Mates on Crates Feat. Brad Miller
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Brad Miller, Owner & Head Cook at The Red Wagon in East Vancouver. The Red Wagon has been an undeniable neighbourhood staple since 2010, and was recently recognised as an honourable mention in Vancouver Magazine's 2026 Restaurant Awards for casual restaurants. The inclusive, community-minded diner is known for its scratch cooking, house-smoked and cured meats, legendary pancakes, and approachable, comfort-focused food. Guests can look forward to newly launched dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, with burgers, pasta, an extensive bar program complete with non-alc options, and a few all-day breakfast staples. Brad has been at the helm of The Red Wagon for 15 years, but his Vancouver cooking career goes back more than two decades. After growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario and spending a year and a half in France doing schooling and stages, he arrived in Vancouver and spent five years at Bistro Pastis, working his way from Sous Chef to Chef. Brad later spent a formative year at West in 2008, arriving just after David Hawksworth's departure. His particular knack is old-school, hands-on cooking, from making sausages and curing bacon in house to dialling in the crisp-edged, fluffy pancakes: a fan favourite.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Brad to chat about his journey through Vancouver's restaurant scene, his mentors, The Red Wagon's evolution, the new patio and dinner service, his approach to scratch cooking, and all of Brad's favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
Brad’s favourites at The Red Wagon
Breakfast: Chilaquiles, paired with a pineapple jalapeño margarita.
Dinner: Smash burger, paired with a Red Wagon Lager.
The FULL LIST of Brad’s Local Favourites:
Brunch: The Red Wagon
Coffee: JJ Bean or Moja Coffee
Dying to Try: June
French: Les Faux Bourgeois
Fried Chicken: Juke Fried Chicken
Hidden Gem: Argo Cafe
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: AnnaLena
Mexican: Sal y Limón
Outside of Vancouver: The Pony Restaurant (Pemberton)
Pizza: Via Tevere Pizzeria and NICLI Antica Pizzeria
Sandwich: Meat & Bread
Thanks for joining us, Brad!
Watch Brad’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
