When you think of authentic Canadian dishes look no further than one with origins in the province of Quebec. Of course I’m referring to that mouth watering combination of crisp, fresh cut french fries, cheese curds covered in flavourful gravy, poutine. Living in the most western province of British Columbia I have to admit I had not sampled poutine until about a year ago.
Poutine has found its way onto the menu of many local pubs and restaurants in Victoria BC, you can even find it featured at some fast food chains. Personally I’ve only managed to taste a few of the local offerings and I’m crazy about this dish.
Another transplanted idea is food trucks, and here in Victoria we have a wide variety of food sold from these vendors. People line up wherever these trucks are stationed, it might be just down the block, at a music festival or the annual food truck fair. When you can take your specialty anywhere in the south Vancouver Island you’re sure to have a loyal following. Food trucks are a trend that’s not going anywhere, combine that with the best poutine in town and you have a winner. L’Authentique Poutine and Burgers certainly has my vote with their mouth watering dishes.
Poutine originated in Warwick, Quebec in 1957, and happens to be the owner’s hometown, which explains the passion for poutine. Their food truck serves up more than the poutine you may have tasted before. Every french fry is hand cut, the basis of any true poutine dish I’m told. Beyond that their menu offers burger poutine, poutine topped with ground beef, or maybe poutine with, what else but Montreal Smoked meat on top. Some other items to choose from are those hand cut fries, loaded burgers or a burger topped with Montreal Smoked meat to mention just a few of their tasty meals.
Something wonderful happens when a city grows the way Victoria has in the last few years and that’s the wide variety of eateries. Every cuisine imaginable is here to tempt our taste buds and poutine has become a local favorite. L’Authentique Poutine and Burger is the name to look for when you want the best poutine in Victoria BC without a trip to Quebec.
YYJ Happy Hour Walking Tours
We love saving money, which is why we created Ultimate Happy Hours. But we also like not having to walk far to get to our favourite happy hours in Victoria BC. That’s why we created YYJ Happy Hour Walking Tours!
We’ve mapped out different tours below to help you save time and allow you to maximize your drinking and eating time! Below is a Google Map with all of our YYJ Happy Hour Walking Tours. You’ll find the total walking distance, timeframe, and the detailed happy hour menus for each restaurant.
Click on the icon to the left of “YYJ Happy Hour Walking Tours” map title below to uncheck or check which tour you would like to do.
Drinks
Margaritas (2oz) – $2 off
Modelo Especial – $5.50
All Cerveza on tap – $5.50
House Red & White Wine – $7
Montelvini Prosecco – $6
Frozen La Paloma (2oz) – $10 Eats
Chips & Salsa – $3
Tacos – $3.50
– Chicken, Veggie, Pork Belly & Short Rib
Poutine Mexicano – $12
Ceviche De La Casa – $10
$6.50
– French 75 (1oz)
– Cosmopolitan (1oz)
– Long Island Iced Tea (1oz)
– Caesar (1oz)
– Red, Pink & White Sangria (1oz)
$7.50
– Sandhill Merlot (5oz)
– Sandhill Rose (5oz)
– Gray Monk White (5oz)
Eats
Happy Hour Food offer is available only when purchasing beer, wine, bubbly, highballs, juice, soft drinks or bottled waterfor each person at the table.
To the uninitiated, pubs, bars, lounges, and similar establishments are all the same. I guess if all you’re after is a drink to take the edge off a stressful day, then any joint that serves alcohol will do. But a pub has its own character that makes it like a second home to regulars and a calm, homey place to first-timers.
Pubs are transplants from jolly old England, where they sprouted as offshoots to taverns that were introduced by Romans when they set foot on the isles in 43 AD. But British ale soon replaced the wines served by the tabernae, and the public house, or pub, was born.
As a place that still is a focal point for nearby communities, the best pubs in Victoria BC provide a relaxing atmosphere to imbibe not just beer, but also food and friendly company. It goes without saying that pubs have adapted to changing tastes and they will have a selection of other drinks and cocktails to cater to the tastes of its clientele.
In Victoria, these pubs consistently rate well, whether you go by word of mouth or look up reviews on the internet. They also have great happy hours in Victoria BC.
Garrick’s Head Pub – as one of the oldest authentic English pubs in Canada, you’ll feel cozy ambiance and atmosphere that have made pubs the popular gathering places they have become throughout the world. A huge selection of Victorian and Canadian craft beers make this establishment a popular choice for beer lovers.
Irish Times – consistently gets good reviews for its great food. Not known to many is their belly-busting Irish breakfast that will get you through most of the working day. Located in a historical building, this pub is also known for its live music.
Bartholomew’s – whether you love a good craft beer or a wine, this pub has a good selection. Located practically steps from two hotels, this establishment is popular with the older working crowd.
The Six Mile Pub – established in 1855, this pub is the oldest in BC. Wash down their famous steak and mushroom pie with any of the 20-plus beers on tap.
Maude Hunter’s Pub – this 20-year old establishment continues to be popular for its consistently good food and wide selection of beers. Service is always top notch, which adds to the pleasant experience.
Smuggler’s Cove – known for its decent food and selection of drinks, the Irish Times features a patio that is a refreshing spot if you want some air after a day at the office. TVs strategically placed throughout keep you up to date with the latest sports events.
The great thing about a connected world is that you are hip to the latest and greatest trends in the food world. In Victoria, BC, there is no dearth of food joints to go to, both established and up-and-coming. In the past few months, we’ve noted that these happy hours restaurants in Victoria have been getting good feedback:
MoLe – residing at the edge of a Chinatown that is Canada’s oldest, MoLe is a great place to go to for breakfast or lunch. If includes fresh farm-to-market produce in its recipes, which are notably creative. Since 2004, locals have been enjoying their eggs, hashes and burgers at all times of the day. Most of the fare can be made vegan and gluten-free. Popular items include a ciabatta and scrambled eggs with salmon.
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe – located at a heritage building dating back from 1888, Nourish entertains diners and after work visitors alike on two floors with a variety of recipes catering to hearty eaters and vegans alike. The cafe-lounge on the second floor offers free Wi-Fi to those wanting a quieter atmosphere to read or work. There is also a garden patio if fresh air is what you want.
Superbaba – tired of same old same old? Expand your culinary experience by trying out Superbaba. In the year since its opening, this Middle Eastern-themed restaurant has garnered critical acclaim for authentic recipes ranging from falafel, to kebabs to shawarma. Their pita is made in-house, and a sampler dish includes hummus, baba ganoush, pickles, and labneh. An airy and minimalist decor complements the authentic fare.
Chimac Korean Pub – another new established that’s catering to the Korean fried chicken craze, Chimac Korean Pub pairs its breaded fried chicken recipe with a choice of a garlic-soy or spicy-sweet sauces. Complement this with grilled corn or a hot pot dish and you’ll be sure to leave satisfied. If fried and chicken and beer is your mood for the moment, this Korean pub offers Sapporo as well as craft beers.
Stage – an established and respected wine bar that has twice been recognized as one of Victoria’s best restaurants, Stage Wine Bar offers tapas-style plates that arrive at your table as they come out of the kitchen. You can order simple pomme frites, sauteed mushrooms or a charcuterie platter. Feeling more adventurous? Then dive into octopus plates, bison sirloin, beef carpaccio, or salmon poke. Wash it all down with a grand selection of wines, bubblies, or cocktails.
