VJ’s Drive Inn – Winnipeg

 

Originally opened in 1958 as Juniors, VJ’s is located across Main Street from the train station in central Winnipeg, this local dive has a loyal following. VJ’s is a very small place where there is barely enough room for four or five people to order. There is no seating inside, and a few picnic tables adjacent to the parking lot and is a cash-only establishment. The entire menu consists of hamburgers, hot dogs, and French fries, typically not my normal fare. However, when in Winnipeg I suspect one must sample the local cuisine. I order a hot dog, which automatically comes with chili, mustard, onions, and pickles. It was raining and the picnic tables that are outside were wet and messy. I chose to eat my hot dog standing in the parking lot. It was good, and it is clear why and how VJ’s has been in business for over 60 years.

A fellow patron, wearing a Montreal Canadiens, waiting for his order. 

The menu board

Nønsuch Brewing Company, Winnipeg

 

A funky, but elegant, brewpub wedged between the River Walk and Chinatown section of the city. After checking my vaccination record and identification, the female server commented that it must be my first time visiting given that I was from Pennsylvania. COVID protocols meant that ordering and serving was done through a phone app, but the service, nonetheless, was kind and friendly. I ordered deviled eggs and Baltic Porter. At first one might think that the combination was strange, and I would tend to agree. However, a commercial during the hockey game on television the night before, from Canadian egg producers, argued that having a egg as a snack was not weird. And it was weird to think otherwise. No doubt that I was primed by the commercial, but I also remember that in the early twentieth century it was common for bars in the United States to serve hard boiled eggs as well.

Despite the rather plain exterior, the interior of Nønsuch is lavishly decorated in soothing colors. Comfortable tables and couches, with soft lighting set a mood. A small after work clientele made up most of the patrons. Most of the tables would turnover before a Friday night rush. Electronic music played in the background, capping off a sophisticated, cool ambiance.

The Baltic Porter was described as, “A deceptively smooth gateway to the dark side.” At 6.8% abv it certainly was. After asking how I liked it, I told my server that the description was accurate. Without know the alcohol content, it would have been very easy to have another one or two. With a mile and a quarter walk back to the hotel, and at 5:30 in the afternoon, a second beer would likely have meant an early night for me.

Dining in Manitoba

 

The Forks Market, a converted train depot, in Winnipeg

In Manitoba, the weather has turn too cold for outdoor dining and it is required for dining patrons to show proof of a full regiment of vaccines and a photo ID to dine in an indoor restaurant or facility. Usually, a hostess will check or, in the case of The Forks Market, a venue with multiple eateries and a common dining area, an enforcement officer will come around and verify one’s status. I have a photo of my vaccination card at the ready on my phone and produce my driver’s license when asked. One woman even commented, “It’s nice to see a Pennsylvania license.”

The sign on tables announcing the verification procedures

Smith Restaurant (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

 

My original plan for a late-night sushi run, after watching hockey, was thwarted when the restaurants in The Forks Market closed earlier than I had anticipated. Instead, I retreated to Smith Restaurant, located in the same building as my hotel, where I order their Pork Belly Char-Siu. Described as “marinated Manitoba pork belly,” served with kimchi fried rice, a spicy aioli, toasted sesame seeds, and cilantro. The rice also contained egg and peas. It was very delicious and a perfect light, late-night meal.  With it, I had a brown ale from Little Brown Jug Brewing Company, also located in Winnipeg.