Mates on Crates Feat. Gino Di Domenico (2026)
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates - the 2 year anniversary episode - featuring Gino di Domenico, Managing Partner at Tacofino in Vancouver. What started as a humble food truck in Tofino back in 2009 has grown into one of BC’s most recognizable and beloved restaurant groups, now spanning over a dozen locations. From their iconic fish taco to an evolving menu of burritos, tortas, and a standout cocktail program at Ocho in Mount Pleasant, Tacofino continues to deliver vibrant, flavour-packed food in spaces that balance quick-service energy with a strong sense of hospitality and atmosphere.
Gino di Domenico has been instrumental in that growth, helping scale the brand while maintaining the spirit that made it a cult favourite in the first place. As Managing Partner, he’s overseen expansion across the Lower Mainland and beyond, all while keeping a sharp focus on product, consistency, and creating spaces that feel as good at lunch as they do late into the evening.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Gino to chat about the early days of Tacofino, its evolution from food truck to institution, new openings, and the realities of growth in today’s hospitality landscape, along with all of Gino’s favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
What to get at Tacofino (according to gino):
Food
Fish Taco
Nachos
Classic Bean & Cheese Burrito
Drink Pairings
Strange Fellows Talisman
Classic Margarita
The FULL LIST of Gino’s Local Favourites:
Cocktail Bar: Mount Pleasant Vintage
Dying to Try: Magari by Oca, Touk, Jeju, Osteria Otto
Food Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant, Chinatown
Hidden Gem: Argo Café
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Postickers at Beach House
Pizza: Thank You Pizza, Domino’s
Sandwich: La Grotta del Formaggio, Dip Co. Sandwich, Dante
Take an Out of Town Guest: Cactus Club (Coal Harbour), Published on Main
Outside of Vancouver: The OG Tacofino in Tofino, Supercharger Pizza (Powell River)
Thanks for joining us, Gino!
Watch Gino’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
