Panz Veggies - Vegan Chinese

Before anyone says anything, I want to let everyone know, I will try just about anything once when it comes to culinary adventures. So yes, I did voluntarily go for Vegan chinese food with my wife, and my friend Sarajane (author of the blog Vegan Chicks Rock). Living and working in Yaletown, one of my big pet peeves is that it is very difficult to find an affordable lunch. You are lucky to get out of most restaurants cheaper than $15 Dollars. I have a solution that is both affordable, delicious and a massive amount of food. Panz Veggies on Hornby St. offers up all vegan fair for $8 plus tax.

 At Lunch at Panz Veggies, the $8 lunch special is the only way to go. You get soup to start, a spring roll, your choice of steamed rice/fried rice/chow mein, your main dish, and dessert. For my liking, the chow mein has been better than either rice. You generally have a choice of about 8 main dishes which usually include a sweet and sour dish, a couple stirfrys, a lemony sauce thing, and a couple other choices. I especially love the fact that they have soya products that mimic meat. Don't ask me how, or what is in them, but they have soya sausage, soya short ribs and of course the usual tofu options. Everything I have tried at Panz has been great so far in 3 trips, and in my opinion, could be the best bang for the buck within a 10 minute walk from Yaletown. Be prepared, you get a ton of food, so don't be surprised to be in a little bit of a food coma when you get back to your desk. The biggest perk of this vegan chinese food is that you don't feel gross after gorging yourself. Don't get me wrong, I do miss some msg from time to time, but this is a great healthy alternative that will satisfy you enough to get you through the rest of your day. Please leave your comments, and happy eating.

Dona Cata - Authentic Mexican

Alright, first and foremost, I would like to thank the 3 people who follow this blog for not unfriending this blog. Over the past 2 months, I have successfully moved out of my apartment, moved back in with my parents, and ready myself for a year long adventure in London. Over the Christmas break, I am going to do my best, and leave you guys with some of my favourite places in my hometown.

Dona Cata. Victoria Drive and 34th Ave in East Vancouver. Currently, this is in the top 5 of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver. It feels like it is run by the only Mexican family in Vancouver. Every time I go here for food, I am never disappointed. I was first introduced by my friend Daniel, who being from LA is very picky with his tacos. On his recommendation, I took my wife there for lunch, then dinner, then lunch, then lunch, then dinner, all within about 2 months.

My wife, friend Daniel, and 3 mexicans (Manny, Pepe, and Liz) enjoying the aftermath.

Growing Up, I always thought that a taco was a hard shell/flour tortilla with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, olives and sour cream. Apparently, my mom wasn't an authentic Mexican like 3 of the 5 of friends of mine in the above picture. Something awesome about having Mexican friends (besides free oil changes on my El Camino) is showing me what authentic Mexican food really is. And in that regard, Dona Cata seems to hits on all levels.

Nopales and Longaniza Tacos

A traditional taco is your choice of filling with raw onions, cilantro in a corn tortilla. I have tried most of the fillings at Dona Cata but the hits are definitely the BARBACOA DE BORREGO which is slow braised lamb in secret spices, and the LONGANIZA which is cured pork sausage. Always remember as well,  you can never squeeze enough lime on your taco.

Barbacoa, Al Pastor, and Carnitas Tacos

Other great hits on this menu are the nopales tacos (my wife's favourite) which is cooked cactus served with Longaniza and all the fixin's. Gringa's, which are folded over tacos on a flour tortilla, cheese, and your choice of taco fillings. My personal favourite, the Mole chicken. Chocolate and Chicken, does it get better than that.

Mole chicken with Beans and Rice

A nice perk of Dona Cata is their salsa bar (see picture below). 8 homemade salsas, ranging from mild, quality taste to "Wow, i am not going to enjoy this experience in about 2 hours" hot.

Dona Cata's Salsa Bar

So, in summary. $2 tacos, 2 margaritas for $8, and if you go here and drop $50, you will eat and drink like a king. Dona Cata is a hit on all levels. Go there with some friends, order 5 tacos, a couple dishes to share, and a michelada (a sort of beer caesar) and a couple margaritas and you will definitely be satisfied or champified (I believe that will now be an official term). So, on that note, enjoy one of these below, please leave your comments and happy eating.

A cold Negra Modelo served always in an ice cold glass