R 'n' R Diner - Classic Peninsula Diner

The R 'n' R Diner in Central Saanich may have a modern setting on the outside - but it's all classic in the inside. From the food to the decor to the old-fashioned service (the latter being: on-the-ball, whip-smart & fast).

The outside is actually a little unassuming....

But the diner part comes thru loud and clear as soon as you step in the door. Maybe it's the stools at the counter...

Red Wagon Diner - circle this wagon and attack

The Red Wagon Restaurant in Vancouver has been popular since, well, pretty much the day it opened. No surprise then that Guy Fieri and his TV show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (Triple D's to the fans) made a stop at the restaurant to film an episode.  But if you don't have Guy's credentials, you may have to time your visit based on how long you want to wait for a table (we hit it on a Friday, so we expected a line; a Tuesday? Maybe not so much...). But, as they say, it's worth the wait.

We arrived at the Red Wagon and, after putting our name on the wait-list, strolled a bit of East Hastings to bide some time - and it's an interesting area - great stores and food shops abound. On our return (and hearing our name called), we saddled up to two stools at the counter (and a front row seat to the bustling kitchen)…

Over Easy Breakfast (YYC) - boxed happiness

I was recently in Calgary, the home of the Stampede and, as I soon found out, amazing breakfast joints (those Calgarians take their brunches as seriously as we do here on the coast). By some accommodation fairy luck, my friends and I found ourselves within three short blocks of 3 of Calgary's great breakfast places.

Our timing wasn't the greatest on our first morning out - but after carefully strategizing the second morning, we found ourselves tucked into Over Easy Breakfast (OEB) in the NE.

OEB on Edmonton Trail NE + light dusting of snow.

The retro-inspired interior is bright, fun & comfortable. There's a communal table that runs down the middle and individual tables around the perimeter. Look up and check out.....

Paul's Drive-In Restaurant - Summertime Fun

**it appears right now that Paul's is not operating the Drive-In :-(
- but even if the carhops aren't there, the good food is....maybe you can talk them into bringing it out to your car on a tray from the restaurant....

Paul’s Motor Inn on Douglas Street has transformed their front parking lot for the summer into Paul’s Drive-In. What’s better than a great diner burger? Eating it from a tray clipped to your car window! Whether having dinner like this will bring back memories or make a new one – it’s definitely fun.

They have classic drive-in fare: burgers, hot dogs, BLT’s, fish & chips, plus a kids menu including grilled cheese & chicken fingers. From the fountain (as in soda) there are milkshakes, floats, sundaes, pies and more.

The drive-in is open for business Friday nights and all day Saturday and Sunday. Flags stretched across the parking lot mark off the drive-in and the sizable menu is posted right on the building.

And one of the best parts of it all?....

Paul's Restaurant - Breakfast with a side of Victoria history

Paul’s Restaurant (at Paul's Motor Inn) on Douglas Street (between Discovery & Chatham) is definitely a Victoria institution. You probably know someone (or maybe it’s you) who remembers when you would see the who’s who of Victoria at Paul’s (and if they weren't there, they were at the Princess Mary). The hours may have changed (not 24/7 anymore) and locations (the Finalyson/Douglas one is no more), but the classic booths and diner meals haven’t.

Three of us dropped in for breakfast on a recent Sunday (one of us had never been, one hadn’t been in decades and one was there the day before!). The booths are built in a u-shape around the service area and kitchen opening. They have openings on both sides – so the waitress can easily serve and clear. Love it.

Classic side booth access for the waitress.

Then we ordered-up some breakfast...

Refiner Diner - trucking in good food

Update (May 2014)
Unfortunately the Refiner Diner Food Truck is no more :-(
But....I saw it being reimagined as a new food truck....currently parked in the same space (beside Shatterbox Coffee on Yates St.).
I'll be waiting to visit them when they open.



Food-trucks - I love 'em.

Wish we had more of them here in Victoria - and hopefully, one day, zoning and permit requirements will allow more of these fun and interesting mobile kitchens in town.  Talk to anyone about a great food-truck scene and Portland is usually the first answer (and it's fabulous - the worst part is having to make a choice from so many when you have limited meals while in town).  We may not get to that point in Victoria - but a few more around the garden city would be awesome.

...but I'm loving the ones we have already.

We finally had a chance to try Refiner Diner.  They have recently moved to their new location at 950 Yates St, nestled up to Shatterbox coffee (across from the London Drugs complex).

Look for the diner-sign...

The truck is tucked in from the street...