RN4moms

Joined 2 years ago

Of the three of us who dined, two were disappointed.

I ordered the warm spinach salad with shrimp. There was nothing warm about it except the red pepper flakes they had sprinkled over the top. My mouth didn't stop burning from the first bite. Pepper flakes or "spicy" was not mentioned in the description and certainly nothing I expected. Eventually the server asked how everything was. I asked him what it was that was so spicy in the salad. He was surprised and asked a supervisor who explained that they sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the top and offered to make me another. I reluctantly agreed because I don't like to complain and my dining mates were almost finished with their dinner. It didn't come and when the others were finished I asked that they just box up my salad to go which they did. I felt the pepper flakes should be mentioned in the description. I may have just had an overzealous cook but it did put a damper on my dinner.

My sister ordered chicken parmesan which is served with angel hair pasta. They were out of the angel hair and substituted with spaghetti - disappointing, especially when you consider it was barely the dinner hour at 6:00 PM. Then she tried to eat the chicken and it was completely bland. The marinara sauce tasted like plain tomatoes right out of a can. Prego does better with their canned sauce because they add spices. We joked that my pepper flakes should have been added to her plate instead. I tasted hers and agreed it was very bland. Even the salt couldn't help.

There was no ice for the water so I asked. Even after finishing that glass of water I was never offered any more ice. The water bottle (former wine bottle with narrow neck) had no ice and just sat on the table so it wasn't even cold.

The dessert (birthday cake they provided) was a nice brownie fudge and definitely the best part of the meal.

The manager brought us a holiday thank you card with a coupon for $5 off next visit. I'm not sure I will use it.

Doesn't Recommend

tferrer50

Joined 3 years ago

Pizza or cardboard with tomato sauce?. Sadly said that if you do not know Italian cuisine then this is the place for you!

Having experienced Macaroni Grill Italian food in Salt Lake City, Utah for the very first time, I have to say that I will not go to that restaurant again.

Coming from Seattle, WA and knowing the food quality in the NorthWest, my expectations of fine Italian cuisine were shattered by the poor quality of ingredients used to make pizza at Macaroni Grill.

Tonight, our menu consisted on two Margherita Pizza (Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil) served on thin crust. Coming from an Italian background, I know what to expect when I ordered this type of pizza. However, when my order was delivered I could not determine if what I got was a pizza or a flour tortilla with sauce and a few ultra thin cheese slices on it. The cardboard menu on the table was thicker than the pizza itself.

I have experienced poor quality food before but nothing like it. The dough on this pizza was so hard and thin that it tasted like soda-crackers. I could play freeze-be with it and never notice the difference between pizza and the freeze-be. The crust was not hand-made. I can easily tell because the way it was flatten. Hand-made pizza dough (properly made) rises and the pizza maker (the cook) has to mold it by hand. This is not the case for Macaroni Grill (Yikes!).

There are not desires to go back.

Friends do not let friends eat at Macaroni Grill!

Doesn't Recommend

snakehips

Joined 8 years ago

Worse than the Olive Garden. YITZ!. This was my last hope per finding an authentic Italian restaurant in Salt Lake City and I was very disappointed. The atmosphere at the "Macaroni Grill" is equivalent to a dentist chair in the middle of a bomb shelter. There is no architecture, style or ambiance. The setting is similar to a giant warehouse. The customers are escorted to a square wooden table (there are no booths). While dining, we rubbed elbows with our weird Mormon neighbors who, while drinking soda pop with their entree gave our bottle of wine a menacing look. The tables are so close together, it's like your included in the conversation with the party next to you. I ordered the eggplant and it was burnt around the edges and in the middle. After my meal, the waitress very hurriedly brought my bill and rushed off. I had to summon her again as we wanted a cup of coffee. When we were finally able to have our coffee, we sat at our table for 30 minute's drinking our coffee and finishing our wine as spirits aid the digestion. During this time period, the staff hovered over us like a nervous mother hen (heaven forbid someone takes the time to relax after their meal). There are no sardines or anchovies on the menu. There is no Risotto. There are no swordfish meatballs. No seafood salad and no octopus. This is far worse than the Olive Garden. At least at the Olive Garden there are comfortable booth's and partitions so that you have a little privacy. Rather than eat here, I recommend that you go to Millie's Burgers. Take along a C.D. player with the music of Luciano Pavarotti. The effect will be the same and you won't empty your pocket book.

Recommends

taylorsdad1

Joined 4 years ago

Great Food Great Service. I visited the Romano's Down town with some friends last week. I tried the Pollo caprese. Grilled Chicken with a delicious pomodoro pasta with Fresh Mozzarella. A very light and flavorful dish...yummy. The service was professional and courteous being quick at get drinks and keeping them full. You wont be disappointed.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Performing chefs cook up rustic, home-style Italian entrees at this buzzing family restaurant.. In Short
A boisterous, all-ages crowd of pasta lovers pack this energetic Italian spot, where chefs clad in white hats and red scarves keep diners wide-eyed by showing their moves in the busy open kitchen. The menu boasts family-sized portions of hearty traditional fare, from antipasti, chicken and pasta dishes to seafood, steak and wood-fired pizzas. Signature plates include grilled pork chops, lobster ravioli, and penne rustica with shrimp, grilled chicken and smoked prosciutto in cream sauce.

Recommends

S8snow

Joined 5 years ago

yum. The Carmela's chicken rigatoni is delicious!!! the warm bread with oil and vinegar is great. the service is always very good. i love this place and i recommend it.

Recommends

boski1989

Joined 7 years ago

Great Italian Food. This is a centrally located chain restaurant that serves great Italian food. My particular favorite is the "Build Your Own Pasta Bowl" where you can select the type of pasta, sauce topping and meat. Portions are very large. All meals are served with a delicious, warm bread. Parking is limited, but valet parking is available. There can be a wait at peak times (before sporting events) so plan accordingly.

Recommends

stewdogg42

Joined 11 years ago

Good stuff!. Macaroni Grill is pretty good for an Italian chain restaurant.

Try the Pasta Milano. It has hearty chunks of mushroom, chicken, and sundried tomatoes in it.

Portions are hearty.

This specific location tends to be insanely busy and noisy though.

Recommends

ingap

Joined 10 years ago

A staple place. Although the brushetta left something to be desired the lobster ravioli was absolutely delicious.

Doesn't Recommend

jpg1020

Joined 11 years ago

Gut Bomb. I am so sick of the chain italian, it is all terrible. And this place lives up to it. I mean it has an awsome location, but the food bland!