Danny and Kayla Gambitta have two distinct and obvious passions — family and food.
The Madison couple is bringing both to a unique and familiar location in Mentor as they opened Danny G’s at the former Campola’s location at 7224 Center St.
Danny G’s offers traditional, scratch-made Italian food at the house-turned-restaurant. With indoor seating limited to 30 people, Kayla said the atmosphere will be welcoming and homey.
Kayla and Danny Gambitta opened Danny G’s on Center Street in Mentor in March. (William Tilton – News-Herald)
“Family is such an important aspect for us,” Kayla said. “Most days Danny’s sister Marissa is working with us and you’ll probably see our oldest daughter Arwyn on the weekends helping out. We want you to feel like you’re coming over to our house for dinner, to have a great meal, laugh amongst friends and family and enjoy your atmosphere.”
“We fell in love with how homey it feels, it’s such an intimate space inside,” she added. “Everyone kind of becomes family when your in a close space like it is. The patio was an amazing bonus.”
An upgraded outdoor patio with bar will seat up to 50 patrons.
The patio at Danny G’s in Mentor will seat up to 50 people for the new Italian restaurant. (William Tilton – News-Herald)
The couple have both been in the food industry since they were teenagers.
Danny’s family has owned multiple restaurants and event centers over the years and started in his uncle’s restaurant Pacino’s in Strongsville, washing dishes at age 14. When he got older he moved to the eastside to work with another uncle with J&J Catering doing catering and managing kitchens for administrative offices like STERIS.
Kayla started as a cashier/salad bar girl at age 17 in the STERIS administrative offices kitchen, which is where they met.
Danny and Kayla Gambitta opened Danny G’s on Center Street in Mentor in March. (William Tilton – News-Herald)
Danny is from North Royalton and Kayla is from Madison, which is where they live now with daughters Arwyn and Mia.
The couple got the keys in the beginning of February and the next day went in and started renovating. The first official open was in March.
“We originally started Danny G’s in 2024 when we started a concession stand at Pioneer Waterland,” Kayla said of the origin. “We’ve done all of Pioneer’s food services in the summer ever since.”
She said they intend to continue the stand at Pioneer Waterland despite the opening of the Mentor restaurant.
Kayla describes the menu as a traditional Italian menu that sells itself on making everything from scratch from fresh made bread and pizza dough daily to hand rolled meatballs and pasta sauce made from whole tomatoes.
Soups, salads, pastas, entrees and paninis are also featured.
“We offer weekly specials that get a little less traditional and a little more fun with a new cannoli flavor every week and unique ravioli flavors. Our most popular dish is by far the Grandma G’s Sunday Sauce which is a recipe passed down from Danny’s grandmother – it’s a spaghetti marinara topped with a hand rolled meatball, a tender pork rib and a Italian sausage with a piece of garlic bread. It’s a lot but it’s delicious.”
The restaurant is closed on Mondays, but opens at 4 p.m. the other six days of the week.
While Danny G’s hasn’t been open long, Kayla said the response from customers has been overwhelming.
“We couldn’t have imagined the outpouring of love and support we’ve received from the community,” Kayla said. “The feedback is amazing, we appreciate any feedback so we can grow and do our best. We think for the most part people are happy.”
Danny G’s
7224 Center St., Mentor
440-534-1024
dannygsmentor.com.
Dining and Cooking