Geno's keeps service fast and food fresh in a sports-themed dining room that doesn't overdo it with dozens of televisions. Take a look on the wall and you might find an uncle or friend among a plethora of local sports heroes.

In just about every town, there’s a neighborhood spot where folks go after work for a beer or a hearty meal or both.

They don’t have to dress up and they’re sure to see a friendly face before the evening’s out. Kids can fill up on pizza and burgers; guys can watch sports on a big screen TV, and everyone can just relax, shoot the breeze and enjoy not having to cook that night. Such a place is Geno’s, located on Leif Erickson Drive.

Geno’s decor is pretty cozy and unpretentious. Sports photos line the walls. There are a few video games tucked away in a corner. My guess, though, is that what most people go there for is the food, and there’s plenty of it.

In looking at the menu, there’s an impressive variety of pizzas to choose from – thick, thin and “pan” crust, gourmet and regular varieties and small, medium, large and “party” sizes. You can get one of the house creations or create your own.

If pizza isn’t your bag, there are burgers and crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches. They all come with Geno’s homemade special sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles (cheese and onions are served on request) and crinkle fries or “tots.” You can also order hot submarine sandwiches or the standard patty melt, BLT, etc. Seafood lovers might like the fish ‘n’ chips, shrimp and fries or clam strips and fries.

Aromatic and doughy, with just the right amount of crispiness, this half tomato-basil, half ‘Peter’s Preference’ is just one example of a long list of classic favorites and personalized creations available every day at Geno’s.The first night, I chose a sausage, green pepper, mushroom and black olive pizza with a thick crust, which was quite good, if a little lacking in zip. (But I tend to like my pizza pretty highly flavored.) The crust was crispy and delicious, and the toppings were fresh. My companion had a burger with a half-pound beef patty and found the meat juicy and flavorful, which is a lot of what a good burger is all about. However the tots were just “OK,” losing a little something when they cooled, he reported.

On the second night, we tried two different appetizers – the onion rings and breaded mushrooms. We also shared a small “Otis’ Opus” pizza with an olive oil base, covered with smoked Gouda cheese and topped with artichoke hearts, roasted garlic and sun-dried tomatoes – mmmmmm! Again, the pizza crust – thin this time – was excellent. However, the sun-dried tomatoes were a little chewy. The appetizers were very appetizing – the mushrooms benefited greatly from a little sprinkle of hot sauce on them (again my penchant for spicy food), and the onion rings were crisp and tasty.

Like many sports-themed bars and restaurants, Geno’s has its share of posters of the pros swinging bats and slamming dunks, but this family-friendly restaurant also adorns its walls with plenty of local memorabilia, like this print of the 1930s Astoria High School basketball squad.The help was friendly, and we got exactly what we ordered. If you order pizza, your server brings you little containers of grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes – a nice touch. The first night, our food was a little slow in coming, but one of the servers had, apparently, done a “no show.” The second night, our meal came promptly and with a smile, too.

Desserts offered included a big slice of carrot or chocolate cake. We chose the chocolate cake but took it home and shared it while we watched a DVD. It was a fitting end to a nice night out.

Overall, I was impressed with how well Geno’s knows its customers, as reflected in its menu, service and amenities. Whether coming in for lunch, dinner or to just watch a sporting event on the big screen TV, there’s something that’s bound to appeal to almost everyone. The variety of pizzas, burgers and sandwiches was surprising. Plus, parents can order kids’ meals for the little ones; vegetarians have several options; and there’s a well-stocked salad bar for light eaters. Any of the appetizers, including breaded mushrooms, “poppers,” mozzarella sticks, spicy chicken wings and cheese bread, should please those who come to Geno’s for a fall afternoon of beer and football on the tube, for example.

Geno’s prices were reasonable. Pizzas – gourmet and regular – ranged in price from $8 (for a small) to $29 (for a party-size). Sandwiches, including burgers, were priced from $5 to $11, the latter for a “double super” burger, with two patties that was the biggest burger this reviewer’s ever seen. Seafood selections were $9 and $10, and appetizers were $6 to $10, depending on what you ordered. They’ll deliver, too, during their hours of business. Just call (503) 325-4947.