Owners, managers: Co-owners are Alfred Molinari and Artie Praino / Dennis Arango is Manager

Business background: Artie Praino, former owner of Newtown Deli, Woodbury Deli, New Milford’s Zaragosa, and the Sandy Hook Deli, is proud to be part of a family tradition of restaurateurs and the tenth Gino’s pizza parlor that’s been dishing up delicious pizza and a wide variety of other favorite Italian-style specialties for about a half-century. The family network of pizza restaurants extend from Brooklyn to Whitestone Queens to Long Island and now to Sandy Hook. Co-Owner Alfredo Molinari joined with Praino, returning to Sandy Hook, and a location he has held interest in since he sold his popular deli several years ago. Now thanks to his father, a retired builder, the former deli at 102 Church Hill Road has been transformed into a clean, cozy bistro where hungry folks can grab and go — or relax and “mangia!”

Business focus: Gino’s Parlor offers a lunch menu including sandwiches and salads, slices, a host of other takeout items, or a sit-down meal through dinner hour.

Important to know: Pop in Friday nights to meet Alfredo’s father, who drives in from Queens to help in the kitchen. One popular offering, Praino said, is Gino’s “Drunken Grandma” pie — a crispy thin square pizza with plumb tomato, fresh mozzarella, and vodka sauce. Dinner entrees include a grilled skirt steak ($26) and chicken Francese ($19.50), enjoy along with an app of zucchini fries ($8.50) or fried calamari ($12.95), along with beers, wines, and soft drinks. Plans are in the works for Monday through Thursday eat-in only pasta nights, with family-style pasta, salad, cannoli, and coffee. Pay in cash and save 3%. Praino also owns Dolce Italian Ice & Gelato across the street at 114 Church Hill Road.

Promotions, events, seasonal specialties: Gino’s two-slice and a soft drink lunch special (regular slices) is $6.95 / specialty slices, $9.95. The evening family special is large pie, five garlic knots, five wings, five mozzarella sticks, and a two-litre beverage $29.95 — call for details.

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm; Sundays through Thursday 11 am to 9 pm.

Web: ginosparlorct.com

Social: Facebook / Instagram

E-mail: info@ginosparlorct.com

Phone: 203-304-1304