Delicado’s owner says even visiting Texans are taken with the authentic taste
Mia Stainsby
Sun
Owner/manager Jillian Daniels (left) and roll-up chef Tessa Goodwin hold up a veggie tortilla pie at Delicado’s restaurant on West Hastings. Photograph by : Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun
For a quick and easy downtown lunch, Delicado’s might hit the spot for those who like a taste of the Southwest. It’s a franchise operation that began in Nanaimo, spread to Victoria and Ucluelet and just recently hopped the strait to the mainland.
Cheerfully decked out in the sundrenched colours of that part of the U.S., the place is set up for both eat-in dining and take-out. Dishes are served up quickly — a plus for the office workers and Simon Fraser University campus types who come in for the hand-held roll-ups or plated enchiladas, burritos or tostadas. Expect a bit of heat. “It’s from the chipotle sauce we make here,” says owner Dawna Ferguson.
“Specialty” roll-ups include Mediterranean, Thai, and Middle Eastern flavours. They cost $6.50 to $10.95 — the latter is for a combo of burrito, enchilada and salad. While dishes do have somewhat of a fast-food feel, there’s no lack of fresh ingredients and a choice of eight salads as well as soups, made daily. There’s also a daily special, which can be something like a Mexican lasagne or a vegetarian pie.
“We’ve had people from Texas come in and scoff and say they were from the south. But they actually enjoyed the food,” says Ferguson.
And quelle surprise! The place is licensed. So if you want a beer, a glass of wine or a margarita with your meal, it’s possible.
Delicado’s has a West Hastings address but the street entrance is on Seymour Street.
Restaurant visits are conducted anonymously and interviews are done by phone.
DELICADO’S
510 West Hastings St., 604-682-7071, www.delicados-deli.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2006