GIO’S CONTINUES THE TRADITION OF FOOD SPIRITS AND GOOD TIMES

It started as a Root Beer stand back in the early fifties. It was situated across from the old Fort Wayne Drive-in on Bluffton Road, where Star Financial is now located. It was always a pre-movie gathering place for many Waynedale kids. Teenagers Linda Kreischer, Nancy Lee, Judie Dedman, and Sue Wollum used to be carhops and it was frequented by local patrons with nicknames like Woody, Tom-Tom, and Racer Reed.

In the sixties, Tony Onarato replaced the old Root Beer stand with a restaurant called “Tony’s Pizza.” The small restaurant flourished providing fine pizza’s for the Waynedale area. In the 70’s, TD, (Tony Onarato Jr.), modified the pizza place into the Blue Room. The Blue Room provided gourmet food for awhile, and then the restaurant changed hands again. Ralph Giomente purchased it in the 80’s, and changed the name to Gio’s. Mike Higi owned the restaurant during the 90’s.

The restaurant was recently purchased by Roy and Laurie Duff. They have done a complete remodel and re-opened the restaurant under the same name. Gio’s is now open Monday through Saturday, at 6247 Bluffton Rd., 11:00am to 3:00am. On Sunday Gios’s offers all the NFL games as well as NASCAR and other sports programs. They have a total of 11 digital, flat-panel monitors too keep the fans up-to-date on all the action.

Monday nights are football parties, with free pizza at half time, Tuesday night is Karaoke, and Wednesday night is Ladies Night with drink specials and a lingerie show every other week. Thursday will be Karaoke and Friday and Saturday they will offer a DJ, (with no cover charge). Gio’s is much brighter around the bar area, and there are 8 pool tables, with pool league every Tuesday and Thursday evening.

Roy and Laurie Duff are not newcomers to the restaurant business. Roy and Laurie previously owned Strazlo’s Deli & Pub in The Village at Coventry. It was no surprise to the Waynedale folks that it was standing room only when the Duff’s re-opened Gio’s Oct.10th. Their new five-page menu, includes Appetizers, Mexican Munchies, Pizza and Sausage Rolls, Hot & Cold Sandwiches, Salad, Soups, and Adult Beverages. Bread is baked fresh daily, with a daily menu, carryout, and catering available. Food, Spirits, and Good Times continue to be a hallmark at the new Gio’s.