The Shaw-Pig Redemption
I don't change my opinion of a restaurant lightly, but Lil Pig Lil Pig absolutely earned this update.
I first visited a few months ago with my husband, Jordan, shortly after they opened. I enjoyed parts of the experience, but the overall execution wasn't quite there yet. I gave them three stars because I could already see the potential. There was clearly talent behind the concept; they just seemed to be finding their footing.
Well... I went back today, and THIS is the restaurant I knew they could become.
I sat at the bar and met Nick, who was welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited to talk about the restaurant. That immediately set a different tone.
For lunch, I ordered the one-meat plate with smoked chicken and spicy rice, served with white bread, pickled onions, cucumber, and pickled jalapeños.
The chicken was phenomenal--beautifully smoked, incredibly juicy, seasoned throughout, and finished with a slightly sweet honey glaze that complemented the smoke perfectly. It came with barbecue sauce, and I ordered an extra side of their golden barbecue sauce because I wanted to try everything.
The funny part? I was almost finished with the chicken before realizing I had barely touched either sauce.
The chicken simply didn't need it.
And for barbecue, that says a lot.
The spicy rice was another standout--rich, flavorful, comforting, and perfect with the smoked meat. The pickled vegetables added the brightness and acidity that brought the whole plate together.
Then there was the bar.
I ordered the Hog Wash, their take on an Old Fashioned made with signature pork-washed bourbon and finished with torched bacon. As a cocktail person, I can say this wasn't some gimmick. It was genuinely excellent--balanced, spirit-forward, and interesting without trying too hard. The aroma from that torched bacon adds another layer before you even take the first sip.
I learned that Isaiah is the mind behind their signature cocktail program, which made perfect sense. I've known Isaiah from Silverball Social in Vancouver, and he clearly knows what he's doing behind a bar.
Many of their signature cocktails are on tap, which initially made me wonder whether quality might be compromised.
Not here.
These drinks are dialed in. Most are around $10, which is remarkable for the quality. Put cocktails like these in another restaurant or cocktail bar and you could easily be paying $16-$18. I respect that they've managed to create something elevated while still keeping it accessible to the community.
I also tried the strawberry mint cocktail, which was bright, refreshing, balanced, and dangerously easy to drink.
Then the visit got even better.
I met Sam, their baker, after he finished his shift. He asked how I enjoyed everything, and it was immediately obvious how proud he is of what he does. He told me about their smoked cream cheese and peanut butter cinnamon roll, so naturally I had to try it.
WOW.
Rich, smoky, sweet, decadent, and completely different from a standard cinnamon roll. It was exactly what dessert at a barbecue restaurant should be--familiar, creative, and memorable.
What stood out almost as much as the food was the pride these people take in their work. When the bartender is excited about the cocktails, the baker is excited about the desserts, and the staff genuinely wants to tell you about what they're serving, you can feel that as a guest.
I also noticed they've made thoughtful changes since opening, including removing the peanuts from the coleslaw and refining other parts of the menu and operation.
That tells me something important:
They're listening.
Opening a restaurant is hard, especially while developing an identity and learning what your guests respond to. It would have been easy to dig their heels in and say, "This is what we do." Instead, they've listened, adjusted, refined the execution, and kept moving forward.
That deserves recognition.
My first visit was a three-star experience with five-star potential.
Today was the five-star experience.
Nick, thank you for the hospitality and for taking the time to tell me about what you guys are doing.
Isaiah, the cocktail program is seriously impressive. The Hog Wash is fantastic, and what you're accomplishing with these cocktails--especially at that price point--is something Vancouver should be paying attention to.
And Sam, keep being proud of what you do. That pride comes through in the food, and that cinnamon roll was ridiculous.
Lil Pig Lil Pig is becoming exactly what I hoped it would be: a real neighborhood spot where you can sit at the bar, have a genuinely great cocktail, eat seriously good smoked food, talk with people who care about what they're serving, and leave already thinking about your next visit.
This place should be busy.
Not busy because it's new.
Busy because it's GOOD.
I'm extremely glad I came back. read more