Anyway, he didn't go for the Belgian Waffles with bourbon maple syrup and brandied mascarpone crema for $9.95 (add free-range turkey sausage, double-smoked crispy bacon or Canadian bacon for $11.95). Instead, we disbanded and both went with the stronger salt craving. I had a delicious bowl of everything good in the world. I've been told that Bison meat is a very lean option when it comes to the red-meat variety. I forget to look for it when I am grocery shopping, but it caught my eye on the menu. Here is how the menu describes my dish....just try to say no to it...I dare you! "Bison Short Rib Hash: Tender, slow-cooked bison short ribs, fresh baby spinach, caramelized onions, fresh herbs, red new potatoes and two poached eggs, topped with freshly made hollandaise and served with mullti-grain toast $12.95. Hello?! You had me at tender... Well, it tasted as amazing as it sounds! I was trying to be good, so I got the hollandaise on the side. Not sure why I even bother as I was using my cold toast as a vessel to get every last morsel out of the bottom of the ramekin.

If I see the words chorizo, double-smoked, or guacamole, I know in an instant that Cam is a goner. He chose my 3rd choice; California Dungeness Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict with fresh guacamole $12.95. He added a side of Canadian bacon for $2.75. Instead of an english muffin, they made perfect muffin shaped crab cakes that the medium poached eggs sat on top of. He reluctantly gave me a bite, but I wanted MORE.

There is an online option to make a reservation, through open table, but when I tried for 9:30 I was told the only opening was for 10:30. They obviously limit the online bookings as to allow for walk in guests. If you are going with 3 or more, I would definitely make a reservation, especially on the weekend. Come patient, leave comfortably full!

I know the whole point of this endeavour is to find great spots where two can dine for under $30, and Abigail's party (without the add on's) just cuts the bill....barely.












Bison short rib hash ($12.95)















Dungeness crab cake Egg's benedict ($12.95)

Golden Train Express Vietnamese Cuisine (aka Thai Spicy...read on)

4530 West 10th avenue
604.677.6981
24 hours
Cash only

The neon sign yells "Thai Spicy". We aren't sure why, as there is nothing Thai about this spot. It is as Vietnamese as they come. My brother introduced us to GTE (I hate abbreviating, but it's necessary here) a year ago as he worked close by in UBC. The first time we went with my mum, unbeknownst to her, she ordered the spiciest dish on the menu, and suffered through the sweat and tears until she was practically licking the bowl. As adventurous as I am with food, once I find my dish, it really tests my ambition to try something new. GTE attracts all kinds. The majority of the patrons are young, UBC students, but it attracts families and locals all the same. I don't think I have ever seen two people work so hard in a restaurant in my life. The dozen or so times I have been here, I have always been served by the same worn out, tired waitress, and there is always the same looking chef in the back too. I would like to think that we would be on a first name basis by now, but I'm pretty sure this is a habitual restaurant for a lot of locals.

Animal activists beware, if you have issues with many large, anxious fish crammed into one loud tank in the middle of the restaurant, this place might not be for you. I am in no way ashamed of this delicious restaurant, but I have a hard time introducing it to a lot of friends due to the tacky decor, multiple TVs teetering from handmade wall mounts, and the general neon feel. My focus has always been, and will always be about the food, which is why I will always come back.

Whatever the season, I always have a hankering for Vietnamese. It may be the idea that I am getting a healthy meal, or the fact that I am not interested in the guilt associated with a dine out splurge. I have tried many a pho (even though I have been told that is is pronounced "fa", I will die saying "fo" as I am too far gone to accept the change) in Vancouver, and their "Satay" rare beef pho ($6.00) is gorgeous. It is a deep, rich broth swimming with lime, cilantro, onion, and real beef stock. It is on the spicy side, but there are many 'original' pho varieties that are tame and familiar. I add extra veggies which overwhelm the bowl, but a small will absolutely fill me up. This is definitely the winter option. The rest of the year has me craving #68. I can only describe this as a simple combination of a spring roll, lemongrass beef, noodles, and tons of veggies, happily nestled together in a floral, plastic bowl. The simplicity reminds you of a salad, but it has so much going on, that you are completely satisfied. This is also a good option when you are too impatient to wait for your pho to cool down enough to enjoy without singeing your throat. If you are in a rush, you can sit, order, eat, and pay within 30 minutes. I like to make jokes about how long we've had to wait (all of about 4 minutes), but the waitress is long gone before I get to the hilarious part where I roll my eyes....

They have an array of imported juices, which taste really good paired with a spicy meal. No alcohol here, but a refreshing orange slice and fortune cookie compliment a very reasonable meal.

Very easily...two can dine for under $20! That is almost unheard of in this fancy neighbourhood. Give this place a try, you won't be disappointed. If you have an easily distracted boyfriend, I'm afraid you'll be enjoying the company of the active fish as their are multiple tv's on various local channels.

enjoy...