Reviews of Bull and son’s delicatessen (Butcher Shop)

Rebecca Garnham

We went to Bull & Son's to buy cheese and meats for a charcuterie board. We asked for recommendations and were thrilled that the staff crafted us a charcuterie board over the counter! We were asked a series of quick and easy questions and suddenly were provided with three cheeses and three meats that complimented each other. The staff were so friendly and helpful. We will definitely shop here again!

K. Luke

We had two kinds of pate :duck and cranberry and pate Maison.although we requested a fine pate we were offered and sold a very coarse one that broke apart and resembled meat loaf , the country pate was overly flavored with sage and peppercorns. The duck was equally disappointing . Very strange strong flavor . We wanted to like it , cute little shop but wished we’d we’d just gone save on foods .????

tiana Farran

Great staff who all bring their own perspective, and are always excited to help when you are planning a party.

Brenda Quinn

Delicious Charcuterie surprises abound!

Saijal Patel

Excellent charcuterie!! We will definitely be back!

C Pate

I love this place! Been going there to buy my charcuterie fixings and pies for two years. The owner and his staff know their stuff and clearly take great pride in their products. I learn something new every time I go in. Jon (the owner) does not suffer fools and isn't afraid to tell them so, but don't let the one-star reviews put you off. In my experience, entitlement can often drive expectations and Jon can sense it a mile away. I've had nothing but a positive experience. Treat the staff with courtesy and respect, be patient (it is a small, local, owner-operated business, after all) and you are unlikely to have anything but a five-star experience. And if the gate isn't open, either is the shop (life happens).

Carole Masure

Always a pleasure to go there!

Brandy Adams

I go to Bull and Sons quite regularly. The products are always delicious with an excellent selection. The banter is usually very entertaining. John knows what he’s doing and is great at it.

Luke Acker

Always a pleasure to visit a business where the owner has a passion for the trade. If you're lucky enough to come across such an artisan do your best to listen and learn. Cheese was fantastic, and John's depth of knowledge impressive

Stephanie

In the past year, I've visited this place on 3 separate occasions and each was a negative experience. It's also strange that the reviews are either 1 star or 5 stars. The negative reviews I believe to be 100% real because they mirror my experiences. This leads me to believe many of the below 5 star reviews are not genuine reviews. The first time I visited, I purchased some pate and pepperoni sticks. When I tasted them the same night, it tasted rancid and also looked like it had developed a greasy yellow film like meat that had gone bad. I had to toss them both. The second time, the shop was closed even though it was before their listed closing hours. Then the third time, I was passing the shop on a Saturday at 2pm, the gate was open and it was before their closing hours, and there were people inside so my friend and I decided to check it out again. The owner then rudely yelled at us that they were closed, but when we pointed out that the sign said they close at 4pm, he offered no apologies or explanation and curtly repeated that they were closed. Quite the opposite from the "sparking water and tastings" service described in other reviews below. Go try Ottavio! They have amazing charcuterie ingredients.

Sebastian Bethell

Amazing food and great service. The daily sandwiches are my favourite!

Big Dingo

We called ahead with concerns about holiday hours and were told we needed to rush in because they were definitely going to sell out before closing, which was soon. We went in right after that and it was clear there was lots of product left... weird. We were looking around and were talking about how we could get sandwiches there and one of the staff rudely chimed in "we don't don't do sandwiches". Ok, we didn't ask, there was signage for sandwiches and it wasn't like we were told, as we were at the next deli we went to, "sorry, we normally do sandwiches but those aren't available right now due to the holidays." With two staff there and one other customer, we tried to get an order started. "I'm going to continue to serve this other customer here" was the response we got, delivered blithely. Didn't seem like we interrupted another customer and no, "sorry, we just have to finish up with this customer, happy to help you next", no "I'm helping this customer still, so and so will be happy to assist", nothing stated or any actions to suggest they wanted our business. We happily went down the street and got excellent service in a shop that was busier and had great products. Victoria is full of great delis and no one has to endure rude customer service.

jr ramey

We always try to hit this place when in Victoria. We walked in and ordered the choux choux picnic for 4, and absolutely unbelievable value. The gentleman at the counter (not sure his name) asked if we could come back in half hour so he could prepare it…of course. Next time we will preorder so he isn’t scrambling to make one for us. He asked if we wanted blue cheese as we were going out the door, which is I felt very thoughtful…and no I don’t want blue cheese. We received what seemed like enough food for an army. So many delicious meats, cheeses, and other snacks. Our family loved it and we are still snacking on it 4 days later. I read some of the comments and I can’t believe that some people would give a small business one star based solely on the service on one particular day. The food here is outstanding!!! Personally, I enjoyed the service. I prefer ‘no bullshit’ attitudes, Not everyone is peachy, so I don’t expect people to step away from their genuine personality to make me feel comfortable and loved. Besides, the food speaks for itself. 5 stars. Thanks again, see you when we get back to Victoria.

Andy Wild

Fantastic. I was given the opportunity to meet and be served by John Bull. We bonded, briefly, over British history and family matter. Went in for cheese, received multiple samples topped with honey where necessary. Purchase for my father, for fathers day. Great service, knowledgeable owner, cheese was fresh and went well with parings. Thanks John.

Candide Halliday

Another pleasurable experience at Bull and Sons. I was greeted warmly by the owner at the end of a long and very hot day. He patiently and generously took me on a culinary journey offering me a cold can of fizzy water between tastings. I appreciated the suggestions of pairings, honey with the Le Campagnier was amazing. I left with a number of items on the house to compliment my purchases, baguette, olives etc. Highly recommend

Steffani Cameron

Formerly CHOUX CHOUX, this shop switched hands about a year ago and makes delicious stuff onsite — much similar to Choux Choux but some more rustic sausages. Their Mennonite sausages are excellent.

K. Luke

We had two kinds of pate :duck and cranberry and pate Maison.although we requested a fine pate we were offered and sold a very coarse one that broke apart and resembled meat loaf , the country pate was overly flavored with sage and peppercorns. The duck was equally disappointing . Very strange strong flavor . We wanted to like it , cute little shop but wished we’d we’d just gone save on foods .????

Janna Zahorodniuk

Simply the best in Victoria. Knowledgeable, extraordinary attention to detail and a singular devotion to craft. Well done.

James Barry

Stopped by this store while walking by downtown, hadnt been in since it had changed hands. Happy to see the food and atmopshere and just as good. Great selection of meats and cheeses. Great charcuterie, the picknic packages are highly reccomended for the selection and price. Will make this a stop anytime we are downtown.

Sarah Tarantino

He called me muppet too. I guess he insults anyone who gives a negative review and then deletes it because he's a coward.

Stephen Gwyn

Very, very good house made charcuterie. A small, but well chosen selection of cheeses. But the service, though friendly, is slooow. Don't go if you're hungry. Do go if you plan to be hungry in the future.

John Savage

Great cheeses, pate, meats and, OMG, scotch eggs.

Michael Grieves

I visit John every few weeks and always find his knowledge, selection, and guidance to be first class.

Jess White

These people went above and beyond. Amazing meat and cheese platters that were carefully curated. Excellent customer service. We have used Bull & Sons for many events and they always outdo themselves.

phatkix

Amazing place with loads of selection. Kind enough to offer multiple samples of which I purchased some of each type. Left with a huge sack of delicious meats and cheeses and a delightful bonus baguette and chunk of smoked blue cheese. A+! Will be back again soon. Thank you.

David Screech

I went there this morning at 11.00 am sharp as that is when they open. The front door was wide open but the gate was closed. I pushed the gate and the owner shouted at me " We are closed". I waited outside until 11.10 when he decided to open. He completely ignored me and greeted another customer who was actually waiting behind me. I was looking for a very specific meat pie that they had listed on their website. I asked the owner if they had them and to say he was rude would be the understatement of the century. He called me a "nobhead" for trying to come in when the gate was only semi ajar. He was openly hostile, nasty, and rude.And I did nothing to deserve his vitriol. I would stay away at all costs. And their website is highly misleading, the selection is very poor.

Rob F

Was excited to get good pate downtown and planned to include this in a charcuterie night for friends. Unfortunately the pate tasted off and, although it was bought on the same day, it already looked and smelled like it was going bad and so could not be served. Very disappointed. In response to the owners reply: Calling your customer a liar is petty low. My review and experience is 100% genuine.

Gerard ODonnell

This place is something special. If you like bleu, then "Humboldt fog", a minty melt-in-your-mouth gets my highest recommendation, followed closely by Shropshire bleu. Both are brilliant additions to your wine-and-cheese evening. Humboldt fog is a goat cheese, though I can't taste that it's a goat cheese! An amazing cheese.

No Duffers

My son and daughter ordered me a platter of meats and cheeses for Mother’s Day. It was absolutely insanely good. The quality of the various meats and cheese was unbelievable. There were pickles and dried cranberries and walnuts which we were confused about until we realized they were provided to cut through the delicious richness. Absolutely top notch.

Nomi

I was going to leave the 1-star rating and not write anything but since the owner wrote back such a rude reply, I posted so you can see for yourself how bitter this man is. Edit: he deleted his reply but he called me a "muppet" after I gave a star review. Have fun at this place!

Darcy Wood

The guys that took this place over definitely improved on the quality. the meats are made and smoked in house, I haven't had a bad recommendation yet . I wish they could get a few more tables outside , get a license to sell BC wine with my charcuterie board

Leanne S

This place was a part of a food tour my partner and I were on. Being a vegetarian I didn't expect to love this place the most. Amazing experience!