Vancouver Good

Certain restaurants in Vancouver are known for their line-ups. And when people see the line-ups, they figure it must be great so they get in line, then others do the same, and before you  know it? A line up down the block!

Most restaurants are not worth that wait. Some are. Here’s what I think:

WORTH THE LINE UP

Vij’s Restaurant, 1480 W. 11th @ Granville), South Granville ‘hood – I have friends who have never been to Vij’s because they hate the fact they can’t make a reservation and they hate the idea of waiting.

Well, it can suck but at least everyone waits equally. I have mentioned my love for Rangoli before (Vij’s cheaper casual/take-out sister restaurant) and I do go to Rangoli more because it’s an “everyday” place with less waiting. But when I want a night out, Vij’s is perfect. Last time I was at Vij’s, we took a seat outside in the sun, ordered a bottle of wine, and my friends and I chatted while the Vij’s staff passed around lots of yummy appetizers like pakoras or the addictive cassava fries. Our wait was long, like 2 hours (it was Friday night), but it was lovely. And the excellent dinner we ate made me forget about the wait.

That said, if you really want to limit your wait, go on a weekday evening, late. I arrived at 9:30 on a weekday once and waited 15 minutes.

Anton’s Pasta Bar, 4260 Hastings St in Burnaby -Anton’s is totally NOT my place. I find the pasta overcooked, seasoning bland, and it’s pretty much a “whatever” to me. BUT, Anton’s isn’t for me. Anton’s is for people that want big portions and a carb overload, and they deliver. I was expecting big the first them I went, but the portion was double/triple my expectation. It’s big. So if you want big, wait in line with the others. I’ll be at La Buca, Campagnolo, or La Quercia. To each their own!

SOMETIMES WORTH THE LINE UP

The Naam, 2724 W. 4th (@ Stephens), Kitsilano ‘hood -  A 24 hour vegetarian restaurant with a huge menu including burgers, soups, noodle dishes, and salads. The Naam’s miso gravy is so famous they’ve bottled it and is available in many local grocery stores. I can’t say it is worth the line-up most times, but when it’s late at night and your options are fast food, Denny’s, and the Naam…I’m going to the Naam no matter how long the line up is.

NOT WORTH THE LINE UP

Toshi Sushi, 181 E. 16th (@ Main), Mount Pleasant /Main St. ‘hood – I’ve been to Toshi several times and it’s good. Good menu and fresh sushi for a very good price.  But 1 hour lineups? Come on! There are so many good sushi places at a similar price range that I have much better things to do with an hour wait. I have friends that live a block away from Toshi and they don’t go because it’s not worth the line-up. They cannot even order take-out some evenings because the restaurant is too busy (they order from Zipang up the street at Main & 23rd, fyi).  Bottom line: Good sushi, good prices, long wait. Not worth it if you have a long wait.

Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe, 2095 W. 4th Ave (@ Arbutus), Kitsilano ‘hood – Sophie’s is a diner style restaurant, with lots of crazy decor and memorabilia on the wall everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I would not want to dust that place. Food is pretty good. They do lots of diner classics, have a big breakfast menu, and do have very good milkshakes. I can’t pick out a standout item though. Yet there is something about this place that draws the crowds and Sophie’s is famous for its weekend brunch line-ups out the door. I never wait. If you do want to check out Sophie’s, weekdays are line-up free, as are evenings.

Stepho’s Greek Taverna, 1124 Davie St (@ Thurlow), West End ‘hood – I lived in the West End for a few years and I will never, never, never, NEVER understand why people flock to Stepho’s. Let’s think about this. Most people order souvlaki when they go for Greek, right? Ok. At all restaurants you get 2 skewers of meat when you order souvlaki, right? Ok. Stepho’s is known for their big portions for small prices. You STILL only get 2 skewers of meat. So you get a little extra rice and potatos? Big freak’in deal. AT $10.95 a meal, it’s not that much cheaper. Still, I can walk by Stepho’s any day of the week as early at 4:30pm to find a line up of people waiting. I will never get it.