Broke in Vancouver

[motown showdown]

This is for people who still have either the economic reality or sensibility of the peasant. I fit into the former category. While realizing that Vancouverites, generally speaking, have deeper pockets than folks in my home town of Detroit, there must be some hidden secrets for the discerning gourmand. So for those brave enough to nix the facade of wealth and prosperity. TELL THE TRUTH, where can I find the real deals!

[jamiemaw]

This is for people who still have either the economic reality or sensibility of the peasant. I fit into the former category. While realizing that Vancouverites, generally speaking, have deeper pockets than folks in my home town of Detroit, there must be some hidden secrets for the discerning gourmand. So for those brave enough to nix the facade of wealth and prosperity. TELL THE TRUTH, where can I find the real deals!

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Presuming that you are now located in Vancouver, give this thread a go

[jamiemaw]

Redundant Post Removed

Edited April 4, 2005 by jamiemaw (log)

[peppyre]

It's also a good idea to tell us what area you are in and what sort of things you're trying to find. There are many deals to be had in this city.

[Chef Metcalf]

Chinatown has some great deals.

Try Pender Seafood (fresh prawns, head off, $4.99lb).

Asia Market for fresh herbs (I can pay $2.79 at Lonsdale Quay for good quality coconut milk or load up here for $1.29, ditto for fresh Thai herbs) and Rice World for rock bottom priced dry goods, rice etc.

Dollar Meat Store, T & T and Chinatown Market for poultry and meat. I've never actually purchased any meat from these stores but it all looked ultra fresh and they do their own butchering.

Lots of fresh produce stores, some better than others.

It will probably shave about 60% off your food bill...compared to Yaletown's Urban Fare!

Welcome...and happy shopping.

cm

[3WholeCardamoms]

i frequent the dollar a bag specials in a few places. u know, the 'damaged goods'. i find in places where the avrg wealth is higher they are less tolerant of bruised fruit and saggy eggplants -surprise! so the richer neighbourhoods might be a good spot to check. i just noticed the organic place on davie - middle of the block near nasty cobs bread- has one of these dollar bins at the back.

i usually shop for the cheap stuff and share the secrets with my friend who is also from detroit - damn, is that you k?

3W

[2roost]

Save on Meats (Hastings near Abbott)- just returned with a lovely piece of Sirloin ($3.98 lb.) and a nice little 4.5 lb. Ham ($1.99 lb.) passed on the Pork Hocks, this time, for $1.49 lb.

Last week I picked up a 3.5 lb. prime rib roast there ($4.98 lb.) that was excellent and as BBQ season nears I highly recommend their 2" thick Rib Eyes at $5.98 lb.

The seafood counter there is also excellent but stay away from the produce, walk a couple of blocks to Chinatown.

Despite the general high "Island" prices on most things I still find the chicken place on Granville Island to be the best alternative for quality/price ratio

[motown showdown]

i frequent the dollar a bag specials in a few places. u know, the 'damaged goods'. i find in places where the avrg wealth is higher they are less tolerant of bruised fruit and saggy eggplants -surprise! so the richer neighbourhoods might be a good spot to check. i just noticed the organic place on davie - middle of the block near nasty cobs bread- has one of these dollar bins at the back.

i usually shop for the cheap stuff and share the secrets with my friend who is also from detroit - damn, is that you k?

3W

←

Corrrect again my friend. Did you ever find that finger?

[motown showdown]

The dollar bins are a great and over looked resource. Especialy if you have the vision and skill to cut off a bruise, or scratch. I would like to thank everyone for there suggestions. I'm very close to having no cash at all, so the cheaper the better. $15 until the 15th of april. What would you buy?

[PaoPao]

$15 for 10 to 11 days? Man, budgeting like that takes me back a few years. When I had budget constraints like that the main staples of my diet we're pasta (no sauce) with a little salt, fruit (whatever was cheapest), and peanut butter sandwiches (no jam but sometimes banana). My treat at the end of the week was saving my change for a $5 DQ Burger Meal. So, I empathize with your situation. I remember always finding odd jobs to do for my neighbors who we're amazing cooks and would often invite me to dinner.

[edm]

you'd have more luck in Europe, where people can legally pick up leftovers from street markets and the fields after harvests!

Pasta's the way to go. And probably Chinatown for produce!

Good luck

[motown showdown]

When I was 19 Ramen noodles were my staple during hard times, but now I'm a little older and my palette is a bit more refined. I have made a point of stocking up on potato, tomato, pasta, onion, garlic, cilantro, basil, dried beans, and rice; most of which I have frozen giving me the ability to make it through the next several days. There is no substitute for fresh veggies and seafood. But, I will survive with a smile and a large helping of humility. Thanks for the luck, wishes, and info.

[organicgoddess]

If you are interested in organic produce, both of the Vancouver organic wholesalers, Wild West and Pro Organics, have Saturday sales where you can pick up discounted produce.

[motown showdown]

Organicgoddess, I'm new to the area and wondering where these places are. Are they in Vancouver proper? Thanks for the info.

[organicgoddess]

Well, no they aren't. The wholesalers are:

~Wild West Organic Harvest

2120 Van Dyke Place

Richmond 604-276-2411

~Pro Organics

4535 Still Creek Ave.

Burnaby 604-253-6549

Some of the organic food home delivery services do Saturday sales. Try calling SPUD (Small Potatoes), they might have one. They are at the bottom of Commerical (I think they are still there, anyways). If not then maybe one of the other ones in Van does.

The farmer's market is a great place to get produce too, although not neccessarily inexpensive, depending on what you want and who you get it from.