Your favorite and least favorite CHAIN restaurant for Italian?

[katesorad]

Macaroni Grill is the only Italian chain that I'll go to.. however, I much prefer going to family owned restaurants for my Italian.. or just going to family's house, since we are Italian! Yummy!

Worst would be Olive Garden.. yuck!!!!

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

My favorite is Strings Italian Cafe, but they only have locations in California so I doubt many people here have heard of it.

Honorable mention to Old Spaghetti Factory and Macaroni Grill. I've only been to Olive Garden a couple of times and I agree, it's not the greatest. I don't hate it, but I think it's way overpriced for food that's basically boil-in-a-bag. I often wonder about the so-called "Cooking school in Italy" that you used to see in their commercials...

I love Old Spaghetti factory! And Strings is good too they have a decent priced lunch deal

 

[NCRedding]

I'll be brave and admit that I like Olive Garden the best of the chains I go to around here. I really like Maggianos, but there aren't very many close to me.

I hate Macaroni Grill. We ate at one in Orlando, and really liked it, but all the ones close to home are not very good.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

We love Maggiano's! When we go to WDW, we always go to Maggiano's at Pointe Orlando.

We like Johnny Carino's and Buca okay, but would choose Maggiano's over those.

OG? No thanks.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Brio is pretty good, too!

 

[redlight]

I like Bertucci's and that's where I go the most often. I haven't been to an Olive Garden lately, but I like them as well.

 

[njmom47]

I'm in the minority but we must have a great Olive Garden in this area because I love it and it is always crowded!
I also like Carraba's, but have only been twice.
Other than that, no other Italian chains in this area that I know of...

 

[AustinTink]

Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill, Chili's and On the Border are all owned by the same company.

I enjoy Maggiano's and Macaroni Grill, they are pretty much interchangeable.

Worst: Fazoli's Gag... seriously!

 

[PirateSnowmen]

Favorite: Macaroni Grill. Olive Garden is runner-up - the one near my house is pretty good.
Worst: Carabbas. We went to the one near us once and OMG it was GROSS. All 3 of our dishes were horrible. I think the restaurant has since closed...

 

[epcotprincess]

Carrabba's is the absolute best! We go once a week and it never disappoints. Fresh food, great service, awesome selection.

I like Macaroni Grill ok. I don't like Olive Garden with the exception of soup, salad, and breadsticks.

 

[disney1990]

My favorite has always been Macaroni Grill, but we went to Brio over the weekend and really enjoyed it.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Favorite: Bertucci's (OMG, the warm bread!), and Toscana (local mini-chain)

Worst: Carabbas. The one near me was recently closed down due to roaches & mice. I'll pass, thanks.

 

[Pooh Crew]

Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill, Chili's and On the Border are all owned by the same company.

I enjoy Maggiano's and Macaroni Grill, they are pretty much interchangeable.

Worst: Fazoli's Gag... seriously!

Chili's parent company recently sold On the Border and Macaroni Grill.

Mac Grill really has a a huge menu overhaul and made many of their items better for you (not "good" for you, but better!) . I think they've cut way back on the portion sizes, too. Can't remember which dish it was, but they cut the calories by a tremendous amount and dh said it tasted even better. We eat there all the time!

Maggiano's is my fav and OG is my least fav.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

The only chain Italian we have around here is Olive Garden. And it's not on our list of place to eat at. It's been 6 years since we've gone there. We have a local place - 5 of them actual that are way better than OG.

Agreed. Normally. Around here, even some of the local joints are just. . . I will follow Thumper's Momma's advice. We do have one or two that are okay. One is in my town and kind of does the kind of food you'd see at a French brassiere (did I spell that right?) but has some Italian. One is in the big city and is ka-ching.

But I can't name a single, solitary Italian chain that I like. I'm ruin't since I lived in a town with great Italian places that did takeout and were on my way home from work.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Favorite: Bertucci's (OMG, the warm bread!), and Toscana (local mini-chain)

Worst: Carabbas. The one near me was recently closed down due to roaches & mice. I'll pass, thanks.

The one near us had the same issue. I believe they were closed a week to get the place clean.

 

[Kathi OD]

Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill, Chili's and On the Border are all owned by the same company.

I enjoy Maggiano's and Macaroni Grill, they are pretty much interchangeable.

Worst: Fazoli's Gag... seriously!

Not any more. Brinker International sold Macaroni Grill in December 2008 and On the Border in June 2010. They do still own Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy.


Olive Garden is owned by Darden, who also owns Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, Capital Grill, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52.

 

[KellyWasHere]

Anyone have or had Italian Oven? Don't know if that is just a western PA thing or not. Most of them closed but it is my absolute fav. I like Olive Garden too.

The only other chain I've been to is Buca de Bepo, and while I don't dislike it, I prefer Italian Oven and Olive Garden.