Maggiano's..A good one!!

Went for the first time tonight..Owned by Brinker International (Chili's, Romano's Mac Grill, etc).  I knew of one in Nashville, but no place else.  We went to the one at Riverside Square Mall in Hackensack, NJ.  They have them in Tampa, Boca, etc.  Reminds me in size of Cheesecake factories, perhaps Ted's Montana Grill?  
 
What a magnificant place.  These have to be $4-$5million each to put up!  Has to be in this neighborhood!  Huge, beautifully appointed in a very casual way.  Beautiful bar...It was all very, very impressive.  I loved this place!
 
We had a half order of their fried zuccini for the three of us..Plenty!  A unusual take on this classic.  It was terrific.  We had a full order of their Chicken Franchese (also excellent) with really good olive oil roasted Maine potatoes (so sweet) and nice greens.  Also had a full order of shrimp with garlic and tomatoes over linguini.  Good..Not great.  Should have ordered the pesto pasta with chicken and pine nuts.  A half order of pasta will feed four along with your full sized entree (meat or fish) choice.
 
The menu is huge and very creative.  I saw a steak come out with tiny french fried onion rings that looked terrific.  Lots of smiling faces.  Excellent service, fairly priced.  Big portions! Excellent quality.
 
We will definitely be back.  this is a good one (chain) IMHO

I ate at one in Oak Brook, IL and at the time I didn't realize it was a chain.  I ordered some kind of baked cannelloni with braised beef.  It was very good.  I liked it as well as Carrabba's which is the other Italian chain that I will willingly eat at.

Belfast back home in NI got a Maggiano's last year there and I must say it looks really impressive, very expensive looking building!  Would love to try it out but the other half doesn't like Italian food! Their dessert menu really appeals to me too!

If I didn't have to eat their pastas and entrees I could live on their salads and desserts.

Incredible salads.

An old friend, who is of Italian decent from the Pittsburgh area, always enjoyed Maggiano's. My wife and I went, and had a good meal. I'm not sure I agree with the idea of it being a good value, the portions were large, but pasta is not the most expensive ingredient in the world, however, the food was fine enough. We were satisfied with our dishes. But, for me, who grew up as a sort of surrogate grandchild to a native Sicilian, it's not the "homecooking" that I am accustomed to. And in my native city of Syracuse, there are actually several long existing restaurants that serve the type of Italian cuisine that almost reaches (and for some dishes, I dare say, exceeds) the meals I was so fortunate to received from Nana, God rest her dear soul. Maggiano's isn't there.

But Maggiano's had some excellent desserts. The cannoli was splendid. Not too sweet, the shell had the right texture and flavor. Was really well done.

Their wine selection, on the other hand, left something to be desired. Ecco Domani, Blackstone, Robert Mondavi? These are relatively inexpensive wines found in any grocery store around here. Nothing special at all. And even their better labels consisted of the wider produced and lower quality wines for which the winery is not known. But, this isn't too much of a slam, as this is common for chain restaurants, since, due to needing to fill large orders to cover all restaurants, they do not typically purchase small batch wines. However, I've often wondered why a place that spent at least 5 million dollars to open their Friendship Heights, DC location, couldn't have their own wine buyer offering a better wine selection for the NW DC residents.

The last downer, for me (and due to my own peculiarities), was the atmosphere. The place looked beautiful, but the cavernous space that was the main dining room was loud. Some people may like the loud rumblings of their dinning fellows bellowing off the walls. But I, who has some hearing loss that makes it hard for me distinguish certain sounds in this type of atmosphere, can't hear my wife, who is sitting across the table from me. - although, maybe that's a good thing...no, no, it isn't - just kidding. I love my wife.

Some places, I deal with the din. For example, there's a Cuban/Mexican/Puerto Rican restaurant in DC called Banana Cafe. The modest dining room has a hard floor, hard walls and not much sound absorption. When the place is filled, it is loud. But the food, is so good, I get over this fact. With a few places in DC that do a better job with Italian, and the wine selection, that I haven't been back to Maggiano's since our first visit. But, again, it's not because the food is bad, it's the complete package that we simply didn't buy into. We did, however, pick up desserts to go on a later date. One thing DC is seriously lacking, is a decent Italian Pastry shop.

mar52


If I didn't have to eat their pastas and entrees I could live on their salads and desserts.

Incredible salads.

Their signature "chopped" salad is to die for.  Excellent.

You know I was against going to this place.  Tommy Eats was nice enough to mention a few places..Thanks again Tommy.  My Sister-In-Law was adament and so I just went with the program...You deal with two women....I am too narrow minded and normally would not want to go to a Italian chain; especially in the NYC-NJ area.  In Daytona, yes..Carrabas is the best we have and it is a chain.

Anyway, as soon as I stepped into this place, I realized that there was no way this was going to be bad because of the investment they had in the place.

Scorereader - Yes, it is loud.  I just loved the atmosphere though.  I am glad so many of you have tried this place and also liked it.  I apologized to my Sister-In-Law after the first taste of our appetizer.  I just thought it was going to be one of those Bucco Di Bebbi (SP) places.  Nothing like it.... 

Our waitress told us on the weekends, there's a two hour wait even in this economy.  During the week, it's slower.  She also said they have lots of private parties and weddings.

Ben

I looked at their menu (no prices given) and saw that they have a really large veal chop.  Did you happen to notice how much it costs?

The days of local independent great Italian joints in the hinterlands is but a distant fond memory.

Completely agree that Maggiano's is head and shoulders above  Buca's.

for you to talk up a chain BB, it must be good.

SK - I think you'd like it......Have you been to a Cheesecake Factory?  If so, what did you think?

Scorereader....thanks..It's Buca?

We tend to eat at Maggiano's for work things in the larger cities (Chicago, Atlanta), since they do a good family style meal vs individual plates as an option, so it makes group eating a bit more reasonably priced, plus you get try a lot of things.  That being said - I have found their pasta dishes with red sauce to be just ok - but I LOVE those fried zucchini appetizers.  We have some great local italian around us that I am used to, and for a chain Maggiano's is pretty good, but I'd pick the local joint(s) every time as a first choice.

TT-CT - I tried and tried..citysearch.com, tripadvisor, chowhound, njeats, the Bergen Record, etc.  I could not get a true "everyone loves this place" indy on any one place in Northern N.J.   So, I knew if I picked an indy and it was not good, I'm holding the bag.  So, I just let my Sister-In-Law choose.

I've been holding out for a few years at least in going to Maggiano's. However, this thread prompted me to redeem $25 worth of "points" from mypoints.com. I've been hoarding points from there for years and have over 9,000. I decided to finally cash in 3,450 and I'm going to be receiving this gift card. It's also good at other Brinker restaurants (Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill), but I'd rather not try On the Border or Macaroni Grill, and I've eaten at Chili's before several years ago.
 
So thanks for lighting the fire under me to want to finally try Maggiano's - it'll probably cover my meal, I'm thinking (or his, whatever). But it beats paying for two meals! They opened one up at the Cherry Hill Mall recently, so we won't have to go to Philly to eat there if we don't want.
 
When I receive the card, we'll go and I'll take pictures, of course.

Harriet - Go on line and see if they have a menu.  The menu is extensive and you've heard some comments from others.

SK - I should have responded to your mentioning my positive comments in spite of this being a chain.  Actually, there are several chains that I really like and have tremendous respect for.  I am not anti-chain.  But I also don't think there are many good chains and so I avoid them for the most part. 

I do like Houston's, Alexanders, Carrabas..Cheesecake Factory....Maggiano's ..The Original Pancake House....

Here's a link to the menu:

http://www.maggianos.com/foodbeverage/default.asp?menu=Dinner

:)

No pizza!?

Baah Ben


TT-CT - I tried and tried..citysearch.com, tripadvisor, chowhound, njeats, the Bergen Record, etc.  I could not get a true "everyone loves this place" indy on any one place in Northern N.J.   So, I knew if I picked an indy and it was not good, I'm holding the bag.  So, I just let my Sister-In-Law choose.

That's very surprising, with so many Italian-Americans in northern New Jersey.

MiamiDon

Baah Ben


TT-CT - I tried and tried..citysearch.com, tripadvisor, chowhound, njeats, the Bergen Record, etc.  I could not get a true "everyone loves this place" indy on any one place in Northern N.J.   So, I knew if I picked an indy and it was not good, I'm holding the bag.  So, I just let my Sister-In-Law choose.

That's very surprising, with so many Italian-Americans in northern New Jersey.

There are some wonderful  Italian restaurants in that area.  There is no way that anyone can go on a website and find everyone agreeing that any particular  restaurant is great.
 
For the past 3 years, we have spent a week each summer in that area.  We ate at several terrific Italian restaurants.  Our favorite one (which we have been to several times) is  Angelo's on Ridge Rd in Lyndhurst.  The food is old style Italian........white table cloth place but cozy and friendly and with reasonable prices. The owner, who is really old, is very gracious and friendly and comes around to visit each table.
 
I think that Ben's sister in law wanted to go to this chain as it is big and glitzy and thought it would impress  and I guess she did her job well.
 
On the other hand,  I guess I would not have dared suggested any place else to her as she seemed to have her mind set on going there........................heck,  a few chain Italian meals  will not ruin anyone's life.

Greymo..It wasn't worth it.  In hindsight, I am glad I did not insist because I loved Maggiano's...It was a post under non-roadfood chains.  I make no apologies for my enthusiasm.

MD - Yes, there are tons of indy Italian places in Bergen County.  I grew up here, but I'm not here anymore.  I don't have the knowledge anymore.  Incidently, there are lots in Hudson County, too.  

I did several hours of research and could not find a place I felt comfortable with.  Now, if I was gonna be staying in the area for several weeks.  Fine.  I'd try a few.  I'd have been more insistant.  But, I tried to make every meal count that I chose..This one I had trouble with so I passed the ball to my Sister-In-Law.

She did great.    

Baah Ben


SK - I think you'd like it......Have you been to a Cheesecake Factory?  If so, what did you think?

Scorereader....thanks..It's Buca?

yup, buca di beppo. they have one in DC near Dupont Circle. we have so few decent Italian restaurants in DC, this place flourishes here.
 
 

Ate at one around DC a few years back.  Seemed like an expensive Olive Garden with little resemblance to decent Italian cooking.  Fortunately, we still have a number of family owned places near us, so chain Italian can be avoided.

 
In my limited experience, the food at Maggiano's seemed good at first (albeit grossly overpriced), but after a few bites it was obvious that the sodium level in their food is incredibly high.  If you are using genuinely good-quality ingredients, and if the chef knows how to use herbs and spices correctly, there is absolutely no need to put such huge amounts of salt into everything.  
 
The soup seemed nice at first, but then it became nothing more than a saline broth with some added vegetables.   My friend's appetizer was similarly over-salted.
 
As a result of the very high sodium levels, I was unable to finish my entree.   That factor, coupled with the high prices, made this a very poor value for me.  Others may certainly differ--as is their right--but to me, this was simply one more instance of over-salted chain restaurant food, served with more flair than usual, at much higher prices than usual.
 
The bill for dinner for two, with a couple of glasses of wine, was something on the order of $130., which is outrageous for a chain restaurant, IMHO.   For the same money--or perhaps a bit less--we could have eaten at a nearby indie Italian restaurant like Al Dente (Piscataway or South Plainfield, NJ?), had MUCH better food, a much lower noise level, superior service and ambiance, and a sodium level that was not a threat to one's health.
 
 

Mjambro - "Chain Italian can be avoided?"  Why would you want to do that, if the chain is putting out a good product?

You have one of the best, but also one of the most expensive Italian restaurants in the country in your neighborhood don't you?  What's the name?  Il Forno?  Can everyone get into it?  Afford it?

Not that I find anything wrong with the Olive Garden that you distain, but to compare it to Maggiano's is absurd.  You don't know what you're talking about.  I lived in the NYC area for many years and I've had my share of good and bad Italian there - Incidently, there are no guarantees of a good meal in Little Italy; especially today!  

Even in two trips to Italy, we had one or two bad meals...I'll grant you it is tougher to find a lousy meal in Italy though.  But, not in our country!  Yes, we still have good indy Italian restaurants..However we have plenty that are not even close to the quality of an Olive Garden or Romano's Grille let alone a Maggiano's.   They should not be in business.

But, once again, therein lies the issue on roadfood.com.  Anti-chain posters without facts.  Forwhatever the reason..trash them.  Let me ask you a question?  Who in their right mind TODAY would spend $2 to $5 million on each restaurant site without the knowledge that the product they are going to be putting out is good. 

The basis of the investment is the food first and foremost IN THIS CATEGORY.  Are you saying that they are going into that investment with the idea that the dining public is stupid?  I am not talking about fast food.  I do not eat fast food at a chain.  I am talking the sit down dining segment here.  Companies like Brinker International, Darden, Cheesecake Factory?
 
Whereas a little mom and pop place will take a few days to set up their menu and cross their fingers, hoping their old family recipes will be well received, these billion dollar corporations spend years and literally millions developing their concepts, their recipes, their origins of suppliers, their pricing, their quality and quantity controls.   They have it down to a science. 
 
Teddy Bear - I've had a total of 9 people eat at Maggiano's in the past two weeks and not one of them complained about the salt in their meals forwhatever that's worth.  Again, how could that be a problem for the majority of the diners..Don't you think that would have been adjusted immediately?  Incidently, they clearly say they will cook your order to meet any adjustments.  In reading your post, it sure seems like your problem is with their prices..Like for some reason, a chain is not supposed to charge as much as a indy restaurant?   That's because you have a bias against chains.  But, this is a chain site....

Success in a new ma and pa venture is almost all about luck...Witness the high failure rate.  On the other hand, how many Cheesecake Factories have you seen fail?  If their product was not any better than the indy places, they would be failing too.  But, the fact of the matter is the good ones I have mentioned have a better product than most indy places!  Houston's has a better product.  For them, it's not luck at all.  It's been proper planning and a good product.  That's why people go to them.   

And as we go forward, we are going to see the top Italian chains take more and more market share in this category away from the indy Italian segment of the business.  They are gonna bury the ones who don't deserve our business anyway. 

You can chalk it up to mass advertising, if you wish..I dont.  Too many people have become believers to use that as an excuse.  They have already overcome the idea that you can only get a great Italian meal at a local indy place.  PF Chang's broke through that barrier already.  Incidently, the good ones like Maggiano's do all the prep work on premises....Just like Mom and Pop.

The big boys are real smart..A lot smarter in fact that Ma and Pa.  They have a good product and the customers are responding...at the expense of indy operators. 

It takes far more creative ability and management skill to adopt a concept for expansion throughout the country than to run one of two Ma and Pa operations.  I marvel at their ability..I come from a background that appreciates their abilities.  I don't look down on it. 

Fortunately, we have a catagory for this..Non roadfood chains.  Again, that's where my post was placed.  But, I will fight if I have to.  You want to get a little dig in..I'm gonna respond cause I happen to know what I'm talking about.

I see where my comments were already included above so I rest my case... 

I really enjoyed Maggianos....salads were good and fresh, and my eggplant parmesan was as good as I have had it at local Mom and Pops.I normally dont like chain restaurants, but I had a good meal there.

Tedbear


 
In my limited experience, the food at Maggiano's seemed good at first (albeit grossly overpriced), but after a few bites it was obvious that the sodium level in their food is incredibly high.  If you are using genuinely good-quality ingredients, and if the chef knows how to use herbs and spices correctly, there is absolutely no need to put such huge amounts of salt into everything.  
 
The soup seemed nice at first, but then it became nothing more than a saline broth with some added vegetables.   My friend's appetizer was similarly over-salted.
 
As a result of the very high sodium levels, I was unable to finish my entree.   That factor, coupled with the high prices, made this a very poor value for me.  Others may certainly differ--as is their right--but to me, this was simply one more instance of over-salted chain restaurant food, served with more flair than usual, at much higher prices than usual.
 
The bill for dinner for two, with a couple of glasses of wine, was something on the order of $130., which is outrageous for a chain restaurant, IMHO.   For the same money--or perhaps a bit less--we could have eaten at a nearby indie Italian restaurant like Al Dente (Piscataway or South Plainfield, NJ?), had MUCH better food, a much lower noise level, superior service and ambiance, and a sodium level that was not a threat to one's health.
 
 

My wife and I had a similar experience - totally ludicrous.

I've never been able to find a reason to go to a chain Italian place. If one does not have a good Italian restaurant available, then stay home and open a can of Franco American. The food will be just as good, and as authentic, and you don't have to tip.

FrancoAmerican is still in biz?