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Leave your attitude, designer this-that-and-the-other, and aspirations of Fusion-anything behind and get your "down-low" on at Gino's!
This place reminds me of the kind of mom-and-pop joints that were around when we were growing up. Old-school diner where young and old mingled. The kind of place where people might go out for a few cocktails, and order their kids a coupla Shirley Temples. The kind of place where folks would send their kids over to pick up a pack of smokes, and the proprietor would let 'em buy it out of the machine. There are no false pretenses, no aspirations to be something "fancy". It's a standard-issue cafe with one heckuva menu, a bar serving Standards, and a lot of people playing cards, eating and drinking.
That's right! another thing about those mom-and-pop joints-- they have REAL EATS! Not something pre-prepped and dropped off by Sysco. No, this is food that they actually MAKE- on site! Shocking, I know, but it's true, I tell you!
I've been twice now. Once with another couple for an impromptu drink and some appetizers, and another time with my husband and 3 kids. The place bustles with an assortment of humanity. The tatted up grandson taking his grandma out for a poker night, helping her with her oxygen tank. The guy in a suit having a drink with a friend. Come-as-you-are neighborhood folk coming in for a really good dinner. Mix dive bar with Andy Griffith's BlueBird diner, and you got the crowd mix.
We had the same waitress both times- she is friendly, attentive, and makes great recommendations if you are befuddled by the many choices available. They make their own marinara, and other sauces by the way.
Appetizers are stellar. Drinks are cheap. Sandwiches are awesome. My husband had the night special Pork Chop dinner and they were delicious. Poor guy lost one to the kids "sampling" it every chance they got. Generous cut chops, seasoned well, with veggie sides that someone put some thought into preparing.
Appetizer run-down: The wings are SPECTACULAR. The garlic wings and teriyaki honey wings are definitely worth a shot, and I never would have tried them without a recommendation from the waitress. I don't order fried mozzarella sticks, but on both visits we ended up with them and they really are good here. The onion rings and mushrooms are evil-good, and they make their own ranch dip.
To assuage my deep-fried overload, I ordered a green salad. Big ol' salad, loaded with fresh everything, homemade-tasting blue cheese dressing and a piece of perfectly seasoned boneless skinless chicken breast. My kids even picked at MY food!
Among other things on our family table was "The Bronx Bomber" an Italian sausage sandwich with sweet peppers and onions, on good bread. The "Pacino" sandwich was also quite tasty- Ham, Genoa, Capicola, Provolone, lettuce, tomato & onion. Sweet potato fries were an option the kids couldn't refuse, and they were worthy of an encore.
And folks, they are actually COOKING your food, so it doesn't show up 30 seconds after you order. But it isn't a snail's pace, so no need to get worked up.
Prices are fair, and everyone leaves happy. And a to-go box, as servings are spectacularly large.
They have a couple dart boards, some video trivia, and live music rolls in later in the evening.
If you are up in the 'hood round 32nd St. and E Thunderbird, stop on in and give Gino's a try.
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