Today, my friends and I decided that we would go out and eat tonight, but indecision quickly overwhelmed us. We wanted to eat something cheap without spending over five dollars. The usual came to mind – Jack in the Box, In n’ Out, etc., but lately, we’ve eaten that way too much. Then I remembered a place called Gina’s where a family member of mine had previously worked. Honestly, even though he worked there, I had never been, until today.

Gina’s Pizza is in the Campus and California shopping center next to the Albertsons. Its location is perfect for college students considering how close it is to campus. If you and a couple friends are hungry, simply walk a little (it is college, you should either be walking or taking the bus) and you will soon find yourself at Gina’s.

Gina’s is relatively small, smaller than many of the McDonald’s franchise chain stores in Irvine. Upon entering, I noticed that the setting was dark, much like other restaurants. A sign greets you right as you walk in, telling you to either serve yourself by proceeding to the counter to order and pay up front, or sit down and allow them to serve you. Considering our predicament of frugality, we decided we would pay ahead, allowing us to forego tip.

Above the counter is the menu, partitioned into different items such as Pizza, Pasta, Salad, Appetizers, etc. etc. Well, we wanted to get a pizza that we could all share. Gina’s has a great variety of pizzas – there are its specials, the House Special, Barbacoa Chicken, etc., and you can also make your own. Not only is there a great selection, but there is also a wide variety of sizes. The large, I do believe, was sixteen inches and was priced at $18.95 without tax. We decided on our pizza, the Barbacoa Chicken, and ordered.

Here is my one gripe. For some odd reason, the service was relatively slow. Before us, two customers, young female college students, were ordering, but then they hopped from one cashier to the other and the other cashier disappeared. That made no sense to me and how the cashiers allowed such a strange predicament left me somewhat bewildered. I do not know what happened, but just that these girls, in all the time it took us to decide, which was a while, were able to dawdle time away at the cashier’s.

The servers, however, were very polite. They kindly asked us whether we were waiting or desired to be served. We replied that we were ordering and they moved off. Nice people, honestly. I do believe that, in their asking the question, they caused the cashier to double his speed because suddenly, the cashier asked us if we would like to order.

We told him what we would like to order, everything went smoothly, and we were well on our way to sitting down, awaiting them to bring the pizza to us. They did ask us whether we wanted it to go or eat in, but the point of college is to experience the outside world, so we ate there. We talked the time away and soon the pizza was before us. The same cashier was actually our server, showing that if you order at the counter, you do not have one of the standard servers act as the server for you – you are not obligated to leave tip.

The food did not cost most of us more than $5. I still felt that I should leave a tip so I put the change and an extra dollar into the tip jar.

The food was delicious, the service was good at times, and it was cheap. And as soon as you turn 21, Gina’s is also a bar. You and your friends can go there and drink the night away!

I saw the note that this restaurant is closed (there was a Mama Gina’s in Newport Beach that closed last year, but no relation to the Gina’s Pizza chain that has been in business for 33 yrs.). Nothing could be further from the truth! Gina’s is alive and well serving delicious homemade Italian food. The pizzas are hand thrown, sauces made from scratch, and the toppings are the best quality available. There are a variety of fresh salads and sandwiches on the menu, all freshly made. The beer lineup is impressive with Stella, Newcastle and Guiness among the offerings. Monday and Thursday nights are reduced priced pitcher nights. Prices for a 60 oz. pitcher range from $8 to $10! If you want great, authentic Italian food, Gina’s Pizza & Pastaria is the place!