Quality foods earn top marks at MacEwan University

It’s fair to say that food truck season is most definitely over in Edmonton – but as Edmonton AM food critic Twyla Campbell reports, fans of flavourful, local food need only go back to school to get a taste of the best.

Following upon the footsteps of the University of British Columbia and Ryerson, MacEwan University is joining the swelling ranks of Canadian schools moving towards healthier, better on-campus food offerings by adding four independent suppliers.

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To Go Cafe, MacEwan Residence Building

This small to-go counter located inside the residence building at 109th Street is not just for students, says Campbell.

And what’s better, the cafe serves up locally-sourced meats, home-grown herbs and micro-greens, and pasta made from scratch.

Anyone is welcome to swing by and pick up a coffee (made from Iconoclast beans) and muffin in the morning and, adds Campbell, “they make a great latte.”

For lunch, Campbell ordered cream of mushroom soup and an “unreal” chicken waldorf salad – all for just $12

“This is an absolute gem of a place,” she says.

Swich, Robbins Health Centre

Just next door, the Robbins Health Centre at 109th Street and 104th Avenue is the winter home to two of Edmonton’s food truck favourites.

Swich, operated by Lex Boldireff (“If you know Lex, you know he makes wicked, wicked bread,” says Campbell), serves up sandwiches that “combine ingredients like no one else.” Boldireff also cooks from scratch, smoking his own meat and even occasionally makes his own cheese

A crowd favourite is the root beer-braised brisket sandwich – but Campbell opted to try out the two pork shoulder sandwiches on the menu.

“Both sandwiches, flavour galore the filling was fantastic, loved it.”

Filistix, Robbins Health Centre

Another familiar food truck offering in the summer, Filistix has expanded its academic empire and now dishes out delicious Filipino street food around the year at both the University of Alberta and MacEwan University.

Typical menu offerings include chicken adobo, roasted chicken thighs and a lentil and sweet potato dish that Campbell describes as “so healthy, so filling – tons of flavour.”

Lan’s Asian Grill, Food Court

The offshoot of a nearby restaurant with the same name, Lan’s Asian Grill is the only locally-owned restaurant in the main MacEwan food court on 106th Street.

The restaurant primarily deals in the “big, bold flavours” of Southeast Asian foods, serving up rice and noodle bowls and stir fry.

Campbell scooped up the red Thai curry with chicken over rice and says “that flavour stopped me in my tracks.”

Final marks

“All four vendors serve creative dishes, they have locally sourced ingredients, the chefs foster relationships with the farmers, they know where [their ingredients] come from, and they know exactly what goes into those dishes, ” says Campell.

But don’t worry, for those with less adventurous palates, the school’s food court and dining hall is still serving up more traditional cafeteria classics.

You can hear Twyla's reviews on Edmonton AM every second Friday. You can also see more of her reviews on her blog, Weird Wild and Wonderful, and can follow her on Twitter at @wanderwoman10