The Thunderbird Drive-In Restaurant at the corner of McPhillips Street and Jefferson Avenue in Winnipeg was opened in 1961 by brothers Demos “Jimmy” Ginakes, John Ginakes, and Perry Ginakes. It featured car hop service so customers could eat in their automobiles. Having insufficient parking, the restaurant closed in 2025.
Thunderbird Drive-In Restaurant (September 2014)
Source: George Penner
Thunderbird Drive-In Restaurant (May 2025)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.94503, W97.15549
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Demos P. “Jimmy the Greek” Ginakes (1934-2008)
Memorable Manitobans: Perry Ginakes (?-2025)
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
“Thunderbird Restaurant closes after 6 decades,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 June 2025.
This page was prepared by George Penner and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 12 October 2025
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