Vancouver Good

Now, I don’t have a problem with chain restaurants per se. They are just uninspiring to me. Food is always fine, but nothing memorable.

However, they are useful in many cases:

• Dining with picky eaters
• Big groups (and you need a room and kitchen that can handle the group)
• Late dinners – you know they are open
• When you too are feeling uninspired and want some decent grub
• When you don’t know what’s good in the area and want something tried, tested, and true

The chain restaurants in Vancouver are quite dominant and in all areas. No matter where you are, you’ll see one of the following chain restaurants. Here is how I would rank them, and why.

1. Earl’s Restaurants

A few years ago when Michael Noble became Executive Chef of Earl’s, the food was noticeably better. After Noble left, the food has stagnated a little, but I still find Earl’s the best chain restaurant for food. Favourites include: Thai green curry bowl (yes, really), roasted beet and spinach salad, Mediterranean linguini, and the famous pan bread with good olive oil and balsamic.

2.. Cactus Club Cafe Restauarnts

Cactus Club is the singles bar of all these chain restaurants. I find the decor annoying and the menu over-priced. . . even if Rob Feenie is your food architect. But, the food is pretty good overall. They just opened this huge and beautiful location downtown in the financial district. Have the westcoast pocket, a yummy take on sushi.

3. Brown’s Social House

Brown’s has been opening in many locations over the past couple years and it is growing on me a lot. They have a good range of bar food and healthy options. I can have a hamburger, or an omega-3 bowl with a salad and grilled fish.

4. Joeys Restaurants

I’ll be up front. The last time I ate at Joeys was about 8 years ago in Coquitlam because my friend was a waitress there. But I am going to take an educated guess and put them at number 4. I’m planning to go there soon to re-affirm this ranking.

5. Milestone’s Restuarnts

I remember my younger days when my friends and I would go to Milestone’s and have their spinach and artichoke dip with the famous Milestone’s Bellini. My problem with the place now? It is still exactly the same! Even chains need to change things up!  That said, the dip IS good, they do a solid brunch menu, and their beef dip is decadent and tasty (blue cheese, fried onions, curly fries!).

6. White Spot Restaurants

This is a chain in British Columbia and Alberta. I don’t know why, but people really have a thing for White Spot hamburgers. And the kids love the pirate packs. Food is okay for lunch and they always are changing up feature menus with famous local chefs.

7. Moxie’s Classic Grill

Great service, nice room, and cool bathrooms! I have meetings at the Moxie’s on Broadway regularly. Food is okay, but I prefer the above chains myself.

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Did I miss any major chains? There are places like Boston Pizza, Ricky’s, and Kelsey’s I suppose, but I wouldn’t put them in the same group as the above restaurants, which all (except for maybe White Spot) target a simialr clientele. I’ll continue to update this list as the chain restaurant scene grows.