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The Red Wagon
Category: Restaurants Diners Diners
2296 E Hastings StreetVancouver, BC V5L
Neighbourhood: Grandview-Woodlands
(604) 568-4565
- Hours:
Mon 8 am - 6 pm
Tue-Fri 8 am - 10 pm
Sat 9 am - 10 pm
Sun 9 am - 4 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
82 reviews for The Red Wagon
Review Highlights
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"Four stars for their Pulled Pork Pancakes, three stars for..." In 4 reviews -
"...checking this one out if you're a brunch enthusiast." In 18 reviews -
"Love the salsa verde with the pork belly." In 2 reviews
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82 reviews in English
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Review from Megan M.
5/15/2012
My friend was back home from school in Edmonton and wanted to try out this place for brunch one weekend. We waited for about an hour to get 2 bar seats on the weekend-the longest I've waited since my brunch at Twisted Fork.
Finally, we were seated. I went straight for the pulled pork pancakes, while my friend ordered the pulled pork sandwich.
Oh. My god. The pork. So succulant and flavourful without oozing sauce. I love the fact that they weren't so smeared in sauce that completely enveloped the pancakes.
Then...there were the pancakes. My friend had a total When Harry Met Sally moment when she took a bite of mine. They were the fluffiest pancakes I've ever eaten, and made even better by the boozy maple syrup covering the bottom of my dish. Even without the pulled pork, these pancakes stood on their own.
Be prepared to take the afternoon off after this meal because you'll need a nap to overcome the massive amount of deliciousness in your belly.
The only thing keeping me from going back again and again is the fact that I'm way too hungry at 11AM on a Sunday morning to wait in line anywhere for an hour.Listed in: Brunch
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Review from Vonnie C.
Burnaby, BC
5/15/2012
3.5 stars. Went at 11am on a tue. Waited about 15-20 min for a table for 3. Waitresses were friendly and efficient. Ordered the super trucker which included the pulled pork pancakes, the crispy pork belly and salmon eggs benny.
1) super trucker - 2 eggs, yummy potatoes, a small portion of the crispy pork belly and the pulled pork pancakes and choice of toast. The pp pancakes were interesting but thought they could have added more syrup. Toast for all meals came with butter but you had to request jam, peanut butter, etc before they bring you a small container of condiment.
2) the crispy pork belly was good. The portion was slightly larger than the portion that came with the super trucker. The verde sauce on the egg was yummy and had a slight kick to it. came with potatoes.
3) salmon eggs benny was standard, the egg was overcooked as the yolk wasn't runny like it should be. Came with potatoes.
Bill came to $40 after taxes but before tips. Definitely wouldn't wait in line for 40min to 1 hour like others do and honestly not a big deal if i don't make it out there again as it is a bit pricey! Good to just try to see what all the hype is about. -
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
Alright - my neighbourhood, Hastings-Sunrise (a.k.a. 'East Village') has a lot of food joints popping up/rebranding lately - part of the revitalization of the hood with a bunch of low-rises and indie businesses coming in. Like flies to a turd, when you have indie shops in a 'edgy' neighbourhood, the hipsters will propagate. I guess Gastown and Mount Pleasant are too 'mainstream' now.
Anyways, it was pretty clear that Red Wagon was at the forefront of this trend. When I wandered by on random weekend mornings and saw a big lineup of hipsters outside here - couldn't help but say, "There goes the neighbourhood." I normally won't have bothered - I seriously think Western breakfast/brunch is the biggest ripoff in the restaurant world. I mean - you seriously have the gall to charge me ~$10 for two slices of toast, two eggs, fried potatoes and a sliver of meat? Sorry, $4 is the most I would pay for a breakfast combo - Bon's Off Broadway or Master Chef Cafe (down the street), yo. Dirty and ghettolicious. And I only wait in line for sneaker drops - nothing else.
But my mom really wanted to check this place out - so I guess I could let the lady that carried me for 9 months chose where we're eating breakfast. As I said to my mom, "Alright - this one time. Just know: this makes us even for the whole giving birth to me and motherly love thing." When my mom sees a lineup, she assumes the place must be good. When I see a line-up, I assume everyone standing in it is a dolt and their time isn't worth anything.
The good thing is that we came here on a Friday morning, so there was no lineup and we were immediately seated. The funny thing is that we were seated by a nice middle-aged couple from Arizona that was eating here for the second time in the same week because they saw it on 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives'. Guy Fieri -- some people take food advice from him... he makes the list of Top 5 people that I would love to punch in the face. Just imagine how satisfying that would be.
My mom got the breakfast special: pastrami hash with poached eggs and hollandaise ($11) and I got the Super Trucker ($15): eggs, toast, home fries, crispy pork belly and pulled pork pancakes. $15 is pretty steep for a diner breakfast but I guess it would be worth it if I got all their marquee items in one shot. But I was pretty surprised to learned the Jack Daniel's maple syrup was extra. For $15?!? ARE YOU FOR SERIOUS? I resisted launching into a tirade of curses and just turned down the upsell.
So overall, I have to grudgingly admit that the food was pretty good. The crispy pork belly is better than bacon (and that's saying a lot) and pulled pork pancakes were pretty dope. And the pastrami hash wasn't bad either.
And beyond the hype, I figured out why there are line-ups here. The service is slow as hell. It took us a good 15 minutes waiting for our bill. If I was a Playboy Playmate, 'Inefficiency' would top my list of 'Turns-Off'.
Overall, the food is good even considering the high price point. However, I would never, ever wait an hour in line for this. It's a bit of a Catch-22 -- line-ups means they should raises prices, but it would be obscene for this place to be any more expensive. This place is good, but extremely overrated.
But hey hipsters, I know you guys love line-ups. I mean, I see you guys posted up outside every weekend morning at Red Wagon, record stores and bicycle shops. But, let me ask you this: can you continue patronizing a joint that's been featured on 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives'? Isn't that too 'mainstream' for ya?Listed in: East Van Eateries
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Review from Megan S.
Updated - 5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
A pleasant return visit yesterday warrants a slight upgrade to 3.5 stars, though I'm keeping it rounded down to 3.
Taking the day off on Monday to finish moving, my husband and I decided to try this place out for breakfast seeing as we wouldn't have to compete for a table with the crazy weekend brunchers. We arrived around 8:30 and were surprised to see the place already pretty full (and only one lone, frazzled and over-worked server).
We ordered a couple decaf americanos, then I went with the crisp pork belly and my husband chose the much-hyped pulled pork pancakes with Jack Daniels syrup. We'd already tried their pulled pork for lunch one day (see earlier post) and weren't really impressed, and once again the meat seemed to be the weak link in that particular breakfast. Perfectly light fluffy pancakes, really tasty whisky-infused syrup but the pork was stringy and overdone. My husband was still fairly pleased with the dish overall - there's nothing that syrup can't improve!
Now, my crisp pork belly...was...nothing short of amazing. I've read a few reviews here that imply that this might be a hit or miss dish, but mine was spot-on perfection. The belly was crispy/crackly all around but fall-apart tender inside and the meat to fat ratio was ideal. The belly was served with a slice of grilled tomato, two eggs, their lackluster (underseasoned, undercooked) homefries and a side of toast. The dish was also drizzled with a light amount of hollandaise that was dotted with salsa verde - a nice touch. As much as I love good hollandaise, I usually find that restaurants put on an obscene amount but this was just right and the dots of salsa cut through the richness nicely. I'd order this dish again in a heartbeat.
Service was friendly, but really slow and forgetful...likely due to the fact that server was so over-worked. We had to ask a couple of times for water, I had to ask a couple of times for a side of soy for my coffee and we're both pretty sure we ended up with full-caf coffee instead of decaf...we were freakin' JACKED after we left.
Would I come back here for another midweek pork belly breakfast? Yep. Would I line up for an hour on the weekend? Not on your life.Listed in: Hastings Sunrise - the best…, Sammiches!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/19/2011
I find long line-ups more of a deterrent than an attraction when it comes to restaurants. Yes, long… Read more »
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Review from Joy P.
Richmond, BC
5/5/2012 3 photos
Went here bec it was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I ordered the Super Trucker and my friend ordered the Crispy Pork Belly Sandwich, and of course we shared.
Super Trucker
- Holy sh*t! its super alright!, pancakes with pulled pork, pork belly, potatoes, eggs, toast and JACK DANIELSmaple syrup...enough said! lol
- the Jack Daniels Maple Syrup was very unique for me. I tasted it by itself, the JD was overpowering but if you have it with anything.. OMG so good..
- Pulled Pork Pancakes were every good, great combo
- Pork Belly was too overwhelming for me bec its so much fat...but so good too, not too salty (better dipped in JD syrup)
- If your really hungryyyy, just order this
Crispy Pork Belly Sandwich
- its a Vietnamese Sub but they used pork belly as its meat..WOW!
- i like how they cut the pork belly instead of putting the whole thing in the sandwich like a hotdog, you wont notice how fatty it is
- a MUST to order
Verdict:
- Waiting wasnt that long, probably took 15 mins for us on a Friday afternoon to get our seats
- will go back here again
- JD Maple Syrup is da bombbbbb -
Review from Scott K.
Vancouver, BC
Got in at 11 am, it was fully packed with 27 guests in a small space and 3-4 people waiting to be seated.
The breakfast menu is pretty simple, it's a single page proposition.
As featured on Triple-D, this place would fall into the "dive" category, but I guess they're trying to revamp the charm of a 50's diner here.
Took a little while for the waitress to take my order but it was simple and headache-free.
I picked the goat cheese omelette. It took about 15 minutes to arrive but I can tell you that this is one of the few places in town where they know how to cook an egg.
Yes, you're probably thinking how hard could it be to cook an egg? Well anyone can break an egg into a frying pan but to cook an omelette to the right consistency is a whole different ball game. Other establishments usually overcook it and those who want to pretend they know better not to overcook the egg, usually serve you a runny piece of crap!
Kudos to the owner/chef, it's nice to see someone finally getting rewarded for knowing their craft.
I'd give it 5 stars if the space wasn't so cramped and close quarters with other guests. But I guess they're somehow victims of their own success. -
Review from Hootie J.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Get here in advance HUGE line up, Hipster joint on Hastings, Huge Sunday morning line up (over an hour), (They did come out once with some coffee but our order from Starbucks had just arrived) Simple menu (heavily slopped towards the pork product)
I am a big Fan of pork belly (part of the reason for waiting an hour) but when ours arrived it was so under cooked and saturated in fat that I could barely eat it (my Wife had no problem), but for $12 it was some expensive bacon, -
Review from Justin W.
Vancouver, BC
5/15/2012
I've been here a couple times, great, small wonderful food/service... expect a wait it only seats 40 or whatever.. very dineresque ... but the head chef loves food and it tells.... pork belly was REEEDICULOUS, as were the pulled pork pancakes and even the confit duck eggs benny that was on special one day.. always a treat :) and no matter how busy they are always a smile and great service from servers!
but don't expect low calorie, unsalty food,... this is wonderful flavourful, full fat breakfast! -
Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pulled pork, droooool. Pulled pork layered between thick, soft buttery pancakes, droooool accompanied with gurgling noises of pleasure. Pulled pork layered between thick, soft buttery pancakes drizzled in Jack Daniels infused maple syrup, droooool accompanied with gurgling noises of pleasure, eyes rolling in the back of my head, in a taste bud orgy of ecstasy. Ooookay maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but damn those bad boys are good and filling. Totally worth the 45 minute wait in line.
I should have stopped at just the pulled pork pancakes though, they were more than enough to satisfy a hungry belly, but as always like my mom says, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I had to order a Benny as well! Luckily I was with a friend that was kind enough to split the Benny with me. It was super good! We ordered the mushroom and spinach, which came with delectable hollandaise sauce, cheese and plenty of house cut fries. We were definitely full and had protruding bellies once our meal was over. Myself and my friend regret ordering each of our own pulled pork pancakes and a benny to share, way too much food. If you are a party of two, I recommend sharing a plate of the pulled pork pancakes and a Benny, that is more than enough.
One word of advice when you come here, make sure to get your name on the list as soon as you arrive because its not based on service for the next group in line. People who came after us, got seated before us because they were smart to put their names in right away whereas we were under the impression that once we got to the front of the line we would be seated next. Not so.
St3Fin -
Review from Navita R.
Vancouver, BC
4/16/2012
here's what everyone is saying:
LONG WAITS. AVERAGE SERVICE. GOOD FOOD.
I agree.
We waited an hour for a seat (mind you, there was 7 of us) and they came outside to offer us coffee while we waited. My food was really good, I think my friends enjoyed their food as well. It's a shame that they don't have a bench or something outside, for those who can't stand for hours.
I got my cheese and toast substituted for an avocado at no charge- that doesn't happen a lot at other restaurants- so I will be coming back! -
Review from Yvonne C.
3/17/2012
"Over hyped drafty hipster diner"
This was the only breakfast joint that I could find that was opened around the area at 8:30am. Before entering the restaurant I was expecting some delicious tasting food; Considering that they have a 4 star rating on yelp and was on the Diners, Drive ins, and Dives, I had high expectation for them.
I ordered the crispy pork belly breakfast plate which consist of confit pork belly, two eggs, homefries, griddled tomatoes, salsa verde, hollandaise sauce, and toasts. The salsa verdes was tasty; the eggs, toasts, and tomatoes were typical in flavour, but everything else was MEH! The pork belly was dry! It was not juicy or tender the way it should be. I'm not going to lie; I'll rather go to another place nearby.
They do not get my AWESOME STAMP of approval. -
Review from Louisa P.
Burnaby, BC
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Man oh man. The food here is delish! The wait is long (especially on the weekend) but it's worth it! (Hey Red Wagon, if you're listening, ask your customers if they're willing to share a table, we would have!) They'll even feed you coffee while you wait. :D Staff is cheerful, food is hot, fresh, and cooked to perfection. The other reviews are right! The Pulled Pork is very good, the pork belly is fantastic, and the coffee is abundant! I ordered a tomato, avocado, goat cheese benny but I'm not a huge goat cheese fan and this didn't change my mind. lol. The pancakes are a good size and fluffy.
Check out my video blog about The Red Wagon Cafe!
http://youtu.be/MSsFPr...
and don't forget to subscribe! xoxo! -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
Worth the hour wait on a Saturday at 11:30am? Yes. But I was mentally prepared thanks to all of you yeeps. May this be a lesson to us all - waiting for a good thing is a-ok - when you're ready. BE READY.
What I wasn't prepared for (and what I'm sure staff weren't expecting)... the freakishly frequent electrical failures that plagued my dining experience. Everyone from the servers to the customers were in good spirits about the ordeal, but I did have to be on my best behaviour about it. The electrical failure meant no coffee. An hour wait, coffeeless, and a coffeeless breakfast? Draw a sad face in my yolks :( It could have gotten really, really ugly...
But none of that really mattered after the first few bites of the daily special: pastrami hash topped with poached eggs and hollandaise. Oh, hells yes. I won't go into every mouthwatering detail, because who knows when it will grace the menu again, but I ordered wisely. Pulled pork pancakes and Jack Daniels maple syrup are standard fare at The Red Wagon and with that you can mark my words, I'm heading back. And next time, I'll be more prepared: 1) coffee run 2) a sweater - it gets cold by the door 3) a headlamp - just in case the power goes out again.
Kudos to our server who smiled the whole way through the ordeal.Listed in: Breakfast and Brunch in…
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Review from Trish L.
Vancouver, BC
4/16/2012
I don't know why I always write reviews on restaurants when I'm hungry but I guess it's because I'm thinking about the flavours I'm craving.
Having said that, I guess I'm currently craving a delicious hamburger or perhaps some crispy pork belly. GAH.
Their fries are delicious but if you have the option to try their homemade chips, do it! They are perfectly crisp and just potatoey enough.
Red Wagon is a little bit on the pricier side but if I remember correctly, they only use locally sourced ingredients and you can definitely taste the difference. The portions are large as well, I could easily just eat half and be stuffed. I have to go back to try the pulled pork pancakes next. -
Review from Diana L.
"Indulgent" is the perfect word to describe this place. Some of the items on the menu are just downright sinful. First off, you have pulled-pork pancakes. Next, there is the Croque Monseiur, a sandwich that has a creamy, cheesy sauce on top with a fried egg. This sandwich is very very heavy and filling. It is tasty, but I have trouble finishing it because it is so rich. There is also the Croque Madame, which is similar. Moreover, they make their own chips and fries. I enjoy the food. It is definitely comfort.
My rating is a bit low because I can't get over the service. It is super slow. It takes a really long time to get the food, and the waitresses are not attentive enough to make the wait tolerable. The food itself is good, but inside, I feel I might be able to create just as sinful a sandwich at home for a quarter of the price; not to mention, I wouldn't have to wait forever to get it.
Go when you are one with Zen because you will definitely need patience for this meal.Listed in: True Comfort
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Review from Arinn W.
4/23/2012
what the eff? i think hastings-sunrise needs a few more breakfast joints, because it doesn't make sense that this place has insane lineups. sure, the food is decent, service is friendly & coffee is tasty, but...really? the service was a bit slow, BUT, that's because the restaurant filled up with a million customers all at the same time. when that is considered, the servers did exceptionally well--super friendly, attentive at refilling coffees/water.
the tofu scramble is...interesting. it's in a roasted-tomato sauce, which is good, but surprising. a little too much like pasta, first thing in the morning. heavy on the tofu, light on the vegetables. and really, when you compare the portion of tofu scram to the portion of potatoes & toast...it's kind of sad.
i've gone here for lunch, and will return for such, but breakfast is overrated as far as this vegan is concerned. next time i will head to lineup-free cafe rondel, which is just a couple blocks away and serves a much more palatable tofu scram. -
Review from Meredith M.
Vancouver, BC
What was that?!?! I'm thoroughly impressed with Red Wagon. We visited on a whim with hungry bellies, and even mid-afternoon on a Thursday this place was packed. I ordered the blueberry pancakes with sausage, but I was jealous of the Super Trucker breakfast that my boyfriend ordered. It came with eggs, toast, hash browns and the infamous crispy pork belly and pulled pork buttermilk pancakes. I can see why Red Wagon is known for these dishes. I'm not the best at descriptions, but the pulled pork pancakes were delicious and luckily my boyfriend tapped out early and I got to finish his pancakes! I will be back, and this experience has taught me to be more adventurous with my ordering so I don't have to vulture for a taste!
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Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 2/19/2012 2 Check-ins Here
RW used to be a five star for food, and I always loved going here, in spite of the wait.
Until yesterday.
At first, I thought that they were just working out the kinks, but nope, the
hostess is the worst I've experienced yet.
I arrived 30 minutes before my friend, as I didn't mind waiting on our behalf. As soon as I walk in and a dude quickly barges in after me and gives the hostess his name. He seemed slightly annoyed that I'd beat him to the punch.
Well, after 45 minutes, I learned what he'd done. He'd gone and put his name "ahead" of mine to ensure that he was seated first. So not cool. Of course, he wouldn't look at me, and while he was being seated, the "lost" looking hostess could only apologize. Umm. she saw me give my name first. WTF? Because I was polite, I get second place?
A quick look around the place showed tables of two seated at tables of four, as they have always done, which is part of the reason that there is usually a line.
So what does she do after this mishap? She seats a table of 3 ahead of me. The entire restaurant was tables of two seated at tables of four, and again, I'm shafted.
Meanwhile, another girl walks in to give her name, and I was almost certain she would get our table, too.
Finally, after 45 minutes and watching people who had given their name after me seated before me, we sat down to enjoy or meal.
Yes, it was great, and our waiter certainly made up for it. But this type of mishmash seating does not make a great impression. I won't be in a rush to return any time soon, and when considering a breakfast place, I'd certainly think twice with the knowledge that even when arriving early, if a passive-aggressive asshole with the same party size arrives first, he will ultimately prevail. Not cool.Listed in: Lunch, Anyone?, Best Breakfasts/AM Snacks, Hasu-Who am I kidding? It's…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/22/2011
Still slow service, even after 2 pm on a Sunday. They did take my advice and get a few smaller… Read more »
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Review from Kristen M.
Vancouver, BC
3/3/2012 3 photos
Went specifically to try the pulled pork pancakes, as I am a huge fan of pulled pork. They did not dissapoint. We waited only about 10 minutes to get in (rare I have heard)The atmosphere is that of a diner, but the service was lovely.
Enjoyed colouring on my placemat like a young child, and sipping my sunday ceaser.
Would definitely go back, although would be unlikely to wait longer than 30 minutes... -
Review from Roanna Z.
Updated - 2/4/2012 4 photos
I can't "Check In" because they don't have wifi, but I'm a regular at the Wagon. Just over a year ago I predicted that this place was gonna rock the East Village and I can now brag at the validity of that statement.
Something about the bright interior, casual fresh Diner-esque experience with a local, homegrown twist, the great locally roasted coffee and the always friendly service that attracts hoards of people to our humble 'hood.
I love having lunch meetings here during the week, but seldom venture to brunch on weekends.
It's all good, the free range eggs, the locally sourced meats, and now to top it off they have an espresso machine too. What more could anyone want? (Oh, maybe a seat on a busy Sat. or Sunday, yeah.)Listed in: Gluten Free/ Dairy free eats., Come on over to the VEV !
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2011
May 29th. Brunch. Free range eggs. Gluten free bacon! -and those amazing fries they have. YUM and… Read more »
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Review from Vincci L.
With a 45 minute wait, I don't know if I'd wait that long again.
I like the whole diner atmosphere of this place, complete with typed up menus. We started off with a coffee which was very good.
My friend ordered the pulled pork pancakes while I got the pork belly confit breakfast, with scrambled eggs, toast, and home fries. Food arrived quickly.
My pork belly was good, but it was just a tad on the fattier side. Topped with a salsa verde and a hollandaise, the flavor was interesting. In a good way. Scrambled eggs were good, toast was very standard. Tried some of the pulled pork pancake, and that Jack Daniels maple syrup really makes the dish.
Perhaps it was cause it was a full house, but service was a bit slow and I had to consistently ask for coffee refills.
Even at 2pm, there was still a wait for tables. Maybe a little too hyped up? Think I'll pass for next time to try another brunch place. -
Review from Mya N.
Langley, BC
2/21/2012
I really wanted to like this place and was excited to try everything on the menu... here's the good, the bad, and the soggy....
1. Crispy pork belly sandwich- done Vietnamese style with pickled veggies, was a major fail. The pickled veggies were too vinegary and liquidy, leading to soggy buns and totally overpowered the pork belly. I'm talking really soggy buns, with liquid dripping down your forearms... ewww. Omit the pickles altogether for a decent sandwich.
2. Chips- comes with every sandwich, oily chispy goodness.
3. Rueben- oily crunchy cheesy heaven.
4. Coffee- Fail. Coffee grains in every sip. Wth.
5. Pork belly- awwwwesome. Get it as a side dish. Totally worth $4.50.
6. The Trucker breakfast platter- triple bypass coronary surgery waiting to happen.. but so good! Fully loaded with 2 pulled porked pancakes, hash, pork belly, toast, eggs, etc etc. Crazy. Good value for $14.50.
7. Pulled porked pancakes- must try! Surprisingly works. Soft, meaty, saucy. Yum.
8. Service- slooooow... especially since it was a wednesday at 2pm and most tables were empty. Couldn't imagine the wait on a weekend. First hipster server had an attitude problem but the second one was better.
Overall, definitely not worth the wait. Go on a weekday if you wanna check this place out. -
Review from Hubert H.
Richmond Hill, ON
2/22/2012
Cool low key atmosphere. I kept hearing about the Pork Belly so had Super Trucker Breakfast that included the Pulled Pork Pancakes (somehow it works though I'm not sure I could have done solely the 3 Pulled Pork Pancakes also on the menu) and a bit of the Crispy Pork Belly. Delicious, though I think I'm one step closer to a heart attack now.
My over-easy eggs were done perfectly and my friend's scrambled was actually the perfect way I love them. just runny enough and fluffy without being soggy. It's rare that I've seen places get it right (oddly enough). -
Review from Mo F.
Vancouver, BC
3/9/2012
SO yummy!........ just had breakfast there and it was awesome......
I have been there before, I had an amazing burger....
mmmmm THANKS! -
Review from Tabatha P.
Delta, BC
3/6/2012
A few of my friends and I went for Brunch on a Tuesday afternoon. I had the Pulled pork pancakes which where freaking amazing. Big fluffy delicious Buttermilk pancakes layered with slow roasted well seasoned pork and served with Jack Daniels Maple syrup... Hello. We also had the Pork belly...Oh my Good-ness !!!
The food was excellent. Our service was also great. Friendly Fun Atmosphere. Defiantly will be returning soon :D -
Review from Melissa C.
2/24/2012
I have to admit that I had a little anxiety from being somewhat overwhelmed by the number of things on their menu that were just calling me! But I had to remember the best piece of advice a friend ever gave me when it comes to deciding on what to order when making a pilgrimage out to places that you've seen on TV - "Stick to what drew you in. It's what you come here for."
That's exactly what I did. I saw this place on Triple D's and I don't know what it was about their pulled pork pancakes that "pulled" me in (Not a fan of mixing sweet with savory), but I must say that after trying it, I really REALLY get it.
The place is small, and the line busting out the door may be kind of a turn off for some, but honestly, the wait is not too bad at all (and really...if you don't feel like waiting a few extra min for a really good meal, McDonald's would probably be a better choice for you).
Like any diner, I'm guessing that this place more than likely cooks all of it's menu items on the same stove top, therefore leaving a consistent undertone throughout all of the food they dish out (you know that underlying flavor that you just can't seem to put your finger on? Yeah. That one ;). From the pancakes to the potatoes to even the smokey tomato soup, all of the food carried that distinct Red Wagon flavor that just gives your the warm fuzzies all over. Whatever that flavor is, what they have going on at this place is GOOD! And yes, it would take be about 2 1/2 hours to get there, but I'll be back, Red Wagon :) -
Review from Walter L.
Vancouver, BC
3/3/2012
This is one diner that you wouldnt want to miss out on especially if you love FOOD as much as I do. The DLT (duck confit) Sandwich and Crisp Pork Belly Sandwich are a must try awesome sandwiches. I totally disagree with the previous reviewer about the Crisp Pork Belly Sandwich. Growing up on Vietnamese sandwiches, this Crisp Pork Belly version is the next step up from the traditional standard flavours. as for the DLT, it has tons of DUCK confit in it. It feels like your eating a gourmet sandwich at diner prices. And if your a beer connoisseur, have the Slipstream (cream ale) with the Sandwiches!!
the next time i come back, i'll be seeking out the Pulled Pork Pancakes. -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
12/14/2011 1 photo
* Hipster diner *
A diner for hipsters. It has all of the feel of a classic diner, including the menu written with what looks like an old typewriter.
The items on that typewritten menu have a bit of a modern twist to them, and the customer base seals the hipster deal.
That said, the service was extremely friendly and VERY attentive. While they weren't a wisecracking middle aged waitress ala Flo (bonus points if you get the reference), they were polite and very attentive.
The pulled pork sandwich was served on a nice Portuguese bun, and had good flavours (although I would have preferred a bit of a smoke flavour as I think they likely just stewed the pork with a nice BBQ sauce). It was topped with some slaw which gave some texture and served with a side of fresh cut fries. The fries were oversalted, but that happens at many places. Overall a pretty good sandwich. Photo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
Is it hip to be square?Listed in: Which wich is which?
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Review from Purdy J.
12/31/2011 1 photo
After all the great reviews, we showed up early before the doors opened a 9am. Quickly there were many others that joined us in line for he doors to open. I was a little disappointed but perhaps I set my expectations a little too high. It certainly wasn't bad but it wasn't great either.
The home smoked salmon scrambled eggs was very very salty... It was the scrambled eggs and potatoes that were WAY too salty for my liking. The scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, the salmon didn't taste very smokey... ANd it sat on an English muffin that got soggy pretty quickly. If you know me, you know that I hate soggy. It was served with a nice Arugula salad and a very good serving of home fries which were chunks of pan fried potatoes.
Croque Madame was very rich with the béchamel on top of the Swiss cheese. Great if you are craving a very rich meal but a little too much for my partner who enjoyed the initial bite but instantly wished for a vegetable afterwards.
Pulled pork pancakes: 3 standard pancakes with a good serving of pulled pork... it was pretty unique meal that tasted average except for the amazing Jack Daniels infused maple syrup which enhanced the meal significantly. You can really taste the Jack Daniels and it really made the meal worth eating.
Service was good. Nice server and staff who came around many times to refill coffees but our water glass sat empty until we requested a refill. maybe I need to give it another chance and try some of the other menu items... It's a pretty popping little diner where diners line up outside the door and around the block during weekends. Show up at 9am sharp if you want a set or be prepared to wait.
P.S. The fuzzy peaches that came with the bill was a nice touch. -
Review from J J.
1/8/2012
We saw The Red Wagon on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" last week so we decided to put it on our list of places to visit on our trip to Vancouver this weekend. Unlike a couple of previous experiences visiting places that have appeared on the show, we were *not* disappointed. We arrived just before noon for Saturday brunch. We had expected a long wait - but after about 20 minutes we were seated. This gave us plenty of time to ogle what everyone else was having, and to peruse the menu a bit. We ended up sharing a plate of their famous pulled pork pancakes, and they were divine. Three thick, fluffy pancakes with a hearty serving of tender, moist, smoky, savory pulled pork...all topped with a Jack Daniels maple syrup...oh yes, it was heaven on a plate.
We saw several other things on the menu that we can't wait to try on our next visit - their list of various versions of eggs bennie is reason enough to tempt us to return. The service was also quick and friendly, and the prices were reasonable. Great place - we'll definitely be back. -
Review from Nick R.
Burnaby, BC
12/5/2011
Some co-workers and I popped into Red Wagon for lunch the other day, and overall it was a good experience.
One thing I love is that they provide you with paper and crayons to keep your hands moving while you chat. Intense Twitter use has eroded my ability to concentrate, so that was much appreciated.
I had a double espresso (which was better than expected), and some hash. The hash was really flavourful and well-prepared, so no complaints at all there. It came with some pretty boring slices of toast though. I know the toast is just filler, but at an $11 price point, they could get some pretty decent bread on the side if they wanted to.
Red Wagon had Tabasco, Franks Red Hot, and Sriracha. Love the ability to customise my heat like that. Well played.
After tax and tip I paid $17 for hash and a double espresso, so that was perhaps a little steep. Aside from that, it was a good experience. I don't know about waiting in the obscene lines on the weekend though... -
Review from Rebecca C.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2012
Drool ! No jokes ! Yes, I saw it on triple D and yes, I'd had pulled pork pancakes with Jack Daniels maple syrup on my brain for the two months since then - so finally my time had arrived :-)
We gave ourselves a strict 1am curfew - we were going there for when the doors opened - this girl doesn't do line ups. We arrived at 9am and got a table right away, please note, by 9:25 the place was full and there was a line up so if you like your cholesterol laden breakfast foods later in the day by all means go at night to avoid standing outside with your face pressed against the glass.
Ok, I got my pulled pork pancakes with an egg added (obviously the gluttonous princess in me was satisfied with my choice) and it was everything I'd expected and then some - the syrup was divine, the pulled pork was to die for and had a nice kick to it - all in all delicious. My friends had an order of the pork belly served with eggs which would have been my second choice for sure and one had the blueberry pancakes all of which looked delightful !
I am currently so full I've spent the remainder of my day horizontal feeling very pleased with myself indeed.
Go to this restaurant, go early, go late, go whenever the hell you like just make it happen. -
Review from Justin L.
12/20/2011 8 photos
The Red Wagon is a fantastic place for brunch and lunch. It's also situated near a host of other foodie delights, so it's a good idea to allow extra time to hit up spots like the East Village Bakery, Moccia Meats, etc.
This cozy street-diner dishes out comfort culinary creations that more often than not combine two crowd favourites into one satisfying dish. Hence the pulled pork buttermilk pancakes, or the occasional chili cheese omelette special, or the crispy pork belly sandwich, which is really the chef's take on a Vietnamese bahn mi.
Certain protein preparations also cycle through different permutations as the day progresses. Hence the crispy pork belly and eggs in the morning and the crispy pork belly sandwich at lunch, or the pulled pork pancakes and the pulled pork sandwich. You get the idea.
The Eggs Benedict are well-executed but timid on flavour. Homestyle potatoes (usually made with a Yukon gold variety and livened up with some green onions) are perfect.
Coffee is strong and flavorful, although the cups are tiny and the refills slow in coming. Actually, though friendly and attentive, service overall remains a bit slow, as others have noticed. There's often a backlog of people out the door -- or hovering inside the non-existent foyer on cold rainy days -- while vacated tables sit uncleared.
There needs to be a more organized system for the line-up, because it's awfully unwelcoming for diners, particularly new ones, to arrive not knowing whether there's a list being kept or not, while trying to remain civil and nonchalant as others march right up to the till at the back. Some more proactive seating strategies would help, too, as I saw a couple get seated at a table for four while a group of four behind them were waiting, just as a table for two cleared up... I think patrons would be more than understanding if they can see that the mental wheels are turning to calculate the most efficient way to seat everyone. Sure, we all like a laid-back place, but one can only lay back for so long before anxiety and anguish kick in. The street parking along E Hastings is limited to one hour, after all.Listed in: Good Sandwich
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Review from Kristen L.
Vancouver, BC
10/30/2011
Waiting in line for 45 minutes for brunch at an out of the way (for a downtowner) diner can only mean one of two things: a) this place is a total score, or b) this place has been over hyped.
The Red Wagon Cafe is a quaint, no frills diner on the corner of Hastings and Garden Drive, one block West of Naniamo. Self described as "a neighbourhood joint", this place clearly caters to the low-key East Van crowd. The unpretentious, mom and pop decor make it a great option for a lazy afternoon, weekend brunch.
With pork belly clearly on my brain, I couldn't make up my mind between the Crisp Pork Belly Sandwich: with pickled vegetables, jalepeno, cilantro, and mayo on a baguette with chips ($10.50) or the Crisp Pork Belly Confit: pork belly, two eggs, homefries, griddled tomatoes, salsa verde, hollandaise and toast (11.25). Luckily for me I didn't have to use my Sunday afternoon brain to decide; the sandwich is only available during the week.
The two thick pieces of pork belly were melt-in-your-mouth buttery, crispy on the one side and deliciously fatty on the other. Both sat atop a half a roasted tomato that helped cut the richness of the pork belly between bites. The eggs were covered in a mildly spicy salsa verde and the home fried potatoes drizzled in a tiny bit hollandaise. Before going I had read a few reviews that found the potatoes bland. They were right, the potatoes did not have much flavour, but a little table salt fixed that quickly.
My trusted brunch partner, Adam, ordered the Pulled Pork Pancakes with Jack Daniels maple syrup ($12.50). While I personally find pancakes too heavy to make an entire meal out of, I could definitely see myself ordering these, perhaps to share, next time. The Jack Daniels gave these hardy pancakes a serious boozy edge while the pulled pork added a richness and toned down the starchiness of the thick, fluffy pancakes.
It wasn't until we were paying our bill that we noticed a handwritten sign on the wall above our table advertising $5 mimosas, caesars or Red Wagon (boozy) lemonade. I'll definitely be seeing a charge for a mimosa (or two) on my bill next time.
I have a particular fondness for hole-in-the-wall joints, and this place is no exception. The only thing that might deter me from going back was the long wait to get it. This might just be the perfect place to keep up your sleeve for a mid-week breakfast or lunch. -
Review from Patricia L.
Vancouver, BC
Four stars for their Pulled Pork Pancakes, three stars for the service. Me and three others went to give this place a try, and I am the only one who would return. Note, that I was also the only one to get the Pulled Pork Pancakes.
My man got the Crispy Pork breakfast, and while the Pork Belly Confit was done with expertise, we all wished there was more than one slice of it one the plate. GIMME MORE PORK FAT PLEASE!!!
I really liked the understated Diner ambiance of the place and like I liked my food. Although our server was really very nice, unfortunately for her, it seemed like she was the only server working a a hoppin' lunch joint which equalled very slow service. While my pancakes were worth the wait, the wait for everything else hampered the experience overall. Although I got to see a lot of their other offerings while I was waiting, which was not a bad thing because I DID want to try everything!Listed in: I HEART Food!
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Review from Steven S.
11/15/2011
I rarely give 5 stars to any place, but this east van diner is fabulous. I was reading that the chef is a skilled french chef and it shows in spades. Today I was there for a late breakfast early lunch on recommendation and hangover.
I had the Croque Madam and WOW! not only was the sandwich made to cheesy sourdough perfection, topped with a fried egg and a pile of perfect fries I was in heaven. What I want now is to totally explore the menu. My partner in crime and hangover had the Piperade goat cheese omelette which she did not share and by the look in her eyes was pretty damn good it's self. What a great discovery in a part of town that I previously thought was a foodie black hole. Please go and give a gift to your tummy. -
Review from Tyrone Y.
Vancouver, BC
2/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
i've been here twice for breakfast which is solid even though they TAKE FOREVER and sometimes doesn't deliver exactly what you ordered (it's ok i'm ain't hatin).
check out their specials or go for the menu regulars - even with mistakes and the wait, i usually leave pretty satisfied. maybe it's the beer - thank god for hopcircle.
ventured here one night with my epic thursday crew of about 10-12.
don't come here with a crew that large because that's not fair to the kitchen. there's another review here that explains why but you'll have to find it.
i swear the following happened: drunk red wagon people stupor over next door to order some WICKED ass viet subs. after finishing their sub, one drunk says,
"how could we make this sub EPIC with a red wagon twist?"
the other drunkard replied, "duhhh just swap out cold cuts with pork belly.."
conclusion: red wagon makes a badass pork belly sub. had a bite of the pulled pork sandwich too and fair it was but ain't got nothin on pork belly.
now that i think about it, we ALL ordered pork belly or pulled pork. -
Review from Reena M.
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Holy moly pulled-pork layered pancakes with Jack Daniel's maple syrup!! The pancakes are super fluffy and delicious. It's a little too rich for me to finish the whole thing, so I am glad I shared. The crispy pork belly was also delicious!
I would love to come back and try some of their delicious-sounding frittatas. The ambience was like a neighbourhood diner (which it is). The quality is fantastic. I am so happy I went here. The only thing is, be prepared to wait in a line up for about 20-30 minutes for a weekend brunch.Listed in: The Morning After...brunchity…
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Review from Daniel L.
Small cozy east side diner...Pssst with a very skilled French chef with lots of experience live here..
Monday lunchtime and a bit of a line up, you know what that means, yup yup yum yum... most all items typical american diner style BUT with cool tasty french flair, theres no BLT here instead its a DLT (duck confit)
I heard the Food Channel Guy Fieri (Diners & Drive-in show) came here and did a bit of filming for his show.. Hmmmm??
I ordered the Croque Madame and besides it not being served on french baguette it was to the tee with flavour and style.. Im comin back for some DLT.. -
Review from Erika T.
Vancouver, BC
3/9/2012
I love their pulled pork pancakes. Great food and good service.
