The Davie Mongolian BBQ (1161 Davie Street, Vancouver, phone 604-669-4545) is an affordable, all-you-can eat version of the Mongolian BBQ on Broadway. Fill up a bowl with your choice of thinly sliced meat, tofu, vegetables, and a plethora of sauces, and watch as the chef quickly cooks your selections on a massive, round metal grill, and then scoops your meal with a flourish into a clean waiting bowl. If you’re so inclined, add some garnish of sweet pineapple or sesame seeds (pictured below). For dinner, you can eat as many bowls as you like, for a low price of $10.99, which also includes rice and salad. What a great deal!

Thai Away Home (web site, 1206 Davie Street, 604-682-8424) is a casual, fast-food style Thai restaurant located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown Davie Street district. Davie Street is great for people-watching while eating in at this restaurant, or enjoy take-out at home. My favorite is their Pad-Thai, which is fried noodles with tofu, bean sprouts, eggs and prawns (pictured below, $8.95).

Library Square Public House (web site, 300 W. Georgia St., phone 604 633-9644) is a popular pub and hang-out place located in downtown Vancouver next to the Vancouver Public Library. Decor is tastefully minimalist with some smaller art pieces by Emily Carr students. Large TV’s are perfect for keeping tabs on the game, and across the street you’ll find Queen Elizabeth theatre and only a couple blocks away, GM Place and BC Place Stadium. Along with the usual pub fare, the food menu is strictly sandwiches and burgers, unless you are there after 4pm when they also serve steaks and chops. I really enjoyed my chicken and cheddar sandwich which was served with a fresh hot house tomato slice and a side Caesar salad (pictured below).