A Different Gino's Returns to a Different Baltimore

Locals are all abuzz about the this month to the Baltimore area.  Oldsters can't seem to wait to munch on the once famous mammoth Gino Giant multi-hamburger hamburger sandwich (with special creamy sauce, as I recall - whoops - that makes me an oldster).  The young ones will probably give Gino's a try because it is new and they may want to see what their parents and grandparents are making all the fuss about.

But no matter how hard we try and no matter how many burgers, fries, and shakes we consume (and, no matter how good the food is), this version of Gino's is not your daddy's Gino's.

First off, the new Gino's is not of Baltimore, like the original was.  This new version is coming to us from King of Prussia, PA.  That is hardly known as Colts Country, which leads me to the second difference between the old Gino's and the new, and this is the biggie.

The old Gino's was not just a good hamburger joint that was founded in Baltimore, but it was intrinsically connected to the great and beloved Baltimore Colts.

According to the very fun Gino's Hamburger Tribute Website, the original Gino's was founded as a hamburger shop in Dundalk, in 1957, by Colts Alan Ameche and Joe Campanella (along with Louis Fischer).  Legendary Colts Gino Marchetti joined the group in 1959, and the place became known as Gino's Drive-in. 

Indeed, the one thing that I remember most about Gino's, besides the food, was the Colts atmosphere to the place.  They had the little Baltimore Colts guy emblem and you really felt like you were supporting the home team when you ate there.  And maybe, just by chance, you might see Johnny U. or someone standing in line for some grub.  (I never did see any Colts at a Gino's, but I could have!)

But, at last, nothing stays the same.  Gino's expanded throughout the east coast, then was purchased by Marriott, and finally all the stores were converted to Roy Rogers Restaurants.  And, more tragically, the Colts left Baltimore.   

So, as you can see, while Gino's may be returning to Baltimore, this is not like Lazarus being raised from the dead.  It is not the same Gino's.  This is not the same Baltimore. 

This version of Gino's is a lot like the return of throughout the area.  But, that is not really National Beer.  Don't even get me started.