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Union Food Market
Categories: Restaurants Delis Restaurants Sandwiches Food Grocery Delis, Sandwiches, Grocery [Edit]
810 Union StVancouver, BC V6A 2C4
Neighbourhood: Strathcona
(604) 255-5025
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 7 pm
Sat 8 am - 6 pm
Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
17 reviews for Union Food Market
Review Highlights
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"...a great selection of tasty baked goods, which you can never..." In 4 reviews -
"It is the quintessential neighbourhood haunt." In 6 reviews -
"The outdoor patio is a great meeting spot and people..." In 5 reviews
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17 reviews in English
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Review from winter b.
Vancouver, BC
2/1/2012
The family owners are like family to the neighbourhood. They almost always have that missing ingredient with some great cooking suggestions.
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Review from Kari C.
4/27/2012
I love this little place.
It looks like a house, but is a convenience store-slash-cafe, hiding amongst the residences.
Their pastry selection is rad. Try the spinach bun if you can find it. If it's early in the morning and you're famished, you might fall in love with it.
It's in Strathcona...which means you can find ingredients you can anticipate many shoppers on on Commercial Drive would hunt for at grocery stores: Alternative foods and lots of stuff that hippies would get excited about.
I think they had membrillo or quince pastes there. They may or may not change the way you think about preserves.
Notes: Be careful when walking in if people at the table outside have dogs. People usually chill out and don't hold on to the leashes, and the dogs sometimes get jumpy around new people, which is awkward because the space between the chairs and the door is really small. Eurgh!!!!!
Also: Don't come here in a hurry. The place is really small and I have ever only seen one person working. -
Review from Vincci L.
Such a cute neighbourhood market. Operated by Portuguese people, they have a selection of Portuguese baked goods, as well as your corner store items.
I came here for the orange fritters. It's listed in Vancouver Magazine's 101 Things To Taste 2011 Edition. Verdict? It's a nice light fritter (almost like the texture of a Chinese donut), dusted with sugar, and a hint of citrus taste.
I also discovered that they have Portuguese custard tarts. Now here's where I got excited. Bought 2 for myself, and enjoyed every single bite of it. It consists of a soft flaky crust, enveloping a sweet, creamy custard!
I ate both of them, consecutively.Listed in: Best Things To Eat and Drink…
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Review from Jenny H.
Downtown Eastside, Vancouver, BC
11/14/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I love union market !! I live in strathcona and this is the best little neighborhood market in town. Anytime I need a last minute bag of flour, liter of milk etc union is to the rescue.
They have a great selection of tasty baked goods, which you can never pass up the opportunity to purchase.
The staff are very friendly and get you out the door quickly and enjoying your newly acquired treats. They also have a lovely patio to enjoy a coffee and the traffic going by. -
Review from Jenn J.
Vancouver, BC
8/4/2011
Judging by my fellow yelper's who have had nothing but rave reviews about this market (and it's deli) I don't know if it was just not in the cards for me to visit when I did.
If you DO decide to visit this place, and you drive, for the love of god listen to google maps. I don't know the neighbourhood very well so I had no idea there were so many dead ends. So when google tells you the best way to get to this place is to turn on Campbell off of Prior St, do it. Don't do what I did and think you can just go to the next street and double back on Union, it doesn't go through and then you end up near Hastings by the time you find a through road. But I digress.
I went to this market with the express purpose of trying their baked chicken and I left really disappointed. I should add that I like my cooked chicken hot unless it has just come out of the fridge. I was disappointed in the quality; it was over cooked, warm at best, and lacking in any flavour. It was definitely homemade style and I'm sure it's more palatable when it's actually hot and hasn't been sitting in what I can only describe as a pretense to a warmer. Don't come here expecting to eat it on their patio, best to take it home and re-heat it in the oven. Even better, go to Duffin's or LA Chicken.
I think if the owners have no intention of serving anything hot, they should just store it in a refrigerated display case. It was also really odd that there was no advertised price of the chicken (either by piece or by weight). When I asked how much the chicken was their response was, "Well it depends because each piece weighs a bit differently." When I asked what the price was per 100g, the response was, "Well each piece is usually anywhere from $1.50 to $3." Huh?!
That said, I was also extremely disappointed with the customer service. When I entered the store, there was a customer before me who couldn't make up his mind about what he wanted and kept asking questions about every other product on the main counter. He was completely oblivious to the fact that there was someone else (me) waiting for service from the only staff person on duty.
While I was waiting for someone to help me with my chicken order I scanned around the store. I must say, for a store of its size, it has a lot of stuff that's actually worth making a trip to a corner store for.
At one point, there was an older gentleman who looked like an owner or manager and he kept mulling around the main counter and even heard the cashier say to me, "I'm sorry, I'll be with you in a minute..." and all he did was look at his co-worker, look at me, and then walked away. I ended up having to wait 10 minutes before I got any service. The best part was when right after the cashier finished attending to the customer with a million questions, her cell phone started ringing and she answered it right in front of me. Not a store phone, her cell phone.
The things I do for chicken. Will I ever return? Not likely. Mostly because it's a b***h to get to but also because first impressions are everything.
1 star for having a good variety of offerings in terms of groceries and snacks
1 star for having a decent ginger beer stocked (you'd be surprised how hard it is to find good ginger beer in this city)
-2 stars for customer service
-1 star for the baked chicken -
Review from Kathleen L.
Vancouver, BC
9/30/2011
I love the union. It is the quintessential neighbourhood haunt. Whether you need groceries, a quick dinner on the go, a mocha or just a wonderful chat with the owners, they have it all. My favourites are the homemade mac and cheese, the shrimp cakes and the $6 pies.
Listed in: Strathcona Haunts
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Review from reese p.
Vancouver, BC
3/21/2011
Oh wow wow wow
I love this place so much!!
I just moved to Strathcona at the beginning of February, and was browsing Yelp reviews to "get to know my neighbourhood" while I'm at work & bored on the internet... so incredibly glad I did!!
The first time I came to Union Food Market, we were greeted by the friendliest of staff. When my roommate and I mentioned that we are new to the neighbourhood, the two regular coffees we ordered became two Americanos and gave us a grocery bag. !!
But that's not all that keeps me (and my 4 roommates) coming back. The baked goods are delicious- and the baked chicken is exactly what I always wished fried chicken tasted like- it's fantastic!
The pre-made salads and salmon sandwiches are tasty, reasonably priced, and perfect for me to bring to work when I forget to make a lunch.
All in all, this place has everything a little corner market should have.. and more. So glad I found out about it sooner rather than later!! -
Review from Hanna C.
Vancouver, BC
6/13/2011
for me, it's all about the chicken! since leaving strathcona, being so far from that baked/crispy/fried chicken is one of my greatest sources of remorse, regret, and nostalgia.
here's a photo: http://lockerz.com/s/1...
great people, great food, and above all, great quality.
but don't blame me if you are sidelined by the simple and delicious donuts, banana bread, chorizo, pies.... i could go on! -
Review from Kreag S.
Vancouver, BC
1/12/2009
I discovered Union Market years ago when I was staying with a friend in the area...we were out for a walk and feeling a bit hungry when we happened upon the market..we thought it looked a bit suspect (this was prior to the recent renovations) but we though we'd give it a shot!
I am soo happy we did! When we walked in there was a case with the best looking fried chicken I have ever seen..I was really not expecting warm food..and not food that looked so figgin' yummy...the lady behind the counter greeted us like family and told us we must try her chicken..and so we grabbed 2 pieces and some chocolate milk and headed on our way...she had put the chicken in brown paper bags and the grease was starting to make the bag translucent almost instantly...a sign of GREAT fried food! We gobbled it up in a park and sipped in our milk..it was the BEST fried chicken I ever had and I became a frequent shopper after that...
Years have past since I have been back and telling by the photo they have made some upgrades...I hope they still have the amazing chicken..I will have to make my way over there and report back! -
Review from Daniel L.
10/30/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Fresh baked bread & snacks,espresso & coffee are a few of the offerings Union Market has, plus a little outdoor sitting area, on the bike path.
A jammed packed quality neighbourhood market of fresh & frozen produce, is just what you need at 10am saturday and your friends turn up for breakfast... -
Review from pete d.
Vancouver, BC
6/1/2010
One of Vancouver's best-kept secrets in a neighbourhood that might also be considered one of Vancouver's best kept secrets.
Open 7 days a week, 'The Union' is a local favourite and literally a lynchpin of the community. The outdoor patio is a great meeting spot and people-watching favourite. You'll find friendly staff and locals
Old timers like myself still refer to this family run shop as "The Gomez" - from when Mama Gomes ran the bakery and fed many a bachelor. Today, the market still feeds many a bachelor, couple and family alike. All your staples can be found here, along with some specialty Portugese imports : seasonal favourites, baccala (salted codfish), membrillo and more. The real stand out though, is the fresh baked goods: Macau style egg tarts, cod cakes, meat pies, fruit pies, fresh breads, cookies, croissants, brioche, sauage rolls, fried chicken, oh my!
Ask about Andy's home-made chorizo! -
Review from Jay M.
North Vancouver, BC
11/22/2010
One word: Chorizo. Hanging out with Nevada Basques for nearly twenty years had given me quite an appreciation for good chorizo. Since moving back to Vancouver I haven't had any really good chorizo for a while. Yesterday I was craving some, so I yelped and found this reference.
The market itself is small and crammed full of good stuff. We also bought some olive oil and a few other sundries. The baked goods looked awesome, but I was there for the chorizo. As you walk in keep going straight and it's in the cooler on your right. Beautiful, deep mottled red with a gorgeous smoky meaty smell. I was in bliss the moment I picked one up.
Once home I pulled out the iron skillet (it's gotta be a big ol' iron skillet for these babies. Barbecue is NOT the right place for chorizo), heated it over a medium flame and drizzled in about a tbsp of olive oil, stabbed the sausages a few times each to allow the grease to vent, laid them in and covered with a spatter screen and let 'em sizzle. Immediately the smells wafted up and I was brought back to friends and places and lots of great times from my past. A couple of minutes on each side, a few more stabs to vent more grease, then I sliced a crusty french baguette open and popped the chorizo in, letting the rich white crumb soak up the tasty grease from around the sausage. There is no need to pollute with mustard or ketchup or relish or mayonnaise or onions or garlic or anything. Just the chorizo and bread. Serve with a big garden salad and a glass of powerful red wine (Cabernet will do, but the bigger Sicilian and Puglian style wines really stand up well to this).
Ahhh... bliss. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll be riding home over the Second Narrows Bridge a bit more frequently just to stop by the Union Market for chorizo now. I just may have to learn how to prepare baccalau as a result of this discovery (I've have some great baccalau in Portugal). The market is open until 7:00 on week nights -
Review from sarah r.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011
It truly is the local hangout for all honest Strathcona-ites. It is not a secret to us or a gem, it is just part of our everyday landscape. It is sort of like that well worn and loved couch that has served you well and you have no desire to change out for something fancy and sleek. The place serves as my outside fridge, as I am sure it does for others in the hood. I love it. And do not forget to ask for their Portugese Custard tarts, they are the best!
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Review from Simon R.
BC
12/17/2008 1 photo
Off the beaten path and isolated on the Adanac Street bike route, this coffee shop/market sells cereal, pasta, canned goods and other kinds of things you'd expect to find in a bomb shelter. With it's large awning stretching out of what used to be a regular house, it looks like somebody decided to have a garage sale in their pantry.
But the locals love it, perhaps because of its unpretentious mom and pop feel, and the very friendly service from the cashier is contagious, leaving every shopper and coffee buyer polite and chatty. There is a nice outdoor patio for sitting and watching the fit people coast by one their 10 speeds, and a lot of neighborhood kids come here to spend their allowance on candy or buy some last minute flour for their parents.
Buying things here makes you feel like you're contributing something back to the community, after taking so very much. Simplistic and independent, it the quickest way to pretend that you live in a small town, even though it's only a short walk to downtown Vancouver and the suburbs sprawl out in every other direction for miles and miles. -
Review from Tim L.
1/1/2010
This little market is a hidden gem that not too many people know about for the fact that it's wrapped inside a residential neighbourhood. Most of the people I know who know of this place either are cyclists and come by here as it's along a popular route, or they have friends living in the area.
This little convenience market feels like the type of small business you encounter in a more rural town, providing a small offering of a large variety of products. It's a coffee shop / store so there's a nice sitting area out front complete with bike stands for those coming along the bike route to stop for a break.
It's definitely gotten a lot nicer and the people who work here are still super friendly. This store alone will make you want to live in this area. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
5/16/2010
Fantastic little pit stop along the Adanac Bikeway and obviously a great small community business. They have display cases full of tempting food from the pastry family, great coffee, and a big shaded patio to rest your tired ol' pedalling legs. Dogs, kids, yuppies, hipsters, and even the tragically spandex clad, everyone is welcome here.
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Review from Liz M.
2/23/2011
As a former resident of Strathcona, I can tell you this is a great place to shop. The family that owns this place is kind and the whole set-up promotes community. I enjoyed my walks to the Union Market, weaving through a dozen or so Tomcats and found myself overjoyed when I arrived at the Union Market, pausing for the Bike Rush Hour. They have a great selection of Sugars, Coffees, Teas and all the right Veges. The seats outside are a nice place to Chill, as well.
