Today we were at an unexpected spot for steak on Davie Street. This is Stack House, a French inspired bistro serving up steak sandwiches, from the classic steak to a sub with tartar and/or truffle, pâté, and foie gras.
Even with its yellow exterior frame and mini patio, the shop does not stand out, and you pretty much have to know to want to go. Minus the more luxurious ingredients above the restaurant is incredibly approachable with open exterior, friendly staff, and sandwich options that fit various budgets. Plus sides that I would recommend adding on for a rounded out meal. We would try their entire menu.
Their Stackhouse Steak Sandwich is their best seller at a fantastic $12 for medium-rare flat iron steak, crispy onion, and chimichurri sauce in a baguette. The perfectly prepared and sliced beef with just the right amount and fat was the scene stealer. The crisp and chewy bread made it a filling meal and the citrusy herbal sauce helped to highlight the steak with its brightening acid. I also liked the crunch the chips added, doubling as a rest in flavour to help rejuvenate the palate in between bites. Although, I would have been just as happy to have this deconstructed as a steak with sauce and bread on the side.
The French Dip Sandwich is another tasty one at a good price, listed at $15. Another medium-rare flat iron steak topped with horseradish cream, swiss cheese, and onion chips; served with an au jus for dipping into. Tasty as is the jus just helps to soften and bring together all the ingredients under one cohesive umbrella.
We didn’t ask, but I would suggest asking to upgrade the jus to a side of their French onion soup instead. They have a similar rustic beefy bone broth quantity to them, but the soup also comes with French onion and a beef bourguignon essence, topped with melted cheese and a slice of baguette. The soup alone is fairly salty and in need of bread, making it an idea dip.
Sadly I was not a fan of the Steak TarTare Open Sandwich for $12. Raw minced beef seasoned in dijon, corichons, capers, parsley, and red onion. I commend them for the idea, but found the tartare in mass assembly like this over bearing. I find raw beef is best taken in small, petite bites to savour what is before you. This felt monotonous with the same gummy texture all throughout. A mash that was further by the stunning yolk, with the baguette offering little reprieve. We would end up using the chips as a base for the Tartare instead, to be able to better ration bites. I would simply offer this as another side with chips, instead of a sandwich filling.
Or at least add on a couple of their crunchy, assorted, in-house made vegetable pickles for freshness and contrast, greater than the chips can provide.
These were classic tasting pickles. The cauliflower was my favourite to enjoy as is. The onion fantastic with the beef dip as chase, and the cucumber had echoes of the chimichurri sauce so went well with the steak sandwich.
For those who like their sandwiches decadent they have the $38 Dry Aged Beef Brisket Sandwich with truffle, foie gras, pâté, swiss cheese, and au jus. This was a mouthful of luxe, but not overly rich. It all ate lean, and not as lush as I know foie gras and pâté to be. This was definitely due to their unique preparation of both. As I result the sandwich was approachable after all, however surprisingly not more memorable than I thought such an assembly would be. The flavours didn’t pop, the meat didn’t taste all that different, and for $26 more I would just go for the their chimichurri steak sandwich instead.
Surprisingly my favourite item on their menu was the Caesar Salad. Until this day, I did not realize that all the other Caesar salads I have had before were made incomplete, and they are the reason why I never order them after. I was missing the anchovies, and to have them whole, as a garnish made all the difference. The salad becomes so much more fragrant because of it, and its umami flavour added layers to the dressing as well. This had me eating all my greens and if I am in the neighbourhood, I would stop to get this again.
They are a great option for an affordable lunch on the go, however, not what I gravitate towards when I am on Davie Street. They would do so much better closer to downtown core, in the financial district. I wouldn’t necessarily make them a destination, but we definitely indulge when in the area and am looking for a smaller bite.
Stackhouse SteakSandwich
1102 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1X4
(778) 886-3522
