We used to end up at Joe’s Grill on 4th out of desperation. The lineup at Sophies was halfway down the block and the servers at Hell’s Kitchen weren’t quite awake enough to know that it was opening time. Sheer laziness often prevented us from venturing much further and we’d wander on into Joe’s.

The decor is nothing fancy. In fact, there’s no illusion that they even tried. You seat yourself here, but the tables turn quickly. The service is also fast, and you’ll never have to wait too long, even on busy days.

The food at Joe’s is always decent. In fact, everything about this place is routine. If you are tired or hungover on a Saturday morning this place is actually blissful. There are no flashing lights or loud music, and the clientele is definitely less see-and-be-seen than most places in the neighbourhood. You’re in good company in your sweatpants, even if they aren’t lululemon.

For $4.95 you can get a good heaping plate of eggs, vinegary hasbrowns, and toast. Breakfasts like the Ranchero (eggs, black beans, salsa, and cheese served in a deep fried tortilla bowl) are slightly cheaper than at Sophies or Hells Kitchen and are just as good. The coffee is decent and plentiful.

If it’s character or feng shui you are after, there are numerous cute breakfast spots in Kits, and they are definitely worth the walk. Joe’s Grill seems inspired by the great restaurants in curling rinks or forgotten strip malls, and I’m fine with that. So long as my toast is buttered and my coffee refilled, I’ll keep coming back to Joe’s.

Address:
2061 W 4th Ave
Vancouver, BC
604-736-6588

Urbanspoon Says:

One of the last great theme diners in Vancouver The Tomahawk Barbeque is a native themed restaurant built in the 20s. The food is classic diner fare turned amazing!

One item on the menu, the “Skookum Chief” is a burger with not only a patty and cheese between its buns, but also an egg, bacon, a hot dog wiener, lettuce, a dill pickle, mayonnaise, tomato, onion and relish! All on a burger, served with fries!

The Tomahawk Barbecue has an old fashioned diner atmosphere with walls painted with native murals. The wooden rafters are filled with old artifacts that the restaurant traded with natives for food in their early years and colouful totem poles stand out front.

While eating at The Tomahawk one cannot forget to wear the ‘traditional headdresses’. Think of those Burger King crowns, but with paper feathers! Its true! Disposable paper headdresses & amazingly huge meals for a fair price all inside a classic theme diner from the 20s! It really does exist, and the best part is, it’s largely undiscovered by tourists, so it feels just like a neighborhood diner!

I have been there with large parties on several occasions and they were very accommodating. The one down side is that from Downtown Vancouver it does involve going over a bridge. Once in North Van though, it is not hard to find and definitely worth it!

Hours:

Sun. – Thurs. 8 am – 9 pm
Fri. – Sat. 8 am – 10 pm
Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Address:

1550 Philip Avenue
Vancouver, BC
604-988-2612

Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe in Kits is one of those places that you can’t help but keep going back to. I don’t live in Kits, but I make the commute from Yaletown routinely in order to taste the sublime diet busting grease.

Sophies, which is located on 4th Avenue (right before Arbutus) is usually packed to the brim. Mid day, mid week, & pouring rain? Expect a line! Fret not, they are open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the prices are fairly cheap.

The building sports a cute patio that looks right out onto 4th and is open, weather permitting. The small restaurant manages to pack in 65 seats and the walls, ceiling, shelves are packed to the hilt with knickknacks galore. It’s full to the brim with trinkets and memorabilia and all sorts of wild and wonderful stuff. It’s exactly the kind of eccentric spot you can’t help but love.

And now, for the food. Well, it’s damn good, especially when smothered with their special hot sauce (yes, you can buy a bottle to take home). And the portions are huge. I’m a tough judge on portions, as my eyes are always about a plus size bigger than my stomach, and I can safely assure you that you will NOT be disapointed. The coffee is fresh & free flowin’ and the waitstaff are just as cute and quirky as the restaurant itself.

So, all I can really say is make the trek, whether it be five minutes or fifty. If you are looking for something a little lighter and grease free, they have some good diet friendly options. However, Sophie’s is the kind of place that was made to break your diet. I say, indulge! Just walk it off with a window shoping stroll along 4th Avenue or a wander along the seawall a few blocks away.

Address:

2095 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC

They keep your cup topped up no matter how busy they are. The java is the kind of watery diner blend that Sunday mornings are made of.

Hamburger Mary’s is a step up from your average diner, but still maintains that 1950s style charm- with added flair. Unlike the restaurant chain in the USA, there is no buxom woman in a wig to serve you dinner here; our server, not a bad looking chap, was far less flamboyant.

You can get typical diner fare here- although some of it has been adapted to west-coast tastes (vegetarian options, etc.) and it’s some of the best as well. Good burgers here, although I wasn’t too fond of the barbeque sauce. If you’re like me, and appreciate a good strawberry milkshake, this is absolutely the place to be- we actually ordered another.

Hamburger Mary’s is located at Davie and Bute in the West End, and is a neighbourhood fixture.

Address:

1202 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC
(604) 687-1293

One of the most disappointing things about living in Yaletown is the lack of great casual places to grab a bite. Sure there are a select few, but I need selection damnit! While there’s no shortage of ‘fabulous’ hot-spots where you can fill stomach and empty your wallet, most of them feel somewhat the same, and are packed with the same hummer loving set day in and day out.

Recently a new place opened, called Diner, right in the heart of Yaletown (1269 Hamilton). It’s lofty, airy, modern, and homey all at the same time, and is the perfect answer to Yaletown’s glaring lack of casual restaurants.

The first thing to note is the coffee. I enjoy a fine cup of java every now and then, and whatever the heck they serve at Diner is some of the best. They serve it up bodum style, and it’s enough to keep you going from day until night if need be. Why didn’t I discover this stuff during college?

Diner is known for, oddly enough, both their desserts and their meatloaf. While after a heaping portion of their meatloaf I’ll doubt you’ll still have room for anything else, but it’s worth coming back time and time again, because everything on the menu is damn good. I also especially dig their breakfast. Try the big hungry man breakfast and it comes with eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, toast, and yes, a waffle too.

Diner’s décor is nothing too special, but you don’t want it to be. And the service is bad, just as it should be. Expect to wait far too long, be ignored far too often, and not have your order exactly how you requested it. This is a ‘diner’ after all .. You’ve got to throw your expectations out the window and expect a little side of moodiness with whatever you order.

There are no apologies here. The menu is written haphazardly on the wall on huge chalkboards and mirrors, and the design is somewhat minimalist. Lots of hardwood and chrome. It’s Yaletown’s tongue and cheek approach to truck stop and I dig it.

Address:

1269 Hamilton
Vancouver, BC
604-444-4855

Note: As of 2007 Diner is now closed. Tear.

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