Family owned & operated for over 55 years
Authentic Italian Cuisine
Family owned & operated for over 55 years
Authentic Italian Cuisine
Our Story
Dine with Family
Gino’s Restaurant has been a favorite staple of the Baton Rouge restaurant community for over fifty years. Gino’s was established in 1966 by the Marino family including Vincent, Mama, Gino, Laurence and Frances. The family originated in Siculiana, a town in the province of Agrigento, Sicily, where Mama was born. Vincent arrived in the United States in 1955, followed by Laurence in 1957 and then Mama, Gino and Frances in 1958. Sadly, Vincent, the patriarch of the Marino family, passed in 1970, and Mama Grace, the beloved matriarch, in June 2017. Throughout its history, Gino’s Restaurant has been and continues to be 100% family owned and operated.
Originally located on Perkins Road, Gino’s moved to its current beautiful location on Bennington Avenue in 1975. Gino’s specializes in traditional southern Italian food, prepared Mediterranean style, fresh delicious seafood and, of course, top quality steaks. The signature dish at Gino’s is Arancini and house specialty Laurence Bread. Favorite entrees of patrons include Chicken Parmigiana, Veal Sorrentina and Filet alla Laurence. Gino’s authentic Italian décor and ambience create a romantic atmosphere, making Gino’s a popular couples’ favorite. Diners are able to enjoy etched-glass reminiscent of Italy, a cozy fireplace, copper tabletops and romantic candlelight as they experience outstanding Italian dishes. On Gino’s highly acclaimed Thursday Jazz Night, patrons can experience the best jazz in the area performed by local, national and international jazz artists.
Gino’s Restaurant has won countless awards over the years, being an almost perennial favorite in the Best Italian, Best Date and Most Romantic categories. The Baton Rouge Epicurean Society bestowed Mama with a well-deserved honor when it created its annual Grace “Mama” Marino Lifetime Achievement Award to honor “local food industry professionals for advancing culinary culture.” She was the first recipient of the award named in her honor. In 2014, she was inducted into the Business Report Hall of Fame. That same year, the Marino family was inducted into the Louisiana Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. In addition, the wine cellar, stocked with over three hundred wines, has been included in many “Best of” lists and has won numerous awards over the years.
Mama was the heart and soul of the kitchen into her nineties as she supervised and was THE cook. As Gino once said, “She comes with the furniture.” Mama always cooked with great pride, care and love and incorporated the heavy use of true imported cheeses, anchovies, olive oils, tomato products, pasta and herbs in her recipes. Her passing in 2017 was a deep loss for her family, friends and the Baton Rouge restaurant community who all loved and admired her. Mama’s spirit and love for and devotion to superb Italian cooking and hospitality, however, still permeate the family restaurant. Her family continues her legacy of exceptionally delicious Italian cuisine in a welcoming and beautiful atmosphere.
