Gina Isgro (left) stands with her sisters Maria Spurlock (center) and Nancy Isgro at Gina’s Italian Kitchen and Tavern, a winner of several Best of Butler County awards.
Nicholas Graham
Editor’s note: Best of Butler County winners will be announced online April 17, 2026.
Year after year, Gina’s Italian Kitchen and Tavern in Hamilton continues to rank at the top in the Best of Butler County.
For 2026, Gina’s is the winner in multiple categories, including Best Family Restaurant, Best Hidden Gem Restaurant and Best Italian Food.
“It’s amazing that people feel that way about us. We wouldn’t be here if it was not for our customers. We’ve had so many loyal customers through the years,” said owner Gina Isgro, who was born and raised in Hamilton.
The restaurant and bar also was a finalist in the Best Neighborhood Bar and Best Patio Dining categories.
“Thank you for everything you have voted for us on. It means so much to have our loyal customers behind us. That is what has gotten us to where we are today,” Isgro said.
Gina’s Italian Kitchen and Tavern is a family-owned and -operated restaurant, which offers authentic Italian food, pizza and sandwiches. In addition to the restaurant, Gina’s has a full-service bar and a dining deck.
“We are different because I am here all the time, and I do get out and interact with our customers a lot. I feel like that makes us unique,” Isgro said.
Gina’s serves up the same homemade Italian cuisine area residents enjoyed at her aunt and uncle’s restaurant.
“My aunt and uncle had a restaurant called Isgro’s, and it was in Hamilton for 30-plus years. It was a fine dining restaurant. We were well known for that. Then, I opened Gina’s, so this makes me the second generation of the Isgro family to have opened up and started a restaurant. I will tell you, we have been lucky. The people of Hamilton are very loyal. Our customers are amazing and it’s been wonderful,” said Isgro.
Gina’s Italian Kitchen and Tavern opened in 2013. Isgro’s sisters Nancy and Maria are also involved in the restaurant’s day-to-day operations.
“I’m most proud of the fact that many of my employees have been with me since Day 1, and they’ve stayed with me for a reason. So, I feel like that’s a plus, and we just love our customers,” Isgro said.
Menu favorites include mostaccioli and meatballs and lasagna. Customers also enjoy the 10-ounce specialty hamburgers and homemade soups. Word of mouth is the restaurant’s biggest advertisement.
“It’s important to me to make the customers happy when they’re in here, and I hope they have a great experience while they’re here. We try our best to take care of each customer, and that’s why we’re here,” Isgro said.
Based on family recipes, Gina’s serves specialty homemade spaghetti sauce and salad dressings. Many of the recipes have been handed down from Gina’s aunt and uncle.
“Everything that we can make homemade, we make from scratch, and I’m here to watch it go out and make sure that it’s right,” Isgro said.
“I go out and talk to the customers all of the time, and they tell you what they want,” she said.
“They love coming here, they are comfortable, and they like that they can bring their kids.”
If You Go
MORE INFORMATION
Gina’s Italian Kitchen and Tavern is located at 1005 Eaton Ave. in Hamilton. Happy hour is offered daily from 4 to 7 p.m. Open Monday through Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays. For more information, connect with Gina’s on Facebook or call 513-889-1530.
Dining and Cooking