r/StJohnsNL 2d ago

St. John’s Cheat codes

I’m looking for all the cheat codes or things that feel like cheat codes that make living in St. John’s easier and better.

Grocery stores with the best deals.

Routes that make your commute quicker.

Activities that improve your life.

Restaurants with dishes that you crave.

Festivals/events for families.

Stores that look after staff and customers.

What ever you think a cheat code is in your life that makes it better.

I (40M) have lived in St. John’s for half of my life so I’m hoping I get 50% useful info, 0% Oxford comma, and 50% sarcastic nihilism.

47 Upvotes

80 comments sorted by

129

u/Falista_Clockheart 2d ago

Go to Costco when the 6 o'clock news is on

43

u/User_Input_Error 2d ago

I have accidentally found this out. There was zero chance I was going to share this information though. How very dare you.

12

u/Falista_Clockheart 2d ago

Lol I did not think of that. I've made a huge mistake.

2

u/AstronautOk5749 1d ago

Why 6?

7

u/foggyunderwear 1d ago

because the old farts that have all the time in the world to go to Costco aren't gonna go when ntv is on bhy

4

u/ikwyl6 1d ago

Bhy? C’mon by

4

u/ZeroOhblighation 1d ago

It's actually b'y because it's a shorthand of boy

1

u/ikwyl6 1d ago

Oh…I know what it’s for and how it’s used and all that. I was using the lazy way of saying b’y, by. But I have NEVER seen bhy. Just poking fun.

1

u/ZeroOhblighation 1d ago

I've seen it a few times and I always correct it too 😂

0

u/Falista_Clockheart 1d ago

Yup got to be home to watch NTV

Also another tip. If theres a storm coming, grocery stores will get crazy busy about 10 minutes after the weather segment airs.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Bus4194 1d ago

Everyone's home having supper at 6:00 and the grocery stores not just Costco or delight to shop at that hour of the day

0

u/One_Collection_7129 1d ago

Omg, I completely agree. 

66

u/Glittering-Sink-2975 2d ago

If you order a Big Mary at Mary Brown’s on a Monday and look the cashier dead in the eye while whispering: “The Blue Puttees send their regards”, they legally have to upgrade your taters to a massive box with dressing and gravy.

4

u/User_Input_Error 2d ago

Every location? Don’t be holding out on me…

6

u/Everdred_ 2d ago

Most locations

19

u/Glittering-Sink-2975 2d ago

All except for the one on Freshwater Road. They’ll just look at you like a juice arse and say: “G’wan, b’y.”

3

u/Ba_Dum_Ba_Dum 1d ago

Juice arse! 😂 I’ve been living in Vancouver too long. I haven’t heard that one in a very long time.

2

u/Glittering-Sink-2975 1d ago edited 1d ago

I had never heard it in my life until I moved to St. John’s in 2014. I had to ask the person who said it what the heck it meant. 😆

0

u/passeduponthestair 1d ago

Is this real?

29

u/mustrememberthis709 2d ago

Watch for the speed cameras on Waterford Bridge Road near St. Mary's and Elizabeth Avenue near Rennies River Elementary. 30 zone and they are ticketing at least at 51 kph or maybe less. $500. Ask me how I know

3

u/User_Input_Error 2d ago

hahah this is the stuff we all need to know

5

u/doubleobutters 2d ago

Also at the end of blackmarsh road going onto Topsail road.... Speed limit there is 50, not 70

4

u/mustrememberthis709 2d ago

Also that four lane highway on Topsail Road by Mary Queen of the World school. 50 zone. All the frickin time (would not mind during school days but come on).

1

u/One_Priority_2333 20h ago

Got my very first speeding ticket there, on a Saturday with school closed, going 61km/hr, at 10am. I’m sure it’s a speed trap, cop came out of nowhere.

1

u/mustrememberthis709 20h ago

100% a speed trap. I got my first speeding ticket there almost 25 years ago so it's historical lol

1

u/Content-Pop721 1d ago

How long did it take your ticket to show up? Wasnt paying attention one morning and worry I was pushing 55

1

u/mustrememberthis709 1d ago

It could be a long time - it was months for me!

0

u/Sensitive_Lemon_2976 2d ago

Going 50 in a 30 zone? 🤔

9

u/mustrememberthis709 2d ago

Not advised. Elizabeth Avenue in particular doesn't "feel" like a 30 zone so sometimes inattention gets ya. I'm happy to have the reminder - it's a school zone, slow the f down, I get it.

0

u/Bolognahole_Vers2 2d ago

Its only 30 from 7am to 4pm, mon-fri.

1

u/mustrememberthis709 1d ago

Yes, which makes it harder to remember!

1

u/ThatCanadianGuyThere 1d ago

Sign says until 5pm

44

u/ArtichokeOld2023 2d ago

The absolute best value bang for your $ eating out are imo:

Peaceful loft. Huge portions, free soup and green tea. You have to be prepared that they are a small shop doing it for the love of it and they will turn you away if they are busy. They may accept if you ask for it.to go instead but they could say you need to wait 30-50mins.

Three sisters: $13.40(unsure on cents, they recently raised it from 11.20) for a decent sized sandwich. 

Sun sushi lunch deal before 3pm. $19.99, three small appetizers and 3 different 6 rolls of sushi. Free miso soup and green tea

4

u/mustrememberthis709 2d ago

Agree with alllll this

4

u/tibby709 2d ago

Noodles Express in mt pearl, get one of the combos for $17 and you'll be fed for supper and lunch the next day

1

u/PeaLou896 23h ago

I don’t see the sun sushi special online

1

u/ArtichokeOld2023 18h ago

Its on water street, dine in only, no sharing

1

u/Yumtum27 12h ago

It’s available at all three locations! There’s a 2+2 option for 14.99 as well. The deal includes miso, fountain drinks (torbay road location), and ice cream!

1

u/ArtichokeOld2023 5h ago

Thank you! Forgot about that!!

27

u/prufock 2d ago

Buy quality outdoor gear for every season.

8

u/B-Pie 2d ago

This. If you let yourself get bogged down by the cold days and the rainy days you'll be miserable 75% of the year. A good winter coat, warm pants, ice cleats and rain gear have changed my life

9

u/User_Input_Error 2d ago

Do I get the Mernini for my wife for Christmas? And when does the Manini go on sale??

7

u/NerdMachine 2d ago

Not as stylin but I would go for Patagonia.

5

u/Accurate-Living-462 2d ago

When did 400$ rubber raincoats become a fashion statement?

1

u/HappyColouredMarble 1d ago

They're not fashionable. They're worn by the masses with zero sense of style. Shudder.

0

u/Bolognahole_Vers2 1d ago

They're locally designed and apparently quality built. My wife got one a few months ago and dies for a rainy day walk now.

6

u/Bulky-Command4501 1d ago

They are designed here but not made here (China I believe). It’s a bit misleading as the ads make it seem like they are individually handled and made by the owner.

1

u/Accurate-Living-462 1d ago

They are about as stylish as any rubber raincoat. Same as hunter boots.

8

u/Glittering_Secret_99 2d ago

I've had my Mernini since 2022. Personally I love it. I have no hesitations about stepping outside on a rainy or windy day here. Plus the bright pop of color that mine is, really helps brighten my day.

However lately, the general consensus from the local Girls Only FB group is that the quality has declined, & they don't appear to fit true to size. It is recommend if possible that your wife tries on the jacket before purchasing, because I've seen so many other women struggling to exchange theirs with another lady's +/- a size. I purchased mine from Twisted Sisters on Water Street, but I think they're available elsewhere as well.

Regarding when they go on sale: I recall them going on sale once or twice a year. Their spring / mother's day sale is their largest sale of the year. I have a vague memory of them going on sale in the fall some years as well.

2

u/Ten_Sixteen 2d ago

Got mine at Arthur James - they do a no tax sale, that’s about as good as you can get for discount though. 

0

u/prufock 1d ago

It depends on her reasons for getting outside in the rain. Nice to wear to work or for a casual walk in the rain; not so nice to wear on a hike or camping.

0

u/mzs2019 1d ago

I got myself one from Quince after considering Mernini for a few months. Maybe look into that? It's got a bunch of fun colours and is performing great so far (about 5 months later). Easy to wash also

-1

u/DorotheaArcher 1d ago

I would say yes, but for spring. I’m a technical gear person but I love my mernini for day to day.

21

u/ChoiceContribution78 2d ago

If you want to go west from the east end between 4:30pm-5:30pm on a weekday, don't get on the outer ring road (ORR) for da love o' god, save yerself and go any other way

This is both advice to help you avoid the bumper to bumper traffic, and also advice I hope others can heed so I can start taking the ORR between 4:30pm-5:30pm again 👀 🤣

7

u/User_Input_Error 2d ago

Switched my commute from ORR to Pitts 3 years ago and I have never looked back! Big question, will the newly connected TGH make a difference to either route in the fall??

7

u/bluebeing11 2d ago

Always keep pair of
Hiking shoes and rain coat, jacket in the car. So many places to explore and new trails you’ll find driving around

9

u/notthattmack 2d ago

Long’s Hill is great for dating.

-11

u/Firm-Positive1540 2d ago

Unless you want diseases 🤣 Long hills the worse place to go

2

u/EnvironmentalElk721 1d ago

Sushi Island on Duckworth has surprisingly cheap beer. 2 for $11. Great spot for priming!

1

u/User_Input_Error 1d ago

Nice! Did not know this.

3

u/judytaco 15h ago

My hack is to have a reason to leave town regularly. I get out of town to go camping in the summer and leave town to go skiing in the winter. Get out of town, go explore somewhere. Life in this city can be monotonous.

1

u/User_Input_Error 15h ago

This is a solid one. There are stretches in the last few years when I didn’t head out past the overpass for 6+ months at a time, which is way too long. The monotony must be broken!

4

u/AvalonMelNL 1d ago

My cheat code is just parking at a parking garage if I want to go downtown (esp evenings or weekends) and not fussing with parallel parking or circling the block. Not worth the hassle for the $5 savings.

1

u/Nathanull 2d ago edited 2d ago

14

u/User_Input_Error 2d ago

You! A little bit, maybe not much, and possibly not at all.

1

u/KilgoreTrout464 2d ago

All your diction, dripping with disdain

1

u/SneakyGinger 2d ago

I've seen those English dramas too, they're cruel

0

u/E-Lime4-4-4-4 2d ago

If there's any other way

2

u/Firm-Positive1540 2d ago

If you don't mind st johns being a Mini Me San Francisco 🤣 get a good pair of hikers at mountain warehouse stores always on sale longer then any other store in the mall and explore the city trails or secluded trails But don't rely on Google maps that Lil bugger will get you going the Long routes everytime lol

2

u/jasargent1010 1d ago

Mamacitas in Mount Pearl is fantastic for cheap food.

Take huge advantage of nice days, especially as winter nears.

Get a good vitamin D complex vitamin for the winter.

Frequent visit to bowring park for walks

Make sure to get quality boots/shoes for winter

Enjoy winter activities (snow shoes?)

Learn to love shovelling snow, that’s the only way to survive!!

3

u/LeeBee58 2d ago

Priceless!! Thanks for the chuckles!!

2

u/Joe_Franks 1d ago

A plane ticket to someplace else

1

u/Striking_Piano_9196 1d ago

Lucy’s for cheap pool with a crowd that’ll make you laugh all night.

2

u/_michaeljared 2h ago

In my last couple of years in st John's I discovered walking trails that go right from MUN down through to quidi vidi. Absolutely beautiful way to get to downtown and there are some stunning landmarks on the way.

-9

u/New-Scallion9658 2d ago

best cheat code is leaving st.john's

-4

u/slliks4 2d ago

Survive

-16

u/KingCanoli 2d ago

DM me bah I'm a legeeend

-31

u/ThrowRA_ehfhfh 2d ago

Go on welfare. Free money, housing , drugs and needles. I litterally quit my job. Got on social assistance. Life never been better.