Chinatown is best explored with a crew who knows it inside and out; and the folks at Pizza Coming Soon are just that. Since opening in October 2020, the team — Shaylen “Shay” D, Dylan Jones, Keith Allison, and Alex Usow (Rhek); plus later additions Tadia Rae and Billy Nguyen (co-founders of Bar Sodalite) — have been tight-knit and deeply connected to the neighbourhood.

Theirs is the kind of approach we appreciate: they care about the community and bring a sense of humour to everything they do. Now, the Pizza Coming Soon crew is taking us on a tour of their favourite spots in Chinatown…

DOLLAR MEAT | These are my guys. The pig on their sign is phenomenal, and they make the best Lap Cheong / Chinese Sausage in the world. ~ Rhek

KAM WAI | I feel like their wonton soup is the best $5 you can spend in the city. It’s always there for me when I’m hungover on my way to work, and it fixes me right up. Super fire. Pro tip: steal some of Keith’s mise en place and add extra green onions. ~ Shay

KAM WAI | Been the secret cheap Chinatown takeout dim sum for decades. Now the kids have taken it over and made it nice-looking, but it’s still so affordable. The Vegan Mushroom Truffle dumplings are something I would never order, but are low-key the best. ~ Rhek

DD MAU | Honestly, just the cutest place, sweetest staff, freshest food, and the BEST chicken broth in the ENTIRE WORLD. ~ Shay

JADE DYNASTY | The best dim sum in Chinatown. Salt & Pepper squid goes hard. ~ Rhek

SAY HEY | Lina is a sweetheart, and makes the best meatball sandwiches. I also enjoy the Georgy Porgy for nice deli style. I wish they were open on Saturdays. Lina, if you’re reading this, please open Saturdays. ~ Keith

RED BEEF NOODLE KITCHEN | It’s hard these days to get a nice bowl of TBN (Taiwan Beef Noodle), to the point I started just making my own. But I don’t have a Taiwanese mother; she’s Japanese and I get soba, so I’m quite the newb at this dish. This where these guys come in. You’ll see me there on any given rainy day sitting on my own enjoying a nice hot bowl. I recommend the Signature Beef with Tendon. It hits you down to the soul. ~ Keith

CHINATOWN BBQ | Chinatown BBQ lunch specials: two meat combos with steamed rice for under $20. Sometimes I love getting the jellyfish as a side. Reminds me of going to Chinese weddings growing up when the jellyfish was served under the roasted pork. ~ Billy

FAT MAO | Sweet and sour pork bowl with clear rice sheets is my go to. Adding a soy egg is a must! Hits the spot every time! I know some of the staff, and they like to send me little treats. ~ Billy

KEEFER BAR | Somehow the least pretentious cocktail bar in Chinatown! Friendly and knowledgeable staff, drink specials, normal priced cocktails. A mixture of super wealthy 22-year-olds wearing fifteen thousand dollar Rolex watches, industry people, tourists, Mom’s night out with the girls, chefs, freaks and weirdos. Phil plays music there sometimes… and I usually hate live music at a bar… but Phil is nice with the loop pedal, and the music is a perfect backdrop to a perfectly balanced drink. No passwords needed. ~ Dylan

BAO BEI | Bean-curd skins schnacks. Enough said, lol. ~ Billy

THE BOSS | There’s a billion breakfast options – I do macaroni soup, spam, pineapple bun and coffee-tea, but you can also just get the baked pork chop spaghetti. ~ Rhek

THE BOSS | This place holds a special place in my heart. We go way back. When I was a child and my mom would take me there for a grilled cheese sandwich or some condensed milk on toast after Japanese School. To think after all these years I’d be buying bread and buns from them for my own business is wild. Plus, the owner said I’m a handsome young man. ~ Keith

SUN FRESH | For me, this is the only alternative to New Town. Bun’s are bigger than your face. The made fresh to order chicken and mushroom Cheung Fun is one of the best dishes in all of Chinatown. ~ Shay

BA LE | Mom & Pop bánh mì. Absolutely perfect. Not related to other Ba Le’s. I think Ba Le means Paris in Vietnamese and the origin of the Bahn Mi involves French imperialism which brought baguettes to Vietnam. ~ Rhek

NEW TOWN | I grab a steamed pork bun there when I have forgotten to eat for 12 hours. Also, egg tarts. Also, greasy but delicious prawn turnovers. Also, curry beef bun. ~ Dylan

TATOS | This is forever Kent’s kitchen, but now the sign says Tato’s.  A two items with rice situation that some people think is “meh”, but it’s an absolute staple food supply for the forgotten and abandoned senior citizens of Chinatown with its prices and portion sizes. Also, construction workers love it. The Braised Beef with Carrots is $2.50 and absolutely worth it. ~ Rhek

Vanmart Corner Store (aka “The Scary Store”)

VANMART | This is where we get Yerba Mates to fuel us for service. We call it the scary store, because, well… it’s scary. But they are aways there for us if we need Yerbs, or any other random stuff during service like juice or Advil, or staff smokes. ~ Shay

CARLEY BBQ | It was probably one of the only spots open during Covid when we opened. The Aunties there are super nice, and have a great produce and meat selection. I recommend their pork jowels. We also order our rice rolls from them and it’s always a light of kindness every time I pick them up. ~ Kieth

CARLEY BBQ / TIN LEE / KIU SHUN | The three spots for produce in Chinatown. Every green I’ve eaten in the last eight years are from these spots. Vital. ~ Rhek

FORUM HOME APPLIANCES | Great spot to go to when you need any kitchen appliances. Tracy and Ross are super sweet and helpful, plus they are long time supporters to Chinatown. I often think life/work would be a lot harder without Forum. ~ Keith

FULING GIFTS | Buy extra large paper lanterns for $13 dollars, then break two trying to figure out how to put the metal frame in without tearing the rice paper. Still come up on top by not spending $400 on a designer paper lantern. Really nice owner. Used to give me discounts on plates for the restaurant, but he said it’s too slow these days to be giving discounts AND I GET THAT!!! We buy plates at full price now, and you should too! ~ Dylan

CHINA HOUSEWARES DISCOUNT CENTER | This is where we get the little greeen candies that come with your bill at Pizza Coming Soon. Sometimes, we (the staff; mostly Morgan) eat so many that we get a tummy ache. Worth it, though. ~ Shay

CHINA HOUSEWARES DISCOUNT CENTER | Best classic Chinatown dollar store / supply store, etc. ~ Rhek

BAMBOO VILLAGE | Amazing plant store. Super kind owners. They have pots. They have rocks. They have a six-foot Monstera. Perfect place to buy a housewarming gift. Perfect place to buy a “housecooling” gift because of climate change. ~ Dylan

PROPAGANDA COFFEE | Airy and minimalist café offering excellent roasts, pour-overs, espresso drinks and tea, complemented by pastries. The standout item for me is the Coffee Espresso Milkshake — available exclusively in the summer. ~ Tadia

TREASURE GREEN TEA | I often pick up teas here to use in cocktails. Owner Olivia Cheung always has great suggestions of subtle flavours for me. If you have time, you can also sit down for a tasting. The staff here are so knowledgeable. ~ Tadia

NO DICE | Has lots of Princess Diana collectibles and pictures. It’s in a cool old mall on Gore and E Georgia. Zach is super cool and weird. Hair cuts are affordable. Banter is always good. Good place to talk shit. Sometimes I get emergency fades here before work. ~ Dylan

RBC / Post Office / Prime Time

RBC / POST OFFICE / PRIME TIME | This is a trio of madness that I have to relate to ’cause I live in this neighbourhood. ~ Rhek

RBC | It’s a bank, and I often need money! Plus, there’s two of them now??? ~ Keith

DANDELION RECORDS | Next door to No Dice, a nice place for music. ~ Dylan

Curious to find out more about your hosts? Check them out on Instagram:
Pizza Coming Soon 
Shaylen “Shay” D
Dylan Jones
Keith Allison
Alex Usow (Rhek)
Tadia Rae
Billy Nguyen
Bar Sodalite

MORE INTEL ON CHINATOWN HERE