08/08/09

they dumped our leftovers

by seattlesemiregular

The waiter said that he was going to box up our leftovers; he took them to get boxed up; after a very long wait, I went to find him and he told me he forgot. He went back to look for them and then came back to let me know the leftovers had been dumped. So much for lunch.

I have never had a waiter take food to be boxed, forgot them and then return empty handed.

I am not a happy camper. s.

• Pros: standard buca di beppo food
• Cons: we wanted to take home our leftovers.

05/19/09

Do NOT Waste Your Time!

by BritDolan

OK, I get that these chefs are pumping out large portions of a ton of dishes to multiple tables very quickly, but the food totally isn't worth the atmosphere. Everything is undercooked or overcooked or super greasy or super bland. I don't think anything on the menu is traditionally italian. Maybe the idea was, but not how it comes to your table, plus the place if full of prom-going teenagers most weekends.

• Pros: Friendly Service & Good Group Atmosphere
• Cons: The Food Stinks!

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

by Contributor

In Short
Homesick for your mother's Italian cooking? Grab your appetite and head to this restaurant, where the friendly wait staff will serve up portions of Colosseum-esque proportions, like spaghetti and meatballs loaded with savory tomato sauce and lots of pungent garlic. Dishes center on Southern Italian immigrant fare, and are meant to be shared family-style with a large goblet of wine-to enhance the taste, of course. The ornate décor with walls covered in vintage photos evokes a warm homey feel that welcomes customers to dine among the other families and loyal customers. Buon Appetito!

06/22/08

Very disappointing

by scuttlebutt333

The food was terrible - We ordered the Salmon Pesto and it was well below my expectations. The side of broccoli was frozen and reheated in a microwave and had a strange taste to it. The Salmon was tough and had strong fish smell to it. The Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta was just bland and oily and the Chicken Parmesan was tough and salty. Also our service was just terrible. We felt rushed and forgotten. We didn't even get our bread and had to ask for it. When the food came we didn't even get our utensils! For 15.99 a plate I definitely expect good food - this place was a big waste of time and money.

• Pros: Interior
• Cons: Bad service and bad food

05/05/08

Best Itallian

by SelinaSpencer

I was in Seattle for a meeting and this place was with in walking distance to our hotel. It is the best I have ever had. I can never walk into a Olive Garden again. We have nothing like this in Spokane I hope some day you will expand. I had the Manicottie (sp) and Chicken Alfredo and oh my gosh don't skimp and buy the small bread you will want the large. I had so much left that I brought it on the Plane to Spokane to share with my family. Vety friendly and helpful staff also. The price was perfect for all the food you get.

• Pros: walking distance from a good hotel
• Cons: none that I seen ( I did not see the bathroom though)

11/06/07

Fun time for the whole family

by uwhusky91

This is always a place that my family looks forward to going to. In addition to good food, the atmosphere is fun, and the waitstaff makes it all a good time. You definitely get lots of food, and lots to take home afterwards. The ambience and family-style atmosphere make it a great dinner experience for large groups! It's a place to bring your friends, where you can be loud and have a good time.

10/05/07

mostly ups, a few slight downs

by cortjezter

took a venture here for dinner with a gift card, and had a decent time. wasn't too worried about the menu or food. it's not purely authentic italian, but good enough.

service was not as desirable however. while we waited for a table and read peculiar photos defaced with captions about enemas, the host didn't want to make eye--or voice--contact, and i'm not even that intimidating an italian guy. as we were led to our table, through a corridor tiled like a locker room shower and one odd table with a rowdy family who jeered at passersby, a woman who seemed to be the staff manager was scolding and bossing other servers around in a tone that caused an awkward tension. we waited as our table was prepared, which consisted of 6-8 placemats arranged over the tablecloth, mostly to hide the crispy breadcrumbs from whomever had the table previous. the complimentary bread is decent; a shame so much was left behind.

our actual server was very pleasant and helpful. a simple meal of Gnocchi el telephono and garlic mashed potatoes was excellent, with a bias toward the potatoes. dessert was a mixed bag; wanting a sweet dish of tiramisu, the server warned us that their 'rum soaked lady fingers' were indeed drenched in rum, enough so that people love it or hate it. after her personal guarantee that we would love it or have it nixed from the bill, we gave it a shot, and long story short had it removed from our bill. if you want to get tipsy with a high amount of superfluous calories and also love rum (more than espresso), you will enjoy the dessert.

having read the reviews here before venturing out, one person commented about enduring the Birthday Song routine every 15 minutes, and while we laughed then, it was hauntingly accurate. literally, every 15 minutes the staff huddled around a different table, interrupted everyone's meal, and sang a round of the birthday song with such lacklustre that only restaurant staff can perform.

worth a try if you have the time and appetite.

• Pros: good value; large portions
• Cons: little parking; birthday song central

11/09/06

Great deal - lots of fun!

by misschelseyjs

I reccomend Buca for a younger set, I'm not italian so I have no problems with the food, infact I LOVE the stuffed pasta shells and the bella festa for dessert. I can understand that people would be frusturated that it's not real italian or whatever, but it's a chain restaurant and it's not like your getting screwed on portion sizes!!

• Pros: Portion sizes, dessert, parking

10/27/06

Like a Sunday meal at grandma's.

by a4dales

If you want a quite little romantic dinner for two, go somewhere else. This place is loud and fun for all! Not a place with fancy over priced small portions. Come hungry and go home stuffed! Just like grandma's on a Sunday afternoon!

10/24/06

Go for the atmosphere, not the flavor

by alisonkramer

A good family spot with exuberant waiters, classic dishes, and a fun italian vibe. The food, however, did not live up to its "legendary" name, and I might consider this a on-time experience.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Price, Service
• Cons: FOOD