There are several Keg Steakhouses in Vancouver and other parts of the Lower Mainland. The casual dining restaurants are famous for their steaks and prime rib.
There are 18 Keg restaurants in British Columbia including four within the City of Vancouver. There are also two locations in Surrey and one in each of Abbotsford, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, Maple Ridge, Richmond, West Vancouver and Whistler.
This article contains the following information about Keg restaurants:
Menu | Locations | History of the Keg | Tips & Advice | Other Information
Lower Mainland Keg Restaurants
The Keg Steakhouse is a Canadian-owned premium casual chain. The place is known for its elegant decor and modern interiors, as well as its steak- and prime rib-focused menu. It’s also highly rated by sites such as TripAdvisor and OpenTable, with an average rating of about four stars.
The Keg’s menu focuses primarily on steak and prime rib. Meat entrees include prime rib, top sirloin, striploin, rib steak, and filet mignon. Diners can also add seafood like scallops, shrimp, crab, or lobster to their dishes.
In addition to its steak options, the Keg offers other chain-dining staples. Burgers, pasta, salads, pork ribs, and chicken are also on the menu. As an upscale chain restaurant, the diner also offers several more sophisticated options. Interesting dishes include an escargot appetizer, a blue cheese filet mignon, and lobster tails.
Included with most dinners (except maybe for takeout) is fresh bread, which is delicious!
Kids’ Menu
Most menu items are geared toward adults. However, the Keg offers a kids’ menu (which several competitors do not). Special items for children include things like chicken fingers, cheesy noodles (a.k.a. mac and cheese), kids’ burgers, and child-sized steaks.
Lower Mainland Keg Locations
There are about 12 Keg restaurants in the Lower Mainland. Surrey has two locations, with one on Scott Road and the other at Morgan Crossing. There is also one each in Burnaby (near Willingdon and Highway #1), Coquitlam (across from Coquitlam Centre), Richmond (in the strip mall on the Steveston Highway by Highway 99), and in West Vancouver (at Park Royal Mall).
There are also locations in Abbotsford (at 2142 West Railway Street), Langley (near the Cineplex Cinema) and Maple Ridge (at 20640 Dewdney Trunk Road).
The City of Vancouver has four locations. They are located in Yaletown (1011 Mainland Street), Granville Island (1499 Anderson Street), Dunsmuir Street (at Granville), and Alberni Street (also accessible via Granville Street near Thurlow).
The restaurant in Yaletown has a rooftop patio in warmer months. The one on Granville Island is conveniently located near one of the city’s most interesting Shopping and theatre districts, as well as the False Creek Seawall.
History of The Keg
The Keg was founded in 1971 by George Tidball. Today, there are more than 150 locations across Canada and the United States.
Originally named “The Keg and Cleaver,” the first restaurant was in the Moodyville neighbourhood of North Vancouver (which is just east of the Shipyards and Lower Lonsdale District). Coincidentally, both the Cactus Club and Browns also started on the North Shore. Also interestingly, although originating in the city, apart from Delta, North Vancouver is the largest Metro Vancouver community that today has no Keg.
The chain was purchased by CARA Operations in 2018. Renamed Recipe Unlimited shortly after, the parent company is a huge corporation that also owns Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Montanas, Milestones, Original Joe’s, New York Fries, Elephant & Castle, and a range of other restaurant brands. The corporation is based in Vaughan, Ontario. The Keg’s head office, however, is in Richmond, BC.
Years ago the Keg used to treat its customers to a free lunch or dinner entree on their birthdays. Now, if you go to the restaurant on your birthday, you can get a complimentary dessert.
A restaurant created by former Keg employees in the Okanagan over 30 years ago is Kelly O’Bryan’s. Today, the chain has locations in both Kitsilano and New Westminster. At Kelly O’Bryan’s, you can still get a free entree valued at $20 or $30 to help you celebrate your birthday (or at least that was the case the last time we checked). Kelly O’Bryan’s is like a Keg, especially the location in New West, but with an Irish theme.
Tips & Advice
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your dining experience
TIP #1: An exceptional time to visit the Keg is during the Dine Out Vancouver Festival in January or February. That’s when hundreds of Lower Mainland restaurants offer special three-course menus. The Keg entrees typically include steak or prime rib for around $50. You also receive an appetizer and dessert, making it an exceptional deal.
TIP #2: If you’re on a tight budget but still want to spoil yourself, order one of the largest steaks or prime rib dinners and ask to share it with your dinner partner (assuming you both like the same thing). The Keg typically serves it on two separate plates. Doing this is cheaper than having both people order the same dish separately in smaller serving sizes. The money you’ll save will cover the cost of your salad, appetizer, or dessert.
TIP #3: Only suggest the above idea to your dinner partner if you know them well and believe they’ll see value in it. Don’t suggest it on a first date or with someone you’re trying to impress!
TIP #4: The Keg is a popular place. If hoping to eat there on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, during the Dine Out Vancouver Festival or some other special occasion, make your reservations well in advance.
TIP #5: Like most of its competition, the Keg has a Happy Hour, but for dine-in only. Our favourite is the plate of prime rib sliders!
Other Information
For more details, visit the official Keg Steakhouse website.
Other comparable chain restaurants include Cactus Club, Milestones, Browns, JOEY and Earls. When you find one of these places you’ll often find one of the others not too far away. Another similar but much smaller chain is Kelly O’Bryan’s which has a location in an old train station in New Westminster.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Casual Dining Chain Restaurants and How They Compare
- Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
- What’s Happening This Weekend
For ideas on other places to eat check out the following articles:
- BURNABY‘s Best Restaurants
- NORTH VANCOUVER‘s Best Restaurants
- RICHMOND‘s Best Restaurants
- SURREY‘s Best Restaurants
- VANCOUVER‘s Best Restaurants
- WEST VANCOUVER‘s Best Restaurants
