Grab & Go For Under $10

The cherry blossoms are out in Victoria, and with them come the onset of springtime bike rides, quiet strolls, and picnics in the sun. Whether you have a whole day off or only a few minutes to spare, grabbing a quick bite to eat and a sunny spot to sit is a sure-fire way to brighten your day. No matter what your style, Victoria offers a variety of tempting grab-and-go picnic options for $10 and under, as well as some beautiful locations to match.

Blair Mart Middle Easter Foods

924 Pandora 250-721-1626 Open every day 7am – 10:30pm

Next time you’re in the Pandora Green area, stop by the Blair Mart for their wonderful selection of Middle Eastern snacks. Besides offering a variety of grocery items, owner Mat has a great assortment of affordable homemade pastries, including a delicious Spinach Pie ($3.99) loaded with sautéed spinach, goat feta, and delicate herbs. Or try a Morocco Pie ($3.99), a hearty filo roll stuffed with peas, potato, spinach, and spices. While you’re perusing the deli case, check out the amazing selection of all-honey, homemade baklava for a sweet end to your picnic meal—flavours include orange, almond, walnut, or pistachio ($2.89).

Where to Go: From Pandora, walk, bike or hop a bus down Cook Street until you come to Dallas Road Beach — enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific and the fresh ocean breeze.

Uchida Eater/Shokudo

A22-633 Courtney Street 250-388-7383 Open Monday-Friday 11 am – 2 pm facebook

Tucked away in Nootka Court you’ll find the cosy little Uchida, a Japanese-style eatery focusing on fresh, local, and seasonal fair. For around $10, you can enjoy one of their ever-changing daily specials, or a selection from their constant menu items including the Tuna or Salmon Don ($9.50), a bowl of house-polished rice with your choice of local wild Sockeye salmon or Albacore tuna.  For lighter fare, try the local organic vegetables from Umi Nami Farms in Metchosin, which are turned into two daily salads ($ 3.50 each) and pair beautifully with the three-piece salmon or mackerel sushi ($3).

* Gluten free options available.

Where to Go: From Courtney Street, walk down Douglas until you get to Humboldt Street. From there, take a left to Saint Ann’s Academy, where you can eat beneath the heritage apple trees.

 Picture (see topmost photo)

Trini to ‘D’ Bone

650 Burnside Road West 778-440-6755 Monday-Friday 11 am – 7 pm, Closed Saturday & Sunday

facebook website

Located outside of downtown, Trini to ‘D’ Bone is a destination that serves up some of the most authentic and delicious Caribbean food Victoria has to offer. Offering a selection of daily specials, they’re known primarily for their roti, Caribbean flat bread stuffed with a variety of meat or vegetable fillings. The vegetable roti ($7.50) is a delicious mix of spiced Dahl, chickpeas, potato, and spinach served in soft flat bread wrap. Hearty enough for splitting, but tasty enough to devoir on your own, the roti provide much needed fuel for a walk or ride along the Galloping Goose.

Where to Go: From Burnside, walk down McKenzie until you reach the Galloping Goose. There you will find a variety of park benches or grassy knolls.

Le Petit Dakar- Black-Eyed Bean Ragout

Melt Truck – Jammer

Le Petit Dakar

711 Douglas Street Mon – Sun: 11:00 am – 7:30 am

facebook

Senegalese restaurant Le Petit Dakar, located in the old Crystal Gardens, serves up a wide array of home-cooked daily specials, as well as some regular menu items. For a quick grab-and-go, try their daily soup ($5) or the Black-Eyed Bean Ragout ($7.50)—black-eyed beans in a perfectly spiced tomato sauce, served over a bed of rice. Whatever you have, don’t turn down the offer of house-made hot sauce—one of the best you’ll ever eat.

Where to Go: Take your lunch across the street to Thunder Bird Park on the grounds of the Royal British Columbia Museum. You can explore the historical building, including the Mungo Martin House.

Melt Truck

Monday-Friday 7 am – 2 pm 2519B Rock Bay Avenue

(twitter)@MeltTruckVic

website

Parked off Rock Bay Ave. you’ll find the Melt Truck, a food truck specializing in, you guessed it, grilled cheese—but in no way are these your average grilled cheese. The Jammer ($7) is comprised of thick cut white bread, slathered with salty sweet, house-made bacon jam, your choice of banana pepper or tomato, cheddar cheese, and then grilled to golden perfection. If that strays too much from the classic for your taste, try their Cheese Lovers ($6), a mix of three cheeses on French bread.

Where to Go: Point Ellice House is just a short walk away, or across the Point Ellice Bridge, you’ll find plenty of lovely little spots down along the Gorge.

— Sophie MacKenize