🇨🇦 Saskatoon Café Chronicles

🇨🇦 Saskatoon Café Chronicles: Bistro On B vs. The Shoppe – A Tale of Two Tastes When two Saskatoon foodie hotspots land on the same weekend agenda, comparisons are inevitable. Bistro On B (the hearty comfort food haven) and The Shoppe (the Instagram-bait café) couldn’t be more different – yet both left our group with strong opinions. Here’s the unfiltered breakdown of where to spend your calories (and where to just snap a pic and bail). 🍽️ Bistro On B: The "Salt Bae" of Saskatoon? First Impressions: • Vibe: Industrial-chic with exposed ductwork and moody pendant lighting • Crowd: 20-something foodies + older couples on date night • Noise Level: Loud enough to drown out awkward silences The Food: 1. Portion Sizes: Massive – we boxed half our dishes 2. Flavor Profile: Salt-forward (ask for sauces on the side) 3. Standout Dish: Braised Short Rib Poutine ($19) – tender meat, crispy fries, but needed more gravy 4. Salad Situation: Overdressed – greens swam in balsamic glaze Service: • Attentive but rushed – dishes arrived too quickly (felt like a conveyor belt) • Water refills: Automatic (a rarity in Saskatoon!) Verdict: ✅ Go for: Hearty portions, lively atmosphere ❌ Skip if: You’re sodium-sensitive or hate leftovers ☕ The Shoppe: Pretty… But That’s It? First Impressions: • Vibe: Millennial pink walls + rattan chairs (pure Instagram bait) • Crowd: Solo laptop warriors + influencer wannabes • Hygiene Check: Sticky tables ("small dirty" vibes) The Experience: 1. Tea Service ($12/pot): • Pros: Cute floral teapot, decent Earl Grey • Cons: No free refills (crime against tea lovers) 2. Food: Couldn’t stomach it post-Bistro feast (regret-free decision) 3. Aesthetic: Photos well but feels cheap in person (plastic plants, peeling wallpaper) Service: • Overly eager – asked 3x if we wanted food in 10 minutes • "Fake nice" energy – think forced TikTok customer service voice Verdict: ✅ Go for: A quick IG story backdrop ❌ Skip if: You want actual café ambiance or quality brews The Ultimate Showdown Category Bistro On B The Shoppe Food Quality 8/10 (heavy-handed seasoning) N/A (didn’t eat) Ambiance 7/10 (loud but cool) 4/10 (looks better online) Service 8/10 (efficient) 5/10 (try-hard) Instagrammability 6/10 (moody lighting) 9/10 (pink walls = likes) Value 7/10 (leftovers = next meal) 3/10 ($12 for basic tea?!) Final Thoughts • Bistro On B wins for actual eating (just bring water for the salt). • The Shoppe is a one-time photo op – then never return. 📍 Bistro On B: 602 Broadway Ave 📍 The Shoppe: 123 3rd St S SaskatoonEats #CafeHop #FoodieOrFail Which would you choose? 🤔 • A) Bistro’s salty poutine • B) Shoppe’s pink backdrop • C) Neither – give me McDonald’s #CafeHop #FoodieOrFail