Justin ReynoldsKensington, VancouverSince December 20, 20103 Reviews
(3.9)- Food
(4) - Service
(3.7) - Value
(4.3) - Ambiance (3.7)
Do a search below using the city or postal code search box if your city is not listed above.
Get dining news including restaurant closures and qualify for giveaways.
(3.9) (4) (3.7) (4.3) (3.7)This White Spot has been one of my family's haunts for as long as I can consciously remember being. It is in the middle price range, more or less the most typical dining experience you can get. It's not explicitly offering cheap as dirt food like McDonalds or Burger King, but it's not overly classly and exclusive like the Cannery or Tojos.
I am not what one might call a seasoned restaurateur however from what I have experienced in Vancouver I would say White Spot is a sort of non-glorified, few-frills Cactus Club, definitely without the quality of washrooms.
However, for a great place you can take your family and depend upon for consistency all across the board, this particular White Spot is great. About 5-8 years ago the restaurant underwent a major renovation that upped the ambiance from diner to diner-pub. They added a new seating style along with horse-shoe black leather seats in a special bar section. Over all though, this place has changed little.
The waiters are the same and still remember us. There's the Indian lady who is co-manager, the guy with the ponytail who is manager, as well as favourites like Justin and Nick, both of whom are gay.
Among White spots this place is great. They always top off the milkshake with an extra tin of more milkshake, the service is never more than half an hour from entrance to meal, and hey, there's a reason White Spot has become a franchise, eh?
Personally here are the most frequently ordered dishes by me and my clan:
Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Veronica Salad, Legends Burger, Bacon Burger, Milkshakes, Mountain Madness, Pirate Packs, Chicken Pot Pie (when they have it), Yam Fries, and loads more.
Bons has resided on Broadway as long as I can remember, and it has really been an anchor while things around there have changed. The fact is, Bons must have some miracle farmer who can make free food because ever since he's opened up the all day Breakfast hasn't raised a cent in price.
Whatever you might say about the service or the lines, you can't argue that this is because of how popular his joint is. I don't know how he makes any money on the breakfast but one thing is for sure with free coffee refills and a 3 dollar breakfast you really can't go wrong.
When I first came to the place I thought the atmosphere was a little off base what with the movie posters and customer created (but never washed off) pencil/marker graffiti, however like everybody else I've learned to love it.
As a word of caution, don't go in expecting that the other food will be as exceptional or of the same value, it isn't. If you try ordering the lobster for example, don't expect to eat within the next hour, because Bon's operates by having all the cooks ready to make the Breakfasts and the Specials, and maybe a few other popular dishes, and if you order something like Sweet and Sour Pork your not going to get your food very quickly.
However, there is one undeniable fact you can't alter, Bon's has the absolute, non-negotiable best breakfast in town for this price. I recommend you stop in there, but chances are you already have.
I grew up in Vancouver and this is one restaurant which neither crunched the bills nor left the kids hungry or dissatisfied. Our clan has been there so many times over the last 20 years that the waitresses know us by name and ask about how many kids are there and always respond in surprise when we tell them one more.
To me, this restaurant is more than a cheap place to get greasy Chinese cuisine, it's like a magical ship that takes you on a voyage where the crew is always the same and the galleys meals are as good as always. There are waiters who have been there for 20 years!
As most other reviews here have said, don't go in expecting the Cannery, Tojo's, or Bishop's, because you won't get it. This is a restaurant where the food is cheap and wholesome and filling. You can feed your whole tribe on Chinese here and it will cost you less than if you were to make it at home. Sure the washrooms are unsanitary and the floors aren't clean, but this is a classic Vancouver joint.
It's one of those places that has been around, seen a lot, and can still bring that classic, sleazy Vancouver magic to the table. There are few vegetarian or diet options other than water and tea, however the food is really good bang for your buck. Since I've been going there the prices haven't changed. The food is still the same and they still give me free soda even though my childhood days are behind me. A few of my favourites are:
Wonton Soup, Hot and Sour Soup, Chicken Fried Rice, Sweet and Sour Pork, Lemon Chicken, Egg Rolls
To conclude, if you want a place where the price is right, the people are nice, and the food is great for those who don't mind fattening up, go to On Lok, (we call it On Loks) Best Chinese anywhere.
