Nealy O’Brien’s Pub

1502 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar, BC
(250) 365-2215

Nealy O’Brien’s is a standard neighbourhood pub with regular patrons, random decor and a simple menu. I’ve been to their Liquor Store on numerous occasions, but this time I was hungry for something more than just a pack of refreshing PBR. The restaurant has a signboard outside their door that posts daily specials. This day it was a Cheeseburger and Pint for $10.99. Worth a try? Sort of.

The burger was a homemade patty and was unique, yet tasty. Somewhat reminiscent of black licorice. The Fries were of the basic frozen variety. The beer, at first flat and stale, due to being the bottom of the Keg, was quickly replaced before I even had a second sip, by the waitress rushing to my aid with an apology and a fresh one…Delicious!

I’d say the food was just average though. And when I got my bill the special was listed as costing $11.62. That’s $0.63 more than was advertised! What the?

Regardless, the booths provide lots of space to get in and out of, no matter your shape. I’m a lanky guy and sometimes booths can require some contortionism skills, but these ones are great.

They have several TV’s and a good selection of regulars that frequent the place and know each other by name. It’s not the type of crowd that shuns new faces though.

The menu is basic pub fare plus pastas, steaks, and a good selection of sandwiches.

You have probably noticed the big-ass Montreal Canadiens light above the building, well step inside this place and the decor just gets better. Several sexy velvet paintings cover the wall around the pool table (which is free to play on Sundays), a sign “Santa Clause Lane” hangs in the hallway to the washroom (very clean bathrooms), and a deer head hangs on the wall forced to live in a state of perpetual holiday with x-mas decorations hanging from its antlers.

Also on the walls are a healthy mix of X-mas tinsel and lights combined with four-leaf clovers and a sign behind the bar that says: “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.” Perhaps this is intended to create a festive atmosphere anytime of the year? I wouldn’t doubt that at least a couple people have belted out x-mas carols in July at this place.

Oh yeah, I can’t forget to mention the t-shirts! Dozens of them from all over the world—some classy, some trashy, some clever, either way they are a unique item to find in a bar and much more interesting than hockey jerseys.

Nealy O’Briens has mostly your basic domestic pilsner selection on tap, but is a well-stocked full service bar. They offer daily food and drink specials.

The food wasn’t bad but not great either. The thing that got me was the incorrectly-advertised price of the special. This is more of a place to come and sip some bevvies and snacks with friends, rather than a place to enjoy a spectacular meal.

Overall, I’m gonna have to give this place a 2.5 out of 5.

Chopsticks Restaurant

789 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar, BC V1N 1H1
(250) 365-5330

Chopsticks is a very busy place most evenings, however I rushed in on a Friday evening on my way out of town and was greeted promptly and seated in front of the sushi bar in a matter of seconds. I mentioned that I was in a bit of a rush and they had no problems ensuring that I was served quickly.

The servers are all very friendly and accommodating and wear beautiful Chinese dresses that alone are worth going to Chopsticks to see.

Sitting at the sushi bar provided some entertainment as the sushi chefs worked their tedious magic and pumped out fantastic looking dishes for their customers. All Chopsticks’ sushi is made to order from mostly fresh ingredients (we do live in the interior of BC and some things must be frozen).

If not for being as broke as I am, I would have quickly dropped dozens of dollars on these delicious-looking creations. I asked a customer about her sushi and she mentioned that despite being slightly expensive, it was very enjoyable. After watching the labour involved with preparing the sushi, I felt that the price is probably justified.

Most of the people in the restaurant, myself included, were there for the Chinese cuisine. Chopsticks offers only à la carte selections with a few selections of multi-person combos and some individual combos. I ordered something quick: a one-person combo dish that included chow mein, ginger beef, veggies, and some chicken. It was ready for me in less time than I could finish my drink. The cost was approximately $11.00 and it tasted fantastic. Everything was cooked properly and the flavours were all unique and discernible.

I would go back again in a heartbeat.

If some good Chinese food is in order for your family or group of friends I would say that Chopsticks will not disappoint. It is very busy on weekend evenings in particular and reservations would be a good idea if you are with a group of any more than three people. Otherwise, if you are in a hurry, ask for a seat at the sushi bar and enjoy the show as you await your dinner.

I rank this place a 4 out of 5.

Weezie’s Borscht Hut

2816 Columbia Ave, Castlegar, BC

(250) 304-2633

Winter hours: 8am – 4pm

Summer hours: 8am – 6pm

Weezie’s is a small restaurant, seemingly perched above Columbia Avenue part-way towards Blueberry. Drive slowly and watch the addresses so you won’t miss the turn into the parking lot, because you do not want to miss this place!

Inside is a welcoming and cozy home-style diner that seats only about 20 people. The service is prompt and personal. If you are really pressed for time, call ahead with a take-out order.

Enough about that stuff. The food: it’s delicious. It’s bountiful. And it’s homemade.

They offer an all-day breakfast menu with omelettes, hash, eggs, pancakes, French toast, and even Vareniki (a hefty perogy). Prices range from $4.50 (three pancakes) to $11.00 for full plates. I’ve not yet eaten breakfast at Weezie’s, but would not put it past them to deliver in a big way.

Lunches offer a daily sandwich special for under $10.00, served with a large bowl of Borscht. The day I ate there, the special was a cheese and asparagus sandwich that a customer told me was fantastic. All of their massive sandwiches are served on fresh bread (rye, whole wheat, white, sour dough). They offer ten sandwich choices served with Borscht from $7 – $10.

As tempting as the sandwiches always are, I find the Russian combos irresistible. All combos start with a bowl of homemade Doukhobor-style Borscht (a hearty variety), a slice of bread, pickle, cheddar cheese slice and tossed salad.

Then there are some tough decisions to make. Do you want one, two, three, or four main items? Choose wisely because you may find your belly bursting the button off your pants if you aren’t careful. Next choose between: Nalesniki, which are rich, buttery, cheese filled crepes; Pyrahi, a sort of big, baked doughy pocket stuffed with your choice of bean, pea, sauerkraut, cottage cheese, or potato and cheese (might not sound like much, but they are very good, especially when soaked in the melted butter they come with); cabbage rolls (meat or veggie); or Vareniki, filled with potato and cheddar, or cottage cheese (I like mine fried with onions at no charge).

The combo prices start at $8.50 for a one item selection and go up by $3.00 for each item you add. I fit into the class of skinny, lanky guys with big appetites who will eat anything available—the more the merrier. However, given all the Borscht and salad and fixins’ that come with the combos I find that a three-item combo really starts pushing my physiological limits.

Weezie’s also sells Borscht to take home at $8.75 per litre; loaves of fresh bread $2.50 each; or frozen Cabbage Rolls, Pyrahi, Vareniki, and Nalesniki by the dozen. Oh yeah, Weezie’s makes their own pies and has a selection of ice creams (if dessert is still an option after the main course).

My advice? Eat at Weezie’s Borscht Hut.

4.5 out of 5 (Sentinel Crests)