Cheap Eats Metro Vancouver: Anny's Dairy Bar

It’s no secret that mom-and-pop shops often have a tough time surviving in and around Vancouver: high rent, lots of competition, and changing dining habits have meant the untimely end of many a neighbourhood gem.

All of which is to say, we should protect places like Anny’s Dairy Bar with our lives.

Located in the heart of uptown New Westminster, this local gem is a slice of jolly Quebec on the west coast: a lively ice cream bar that serves everything from burgers and hot dogs to poutine and smoked meat sandwiches.

It’s old school — cash or debit only, no washrooms, plastic takeaway boxes, and straws.

The owner, a friendly woman from Quebec City who now calls BC home, offers a friendly atmosphere and quick, diligent service. She was quick to recommend her shop’s specialties and answer questions for newcomers.

After a brief closure earlier this year, locals were overjoyed to see Anny’s open for business again just in time for summer.

Max Hill/Daily Hive

We were overwhelmed with the amount of delicious options at Anny’s when we popped in, and wanting an authentic French Canadian dining experience, we opted for the smoked meat poutine.

The creation of good poutine is part art, part science. 

You want enough gravy to cover all the fries, but not so much that everything becomes soggy, the cheese curds have to be at least a little squeaky, and the fries should be thick enough so they don’t disintegrate after a few minutes of munching.

The food scientists at Anny’s Dairy Bar have clearly done their research, as their signature poutine is a near-perfect take on the Quebecois delicacy.

In our opinion, anyways. 

Max Hill/Daily Hive

For its size, the poutine was very reasonably priced at $16.95, considering it was made for two meals and change.

Our burger, while simple in ingredients, made a perfect accompaniment to the fry dish, with crisp lettuce and a generous slice of tomato.

We intended to finish our meal with Anny’s famous maple twist ice cream, but the portions were too much to follow up with a full scoop of ice cream — we opted instead for a kid’s size of regular vanilla.

Max Hill/Daily Hive

To our surprise, the tasty cone was big enough to be mistaken for an adult size, and we barely finished the whole thing.

Altogether, our meal was about $40 and fed us both during the day and the next morning for a non-traditional brunch bite.

Max Hill/Daily Hive

Those looking for something more traditional can also opt for Anny’s famous smoked meat sandwich, which is about as authentic as they come in the area, or a generously sized hot dog for a cheap four dollars.

We arrived only minutes after opening, and by the time we were done with our meals, a crowd had amassed of Quebecois expats, young families, and hungry locals.

While not well known outside its home city, locals of New West’s uptown neighbourhood have come to embrace Anny’s as a local gem, with possibly the best poutine and ice cream in the area.

Just think twice before visiting during busy periods.

Anny’s Dairy Bar

Address: 722 6th Street, New Westminster
Phone: 604-515-1410