Ricky’s celebrating 30 years this weekend

By Lethbridge Herald on February 7, 2026.

PHOTO BY JOE MANIO FAMILIAR FACES AT THE DOOR Manager Harman Kehal (right) who has been with RickyÕs All-Day Grill for six years, and server Kelley Giesbrecht, a 26-year veteran of the restaurant, stand ready to greet guests at the entrance to the Lethbridge location. RickyÕs is celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend, marking decades of service and long-standing connections with staff and customers alike.

By Joe Manio

Lethbridge Herald

Some restaurants feed people. Others feed memories. For 30 years, Ricky’s All Day Grill (Ricky’s & Famoso) has quietly done both in Lethbridge—serving breakfasts that turned into traditions, after-work meals that stretched into celebrations, and countless everyday moments that became worth remembering.

This weekend, the familiar gathering place is marking its 30th anniversary, coinciding with Super Bowl weekend, a fitting backdrop for a restaurant that has long been about bringing people together.

“Although I have been part of the Ricky’s family for the past 10 years, 30 years in business is a major milestone,” says Raj Grewal, who has owned the restaurant since 2016. “While there have been many challenges, these three decades have transformed the Lethbridge community into a long-term network for us. Sustaining those relationships requires resilience, trust and a commitment to our core principles.”

Since opening its doors in the mid-1990s, Ricky’s has become a staple for everything from early-morning breakfasts to casual dinners and spontaneous get-togethers, playing a steady role in the daily lives of Lethbridge residents.

“Ricky’s has brought families together since its early days by serving real food at reasonable prices, along with our ‘treasure chest’ for the kids,” says Grewal. “Even with changes around us over the years, we’ve maintained our reputation as a go-to place for breakfast and dinner.”

Ricky’s is best known for its all-day breakfast menu, featuring classic comfort fare such as eggs and bacon, pancakes, waffles, French toast and hearty omelettes. The menu also includes burgers, sandwiches, salads and traditional entrées, making it a dependable choice whether customers are stopping in before work, meeting friends for lunch or gathering after hours.

That versatility has helped make Ricky’s a natural meeting place. For many, it’s where coworkers decompress after a long shift, families gather without a special occasion, or friends decide—sometimes at the last minute—that today feels like a day worth celebrating.

Over the years, those everyday visits have added up to something more lasting. Grewal says seeing familiar faces return year after year—and in some cases, generation after generation—has been one of the most rewarding aspects of running the restaurant.

“I love that most of our guests are familiar faces, including residents of Lethbridge, people who commute to the U.S., and students at college or university,” he says. “My staff and I take pride in the loyalty the community has shown us over the years, and we love seeing our regulars every day.”

Reaching the 30-year mark is a notable achievement in the restaurant industry, which is often defined by narrow margins and constant change. Over the decades, Ricky’s has weathered economic shifts, evolving dining trends and, more recently, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Along our journey, there have been major challenges,” says Grewal. “The biggest was a fire, after which the restaurant was shut down for about 10 months. An accident that damaged the front door caused issues for a time, and of course COVID posed a major challenge as well. We’ve worked through staff shortages and slow weeks, but with the immense support of the community and my staff, it has been a journey to cherish.”

The anniversary celebration will take place throughout the weekend. While the atmosphere is celebratory, Grewal says the focus is on appreciation—thanking customers, staff and the community for their continued support.

“We want this weekend to give back to the community as a thank you for the support and patronage,” he says. “We’ll be offering free cake in the morning, free margarita pizzas for the first 30 customers from 5 to 7 p.m., and $3.99 mimosas starting at 10 a.m.”

Looking ahead, Grewal says the goal remains simple: to continue offering familiar food, friendly service and a welcoming space.

“We will always foster a welcoming experience for the neighbourhood,” he says.