Cockney Kings Fish & Chips marks 60 years as Lower Mainland institution
Family-run Burnaby shop founded in 1965 by East London immigrants now operates four locations and wins neighbourhood acclaim.
Cockney Kings Fish & Chips started in 1965 as a modest shop on Hastings Street in Burnaby, opened by Len and Joan Evans—true Cockneys from East London. Six decades later, the business has grown to four locations across Greater Vancouver and become one of the region's most celebrated fish and chip brands.
The original Burnaby location (now in Kensington Square Plaza), a long-standing New Westminster store, the Kitsilano expansion opened in 2023, and the newest spot at 4360 Main Street each serve the same philosophy: generous portions, fresh ingredients, and warm hospitality.
What sets Cockney Kings apart is how staff treat regulars—preparing orders before they're spoken, greeting customers by name, and creating an environment where generations of families return. At the Kitsilano location, that familiarity earned the "Best in Kitsilano" Reader's Choice award at the 2026 Vancouver Restaurant Awards, beating out Michelin-starred and Michelin-recognized neighbours.
Brand owners Daniel and Kristi Turner credit the teams behind the counter. "Restaurant work is demanding, especially in high-volume establishments like ours," they said. "Our success is a testament to the teams we've built and the way our staff remain committed to putting the customer first."
Across all four locations, teams maintain standards customers expect—sustainably sourced fish and locally grown potatoes cut fresh daily. It's that consistency and genuine connection, owner Gregory Dion said, that matters as much as any Michelin credential. "It's not uncommon for neighbours and regulars to stop in just to say hello, even if they're not planning to order anything."