Tucked away in Stephen’s City, Sal and Gino is an undercover gem that I am so glad we unearthed. While the building may be non-descript, the food and the service are anything but. We were treated to smiling faces from the minute we stepped in, and the food they served us was some of the best that I have had in Frederick County. I can safely say that Sal and Gino is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to!
Price 💲💲out of 5
Like with any Italian spot, the menu is massive, with so many options to choose from. There are lighter options, heavier options, and even vegetarian options. Nothing is overpriced, and the portion sizes are more than enough. You can easily feed your entire family here for a very reasonable price.
Ambience 🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳 out of 5
There isn’t a ton of room in Sal and Gino’s, but it makes up for the lack of size with a huge personality and a ton of character. This place is colorful, it has a lot of different textures throughout the restaurant, and as stated before, the staff is extremely friendly. You truly see why places like this are referred to as “mom and pop” establishments, but it is a place where you truly get to know the owners and staff, and they get to know you.
Food 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩 out of 5
On to the food, and boy was everything so delicious:
Buffalo Steak and Cheese with Fries – I love steak and cheese sandwiches, but I have never had a buffalo steak and cheese. Adding the buffalo sauce was a gamechanger.
Taco Pizza – full disclosure, I usually hate taco pizza because it gets soggy, but this one was so good. They only put a little lettuce and tomato on the top to perfectly complement the melty pie.
Fatboy – we got to try one of their fatboys, a braided dough stuffed with cheese and your choice of protein and/or veggies. Served with a big side of marinara for dipping, this was such a treat.
Chicken Noodle Soup – there is nothing that warms the soul more than a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. The broth was perfect, and the noodles were perfectly soft.
Manicotti – one of my all time favorite baked dishes, these manicotti were stuffed with cheese and drenched with their amazing marinara sauce.
Jumbo Buffalo Wings – I love a big, meaty chicken wing that is still crispy, and Sal and Ginos did not disappoint. These actually have spice, and they are so meaty and juicy. Some of the best value wings around.
Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
It takes something special from a restaurant to get a five-star review from me. There has to be more than just a beautiful spot, great food, or friendly staff. Ideally, restaurants mix all three perfectly to truly create a five-star experience. Sal and Gino’s does everything well – the place is cute and full of character, the owners and staff truly care about the community, and the food is some of the best in the area. I would highly recommend you drop whatever your plans for lunch or dinner are today and head out to Stephen City to visit Sal and Gino.