Pioneer: Chick Chamberlain

Chick Chamberlain opened the first Tomahawk Barbecue on the north side of Marine Drive, at Mackay Road. The Tomahawk story is the life of Chick Chamberlain, its founder and owner since it opened in 1926. Even before 1926, Chamberlain was in the restaurant business on the North Shore. It all started in the early 1920's when Chick and his brother opened a small coffee shop in cabins-to-rent operation in what is now Heywood Park in North Vancouver.

Chick Chamberlain began collecting interesting artifacts from the First Nations people themselves about 8O years ago. During the Great Depression when many families had little money, Chick often exchanged the curios for food or at a nominal amount. Included in the collection were handmade pots, drums, cooking utensils, masks, totem poles and other beautifully carved objects?

The Tomahawk's famous hamburgers have been named after some of the First Nations Chiefs Chick had known over the years. A memorial to his friends: Skookum Chief, Chief Capitan, Chief Raven, Chief Dominic Charlie and Chief August Jack.

The restaurant is a business that son, Chuck Chamberlain, and his staff can take great pleasure and pride in. A family tradition, which grandson Chuck will one day follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps.