Some people express love through words, others through grand gestures. For Dino Hoxhaj, it’s food. “Cooking is my love language,” he says, simply. “It brings me joy to see someone enjoy something I made with my hands.” That joy—along with a whole lot of determination—is what powers Dino’s, one of Charlottesville’s most beloved neighborhood spots.
Dino’s journey began in 2017, when he took a leap of faith and bought The Brick Oven on Route 29, a longtime restaurant whose reputation had seen better days. “The food quality had declined, and a lot of people had written it off,” he recalls. Rebuilding trust took time. It meant renovating the space, revamping the menu, and retraining staff. Most importantly, it meant showing up every day with consistency, humility, and heart.
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