Its not just customers who are loyal to White Spot. The staff love being there as much as the diners.
My brother and I started here as summer jobs and it lasted forever, says Frank Mandarino, the general manager of the popular West Georgia location. Hes celebrated 34 years with the company; his brother has been with them for 35 years.
In fact, White Spot has the longest-tenure employees of any chain restaurant in Vancouver, he says.
The Toigos are a great family to work for, he says of the people who own the BC-based restaurant chain (as well as the Vancouver Giants.)
Knowing the staff and having them know you is an important part of what makes people return to White Spot again and again. People dont eat at home as often as they used to, but they still like to feel like family when they sit down for a meal.
Many customers dont even need to crack open a menu they already have their favourites. Of course, chief among them is the burger with its Triple O sauce.
The taste has been around since 1928, Mandarino says, laughing when he remembers how they once tried to add lettuce and tomato to whats traditionally served with only the Triple O sauce and a dill pickle on the bun.
Customers quickly let him know You just dont touch the burger!
He encourages people to explore the other favourites on the menu, including the highly popular quinoa bowls and, his favourite, Tuscan chicken pasta. I just had the cheese-stuffed ravioli, he says. Its fantastic.
