NJ & Philadelphia Hamburger – Chicken Joint Was Better Than Today’s

Like all things, taste is in the eye … or, in this case the taste buds of the beholder.

It was originally founded in 1957 in Dundalk, Maryland.

Gino's Hamburgers became a staple for fast food dining on the East Coast.

In the late 1960’s through the early 1980’s, there was a fast food hamburger and chicken joint called “Gino’s Hamburgers and Chicken” in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Gino’s also made a comeback in 2010.

I remember well, the Gino’s on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, located at 1114 Boardwalk at Steeplechase Pier.

Here is a great photo from 1970 thanks to TUSSAUDS92, that I saw on Facebook.

This iconic Gino's Hamburgers restaurant burned down in 1988 … the fire started in the Gino's Restaurant and damaged the entire pier.

Here’s a great fun fact. Kentucky Fried Chicken was located within Gino’s Hamburgers at some locations.

At other locations, the Gino’s Hamburgers Franchisee worked with other chicken partners.

Here is a great example of this, courtesy of the Old Images of Philadelphia Facebook Page.

There was a decades long debate about who had the better hamburger.

McDonald’s had and still has The Big Mac.

Gino’s had The Gino Giant.

Here are just a few of the comments from the Old Images of Philadelphia Facebook Page.

Carol McCoy wrote that “Pepperidge farm remembers! The Gino giant was superior to the Big Mac.”

Bob Goose wrote, “The best fast food sandwich of ALL TIME was indeed the Gino Giant. I remember the day our Gino's in Pennsauken, NJ. closed up...a sad day! Aside from the great food Gino's also had the BEST collectibles...does anyone remember the NFL helmets that had their own cardboard display case?!?

Joni remembers … “My two sisters and I worked for Gino's in Haledon, NJ. back in the mid to late 70's. To this day I have great memories of working there. Yes....the Gino Giant was the best with it's "thousand Island" special sauce. To this day, I still have the "beer" mugs that they gave as a promotion. lol. KFC was much better at Gino's then it is today.”

Dee wrote, “remember when Gino's used to sell a "Hero Burger" which was a rectangular burger on a sub roll. My favorite was the Hero Burger with Cheese. Delicious...another tasty '70s treat.”

CJC write about a great memory, “worked @ Gino's in the 70's. The best aapple pies - deep fried - the special was $1.29, the dinner was $1.79 and the thrift box was $3.99, the bucket was $6.99 and the bucket was $8.99. The Hero burger was not as good as the Gino Giant. The good old days... The store was in Ridley Twp Pa.”

We could go on and on … there are so many wonderful memories about Gino’s Hamburgers and Chicken all along the East Coast.

We all have our own memories here in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Gino's Hamburgers had a great and catchy slogan … "Everybody Goes To Gino's Cause Gino's The Place To Go.”

We also read many great comments about Gino’s “Special Sauce,” which Gino’s diners loved.

Thank you to the Old Images of Philadelphia Facebook Page for inspiring me to write this article.

Here’s a bonus photo, courtesy of the Old Images of Philadelphia Facebook Page.

It’s fabulous.

Writing this has me craving for a Gino’s Hamburger, again!