After a round at Gypsy Hill, it’s an easy drive to Marino’s Lunch—less than a mile. You could walk it, but with Staunton’s famous hills, you’d feel it by the time you arrived.
Marino’s has been around for decades, and from its old-fashioned sign out front to its diner-style seating, it immediately makes you feel at home. The interior is loaded with sculptures, paintings, and bits of history, the printed faces of Johnny Cash and Bill Monroe welcoming every customer.
Once I’m settled in my bright turquoise booth, owner Felicia “FeFe” Sheets comes over and introduces herself. Before long, she has pulled up a chair. We talk food, music (bluegrass, mostly), and golf. She’s easy to talk to—just one of those people you instantly feel like you’ve known forever.
FeFe tells me that she and husband/co-owner Christopher love golf; they play Gypsy Hill regularly.
When our server comes to take our order, she is patient: talks us through the menu, makes suggestions, even brings out a few samples to try.
It’s hard for me to decide . . . fried chicken liver, country ham, a mac ‘n’ cheese dog—it all sounds so good. I decide on a Southern burger with pimento cheese and pickled onions.
As I devour my burger and sweet potato fries, I can’t help but overhear four well-dressed ladies in the next booth over raving about how much they, too, are enjoying their meal.
At Marino’s, everyone fits in: locals and tourists, students in T-shirts and shorts, businessmen in jackets and ties.
Marino’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with daily blue-plate specials that keep people coming back. Wing Wednesdays are very popular.
But Tuesday and Friday evenings are when the place really lights up. “Jam Sessions” (starting at 7:30pm) are a fan favorite! The whole community gathers to play (or listen to) live bluegrass and enjoy delicious food and cold beer.
It’s all the perfect ending to a round at Gypsy Hill. You sink your last putt, make your way into town, and before long, you’re sitting at Marino’s, chopping it up with FeFe and the gang. And looking back on your day, from the first tee box to your last bite of Southern burger, you know you’ve found a new home.