Line 1 – Local Icon
FOMO can be a powerful thing. When you spot a long line of people waiting patiently for an experience, you begin to wonder what the value of that experience is. I do, though that urge has been fading a bit.
Sometimes I get in a line not quite knowing if it’s a tourist gotcha or an actual experience that’s been “discovered” by the masses. Red Fish Blue Fish, as it turns out, falls into that second category. We went because we had recommendations from both our host and the others we’ve met since we arrived. Online sites seem to push it hard, too. If the locals were for it, I thought why not try the place?
The halibut fish and chips along with an order of clam chowder and fried oysters were excellent. I wouldn’t mind another cup of that chowder right now and wouldn’t say no to the rest. However, the tuna tacone? Hard pass. Cold and flavorless.
The big bummer was the ninety+ minute wait in line for what is a solid seafood stand. At least they had umbrellas for the faithful, and an over-sized menu to tease you while you waited.
Knowing this would be our once through the line, we ordered way too much food. I wanted to try everything because I wouldn’t have patience to do it again. I had to lobby Jan hard for that concession because he claimed to not be hungry. Like that matters when you’ve invested in a line!
However, I did lose the suggestion to take our order and go eat it while waiting again. I thought it would be funny to claim we were back for dinner. He thought we might get attacked by hungry tourists. I let him have that one.
Line 2 – Food Trucks
I faced my next two line decisions alone. Jan had to pop back to the states for a bit of business, and I was determined to do some exploring while he was gone.
The first line I discovered was for various food trucks set up behind the Royal BC Museum. I almost missed the placard pointing me to a walkway behind the museum, and I almost didn’t head down the seemingly abandoned path. It was a charming discovery.
Tucked behind the museum were about a half-dozen food trucks/stands offering everything from salmon burgers to local brews, along with seating made from recycled materials. The lines weren’t very long despite the lunch hour, so I went to each one and studied the menus. If this were Chicago, I would zoom in quickly and stand in line because the lines are insane and they do run out. This does not seem to be the same case in B.C.
I ended up choosing The Rolling Reef. There were only a few people ahead of me in line, not too long, not too short. And the whiffs of curry from the dishes around me sealed the deal.
Their curry is a Caribbean inspired mash-up of chicken and potatoes that I thought managed to be both spicy and bland at the same time. And a little dry. The problem with mobile food is you can’t adjust the salt level with a discrete shake or two and it’s a little insulting to go back to them and tell them their business.
The point is, lines lie. The people here were likely ALL tourists and letting your nose be your guide isn’t always a great idea. Too bad. A little salt and it would’ve been great. Lesson learned.
Line 3: Waiting with the Locals
I went to Moss Street Market on Saturday. It’s a great farmers market/local product market that’s nestled in a nice neighborhood that realizes it’s close enough to attract out-of-towners. They have a Beatles cover band AND kiosks for alcohol. My kind of market. Things get going at the 10 o’clock bell, but the lines start queuing well before that — usually just one or two people deciding where they’ll start.
The big exception was for Fry’s Red Wheat Bakery. They had a queue half-way down the block. Ugh. I decided that wasn’t for me and started my shopping with a bunch of lovely strawberries. However, I made my way back around the market and noticed that the line was still there. Different people, sure, but it wasn’t going away.
So I walked to the back and asked the couple in front of me if it was worth the wait. I got everyone in earshot into the discussion, all of them locals, and all of them raving about different bakes and expressing hopes that they wouldn’t run out. Okay!
The line actually moved pretty fast and I wasn’t quite ready to order when it was my turn. Quickly, I decided against a loaf since I didn’t want it go stale before Jan got back, so I picked an almond croissant and a strawberry danish. If it was good, I’d come back for more in the future.
Annnnnnnd, I’m willing to invest the time here. The combo of quality (nice flake, right balance of topping/filling, good bake) and line speed (less than 5 minutes) was just right. Next time I’ll head there first.
However, I will say that there’s an equally good stand at the market called Just Bread. They serve up blueberry and walnut baguettes, olive focaccia, and a smashing fig and cheddar baguette with no line, no waiting. Everything I’ve tried here is good, though none of it is as traditional as Fry’s. Maybe that’s the difference?
What’s my line?
Honestly, I ended up eating well at each of the lines I stood in. However, it’s questionable if I’ll do many more here.
I’m not against indulging in an iconic experience or hanging with the local crowd, it’s just that part of the experience of food, for me, is knowing when I’ll get a seat at the table and that the wait will be worth it. With a line, you don’t always know that and there’s not always a seat. Or a place to wash your hands.
So, I think I’ll reserve my waiting for the occasional loaf of bread. But I’m glad I got to experience the rest. Bon appetite!