Gino's Restaurant & Lounge

I really had high hopes for this place based on how much I like their jarred marinara sauce you can buy at the store.  So we came here on a busy Sat night and were told there would be an approx 30 min wait- we were finally seated in an hour.  Ok, it's Sat night at the dinner rush time, so I can forgive that.  After we were seated, it took 10-15 minutes to get our order taken.  Our salads were soggy (like they were pre-dressed or sat in the pass window too long before they were brought to us) and the croutons were mushy- gross!  We got the bread when we were almost done with our salads :( I ordered cavatelli w/ meatballs with extra marinara and received ravioli with marinara and a meatball on the side.  I said that I had not ordered the ravioli and the waitress said, "ma'am, you said ravioli" which I had not & was shocked that she put the blame on me.  Hasn't she ever heard that "the customer is always right"?  She brought me cavatelli with meat sauce with a meatball on the side, which I also did not order but since, by this time, I was ready to eat my napkin, I didn't say anything.  Needless to say, I was annoyed.  She also  pissed off the table next to us by not filling their water glasses, not bringing any bread and not bringing the man his drink, which l heard her say she would pay for--she didn't blame them for her mistakes!  I also heard the man say that his chicken was deep-fried "twice" and not pan-fried like the menu said. My cavatelli was "meh" with a really tasteless meatball (which I did not order on the side).  My husband's meal was much better.  I am giving this place 2 stars, not for their bland food or their shitty service, but for the atmosphere--I'm sure it looks exactly like it did the day they opened in 1966--which I find charming :) Their bread was really good, but not worth the 2 hours I spent there.  Save yourself a trip, folks, and just go to the Latin King, where they serve Italian food to die for and in much less time!

My sis used to hostess here when she was in high school.  Still a wonderful family owned Italian place. Somewhat of a dieing breed in Des Moines where the chains are starting to take over.  Known best for their steak deburgo and homemade creamy garlic salad dressing.

You cannot beat Gino's for an old school, family run steak house. This is not a fancy-schmancy dinner club...it's GREAT food at great prices. Hand poured bar (no computer drinks here) make this one of the cities best places for a before dinner cocktail.

Try the top sirloin (we call it the 'individual pot roast') or the pan-fried, Italian seasoned chicken...house dressing on the salad, of course!

12/14:  The wife and I went to Gino's on Saturday night.  We learned that they now offer PRIME RIB Thursday through Saturday.  I tried it and it was fantastic!!  PLEASE GO THERE TONIGHT!!

We love this place!!