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Helen's Grill
Categories: Restaurants Diners Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Diners, Breakfast & Brunch, Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
4102 Main StVancouver, BC V5V 3P7
Neighbourhood: Riley Park
(604) 874-4413
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Helen's Grill
Review Highlights
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"It felt authentic old school diner." In 3 reviews -
"Points for awesome jukebox." In 5 reviews -
"I couldn't resist but ordered the eggs benny." In 6 reviews
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Louise G.
Continue to be a fan of Helen's.
Recent visit we tried a new special: a Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich on Rye.
Meat was juicy and delicious. Nicely marbled meat. Fresh and super tasty!!!
Bread, although it had an odd shape, was a delicious light rye. Nicely done Helen's. (Pic: http://www.yelp.ca/biz... )
Still great friendly service. If a diner could feel like home, this one's it....Listed in: 365-Day Challenge - Review A…, There and Back Again, Mainly Main
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/27/2010
Helen's is worth the trip: a dependable classic breakfast with good service and atmosphere. It… Read more »
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Review from Paulette R.
Vancouver, BC
3/30/2012
Helen's came highly recommended to us as an unassuming little spot with great food and an authentic 50's diner setting. We had eaten there before and so expected the same when we had lunch there last week. Discovered there was new management. Both the soup and the short ribs arrived cold. The table top jukebox didn't play all the songs we put money in for. On the plus side, the server was very accommodating and sincerely apologetic. I hope things improve. If not, we won't be returning any time soon.
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Review from Herman E.
11/25/2011
Why meh you wonder?
Simple, I've been spoiled by other cheaper diners that serve up the same stuff.
Bon's
Argo Cafe
Cosy Inn
and
Yes, I'll admit it. I DID THE IKEA $1 BREAKFAST. -
Review from Larry L.
Updated - 9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had breaky with my little girl, her "man" friend and my brother.
An interesting start to the day.
Said "Man" friend was into cars. That I liked. He seemed entrepreneurial (did I spell it right?) and older.
But we all had one thing in common besides my daughter, and that was food and breakfast at Helen's.
We had a pig out feast here.
I ordered Hot dogs with fries (didn't eat the fries) but the dog wasn't bad.
My more recent hot dog at Pajo's was better though. More onions and better bun.
3 stars.
I also had my usual, Feta cheese omlet, brown toast dry and hasbrowns. I forgot to ask to sub the had potato's for the tomato's. So didn't eat the taters.
3.9995 stars.
Coffee was good.
Waitress was sassy. I likey :)
Reminded me of Ellen Wongs character on Combat Hospitals "Suzy Chao".
5 stars.
My daughter had a breakfast sandwich which looked surprisingly good and she thought so herself.
3.5 stars
The jukebox on the table was fun. Always fun to play the oldies in a diner with friends and family.
5 stars.
I'm not a straight line kinda dragster kinda guy. I'm more of a love the turns and twisties and the unpredictableness of life it offers. Where will the next turn take me?
Always back to Helen's A love for her in more ways than one :)
Always more food for the fodder.Listed in: Le petit déjeuner pour grande…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/6/2011
I haven't been here in quite a number of years and it was on this morning with my good brother that… Read more »
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Review from Caitlin C.
Vancouver, BC
1/22/2012
This hole in the wall diner has fantastic service. While waiting to move into our new place (having just moved out of our old apartment- being homeless for a few hours) we played the jube box continuously, enjoying our free refills of coffee (not the best- but it did the trick!). We had a few troubles with the jubebox playing the incorrect songs (ones we had not chosen), so our waitress offered us a bunch of quarters so we could enjoy our wait time.
Each time I get the egg's benedict which is not actually on their menu, but they do offer it. (Not lemony hollandaise sauce).
Great place to go after a night out. Will return again and again. -
Review from Nate R.
Vancouver, BC
11/5/2010
Do not trust whoever recommends this place. They are either representatives of the Soviet starch factory that imports the drywall for Helen's disgusting hashbrown mix, or a 72 year old widower who yearns for the days when eggs came one way... limp on a plate in a puddle of dampness with a side of toast... and perhaps a dollop of hemorrhoid cream.
OK, so maybe hemorrhoid cream never really came with diner eggs. But eggs and toast also never used to cost $8.99 and taste like
moldy carpet.
It has been scientifically proven that placing your breakfast in the clothes dryer for a mere 10 minutes produces 170% more flavor than Helen's patented cuisine method.
My only humble tip is that you avoid this old standby like the pothole that it is. There is no need, perceived or otherwise, to encourage this sort of culinary ineptitude on Main Street.
Can I get a witness?
Please speak up. Helen should quit her day job and mix concrete... which is clearly her talent.
This crap tastes the same as it did 15 years ago, and the cost keeps going up. -
Review from J H.
3/29/2011
This has so much more history than I realized.
My dad took me here and told me this was the second time he's ever been there. The first time was when he first immigrated to Canada. My mother also used to lend a helping hand at the diner for her sister that owned/worked there at one point.
Anyway, it's exactly what you would expect from a diner that hasn't changed or reno'd or been torn down since the 70's!!! It's a pretty small place too. In fact, it doesn't have room to fit a highchair. So my son had a booster seat that didn't seem so stable but worked out.
It felt authentic old school diner. Friendly speedy service. The waitress gave my son a couple of toys even to help keep him occupied.
I couldn't resist but ordered the eggs benny. The eggs were overlooked but at least the hollandaise sauce made up for it. The hashbrowns though was like dry lumpy mash potatoes. My hubby seemed to like it though...but doused in a good layer of ketchup.
The hubby got the usual sausage and eggs. Pretty standard, but he polished off his plate.
My dad got the egg, sausage and pancake special. Good deal I think but the pancakes were looking a little burnt.
The bathrooms btw are tiny with a capital T. I could barely make a full turn without hitting something and I'm a pretty small person already! -
Review from steff c.
Vancouver, BC
12/4/2010
Overrated for the so-called "old-style diner" appeal that Helen's offers.
It's really just like going to Denny's or Dutch Pannekoek or that kind of joint. Shredded hash browns, standard burgers, so forth.
It's so overrated for the price.
If I'm paying $9 for bacon and eggs, you'd better have free range eggs, great bacon, and thick nice toast.
But, no.
You can do better.
So, for that fact, can Helen. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
9/3/2008
I like going to Helen's for breakfast because they serve good straightforward food that you might get at a truck stop way, way, way out of town. I'm hungry, I order eggs and bacon, it fills me up. Nothing fancy, just honest home cooking, except I don't have to do it. For lunch, they serve a mean chicken sandwich with fries. I like mine on white bread with a bit of butter. I guess you could call it comfort food.
Although I've never tried it, they also serve Greek food, and there's a few bottles of ouzo sitting there behind the counter. I'm usually there too early in the day for ouzo, however.
The best part of going to Helen's, besides the food, is getting to play songs on the little jukeboxes at each table. If the waitresses get tired of hearing the same ones over and over again, they do a good job of hiding it.Listed in: Pleasantville, Diners
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Review from Joyce D.
Burnaby, BC
8/29/2009
Helen is certainly 1 of Vancouver's top 5 greasy spoon restaurants. They can't make this stuff up! We are talking seriously old school Salvation army style dinner booths and surprise surprise we got a Jukebox.
I am pretty certain Helen refers to the older greek woman who is there around the clock although I have never asked her name. They are well-known for the standard breakfast which isn't too bad; kuddos for both the pancakes and the home fries for sure. The second most popular thing there is the hamburger and fry plate. Definitely 50's style but strangely charming. Lets put it this way you know what you are gonna get when you walk in the door. Helen's, a lost little gem in the sea of restaurants out there. -
Review from Geoff S.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 8/16/2011
It's changed hands in the last few weeks. All the great old staff are gone, same with a lot of the character. I had breakfast there this morning and I'm still suffering. Greasiest omelette I've ever had. Hash browns are worse than they ever were. I loved it before, but.....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/9/2011
Too classic. The interior, the food, and the staff are all a perfect fit. Don't expect innovation or… Read more »
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Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
11/20/2008
I love Helen's for its simplicity. It's the kind of place you can just go in and say "bacon, over-easy, wholewheat" and they won't expect a thing more from you. No fancy pants here.
Helen's is a bit of a trek for a weekend breakfast for me, but on my three visits I've never been disappointed or bowled over. The jukeboxes on each table are cute, but even I've let out a tired sigh at the second playing of Macho Man, or the like, at the table beside me.
The coffee is decent although refills can be a little slow.
If you go, sit in the corner window table overlooking the busy intersection. See that huge metal post? That's to stop cars crashing right through the restaurant. Just delightful! -
Review from David F.
Vancouver, BC
8/17/2009
Always meant to check this place out for breakfast because it looks so cool, but read mixed things about it. Finally tried it and was very happy with it. Classic bacon and eggs, perfectly done and served almost before I ordered it. Amazing.
Home fries were very good and they do rye toast, which is nice. Coffee was decent and toast was actually toasted, which doesn't always happen. Only gripe would be the use of margarine rather than butter, but maybe I could have asked for butter.
One thing you don't get much of in Vancouver is multiple toast choices like sourdough, bagel, pumpernickel, etc. Wonder why that is.
Service was fantastic. Great lady who is efficient and charming and looks like she's been there a while. Really nice atmosphere, despite King Ed being torn up just at the moment.
Haven't tried the other food, but if you want the basics, it's great here and with a great atmosphere. -
Review from Ruby D.
Vancouver, BC
10/25/2010
If you like original old-school diners, this is your place. It's probably one of the last ones left in Vancouver sadly. Thankfully it hasn't been remodeled or renovated like every other place in this city. Everything looks original, which is pretty impressive. I wouldn't say the food is top quality, but it's decent diner fare, and the service is speedy.
Oh, and make sure to take advantage of the jukebox at your table! -
Review from Darcy D.
2/2/2011
I first visited Helen's in 1999 and I am sure that it was unchanged since the 70's. Now in 2011, the time warp is still in place. They still have the table top juke boxes. I like breakfast here, plain eggs, bacon, sausage, toast but, the pancakes are very good and better than most. The low price is right for the quality so I will keep eating here.
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Review from Tim L.
3/16/2009
Helen's is one of those places that gives you that simple diner breakfast that you sometimes just have a craving for.
This greasy little joint plays home to a diverse crowd of patrons seeking out that quick breakfast fix.
Service is a bit sketchy but expected when you come to a place like this. Short and to the point, the dishes come out fast. Little jukeboxes on each table add to the old world diner feel.
If you're in the area after a night out drinking it's definitely the hangover spot to go to for some grease. -
Review from Gina I.
Updated - 10/28/2010
I went back. Their french toast is to die for. Eggy and good.. even better doused in syrup. Seriously.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/11/2010
Greasy spoon, bad decor/atmosphere.. but you know what? The breakfast special was good and cheap and… Read more »
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Review from Beverley W.
Vancouver, BC
11/3/2008
Finally went there for breakfast after driving by for years and years and years and never going in. Service was a little ragged the day we went, even for a greasy spoon (turns out the dishwasher ditched work, and they were short-staffed, but still, chill out waitress lady). The stressed-out waitress practically barked at us to sit at the counter, then didn't give us menus and coffee until we asked, several minutes after sitting down and being ignored. Things got better when the food finally arrived. The guys in the kitchen know how to turn out a good, basic breakfast -- their hash browns are especially good, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Also, their beer is really cheap.
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Review from Megan G.
Vancouver, BC
7/26/2010
Helen's is a typical coffee shop/diner. Nothing crazy amazing, but no surprises. We went and grabbed some quick breakfast on Saturday, and the server was quick and topped up my coffee at the perfect moment. I always like that. Could have been slightly cheaper considering what it is and considering Nice Cafe further down Main does basically similar stuff but for something like half the price. Points for awesome jukebox!
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Review from David L.
11/29/2009
This is an old Vancouver institution. I remember seeing this restaurant ever since a was a little kid in Vancouver and they still exist at the same location with the same interior - it seems like everything is original including the signs outside. Food... well, nothing spectacular, it's your typical American diner food of hamburgers and fries, spaghetti and meatballs, and steak and mashpotatoes. Due to the fact that the owners are Greek, you can order some Gyros and other Greek dishes like Souvlaki. Service is poor and the seats feel nasty dirty and sticky like honey.
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Review from Joelp P.
Vancouver, BC
8/28/2011
5 stars for what it is - an original Vancouver diner passed on through 3 generations of family. Nick, the new family owner, just took over from his uncle and aunt who, gasp, retried. Took my son there for the daily special of beef spareribs, mashed potatoes, and veggies that was just like it was Sunday night at Mom's, all for around $20. Where can you get this anymore? All good. Nick's smart enough to keep what has worked yet bring in some new items as well.
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Review from War C.
Edmonton, AB
3/15/2010
It's always a joy to go to Helen's. It's the service and they make great oatmeal. There's always free newspapers and lots of them.
Please go to Helen's!
