Rumblings that the Centennial Café was reopening took Pemberton by storm at the start of this summer. Locals in the village and Lil’wat Nation watched the building eagerly waiting for the day the fluorescent sign would say "Open."
The beloved Chinese spot closed after 50 years in Pemberton back in 2018. A group of buyers including mayor of Pemberton, Mike Richman, bought the property, which later became Town Square.
The Centennial moved in to replace BAO’s on Frontier Street, solidifying itself in the heart of the community. A large queue of locals stood outside the restaurant’s doors during its first week back and the buzz hasn’t died down yet.
The menu includes fan favourites and a range of great value combos. Combo No. 1 comes in at just $16.95 and includes chicken chow mein with a side dish. Group dinners are available for tables of all sizes. A couple’s dinner of two spring rolls, chicken chow mein, beef chop suey and sweet and sour boneless pork is priced at $44.95, the perfect deal for date night.
I opted for sweet and sour boneless pork with egg fried rice. The meal was the ideal kind of comfort food, perfect for curing a hangover or for munching into after a long day exploring the great outdoors. The huge portions can easily become tomorrow’s lunch or even breakfast, depending on the day. However, it was the Centennial’s welcoming atmosphere and community hub feel that made it stand out. Every customer was greeted by staff like a friend, regardless of how busy it was. The phone did not stop ringing, and it’s no surprise. The sweet and sour sauce was paired with pineapple and lingered on my tongue long after I had finished the meal.
The Pemberton institution is sure to keep its place at the heart of the community for decades to come.
The Centennial is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
