Billy Gruff Creamery & Bistro — Restaurant in Area F (Alberni Highway)

Our icecream was very good. And the patio and shop are beautiful.

However, on the particular day we were there it was quite busy and the staff seemed overwhelmed and confused.

We had three different cashier's take over helping take our order mid order/payment processing. They made a mistake inputting one of our orders. The staff did fix it after the fact, so that was nice. But it felt very chaotic.

It was so crowded we couldn't see what gelato flavours were available prior to paying. The icecream flavours were all listed overhead but not the gelato. We asked if a particular gelato flavour was available and we're told yes. However, once we had paid and got to pick our flavours the gelato flavour we wanted wasn't actually available.

Anyways, just not a smooth experience overall and made getting icecream feel stressful when it...

WARNING! Serious issues around lack of social distancing in this complex of shops and cafes. Ordered a coffee at Billy Gruff's, and realized with horror that the young woman making it had her mask under her chin, and was bending over the cup. One good sneeze would be all over cup, coffee, counter. Wouldn't drink it if you paid me. All of the staff I could see behind the counter were the same, masks under the chin. Most tables too close together, especially as few patrons were wearing masks. Simply not acceptable. No attempt being made to record patron information, so an infection here would be...

Tried the strawberry, cookie dough, Belgium hazelnut and the moose tracks. All flavours were delicious. Line up to get in moved fast and the method they have to keep things moving seemed to work really well (pay for your cones - get a ticket - go to the directed numbered counter and give said ticket to the person there and they ask you cup or cone and what flavours you want). Might sound confusing but it's not and it made sure the long line up moved very fast. Employees were very friendly as well which is always a bonus. Will go back for sure next time we are...