Where to go for cheap eats in Vancouver
It’s often the case that dining at top restaurants comes at high prices, which is why most people appreciate a good, inexpensive meal. When Georgia Straight staffers surveyed over 100 chefs and restaurateurs for our Golden Plate awards, we asked them to name the best place for cheap eats in Metro Vancouver, and there was no shortage of answers.
First place was tied between Malaysian eatery Hawker’s Delight and sandwich shop Meat & Bread.
Second place was also a tie between Northern Chinese restaurant Peaceful and Vietnamese chain Thai Son.
Third place was a 10-way tie that included the following diners, takeout spots, and noodle shops:
Au Petit Café
Phnom Penh
Mamalee Malaysian Delight
Gyoza King
Marutama Ramen
Hokkaido Santouka Ramen
Hons Wun-Tun House
Save On Meats
La Taqueria
Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna
Here is a further taste of restaurants, sorted by type, that industry insiders picked for best cheap eats.
Italian
Nook
Pizzeria Farina
Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé
Other European
Bestie
Fritz European Fry House
Bodega on Main
Chinese
Congee Noodle House
Legendary Noodle House
Lin Chinese Cuisine and Tea House
Sunlock Garden Restaurant
Japanese
Hamaei Japanese Restaurant
Kintaro Ramen
Momo Sushi
Zakkushi
Other Asian
Chau Veggie Express
East Is East
Laksa King
Longtail Kitchen
Noodlebox
Pho Goodness
The Union
Latin American
Guanaco Truck
Rinconcito Salvadoreno
Sal y Limon
Other
Argo Café
Babylon Café
Burgoo
Cactus Club Cafe
Local Public Eatery
Tractor Foods
Comments
20 Comments
Eddy Hardy
Mar 13, 2014 at 6:11pm
The Cactus Club may be a lot of things, but 'cheap' isn't one of them. What dumba$$ submitted that one?
DM
Mar 13, 2014 at 10:41pm
Burgoo is overpriced comfort food. I wouldn't use "best" or "cheap" to describe Cactus Club. La Bodega isn't cheap, it's delicious - but not cheap. The Union doesn't fall under the "cheap" category either. This is a terrible list, I'm curious to know which chefs contributed to this.
I would replace those places with Ba Le Deli, Pad Thai Cuisine, Canteen Mitra, Cazba, Pho Thai Hoa and House of Dosa.
SlightlyBroozed
Mar 14, 2014 at 7:01am
Cheap and food should never be spoken in the same sentence. Cheap means either mass produced single origin plants and animals OR over-produced plants and animals served by an underpaid human. Save your the money… make it yourself using the best quality food you can afford.
I Agree
Mar 14, 2014 at 9:01am
With Hawkers Delight. 70% of these other places are definitely not cheap. Meat and Bread is $10 for a sandwich! Sciue? Cactus Club? Burgoo? Really?!! These "industry insiders" must be bankers, or lawyers, on the side. I'm wondering who put this list together?
A. MacInnis
Mar 14, 2014 at 9:06am
For cheap Indian food, you cannot beat Crave India on Granville at Nelson, just down from Megabite. VERY spicy for a hole-in-the-wall, but very TASTY, too, and they have fresh naan and very low prices (two can eat for under $20 if you plan it right). Their butter chicken is a favourite, they do a nice fish dish... the lamb is tasty but a bit heavy/ oily, so it stays with you... the veggie curry is great but tends to be the hottest thing they have, so vegetarians should be prepared to follow it up with a lassi! Good samosas too. Best cheap eats in Vancouver, if you ask me...
'taint cheap
Mar 14, 2014 at 1:52pm
RE: Burgoo - I had a quick lunchtime soup and beer for 30 bones. Thats some rich chowder and $5 biscuit.
S B
Mar 14, 2014 at 2:16pm
Wow, this is a really bad example of 'cheap eats' in Vancouver. Almost none of these places are cheap.
L.B.
Mar 14, 2014 at 2:21pm
Cheap??? I agree with the other comments that these places are most definitely not the cheapest around, nor the best. I, and most other Vancouverites, could name a dozen better options off the top of my head (and not of the fast food or chain restaurant type).
where??
Mar 14, 2014 at 6:18pm
Cheap food in Vancouver is like affordable housing. If you can afford the house, it's affordable just like the food.
No "The Dime" at 5 bucks a pop either. This list is food for white collar elite plain and simple.
hahaha
Mar 14, 2014 at 10:15pm
that list ain't no good. but I won't tell you where the good is. because then y'all will go there and it will be busier and they'll up the prices. you lose suckas!