Fourteen 14 Food company LTD — Restaurant in Grande Prairie

14 Food Company is in Northwestern Polytechnic as of September 2023. It replaced The Grill and Tim Horton's. I was excited at first, but everything is so expensive from the perspective of a student. I have eaten here twice, and only when I have forgotten my packed lunch at home and was too busy during the day to justify going home and getting it. The workers are nice, but the price of food is a huge deterrent for me. Especially for the amount of food you get. The image I have of 14 Food in my head is that it belongs downtown where it caters to businesses and provides lunch and coffee for professionals who can afford to eat out on their lunch break. It is really difficult to afford eating out as a student. I wish Northwestern Polytechnic would provide affordable, nutritious food geared toward the students - especially those that live in the dorms. I don't live in a dorm, but I am still on a very tight budget which is why I don't eat out unless it is a necessity.

The first time I ate here I got a "jalapeno popper sandwhich" which was $15 dollars or so, and was supposed to replace my lunch that I forgot at home on a busy day. It was so small that I was still hungry after I ate it (about the size of my palm), and there was not enough protein or filling for it to be substantial.

The second time I ate here, when I forgot to bring my lunch again and was busy during midterms, I got a "buffalo chicken poutine" for $13 or so (just a size regular), once again to replace the lunch I forgot. I wanted one of the cheaper options on the menu which is why I chose this. It also sounded good. The poutine tasted good, but I was shocked by the small amount of food for the price. I was still hungry after eating it. My belly was growling after 20 mins, which was frustrating. There were a few small slices of chicken strip - about the quantity of 1-2 chicken nuggets. It was like a topping, not the protein source of the meal. There was a very small amount of cheese curds as well. Not enough to really feel like a satisfying poutine. You can tell they are very conservative with their portioning.

I love to support local, but I have a hard time enjoying the fact that 14 Food is in the college. I liked it more when they were downtown. At least when Tim's was in the college I could get a bagel and a cheap caffeine fix for 5 bucks. Now my friends and I just walk down the road to the Tim's beside the college because at 14's "wapiti bean co" the coffee is not bad, but just too expensive for us. I wish someone could explain to me why the cafeteria isn't geared toward students, their tight budgets, and the need for nutritious and filling meals, rather than serving only fried foods. This has always been a problem.

Edit to add: The next day I thought I would try the "breakfast sandwhich" for $8 because it's the cheapest option and I was curious. I ordered a sausage one - you could pick sausage, bacon, or ham. It was a hamburger bun with a kraft single cheese slice, one fried egg, and a little sausage round - the type you can get in a freezer pack at the store. It was pretty underwhelming. Anyone who pays for that instead of going down the road to Tim's and getting a breakfast sandwhich there is paying for the convenience of not having to leave the building. At least at Tim's they dont serve you a...

Friend, "Want to go to Cards for a toasted Tina sandwich?" (Whoops ... Autocorrect. Tuna. Although maybe a Tina sandwich would be lovely, too, no judgement)

Me, "Sure."

Friend, "Ah! Man! They're not open until 4."

Me, "Well ... I hear Fourteen is good."

Friend, "It was an ok age, I suppose. Little awkward."

Me, "The cafe. Where Ramona's used to be."

Friend, "Will they have toasted Tina?" (My phone does NOT want us to have a TUNA sandwich!!!)

"Let's go find out "

They did NOT have toasted Tina nor TUNA but they DID have a veritable selection of other delights. We settle on the BLAT (bacon, lettuce AND tomatoes ... with guacamole), side of fries, carrot and lentil soup and a beverage. I can't tell you how the soup was as it's on hold for my lunch tomorrow BUT the BLAT with guacamole was superb! And I had a pretty darn tasty BLT at The Royal Diner last-night, too (Hmm ... It is possible that I eat out too much 🤔) and they were completely different flavours, textures, combinations. Both delightful. This one at Fourteen was on sourdough bread which my digestive system appreciates so there's that, but the texture of the s.d. combined with the BLT .. sigh ...I just kept taking bite after bite and saying "This is SO good!!!!"

Fries were good. Nothing to write home to Mom about but tasty enough and perfectly cooked. I'm not a huge fry connoisseur but you HAVE to try fries at every restaurant you go to for the first time. It's a rule. No, really, it is. I tend to base my fry satisfaction on homemade, gravy flavour, seasonings, doneness, etc. These were just fries, tasty and good.

My friend DID have the soup and the ratings were solid.

I would say if you want a sandwich that is fresh, crisp ingredients on divine tasting bread that has JUST the right amount of condiments on it, no excessive sauces, just pure food flavour, you've found your sandwich place.

Also, beautiful and convenient downtown walk. Cafe sells local artwork by local artists (gotta love that) which not only benefits local artists but is also an add to the devote and atmosphere.

Service was kind, attentive. Prep was efficient, no delays or lagging...

FINALLY had a chance to come here for lunch, and witness the restaurant of the legendary Carl K. The location in itself is a testament of time, the former home of Ramonas pizza (The pizza that put G.P on the map), located in the cities downtown core, in proximity to fast growing businesses. The interior is clean, and modern with adequate seating and a very no-frills attitude. The menu is exactly what I was hoping for; a delectable list of hand crafted sandwiches, and side dishes to twist the mind and tastebuds. Aside from the frequent specials and changing soups, I chose the sandwich that had caught my eye since day one, a classic Cuban sandwich known as "Uncle Joey", The fried bologna sando, and loaded fries. The quality, and flavour of the sandwiches were unparalleled to anything I've had in months. Hot, fresh and crispy with noticeably quality toppings and preperation. The best cuban sandwich I have had outside of Miami Fl. The loaded fries were a punch in the mouth, from a fist travelling out of flavourtown. Excellently executed french fries, covered with bacon, cheddar, green onion and housemade ranch. As Fourteen food CO transitions out if its soft opening, it will also be transformed into one of GPs...