Disappointed in Maggiano's.

[JerseyJanice]

We had a holiday lunch today for the four girls who work in my office. One of the ladies suggested Maggiano's which I understand is a chain that was inspired by NYC's Carmine's.

We went to the one in Riverside Square. I had been there once before for a bridal shower that was a brunch. I didn't care for the food at the brunch, but thought I'd give it another shot since I wouldn't be ordering brunch-type food.

The menu's on-line were very appetizing, so I skipped breakfast to save my appetite for the lunch. I ordered the "St. Louis" something or other, which was basically chicken franchese. What a skimpy portion! Ugh! I'm still hungry, but I guess that's just as well since I have to eat dinner early tonight to get to DS's high school holiday concert.

It took me forever to find parking, so that was annoying. The restaurant was packed with people who appeared to be the same as us--coworkers out for a holiday lunch. They put us in a horrible table. It was one of those banquettes with seating for two in the back and two others on the side. Very uncomfortable.

But the thing that annoyed me most? The noise! The room is cavernous so the buzz of the crowd really fills it, but on top of that, they were blasting Christmas music over the PA system. I could barely hear my coworkers talking and that's what really stunk. We rarely get to socialize with each other so that's what the lunch was really about, but how do you socialize with someone when you have to shout across a table to be heard and can't hear a thing they say back?

I won't be back to Maggiano's. There are many good and comfortable Italian restaurants around here, so there's no need.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I've never been impressed with Maggiano's food, either, and the one by us is really loud, too. I haven't been there for several years, but I remember the portions being huge! It was all family style then, so it would have been different, of course.

 

[eliza61]

The one in Philly is not bad but they all are very loud. We also went to the one near Universal. We had an early dinner so thankfully it wasn't crowded so that kept the noise level down.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Family style was offered on the menu, but no one said that they wanted it. (Well, maybe they did and I just didn't hear them.)

My entire meal consisted of a small chicken breast half, three small red potatoes, and a handful of arugula. It cost $12.95 and didn't come with anything besides bread. I thought it was a rip-off. I know of places around here that serve three course meals at lunch for around $10.

Two of my coworkers got a sausage and rigatoni dish that also looked pretty skimpy. The other got a spaghetti dish that came in a large bowl. Her meal looked big, but it was all pasta, and you know how cheap that is.

 

[PhillipA82]

I didn't liked them ether...

 

[NYPDwife]

You can't be like Carmine's. They're one of a kind and their food is sooooooooooooooo good (insert drooling smiley here).

 

[MinnieTink]

We went there a few months ago for the first time with some friends who raved about it. The appetizer platter and the salad we got were soooo good but our entrees were so blah.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Eaten there twice, was not impressed either time.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I've been eating at Maggiano's for about 12 years now and still really like it.

Befire I was gluten free, I'd have the pasta with chicken in a Marsala sauce. They have a great salad with white balsamic dressing and I really like the shrimp (with garlic) appitizer.

In fact, that's where we went for my 30th birthday (and I'm from NJ / NYC - so we have a lot of good Italian around here!)

 

[KimR]

I love Maggianno's and I've not noticed the one by us being particularly loud but I do have to say that this is my latest pet peeve with restaurants. The mexican restuarant we frequent has a singer/keyboard player and the volume is so loud I feel like I'm in a club rather than a restaurant. I do like music when dining out - I think it adds to the ambience, but only if it is played at a reasonable volume. When I go out to dinner, I want to be able to converse with my family. If I wanted to listen to a band, I'd go to a bar.

 

[maelstrom]

Haven't eaten at Maggiano's, but I guess that I'll stick with Carmine's and Buca di Beppo.

 

[Bluetickmom]

I worked coat check there when I was pregnant with my oldest. We did not get paid. Other locations paid a salary, but we didn't even get the $2.35 that the wait staff got. There were nights I would make $4 for the whole shift. The management got mad when I gave notice, they couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to work an entire shift for $2-$5 bucks.

I only took the job because I was laid off from my primary employment 2 months before I became pregnant and I just needed a temporary position for some pocket money. Ugh, what cheapskates!

 

[maelstrom]

I worked coat check there when I was pregnant with my oldest. We did not get paid. Other locations paid a salary, but we didn't even get the $2.35 that the wait staff got. There were nights I would make $4 for the whole shift. The management got mad when I gave notice, they couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to work an entire shift for $2-$5 bucks.

I only took the job because I was laid off from my primary employment 2 months before I became pregnant and I just needed a temporary position for some pocket money. Ugh, what cheapskates!

How is that even legal??

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Odd - my location is exactly the opposite. Quiet and they give HUGE portions. Though, I'm very disappointed they removed the lobster ravioli from the menu because that's the only reason I ever really ate there.

 

[BelleWDW]

I think all chains can differ-location by location
Like Olive Garden-some blah-some wonderful


But my FAVORITE Italian Chain is Carrabas
DH and I ADORE the chicken soup there

All the food is wonderful,,,and the BREAD!!!!

http://www.carrabbas.com/index.aspx

 

[LilyWDW]

I think all chains can differ-location by location
Like Olive Garden-some blah-some wonderful


But my FAVORITE Italian Chain is Carrabas
DH and I ADORE the chicken soup there

All the food is wonderful,,,and the BREAD!!!!

http://www.carrabbas.com/index.aspx

Yea, but it is too darn expensive for most nights out for me . Otherwise I love Carrabbas. May treat my boyfriend with some Christmas money though as it has been a long time since we have been.

If I want Italian without breaking the bank we go to Carrinos. Never had a bad dish there!

 

[Golf4food]

I have mixed reviews of Maggiano's. We went a few years ago just the two of us for our anniversary and were not impressed. Overpriced for the quality and portions, incredibly noisy, and worst of all they were out of spoons! No spoons! We had to eat our ice cream with forks!

But the company I work for has a big partnership with them for company functions across the country, so...

Five year anniversary they had us in a private banquet room at four or five tables, just our group, and served family style and that was pretty good.

Then we had them cater our year end banquet for our division and they just delivered trays of stuff and that was ok as well.

Long story short, I don't mind them - as long as I'm not paying.

 

[redlight]

I have mixed reviews of Maggiano's. We went a few years ago just the two of us for our anniversary and were not impressed. Overpriced for the quality and portions, incredibly noisy, and worst of all they were out of spoons! No spoons! We had to eat our ice cream with forks!

Ice cream without spoons? That's crazy.

As one poster said, chains vary from location to location and it's hard to judge based on just a single visit.

 

[Mamu]

We have one here is Boston. Had never heard of it.

Attended the theater one evening a few years ago with friends and one of them suggested Maggiano. I thought the food was awful. Tasted like it came from a fast food restaurant. I will not return.

I agree that when restaurants become chains some become a mutant off-spring.

 

[sue1013]

We've had one near us for a couple years usually we don't like chain Italian restaurants. I got a gift card for Maggiano's last year so we tried it. As a pp said the appetizer and salad was good the entrees terrible. We went with a group of 4 ordered family style so had a few different entrees we all tried. Won't be back. I feel the same about Olive Garden and Carrabbas. We've got many local good Italian restaurants that I'm surprised the chains last.