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Reviews
Added Jun 28, 2009 by jemolia of west van (1 Reviews) excellent staff, unique vibe
Wow, finally a real cafe !
i thought i was in europe.
the staff were great and the food as good as it gets,
i know it can take some time for your order, but thats the price you pay for freshness.
after reading the latest reviews on this site i have come to the conclusion that it does only take about a minute or to to make a sandwich but when you are as popular as Finch's there is always about ten or twenty orders up before yours , so if you do the math you will find that it all makes sense in the long run and well worth the wait..
and the price for such high quality imported cheeses etc etc is very reasonable
but then again , they will never be able to be cheaper than subway or macdonalds........lol
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| Added Apr 8, 2009 by epicurian of Kerrisdale (43 Reviews) Zombie-like service
The food here (sandwiches) are quite fresh. Simple, fresh tasty ingredients. The daily soup is also quite tasty. It is a shame about the service. Staff are friendly, but it seems like they are in an alternate world. I find that when someone else picks up the lunch, the sandwiches are so much tastier, as I would not have been the one waiting for 15-30mins for them. Rather expensive for what it is, but I suppose that there is a premium for freshness. Cosy atmopshere in heritage building filled w/ mac totting yuppies. |
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| Added Apr 5, 2009 by EatsFats of Vancouver (209 Reviews) Over-priced, slow, mediocre ... avoid
We went because of the great reviews for this place. There's so much to say, so let's try be concise
- Organic? No, the eggs are free-range only. Government has strict guidelines on what is free-range & what is organic when it comes to eggs, they're not the same. There is no mention that the vegetables are organic, nor the bread. The milk & juice are definitely not organic.
- There is basically NO cooking going on in the place, they're just piecing together stuff for you. The ingredients are not unique either...
- Service is not great. It was just 15min. after opening & the waitress looked and sounded like she was sick of being there already. Not helpful. (And we were only the 2nd customers of the day).
- Service is SLOW. It took 13min to make 2 sandwiches. We saw it also took them that long for the customers after us. The sandwiches we ordered had only 4 ingredients, and that's including the mayo. For my Gypsy salami:
1) Cut baguette, ~10s
2) Slather on the pesto mayo (which frankly, I think they forgot). 2 sec
3) Stuff in the lettuce, cut a few slices of tomatoes and stuff them in. (I'm generous, I give you 1 minute)
4) Stuff in some slices of pre-cut salami. (30 sec)
Yeah, it takes longer for me to type this than to actually make the sandwich, but somehow that stretched out to nearly 15 bloody minutes! The Vietnamese sub guys do it way faster, as do Quizno's, Subway, nearly everybody else.
To add insult to injury, the sandwhiches cost nearly $8 a piece, and they are NOT large.
To all the people who think this is the best sandwich place in town, I feel SOOO sorry for you, obviously you have not gotten out enough. I'm pleased you are doing so much to make the economy go around though. Please, go back to your mother and ask her to teach you how to make a sandwich though. You might be surprised how easy & fast it is with pre-packaged ingredients.
The food itself, that was okay. I would've been happy were it only $3 and took 5 minutes to make. As it is, I could've walked to Urban Fare, bought an organic baguette & other ingredients and made 4 sandwiches in the time in took for 2 of ours, & it would've tasted the same, if not better and at significantly less cost. Remember, they are NOT doing any cooking there. They're just slicing the bread and stuffing pre-made ingredients in it, most (all?) of which are not even organic!
The real achievement is how they get so many suckers to pony up so much money for such mediocre food.
Will I go back again? I would lay my bets on NEVER. Would I recommend it? Only if you've got too much time to spare and money to burn. If you want something similar, take the walk to Sciue, there's much more choice, it's cheaper, it's better and a lot of the stuff is baked fresh right there and the staff is friendlier. |
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| Added Mar 9, 2009 by peckish of Vancouver (1 Reviews) Don't go if you're pressed for time
This is a great little cafe, serving very fresh and tasty sandwiches, salads and sweets. My one caveat is that, due to everything being made fresh and the popularity of the place, you will have to wait a fair bit for your order. If you're not in a rush, treat yourself.
I wish Vancouver had more places like this. |
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| Added Jan 18, 2009 by blondestreak of Main St, Vancouver (4 Reviews) Fantastic sandwiches
Yesterday I tried Finch's for the first time. I had the pear, prosciutto, and brie bagette w/o the walnuts. The person at the counter confirmed that I have a nut allergy and she said that they would be sure to clean off all of the cutting surfaces. The sandwich tasted very fresh and I really enjoyed the combination of flavours. It was the best sandwich I've had so far in the city. I'll definitely be back! |
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| Added Jun 27, 2008 by diningdandy of downtown vancouver (46 Reviews) Hidden Gem
The first time i walked by this place i went in and they were out of baguettes. Today i tried there grape and Bri baguette. Delicious. At first i thought it looked pretty tiny for a baguette but the second i tasted it i could tell where my money was spent. The ingredience were so fresh i think i may go get another on ebefore they close. The ambience is nice it reminds me of a cafe in France. I love the area, I'm a 21 year old girl and im not afraid of the area even after dark but if your from the suburbs or some other boring place like that you may not appreciate the funky crowd and the homeless people you see all over the downtown area. The service was ok. It took ten minutes to get my baguette but i never go to a place in a hurry so it was fine. Definitely a must try. |
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| Added May 5, 2008 by gyromite of False Creek, Vancouver (11 Reviews) Good Healthy Sandwich
One of my best friends took me out for lunch to Finch's. I have had brunch(poached eggs) there before and was not feeling the spot that much other than the fact there are tons of hot girls in there. My friend was insistent that the sandwiches are the best in the city. This guy knows how to eat, you can tell by looking at him and he has revealed a lot of dope food spots in this city to me.
I got the prosciutto sandwich with olive oil and edam cheese and he got the bocconcini sandwich and paid a little more and got prosciutto added to it. The sandwich were simple and were really tasty and I mean really tasty, soo fresh and the fresh baguette was delicious. I even ate the tomatoes in the sandwich and I don't like tomatoes.
Finch's sits on the top five list of best sandwich spots in the city for me. Definitely worth a trip if you are looking for a good sandwich, it is not the cheapest sandwich in the city but definitely one of the freshest. The atmosphere is nice but seating can be limited at lunch. Also be warned it is not the quickest spot if you are looking for a sandwich with the speed of a sandwich artist from Subway you might as well go to Subway.
After the meal, I felt great like I just ate a good salad. The price of the sandwich was about eight dollars.
Pictures on the blog.
http://vancouverslop.blogspot.com |
| Added Apr 5, 2008 by thetruthhurts of West End, Vancouver (5 Reviews) New Favorite Place
For the first time in a long time, I felt healthy, light, and satisfied after grabbing a luxuriously relaxing lunch at Finch's yesterday.
My partner and I had two different sandwiches served on a beautiful, fresh, crispy baguette: hers- applewood smoked cheddar with all the fixings and dijon mayo, mine-egg salad with free range egg slices and same fixings. We shared the vine tomato and prosciutto salad. All were excellent. Fresh, crisp, delicious.
We had hot chocolates and cookies which could have seen slightly richer, but I'm a chocolate fanatic.
The atmosphere was open, calm, and beautiful. The kitsch is totally in place, with nice big tables spaced far enough apart, high ceilings, and cute mismatched antique plates. Lots of interesting things to look at, but relaxing and intimate.
I'll be going back tomorrow, and many times after.
Go to Finch's! |
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| Added Mar 10, 2008 by kewpiebaby of Vancouver (119 Reviews) Forever a Finch's Fanatic
I've been coming here on and off for the past 4 years. More when I was working downtown. It's not a place you would notice off the street either. A old co-worker recommended it and I have not been able to get through a week without my regular fix of soup & salads here. The decor is funky; a kind of hole in the wall meets retro atmosphere. But I love it. Everything in the room shows character and holds a warm charming crowd during its lunch rush. Definitely a very unique place to enjoy a book or the company of good friends. The food is delicious made with all organic ingredients. (I think!) My favorite is the Prosciutto Salad and any homemade soup they make. Their baguettes are very good too. A rustic oasis with simply good food and good vibes. =) |
| Added Jul 23, 2007 by yummymum of Vancouver (1 Reviews) This place is great
I love going to Finch's during my bi-monthly visit to that part of town. Everything is top quality there, from their cookies to their baguettes to their beautiful salads. I love the atmosphere and the decor. The servers are funky and nice and even the crazy people who wander in off the street are somehow charming.
But seriously, the food is simple and good, just how it should be. The people who run/own that place have really good down-to-earth taste, and it permeates everything about the cafe.
Good job and thanks. |
| Added Jun 6, 2007 by Pennytree of Port Moody BC (5 Reviews) Another try..
I went back and gave them another shot but still found the service to be lacking and the food and coffee/tea to be not much better.... Just how hard is it to make a sandwich and a cup of tea...?? The music wasn't as loud as it was the last time I was there however and for that I was grateful and the ambiance was nice but overall I have to say I wasn't very impressed. |
| Added May 14, 2007 by Friendly-Palate of Vancouver (6 Reviews) *The* place for soups, sandwiches and salads
I go to Finch's every two weeks or so, so I've tried a few things.
What I love most about the place is the quality of their food. They use fresh organic ingredients and they don't grease it up with oils and butters.
Regardless of the kind, their soups will always win you over. They're always hearty and flavorful.
I love their Sandalwood cheddar sandwich. I had it a few times because it's so good. It's all about the fresh tomatoes, loads of lettuce and the cheese. It doesn't need anything else.
I'm a regular of their house salad (slices of cucumber and pears, with chunks of blue brie and walnuts, drizzled with their sweet-dressing). I get cravings during the week. It's so good.
I also tried their cookies, brownie and ginger cake. So, so good. In my opinion, they are how pastries should be... yummy but not because it's so sugar, butter or oil-laden.
The decor is cute in its own rustic kind of way.
I am not a big fan of their coffee. These taste a little watered-down and they definitely need to arrange for more seating. That can get pretty frustrating. |
| Added Jan 30, 2007 by ahoang of east vancouver (5 Reviews) love this place
I used to go to school near this place, but never actually noticed it until I was stopped at a red light. From standing outside and looking it, it seemed like it would be very interesting to grab lunch. I've been there many times now, and have recommended it to many of my friends. Their baguette sandwiches are always so good; very fresh and just the right amount of everything. The flavours blend well and it's quite healthy. The decor is great and i love the old register they use; it adds character. There will be times that I crave their sandwiches, I just have to make the trip down just for this place. |
| Added Nov 30, 2006 by sparky of Vancouver (13 Reviews) Best Italian Sanwichs in Town
I headed over to Finches after reading the reviews on this site. It's close to where I work so I poped over to grab a sandwich to go. I decided on the prosciutto bagette and took it back to my desk. Absolutely amazing. Seriously fresh. No need to head to Commerical Drive anymore. This is my new favourite sandwich place in town. |
| Added Jul 7, 2006 by amikou of Marpole (1 Reviews) Not fit for the queen, but will do for the peasant
I agree with jmm, and I'm writing in defence of Finch's and the neighbourhood. Firstly, it's really news to me that Finch's is branded as a "family" joint. No offense intended; it's a matter of sense to not take a kid there if you're worried about the area and its residents, who for the most part don't mean to cause harm. Just because people are homeless or are drug addicts, it doesn't mean they'll attack every passerby they see. Also, restaurant establishments like Cassis and Chambar are thriving in the area; there's no need to be deterred from going to these eateries just because of where they are situated.
I find the location to be fitting, and the "ghetto" neighbourhood is part of the whole experience of chilling at Finch's. I took a friend there once who commented she felt like being in Europe again. The atmosphere is homey; you'd feel like spending an afternoon here with a cup of tea and a good book. It has very authentic coffeeshop feel to it, with huge windows and eclectic furnishing.
They have a great selection of baguette sandwiches and teas. My personal favorite is the grape and brie; I like how the salt and pepper on sliced grapes creates a distinct sweetness in your mouth... it's quite an intriguing blend of flavours and textures. I'd also recommend their soups, which have a very homecooked quality to them.
Also, as far as I know, they provide catering service too and they have take out menus for that. I've seen them take orders over the phone, especially during the lunch hour. Also, the place tends to be quite packed for lunch, and you might have to share a table, but eating with strangers can be quite endearing.
Finch's is one of my favourite joints in the city, and I love taking friends there too. It's a unique little coffeehouse, and I really hope it will continue to thrive in Vancouver for years to come. |
| Added Jan 16, 2006 by jmm of vancouver (1 Reviews) Great Neighbourhood Lunch spot @ Victory Square
I work on the S/W corner of Homer and Pender. Finch's is on the N/E corner Homer and Pender. Lucky me!
The only place in Vancouver that consistently puts out delicious home-made soups stock full of healthy tastey ingredients.
Oatmeal cookies that are, sadly, addicitive!
Sandwiches on the best tasting baguettes, with original combinations of fillings... brie and pear, gypsy salami, etc. etc. To me these hand-made in front of your eyes sandwiches reflect the owners commitment to provide high quality food at reasonable prices.
Our neighbourhood is NOT Main and Hastings!! I read one person's account and it made it sound like they've never been downtown before... wait til the visit M+H. Then they'll be scared.
Victory Square is made all the better to have this heritage space (Finch's) that has been made cool and inviting. It's a sandwich + coffee/tea house. No table service. Relaxed and extremely friendly, 20-something staff that charm.
Like I said, I'm so grateful this shop opened up here. It really is a great lunch spot
Signed, a Devoted Regular! |
| Added Jan 11, 2006 by janetsanf of East Vancouver (1 Reviews) Family restaurant?
I can't see anybody taking their family to the center of crack cocaine use in Vancouver for lunch myself...
The food was dull, the music WAY too loud and the guy working there kept hitting on my friend which made her very uncomfortable. The only good thing was the price but in an area like that I'm not surprised. I have a young son aged 4 and I wouldn't take him to the most drug and crime ridden neighborhood in Western Canada for lunch so the contention that it's a 'family restaurant is bizarre at best and simply misleading at worse.
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| Added Dec 27, 2005 by bentbrick of New Westminster (3 Reviews) authentically "homemade"
This place soon became my regular lunch and cookie spot when I was working in the area this fall. It screams "homemade" and "wholesome" and "fresh" and definitely no junk food! Their soups are hearty, their sandwiches are just right whether in a baguette or sliced bread, and their oatmeal cookies are the best! The humble atmosphere isn't too snazzy, nor too dirty --it's the perfect casual lunch place or a great place to have a tea/coffee on a rainy afternoon and read a book at their window tables. Service is decent and the prices are too. |
| Added Dec 24, 2005 by shery of east van (1 Reviews) not another starbucks
We love Finch's, thankfully independant cafes like this one can still survive and thrive in this market thats dominated by cheesy corps like Starbucks or Earls. Their blue brie and walnut baguette is to die for. |
| Added Dec 23, 2005 by tucker of vancouver (1 Reviews) something to rave about
We went to Finch's a couple of days ago and had a totally different experience to that of pennylanes.
We found the food to be simple yet excellent and the decore charming. A real cafe with authentic city atmosphere. Note: The reviewer has submitted a more recent review for this restaurant. This review does not affect the overall rating and is displayed for information purposes only. |
| Added Dec 23, 2005 by Pennytree of Port Moody BC (5 Reviews) Not anything to rave about..
Lousy service. Anybody can make a sandwich!
I was walking past the place and wanted a snack so I went in but the staff ignored me and when I did get served it was nothing special. Bad neighbourhood I guess... Note: The reviewer has submitted a more recent review for this restaurant. This review does not affect the overall rating and is displayed for information purposes only. |
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