Jethro's Fine Grub - Vancouver, BC

Jethro's is another one of those joints Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives visited while he filmed in Vancouver so of course the Piglets had to come here. I heard there were long line ups so we decided we'd do a drive by and see how long we'd have to wait. Hmm, it's already 2 pm and there's only a few people outside so the wait must not be that long, right?

This place is tiny! No wonder you have to wait... We put my name on the list and we're told 45 minutes so we decide to walk around as Jethro's is situated near several antique/used furniture/knick knack stores. 45 minutes elapse and we've gotten a tea from Timmy's across the street and browsed all there is to browse. I wonder how much longer we have to wait? We're told it will be another 45 to 60 min! #%£*$&$!!!


After an hour and a half (I'm starving!), the Piglets are finally seated. Somebody give me some food stat or I'm going to pass out!

Catfish Po-Boy - $12

Battered and fried or Cajun rubbed and grilled served with lemon caper tarter, lettuce & tomato on a soft hoagie bun (battered and fried shown here)

This is the least favorite of mine and Mr. Piglet thinks its ok. The catfish is fried very well and the tarter is a nice tangy complement but there's a very distinctive fishy taste and the bun disintegrates under its own weight. It's ok but with all of the other awesome dishes here, we'd order something different next time.

Chicken-Fried Steak - $14

Served with country gravy, hashbrowns and toast (rye shown here)

"It's totally worth the wait" says the server. It better $&!@ well be cuz I'm about to attack the next table! The dish arrives at the table and I dig in. My belly is happy. Gravy?  Porky excellence. Steak? Perfectly fried. Taters? Love the whole pieces of potato that's been given the crispy edge treatment. Yeah, it was worth it. My anger is lulled into fried steak heaven...

The Gold Rush - $10

Banana pancakes stuffed with caramel, pecans and streusel and topped with more caramel, pecans and streusel and whipped butter

"You know you guys won't be able to finish it right?". Hey, lady, I'm starving over here, I could eat a whole cow right now! The server was right cuz this thing isn't pancakes - it's MANCAKES! They are the size of manhole covers! For $10! And to my delight, every bite is AMAZING. It tastes like rich pecan banana bread with shortbread cookies on top. The sweetness from the caramel and bananas is just perfect so we dont even need the syrup - pure pancake bliss. However, as our other meals were ginormous, we Piglets barely scratch the surface before we throw in the towel. The server hands us a pizza box (yeah, a pizza box) to throw our pancakes in. I'm sad cuz I don't think these will reheat very well. *tear*

425 degrees for 8 min - a little bit drier but just as delicious as yesterday! I'm so happy right now.


Overall: the food is very good so walk run to put your name on the list to eat at Jethro's but bring a long novel/IPad/Lord of the Rings trilogy with you because the wait is excruciatingly long and unavoidable. Oh yeah, and get the pancakes, any pancakes, as they won't disappoint. Bon appetite!


Pros:

• Very good food
• Great prices
• Excellent pancakes
• Large portion sizes
• Free street parking

Cons:

• Painfully long wait for a table, more like an epic wait, that I will remember for all time
• Slow service
• Disorganized - we were charged for 2 coffees despite ordering one, water was spilled several times on several patrons...