The original Gaudino’s Italian Market opened in the early 1940s on the corner of Mack and Drexel in Detroit by Peter Gaudino. On Feb. 2, over 77 years after the original, the restaurant reopened. The restaurant has been in the Gaudino family for generations. Now his granddaughter, JoMarie and her husband, Tom, purchased Gaudino’s in 2015 and renovated it into a modern place to shop and eat.

The restaurant portion offers a small menu with options that coincide with items sold in their market and deli. The majority of the items are inspired from Italian cuisine with exceptions like; caesar salads, hamburgers and the kids menu items.

Some restaurant favorites include their chicken or eggplant parmesan, meatballs and a wide variety of pizzas. Most of the items incorporate Gaudino’s homemade pasta sauce. They also offer an array of classic Italian soups, salads and desserts, like minestrone and tiramisu. However, one issue with the restaurant is the prices, it is very expensive for such small serving sizes.

Due to the restaurant being fairly new, there is usually a wait time for dinner. Table availability is low because the market takes up the majority of the building, leaving little room for dining. But, the staff is very attentive and seat guests quickly.

The market carries a variety of foods like deli meats, cheeses, imported pastas, olive-oils, sauces and fresh bread. Because the restaurant is a part of the market it can be difficult to navigate around, but it is doable.

    The building itself has a industrial, yet modern vibe with flashy decorations. Everything being sold in the market is displayed along with their pizza oven, allowing guests to watch as their food is made.

    Although the food was good, the beautiful ambiance doesn’t make up for the prices. If you want to check out Gaudinos, stick to the market and skip out on the restaurant.