701 North English Street
Greensboro, NC 27405
Guilford County
Phone: (336) 373-0035
Fax: unknownWebsite: no website on fileEmail: no email on fileHours: unknown
by Brad S. on I grew up three blocks from this place, spent a good 18 years in the neighborhood, and saw Geno's go through quite a few changes during that time. Recently, since about 1999 if that is recent, the place has suffered a barrage of bad publicity, bad stocking choices, and bad management changes that has spiraled not only the image that Geno's spent so long building, but the quality of product and service. Look - here's the deal - you are in South Philly. Regardless of how gentrified or diversified you think the area has gotten, you are still in South Philly. Many generations have grown-up and still live in the same neighborhood, street, and even house as the ones before (both brother and father still on same street and even brother now living in father's birth house). The South Philly Italian culture is very different than most people from more worldly and exposed regions may be accustom to and it tends to grate them the wrong way or espouse an emetic feeling from their deep suppressed nethermost region. Geno's, not unlike most things and people from Philadelphia, are over criticized and not appreciated for what it is. Note much in Philly has some ulterior motive or purpose, or tries to cater towards a specific demographic. It is, truly, just what it is. Geno's grew up around the Italian market which was a place immigrants went during the 30s and 40s to obtain cheap, poor quality, food during the post-depression era. Once the yuppies (of which I admit I have grown into) moved into the area, they tried to make it a high-end outdoor Dean and DeLuca ... it isn't that, and you shouldn't be surprised if the locals get a little ticked off when they see their neighborhood grocery store or for that matter steak place start to change. I remember going here as a kid and getting a steak sandwhich being surrounded by all people I knew from the neighborhood. We used to go after school sometimes and it would be all Catholic school kids from around the area. It wasn't until Oprah got a hold of this place, and the roaring 90's took foot, that the almighty dollar drew in more tourists and outsiders. Most tourists would just settle on grabbing a steak from Oliveri's or on South Street rather than venture down to "Pass-shunk" (not Pas-e-yunk even if that is how you pronounce it). Bottom line - it's South Philly ... if you are coming here for sightseeing and a steak, don't you want the full experience? If you have ever been to Italy, in particular the "real" northern industrial towns of Italy (Torino, Milano, Verona, Bologna) then you know, as I do, that South Philly is about as Italian as you can get, and Geno's is a close second. The attitude is part of our culture, accept it or grab a steak from a tourist trap on Independence Mall. That said --- whew, nice rant huh, the steaks are OK and nothing special ... I prefer actually Jim's on South.
by Tad Bundrick on my friend took me to this place we had a few beers and Shimp Scampi - i believe that's what it is called. It was really good: spicy and garlic shrimp with toasted bread. went well with the beers. thanks buddy!
by Isreal Cesare on so excited. this is my first rateclubs post...so here goes. had some of my linesisters in town for a reunion, and after watching my lsu tigers get demolished, we were looking for something fun to entertain us and this Q party on cascade was OUT OF THE QUESTION. so, cafe circa, here we come. i like you cafe circa....just tighten up on service and i'm giving you another star. so, love the atmosphere...i love a dark loungey spot filled with funky looking people, not quite as poser-ish as some of atlanta. we lucked up on a park, but i think lucked up is key. waitron? little bit ditzy, did we make you nervous sweetie? spilled water on the table, brought my guiness without a glass....which i normally don't care about, but guiness....yeah, she needs a glass. many excuses about lack of cold glasses, bout a 5 min wait for a warm one....but whatever. service i think is sorta spotty, but hell... food? hmm. wanted vegetable potstickers, but they were out. my friend got the pork, and they looked a little too fried (would love a steamed option) but she snorted them up, so i guess they were tasty. calamari...smelly, smelly, smelly and although fried perfectly crunchy and light, they really only tasted like old bay (which i personally hate). but the peach cobbler....yummy to my tummy and yummy to the tummies of my two friends who practically licked their bowls clean. liked the drink menu; me, of the i only drink red wine, beer and vodka gimlets fame....they had some fruity sounding stuff that almost suckered me into getting a mixed drink, but budget won out (although 6 dollars for a publix selection beer ain't a bargain either). so why my rave review...the live music on saturday night. and sadly, i didn't catch the singers name, but i loved her. i wanna come back with all of my girlfriends and my presently non-existent boyfriend just to kick back, have some drinks and listen to this chick. i think she is there every friday and sat. go just for some entertaining live music, not too loud in a great laid back environment. be ready for so-so service....but enthusiastic nevertheless and less than stellar food....but still worth the trip. fun times to be had inside.
