Van Isle Poutinerie

04/12/2026

LAST VIP day for a while!

Since Rook & Wicket Beverage Co. isn't quite up and running yet, big sister Penelope came out to fill in this weekend. She still isn't in great working order so she won't be out for a while, probably not until our permenant location has been finalized.

We are open at Maffeo Sutton Park today 12 to 5 ish or sell out. (Weather depending!)

We are down here with Brazilian Delicacies and Donairnutz so check out their pages for menus and hours.

04/11/2026

Well, let's see if we can remember how to do this... 😏

Also, today we are doing a little menu testing for the upcoming Rook & Wicket Beverage Co.

Shortbread cold brew floats! While supplies last! 🥤

Testing out a new area for the events this year! Right across from the playground at Nanaimo North Town Centre!

Come check it out and let us know what you think. Everyone is here until 6pm today and it's the perfect food truck weather. Not too hot, no rain and the wind is far away from here!

Brazilian Delicacies
Canada Crepe and More foodtruck
The Grill Deal
Eh-Dobo Express
Van Isle Poutinerie

P.S. Don't forget your stretchy pants!!!

03/12/2026

Penelope's little sister

We’re excited to finally introduce Rook & Wicket Beverage Co.

For those who know Penelope from Van Isle Poutinerie, you know she’s set the bar pretty high — and left some pretty big tire marks to follow. But her little sister, our new trailer Winnie, is getting ready to join her on the scene!

She’ll be making her full social media debut once she’s polished up and ready to roll.

Stay tuned!

Also… I’ve heard the second child is easier… right? 😉

02/28/2026

Calling all VIPs!

Our Miss Penelope is being well taken care of at the shop while we wait for further diagnostics. Preliminary results have been quite serious and with that we have to be realistic.

She is getting up there in years and like us as we age, she doesn't have the same mobility of her youth. We know her body is tired but she really loves what she does and we don't want to take that away from her... or everyone else!

We have decided to explore a semi -retirement option for her by looking for a more permanent location.

This is where you come in. We need some options. Start tagging anyone who might have or know of a spot that could be right for her.

-It must be a commercial property... no she can't just semi-retire to your backyard! (I already asked about mine... I was told no.)

-It must be easily accessible with somewhere for people to park safely to come visit us that doesn't impede another business!

-It must not interfere with another food based business, especially a locally owned one.

-Preferably in central/north Nanaimo so she isn't too far from home.

All help, shares and suggestions are very much appreciated.

02/20/2026

So our day did not start the way we thought it would and its ending no better.

What happened:

Miss Penelope was all kinds of spitfire yesterday ad we took her for her annual pre-season clean, preparing for our big weekend at the Maple Sugar Festival. Today though, she didn't really have the get up and go. We thought she might just be lazily enjoying the morning sun so we gave her a good jolt (for us it's coffee, for her it's jumper cables!) and she woke up with a big VROOOM! Sadly, she didn't last more than a couple minutes before right back to slumber and try as we might, she had no intention of starting.

Kyle at Mid Island Towing & Transport, the big fan of poutine he is, came by with his buddy and hauled her off to the shop for a looksie.

What we know:

We don't know anything yet other than she's safe with the pros. We will update as soon as we know something but please keep all your fingers and toes crossed for her. We are also thankful for any positive thoughts you send her way for her swift return to slinging poutine!

What that means:

We are not going to be able to attend the Maple Sugar Festival this weekend and are on hiatus until we get her all fixed up. Kinda feels like Penelope woke up, saw her shadow and said "nah, 6 more weeks of winter break! 🤣

02/16/2026

Happy 50th Anniversary to Beban Park!!

Come on down and enjoy some wonderful FREE indoor activities put on by the City of Nanaimo Local Government since it's so miserable outside. Nothing warms the heart quite like a day of family but nothing warms a tummy like a steamy poutine!

Grab a funnel cake for dessert from What the Funnel right next door to us to keep that sugar hiigghhhhh going to keep up with your kids 🤣

We are here right outside the social centre until 2:30 pm today!!

02/16/2026

Family Day = fries day. 🍟❤️

We’re at Beban Park TODAY February 16th 2026 with our friends What the Funnel for the City of Nanaimo Local Government Family Day celebration—free activities, music and a whole lot of community spirit as the park celebrates 50 years.

Swing by between 10–2:30 for delicious poutine and funnel cake on your way to enjoy the festivities.

Also, we are so so excited to see for the first time this year!!

✨ Bonus: We’ll be back at Beban Park again next weekend for the Francophones Nanaimo Maple Sugar Festival — consider this your delicious preview.

01/02/2026

Wow!! What a crazy adventure year it was. Thank you everyone for all your support in 2025!

Bring on 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣!!

12/25/2025

Christmas morning arrived — and there she stood,
Right next to Penelope, wrapped up so good.

A bow on the top.
A shine.
A surprise.
The kind that makes eyebrows go up to the skies.

Ashley and I smiled.
Then paused.
Then knew…
This was what Santa was up to.

Because weeks ago — yes, remember that day?
When Santa leaned in and waved us away?

Penelope knew it.
Santa did too.
And somehow that secret stayed perfectly true.

Turns out the surprise wasn’t meant for our truck,
It was meant for us two.
(Well… how about that luck.)

A little sister is coming — tucked just out of sight,
And suddenly Santa’s wink felt exactly just right. 🎅✨

12/15/2025

We took Penelope to see Santa one winter day,
At Nanaimo North Town Centre — hooray! Hooray!

Now Penelope’s BIG. She’s tall. She’s wide.
She absolutely, positively would not fit inside.
But Santa, dear Santa, just chuckled and said,
“Well then I’ll come out to her instead!”

He tipped his red hat and gave Penelope a look,
The kind that says magic… not found in a book.

Ashley and I wondered (and whispered with glee),
“What could a three-year-old food truck want under the tree?”

Penelope revved softly, then nodded just so,
And Santa leaned closer — but waved us to go.
“Just a moment,” he said with a smile and a wink,
“Some wishes are private… or so she thinks.”

So we waited outside while the minutes ticked by, with curious thoughts and ears raised nearby.

He leaned in close and the two had a chat —
Some kind of magic was happening, that much was a fact!

At last Santa returned, with a sparkle so bright,
A twinkle, a grin — and a wish tucked in tight.

“Well?” we asked Santa. “What did she say?”
He laughed and replied, “you'll have to wait 'til Christmas Day.”

12/14/2025

Saigon Kitchen opened today — normally their day off — to host this fundraiser. This cause is close to my heart, and I would truly love to see everyone who is able, to come out and support it. Ashley and I will be there about 6.

There are so many incredible non-profits doing important work: feeding the unhoused, supporting those struggling with addiction, helping parents through the unimaginable, or keeping the magic of Santa alive for families on a tight budget. But there is one very important group that often gets forgotten.

They are the ones who raised us. The ones who shaped us. The ones whose minds hold a lifetime of knowledge, wisdom, and experience — but whose bodies can no longer work to provide or care for themselves. Our elders are the ones who too often fall through the cracks.

No one deserves more compassion and patience than those whose lives now move at a slower pace, as they try to treasure their final years. It’s not a “pretty” cause. There’s no coloured ribbon to wear or adorable smile for a billboard. It doesn’t get talked about enough because it brings up guilt — the “I’ll visit next week” that gets said too many times — and the uncomfortable realization that time has passed faster than we expected.