IQALUIT
If you’re looking for lunch in Yellowknife’s Kam Lake industrial park, you don’t have look further than Elena Rauch’s Starvin Marvin Bistro.

Elena Rauch, right, and her son Vitaly Nikiforov are the culinary team behind Starvin Marvin Bistro in Kam Lake on June 7. The Russian and Canadian food trailer is located beside Commercial-NDS Ltd. - Walter Strong/NNSL Photo

The mobile food stand is next to Commercial-NDS Ltd., serving up Russian and Canadian hot and cold lunches from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. five days a week.

Starvin Marvin has been open for a little over three weeks now.

“People are starting to know me out here,” Rauch said. “Every day, there’s somebody new.”

The heart of Rauch’s menu are Slavic staples like borscht, uha (fish soup), and twists on homeland classics like the Starvin Marvin roll, a rice paper wrap of seasoned burger mix, rice and veggies. Burgers and sandwiches are also on offer, with daily specials.

“I wanted to introduce people to Russian foods,” Rauch said. “We have different meals most days.”

Downtown Yellowknife has its share of mobile lunch trailers. Rauch didn’t want to throw herself into that mix, but saw an opportunity in Kam Lake.

“People work here but there’s nothing for them,” Rauch said. “If you come here you can eat fast and relax the rest of your lunch break.”

Rauch came to Yellowknife five years ago from Anadyr, a small city of about 14,000 on Russia’s north east coast. Located roughly as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska, Rauch said Yellowknife winters haven’t been an issue for her.

“The climate is the same but colder in Anadyr,” Rauch said. “Big difference is there’s no trees (there) and lots of tundra.”

If a visit to Russia isn’t on your radar, you can still get a taste of Russia at Starvin Marvin Bistro.

“But don’t be scared, come visit Russia sometime,” Rauch added.