Comments on: Bernie’s Balkan Kitchen

By: KimHo

KimHo — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 23:03:16 +0000

Stevo, welcome! I will leave it to other of the commenters who are more used to the cuisine in regards of the authenticity part. Sweet and sour pork? Technically, there is a Chinese sweet and sour pork dish!

By: Stevo Vojicevic

Stevo Vojicevic — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:41:43 +0000

Everyone should know that this is NOT authentic “Burek” aka Bosnian “Pita.” In Serbia this version is called “naslagaca” literally meaning “layered on”. It’s a fast and unauthentic way of making Burek. The proper way is to roll up the filling into a tube, like a thick rope, then roll it into a circle like princess Leia braids. Because these have a maybe 2-3 finger thickness (less than a standard size sausage) the burek bakes better ane has a crispy crust, not a soft doughy oily one like at Bernie’s. For my Chinese friends, this is like saying sweet and sour pork is Chinese food. You just can’t compare the authentic stuff to this. I also suggested Bernie’s owner lady to heat up each quarter slice of Burek in the oven after people order it, because Canadians like the crunchiness of phillo, but she insisted it would taste dry – I think she still doesn’t get it. Burek is not supposed to taste like a lukewarm goopy mess (her alternative was to microwave it). A better place to try the same kind of ‘naslagaca’ (not authentic) is Duffin’s Doughtnuts just up the street on Edmonds, but ask him to stick it into the oven for a few minutes (he’ll do it). There is nowhere in Vancouver where they serve the authentic rolled Burek. In reality, only the meat versions are called “Burek”, the authentic stuff is called ‘pita’ but that might be confusing to a Canadian as it brings up ideas of Greek flat pita. Although the Greeks have a version of this too (what do you think spanakopita is). The authentic Bosnian stuff is made with cheese, there’s a potato version, pumpkin, and desert style would have apples.

By: Vancouver Bites!

Vancouver Bites! — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:36:52 +0000

Of course Bernie’s is RIGHT by my house and I’ve been curious to try it, but they were always closed when I went by. Finally, today, they were open. I had a cabbage roll on top of mashed potatoes. It was REALLY good. The meat filling kind of tasted like corned beef hash the way my mom used to make it, so I really liked it. Plus the lady put a bunch of the cabbage roll sauce and extra cabbage pieces on it, so it nice and saucy. I love wet food and this certainly fit the bill. I reached into my purse to grab my camera and realized I left it at home, so no post. I tried the cheese burek too, but didn’t really care for it. I’ll be back to get more cabbage rolls though.

By: KimHo

KimHo — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:16:53 +0000

Bugar, welcome and thanks for your comments! Does Danube count? Otherwise, sorry, I will leave it to Darina, our Eastern Europe expert!

By: Bugar

Bugar — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:31:39 +0000

If you look at the pics, this place really, really, and I mean REALLY skimps out on the filling. Traditional burek has tonnes of filling whether it’s cheese or meat. These guys are making a killing because they can. Having said that, they did for a [short] while add more filling but they went back to having very little and highly salty filling.

If people know of any other place in town that is a Serbian, Croatian, Bosnia, or Balkan Bakery please post. We all would like to know. Please and thank you

By: Maktaaq

Maktaaq — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:07:01 +0000

I go there about twice a year for their cheese burek, I quite like it and I agree that it goes really well with a kefir. I’ll have to try the other stuff on the menu – too bad I’m always at work when they’re open.

By: KimHo

KimHo — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:56:05 +0000

Balkan boy, welcome! Thanks for your input. I won't comment about the other items, as you seem to know them better than me; however, as for burgers... Well, let's just say I have my own personal preference. However, you might want to refer to this post.

By: balkan boy

balkan boy — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 05:22:04 +0000

hi there…
as i am coming from that part of the world i can give you somewhat closer info regarding bernie’s balkan kitchen…

1>
burek at bernies is home made pastry filled with meat or cheesse.
that is one of the better items here and i would agree with the author of the article on that one, but only would like to tell you that burek is a sort of breakfast food and should be eaten with a glass /cup of yoghurt/kefir

2>
cevapi (chevapee) are as good as you are capable to add enough flavour to it adding onions, ajvar(roasted red peppers spread) etc.

3>
so the only thing that i can not agree on are “burgers” as you think.
that kind of burger is very authentic and very, very tasty
it should be tasted because that is something you have never tried before.
it is some sort of meat mix that is 70%beef and the rest is pork with some onions and secret spices(crushed red hot peppers) abd it has nothing to do with any burger in this city. it is totally uncomparable…

best regards

By: Bernie’s Balkan Kitchen – Burnaby, BC « f o o d o s o p h y

Bernie’s Balkan Kitchen – Burnaby, BC « f o o d o s o p h y — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:57:38 +0000

[...] recalled this post as I drove by looking for a place to get a quick meal. I’d originally planned to just get [...]

By: KimHo

KimHo — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:21:15 +0000

Mary, welcome and thanks for your thoughts. Does that mean I should go back?