Carrabba's

I think it is very good, what say you?

John

I was forced to eat there once with a group.

I didn't think it was very good.

Better than the Olive Garden, It's alright in a pinch. Chow Jim

Ate at the Shreveport store on a whim. Didn't realize it was a chain, loved it, will go again first chance I get.

It's not bad, but it's not worth a return trip. I'll only go back if someone I love really wants to go there; my family and friends are worth a mediocre meal...

It's probably the best of the Italian chains, but I'm not sure that says much. None of them are "real" Italian...

The grilled shrimp and scallops are good IF you get the lemon butter sauce on the side.

I see this chain as a more sophisticated version of the Olive Garden. I've probably had 6 or more of the entree's off the menu. All were tasty, and used some unique ingredients (e.g. goat cheese, procuitto, fontina cheese)compared to any other major chain italian restaurant, but the Carrabba portions are small for the price you pay for them.

Consistancy is quite good, soups and speials are good but waits are long. I wind up there as many friends i have do not dare venture out to the land of the unknown for a dining experience, which i think is a major flaw in the dining out psyche of this country. McDonalds taught folks the linear consistancy thinking of chain dining and now it has taken root.

As for carrabba's, I have dissected many of their recipes and now make them at home for a reasonable cost. Chicken marsala, pasta weesie and polo rosa maria are good and are quite easy to cook up at home (if you like to cook that is!).


Happy dining.

quote:

Originally posted by -Tricky-

None of them are "real" Italian...

I think Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola would beg to differ that they are not "real" Italians, and that their recipes are not "real" Italian food.

Carrabba's is good. The food and the service have been great the few times I've eaten there.

Damian Mandola now lives near Austin in Driftwood. He recently opened a new place in central Austin, Mandola's Italian Market. A market/bakery/cafe that is fantastic.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

I think Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola would beg to differ that they are not "real" Italians, and that their recipes are not "real" Italian food.

They can beg to differ, and they can differ, but no "real" Italian I've ever eaten with would agree that red sauce with too much garlic is "real" Italian or that red sauce is all that "real" Italian is...

I enjoy Carrabbas. I used to go there quite often and always get the same thing. The Tagliarini Picchi Pacchiu, and add a side of their meatballs to it.
Their bread is delicious and the herb mix with the olive oil can do harm your main meal, as you CANNOT stop eating it before your dinner comes.
I always add a little bit of basalmic vinegar to the oil and herbs, as it gives the dipping mix a bit more flavor.
I always ask for my bread to be served with my meal to avoid filling up.
Another item I get sometimes is the Insalata Fiorucci, which has a goat cheese medallion encrusted with hazelnuts on top and ask to add grilled chicken to it.
I enjoy Carrabbas, and it is a hell of alot better than Olive Garden for sure!
I find that their portions are more than enough. I do agree with the wait time, but I try to go there after the dinner rush. Most restaurants have a long wait anytime you go there at dinner hour anyway, so I just avoid the lines and eat later.

quote:

Originally posted by -Tricky-

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

I think Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola would beg to differ that they are not "real" Italians, and that their recipes are not "real" Italian food.

They can beg to differ, and they can differ, but no "real" Italian I've ever eaten with would agree that red sauce with too much garlic is "real" Italian or that red sauce is all that "real" Italian is...

I'm second generation, my grandmother came from Sicily, my father was born in the USA in 1916, and I was born in 1942. Am I not a real Italian?

John

Apparently the first generation friends I've got aren't "real" Italians because they hate pretty much all of the Italian chains. They're not "real" because they say that that isn't what Italian food tastes like. What they cook for me must not be "real" because I don't think I've had much restaurant food that compares to it.

I'm wrong and you're right. Carrabba's is fantastic and to suggest otherwise is heresy.

I like it. I order Filet Spiedino which is a mix of the Filet Fiorentina and the Spiedino di Mare. Not on the menu...but order it..they know what it is.


Nice side of zucchini, bowl of fennel sausage soup, and some cavatappi amatriciana...decent meal for about $25.


Is it italian? opinions vary (and so does italian food). but it's a pretty good meal.

I find their food to be quite good, and the service is wonderful, as they are very very accomodating to my weird quirks.

I think the veal piccata and fettucine alfredo are terrific.

Also the dessert Rosa......yum....

For a chain operation, it is actually pretty good. Most likely, this is due to its ownership by the same company that operates Outback Steakhouse, which is also fairly good for a chain operation. While I certainly have many other restaurants that I prefer, I have to say that Carabba's gives you a decent meal.

quote:

Originally posted by -Tricky-

Apparently the first generation friends I've got aren't "real" Italians because they hate pretty much all of the Italian chains. They're not "real" because they say that that isn't what Italian food tastes like. What they cook for me must not be "real" because I don't think I've had much restaurant food that compares to it.

I'm wrong and you're right. Carrabba's is fantastic and to suggest otherwise is heresy.

So you are classifying an entire nationality of people and descendants based on your, what, maybe 5 friends. Based on that I can without a doubt say that all Jewish people hate all chain restaurants (sample size = 1)

Here is what was said about Carrabba's on an assessment of Italian food shows.


Cucina Sicilia (PBS)

Rating:

One Spoon
The hosts, Damian Mondola and Johnny Carrabba, are founders of Carabba's Italian Grill in Huston, Texas. They previously hosted Cucina Amore (a TV show that is no longer on the air).The premise of this 30 minute show is that the hosts will share all their Sicilian cooking secrets and teach the viewer to make traditional Sicilian dishes. This show definitely has a home-made atmosphere to it and the lovable hosts-- with their Texan drawl-- that you wouldn't mind having as neighbors.

Unfortunately, their recipes are far from traditional Italian fare. Their "Elephant Ear-sized Veal Chops" is miles away from Sicilian peasant food and much closer to the old adage "Everything is bigger in Texas". This show doesn't appeal to us at all and that the hosts are doing a great disservice to the public by marketing this show as traditional Sicilian cooking. "Cucina Sicilia" earns virtualitalia.com's worst rating - one paltry wooden spoon.

Carraba's real Italian food???? Who knows????? But is it "Roadfood" at $25 for a meal???? What's wrong w/ this picture? LOL Happy eating! KokomoJoe

quote:

Originally posted by Greymo

Here is what was said about Carrabba's on an assessment of Italian food shows.


Cucina Sicilia (PBS)

Rating:

One Spoon
The hosts, Damian Mondola and Johnny Carrabba, are founders of Carabba's Italian Grill in Huston, Texas. They previously hosted Cucina Amore (a TV show that is no longer on the air).The premise of this 30 minute show is that the hosts will share all their Sicilian cooking secrets and teach the viewer to make traditional Sicilian dishes. This show definitely has a home-made atmosphere to it and the lovable hosts-- with their Texan drawl-- that you wouldn't mind having as neighbors.

Unfortunately, their recipes are far from traditional Italian fare. Their "Elephant Ear-sized Veal Chops" is miles away from Sicilian peasant food and much closer to the old adage "Everything is bigger in Texas". This show doesn't appeal to us at all and that the hosts are doing a great disservice to the public by marketing this show as traditional Sicilian cooking. "Cucina Sicilia" earns virtualitalia.com's worst rating - one paltry wooden spoon.

This appears to be a quote about their show..not carraba's. Please provide a url for this..

thanks.

larry

quote:

Originally posted by KokomoJoe

Carraba's real Italian food???? Who knows????? But is it "Roadfood" at $25 for a meal???? What's wrong w/ this picture? LOL Happy eating! KokomoJoe

Not sure of your point. Does "roadfood" have a price cutoff? If so, what is it?

I'll pay (and have paid) $150 for a good plate...and $3.00. Both were excellent fare.

If price is YOUR determining factor...well, that's fine. But if I'm limited to your wallet and $25 is to high, I'll assume that we won't be dining together when the price reaches $xx

If it has to be cheap to fit your definition of roadfood you will miss many opportunities.


On the other hand, if you are ever in my neck of the woods, please allow me to buy you the dinner I described above. I'm quite sure you will enjoy it!

Here in Dallas, we have a noticeable lack of good East Coast style family run Italian restaurants. So, we have no choice except for chains like 'Romano's Italian Grill", "Buca de Beppo", "Carrabba's" and "Maggiano's". Of these, "Carrabba's" is the best! Their portions are large, modestly priced, tasty and very (American) Italian.
In addition, the atmosphere is very diner friendly. Unlike the overdone "kitschy" Buca de Beppo.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry - RibRater - Jay

quote:

Originally posted by Greymo

Here is what was said about Carrabba's on an assessment of Italian food shows.


Cucina Sicilia (PBS)

Rating:

One Spoon
The hosts, Damian Mondola and Johnny Carrabba, are founders of Carabba's Italian Grill in Huston, Texas. They previously hosted Cucina Amore (a TV show that is no longer on the air).The premise of this 30 minute show is that the hosts will share all their Sicilian cooking secrets and teach the viewer to make traditional Sicilian dishes. This show definitely has a home-made atmosphere to it and the lovable hosts-- with their Texan drawl-- that you wouldn't mind having as neighbors.

Unfortunately, their recipes are far from traditional Italian fare. Their "Elephant Ear-sized Veal Chops" is miles away from Sicilian peasant food and much closer to the old adage "Everything is bigger in Texas". This show doesn't appeal to us at all and that the hosts are doing a great disservice to the public by marketing this show as traditional Sicilian cooking. "Cucina Sicilia" earns virtualitalia.com's worst rating - one paltry wooden spoon.

This appears to be a quote about their show..not carraba's. Please provide a url for this..

thanks.

larry

http://www.virtualitalia.com/recipes/cooking_shows.shtml

quote:

http://www.virtualitalia.com/recipes/cooking_shows.shtml

Thanks. This is about the show...not the restaurant.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry - RibRater - Jay

quote:

http://www.virtualitalia.com/recipes/cooking_shows.shtml

Thanks. This is about the show...not the restaurant.

Oh, I am sorry about that. I just assumed that they would highlight the food that was served at their restaurants.

I'm with the crowd that says "better than Olive Garden". And considering it is usually in the same strip mall area as Olive Garden, that might actually come in handy sometime.

Carrabba's (or Italian Outback as it's known in the Mandalay family) is okay. Pretty decent pizza and fettuccine. We almost never go though because our local one is ALWAYS packed and we have a couple independent Italian restaurants around us that are just as good.

I enjoy Carrabba's and my husband will eat there and he does not like Italian food. I love the Mezzaluna - little ravioli like delights with a lucious creamy tomatoe sauce.

quote:

Originally posted by BABurke

I enjoy Carrabba's and my husband will eat there and he does not like Italian food. I love the Mezzaluna - little ravioli like delights with a lucious creamy tomatoe sauce.

I don't understand. A mezzaluna is a curved-blade knife with two handles.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

quote:

Originally posted by BABurke

I enjoy Carrabba's and my husband will eat there and he does not like Italian food. I love the Mezzaluna - little ravioli like delights with a lucious creamy tomatoe sauce.

I don't understand. A mezzaluna is a curved-blade knife with two handles.

It's also a half-moon shaped pasta. Sometimes the same word can have two different meanings. Understand now?

In any case, this thread should be moved without delay to the FFF forum