Billy G's Doughnut Shop — Restaurant in Area F (Alberni Highway)

Looks like most of us with the bad reviews all had the same problem. We showed up 10 minutes before they opened and started standing in line. It was a year ago when I came through last time and when I came through in the afternoon they were out of all of the good doughnuts. So we made sure we got there early so we could get all of the good ones. When we get in to the store there is a sad selection of doughnuts. We all thought this was weird that when they just opened there were none of the good doughnuts. I saw one of the flavors we wanted had a small sign next to it that said “50% Off Today Only!” I thought oh that is cool. I didn’t initially see that 4 of the 6 doughnuts all had that little sign. The Apple Fritter did not. When I go to pay I was surprised it was only $10 for the 6 doughnuts but I didn’t really think anything of it. We finally all pick what doughnuts we want and excitedly get outside to start devouring them. I rip off the first part of my apple fritter and right away I could tell it didn’t seem fresh. I am thinking to myself that doesn’t make sense, but after taking my first bite I knew right away that it was stale. I ask all of my kids how theirs are and they said the same thing. Stale doughnuts! At 10:00 when the store is just opening. This doesn’t make any sense to me. Like others every other bakery I have been to always has fresh doughnuts first thing and then they close when they sell out. If you don’t get there early you risk not getting any doughnuts. Not this place. Don’t go early if you want any fresh doughnuts! If the sign had said these doughnuts are 50% off because they are day old there is no way I would have bought them. Instead the sign made it sound like it was a special that some of them were on sale. Still just disappointed I didn’t get to try the amazing fresh doughnuts that arrive some time after they open? If it were me I would wait to open until I had all of my fresh doughnuts instead of trying to sell off all your old doughnuts to...

We came a long way from North Vancouver to spend a day on Vancouver Island and decided to visit Cathedral Grove. Afterward, I was hopping to get a (as in one) donut and see the goats on the roof in Coombs, about 15 minutes along Hwy 4A, north of Nanaimo. We stopped for a walk through the market and that's where Billy G's Doughnut Shop is housed in a quaint, steep shingled building covered in moss, grass and, yes, goats. What's not to love!?! At $2.75 each or half a dozen for $16 Cdn it was worth the splurge! Doughnuts are fresh made on site, huge, lush and full of flavour. There is usually a lineup to get them when the aroma hits the street but it moves quickly as the staff is friendly and efficient. Grab one or a boxful and enjoy them on a bench beneath the huge chestnut tree while watching the goats chomp grass up on the roof of the adjoining market buildings. I've eaten 3 of my 6 so far and have not been disappointed. The Memphis Marauder was so decadent with peanut butter and chocolate, sweet but not too sweet. Wango Mango tasted like real mango with toasted coconut! Can't wait to sample the rest with a cup of tea. Coombs is a fun, little kitsch tourist village that doesn't take itself too seriously. Restaurants and ice cream stalls to keep you sated while you browed the cluster of funky, little stores with unusual and artisanal offerings dot both sides of the road. There's a great used bookstore in the plaza next to the market, too. Lots to entice you to linger in the area during the May to...

Initially we were very excited to try a fun and unique doughnut shop, unfortunately it turned out to be a pretty bad experience. Went before opening and stood in a long line to get in. Luckily we were early so we got in before most other people. When we got in the store, they had maybe 8 kinds of doughnuts out, and those were mostly the same kind (ie. plain, or frosted). No crullers, no jelly filled, no long johns, no Nanaimo bars, no boston cream, etc etc. When asked, she seemed annoyed and said they said theyre not making any more today. We were 4th in line and they were already sold out of 2 flavours when we got to the counter. What was left was oily (we could easily squeeze drops of oil out of our bear claw) or dry and flavorless. Got half a dozen and maybe one of the 6 we tried was good. We tried a couple bites of each and threw out the rest. Cool concept in a good location but the selection, quality and quantity definitely needs improvement. One bonus star for my one good doughtnut. (It was the strawberry...