- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Connie's Cook House
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
2135 4th Ave WVancouver, BC V6K 1N7
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 738-0980
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 10 pm
Sat 12 pm - 10 pm
Sun 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
43 reviews for Connie's Cook House
Review Highlights
-
"Connie's has the best lunch specials going." In 6 reviews -
"Sweet and sour pork was fresh and crispy and the chicken..." In 4 reviews -
"I love Connie's cod in black bean sauce and I order it..." In 3 reviews
Loading...
43 reviews in English
-
Review from Cash B.
Vancouver, BC
1/27/2012
When: Monday Night (Dinner)
What we got
To Start: Wonton Soup & Shredded Chicken & Corn soup
Both were excellent, refreshing soups that tasted very fresh. This is surprising because usually shredded chicken & corn soup from Chinese restaurants taste very greasy.
For dinner:
Sweet & Sour Pork, General Tso's Chicken, Black Bean Chicken Chow Mein
Wow, this is where this place shines. I guess I had gotten used to microwaved greasy stuff from most Chinese places! This food was fantastic. The pork and General Tso's chicken were very crispy.
The pork and chow mein came loaded with vegetables. However, the General Tso's chicken only had 4-5 pieces of broccoli, which was dissapointing. Still, this place deserves 5 stars for these reasons:
Good Value - lots of food for the price
Not Greasy - I didn't feel sluggish after having eaten a LOT of food.
Great tasting - Usually I love North American style chinese food anyways, but this place is one or two steps above the rest. I loved it! -
Review from Youna C.
Vancouver, BC
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good, value Chinese food w/ 10% discount if you take out & pick-up. Also! They throw in a couple spring rolls if you order more than 30 dollars, always a pleasant bonus.
Needed to pick-up some chow to feed two exam-season-induced hungry girls, as well as to plump ourselves up for an evening of hard-core cheering on of the Canucks. (We won btw!) Ordered the Beef Chow Fun, Yeung Chow Fried Rice, and Chicken w/ Mixed vegetables, and the bill came out to 30 even (with the discount). Most dishes are 10-11 bucks, and the portions are pretty big - between two girls our food is lasting ~two and a half meals.
The rice and chow fun were solid - lots of flavor and pretty fresh, and I'd say their claim for 'Healthy Chinese cooking' sounds about right :) Wasn't a huge fan of their Chicken w/ Mixed veggies though - the veggies didn't quite have the crisp and oomph it needed, and the chicken was a little boring.
Overall, though, pretty impressed, and will definitely take-out again next time! -
Review from Ron P.
Vancouver, BC
2/23/2012
This is the place for Chinese take-out in Kits. Once again, only a block away so pick-up is the plan which gets a 10% discount. Authentic Chinese cuisine in Canada? That is a debate for somebody else.
This is a pretty standard menu but if you were a regular I'm sure you could get items not listed. I stick to my favourite dishes: spicy squid, BBQ duck, mixed vegetables. Eating in is OK too. -
Review from Michael F.
Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC
5/20/2012
If I could rate this any lower I would. Alas, Yelp doesn't provide that option. I decided to order delivery and was greeted by a woman who talked to me like I was inconvenient at best. At first I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt as it's easy to misread someone without seeing one's face. But then she didn't even want to accommodate me,but when I pointed out it (delivery) was a service they specifically offered online she finally caved. When it finally arrived (an hour and a half later) the food was cold, and I found that one of the things I ordered was incorrect (I ordered shanghai noodles with chicken and got pork instead). When I called to complain the woman (same woman I think) explained it was difficult to keep everyone's orders straight. Needless to say I will never go there again, and will recommend to all my friends that they stay away as well. Thanks "Connie". Thanks for nothing.
-
Review from Elena F.
Vancouver, BC
5/20/2012
I have had the worst experience with this company. It's hard for me to describe how violated I felt after the delivery guy took all my cash out of my wallet when he brought the food. When I called earlier to put my oder in, a really rude woman spoke with me and she failed to mention that it's cash only or even ask me for my credit card. She seemed more interested in hanging up the phone than to offer good customer service. I didn't think of it too much at the time, but after an hour of waiting for the food to be delivered to my house just a few blocks away, and having had the guy taking all my money without even counting it and signing a piece of paper to say I only gave him 25 instead of 29, I called the restaurant. The same woman picked up and as I was trying to explain to her the story, she said how much do I want her to charge my credit card!!!!! WTH! I will NEVER go to this place and will make sure to let everyone know about this horrible customer service. And the food was cold!!!!! By the way, I don't think they deserve even a one star!
-
Review from Basia L.
Vancouver, BC
4/27/2012
Connie's is really as good as it gets!
My family has had ALL of our birthdays here since it opened and each time it is better and better. You can bring your own cake for birthdays and use their plates, free of charge.
Helen and Monica (the servers) are very helpful and remember everything we order and even my voice on the phone when I get delivery.
They do not use MSG and everything tastes fresh. If something is not of the menu, they will happily add whatever you want! -
Review from Ellen L.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is Chinese food modified for the Canadian palate (i.e. Caucasian people, :P), similar to say Manchu Wok. Chinese stir fries should emphasize the flavour base, whether it's black bean, fish-flavour (sweet, sour, chilli), kung po, etc. In our stir fry dishes, the flavour base is certainly there, but it's very weak and after a while, it all blends together and tastes more or less the same.
Black Bean Cod was ordered based on the Yelp review highlights. Okay, though the cod batter was very salty.
Spicy (fish flavoured) Eggplant is a stand-by order at most Chinese restaurants I frequent. This one lacked in comparison - the spiciness, sweetness, sourness. But is alright on a stand alone basis.
Satay Chicken was bland, not recommended.
This isn't authentic Chinese, but for what it's worth, I thought the food was well prepared. What it lacked in flavour was made up by the well-cooked vegetables and heaping portions. It was also lighter on the salt and grease compared to some other Chinese restaurants. My order came to $40 after tax and after the nomming rampage of 2 very hungry humans, I still had enough to take home for at least 3 lunches! This is definitely a wallet-friendly healthier option in this part of town, but do come in knowing what to expect. -
Review from Herman E.
11/29/2011
Ghetto style Chinese food.
You're probably wondering why I would even bother with a place like this, me being Asian and having been to soooooo much better. Sometimes when you're desperate, pressed for time and there is no other alternative, you go for what is available. This was available.
Better than one of those diner Chinese and Canadian food places, but I can't say that I would come a runnin' back to Connie's. -
Review from Sarah W.
Vancouver, BC
1/4/2012
Horrible service. There menu lists delivery within 5 kms, when I phoned and tried to place an order, they told me I was too far?! They are located on West 4th and I am downtown, I just knew I wasn't that far from them. So I plugged in both addresses in MapQuest and sure enough, the distance between them and me was 3.6 km. I phoned back and told them that we were within 5 kms that they list on there menu, and she yelled back that delivery man says it's too far. I was having friends over for dinner and our order would have totaled well over 200 dollars but since your driver is too lazy, you have lost a customer all together and I will be sure to pass the word around. Do not order from here, shady business dealings. This makes me wonder on how they must handle there food too....
-
Review from Connie L.
11/14/2011
I love my Chinese cheap, spicy, and light. Connie's does the job. I agree with Mike G that the original location had a more "authentic" feel to it and food some how seemed better. Since their relocation, however, they have developed a better takeout system.
My default order is the Tofu Veggie stir-fry, extra spicy.
In short, Connie is Great. -
Review from Geralyn Y.
6/3/2011
four stars simply for the fact that they were the only chinese food restaurant that I called that would deliver to my hotel. I was a little worried that my food wouldn't get to me- I had already paid with my credit card, so I called back three times. I didn't have a cell phone that I could use, so I was worried that they wouldn't be able to contact me. The lady answering the phone wasn't annoyed by me. I thought I'd have to go downstairs to the front desk to get my food, but the guy actually came to my door.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food considering the average rating is a 3. I thought everything was pretty tasty. I ordered the Blackbean eggplant, steamed dumplings and sesame wings. Echoing what everyone else before me has said, expect to get large portions. The food even tasted good as leftovers, which is hit or miss when it comes to chinese take-out, another plus. -
Review from Hipster C.
Vancouver, BC
7/23/2011
Slap me baby - it can't be real?! An affordable and untprentious food joint on uber trendy and increasingly corporate W. 4th Ave? Slap me again!
Didn't feel like forking over wads of $$$ for yuppy lunch kibble. So I decided on Connie's for lunch. Ordered the Fish with Black Bean sauce for $7.95 and the pieces of fried cod were tasty and came with a HEAP O veggies: zucchini, onions, and peppers. It was so fresh and yummy and not swimming in a sea of grease. Bonus, it came with an appie soup too.
Service was friendly and attentive. My friend and I loved our lunches. Her's was the Chicken with Cashew Stir Fry for $7.25, also good.
Definitley need more of these indy restaurants amongst the ubiquity of corporate retail outifts. Amen. -
Review from Mike G.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011
I have been going to Connie's since it originally opened. It is the best. I would move back to Kits just so that I could once again get delivery from Connie. Unfortunately, such will not happenanytime soon so I am left pining for the szhuewan Ginger beef and salted fish fried rice and longing for the Black Bean Cod.
I would strongly recommend this place for a dinner out, an order in or the best value of all the lunch special! -
Review from Michael L.
Vancouver, BC
5/26/2011
In recent years I have developed a sensitivity to MSG and have not been able to enjoy Chinese food as a result. To my surprise I came across Connie's who uses no MSG in her cooking. I was excited to get to have some good-ol-Chinese food again.
Recommended dishes cod with black bean, spring rolls, and the Singapore noodles. People there are friendly and care about the business.
Thanks Conne! -
Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
4/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
So I hear that David Suzuki lives nearby and comes here a lot.. too bad I didn't see him... when when i walked in with my friend, i was surprised to see that we were the only asian patrons. Thinking to myself, I'm guessing that everyone would venture off to places such as Congee Noodle house or a HK diner to get the food we were going to get here.
We ordered veggies with 3 type mushrooms, meat, seafood and tofu hot pot, and chili wontons. The chili wontons came in a bowl filled with peanut sauce, not what I had expected, and definitely was not spicy.... maybe a pinch but that could have been my imagination. The wontons were very large, I can only wish that they made it themselves, but I highly doubt it.
The veggies were fresh and I love mushrooms to to have 3 different types - including the good traditional large ones is a great treat. The hot pot was meaty with bbq pork, squif, scallop, shrimp and deep fried tofu. All the food was very comforting and reminded me of something mom would make. Nothing tasted overly greasy and the sauce was simple yet tasty. I think that this is one of those places where you would want to go to if you just didn't want to cook, but wanted to eat the same type of food you would get at home.... sometimes it's more satisfying having someone else make it for you. -
Review from Anthony C.
1/22/2011
Even though I'm not generally a huge fan of Chinese food, Connie's hits the spot when the time comes.
I always go for the General Tso's chicken, Cod Filet with Black Bean sauce, Spicy Wontons, and Spring Rolls. All delicious and spicy, this Chinese food won't leave you feeling lightheaded afterwards, nor give you the hangover a few hours later, like most other Chinese food does. With no MSG and a penchant for quality, Connie cooks up some pretty mean cuisine. -
Review from Anthony R.
8/2/2011
I've tried this place for take out on two separate occasions. First I tried the General Tso chicken, which wasn't as tangy and spicey as I'd hoped. Second time around I tried the fried rice (seafood) since I'd read good things about it. It wasn't bad, not greasy like some places. Slightly bland though.
The service for taking orders was fast and I never had to wait long for the food. As someone else stated, three bathrooms are kept clean. -
Review from Brad S.
Vancouver, BC
First time here, for lunch
Extensive list of lunch special options, all come with tea and your choice of soup
Laid back atmosphere, bright and colourful interior
Happy, polite staff and quick service
The whole menu looks quite economic; will be returning for dinner and/or takeout -
Review from alexander s.
Vancouver, BC
10/29/2011
If you're looking for some healthy, cheap Chinese food, there is no place better in Kitsilano than Connie's Cook House. I've been eating their food as a stop gap between work and starvation for months now, ever since I moved in next door. If you know what to choose, you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. Personally, I really like all the noodle varieties, they have not steered me wrong yet. Connie's tends to have the same style of cooking with different types of meat, so the choices are more limited than you first realize, depending on how you could the number of things to eat.
Try the Szechuan Chicken with Green Bean, House Special Curry Beef Flank in Hot Pot, Spicy Minced Beef with Tofu, Chinese Sausage with Snow Peas, or one of my favorites, Malaysia Style Chow Fun. The only things I can complain about is the fried rice and the "vegetable" items. The fried rice is kind of bland, which may be attributed to the fact that it's supposed to be healthy? The items with "vegetable" tacked at the end of their names tend to have giant chunks of vegetables, which ruins the dish for me because I don't like my food dominated by green peppers and onions the size of Alaska.
Other than that, there's nothing quite like Connie's in terms of price and food quality within a 20 k radius. -
Review from Jamie K.
Vancouver, BC
10/26/2011
I love this place and have eaten there every week for years. Connie makes her own wontons from scratch and they are divine. I order a large wonton soup and take the leftover home with some rice to make congee the next day.
The entire menu is wonderfully home cooked entrees that get served piping hot minus grease and no MSG. Favourites are the sweet and sour pork, beef broccoli and black bean sauce, and Shanghai style thick noodle. Lunch specials are fabulous and come with a soup appetizer.
Great value, great food, great service. -
Review from Patrick Q.
Vancouver, BC
10/1/2009
I get a wee bit misty eyed when i talk about how much i love Connies.
Amazing Chinese Szechwan food. i literally ate here two or three times a week for almost a year when i worked along this street. Lunch special is perfect. it is so zen, i would be so relaxed after having lunch there, there is always nice mellow music playing and they had this small little water device that sounded nice.
Super friendly wait staff, and the food would come out so fast i barely had time to sip the tea they always give you.
At the end of the day, the Szechwan Ginger beef and the Szechwan chicken and green been are some of the best things i've ever tasted.
that's how much i love Connies -
Review from Roanna Z.
9/20/2009
I'm not a big fan of Chinese food but Connie's is sweet. We arrived for a late dinner but the place was quite full. You know it's got to be good with so many choices around these parts. The decor is nice too.
Our server was so helpful. There were no language barriers for one, so that was good. For my part trying to explain my diet limitations can be very difficult.
I was assured there is no wheat in the House Special Curry Chicken. (I didn't ask about Gluten, because that would require scanning labels and I didn't want to go there.) But right on the menu and the front window is a "NO MSG" sign. I would recommend asking for less sauce. I did so, and still found it to be heavily laden. Be warned these are large plates. SHARE DISHES or carry it out.
I peeked into the kitchen and saw all the fresh ingredients all lined up and prepped. I was impressed.
It's two hours later and I am not "hungry again" contrary to common beliefs and I also did not get indigestion. So yay for Connie's. -
Review from Kimberley B.
Vancouver, BC
9/21/2010
This is hands down the best Chinese food restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of getting takeout from. I've never dined there as part of the fun with takeout is...taking it out but one day I will.
It is the only Chinese food place that I've ever been to that actually does taste healthy and the delivery staff is pleasant and timely. My favourite is the spicy Szechuan beans. I could exist on those if it wasn't a sodium overload/not balanced diet. Also the rice is always perfectly fluffy. Their chow mein is also delicious and perfectly saucy without being damp or limp. A perfect spot for vegetarians and omnivores alike. I wish Connie would come cook at my house. -
Review from Hipstamatic Foodie B.
Vancouver, BC
5/31/2011
The only place I go for Chinese food. They are FAST! Great food, not too greasy. No MSG. Big portions for a low price. And the taste...probably some of the best Chinese food I have ever had. Great for delivery or eat in.
-
Review from Bruce L.
Vancouver, BC
10/5/2011
Never tried Connie's before; glad I did! Gave an extra star for delivery which was super fast.
The food is better and cheaper than almost any like place in Vancouver and NO MSG! Delicious hot and sour soup, divine ginger beef, outstanding beef and broccoli, tasty sweet and sour pork and the fried rice was great.
I would highly recommend and will go for a sit down some time.
Without Yelp, I would not have tried this place...so thanks to you too! -
Review from Vimi S.
Vancouver, BC
2/15/2009
Connie's is the place to go when you want bang for your buck. Lunch specials are all around $7 and include soup and rice. You're definitely full afterwards. Dinner is also well-priced but doesn't include soup or rice. I've never had to wait for a table and business is pretty steady but the service is limited. There is usually only one or two waitresses on shift so you may have to flag one down for service but they are very nice.
The food is great for what you're paying. This place definitely takes over the Great Wok experience (which, unfortunately, closed last year) if you ever went.
The one thing that is not so great is that the restaurant changed its Sunday hours from an 11:30am opening to a 4:00pm opening so no more lunch on Sunday. -
Review from D B.
Vancouver, BC
6/24/2011
With all the rave reviews here, perhaps I'd like to offer a donation of the take-out I ordered last night. The very thought of dining on this again is nauseating.
Honestly, I'm shocked to have not read a single review here that approximates the terrible waste of money and the insult to my palette this was. It is bland, greasy and did I mention tasteless? The House Special Chow Mein was especially disgusting. -
Review from Jarrad K.
Vancouver, BC
5/9/2010
Reliably good food for relatively little money.
I generally like to try new restaurants as often as I can, but you need to have a few spots you can always count on for good food. Connie's is exactly that sort of place.
The selection is very good and I've never had a bad or bland dish there. The portions are quite large and the lunch specials are a great value. -
Review from Alice A.
1/14/2011
I wish I could give a 2.5 stars. I'm Chinese and a foodie, so I'd like to think I know my Chinese food. My fried beef chow fun (wide rice noodles) was a bit too oily for me, not as fragrant as expected, needed some colour like carrots or more green onions. On the up side, beef was tender and juicy. Service was friendly and quick. Chinese tea was served immediately. Washroom clean. Lunch prices range from $6.50 to $8.00.
-
Review from Willow L.
Vancouver, BC
12/30/2011
I LOVE THIS PLACE. The cod is sooo yummy, I always get it for the lunch special, which is a pretty good deal. And Connie is just so friendly. She's always working in the back, so if you have any questions or comments just call her over. She explains everything well too, and accomodates things like "more sauce please!" hahaha It's also pretty quiet in there on weekend afternoons, great family place
-
Review from Marlena M.
Vancouver, BC
7/28/2010
While the food is on average pretty good, I have a little gripe about our last order there. My heterosexual life partner picked up a dinner for two, walked home, and was called while walking in the door by Connies telling him he had been given the wrong order and had to walk ALL THE WAY BACK to return it and get our actual order. Did he get a little freebe or a coupon to apologize? NO! Pretty lame.
Come to think of it, they also seem to have an obsession with zucchini. Not entirely a bad thing, but I'm pissy. -
Review from T B.
Vancouver, BC
6/29/2011
Connie's is a great restaurant. The portions are big, well priced, and the food is tasty. The food is very fresh, I often see them making their dumplings at one of the tables. Judging from all the take-out orders, the kids in Kits dig this joint. The lunch special is a great deal.
-
Review from Sohayl H.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2010
Good service and clean. Dinner combo for two gave very generous helping that would have fed three hungry people easily. Sweet and sour pork was fresh and crispy and the chicken/veggie stir fry was delicious. Plus no MSG!
-
Review from matt p.
Vancouver, BC
8/13/2010
Not bad
-
Review from Bernie G.
North Vancouver, BC
9/19/2009
My absolute favourite Chinese "whole in the wall" restaurant in the city. The lunch specials cannot be beat - entree with rice and soup for $6.50. You can't buy the ingredients for this price. Chicken with green beans, veggies with bean curd, salt fish and chicken fried rice, Mongolian beef, cod in black bean sauce, sweet and sour boneless pork. My mouth is watering now. Have only ever had excellent food here and the service is great too. They do a booming trade in takeout.
-
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
8/7/2008
I love Connie's cod in black bean sauce and I order it every time I come here. I've never had to wait for a table, though business is usually pretty steady. If you order your food for pick up, they'll give you a 10% discount and there's free delivery if you are lucky enough to live within a 5 km radius.
Listed in: Drool Inducing Vancouver Eats
-
Review from Susanne J.
Hope, BC
7/13/2009
One of the cheapest places I've found to eat in Kitsilano. Tasty too. Nice selection of vegetarian options. Only lament is that it's a bit grimy. Check your cutlery before you dig in.
Listed in: More Bang for Your BC Buck, Gimme More 604 - Food!
-
Review from Pete S.
6/21/2010
if you are hungry, go eat at connie's. you will leave really, really full. i have never seen such enormous portions in kits.
connie's may not be the most delicious chinese food i have eaten in my life, but the flavors are good, the service is fantastic and the portions leave enough for a full second meal the next day.
try kung pao chicken, ginger beef and chicken chow meinListed in: kitsilano
-
Review from Sabrina S.
Montréal, QC
5/26/2009
Connie's is great! As other reviewers mentioned they have awesome lunch specials that include soup and rice. The full meals are about $12 and they are huge !!! The pork and eggplant hot pot is awesome. Great fresh flavour MSG free.
-
Review from Luisa D.
Updated - 11/15/2009
OK - we've moved up a star. This time I scrolled through the reviews and took the advice on the cod in black bean sauce and chicken fried rice. I also ordered the ginger beef that I knew I liked and some garlic gai lan. I forgot to tell them not to send the hot & sour soup - oh well. Everything was flavourful, nothing was overcooked. Delivery was fast and the fact that they don't use MSG is a big plus as it always gives me a weird fuzzy head feeling. I like that I'm supporting a local business so I'm happy to continue ordering even if I stick to the same items.
Listed in: My Kitsilano
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
8/24/2009
Tried it again but ordered a la carte rather than the dinner for 4. Everything was edible but it's… Read more »
-
