How Convenient
ON APRIL 15, 2018 BY SNEUBURGER
Gino’s Deli & Icehouse, 13210 Huebner Rd., San Antonio
Pick: Langston
Average rating – 5/5 stars
Mom always said, “Never judge a book by its cover.” A little application of this bit of wisdom goes a long way as it relates to this week’s pick, Gino’s Deli & Icehouse. This obscure hot sandwich shop, located near the Medical Center area on the city’s northwest side, is so inconspicuous, you would likely never see it unless you were specifically looking for it. After having eaten there, all I can say is, you should be specifically looking for it!
As you can see, there is nothing about the exterior of Gino’s that says, “You must eat here!” In fact, it may cry out, “Wait! Don’t go in there!” The words Gino’s Deli in the window can barely be made out from the street and there is no other indication that this is an eating establishment. I guess word-of-mouth is a much more powerful form of advertising than I ever imagined. The interior is no more impressive than the exterior. There are several high-set, community-style tables with long benches on either side nestled among the sundry convenience store goods stacked somewhat haphazardly on convenience store shelves. The kitchen proper occupies a very small corner of the store with a couple of flat-top grills on which the hot sandwiches are prepared. Separating the public from the prep area is a small deli case where meats and fresh toppings are stored and displayed. The overall appearance of Gino’s, which could be described as unassuming at best, is where the ordinary ends and the extraordinary begins.
Although Gino’s is not a full-service restaurant, I have rarely enjoyed such attentive and friendly service. We weren’t two feet in the door before we were warmly welcomed by the cashier as she mindfully manned her register. Just a few feet beyond that, Andrew enthusiastically greeted us and inquired if we were first-time customers, to which we answered affirmatively. He proceeded to inform us that, since we were rookies, we would each receive a free bag of chips and a free fountain drink. Now that’s hospitality! He then thoroughly explained the menu and pointed out the house specialty sandwich and other popular offerings. I decided to go with the house specialty; a classic Philly cheesesteak with jalapeños. Gary and Judy chose the same. Lisa switched her pick from a Philly cheesesteak to a “Smoke Stack” and Langston one-upped us by ordering a “Steak Italian.” When we asked if we were to pay then and there, Andrew said, “No. Eat first. If you don’t love it, you don’t pay for it.” Seriously? Who makes an offer like that? With our orders taken, and after wiping the befuddled looks off our faces, we proceeded to get our beverages and find a seat at one of the community tables. A seemingly short time later, our name was called. I rose to retrieve our food when one of the cooks shooed me back to my seat and kindly delivered our order to us. With sandwiches in hand, things went from great to even better!
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Source : Family Foodies
