Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

News stories from the Renfrew-Collingwood community in East Vancouver

Category Archives: Eating Out


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Eating Out in RC: Ham and Eggman’s

Mexican-scramble-Ham-and-Eggmans

The Mexican Scramble. I cannot say enough about how good this was, including those Kennebec hash browns. The best! Photo by Paul Reid

Ham & Eggman’s
3883 Rupert Street, Vancouver
(604) 620-8942
hamandeggmans.com
Monday to Friday 8 am – 3 pm
Saturday to Sunday 9 am – 3 pm

BY PAUL REID

Ham & Eggman’s; Ham & Eggman’s – it’s kind of fun to say. Better yet is how good it tastes. Yes RC, we have a winner!

Ham & Eggman’s is producing some seriously good breakfast dishes right here in our community.

And it’s about time. Where else really has one been able to go around here for a really good breakfast(?) Since the Dutch Pannekoek House, which later morphed into James’ Street Cafe left the area, there really hasn’t been much in the way of dedicated breakfast places. And this one rocks!

Yes folks, not only was I there, tasting for myself, but I have found since that the internet too is full of nothing but rave reviews for Ham & Eggman’s.

Let’s see here what I can agree with. One person says, “My new go to breakfast spot in Vancouver!” Yes, I could definitely see that.

“The bathrooms were spotless!,” says another. Yes, I did get a chance to review those as well and they were noticeably being kept very clean.

“Right from the start, service was exceptional.” Yes, I too, undercover of course, was highly impressed by the pleasant mood and attentiveness of the wait staff.

“Chef Kristian Leidig really knows what he’s doing!” says Paniz L. Yes! Yes! In fact, doing
a little research on Chef Kristian and I find that he is quite the chef. He was presented the Vancouver Foodster 1st Place Award for his Bratwurst Benny in the #EggsBenedictChallengeYVR. Of course he did.

I’m telling you RC, these guys came to play ball.

Ham & Eggman’s has been here in RC since March 2019. Wow! Why was I the last to know? And if you haven’t been to Ham & Eggman’s yet, well, now you know that you better get yourself down there.

Before I let you go, I want to tell you about what I had. I went for the Mexican scramble. All their scrambles come with three eggs served with Kennebec hash browns and toast. The Mexican included house-made chorizo, fajita peppers and onions, aged cheddar, topped with salsa and sour cream ($15).

Let me tell you it was worth every last red cent. I guess the kids don’t know what a cent is. We used to call them pennies. I feel old.

Anyhow, get down to Ham & Eggman’s and taste for yourself. And tell me what you think of these Kennebec hash browns. I would not be going out on much of a limb by saying that these hash browns are likely the best you or I have ever tasted: light and fluffy on the inside, yet nice and crispy on the outside. I was wondering how they do that. How do you do that Kristian?

Thank you Ham & Eggman’s. Bon appetit!

Copyright 2019-2020 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News


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Eating Out in RC: The Deli by Continental Sausage

The Deli by Continental Sausage

These are monster-size sandwiches at The Deli by Continental Sausage. Photo by Paul Reid

2406 Nanaimo Street, Vancouver
Monday – Wednesday 10 am – 5 pm
Thursday – Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm

BY PAUL REID

Greetings food fans. I want to inform you now of a hidden little gem, tucked away in the northwest corner of our community, just north of Nanaimo and Broadway. It’s called The Deli, by Continental Sausage.

This is Continental Sausage’s one-and-only outlet store, full of excellent deals on sausages, deli meats and more.

I thought I would try their sandwich combo. First, you choose your meat from their entire selection. Kristine, my lovely server, piled it on.

Next, you get to choose your cheese from their fine assortment. Hmm, German Edam or smoked Havarti? Next, the vegetables selection: their lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes are fresh and delicious. Then, you get to choose from a variety of their high quality sauces, including that Dijon mustard. Mmm. Then pick your chips and a pop. Quick, affordable, healthy and filling.

Yes, these are monster-size sandwiches, folks.

In addition to these awesome sandwiches, you will find quality German meat and cheese products, as well as an assortment of condiments and specialty items from Germany, Hungary and Eastern Europe at reasonable prices. There’s double-smoked bacon, heritage ham, German salami, pate, head cheese (which is a meat jelly often made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig), smokies (supplier to Mr. Tube Steak); smoked gouda cheese, Irish ham, beer sausage, salami bites, cocktail wieners, ham and bacon loaf and ajvar – a condiment made from red bell peppers and oil.

Continental Sausage is a small family-run business of about 30 employees. Created in 1960, Continental Sausage sells to independently owned delicatessens, butcher shops and restaurants.

They see their relatively small size as a positive: more personable, accessible and exclusive; listening to customer’s feedback while adapting to the changes and trends of the market place.

Continental Sausage’s products are produced more frequently in small batches for quality and freshness, They purchase their pork and beef from local Fraser Valley farmers within a 100-mile radius.

Their European Sausage Meister takes these choice cuts of hand-trimmed meats to make a broad range of delicious sausages, salamis, hams and roasts in European tradition.

In addition to my awesome mega sandwich with chips and pop, I picked up some Canadian back bacon and some chorizo sausage, all of which I will be back for more.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you investigate The Deli, by Continental Sausage, for yourself.

Keep on eatin’.

Copyright 2019 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News


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Eating Out in RC: Zorro’s Pizza and Spaghetti House

Zorros-reopens

The man now behind Zorro’s, taking over the legacy, Wayne Bergquist. Photos by Paul Reid

4453 Boundary Road, Vancouver
Free delivery (after 4 pm)
Phone: 604-438-6446
Now accepts debit as well as cash

BY PAUL REID

Greetings food fans. I was very excited to review this next gem in that jewel-encrusted crown of RC eateries, Zorro’s Pizza and Spaghetti House. Yes! Zorro’s is back! Many of you already know, since it happened back in February – Zorro’s reopened!

Many were stunned and saddened by the passing of Tony Siliverdis, the man behind Zorro’s. The pizza became legendary. As RC’s Eating Out restaurant review guy, I was saddened to find myself having never tried it. The more I heard about how great it was, the more I regretted having never had the experience.

Alas! Wayne Bergquist and his mom, Cynthia Ostonal, have come to the rescue, apparently just in time. “When we contacted the Siliverdis family, we found that they had pretty much given up looking for someone to take over the business and were getting ready to sell everything at an auction.”

Thank goodness for Wayne and Cynthia. Short of building a time machine, there was no way for me to ever try a legendary slice of that Zorro’s pie.

The Jerry's Special lives up to all the hype.

The Jerry’s Special lives up to all the hype.

It’s the exact same menu. I had to have the legendary Jerry’s Special (named after Tony’s son). Bacon, salami, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms, olives, green peppers, pineapple, fresh tomatoes and lean beef.

I was not disappointed. My Jerry’s actually lived up to all that hype. It was old school: thick and delicious and I will definitely be back to try more. Now, as admitted, I never had a true one of Tony’s creations, so I cannot compare, but I can honestly say that I was very impressed. A deal at $22. Yes, this baby is so thick, one slice is pretty much a meal for some. I had about four of the eight because it was just so good and I was stuffed!

Wayne is using the exact same recipes for the dough. I found the crust to be like a freshly baked pastry – chewy, delicious and thick – but not too heavy. Even the thick crust at the end, which you often might leave behind, was good to the last bite.

Well done guys! Mikeal Hunt, Zorro’s new pizza chef, should be proud.

Zorros-chef

Zorro’s pizza chef Mikeal Hunt should be proud.

Wayne has been enjoying Zorro’s pizza since he was about 16 years old. He’s about 40 now, so that’s a lot of Zorro’s. Wayne knows how it should taste. “We’re making it the same, but we’re making it better,” he says. “Maybe a little less ‘wet.’ We’re also going to be adding some new pizza to the menu. We now have a Double Cheeseburger pizza and Sweet BBQ pizza.”

And what does Billy Hopeless of the Black Halos – (un)official ambassador of Zorro’s pizza, say? “My picture is up on the wall with Tony’s—that’s gotta say something. I only hope they can keep it as faithful as they have to the legacy they are carrying on as there has never been a better pizza than Zorro’s. If I wasn’t so busy planning my next attack with the reunited Black Halos and living in Gastown so far away from my old hood, I’d probably have jumped in to keep the old oven cooking.”

Well friends, what are you waiting for? Get on the phone and get yourself one of the best deep dish pizzas. Bon appetit.

Comments from the RCC News website regarding Tony Siliverdis

Mr. Dunlop

Rest in peace, my friend, you will always be remembered as a great man with a beautiful family; hardworking and best pizza in Vancouver for sure. You delivered pizza to my family for 30 years. We will miss talking to you about anything and everything; going to miss you; love you.

J. Mihaichuk

My family home was up the street in the 70s to the late 90s. I was at Zorros Pizza way too much. I loved the family and of course the pizza was amazing. Still after all this time I remember the great man Tony was, always a smile, sometimes a glare, but always a person all of us could trust. He will be missed. I only wish I could have brought my kids to Zorro’s to meet the man, the Legend.

Len

I recently went to Zorro’s for pizza as I live out of town. I’m sorry for your loss as your father was a wonderfully kind human being. I worked shift throughout the early 1990s and would drop by for food to take to work and chat with your mom and dad. They were very kind people. I was pleased to be able to introduce my 8-year-old son to your father about a year ago and chatted like the old days. My son liked your father and your dad gave him a free can of pop. Your father was old school and will be sorrowfully missed. My son told everyone your father’s pizza was the best he ever tasted.

Read more about Tony Siliverdis of Zorro’s

Copyright 2018 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News