After 20 years of serving comfort food in Lower Lonsdale, one of North Vancouver’s most recognizable restaurants closes its doors at the end of the month.
Burgoo Bistro announced that its North Vancouver location at 3 Lonsdale Avenue permanently closed on March 29.
The announcement was posted to the restaurant’s Instagram on March 20 and has already been liked over 1,000 times.
“After 20 incredible years in the Lonsdale community, it is with heavy hearts we announce the closure of our North Van location,” the post reads.
The message goes on to describe what the space has meant over the years.
“This space has been filled with so much more than food. It’s been laughter, connection, celebrations, and countless memories made with all of you,” it reads.
The comments section is filled with emotional reactions from regulars and neighbours.
One commenter wrote, “Oh my heart. So many amazing years there. Lower Lonsdale will never be the same.”
Another added, “Just when the world needs more comfort food.”
No specific reason was given for the closure.
The announcement did not mention lease issues, costs, or redevelopment.
Burgoo is a Vancouver-born comfort food bistro that first opened in Point Grey back in December 2001.
It was founded by Stephan MacIntyre, Justin Joyce, and Ken Carty, three friends who met playing ultimate frisbee in Vancouver and bonded over sports and food.
The name “burgoo” comes from a type of communally prepared stew popular in the American South.
The founders discovered the word in a library book called Stews, Bogs and Burgoos at the Vancouver Public Library.
The restaurant is known for its hearty soups, stews, pot pies, mac and cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
This is not the first time Burgoo has scaled back.
The chain closed its Kitsilano location on West 4th Avenue back in December 2020 after nearly a decade in that space.
Three Burgoo locations will remain open: the original Point Grey spot on West 10th Avenue, the Mount Pleasant location on Main Street, and the Downtown location on Burrard Street.
Burgoo North Vancouver now joins other recently closed food spots in the area like Lattea Crystal Mall, American Cheesesteak Co. Metrotown, and Purebread Kitsilano.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 3 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC