These treats are fried, so the healthy level is probably not at its highest, but it is definitely not as bad as french fries. They spend a very short time in the oil due to the thin slices (as seen in the picture). The choices of sauce range from cheddar to ketchup. This is where the calories can potentially pack on if the sauces were not so lightly added. Over all, the snack / dinner (depending on how many you choose to have) is a guilt-free experience!
As soon as I was state side, I attempted to find places which might serve this outside of the Richmond market. However, to my astonishment... I could not find anyone who served it. Why is this treat so exclusive to Richmond? Heck even finding a cutter/dicer for the potato is difficult. (Over $100 to buy one!)
However, I will not give up! I am determined to find a way to make it myself (or just accumulate major airplane points) to have it again. The first time was not enough. So if anyone has the recipe/trick... please let me know!
On a total side note, I had the opportunity of going to The Red Wagon Cafe for breakfast before I left Vancouver. We chose to go there after seeing it on Diners, Drive-in and Dives. Usually when I go somewhere new I am always excited to try places featured in these type of shows. However, this cafe was a slight disappointment.
- First the location is rather small, which is not uncommon of DDD featured places so I expected that.
- Second, there is a line. You should expect at least a half hour wait, because of the small place and the neighborhood joint reality. This is minor inconvenience but for our last day it raised our expectation as we had to adjust our schedule.
- Jack Daniel maple syrup. Now first, let me say that this syrup was truly unique and had a strong Jack Daniel taste. For those who are absolutely in love with Jack Daniel (in the morning), this is potentially wonderful. However, it is an extra $2CAD (if you order the Super Trucker) and not worth it. Eating the pancakes with the Jack Daniel quickly left a distaste in my mouth.
- Pulled pork pancake is not what I had originally imagined in my head. First it is not pulled pork mixed into the pancake as a blueberry pancake might be. Instead it is pulled pork on top of the pancake. Now the pulled pork was delicious. The pancake was delicious. The mix of the two flavors... was okay. As expected there was a mix of sweet and salty but unlike Guy Fieri, I did not have the same reaction. It was not the perfect mix. Rather I ended up eating the two separately.
- Omelet (spinach and cheddar) had a weird texture and taste to the omelet. Again like the pulled pork pancake we ended up eating the components of even the omelet separately. For some reason the food was all delicious by itself but the blending of the creations lacked... blending.
- Lastly the homefries was delicious but salty. Even I recognized that, but SO delicious.
So it was worth going but for the price... I expected more. Of course if I had paid more attention to Yelp reviews I might have lowered my expectations of the Red Wagon Cafe.
