Best Beef Dip ... Where are You???: Sunday at the Buena Vista

In Search of the Perfect Beef Dip

It sounds simple, but it's not. And surprisingly, not everyone likes them. For the lovers of the mighty beef dip, this is unbelieveable. A group of beef dip fans are out to find the best dip in Edmonton. Over the next months, we will endeavour to feast on dips throughout Edmonton and beyond in search of beef dip perfection! And we will be sharing our impressions.

A good dip consists of a good bun or roll that doesn't break down in the dipping process. It must be hard on the outside (not stale) and soft on the inside. There is nothing worse than having your beef dip experience ruined when the bun becomes a soggy mess after being dipped. The roast beef should be tender and sliced thin enough so it's easy to bite into.

And the au jus, well that's the deal breaker. It needs to have the right balance of beef renderings with the right spices to enhance the flavour.

Au jus comes the French phrase that translates to "broth or with gravy". The flavour of au jus can make or break the entire beef dip celebration. And of course, au jus must be in a container that is large enough so the beef sandwich can be dipped easily.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Sunday at the Buena Vista - July 11, 2010

It could have been the Buena Vista draft beer, but this may have been the best dip I've had in a long time. Located at the corner of Hyde and Beach in San Francisco, the Buena Vista takes credit for inventing the Irish coffee. I don't like coffee, but I really like this place and their beer. They have a bartender who has worked there for 47 years.

Stayed put to make friends and watch the soccer game.

Around 4 p.m. I ordered the French beef dip. Wow, this was no mistake. These folks know how to serve the dip in all its simplicity. The bread was incredible. The crust was hard and stayed that way when dipped; the roast beef was sliced,perfectly; the portion was very generous; and the au jus was served in a wide mouthed bowl. It was perfect.

When dipped, the breaded softened enough to allow the first bite to explode in my mouth. Yum. Exactly what is suppose to happen when you dip. Again the au jus was not spectacular, but it did the job. It flavoured and softened the bread only enough to enhance the taste of the sandwich.

Trust me, this was a great dip. Again, they don't put a lot of effort into au jus, but they serve it so that the sandwich can be dipped. And the coleslaw, again, was amazing. Check it out if you go to San Francisco. You will not be disappointed.