Are restaurant delivery services a good thing for Whitehorse?

Good morning!

I measure the arrival of spring based on a grey cat in our neighbourhood.

It’s an outdoor tabby, and for most of the winter, he disappears, likely back to his family’s home. But as the weather improves, that sun slowly starts to heat up outside, and he returns, slinking around the neighbourhood. For me that’s how I know spring is truly here.

That’s not the only animal leaving its den. Bears should soon start appearing. Luckily they don’t stalk around the neighbourhood as much as the cat.

Today’s big story was sparked by a Facebook post I saw on social media. It has to do with delivery fees. I won’t spoil it, so read on to find out.

Let’s get to it!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

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The Yukon Weather Report

BUSINESS

Are restaurant delivery services a good thing for Whitehorse?

What happened: UberEats launched in Whitehorse back in October, bringing the total number of major delivery platforms in the territory to three, alongside Doordash and SkipTheDishes.

But not all restaurants are excited about these apps. Burnt Toast Cafe has been promoting a social media post highlighting the costs of delivery services and how Whitehorse residents might be charged an additional 30% on their orders.

• The post raises questions for Whitehorse residents. Are residents aware of these delivery fees? What’s the impact on local restaurants? And does it matter that all these companies are foreign when everyone is embracing Buy Canada?

The problem: As the owner of La Cara, Phil Chan, told the Lookout over email, most restaurants make around 10 per cent profits, maybe 15 per cent if they’re doing well. He noted that popular delivery companies charge 20-30 per cent commissions on orders, along with delivery fees, so restaurants have to raise their prices to make the service worth using and profitable.

• Phil also noted that the delivery drivers don’t work for the restaurant, so if something happens during the delivery, the restaurant takes the blame, but they have no control over the food’s transportation.

Megan Breen, general manager of Burnt Toast Cafe, echoed those concerns to the Lookout. “On top of [the commission], they often encourage businesses to spend even more on advertising within the app just to get visibility. Without paying for that extra promotion, it’s tough to get any meaningful volume of orders. It just doesn’t make sense for small, independent businesses like ours.”

Uber noted in an email to the Lookout that discovery was a big part of the app, helping restaurants attract new customers, though in their response they did not mention anything about advertising. Based on their different tiered plans, to get any sort of discoverability beyond searching a restaurant’s name, you’d need their Plus or Premium tier plans which charge 25 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. Their lowest priced tier starts at 20 per cent.

Both Megan, and Steven Clapp who is co-owner of Smoke and Sow, do not use the apps, explaining that they are not interested in passing on these additional costs to customers, given how expensive everything has become.

Then there’s also the added hit on a restaurant's brand. Steven noted that “We feel it may reflect poorly on us rather than the company itself” if the costs were to rise to cover the delivery fees.

Balancing customer needs: There are of course benefits for local restaurants. Logistics, delivery drivers, and sorting through orders, managing a deliver system puts additional stress on businesses. Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine owner Gurlovleen Singh Sindhu, in a quote provided by Uber, said using UberEats offered “more convenient service right to our customers’ door” and “an opportunity to reach more customers.”

Customers have also become habituated to ordering online with a press of a few buttons. As Phil from La Cara explained, “It's a new way of ordering that doesn't seem to be slowing down, so if you want to reach the customers in other/new ways, this is one of them”

• Smoke and Sow only offers takeout, while Burnt Toast offers both pick-up and delivery.

With prices rising everywhere, restaurants are keenly aware of how difficult it is for customers to afford meals. 

“I wish everyone in the public could understand how much it pains restaurant owners that food costs continue to rise ever and ever higher. We want our food to be affordable and approachable for everyone and feel we will soon be at a point where eating at a restaurant will again be for just those who can afford it,” said Clapp. 

Other issues: It’s not just restaurants that are feeling the squeeze. Part of the delivery model for these companies is using gig workers, not employees, meaning the companies don’t have to supply workers with benefits or a steady paycheck, saving them costs. On the flip side, it gives those workers more flexibility to set their own schedules. 

Buy Canadian?: With the tariff threat from the US, more Canadians are embracing Canadian-only goods. For the major delivery apps, there’s no real alternative in Whitehorse. Doordash and UberEats are both American-based companies, while SkipTheDishes was Canadian, but was purchased by the Dutch-based company Just Eat Takeaway.com.

• Uber noted that they have over 180,000 drivers on their app, with 500 staff in their downtown Toronto office.

What people can do: There’s a surprisingly simple solution if you’re worried about prices — order from the restaurant directly. “It's 100% better for us if customers come directly to us. When there's a middle person (massively sized companies at that), they're going to want their share, and it's not cheap,” said Phil. 

Not every restaurant offers delivery. And given the popularity of the apps, people seem fine paying extra for the convenience.

While many people may value the convenience of apps, Megan told the Lookout that the response from the community to their Facebook post has been positive, and “lots of locals appreciate the transparency and have made an effort to come in and support us directly.”

What you can do: A simple solution to buying local, saving some money helping local restaurants is to call up the place before you order online to see if they offer delivery. It’ll end up being cheaper to order from them, and you’re keeping your money in the local economy. 

YUKON NUMBERS

⚡️ 25: The number of years Yukon Energy’s license for Whitehorse’s hydroelectric dam may be renewed for. Both the territorial and federal governments acknowledge that the dam continues to pose problems for fish such as Chinook. [CBC]

NEW JOBS

Discover a new job in the Yukon:

• Restaurant server, bartender and prep cook, Eagle Plains Hotel, Eagle Plains

• Project coordinator, Parsons Corporation in Whitehorse

• Family support worker, Teslin Tlingit Council in Teslin

• Tire technician, Kal Tire in Whitehorse

• Senior financial analyst, City of Whitehorse

HOME OF THE WEEK

Large family? Small family but need space from your kids? Then this home is for you.

Located over in Copper Ridge, this is big. Real big. With six bedrooms, four bathrooms and 3,376 square feet of living space, you could go hours without seeing anyone! There’s a big deck, a bathroom with in-floor heating, and an in-law suite potential. I could keep writing but it would this way too long.

How much will it set you back? It’s not cheap, but also not bad for the size

THE AGENDA

❌ Rest in Peace to the Dawson City ice bridge. As of April 7, 7:230 am, it is no longer passable. 

🏢 The Yukon government has bought the building next to the Whitehorse emergency shelter, the former home of Duffy’s pet store. The price was $650,000, and the government says they plan to allow a group to run support service from the property, but there were few other details provided. The emergency shelter has been a spot of controversy for those around the area. [CBC]

🅿️ Could parking become more expensive? Well, not parking per se, but if you’re a serial I’ll-only-be-gone-for-a-moment vehicle parker, you should be aware that parking tickets could rise to $50 if council approves a proposal from city staff. Metered times could also change to 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday. [Yukon News]

🛰️ Last Friday the Yukon government announced Phase 2 of their tariff response, by ending rebates on Telsa through the Good Energy program, reviewing Starlink contracts and ending communication on Twitter. 

🛣️ Whitehorse is keeping a close eye on the escarpment on Robert Service Way for potential slides. Slope scanners are being used to monitor the area for any movement. [CBC]

✅ The city is reminding ATV driers that their usage is now permitted on multi-use trails in the city until Oct. 31. Only those with a registered ATV can use them in the city. 

🚤 The Lake Labarge boat launch will be closed on April 17 for replacement. It’s expected to reopen when camping season begins. 

Disclosure: In the interest of transparency, please note that my partner works for the Yukon government.

Refer a friend, get a prize!

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Panda Panda’s soup will transport you straight to Taiwan

The broth hit my mouth. Images of my trip to Taiwan rushed into my head. A small noodle shop, sweaty humid air, a light breeze swaying the red and gold lanterns in the street. It all came rushing back.

Was I daydreaming? Did I hit my head? No, I was simply eating soup from Panda Panda Noodle House. 

To say the Whitehorse restaurant, located at 4121 4 Ave, has nailed everything that makes Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup great, would be an understatement.

The unassuming spot serves what can only be described as truly authentic Taiwain noodle soups. It’s easily one of the best I’ve had, better than almost anything I’ve slurped up in Canada and comparable to the soups I had in Taipei.

Many ethnic restaurants in towns like Whitehorse, and across Canada, can replicate the flavours of their home country’s cooking, but rarely do they match it. 

Panda Panda is an exception. First, let’s start with the broth. Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup broth tends to be sweeter than you’d expect, made from a combination of Doubanjiang bean paste, sugar, soy sauce, and spices like star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. 

Panda Panda’s hit all the right notes. It’s robust, dark and hearty, with a hint of sweetness. It’s something you’d love to drink on a cold dark, day. I found myself tipping the bowl back to my mouth, trying to catch every drop. 

The noodles themselves are cooked well. They appear to be freshly made and have that density you’d expect. The beef breaks apart easily as you bite it, a sure sign it’s been braised for the right amount of time. Plus, the number of beef chucks included is more than generous. 

Beside the soup, Panda Panda’s mapu tofu, a Szechuan concoction of bean paste, meat, chilis and tofu is another outstanding dish, bursting with that signature sweet flavour that makes it so popular around the world. It could’ve used a bit more spice, but I understand that not everyone wants to temporarily black out from the heat.

The problem with spring rolls is usually with the deep frying. Restaurants overdo them too often until their a deep-fried crunchy husk. Panda Panda’s veggie spring rolls weren’t overdone, but maybe slightly underdone. Still, it’s a good example of how they taste better when not overcooked.

If you’re looking to explore different Chinese food besides the standard kung pao chicken or dim sum items, Panda Panda is both delicious and authentic. We’re lucky to have it here.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Is it a wolf? A dog? No, it’s definitely a wolf. This and around 6-8 other wolves caught on one of the Yukon wildlife cameras in February were likely on the hunt for an elk nearby. 

EVENTS

Whitehorse

Celebration of Swans | Swan Haven Interpretive Centre | Until Apr. 30, weekdays 5-8 pm, and weekends from 12-7 pm | Over 20 different free events | Learn more

Home Works: Fences, Decks and Retaining Walls | Canada Games Centre | Apr. 15, 6 pm | Get the info you need to do your own landscaping project | $35

National Canadian Film Day | Yukon Cinema | Apr. 10-17 | Discover Canadian films all week long | More info

Community Barn Dance | Church of the Northern Apostles | Apr. 12, 7:30 pm | Live music with fiddle, piano, banjo and base, with contra and square dancing

Yukon Fish & Game Association Wild Game Banquet & Fundraiser | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | Apr. 19, 5:30 pm | Live music with Justin Sutton & North of 49, along with local celebrity chef Chris Irving | Tickets $160

The Most Eggcellent Easter Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt | Yukon Wildlife Preserve | Apr. 19, 11 am-5 pm | All-day scavenger hunt, use the clues to find prizes | Learn more

Mexican Themed Cooking Classes | Takhini Arena Mezzanine | Apr. 23, 5 pm | Learn how to make Mexican food, for kids 12-15 | Tickets $15

An Evening of Geopolitics with Chris Kilford | Yukonstruct | Apr. 23, 5 pm-7 pm | Hear from expert Dr. Chris Kilford as he discusses international relations and security challenges | Tickets $17

Alpine Club of Canada Yukon AGM | Winterlong Brewing Co. | Apr. 29, 7 pm | Programming updates, financials and updates on club backcountry hut | Free

Kitchen Party 2.0 | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | May 3, 6 pm | Eat and dance the night away with music and silent auction | Tickets $107

Recreation Expo 2025 | Canada Games Centre | May 4, 11 am-4 pm | Learn more information from recreation and sporting clubs | Free

Yukon Brewing Ball Hockey Tournament | Takhini Broomball Area | May 10, 9 am | 3×3 plus goalie games, coed tournament with many games! | $250 for team

2025 Indoor Community Garage Sale | Canada Games Centre | May 10, 11-4:30 | Come by and sell your goods or find some treasures

Marsh Lake Madness Triathlon | Jul. 1 | A normal triathlon, but with paddling instead of swimming! | Learn more

Dawson City

Supervolley | Robert Service School | Apr. 17, 6 pm | Come by and play volleyball, for anyone 13+

Haines Junction

Easter Market | Convention Centre | Apr. 20, 2-4 pm | Reserve a table for $10, come and sell your products! | More info

Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre | June 6-8 | Come enjoy bluegrass music all weekend long | Tickets $195

Carcross

Compass 2025: TIA Yukon’s Tourism Spring Conference | Haa Shagóon Hídi | Apr. 24-25 | Workshops and events on sustainable tourism practices | Tickets $350+

Augusto! Children’s Festival | Aug. 8-10 | Learn more

Atlin

2025 Atlin Arts & Music Festival | Tarahne Provincial Park | July 11-13 | Come see over 30 bands, visual artists, films and more! | Tickets $186

Other

Skagway Spring Festival | Multiple locations in Skagway | Apr. 18-20

Have an event or a community announcement? Submit it here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Front country campsites are officially open for booking throughout the territory!

Non-profits can now apply to the territory’s Spring Litter Clean-uo campaign to earn extra money. Applications are due by May 1. 

The Haines Junction Thrift Store is accepting donations, and you can come shopping on Thursdays.  

Need some good new music from the Yukon? Redditors put together a handy list. 

Be careful around Jake’s Corner where highway 1 and 8 meet. There’s been multiple caribou-vehicle collisions in the area. Same goes for the entire Southern Lakes area

Got some bear track photos? You could win a prize courtesy of Yukon Wildlife Viewing. 

The Slush Cup looked like an absolute blast!

THE YUKON WORDLE

Think you can guess this week’s Yukon Wordle? It has something to do with the changing weather. Play it here.