Shameless Buns X Jack’s Chowder popup

Like artists sometimes a restaurant needs to change their genre.

For the first two weekends of September, everyone’s favourite funky Filipino foodtruck turned restaurant is taking a break from their regular fusion street food menu to bring you something less summery and more forward into fall.

Seeing a vacancy for traditional clam chowder in the Vancouver food-scape, they have brought the city some in their newest venture: Jack’s Chowder. Jack’s Chowder takes a step away from their claim to fame to focus on “quintessential clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, that you can enjoy at coastal cities like Seattle at Pike Place market and San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf”, (as taken from the press release).

To test the response they will be offering the above as part of a limited 4 item menu for the weekends of September 6-8th and 13-15th. And depending on the city’s response, may flip the brick and mortar Shameless Buns into Jack’s Chowder full time. Leaving their two Shameless Buns food trucks running as normal.

I honestly think they should and that it will be a good idea. Shameless Bun works best as street food option, dishes you eat with your hands, standing at a social function. I am less inclined to visit this stationary location for their food, when I can just as easily grab and go from one of their two trucks, that maybe closer to my any given location.

That and their food feels more summer inspired, with the season about to shift, a warming meal featuring chowder seems like a better bet. And seeing the city turn out like they did today, on the 2nd of 6 Popup dates; they too think Vancouver needs some quality chowder in its life.

We strolled in at 12:30pm and there was a line to order and a longer one to wait for the food. Even the staff were not expecting such a warm reception. Each keeping their cool and apologizing for delay with the utmost sincerity. No one complained, we were all happy to wait, and then after tasting the food were glad that we did.

Be warned, on the dates above they will be solely focused on Jack’s menu, and will not be preparing anything from the regular Shameless menu. With 2 mains and 2 sides, I suggest you take the plunge and try everything like we did.

The New England Clam Chowder is prepared with Crack On foodtruck’s Bacon Ends, Dill, and Oyster Crackers. Available in a bowl, but the sourdough bread bowl is the way to go. And it doesn’t end there, you can further elevate your order with what they are calling “fancy toppings”. This is additional Crack On Bacon Ends and lobster oil served in a pipet for self drizzle.

I liked their inclusion of another local food truck business in this, instead of just grabbing some grocery store bacon. This is my kind of chowder, more chunks than liquid. A filling stew where the bread was quick to soak up most of the excess. The bread a chewy bun with the telltale flavour of sourdough. The bacon gave you crunch and the lobster oil a lush mouthfeel and depth of flavour. I suggest getting it as such, with the works. They also have oyster crackers as a topping, but with all the bread in the edible bowl, you don’t really need it.

And what is chowder without a fish sandwich. This one is simply called “The Fish Sandwich” with beer battered cod, B&B pickles, their Jack’s tartar, and American cheese. The chewy potato bun was the ideal base to carry all the above complimentary flavours, tied together by the tangy and thick Tartar sauce.

This was a solid crispy fish sandwich elevated from all the others with the melty cheese and fresh pickles. Best with the hard to procure Louisiana hot sauce available for anyone to use tableside. After a few bites in, it helps to perk things up. The ideal acidity to balance out all the heavy cream.

Here you have the option to add on some salt & vinegar fries and/or popcorn shrimp. We would indulge with both.

The fries are already a best seller, made popular by Shameless Buns, but given a new identity. Thin cut and extra crispy with a thin layer of jagged breading around each fry. Dressed in a barely there salt and vinegar, they offered a nice break from the decadent sandwich. We also used it as a base for all the excess sauces that dripped out of it, that we could not bear to waste.

We were expecting a shrimp loaf or a shrimp fritter from The Dill Pickle Popcorn Shrimp. Instead, this was a whole juicy shrimp hiding under the blanket of crisp. Fairly tasty as is, but ideal with a generous dip into their delicious Jack’s tartar sauce that I am a fan of.

For something different you can also have these with their Tartar & Mango Tamarind Hot Sauce. This feels like a nod to their first child “Shameless Buns” with the popular Filipino flavours of mango and tamarind. An unexpected bold dip that starts sweet and ends in a fairly burning spice.

My only wish for this menu would be to have a drink more complimentary to the above, like a homemade fruit ice tea; and a sweet dessert item to end on. Although we will probably get both if Jack moves in. I wonder what they will do with their spam can wall then?

A truly delicious pop up, and one we fully enjoyed and recommend you checking out.

Shameless Buns
5772 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5W 2Z5
(604) 668-0505
shamelessbuns.com