There is always something going on at Gio’s Flying Pizza & Pasta. Gio’s, located at 650 FM 517 W. in Dickinson, is a great place to bring a date, watch a sporting event, enjoy a fun family meal, or just about any occasion you can think of. Gio’s open design is ideal for families and large groups.

Upon entering, customers will delight in the updated interior. A Mediterranean-style ceramic tile roof covers the hostess stand and carry-out areas. The ceramic tiles for the structures were actually made in Italy! New paint, pictures, and wood trim cover the walls. Beautiful stained glass can be seen over side windows. There is a wooden overhang over the west-facing booth seats, suspended by steel turnbuckles, making the establishment even cozier. Coming in October, a wine display case will separate the main dining room from the high-table area where the big screen TVs are, and Gio's will proudly be serving gelato!

“From the front door to the back of the restaurant, just about everything will be enhanced,” said owner Steve Gunnett. He and wife Diana have been hands-on with the venue’s upgrades. “The exciting thing is that our regulars are having a fun time trying to figure out what's new, as things are changing on a weekly basis. If you haven't come by in a while, you will be pleasantly surprised.”

Toward the back of the restaurant, the bar area is being extended and will be covered with slate granite. Steel cabinets will be suspended from the ceiling over the new bar. There will be an entire wall dedicated to high-table booth seating in the TV area, to better accommodate large parties in and around the bar. Already a great place to hang out and root for your favorite team, enjoy one (or a few) of the ten beers on tap including local craft beers. Many items on the menu are perfect for that football or baseball playoff game. Consider the wings, mozzarella sticks, or toasted ravioli, Gio’s Crab Cakes (two Panko-crusted crab cakes served with Chipotle lemon butter sauce).

Gio’s also offers a half-pound hamburger that will inspire pure bliss. The Choice Burger is made with New York strip trimmings, filet tips, and 80/20 top beef sirloin. It is served with Provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and a side of waffle fries. You don't need a “Steak Night” for their Rib-eye steak! Get the 11-ounce Rib-eye steak (hand-cut in house, seasoned and grilled to order, with rosemary potatoes and sautéed veggies) at a great price any time.

After being in business for more than six years, Gio’s knows a thing or two about freshly made flying pizzas. With ingredients prepared fresh daily, you can bet the pies will be bursting with flavor. But based on the restaurant’s name, you may not know that Gio’s serves a great selection of fine Italian specialties. These uncommon items wouldn’t be expected on the menu at just “any pizza place,” and their prices are family friendly.

Made from scratch and prepared on site, the food at Gio’s is a dynamic blend of Italian and Tuscany tastes. Popular dishes on the menu include the Penne Civitavecchia “Roma” (penne pasta tossed with diced grilled chicken, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, feta cheese, garlic, basil, and olive oil), the Luca Brazi (grilled salmon topped with artichokes, capers and lemon sauce, served with sauteed veggies), and the Tilapia Bianco (seasoned and grilled, then topped with a butter, garlic and white wine sauce and shrimp, served with a side of capellini with garlic and basil, and sauteed veggies).

There are also items off the menu you can delight in. Opt for the Pork Valdostana (provolone-stuffed, grilled pork ribeye in a Valdostana gravy with mushrooms and artichokes, with a side of veggies and potatoes), and the Salmon Pescatore (served in a sherry cream sauce, with shrimp, tomatoes and olive oil, served on capellini pasta, with sauteed veggies). Enjoy your meal with the taste of Gio’s house wine at only $4 a glass. Along with quality food, Gio’s takes great care to ensure that, according to Steve, “every last customer walks out happy.” Since the age of 15, Steve has been working in Italian restaurants, even owning two previous establishments. When he was a kid, the Italian cooks called him “Gio.” Steve and Diana designed the restaurant’s interior from the ground up, and Gio’s is the culmination of all those years of experience. But Diana is quick to credit her employees. “Our dedicated, diligent staff has been a vital component in Gio’s increasing success.”

Anytime is the right to time to visit Gio’s Flying Pizza & Pasta for a lunch or dinner that will truly satisfy at a reasonable price. But, if you cannot make it to Gio’s, they take customer service a bit further and deliver their entire menu (including specials) within a 6-mile radius. Gio’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Gio’s for delivery or catering: Did you know? Gio’s has a separate catering menu that's perfect for large gatherings off-site, such as birthdays, weddings, business functions, church and school events. Owner Diana Gunnett is the first point of contact and actually serves at the weddings. For those wanting to just pick up large trays of food for an event and feed a minimum of 10 people for not a lot of money, Gio’s is happy to provide everything: plates, cutlery, serving utensils, beverages, ice, cups, and everything else you will need. If you can’t pick it up, Gio’s will deliver. Contact Gio’s for delivery or catering at 281-337-0107. View the catering and party tray menu at www.giosflyingpizza.com.