Van Loc One More Time, With Feeling

Being back in Edmonton for a wedding, the last one I'm returning for I have said, I stopped into a few old haunts, including Van Loc. The same little old ladies were behind the counter, and the prices had gone up another 50 cents. I tore open the wrapper, almost if I knew it would be the last time, and took this photo. I may never be back again, and the taste echoed that sentiment, as it was no where near as good as I remembered. I didn't grow up on these banh mis, or what I have been calling Vietnamese sandwiches. I changed all the tags today on the blog, to update where this blog has come from and where it is now. This sandwich may not have changed at all, but after all these years and all these different flavours encountered, I am saying farewell to this Vietnamese sandwich from my past. It has shaped me, and set a standard for all banh mi's, but I can't keep holding onto past sentiments. Good-bye! It's been swell.

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Marché Hung Phat, Montréal,

I was suspicious when a vegetarian friend told me that Montréal did Vietnamese food better, and not just because she was vegetarian. I had tried first hand for myself years ago, and what I remember tasting was bland, watery, and a cruel joke. However, time moves on, and I am willing to try again, and I am glad I did. Taken a stroll up to Saint Denis, there was no shortage of banh mi options, but Carla B led me directly to Hung Phat, and being ravenous and greedy, we each ordered a tofu banh mi AND an order of salad rolls. Normally that combination should be no problem, but I was unfamiliar with the heft of Hung Phat's servings, which had a weight and density that did not compromise its deliciousness. A substantial sandwich if I ever saw one, I could barely finish the salad rolls, but of course I did. Carla B saved the rest of her sandwich for later and passed on the rolls, and I hope she does not mind me saying this publicly. Our early friendship may have been fo...

Haloum Grille, Depanneur Le Pick Up, Montreal

A friend and I agreed the personality of the sandwich changes with each person who prepares it, and today we felt something was a little less than parfait with our Haloum Grille. Folks at Le Pick Up seemed stressed . The longest wait ever, and our lunches sat around too long. Temperature of the cheese is important to experiencing haloumi’s firm the texture and the release of its saltiness, and I prefer when it’s grilled directly before entering the sandwich. Creamy spicy slaw of red cabbage, carrot, and kale soothes the major crust burn associated with the crispy multigrain toast. Ideally it’s the bread that should be soft and the haloumi that gets to shine as the crispy grilled champ that it is. Nevertheless, we stayed for hours at the back picnic tables, chatted with the servers, overheard some drama about the evening closing procedure, broke a dish, and spilled a coffee. A good day.

Grilled pork, Vie & Nam, Montreal

Eyeing this Vie & Nam place in Halles de la Gare since my last visit through, I grabbed a grilled pork banh mi to go this time, which I will say, was a mistake. Making it hot and fresh, the bread does not fare so well once wrapped in its own heat bubble. This is a sandwich that you need to eat immediately, but rushing to do a bunch of other things before hopping on the train, the sandwich grease soaked through half the paper bag by the time I unwrapped it onto the train, and the bread unfortunately went soggy and then dried out. Still, I am willing to give it another shot though. Next time. MB says: Way too dry.

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