This food saved us after a hike when we were very hungry. Pizza was acceptable but not amazing. The waitress was strange and passed us off to someone else. Overpriced compared to nearby, better pizza. Will not return. read more

I've never had a bad meal or service here, for that matter. The food is very tasty, and is perfectly plated. Our server was very attentive last night. We had a former employee sitting with us, and they sent over an appetizer for us, nice! read more

Ordered the Chicken Marsala Portabella party platter to go. The food was perfectly delicious. I think the problem with this place is the bad attitudes. Both times I've been here the girls seem to be on their period or something. Very sour attitudes. read more

We usually do take out when we get food from Gino's. But today I decided to treat my hubby to some good food and we sat in the restaurant and enjoyed very good food and great customer service. Every staff member we interacted with was very professional and had urgency to assist us. read more

I went in last Monday, December 19th for lunch with a client. The star rating I am assigning Gino's isn't really for the food but for the overall experience. First - I was warmly greeted by the hostess who was so calm in the middle of the Holiday Lunch crowd. My reservation was not on the list, however, the hostess did not skip a beat. She simply had her seater take me to a table. The service was stellar and I was granted all my food idiosyncratic wishes! I was delighted. I must say though that the special fish of the day was really ho-hum. Nothing to write home about. The creme brulee also was just meh. Once again, the service by everyone - I am not sure if the waiters pool or not, was really fabulous. Warm, kind and really "on it". Especially for this EXTREMELY busy day. Last - I left my receipt at Gino's. So I headed back after leaving to get that little document. I was walking in from the parking lot and the busser ( a charming young lady ) asked if I was returning for seconds. I laughed and I indicated I left my receipt behind and she immediately alerted the hostess who provided me a receipt within minutes. All of this from the parking lot!!! It stands to reason with all the above, why this somewhat outdated restaurant is still packed almost every day and every night. I have never been a huge fan of Italian, but the dishes I have sampled at Gino's over the years have been solid. I will always be a fan and will always return. read more

Excellent food! Started off with the sampler platter which was awesome. Then I had the prawn fettucini as my entree. Everything was delicious and the service was amazing. I made a great decision on where to have my bday dinner. read more

BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE the menu prices you see online aren't correct and when you order take out you get a HUGE surprise when your bill is $27 MORE than what you expected. When ordering for holiday parties on a budget it's quite a shock. I ordered a lasagna that was listed @ $49.95 imagine my reaction when I had to pay$76.33. Their reply? Menu says prices subject to change. Isn't that a kick in the teeth and a clever ploy to charge whatever they please. I ordered from the price I saw online from THEIR WEBSITE and I was not told a price when I ordered over the phone. I am supposed to call and talk to the owner Ralph on Monday and will update if needed then. But the manager Pris was unapologetic and was very well versed in using 'the menu states it's subject to change' because he must use this line often. Beware and spend you're money elsewhere with honest businesses. read more

Had the beet salad and wild salmon on top. Salmon was cooked perfectly. Beet salad was ok. Loved the fact they had a lot of choices if you decide not to eat pasta. Saw there was gluten free pasta didn't try but good to know for the future read more

Good restaurants, in Salinas, are like finding hen's teeth. This place remains the one and only place I want to eat for date night in Salinas. We've never had poor service, thankfully. We always make reservations, as this place can become very busy. I have my tried-and-true favorites on their regular menu. The manicotti is divine, with homemade crepes and a well-seasoned meat filling (I've been told it's turkey). Their marinara sauce is divine. They have great daily specials, but they can be in the upper $20.00+ range. Gino's does Italian food the way it should be. Their steaks are also really good. I've been lucky with their fish, but my husband's was a bomb, last night. We ordered the Hawaiian Ono fish ($23.00). We knew it was risky, because it wouldn't be fresh. The presentation was lovely, atop a mound of coconut rice with mango pieces and a pineapple beurre blanc sauce (though there wasn't enough of it). The fish was dry and tasted...well, fishy. I was glad I didn't order that, though I was sorely tempted. We were recently in Hawaii and Ono is a very mild fish. This wasn't. Big disappointment.. I've also noted that the salads are different, now. Gone are the croutons and baby corns and kidney or garbanzo beans. I would say that's all about economics. Service was fine, no complaints. We still enjoy this restaurant, but will use caution with ordering fish. read more

I've been coming to Gino's since I was little and it's always been delicious, hasn't lost its touch. Today I decided to pick up pizza, it was the first time trying the pizza here. I decided on the godfather and it was delicious! This is where I'll be coming for pizza from now on. read more

Gino's - The Godfather - Italian Near Me - Salinas, California

Everything about this place was awesome. Very nice staff, ambiance was awesome, and food was delicious. Turns out, we were helped by one of Gino's grandsons, and it was great hearing about the history of the restaurant. I would definitely return next time I am in the area! read more

Food is always amazing and they give more than generous portions. I Have dined in and ordered take out as well as catering for parties, all many times and the food is always amazing and consistent. Definitely one of the best restaurants in salinas. Everything I have ever tried has always been amazing. read more

A great lunch, the house salad dressing is so good. Chicken sandwich was wonderful. Raspberry tea is refreshing and tasty.

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in this town. I enjoy eating in the back patio and their service is excellent. I only gave 4 stars because I love their pastas and pizzas but I didn't like their fish dishes. read more

I don't think so. Had dinner here 3 times. Everything was unimpressive .. seriously do not understand the draw. Must be just old faithful regulars. :( read more

The black end chicken is the best. I mainly but to go . The service at the counter is very friendly!

If 10 stars was an option they'd get it. Delicious food good service for our group of 10. Most of us had seafood and it was awesome, cooked perfect, their blackened chicken fettuccine was also delicious. Personally I had the calamari steak and it was amazingly delicious! Cooked wonderful, tender and the lemon caper sauce was a must. read more

Meh. Definitely not what I remember when I used to come here years back. The bread is way subpar for an Italian place. My wife got the caprese salad, and it was ok. Everything was like a 6 or 7 out of 10, but it used to be like a 9 or 10. I had the fettuccini alfredo, it was bland with not enough sauce. Meh. House salad had too much balsamic. It was all just ok. Not worth $15 a plate. Totally packed, good thing we made reservations. Loud, food took a long time. We'll probably try the pizza and then retire the place. On a positive note, their brownies are bomb. read more

I have a Major regret: I regret having lived in this area since 1988 and it wasn't until January 21st at 421pm that I had visited this establishment. I ordered food to go and with so many choices, I asked the staff person who I talked to on the phone to recommend a entree! I got the blackened chicken fettuccine with salad. I literally cannot put into words the extreme satisfaction I felt when I not only smelled the food but when I ate it. I had to stop eating and savor the bites , the different tastes, the seasonings all comming together perfectly! I have never in my entire life had such magnificent Italian food! Seriously! The prices are awesome for the amount of food you receive. The staff is super friendly and helpful...I feel like I cheated myself for NOT comming here sooner but now it's on my list..I have a bulls-eye on every single dish on their menu ....I'm comming back, and more appetite is comming with me! read more

Had a wonderful lunch. All three of us had one of the daily specials including their mile high lasagna. Good service and going for a late lunch (early dinner) helped avoid crowds. read more

Big portions enough for two. Love the spaghetti with meat sauce. Got the half and half combo with ravioli. The ravioli are lacking flavor. Love the canoli, bread salad and dressing! Friendly service over the phone and my order was ready when I got there in the quoted time of 15 minutes can't wait to come back! read more

Sadly I have to submit a less than seller review for this once well run and great quality restaurant.. I had lunch last week with some business associates with the knowledge that I would be hosting our Christmas party there the following week.. I ordered the Salmon and received a dry piece of fish that was overly smothered with sauce. This used to be one their easy and great tasting meals.. I have never had an issue with their more than average price because of the great quality in the past but alas that has fallen in the cracks and gone away. Needles to say I was a bit worried about our upcoming party.. I was thoroughly underwhelmed, as the pastas were soaked with sauce and the Lasagna was virtually flavorless other than the mounds of cheese they filled it with.. Not sure what's happened here but I do hope that they take a hard look at their quality control as possibly the owners have gotten a bit comfortable in their past success.. read more

The blackened chicken fettuccine was really good. Wouldn't recommend the cannoli because it was really hard and the filling didn't have much flavor. The rest of my party enjoyed their meals but asked for steak sauce and were given A1 but it didn't taste like A1. I think the bottle may have been filled with something else. read more

"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." Gino's survies because there is no competition for South Salinas diners. While they will supersize a portion for to-go orders, their dine in portions are severly over-priced and unimaginative. They can't help but drown every plate of pasta in cheese sauce. Give me a few tortilla chips and some jalpenos and we'll call it nachos. Blackened-Chicken Fettuccine? That's a one-hit wonder from the 1980's served well beyond it's prime. Gino's should be better. They have access to the freshest produce and seafood but lack the vision or skill to make a decent meal. I'd love to see this place on Fox's Kitchen Nightmare. Maybe Gordon Ramsay can bring this underachiever to the head of the class. read more

GET THE GODFATHER!!! It's the best tasting pizza ever! If you watched Ratatouille and remember that scene where Remy tried the cheese that was struck by lightning and he goes through a magical experience, that's what it's like in every bite! read more

I have been to Ginos several times. Good food, and great people. The pizza is to die for, nice amount of sauce cheese and topings. and the crust is nicely made.. If your ever in Salinas you gotta try it. read more

This is one of the best eateries in Salinas. Every holiday, I request my mom to order the Blackened Chicken Fettuccini to go and it's scrumptious!! The brown bread is also a great addiction. Slightly pricey, but worth it for special occasions. read more

Went there with my family and noticed we were the only people that did not receive the free bread... and i ordered the pasta with oysters and had a crunch to it.. read more

I had the chicken parmesan dinner and Creme Brulee for dessert. Cost was $28 including drinks. Chicken was covered with cheese and the sauce contained meat. Made the dinner 'heavy' and overwhelming compared to other chicken parmesan dinner I had in Philadelphia. The staff was friendly and courteous. read more

Gino's - Chicken parmesan dinner - Italian Near Me - Salinas, California

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Absolutely love this place! Blackened chicken fetuccine is great as is the lasagna. If you're into pizza you must try the Godfather, a bit pricey but worth every penny. Service is good, and there is patio dining with warm heaters if the night gets a bit cool. Far and away the best Italian restaurant in Salinas! read more

I give their fettuccine alfredo 5 stars and I had as a takeout tray for a party, it was really good! As for eating at the restaurant I was very disappointed. I made a reservation for 7, we were seated promptly and everything but I wasn't too pleased with my food. I ordered the Spaghetti carbonara-yuck, pasta was overcooked and sauce was really heavy, I only tasted the fat of the bacon or pancetta. My sister got the ravioli dish, which was this enormous plate with only a few ravioli pockets drowned in sauce, very disappointing. My dad got a t-bone steak, there was very little meat on it. Our waiter was very inattentive for a huge party that we were. Just a heads up, they include the tip on your tab! read more

The service was excellent. Probably the one thing besides the desserts that I liked about this restaurant. Definitely has a good ambience for a nice dinner, but the food did not impress me at all. The pasta was pretty bland. I've tried the Fettuccine Alfredo, and the Artichoke Pasta, but I just don't feel like I had anything particularly savory. read more

I was so disappointed by my recent visit to Ginos. Perhaps we didn't order their best items. Our waitress let us know that the ravioli was not homemade, but I hoped the sauce would save the day. Instead, it was store bought pesto sauce (seriously, it tasted exactly like the kind I've purchased in the freezer section in a pinch) that literally SMOTHERED my pasta! The "roasted beets" in my beet salad were ice box cold and absolutely tasteless on top of wilted (from a package) baby spinach. My husband had the manicotti and the sauce was simply tomato sauce from a can. I know people love it here, maybe we'll try again someday. read more

Great food. I recommend the blackened chicken Alfredo! This is an awesome dish, I would have given a 5 if the dish was a little less peppery (I know it's not a word) and the waitress re-filled my soda with iced tea, but other than that it's a solid contender with not much else around in the way of competition for fine dining in Salinas. read more

I've eaten here plenty of times over the past 15 years and more so than not I always order the Blackened Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (extra garlic and extra sauce), sometimes adding sun dried tomatoes. I can't really speak for other dishes but I can assure you won't be disappointed with this one. Please be aware though that their dishes serve a lot of food (of course it's an Italian restaurant right?) so be prepared to take home leftovers or split dishes with others. They also have an easy take-out station right by the parking lot so you don't have to go inside the restaurant. Parking is a bit tight but I've usually always found a spot. I would say the ambiance is above casual but definitely below formal. The service has always been great here but when they have a packed house it sometimes takes a bit longer for the servers to return to the table to check up on things. The picture I have posted is the BCFA w/sun dried tomatoes and believe it or not, that's only half as we split the dish between two. Overall you won't be disappointed here. read more

Gino's - Blackened Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (extra garlic, extra sauce, added sun dried tomatoes) - 1/2 dish (split between two people) - Italian Near Me - Salinas, California

The owner called me back today. Will definitely give Gino's another try! :)

Love this place. Been coming here for decades. Best artichoke bisque soup EVER!!! I could live off it!!! Nothing on the menu here disappoints! Love so many of their dishes. Wonderful staff and owners. Really enjoy dining at Gino's. read more

Went with my boyfriend for a nice dinner and we loved it! Very cute but the food is amazing!!!!! The only thing that we didn't make a reservation and we had to wait. But next time we will make one read more

Gino's - Italian Near Me - Salinas, California

Great when it's good. Okay when it's bad. I come here a lot, but I noticed a lack of consistency. My Cesar salad was given to me with wet lettuce, so all the dressing fell off. The lettuce was mostly yellow too. However, all was saved with my ravioli and meatballs. Their marinara sauce works wonders. The employees are nice. I recommend. read more

Best blackened-chicken-fettuccine-alfredo in the face of this earth! yum,yum!!! Gotta try it!!! Family owned restaurant located just outside of town. Very clean, casual but dressy attire, and fun atmosphere with full bar to get the party going!! read more