Marino Has Vision for Fallston Restaurant
Magoo's Smokehouse is scheduled to open next week.
Photos
Donnie Marino gazed across the room to ask his friend a question.
“Where else did Brent Fife work?” asked Marino, referring to the chef at his new restaurant, which is set to open next week.
But his friend didn't answer, because she wasn't there. Marino didn't know—he has trouble seeing.
“Basically I have bad eyes myself,” Marino said. “I have diabetic retinopathy.”
The 57-year-old's condition inspired the name for the new Fallston restaurant: Magoo's Smokehouse. Marino chose it in honor of the poor-sighted, mid-20th century cartoon character Mr. Magoo, who was also portrayed by Leslie Nielsen in a 1997 movie.
Marino said he and his business partner, Kathleen Barbuti, 58, have three areas of focus for their new establishment: barbecue, cartoons and music videos.
“We’re going to feature ribs, beef brisket, pit beef ... we’re also having pizza,” Marino said. “Of course we’ll show Ravens games on Sundays. But for the most part we’re going to show music videos.”
The Forest Hill resident hopes his eatery will succeed in the Pleasantville Road location where other businesses have failed. Most recently, Caffe Italia closed its doors.
And Marino is not concerned about the barbecue giant, Famous Dave’s, which opened less than a year ago about 10 minutes away.
“I’m not famous, I’m good,” said Marino, who thinks there are enough customers to go around. “You can’t even get in Famous Dave’s it’s so busy.”
Marino plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and later for bigger events like Ravens games. Magoo's features four high-definition TVs of 42 inches or larger.
“The décor is going to be classic cartoons that have become motion pictures. For instance, Mr. Magoo … Alice in Wonderland … Batman, of course, Superman,” he said.
Marino thinks his unique atmosphere will be enough to revitalize the space, which is just off Maryland Route 152. He hopes to open by July 18, pending a health department inspection Wednesday.
“We want this place to work for a change,” he said. “We just wanted to do something different to give the community an alternative. Basically, it’s going to be fun.”
Todd Holden
9:38 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
there's always room in our couunty for good food, fairly priced with a comfortable atmosphere...put these things together and Magoo's Smokehouse will do well.
nick macri
10:33 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
I was not impressed with famous daves the ribs were tough, not tender like outback or ruby Tuesday
Big Daddy
10:44 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
Does anyone know why Cafe Italia closed? They had the best pizza around!
Melinda-and Mac Meginnis
11:36 am on Monday, July 11, 2011
Will Magoo's offer delivery service?
Kathleen Loden Barbuti
12:16 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
Dear Big Daddy,
Wait until you taste ours.
Kathleen
Holly
1:00 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
My daughter will be happy about the pizza option. And it sounds like she will love the decor too. Look forward to trying them out soon.
Eric bel air
5:16 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
I wish the new owners well, seems like that location is cursed- Fortunato Bros (?) in the 90s, Fusion Grille, wasn't it some other place claiming to have the best Crab cakes before... then again Josef's next door has always done well...
Kathleen Loden Barbuti
7:31 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
Dear Eric,
Thanks for the good wishes. We know you will be pleasantly surprised by Magoo's.
It will be a fun, happening place. We will provide a clean, friendly atmosphere, great service and great food.
Kathleen
HarCoMom
5:09 pm on Friday, July 15, 2011
My family and I are looking forward to this new restaurant option in Fallston. Good food, clean restaurant, friendly and knowledgeable staff, child-friendly - those are all things we look for in a place to dine.
Delivery, though, would be an even bigger plus.
pat p
1:00 pm on Sunday, July 17, 2011
I live next to magoos. The most successful it ever was was when it was fortunatos over 10 years ago since then it was fusion grille..fail. then pleasantville grille..fail. then pasquales. Then same owner changed name to cafe italia and sold to new people who got arrested for embezzlement and now its magoos I've lived next to the building wherr magoos is my whole life. Its about time for a nice change cause we eat out 5 nights a week minimun
Debbie
10:48 am on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
My family and I can't wait to try this new restaurant. I lived in Fallston for the last 24 years and actually worked at that location when it was Aldo's. I am shocked of the number of different places that have gone in there after Aldo. Aldo's was very successful and I remember the lines were wrapped around the building on weekends. I wish Magoos much luck! I nice bbq restaurant is a good change for Fallston.
Debbie Moore Ulmer
12:13 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
I wish you all the best! Congrats! Famous Dave's is not "all that"!!! Can't wait to bring the family!!!!
Todd Holden
2:04 pm on Saturday, August 6, 2011
tried MaGoo's...won't be back...mediocre ribs...dry and overdone...french fries were practically raw...saw the owner come out and glad hand...and I wish i'd had the chance to tell him, but you know what, even if the meal is below par, it's a bummer to have to start talking about...just eat what you can, pay up and get out....nothing to write home about...
Justin
8:41 am on Sunday, August 14, 2011
Just got a pizza to go....awful. Tasted like burnt cardboard. It's been 20 mins since I ate it and Still can't get that bad taste out of my mouth.
Bob Wilkins
11:31 am on Thursday, September 15, 2011
My wife and I stopped in for date night.......Wrong place for date night
Magoo's is a family style restaurant with cartoons showing on the big screen Tv
Chidren running all over the place.
I'm going to try carry out tonight.
I will comment on the food later
Bob
Al Fyle
9:41 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
We have been to Magoo's about 4 times now. They are trying hard. We have had good service each time we have been there. The food is good. I like their ribs. Not falling off the bone but meaty and flavorful. Their sauces are great too. My son likes their chili dogs and pizza. My wife likes the sloppy Joe. The beer is cold. The place works for our family.
Sonny
9:24 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The road(Pleasantville) to 7-11 is paved with good intentions. The food at 7-11, unfortunately, is better than Magoos.
Todd Holden
9:42 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
have to agree Sonny...competition is keen especially in this economy...and the place just doesn't cut it...they are well intended, but lacking a lot to bring anyone back a second time.
Tom marino
7:40 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012
Food not what I call "want to come back again" quality... Worst the owner is the rudest, misrable person I've every met. At least mr. Magoo had a pleasant disposition, expect restaurant will be short lived.
Laura
3:40 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
The owner is the rudest worst person i have ever met... my bill was wrong and when i told the waitress the owner came from the back saying i will pay my f*in tab not as what the prob was just yelled. Called my sister a bitch, my father a jerk off and asshole, said we were too poor to pay our bill.... who runs a restaurant like that? We paid our wrongly charged bill and will never be back again... however the band b-side that was playing which is the only reason why we went was awesome!
HDGresident
5:40 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Thanks, Laura, for the heads-up! Some friends and I had plans to try it next weekend, but we will definitely change our plans! I've had some bad experiences, but nothing like what you experienced! I bet Magoo's is not in business much longer.
Beth Buffy Garrett
3:42 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
As expected, Magoos is no longer in business. I, too, found the owner to be less than pleasant and definitely not polite and personable to the customers. However, I greatly enjoyed the Friday Happy Hours when they had the 50 cent roast beef sandwiches and 2 for 1 drinks. The french fries were delicious and worth the trip from Joppa. Overall, I am sorry to see they have closed.