Sceptical Burger

Every once in a while you just have to take someone’s word about a restaurant you are unsure of. While I was visiting my Mom in Nanaimo last weekend we were out and about running errands when we got very hungry and needed to find a late lunch.

Drawing a blank on where to go we just set out driving along Terminal Avenue and as we passed the slightly run down looking Port-o-Call Motel my Mom commented about the little restaurant housed there now. She insisted that she’d had a few meals there and they were quite good.

Saying I was sceptical would be being nice. I mean, that hotel has never been what I would consider nice or classy and the restaurants that have been located there over the years have never been places I would ever visit.  But I was starving and my Mom doesn’t often steer me wrong so I agreed to a late lunch at Gilly B’s.

The restaurant itself isn’t very big and nothing fancy but it was very clean, the server was friendly, and they had festive little Christmas decorations to make it feel a little homier.

After staring at the menu, ordering coffee, and still being undecided our server told us that they make a fantastic burger. Never being ones to turn down a good burger we both opted for the daily special, which just happened to be our fave…bacon and cheddar.

The burgers were AMAZING. We could tell they had been made fresh and they were piping hot when delivered to our table. Seasoned and grilled perfectly…so deeeelish.  The crisp bacon held to the beef patty with a substantial slice of real cheddar was a fabulous presentation and I loved that they include chipotle mayo as one of their standard burger condiments. The juicy pickle didn’t hurt either!

The fries were an added bonus. Obviously home cut, super crispy and lightly seasoned they helped complete the excellent burger experience.

So it just goes to show you really can’t judge a book by it’s cover, or in this case a restaurant by it’s location and motel backdrop.  I have now read multiple online reviews by locals and travellers alike and apparently I’m not the only one that is happy to have tried out this little gem. 

I certainly know I will be dragging Mom there on future visits to Nanaimo. :)  Somehow I doubt I will have trouble convincing her.