Sara of Tegan and Sara's go to spot when she's in Vancouver
Save on Meats: 'I like the vibe, I like the food ... I like what they do with ... outreach'
British Columbia may be known for its vast wilderness, but the best spot in the province for Sara Quinn of the pop duo Tegan and Sara isn't found on your average tourist map.
"I sort of have a nostalgia about the years when I actually wasn't really even living [in Vancouver] full-time," Sara said from L.A.
"I would come back and the first thing I would always do is go to the restaurant Save-on-Meats."
The award-winning musician now splits her time between Vancouver and L.A., but she lived in Montreal for about 13 years.
During that time her mother and twin sister Tegan lived in Vancouver, so during visits she often found herself sidling up to the counter at the iconic diner, local paper in hand.
"I like the vibe, I like the food, I like that it's inexpensive, I like what they do with the community outreach there," she said.
Save on Meats first opened its doors in 1957 principally as a butcher shop with a small burger and sandwich counter in the back.
The business changed owners in 2009, when it was turned into a diner run as a social enterprise that supports residents of the Downtown Eastside.
"I love Gastown, I think it's sort of a complex place historically and socially. It certainly is a fast gentrifying, changing neighbourhood. But I think institutions like Save on Meats, you know, they sort of help keep it anchored in its backstory."
As for what Sara likes to eat when she's there, it's the same order every time: eggs over medium and potatoes, sometimes with a side of sausage.
"The neighbourhood is getting fancier and there's definitely your great places with expensive beautiful coffee machines and organic avocado toast," she said.
"But I'm sort of one of those people who just needs some eggs and some potatoes and a pot of coffee that's been brewing for a couple of hours. Like, that's my speed."
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This story is part of the new series My B.C. Hideaway. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks to hear from other local personalities about their favourite places in the province.