Elwoods — Restaurant in Vancouver

Title: "Not to be found in the Michelin Guide" 22.05.28 - To date, our most disappointing "eating out" experience had been "Jules French Bistro" in Gastown. "Elwoods" challenged that position. We three have been in the restaurant business for many years ourselves and are not "millennials" or folks who just "don't know" what a good evening out for a bite & drinks could or, more specifically, SHOULD be. Arriving at Elwoods close to 1500 hours, there were 14 patrons and 2 waitpersons, so, by no stretch of the imagination would it be considered to be "busy". More than 15 minutes after we arrived, we finally had our drink order taken. Were I the manager, I would consider that "potentially lost business". Sensing that this was going to be challenging, we had scanned the modest menu and had made our food decisions, so we were able to order when the drinks arrived. 40 minutes later, we inquired about the food (as we had a show to go to) so, while we had one of the over-worked waitpersons at our table, ordered another round of drinks hoping the food would soon arrive. (This is where, in a film, the camera would cut to "leaves blowing in the gutter" or "pages of a calendar turning", suggesting "time passing".) Sometime after that, our plates did arrive. We had ordered the fish tacos @ $15.50, Dubliner burger @ 18.50 + $2.00 for salade vs fries & the classic burger @17.50. The presentation was "pedestrian" at best and, but for the fries, everything was stone cold and tasteless. The total bill for this exquisite feast, with taxes, was $94.59. We did not leave a "tip" - which, by the way, is an acronym for "to insure promptness". I'm sure that, if you are less than 40 years old, this is the typical "experience" and, because you have had none other, you imagine that this is "how it's supposed to be". For the rest of the "evening out" crowd, I would recommend somewhere where the service is excellent, the food tasty and the atmosphere less depressing - such as the "Colony", which is just a block or two...

Always loved Elwoods for their cheap Daily specials. Saturday to Thursday they have ALL day food and drink specials. Prices have jumped from the $6 specials pre-Covid, to $11 for my favourites the Sunday 6oz steak or Saturday 1/2 rack of BBQ ribs, still very worth it!! I love Elwoods neigbhbourhood vibe. All servers are very friendly, laid back while still giving attentive service.They remember you and welcome you back. Even great when they're slammed. If they run out of the daily special, they'll usually substitute in a different special, so you don't leave disappointed. Looking for a great burger? Order from regular menu the Bayou Burger: thick, juicy patty, amazing bacon (no fat) awesome sauce and all the trimmings with their thin cut, crispy, not greasy, home fries- you will not be diasspointed. Friend ordered the classic burger, said it was literally the best burger she'd ever eaten! Daily Specials have changed a bit from the phots I posted pre-covid. Thursday is now Burger and Fries, no Friday special, Sat still ribs, Sun still my favourite 6oz Steaks! Elwoods added a street patio during Covid (with heaters) and still have their sidewalk Patio tables with heaters that's sheltered and heated in winter, opens up in warmer weather. No room for bar games. Have several small sport screens, sound on during live games & good 'ol (& new) loud, rock'n'rol the rest of the time! So happy to see this Kitsilano institution didn't close or move East when their previous location was lost to the wrecking ball. My favourite...

I really wanted to like this place because I live just a few minutes walk away and it would have been nice to have a nearby go-to place...

Unfortunately the quality of service and food are very poor.

It was painful trying to get the attention of the server who seemed to prefer chatting with his friends over doing his job. It was a Sunday night and was not busy while I was there so there was no excuse for such poor service. It was a struggle to get a menu, order, receive the correct food (he was too rushed to get back to his friends to properly listen to what I ordered initially), and get the bill when we were done. When we finally got the bill he admitted the service was extremely poor and mumbled an apology before promptly walking off again. Normally when a business acknowledges they have done poorly they make an effort to encourage customers to come back either by a discount on the current bill or a voucher for the next visit. That was not the case here and I definitely do not feel encouraged to return.

As for the food - I had ordered the Sunday $6 6oz steak special which is more like 3oz of paper-thin steak and 3oz of inedible gristle/fat. I had asked the server what the portion size was prior to ordering this and he had assured me it would fill me up. I am a tiny eater and 90% of the time have to take restaurant leftovers home. In this case I left...