Food: Indulge in some summer gluttony
Christine Louie, Associate Staff Writer
Lou’s Grill & Bistro 3357 Broadway West, Vancouver, BC (604) 736-9872
Located on a quiet retail street near the edge of Kitsilano, Lou’s Grill and Bistro stands out from the surrounding stores like a bright sparkling star. The fluorescent blue of Lou’s awning glows well into the night like a lighthouse for lost ships, or, in this case, roving, thirsty students. The pint-size patio with oversized wooden lawn chairs out front is continuously filled in the summer months, and inside the dimly lit red bar sit roughly a dozen tables. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Lou’s is busiest Friday and Saturday nights, and all day Sunday.
Lou’s Grill and Bistro has been a popular bar with locals for well over a decade, in an area with a surfeit of drinking options. Lou’s attractiveness to the young-at-heart is predominantly due to daily drink specials, a wide variety of music and reasonably priced yet tasty bar food. Items like the ‘screaming hot’ wings, cheesy nachos layered with unhealthy condiments, freshly-made burgers, and well-constructed sandwiches are some of the great picks for those not watching their waistline.
The chalkboard drink menu located above the patio window covers most of the wall.
The drink specials are as follows – on Monday; specials include shooters for $2.75, and local pints for $3.95, on Tuesday; specials include Caesars for $2.95 and Heineken or a Corona for $3.95, on Wednesday; frozen martinis are only $3.95, on Thursday; specials include premium highballs for $2.95 or imports for $3.95, on Friday; Long Island ice tea is on special for $2.95, on Saturday; a pitcher of Spring Lager is only $10.95 and Sunday is best of all; offering all the above drinks at their special price all day long.
Lou’s chef gave credit to his prep cook, praising her for the consistency and quality of food served at Lou’s. “[She]’s great. She has been with Lou’s for a long time, and really knows the ingredients inside out. Her passion for food and attention to detail is definitely a factor in [our popularity]” Favourite items on the menu include the red-hot wings and super-large breaded chicken pieces that are deep-fried and doused in a savoury, tangy sauce with just the right amount of red-hot sauce. The hummus dish arrives with warm, lightly toasted whole-wheat pita quarters painted with garlic butter, and a generous bowl of smooth, creamy hummus, studded with firm, black kalamata olives. The luscious burgers and sandwiches are safe bets, each served with a generous side of crunchy French fries or salad. All patties are made with fresh ground beef, chopped parsley, finely diced onions, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken stock. The BLT is the chef’s personal favourite, high in flavour with six slices of sizzling bacon adorning the sandwich, topped with rich guacamole and melted Swiss cheese. For groups with the munchies, the nachos won’t disappoint; Lou’s version uses organic chips, homemade corn salsa, banana peppers, freshly diced tomatoes, and green onions. Though not the place to start off your summer diet, Lou’s is definitely a place to indulge in some summer gluttony.