Noshwellmenu

[rating:3]

There doesn’t seem to be as many mom and pop diners around Vancouver anymore. I suppose it’s hard to compete with international chains like Denny’s that offer huge portions at rock bottom prices — but the mom and pop diners often have that little bit of history; that bit of personality that makes it an interesting dining experience.

Tre and I have been going to the Victoria Diner for years. The Diner is what we’ve always called it, but I guess it’s really called the Victoria Restaurant; originally the Western Food Cafe — the name was never really that important because everyone in the neighborhood knew it was here.

The diner is located on (surprise, surprise) Victoria Drive, just north of 49th avenue. It’s a tiny hole in the wall where a lot of seniors and young families like to hang out. The food is cheap. You can still get a complete breakfast which is eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns and toast for just $4.95 (that’s a whole dollar increase in the last 5 or so years). Tre usually gets that since they’re the only ones who get eggs over easy right. I usually get the turkey sandwich on brown with fries which is also $4.95. The turkey sandwich is decent, although not great. All the food tastes home cooked and the portions are good. It’s the only place where you can still get coffee for a buck and change and still get refills.

This diner used to be owned by this lady who some referred to as the Seat Nazi. Basically, if all you wanted was coffee and no meal — no seat for you; or at least, no booth seat for you. Off to the front counter you went. She had a take no shit attitude which I kind of liked. Although she seemed to have a permanent grumpy temperment, she was always nice to me for some reason. Years later, she developed a leg injury and the business was sold to the current owners who are really nice hard working people. I have to admit, I was sad to see her go — although I may have been one of the few. Usually, I don’t take to people who are mean but I thought she was an unique lady and I liked that.

One of the mainstays of western-style diners that are run by Chinese immigrants, is their Chinese menu. However, we don’t eat it. Sorry — can’t tell you if it’s good or not. We come for the eggs and coffee.

Normally, we don’t like hanging out with retirement crowd, but it’s a nice quiet place where you can come and talk or read the paper while grabbing a quick bite to eat.

The owners are friendly people who are just trying to make a living and you can tell they enjoy doing it. If you’re ever near the area, drop by and grab a bite. Give your support to locally owned run mom and pop diners. With all the condo developments and big chain restaurants, pretty soon there won’t be any more of these neighborhood spots and that would suck.

The Details

6482 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
604.325.2412

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