Hamburger Mary's Diner - Vancouver

My wife and I just love outdoor patio dining, and this stretch of "Bute St." is an outdoor patio, with Hamburger Mary's at one end. The good is that my hamburger was perfect; just as listed on the menu. As were the onion rings and local beer I got with it. Definitely hit the spot. The not-so-good was my wife's teriyaki chicken wings, while tasty, were over-done. And we had to ask for the celery on the side that was supposed to come with. Also on the not-so-good side was the service. We were there on the night of Vancouver's annual fireworks competition/display, and the area was crowded. As was the patio dining area of Hamburger Mary's. However, the inside ( much larger) was virtually empty, yet service was slow. No clue what the problem was. Bottom line, the burgers are great, the rest of the menu, maybe not so much.

This Davie Street retaurant has been there for over 30 years. It is a diner style with plenty of TV's for watching sports. I just finished reading and drooling over an article on the 100 best burgers in the United States and so a place with Hamburger in its name attracted me. The service was very friendly and you can sit outside on a nice patio when the weather is fine as it was on the day we ate there. The burgers are good and offerred in 4 or 7 oz patties. I had the California burger, attracted by the avacado which was pretty thin so it really didn't seem like anything beyond a regular burger. The grilled chicken burger enjoyed by one of our group was enjoyed as were the fish and chips accompanied by a less than exciting cole slaw. The prices are reasonable.

Very salty breakfast. Not great sausages, rubbish pancakes. Served on big plates with thick toast. Great staff.

First time we have visited since the remodeling. As others have noted, the new lacks warmth. Seating is OK, but the barren high walls void of anything but large TV screens (its not a sports bar is it?) do not work for a welcome feeling. We came for breakfast. Service OK, coffee refills slow. Ordered the City Style - 2 eggs, deep fried potato cubes, choice of meat and bread, a bit of cold tomato salsa and a small wedge of cantelope. Basic and OK. Second order was the Western Scramble that arrived as an omelette. Omelette was good - onions, mushrooms, red and green peppers, ham and not too much cheddar cheese (the right amount). Washrooms clean, credit cards accepted, oldies background music was playing at a good (low) volume.

I visited Hamburger Marys for dinner since it was close to my hotel. The remodel is nicely done but I miss the " old Hamburger Marys" with all it color and quirks which made it "Marys". The walls now are barren and vast with no art at all and its feels a bit like " anywhere USA". The food was "OK" but it wasn't anything to write home about. The best part of dining here was the waitress who has been here since they built the place. Good to see she has stayed faithful and kept the flavor of the old Hamburger Marys. This is a great place for a sure bet on the food but if you want a "dining experience" Id keep looking. Mary's once was THAT place in years past.