Arguably one of the first instances of Mexican food going mobile comes in the legend of Juan Mendez. A taco vendor, Mendez used a small donkey (burro) to transport his cart into the streets of Ciudad Juarez, giving rise to the burrito. Technologies have improved, but the techniques remain more or less the same. Simple […]
Archive | Reviews
RSS feed for this sectionBoon a blessing to Winnipeg’s vegetarians
A vegetarian is not always an ideal restaurant critic. As a non meat-eater, it often feels unfair to judge a restaurant based on the one or two dishes I’m able to sample, instead of the full breadth of their menu. So a place like Boon Burger Cafe is a true treat for the city’s veggie […]
Rapid Review: Baked Expectations
Whether it’s you and a sweetheart, or you and your sweet tooth, indulging in something sugary is a time-honoured way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And for those of us looking for something more substantial than candy hearts this year, we have Winnipeg dessert standard-bearer Baked Expectations. While they offer a substantial lunch and dinner menu […]
A Pub a ‘Pegger Could Love
Saying so long to the Lounge of Charlie O (a.k.a. Tubby’s) was bittersweet. On one hand the food (notably excepting the pizza) had suffered for quality in the final years (even as far as bar food goes). On the other hand, Charlie’s was a neighborhood gem, a Winnipeg institution, the kind of place that, one […]
Savour Winnipeg’s south of the border round up
I’m embarrassed to admit how long it took me to realize that Cinco de Mayo actually meant the fifth of May. But I’m no clearer on the meaning or importance of this Mexican holiday. To quote a favourite Cake song, “I don’t know much about Cinco de Mayo, I’m never sure what it’s all about.” […]
Winnipeg restaurant taps into flavours of Spain
If ever there was a country whose customs I’d adopt, it’s Spain. Nowhere is there a country that understands better the benefits of drinking, snacking and napping. When my parents dragged me there for a family vacation though, I hated it. There were no scotch eggs, fish fingers or Birdseye beef burgers. And retreating to […]
Diversity on the menu at University of Winnipeg
Students returning to class at the University of Winnipeg this week will have even more food for thought. Replacing the long bemoaned Chartwells as campus food service provider, Diversity Food Services will feature affordable flavours from around the world on three locations including the main cafeteria in Riddell Hall, and a coffee shop and small […]
Casa Burrito–a home away from home for Winnipeg’s burrito boys
When I was completing my university degree I had a hard enough time working three shifts a week at Angus Reid and still finding time for study and family. I couldn’t believe that Vinay Iyer wanted to open and run his own restaurant while pursuing a computer science degree (his second) at the University of […]
Do south: Burrito del Rio kicks ass
The response to my sneak peak of Burrito del Rio tells me one thing…Winnipeggers love Mexican food, or any spin on it they can get their gums on. So it was a stroke of genius for Duncan Grant, owner of Bonfire Bistro and the Latin influenced Cafe Carlo, to bring the taqueria concept to a […]
14 Peg Pubs Perfect for Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
Tuesday, March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Although rooted in the spiritual mythology of Ireland, it has since become a world-wide phenomenon where thousands of cities simultaneously celebrate their Irish culture by holding parades, festivals and dying rivers, beer and food green. Winnipeg is no exception and St. Paddy’s has become a milestone moment in […]