TGIF! Today, my husband and I embarked on a short but exciting journey - a
five-block walk to join the soft opening of Leopold's Tavern in Vancouver.
In preparation for this visit, I spent the last two evenings poring over
Google Maps, exploring the most-loved dishes at various Leopold locations in
Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Armed with my research, I couldn't resist
the urge to indulge in the following highly recommended items:
|
|
Lunch at Leopold's Tavern Vancouver
|
1. Poutine - A Canadian Classic
Leopold's Tavern is renowned for its poutine, but with many options, which one
to choose? Let's take a closer look at the delectable variations that have
gained popularity at different Leopold's spots:
-
Traditional Poutine - The timeless grub is a favourite at three
different locations.
-
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Poutine - A spicy twist featuring
buffalo-breaded chicken is well-loved at three branches.
-
Cheeseburger Poutine - A delightful fusion of two classics is also
famous at three various Leopold restaurants.
Moreover, the "Poutine of the Week," with standouts like Beer Battered Dill
Pickle Poutine and Philly Cheesesteak Poutine, is famous in 1 location each.
And at the Warman, SK, site, the Smash Burger Poutine is beloved.
We couldn't resist trying a small portion of two of the three popular ones.
Traditional Poutine - The Canadian Classic
The crispy house-cut fries provide a satisfying crunch, while the salty melted
cheese curds add a chewy contrast. Let's talk about that gravy. It's the
perfect temperature to soften and melt the curds while adding a delicious
beefy flavour. No wonder it's prevalent at Leopold locations at Regina East,
Regina North, and Calgary Sage Hill.
|
Small Traditional Poutine from Leopold's Tavern
Cheese curds and beef gravy on house-cut fries
|
This is my second favourite traditional poutine in Vancouver, slightly after
La Belle Patate.
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Poutine
Meanwhile, the buffalo chicken ranch poutine is loved at two Winnipeg (Academy
and Bridgewater) locations, plus the lone site in Victoria, BC. That crispy
buttermilk fried chicken covered in zesty hot buffalo sauce balanced by the
creamy ranch dressing to cool things down with its tangy richness is terrific.
Place it on top of crispy fries. Yum!
|
Small Buffalo Chicken Ranch Poutine from Leopold's Tavern
Buttermilk fried chicken, cheese curds, ranch and buffalo sauce on
house-cut fries. |
Both poutines were excellent, and I look forward to trying the rest. For a
small size, this is a superb portion filling for lunch.
2. Baja Tacos - A Flavour Extravaganza
Undoubtedly, the Baja Tacos is the star at a staggering eleven Leopold's
locations.
Menu Description: Pick from blackened chicken, buffalo-breaded
shrimp, or battered avocado. These tantalizing fillings are complemented
by feta, pico de gallo, slaw, mango salsa, and baja sauce, all wrapped in
your choice of soft corn or flour tortillas.
I asked if we could order one of each possible option. The friendly server
said they could only do it on taco Tuesdays, so I opted for the
buffalo-breaded shrimp.
The taco sat there since we started with the poutine, and the breaded shrimp
got stale. I recommend chowing it down as soon as it arrives on your table.
|
Buffalo Breaded Shrimp Baja Tacos on Soft Corn Tortilla from
Leopold's Tavern
Buffalo breaded shrimp with feta, pico de gallo, slaw, mango salsa,
and baja sauce on three soft corn tortillas.
|
The crunchy breaded shrimp are complemented by the tanginess of crumbly yet creamy feta,
pico de gallo's zesty freshness, and slaw's crunchy texture. The mango salsa
adds a tropical juicy sweetness, and the creamy baja sauce ties everything
together with its slightly spicy goodness.
|
|
Buffalo Breaded Shrimp Baja Tacos on Soft Corn Tortilla from
Leopold's Tavern
|
I chose the soft corn, which became crumbly and chewy pretty quickly, so my
tip is to eat it immediately. The Baja tacos are famous at other locations, so
I'll try the blackened chicken next time and see if it's better than the
buffalo-breaded shrimp.
3. Club Sandwich - A Timeless Classic
The last item we ordered is the Club Sandwich, an all-time favourite, which
also enjoys its place of honour at 11 different Leopold's Tavern locations.
Here's what sets it apart:
Menu Description: Relish the delectable combination of smoked
turkey, thick-cut ham, and crispy bacon, harmoniously joined by white
cheddar, fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mayo, all nestled
between slices of your preferred bread.
With layers of smoked turkey, ham, and thick-cut bacon, it's a carnivore's
dream come true. The smoked turkey adds a mild, smoky flavour with a hint of
sweetness, while the ham provides a salty and savoury contrast. The thick-cut
bacon introduces a smoky, crispy, slightly salty note that elevates the entire
sandwich. It was almost perfect, except the bacon was overly cooked, and two
slices were on top of each other, making it so hard that my front teeth hurt.
I removed it from the sandwich, separated the two slices, and ate it on its
own.
|
Club Sandwich from Leopold's Tavern
Smoked turkey, ham, thick-cut bacon with white cheddar, lettuce,
tomatoes, onions, pickles and blue cheese sauce
|
Meanwhile, the white cheddar cheese contributes a creamy, tangy element that
pairs beautifully with the meats. Crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes offer
freshness and a touch of juiciness. The whole ensemble is bound together by a
generous slather of mayo, adding a rich, creamy, and slightly tangy finish.
It's a classic club sandwich and not something I'll order again. However, I
love the curly fries.
Dessert: New Churro Bites
We ordered the new churro bites because my husband loves sweets, and only two
options exist. I absolutely love the churro bites. One order came with 20
pieces of mini churros served with vanilla dipping sauce. I hope they serve it
with a chocolate dip - this would make it the best churro in Vancouver!
|
Churro Bites from Leopold's Tavern
Mini churros tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with vanilla dipping
sauce. |
|
|
Churro Bites from Leopold's Tavern
|
These mini churro bites offer a satisfying crunch on the outside while
revealing a soft and doughy interior.
Whether you're a poutine aficionado, a taco enthusiast, or a fan of classic
club sandwiches, Leopold's Tavern offers something special for everyone. What
is your favourite food item at Leopold's? As for me, I can't wait to come back for more poutine!
