If you’re into brunching and you’ve been to Victoria, you must have heard of Blue Fox. This iconic café is well-known for its hearty brunch plates… and its long line-up.
Blue Fox doesn’t accept reservations, so I knew it would be a long wait. Regardless, I was determined to make it in. I arrived a little after 10am on a Saturday morning and I managed to grab a table at around 11:00am. Luckily, it was a nice day and the sun was out, so the wait was somewhat tolerable.
The Atmosphere
Blue Fox has a very cozy vibe and a vibrant energy. The red brick walls are decorated with colorful artworks that bring some warmth to the café. It’s a great setting to gather with a couple of friends, or for an informal brunch date.
The Food
All that standing in line opened up my appetite, and I had more than enough time to carefully dissect the menu. It felt like the right day to try something different from my usual bennies, so I opted for the Moroccan Chicken Quesadilla.
Moroccan Chicken Quesadilla ($17)
It was phenomenal. The tortillas were generously filled with chicken, mushrooms, jack, cheddar and onions. They came served with two excellent dips: a curried ginger aioli and an apple palm date chutney. Both were fabulous. The chunky chutney was sweet and fruity while the curry aioli was creamy and flavorful. The taste was subtle, but the hint of curry and spice brought a unique touch to this dish. The Arabian flavors were a great change from regular brunch ingredients.
Fox’s Grill ($18)
My partner went with a more traditional dish. The Fox’s Grill featured two pork sausages, some smoked bacon, local farm eggs, pan fries, as well as fresh toasts served with bread and butter. He surely didn’t feel cheated in terms of quantity, and taste-wise, everything was good. Overall, this dish left him content and full.
The Drinks
Although the sun was out, I ordered a hot chocolate, and it was a really good one. It’s the kind of hot chocolate that has you scooping the melted layer at the bottom once you finish your cup — because it would be such a waste not to enjoy every bit of it.
Overall
So, is Blue Fox really Victoria’s most iconic brunch spot?
To this day, Blue Fox is the best brunch restaurant that I have tried in Victoria. It has all the successful ingredients to have people coming back: simplicity, heartiness, quality ingredients and affordability.
Now, it is fair to say that the wait may be discouraging for some. If you don’t want to stand in line, you can always try your luck early in the morning to avoid the long queue. Otherwise, you can find a list of other great brunch places in Victoria here. If you are not stuck on brunch food, SenZushi located just across the street is a nice option for lunch!
Blue Fox Café
Opening hours: open from 8am to 2pm on weekdays and until 3pm on weekends
Website: click here
Address: 919 Fort St, Victoria, BC V8V 3K3
Telephone: 250-380-1683
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
