Justin McElroy & Steven Masuch

Food Court In Session

Society EN ↓ 10 episodes

Food Court In Session is a podcast, ranking, series of essays, and exploration of every mall in Metro Vancouver. Every two weeks, Justin McElroy, Steve Masuch and rotating guests explore a different mall in our region, as we debate and determine what a mall means in 2026, and which one in Metro Vancouver is truly the best. Come along with us on this very silly but worthwhile journey, as we go to new food courts, and debate old memories. Consider it less as a definitive ranking and more of an anthology of the walkable indoor commercial spaces of our city that inspire joy, annoyance, nostalgia a...

Author

Justin McElroy & Steven Masuch

Episodes

Crystal Mall 29.06.2026 38:22

The year was 2000, and across the street from the mighty Metrotown, something new was coming to the City of Burnaby. Even with a famed planner and architect behind a new project, this plan for a new mall was raising eyebrows for all its unorthodox choices. Then it opened, and a new reality crystallized. Episode Guest: Vancouver writer and journalist Christopher Cheung . Theme music composed by Tom...

Coquitlam Centre 15.06.2026 37:58

Coquitlam Centre is a 1980s style suburban mall that has tried to stay relevant with renovations and buzzier retail options — but does it fully work? Episode Guest: Vancouver architect and project manager John Roddick. Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

City Square 01.06.2026 34:44

For a mall next to City Hall, City Square may fly under the radar — but it’s a fascinating mix of neighbourhood necessities and Vancouver history. Episode Guests: Vancouver journalists Jen St. Denis and Dan Fumano . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

City of Lougheed 18.05.2026 30:53

What happens to a mall when a redevelopment takes forever to take place? And what happens when a mall stops trying to be exciting, and in the process becomes a whole lot more interesting? Episode Guest: New Westminster resident and Burquitlam fan Chelsea Watt . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

Central City 04.05.2026 42:08

25 years ago, Surrey's big attempt at a big mall had goals of being "the Robson Street of Surrey". We fact check the reality. Episode Guest: Vancouver comedian Colin Sharp . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

Capilano Mall 20.04.2026 33:47

The story of Capilano is the story of so many midsized suburban malls, but there's a few interesting details of this mall that make it worth debating. Episode Guest: Earnscliffe Strategies principal Amelia Hill . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

Bentall Centre 07.04.2026 38:20

In some cities, underground maze-like malls linking metro stations to office complexes are popular, but does Vancouver's Bentall Centre match up? Episode Guest: government policy director and co-op champion Kevin Harding . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

Amazing Brentwood 23.03.2026 32:44

It transformed from a somewhat generic suburban mall to a collection of shiny towers and anchor tenants, but as an actual mall, is The Amazing Brentwood really amazing? Episode Guest: Vancouver writer and journalist Christopher Cheung . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

Admiralty Mall 09.03.2026 31:57

Which Metro Van mall has the biggest quality gap between its food court and the rest of its stuff? It may just be Admiralty. Episode Guest: Jeopardy Richmond local Brendan Liaw . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

Aberdeen Mall 25.02.2026 34:42

What's the best mall in Metro Vancouver? We're gonna figure it out, beginning with Richmond's influential Aberdeen Mall. Episode Guest: Vancouver writer and journalist Christopher Cheung . Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com