Cactus Club Cafe, Burrard and Dunsmuir (credit: Cactus Club Cafe)

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Cactus Club restaurants are extremely popular. No one is saying they offer the most exciting or creative cuisine, but you have to give them credit for consistency and creating a great atmosphere.

Vancouverites flock to the chain, and the restaurants have continued to evolve, bringing on Rob Feenie as a celebrity chef and opening a spectacular 2-story flagship location at Burrard and Dunsmuir in the business district a couple of years ago. Personally, when it comes to casual dining chains, I think it’s the best overall.

Now, Cactus Club is set to open in the new Vancouver Convention Centre, in Jack Poole Plaza, right across from the Olympic torch. The license is for 500 seats inside, and 200 seats on the patio, with the space measuring 8,900 square feet. The two patios will showcase stunning views of the North Shore, and I am confident the design of the restaurant will be fantastic. Mark Ostry has been hired to design the exterior and interior spaces.

According to Rob Feenie, this location will have a “unique menu.” It should be open by early summer 2011. Another new location at English Bay (next to the bathhouse) is already under construction and is expected to be open by the summer as well.