Eating Well in the ‘Burbs
Vancouver used to just be a great place to shop with not much more than Elmer’s and the odd Mexican restaurant for notable dining options. But Vancouver has come a long way in recent years, and it has added to their credibility as a foodie-worthy destination.
From greasy-spoon diners to family-friendly breweries and taquerias that take margaritas seriously, here are some great new additions to the city that seems eager to shed itself of the nickname “Vantucky“.
Heathen Brewing – 5612 NE 119th Street
Vancouver, WA 98686
This pub house popped up in 2012 along with a number of other additions to Vancouver’s up-and-coming downtown area. But what casual drifters don’t know is that they have another location in the Northeast corner of town that houses the brewery itself. The tasting room/brewery is open either by appointment or on Thurs-Sat afternoons for dedicated beer nerds to chat and sip on a few of Heathen’s current varieties.
The Feral Public House, on the other hand, is a different experience entirely. It’s conveniently located on Washington Street in Vancouver’s downtown area and is amenable to families, children, and aspiring alcoholics alike!
Food options range from typical pub food – burgers and fried things, to cleverly named soups and salads and a very generous happy hour menu. They even cater to the health-conscious with quinoa bowls and hearty salads like Strawberry Fields – a mound of arugula with fresh strawberries, goat cheese, and candied hazelnuts. And for most pub regulars, pizza and tacos are always a popular choice. But why choose between the two? Their 12″ pizzas include Something to Taco ’bout – a pie topped with ground beef, refried beans, chopped lettuce, and tortilla chips. Plenty of edibles to keep that nice buzz from progressing into full-on belligerence.
Woody’s Tacos – 210 W Evergreen Blvd #700
Vancouver, WA 98660
The best way to end a day of hiking, cycling, or fishing in any of the waterways and recreational areas surrounding Vancouver is to swing by Woody’s Tacos on Evergreen Blvd in downtown Vancouver. Not only do they serve healthy traditional Mexican cuisine including tostadas, seafood tacos, and quesadillas, their margaritas are excellent (read: very strong). If the owner is there, ask him about his recent travels throughout Mexico. He regularly posts pictures and little blurbs about cities they visited and various landmarks in the places that have influenced their cooking style.
Tacos come a-la-carte or as a plate for the super reasonable price of $10. Service is super fast and friendly, and you have your choice of eating in the brightly-lit dining area, on the bustling sidewalk patio, or in the attached mall/pavilion area where you don’t have to feel cramped while you chow down on some great comfort food.
If you have an event coming up, Woody’s also caters to hungry people at weddings, corporate meetings, and other social gatherings. Check their website for more details and a contact form.
Eating out not your thing? Grab some ingredients to go at these Vancouver natural foods stores and craft a healthy meal at home! Need to work up an appetite first? Spend a few hours perusing the threads at Vancouver’s great vintage shops!