Wow the trip up to Kelowna for the dragon boat festival this year feels like it was ages ago, when really it was just under 3 weeks ago. Actually, that’s a long while, shows how much I’m lagging behind in my posts. I only have the weekends really to sit down and type out my entries, because I want to make sure I get everything just right. It can take me anywhere from 20minutes to an hour for an entry. Double checking facts, linking the right things, etc…just my perfectionism kicking in, don’t worry.

If you talk to anyone in Kelowna, chances are they probably have been to Kelly O’Bryan’s. They’re famous for….oh you’ll have to keep reading to find out. So my whole team headed over to Kelly’s for lunch during our first day of the festival.

I think the restaurant must have been a  little bit shocked, 20 Asians all at once coming in to eat. I caught some stares from other patrons for sure.

Pachos is what Kelly’s is famous for, so much that they even trademarked it.

This appy is world famous in over 38 continents and is a registered trademark of Kelly O’Bryan’s. Thousands of other restaurants have tried and failed to duplicate Pachos. Lattice fries, deep fried golden brown, piled high with Kraft’s best medium cheddar cheese then baked. Topped with freshly cut green onions and served with creamy Emerald Isle Dip!

I think after seeing this sign, is what made me decide to get a drink. I know, drinking by noon? Not to mention the fact that I had another race later on? It’s okay though…one drink is not bad.

’cause you see, I got this! 4 samplers, which would really be just over a pint (four 6oz’s).

Look at that presentation. It’s got its own little holder, just like the Frat Bat at the Alibi Room. The glasses are different, similar to the 6oz glasses I had at the Granville Island Brewing Tour.  Dark beers are still a learning experience for me because they are generally very dense and strongly bitter. That to me just doesn’t seem enjoyable to ingest. From L-R, Smithwick, Guinness, Kilkenny and Harp. Strangely enough, I enjoyed the Smithwick the most because it had a slight coffee aftertaste (I’m not a coffee drinker though, I rather have tea). I’ve had Guinness before to know that I don’t like it because it’s quite bitter. The Kilkenny was similar to a cream ale, and the Harp a light lager.

Click on the pictures below for a closer look at the 4 different beers.

Along with my sample tray, I got myself an order of Pachos. Since it was only lunch and I didn’t want to be too full before our 2nd race and puke, I got something small. Of course I had to have their famous pachos. The cheese was melted, but the pachos only slightly warm. I guess with a big table (14 of us) it would be a bit hard to co-ordinate the timing and expedition of the food. There must be something in that dip of theirs because I could not stop eating it!

More pictures of food that’s not mine, but was around the table. Chicken strips, taco salad, shepherd’s pie, and Dublin stack. For a more in depth description, you can check out the lunch menu.