If you're looking for an old school dinner, this might be a place for you. We went here for breakfast to give their Montreal Smoked Meat Hash a try. I don't know why, but I was expecting nice slices of the smoked meat and some hash with it. Unfortunately for me, my expectations were too lofty. Instead, we got small pieces of the smoked meat mixed in with a lot of the potatoes. The service was OK. My friend wanted strawberry jam for her toast, and she had to get up to get that herself. The food was decent, and there was quite a bit of it. Overall, it was a good meal. Unfortunately, I did burn my tongue on the hot chocolate, so be careful with that. read more

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A good menu selection. Classic diner fare with something for everyone. I had the fish and chips. 2 pieces of white fish, very well fried to perfect crispyness. However very thin (not identified on the menu. Guessing it's pollock). Looking forward to trying other items. read more

Helen's Grill - Very crispy. Don't know what kind of white fish. Was more batter than fish but still good. - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Old school diner in Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Some booths still has the little radios but not sure if they work. The staff are super friendly and makes you feel at home. It looks like there are some regulars there as we see them laughing with the owner. The food is good and the portion are big. Don't expect fancy style brunch food like some of the other places around the area. This is your typical diner style so enjoy the food, the pleasantries and company. read more

We stopped by this spot as another X-Files filming location and the owners were so amazing and friendly. They even remembered the actors being filmed here. We had a great conversation and great eats. They recommended some key points to visit while on Vancouver Island that we took them up on! read more

Helen's Grill - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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As a long time institution in the Vancouver culinary world, Helen's Grill encompass old fashioned comfort food with real life history!! Ambiance ... everywhere you look, history is in front of you! These are not reproductions, counters, chairs juke boxes ... tells a story of the "good old days"! Service is always super friendly, and after a few visits, we have become friends with the owners and we make a point to visit them whenever we are back in town! My go to dishes includes : Greek Style Roasted Lamb .. super tender, juicy and at the same time, the roasted crust is super tasty!! Liver and Onion .. a rarity nowadays! Super flavourful with a huge mound of grilled onion and their house gravy!! Thank you for keeping this classic dish! In today's economy, it is super hard to keep a business going, I truly hope they will continue as long as possible, since this type of restaurants are almost extinct!! read more

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Bit of a hidden gem. Walk in to a very vintage feel. My boyfriend and I had so much fun with the working old time tabletop speakers. We were seated right away and the waiter suggested getting a different breakfast option because the price was better for what I was looking for which was greatly appreciated. Food was homestyle and delicious and also had great serving sizes. We will be back! read more

Been meaning to try Helen's for a long time. Finally made it and am a very happy customer. An actual clubhouse with real from the breast turkey. A pet peeve in most places. Omelette was perfect. Fries were great No complaints, it's on my list for a return visit. read more

Not a good experience, was treated poorly. Would not go back. Food was well presented and was a generous portion.

Very old school diner vibe with an assortment of diner fare. Food is simple and good. read more

Helen's Grill - Montreal Smoked Meat Hash. A generous portion. - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Excellent food and friendly attentive staff Very busy place and noisy Will definitely return again next visit read more

Helen's Grill has been on the Main Street landscape for over 70 years. I grew up seeing Helen's Grill and it's a classic old school diner framed by a long counter with swivel chairs, booths, juke boxes and a fridge showing off the pies. There are not many of these types of diners left so I cherish visiting when I can. Nothing fancy here but I enjoy the simple & good food, friendly service and atmosphere. I usually go for the daily breakfast special which included sausages/bacon, pancake and eggs. The portion is huge and I could never finish. Today was the first time I tried their dinner entree because I heard about their turkey dinner for $16 which included mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and roasted vegetables. I enjoyed the meal and the portion was a very good size. On top of that, I also ordered a single caesar's ($5) and pumpkin pie with ice cream ($7). Boy, I was full and a happy camper. As the diner was not busy, my friend and I had a nice chat with the owner: the impact of COVID19 on their family business, where is the original Helen, which actor filmed and sat in the booth we were sitting in (Sandra Bullock) and why so many Greek dishes on the menu (the owner is Greek!). To ensure family business survives and Helen's Grill remains on Main Street, I will be going back to try the popular roasted lamb and breakfast specials. read more

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Best Burger I've ever had in Vancouver. Great ambience, friendly service. Will return soon read more

I ordered the Main Street omelette... two thumbs up ... I would not recommend the coffee though. It tasted watered down and was lukewarm. The setting brought back memories from when I was a kid going out with my parents. There is a working jukebox at each table. This was very cool!! read more

Helen's Grill - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Great diner food and excellent service. Can definitely recommend the Montreal smoked meat Sammy read more

Helen's Grill - Montreal Smoked Meat - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This place is awesome. Been coming here for many years. Great food; good portions; quick, no-nonsense service.

I've been wanting to try their calamari . It's really good and the bread that comes with it is good too . Did not disapp I'll be coming back for their dinner calamari entree for sure . read more

Helen's Grill - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Been wanting to come here for a while so I decided to take my family for Sunday breakfast. I knew it was a hole in the wall kind of restaurant but I was disappointed with the food. The pancakes looked good but turned out thick and rubbery. The hash browns were very potato-y and thick; more like boiled potatoes than pan fried. The service itself was ok but nothing spectacular: you get the service you would expect when looking at this establishment. Overall the food was pricy for the taste and quality. Probably would not go back again. read more

Healthy, not greasy comfort cook. Great ambiance and we got a table very quickly. The best part is the attentive service by the waitresses. It's definitely worth a visit! read more

If I could give this place a MINUS 5 stars I would do so The food is awful and the service is even worse read more

Old place in town that is open from 8 am to 8 pm,so many people coming here so i went to check out why,well maybe because vancouverites grew up dining at Helen's grill,based on some clients inside that i happened to talk during my stay,that they're coming here since their childhood,In my case that i did not spend my childhood in vancouver this place is not for me. Service takes forever,the floor is not so clean sticky actually,tables and chairs aswell,nothing special in the menu and for that pricing i can get the same dish in another place that is more neat and with free parking,washroom is also not clean,on my way to toilet the curtain is open exposing the kitchen,...another part of the place that is not so clean. Food wise i do not have any concern,burger,fries,eggs,calamari were all good,plus i love those little juke box they had,i am thinking of owning one like that soon...nice... No parking it will be on the street and metered one,decors are classic which i like,ambiance?not me at all,food presentation average,cant remember if they have a TV,there is wifi and its free. Good for family and kids too,old folks that are genuine vancouverite will surely love this place. noise level is average to noisy,corner lot and people waiting for the bus usually hangoput near its door smoking and chatting. Sorry guys no next time for me read more

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A little retro diner with little jukeboxes on tthat connect to a speaker system so you could listen to old hits. We had the beef souvlaki, roast lamb, calamari, and fish and chips (you can order breakfast and lunch all day!). There was a lot of rice and pita that came with the dinner entrees. The food was very salty but had good flavours. read more

Helen's Grill - Beef souvlaki, roast lamb, calamari, and fish and chips - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Great Food and Great Staff make u feel like Family highly recommended this place... Old School

I've heard about Helen's for years. I heard how iconic it is and great food. Maybe at one time. Definitely not now. I came for lunch with a friend. Promptly seated and the diner was not very busy - just two other tables. Most places offer at least water when you sit down. Not here. I ordered a pop which came in a can. The menu is a basic diner menu of burgers, sandwiches etc. I was so excited when I saw they had a Monte Cristo Sandwich! My friend ordered the Rueben. So my Monte Cristo wasn't at all like it should be. Dry dark pieces of Turkey some ham & a slice of Swiss cheese. It wasn't battered like the sandwich should be. I was very underwhelmed with a tasteless sandwich. My friends sandwich was worse. The meat was so gristly she couldn't eat it and sent back. No charge for her. My bill was over $25 incl tip. What a waste of money. I do not recommend at all & I will not be going here every again. Maybe 29 years ago it was okay. read more

Best mushroom cheeseburger I've had in many years! Got the home fries instead of fries and they were sooooo good! My hubby got the classic breakfast and said it was perfect We will be ordering from Helen's Grill again very soon read more

WOW! This is a blast from the past! Feels a bit like the last scene from the Sopranos; complete with the "Seeburg Consolette" table side Jukebox. ( ....don't stop believin'....) Great 1950's diner, updated by ....not much! Breakfast, fried sandwiches and burgers that you would expect, then a few Greek treats that you would not expect... OMG, there a guy bent over, scooping ice cream....too nostalgic! Do I dare ask for a 'float'? Orange Crush Please! Ordered the souvlaki, served big and hot! was good, more like a chicken breast cooked and cut the skewered souvlaki, salad was good, pita like bread was hot fresh and really yummy, rice was dry; but overall a good meal. read more

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Diner lovers will probably find Helen's worthwhile, as it's totally legit. If that's you, add a star to this review. Helen's been around forever. Working jukeboxes at every table, pie case, evidence of "updates" over the years that can be attributed to different decades, etc. Family owned. A true corner diner. This is classic diner food - your basic breakfasts, sandwiches, entrees. You'll walk out for about $10 to 12. There's a *little* touch of Greek on the menu. Like many great Seattle diners, this one seems to be owned by a a Greek family. The club sandwich was nostalgia inducing here. It tasted just like a sandwich my grandma used to make for me. Breakfast is solid. Coffee is not as flowing as some diners, but they will refill eventually. If you do not have a "Diners to Visit" list, you may not like it as much. You don't come here for a gourmet experience as much as the atmosphere, for sure. read more

Helen's Grill - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Was here over the weekend. Had wrong directions going somewhere else and was craving bacon so ended up here. Walk in and right away you will notice the old school and diner like feel of the restaurant. Right down to the 80s style jukebox with oldies music. Anyway I ordered the Giant Breakfast with 3 pieces of bacon, 2 slices of ham, 3 eggs, hash browns, and toast for $10.50. It was indeed giant when it arrived and sure filled me up. The bacon was delicious. Hash browns were a little on the dry side, but nothing that ketchup can't fix. There were also some floaties in my water, but it could possibly be expected at an old diner. Oddly it took a while for us to get our bill considering it wasn't too busy by the time we were done eating. Would definitely be recommended if you're craving breakfast/brunch at a diner style restaurant. read more

Helen's Grill - Giant Breakfast with 3 pieces of bacon, 2 slices of ham, 3 eggs, hash browns, and toast - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Wow! 1950' decor - always busy - lotsa local trade - I have showed up over the years and the food and service here is always that unique signature & delicious signature of the senses. So for the young treat yourself to a historical experience where close to retirees like me can take a gourmet diner delight down memory lane while playing a very cool option their in every booth juke read more

Helen's Grill - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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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. read more

First time going, they have the best coffee and the food i tried was 100% satisfying. I will be going again! read more

Helen's Grill - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This was my hangout back about 25 years ago when the owner George took over from Helen who started in in the 50's! I would often stop in (I lived just a couple of doors down), for Lunch and Dinner as the prices were great, and he always had a special. Well, after 25 years later, George is no longer there, and while the character of an old time diner from the 50's is still there, and they have a similar menu (many items from the old days have been pasted over with white paper), it seems the new owner just doesn't have the passion that the original owners had! It was a nostalgic experience, and I'll probably go back, but hope that someone that really LOVES the place takes over as owner or the new owner hires a great manager and let's them bring the place back to what it once was. Who knows, would like to stop by in a few years and see if things have changed. I've always said, LOVE WHAT YOU DO! Or DON'T Do IT! read more

Helen's Grill - Lived down the street 25 years ago, was in the hood so dropped in! Same dinner decor they've had since the 50s - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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! read more

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. read more

It's a dive diner. And it has individual jukeboxes at the table! My eldest daughter picked "Afternoon Delight" by the Starland Vocal Band. My youngest daughter was happy to go to a place featured in a book she recommended to me, "We Are All Made of Molecules." The food and service are what you expect, but I'm leaving in a good mood, so 4 stars. read more

Helen's Grill - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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So I saw this on a bike run the other day, it looked so bad I told myself I jave to try it! When I arrived, it was actually crowded so I thought I would be surprised! I was wrong... I'll start with the pros; Very good coffee, actually! Cute diner inside. Feels like in the movies! Seats are neat and comfy! Pancakes were big and filling (but see in the cons) And the cons; Very bad quality/price. I have seen many better breakfast for better price in town so it's not just a "Vancouver is expensive" thing. Might be the tastelessest pancakes I have ever. Even the water tasted like metal. Not cute nor inviting from the outside. Service was alright, not wonderful nor bad. Sausage were decent. Bacon looked really bad, that's why I didn't order that.. looked like those "Put in microwave for 10 seconds" things. Good potential, but it sadly met my first expectation.. read more

This is an old restaurant with a 1950s retro diner ambiance being influenced by the impacts of the new millennium. Still has some charm from kinder and gentler days in a neighbourhood quickly changing into a concrete and glass jungle for overseas money-making. The diner is nonetheless well-maintained and clean. There are nice, big windows at a busy intersection for lots to see. Table-top jukeboxes still work and play music from the late 60s to mid-80s... Pat Benatar, Culture Club, Michael Jackson, Madonna's earliest hit, etc. A nice, diner-like atmosphere similar to what I remember as a little boy. Although the waitress, I think, was fairly new at this job and therefore not fluid in her attention, she was very nice and friendly and she tried really hard to get everything done right and was very helpful nonetheless. Nothing to complain there and in another 2 or 3 weeks will be excellent. Food is classic American diner fare, but one can also order Greek-style food of sorts. There is also all-day breakfast and one can have pancakes for lunch or dinner. We ordered the usual hamburger and fries since it seems that is what one should eat for lunch at a diner of this sort. The food was good and the fries better than those at McDonald's. Chicken wings with honey-garlic sauce were awesome. However, I have to say it is slightly expensive by more or less $2 or $3, but OK. We will be back occasionally. What with all the local gentrification I fear it won't last for much longer. To sum it up: Food: 4/5 Price: 2.5/5 Service: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 read more

I just loved this place. Fortunately for me they had steak and eggs as their breakfast special. They use real steak and cook it just right. I wonder if they get their steak from Windsor Quality Meats? I wish I had tried it earlier as I just want to eat breakfast there every day. As other people have mentioned the atmosphere is great too, old-school diner style with booths, and individual juke boxes right at your table. Loved it. Only complaint is that they seemed to be a bit tight with their coffee cream :) read more

Food wasn't great had the breakfast special, which was with pancakes. Pancakes were almost completely raw all the way through. The waiter/owner gave us a bit of lip because we wanted to move tables (too small) and he mentioned at least 3 times that he would have to Re sanitize. He seemed peeved but we ended up moving anyway. Other people's food at my table was okay. read more

Went to Helen's because a friend and I were talking about a hot turkey sandwich. I saw that they made one on an old menu. Not on the menu anymore but they would gladly make one as they have all the ingredients. I had a clubhouse because it's my favorite sandwich and not many places make them anymore, they use chicken breast and call it something else. Clubhouse was excellent. It wasn't cut into traditional 4 pieces but tasty. HK read more

Helen's Grill - Real clubhouse sandwich - Diners Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Came here twice already and I love the place. Foods really good. Love the layout for a diner. I mostly love the old jute box. I spent from $2-$5 already on the box, can't get enough of it. Staff is always friendly when I come in. Check out the pictures on the wall and see what Helen's Grill used to be like in the past. read more