Cheap eats and great deals

An economic stimulus package that tastes terrific

By Melissa Wolf

Back in 1999, my parents quietly started stockpiling jugs of water, toilet paper and bulk cases of Macaroni and Cheese, applesauce and canned meats (shudder) in preparation for the apocalyptic millennial change that eventually came (and went) with nary a whimper. The fall of humanity narrowly averted (again), doomsayers the world over were left with pantries and ridiculous fallout shelters packed with canned abominations and more Sunny D than they could shake a stick at. For their part, my parents disbanded their reserves, doling out Top Ramen and fruit cups to family and friends and relegating the rest to the forsaken confines of their travel trailer cupboards for summer camping trips.
 
And life returned to normal...for a while.

Now, fast-forward to 2008 - gas prices have nearly doubled, food prices are skyrocketing as we try to counter our obscene oil dependency with bio-fuel crops, and the "credit crunch" is wreaking havoc on consumers everywhere. Experts are niggling over the term "recession," but whatever they want to call it, there's no disputing that we all feel it deep down in our empty, hollow pocketbooks - times is hard. In fact, a store of canned meats and Mac and Cheese is starting to sound pretty tempting right about now.

Fortunately, you don't have to resort to SPAM just yet - it's still possible to eat out on the cheap! Here are a few of our favorite local deals:

Pacific Grill & Chowder House
100 Columbia St., Vancouver
Cost: Prime rib supper $12/per person
You can't beat the view from the Pacific Grill & Chowder House restaurant (adjacent to the Red Lion Inn at the Quay); jutting out over the Columbia, the restaurant has served hotel guests for years, yet remains something of a hidden treasure. In addition to the view, we go for the prime rib Sunset Selection special (available between 4 and 6 p.m., 7 days a week), an absolute steal at only $12. The meal comes with warm bread, a starter (soup or salad), a gargantuan cut of juicy prime rib, your choice of potatoes or rice, steamed seasonal veggies and ice cream for dessert. A fantastic (and cheap) meal, a beautiful sunset over the Columbia, and a restaurant interior reminiscent of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland...honestly, does it get any better?
Do: Take it easy on the pre-meal bread and apps - the prime rib entree is generous and you'll likely end up taking a large doggy bag home anyway.
Don't: Stray far from the prime rib - the rest of the menu can be somewhat hit-and-miss at times.

Canton Chinese Buffet
1118 NE 78th St., Hazel Dell
Cost: Lunch buffet $6.45, dinner buffet $9.20, family style dinners $8.95-$10.75, individual entrees $5.25-$11.95
It's almost a modern-day rite of passage to seek out and find the perfect Chinese restaurant, a place you can confidently relinquish dinner responsibilities to once or twice a month when cooking for yourself is simply not on the evening's agenda. Well, look no further: that place is Canton Chinese Buffet. Dine in at their impressive buffet - which boasts various seafood, meat, veggie, noodle and rice dishes, as well as salads, fruit and desserts - or do what we do most often, and get takeout. We're fans of the savory broccoli beef (always fresh), wonton soup, General Tso's (not too much breading, thank you very much) and any of the sweet and sour dishes.
Do: Eat in at the buffet at least once.
Don't: Miss the collage of cartoon bear napkin drawings adorning the register area - someone had a lot of time on his hands, and apparently spent much of it at CCB.

The Weiner Wagon
Corner of 12th and Main
Cost: So low it's ridiculous
Skip Ballweber has been slingin' dogs from his Weiner Wagon in Downtown Vancouver for - get this - 32 years. No joke. So what's the secret to his success? Well, we're going to wager it has something to do with the deliciously plump, indulgently garnished hot dogs he sells. From traditional dogs to artery-clogging concoctions with chili, cheese, sour cream, onions, relish and Fritos, the sky's the limit, and service always comes with a smile (and friendly conversation). Skip's success may also have something to do with the fact that a basic dog with fixings and chips is LESS THAN $2!!
Do: Go for the gold and get the chili cheese dog with sour cream, mustard and Fritos. It's positively breathtaking.
Don't: Be a jerk and not tip.

And there you have it - three cheap alternatives to raiding the apocalypse pantry in ravenous, poverty-stricken desperation. Who says good eats have to break the bank?