The
Noodle Box We're hiring: jobs@thenoodlebox.net
The Noodle Box - a vibrant meeting place
of different cultures and flavours - funky new eateries in Victoria
and Vancouver. Victoria Vancouver The Noodle Box Story Then The Noodle Box started its life as a mobile street cart in May 2001. The creation of Jodi Mann and Nick Crooks, the business had a rocky beginning, with city officials having never before dealt with such a complex food business being carried out on the streets. Jodi and Nick, fresh from travels throughout Asia and Down Under, saw the huge potential of street food in Canada largely untapped, and through sheer persistence, managed to convince the powers that be, that this sort of food could be safely produced in Canada, as it is so often in other parts of the world.After two busy summer seasons, building a reputation for food quality, and ‘local oriented’ service, a change in management at the Health Department brought about a tightening of policy that made it financially impossible for The Noodle Box to continue. It was disappointing that after so much hard work, so many happy customers, and absolutely no health complaints, the much loved cart had to be shut down, and Hot Dogs once again wear the crown as ‘best’ street food in town. Even worse, these institutions are now at risk, with the Victoria City Council revoking any Hot Dog Vendors licenses they can, and not offering these spaces up for tender.But all was not lost, and Jodi and Nick, determined to keep the customer satisfied, took over the lease of a dilapidated old Chinese restaurant, and went to work converting it into Victoria’s first Takeaway Noodle Bar. The Noodle Box reopened in March 2003, with a fresh new look, an extended menu, and as much of the feel and flavor of the cart as could be preserved. Built on a shoestring budget, with help from family and friends, the restaurant soon thrived with many of the same regular faces that made the cart such a fun place to be. Initially with a crew of Jodi and Nick and 3 other staff, The Noodle Box went from strength to strength, winning over converts from near and far. Soon our little hole in the wall was once again struggling to keep up with all the orders. After 2 happy years it was time to expand. Securing a larger space in the heart of Victoria's downtown we set about creating a space capable of keeping up with the demand. Now With such humble beginnings, The Noodle
Box has come a long way. A staff of almost 40 now man the woks, meaning
wait times are consistently low, and customers are looked after better
than ever. Our new downtown location has meant an improvement to our service
level, with large bowls available for dine in customers, as well as locally
brewed Phillips Beers on tap. The Future We are interested in people who share our
commitment to a quality product and maintaining a happy, fair workplace
The Noodle Box wishes to conduct itself in a responsible and ethical manner. Our key areas of concern are the environment, more than fair staff treatment, and sustainable growth.The Noodle Box has extensive recycling systems, in partnership with reFuse recycling for compostable food waste, and BFI for plastics, glass and tin.Staff at The Noodle Box receive a comparatively good wage, as well as equal tips, and extra benefits. Management provides a positive work environment with good 2-way communication, and values the individual as well as the team.The Noodle Box values business that harmoniously co-exists with its immediate community. This means fostering a good relationship with the customer, as well as local suppliers and related businesses. ConceptThe Noodle Box is something a little different in terms of concept. Described as a "Takeaway Noodle Bar", The Noodle Box offers people a fast, yet flavourful meal, that can be eaten on premise or taken away. There is no table service, nor many tables, and customers can look after many of their own needs while we focus on cooking the best noodle dishes we know how. As a licenced restaurant, customers can enjoy any one of a wide variety of imported beers from all over the South East Asian area, while enjoying the "show"; the skillful noodle wrangling of our expert wok cooks as the steam and fire swirl and flare in our open kitchen, filling the air with spices and excitement. Hardly the place for a romantic dinner for two, The Noodle Box is a vibrant meeting place of different cultures and flavours, a funky new eatery in an historic Chinatown. The Noodle Box style is a fusion of cooking techniques and flavours from many foreign shores, a place where all are welcome to come and share the love of Asian foods that inspires us to do what we do. Press The "Full, Real Deal" at The Noodle Box Can it be? The powers in city hall that
control our eating habits are loosening up? Finally, Victoria has some
real street food. While the odd Smokie with pickled jalapenos from the
cart in front of Capitol Iron will sometimes keep the rumbles away, the
Noodle Box occupying the Robbins parking stall closest to the sidewalk
at Fisgard and store (Click's) is the real deal. Jodi Mann and Nick Crooks,
just back from an extensive tour of S.E. Asia and work in Melbourne, Austrailia
restaurants, have taken the streetfood idea and reworked it for Victoria.
Coming out of the gas-fired wok are a variety of Vietnamese, Thai, Malay
and Philippinean dishes. There is Grilled Peanut Satay sticks; and Singapore
Cashew Curry among the menu items. Order Thai Green Curry and you'll get
Beef, Chicken, Pork or Vegetarian, simmered in rich Thai spices and coconut
cream, with asian vegetables, herbs, chilli and lime, on rice stick noodles.
(spicey). Portions are a good size and prices hover around $7. It takes
about six minutes to stir-fry up a dish, so if you are carrying a cell
phone, call 'em at 866-1312 and they'll have your lunch boxed and ready
for you when you get there. Out for a mid-summer's night stroll? Instead
of an icecream conefor a quick evening snack try a Skewered Banana (rolled
in raw sugar and sweet spices, and BBQ'd Phillipino Style). At $2 each,
it's a good thing. The Noodle Box is open 7 days a week from 11 AM. |