Boomerangs Cafe — Restaurant in Port Alberni

Came to Port Alberni on our way to Nanaimo and wanted fish and chips. But places were mostly closed in town by this point except for this cafe. And we were surprised! This is a little neighborhood gem in port Alberni. Their signs are not very obvious so it's a bit difficult to find - I feel If they had a bigger sign more ppl would also notice this resto more!

The waitress who served us was very friendly and down to earth. We asked a lot of questions to help us decide what to eat and we settled on two orders of fish and chips and 3 orders of kangaroo burger. It's an Australian restaurant so I was surprised to see such luxury items available (like camel and kangeroo). I also had the option to do half sweet potato fries and half bowl of chowder.

We were not disappointed! The food portions are nice and generous. The fish was good but the oil was older so it came out quite dark so that was the only thing. But the fish is fresh, flaky, and the kangerroo burger was really good! The chowder was creamy and packed with flavour. It's my second time eating kangeroo meat and honestly it taste like a leaner version of a beef burger. Yum!

We also tried some local beer which was pretty good from Vancouver island. Now next time if we ever go through this part of town again will come back for some more! (They ran out of a few things - the lobster Mac and cheese and some other...

Update: I love their food options, lots to choose from. I have eaten only a couple of times in house since covid started, ordered maybe more than my fair share, I love their food, the salads taste wonderful and fresh. Liked waitress on one visit, friendly and checked on us throughout meal. Our other visit the waitress was rude and short when we asked questions, then didn't check on us, and we could only flag her down on one of her many check-ins to a table of young guys two tables down, we were on one side of patio and them the other. FOOD ALWAYS GREAT 😋

When their food is good its great, love the ribs and burgers, also zukini sticks are so yummy. Also good is their breakfasts, omelets hit the spot, when I request extra crispy bacon I get it :) I however have also noticed there are times where salads just taste like it's been stored to long or even cut up on same surface as other vegetables and when there's so much to cut up flavour of fresh onions really sets into everything and I'm not a fan of onions. I also have had about a 1in 8 experience with the waitresses, meaning only 1 waitress out of 8 times I go is friendly, and checks on me more than the 3 times when they were taking my order at the same time as my drink order because I waited that long, bring the food and then the bill. 3 stars and not 4 mainly because of my experience...

I was visiting my hometown this past week and was recommended to try Boomerangs Cafe by friends and by the stellar reviews I have read.

What a welcoming staff! Firstly, my daughter, who is a picky eater, had a packed dinner, that needed to be heated in the microwave, to which they said, no problem, bring it in. (Though we didn't end up using it because she devoured the grilled cheese sandwich she picked off the menu). As soon as myself, my girlfriend, and 3 kids sat down, there were 3 colouring sheets and cups of crayons to keep my kids entertained while we figured out what to order.

The staff quickly noted my kids were young, removed unnecessary cups/cutlery and brought water for the kids in mason jars with lids and straws, nice touch.

Though our main server was Kelsey, all the staff that tended to our table were exceptionally great. (Kelsey, sorry for being high maintenance with all the questions about the food! But thank you for answering and checking on everything.)

The food in one word = excellent. Fair pricing, big portions, really yummy food. Cooked to perfection and brought out in minutes. Very impressed.

This restaurant is making me regret leaving my hometown now :) Had I known Boomerangs would eventually pop up, I would have never left.

Thank you for the great experience! Can't wait to...