Not the Food Court 1 (C-Lovers Burquitlam)

Location: C-Lover Fish and Chips is located at 555 Clarke Road Coquitlam, right across from the Burquitlam Skytrain station on the Evergreen Line. There is a crosswalk nearby with curb cuts on both sides of the road, so getting to the restaurant is pretty easy for anyone in a wheelchair. There are curb cut/ramps onto the sidewalk, one located right in front C-Lovers itself. Unfortunately, that ramp is right in the middle of the only wheelchair parking space in the lot so it might take a little maneuvering to use both at the same time. But overall, it’s still pretty easy to get to, either by transit of vehicle.

The Physical Plant: Unfortunately, C-Lovers’ door is not automatic but it does open easily and can be easily kept open by an attendant to allow someone in a wheelchair to enter. Once inside the customer is greeted by the smell of battered and cooking fish from the kitchen. An open space design; the food prep area is only separated from the dining room by a counter. The dining room is quite large and there is sufficient room between tables for people to get in and out of with canes or walkers. Several larger table also exist for larger groups and the staff had no problem ‘adjusting’ the future to accommodate my wheelchair. Befitting a fish and chips restaurant the walls are covered with items and pictures of a nautical theme along with some copies of archival photographs of early Vancouver. A fish tank containing several large gold fish complete the dinning room.

The only real drawback to the restaurant are the cramp rest rooms. In theory they are both wheelchair accessible and there is enough room next to the toilet for a wheelchair and to do a transfer, however this has been done by sacrificing the size of the washing space. Still for an older building I’ve seen worst examples.

The Food: The food is in short: excellent. As been said above C-Lovers specializes in Fish and Chips. Along with a choice of several types of fish there are chicken strips and corn dogs for those who don’t want a marine dinner. Along with very good french fries their sides include: onion rings, battered mushrooms, prawns, coleslaw and other battered veggies are also available. The fish is lightly battered and comes to the table fresh from the fryer. Personally, I prefer the smaller pieces of cod that comes with the all you can eat special (more on that below), but everything I’ve had there has been top notch. However, a note caution for those who are being fed. The fish and chips almost always comes to the table piping HOT; best to have your staff cut up a couple of pieces and wait a few minutes before you start to eat to avoid burning your mouth.

There is a full selection of fish options (including burgers and seafood chowder) all at reasonable price. You can easily get away with dinner and a drink for between $15-$20; though more expensive choices are available. However, at $14.99 by far the best value for the money is the all you can eat cod fish and chips. Unlike many other all you can eat deals, you can ask for just more pieces of fish without having to get more chips and the fish is the exact same quality as who you would get from a more expensive platter.

Overall: The Burquitlam C-Lovers gets so much right as a restaurant both for disabled and abled alike. Easy to get to, a nice atmosphere which welcomes people with disabilities to stay as long as they like. The food is excellent all around and well worth the price. Definitely worth checking out.

One final note they also use bendy straws in their drinks. A small thing I know but a nice feature for anyone with mobility issues.