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Food
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MEALS ON WHEELS
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Far East Bistro
Killa B’s Grilla Cheese
Introducing foreign foods to small communities can be risky. Luckily for Yu Sasaki, Revelstoke has embraced the Japanese flavours of Far East Bistro with open arms and rumbling stomachs. Located next to the typically bustling Grizzly Plaza, Sasaki brings Japanese street food to the heart of the city. “Sometimes it's very, very tricky. In Japan it is very popular, but in Canada, North America, people don’t know about it. So that's kind of my job,” explains Sasaki about introducing new dishes to the community. Although it may have been difficult, Sasaki succeeded. Far East Bistro’s most popular item is the Karaage bowl, a type of Japanese fried chicken. When they first opened, people were thrown off by the unique colour of the dish. Now, it is a fan favourite. By keeping things simple with chicken, rice, noodles, and fresh vegetables, he has won over the hearts and bellies of the town. Sasaki is no stranger to running a food truck. As a professional skier, it is the perfect job to hustle through summer and shred all winter. This is his seventh summer doing exactly that. Before moving to Revelstoke three years ago, he worked out of Whistler and Squamish. Now, Sasaki plans on sticking around long-term. Before the pandemic, he dreamed of opening his own restaurant. However, with the skyrocketing demand for takeout, he redirected his energy towards opening a second food truck. This time, he will introduce Okonomiyaki to town. Described as a “Japanese quiche," Sasaki is sure it will be a good fit for the foodies of Revelstoke
Gooey yet crispy, simple yet satisfying. Grilled cheese is a staple comfort food, and for good reason. The idea behind Killa B’s Grilla Cheese came to Brandon Pollard after a late-night campfire with friends. “I made grilled cheese for everybody and it was like, ‘We should somehow sell this thing,’” Pollard reminisces. However, the story behind the food truck is deeper than a late-night snack. Grilled cheese is his mom’s favourite food. Served with tomato soup, the taste brings Pollard back home. Alongside his wife Ashton Pollard, who he describes as the “brains of the operation,” Brandon opened Killa B’s last August. With their short time in operation, they have already established a loyal fanbase. As we chat outside the food truck, a couple of regulars show up. Brandon greets them by name and knows what they are about to order. A massive amount of gluten and dairy goes into running a grilled cheese business, and Pollard takes his ingredients seriously. During the busy summer season, Killa B’s goes through about 200 slices of cheese and 12 to 15 loaves of bread daily. Southside Market provides them with all their cheeses and meats, as Pollard is a major believer in supporting local business. “One thing that I really cannot get enough of is the local love that we get here,” says Pollard. “The vibe is super awesome, the stoke is there.” With hip-hop blaring from the speakers, one might assume that the name Killa B’s Grilla Cheese is a Wu-Tang Clan reference. The real origin is more literal. Pollard is deathly allergic to bees. However, he states that if any members of the Wu-Tang Clan ever come to Revelstoke, they can expect a sandwich on the house.
