Gino’s of Wingate

I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t very optimistic about this place after checking out the menu, so I may have some prejudice. Standard small-​town food– not a ton of lighter options. I’ve heard great things about the pasta and the pizza dough, but I try to eat fresh vegetables and lean proteins as much as possible. I opted for a salad– it was all iceberg lettuce with a couple red onions and tomatoes. I was given commercially packed dressing. Glad it’s an option and that it’s a local favorite, but I’d leave this one to the local students with college metabolisms.

I’m still figuring out whether this place is called Gino’s or Jim & Judy’s Kitchen. Heck, just combine it all: Gino, Jim & Judy’s… or GJJ’s… or Kitchen GJJ. Nonetheless, the restaurant’s concept is far from a mystery — Italian food or [if their attempts at Italian fail you], drumroll please, Southern food. In my opinion, neither disappoint; however, both are very average.
Italian. Pizzas are just okay — far from NY; characterless. Calzones are somewhat better. Other dishes are solidly decent, yet mediocre in terms of flavor profiles and execution. I’ve yet to note a memorable Italian offering here.
[Jim & Judy’s home-​cooked] Southern. Hefty lunch and dinner menus. Excellent deals all around — large portion sizes, small prices. But again, average food taste/​quality. Nothing particularly worth returning for.
Unless you’re a neighborhood local or Wingate student, there’s no reason to trek out here for repeat visits, honestly. In fact if you’re coming down or over from Charlotte/​Matthews or Waxhaw, respectively, save your time and miles and dine at Spiro’s Hilltop Fish Fare & Steakhouse (1602 E Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28 112). Not only is Spiro’s much larger, nicer, more accommodating, and better staffed… service is substantially faster and more attentive.
FYI, a big turnoff here is how long it takes to pay and leave by meal’s end. You stand in line to get rung up at their one and only register. During peak rushes, this line can crawl for as long as 10 minutes.

Very good lunch. The country fried steak was tender and hot. Good gravy, large portion of mashed potatoes. Large portion of tasty green beans.
Wife had CFS also with mac and cheese. Very good
Service was prompt and friendly.
Great place if your hungry in Wingate.
This is on my return list.

So incredibly impressed with Gino’s! We just left there and had a great lunch. Party of 21, 12 teenage baseball players plus families, and they brought out everything hot and fresh at the same time. We called ahead to make it easier and they were a flawless team taking care of us, never had to request refills, every order was correct, even the special orders! The food was outstanding, fresh breads and pizza dough, stacked salads and sandwiches, everyone was full and fully satisfied. While it was simply subs and salads, THIS is how they should taste, simply delicious. Couldn’t recommend this place enough, thank you Gino’s!!!

When i visit a place like this I want Spaghetti with Meat Sauce! Though something like this is on their main Menu I could not get it for lunch today (it was not a lunch special) so I checked out the BBQ! It was Very good and FOUR BBQ Sauces! This is not a BBQ Place! They have more Pizza, Subs Strombolis and what I would call «Country» or «Home-​style» Cookin’ so I know I’m crazy and i just told you so…
Someone please tell me (seriously send me a message) what do you call these places?? ? I call a place like this a «Diner» is it a Café? I do not know what to call it!
Here is my Unilocal star rating of each item:
Pulled Pork BBQ — Mmmmmmm more than four, maybe 4.65 Unilocal stars!
Vinegar Based BBQ Sauce and EASY 5 Unilocal stars! Probably the Best of its kind!
Sweet BBQ Sauce — real close to 5 stars!
Mild BBQ Sauce 4.7 Unilocal stars
Hot (NOT) BBQ Sauce 3.25 stars
Turnip Greens — 4.25 stars
Corn Bread 3.98 stars
Mac and Cheese 3.25 stars
Everyone of the Staff were very friendly and helpful — I heard the words «Sure» and «YES» more than I’m used to in any kind of Business! Everyone seemed happy to be there!
If you are traveling from Charlotte as soon as you see the Welcome to Wingate sign get ready to turn to the right! You have three chances (it’s in the Food Lion Shopping Center)!

Never had anything that wasn’t great. Service is as good as the food. Well worth the visit.

For calzones, you can’t beat ginos! Friendly service and good food. Would have gotten 5 stars but it is a bit of a drive.