Gino’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge — Restaurant in Hancock

First time we have ever been here was earlier today. Right off the bat, I was impressed that they make their cherry Coke with real cherry juice and not grenadine. This is hard to find and I HATE the taste of grenadine. There were also cherries in my cherry Coke, at the bottom. :) Next, I read the menu and I noticed they really had some awesome salad choices, but I was not in the mood for a salad. I was dissapointed that I didn't feel like a salad, as a few of them sounded amazing, but as I read further, any salad I was interested in was also available in the form of a wrap! I asked our waitress if the wraps were made exactly like the salads were (as in same ingredients as the salads) and our waitress Megan said "yes." I was excited. I also asked her what she would choose between the sesame wrap and the chicken spinach wrap...she said the sesame. Man, am I glad I listened. It was a close call because I liked the more exotic ingredients (atleast for a salad) that were listed in both. The sesame wrap having mandarin oranges, almonds, sesame dressing, among many other ingredients and the chicken spinach wrap having almonds, craisins and poppyseed dressing, among many other ingredients. Their sesame dressing was incredible and even though the wrap was awesome, dipping it in that sauce made it an A+. My husband, roommate and I all decided to order wraps, actually - just in different flavors. Hubby also ordered wings for an appetizer and said the buffalo wings were extra wet, and the best he's had so far, in Michigan. Weren't too hot, but not too mild either. He said his chicken caesar wrap had the juiciest meat in it and the dressing was so creamy and to die for. There were many things, I believed, on their menu that made them special. Glad we made that first visit, finally. I have to say: It was an awesome experience and we will be...

Uh oh. Came to town for our traditional summer vacation on the water. Probably have been coming since the early '60's, missed a few years of course. But Gino's is always a regular night during our U.P. week.

Hadn't heard about a change in ownership. I believe "Shakey" has owned this for better than 40 years.

The only thing anyone in this group ever orders is (1) pizza with sausage! and (2) raviolis (either half & half or straight up).

So here it goes. Arrive on Thursday ready for some good pizza. End up taking seats in the back by the fireplace. Table of 8 all set and we.....wait. Restaurant about half full but waitstaff circling about taking care of others, but no stop even to bring water. That was 20 minutes.

We sent a nephew to the bar to order drinks. The bartender apologized, made the drinks, and went into the kitchen. Must have said something to a waitress, within 5 minutes someone arrived.

Ordered the old standbys, large pizzas with sausage and pep and extra cheese. 3 people ordered ravioli full dinners.

RESULT: pizzas with crusts so thin, and burnt. The amount of cheese was non-existent, honestly it seemed like romano or parmesan because it came in little crusty burnt balls. And no sauce! They used to generously pore sauce ON TOP of the cheese! This sounds critical, but to me, it tasted like a 99 cents Tostino's frozen pizza that you cook on Saturday night as a last resort.

Raviolis appeared to be as always. Crusty rolls hard as rock.

Ended up having just one round of beverages. Waters never filled.

I won't give you one star, and we will give them another chance. But second time shame on me.

Don't destroy...

If you are visiting the Keweenaw, just go here. Locals favor the spaghetti & raviolis (in my family circle anyways) & if you can't decide, they have a half-&-half! Homemade & delicious, the sauce is meaty & the ravs are large; about 6 to a plate. They now offer a small serving of 3, which I REALLY appreciate. More restaurants could take a page from them when it comes to proper portions.

They've added some great options to the menu. I tried the Ahi Tuna app: I would HIGHLY recommend. Really great presentation. Oh! & their "Local Burger" is a great option. Again with the portions! A perfectly modest 1/4lb cooked perfectly each time. My husband loves that he can get this AND have room left over for a few IPAs.

Now I tend to like the more dated, UP dining room style that you so often find up north: like your grandma's house & a restaurant had a baby. BUT now Gino's has really expanded their seating (& atmosphere) by adding the patio. It's a total summer hot-spot. They have a great draft selection & are also selling actual buckets of mixed summer cocktails, that look huge, but overall are not the kind that will leave you crawling out (if you have only one).

As a former local & now a frequent visitor to the area, I def think everyone should...