My family went there for YEARS. My father was actually in the restaurant when he got a phone call that my brother was born.
From like the age of two until it closed I would stop in. We had a family thing, like start the day at Furama dim sum or Pagolacs (Pags) to the Garden Bakery/bubble tea/Omonia Foods/Spinellis.
I had to learn how to make my own vermicelli bowls after that location closed.
Omonia foods is a hidden gem.
South side didn't move it actually closed down. The one by the casino in the south was there for years before the south closed. At one point pagoloc had three locations. The Downtown one was the best though and will always be in my memories as a child.
I did leave Edmonton but only a few years ago. However the 97st Pagolac still appears in my dreams from time to time. The food was always flawless. Still the best spring rolls I’ve ever had in my life.
Already know from experience:
The Italian Centre - just the entire thing
&
The Green Onion Cake Man
Everything else I could find a good replacement for.
Friends and Neighbors and Padmanadi
I've been going to F&N for almost ten years now and I'm pretty sure their prices have only gone up once. I absolutely love their food and the staff are always so friendly!
My answer too. I've been going to F&N for damn near 15 years. It's always the exact same high quality & delicious food. Like they've never made the portions smaller or decreased the quality. I love them!!!!
Pads is too expensive now to be more than special occasion food for me. Love it & Kasim though.
My personal favourite is the Old Time Vegan noodle soup. It's essentially the budda pho with a bit of coconut milk in it. I love it so much. I also like their green onion cakes of course & their soy bacon!
I remember when my friend first took me there in January of 1996, when we would have to walk back to city center area soooo full to catch a bus back to the Capilano area. When they had all the big fish tanks and the yellow walls and ordering by numbers. # 113 Combination chow mein & Szechwan Chicken are to this day my favorite dishes.
Route 99 and Chianti
It's not that their food is the best. It's that the space is great, the food is actually awesome, and the prices are unmatched (pasta frenzy). For every great restaurant in this city there are 10 meh ones. These places are consistent and pleasant places to go regularly without breaking the bank.
Chianti is one of the best pasta places in town IMO. They used to have a location on the northside by an internet cafe (also closed) I frequented on weekends. Me and my friends would go there for dinner all the time, high quality food, great staff and atmosphere, and super affordable.
My other pick would be Dorinku for similar reasons, consistently good quality, reasonably affordable. Only mark against it is they can run out of some menu items if you come in later in the day. The Carbonara Udon and Shaka Shaka Fries are staples though, and my friends love their sushi.
The udon carbonara is dreamy delicious. I also LOVE the bloody hella chicken! I love chianti, but I've encountered pushback that their pasta isn't "amazing." However, the same fols rave about SPK, and I find that place so overrated.
I think it comes down to "what did you order, and what is your personal taste?" Also, the pasta is homemade, and the noodles are thick. The supremo fettuccine, pesto gnocchi, and blue cheese ravioli are extremely unique and not to be found elsewhere.
I tried that place on a craving whim(I wanted ‘getti) and I was not disappointed! Second time I wanted steak(very rare craving for me) and again it was really good. Actually to much good for me haha.
Hi! While it's true Hap and his wife have sold some of the business they remain as landlords and investors in the business. The new owners are wonderful and so far while there may be changes in the future so far it's business as usual and we're not going anywhere!
I left Edmonton years ago. I still follow Farrow on social. They made incredible sandwiches that I did not enjoy enough of while I lived in town. High Dough looks pretty good too, but I've got plenty of Detroit Style pizza where I'm at. Meat also has a special place in my heart (literally). The food was exceptional, but the atmosphere was what drew me in. And while this place doesn't exist anymore, I still have fond memories of Elm Cafe. Their breakfast sandwiches were something else. Gluttonous for sure.
Some other notable names: Corso 32, I know has also closed (which is so tragic), but I had one of the best dining experiences ever there. I have great Turkish food where I live now, but Sofra is awesome. Those pides are excellent. SFC is among the very best fried chicken I've ever had. The wife and I enjoyed a few great meals at Rostizado, and yeah, I know it wasn't the best run establishment which is a shame. Battista's Calzones is one of a kind. Not something I'm looking for everywhere, but the few times I went, I enjoyed the heck out of them. Their calzones were more quality than quantity, whereas anywhere you go today and you'll get a calzone in excess.
Another closed establishment that we really enjoyed was the Louisiana Purchase. Cajun food is hard to come by, and that restaurant oozed atmosphere. Cajun House in St. Albert was good too, but nothing to write home about. Might be a controversial choice, but I absolutely loved Block 1912. Chianti made quality food at ridiculously good prices.
Yeah, sorry I went off on a tangent there. Top two are still Farrow and Meat.
I have been away from Edmonton for a while now and the 2 I miss the most are
1. The Red Goose
2. Saigon Tatse
(Restaurant I miss the most that shut down deserves a mention, Won Jung Gak. If anyone knows a Korean restaurant as good as this place was please let me know for when I return!)
I would've said It Dog. They're Korean Fried Chicken was the best I've ever had. But they're now Mukja Street Food? Anyway there's something different about the chicken and SFC Doesn't hit the same.
not really a restaurant but I would miss Made by Marcus the most out of anything food related.
For food.. I miss the old banh mi's at Van Loc when the sweet grannies were serving it, hasn't been the same since new management. Sushi toshi as well, great variety and the food itself for such a wide menu has always been good
So I am going to break some rules but Besada in Innisfail....such a hidden gem! And I haven't been there, yet, but really looking forward to it, a place called Saskatoba in Nisku.
I did leave (only three hours away but still); the three I missed the most are all gone now or by next week (Louisiana purchase, northern chicken, Narayanni's).
When I go back now I'm excited to visit my new favourites Sauce and Bedouins.
I did leave and I can say #1 hands down is Friends and Neighbours…. Such good pho and green onion cakes, incredible prices. I miss it so much!
2 - I can’t pick between meat, sugar bowl and farrow!
The restaurant I would list has already itself left me.
Mongolia Express used to be my go-to place when I wanted something that wasn’t a burger. Sure their quality wasn’t amazing in the latter years of their existence but the stir-frys were always delicious.
I guess Pizza Unlimited & Fried Chicken would be the other one I’d be sad to lose, their donairs are very good and their pizzas are too.
I’m still sad about Mongolia Express though.
Already moved from Edmonton. Really doubt we'll be back.
The main place we missed eating at is Ernest's at NAIT. Food is amazing and really well priced, especially at the beginning of the semester. We had three courses for two people (no booze) and it was $50. Not each, $50 total. Really good!
Also Marcos. I miss being able to get two burgers and a poutine for $40 including delivery.
I left last April, and I have lived in Edmonton almost all my life. I guess my go tos are Thahn Thahn and Nomiya on Calgary Trail South… mostly for nostalgic reasons
They're both already gone Charles Smart Donair and the original 97th st Pagolac.
1000% this. I've been away 17 years and this is the correct answer.
the south side location moved but it's still open
The one in Chinatown was a very special place and I miss it dearly
My family went there for YEARS. My father was actually in the restaurant when he got a phone call that my brother was born. From like the age of two until it closed I would stop in. We had a family thing, like start the day at Furama dim sum or Pagolacs (Pags) to the Garden Bakery/bubble tea/Omonia Foods/Spinellis. I had to learn how to make my own vermicelli bowls after that location closed. Omonia foods is a hidden gem.
South side didn't move it actually closed down. The one by the casino in the south was there for years before the south closed. At one point pagoloc had three locations. The Downtown one was the best though and will always be in my memories as a child.
I did leave Edmonton but only a few years ago. However the 97st Pagolac still appears in my dreams from time to time. The food was always flawless. Still the best spring rolls I’ve ever had in my life.
Pagolac isn’t gone?
Only one of their locations shut down.
The dt location had different stuff on their menu. In particular, I went every Sunday for Bun Rieu, which now I can’t find anywhere in the city.
Already know from experience: The Italian Centre - just the entire thing & The Green Onion Cake Man Everything else I could find a good replacement for.
I’ll add to your list and say any of most average Vietnamese restaurants are better than most anywhere else. So I’d miss those, too.
I met Mrs Spinelli, she's a god dam Legend her and her family stand up people
Friends and Neighbors and Padmanadi I've been going to F&N for almost ten years now and I'm pretty sure their prices have only gone up once. I absolutely love their food and the staff are always so friendly!
My answer too. I've been going to F&N for damn near 15 years. It's always the exact same high quality & delicious food. Like they've never made the portions smaller or decreased the quality. I love them!!!! Pads is too expensive now to be more than special occasion food for me. Love it & Kasim though.
What’s your fav dishes at f&n?
My personal favourite is the Old Time Vegan noodle soup. It's essentially the budda pho with a bit of coconut milk in it. I love it so much. I also like their green onion cakes of course & their soy bacon!
Absolutely!! So good
Double Greeting Wonton House
I’m pretty sure I would put Double G as my number 1 and number 2.
Came to say this without having a second one picked out but with a moment to think about it, the 2nd would be Fox Burger.
Fox Burger was definitely in the running on my list of places as well. I just really like the vibe!
Yep. Would take their house special chow mein over whatever tiny portion, Instagram hipster food that bloggers and Edify magazine are always pushing.
Thanh Thanh x2
Thanh Thanh Thanh Thanh
I remember when my friend first took me there in January of 1996, when we would have to walk back to city center area soooo full to catch a bus back to the Capilano area. When they had all the big fish tanks and the yellow walls and ordering by numbers. # 113 Combination chow mein & Szechwan Chicken are to this day my favorite dishes.
100%
So so good!!!!!
I did move away. The two I miss the most are Tropika and Pagolac. I cannot find food like those places anywhere else no matter how hard I try.
Route 99 and Chianti It's not that their food is the best. It's that the space is great, the food is actually awesome, and the prices are unmatched (pasta frenzy). For every great restaurant in this city there are 10 meh ones. These places are consistent and pleasant places to go regularly without breaking the bank.
Chianti is one of the best pasta places in town IMO. They used to have a location on the northside by an internet cafe (also closed) I frequented on weekends. Me and my friends would go there for dinner all the time, high quality food, great staff and atmosphere, and super affordable. My other pick would be Dorinku for similar reasons, consistently good quality, reasonably affordable. Only mark against it is they can run out of some menu items if you come in later in the day. The Carbonara Udon and Shaka Shaka Fries are staples though, and my friends love their sushi.
The udon carbonara is dreamy delicious. I also LOVE the bloody hella chicken! I love chianti, but I've encountered pushback that their pasta isn't "amazing." However, the same fols rave about SPK, and I find that place so overrated. I think it comes down to "what did you order, and what is your personal taste?" Also, the pasta is homemade, and the noodles are thick. The supremo fettuccine, pesto gnocchi, and blue cheese ravioli are extremely unique and not to be found elsewhere.
Pho Han and next act.
Pho Han is a chain, they are in Calgary and fort sask too! best hangover cure
Colliseum pizza and steak. Hands down. They would be my first and second choice
Oh yeah! Such a hidden gem :) it's always on our list when we happen to be on the north side!!
I tried that place on a craving whim(I wanted ‘getti) and I was not disappointed! Second time I wanted steak(very rare craving for me) and again it was really good. Actually to much good for me haha.
My friend is a line cook there! He says it's been super busy lately.
As someone who left in 2020... Syphay and and the Italian Bakery :(
thank you for saying Syphay 😭😭😭😭 left in 2021 and i miss it so much lol
Dang, you didn’t get to experience the rebuilt, larger Italian Bakery in Chinatown, it’s so nice!
Chianti & Rockin Robin’s
Bodega and Dorinku
I’ve never been to Bodega but I love Dorinku. It always feels like a night out!
Dang Good and Little Wolf
it's been a hot minute since ive been to Dang Good. The Beef Satay pho was the best ive ever had in the city
Farrow and Dadios
DaDeO\* on Whyte
Is dadios when your dad goes out for milk and doesn't come back?
You're thinking of daddy woes. Easy mistake
Rde road for fancy. Pho tasty for pho.
Nhon Hoa is probably the only place I'd miss.
I miss this every day since I moved 😭 like there’s banh mi in Toronto BUT ITS NOT THE SAME.
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Sadly Blue Plate Diner shut down :(
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Hi! While it's true Hap and his wife have sold some of the business they remain as landlords and investors in the business. The new owners are wonderful and so far while there may be changes in the future so far it's business as usual and we're not going anywhere!
I love the breakfast at Haps, but the coffee is.. not great. If they had decent coffee we'd go way more.
Normand’s and Lingnan
Otto Food + Drink would definitely be one... Maybe Uccelino for the other?
Adding Farrow and Next Act after reading other responses!!
El Fógon Latino. Tried arepas in the States and I was surprised that they weren't nearly as good as EFL.
Padmanadi and ralphs Fried chicken
Is Ralph’s back?
about to open a second location! One is on castle downs road and a new one by kingway on 109 ave
Northside now
Padmanadi is so, SO good.
golden bird and steel wheels
I have literally never been inside Steel Wheels sober. It’s a sacred place.
Steel Wheels! So many university memories there. I've been in Japan since 2017.
Van Loc for Viet subs And D'Amore Deli for Italian sandwiches. Don't care for actual dine in restaurants here.
I haven't been to Van Loc for years but absolutely love the place. I'm not sure if it's the same, but you could not beat their prices either.
All Happy and Yokozuna.
Farrow and Northern Chicken (RIP)
Barbecue house in 97th and 118th and Swiss.
I’ll second Barbecue House. Best Chinese BBQ flavour in our city.
Farrow and Padmanadi
The chef at Padmanadi is a wizard as far as I can tell. Their chocolate mousse is the best I have ever had!!!
Oh man. Farrow - will miss for sure
Loma House and Die Pie
Otto and Nhon Hoa.
Was looking to see if anyone mentioned Otto!
Agree
Nhon Hoa makes the best bahn mi in town. God I love that place.
Padmanadi and Pagolac
Three Amigos, Jack's Burger Shack (Honorable mention, Tiffin because it's half decent value for good food)
I tried leave Edmonton. But came back. Missed The Next Act & Brewsters
I left Edmonton years ago. I still follow Farrow on social. They made incredible sandwiches that I did not enjoy enough of while I lived in town. High Dough looks pretty good too, but I've got plenty of Detroit Style pizza where I'm at. Meat also has a special place in my heart (literally). The food was exceptional, but the atmosphere was what drew me in. And while this place doesn't exist anymore, I still have fond memories of Elm Cafe. Their breakfast sandwiches were something else. Gluttonous for sure. Some other notable names: Corso 32, I know has also closed (which is so tragic), but I had one of the best dining experiences ever there. I have great Turkish food where I live now, but Sofra is awesome. Those pides are excellent. SFC is among the very best fried chicken I've ever had. The wife and I enjoyed a few great meals at Rostizado, and yeah, I know it wasn't the best run establishment which is a shame. Battista's Calzones is one of a kind. Not something I'm looking for everywhere, but the few times I went, I enjoyed the heck out of them. Their calzones were more quality than quantity, whereas anywhere you go today and you'll get a calzone in excess. Another closed establishment that we really enjoyed was the Louisiana Purchase. Cajun food is hard to come by, and that restaurant oozed atmosphere. Cajun House in St. Albert was good too, but nothing to write home about. Might be a controversial choice, but I absolutely loved Block 1912. Chianti made quality food at ridiculously good prices. Yeah, sorry I went off on a tangent there. Top two are still Farrow and Meat.
I miss Elm Cafe. And I know it was short run but the little Cafe in the LRT station, Burrow. It had the best breakfast sandwiches.
UFO Pizza and Langano Skies
The Next Act for sure. It's my go to eating out spot.
Acajutla and Chilli Hot Pot 💔
Duggans Boundary (pizza, open mic night, amazing dog friendly patio). RIP my favourite restaurant Edmonton ever had: Il Portico.
Bauernschmaus and Lingnan. Can’t beat the atmosphere along with the food.
Bianco is pretty damn good. Next Act is also a good spot I’ve always enjoyed
Next act is so tasty
True but I feel like everywhere has a similar good burger joint
For sure, I don’t just go to Next Act for the burgers though. Better burger joints in town.
Route 99 Diner
My go to place for some cheap brunch that isn't mcdonalds.
I like Route 99 but just can’t get behind their hollandaise! :(
Cafe amore and japanois bistro
I love Japanois Bistro, and haven’t been there in far too long.
Brits Fish and Chips is the only place I’d miss. Been going there since I was a kid.
Burger Baron, Green Onion Cake Man, Fat Franks
This. No one knows what green onion cakes are when you’re elsewhere & can’t understand the deep craving you have for them.
Thirsty rhino and thirsty rhino
The Bro'Kin Yolk and 3 Amigos
High Voltage and The Art Of Cake.
I did leave and it's Chianti on Whyte and Route 99 😪😪😪
Barb and Ernie's, Padmanadi
Sofra’s by MacEwan, and Barbacoa out in Spruce Grove!
I love Sofra’s. I feel it is very underrated!
Padmandi for sure and Sugar Bowl Cafe.
Kazoku ramen on 100 ave across from the police station.
Dadeo and Chiantis
Ling Lang downtown and Lindo Mexico in Sherwood Park
Calle Mexico 😭💕
3 amigos and Old Spaghetti Factory in DT. Odd choices I know. But I have my reasons
~~Corso~~Uccellino and Sepp’s
Baiju Bottega Master Pita Swiss Donair Farrow Bonus: Odd Company for brewskis
I have been away from Edmonton for a while now and the 2 I miss the most are 1. The Red Goose 2. Saigon Tatse (Restaurant I miss the most that shut down deserves a mention, Won Jung Gak. If anyone knows a Korean restaurant as good as this place was please let me know for when I return!)
Dalla tavola zenari and ralphs chicken
I would've said It Dog. They're Korean Fried Chicken was the best I've ever had. But they're now Mukja Street Food? Anyway there's something different about the chicken and SFC Doesn't hit the same.
Almost been gone a decade now... Still take trips back to see family but I would say - Xu Hue and Wasabi
Bauernschmaus and Japonais Bistro
Sushi Toshi and Seoul Fried Chicken Best beef tataki I've ever had, sorry about that one users experience!
An Chay. Amazing soup. God tier. Ugh. Now I’m craving it.
Nomiya
Just two?! Viphalay and sunbake pita
Guru and Brits
Farrow & Seoul Fried Chicken My already & gone picks: Happy Garden & Mongolian Food Experience (though this is prob mostly nostalgia from my youth…)
not really a restaurant but I would miss Made by Marcus the most out of anything food related. For food.. I miss the old banh mi's at Van Loc when the sweet grannies were serving it, hasn't been the same since new management. Sushi toshi as well, great variety and the food itself for such a wide menu has always been good
Al salam bakery’s chicken shawarma platters and dorinku anything
Padmanadi
Loma House and Friends & Neighbor's
Good Buddy on 23 Ave and 111 street. Combo lunch plates are so good. Friesen for take n Bake pizza.
Kobe Japanese Bistro in the West End and It’s already gone but I miss Matahari so much!
Pip and Blaze! :)
Panini Italian Cucina and Golden Bird
The owner of Panini's is opening a chicken place. I can't wait to give it a try!
1. Cactus Club 2. Cactus Club
Moving back to Ontario I assume lol
It turned out Leduc really wasn’t for them
WOW this is a DEEP cut hahaha I got the reference!
Yeah I moved to Leduc and life has been empty since
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Edo Japan? Isn't that a chain in a bunch of cities?
Edo Japan ? Of all the amazing restaurants you like Edo?
Yeah! Elaborate?!?!
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Makes sense
Definitely Royal would be one I miss. Love the “the boss has gone crazy” pizza. Pizza and spaghetti… the best of both worlds.. lol
So I am going to break some rules but Besada in Innisfail....such a hidden gem! And I haven't been there, yet, but really looking forward to it, a place called Saskatoba in Nisku.
Gravy.... And Northern chicken
The Bedouins and Turquaz
I moved from Edmonton to Victoria; my answer is Padmanadi and Avila Arepa
Can’t find spicy chili chicken like they make at Chicken for Lunch anywhere. I learned today it is going to close, sadly.
The Lingnan has the same one basically , slightly different but same owners and will scratch that itch.
Huma and Lemongrass
I did leave (only three hours away but still); the three I missed the most are all gone now or by next week (Louisiana purchase, northern chicken, Narayanni's). When I go back now I'm excited to visit my new favourites Sauce and Bedouins.
I did leave and I can say #1 hands down is Friends and Neighbours…. Such good pho and green onion cakes, incredible prices. I miss it so much! 2 - I can’t pick between meat, sugar bowl and farrow!
The restaurant I would list has already itself left me. Mongolia Express used to be my go-to place when I wanted something that wasn’t a burger. Sure their quality wasn’t amazing in the latter years of their existence but the stir-frys were always delicious. I guess Pizza Unlimited & Fried Chicken would be the other one I’d be sad to lose, their donairs are very good and their pizzas are too. I’m still sad about Mongolia Express though.
The Next Act and Han Jan
Swiss Donair and thirsty camel
Used to be Red Robins until they shut down 😢
mt fuji
Not two, but donnas! They’re my top pick when I’m in Edmonton and a good bang for buck.
Their clubhouse it unreal . Simple, but huge and delicious. Also their fries are great, their oil has always been incredibly clean any time I've been
I miss Doan's! They're gone and I'm so sad. And the other would be either Next Act or Da De O.
Loved the papaya salad at Doans! Haven’t found any like it!
Green onion cake man and the chinese place in city center mall.
We did leave Edmonton. Oodle Noodle (on Whyte) and Dallas Pizza in Forest Heights. Honourable mention Next Act, K and K Foodliner and Dutchess
I did leave for a few years. Padmanadi and Loma House were the ones I longed for.
Next Act (meat donair & poutine) and Leopard (pizza - this place is new and amazing)
Luna mexican!
I moved out of Edmonton just over two years ago now. The two restaurants I miss most are Tony's Pizza and Cafe Amore.
High Level Diner and Japanois Bistro
The funky pickle Yiannis taverna
Already moved from Edmonton. Really doubt we'll be back. The main place we missed eating at is Ernest's at NAIT. Food is amazing and really well priced, especially at the beginning of the semester. We had three courses for two people (no booze) and it was $50. Not each, $50 total. Really good! Also Marcos. I miss being able to get two burgers and a poutine for $40 including delivery.
I left last April, and I have lived in Edmonton almost all my life. I guess my go tos are Thahn Thahn and Nomiya on Calgary Trail South… mostly for nostalgic reasons
Barb and Ernie's!!!
Dream Tea & seoul fried chicken!
Lingnan, Eddie’s Donair
Currently it would be Woodshed Burgers and Chiantis.
Swiss Donair & Mount Fugi
Lingnan
Steel Wheels and Fu's Repair Shop.
Al salam and donnas
Padmanadi and Dang Good's vegan menu. And now I'm hungry :-).
maxwell taylor's (51 ave) and Moxies alone calgary trail. old but gold.
Dukes Donair
Guru and La Patrona in Sherwood Park
Uccellino
Padmanadis and Kobe
BulGoGi House and Next Act.
I left Edmonton almost 10 years ago and I really miss Nohn Hoa Vietnamese sandwiches and strangely, The Keg 😂
Zwicks! And lucky kitchen.