Old Crow Cafe

The Mexican-​Canadian menu is intriguing with a good cross-​section of choices, some healthy, some vegan, some meat, some fish, some breakfast. I’d come back next time I’m on Gabriola.
The café has lots of windows and light, with an interesting collection of crow art and figures that put a smile on my face.
I went with the theme ordering the Old Crow burger ($ 12) with choice of patty — veggie. With cheese and bacon, burger sauce, and crispy onions, I couldn’t tell it wasn’t meat. The black-​bean and rice patty was big, flavourful, moist but not mushy — they must have made it in house by the taste. The side of potato chips added a nice crunch and salt fix.

Apparently this restaurant was featured on a Canadian TV show that is somewhat like Drive-​ins, Diners and Dives, and for good reason.
Excellent food, homemade hot sauces, and enthusiastic staff. My friends own a house on Gabriola, and considering how remote and seasonal the island is, this is an amazing place (actually it’s pretty good no matter where it is). We ate here three times over the course of a week (no, there aren’t tons of choices on the island, but we could have eaten at the house easily enough) and would recommend it highly. They even had just recently gotten Jarritos (Mexican) sodas, which I thought was a really nice touch. Over the course of the three visits I had fish, beef and chicken tacos, and their enchiladas. All were very tasty and nicely presented. Ambience is perfect for what it is.
Gabriola has come a long way since I worked there as a camp counselor eons ago, and The Old Crow is emblematic of that.
Hope to eat here again next summer when I’m back.