Gina's Mexican Cafe  | Nanaimo |  | Nanaimo |  |
Guides |
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Address 47 Skinner St. Nanaimo, BC V9R 5G9 (250) 753-5411 |
Hours Sun-Thurs 11:00am - 9:00pm Fri 11:00am - 10:00pm |
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Turn east off Highway 1 (Terminal Avenue or Old Island Highway) at the junction with Comox Road and head to the waterfront. Comox turns into Front Street as you round the corner at the top of the hill. Skinner Street is the first street to the right off Front Street.
Description:
Perched atop the cliff, in downtown Nanaimo, sits one of the gaudiest houses you’ll ever see. From several vantage points in town, your eye can’t help but catch the bright blue, purple, and pink exterior as it sits amid office buildings. This small house is an artistic statement and home to Gina’s Mexican Café. This restaurant offers incredible views of Mount Benson in the west and overlooks the Old Island Highway (Terminal Ave.) that snakes through Nanaimo at the foot of the cliff.
One of the most popular restaurants in the area (the line outside to get in will convince you of that), Gina’s is, in the words of its owner, a "tacky but friendly place." The converted house, decorated with a hodgepodge of Mexican memorabilia, is truly tacky but offers one of the best values for your dining dollar. Its lively atmosphere and somewhat cramped interior adds to its popularity. Convenient "Gringo Cards" on the tables, define the extensive Mexican offerings on the menu with great descriptions of the entrees, making your choice much easier. Try the excellent Shrimp Chalupa or the fabulous Halibut Soft Tacos with Chilpolte sauce. Ample servings are complimented with Mexican rice, Mexican corn and peppers, and refried beans. Gina’s also offers the best margaritas in town. Get a pitcher and enjoy.
The service at Gina’s has always been exceptional, but getting a table on a Friday or Saturday night can be a problem. A wait in their tiny bar is almost assured but well worth it. As the boat basin is just a short walk away, Gina’s is a popular destination for the boating crowd. It can be noisy and cramped but that is part of its friendly charm.
Great Mexican home cooking, super friendly and efficient staff, and excellent prices make this one of the best bets for dining out in Nanaimo. Great sunset views add to your dining experience.
Written By: Cheryl Oakes
Photo Credit: Cheryl Oakes
Features
Kid Friendly
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Beer and Wine
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Dinner
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Full Bar
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Lunch
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Smoke-free
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Outdoor seating
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Take-Out
Comments
I have to disagree entirely with Mr. Hazell's comments on the food at Gina's. Myself i have been fortunate to be able to travel to some of the most beutiful places in Mexico and taste some of the tastiest food from my heritage. Although it is very tight courters to eat at Ginas the food is amazing!! I eat there many times during the year. I will agree that the frijoles are dry (frozen corn) but the rice is very tasty. In fact the rice is as close to the the rice I have eaten many times in some of the small villiages in Mexico that i have visited.
- Gringo BOB on Mon, June 30, 2008
YUM
- Mike Walker on Sun, March 2, 2008
YUM
- Mike Walker on Sun, March 2, 2008
La cocina mexicana is probably my favorite food in all the world, and although the staff at Gina's is very friendly and the atmosphere charming (and not all that tacky), the food is at best someone's vague idea of what Mexican food tastes like. The frijoles are almost always dry and not very tasty, the rice is flavourless, and as for the main courses there really isn't much to recommend. My wife, son and I have now sampled more than half of the menu and we have yet to taste anything that made us want to return -- but given the fact that there are very few Mexican restaurants on Vancouver Island we keep hoping that our next experience will be different.
- Mark Hazell on Thu, October 4, 2007
I love Gina's and my name is ALSO leslie eaton!
the fish tacos are OMG tasty!
Been many times, each time was a Treat!
- leslie eaton on Mon, January 22, 2007
Come to Ginas eat and be merry Say hello to the floor staff you can even come in to the kitchen and say hello to Erin,Brady,Me ,Darren, Darrell, Ron, Cindy, Jamie, Mike, and Ty. Word up.
We keep the famine fed for twenty years.
- Leslie Jack on Thu, October 5, 2006
Leslie has mad skills with Brady in the Kitchen
- leslie eaton on Wed, October 4, 2006
Come to Ginas and thank the cooks who slave in that hot mexican kitchen
- leslie eaton on Fri, August 25, 2006
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