Tell me about Macaroni Grill

[MrsMud]

I am considering getting some GCs for this restaurant. I have looked at the website, and the menu and prices seem appealing.
For anyone who has been there, how is the food? Also, is this a place where we could have dinner on our way home from the parks, or is it not that casual (dress-wise)? Oh, and do you know if they take reservations or if there is generally a long wait? TIA

 

[Roxie A]

We've eaten there once and the food was very good. I must say though that it was not that casual, certainly not as casual as its sister chain Chilis, it may have just been in the part of town that this particular one was though.

 

[bootc3]

We have eaten at the one near Downtown Disney and it is great. We found it to be casual. I would recommend you trying it if you like Italian food.

 

[lilsonicfan]

We ate at the one on 192... i think near marker 8-10 ish, but i can't remember the exact location. it was very crowded that night and i am not sure they take reservations - i think they have a sort of "call ahead" procedure though so they can kinda see if they'll have a table for you. one good thing, they told us we'd have to wait 30 min but we actually waited only 5 minutes.

the food is excellent,and the atmosphere was fairly casual. i certainly did not dress up to eat here! we had good service as well (our waiter kept wanting to chat more with us but after a long day we just weren't in the mood!)

i thought the kids meals were particularly well-priced. only about $3.99 each (with ice cream and a drink) and they were HUGE. i could have had one and been full. the 3 year old and 8 year old couldn't finish, but the 10 year old just managed. example: one kid ordered a pepperoni pizza. i thought it would be one of those six inch things, but it was like 10 inches wide, and had about 8 slices. (she ate one slice!)

 

[floridafam]

The one in Grand Rapids takes reservations, or so I was told.

We have had nothing but GREAT experiences at Macaroni Grill.

I can't believe how much you get with a kids meal. Our kids love it.

We went recently. DH and I had entrees and DS and DD each had a kids meal. I don't remember the total but we thought something had been left off the bill because it was so low.

The food is always fresh whenever we dine there and the portions are huge.

Go for it.

The dress is pretty much what you chose. We have been there in jeans. We did not feel out of place. I don't think it will be any big deal. Most restaurants in Florida realize people are on vacation and don't always bring anything other than "vacation" clothes.

 

[jshare]

We eat at Macaroni Grill all the time in Minneapolis. My kids (8 & 6) love it. You can wear whatever. The kid's meals are reasonable, the bread is great, and kid's meals come with a small sundae.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

and it is my all time favorite restaurant!!!! The first time my DH and I went, we thought it was going to be like an Applebee's or Chili's. We were dressed in jeans and tshirts. I don't know if they are all the same, but the one in Lexington is quite elegant. (for me anyway.) I felt really underdressed at first. I must say that the servers are wonderful and didn't treat us any different. The food is EXCELLENT!! (the Penne Rustica is a must have for me) I've never taken my kids there, so I don't know about the kids meals. I do know that ours stays packed. If you like authentic Italian food, I'm sure you will love the Macaroni Grille. ( I had gastric bypass and can't eat carbs right now, but once I get to goal .....Macaroni Grille here I come!!!!!!!! It will be my reward)

 

[MrsMud]

Wow!!! I am psyched to hear such great reviews! We'll definitely have to go there on our trip in Oct., I can't wait! Thanks again

 

[DisneyPoly]

Where is the closest Macaroni Grill to WDW?

Thanks!

 

[Steve P]

comparing it other italian chains, we like it better than Olive Garden, hands down, and the food is just as good and slightly
less $$ than Carabba's. The service can be somewhat abrupt and non-attentive when it's busy, typical of a 'food factory' chain restaurant. Overall VG food at good prices.

 

[PatriciaH]

We LOVE the Macaroni Grill that opened near where we live. Try it for sure! The bread and desserts are awsome too.

 

[LMHB]

Macaroni Grill is wonderful! But they're everywhwere. We have 2 in our area. They are more expensive, but better, than Olive Garden. If you have one near home you may want to try restaurants in Orlando that are unique to that area. There are so many! That is just my personal suggestion and opinion. Have fun!

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks for the replies.

If you have one near home you may want to try restaurants in Orlando that are unique to that area.

There are no Macaroni Grills in our area. In fact I had never heard of it before reading these boards. Yes, I agree I definitely want to try restaurants that we cannot go to at home. So far, I am planning Macaroni Grill, Joe's Crab Shack and Bahama Breeze (all of which I am working toward GCs for), as well as LTT or CP on the day of MNSSHP. Thanks again

 

[Red-Snapper]

The nearest Macaroni grill to WDW is I think the one at LBV.

Use the Downtown Disney/LBV exit of I4

Go past the entrance to WDW (Hotel Boulevard) on your left and it is up ahead on the left, SR535 I think.

 

[Robinrs]

Romano's Macaroni Grill is also a favorite of mine here in Atlanta.

We had a small mishap while dining there about 3 years ago, my son broke a baby tooth on the focaccia bread they serve at the table. I rushed him to the emergency room and they kept up with us all the way. It turned out that the tooth was pretty weak already and the focaccia was supposed to be crunchy and they were NOT liable but they paid for half of his dental bills anyway! Along with that they sent weeks worths of gift certificates for us to enjoy!

What a great restaurant and what a great company! Not to mention their food is excellent. My son loves their kids meals, which come with ice cream or a biscotti. I love their Mama's Trio, which includes Lasagna, chicken parmagiana and chicken cannelloni, it's my hand's down favorite.

 

[prncess674]

If you want to see the menu go to their website.

I personally find the restaurant loud and very crowded at dinner time. If you have a place to eat in your room you can call and order take out and take it back to your room especially if you are hot and tired.

http://www.macaronigrill.com/

 

[MrsMud]

Princess674:
Yes, the takeout does sound like an easy alternative. Have you done this before? I am wondering if you can order ANY dinners to go, or only the ones that are marked as "family style meals to go" on the website?

 

[prncess674]

I have ordered off the regular menu many times in Dallas and Houston. My best suggestion is to call the restaurant before hand and ask what there policy is. Print out the menu before you go to Orlando. Have everyone decide just before leaving the park in the evening what they want and use your cell phone or a pay phone to phone in your order and it should be ready by the time you drive to the restaurant. They usually say 30 minutes for take out but I have never had it take that long.

 

[LMHB]

MrsMud, I was reading your post and it just works out that we do happen to have Macaroni Grill, Joe's Crab Shack, and Bahama Breeze right here in our town! (Maybe its not so small after all). Funny!
I will say that the Joe's Crab Shack here is not nearly as good as the one in Myrtle Beach SC. Maybe they are better in the more populated areas. Bahama breeze is also great.