Viet Sub

case — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:27:33 +0000

Rating / 3 out of 5 stars

Viet Sub is a small hole in the wall that serves such Vietnamese delights as sandwiches, salad rolls and noodle soups. It sits sandwiched between a number of restaurants on Robson Street.

Viet Sub is tiny with limited seating for just a handful of people. Sandwiches are plunked into paper bags or baskets depending on whether you’re eating in or taking out. The menu is nice and simple, yet it’s easily hard to decide what to order. We ordered the Special Sub: composed of Vietnamese ham, cold cut meat and meat ball. We also ordered a shrimp salad roll and a bottle of soda.

(Above: Vietnamese Sub — the special, aka Banh Mi)

Our order was quick; the sandwich was nice and warm. Inside, the neatly and freshly assembled French baguette held just the right amount of filling and dressing. Slivers of radishes, carrots and cilantro layed neatly on top with sprinkled black pepper. We could taste the hot green jalapenos in almost every bite, which was nice. The flavors were light but satisfying. Our shrimp salad roll was fresh and served with a side of peanut sauce for dipping.

(Above: Freshly assembled shrimp salad roll with a side of peanut sauce.)

Our bill including taxes and tips came to just under $13, which makes for a nice snack or meal that is easy on the pocket, especially for this part of town. The staff (family, I believe) are super friendly and outgoing which is a huge plus. Although Au Petit Cafe on Main remains our top spot for Vietnamese subs, we wouldn’t hesitate to pop in to Viet Sub when we find ourselves in the area again.

Perfect for: something cheap and cheerful on Robson.

The Details

542 Robson Street, Vancouver
604.569.3340

Duffin’s Donuts

tre — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:46:21 +0000

Rating / 3 out of 5 stars

Duffin’s Donuts is one of those local curiosities — one that makes you wonder the mysterious source of their longevity. We’ve been to the previous Main Street incarnation prior to the shut down and were only mildly impressed with their Vietnamese version of the torta sub. Yeah, yeah, we should have known better. This is the first time we’ve set foot at the 41st and Knight location.

Now, instincts tell you that an East side dive that serves hot torta subs, noodle soup, chinese fast food, fried chicken, breakfast and donuts — all of it, 24 hours a day — instincts tell you to run. Run far away. But the bright red and yellow awning beckoned us — drawing us in with the irresistible promise of greasy Chinese food and sugary donuts.

(1. Duffin’s derives its colour scheme from the holy trinity of the restaurant rainbow: red, yellow and white. 2. This coffee sucks.)

If Tim Horton’s is the blue collar version of Starbucks, then the regular patrons of Duffin’s Donuts are of the decidedly bluer than blue collar variety. The standard issue dress appears to be more wife beater, track pants and flip flops. Nevertheless, Case and I were seeking both a refuge and a brief mid-day coffee break.

Perhaps a classic Boston Cream and sugar-dusted (that is sugar, is it not?) Lemon Jelly donut and two cups of Joe will tide us over until dinner time. As we wait for our counter-person to gather our order, we notice the interior decor appears to be an unholy union between a 7-11 on one side of the restaurant and a food court on the other.

Surprisingly, the donuts were actually quite tasty. The Boston Cream was decadent, creamy and perfectly sweet. The dough itself was soft and tasted extremely fresh. Case’s Lemon Jelly was equally tasty, although the dusted sugar didn’t do a thing to add to the flavour. The coffees were unsurprisingly bland. At under $5 for two donuts and two coffees, you get about what you expect. Perhaps next time, we’ll attempt the Chinese food. Any double dares?

Perfect for: an authentic, East side alternative to Timmy Ho’s.

The Details

1391 East 41st Avenue, Vancouver
604.325.5544

Noshwell » sub

Viet Sub

Rating / 3 out of 5 stars

Duffin’s Donuts

Rating / 3 out of 5 stars