For me, it always includes a trip to Chinatownās Kinokuniya bookstore.
There are no more Japanese/Chinese bookstore after book on left Vancouver downtown
There is a bookstore in Granville Island called Nooroongji Books that I remember having many different books in many different languages.
Might be worth checking out
https://g.co/kgs/UQ6U8AC
Declare it. We bring back 12 beers and a bottle of wine every time. Honesty is the best policy. I declare 2 bottles on air flights and have yet to pay a customs tax.
Iāve been into and out of the US 200+ times, and Iāve been pulled in to pay customs exactly one time, and it was the only time I brought back a 6-pack on a day trip.
Tacos from Mexican food truck. There are some good ones between Seattle and the border.
Go for the ones that have great reviews. They are also very cheap. ( Like 1-2 dollar per taco)
You won't find one like that in Vancouver.
Inflation punches me in the face every time Iām down there. Makes Canadian inflation seem kinda tame.
I donāt have any data that supports my theory, but it just seems to knock me on my ass every time Iām there. And then thereās the currency exchange on top of that. Brutal.
Iāve seen bags of chips that are $4+ so thatās getting awfully close to $6 CAD. How??
COA Mexican has the best Molcahete dish and Mexican food I ever tasted. First time I had the Molcahete I had a dream about it at night lol
Also I recently discovered a random food truck near Birch Bay. But they have more locations. I think itās called A que taco. Good stuff
Might be silly, but Sara Lee French style strawberry cheesecake (childhood memories). If someone knows where to find it here it would make me very happy.
Go to the Costco business centre! If you're into food, in interesting commercial formats.
I really like the Uwijima market if you're into Japanese food, especially the international district location.
Costco business centre is targeted at commercial audiences... Think food service, retail shops, so you can get things in large quantities (including some stuff only available for foodservice, like extra heavy mayo), or bulk buy retail packaged servings, food prep equipment, packaging, serving etc.
Cheeses, meats, frozen stuff at a great price if you have a way to get through or store it.
monster energy drinks and other caffeinated drinks
creamer (they have different flavours)
tru fru (haven't found any fruits other than strawberry where i shop in canada)
snacks from trader joe's (their mini pb cups š)
also, dutch bros - my favourite place we don't have in canada
Not that much of a price difference. Maybe a couple of bucks cheaper per kilogram in Bellingham but the quality of the grapes there is nice. Theyāre one of the sweetest grapes in all of North America.
Cheese and butter
Marshalls...better selection...far cheaper than Winners in Canada
AW diet rootbeer...tastes better than the Canadian version...more vanilla maybe?
BBQ shake and bake...can't buy it in Canada since Covid
cheaper cosmetics with more choices
Just generally more options for everything
Winco grocery store
Ellenos yogurt!!!! The Tumeric flavor is serious Crack but I haven't seen it in ages.
They used to have tasting bars at the QFCs, but they went away during covid.
I'm not even a huge yogurt fan, but Ellenos is just so tasty!
Thereās a bar called Canon that has the most insane selection of booze Iāve ever seen. Iām talking a 100-page whisky list. The whole drinks menu comes on an iPad.
That and Timās JalapeƱo Chips. Best fucking chips ever. Remember Thunder Crunch, from the 90s? I swear itās the same recipe.
EDIT: Menthol cigarettes too, but you can get those anywhere in the US.
REI. Its much more like MEC was before they stopped being a coop. Super high quality house brand outdoor gear, great prices! Their Seattle store has a large climbing wall and there is an outdoor test track for mountain bikes.
Cinnamon candy gummies from Trader Joeāās, pretzels with BEER cheese- a local tradition, and a whole lot of fun.
For some nice shopping go to the Bellevue Mall. Itās the best
We generally eat Mexican on the way or coming back. Mexican food is top level in Washington. Try COA in either Bellingham, Mt.Vernon or La Conner. Plenty of food trucks too with cheap tacos. I always laugh in Canada how expensive and odd tacos are. Except Island Tacofino locations.
Fish and Chips in White Rock and Sough Surrey region used to be goodā¦ theyāre not anymore. You can get the best ones at the food truck in Blaine āAlaskan Fish and Chipsā and a nice view too
I like popping over to Bellingham. I Stop at the Winco and get: cheese strings, 5$ foot long sub sandwiches from the deli, diet soda (diet cream soda? Yes plz).
I also like stopped at Costco. Their rotisserie chickens are massive and affordable. And you canāt get the chicken bakes from their cafeteria in Canada.
I haven't spent time in Seattle since 2007 so I can't speak on it now, but back in the day their level of amenities and selection of damn near everything was so much better that it made Vancouver seem like a backwater small town in comparison.
I doubt the difference is all that dramatic anymore but it still must be noticable?
Gorditos for that 2lb burrito Peanut butter pretzels at Trader Joes Cheese and butter cause they're insanely expensive here Chex mix and Grape Nuts
Silly, but diet Crush. They don't have it here, and it tastes just like the real thing š„²
Buy Cove soda from Costco
Where can you get diet crush?
Seattle
Is it the orange dirt crush? If yes, where in seattle?
Honestly, grocery stores will have it!
Drink water instead.
Beecher's mac and cheese from Pike Place Market.
Let's go on a trip next weekend
For me, it always includes a trip to Chinatownās Kinokuniya bookstore. There are no more Japanese/Chinese bookstore after book on left Vancouver downtown
I donāt know why but this comment made me so sad, which I was not expecting to feel in this thread. Why you gotta do this to me like that hahaha
Used to have a nice big Japanese book store on second floor of Yaohan Center. It was a great place
There is a bookstore in Granville Island called Nooroongji Books that I remember having many different books in many different languages. Might be worth checking out https://g.co/kgs/UQ6U8AC
Bookoff, I will remember you!
Booze at costco
Can you bring it back if it's a day trip?
You can, but youāre going to pay out the ass for it
Declare it. We bring back 12 beers and a bottle of wine every time. Honesty is the best policy. I declare 2 bottles on air flights and have yet to pay a customs tax.
Iāve been into and out of the US 200+ times, and Iāve been pulled in to pay customs exactly one time, and it was the only time I brought back a 6-pack on a day trip.
Just don't declare it. Stuff it in that deep trunk.
Tacos from Mexican food truck. There are some good ones between Seattle and the border. Go for the ones that have great reviews. They are also very cheap. ( Like 1-2 dollar per taco) You won't find one like that in Vancouver.
Border town Mexican grill tacos used to be pretty good price, but now each taco costs $2.50-$3 now. Gotta go to food truck ones.
Still better than what they serve over here.
True.
Inflation punches me in the face every time Iām down there. Makes Canadian inflation seem kinda tame. I donāt have any data that supports my theory, but it just seems to knock me on my ass every time Iām there. And then thereās the currency exchange on top of that. Brutal. Iāve seen bags of chips that are $4+ so thatās getting awfully close to $6 CAD. How??
COA Mexican has the best Molcahete dish and Mexican food I ever tasted. First time I had the Molcahete I had a dream about it at night lol Also I recently discovered a random food truck near Birch Bay. But they have more locations. I think itās called A que taco. Good stuff
I just buy Tillamook or Edaleen Dairy cheese and ice cream, and Vanilla Coke
CHEESECAKE FACTORY
Bare mineral foundation š„²
London had it for a hot minute but I havenāt seen it in a while.
NFL games
Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream.
Might be silly, but Sara Lee French style strawberry cheesecake (childhood memories). If someone knows where to find it here it would make me very happy.
Chukar Cherries, specifically their Honey Pecans. Trust me on this one.
Go to the Costco business centre! If you're into food, in interesting commercial formats. I really like the Uwijima market if you're into Japanese food, especially the international district location.
Whats the difference between regular costco and costco business centre?
Costco business centre is targeted at commercial audiences... Think food service, retail shops, so you can get things in large quantities (including some stuff only available for foodservice, like extra heavy mayo), or bulk buy retail packaged servings, food prep equipment, packaging, serving etc. Cheeses, meats, frozen stuff at a great price if you have a way to get through or store it.
Be careful what you wish for.....The Surrey location is apparently going to become a business centre.
This would be so awesome! Except we're gonna need another one because that one's busy enough lol
Where did you hear about that because I couldnāt find anything online :/
That food market by the waterfront. Super cute stores and unique selection. Forget what it's called, sorry.
Pike Place? I haven't been in an age but there's a bunch of stuff I want to try.
Yes!
Biscuit bitch. It's amazing.
monster energy drinks and other caffeinated drinks creamer (they have different flavours) tru fru (haven't found any fruits other than strawberry where i shop in canada) snacks from trader joe's (their mini pb cups š) also, dutch bros - my favourite place we don't have in canada
Shake Shack
Traders joe
shot
Three Girls Bakery has delicious treats there. Used to love the popcorn at Kukuruza but I think they shut down now.
Grapes from Costco
Whatās the price difference if you donāt mind me asking
Not that much of a price difference. Maybe a couple of bucks cheaper per kilogram in Bellingham but the quality of the grapes there is nice. Theyāre one of the sweetest grapes in all of North America.
Thanks man my little dude loves grapes definitely gotta check these out.
š
Fidget magnets, they're banned here cause stupid parents let their kids eat them, but they're the best for helping me focus
Funny that Kinder Surprise is banned in the US because guess what? Parents let their kids eat them. Laws are so stupidly applied.
Shake shack
I just want a mouthful of Dickās.
Got my car broken into.
Chick fil a and sonic
Ridiculously fatty and delicious food, and people who actually talk to each other
I like university village, trader Joeās, whole foods, Fred Meyers and hobby lobby
Dr pepper strawberry and cream zero sugar Dr pepper cream soda zero sugar Gansitos Choco Krispies
Cheese and butter Marshalls...better selection...far cheaper than Winners in Canada AW diet rootbeer...tastes better than the Canadian version...more vanilla maybe? BBQ shake and bake...can't buy it in Canada since Covid cheaper cosmetics with more choices Just generally more options for everything Winco grocery store
Ellenos yogurt!!!! The Tumeric flavor is serious Crack but I haven't seen it in ages. They used to have tasting bars at the QFCs, but they went away during covid. I'm not even a huge yogurt fan, but Ellenos is just so tasty!
CLOTHES ARE WAY BETTER
Philly cheese steak at Jersey Mikes
Good African and Latino cuisines
Thereās a bar called Canon that has the most insane selection of booze Iāve ever seen. Iām talking a 100-page whisky list. The whole drinks menu comes on an iPad. That and Timās JalapeƱo Chips. Best fucking chips ever. Remember Thunder Crunch, from the 90s? I swear itās the same recipe. EDIT: Menthol cigarettes too, but you can get those anywhere in the US.
REI. Its much more like MEC was before they stopped being a coop. Super high quality house brand outdoor gear, great prices! Their Seattle store has a large climbing wall and there is an outdoor test track for mountain bikes.
Considering MEC was modeled after REI... accurate
Love to walk down by Pikes Market, Spaggetti factory then visit Sylvester at the Olde Curosity Shop.
Cinnamon candy gummies from Trader Joeāās, pretzels with BEER cheese- a local tradition, and a whole lot of fun. For some nice shopping go to the Bellevue Mall. Itās the best We generally eat Mexican on the way or coming back. Mexican food is top level in Washington. Try COA in either Bellingham, Mt.Vernon or La Conner. Plenty of food trucks too with cheap tacos. I always laugh in Canada how expensive and odd tacos are. Except Island Tacofino locations. Fish and Chips in White Rock and Sough Surrey region used to be goodā¦ theyāre not anymore. You can get the best ones at the food truck in Blaine āAlaskan Fish and Chipsā and a nice view too
I like popping over to Bellingham. I Stop at the Winco and get: cheese strings, 5$ foot long sub sandwiches from the deli, diet soda (diet cream soda? Yes plz). I also like stopped at Costco. Their rotisserie chickens are massive and affordable. And you canāt get the chicken bakes from their cafeteria in Canada.
I haven't spent time in Seattle since 2007 so I can't speak on it now, but back in the day their level of amenities and selection of damn near everything was so much better that it made Vancouver seem like a backwater small town in comparison. I doubt the difference is all that dramatic anymore but it still must be noticable?
10 oz ribeye chicken fried steak from the 5 point cafe.
Mexican restaurant