This one-storey wood frame, stucco, and stone facade building at the southwest corner of McPhillips Street and Jefferson Avenue in Winnipeg, measuring 40 feet by 48 feet, was opened in 1961 as the Thunderbird Drive-In Restaurant. Its proprietors were 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 Goldsborough
Thunderbird Drive-In Restaurant (December 2025)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite 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 (1942-2025)
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.
We thank George Penner and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 18 January 2026
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