The results are in and the winner of the Richmond News’ “Greasy Spoon Café Award” is the River Road Café.
After public voting kicked off last Wednesday on the News’ website, the Persian-inspired Zia’s Café – run by father/son duo Zia and Sama Arfaee – shot into a healthy lead.
However, as thousands of votes piled in, the Brazilian-influenced River Road Café – run by husband/wife team Leo and Roberto Tonioly – stormed into the lead before the weekend.
Zia’s regained top spot in the webpoll by Thanksgiving Monday and looked to have it all wrapped up, with several hundred votes to spare.
By the time the Toniolys opened up their north Richmond café on Tuesday morning, however, River Road had surged back in front by the time voting closed at 9 a.m., with 3,137 votes, or 51 per cent.
“It’s very nice to know that we’re liked,” Leo told the News after hearing they’d won.
“Lots of people having been coming up to me in Costco and Save-on after reading the paper. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Zia’s, in an industrial estate near No. 6 and Cambie roads, garnered 2,724 votes, or 45 per cent.
While the Fisherman’s Boot Café in Steveston Harbour Authority came in an admirable third, with 253 votes, or four per cent.
Over the last few weeks, the News featured each of the above unique “greasy spoon” cafes, as nominated by our readers.
