Chef Tom's Italian Cafe

Recommends

lightningrod

Joined 5 years ago

NOT CHEF TOM'S. This location no longer is Chef Tom's it is a Francesco's. The ownership is new, the interior is all new and redone and the menu is new.

I've been there twice lately. Pasta dishes don't disappoint.

Hope City Search will correct this soon.

Recommends

dewerr

Joined 3 years ago

As good as I remember. I grew up next to this place and went there all the time in high school. Just returning from several years out of state, my family had takeout from here recently. The Garlic Cheese pizza can't be beat and the house dressing is fantastic.

We haven't dined in, but in the past, the buffet was not so good. Not sure if they even still offer that service.

I almost didn't go back because of comments other reviewers left, but glad I gave it a try again.

Doesn't Recommend

dobunk

Joined 4 years ago

Not so much. I remember when this place was called Franchescos (or something like that). Ate there once and wasn't impressed. Just another low bar Italian place.

My husband wanted to try Chef Toms. So we did. So, in short:

-My husband ordered Chicken soup, the waiter delivered Vegitable soup. The waiter was nice, but obviously not great at taking orders.

-The idea of the Italian nachos I ordered was pretty tastey. But it was a major turn off that the tortilla chips were WET with grease. So I guess the restaurant makes them? I've had restaurant made tortilla chips before and they were served being saturated in oil. OR perhaps it's the grease from the cheese and sausage toppings that soaked the chips. Either way, it wasn't entirely appetizing.

-Not a lot of restaurants serve a single tortellini dish so I was excited to see this restaurant does so I had to order it, and was excited! The dish turned out to be quite substandard and I was displeased how the dish was unevenly cooked. Each tortellini was either way mushy, to medium hardness, or the correct hardness.

And my husband wasn't thrilled with the entire experience or food either.

It is strange that the owner can have pride for a restaurant like this. The food is way too substandard and overpriced for what is served.

Pros: found easy parking, friendly staff

Cons: everything else

Doesn't Recommend

dt_2000

Joined 6 years ago

Italian? Not even close. I went here once and only once. I ordered a chicken parmesan dinner. This consists of grilled chicken in marinara sauce. The chicken was overcooked and was not pounded or tenderized. I'd be amazed if they didn't just grab a frozen chicken breast, throw it on the grill for an hour and cover it in sauce. Oh yeah, even Ragu beats the sauce. So, all in all, if Burger King ever comes back with a Chicken Parmesan sandwich than they could even claim to be more Italian than this joke of a "restaurant".

Doesn't Recommend

thumpr

Joined 10 years ago

Service akin to Abuse. I frequently order take-out from Francesco's and have done so for about eight years. I can count on one hand starting at the index finger the number of times they were capable of giving me the extra order of garlic bread that I tend to order. I was treated with skillfully-delivered, over-the-top bad service my last visit when, after getting in my car before remembering to check the order, I had to re-enter the restaurant and ask for the remainder of it. One of the employees actually rolled her eyes when told that the order wasn't complete and I was asked such insightful questions as, "REALLY?" and "Are you SURE it's not in there?" Duh, yes, I'm sure.

Luckily, I've found local grocery stores that sell the garlic spread and I can now bypass the near abusive service to be found at the restaurant.

Doesn't Recommend

slcpunk57

Joined 11 years ago

Uggh.... This place is disgusting. If you enjoy bland slurry, come eat here. I ate out of a cracked dish, and my spaghetti tasted like unflavored pork rinds. Stay away from Francesco's if you want decent food.

Only good part was that they have a nice staff working, other than that, pure garbage.

Recommends

bluedunkfan

Joined 11 years ago

Great food, Great prices. Francesco's is a great place to eat, period! The staff is friendly, food is fantastic and the prices are reasonable. The Francesco's on 5400 South is the best!