Gino’s Italian Deli, Villa Dolce, and Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano offer more than just a meal. Shaped by family roots, cherished memories, and decades of dedication, they share a belief that community is their foundation. From quick, wholesome lunches to relaxed dinners with friends, they remind us that a meal nourishes more than the body. It allows us time to fuel our minds and strengthen our connection with those around us.
Charles Gargano
Owner
For Charles Gargano, the owner of Gino’s Italian Deli in Middleton, the restaurant business is a family heirloom. His father, Gino, opened the original Gino’s on State Street in 1963, and with two uncles also running restaurants, Charles was immersed in the world of food from a young age, picking up on business operations with ease. After college, he returned with a drive to explore various business endeavors. Embracing his love for Sicilian food, his focus included opening a Gino’s location of his own.
After a devastating fire at one of their restaurants, the family reevaluated their future role in the city. The Deli concept came from his mother, having recognized the need for quick, wholesome meals. Charles and his brother agreed, pushing the transition of Gino’s into a grab-and-go location while prioritizing healthy, quality options.
What sets Gino’s apart is that it doesn’t feel like a chain. Grounded by family recipes full of flavor, their meals are intended to fuel your body with lean, nutritious ingredients.
For a lunch that satisfies your cravings, try a sandwich filled with house-made meatballs. Or for a taste of a well-known city legend, pick up their lasagna to bake for dinner.
Faton + Luda Lumani & Jerry + Zamira Lumani
Co-Owners
Brothers Faton and Jerry, along with their wives Luda and Zamira, remembered growing up in Europe with cafes that served fresh food surrounded by a culture where people prioritized time spent unwinding with each other. Middleton didn’t have that, so they sought to bring that lifestyle to their new home the best way they knew how. As experienced restaurant owners, they led with their idea to serve house-made gelato and authentic thin-crust pizza, knowing the community would help shape their next steps.
Now, nearly two decades later, Villa Dolce remains a cornerstone of downtown Middleton. Whether it’s the expanded and seasonally changing menu or the unparalleled sensation of fresh gelato, first-time visitors seem to make a habit of becoming return guests.
If you’ve been, you know the Lumani family, as they remain the core of daily operations. Along with their employees, they enjoy the consistency of maintaining quality and the joy of the connections they develop with their guests over the years.
For a staff favorite, try the beef bolognese. If you visit, stay for more than a satisfying meal; plan time to embrace and absorb the experience of those around you.
Brent Williams | Nate Olson
Head Chef | General Manager
As two of the longest-standing employees at Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, Brent and Nate have become the heart of our Middleton branch. Brent began his culinary career at Biaggi’s, absorbing insight from every role he worked. As a scratch kitchen, almost everything is made in-house from scratch daily, with his back-of-house expertise ensuring a streamlined process. Nate, with deep experience in the high-end service industry, brought his knowledge of front-of-house execution to create a welcoming, trusted environment, leading to a sense of community that keeps people coming back.
Their extensive menu draws inspiration from multiple Italian regions with a Midwestern touch. Generous portions and a wide variety of crowd-pleasing comfort dishes leave guests feeling full and satisfied, as you would with a home-cooked meal from grandma.
The warm and spacious atmosphere sets them apart as a “guaranteed source of good food you can feel confident bringing a large group to.” For gatherings, their family-style service option allows guests to focus on each other while enjoying a shared table of favorite dishes.
Their staff-favorite specialty dish? The Chicken Pietro. It’s unique to the restaurant and, reportedly, unforgettable.