Along with the usual fall expenses of housing, clothes, books and tuition, the average student spends a lot of money on food. And, let’s face it, most of the time, we’re not talking home cooking. Cheap, fast and nourishing is the order of the day (or night). Last year, I compiled a small list of budget-friendly places. This year, take advantage of an expanded list of places to get your nosh on, grouped according to which educational institution you may be attending. Without further ado…
EMILY CARR (Granville Island)
Kaisereck Deli
Part of the food court in the Public Market, this Eastern European deli serves up delicious fried bratwursts, and pierogi plates that run $5-$6. Get a full platter for less than $9 and don’t forget to try the schnitzel sandwich. Pile some sautéed onions and crème fraiche on top of your pierogi plate, and call it a day. No website, 604-685-8810
Bistro 101 at PICA
Even students sometimes need a “fancy” night out. And where else in the city can you indulge in three courses for $22 at lunch and $28 at dinner? Not to mention the Friday West Coast buffet ($35 for dinner). And, hey, you’re a student, right? Support these very talented students and indulge in dishes like prawn bisque, pork tenderloin and panna cotta off the monthly menus. Reservations definitely recommended.
Tony’s Fish and Oyster Café
Don’t forget that brain food. The fish and chips start at $8.99, but it’s the seafood platter for two ($34.99) that’s an awesome deal. Crab claws, scallops, prawns, deep-fried oysters, mussels and cod, sided with coleslaw and rice or fries. The oyster stew ain’t bad, either.
VCC BROADWAY (Commercial Dr.)
Fujiya Supermarket
Speaking of brain food…sushi to-go is the student gold standard, and Fujiya’s always-fresh plates are made in-house before your eyes. Try the shrimp California roll or the Z roll for more filling options, along with combo plates that will still keep you under $10. And, while you’re there, mango pudding and cream puffs, because, dessert.
Truck Stop
It’s on the site of Vancouver’s original brewery and current home to Red Truck Beer and its new diner, Truck Stop. In addition to five-dollar beers, items like the breakfast burger ($12), with its juicy beef patty, kosher hot dog, and fried egg, will make that Friday night hangover a distant memory. The house chili ($8) with brisket, cheddar, sour cream and green onions, is another bargain.
La Grotta del Formaggio
Made-to-order sandwiches have been the name of the game at this popular deli on Commercial Drive for more than three decades. Bread from neighbour Calabria is loaded with your choice of meats, cheeses and vegetables, then grilled in a panini press. Prosciutto with provolone, loaded with eggplant, roasted red pepper, and sun-dried tomato, won’t break $10, and best of all, the size means you can eat half now, and save the rest for a post-study snack.
SFU HARBOUR CENTRE (Downtown)
Wakwak Burger (formerly Hamburger 2.85)
The former name pretty much says it all, doesn’t it? This tiny food cart, from the wizards behind Japadog, serves up big, meaty hamburgers (marinated in teriyaki sauce) with your standard lettuce, tomatoes, etc. And, even though the name has changed, the prices are still the best in the city, especially if you’re trying the new burger with minced meat cake (yes, it’s a thing and it’s delicious). Fries are just $1.95 extra, meaning that meal is still less than five dollars.
La Taqueria
Vancouver’s original authentic taco shop, La Taqueria dishes up beautiful palm-sized tacos in quads for less than $10. Choose from braised beef cheek, pork confit with pickled red onions, chicken in chocolate mole, and more.
Finch’s Tea & Coffee House
Eggs and soldiers for under five dollars is always appreciated, but how about a nice long baguette stuffed with baked brie, walnuts, pears, prosciutto or free-range eggs, all for under $10? Baked goods are made in-house with organic and local ingredients, and throw in the daily soup for an extra three bucks to take away that fall chill.
VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL (Gastown)
Tacofino
This popular eatery’s new burrito bar in Gastown serves up two-fisters stuffed with your choice of crispy chicken, chorizo, or tempura ling cod, along with rice, black beans, cabbage, guacamole, and cheese. All around the $10-mark, these will keep you filled long into the day (or night), especially if you add the chocolate-chili cookie ($3) for dessert.
Bao Down
Those pillow-soft steamed buns are usually small, demure receptacles for little bits of pork, daikon, scallion, et al. At Bao Down, demure is the last descriptor that would come to mind to describe these large, over-stuffed baos that run around six dollars a-piece. Sweet soy-marinated and grilled pork sirloin is dressed with crispy garlic, pickled carrot and radish threads, and drizzled with shoyu fish sauce.
Silvestre Gustre Latino
This lovely little Peruvian deli on Water Street has some of the best spicy chicken empanadas in town, as well as a chicharrón sammie stuffed with slow-cooked pork belly, fried sweet potatoes and marinated onions ($9.50). It’s a powerful hunger-quencher, and goes well with the excellent housemade churros ($3.75).
UBC
Jethro’s Fine Grub
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Enter Jethro’s, home to such morning starters as grilled corn cake benedict topped with Tex-Mex chili, poached eggs and hollandaise ($12). Sweet tooth? Try the banana pancakes stuffed (and topped) with caramel, pecans and streusel ($13).
Al Basha
This little halal eatery in Kits rocks both value and flavour. Bowls of earthy lentil soup for $2.99 will help fill the corners until one of the large plates (around $10) is ready, each including salad, hummus and pita bread, along with chicken, falafel or vegetables.
The Eatery
Since 1983, this funky little room has been serving innovative and wallet-friendly Japanese fare, like their sushi pizza bites and “funky” rolls. With dozens of dishes for around six dollars, and a host more in the $10-$12 range, it’s easy to fill up here without dinging the wallet. Local craft brews and premium sake are just miso gravy.
LANGARA (South Main)
All India Sweets Restaurant
Head directly east from Langara, and you’ll crash into Little India, with its lovely sari shops, and even more attractive restaurants. All India has been serving up hearty Indian food for well over two decades. Their vegetarian AYCE buffet ($10.95) includes four kinds of dessert (including my favourite, gulab jamun).
Au Petit Café
Banh mi should be a staple of any student diet. After all, pork pâté with fresh grated carrot, cucumber and radish, cilantro, and your choice of meat balls, housemade ham, shredded chicken or pork, is practically a diagram of the major food groups, no? Au Petit’s banh mi are a bit on the pricier side, (though all under five dollars), but the size and quality delivers, and your taste buds will thank you.
Pinpin Restaurant
Filipino-Chinese cuisine might sound like an odd combination, but the long intertwined history of both cultures is no figment of some chef’s overactive imagination. Barbecue pork or chicken skewers ($3.50 each) make a nice starter, but the best value comes from dishes like lemongrass chicken with Java rice or pork belly with vegetables (each $10.95).
