IHOP is like Denny’s melancholy older brother. Both serve up the same greasy breakfast fare, but IHOP feels just a little bit more depressing somehow. I suppose it’s due to the lack of claw toy machines in the lobby.

Located at 5137 Kingsway, just East of Metrotown, IHOP #0311 in Burnaby is much like any of the other IHOP franchises I’ve visited. It’s the kind of place that I find myself when I can’t think of anywhere more exciting to dine. There is absolutely nothing remarkable about the Kingsway IHOP.

Saddled off a big commercial strip on Kingsway, this IHOP is clean, drab, and has ample parking. The wait staff are pleasant, and save time by dropping off a big thermos of coffee on your table rather than coming back to refill it. You have to hand it to IHOP – they know breakfast. The food comes fast, and the syrup is already on your table (yes, all four varieties of it). When you are ready to pay, just pay at the front counter- don’t bother waiting around for your server to coddle you. On weekends, every ounce of efficiency helps, as this place gets packed.

Menu selections at IHOP are far from exciting. While the kids menu does feature a pancake with a large happy face on it – other items simply leave nothing to the imagination, and dinner and lunch specials such as the “Breast of Chicken” or “Tantalizing T–Bone” are best avoided.

Pancake plates don’t come cheap – most cost upwards of $10 with tax and tip, and portions aren’t exceptional. What your meal lacks in pancake quantity, it certainly makes up for in whipped topping. My plate sported a fine hat of whipped white stuff larger than a baseball. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it.

There’s always some sort of good deal going on at IHOP. Usually if you come early enough there’s a $2 special. You’ll also be able to rub elbows with a lively assortment of aged local characters that hit up the ‘HOP early.

Address:
IHOP (International House of Pancakes)
5137 Kingsway (Royal Oak & Kingsway),
Burnaby BC
(604) 451-5557

www.ihop.com

I’ve never been a particularly big fan of A&W. Their heartwarming commercials make me kind of uncomfortable and their chicken burgers always taste somewhat raw. However, those frosted mugs filled to the brim with creamy, icy, rootbeer keep me from giving up on this chain completely.

There are ample A&Ws in Vancouver. None seem to be particularly well cared for, including the A&W at the corner of Broadway and Commericial. Nestled into the skytrain station this locale is always busy, and is a host to all sorts of neighborhood characters.

If you have your heart settled on chowing down on a Papa Burger, this is not the most welcoming A&W to spend your time in. I’ve seen more than a few fights break out here and the location tends to be dirty. Simply put, this ain’t no destination A&W.

Address:

1715 E Broadway
The HUB Transit Station
Broadway & Commericial Skytrain
Vancouver, BC

http://www.aw.ca/

The main reason I like going to see a show a the Scotiabank Theatre is because of the food. While most theatres have the usual selection of processed cheese soaked nachos and xxl boxes of junior mints, this location serves up fro yo, burritos, burgers, and even bubble tea. I’m certain it’s the lighting or industrial design that makes me so hungry, but I don’t ask questions, I just eat.

There are three floors to this complex, and both the second and third serve food. Both levels house the usual popcorn-nacho-soft-drink stations, however on the second floor you’ll find a glistening foot court. There’s ample seating, an arcade, and usually a life sized cardboard cutout of your favourite action hero to take your photo beside.

TBCY, Burger King, KFC, & Taco Bell are all located on the second floor. And while most items cost a lot more than if you were to buy them down the street and smuggle them in, there are still good deals to be found. A large, fibre packed bean burrito at Taco Bell will only set you back a twoonie, and it’s an ample meal. Large popcorn and drinks have free refills, so buy one and share. Another good bet is the kids pack.

The Scotiabank Theatre is sorely missing a slush machine and the requisite overpriced candy dispenser. However, the bubble tea booth makes up for all this. It’s like they took the overpriced candy and jammed it into the frozen, creamy goodness of bubble tea slush. It tastes good and leaves you feeling mildly cultured.

If you were roped into seeing a film that involves Keanu Reeves as a romantic lead, there’s a Starbucks outside on the first floor.

There is pay parking under the theatre, as well as a few great restaurants and bars nearby, just in case that tub of parkay popcorn didn’t already burst your belt.

Address:

900 Burrard St.
Vancouver, BC
604-630-1407

“Milestones?” you ask. “But isn’t it a chain?” Yes, it is- but they do a better job of it here in Yaletown than elsewhere. Abandon whatever conceptions of this place you had prior to visiting the Hamilton St. location (such as those established in the airport), as they’re not entirely accurate.

Now bear in mind this is still Milestone’s, not Lumiere, but it’s a good experience for those looking to enjoy some good appys, a few drinks, or a casual meal.

The interior is kind of dark, but in a good way with a sleek, private and calm feel. The service there is very good, and very knowledgeable in the way of wines. We were happy to find that our server could give us the run down on a number of wines produced in BC. With a bottle of Chardonnay as a start, we ordered something involving tuna and a spring roll- two items that I no longer believe are on the menu.

The food was delicious and satisfying, but not overly memorable. It was something to pick at over conversation and fill the hunger void in a semi-sophisticated way. We did enjoy our wine, and the atmosphere was conducive to our discussion, relaxing, and ultimately our mild inebriation. I will look back fondly on Milestone’s as it suited the occasion (or lack thereof) well.

One last word of advice, if you are there do indulge in a bellini or six, ask for the ‘Fish Bowl’ bellini. It feels like five or six or seven bellinis for the price of two. Share with friends!

Address:

1109 Hamilton Street
Vancouver, BC
(604) 684-9111

A thought that pervades most when thinking about food courts is that once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. In the case of Metrotown, I’ll admit that this is true- but only to an extent.

The fact is the Metrotown food court (and if you live in Vancouver and go shopping it’s likely you’ve been here- I’m not sure why we’re reviewing it, actually) is a very grand food court- far grander than the food courts of other malls in BC. I’ve not ventured to West Edmonton Mall, but I imagine that it too is grand.

At the Metrotown Food Court there is magic in the air, and not because The Disney Store up the way is playing its music too loudly. There is magic because there is selection. If you want it- it’s bound to be there. Now you can’t be unreasonable and seek out something like sturgeon roe on melba toast, but if you’re in the mood for, say, Thai, you can have Thai food as there’s bound to be a Thai kiosk. There is also a Korean place. It’s quite something, actually.

I enjoyed some splendid calamari on Caesar (yet another restaurant with Caesar salad- and even less forgivable because it was Greek!) from Opa!, which is, in my opinion, probably the greatest fast food joint known to man. Yet, had I wanted to indulge more internationally, I could have had some sushi, paired with the calamari. Screw the fusion trend- just order two dishes; it’s not like you have to walk far. If you would like to revert back to the standard, thumb sucking comfort of the known, you can always go to A&W or Burger King. A step up in the adventure: Arby’s (there’s so much beef!).

Address:

604-4720 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
604-438-4700

The best and the most happening Denny’s in all of Vancouver is the one located at the corner of Burrard and Smithe. You can’t miss it — it’s right across from the Scotiabank Theatre. On most morning’s Denny’s is packed — but the service is fast and you’ll get a table and your food in no time flat. We usually visit on Saturday morning, because we know that Jason will be our server, and he’ll let us order off the kids menu and make a zillion substitutions because we are cheap.

Denny’s is not necessarily a cheap option for breakfast, but if you do it right it can be. First things first, ask for a kids menu. At breakfast our eyes are usually A LOT bigger than our stomachs, and the kids menu offers some similar options, with smaller, portions (although not THAT much smaller), and a heck of a smaller price tag. I usually order the Kids Grand Slam, which comes with bacon, sausage, eggs and three silver dollar pancakes. It’s just over three bucks! You can’t make that kind of food at home for that price .. and if you can it takes way too much effort.

Also, check out the kids lunch and dinner options, they have a great selection — even a Thanksgiving Dinner all year round. Take THAT steamrollers.

Another way to save big is to mix and match side dishes .. don’t get roped into buying that whole elaborate pancake meal when all you really want are some flapjacks and syrup. Those are on the side dish menu, for half the price.

In summary, for a greasy Saturday morning brunch, Denny’s has got you covered. You can go there and know exactly what to expect. Sure they don’t have the kind of atmosphere you might find at a place like Melriches, but they’ve got one of those dollar-claw machines in the lobby, so it more than makes up for it!

Address:

101-888 Burrard (across from the Scotiabank theatre)
Vancouver, BC

No one has ever died from Chocolate*, which is why this restaurant (which only sells chocolate dishes by the way) is able to be so coy in its name selection. If someone wrote “Death by Nut Allergens”, then there would be some rebranding in order.

Upon entering this restaurant on Broadway (one of a few throughout the lower mainland) I thought to myself, “I should be so lucky as to die from chocolate” however, upon eating the chocolate there, I reconsidered- slightly.

Death by Chocolate boasts that it is “the ultimate dessert destination”. I take no issue with this claim. Some might- if they’re in the mood for fruit salad. There were three of us, and for this reason we ordered four desserts. These items (there are thirty) are all quite rich as they are made with a calorie laden substance known as chocolate. We sat at our table near the back of the restaurant – in great anticipation of the food we had heard so much about. I was, I’m sorry to say, a little disappointed.

Perhaps its because my expectations had been built up unrealistically over the years. Perhaps it was because my cake was dry, and the chocolate quality wasn’t really that great. It dawned on me then and there that perhaps Death by Chocolate was not the be all and end all of chocolate desserts, that is was more a restaurant notable for the sheer range of chocolate selections and the fact that chocolate was in every item. It didn’t matter that I could have gotten my cake at Earl’s for the same price. I have decided that I need to revisit- and reevaluate though. Because, as I look at the website and the pictures of the dishes served, I find myself salivating a little.

*The editorial staff at Vancouvereatsout.com do not stand by this wild assumption.

Address:

1598 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
(604) 730 – 2462

Would it be so sick if one of my all time favourite restaurants in Vancouver happened to be a Taco Time? I’m not afraid to admit it, the Taco Time on Granville street at Smithe is no ordinary Taco Time. It’s a Taco Time Cantina, and with those additional three syllables comes a world of added flavour and atmosphere. I kid you not. The Cantina on Granville Street rocks most severely.

From the outside Cantina looks like nothing more than a rundown Granville strip cafe. However, if you venture inside you will find a spacious dining environment. This is no dingy / neon Taco Time kind of a place. Here you’ll find Mexican music playing, photos and sombreros on the wall, and even a flat screen tv that often blasts old Chuck Norris movies.

The staff is helpful, friendly and fun. After visiting only a few times they knew my order and whipped it up with style. I have to comment, for a fast food style restaurant, they have some of the most amazing staff I have ever encountered. Props to them.

While the food may be your standard Taco Time fare, they put it on a plate and give you lots of extras. Maybe the staff are bored, or maybe just generous, but you’ll never go hungry. Also, try and hit it up on Tuesday, as the tacos are cheap, cheap, cheap.

Of all the items on the menu, the Mexi-Fries deluxe are the best. Imagine tater tots covered in cheese and salsa and sour cream and beef and vegetables. It’s a heart attack induced heaven.

If all of this wasn’t enough, outside they have a great patio and they serve beer. Imagine a busy Vancouver night, prime seating on Granville, with nachos in one hand and beer in the other. Does life get any better?

Address:

911 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC
604-801-6692