The King Kong Burger

You may recall my moaning about the absence of New York style diners a few blog entries ago. Today I stopped complaining. I had seen an intriguing ad in the Savvy Shopper coupon magazine which showed a man with what looked like an eight inch high hamburger in front of him, and the message  “Home of the King Kong Burger”. This was something I had to see for myself - and luckily we didn’t have to go far. Gino’s NY Home Style Restaurant is just south of Thunderbird on 32nd St, a lot closer than Phil’s Restaurant out in Fountain Hills.

It’s in a free-standing building that used to house a greasy omelet place. Gino has been working at cleaning up the place, but there’s still a way to go. Open for only about two months he’s busy changing the menu and the decor. The menu, or I should say menus, are a lengthy read. All the dishes have names such as Memphis Mo Jo and Yo! Adrian Philly. At breakfast there are “Rappers” like the Patti Labelle Peppa, eggs, spinach mushrooms bell peppers onions and avocado wrapped in a tortilla and served with hash browns or home fries (made from scratch) for $5.25. There’s a number of Big Bangin Omelets in the $6 range, and a Breakfast Bonanza at $3.99 (with the purchase of a beverage) which includes 2 eggs, sausage or bacon, potatoes and toast, or pancakes, eggs and potatoes, or French toast, egg and potato. How about the Big Bopper breakfast sampler for 3 to 4 diners ($17.99). It includes “a bunch of scrambled egss” or a big Denver Omelet, plenty of bacon, sausage and ham, pancakes, French toast, home fries, corn bread, biscuits and gravy. Then you go home and take a nap.

The dinner entrees include many Italian specialties. Gino makes the sausage himself, and also grinds the beef (no Costco patties or meatballs here). The lasagna includes both beef and sausage, plus 4 cheeses and made-in-house red gravy ($9.75). There’s ravioli, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, or spaghetti with meatballs or sausage. These are served with garlic bread and salad. Keath’s North Westerner is a grilled balsamic 16 ounce Rib Eye with caramelized onions and mushrooms, served with seasonal veggies, smashed garlic-onion potatoes and cornbread all for $15.99. One day a week BBQ ribs are the special. Family style dinners are also served. The Capone Family consists of loaded baked ziti made with fresh ricotta, mozzarella, parm, meatballs and sausage. Served with salad and garlic bread ($33.99 to serve at least 4). The Gotti family has lasagna, chicken cutlet, and ravioli covered with mozzarella and baked ($39.99)

Lunch. There’s a selection of sliders ($7.99), “Weenies and Wings” and some main course salads. The sandwiches include hot and cold Italian subs, pastrami and corned beef, tuna and egg salads. Burgers are $6.75 - the Maui Wowwee is made with grilled ham, teriyaki seasonings, pineapple, red onions, peppers lettuce and tomato. Here’s the description of our King Kong Burger ($9.99): “If you’re brave enough, have good arteries and health insurance this one’s for you. This one pound gorilla has bacon, ham, fried onions, two cheeses, lettuce and tomato on a grilled bun”. You even get to have your photo taken with it and put up on the Wall of Fame. We got ours (we shared one) with some of Gino’s homemade cole slaw as our side. Both the burger and slaw were delicious. You could tell that the meat had been freshly ground. The funny thing is, this burger wasn’t big enough for some folks, so Gino came up with King Kong’s Ma-Ma, a “12 inch tower that will put you on top of the world, it almost has as many floors as the Empire State Building, ask Fay Ray: 1 1/2 pounds of fresh beef, bacon, ham, fried onions, 4 cheeses (instead of the meager 2 on King Kong), lettuce and tomatoes. Tums not included - Circle K is next door.” $14.50. Gino’s a funny guy.

No desserts were listed on the menu, but I just knew there had to be New York style cheesecake. Sure enough, and it had just finished setting up, so we got the first piece. It was outstanding. I haven’t had cheesecake so smooth and creamy since Lindy’s went out of business - and I won’t tell you how many years ago that was!! Gino is planning to make a variety of fruit toppings to go with it.

This is a friendly New York kind of place, not surly. On December 12, Gino is taking part in an event at the strip mall where the restaurant is located to aid Sojourner Center of Phoenix, which provides shelter and support for victims of domestic violence. There’ll be old cars, music, food, etc. Donations of women’s clothing suitable for job interviews, food and new children’s toys would be appreciated.

Gino’s

13623 N. 32nd St.  Phoenix   602-923-2500

Get this - Gino is planning to stay open 24/7 - even better than a diner.
Mon.-Sat  7AM-9PM   Sunday 7AM-3PM

Ginoscoasttocoast.com