10071 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

You really do need a fleet.

One truck for the West Shore alone, and another for the core, then a third in case of a breakdown. Not much ever happening on the Peninsula. You may also need two for the core, to make sure you can cover all of your bases. How long can you spend at each stop? 10 minutes? Maybe 15?

[Victoria Watcher]

Father and son launch new late-night burger joint in Victoria Saturday

 

https://cheknews.ca/...turday-1320942/

 

 

The doors to Pretty Patty, the new grill-sizzling burger joint, opened at 642 Yates at 11 a.m. Saturday.

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 April 2026 - 10:27 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

https://www.instagra.../p/DXe82OXgqGd/

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

$125,000

 

https://www.realtor....ctoria-hillside

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd say this has been here at least 30 years, no?

 

 

 

 

 

The very un-Victorian sounding Salsa nickname came about because the original owners of the team, the Kowalko family, also owned the Taco Time fast-food franchises around the Island. The logo was a green chili pepper that was often mistaken for a pickle, which confused people even more.

“It’s something we think is totally different and highly marketable. It wasn’t something we came at lightly,” the late Sam Kowalko told Darron Kloster of the Times Colonist in 1994.

“The league loved it. That shocked us.”

But Victoria’s mayor at the time, Bob Cross, wasn’t a big fan and was asked by Times Colonist reporter Carla Wilson what he thought of the nickname.

“Not much,” Cross replied.

“I think that an appropriate name is something that the community can identify with, and salsa to me, might be in Tijuana or Tucson.”

 

https://www.timescol...ounting-4675974

 

 

 

Sam Kowalko died in 2018:

 

https://www.legacy.c...ary?id=41339120

 

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 April 2026 - 02:44 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The name lives on

 

 

Despite helping introduce the name, Barrie later left the Grizzlies ownership group as well as Bear Mountain Resort. Several legal disputes prompted his exit from the Grizzlies and the resort.

Along with Barrie, there have been several ownership changes over the years. Mark Wagstaff left the ownership group after the 2014-15 season. Despite the changes at the top, the team still plays in Victoria and still calls itself the Grizzlies.

The name has outlasted every other BC Hockey League team that came before it, whether it was the Cougars, Capitals, Whalers, Warriors, or Salsa. The Grizzlies’ name has staying power, and it doesn’t appear that will change any time soon.

 

https://bchlnetwork....-the-grizzlies/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 April 2026 - 02:50 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd say this has been here at least 30 years, no?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 blog post!

 

https://tacotimevict...started-it.html

 

The store that brought TacoTime to Victoria over twenty years ago our stand alone location at Hillside & Quadra.

It's seen many changes throughout the years, from being the home base for the Victoria Salsa, the location of the original Taco Tuesdays, a period when it was briefly know as the TacoTime Cantina and back to it's original branding a Taco Time Restaurant once again.

We served so many Tacos and Burritos over the past twenty years that we've lost count and with your continued support we will be serving them for many years to come.

Thanks for your on going patronage Victoria !

 

 

 

 

 

That puts it at at least 35 years.  Wow.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 April 2026 - 02:55 AM.

[aastra]

Taco Time flies, duh. What's your beef? Maybe you're getting soft.

[aastra]

^Either that or you're bordering on insanity.

[Mike K.]

Way to wrap Trump into everything.

[aastra]

Holy mole, I make a few corny plays on words and you give me a chile reception.

[aastra]

 

 

^Either that or you're bordering on insanity.

 

Maybe you've had your bell rung recently?

[Victoria Watcher]

From the Victoria creators of Wind Cries Mary and Rudi, here comes Birdman

 

After 15 years working together, Jesse Dame and David Healy embark on their first official partnership when Birdman takes flight in downtown Victoria.

The vibe will invite guests to “say yes,” says Jesse Dame, founder of Cottage Hospitality Group and half the brains behind the new eatery.

“Come in, stay too long, have the night you’re seeking, don’t apologize for anything,” Dame says. “Come human, come undone.”

 

_________

Birdman, 537 Johnson St., opens May 22.

 

 

 

 

https://vicnews.com/...-comes-birdman/

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 May 2026 - 05:01 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Robot?

 

[m3m]

Birdman is without a doubt your best after midnight meal in victoria. Amazing sandwiches. Love a good waffle fries too

[Mike K.]

Fantastic. This town needs late/r night options. Wind Cries Mary is just fantastic but it’s a tricky place for spontaneous arrivals.

[Matt R.]

Birdman is without a doubt your best after midnight meal in victoria. Amazing sandwiches. Love a good waffle fries too

They must be taking business from the Mint pretty rapidly.

[Victoria Watcher]

A popular B.C.-based Chinese restaurant chain appears poised to be a stepping stone in the growing battle over North America’s dining market.

Richmond-based Big Way Hot Pot Ltd. has received a US$43-million investment from leading Chinese restaurant group, Jiumaojiu International Holdings Ltd., for a 39 per cent stake, according to Jiumaojiu’s February filing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

This deal brings Jiumaojiu’s total ownership in Big Way to 49 per cent.

Analysts say the deal reflects Jiumaojiu’s ambition to capture a larger share of the North American hotpot market and compete with established players.

“This is a very significant deal, especially in the Canadian restaurant sector, which is not all that common,” said Chris Neufeld, lawyer at Neufeld Legal Professional Corporation, who specializes in mergers and acquisitions.

 

https://www.biv.com/...ot-pot-12204564

 

 

 

 

Victoria has one at Tuscany Village.

[Victoria Watcher]

36% of Canadian restaurants operating at a loss or breaking even: Q1 report

 

https://vancouver.ci...ants-q1-report/

[Matt R.]

Very good article from Sylvain Charlebois on the realities of today.

“Canada’s restaurant industry is often treated as a symbol of resilience. Through inflation, lockdowns, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions, restaurateurs have somehow kept the lights on. But beneath the surface of the latest sales numbers lies a much darker reality: the economics of operating a restaurant in Canada are becoming increasingly untenable.”

https://open.substac...tm_medium=email

[Mike K.]

Perhaps there’s just too much competition.