Our Story

The Founders of Great Full Gardens

A Mission of Wellness, Community & Conscious Dining

Great Full Gardens was founded by husband-and-wife team Gino and Juli Scala, whose combined talents brought a fresh vision to Reno's dining scene. Gino contributes decades of expertise in menu development and ingredient sourcing, while Juli brings a background in life coaching and wellness, helping shape the restaurant's mission of nourishment and connection.

In 2013, the husband & wife duo welcomed friend Cyndi Wallis as a co-owner. Cyndi gave 12 years of service before departing to honor a life dream & care for her aging parents. In that same year, Dr. Sean Devlin and Dr. Ann Barnet joined as investor/owners and have continued to serve as owners & on the Board of Directors.

With a dedicated team of passionate professionals, Great Full Gardens is committed to serving food with purpose — building community, supporting well-being, and creating a place where everyone can gather and feel welcome.

How It All Began

A passion for good food

Since opening in March 2013, Great Full Gardens Café & Eatery in Midtown Reno has become a local favorite for wholesome breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual, full-service setting. Guests enjoy full barista service, beer, and wine along with a menu built for vegan, gluten-free, Paleo, and health-conscious diners — as well as anyone simply craving great flavor. We proudly source ingredients from local farms and vendors, supporting sustainability and community.

In 2014, we expanded with Great Full Gardens Express at the University of Nevada, Reno, bringing our nutritious, made-from-scratch meals to students and faculty in a fast-service format.

Founded by Gino and Juli Scala, Great Full Gardens continues to grow with a passionate team, united by one mission: to nourish people, foster connection, and create spaces where everyone can gather and feel welcome.

Powered by Purpose

Join Our Team

Warm Your Soul

with GinoTheSoupMan

The Kitchen by Great Full Gardens, opened in 2016 in Southeast Reno, is the home of GinoTheSoupMan — where all of our organic soups, dressings, sauces, fermented foods, baked goods, and raw desserts are crafted from scratch. In 2018, it expanded into a public Organic Soup & Salad Bar and official catering hub, offering GinoTheSoupMan lasagnas, parms, and grab-and-go favorites.

Today, you'll find Great Full Gardens across Midtown, South Meadows, and Legends in Sparks, each location serving wholesome meals with local ingredients, dog-friendly patios, and the same warm community spirit.

GinoTheSoupMan soups are made with premium plant-based ingredients, always non-GMO, often organic, vegan, and mostly gluten-free. Available fresh or frozen at Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, the Great Basin Co-op, and all Great Full Gardens locations — or delivered nationwide.

Visit GinoTheSoupMan

Serving More Than Meals

Our Mission Goes Beyond Food

Great Full Gardens is growing — with new full-service and Express locations coming soon. As we expand, our mission remains the same: to nourish people and uplift our community.

We're proud to give back in meaningful ways — from offering rewarding jobs with full benefits to supporting local initiatives, school greenhouse programs, and community partnerships that make a real impact.

Our Community How We Give Back