For half a century, Gino’s has been serving up some of the best Italian food in a city known for its collection of small, locally owned Italian restaurants.

All that comes to an end today in West Des Moines, when Gino’s West Glen closes for good, KCCI-TV reported. The television station said the Sixth Avenue Gino’s, a fixture for more than half a century, closed a few weeks ago so the owners could concentrate on the West Glen restaurant.

In the end, though, maintaining a large restaurant in a still-struggling economy proved too big a challenge, KCCI said.

Three generations of the family have been serving signature homemade dishes since 1966, with signature items including its steak d’burgo, toasted ravioli and Italian fried chicken, according to the restaurant’s web site.

Gino Foggia and his wife, Delores Compaino, opened their first restaurant in Des Moines’ Highland Park area, then opened Gino’s West Glen in 2010.