Wildside Grill — Restaurant in Tofino

There was a time in my life where I felt like I was always on the road, moving, trying to get somewhere. Though that somewhere seemed to change every couple of days for a variety of reasons both practical and philosophical, a consequence of this is that I’ve eaten meals in a lot of parking lots.

The idea of takeout food is, in my understanding, somewhat recent. It’s hard to imagine a knight errant, some hundreds of years ago, traversing Europe for days on end, horse exhausted, spirit wrung out, only to come upon an inn serving hot soup to ask for it “to go” because he had somewhere to be later that night. Or he wanted to get home to watch a movie from the comfort of his own couch, feed the cats, or call it a campaign. To be truthful, I’ve only listened to the audiobook of Don Quixote so I don’t have a good sense of it.

By way of establishing credentials, let me say that I’m more familiar with the food at Wildside, having eaten it north of 30 times at this point in my life. Further, being something of a parking lot gourmand (see above), I’m no novice to the ambience. Out of the many times I’ve eaten food prepared in that little shack it has rarely been less than delicious, the setting uncouth but seldom unwelcome.

The food itself isn’t showy or begging to be taken seriously. We’re talking burgers, poutine, tacos, fish and chips, and other variations on that theme. But – as any astute parking lot diner knows – there are infinite flavors that can be found in such staples and quality of both food and eating experience is never guaranteed from one fry shack to another. Wildside has it as dialed as can be, however, with the food being consistent and delicious, priced fairly, and often of the form to cure whatever might ail you after a hike in the bush or a day at the beach.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the service. I’ve worked in a couple kitchens as a teen and didn’t last long in either, finding that the pay to work ratio was unfavourable even at that tender age. These kitchens I drifted quickly in and out of were attached to full restaurants, with room for various stations and basic movement. Even that was hard, but that’s not the case at Wildside. The staff work in a tiny box with an even smaller prep area out the side, sandwiched between the register, the grill, and hot oil, with a lineup often extending back to the parking area, a phone ringing constantly, and the boldest birds in town only too happy to snatch what morsels might remain unguarded for an instant. Yet they are consistently helpful and friendly. If an order isn’t right, I’ve had another one made on the spot. An extra scoop of fries or salad is not uncommon. Taking the time to pack your order up to make your trip home easier when there are 100 other things that need doing is standard. Despite the endless excuses to be grumpy or arrogant, I’ve yet to experience any staff member act that way (though I can’t always say the same for the customers).

I can’t pretend that this place is something that it’s not – you won’t find culinary ecstasy, a transcendent experience, or personal salvation – but you might end up with a full belly, a smile, your wallet only slightly lighter, and a refreshed ability to get wherever your...

During our Thanksgiving long weekend retreat to Chesterman Beach, we stumbled upon Wildside Grill on our way back and it turned out to be an absolute delight. I’m usually indifferent to fish and chips, but anything involving Salmon instantly wins me over and this hidden gem took that love to a whole new level.

As soon as we stepped inside, the intoxicating aroma from the kitchen made it clear that we had chosen the right place. I ordered the Salmon with chips and Salmon tacos and let me tell you this was hands down the best fish and chips I've ever had in my entire life. The fish was cooked to perfection, with a generous portion that was complemented by a mountain of crispy golden chips. The salmon tacos were just as incredible; packed with fresh flavors and a surprisingly large, juicy piece of fish.

The tartar sauce deserves special mention. You can taste the chef's skill in every bite as it brought out the perfect balance of tang and creaminess. Every element of the meal had the perfect texture and the flavors were on point.

Not only was the food top notch, but the prices were also impressively reasonable, especially given the generous portions and of course the atmosphere.

If you find yourself in Tofino, Wildside Grill is a must visit spot. Highly...

The Wildside is an excellent choice. Portions are HUGE, the menu is perfectly Tofino, hitting all the right vibes. You basically can't go wrong with anything you order!! I had the Cod club but next time I'd love to try the poutine, which would feed a small army, it's so big, lol.

Last time I was here, the kitchen had a slight hiccup and my food wasn't quite right. I made a point to talk to them in person about why I didn't enjoy my meal and staff were great, and made it right in my books. I felt like they cared about making it right, and that meant a lot to me. I remember not being able to stop eating the fries, despite them being cold as I caught the sunset on nearby Chesterman - that's a sign of a good fry!

Great food, great staff, the location, slightly out of town is perfect to grab your appetite before you hit the selection of great food spots IN town. Parking is super easy too, lots of spots. Hit up Beaches for any grocery needs you have or grab some chocolate from Chocolate Tofino next door, it's a one-stop shop destination. Can't be beat!!

*Updated: Wildside is still the place I eat at most when in Tofino. The food is just GOOD, portions substantial, quality is kept high, the service and vibe welcoming and friendly. Wildside...