Northern cafe and grill

It is somewhat hidden above a hardware store in South Vancouver on a lumber yard near the banks of the Fraser River, northern cafe and grill. A narrow staircase can be found at East Kent Avenue South that customers have been climbing for over 60 years so they can plop into red vinyl booths and dig into classic diner eats. The boom has been bolstered by online reviews that started drawing tourists to the tucked-away spot.

Just what does it take to be named the absolute top must-try restaurant in all of Canada? If you are the family behind a humble South Vancouver diner that's been around since the baby boom, it certainly takes a lot of heart. And you'll find this beloved breakfast and lunch spot in a most unusual location, to boot. Dating back to , Northern is one of the city's oldest restaurants still in operation, and judging by its enduring popularity, it's easy to see how it has sustained its reputation as a staple for "greasy spoon" eats and a bit of Chinese fare, too. This is a major industrial area, and the very definition of "off the beaten path" as far as urban eateries go; that's because the modest diner is perched on a second level in an old building tucked inside a lumber yard. Once you pick your way gingerly through the dirt and puddles, the scent of fresh-cut lumber gives way to the distinct aroma of breakfast foods on the grill. After hanging a right and pushing open a plain door, the grunts and beeps of lumberyard vehicles fade as Beatles and Sintatra tunes fill the space.

Northern cafe and grill

And yet the tottering Chinese Canadian restaurant, with its red vinyl booths and mismatched porcelain mugs, is so busy on a weekday morning that a scattered line forms between pickup trucks and forklifts. The rickety structure of the eatery, which sits above a hardware store, holds the unlikely honour of being the best place to dine in Canada, according to the restaurant review site Yelp. But the Mahs, who initially bought the decrepit Northern Cafe as a way of relieving the boredom of retirement, are also able to draw on the expertise of their son Raymond, a former head chef with stints at a number of hotels, who joined them four years ago. Like many Chinese immigrant families, the Mahs have a long history in the restaurant business. Jimmy emigrated from Hong Kong in his teens in the s, joining his family in Saskatchewan, where both his father and grandfather were working in restaurants. He and Connie eventually made their way west, managing and owning a string of restaurants and food court franchises in Vancouver themselves, where their own children helped out. This model, replicated for generations in countless restaurants across the country, requires that first-generation immigrants start a business, with the hopes of handing new opportunities to their children, said Ann Hui, a reporter with the Globe and Mail and author of Chop Suey Nation. But with the Mah family, things are different. They have that choice. Many of the early immigrant-run restaurants in Canadian small towns and large cities initially served familiar diner-style food. Because throughout the history of these Chinese Canadian cafes and restaurants, a big theme has been the idea of consistency and of replication. Other than experimenting with the occasional new dish, Raymond says he has little interest in departing from the staples his family have perfected over the years. This is a menu my dad created. Photograph: Courtesy Vancouver Northern Cafe.

Northern Burger Bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, fried onion. Photograph: Courtesy Vancouver Northern Cafe.

Made with 3 eggs and American cheese. Mashed plantain topped with fried onions. Served with choice of 3 sides: salami, queso fried cheese , longaniza sausage , huevos eggs. Extra side may be added for an additional charge. Ham, turkey or chicken. Choice of BBQ, hot or plain. Served with marinara sauce.

It is somewhat hidden above a hardware store in South Vancouver on a lumber yard near the banks of the Fraser River. A narrow staircase can be found at East Kent Avenue South that customers have been climbing for over 60 years so they can plop into red vinyl booths and dig into classic diner eats. The boom has been bolstered by online reviews that started drawing tourists to the tucked-away spot. The Mahs serve classic diner favourites like pancakes and burgers, as well as Asian cuisine including homemade wontons and barbecue pork. And the diner is a true family affair since Jimmy and Connie's son, Raymond Mah, joined the team. Raymond Mah worked as a chef in Vancouver for 18 years before coming over to the Northern to help his parents with the business.

Northern cafe and grill

That's the motto of Northern Cafe, which was recently named the top place to eat in Canada by review site Yelp. A narrow staircase can be found at East Kent Ave. South that customers have been climbing for over 60 years so they can plop into red vinyl booths and dig into classic diner eats. The diner opened in to feed workers in the area. Jimmy Mah and his wife Connie took over the business in The Mahs serve diner favourites like pancakes and burgers, as well as Asian cuisine including homemade wontons and barbecue pork.

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Potstickers 6 pieces. This model, replicated for generations in countless restaurants across the country, requires that first-generation immigrants start a business, with the hopes of handing new opportunities to their children, said Ann Hui, a reporter with the Globe and Mail and author of Chop Suey Nation. In addition to the all-day breakfast, Northern is serving up burgers and sandwiches and Chinese staples, like wonton soup, chow mein, and combo plates featuring sweet and sour or dry garlic pork. The crooked floors, the old diner design, and the classic tunes all add up to a vibe that can't be manufactured - not with this kind of pure authenticity. After hanging a right and pushing open a plain door, the grunts and beeps of lumberyard vehicles fade as Beatles and Sintatra tunes fill the space. The elder Mr. Limonada Lemonade. Mofonguitos Fried plantain cups stuffed with your choice of meat covered with mozzarella cheese. They aren't kidding when they say "our house is your house," on their website - it just feels like a cozy home. Pollo Mofonguito Chicken. The food is simple, hearty, and unfussy. The rickety structure of the eatery, which sits above a hardware store, holds the unlikely honour of being the best place to dine in Canada, according to the restaurant review site Yelp. Fresh Teas F1.

Just what does it take to be named the absolute top must-try restaurant in all of Canada?

Spinach and cheese. Texan Burger Bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, egg. Mixta Quesadilla Mixed beef and chicken. The rickety structure of the eatery, which sits above a hardware store, holds the unlikely honour of being the best place to dine in Canada, according to the restaurant review site Yelp. For the up-to-date menu and pricing information, please contact the restaurant directly. If you are the family behind a humble South Vancouver diner that's been around since the baby boom, it certainly takes a lot of heart. PT on Saturday and is closed Sundays. Res Yaroa Beef. Mapo Tofu Served with a side of rice. Fried Chicken Wings 6 pieces.