The Local Pub — Restaurant in Vancouver

I don't want to be too spicy here, but when I walked in, I thought John Taffer was going to pop out from around the corner. It looks like a redo from Bar Rescue. It's very uniformed, decorated cleanly, and it's just that. It's just a nice big decorated room. I don't see anything that makes it stand out. At all. They didn't have a drink menu (which, whatever, but I do like a mocktail), and the ordering is done at the bar. Which I can't figure out, because it's set up just like a restaurant. And, table service is what people want unless they are in a dive bar (then, clearly, I don't expect it at all). I'm confused if it's a cafe/eatery or a bar. It looks like a bar from the outside, it SAYS Local bar, so where is the bar feel? On to the food. We ordered a patty melt and some chicken strips. I'll give it to them for one thing. Their chicken strips were huge and delicious, but my patty melt lacked any kind of sauce (and you NEED it with Rye Bread), the burger was like a hockey puck (I thought they gave me an impossible burger), and the carmalized onions had little if any flavor. I do love melty American cheese though, and it had plenty. Listen, it's their first week. It's in a weird location, and they're finding their niche. I would go back in like another couple of months, and see what's up. Also the 'service' was...

Gave this place a try tonight. The good...nice larger patio and good updating on the inside. Prices are reasonable and the menu is not too large but seems to have plenty of options. We did hear they are adding two sets of bike racks. Something we had wished for with the old pub at this location. Our meals tonight were ok. I think there may be some growing pains. Our order was wrong so our food came out separately about 20 minutes apart. The Curry Udon noodles w braised beef was good. The Reuben had good flavor but it didn't hold together at all. Maybe more grilling?? More cheese? More dressing? The tots were crispy and fry sauce was tasty. It was a busy night and that could be why things took a long time. Ordering at bar w numbers to take for delivery is how it works. We did get table service for refills on beer which was nice.

We love having a local spot at this location so we will be back to try more...

Room for improvement. I'm not sure what the new owners are trying to do here, it's like they couldn't decide whether to make the place a brew pub or a family restaurant. No pool tables, no pinball machines, no jukebox, and only 2 TVs. One TV was playing re-runs of Seinfeld with no sound or subtitles, the other was just a POV Go-Pro video of a guy fly fishing. How riveting. I was hoping I could at least watch the Mariners but I don't think they even have cable. The only entertainment available was a handful of board games. My order of fried mushrooms was clearly just cheap canned mushrooms thrown in a deep fryer, I don't think they were even strained. The tots tasted like store brand frozen tots you can get at any grocery store. The place was crowded and lively, but I don't see that lasting long if they don't make an effort for it to be a more entertaining hangout spot. I probably won't be returning...