Open List Home >> el Cerrito, CA >> Restaurants & Food >> Restaurants >> Romanos MacAroni Grill
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For three star Italian, try Romano's Macaroni Grill in El Cerrito. Upon entering the restaurant, you'll find a family atmosphere. This restaurant is inexpensive.
4.0 of 5 stars.
I'm not one for chains and steered clear of Macaroni Grill due to it's cartoonish name until today.Anyhow, we went there after a long day at the Academy of Sciences and I was pleasantly surprised. The...
yelp.com - user review - 09/20/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
It's still a decent place to go to get my "Make Your Own Pasta" which I usually do spinach, broccoli and artichoke hearts with a garlic/olive oil sauce and a side of meatballs. Good for a few meals...
yelp.com - user review - 08/21/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
I've come to this location several times and have always been happy with the service, the food, the atmosphere. Tonight I ate here and ordered a plate of spaghetti and my friend ordered a plate of...
yelp.com - user review - 08/17/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
Man ' why did I even go here in the first place. Avoid at all costs. this place is awful. From the kids serving you, down(and I mean down down down) to the food. the steak salad has that awful flat...
yelp.com - user review - 08/13/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
An Italian chain restaurant that is dressed up with fancy decor and crayons for you to draw on the table. It is similar to the Olive Garden, but better; the food is better and cheaper. Also, they have...
yelp.com - user review - 08/09/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
If you know not to expect world-class Italian cuisine at the Macaroni Grill (and I hope you know that), this place is just fine. It is predictable, chain-style, Italian-ish food, and sometimes that is...
yelp.com - user review - 07/28/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I like this place a lot! Their portions are decently sized, the price is reasonable and food is great! I love most of their pasta dishes (their alfredo sauce is excellent) and there is always enough...
yelp.com - user review - 07/18/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Everytime I go, I have fun by myself or w/ a guest. Also the service is great from the waiters on down to the bartenders. So I'm hooked on good service!!! Keep ti up everyone and even the guest...
yelp.com - user review - 07/17/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Right when I came in, a group of hostess/waiters (whoever they were), were waiting to seat my boyfriend and I. The service was fast and there was a short wait for the food. The bread was yummmy and...
yelp.com - user review - 07/03/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
Hte to do this, but I MUST! We came here after my son's High School Graduation and what was supposed to be a joyous glorious occasion and celebration turned into a visit to the SALT MINES!!!EVERY...
yelp.com - user review - 06/18/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Don't expect "authentic" Italian dishes, but most of the food is good to excellent. Stick with the easy stuff, like pasta. The ensalata caprese is a favorite of mineService can be slow, especially if...
yelp.com - user review - 05/21/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
Sweet Leon, Hermit dad to Leon and outspoken valerie, went to dinner Friday night at Macaroni Grill in El Cerrito. The following is Valerie's review...The least expensive Merlot sucked. But @ $5.99 a...
yelp.com - user review - 05/08/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
My husband and I went to MG on our anniversary. The waiter seated us then disappeared. Twenty minutes of waiting before my husband complained to another waiter who went looking for our waiter. The...
yelp.com - user review - 04/25/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Well it was no five star Italian restaurant of course, but for a chain restaurant it was okay. The bread was okay (I'm not a huge rosemary fan). I ordered the chicken and shrimp scaloppine. It was...
yelp.com - user review - 03/23/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I try to stay away from Chain restaurants but I was shopping all day on Saturday with my mom in the East Bay and we ended up at this place. It was my very first time dining at this establishment. So...
yelp.com - user review - 03/23/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I always like coming here with my folks to eat dinner Dinner.When you walk in they always greet you and get seated.They have some great tasty plates which fills you up to the point that you can't move...
yelp.com - user review - 02/26/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
CHEF TRIO!!! I'm a fan! Yes I am!After working out at 24 with the bf, we decide to ride along San Pablo to find munch. We both never dine at Macaroni Grill before, and the bf loves Macaroni, and I...
yelp.com - user review - 02/25/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I didn't like their pizza so much but their salad with parmesan-crusted chicken is to die for. I'm not sure what kind of bread it was that they were serving while we're waiting but it's the BEST! It's...
yelp.com - user review - 02/23/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I had a really positive experience here last weekend (Sun night). I was expecting the wait to be off the hook but our estimated 15 min wait time was actually only 5 mins. It was raining cats and dogs...
yelp.com - user review - 02/23/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Yeah it's a chain and I don't usually do the chain thing but the food's pretty good for the price. I had a steak for $20. It came with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. They have these pasta...
yelp.com - user review - 02/17/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
My wife took me to this restaurant when we where still dating and liked it very much. I order there Pork Chops and man they are super delicious. Always need to have me a margarita or mixed drink when...
yelp.com - user review - 01/31/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
better than olive garden & pasta pomodoro, indeed. authentic italian, no sir. their foccocia bread is good either way, even though i do have to ask for the balsamic vinegar. i miss their make your own...
yelp.com - user review - 01/20/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This easily became my favorite chain restaurant after my first trip there last year!!We went on a friday night, so it was pretty busy: we expected a long wait, but they told us it would only be 15-20...
yelp.com - user review - 01/06/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
the food is good but sometime the service is not. they don't serve the house wine in wine glass which i don't like. one drink u should try is the ultimate Bellini. ! SO good
yelp.com - user review - 12/30/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I was going to give this place only three stars, because the food is kind of mediocre for the price, but then I remembered the cool wine deal they have going on. Honor system wine! You get a huge...
yelp.com - user review - 12/10/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
This place is boring. The food is lame. The only thing that I crave from there are the Artichoke Heart Cakes. Deep fried and breaded chopped up artichoke hearts served with ailoli (sp) sauce and...
yelp.com - user review - 12/03/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Fine...you can have one star back.After not having been to the Macaroni Grill for 8 months or so, my boyfriend and I wound up going today for an early lunch. Our server was really nice, attentive - I...
yelp.com - user review - 11/28/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I am easily amused.I enjoyed the fact that my boyfriend and I could draw on the butcher paper topped table with crayons while cooing affectionately to one another. Yes, we are disgustingly cute on...
yelp.com - user review - 11/18/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Went there for a late lunch on a Sunday. The place wasn't packed so we were seated right away. However, nobody bothered to take our order (or at least serve us the complimentary bread while we...
yelp.com - user review - 11/18/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I can thank Sarah Palin for a great meal here last night. Yes, it's true - I actually need to say thank you ... OK, not to Sarah Palin herself, but to the costume contest I won impersonating her...
yelp.com - user review - 11/18/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The bread they brought out before the meal was so delicious that I can't remember what else I got. The fact that it's been months doesn't help either.
yelp.com - user review - 11/12/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Yummmm...everything at Macaroni Grill is delicious. Me and one of my boys come here a couple times a month to indulge ourselves with some pasta, white sauce, red sauce, no sauce, we love it all....
yelp.com - user review - 10/26/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Macaroni Grill, you've had your chance and you've let me down. After reading the reviews, I wasn't expecting much. But I at least expected the food to be hot. We started out with the sampler platter,...
yelp.com - user review - 09/25/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
mmm...Lobster Ravioli really creamy...and...Tuscan Rib-eye loved it! Service is a bit slow here and by the time you get your food you may find yourself stuffing yourself with the baked fresh bread...
yelp.com - user review - 09/11/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I'm trying to eat healthier. Really I am. Just ignore what you read elsewhere about having cookies (and cookie dough) for breakfast.So when we decided to meet here for dinner prior to DYL, I was...
yelp.com - user review - 09/07/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
i missed this place as their arent many here on the west coast compared to the east coast. the bread was yummy, the chicken whatever soup was great, and my sizzling chicken pasta was great too....
yelp.com - user review - 09/06/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
When I arrived here, I was coming off of one of the worst BART rides I've ever experienced. 100 degrees, delayed trains, and people stacked up in each train like a bag of hot pretzels bursting at...
yelp.com - user review - 09/06/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
OK, yes, it's Macaroni Grill. The food is really not bad, and the kids love to go there. Prices are somewhat high, and one of the upper-ups in the corporation gives money to the Republican Party, so...
yelp.com - user review - 08/14/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
We come here from time to time whenever we don't feel like cooking at home. This place is pretty good for it's price. The portions are relatively big and we're usually leaving the the place full and...
yelp.com - user review - 07/29/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Went again with my folks and was again non-plussed. It was perfectly adequate, but not what I intended for their anniversary. Service was mediocre; the food was (as usual) pretty heavy on salt, sauce,...
yelp.com - user review - 07/26/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
why did i do this to myself
yelp.com - user review - 07/18/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
As with most chains no surprises. Basic food at basic price. Clean and friendly
yelp.com - user review - 07/15/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I have a secret: I really like the Macaroni Grill. I'm always seated in minutes, the service is fast, the servers are super nice (and can write their names upside-down on your table), and I'm a huge...
yelp.com - user review - 06/27/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This place is similar to your Olive Gardens and Johnny Carinos... going for that homemade Italian food... and in no way is that a bad thing. It's a bit pricier than the other two, but i think the...
yelp.com - user review - 06/06/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Macaroni Grill. I went there with a large group on a work lunch outing. I had the pizza and thought it was pretty good (way better than the Sundance Kabuki cheese...
yelp.com - user review - 05/31/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
this place goes against all my prejudices. I want to not like it. But I have to say they do a very good job in their niche, which I would call "Family dining that looks like a fancy restaurant but...
yelp.com - user review - 05/29/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Apparently, it's been written in the stars that I shall dine with huge portions and cracked glassware this week... or at least, two days running.Since I was in San Diego for Mothers Day, the family...
yelp.com - user review - 05/12/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
The food was horrible! That's all I'll say
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
OK, but not what Mama used to make. Service was acceptable and the quantity of food to price measure is probably what keeps people coming. If that's the case, try Walker's in Albany for dinner and...
yelp.com - user review - 05/05/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Reasonabley priced for its generous portions and never ending warm yummy bread! Great places for families with little ones.
yelp.com - user review - 04/23/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
When they revamped the El Cerrito Plaza, the designers decided they must put in the requisite chain restaurants (both National and Local). This is why you have the availability to have Starbuck's in 3...
yelp.com - user review - 04/22/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
The worst service ever! The waiter lost my mom's credit card and they did not have any way to compensate us for the trouble, not even a manager!!!!!
yelp.com - user review - 04/16/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
Park your car, turn around, walk right over the parking lot to Pasta Pomodoro.You will thank me later.
yelp.com - user review - 04/08/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I gave this place an extra star for Lorraine, the server. She was da bomb. I fell in love with her the moment she wrote her name upside down on my paper tablecloth with multi-colored crayons. She was...
yelp.com - user review - 04/02/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
My dad was sick of Chinese food, so we took him to Macaroni grill. For Easter Sunday, it was very busy, but service was great. The quoted 15 minute wait was more like 7-10 minutes. While waiting for...
yelp.com - user review - 03/23/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Ordered Chicken Scaloppine to go. Got back to the hotel, it was cold. Not enough sauce. They gave my a full loaf of bread and a container of olive oil though, so its all good.
yelp.com - user review - 02/21/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
With a name like Macaroni Grill and its status as a sort-of family style chain restaurant you don't go here with high expectations. But you do expect a basic level of food and service. To save the...
yelp.com - user review - 02/18/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
This is the only Macaroni Grill I've been to, and although the food is good (though not memorable), the service here is terrible! Each time I've been we have waited and waited for our order to be...
yelp.com - user review - 02/14/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I went in to get a lot of pasta and meat and sauce for not a lot of money and that's exactly what I got. The food was exactly what I wanted, because I've eaten there before. The service was great...
yelp.com - user review - 02/12/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
We came here several time. My husband like it. One time, I had angel hair with red sauce and it was delicious. However, the next time we come, I ordered the same thing but it was not good at all. I...
yelp.com - user review - 01/06/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
I detest Macaroni Grill. I have eaten here twice in my life. Neither by my choice. Once many years ago I ate here in Minnesota. BIG mistake. huge. The salmon was the consistency of rubber. I...
yelp.com - user review - 12/18/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This resteraunt is awesome! I have been there twice and both times I really enjoyed it. We had a 15 mins wait and went to sit at the bar. We did have to wait a BIT long for that but my drink was worth...
yelp.com - user review - 12/14/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
What can I say? It wasn't Mcdonald's but it definitely wasn't Gary Danko.I went here with about 12 co-workers for an end of year lunch. This place is like those mass-produced tract homes, but you know...
yelp.com - user review - 12/10/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I find these prefabricated kind of restaurants super creepy.Macaroni Grill in the big EC plaza is another example of a faux-ethnic restaurant. I mean, you know you didn't just ....step into Tuscany,...
yelp.com - user review - 12/01/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Much of this review is for the customer service. Cheers!This was my first time here, even though I've heard about it from several people. I was under the impression that there was plentiful amounts of...
yelp.com - user review - 10/28/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
It's what you would expect from a national chain Italian restaurant. The food is acceptable, the portions are big, and the service is fine. It's a great place to bring kids and kids at heart, since...
yelp.com - user review - 10/21/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Our server was really friendly, though it did take a while for him to ask for our orders, after asking for drink/appetizer orders. The food was okay, but I felt that it was a little on the heavy...
yelp.com - user review - 10/14/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
You know how sometimes, in a new relationship, you act a little different than your true self because you want the other person to like you. You know, maybe you wear a little more make-up than usual...
yelp.com - user review - 10/08/2007
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I noticed that it has been almost two years since a new review has been provided for this location but not much has changed since that review. The service is terrible at this location. I'm just sorry that I...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/20/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Service was fantastic. Our waitress was polite and checked up on us and took our dishes away the second we took the last bite. The side salad for 1.99 was big enough for two people and one of the best...
yelp.com - user review - 09/19/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Another place where it's not about the food. My parents like to eat here. They often receive free appetizer coupons and they enjoy the food & the atmosphere.It is fun. The waiters draw on your...
yelp.com - user review - 08/20/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Good for kids and a brake from pasta pomadoro.
yelp.com - user review - 08/20/2007
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1.0 of 5 stars.
WORST SERVICE EVER! From the moment we stepped into the restaurant... the hostess... the waiter... the girl who decided to help the waiter out.... First, the hostess told us to wait a few minutes to...
yelp.com - user review - 08/06/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Generous portions of delicious warm bread. Food was not exciting but ok. I liked the calamari fritti appetitizer. But entrees were kind of boring. The place is clean. The wait staff friendly.
yelp.com - user review - 08/06/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I dropped by here for a friend's 21st b-day party and had a great time. The gargantuan sheet of paper crayons setup was a real hoot, and being mature college students on the brink of adulthood, we...
yelp.com - user review - 07/10/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Remember when you were younger, how you REALLY tried to make sure you went to the private, family-owned places of business, in order to keep your few dollars that you weren't spending on rent, books...
yelp.com - user review - 07/03/2007
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1.0 of 5 stars.
I had terrible service here. The waitress (named Jessica) came over not 10 minutes into our meal and asked if we wanted to order any dessert. We were still eating and our plates were not even half...
yelp.com - user review - 06/01/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
There's nothing special about this place. The ambiance is kind of nice, but the food isn't really that good. The prices of the menu were definitely not justified. I wouldn't come back here any time...
yelp.com - user review - 05/23/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
$15-$20 for fake Italian over-priced mall food.This is the kind of place designed for people who think that malls are the only place they can shop and Olive Garden is fine dining.on the upside, the...
yelp.com - user review - 05/20/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Nice building and an inclusive menu but the quality of the food and the quality of the service has gone down repeatedly over the last few years. There are a few things I do like on the menu but most...
yelp.com - user review - 04/12/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
We had a nice time here. Yeah, it's a chain, but the food has been fresh and tasty every time! see what good karma will get ya? The service staff were attentive, even tho' the last server didn't...
yelp.com - user review - 03/23/2007
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1.0 of 5 stars.
When I was here, almost everything I wanted "they were out off...."WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN? YEAH, EVERYTHING I WANTED THEY WERE OUT OF!
yelp.com - user review - 02/12/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Bcause it is a chain and looked a little plastic, we avoided this place at first,. However, after a trip to our dentist nearby one day, we stopped for lunch and were pleasantly surprised --good food,...
yelp.com - user review - 01/26/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Fast Italian American style food al la Olive garden & Pasta Pomodoro. And that's where the quality scale lies for this place.If you can tolerate Corporate cuisine Fake Italian Style, then you'll give...
yelp.com - user review - 01/11/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
We avoided it for a long time because we expected the worst. Finally decided to take a chance, and now we go for lunch about once a month. Lobster ravioli is great, and a deal when you add a side...
yelp.com - user review - 01/09/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The bread is yummy and warm. Try not to eat too much because the entrees are huge. This is a family friendly place with friendly service. The best dish I've tried is the chicken scallopine. None of...
yelp.com - user review - 01/09/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
After starting the meal soaking up EVOO with bread flavored rosemary loaf... I tore up my veal marsala. Simple dish made better with company (own results may vary) though I was pretty disappointed...
yelp.com - user review - 01/08/2007
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1.0 of 5 stars.
This place is over rated. Not great at all. I went there with a party of 17 to celebrate two people's birthday. We were seated in the back which was cool for being away from everyone in the...
yelp.com - user review - 06/19/2006
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3.0 of 5 stars.
This place is definately better than their counterpart in Pleasanton. Although they can take a little time before they get to taking your order or serving you, the food usually comes out good. I...
yelp.com - user review - 04/17/2006
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We tried this place 3 times, thinking the first time the food was good but they must be having an "off" night. But every night seems to be off. Getting seated was slow, ordering was slower, & the food took...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/12/2005
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This restaurant is excellent for a family environment. They have comfortable booths, friendly wait staff and crayons for the little ones. The service is fast, the food wonderful and quick. Even on busy days...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/25/2005
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This restaurant has very dim lights. The waiters are super nice. They serve you politely and friendly. It is very common, but somehow, they really want to satisfy their customers even though the place is very...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/09/2005
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I was reluctant to go here since the outside looks like a "Dennys" but my family and I were pleasantly surprised when we stepped inside. We have eaten here 3 times and enjoyed our meals. There is something on...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/20/2004
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