'Everybody Goes to Gino's'... Again

The very last independently operated Gino’s Hamburgers was located in Pasadena. They ceased operations and closed their doors in 1991.

It is a shame that Gino Marchetti could not have at that time thought of and used the phrase “I’ll be back” before Arnold Schwarzenegger used it in the "Terminator" movies.

Gino’s is definitely back and they are making their way home to Baltimore.

Recognizing the need for better burgers, as witnessed by the success of chains such as Five Guys Burgers, Marchetti and his partner Tony Romano opened the very first new Gino’s Burgers and Chicken in King of Prussia, Pa. a few short months ago.

On Tuesday, Romano announced that an agreement has been reached with Scott Autry and Jared Smith of A&M Hospitality to open 10 new Gino’s in the Baltimore region. Autry and Smith are currently scouting locations in Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties.

Gino’s began in 1957 when Baltimore Colts football players Alan Ameche and Joe Campanella along with partner Lou Fisher opened an “Ameche’s” Drive In on North Point Road in Dundalk. Several other locations opened soon afterward.

In 1959, the group added Colt legend Gino Marchetti and changed the name to Gino’s Drive In. Gino’s was to become an innovator in the fast food industry.

In 1965, they entered into an agreement and became the sole distributor of Kentucky Fried Chicken in the mid-Atlantic region. In 1966, they shook things up by creating the first triple-decker sandwich the “Gino Giant."

This was quickly followed by the Big Mac at McDonald's (yes the Giant came first). The Gino’s Sirloiner was one of the best burgers I have ever had. Gino’s also changed the industry in 1969 when they began to offer indoor seating.

Prior to that, most all fast food patrons ate at outside stools and tables, or in their cars. By 1978 Gino’s had grown to 359 outlets.

In 1982, Gino’s was sold to the Marriott Corporation, who converted the majority of the stores into Roy Rogers Restaurants. The remaining stores were purchased by Kentucky Fried Chicken and transformed.

I am not certain of the exact year that Gino’s opened in Essex near the intersection of Eastern Boulevard and Stemmers Run Road where Dunkin Donuts is now located but I know that it was sometime in the early 1960’s.

I do have many fond memories about Gino’s, though. I think the first thing that comes to mind is the outdoor sign with colorful flashing lights which made it look as though the rocket ship poised above the name was blasting off into outer space.

Next of course would be the famous 15-cent hamburgers. Compared to today’s dollar menu board that would be 6 burgers for the price of one (what a deal).

Third would be coming out of the parking lot onto Eastern Boulevard, turning right onto Stemmers Run, then another right into the Giant Food parking lot, another quick right onto the driveway that led back out to Eastern and back into Gino’s lot. We would just drive in circles all night looking for friends much as we would do at the Thunderbird Drive In.

I am kind of embarrassed and ashamed to admit it today but back then, as a smart aleck teenager the standing joke was to go into Gino’s, walk up to the counter and order a “Big Mac." It would always tick the counter person off (“this is NOT McDonald's”) and get big laughs from your friends.

So what are some of your favorite Gino’s memories? Contact Essex-Middle River Patch editor Ron Snyder at ronald.snyder@patch.com and share them with him. Perhaps you will wind up in a future story about the restaurant.

Finally, if A&M Hospitality is looking for locations for their new franchise I might have the perfect spot. At 313 Back River Neck Road in Essex, there stands a building that has been vacant for a couple of years. Many restaurants have occupied that space. They include Wolfe’s Restaurant, Ron’s Golden 50’s Restaurant, Pegasus Diner and Roy Rogers.

It just so happens that the very first food outlet at this location was none other than Gino’s Hamburgers. If Mr. Autry and Mr. Smith want to bring Gino’s back home to Baltimore, why not open in one of the former locations? Come on Essex, doesn’t that sound like a cause to become involved in?

Let me know what you think by emailing me at lkeithroberts@patch.com Next week I promise to have the much postponed column on name origins.