The Vancouver Magazine recently listed the top 25 foods in Vancouver for 2012. The majority of the list was something you’d never be able to guess. We narrowed it down to the top 8, however, still in shock. Thought Japadog would definitely make the list.
Pideh
It’s a trick to find decent Turkish food round these parts, a lack this new Kerrisdale room sets out to address. Try the beef pideh, a pizza-like bread topped with spiced ground beef and an egg, drizzled with pomegranate sauce, and baked in the oven until it bubbles and crisps. Sofra Mediterranean Kitchen, 2277 W. 41st Ave., 604-558-3287. Sofrakitchen
Salted Caramel Donut
Soon $3 donuts—sorry, doughnuts—will go the way of the cupcake, but before then, tuck into this sticky, chewy, deep-fried wonder, surely the most gluttonous of the bunch. Lucky’s, 2902 Main St. Luckysdoughnuts.com
AAA Bone-In Rib Steak
This Fred Flintstone-size chop is simply dressed with a bit of soy sauce to cut through the fatty marble, and garlic chips for that extra kick. Juicy, meaty heaven. Suika, 1626 W. Broadway, 604-730-1678. Suika-snackbar.com
Cherry Ice Cream Sandwich
Local, organic cherries and Avalon dairy ice cream perch atop a dense brownie base and then go for a bath in dark chocolate. Dangerous. Chocolate Arts, 1620 W. Third Ave., 604-739-0475. Chocolatearts.com
Strawberry, Mint, & Pepper Jam
Fruit jam with a kick of Sichuan pepper is an unexpected treat, as are infused olive oils and vinegar on tap. L’Epicerie, 565-1689 Johnston St., 604-653-7317. Lepiceriegourmande.com
Sausage Rolls
We’ve got a secret fondness for those plump little sausage rolls that only seem to show up at kids’ birthday parties. Thankfully there’s an adult version: chipotle pork sausage wrapped in pastry at Woodland Smokehouse, 485 Commercial Dr., 604-681-0660. Woodlandsmokehouse.com
Ostrich Satay
They’re not much to look at on the plate, but dip these dark little skewers in peanut sauce and take a cautious nibble. You’ll be rewarded with an extremely tender and well-seasoned morsel. Green Basil Thai, 4623 Kingsway, 604-439-1919. Greenbasilthai.com
Chicken Burger
Spiced panko-crusted breast, Swiss cheese, sambal mayo, shredded iceburg lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion make for the best chicken sandy in town. Juicy, sloppy, and a little trashy. Cactus Club Concession, 1790 Beach Ave. Cactusclub.com