by Andrew Morrison | Tacofino Commissary is now open and kicking ass. The new restaurant out at 2327 East Hastings (born in a food truck in Tofino) has been packed since opening day, and for good reason. The food is simple, delicious and cheap. Despite the comings of places like Campagnolo Roma and The Red Wagon, the neighbourhood of Hasting-Sunrise (ahem, the “East Village”) remains a little under-served when you consider its large residential population, so its people are stoked. The market for interesting and affordable restaurants remains wide open hereabouts, and there are plenty of solid addresses to choose from with rents that are a lot more approachable than the prime, option-heavy hoods of Gastown and Yaletown. I have a review of it coming out in tomorrow’s paper. My complaints were few – it’s hot, crowded, and loud – but if you’re not a cranky old man you’ll probably dig the hell out of it, especially the decor and the chow. Have the bollilo rolls with marrow butter, the fish taco, the bizarre french fries with queso fundo and berry beef (which I likened to a fabulous “poutine on peyote”), and any of the simple, mason jar cocktails. Super bonus: ice cold growlers from Tofino Brewing Company!

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