The doors have closed at one of Vancouver’s most whimsically-named restaurants, leaving a hole in the city’s Thai food scene that many locals are already mourning. After 15 years of serving up authentic Thai cuisine, Bob Likes Thai Food on Main Street has shut down operations, marking the end of an era for this beloved eatery.
The restaurant, which opened back in 2008, gained a dedicated following thanks to its unpretentious approach to Thai cuisine. Owner Tai Keattivanichvily created a space that balanced authentic flavours with a casual, welcoming atmosphere that resonated with Vancouverites looking for something beyond the typical pad thai experience.
Walking by the location at 3755 Main Street today, you’ll find the windows papered over and a simple note thanking patrons for their years of support. The closure wasn’t announced with much fanfare – just a quiet departure that has left many regular customers surprised and disappointed.
“I can’t believe they’re gone. That was our Friday night spot for almost a decade,” said Michael Chen, a Mount Pleasant resident I spoke with outside the shuttered restaurant. “Their khao soi was the closest thing to what I had in Chiang Mai.”
The restaurant was known for dishes that didn’t compromise on traditional Thai flavours and spice levels. Unlike many North American Thai restaurants that adjust heat and seasoning for western palates, Bob Likes Thai Food prided itself on authenticity. Their menu featured regional specialties like pad kee mao (drunken noodles), gaeng panang (panang curry), and som tum (green papaya salad) that transported diners straight to the streets of Bangkok.
The restaurant’s quirky name became part of its charm – a conversation starter that reflected its unpretentious approach. In a 2013 interview with The Georgia Straight, Keattivanichvily explained that the name came from a simple truth: his friend Bob really did like Thai food. That straightforward honesty carried through to everything about the restaurant.
According to data from the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, more than 200 restaurants have closed in Vancouver since 2020. The industry continues to face challenges including rising food costs, labour shortages, and increasing rents – particularly in desirable neighbourhoods like Mount Pleasant.
John Candie, who owns a neighbouring business, noted the changing landscape of Main Street. “This stretch has seen so much turnover in the last few years. The rents are getting crazy, and even established places are struggling to make the numbers work.”
The restaurant had expanded to a second location on Pender Street in 2016, but that outpost closed several years ago, leaving the Main Street location as their final stand. Throughout their run, they maintained strong reviews on platforms like Yelp and Google, with most customers praising their pad gra prow (basil stir-fry) and authentic approach to spicing.
Vancouver food blogger Maya Sinclair told me she’s particularly sad about losing their khao pad nam prik pao (fried rice with chili jam). “It was the kind of dish that reminded you Thai food is so much more diverse and interesting than what most western diners are familiar with. They never dumbed down their food.”
The closure leaves a notable gap in Vancouver’s Thai food landscape, especially for those seeking authentic flavours beyond the standard tourist-friendly dishes. While the city has seen an influx of new Thai restaurants in recent years, including several regional specialists, Bob Likes Thai Food had established itself as a reliable standard-bearer for Thai cuisine done right.
City data shows that restaurant turnover in Vancouver continues at a concerning pace. According to a recent report from the Vancouver Economic Commission, food service establishments face some of the highest operational costs in Canada, with the average restaurant seeing profit margins under 5% even in good years.
For those mourning the loss of this Main Street fixture, there’s a small silver lining – several former staff members have moved on to other Thai restaurants around the city, bringing their authentic cooking techniques with them.
As Vancouver’s dining scene continues to evolve, the closure of Bob Likes Thai Food reminds us that even beloved institutions aren’t immune to the economic pressures facing small businesses. For many Vancouverites, the restaurant’s departure isn’t just about losing a dining option – it’s about losing a piece of the neighbourhood’s character and a reliable source of comfort food that connected them to Thailand’s rich culinary traditions.
The space won’t likely remain empty for long – Main Street storefronts rarely do – but for many local diners, whoever moves in will have some very flavourful shoes to fill.
