Good morning foodies!

Victoria is chock full of amazing things to do: hiking, boating, paddleboarding, swimming, surfing, and more. Some of my favourite things, though? Eating good food, drinking craft beer, and listening to some great tunes.

You know what has all of that? This weekend’s Phillips Backyarder.

Not only does it feature the likes of Fleet Foxes and local legends like Jesse Roper, Jon & Roy, and the Bankes Brothers, but it also has amazing food trucks, like Los Panas Kitchen, and all of the best Phillips beers you can get your hands on.

I hope to see you (and a bunch of Birkenstocks) there.

-Ryan, Tasting Victoria editor

5 spots to try right now

Marilena Café and Raw Bar: Check out the newest Aquilini-owned restaurant at 1525 Douglas St.

John’s Place: All-day breakfast at an old-school diner at 723 Pandora Ave.  

Deadbeetz Burger: Catch the food truck or the storefront at 1950D Oak Bay Ave. for some of the best burgers in the city.

Macondo Colombian Kitchen: Arepas, paisa, and exotic juices in Cook Street Village at 1109 Mackenzie St.

Harvest Rd.: Grab your bicycle and head to Michell’s Farm for this fabulous farm-to-table food stand.

Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!

FEATURED

Popular plant-based dip business call it quits

Justo’s is dipping out.

On Tuesday, Aug. 8, co-founder and CEO Justin Kopetzki (also the namesake of the brand) said Justo’s would no longer continue serving its popular plant-based dips.

Kopetzki said Justo’s shutdown was due a combination of things, including different priorities among its founders, as well as challenges to scaling up the business.

Read more about its green business model and its reasons for calling it quits.

FEATURED

Hot dog bar will reopen on Yates Street this Friday

After a nearly three-month hiatus, Saint Franks, an in-vogue hot dog bar, will reopen this Friday, Aug. 11 at 727 Yates St.

According to its Instagram, Saint Franks will return to its glory by basically replicating the décor at its former location on Broad Street—exposed brick, old-school video games, in-house barber shop, and all.

🗞️ News

• Maria’s Deli closing: After 46 years of business in Saanich, the deli will shut its doors for good Aug. 31.

• An Underground Donut Tour is coming to Victoria. The tour will focus on downtown Victoria, the Inner Harbour, the Market Square, and Chinatown beginning this Friday, Aug. 11.

• Tacofino will open another location in Langford. The newest location for Tacofino, the seventh on Vancouver Island, will be located at the Westshore Town Centre.

• 2% Jazz opens another location near the Gorge. The takeout café at 210 Gorge Rd. E. is great for commuters riding the Galloping Goose.

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

Get in touch with our team for small business-friendly advertising plans.

🗓️ Events

• Phillips Backyarder is this weekend. Check out this weekend festival featuring Fleet Foxes, Jesse Roper, and Peach Pit in the backyard of Phillips at 2010 Government St. Featuring food trucks, beer, and music, this weekend fest is Victoria in a nutshell.

• Haus Sausage BBQ Party this Sunday. Burgers, ribs, and hot dogs are all on the menu in the Haus Sausage parking lot this Sunday, at 515 Dupplin Rd. from 11am to 2pm.

• Check out Lighthouse Brewing Co.’s free 25th Anniversary Party next Saturday, Aug. 19. From 3 to 9pm, celebrate this Esquimalt brewery with a live DJ at 836 Devonshire Rd.

• ABBA pop-up drag lunch experience is coming to Victoria on Aug. 26. Tickets to the event are $65 each and will include a main lunch dish and one drink upon arrival.

• Visit these southern Vancouver Island cideries this summer. Take a sip of that sweet (or dry) taste of summer. Here’s your scenic and sip-worthy tour of southern Vancouver Island’s cideries.

 💸 Deals

• $6 Tuesdays at CRAFT Beer Market. Grab select drinks and a $6 burger, with extra toppings for $3, every Tuesday.

• Part and Parcel has great deals from Tuesday to Sunday between 3 and 5pm: $9 oyster wings, $3 tuna melt, and $7 fried chicken sliders.

• Head to Café Mexico from Monday to Sunday, between 3 and 6pm, grab $4 chips and salsa, and $4.50 single tacos.

• Late Night phad Thai at Baan Thai. Everyday after 9pm, you can grab $9 phad Thai at Baan Thai's locations in downtown Victoria, Oak Bay, or Langford. 

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Chef/Kitchen Manager at Shuck Taylor’s. The newest restaurant is from Jess Taylor of the Wandering Mollusk.

• Servers at Lighthouse Brewing Co.'s 25th Anniversary Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 3 to 9pm. Send an email to [email protected]. 

• Cooks at Butchart Gardens.

That’s it!

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