Dorinku’s downtown location openedin mid-November, and it doesn’t beara lot of resemblance to its two sisterrestaurants, Dorinku on Whyte Avenue and Japonais Bistro. The downtown location features food inspired by the streets of Osaka, while the Whyte Avenuespot made its name by introducingEdmonton to the street food of Tokyo.The new spot also has a dedicated ramen room, which is taken right from the restaurants of Japan. But, the new spot, like Whyte Avenue, is filled with items from Japanese culture, from anime to arcade games imported right from the Far East. — S.S.
10328 Jasper Ave. N.W., 780-761-9990, osaka.dorinku.ca
Located in Highlands, Fox Burger serves savoury burgers in a casual setting. The burger bar is located in historic Gibbard Block, and is open six days a week (closed Tuesdays). It’s open after 5 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Inside, the simple and open layout lets you see every corner of the restaurant, regardless of where you’re seated. Try the Bacon Pepper Smash Burger, which comes with pickled peppers, bacon, cheddar and iceberg lettuce. The beef patty and the toppings are served between sesame buns, drizzled with savoury Smash sauce. For a side, try the Disco Fries. Served with gravy and cheese on top, they’re a slightly crispier version of poutine. — K.D.
6423 112 Ave. N.W., 780-250-0369, foxburger.ca
The sandwich board near Speedy’s advertises that it has “Burritos. Tacos. Van Halen.” Now, that’s a dangerous claim. Is it Van Halen from the David Lee Roth era or the Sammy Hagar era? Even more curious, when I walk in to the Oliver location that used to house The Elm Cafe, the music of Bob Marley is playing, not “Hot for Teacher.” Speedy’s has burritos and tacos available daily in three different varieties: Pork, chicken mole and jackfruit, plus a rotating weekly feature. Make sure you show up hungry, because the burritos can easily feed two people. So, we’ll say that the offerings are more of a Diamond Dave vintage than a Hagar, and that’s a good thing. Now, everybody wants some — will you want some, too? — S.S.
10140 117 St. N.W., speedyscantina.ca
This article appears in the January 2020 issue of Avenue Edmonton
