Many times as I am often eating at the newest restaurants around the city, I forget about the places that have been in business for many years. Justin “Drex” Wilcomes who is the evening host of Drex Live on CKNW joined me to visit a couple Historic Restaurants for a weekday brunch in East Van. Our adventure began at one of Drex’s favourite historic restaurants on Main Street in the Riley Park neighborhood, remarkably this eatery has been in business for 54 years and this was my first time visiting.

Helen’s Grill – 4102 Main Street,  (604) 874-4413, open daily. Has a vintage vibe and dishes out unfussy diner grub & Greek classics.

Some of the old school nostalgia here are the juke boxes that are located beside each table, the burgundy booths and black and white checkered floors.

I had the fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes with maple syrup, and he had the Giant Breakfast with poached eggs, bacon and toast and a cup of coffee.

We then ventured to the East Village neighborhood to visit one of my favourite historical restaurants where Drex hadn’t been previously, this eatery has been thriving in the neighborhood for the past 51 years.

Roundel Café –2465 E Hastings Street, (604) 253-2522, open daily, a fun diner that has a loving quirkiness to it, and serves up delicious and nourishing meals.

Some things change and some things don’t when an eatery has been around a long time. The décor is a mix of eclectic furnishings and fixtures, daily specials including their featured milk shakes are on the chalkboard on the wall, they even have a selection of boozy milkshakes to go along with their often upbeat servers.

I had the Tofu and Veggie Scramble with organic brown rice and an Almond Milkshake: he had the Challah French Toast

Stay tuned for the next historical dining adventure in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak