By Bryce Ronquillo
Since 1984, Gina’s Pizzeria, located in Montebello, has prided itself on using only the freshest ingredients and family recipes to serve Italian favorites at an affordable price.
Gina’s is notorious for its big pizza servings. Ranging from prices of $16.05 to $23.50, depending on a person’s choice of toppings, is the giant pizza size. The pizza is so big that the crust sticks out of the delivery box. It is perfect for large gatherings of people or even a family meal.
A single giant pizza slice is also available for $2.25. The giant pizza slice makes for a great lunch meal. The cheese to sauce ratio is close to even. The pepperoni’s are very flavorful and slices are not too greasy.
Gina’s is not only about the size of the food, but the quality of it as well. The tomato sauce in the pizza is bursting with flavor. It is evident that the ingredients are fresh.
The BBQ chicken pizza is a favorite at Gina’s. It is made with BBQ sauce instead of classic tomato sauce and topped with cheese, chicken, onions and cilantro. A large for the price of $23.49, is big enough for four people to share and be satisfied.
Although it was heavy on the onions and cilantro, the sauce and the chicken have a lot of flavor.
The other dishes on the menu do not disappoint. There are six different pastas as well as 10 types of sandwiches, both hot and cold. Salads and appetizers are offered as well.
The fettucini alfredo is very creamy and full of flavor. A plate is available for $7.50, and chicken can be added for $2.50 extra.
The submarine is a refreshing lunch sandwich to enjoy on a hot day. The combination of meats such as turkey, salami and pepperonis with the lettuce and tomatoes keeps one wanting more. There is also mozzarella cheese and pepperoncinis in this sandwich.
A small eight-inch sandwich is available for $5.50 and a large 12-inch is available for $6.50.
For those who crave hot sandwiches the meatball is a good option. On an Italian roll slices of homemade meatballs and tomato sauce are placed, topped with with cheese. The meatballs are very flavorful as well the sauce. An eight-inch is available for $5.75 and a 12-inch is $6:75.
Upon request, Gina’s also constructs heart-shaped pizzas.
It is not a very big restaurant and the parking is limited to the street. Gina’s does deliver to make up for the lack of parking on a busy street.
Since the restaurant is family owned there is a very welcoming vibe from the staff. The owner is hands-on working the cash register, delivering the pizza’s himself, even jumping in the kitchen when he needs to.
The restaurant’s location is 3017 West Beverly Boulevard in Montebello. This location is very close to East Los Angeles College.
Gina’s is open everyday but Mondays for lunch and dinner. Store hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, noon-10 p.m. on Saturday and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday.