Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
1030 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI, 96814
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant Menu
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Address :
1030 Auahi St
Honolulu, HI, 96814 - Phone (808) 591-0800
- Website https://www.bucadibeppo.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Serenie S.
I was so excited to finally eat here. I loooove pasta. I went during lunch with my friend. We couldn't eat the family portions so we didn't get the full experience of Bucca. I really want to go back for a birthday and order their HUGE portions. I like the price you pay for so much food. The service was great and the pictures and art surrounding you when you eat is really interesting.
(4)Jenna C.
Large family style restaurant. Because it is family style, it tends to be very noisy. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant if you want a quiet dinner. Portions are huge and fairly priced. I recommend ordering several small dishes and sharing. You'll have more than enough food! Waitstaff was friendly, but very busy and not attentive.
(4)Jolene K.
The location is great, but I'm not really impressed by the atmosphere or food. Our service was very good though! We ordered their pizza which was the monthly special, but to be honest, it seemed a little burnt. Good, but not worth 18 dollars. The bread and oil was nothing to go wild for. Just okay - probably good for large parties.
(3)Rebecca D.
Went to Buca for a late lunch, after going to the movies. Atmosphere was great. Love the checker table cloth and pictures on the wall. Ordered the chicken parmigiano and mixed salad. Surprisingly the chicken wasn't as good as I thought it would be from such a highly recommended restaurant. The chicken seemed it was previously frozen and then reheated and served. It seemed dried out and if not for the Marinara Sauce it would be like eating card board and the salad was cheap iceberg lettuce...no green lettuce. I would not go back to that restaurant.
(1)Christina K.
Buca is great... especially after a work out and you need a carbo pick me up. :) While the wait can be long, the food is good and the portions are perfect for large parties. I am a fan of their pizzas and carbonara. It is very loud and you usually hear them signing a happy birthday at least 3 times during your meal. It's definitely not a place to talk and catch up. But the upbeat atmosphere is great for a large party. Careful since parking is difficult if you go when the movie theater is packed.
(4)Celia B.
Have heard really good things about buca and was expecting more! Went for my first time for a friend's party. We were a party of 14, and I have to say that they handled our large group VERY well. Our waitress was fantastic, she was able to split our checks, and she checked on us throughout the meal despite it being a crazy Saturday night. My main issue is with the beer and the food. First, the beer comes in two sizes, a small or large. Essentially the large means "take home glass" and that is what you are paying for, but they didn't state this when asking our preference. People just wanted more beer, not a glass, and it seemed like a deceiving way to make more money. 10 out of 14 people felt tricked into buying glasses, and not a single person understood what was happening. The food itself was not impressive. Mind you, Dr. Andrew loved the lasagna, but the chicken cesar salad, given that this is an ITALIAN RESTAURANT, was not good. The dressing didn't taste house made, the croutons looked cheap, the lettuce was super light and "ice burg". The chicken was minimal and looked and tasted low quality, wet and slimy slices from Costco! I could have made a better salad by buying a bag of lettuce, a bottle of cheap cesar dressing, and some cheap croutons at the store. I also had the Caprese appetizer. That was pretty good, but $14? 8 thin slices of mozzarella cheese, 8 thin tomato slices (didn't even equal 1 tomato) and some slices of basil? Wow...... Why so expensive? I think its really the atmosphere and huge portions that people love, as opposed to the food itself. We definitely ordered way to much food. A group of 14 and everyone ordered something! We should have probably only ordered 8 dishes to share, at most. Although everyone did appreciate lots of left overs and food for days. The service was excellent (aside form the lack of information related to the take home glasses), but the food wasn't exceptional given the high prices and I don't understand what the hype is about! May be good for large parties, since its family style, but I would hope that there are much better Italian restaurants in Honolulu, since this did not meet my Italian cravings at all.
(3)Nick L.
This was disappointing, we have been to others and this was not the same. The waiters seemed like they were rushing us to get out so they could free up a table. Also the food wasn't good, we ordered lasagna and they were out, this resturaunt is known for lasagna and they had none. We then ordered ziti and it was the worst meal I have ever had in my life
(1)Susan W.
So thankful my friend had a $10 off coupon! This review is for my..... 4th(?) time eating here and I'm still liking their food. Though I would rather gone somewhere else/new. We had a party of 5 and were right on time for our reservation. As we were waiting to be called, someone standing in front of us didn't make a reservation and she was told the wait was 2 hours... whattttt! So... always make reservations! The service was alright. I noticed the guy serving us was very attentive and listened to our requests ex. more bread/help take a group pic even though it's like super loud. I don't remember the restaurant being that noisy lol. As always, they gave us the free bread in the beginning. Everyone loved it. We decided to split two dishes because we learned our lesson the last time we came here. THEIR PORTIONS ARE HUGEEEE.. no wonder they call it family size. I suggested we get the baked rigatoni because I saw a picture of it on here and it looked good. We planned to order another small dish and I let my friends decide on the other one. They chose the fettucini supremo. Our food came out surprisingly quick.... and the first thing we noticed was that the baked rigatoni dish was warm. Not hot like the fettucini supremo. Not sure if it was because we were seated like right under the AC and it was super cold...but ehh I would have liked my food better if it was hotter. Nonetheless I liked both the dishes. The baked rigatoni had these spicy cut-up sausages mixed in it which I didn't mind but all of my friends disliked it LOL! What haters. I thought the sausages gave the pasta a nice taste to it. The fettucini supremo was also delicious. It had a very creamy sauce and tender pieces of chicken. Wish they gave more broccoli though cause there was like only...4 or 5 pieces. I think we were all full and content by the end of the night. Sadly, I wasn't hungry enough for dessert yet again...maybe next timeee I'll try that brownie sundae.
(4)Valaine V.
Absolutely the best family place to eat! Our waiter, Chris J took great care of us and the kitchen crew (plus Chef Kent & Chef Alvin) spent quality time making sure our meal and experience was Buca di Perfect!!!! Well worth the $$$$ Call ahead for the kitchen table. Mahalo Nui Loa!!!
(5)Lorilynn L.
Always a great time at Buca. They helped us to execute a very special Birthday Surprise. The food was enjoyed there and all the leftovers were delicious the next day too. Service was great, food was tasty and we had a very nice time. Thank you Buca!!
(4)Mary J.
Made reservations, spoke with the manager, specifically asked for a great area to be seated at as we were entertaining family. Boasted about Buca's. Big disappointment! Seated in the back corner of restaurant by exit. Seats were ripped and embarrassing for ladies to slide down. Area was way to warm and very uncomfortable. Will think twice before coming here again!
(2)Waiki C.
Not sure of the attraction here. Service is so so, drinks are pricey, food is pricey. What was supposed be a few drinks ended up costing the same as 2 gourmet entrées at a better restaurant!! ????
(1)Tiffany Y.
Yelp 365 Challenge #157/365 Towards the ending of September, I attended a Women's Retreat that scheduled a Friday Night dinner at Buca di Beppo's (thus the update). This restaurant never fails me to visualize and analyze my imagination, which I will share with you all. *Deep Breath* Ready? Here goes: Anyone who wants to imitate characters from Good Fellas, The Godfather, Casino, Capone, Jersey Shore and Mafia Wars (for Myspace) should gather at Buca di Beppo. Casino characters can be in the far back by the huge pic of the gal in the wedding dress kicking a soccer ball. Good fellas can be seated in the kitchen area Godfather can be seated in the section with all the popes and/or bishops staring at you as you wonder if you should have brought a rosary with you for the meal gathering Jersey Shore can be seated on the outside because all their fans can gawk at them Capone and Mafia Wars can be smattered around especially Mafia Wars for the 808 crew who gathered up all their people in Hawaii to form under one big 808 Hawaii to kick butt all the mainlander mafia gangs ***End analyzing imagination*** We had a pretty good menu for our group that night: Salads: Apple Gorgonzola Salad (If you are a normal salad eater, you may be tempted to hesitate but the blend of lettuce, dried cranberries, apples, walnuts, cheese tossed in with italian dressing will have you appreciating the variety of salads) Pasta Dishes: Fetuccine Alfredo Poultry Dishes: Chicken Parmigiana Dessert: Simple homemade cheesecake with raspberry sauce (Note: It may not be Cheesecake Factory level but if you like cheesecake, then you may appreciate the simplicity). I didn't eat it because I don't care for the richness of cheesecake. However, I've made a note to try their Apple Crostata or Double Dark Chocolate Cake and savor it with coffee after a heavy meal! From the gaudy decor of weird yet humorous pictures as well as a a heavy emphasis on Catholicism, anyone will bask and have fun in the stereotype of American Italia while eating family size meals that is actually worth the price since it is family-sized portions. Note: There is a deal at the top for feeding a group of 4 for $40. Now THAT is an offer you cannot refuse!
(5)Jennifer S.
Sometimes I just wish you could do half stars!!! This is really a 3.5 :) For a chain Buca never fails! Especially when you have the need to get your fat kid on. We of course were in that mood...so we ordered a small lasagna, small Sicilian pizza, lunch order of the chicken rigatoni (spicy one) and a small mozzarella garlic bread. Everything was tasty and I love the leftovers!!!! Only thing that makes me sad is they changed how they do/serve their garlic bread...it used to be in a pie pan which kept the cheese cheesy...now it's a tad dry :( and colder than normal when it comes out. But it's bread, garlic and cheese sooo still yummy!!
(3)Kelly C.
We went with our daughter at lunchtime today, it was d.e.a.d. I order the same thing from Bucas every time I go, throughout two pregnancy's, I will never change my order. I love the Bruchetta. However the past few times I've ordered it I've noticed a change in the recipie, and even inquired about the change. Today's brushetta was nearly inedible, it clearly was slopped off someone else's plate from the previous night (visible bread crumbs/crust in the mix). Not being a complainer, I ate a few bites, soggy old tomatoes, bland flavors.....a clear sign of a pre-mixed dish sitting in cooler for weeks at a time. At over $20 a dish, for a scoop of tomatoes and basil with olive oil and some burnt bread, forget it. I can make it 100 times better myself (no, really) at home for under $5. We won't be going back, my husbands dish had enough butter and salt to kill a herd of elephants. There is clean italian cooking, then the very heavy, greasy spoon kind. Sorry but I care too much about my families heath to let them eat this kind of garbage. Our waitress was super nice, poor thing working on a dead shift at a crappy food restaurant. Hope she move on her personality was good.
(1)Sonia S.
Thank you Uncle Buca for FINALLY having a decent dark beer on draft! Kona Brewing Co. Pipeline Porter ~ beer that tastes like coffee. Try the beer with a shot of Patron Cafe.
(5)Renata M.
Amazing food, excellent staff and wonderful price! Isn't fancy but the food taste really good. The kitchen is super clean and organized. The entrees are really big, even the small ones. I recommend this place ;)
(5)Dave S.
Food is very good. Family style. Always have leftovers due to large portions. Staff is friendly and prompt
(4)Adrienne B.
My girlfriend and I ate here one evening before a movie and decided to sit outside to enjoy the weather and people watch. We ordered a carafe of sangria and also asked for glasses of water with lemon. As our server was bringing out our waters, he slipped his finger into my glass of water (making my germ phobic self squirm and silently dry heave) and placed it down and walked away. This of course started a conversation of horror between my friend and I of "how do I get my water replaced?" without me saying "HEY YOU STUCK YOUR FINGER IN MY WATER!" I decided to lie to the next person who came to our table with the sangria and bread and told them a fly (which was clearly missing from the glass) had landed in my water and requested a new non finger stirred glass. Our server when he came back did notice, but I felt better knowing I had avoided the "hey keep your fingers outta my water!" confrontation. (Mature, I know). We ordered the small antipasto salad and a small Cheese Manicotti to share. The antipasto salad has pepperoni, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, provolone, feta and gorgonzola with mixed lettuce and Italian vinaigrette and is $15.99. We both really enjoyed the dressing but found the salad to be a little salty mostly due to the pepperoni. We both think we would have enjoyed the salad better without the meat. The Cheese Manicotti was filled with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan with alfredo and marinara sauces. Personally I felt it could use a bit more marinara sauce. It also reminded me a bit of the refrigerated manicotti available at Trader Joes. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't blow you away. We both enjoyed the red sangria. I wouldn't go out of my way to seek out another dining experience here again, but if friends were going, I wouldn't deliberately stay home. There are definitely better dining options out there though.
(3)Keil L.
Making reservations is a MUST! Especially on the weekends or you'll end up waiting for 2-3hours! I like their calamari appetizer.. Not a fan of any of their pasta (always dry, so ask for extra sauce already), like the family sized portions. Tiramisu dessert is a must. Yes- waiters are always rushing you out..clearing up table, getting your meals and putting them on to-go boxes too fast.. Sometimes, not even asking if you're done..
(3)Nicole K.
Bucca di Beppo is one of my favorite spots for lunch. I have only been to Bucca's once or twice for dinner, but each time was chaotic and busy. Lunch, on the other hand, is practically empty. This means friendly and attentive waiters/waitresses, quick service, and cheap(er) prices! When my co-workers and I visit for lunch, we almost always order the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni. It is by far one of my favorite dishes on the menu. The lunch portion is HUGE and can easily be shared between 2 people with leftovers! We also order the Chopped Antipasto Salad often. I recommend ordering this salad with dressing on the side. Otherwise, it may be a little soggy and over-drenched. Our service at lunch has always been impeccable with water and bread refilled often. They also do a great job with honoring coupons. Bucca di Beppo almost always has coupons available, you just need to look around for them before you visit. I sign up for their email promotions which makes it easier and much more convenient.
(4)Carly H.
9.3.13. If you come here for lunch on a weekday, it's a ghost town. Come with a large party & you'll def get the Pope Room! It has been YEARS since I have visited Buca...& it still looks the same. A great place for gatherings where you can either order individually or go family style! The atmosphere here always seems fun. Decor is great; found something new everytime I looked around. Food is decent, but I know I've had better; I guess you could say I'm spoiled...but you really can't go wrong for the price here. Service is meh. I felt like our waitress this time was a little too pushy with the appetizers. Attentiveness was also decent. Apparently, if you've claimed you've never been to BdB before, they'll give you a mini tour that includes going through part of the kitchen. Also, you can supposedly be seated in the kitchen area; go for it if you want the full blown experience. I would suggest calling ahead of time to make reservations & make inquiries. This place is probably more crowded during the dinner hours haha. Yelp 365 Challenge: #245/365
(3)Pam H.
This place has everything from moms fav to the youngest child's fav. The large family style portions is a big winner! Salads are pretty good, but the kids just rave about the fried calamari. Now every time we visit we order the large. Wine selection is spot on and the ambiance is pretty interesting. I still get lost inside so I enjoy the walk thru from the hostess.
(4)Erin T.
Had been to this chain before years and wasn't opposed to going back for lunch one day after a morning of shopping across the street at Ward Center. SO disappointed. To start with the good- we got a table outside and our server was very friendly. Beyond that, it was downhill. The food was so bland. I had the 'panino of the day,' which was meatball and mozzarella. NO FLAVOR whatsoever. The bread was obviously out of the freezer and the meat was flavorless. No grill marks whatsoever, even though it was supposed to be a panini!! My husband had the lasagna. Again, it looked fine, but he said he'd had better with Stouffers he'd warmed himself. Definitely not worth a $40 lunch! Won't return.
(2)Rojan T.
Huge servings of food!! This place is great for a large group of people at reasonable rates.
(5)James D.
Lines to long and food to salty. I have went there several times with hopes for a change and it just has not happened.
(2)Paige S.
My girlfriend and I ended up here on a random weekday night since she was in the mood for some chicken she had here before. I had never been to a buca so I was game! This location is at the Ward center, underneath the theaters and the parking across the street can fill up but if you're patient people are always moving. Ambiance & Seating: Upon walking in we were greeted by smiles and friendly faces. Once my girlfriend told them it was my first time they gave me a tour of the kitchen which was pretty cool. We were then seated in a bustling little area that was mildly lit with lots of strange eclectic italian decor. It is a noisy place, not one for a romantic date night but more of a fun upbeat one. Perfect for me and my girlfriend to chit chat about our lives and our crazy man problems ;) Service: The service here was SUPERB, I want to say our servers name was michael? He was sweet, funny, attentive and it felt like he was our friend and we were coming to visit him while he worked! We carried such great funny conversation with him and it really set such a great tone for dinner. What we ordered Bellini and Sangria, Duh. They were both exceptionally delicious and perfect to start out our little excursion from the world. My peach bellini was sweet and fizzy but didn't leave me too tipsy. The sangria was delicious and had a full bodied flavor Chicken Glorioso white wine, Alfredo sauce, artichokes and sun-dried tomoatoes My girlfriend had raved about this chicken and it was really the sole reason we came. She has been here before but said this chicken was worth coming back and I couldn't agree more. It was tender, moist and was perfectly seasoned. We didnt order any sides, just chicken and it was a perfect size dish for two people. Italian Creme Cake Six layers of rich lemon cake and mascarpone cheese filling served in a pool of raspberry-hazelnut sauce and topped with fresh whipped cream and mint sprig. - sharable. I topped the meal off with this cake, which I did not share, because that was never the intent. *by the way, When they say sharable, it totally is...this slice was good for maybe 3 people...it was HUGE I devoured this cake and it was delicious!!!! It was so moist, fuffy and the combination of raspberry and lemon....ugh, you just can't go wrong with that. I would seriously consider going back here JUST for cake. Maybe even buying cake and taking it to a movie up stairs? UHHHH, my mouth is salivating at the thought of this luscious piece of heaven This place is getting 3 stars because I only tried 2 things off the menu which is really not sufficient enough to judge the quality of food that comes from this place. As with most people and their reviews for this string of restaurants, it is more about quantity than quality but they do not sacrifice and cut corners on everything. For being a chain restaurant I was pleasantly surprised by a lot of things and i have a feeling that if I had a giant party of friends that was too big to bring to kbbq, i'd definitely consider this place!
(3)Victoria R.
The staff was great friendly and helpful. We were seated right away. Next time I go I do want to try their ice cream sundae brownie. I tried their cannolis for the first time it wasn't what I expected. But that's okay.
(5)Suzanne T.
I've been here several times, from large birthday parties to just the immediate family, and it's always been good. Yes, it's always crowded and a bit chaotic in that maze of a restaurant, and yes, there's always way too much food, but it's good and a fun time, especially when you're with kids. (It must be really popular for birthdays - the last time we were there we must have heard the birthday song at LEAST five times, just in our section!) My daughter and I love the baked ziti (so cheesy and delish!) and my son's favorite is the spaghetti with a giant meatball. The pizzas and salads are great too, and all of the other pasta dishes we've tried have been pretty good. I ordered the sangria the last time and it was okay, but not great. I think it needed to marinate longer. Yes, it's a little expensive for the quality of the food, but you certainly get quantity, and I enjoy the leftovers. If you're on their email list they send out coupons about once a week, so I always have one handy when we go.
(4)Zelda M.
Nothing but the best family sure Italian food dining in Hawaii! Last night, I planned a surprise birthday dinner for my husband's 50th birthday. I wanted it perfect, they did it! Kalei, night manager and staff were on point! The food was delicious! The service was great! The guests were stuffed! Nothing but the best! Thank You to all who served our party last night!
(4)Timothy P.
Good food, good service. . The ups: short wait times every time I go, service is always very nice and well mannered, the food is not "the best!" But a solid "very good", service was very expedient. The downs: parking is kind of hard too find, usually end up parking kinda far away, one very annoying lady always taking our pictures then trying to sell us the pictures later. Although she is funny with how into it she is. Overall I highly recommend this place. Love it and come here to carb load before every race I run.
(4)Jason B.
Great service and delicious food. We came with another couple and started with the appetizer combo. The fried mozz, stuffed mushrooms and calamari were all really good. For two it would be plenty, but for four people it's a nice taste (one mush and one mozz each). We ordered the large Quatro al forgo (shells, manicotti, ravioli, and cannelloni) and Chicken Parm (s). We all loved the manicotti, raviolli, and cannelloni (in that order) with the shells coming in last. They were still good, we just enjoyed the first three of the dish better. The one thing I thought was great was although all four items were on a single large plate covered in cheeses and sauces, you could easily distinguish the tastes of each item. Everything would probably just taste the same at other places. The chicken parm was also good and plenty large enough for two people, more if you were splitting another dish. The drinks were good, food was great, patio was cramped but still nice, and the service was on point. Bottom line...SOOOOO much better than Bravo or the other place we tried.
(5)Alison E.
Love the employees! ! Very friendly & helpful! Food is tasty & reasonable!! Watch how much you order!! Lots of food! !!
(5)Daniel C.
The best part of Buca di Beppo is that they always have specials and coupons before you go to dine there. It's very conveniently located by Ward Theaters so you can do a dinner then movie. The parking garage entrance gives you easy access to the restaurant as well. For first timers, make sure to let them know so they give you a tour of the restaurant and kitchen. It's also nice that they have choices of portion size versus when they first opened. The hostess was great and our server was good. We got the 4 for $40 special this visit and still had lots of left overs. It started with a Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread then our Baked Ziti with mead red sauce came out. Surprisingly we had room to get dessert. The Colossal Brownie Sundae was massive just like everything else! If you're rushing to a movie, please make sure to let your server know so they can rush our your orders to help you make your movie on time.
(3)Samantha S.
The manicotti was delicious and the baked ziti was nothing to rave about. Portions are big like they tell you. Service was great. I think I need to go again and try other entrees to make a proper review. **Update: I never made it to the actual dining area because we sat outside first time around. WOW! What a great atmosphere. It's rather loud but if you can beat that then stick with it. We had great service especially with a table of nine. Food was really good. Id skip the Alfredo because it came out super dry but the manicotti was once again super delicious. The spicy chicken rigatoni was good and the prosciutto stuffed chicken was amazing. I would definitely go again!
(5)Adrianne S.
One of my go to restaurants with a group from time to time. Service is 4/5, parking is across the street or in the near by garage. Located next to the theatre and Dave & Buster's. The food is great, prices are reasonable, great for families, attire is casual, and they do take reservations.
(4)Tracy U.
Happy Hour menu got cut by 75%. There's only 3 items at $4 and 3 items at $5 for the food. The happy hour is 3 to 6, so the menu used to be $3, $4, $5, $6 food items for Happy Hour.
(2)Kira C.
Came here for thanksgiving brunch and it was pretty good for American food. BUT the pumpkin pie that was served after the meal was pretty disappointing.
(3)Mandy C.
They serve family style meals, We will go back, but we learned our lesson with portion size. We were advised to get the Lg as we were looking to take some home for our son, however, the large is enough for 7-8 ppl in my opinion, if you eat large amounts of past 5-6 ppl. There is only 3 of us. We continued to eat pasta for 3 days afterwords ( or should I say my son and husband did). We will be ordering a small next time. I have posted pictures of the pasta with a serving taken out.
(3)Darin P.
Sneak in your own alcohol from Ward Warehouse store the Liqour Collection, spend the cash you save on meatballs!
(4)Linda K.
You know when you see a restaurant from the outside and you think to yourself "that looks kind of small", but then you never really think more about it. That's been me for the last couple of years, yes .. you read it .. years!. I have passed Buca di Beppo plenty of times to think and wonder where all those people went that was walking through the door, but never thought about it enough to actually explore it myself. I have been to buca before, but I've only sat on the little "patio" outside. So I was accustomed to their food and knew that it was good. So two weeks ago we were trying to decide on where to eat lunch, with many options that didn't really sound right, I threw Buca out there and score! It got approved. We went for their lunch hours so the place was pretty much empty. And when the hostess showed us to our table I was surprised over how big the place actually is. Wow, I think I even asked for a map so that I would find myself out, which she gladly said that the had!? Wouldn't surprise me at all. Now, mind you .. I don't always order for myself. I mean, I decide what I want but my man being such a gentleman believes that he has to order for me. So I tend to forget what it was that I ordered right away. But, it was a spicy chicken dish that I had and it was SO GOOD. I absolutely loved it - and I'm not even a fan of spicy food! I don't remember what my fiance had but it was something that was baked in the oven. Equally as tasteful. For drinks we ordered the Italian sodas, really good. And dessert ... some cake thing that was huge. yeah, see my memory isn't the best. Overall experience: Great place to go. I hear they serve family size place but I've only been for lunch so they always have the personal plates at that time. If you get distracted easily then yeah, you'll have fun here because there are SO many things to look at ... everywhere!! Even in the ladies bathroom .. my .. I want to go in there just to look at all the posters, paintings, and what not. The service was also great. Happened to be a old HPU student and neighbor in my old apartment building who was our waiter. I will definitely come back to Buca, maybe for dinner next time.
(5)Sweetie M.
The only reason why they get a one star is because there was literally no wait time to get seated at a table. The rest is all down hill from there. Our server allana wasn't the nicest people we've come Into contact with. In fact, her bad attitude was became more apparent when we saw the other diners with servers much nicer than her. She walked past us MULTIPLE times server the other diners seated on either side of us who was also seated AFTER we had been seated. It took a good twenty mintutes before even offered a beverage. When she finally took our order she talked to us in a tone and volume as if she was standing across the room. When our bread was brought to us COLD and we asked for it to be heated she said, "Sorry the kitchen is busy and I won't be able to get it heated. REAAALLLLYYYYY?! and let me add that she claimed it was busy, but yet there was atleast a dozen tables around and near us that were EMPTY. I could go on and on about how I HATED my time there bit this would be a ridculously long hate rating. The icing on the cake to ensure I DONT return is watching a chef PICK HIS NOSE while returning to the kitchen. EEEEKKKKKKK!
(1)Stephanie T.
I've never had a great experience with this location. The food is simply okay and some times its better than others, but for the most part, I don't find it worth the price. The wait for a table is almost always 30 minutes to 2 hours. and its EXTREMELY loud. I find the clapping and singing that is constantly happening quite irritating which also makes it difficult to enjoy your meal with whomever you are there with. On this last visit I think the only staff person that I feel was nice at all was the hostess who greeted us and showed us to our table. I understand that the restaurant layout is a maze and the servers are super swamped, but there is no reason why we should sit with empty water cups for over half an hour and same goes for drink orders. If my bill didnt already have the automatic 18% gratuity on it because of the size of our party, my server would have only gotten 10% maybe 15%. If you have picky eaters, I guess this would be a good place to go, but if your wanting a nice italian meal. Pick somewhere else to go, because its just not worth it.
(2)Tracy C.
Went for lunch today and received awesome service. Had the Apple Gorgonzola Salad, Baked Rigatoni, Shrimp Alfredo, a side Meatball. This has got to be my fave salad and the meatball was awesome. Everything we had was tasty and the portions are big.
(4)Julie N.
I have ate here many times before and we love the food here. Came here on a Saturday @ 7pm hoping to get a table but the wait is 2.5 hrs!!! The wait is alway crazy here!!!nSo we decided to go to DnBs instead. Oh well next time. Make reservations if you want to eat here during rush hour.
(4)Kristianne S.
Had to attend a business dinner here and was reminded why I do not find myself suggesting "hey family, let's go to Buca for dinner!" I'm just not wow'd by their food or atmosphere. Said atmosphere is too noisy and the decor seems a little outdated, a nice sprucing couldn't hurt. The food, albeit arriving in ginormous portions (my small garden salad could easily feed 3 people!), is just regular Italian. Like, I make spaghetti at home using Ragu, that has more Oomph in the flavor department, sorry to say. At least it seems like you get yours moneys worth for the portion sizes. Prices almost killed me though. I paid $25 for my salad and a sangria. meh. My friends were kind enough to share the dishes they ordered as well. Garden Salad - too much dressing killed it. I was looking forward to fresh leafy greens not a side for the vinaigrette soup that i was served. Oven Baked Rigatoni - sausage was spicy and was topped with loads of ricotta cheese. Overall not too bad. Spaghetti w/ Meatballs - plain jane. Meat sauce wasn't too bad but i was missing a punch of at least some herby flavors or some garlic. Chicken Marsala - Pretty good. The marsala was tasty and chicken moist.
(3)Chef D's K.
Me and my husband celebrated our wedding anniversary here. It is a very nice and cozy place and I loved the kitchen tour and the smell is just heaven! We ordered Mozzarella Garlic Bread and we love it. Antipasti, we got Buca trio platter which is just amazing. I loved the mushroom, but I was really hoping that it would be cooked a little bit more. Fried calamari is my favorite! But the marinara sauce made me cough a little bit spicy for us. For specialty pasta we ordered Linguini Frutti Di Mare. I love it simply because of the seafood and noodles are aldente! Overall, it's a wonderful experience and night for us. We would definitely go back...
(4)Chris S.
great place! Are here with some friends and had the best service :) from the hostess to the bus boys service was great!!! def a place to eat at. large portions for reasonable pricing.
(4)Jenna S.
I always order the same things here - the shrimp fra diavolo and the fire baked pizza. The pepperoni is really good, one of my favorite pizzas on the island, along with JJ Dolans. For dessert I recommend the lemon cake! It tastes really light and refreshing, perfect way to end a meal. Some wine would have been good too, next time! ;) The inside is like a maze and can get pretty cold, I suggest sitting outside if it's not too hot. They have interesting bathrooms.
(4)Iris J.
Service was good as usual despite waitress was a hit too much. She seemed like she was rushing us to eat and leave. The food was just okay. Pepperoni pizza was great...the long island was amazing, the strongest I've tasted in a long time.
(4)Ululani C.
The best to go with a group for a good price. All entrees is family style which means you could probably feed everybody for under 30 bucks. Location is great....right under D&b's. The waiting time to get a table may be long sometimes but they are things to do in the mean time like D&B. What is good is they text you to let you know your table is ready! May want to come before the dinner rush because parking is hell! Sometimes you can't even find parking.
(5)Patrick G.
After going here for a friend's birthday dinner, I now know why I haven't been to a Buca di Beppo since this franchise first opened in my hometown way back in 2001. My adventure at Buca di Beppo started when the hostess told my party that she was getting dizzy when asking us if we were ready to be seated. Then she proceeded to repeat the same sentence a few times. We asked if she wanted to sit down, but she said no and then walked away. After a little bit of confusion we were seated and the server asked us what we would like for dinner at almost the instant my butt hit the chair. When we said we weren't sure yet, she left and came back about one minute later with her notepad out ready to take orders. We decided to just try and order because she insisted she was ready now. So as we struggled through getting everyone's order ready, she seemed really inpatient and looked really uncomfortable. After getting past the weird service flaws of this restaurant, it was time to enjoy some food. For the most part, the food was average. Large quantities of Italian food usually equates to sub par quality, and there was no exception here. Some people are in to large quantities of average food; personally, it is not for me. I don't think I can honestly say that I will ever choose to return to this restaurant.
(2)Christian H.
So, I went here on a Friday night to pickup a to-go order my wife placed for us. After weeks of my wife convincing me the food was great, I caved & decided to try it. Every time I pass this place, it's packed to the outside and the wait looks long. Upon arriving, I approached the door hostess and told her I was here to pick up my order. She was very cordial, professional and full of energy. She notified the kitchen staff I was there. She then tendered me & we talked about the origin of the restaurant which was in Minnesota. She was from there, I lived there & my wife is from there. What a pleasant surprise. Nonetheless, her service was prompt & expedient, carefully ensuring I was satisfied before I left. So, I had about a 20 minute drive home. The food was still warm when I arrived. We ordered lasagna, garlic cheesy bread & broccoli. The meal was $50, so I was dying to see was it worth it. In that case, it better had lived up to its cost. THAT IT DID! The lasagna was magnificently delicious. The cheesy bread was different than usual, yet awesome. The broccoli was good too. Definitely recommend everyone who appreciates Italian food to try it.
(5)Leipupu S.
I actually went here on 7/4/2014. Our waitor was great and the food was very delishes. I always have a good experience when I go here except for New Years, but I gues its because it was busy and our waitor at that time told us this was his last day and he's off to the coast guard. This time the meal was so good; I had the marinara with cheese. YUM. Couldn't finish the whole thing ate the rest for dinner. Infact our whole party had an amazing time. Mahalo Bucca! luv ya!
(5)Cameron B.
We managed to get a reservation for a party of 11 on a Saturday night fairly quickly. We were given the pope room and even though I've sat here in the past, I didn't notice 1. The naked cherubs on the ceiling 2. How creepy the pope was (I think someone hollowed out his irises) 3. The scary nun photo that's on the left side of the room. We started off with two bottles of wine and some appetizers. We tried the calamari and the artichoke crostini to start but I would probably skip the artichoke dip next time. When our waitress came back we all ordered an entree each to share. That was probably the most ridiculous idea ever. We ended up with a large pizza, one egg and one chicken parmigiana, the antipasto salad, chicken limone, braised short rib, sea food pasta, chicken w/sun dried tomatoes, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, I mean the list went on. Like I said, the most ridiculous order. We almost ended getting a green salad as well but decided against last minute. All the food we ordered was really good and the service was great. While you're eating they have a worker come around and take your photo as well. I like the changes bucca has made and I'm glad we chose this place for our dinner.
(5)Angel H.
I took my fiance here for Father's Day lunch. We got an order of garlic bread, calamari and quattro al forno(cheese manicotti, chicken cannelloni, cheese ravioli, stuffed shells). My favorite thing here is the calamari. The calamari itself is tender and the batter has just the right amount of crisp to it. It comes with this marinara dipping sauce that is so good. The quattro al forno is alright. I would have prefered the lasagna but the fiance stopped eating red meat. They were only serving family style today so if you order a small it would be able to feed 2-3 people. Therefore, we only ordered one entree. I think they must have forgot our garlic bread because it came out after the entree. We were done with the quattro al forno and the server came and asked if everything was ok. I told him we didn't get our garlic bread and he went to check on it. It finally arrived 10 minutes later. They gave a free cannoli to all father's, which I thought was a nice touch. They also give your table free bread and the server makes this dipping sauce for it in front of you. I believe it was a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Our server was very nice and patient, explaining the different pastas to us even though it was so busy. I would have gave it 4 stars if the garlic bread would have came on time. I had to ask for it twice and it came when we were almost done eating.
(3)Scott H.
Overrated, loud and expensive. Another Italian restaurant in Honolulu that doesn't use garlic or onion in their dishes. Oh I miss Philadelphia!
(2)R M.
My husband and I often go here to eat after having some fun at Dave & Busters or catching a movie at Ward Theaters. This is a wonderfully decorated Italian restaurant and its pretty big. I almost get lost in here! no matter how much times I go here, I still have to ask directions to the bathroom. Wonderful menu and really good food. Never had a problem nor any complaints at this restaurant. The staff is always friendly to us and assure that everything is well. It is truly one of our favorite spots to eat at.
(4)Roy B.
On a very recent visit a possible disaster became a great dining experience thanks to server Brian and managers Selena and Diana. These three went above and beyond to insure customer satisfaction. It was Mother's Day and the place was packed and the lines were long. We were greeted at the door by our hostess and given a tour of the kitchen and dining area before being seated at our table....everything okay so far. Understandably our orders took a bit longer than usual but that was still alright .... Until one of our favorite dishes (the seafood linguine) made its way to the table. Initially nothing appeared unusual until I started to mix up our fave pasta....O-Oh...WATZ DIS...clumps of improperly cooked linguine that should never have been served. Having waited for some time and being pretty hungry we proceeded with our meal which was still delicious even though it was not the best we've had. My daughter KIMEE politely informed our server Brian of the situation which he apologized for and promptly addressed by taking some of faulty pasta to one of the managers on duty. With in minutes the manager Selena was at our table apologizing and replacing our order even though we had finished most of it. After finishing our meal we were again approached by a second manager (Diana) who again apologized and informed us that she had comped our meal. I've always thought of Buca Di Beppo as a fun place to dine....like an Italian Farrell's....they have a great birthday cheer presented by the servers who come to your table...and the photos that adorn the dining room always makes for good conversation ....this place in my books has become "FUNNER!" With customer awareness and satisfaction it's no wonder why Buca Di Beppo continues to have long lines and a loyal following. Big Mahalo Brian,Selena and Diana!
(5)Alyssa Y.
Yup! I officially love Italian food thanks to this place. I came once before on a field trip with my academy in high school and loved it, then I returned with my parents(my treat) + even my dads friend recommended this place :D it was so yummy and the service was so friendly. I just love the tour of the kitchen XD For the three of us we ordered a small salad and a small pasta(forgot the name) which we still had left overs haha Just great! Gonna definitely return, maybe for a special occasion so I can try more things on the menu ;)
(5)Britney V.
Michael is the BEST server EVER! He was nice, food came fast, he got us EVERYTHING we wanted...I'll be back!
(5)Carl L.
Good food, good service, and good decor. Great place for group parties. Wish I could eat here everyday
(4)Gauslin J.
Spagetti and meatballs was delicious. The server Steve was professional and fast. He anticipated things before we had to ask. The outdoor area is cute and feels like Italy in Chinatown with the planters. We went here a few nights before also to catch a film and sat at a bar table because the wait was 2 hours! Bar is first come first serve and usually packed. We got lucky and snagged a table. We had a girl server that day I believe her name was Carmen. She made our experience great.
(5)Christine E.
Went here on Saturday for a goodbye family dinner for my boyfriends brother who was visiting from the mainland. To be honest, it wasn't our first choice, but it was a last minute Saturday night plan and Buca is the only italian place that would take our large party of 11. First of all, this place is ridiculous. Is it just me, or has this place gotten LOUDER since they first opened? It was jam packed this weekend and the front desk person was being all soup nazi with the reservations. If your whole party wasn't here then you couldn't go in yet. This made everyone grumpy as we had like 8 out of 11 people there, plus it was freezing outside! You'll make more money off of us if you let us sit inside and start ordering pupus and drinks people! Finally, they let us go in with 9. Apparently 9 is the magic number. lol. Anywhoo, we finally got in. And just fyi, don't ever try to go here if you are trying to have a conversation or catch up session with people, it's ridiculous. Every 2 seconds it was somebody's birthday, and I could barely talk to the waiter without semi-screaming. O.o Food-wise however, it's pretty good. I like their pizza, their cheesy bread, and the appetizer trio with the yummy stuffed mushrooms (in cream pesto), calamari, and mozzarella sticks (triangles) --- Dip the bread in the leftover pesto!! The portions are ridiculously huge. A Large size carbonara can feed an army, not just 4-6 people like our waiter said. The pear and gorgonzola salad was good, but had a watery dressing that was pretty much nonexistent. The best part of the dinner however is the dessert! the brownie sundae is massive and soooo good. Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream, brownie chunks, fudge and whipped cream. It can feed like 5 people easily. I told my boyfriend that next time we come to Buca, i don't want dinner, i just want the brownie sundae. :) Overall, Buca has decent food, can accomodate a lot of people, but is noisy as heck and not good for a nice quiet night out.
(3)Mel M.
Perfect for family or any group dinners! Food and drinks are amazingly delicious! You cant go wrong with italian food! (^.^)
(5)Todd T.
Had a late Father's day dinner here the other night. Made reservations at 5:45pm. Good to get there early to avoid long waits. Had a $10 off coupon. We had the lobster ravioli the daily special which was very good, there was alot of shrimp with this ravioli, we had another linguine seafood pasta forgot name and the recommended pizza, and a kids mac and cheese. There was 5 of us and we still had left overs. We ordered small sizes for all. Fun to go with a big group so you can order more things. I was surprised to see someone sitting at the ktichen table. I don't think I would enjoy sitting and eating in the kitchen with the servers and staff constantly walking by the table. When we left around 7pm there was a crowd of people waiting outside for a table even though the restaurant wasn't full. This is a restaurant good for large groups but if just a couple there are better Italian restaurants to dine at.
(3)Janet K.
I don't think I'll be eating here anymore. I've dined here on numerous occasions and it was never that bad to the point of no return, but I realized last night that it just isn't worth it. I guess it's worth it if you're having a large party and quantity is more important than quality. Eggplant Parmesan - Good but it doesn't come with any pasta. Might want to order a pasta dish or a side of pasta to accompany this. Spinach Salad - This is the reason why they got 2 stars instead of one. Warm spinach salad with tomatoes, goat cheese, red onions and nuts in a balsamic dressing. Margarita Pizza - Worst pizza to have entered my mouth EVER!!!! This tasted like someone who had no experience cooking decided to make a pizza with no recipe on hand. I'd take a frozen pizza over this for goodness sake. I've tried the Spicy Arrabbiata pizza before and it was alright. I don't know why the Margarita Pizza sucked so bad. The service was attentive and it has a fun cheesy kind of atmosphere. They were giving out $10 off coupons for your next visit which I left on the table because I knew that I was NOT going to return unless I had to for someone else's party. There are way too many wonderful Italian restaurants in Hawaii for me to waste my taste buds on Buca di Beppo.
(2)Raphael L.
I'd say we're pretty regular patrons at Buca. Almost embarrassingly so, I've practically memorized the photos on the wall in each room. Why do we keep coming back? Good food. Try their stuffed shells. When they take the time to bake it right, it has a delicious sausage stuffing with a crispy pasta shell. Ono. And then try the apple gorgonzola salad. Can't go wrong with these two dishes. Their margherita pizza is one of my favorites too. If you're not monstrous eaters, the "small" portions are typically good enough for a family of 2. They're also one of the few places in town that I find really kid-friendly. Our 2.5 year old demon child has crayons to occupy his time and sometimes he can't even be heard above the roar of the restaurant noise. Did I mention it's not a quiet conversation place? TIP: look for their regular coupons in the mail, sign up for their club, or just complete the surveys on the back of their receipts for routine discounts. The coupons makes a meal at Buca just about as painless as going to a fast food place.
(4)Jennie H.
I feel like I could have made our dinner for far less money and more flavor. The food wasn't bad it just wasn't special. Our waiter was really nice though (thanks, Charles!) and the overall experience was fine. The place is like a maze, and it seemed like a lot of tourists were there, but that's fine too. I look like I fit into that category most of the time anyway :)
(3)Amber W.
Solid food in a convenient location. If you're like me and don't do lines, consider sitting in the bar (where they serve the full menu). Salads and pizzas are awesome. Pasta is decent. The portions are ginormous. 1 small dish of any kind is plenty for two people for an entire meal. I love their desserts. TIP: you can order 1 cannolli. Not 1 order of cannolli, mind you, just 1 cannolli.
(4)Janine L.
Hidden gem! Best Italian I've had in Honolulu and the prices are great! Plan on spending a few extra minutes looking at all the art work. Great place for a birthday too, lots of celebrating
(4)Mhia Jinky B.
Haven't been here for years!! Last night after a wedding rehearsal, my friends and I planned to go to D&Bs to eat and probably play games. We ended up here requesting for a table for a party of 12 instead! The wait wasn't long and we probably got seated after 10 minutes. The table area we were seated at was a bit too crowded. Whenever my friend who were seating all the way in the corner would use the bathroom, everyone else had to move and make way. I just wish they had more room to move around. Aside from that terrible experience, we enjoyed most of our time here! Our server was very nice and was well aware of our orders. She also checked up on us every now and then. I love love their food!! We ended up ordering three different pastas: chicken carbonara, fettucine alfredo, baked ziti(my fave), supremo Italiano pizza and mozerrela breadstick. We decided to order the family style and boy, the portion was huge! Glad we ordered what we ordered though! I got to try all the food and it was so so good! For the 10 of us who paid, we only spent $20 each... very worth it because at the end of the night, we were all stuffed:) This is definitely a great place to eat dinner especially for a large party! I just hope that we get a better table next time! ***Yelp Challenge 25/365
(4)Matthew K.
Nice family environment. The staff always is smiling and the food is good. I like the Lasagna. They have good pasta dishes too. You should give it a try.
(5)Jessie R.
The pictures on the wall of Buca never did make any sense to me. And why is there a mirror in the stalls of the women's restroom? So many unanswered questions.... We decided to do family style since we weren't craving too much. We ordered Baked Lasagna and Baked Rigatoni, both smalls. Buca small feeds 3 and large feeds 6. The lasagna was definitely not enough for 3, unless they were 3 very small people. Despite the small portion, it was delicious. The rigatoni certainly looked mouth-watering good. One bite into it and we were all thinking "Is it me or is the pasta hard?!" It was SO hard (thats what she said!) They didnt cook the pasta well enough before baking it. The server was nice though and took it off our bill. We ordered the chicken pesto pizza, which was delicious! We weren't able to finish it so they gave a cute little takeout container. Overall bill came out to about $39. It's not the best experience I've had here, but I'd definitely choose this place over Spaghetti Factory.
(2)Jesse C.
I'm not a fan of chains. And the staff here always leave a poor impression on me. They feel very scripted; no warmth. May as well put robot servers imo. Huge turn off. Anyway, I do like their tiramisu. It's huge and is nice and strong. By strong I mean alcoholic. But on my last visit they've cut the alcohol down with water or some other liquid. Why must you ruin such a simple and beautiful thing?
(2)Shannon M.
I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience here. I loved the atmosphere and being able to tour the kitchen and watch the staff at work. The decor is warm and festive. The wait staff are attentive and friendlier than average. Family style dinning proves to be very cost effective as well. As a side note, this restaurant offers some of the most generous coupons! Enjoy
(4)Zhen L.
I haven't went to eat at Buca di Beppo for a long time, but I'm always dying to go there for dinner. Sadly, many of my friends do not like Italian food. It is a great place located just below the Ward Theaters and Dave and Buster's. It may be confusing at first when you walk in cause of the different areas they have. A mini-tour is given to you when they're showing you to your table, and the staff are all very friendly. As you pass by their kitchen, everyone welcomes you. Great ambiance. Buca di Beppo's popularity shows itself as you can hear the plentiful amount of customers they have everyday. I have always loved Italian food, and this place is Italian. You get the picture. Food is recommended for at least two-three plus people. I eat A LOT, and I don't think there is a dish I can eat alone. I enjoyed the Fettucine Alfredo w/Chicken & Broccoli and the Pizza. Some may find it a bit heavy and oily, but I think it is just fine. Parking is easy to find. If you're craving desert, there is a Coldstone Creamery about 3 minutes away.
(4)P H.
Great family restaurant. Food is plentiful and a bit salty, but never disappoints. Service was very personalized and satisfactory. Just don't ever purchase pictures from the rude french photographer chick!
(4)Iffat B.
If you want good family-style Italian food, this is your place! I really love the stuffed mushrooms, the veggie pizza, the shrimp fra divalo, and especially the chocolate cake!! My absolute favorite was the Chicken marsala. I usually hate it, but it was so good here!! The spaghetti and meatballs were ok and the tiramasu was nasty!
(4)Holland M.
This was a nice laid back place for my boyfriend's family and my family to meet for the first time. Because we were on a budget we didn't want our luncheon to be too expensive. I made reservations online two weeks in advance and got a confirmation email immediately. The day of I got a nice phone reminder from a real person. And I think if you make a reservation they give tours, My family and his both got to see the kitchen and stuff. But I came in a little late so, I missed it. Maybe next :) The portions here were just what we were looking for! DANG! Not only was there delicious food there was a TON of it! My Mom lived in Italy for 5 years and speaks Italian fluently. She mentioned in Italy the food was simpler and not saucy like America. But she said the food was good. My mom and my bf's mom LOVE Italian food. We ordered the Bruschetta ($14), Linguine Frutti di Mare ($16), Chicken Marsala ($16), and the Desert Sampler ($27: Tiramisu, Apple Cobbler, Double Chocolate Cake, and they ended up giving us a large complimentary canolli [my mom's favorite]). These were no way small portions even though the menu said it was. I can only imagine the larger size XD My family and his family hit it off great. And the staff were always on hand to make everything special. The waitress and the manager were constantly circling, filling our drinks and taking our plates. And when they over heard my mom really wanted a canolli, they came by and handed her one free of charge! All in all it was a great experience. Parking at Ward Theatre is a bit hectic, but they have a lot of parking across the way or in Ward center.
(5)Jennie Lynn C.
Great food, Great service! Server's name: AUDREY!
(5)Missy S.
Great place to eat. The food is great, as im a big fan of italian food. I can't pronounce some of the names but I do love their seafood pasta that consists of shellfish, shrimp, and tiny octopus. Also their salads, pizzas, and deserts are great. I do have to admit that I am sad they have discontiuned the anchovies they use to serve at the beginning of meals, plus they were free. I also am sad that they don't do the italian sausage and mushroom pizza anymore, but that's ok. We have tried new dishes from this place and all entrees have never disappointed us. Their italian soda drinks are free for bday people and they have some really...interesting pictures of random things on their walls.
(5)Joe W.
We celebrated my sister's birthday at Buca di Beppo last night and had a fantastic experience! Buca seems to be great for groups. Our party was 10 people and we had a partaaay! (Sorry, the pun was just too easy...) Food: I wish I had three stomaches! The portions are ridiculous. I didn't even know they made plates and bowls that big! You could definitely feed however many people you brought with no problem for cheeaaap. We ordered the spaghetti and meatballs (5 stars for the meatballs, 3 stars for the sauce), and I'm not joking when I say it was served in something the size of a cake mixing bowl. We also got the caesar salad (4 stars), chicken parmigiana (2 stars), calamari (5 stars), and lobster ravioli (? I'm allergic but my sister said it was great). Service: Hilarious and fun. I've never used the word "fun" to describe service before, but that's what it was. Our server was joking around with us the entire time, even fooling my sister into thinking that it was "corporate policy" that only one birthday per room can be celebrated. He then surprised us with a hat and candles and a happy birthday song. Normally, in restaurants I feel sorry for the servers who have to sing (especially after watching the movie, Waiting), but these guys were so into it that they made me laugh and clap and just have a great time! Venue: Quirky/Historical. What a strange combination of old photos, statues of the Pope, pink puppy toys, and random jars. It makes Buca a unique and lively place that really gets you in the mood for having fun! The last time I came here I had horrible service at the bar, so I'm really happy that we came here for my sister's birthday because Buca really redeemed themselves in my eyes. Bring your large parties here and get ready to take home some leftovers!
(4)Tricia M.
love their apple walnut cranberry salad. yummy! :D
(4)Tiffany E.
The food here is delicious. We got the fried Calamari appetizer, Cheesy Bread Florentine, Pepperoni Pizza and Shrimp Fra Diavolo pasta. The calamari appetizer and pepperoni pizza were nothing out of the ordinary but they were still great. The cheesy bread florentine and shrimp fra diavolo were superb.The bread has mozzarella and spinach and all kinds of yummy things on top. The pasta has a bit of a spice to it and they don't skimp out on the shrimp. Remember that if you go, it's a family place so the noise is loud and the dishes are huge. The small is meant to feed 2 or more people so don't go there thinking you're going to order and entree for yourself. On the down side, our food did take a long time to come out. We saw three other tables who sat and ordered after us get their food first. There was a long wait between our appetizers and our meal which made us too full to really dent our main meal. And our bill came out to about $75, but there were plenty of leftovers for later! Definitely recommended when you're looking for a splurge!
(4)Teresa G.
The food came out Luke warm and had to send it back to make it warmer. Other than that the food was good and the portion was huge.
(3)Krystal W.
To say you get a trough of food is an understatement. We have a family of 8, granted four of kids are under 9 so they eat a bit less but we got out of there with just having ordered a small salad (Caesar, YUM) the large order of Florentine cheesy bread (again, double YUM) and a small order of the fettuccine Alfredo with the chicken and broccoli, and an order of cannoli. We were all stuffed! The bill was only about $70! We had a large family dinner there a while back for an anniversary and their celebration cake was one of the best I have ever had. Don't let the bright Red and Green layers throw you, it is awesome! The place is a visual carnival that keeps the kids occupied and it's so loud that my large family doesn't stand out which it nice for a change. Love it! Love it! Love it!
(4)Laura S.
This is the first time that I had ever been here and the first thing they did was give us a tour of the kitchen...talk about confidence..if a place is not afraid to show you the kitchen, then the food must be okay to eat. :) I loved the atmosphere here. It had a very homey feel to it. If you like quiet romantic Italian, then this is not the place for you, it is most definitely family oriented. The place looked pretty clean for the most part and the staff seemed to be pretty upbeat. Now, let's get to the food, this is no ordinary serving size. Their small could easily feed 3 people, no problem. We ordered a small penne de vodka and a penne alfredo with chicken for 5 people and we couldn't even begin to finish all of it. We were really stuffed but we didn't want to leave without trying their signature dessert..a colosal brownie sundae and man was it huge. It consisted of 12 brownie pieces and 6 huge scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream smothered in whip cream and chocolate syrup (definitely diabetes in the making kind of dessert). The dessert was amazing though and me and the other 4 people were able to eat the entire sundae. One reason why I give them only 4 stars instead of 5 is the pasta sauce lacked a little in richness that you look for in Italian food. It was a little bland. Overall, it was a great meal and only cost 50.00 for all of us. Not bad at all. I will definitely be coming back. It was a very fun experience, and a great way to end a visit into town for either the local person or a tourist. Definitely recommend!
(4)Samoa Surf Gu Y.
Not an Italian food fan but this place was very good. We had a party of 12 and we ordered a few dishes to share at the table. Every single one was good. It turned out better than I expected. The portions are huge! So wear your stretchy pants.
(4)Jessica D.
My husband lovessss this place Part of the reason is probably because they give you tons of food!! -which is kind of their thing, serving family style so everybody can share. We always order the Shrimp Fra Diavolo which is delicious even if you don't like shrimp (I don't- just pick them out) and a caesar salad which he raves about. Sometimes we even order the large bowl so he can eat the leftovers (for days!) Last weekend we went there on a friday and the next day, hanging out with friends we decided to get their take out. We ordered the tiramisu for desert- omg rum! It was so tasty (but I think you have to like rum because omg it was drenched in it, you could almost get drunk off it- haha jk!) They do have some dishes I don't really care for, like their spaghetti, the sauce is gross! But the other dishes I do like make up for it We probably go here more than we should :D
(5)Kelly M.
I dont care what anyone says, Bucas has the best pasta! Havent found a place better than here yet. Must try: - Calamari - Shrimp Fra Diavolo - Chicken Carbonara - Chicken Limone And take advantage of the coupons they send to your email!!! We just used our $20 birthday coupon last night. Also the food comes out pretty fast and portions are made for sharing. So this is our go-to spot when we're starving, craving pasta, n have a coupon to use.
(5)Erik H.
This place is alright. Today was the first time I have been there. My party at out on the patio section. I'm not a fan of restaurants that have plates and silverware on the tables that are outside if no one is sitting at them. I see it as a sanitation issue. Star lost. We shared the artichoke dip as an appetizer. It came out piping hot, probably because it's really cold in the restaurant with the ac going and all. It was tasty and flavorful. I had the chicken cannelloni for lunch. It was good. But for the price you pay and the portion you get, I don't think it was worth it. Maybe if you got 3 pieces instead of 2 the price could be justified. Star lost there.
(3)Darren N.
This place is known for their family style dining and they often try to entertain their birthday-celebrating guests. Enthusiastic service. Large portion of mozzarella bread and huge salads went over well with us. Spicy Chicken Rigatoni was a bit harder than al dente but at least the flavor was good. The pizzas were ok though way too oily. 3 stars because there are better places to eat Italian or Americanized-Italian food but this place is great for larger parties.
(3)So Jung S.
I took my friends there. It was their first time. I know they do the kitchen tour for the first timers, but the waiter didnt even tour us. I had to ask him and he was like, "do you want to do it now? Or later?" I never had a waiter like him there. The picture taking guy was nice :) takes good photos!
(3)Diana F.
Ward center. Right below D&B's. Fantastic Italian theme. Huge inside, to the point you could get lost if you haven't been here before. When I crave Italian I love come here. It's family style serving. So don't be greedy bring he fam share a meal
(4)Jay T.
Bucca is located near the movie theater; therefore, this is our go-to restaurant before going to the movies. There is plenty of parking behind the building or right across the street. Whether you're here for lunch or dinner (or both), guarantee that there will be a line-- and that says a lot about this restaurant. I recommend calling ahead to make a reservation, unless they are not accepting reservations for that night. Check in right away and get on the list, they will ask for your cell# and will text you as soon as your table is ready; wait without reservations can take from 1-1 1/2 hr. Customer service is good and fast! We have been lucky to get friendly servers; they will even offer to give you a tour of the restaurant if you like. Although my customer service comment does not not include the greeters because most of the time they seem stressed out. Now when it comes too food... Food is just delicious! It comes in big servings; Small can be shared by two people. **note: appetizers itself can get you full!! We are avid fans of their mozzarella sticks and almost all pastas EXCEPT their lasagna. Their lasagna seemed really dry and tasted overcooked. White sangria is the bomb; it's light but it will give you a good buzz and their brownie ice cream is also a hit-- have you seen it! (It's a must try at least once!) Lastly, Bucca can be a little pricey. Although entrees are served in big portions, it ranges from 25-30 bucks for the "small" servings (can be shared by 2 or even 3 peeps) Their appetizers on the other hand are priced from 11- (almost) 20 bucks. Thinking about Bucca makes me hungry; I love their food!
(4)Kira C.
I've always loved this place. I've loved it since I first opened. But since being back to the islands, I had a hard time coming out this way and dealing with the parking and traffic. We decided to make a trip out there for lunch one weekend to use a GC someone gave us for Christmas. The food... wasn't as good as I remembered it. They marketed the spinach/tomato salad as something new but I pointed out to our waiter that it used to a permanent item on the menu a few years ago. The complementary bread with dipping oil/vinegar is always good. The bread is pretty fresh each time I get it. I ordered one of the seasonal pastas, where the noodles were made of veggie slivers. It was pretty good. No one else in my family liked it, though. My husband ordered the chicken alfredo supremo, which was okay. If given the choice between that and noodles at home with bottled cream sauce, I would probably opt for that (depending on the brand of sauce). The garlic cheese bread wasn't that fantastic either. My husband also ordered the chocolate chip cannoli which I thought was too sweet but plain. It was much like eating one of those dollar store sugar cones with super sugary whipped cream in it. I was not impressed. Will I be back? Not unless I get another gift card and have to.
(2)Joyce L.
Bucca is a family style Italian restaurant. Their portions are huge including dessert. So it's good to go there at least with 3 or more people. I wouldn't go there for 2 people unless you want to eat a bucket full of pasta or salad. My thing about this place is convenience. I walked in at 3pm and I could only get outside sitting on a hot summer day. They claim it's full inside and not enough servers. Hmmmm.... Luckily, our male server was excellent and made us feel at home.
(3)Anuhea P.
Buca seems top have shaped up over the years. I used to avoid this cookie cutter chain restaurant creating Italian food for the masses and only enjoyed the booze laden tiramisu. But due to a gift card and staff luncheon I've been able to change my opinion over a couple different visits in the last 6 months. In December we were a party of three, and only got to order a couple dishes, including cheesy garlic bread, chicken parmesan, and spaghetti marinara. I found that I was surprised at the flavor of these dishes and they were much better than I remembered the food at Buca tasting. At my most recent visit, I got to sit at the memorable Pope Table, which is surrounded by portraits of different popes, the Lazy Susan has a bust of a pope that stares at you as you turn it, and a Kingly chair for a special guest to sit in. I was with a big party this time so I got to try many different dishes. The appetizers were so good that I filled up and my favorites were the calamari, mozzarella sticks, and the caprese salad. The memorable entrees that I tried where the Fettuccine Alfredo (cheesy and great depth of flavor), and the chicken saltimbocca (loved the capers, artichokes and white wine sauce). Our table also wanted to order the brownie sundae which was enough of a dessert to feed 8 people stuffed with Italian food. I've worked for 3 years in a couple different Italian restaurants on the mainland, so I'm well versed in moderately priced Italian fare. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this food was tastier then one of the restaurants I worked at (a mom and pop), and I will look forward to the next time I get to come here.
(4)Bruno S.
Five star "Taste of Italy" experience at Buca! Hands down the best Italian restaurant on Oahu. Excellent location with indoor and outdoor seating, excellent atmosphere, superior service, and amazing family style Italian food. Look no further look no more, Buca di Beppo is the new hotness and Do take the kitchen tour! If you are familiar with Maggianos, you can instantly relate to a Buca, however Buca has a more "homey Italian" feel to it. In my opinion, Buca portions are much larger and their menu options favor groups and larger families. Tip: sign up for their e-club and receive email deals I.e. Kids eat free all summer. Also the big garage offers free valet. Very convienent check in service, utilizing text messaging to alert you when your table is ready so you can browse around the center while waiting. We went here with a party of seven on a summer Saturday evening, got a table within 30 minutes and our waitress was very good!! Large portion could have fed us all. All the food was top notch from the insalata (add the prescioto and gorgonzola so worth it), fried mozzarella with amazing sauce, chicken marsala, Baked Ziti (da bomb), and OMG their desserts forget about it! This restaurant is big but has not lost that mom and pop feel to it. Very lively great for groups and celebrations, dates, and family gatherings! If you love Italian food and are looking for a five star experience where you can dress casual to fancy and no one bats an eye...you've found your spot and my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Kaliko P.
Happy Fourth of July!! We enjoyed movie upstairs then headed down to Buca for dinner. Seating was instantaneous at 630 PM. The host lead us through the pizza prep area, the kitchen, the desert station, pointed the toilets out to us and finally to our seat, which was in a dark part of the resto. I've been to this particular location years ago but do not recall the really tacky, retro, chic, kitsch decorating. It was a bit kitschy at the Anaheim location but this one had more character. They like cats at this Buca and I'm cool with that. They have a room with empty wine bottles for a ceiling, pictures, cats, fat men, Mona Lisa slurping pasta on the walls combined with the elegance of a dark vampire cave. If you are an older person, you'll love this place as I do. The lighting is not harsh from above but very dark in here, so no glare from above highlighting the bags under your eyes, the protruding boney forehead, the wrinkles everywhere, the torn earring hole in your left lobe, the tattoo that says "no regerts" etc. Come here for a photo op or group shot to look beautiful. Service was very attentive for having to work on a holiday. EVERYONE was friendly tonight: host, hostess, bus boy, server - even a wait staff struck up a conversation in the bathroom with a tourist. The chef (or manager?), a rather rotund gentleman, was especially attentive to an older couple a few tables away...were they mad? Unhappy, what? Regardless, they were handled with care and we didn't have any idea why they were getting VIP treatment but we didn't care because our server rocked anyway (Mark). The bread was fresh, hot and dipped in oil/balsamic was outta this world. The Warm Spinach and Tomato salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts was excellent! The kid ate a spaghetti and meatballs and loved it. The Spicy Chicken Penne was great. Skip the sangria - it wasn't that great for $8.00. Total bill, for two alcoholic drinks, a kid fruit punch, a salad, an entree and a kid's spaghetti was $69 without tip. Parking was easy. Will be back again. Next time I'll dress really crazy so I can blend in with the decor.
(5)Angela Y.
Contrary to my previous review, I received excellent service on my recent visit to Buca di Beppo in celebration of my friend's birthday. I believe I was helped by Kamilo/Camilo, whom I would like to thank for making our experience worthwhile. Being a server is hard. Being a server during a busy lunch hour with a full section of tables is even harder. However, Kamilo successfully got us and everyone in and out with our bellies full and content. It was a shame they ran out of lasagna but the ravioli was the perfect replacement! So delicious and full of flavour. The same for the baked ziti. The spicy chicken rigatoni was a little hard and dry, and the fried calamari isn't worth your time, but my favourite appetiser was the mozarella (yum!) caprese. Throughout our meal, our server checked up on us often and although I could tell the day was wearing him out, he carried on with a big smile and small talk to keep the guests comfortable. He packed up our food in about a second. One thing that made our visit to Buca successful was his ability to get everything done fast, AND providing the best customer service. I'm glad I gave Buca another chance and thank you again.
(4)Mel B.
We love coming here. This starts our fun for movie night eating a wonderful dinner before watching the big block buster summer movie. And it's convenient. You have dinner, and you take a few steps to the escalator to get to the show. Parking can be problem sometimes but I tend to get parking inside the structure most of the time. There is valet parking at certain times. If there isn't then the 2nd floor parking opens up for self parking. We are always greeted by the Matre 'd and introduced to our wait staff who guides us to our table. We've only sat outside the times we've been there. The interior design is nice with the retro decor and pictures of an era when the Mafioso was a real threat on the East Coast. They were too on the west coast just not so much as on the east. But, I've been to a few Bucas on the mainland and, for the most part, the decos are the same. With a choice of the local Hawaiian scenery and that, hands down I gotta take an outside table. Anyways, I'm not the one who makes that decision. This place can get pricey. You'll want to figure out what is available to you to keep some of that money for the movie. We go for the discounted gift cards that save you about 25%. About $20.00 if you spend $80.00 which is close to what our bill comes out to be on average. Today we decided to get the family size spaghetti with meatballs, stuffed mushrooms and fried mozzarella. The adults get water, and Gabriel B. breaks the bank ordering root beer. The complimentary bread is brought out. The virgin oil is poured on the dish followed by the balsamic vinegar. I ask them to please add a lot more of the balsamic. My mouth was watering after we placed the order thinking of the fresh bread with balsamic. Love that taste. The stuff mushrooms is Gabriel B.'s favorite. These are good but Gabriel B. tells me mine are better. I'm not going to push that. The mushrooms are tender and the juices pour out as I bite down on them. So tasteful. The fried mozzarella is all soft and gooey. Again, a Gabriel favorite. i love mozzarella myself. The spaghetti comes out. There are 2 large meatballs in the serving. For my preference, there is never enough marinara sauce so I ask for extra. This is provided with no extra cost. For that, I'm appreciative. However, the meatballs don't have much taste to them. They probably decided to go with size using too much bread crumbs instead of taste. The rest of the meal is good to go. I don't have to ask for anything. Our drinks are refilled without us asking. We are checked on frequently to ensure everything is going okay. Dessert is offered. That's an immdediate "no". Don't even want to know what it is. I mean who has room after eating all that. Aw gosh roll us out now. We are having a good time. Laughing at all kinds of stuff. Preparing to see the movie. In the far distant future, we will remember this place with great fondness. I hope to have many more with family and friends.
(5)Avery F.
I came here last night for dinner with friends. We had made he reservations and we called about an hour in advance that we would be late by 10 mins. The person on the phone was very accommodating which was good. The only down part to last night was the fact that we waited an additional 20 minutes before we go seated. I saw the person in the front kept asking if the table was ready.... lol Overall, we all had a great time there and the waiter and the food was really good!!
(4)Rachel I.
With $100 in gift cards, we tried not once but twice to dine here, both for dinner on weekends. Both times we were given a 1.5 hour wait quote. I finally gave in and decided to see if the wait was worth it. They do have some planter boxes that you can sit around so that was nice but the humidity was killing me. 40 minutes later I received a notification that our table was ready via text message. Since some of my party had never been to Buca di Beppo, they gave us a quick tour through the restaurant (kitchen included) and sat us at our indoor table. Food: We ordered the Baked Ziti (small), Shrimp Florentine (small) and a Caesar Salad (small) in addition to the free bread with olive oil and vinegar as dipping sauce. Everything was well-portioned and delicious to my surprise! The Shrimp Florentine had perfectly cooked shrimp and tons of it!!! Our total was about $70 and no room for dessert :( Service: ...awkward. The vibe of the host, our server, the photographer and the other servers give an "east coast" feel, meaning they were aggressive, pushy and loud. I think this is the atmosphere Buca goes for hence the obnoxious interior décor and rowdy Happy Birthday song I heard at least 3 times during my dining experience. Is this how authentic Italian hospitality is? Anyways, it's not for me. I would've bought the photos from the photographer (they give you one postcard photo complimentary) but it was $20 for one photo and $12.50 if you buy 2+....mmm no thank you. The food is good and reason able for the price but from now on, I am ordering take-out. Summary: +3 stars for good food, reasonable prices and ample free parking. -2 stars for service and the wait.
(3)Javier B.
Good service, for some reason I think the Olive Garden has better favor, I was expecting tomatoes on the green salad, but it was ok. The baked ziti was too dry, I asked for marinara sauce and that fixed it pretty good. Low on salt, which is better since you can always add their sea salt. I have to say The Olive Garden usually use too much salt. Nice place, overall I think I got spoiled with all the good restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, still waiting for a place in Hawaii that blow my mind, any suggestion?
(3)Yoko Y.
Friendly staffs and interesting interior. We ordered Stuffed Mushrooms and Lasagna. Taste was good. Especially, I like tomato sauce that was served with lasagna. Sour and rich taste. Only one thing, they needed to heat both of dish more. Were little bit cold for me.
(3)Tita K.
Went there for a birthday! First timer *good food : Love their lasagna , macaroni with chicken & mushroom & my favorite was their eggplant parmensan *tour: cool that we get to tour in the kitchen before we sit *enviroment: pretty loud restraunt depending whose around but where we sat had a group of kids & us having a huge crowd, cool that we got to talk & laugh out loud *service : workers are nice , our waitress was good also
(5)Alec F.
I'm sitting at home writing this, overly stuffed and exhausted from the stuffing my face full of delicious Italian food. Bless your souls, Buca. My first time at a Buca was in Seattle, and my last time at this particular location was years ago. To be completely honest it never impressed me much simply because my grandmother makes amazing Italian food, so a chain such as this just didn't live up. But I was pleasantly surprised tonight as I gave it another chance for Mother's Day. We made reservations for 6:30 and even though it was obviously very busy given the holiday, our party of 8 was seated a few minutes before our reservation time. A super friendly waiter got to our table quickly and took our drink orders, making sure we knew how to order here. We settled on our dishes and our waiter took our (massive) order and went on his way. One of the photographers that photographs your table and sells you the printed image later came around to take our picture, which is normally a "meh okay" kind of event as it is, but he got us up and moving around and taking a tad too many pictures. While he was photographing us our food arrived - super quick, might I add - and luckily he took off promptly. The food was actually a lot better than I remembered. Maybe I haven't had my grandma's cooking in awhile either, but the chicken carbonara and this spicy shrimp pasta were incredible. I ended up also eating most the bread basket by myself - it was freshly baked and delicious. We also ordered a side of meatballs that never came - our waiter apologized but it worked out that we definitely didn't need them anyways, as we were stuffed by the end, but still. He got our food boxed up quickly and cheerfully saw us off. All in all it was a great experience. It still doesn't beat my grandma's cooking, though I don't really expect it too. A decent price and delicious food and a fun ambience - this Buca's doing everything right.
(4)Michelle J.
Went here after movie plans fell through. There wasn't a line which is always a plus cause I was starving! They always ask if you want to take a tour of the kitchen this time we did not I've seen it enough. It took a few mins before our server came by but he was very attentive. We place our order the same time as we placed the drink order. He brought out fresh bread and our drinks. About 10 mins later our food was out. The pasta was good but the noodles themselves could have been cooked a little longer. They had a firmness to them that wasn't very taste. But all in all if I ever want my pasta fix I'll be back.
(3)Jackie Q.
I love buccas! Huge portions of delicious Italian classics. Can't go wrong. The ambiance and decor is very interesting. You will always have something to look because pictures line every wall, even the ceiling. A fun place to eat especially for large groups. It gets kind of loud and busy but I feel that it kind of adds to the appeal, the liveliness. The service could improve a bit, it seems that the workers are overworked and stressed maybe. They handle it well and do their best to keep you happy. Overall a solid 4 stars. Will definitely return, again and again.
(4)Jennifer J.
Arrived at around 5pm and we were seated quickly. The inside is like a mini-maze! They'd give you a little tour of their place, showing you the kitchen is at. I honestly cannot remember where the bathroom is at. Waitress was attentive in taking down our orders. Unfortunately, the food takes a really long time to come out! What's up with their pizza stand? Didn't really like that. The food we ordered tastes ok. Their serving size is big so we only ordered 4 dishes. We were so full that we weren't able to order dessert anymore. The waitress that attend to us was nice. Very attentive from the moment we were seated to the time when we paid our bill. Unfortunately, she wasn't interested anymore after we paid because she didn't even thanked us when we stood up to leave and she was just beside our table that time. I was waiting for her to say something but instead, she just ignored us when we left.
(3)Pam M.
Buca is a good place for a large group where you don't want to break the bank. This isn't a date place in my opinion since it's kinda noisy and not intimate, I had dinner there a few weeks ago where our group include 4 kids (one teenager & 3 under age 10) and four adults. They have a kids menu for kids age 10 & under for $4.99 per kid which featured, cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, spaghetti & meatballs, so the 3 kids chose from the kids menu, happy with their options & we were happy that it was pretty inexpensive too. On to the regular food. As others have stated, most dishes come in a small (feeds about 2-3) or large (feeds 4 or more). We ordered: mozzarella sticks & calamari as an appetizer, mozzarella & tomato salad, Chicken Limone, Chicken Parmigiana, meatballs (they're the size of a baseball), a side order of spaghetti with pink sauce (you can request a blend of red & white sauce) and Stuffed Shells. I saw the Vanderpump sangria on the drink menu & was excited to try it, since Lisa Vanderpump said on her show (Vanderpump Rules) that everyone loves the sangria at SUR so she bottled it. The Vanderpump sangria was OK & tasted like any other sangria, nothing special. Either I received their regular sangria or the Vanderpump sangria was just eh, OK. Our appetizers (calamari & mozzarella sticks) never arrived & the kids pizza arrived much later after the adult entrees arrived. The kids were starving so they ate up the bread but were happy when their pizzas arrived. Overall the food was OK. We had lots of leftovers. Our server was very apologetic about the delay in the kids pizza arrival & failure of the appetizers to show up (we were too full to eat them anyway after have our entrees). He gave us a complementary brownie sundae which was served in a humungous martini glass.
(3)Rachel W.
Buca di Beppo is like an old friend. It's a great place to plan get-togethers with friends or family, as there's plenty of room for big parties AND big appetites. I've been to a number of birthday parties here growing up, and my family also frequents this spot on special occasions. We've actually been here on Thanksgiving for their "Traditional Thanksgiving Feast" twice! The restaurant is one big party, fun for the whole family -- a hodgepodge of artwork, photos, and strings of lights. The only reason you might not want to be here is if you don't like loud atmospheres, or are trying to catch up with the person you're having a meal with. Servers break out into a clapping and singing frenzy whenever anyone is celebrating a birthday, and that can happen several times a night. If you are planning a special meal, you'll be interested to know that there are two unique tables in the house: 1) The Pope table. If you're planning a big party, be sure to call in advance to reserve it. Why "the Pope table?" Well because there's a glass case displaying the bust of a pope right in the middle! Pillars separate this large, circular table from the rest of the dining area, so there's lots of room and a decent amount of privacy in such a crowded eatery. 2) The kitchen table. Every time you enter Buca, the host or hostess will ask if you'd like to take the kitchen tour to see the "behind the scenes" of the restaurant. It's on this tour that you'll see they have a booth located *inside* the kitchen! Call ahead if you want this spot -- as you'll be sure to have dinner AND a show. My only complaint: It does get a little hot back there! But let's get down to business: The best pasta I've ever had from Buca is the PENNE AL FORNO. Everything that is good is in this pasta. Spicy Italian sausage, prosciutto, pepperoni, topped with three different cheeses... You won't be disappointed. Portions are family-style here, so a small along with some appetizers is the perfect amount for four people. The pizza here is *very* oily, but that never stops me from having some. As for my favorite appetizers, I recommend the calamari (size large for the table), and the bruschetta -- it's piled high with tomatoes and basil, and it just tastes fresh! Don't forget to leave room for dessert because you can't leave without the Tiramisu. They serve it up in a big bowl with a huge spoon...and I could truly eat it all by myself. It's hard to describe the perfect texture that is Tiramisu, but simply put: It's heaven. While the brownie sundae looks impressive in its giant martini glass, I wouldn't recommend it -- it's nothing special taste-wise. Although I do understand the novelty of taking pictures with it -- believe me, been there. In my experience, Buca has some excellent waiters and waitresses. Depending on your party, they know when to crank up the fun or when to tone it down and give you some space while you eat. I've had a lot of good experiences here, with some great memories to go with them. Buca is always a great choice for a big meal -- just be prepared to sleep it off!
(4)Jordan S.
Buca is not high end italian food, but its pretty decent when you want some food and want to hang out with friends. It's not a 5 start joint, it is not a romantic evening with a date, it's a fun place for a group to shove meatballs as big as your fist into you face, talk, be friendly, and have a nice evening. Going as a group is the only way to do it in my opinion, the portions are built for it, the prices are designed for it, and its what it was meant to be.
(4)Catherine G.
When you walk into a chain restaurant such as Buca, you know that the servers are pretty well trained, they know how to upsell, they're given specials to memorize, yadda yadda yadda. So when we walked into Buca on a random 4pm on Sunday, we were thinking we would just have a normal meal and go on our way. From the moment we sat down, I could see the bustle of servers all over the place. However, no one said anything to us.. for a good 7 minutes. (Yeah sometimes I'll time you guys to see how long it takes for you to acknowledge me cuz I used to be a mystery shopper for restaurants.) A young female server came to us, I don't think she even told us her name and basically went through the motions of service. We ordered everything at one time and basically we didn't see her except when she brought our drinks to us. Dinner comes and we had to ask her for some bread. I didn't know if they were prejudiced on who gets bread and who doesn't but the table next to us just got bread automatically without asking. Coincidentally thats a pet peeve of mine when I'm dining. It's one thing if you're ALL SAT at the same time... or even double sat as sometimes hostesses do. But when I am clearly sat at a table long before another BUT I get service and food after another, I get irked. So anyway, tables next to us were empty when we sat, 15 minutes later, they have their drinks and bread already. Food was mediocre at best. The eggplant parmesan had all the edges clearly burnt and the spaghetti marinara was meh. But whatever, we eat and since we were waiting a while, doesn't take us all that long to finish the portions we wanted. So here it comes again... the waiting.... another 10 minutes before she shows up again. And is it not evident, food left over, no one eating, we should need a box? Nah, I had to ask for the box, ask for more water, ask for the check. I hate dining in situations where the service is SO lacking that you start to notice every thing that the servers just don't do. Only positive is that we had so much left over, hubby and I BOTH ate this for our next day's lunch. Today would be a day when I miss the service at places like Coastal Flats in Northern Virginia. Those servers are amazing... they work in teams and no one is ever left staring around trying to make eye contact with SOMEONE for a check or a take home box. Even the managers there are visible and will get that check for you on the fly! Anwyay, Buca, I loved you in California, but here in Honolulu... its a meh for me at best. I'll save my money and just go elsewhere....
(2)Gluten L.
We've eaten here a few times as well as gotten take-out. It's a good place. They have a gluten free menu, too. I love their big salads. They have huge portions. The first time we came, it was a bit noisy, but it was fine the second time. They have a great location there near the theater and everything.
(4)Gen M.
Had dinner here for Valentine's Day, we ordered fried calamari as an appetizer, but they had ran out. We ordered our entree and it had also ran out, but I must say that we walked in at 10pm so that must be the reason for some of the food running out, plus it was Valentine's day. We ended up getting the eggplant parmesan with spaghetti and loved it.
(3)Raelyn B.
house bread + balsamic vinegar + olive oil = love. I can eat this for days and my friend and I needed to limit ourselves from eating too much of it when we go. Bucca is meant to be shared, they're extremely big on family, that's why the tables are so big, the portions are humongous, and their desserts are massive. You can always bet on being welcomed with a warm smile and on point attitudes when being asked if this is our first time here. The staff never disappoints especially when you're two girls, who can't decide on what they want. OH did I mention they have happy hour?! I learned that just recently. Well worth the snackages and getting two of them. The calamari is always good, meatballs are impregnated with cheese, I love cheese. Unfortunately my friend doesn't like spicy food so it was always never an option. So we often get the Chicken Carbonara, Spaghetti with Meatballs or the fettucini supreme, everything is really good. EVEN THE PIZZA. When someone tells you not to be practical about getting pizza at an Italian restaurant when you can get pizza everywhere else, they're wrong. It is completely acceptable to get pizza at an Italian restaurant, if that isn't the best place to get pizza, I don't know where else is. If you're not full over eating loads of pasta and appetizers, I'd suggest sharing a piece of cake or giant sundae with your bestie, just try your best to eat it, you won't regret it. Maybe when you're on the scale but in the moment you'll be so happy!
(5)Ninarae N.
I've eaten at Bucca before in California and I have to start off by saying, the customer service at this Bucca in particular is the best of all the buccas I've ever dined in. HYPES: In addition to the stellar service, my food as predicted was outstanding. I forgot the exact name of my dish, though sorry! It was a pasta dish with creamy vodka sauce...that's all I remember. The flavors were beautiful together. My bff and I also shared a strawberry cheesecake. The cheesecake was SO delectable! Each spoonful melted in my mouth. It was so amazing! GRIPES: The whole time we were sitting there, the vent kept blowing icy cold air directly on us. I had the shivers by the time we left the restaurant. This place had really dimmed lighting and is perfect for a date night or for families as it is family style dining. Serving sizes are huge! I would def come back!
(4)Eugene A.
If you eat here make sure to bring more than four people lol The portions are big because they have to fit the price and these prices are no joke. Last time I came here with three other people our bill came out to $200 but it was worth it we order a lot and took a lot home. Service is great too the only downside to this place is that it was hot. Hawaii people love the A/C so turn up the A/C next time lol other than that this place is good!
(4)Tiffany B.
Get the green beans!!! Sounds silly but you won't regret it. They're super crisp & fresh & a lot lighter than pasta to accompany your yummy chicken or eggplant parm!
(5)Travis H.
So, it looks like the majority of Yelpers can't agree on whether this place is downright awful or the best non "mom and pop" Italian place around. I'm with the latter on this one. Don't worry, I've got my reasons, premature as they may be. It was my first time here, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting much. I've heard plenty from friends and family that this place is just too expensive for what it is. Well, what it is, is a chain Italian restaurant located in one of the more popular centers on island. So yeah, I'd expect it to be a bit pricey. We went for lunch before our movie started and were sat a table in the bar area within minutes. I didn't really understand having to wait at all given how dead they were, but that's nitpicking. On to the food! They give you free bread to start along with some oil and vinegar. It was decent, but it's not like we asked for more. I ordered the Shrimp Fra Diavolo. It's essentially a shrimp and penne bowl with a mixed sauce, half Alfredo half red, with hot pepper flakes heavily added in. I appreciated the waitress assuring me of my decision by restating that it is a spicy dish and she even asked if I'd rather have the dish without the flakes. I like to live life dangerously, so I chose the flakes. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. It was creamy, but not runny. Hot, but not overbearing, and the portion size was more than enough even on an empty stomach. There were several individuals there that the employees knew by name so you know people are going back for a reason. That's a good sign that the staff actually cares about you coming back given the fact they actually remember names. Yes, it's on the pricey side. Even pricier for dinner, but it was a pleasant experience. I've had better Italian food, but I've certainly had worse. All things said, I'll come back here as a go to option for a pre movie meal!
(4)Kealii M.
All good and way plenty food. Bring the whole gang it's great. My favorite is actually the soup and salad combo
(5)Sashimi J.
It was okay, but certainly not the best. The portion was massive. We Had ordered a small spaghetti and small lasagna. It was enough for four people.
(3)Eugene E.
Keha is the best. You need to have her as your waitress Chicken rigatoni is the best
(5)Myrriam R.
Wonderful experience. They have a photographer who comes around offering complimentary post card. When she returned she gave the postcard and showed 2 other photos which I assume was for sale. We didn't like the other photos and she kindly thanked us and left. It was nice not to feel pressured to buy in. If you sign up on their website to receive mailers, you get a coupon to redeem for a free pasta dish. The coupon expires within a few weeks, so make sure you sign up when you know you will be going. Didn't know they had a private dining table in the kitchen. You can reserve to sit there but I have no idea how long the wait list is for that experience. It's in the kitchen so it's not breezy, it's a bit warm when we walked through, however I wouldn't mind the experience one day. Ordered the Veal Saltimbocca, Beppos Soffici Cuscini, Baked Ziti and the Dolce Platter. The Veal was cooked to perfection, we especially enjoyed the artichoke hearts in this dish. The Soffici Cuscini was so delicious, pancett made it taste heavenly! Can't even taste the vodka in the dish, just delicious. The baked Ziti was delicious, it was the freebie. For 2 people, this small was so much food! We finished up with the desserts. We just had to have a taste of it all. The Tiramisu is the best I've ever had on island. Seriously that good! The chocolate cake was my second favorite. I would have enjoyed the cheesecake a bit more if it wasn't so soft. Overall, the experience was wonderful and the quality of the food was excellent. Parking can be a challenge, I went through Valet parking. It is free and on the second floor. The only downside to it is waiting for your turn, and then waiting for your car. If you are in no hurry, it's a good way to go...and since you don't pay for parking, please consider tipping them something when you do get your car. ;)
(4)Paula H.
PROS: -Great customer service. They will take you on a tour of their kitchen! -Great decor -Huge restaurant with lots of seating. Great for parties or large groups. CONS: -Food is not impressive. Very basic Italian. Maybe one step up from the Old Spaghetti Factory. 25/100 Yelp Challenge 2015
(4)Kuuipo D.
How is it that I have never reviewed this place? I swear this an oversight on my part. I have been coming to this location for over 13 years. Like longer than my youngest has been alive. (Wow, that's long.) I mean, in the beginning, there was joke among the staff that we were the owner's kids. It was started by the current chef at the time and kind of just stuck as new staff were trained. It didn't help that we were going there every week and ONLY sat at the kitchen table. Through it all, the changes to staff, management, chefs, this is still my go to place for a good family meal that guarantees me lots of leftovers (so I don't have to cook the next night). My favorites are the lasagna (get it while you can because it can sell out), marsala (soon good and rich), the calamari (I will hog most of it and you have to fight me for it), the carbonara (unbelievably delicious), and of course the ridiculously huge BROWNIE SUNDAE!!!! For people who love the heat, try the spicy rigatoni!!! You may ask, how about those meatballs? As big as a small dog's head! The pepperoni pizza? So gooey and oily - HEAVEN! (Yes, i like it oiy. I'm not normal.) I could go on & on, but those are my faves. Now how about the service? Over the years, we always have had exceptional service. I don't know if it's because everyone thought we were the owner's kids or not, but hands down, these servers and runners and kitchen staff are the best. BUT, if I had to highlight one particular person, Frank is the BEST!!! I kid you not people, if you are making plans to go here, when you make your reservations, you ask if Frank is working and if you can be put in his section. He should start a school for servers; he is that good. Celebrating? He will sing you a song! For example, my daughter & I have really close birthdays, so we were there twice in one week. Frank did two completely different songs. He can make you feel like you are the VIP that you know you are. I kid you not, people. So, overall this is one of my favorite places in the world to eat. And before you go debating about if it's really comparable to real Italian food, I've been to Italy and had real Italian. I'm not saying to compare to real Italian, this review is just based on good food with really good service.
(4)M. W.
Wish I could give NO STARS! I hate their food. Went after not going since they first opened - food is terrible. We had the "pope" room and a large party. Food was unlimited- but when the table asked for more chicken - they made us give a count so they wouldn't give too much to let them take home left overs. Everyone raves about the lemon chicken with capers... Why? Because it's moist and not dried out? It's bland and soft. Fettuccini Alfredo had no sauce, noodles were hard and stuck together - a sign that they were not blanched or tossed with olive oil after cooking and the cream sauce was lumpy - caused by over beating the cream and cheese added to it. Spaghetti with meat sauce tasted like sweet tomato paste - not enough sauce or meat. The salads weren't dressed well. Bread was hard and dry from sitting out too long. Cheese cake was heavy and dry and tasted like a block of philly cream cheese. The table ordered the super large sundae with 12 brownies and ice cream - brownies tasted like prepackaged little Debbie's. Gross. Then came the free photo. It's printed on a 4x6 BUT the actual picture on the 4x6 is literally (not figuratively) 1x2 inches. The rest is decorations around the printed photo. They try to get u to buy the other 12 photos they take for $12.50 each. Only thing I liked was the cup of coffee - but real cream would have been nice. Never going back. Not worth it. Also - they have a display of FDS - feminine deodorant spray in the bathroom for the women to look at- why? That's neither humorous or family entertainment. It's degrading and lame. A sign about not forgetting your sanitary belt, having fake boobs and an ass to "trap your man" and how to eat a banana. Check them out in the bathroom. Not the type of things I would expect to see in a family restaurant.
(1)Nadine J.
first of all this is an Italian restaurant but when I went inside for the first time I felt like I was in Mexico for some reason. Anyways with that being said the inside was very colorful with lots of pictures on the walls and wine bottles in the ceiling. the food portions are enormous and the taste was very tasteful especially the carbonara pasta. I think two people can share a small pasta, maybe even three depending on how much you eat. If you order salad two people can share that two. I thought this place is worth trying especially if you are hungry for pasta. So go try it and let me know what you think.
(4)Joanne A.
Buca di Beppo is one of those go to restaurants when you need a place that accommodates large groups. I've gone to Buca's for birthday parties (three of my own!), graduation parties, and social events. It is always loud and full of energy there! The hostesses often offer a kitchen tour as you make your way to your table. Food is served family style; each dish can feed at least 4 people and there always seems to be some leftovers to take home. The menu includes appetizers such as fried calamari and mozzarella caprese, salads, pizzas, and a variety of pasta dishes. Wait time tends to vary with how big the group is and how busy the restaurant is, but the servers are always lively and attentive. When it's someone's birthday (or any other celebration), the staff always calls attention to the person and sing a song. I once had my birthday party in the "Pope Room" and it was a little more intimate if you prefer that more. At my latest birthday dinner, our waiter serenaded me with his birthday song. It makes me wonder if having a loud and good singing voice is a requirement to work at Buca's...
(4)Cindy B.
Ate dinner here for the first time in six years last night with a big group and I have to say that I was super impressed! Looking at the reviews, it seemed to be a hit or miss but I'm glad it was a great experience when I went. The dinner at bucas was planned for a belated birthday dinner for my boyfriend. When our table was ready, my boyfriend was given a 'my birthday' card to hold while the host directed us to our table. The host gave us a tour of the restaurant including the kitchen and I really liked that the employees acknowledged my boyfriend and said happy birthday. We were finally seated and the waitress immediately asked us what drinks we wanted. We ordered a bunch of items from the menu. The portions were huge and everything tasted very good! My favorite has to be the fried calamari, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed chicken, and cheesecake! For a party of 15+, our food came out in a timely manner. I really liked the souvenir picture that was taken and given to you as a little gift. You can also order professional ones at $20 a piece. I also wanted to note that the staff were all very friendly which is hard to find at a big restaurant like bucas. My boyfriend forgot a gift bag under the seat and left. I called the next afternoon and the manager had told me that they had the gift bag. When I got to the restaurant, the manager was super friendly and walked the gift bag out to me. I definitely would recommend this place to large group parties! In fact, I'm already thinking of planning a future birthday party here!
(5)Jana T.
I'm ordering takeout for tonight's dinner. Tired of eating chicken cutey for dinner. Hope the dinner is good. They had a discount coupon but never asked or offered. Most places will bring it up. Next time gonna check before ordering take out.
(3)Gary D.
Great food. We love it here. Before or after a movie a sweet dining experience. I love the meatballs and the Gorgonzola Apple salad. Oh let's not forget baked ziti, lasagne, penne San Remo, cannelloni.everything is good here let's not forget the deserts.
(5)Amanda L.
Ordered 1 large plate, 2 small baked pastas, and 5 drinks. We had a $10 coupon out if he entertainment book and our bill came in under $100. Yah!
(5)Cassie B.
FOOD: The food here is okay, compared to my other Italian experiences. I'm spoiled and have had excellent Italian food from different establishments in the past, and my boyfriend's mom is Italian and likes to cook (and she is an AMAZING cook). So, I know it's not the fairest comparison. Still, because of my experience, I find the food here to be just okay. Not the best, but not the worst either. In fact, some of the dishes, like the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni and the Shrimp Fra Diavolo, are excellent! If you like spice, get those! The thing I love most is that the food is served family style, and you get to share and eat and talk with the people you love (or at least the people you chose to eat dinner with)! You always inevitably have leftovers, which to me is an A+. AMBIANCE: This restaurant has some crazy decor. There is a POPE BOOTH/ROOM for crying out loud! There are tons of pictures of Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra, and the walls are full of photos and interesting decor. It's so fun to dine here and everything around you is a conversation starter. Quirky and unique, the ambiance makes this place one of my favorite places to dine. SERVICE: The service, overall, has been excellent. Lots of smiles and the food comes out pretty quickly. The servers always make sure to make my dining experience enjoyable. My one complaint has to do with one isolated incident, which was on my mother's birthday. I made it clear to our waiter that it was her birthday, but he forgot many times to bring her the dessert I wanted to surprise her with. It took telling him more than twice, and I actually had to ruin the surprise! We also didn't get the birthday song that everyone in the restaurant received, which my mom seemed to want (even though she didn't say it). I just felt sad because I wanted my mom to have an amazing birthday and she left feeling a little "off." OVERALL: The restaurant is a fun place to dine. Despite my one bad experience, the service has always been good. I have been consistently satisfied with my dining experience here, and the food is also good and plentiful! You should come, even if just to stare and take pictures of the walls!
(3)Mai H.
Service is always so good here! I always forget the name of the server, but essentially thus are all excellent. Attentive to needs, happy, talkative, and pleasant. The food, eh, it's a toss up. The chicken Parmesan tasted differently less crunch. But the summer special with shrimp and zucchini ribbons... OMG amazing!! Perhaps it was the newness of the dish that made it shine. Deserves a second look
(5)Sally F.
Awful. I don't know why anyone gives it more that one star. We ate on a plastic fold out table.. Just check under the table cloth. They served us warm beer in a water glass and a margarita that was actually just tequila with sugar water. Worst margarita ever. We couldn't even eat the food and left as soon as possible. They asked if we wanted a take out box as if the food was any good. The decorations make you feel like you are trapped in the maze of a horror story. Definitely going to be the scene of a waiter gone psycho one day.
(1)Whitney W.
Loved this place! Family style Italian food... Fun different style drinks ....and cozy visual atmosphere. Service was great! They even take a photo of you and add it to a postcard for free. ($20 for a bigger photo) Loved the tour of the kitchen before you sat down. How unique!! I honestly didn't expect much from the food but it was good and different. Such as baked chicken with prosciutto in the middle topped with marinara sauce but sitting in pesto. Flavors were awesome. We went here on a Thursday night before a night movie. It's a in a great location.
(5)Reg R.
Server and service was excellent. Over priced even for Waikiki or New York City standards. The food was good quality but too expensive. I would not recommend it. I was amazed at the number of locals who were there.
(2)Pete T.
Wow - dinner was outstanding. Love the decor, great service, fantastic food. My parents were in town, so we celebrated their anniversary there. Everything I had was soooooo good: Mini Fried Mozzarella ($4), Caesar Salad ($24), Eggplant Parmigiana ($22), Baked Ziti ($23), Margherita Pizza ($17), and Chicken Saltimbocca ($28)...HUGE portions, we took a lot of it home. Unfortunately we didn't have any room left over for desert.
(5)Elizabeth M.
Went to Buca di Beppo tonight, I loved the food. However they only serve huge family portions. A small could feed 3 people. So it might not be a good idea to go if everyone you are with wants something different. The staff was very friendly. The price is decent for the amount of food you get. The restaurant has a lot of dinning rooms. For dessert if you ask for a slice of tiramisu you get a whole cake lol
(5)Kelli S.
I've only been to this Buca di Beppo (Buca's) a handful of times. I can't remember what was ordered during the times I've been here for parties, but this eatery is always bustling. It's deceptively large, too -- from the outside, you can't really see all the dining space that's available. I've had pizza, pasta and salads from this location, and I've always enjoyed what I've ordered. However, since I have only been here 2-3 times, I can't really say that I have a favorite dish and I haven't tried nearly everything I want to on the menu. For the one time that I've been to Buca's for a smaller birthday lunch, our group was seated promptly and it didn't take too long for the food to come out. Plus, if it's someone birthday, they provide complimentary dessert (and really loud singing). I don't think I've ever made reservations here before, but I wouldn't doubt that it would be a good idea to, especially if you're going in a large group or on the weekend during normal lunch/dinner hours. Everything at Buca's is served family-style; if you have a larger party, you can order a few dishes, but I would probably just stick to two if you're dining with a party of 2-3 (the small size serves to; the large size supposedly serves 4). Here's what I would recommend, as well as dishes I have yet to try: "Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken": The last time the BF and I went to Buca's, we got this as one of our dishes to share. It featured a moist chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto and served with homemade marinara and pesto cream sauces. Of course, I liked the pesto cream sauce more than the marinara, but I really liked the cheese that was simply oozing out of the chicken with each bite. Although there are other poultry dishes on the menu that I want to try, I'd definitely order this one again. "Chicken Cannelloni": I've had "Chicken Cannelloni" at Romano's, and I liked it so much that it was a no-brainer to order it at Buca's. This dish features spinach pasta tubes filled with chicken, ricotta and mozzarella with rosa sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed my cheesy meal--I love anything with ricotta cheese--and the chicken chunks were plentiful and moist. And, since spinach is my favorite vegetable, I definitely was a fan of the spinach pasta tubes that came with this entrée. "Artichoke Florentine Dip": I do love a good spinach artichoke dip, but I have yet to try the version at Buca's. This creamy app features artichokes, spinach and roma tomatoes that are baked in a creamy mozzarella and provolone sauce and served with Parmesan crostini. The cheese blend sounds phenomenal, and I'm sure everything pairs really nicely atop the crispy, Parmesan-crusted crostinis. "Buca Trio Platter": If I was undecided on a meal and just wanted an array of apps, I wouldn't hesitate to order the "Trio Platter" for my actual meal. It features fried calamari, fried mozzarella and stuffed mushrooms, served with the eatery's homemade marinara sauce. I normally am not the hugest fan of mushrooms, but stuffed mushrooms, I do like! I'm also excited to taste that deep-fried cheese and calamari one day. "Bianca Pizza": I always prefer my pizza with cream sauce, so this entrée is right up my alley. It features a white pizza with ricotta, fresh mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, garlic, oregano and garlic-infused olive oil. Yum! This one pie includes some of my favorite cheeses (ricotta) and I'm sure the garlic and oregano add savory flavors. "Chicken Carbonara": Carbonara is one of my favorite pasta dishes, but not every Italian eatery features a good one (or even has it on the menu at all). I have yet to try Buca's version, but it includes chicken breast, prosciutto, peas and garlic in Alfredo sauce ... and that menu description alone already has me convinced that it's going to taste great! "Chicken Limone": This chicken-centric dish features a savory medley of lemon butter sauce and capers. I love moist, succulent chicken with the slight kick and salty taste of capers! "Shrimp Florentine": This seafood dish features garlic shrimp, roma tomatoes and spinach with linguine in garlic butter sauce. I love the consistency and texture of linguine, and I'm sure I would find the spinach, garlic butter sauce and garlic shrimp that comes on top delicious and savory. However, I would order this pasta dish sans tomatoes. "Lasagna": Lasagna is definitely one of my favorites, when it comes to classic Italian fare. I have yet to try the one at Buca's. It includes alternating layers of meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. The cheesy medley sounds amazing and hopefully the lasagna is not too meaty/tomatoey for my taste. But I'm willing to give it a shot since I hardly get to eat lasagna nowadays (not worth cooking up a whole batch of lasagna for one at home).
(3)Adina B.
So I ordered the chicken cannelloni and it was super cheesy. My bf had the spicy chicken rigatoni and it was good. I wasn't super thrilled about this place but it was ok. I would come back but it wouldn't be by a choice of mine. I guess it gives you an Olive Garden feel but...
(3)Amanda K.
I know it's a chain restaurant but they are DELICIOUS. Love the selection on the menu and the fact that you can order family style. The chopped antipasto salad is seriously the best salad ever. Love the meatballs and the chicken carbonara. The drinks are good too, esp the sangria. I always leave here stuffed but so satisfied!!!
(5)Kendra S.
Buca is a fun, loud, family friendly restaurant chain. Free parking in ward center. I've been here a handful of times and always love the food and wine. The menu has quite a selection from salads to pizzas and pastas and meat. The food is served family style which means you share. The small is split usually for two people and a large for four. Unless your hungry like me and want to eat an entire small to yourself. Sign up for emails because they send out lots of discounts. I received a free small dish for signing up and another on my bday and anniversary. I feel like the prices are kinda high for dinner. When I think oh it's split so the pasta dish is really like $12 each sounds better. But let's be honest, pasta doesn't cost much to make, it's flour. Therefore it irritates me to pay $30 for pasta. I've tried the lasagna, spaghetti and meat sauce, numerous pizzas (the crust is to thin for me), garlic bread, Caesar salad and baked ziti. I love walking through the kitchen and seeing all the clean stations even though they are crazy busy with a 100 top table. The kitchen staff can still say hello and make you feel at home amid the chaos. The place as a whole has a lot of character from the decorations to the staff. They have a pope head in a glass box on a table and a bunch of ridiculous pictures. I always have fun especially after their delicious wine ciao Russo. Every time they give me the wrong size glass of wine and I end up paying more for either ordering the small and get a large or give me a small and charge a large. It's just so loud, I think the staff is probably almost deaf by now. Lunch is a relaxed environment and you don't have to yell. Think it just depends on your company of what time to visit this place. My quiet mother would not enjoy her dinner here on a Saturday night. Either way the food is delicious. I recommend making a reservation on Saturday otherwise it's usually a 45 min wait.
(4)Johanna M.
Truth be told, I have not set foot in a Buca di Beppo since high school and it's been way too long. I can't tell you how many times I walk by Buca and smell the delicious aromas coming from their restaurant. I am happy we finally decided to hit it up for pau hana. The hubby and I love exploring pau hana (happy hour) options in the neighborhood, so we headed to Buca check it out, and they did not disappoint. They have great drink and food specials. We arrived at about 5pm on a Friday and it was not too crowded. We got a high-top table and immediately placed our order for sangria, white and red" both were really nice and refreshing on that hot Friday evening. We also ordered calamari, meatball sliders, pizza fromage. Everything was pretty good and it was all so cheap. It was really a good value. Buca is Buca, it looks like every other Buca with the kitschy wallpaper and decorations, but it's kind of fun, isn't it? We probably won't be coming here for dinner, because there are a few other nearby options that offer better quality Italian food, but if you have hankering for a giant bowl of okay pasta, this is always a good option. I really think that Buca offers a great value for pau hana and so we will hit them up again!
(4)Amber C.
Love going to Buca. Family style dining is always a plus because there's always a bunch of leftovers. Got the baked zits and fried mozzarella. Everything from the food to their service was good.
(5)Rosalynn E.
Friday night is a busy night! I recommend that you set a reservation. We were here to celebrate a birthday with a party of 16. We fit comfortably in the "Pope's room." I love all of the cool yet whacky and kinda funny photos everywhere. The ambience is loud and casual. I don't know if it's because they were busy but I waited 20 min to get my water refilled. During this time I couldn't eat because my mouth was so dry from the bland zitti. In addition I feel like our server couldn't give us his undivided attention while at our table.....maybe because it was busy. I'm trying to make excuses but I have worked in the service industry and he should be able to handle the high volume and upbeat pace. He's definitely not new as he served a going away party I attended here 2 years ago. Same kind of ignorance. Well I asked to go over what everyone has ordered because I felt there was too much he simply says its a lot of food but it's fine....I ask a second time and he walks away to continue down the table. Okay, I'm paying the entire tab thank you for all the wasted food as there were 4 dishes too many and no one wanted to take any home as we continued to Dave and Busters and a movie. Sorry, no photos because I was in such a bad mood from our server. I actually only ate a few bites needed water and lost my appetite. I want to like this place for its upbeat ambience and large portions. This is the second time I've had terrible service.
(2)Kiana F.
At first I loved the tour of this restaurant. I thought it was a great idea to involve us in the operations and meet the kitchen staff, buuutttt, that's where the fun stopped. We have spaghetti and a salad and all I can say is that everything (food, taste, service..) was very average.
(3)Everlinda D.
Food was awesome but service was disapointing. Got the apitizer no plates were given. All drink arrived but wine took a long time . It was forgotten. They waived the charge that was nice. Our meal arrived then waited food for my little girl, it was forgotten. The waiter was friendly and very apologetic but it was way too busy for him to give good service. He did took 10% off the bill. I would come back because of the food but I would not be surprised to experience the same service. It's just way too busy to expect smooth service. 3 stars because of good food.
(3)G I.
It's a lot of fun ordering in this restaurant because it's "family style" where everyone can share. The food is great and the service good. The only downside would be it's not someplace you go to have a quiet dinner. The atmosphere is loud, a little crowded, people are reaching over the table to grab food...kinda reminds me of dinner at my house, but hey, I don't have to cook.
(4)Tiffany L.
Drove all the way from westside; waited str8 up for 15mins. Never offered water or acknowledged our table. Theee* worst service I had there. Usually their service is good but not tonight. (I was once a waitress, so I know how waitresses run)
(1)Yoselyn F.
So i go here once a year, usually under the guidance of a friend. I need new friends... We got there right as happy hour was ending and got over our sadness because we were too hungry to go somewhere else. We ordered a Spicy Arrabbiata pizza, and the Chicken Carbonara with ziti. I was ok with my pasta but wish they had smaller portions since two people can't finish that serving BUT have the right to eat pasta. I'm sure it is somewhere right after the pursuit of happiness. So we each had a drink, some bread and our dishes. I finally talked to my friend tonight and it turns out that we both got sick. We've identified the pizza as the culprit as I didn't have pizza on the night we were in and she didn't eat pasta. I did have left over pizza the next day and was not amused by the horrible way in which my body responded. The server was ok, she seemed to be trying but didn't impress. Although there were a million empty tables they sat us by a busy pathway. The latter made it super noisy, and we witnessed multiple dish fails. One was so intense it lead to a massive soda spill and sticky legs on my end. I think this has ended my relationship with Buca since I don't love their dishes and always find myself asking for extra sauce, needing salt and pepper and fixing the dish when I get home. If I was Italian I would understand BUT since I'm Hispanic I should just be pleased...
(1)Tricia K.
You have to be out of your mind (or very cheap) to eat here! The food is AWFUL! As an Italian woman, I have eaten Italian food all my life. I expected more from this chain hovel. The service was awful: the waiter could not tell an Italian red from a white wine. The appetizers came out and within 2 bites, the entrees were already ready. The waiter was asked for balsamic and it took him 5 minutes to return. He was asked to bring more sauce for my boyfriends pasta...20 minutes later...he was asked again, returned with a stupid excuse...it will be ready in 2 minutes. Ugh. Now, for the food. The salad was iceberg lettuce, with a few apples and cranberries. Subpar. The spaghetti was the pits. Maybe I could have made better sauce from my own pits. Yuck. The cheese pizza was inedible and I thought it was awful as well as my 7 year old. The only thing decent was the cares salad, but really, how can you mess that up? The ambiance was loud, obnoxious, and uncomfortable. I wouldn't take an enemy here to torture them. Just terrible. I'll stay away from chains. We were only here for my cousins birthday. I hope he enjoyed his food. Happy birthday.
(1)Nadine S.
Never disappointed here. The one in Florida close to me closed so very happy to be able to go while in Hawaii. Very large dining areas and you don't feel crowded. How they have great lunch specials which is awesome as their servings are almost too big . Lunch size was big but nothing like meals off the regular menu.. Pasta tastes fresh and it is not drowning in sauce or oil but just the right amount for the dish. Service is very good as well. The only suggestion is we ordered the cheese bread florentine and the middle could have been cooked a little more as it was not super warm or totally melted. Yes we consumed it all but would have been much better with a few extra minutes baking or under a broiler. Hope to be back again on my next trek to the islands.
(4)Pamela P.
If you plan to eat at Buca ask for Frank as your server. My family and I (16 of us total) went to buca this past Saturday to celebrate my son's 10th and my daughter's 15th birthday. Our servers name was Frank and he was AWESOME! I never remember the names of servers even if they give great service but Frank is one that we'll never forget. He went above and beyond to make our dining experience a great one. He did a rap for my kids instead of the traditional birthday song and he had my son get involved with it. Although it was a small part, my son loved it and he'll never forget it. Frank was truly genuine. You could tell he was giving great service because he wanted to not because he had to or because he was trying to get a good tip. EVERY single person in my family had something great to say about him. Thanks Frank for such a great and memorable experience. The food was delicious. We got three of the 4 for $40 deals and shared. The caesar salad was awesome, the garlic bread was awesome, and the linguini and clams, alfredo with chicken, and spaghetti with meat sauce was awesome as well. My family and I have eaten at buca before but after our great experience this past Saturday it has become one of our favorite places to eat.
(5)Debbie R.
The waiter did not listen and order was wrong. The garlic bread was cold, the salad had almost no dressing. Meatballs were great pasta sauce was not flavorful.
(3)Joanne V.
My go-to Italian restaurant. I'm always told the wait will be between 30 minutes & an hour, but I always get seated sooner. Maybe it's cause I'm always a part of a trio. Ohh.. And we have never met a waiter/waitress we never liked :) We ALWAYS order the same three dishes, adding one or two things in the mix every now and then. These three dishes are the large calamari, large spaghetti with meatballs in marinara, and a small pepperoni pizza & have never finished everything! It has happened so many times, I don't know why we don't just get a small of everything... Anyway, these three dishes are just so tasty! The calamari is definitely a must (my favorite calamari on island so far!). The spices of the batter plus the cocktail sauce makes my tastebuds so happy :). The spaghetti comes with two huge meatballs that we cut up and mix within the pasta & it just goes so well with the fresh, tomato-y sauce. Finally, the pizza is sometimes a tad bit only, but still delectable nonetheless. We tried the bruschetta & decided we could do without. Not very memorable & I wanna say that the tomatoes & whatever else they include in the bruschetta made the bread soggy. Have also had the chicken parmigiana & the colossal brownie sundae, which were pretty great too!
(4)Jeremy B.
The portions here are absolutely huge. So this is great for groups. It looks expensive, but every entree feeds two people. Friendly atmosphere and staff.
(5)Stacey M.
Way overpriced for just "okay" food. The bread tastes like cheap white loaf Wonder bread. The salads are salty, without a lot of flavor. The pasta...I've had better at Olive Garden and my own kitchen. Your basically paying for the decor.
(1)Jenifer V.
Summary: Parking: Medium garage, outer private lot or valet Service: 5/5 stars Food: 2 stars Atmosphere: 3 stars Cleanliness: 3 stars Wait time (weekend evening): -For seating: None with reservation -Drinks: 5-10min -Food: 15min Family friendly restaurant. Great for children/infants, and large gatherings. Huge portions. Service extremely friendly. But, the food sucks and isn't worth the price. I'd only recommend this place for the sake of novelty and nothing more. Full review: * The changing table in the women's restroom is ridiculously high from the ground. I'm about 5'4" and the table barely went past my chest. It was really uncomfortable trying to change my son. I'm glad I didn't send my 4'11" mom in there. Besides this, they are a very child & baby friendly restaurant. They even have little cots to hold a baby carrier, or two different sized high chairs, which I used both a cot and a high chair after my son woke up. * I've been here a handful of times. I think this restaurant is more of a novelty than anything else. It's good for a large gathering (if you're rich or splitting the bill) and that's about it. I wouldn't come here on a date, as it is extremely loud and the food isn't very good. The host and servers are extremely friendly and accommodating. This is probably the only truly good thing I have to say about the place. It's not the cleanest restaurant, but it's not a rat's hole. Just dusty. Usually novelty places that are filled with clutter end up collecting a lot of dust, and I've found just the things that "need" to be cleaned, are cleaned. I just have this thing about dust covered plastic flowers and picture frames, I guess. Blech. The decor is...eclectic. Kind of like going to nana's house. If your nana is 90 years old, has never met a fake plant she didn't like, and has never thrown anything away since 1940. Lastly, the food. I'll start by repeating everyone, the portions are HUGE. This is truly family-style eating. A small order of any entree is enough to feed at least 2, and have leftovers, unless you're a big eater. My friend somehow ate an entire plate. As for taste, wow. I'm ordering the wrong stuff, because everyone else out there seems to think this is the best food ever. Or maybe my palette isn't so refined (really, it isn't, I love spam). I have never been impressed with anything I've eaten here. I'd rather have Prego with hamburger meat and frozen garlic knots from Safeway. I'm not sure if everything is even cooked fresh; some things taste canned, previously frozen, or kinda just boring. The broccoli, though cooked and covered in oil, parmesan, red pepper and giant chunks of garlic, I could still see the blackened ends of the spears which only happens with age (or some nutball holding the ends over an open flame). They could at least cut the ends off so I can't obviously tell they are old. The desserts are a joke. Even covering things with ice & whipped cream can't mask the poor quality. Again, novelty. People love getting gigantic anything. Who cares that it tastes worse than something you can make c/o Betty Crocker at home. Photo op! Hell, maybe this is what authentic Italian is! I'm not Italian; I've never been to Italy. If this is authentic Italian, count me out. I'll stick with Bravos in Pearl City. At least there my bill will be about 1/3 of what it was here and I'll get free bread. And, not just any bread. Garlic balls. Those things are crazy addictive, AND bottomless. As in, unlimited. I have to tell them to stop refilling or I won't be able to eat my delicious entree. Better stop reviewing another restaurant... Anyway, I hope I don't have to go back here any time soon.
(3)Kimberly L.
Took my cousin here for her birthday. It was my first time going here. The prices and meals are large huge portions and meant to be shared. ~~ To me it was a bit annoying. It was only 3 of us and I'm pretty sure we didn't all want to settle on eating the SAME thing. Anyways we ended up with stuffed mushrooms as appetizers, the chicken canolli, and shrimp pasta. It was all ehhhhh. I could do better at home. The atmosphere and restaurant was fascinating. They had a lot of decor to discuss over. Service was great. The servers get together to do a birthday chant for guests celebrating their birthdays. Can be annoying if you don't like loud noise. Overall, not a bad experience. Would probably if guests can come to terms on what to order. And just a place to take first timers.
(3)Jill N.
Went here for a work event the other night. My review is based on this one experience and I cannot rate the prices or food tooooo much because I didn't pay nor did I choose the menu we had. Family-style eatery. Great place to be loud and not feel awkward. Not a good place for a cutesy date for 2. Oh, and forgive me in advance, I have no idea what any of the dishes are called (again, since I didn't order the food) - Caesar Salad - just your typical caesar, nothing special. dressing was kinda heavy. Tasty. Salad with green apple slices, cinnamon walnuts, cranberries, cheese - meh. I'm not a huge fan of sweet/savory salads - is that what this would be called? ha, either way, not my cup of tea. My coworkers did mention that the walnuts were a total overkill with way too much cinnamon. Chicken Picatta, i think - the chicken was dry. No noodles, just the chicken. Needed more sauce but flavor overall was decent. I'm a fan of the lemon, butter, caper sauce but there wasn't much to slather on, to my disappointment. Nonetheless, I love picatta so this was my favorite dish. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce - really, is that what this dish is? because that's all i tasted was noodles and tomato sauce. Very plain. Pesto Penne Pasta - Did it have chicken in it? I can't remember. Tasty, but again, very plain and just tasted like your typical penne noodles with pesto sauce. Dessert: Homemade Cheesecake - drizzled with raspberry(?) sauce. Not bad but served at room-temperature. I think I prefer my cheesecakes a little firmer and refrigerated. Overall taste was yums. Homemade Tiramisu - I'm actually not a fan of tiramisu, but this one was delish! I usually don't care for the liquor-ey taste but this one was not too overpowering, and the cake layers weren't soggy and mushy - very enjoyable. Also, while we were eating, there was a man that came around to the table and took pictures of us - at first I thought it was for our event but then figured out they were going to try to sell it to us later like some high-end restaurants do or dining at Disney (haha!)... and I was right. Photos were $20 each or $12.50 if purchasing more than one. Um, no thanks. Sorry, should've declined the picture in the first place to save this poor guy his time and effort of printing a bazillion pictures (since it was a large work event). Overall experience was good but not too sure how often I'd come back. This place is good for groups so maybe if another event comes up, I'll be able try it again and update my review.
(3)Amanda S.
Wonderful restaurant! Food is excellence service by far is amazing!! The only reason I knocked a star is because I understand Family portions which is great but my family is picky lol and it would be nice to be have the option of smaller portions for dinner time! Other than that I will for sure be back!
(4)Azlyn H.
I've worked in the kitchen of another Italian family restaurant on this island, and let's just say that the ingredients here are higher quality than what I've seen, and the food comes in MUCH bigger portions! My family came here for a birthday last night; we did make reservations in advance, so none of that waiting-for-a-table stuff. When we did reserve though, we asked for the kitchen table. As a culinary student and line cook myself, this was a must. If you don't mind a bit of heat and a lot of noise, as well as the other guests walking by when they get the kitchen tour, this is the best seat you can ask for!! The expeditor (I'm assuming head chef) would joke with us and introduce us to every dish that came out of the kitchen, the servers and busboys were all friendly, and when the time came for them to sing their famous birthday song, even the cooks turned to sing along and (omg) shake plate stacks/jingle pans along to the song! As far as food goes, I recommend the shrimp florentine (added a bit of salt, but it was still awesome), the granny smith gorgonzola salad (spiced walnuts are to DIE for), and the tiramisu! We also had the Quattro which was like a sample platter of baked pasta, the Seafood platter for an appetizer, and the Veal Saltimbocca. The Veal was probably the only one that I thought was just okay, since it is really thin. The flavor was there for sure, though. From a sanitation certified view, their kitchen is clean. It's not amazingly spotless, and yes their appliances and tools looked old, but everything looked well maintained and it was great to see line cooks who looked happy rather than stressed/pressed for time like I'm used to.
(5)Shannon D.
Love it. Came for 4th of July with a party of 15 and I'm glad they take reservations. Made the wait for tables less dreadful. Love the size and being that each plate cost 20-30$ a plate it made it worth it to buy a few and share with my family. Love the inside scenery. The food was pretty good but the pepperoni pizza I'd say is better at Pizza Hut. Great for children!
(4)Val B.
They take reservations. It can get hot inside. Dress accordingly. When you are celebrating an occasion, you get to tour the kitchen. Even if you are hungry, order less so you can save room for the amazing brownie ice cream in a big a$$ martini glass. We always order chicken Marsala without flour. Parking can be a bee. So just enjoy the walk and park at nordstroms rack.
(4)Gary C.
Very good food and large portions. A friend and I ate lunch today at the Ward center location. We shared the antipasto salad, which was enough for three or four people. I got an individual pizza which was excellent, and she got the baked rigatoni. She said it was very good, but the portion was so large she took half home- which made another good meal. We always enjoy the decor and Italian music too.
(5)Lillian S.
I love their Cesar salad, spaghetti marinara, spicy sausage with pepper, chicken masala, salmon, veal, all good food!
(5)Michele P.
Was excited to eat here because of all the good reviews but unfortunately we were not satisfied. The Fried Mozzarella was ok, the garlic bread had way too much garlic and it needed salt then there was the meatballs which were definitely lacking in flavor. I told our server that we did not like the garlic bread and he was kind enough to take it off our check. For the prices I was expecting better but I guess not, after all it is a chain restaurant.
(2)Odille C.
Their lasagna is fantastic! Its a family style restaurant so there are 2 sizes of everything. One size is for 2 or more people and the other is for 4 or more people. It's a bit of a maze in the restaurant, but that's just part of the appeal. I love going here, I try to go as often as my stomach and wallet allow me.
(5)Andrew G.
When you are in need of a lot of food to satisfy some Italian cravings this is where you should go if you don't have any go-to Italian restaurants. If you are coming with a group at dinner time I would suggest a reservation since the place is always packed, but if for just 1-2 people you can sneak into the bar without waiting if you don't mind eating a family style meal with less space. The bartenders and servers are always friendly, the food is always plentiful, service is fast, and I always leave with a full stomach and leftovers. House wines are decent at a decent price (for the area). Sangria pitchers are awesome. Don't come for super high-end quality, but it is family style and a chain so what do you expect. I've never had a problem.
(4)Christopher D.
Made a reservation and still had to wait for a table. Been here before, so you can skip the walk through the kitchen if you like. Watch out for tables under the air conditioning ducts...you will freeze! I suppose this place is great for people on a budget or people who eat 4 times the recommended portions in one sitting, it's not recommended for tables of two people. Portions are way too big and the prices are very high. Many chubby Americans would be into that, but not my thing. I don't like leftovers and would prefer quality over quantity. It's standard American Italian (saucy, cheesy), not authentic. Salad arrived at the table within seconds of the server taking our order. Good points, on the speed, but it just shows the "machine" in the kitchen can pump out food quickly. Entree arrived 1 minute later with no spacing of the course...we hadn't even touched the salad yet. The "penne" pasta dish also contained 3 other stray types of pasta in the presentation which shows the lack of care in the kitchen. Just dump the precooked pasta into the water to warm it up and fish out what ever else happens to be in there. The sauce contained whole cloves of garlic by mistake. Service was good and very friendly. Host who sat us was energetic and informed it that it was her first day...she did great. Hosts busy talking to each other when we left, no "goodbye" or "thank you".
(2)Jackie C.
I love coming here for a cute date night or or for a big family gathering. They can sit a group even for huge parties. They take reservations too so make sure you call ahead! Our server was super nice and always checked up on us to give us water. The hostess Mia is super nice & funny too. The servings are big so make sure you share. I liked the spicy rigatoni (I think that's what it was called) and the bread that you get is delicious with the balsamic vinegar! The pictures they take are so cute! But the only thing is that it is super expensive for just a picture. It was $20 just for one. We didn't buy them even though we wanted to. I would suggest $10 or something because I might as well just take my own picture and print it out for 50 cents. Yeah $20 is too much for a pic in my opinion. But you do get a free little postcard which I think is a nice gift for coming. Yeah I would recommend coming to Bucca if you want some Italian food or are just by the movie theaters. :)
(4)Julie O.
Great big Italian portions! A must come place for family parties. Their pizza's are full of toppings n cheese, their pasta are creamy or rich in sauce, their salads are full of everything such as meat, cheeses, and olives, and their desserts are deliciousness. A fun place to come and share plates/bowls of food with everyone and chit chat.
(4)Antone S.
Brah....Just looking at the photos here are making me hungry! Oh! Right! Review... My wife and I had not been here since 2008, and I gotta admit they made a big improvement in their cuisine. More on that later... My wife got a coupon in her email for a small fettuccine alfredo and due to our busy schedules that week we were going to do take out for Wednesday night. But the coupon was for dine in only so we made plans for Saturday night. The place has not changed much, visually and audibly loud, Italian photos, artwork and such in every room, and a packed house. Fortunate for us our table was ready in less than a minute. Our waiter "John J." was a rascal of sorts but very professional. We ordered our alfredo, along with ravioli in meat sauce, bruchetta, chicken parm, and sides of garlic mash (her) and broccoli romano (me). These were all in small portions now, made for two or more. For drinks my wife ordered a raspberry soda and I had the sangria. Now this is what impressed me. John our waiter took our order without a pencil and notepad. And he repeated our order back to us in various combinations to ensure he got the order right. He also said he will have the take home boxes ready since we did order a lot of food. (Oh yeah! It was a lot!) And because I ordered the sangria John carded me, company policy he said. I didn't argue...anything that made me appear young was okay with me. Very cool! The dishes came as ordered and WOW! BIG! ...and it's just two of us! And so ONO! The bruchetta was only an appetizer but we could only eat half. The main courses the same. I loved their chicken parm and the meat sauce on the ravioli was perfect. And like John said we had to take home the rest because we definitely could not eat it all there. So as I said before a big improvement. In 2008 my wife and I tried it for the first time but we were not impressed. She had the spaghetti and meatballs and I had a lemon herbed chicken with orzo. The meatballs were a bit bland and the sauce for the chicken orzo was rather sour. It was not that full back then either. They just opened back then and I think they were "just testing the waters" per se. But they improved a lot. I didn't even see the orzo dish on the menu. BTW I forgot to mention this but when they were taking us to our table they gave us the tour of everything, including the kitchen! They even had a half moon booth table IN the kitchen, which kinda gave me a chuckle because there looked to be a kids party at the table and it was so funny that the kids were greeting us as we passed by. Well all I can say is if you like real family style dining, have a big appetite, and love good Italian food, Buca di Beppo is for you. And John J....if you can see this... Thanks for the suggestion for the leftover bruchetta topping. Had it for brunch the next morning and it was a winner! Blessings to you and the restaurant!
(5)Cheryl U.
I went in to eat lunch at buca di beppo at ward. I had a coupon that said 2 small buca pasta or large buca pasta, or entrées. We ordered one large linguini fruti de mare but the waitress told us we needed 2 small pasta or 2 large pasta. We couldn't just order 1. We got our drinks 1st but decided to leave because they weren't honoring just 1 pasta (coupon). The grammer is written wrong. She said she could give us 10% on our drinks and let the corporate contact us. We just walked out and went to big city diner right next door.
(1)Ashley A.
If you have a huge appetite or you're into marathon eating, this place is for you. We we're say within minutes of waltzing through the doors. The main host, possibly a manager greeted us with such a cheerful attitude. I work in the restaurant industry so I definitely judge from the first impression I get upon arrival. Our waitress Moe did a superb job! It was just a gal pal and me for a late dinner so we asked her what she would recommend. We had the bruschetta for an appetizer and chicken and sausage ziti. She even let us know about the pairing of their house Pinot Grigio and our entree. She was always up to date on the status of our meal and refilled our drinks in a timely fashion. Excellent service Moe! If you love foods as simple as tomatoes, onions, basil, garlic, and olive oil, do not ever hesitate or think twice about the bruschetta. I'm not 100% certain but the crustini that came along side with the topping really had a fresh garlic flavor to it that I couldn't really pin point but was definitely vibing. Think cream based garlic butter with a clam reduction. That is exactly what I could get a sense of on my tongue. Aldente non ridged ziti with fresh Roma tomatoes, dark crisp spinach, white meat chicken in thin slices and Italian sausage we're all mixed into this delicious creation. By far my favorite dish from this establishment. All in all, I give Buca 4 star rating only because although the food and service was fantastic, I could not even hear my friend talking and we we're only 2 ft apart! I totally vibe the ambience of the restaurant but it is just so loud in there. I encourage yelp users to go and sign up for the e-mail list. There's always really good deals and coupons year round!
(4)C H.
I arrived at 6 pm on a Saturday evening and was told that the wait would be a max of 1.5 hours. They texted me one hour and 32 minutes after I signed in. The food is okay; not worth an hour and a half wait. After 45 minutes my kids couldn't wait any longer. So I went upstairs and waited just 15 minutes to get into Dave & Busters.
(2)Jin K.
Wow who would have known buca could pull off a divine thanksgivings lunch... Everything from the turkey to the cranberry relish was delish... $99 to feed 6. The baked pasta was not my fave but at least it was free with coupon.
(4)Frankie R.
I am glad that I got to use the living social deal for Buca di beppo. It is for 20% off for the meal that I can use.. just gotta make sure that I have use it by the 2nd of November. I am glad that this voucher was free and boy did I score. I hope I will return again for more..whoo hoo
(5)Lena S.
First of all, I live in NY now and cannot find a Bucas anywhere near me! I miss their delicious food!!! I have got to say that the service at this restaurant is AWESOME. When I was physically there, we always had helpful and attentive servers. The management does a superb job. Everyone there seems happy and that makes a huge difference for families and friends enjoying a meal. A few of my friends from college wanted to meet up for a small reunion. I suggested Buccas so I could live vicariously through them ;) I was feeling a little down that I couldn't be there with them but thought about ordering them dessert. Being six hours ahead, I realized that by the time they were ready for dessert I would be fast asleep! I called during lunch and spoke with one of the managers Adam Amick. I felt a little weird asking for such a task but he made me feel comfortable about the process. He sent over a credit card authorization within 5 minutes of our phone call. What shocked me the most was that Adam emailed later that day to let me know that bringing dessert over had been successful and even included their reaction in the email. THAT my friends, is the kind of service that sticks in your mind forever. I am grateful for this encounter. This is truly a place to gather together and enjoy yummy food, great company and a homey atmosphere, Thank you Buca di Beppo Honolulu & Adam Amick for your spectacular service! On a side note, my husband always orders their LASAGNA and I sometimes find myself day dreaming about their STUFFED SHELLS. Did you know their CHICKEN PARMIGIANA is to die for? We have an Olive Garden 15 minutes away and I promise you, there is NO comparison when it comes to Buca. Find a bunch of friends and go TODAY!
(5)Amanda D.
I came here with my family over the weekend. We were given a friendly tour of the kitchen/restaurant prior to sitting down. The staff was welcoming and professional. Our server's name was Carol and she was fantastic, too. The food came out quickly, tasted great and was shockingly very affordable. Very impressed!
(5)G D.
Basic Italian - American comfort food Seems to always be busy as it's next door to popular movie theater . Friendly helpful waiters. They do a pretty good job of upselling the menu. Don't ask for anchovies with your Ceasars Salad, the waiter said they took it off the kitchen list!? How strange is that? Calimari fitti was good and crispy. ..like KFC chicken "extracrispy"?! Veal Santi Bola wa s also a hit run tonight If you're carb counting, leave the pasta for another night. No sense getting your maximum cal intake at this table Not the best place for low cal meal
(3)Steve H.
Raised Prices! Wow did they raise the prices since last time I was here. Took my wife out to a dinner and only had an appetizer and a small pasta dish. Only drank water and the bill was $56 before tip. With tip its a $66 dinner!! Sorry Buca, but in this economy you wont see us again.
(3)Jennifer S.
Typical red-sauce Italian, very much like any other Buca. Cheeky decor (e.g. the Pope Table) with the walls dripping with mid-century Italian-American kitsch. Pretty loud inside - as nearly everyone in the place seems to be celebrating something - so if you want an intimate candlelit date, it's not gonna happen here. A few outdoor tables, but with a view of the escalator. This place can get pricey. Huge platters of food for two or four are meant for sharing family-style, thus, it is best for large raucous groups, or two people who like exactly the same food. For smaller parties, you're better off trying a local place. The white sangria, garlic mashed potatoes, and chicken saltimbocca are my favorite items.
(3)Jessica V.
As per our Christmas Eve tradition, my husband and I and our friends came for dinner tonight. The place was very busy! Our waiter was fantastic and kept us very informed on the status of our order, as the kitchen was backed up. Every time we go, we order the prochutto stuffed chicken with extra pesto. It is seriously the most delicious dish on the planet. Thank you guys for making our Christmas Eve special again this year
(5)Genesis A.
Food and drinks are great here. It is definitely a family restaurant with the family size portions. Kinda a downside of you want one plate and your date wants another. But overall great place!!
(4)Jake O.
Buca is in my opinion one of the best places on island to get delicious Italian food. The atmosphere is very unique because of the decor they have. When you walk in the restaurant you feel like you walked into an Italian families hone to join them for dinner. Th e food portions are family style so they are massive and the small dish of it is enough to feed 4 people and still have leftovers. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting looking for good authentic Italian.
(5)Kainoa W.
This place is an awesome experience for any family get together! Plenty of loud clapping hilarious fun, definitely brightened my day!!
(5)Connie M.
This place isn't as good as I remembered. Then again, the last time I went here was maybe 6 years ago. I decided to eat at Buca for lunch with my sister. It was around 3-ish, but absolutely empty. Upon entering, the head of the house (?) asked if we wanted a kitchen tour. LOL What? It was random and awkward to say the least. Is this something they always do? We settled on the lasagna ($20) and side of garlic bread ($10). As we waited for our good, a Buca photographer asked if we wanted our picture taken LOL She took our picture and the food came after. Lasagna was definitely not worth the price. Overall it was mushy and not flavorful. The side of tomato sauce had an odd salty flavor. Garlic bread wasn't special either; it was your typical toasted French bread with cheese. For the price, it wasn't expensive, but it was overpriced. As our meal ended, the said photographer came back. She had our pictures, two in total, in black high school senior-type frames. She then said we could buy them for $5 each. HAHA NO THX. The table beside us also declined. I wonder what Buca does with the unsold photos...
(2)Chris L.
My original one sentence review was written back when I first joined Yelp! so allow me to elaborate on it. The food is great, and is more than capable of pulling off 5 stars all by itself and you KNOW that their food practices are safe because they actually walk you through the kitchen on a tour, hell they have a table in there. . .nothing to hide. "This is our kitchen, we keep it clean, please gaze upon our glory!" I bet you a lot of restaurants around the island can't make that claim. Anyway, the service is amazing from the hosts at the front of house to the servers and the photographer that walks around (although I'm not sure if she is employed by the restaurant or not). We had a lot, and I mean a lot of food. . .off of memory I think it included. Meat Lasagna Raviolis A flat bread Pizza Ceasar Salad Meatballs Some. . .tube. . .cheesy. . .noodle. . .things. . . umm. . . .Yeah well the food is amazing as I said before, everything was cooked great and burst with flavor, our table was loaded down man and everything was either taken home or eaten there, we didn't leave anything behind and every person in our group of 5 left feeling fat and happy about it. Buca Di Beppo will remain on my top 20 list of restaurants, I'll go even further and say that it is in my top 5 Italian restaurants at the moment.
(5)Costi W.
Whooooops. I forgot to review this when I was in Honolulu last summer, so this is gonna be a quickie.... Wonderful food and very filling. It's sort of pricey, but their portions are big enough that you could probably get away with sharing if you wanted to go but were ballin' on a budget. Coolness: you get a tour through the kitchen. You can also snag a kitchenside table, if you are into that sort of foolery.
(4)Lesley S.
I've always been a Buca fan, ever since I live in Miami. (I mean they show you the kitchen for Goodness sake) the portions even as a small they say feeds 2 and it makes 2 meals for 3 in our family. The probably is the whole menu is amazing. They even have Mt. Vesuvius that lights on fire. Yes. Please refrain from this girl singing, "this girl is on fire!!!!!" :) The spaghetti and meatballs are the best. They are moist and not dry. Our server Christopher gets Mad Props (and a fat tip) due to the fact he got down on our Daughter's level and talked to her. He made her feel special and took the time to show her how to use to light up cup. Way to go. :) We will be back. I've started a new Addiction in the family for Buca. For some reason my crazy husband didn't want to try it before because he lapped this in that if I ate it weekly in Miami that it must be Cuban. Lol well he knows now and we are looking at where the next Buca is where we are going next.
(5)Ruth W.
Average chain eatery offering italian food family style. If you make a good meat sauce, chicken parm or other famous italian dish you probably won't enjoy the long wait for a table, or pricey menu - if you are with a large group it does offer lots of perks, great atmosphere and can cut costs. So there's that which frankly had me torn between a three and a four. But since the food was more a three I went with that;) Good luck!
(3)Claire F.
I think I originally gave this place the benefit of the doubt, since 1) it seems to be so popular, and 2) I remember enjoying food here back in high school when visiting from Maui...back when my standards of food were lower. Now, living on Oahu, having being forced to try this place a few times for one reason or another, I now know: I don't care for this place at all. And why? 1) QUALITY. I've had watery spaghetti sauce and lasagna that had more mushy hamburger and disgusting cold gritty cheese than noodles. Their "salads" are also mostly Romaine lettuce (aka water) that looks like it came from those pre-packaged bags at the grocery store with added cheese and dressing. The only thing they do right is cook the noodles al dante, and I'm starting to wonder if that's on purpose, or purely an efficiency measure to save time. Just kidding. Their artichoke dip is pretty good on toasted baguettes, as well as their cheesy garlic bread. Be ready to pay the price though, which leads me to.... 2) WAY OVERPRICED. $11 for cheese bread, $15(?) for dip, and $21 for bowl of sub-par pasta. Maybe if the quality was better the price would be justified. But since it's not, this is a major negative for me. 3) SUPER CROWDED. This location is always crowded, always hosting some birthday party or another, and as such, is always very LOUD. Because there are so many people wanting to dine here, the restaurant tries to fit in as many tables as possible...and sometimes, that means you're pretty close to the next family. Screaming babies, no thank you. Most recently, we came for a friend's birthday and because we had a gift certificate (thank the lord for the GC) they brought over a candlestick for decoration (I'm not sure whether they provide that for everyone) which was nice. At the end of our meal they sang happy birthday to our friend, but there was no free dessert for the birthday girl or anything! You would think with all the money they save from these huge portions of pasta (relatively cheap dish), they could fork out just a little bit more for a scoop of ice cream or something, no? They also took away our candlestick, right after the birthday wish was done. Way to ruin our fun, man! I know that no matter what I write won't halt business here. This place is so widely popular, so frequently visited, and has such a fan base that one measly 2-star review won't really make a difference. And that's great for the restaurant! However, jus sayin, consumers, you've been warned!
(2)Edwin Y.
This Italian restaurant is one of my favorite since I was living in the mainland. However, in Hawaii, you don't have too many choices for the Italian restaurant, Bucca still won't disappoint you anytime. Food is great, service is excellent, reservation is so easy to make anytime. Highly recommend!
(5)Kathy A.
Great individual pizza! Thin crust of heaven, who da thunk it? Sangria!! Yummy Can't wait for dinner so having a glass of Sangria. Good stuff! Don't know why I have been reluctant to come here but have recently checked in three times in the past several weeks. Last month visited the Buca near Disneyland with best buds and had a marvelous time eating lasagna, spaghetti with giant meatballs the size of a small humans head and an awesome chopped antipasti salad. Came back to Hawaii and have been in and out of the Ward Buca picking and choosing from the menu and drinking their outstanding Sangria made fresh daily by their mistress of the bar Laura! Great fun place, family style. Large servings even when a small is ordered so loosen the belts and jump in. Love that the have a "Pope" room for parties of 10 to 12. Family dinner here we come!
(4)Chris R.
A decent place for a group dinner but certainly not authentic Italian and certainly not good value for the money. The dishes, although described as large and family style, do not give you a lot of food to share among four people. We were left wanting much more. The flavor really didn't say "Italian" either. It was all pretty bland from the appetizers to the entrees. I would not go back to this place. And yes, I know it is a chain and should have been forewarned but we had heard from friends that it is a good place to go to get your fill of decent pastas and Italian food. That is certainly not true, and even though we weren't expecting real good food it was worse than we expected and we didn't get much food for the high prices of the dishes.
(2)Raymond A.
This past Sunday, my family and I dined at Buca di Beppo for lunch. Originally, we had made reservations for 13 people. When we were seated, it felt a bit cramped, confined, and I felt a bit claustrophobic. I mentioned to the person seating us that I would prefer an opened atmosphere. He signaled for his supervisor to assist us. Adam Amick came to our table and inquired if we wanted another section. Without hesitation and very apologetic, Adam reassigned us to a spacious section. For our waiter, we were fortunate to have the congenial and personal gentleman named Ryan Pittinger. A fun loving and jovial personable , he made all of us feel welcome and a part of the Buca family. The service was wonderful, the food scrumptious, the atmosphere delightful - and the manager and staff members were outstanding. That is the reason many of my friends and family members frequent Buca di Beppo! Mahalo for the service!
(5)Susan M.
Love this place! Food is excellent! Only thing is they put us at a table where the air condition was non stop blowing on us. All the food got cold and we had to take it home. Also they have this guy coming to your table to take pictures. This guy came right when our food came, bad timing Mr. He stayed until he got his picture.
(4)Gspot H.
These Dishes R Big. Cool Staff. I bet it'd be interesting to have a meal in the kitchen table. Large parties with multiple dishes is the way to go.
(4)John S.
Enjoyed the food but totally not worth the price, it's insanely expensive, no thanks plenty of other delicious places out there.
(2)Brenna B.
We had a great experience dining on a Saturday evening! It was our first time dining at Buca. Definitely recommend making reservations in advance. Food was good, service was excellent (and fast). I highly recommend the lasagna and the calamari. Since this was our first time visiting, the hostess walked us through the kitchen before we were seated. There is a table in the kitchen and we were told you had to reserve the kitchen table pretty far in advance.
(5)Ryan R.
Very efficient and consistent service. You can tell that the staff is well trained by ease of their friendliness and laid back demeanor. Portions are large and satisfying. Flavor can be bland and unimaginative, but not low quality. Basically this American Italian comfort food. If you are looking for a gourmet experience, this not the place. Rather it is a slight step above my moms spaghetti without the fuss. This place is always a good time and great way to have an enjoyable evening.
(5)Ryan M.
I took 16 high school students here for our year end activity and was a little apprehensive about having so many of them in a restaurant. These are Ewa Beach kids who don't normally go to restaurants. They were super excited to be there! (I felt bad for some of the other patrons sitting close by; the kids were a little... rowdy...) Our waiter was Frank and he was perfect for this group of kids. He joked around with them, put up with a few of our girls gushing over him, and was incredibly patient throughout the whole night. He worked with me to make sure the amount of food was correct and helped recommend new items apart from the regular "spaghetti and meatballs." He made the entire evening memorable for all of us and I'm incredibly grateful for his efforts! Great job Frank! The food comes in generous helping sizes and was very affordable for what we got. We really enjoyed the baked ziti, it was fantastic for getting the kids to try something a little different. It was a little expensive, but the service and food were excellent. I'll definitely be back next year!
(5)Lori F.
Haven't been here for years, but we did a take out recently & it was ok. Service was good. We were greeted with a smile & girls gave helpful tips when we ordered, as well as packing our food nicely to go. The Fettucine Alfredo did not have much flavor & the Eggplant Parmesan was a little burnt. The Spaghetti with meatballs came with two giant meatballs & a TON of pasta...not bad & good value. My favorite was the Broccoli Romano that came with the Eggplant. Nice flavor & spicy! Overall though, I still prefer Assaggio's, Pietro's or Spaghetti Factory over this place.
(3)Robert H.
I have been to a few of these on the mainland...SF more than others. This one in Honolulu doesn't seem as good, but it is OK. The food is decent and service is usually OK. It's always freezing cold inside though.
(3)Pua M.
Even if the food was just mediocre, which it's not - it's GREAT, I would go back again and again just for the service. I had an expired Groupon and the service I received both from the waitress (who was training a new gal) and the manager, who had to OK the Groupon,was sooo very superior. In Hawai'i we love to taut the 'Aloha Spirit', but these two Bucca employees actually HAVE IT. They should train the hundreds of servers in Hawai'i, who give you the impression they are doing you a service by waiting on you. I love these guys - and the way they made me feel. A hui hou, Pua
(5)Jackie M.
First time coming here with a group of friends. I didn't know it was family style restaurant. The food was really good and I got a white pizza. Even though it was a lot, I took it home and had it for lunch the next day. Would visit agin!
(3)Luana P.
Great family style restaurant. The portions are HUGE. We sat in the "Pope Room" which was kinda creepy to have dinner with the Pope's head in the center of the table, but we took turns having him face one another which was pretty hilarious. The Chicken Parmesan was my favorite and their garlic bread was delicious. Service was awesome, our server was very attentive and took very good care of us. Every dish was great! Aside from the Chicken Parmesan we had Spaghetti & Meatballs, Veggie Lasagna, Cesar Salad and Pepperoni Pizza. Not an unsatisfied tummy to be found at the end of our huge meal :) For dessert 6 of us were able to share the Colossal Brownie Sundae, that thing is huge! We found a discount coupon on Living Social.
(4)Leoni B.
Very horrible service here. It's March 9th, 2015 and my grandparents, sisters, and I decided to eat here. Walking all the way to the back of the restaurant we are seated far away from any known human existence. Once we are seated the waiter is very good at asking what drinks we'd like to drink as well as appetizers. After that every thing went down hill. We receive our first appetizer; the stuffed mushrooms and all that was put on the plate was 5 tiny stuffed mushrooms. FOR $17 5 TINY STUFFED MUSHROOMS. I was in awe about how much we got. Especially since I'm paying that much I would have expected more. Second mishap; while we were about to start eating they did not give out all the plates for the number of people on the table so I had to get up and get my own. Third mishap; it was not a problem with our table, but it was a problem with two groups surrounding us. A group of four were escorted to their table to only realize that it was too small and pushed in the corner. That happened for another group after who got to move. Fourth mishap; usually the waiter/waitress would give you bread without asking. They did not even ask if we would have liked any. Then when we finally spoke up about it the waiter gave us COLD bread. Terrible. Fifth mishap; the waiter WAS very kind and friendly to us. Then he had a change of heart and decided to be rude and speak in a very annoyed manner. That is not the way we should have been treated. Sixth mishap; as we were paying the tab my grandmother had two group ons that she asked the front lady if she could use both and she said yes. When it came time to pay they called the manager and he said we could only use one. I mean okay then why did the other woman say we could use both? It was unclear and very annoying. This was the WORST experience I had at Buca di Bepo. I don't plan on eating here again.
(1)Julie D.
Huge portions of delicious food! The small servings usually feed 3 of us easily. I have gone to Buca's for romantic dinners with my hubby to huge birthday celebrations. If you have the chance to eat at the chef's table, do it. They never disappoint.
(5)Ariana M.
I haven't been here in YEARS! Decided to check it out again and the first thing that amazed me was were we were seated! Check it out! yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… When we were taken to our table, they waitress took us through the kitchen, which I though was interesting. Then she showed us a special kitchen table that you can make reservations for. I thought that was SUPER weird. Why on earth would I want to sit in the kitchen to eat? It's so warm in there! Overall I had a great time coming back here. There are SO MANY photos on the walls to look at! So it really keeps you entertained while your waiting for your food. As for the food, they come in HUGE portions. Everything you order here is for family style. It's a great place to go with a bunch of friends to share dishes with :] THE GRUB: CHEESY BREAD FLORENTINE yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I thought this was yummy when I dipped it in the marinara sauce. I don't think its that great by itself. SEAFOOD TRIO PLATTER yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I personally didn't care for this appetizer at all. MINI MEATBALLS yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… The mini meatballs, are really NOT that mini. They were definitely good though. DI BEPPO SALAD yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… OMG IM IN LOVE WITH THE SALAD! It was so good! :3 CHIANTI BRAISED SHORT RIBS yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I don't think this dish was good. COLOSSALBROWNIE SUNDAE yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I actually did not order this.. I saw it as we were walking through the kitchen to our table, but could not resist taking a photo of it! SO CRAZY THIS DESSERT! CANNOLI yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… WAY TO SWEET. Did not really enjoy this. Also by the time dessert came around I was stuffed and really wasn't hungry for it. Ha-ha.
(3)Joe B.
Don't bother making a reservation on Open Table because they won't pay attention to a simple request for a booth. You'll end up back in the lobby pissed off and waiting for them to get their act together. They should especially get their act together when we were greeted with "Aloha" and my confused Italian wife said "you mean Ciao?" I mean this place is clearly decorated to the nines in extremely gaudy Italianesque decor. It was real nice to know the waiter, Kelandy, waited for the moment I left to the bathroom to pounce on my wife and flirt while I felt like a pedophile because the majority of pictures in there were of little boys with their pants around their ankles urinating in public places. This was just going great so far. Now, as for the food, we were far from impressed. These "meatballs bigger than your head" had less taste than a handful of sand on a cold Hawaiian night. Giving that I'm paying $20+ for a simple pasta dish, you better knock my socks off. But alas Bucca's, you didn't even come close. The shrimp and pasta was over seasoned with crushed red pepper. Stick to California Pizza Kitchen. I don't think this would have tasted any worse even if I had vomited what I ate and then ate it again. I will say thank you to Kelandy for flat out telling us NOT to order the dessert because they aren't good. It's too bad, cool looking place but god awful food.
(2)Fred D.
Sad, tired, red and sour. Time and trends and tastes have passed this place and left it in the realm of an Italian nightmare. Only in Hawaii with gulible tourists and islanders looking for an occasional family Italian experience complete with Sinatra and the Pope on the wall could this place survive. Well, the fried calamari ain't bad. It's just a mystery how this chain stays alive with the same act.
(1)Sam P.
One dish of 5 was actually great. Fetucinni Alfredo was super dry and chalky, caprese was pretty good, could have used a splash of balsamic, baked ziti needed additional sauce and was over cooked, the noodles were pretty dang crunchy... hard... they were baked alright. Manicotti was super bomb. I would recommend to everyone! Spicy chicken rigatoni was not very flavorful either. The best part was when the waitress spilled my water on me. She promptly threw napkins at the table, didn't wipe or clean anything. I h a d water on me, all over my food, my baby diaper bag, my shirt... My server Ashley... she did apologize twice, manager gave me 10% off, took off an appetizer and comped a desert. Seem fair? I think so. However fair it was... the whole experience burnt me. Don't know if I would ever come back. The waitress, I feel did me super dirty. Didn't even come back to clean or offer to clean. I cleaned up everything myself. Like I said... did me dirty. Cherry on top was when she brought me the full tab in the middle of my meal I have pasta hanging out of my fave and she hands me a $250 tab, I'm like now you want to rush me out? Then about a full minute later comes back with boxes, we are all in the middle of our meal. No one has stopped eating, we haven't even slowed down. She tells me my brother wanted boxes. Lies. She asked him if she could box anything for us he said no we will box it ourselves when we are ready... so I guess in Ashley's world that means bring me 10 boxes right away! I couldn't finish my meal. I was so furious, I maybe stomached half my plate and sat their until everyone finished. I wasn't rude, didn't make a fuss or yell, didn't make a scene or speak rudely to her. I expected royal service after this monumental screw up but she just kept reaching new lows. Highly disappointed... I still tipped $12 bucks on a party of 10. Bad service, fairly mediocre food, manager did his best to turn a negative into a positive, oh and he never once identified himself as a manager... odd... but like I said... burnt on the whole Buca Di Beppo experience!
(1)J P.
I had a coupon for $10 off from Amazon coupon had expired the Buca di Beppo excepted it and gave me the discount five stars and hats off
(5)Christa B.
These guys are absolutely awesome! We received exceptionally excellent and above and beyond service this visit. I'm not certain if it was because we had reserved the special table in the kitchen for my daughters birthday, but even so, it was the best service I ever received. Our actual server, Ashley was on top of everything offering suggestions and bringing out what we needed. She was sweet and friendly to my daughters and their girlfriends. Then there was an array of entertaining employees that should start together their own separate show with what they did for our party! First there was a server named Blake who was not only comedic, but physically talented performing handstands and difficult yoga poses for our table! Then there was a bartender (I think his name was Devin??) that brought my girls over to show them some cool magic tricks with cups. They were amazed. (I have to say, so was I!) Then there was the kitchen staff who were entertaining and hospitable as well. I don't have much to say about the food itself, it's chain restaurant Italian food, so it's not bad and it's not amazing. I can't say enough about the service though. They definitely made my daughters birthday special and unforgettable. Thanks so much guys! I want to have my birthday here, ha ha!
(5)Micah H.
First time eating here. There was no wait which was surprising due to the high traffic area. We were immediately asked if we would mind sitting at "the chefs table." We asked what that entailed and apparently it's a table in the kitchen where you can watch all the action of kitchen. Everything involving the chefs cooking, servers running food, and even customers being sat at their tables with a slight tour beforehand. At first I did not think I would enjoy this table but my mind was easily changed when as soon as we were sat down we were greeted by all the chefs with a warming "welcome." From there I automatically got that you're at home welcoming feeling. Our fried calamari was one of the best I've ever had and came in a timely matter. Our server (Steve) was very attentive and made sure all of our needs were attended to. If you are a first time eater here due note that they are a "family style" restaurant and their servings are made for two. I was very pleased to hear this since I am a firm believer in large portions for the money you spend. (Although their prices are very fair) I ordered a baked sausage penne which was delivered in a VIP fashion by the head chef (Zack) who was literally 3 feet away from us the whole time we ate. I honestly came into the restaurant with a bad attitude and left in a great one. The level of professionalism the chefs put into their work was absolutely flawless. Highly recommend eating at the chefs table and watching these guys work their magic!
(4)Christina B.
We have been here a few times for dinner. Unfortunately, this evening wasn't as good as it has been- service and food. Granted our appetizer came out rather quickly (nice surprise) as well as our meal I can't say the same for our dessert. Our sever disappeared for 10+ min THEN we finally were able to order the monstrous dessert! Unfortunately, the server decided to talk at the same time I was talking to my daughter then disappeared... I was unable to order post dinner coffee. Will we be back???? Not sure.
(3)Geoff G.
We went with a group of friends on a birthday party recently. The food was great and service fast. Why only 2 stars? Our server tricked everyone into buying a special Buca glass...well maybe tricked is a tad too strong a word. When ordering drinks, I ordered a Blue Moon. "Would you like that in a *muffled word* glass?" She asked. I nodded my agreement as everyone else at the table did and sure enough she brought boxes for the glasses at the end on the meal. If we knew we were ordering glasses we definitely would not have agreed! They aren't even nice glasses!
(2)Heather Marie F.
My favorite place to go in Waikiki! I love the atmosphere! It's so fun and family focused. The serving sizes are huge and great for sharing! My favorite dishes include the florentine bread, baked ziti, and of course a chocolate chip cannoli! We recently tried the new chicken inferno and it was awesome! Not as spicy as it sounds, there was just enough heat!
(5)Shuao Li L.
It was ok.
(4)Beth G.
Not a fan of chain Italians except this one. However in Honolulu, not the greatest. Service is good, but the menu does not have everything the mainland has. We also should not have ordered the veal. The desserts are consistently good and our Hawaiian friends love the Frutti del Mar. Still the same decor as the rest, but the service is very good and we always love the kitchen table.
(3)Adam G.
Good and service was amazing, I go whenever I can basically afford it. John j is a class act and so was the chef.
(5)Heyzool H.
A great place for a birthday celebration. My daughter loves her spaghetti and meatballs so she was excited to get her chow down. It's a great place to enjoy a meal with the kiddos bc there so entertained with the pictures and kitchen noises. The food is nothing extraordinary but service is awesome and the atmosphere is entertaing.
(3)Angela Y.
Very good for big parties. Love the food here especially the Pizza. Also a good place to eat for happy hr. Decent price and portions! I think this is better than spaghetti factory.
(4)Andrew W.
Fantastic service! Good on a scale from 1 to 10 I would say the foods about a 8 and the price was horrifying.
(4)Terry L.
Buca is a place you can go back to and have consistently good food. It's formula, chain cooking. I do recommend going here with larger groups so you can try different dishes. The larger portion is huge and it gets to be expensive. Overall, I do prefer Longhi's at Ala Moana Shopping Center for the quality and atmosphere. For convenience (to the movies) and for larger groups I would choose Buca. Food=3 of 5 Atmosphere=2 of 5 Service=3 of 5 Value=2.5 of 5 Favorite dishes - chicken marsala, baked ziti, apple walnut salad, pizza (thin crust!), canoli for dessert
(3)Lily B.
Bucca di Beppo is located beneath Consolidated Theaters at Ward. A bunch of friends got together before the movies, and since Bucca serves food 'family style', it was best for our large group. We waited about 30 minutes before being seated. This place is HUGE. I didn't know it was such a large restaurant, and a LOUD one!!! We got a little tour of the restaurant on our way to our table (through the kitchen, where there is a table?! that you can dine at??)... the decorations are out of this world and I feel like I'm in my Grandma's house where she collects 5 of everything! I'm a pretty quiet person so the loudness/energy/decorations kinda caught me off guard.. lol. The host was very friendly and full of energy. Our waiter was pretty busy but he made sure we had everything we needed during our dinner. He was friendly and efficient. Onto the food. We ordered spaghetti and meatballs (biggest bowl of pasta I've ever seen!) $32.99. It was average sauce and meatballs. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Prosciutto stuffed chicken. $27.99. The table really liked this. I tried it.. but it just wasn't for me. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Penne alla vodka. $21.99. Simple sauce... maybe I'm just hard to impress? yelp.com/user_local_phot… Chicken... something. I forgot. Sowee. I didn't try this dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Half pepperoni and half supreme pizza. $27.99. The pepperoni pizza was better than the supreme. But again, it is pizza. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, I ordered the chocolate chip cannoli's. $10.95. I can't find my picture. The cannoli was... weird. I don't know how to describe the filling, other than weird. I took a bite but didn't eat anymore. Bucca is about having a good (loud) fun time with family and friends. The food is family style, and it's definitely more about quantity than quality. To each his own. I'd rather go to a different Italian place and order one dish, but that's just me. Meh... Upside? Great service.
(2)Chelsea C.
This food was mediocre at BEST. The chicken was undercooked, the service was slow, the hostess was kinda rude. It was one of those places that you say "ok. We went there and now we don't have to go back again"
(2)Kelly M.
Quantity not quality. Had an chicken and artichoke pasta dish in cream sauce. Could barely find the chicken and artichokes. No taste. Big portion. Expensive for what you get; after all, naked pasta isn't that expensive.
(2)Aulii H.
Buca Di Beppo is great for large gatherings, or even small ones where the focus is drinks and appetizers. I never did really have a bad experience here for any type of gathering. The food is always decent, and of course anything with cheese on it is just delicious. Sometimes the wait staff can be slow when it gets super busy, but it's understandable. The only thing I didn't like here was the canoli's. The filling is a super sweet airy textured cream that just didn't sit well with me. The other desserts are good though. They used to have a limoncello martini that I liked, and it's not on the menu anymore but if I ask them to make it they will. Overall, this is a good place to just relax and have a good meal with some good friends.
(4)Thomas P.
One of my favorite group outing spots. Huge portions for group dining experience, small portions not so great. Pizza's are high on my list. Usually a wait to be seated during rush hours.
(4)Maria Shea A.
We decided to stop in tonight after our movie. The first thing to note is that the portions are huge. What I learned by visiting is that the portions are intended to be shared. That having been said, do not expect to pay less than $20 per dish. Also, do not go alone unless you have a humongous appetite or love having leftovers for days. My little boy and I had selected to be seated in a booth. We ended up being seated in the bar area. There was a large group who were seated in the booth attached to ours. I was mostly satisfied with the service I received however didn't care much for the apparent (for lack of better words) intolerance of the waitress at the very next booth. Yes, the group was quite boisterous but not to any unreasonable standard and we weren't bothered by it. My 11 year old and I had both noticed that she seemed impatient with regard to tolerating their jokes and slight carrying on. To me, relaying that type of attitude while being in the service industry is simply not acceptable. My son even commented after one of their jokes; "did you see how irritated she looked when they were joking? " Hmmm um lighten up, you're a waitress, they are having a good time...chill out. The food was served very quickly and the menu is vast. The chidrens menu (10yrs and below) offered dishes for 5. which is a nice break from the $22. plus prices per dish on their menu. The meatballs were humongous and tasty enough. I posted a picture of them next to a crayon, I don't even think that photo did their size justice. The flavor of the food was average or slightly below. I'm a little spoiled because I enjoy the flavorful dishes of Assagio and am guessing that this place is not of the same caliber. I didn't like the fact that they don't offer freshly grated parmesan cheese. Also I do want to mention that when I asked the waiter for something spicy such as a condiment etcetera the only thing he offered me was crushed red peppers. Soon afterwards I heard the other waitress offer the table next to me various hot sauces which I'd have enjoyed. Additionally my son and I had only finished about one fourth of our portion of food so we had the rest packaged. When they package it they did not include any parmesan cheese or crushed red peppers which I had clearly stated to the service people during my meal that I wanted. Overall I get the feeling that their customer service is not the highest priority. The ambiance is cool actually and it appears as though the outdoor seating might be a nice place for a date or to relax with some friends. The quality of the food was average or slightly below and the price while the food portions are large was shocking based on my expecting to pay for single portions. I may consider going back but however, with all of the Italian restaurant options I doubt it.
(3)L-Internationally Known P.
Food was so so.. Did takeout and got the spicy chicken rigatoni. Kinda dry but still edible. As I was waiting for my order some of the waiters seemed like they didn't want to be there...complaining and whining. At any rate, I will not be going back there
(1)Nalani P.
Was taken here yesterday for my birthday, my boyfriend knows i LOVE pasta! before being seated, because it was my first time, we got to take a tour through the kitchen, which was nice..my kids loved it! the place is huge but i love how there's different rooms, so it appears intimate and quiet, but there are really hundreds of people in there. lighting was perfect and there was so much to look at through out the restaurant. All the old photos on the wall, antique, i was impressed! the wait for our food was not long at all...we ordered a large salad, and LARGE is what we got...perfectly fed our family of 6. We ordered 1 small lasagna and 1 small baked ziti, which was perfect for us, we even had leftovers to take home. The cesar salad was sooooo delicious and i was blown away with the baked ziti! i love how its very italian tradition, full servings at your table, very family oriented. we ordered the brownie ice cream dessert and it was HUGE. the service was great, i have no complaints! There is a guy who comes around and takes photos of you and your family/friends. Photos were great and memorable, a little pricey but i thought it was perfect that they do that. I look forward to dragging my boyfriend here again! (hes more a steak person).... Glad I've finally had my Buca experience!!!
(5)Josh M.
Long wait times extremely poor service they said 15-20 mins and we ended up waiting for almost 1hr horrible I was extremely displeased with the food and the photographer was really horrible I recommend going somewhere else
(2)Bryan W.
We ordered the small chopped antipasta salad. It was huge. However, my wife and I finished it. It is our favorite. We also ordered the small bianco pizza. It has mostly cheese and some garlic. It was also excellent. The crust was thin yet chewy, which I love. We finished less than half of it had had to box it to go. Food came pretty quick and service was good.
(4)Nat N.
It's all about quantity, not quality at Buca. Not that there's anything wrong with that. When you're in charge of planning a dinner out for 10 people, two places come to mind - a Chinese restaurant, or Buca Di Beppo. Buca's portions are all family-style sized, and one order of pasta can easily feed at least 4 people. Call ahead and reserve "the Pope Room". It seats about 12 people, and although it's not completely separated from the rest of the restaurant (i.e.private room), it's still segregated from the main dining areas. It has a large lazy susan in the middle of the table, making it easy for everyone on the table to access the food. For 10 people, we ordered the following: Chopped Anti-pasto Salad (too much dressing) Four Cheese Pizza (very tasty, thin and crispy crust) Spaghetti with Meatballs (average) Seafood Florentine (pretty good, light on the sauce but not on taste) Eggplant Parmigiana (delicious, since the eggplant slices are breaded and deep fried) They let us bring in our own birthday cake and even sang happy birthday for my father-in-law. Service was quick, professional, and energetic. 18% gratuity was automatically added to the bill. You're not going to get the best tasting meal at Buca, but you'll get a decent meal in a fun atmosphere. 31 Yelps Review Challenge #9/31
(3)Fred M.
I gotta say my first time here was pretty good! - Parking wasn't too bad, had to do a couple circles in the garage before I found a good parking spot and not the spot I found earlier where it was between two SUVs sandwiching my itty bitty Mitsubishi Lancer. - Wait time was sort. After checking in we requested a booth and they told us it was not a guarantee. 5 minutes later we got a seat and a booth I'm guessing for 8-10 people, there was only three of us me, my friend and her toddler. - The food size here was humongous, a small portion is enough to feed at least 2-3 people. We ordered a small Cheesy Bread Florentin, kids Fettuccine Alfredo, small Fettuccine Supremo, Mediterranean Orange and Limoncello. The Fettuccine Supremo, yelp.com/user_local_phot… (looks bigger than the picture), was jaw dropping when we saw the size of this, we didn't put a dent into it after eating our Cheesy Bread Florentin, yelp.com/biz_photos/Dojf… , and their free breads. - There is one regret I have about not ordering but will order the first thing next time I come here and its their Colossal Brownie Sundae. The picture makes it look like its in a martini glass but in actuality its in a glass 10x bigger than the martini glass. Yelp 365 Challenge - #071/365
(4)Patrizia T.
First thing first,..for those that complain that its not Italian food. It's true but serious what are you expecting its an American Italian style chain restaurant! You are not in Italy. I m from Italy and I must say that sadly there are not a lot of good authentic Italian restaurants here on this island. The restaurant is still a great experience to go and eat to, the food taste very good and the tiramisu is as good as it can get made from a restaurant. I make my own at home and of course its not the same but for a restaurant thumbs up. I love it. I would recommend for the weekend dinners to make reservations.
(4)Cely H.
What happened to the food here? Did they train the cooks? Did they import their tomatoes from Italy? Why is their Chicken Limon better than mine?! That is totally unfair... but oh-so-delicious! I never volunteered to come here for any occasion. I've only came here when a friend wanted to eat here. They're a chain and their food is chain-like (read: not very good). The last time I was here, my bestie's little sis wanted to have her 17th birthday dinner here. Love, love, LOVE when restaurants embarrass the crap out of you on your birthday! The host took us through the kitchen where all the cooks wished her a happy birthday. We got to our seats and admired all the kitschy decor. Love quirkiness! I wasn't looking forward to the dinner, but good company doesn't need good dinner. We ordered mozzarella bread, calamari, chicken limon, and baked ziti. My-oh-my was I impressed! Especially with their chicken limon, which is just a spiffier name for piccata. My only gripe is that I wish the dish came with noodles so I could sop up the sauce with something. YUM! Their tomato sauce was good too (I don't want to admit that it was better than mine because it'll hurt my pretty little ego). I don't remember this place being this good so I'm going to assume that some dishes are and some dishes aren't. When I go the next time and the dishes I try are equally as good, I'll give them 5 stars.
(4)Murray O.
I haven't been here in years. We were invited to dinner and quickly I recalled the reason that I have stayed away. The noise is just overwhelming! We literally had to yell across the table in order to be heard. A couple of us left with headches. The food is great! I love the favors of just about all of the dishes. The staff were wonderful too. I unfortunately, will opt for "take out" dishes from here on.
(3)Bryanie R.
It's your typical Italian restaurant with those pasta favorites. If you're new, they give you a small tour of inside their kitchen. That's pretty unique to me. Their food is good, but I think it's pricey, even though the portions are big. It's meant for sharing.
(4)Sherrie D.
This place is just ok, hense the 3 stars. Really high prices for what you receive, and I am referring to the quality of the product not the quantity. You get lots of food so quantity is there, but not so much the quality. It's a place to go if you want to make sure everyone gets feed and full. If I wrote this review last month I would have given it 1 star because the service sucked. We actually asked for a different server. Yes it was that bad. Had to ask for everything, from water to plates. This time around, it was better, we got a photo compliments of Bucca's, not much to make me happy. lol
(3)Amy Y.
The food there are huge. Five of us went there and only order a Lasagna (large) and we were so full after. They gave bread before the main meal came out, so make sure to not eat too much of those before you eat the main meal. The lasagna was really good and filling. I would recommend bringing a group to eat here, if not order a small portion to split with each other. In the beginning before they seat you, they give you a tour around the kitchen. I think it's to show us how big the food is so we would know how much to order. The meal was pretty pricey, but it's big, that's why. Our lasagna (large) was around $30.
(5)Cy K.
I came here for a birthday party. I always wanted to come here but noticed that they are always busy. So its a good thing we were invited to a party. Just my luck! :) I would recommend you make reservations. We walked to the host, and he greeted us. We told them we were with the party, and another guy showed us the way. I didn't realize that this place is huge. It looks small from the outside. But as he directed us to the room there were different rooms, and I guess with different themes and names? It was like a maze! When I would go to the bathroom I'd get lost when returning to the room. The walls are covered with all kinds of pictures. Animals, buildings, naked people, statues and just scenery. It was very interesting. The decor in the bathroom was nice too. it was really vintage. One of our waiters gave us a kitchen tour. I believe they give it to anyone who asks. The kitchen was very neat and everyone in there said hi, and they were so friendly! Unreal! I've worked in restaurants and this kitchen was really clean! there was even a booth where people were eating on in there! I asked why they gave these tours and he said that they believer everyone that walks in here is considered family, so they welcome us in their home. Down to the food- not sure what we had but whatever it was it was very good! very big portions, and very tasty! the waiters were very good with us. always informing us when the next dish is coming, and always there refilling our drinks.
(5)Jillian M.
This wasn't my first time here. My husband and I came here for our first anniversary a few years ago. Since today was my birthday and I wasn't feeling out usual food stops bucas was suggested, so my husband and I went. We made reservations and were seated. Our server was pretty good. I won't blame her for what happened tonight because I really did enjoy her service. She didn't rush us, checked up on us often and was very kind to us. With that said I am not the biggest fan of bucas because of how extremely large it is. I understand that large crowds is their target audience, but I'm sure they get enough two tops to justify having a couple of tables specifically for two people. But I also won't blame anyone for that. What I'm really upset about is the food. I came in expecting semi decent food, or at the very least it being warm. The cheesy bread wasn't warm, nor was the pasta or chicken we had ordered. My chicken was cooked a little too long and was either burnt on the ends or too chewy. I'm also upset that with the wine selection. I'm allergic to oak and somehow with the 20 plus some selections of wine not a single one was oak free. Any other drink I asked for was unorderable because they ran out of ingredients. So no alcohol for the birthday girl, poo. The most upsetting thing for me is that now that I am home I am sick enough that I'm typing this as I pray to my porcelain god that I stop vomiting. Happy birthday to me. Needless to say, I don't think I'll ever be back at Buca's.
(1)Mary Q.
You can't go wrong with Bucas. Great place for a family get together, birthday parties, out of town guests, take-out or just a quick bite at the bar before the movies. We ALWAYS take friends who come into town here. Prices are reasonable, service is great, fun ambience, free parking, next door to the movies and shopping and good food. Definitely reserve the "Pope" Room for a party of 12-15,or the Kitchen table for 4-6 guests, totally fun! If you're looking for a romantic Italian dinner for 2, this may not be the place for you, but if you enjoy casual Family style Italian dinners with no frills, you came to the right place. Love their Caesar's salad, Limone Chicken, Pesto Salmon, and green beans. Don't be afraid to order the House Chianti, it's decent, and top off the evening with a chilled shot of Limoncello. We took my German brother-in-law here with my husband's sister, (they don't have Buca's in Europe) and they loved it so much we went there 3 times when they were here on vacation! My hubby is Italian, and if it's a late night at work, he approves of Buca's take-out to take home. The only drawback, is I wish they had more of a dessert menu and locations.
(4)C K.
It's not my grandmother's cooking but decent Italian anyway. They have excellent coupons if you sign up for their e-club. I've even had them double up coupons like my free dessert birthday coupon with a $10 off coupon. The dinner items are meant for family style dining so you can share. Lunch portions are individual. I haven't tried at this location but others have given us a lunch portion at dinner when we requested it. I wish gnocchi was still on the menu but I'm happy with the baked pasta. The service is always great and I've been there 4 times since June.
(4)Angela C.
(From 03/2012) We celebrated our dad's 74th birthday here and also our cousin's arrival from California. Loved it! Buca is perfect for family events, and they let you bring your own birthday cake! I definitely suggest ordering family style, and planning out what you want to take home, because there will be leftovers.
(4)Gina YeeJi S.
First of all, this place is a chain so don't expect any ma and pa feel. But Buca is definitely its own chain and they're good at their food. Pasta's pretty simple for me - it's either good or it's not good. There's nothing much more to it and buca has GOOD pasta. All their food is satisfying and filling - great place to go in groups to try lots of different entrees
(4)Shuji K.
Open Christmas Day! Yes, thank you, I needed an hour or so to kil before seeing the Hobbit. Family style eating pretty much sums it up. We got the pizza to share...margaheritta i think. The pizza that sounds like the drink. Anyways--kind of dissapointed that the sauce sort of slopped off of my bread. Maybe I should have sticked to the Supreme italiano. KInd of irritated that my roomate can't "handle" spicy food. I love how all the servers are really personable and festive. I wonder if they will be open New Years Day.
(3)Cynthia M.
This is another restaurant that is rated 4-5 stars on average...c'mon...not really! I've eaten here a couple of times since 2005 and it's the same thing; bland tasting food. The portions are huge and I could care less for that. I stick to what I know and time and time again, it's a disappointment. The dishes are either very dry or smothered in sauce. The spaghetti and meatballs are awful; not seasoned at all. The majority of the dishes are oily, flavorless, and tough to chew. The "tour" into the kitchen was horrible. The workers all look depressed and pissed; some even were side-talking about the customers...unacceptable. Why are you going to get into a customer service orientated job, if you're going to be s**t talking and look like you're held captive? I guess a job is a job. But still. They SHOULD know that the tour of the kitchen is a DAILY routine, so at least LOOK like you're happy to be there. Geez. It seems like this is just another chain restaurant that cranks out the hefty portions to all. Overall, this place is over-rated and over-priced for the food. The atmosphere is loud; tables are close together, decorations are not appropriate for children, crappy food, and crappy service. Needless to say, this restaurant gets 1 star only for location; and no stars for the food.
(1)Richard H.
I am pleased that Hawaii finally got an Italian restaurant that serves traditional, family portions. Each dish is meant for 4 to 6 people, but still has the high quality taste and preparation that would exceed any "cookie cutter" type Italian restaurant. I highly recommend the Chicken Lemon, which are boneless chicken breasts, which are baked with a tasty lemon sauce. This dish is not sweet, lemon chicken (Chinese style), but a very lean, soft, and tender chicken breast. We also love the fried calamari, which is paired with a spicy marinara sauce. The pizza here is incredible! Large rectangular, thin crusted pizzas with an unmatched tomato sauce.
(4)Misty P.
The wait time for a Sunday was reasonable during dinner time - 15 minutes. It was loud and crowded if you're wondering about atmosphere. Food wise - meh. We ordered the Apple Gargonzola salad, which was actually very unique and tasty. I loved it. As far as their pastas...blegh. The spicy chicken pasta had this annoying cayenne spice to it. I love spicy food and I can handle it but it did not compliment the dish. The pasta for ALL dishes we ordered was way too al dente and almost hard and under cooked. The sauce was underseasoned and there was barely any sauce. I don't like my pasta drenched in sauce, but this was like CHANG sauce portions on the pasta, which made it tasteless and dry. We also ordered the chicken with artichoke pasta and same thing - very little chicken, hard pasta, no taste, not much sauce. The pizza was ok, but quite small for the price you're paying. I don't mind chain Italian food, but at least get it right. It's actually pretty expensive to go here even though it's family style. I'd rather go to Cafe Sistina for a small plate of pasta that tastes right for a decent price, or to Romano's Macaroni grill for a chain restaurant that serves dishes with taste than ever spend my money here.
(2)Melissa G.
Just wanted a decent italian meal and every Spaghetti Factory I've been to has left me bewildered as to why it's so popular. So, on to try Buca's. Food was good, service was friendly, but 80 dollars for two adults and an 8 year old? I'll look up a Saltimbocca recipe at home next time... Problem: Woman walks up to our table as we begin to eat our food, she has a heavy accent so it's hard to understand what she is saying with the general noise and music. She proceeds to whip out a camera and take our picture. Totally puzzled we finish our meal. When the check comes the woman comes back and offers us the picture for some crazy amount. My 8 year old is excited and loves it but I have to be the bad guy and say "hell no!" (politely, of course). The woman had the nerve to be offended when I handed the photo back. Don't know if this is a regular thing they do. I don't know on what planet that it's o.k. to interrupt a family meal to try and squeeze even more money out of me. Even if I was a tourist I would be offended. Get away from me!
(2)DJ E.
I'm a huge fan of their lunch portions and takeout menu. The service is incredible too.
(5)Claudia M.
Very good service. Pasta portions are huge but expensive. I remembered going about 10 years ago and having a pasta dish with chicken and peas (dont remember the name of the dish) and it was delicious. I didn't care for the baked ziti that I had today because i don't care for big tubular pastas and it tasted just ok. The bread that they offered was soft and delicious.
(1)Bj U.
i was debating on 3 or 4 stars... and since there is no 3 and a half... ill just give them 3 =) IdK what it was but i wasnt so crazy for the place. i enjoyed the environment and decor, vibe ect. the service was pretty quick to say the least, but maybe it was because everytime someone walked past our table they would hit my shoulder? lol ... well i am pretty tall but what ever.. onto the food! Pasta was plentiful, everything really tasted ok there was nothing wrong with the Alfredo pasta but there also was not any sign of awesome. but maybe its too simple of a dish to shout "amazing" out at.. The cheese pizza was quite tasty as well, packed with cheese, thin and crispy crust. my lady friend had the spaghetti with meat balls, i tried some of her's and it was ok, nothing special and also nothing wrong with it... also thanks to all the strange and humerus pictures surrounding us, we had a lot to talk and laugh about... never really a dull moment. will i return? yes... i still have to try that mushroom dish i saw on the menu.. sounded amazing.. hope it tastes just as it sounds =)
(3)Jasen D.
Ate there twice now. Food was excellent both times. Both times it was extremely cold in the restaurant so I suggest brining a jacket. Service was excellent and food arrived pretty quickly. I will definitely eat there again!
(4)D. D.
We enjoy eating at Buca often and love their Pizza and Eggplant Parmesan. The garden salad is very good too. Most servers are pleasant. So far our experiences from eating at Buca several times have been good. The food comes out in timely manner and they servers are polite. The one thing I would suggest is that Management should train the host in charge of seating people not to seat families with young and school aged children by the bar area unless they absolutely have to or have no other tables available. We have been led back there 2-3 times and have always asked to move since we don't really want to sit across a wall of alcoholic drinks and a television. I don't think any other families would unless they were starving and it was the last table available. Other than that, we do enjoy eating here :)
(4)Peter C.
Stopped in for lunch on the weekend. Had the Apple Gorgonzola Salad ($11.95) and small Margherita pizza ($14.95). Both dishes were good and the two items were more than enough for the two of us. Not crowded at all and service was very attentive. The service alone will definitely have me coming back again. The best part is that there are always coupons for this place (I used a $10 off $20 dine-in purchase from the Entertainment book), but coupons in the Valpak mailer, sunday newspaper, etc.
(4)Debrah D.
We were shopping around at Ward warehouse and became hungry. A couple of friends were going to be joining us and suggested Buca, my husband, son and I crossed the street to find that they were still closed. They open at 11am, because it was 10:45am we decided to just have a seat outside and wait. Fifteen minutes later, sure enough they opened. The host seated us immediately, our friends would arrive ten minutes later. The waitor distracted my son with the usual crayons and coloring paper menu and offered us the lunch menu. My husband had never been here before, so I told him its family style large portions. He ends up getting two large entrees which were delish! The atmosphere is very famoly friendly with tons of vintage looking things on the walls and on the ceilings. The tables and rooms can accomodate large parties and our waitor was extremely helpful. They even have a photographer walking around asking people if the could take pictures of them. We took a group picture, several minutes later he comes back with a postcard sized picture and several bigger ones in frames, of course he's trying to sell the framed ones to us, but we decline and we still get ti keep the small one. Overall, food portions are large and great for sharing, friendly atmosphere and great for the little ones.
(4)Shawn F.
Personally I LOVE this place, I have no complaints at all. Food is very good and you get plenty of it, service is very good and the whole experience is awesome. If your looking to get down on some Italian I'd say go here and check it out.
(5)John K.
I love this restaurant because of authentic quality Italian food, and awesome atmosphere. We usually come here for family birthdays. I enjoy their great customer service and party cheers for the birthday person. The pizza dough is very soft, marinara sauce tastes like the real thing. The pasta is also done very traditionally. Everyone that eats here just seems to be in a happy mood. I definitely recommend this restaurant for casual dating, or birthday get-togethers. Ciao!!
(4)Hannah L.
Sometimes there is a wait to get in but it is WORTH IT! Their food has real fresh garlic in it which makes a huge difference. For first timers they offer a tour through the kitchen! You can even call ahead and request the special table in the kitchen for a special dining experience. Their stuffed mushrooms would have to be the absolute BEST item on the entire menu. Flavor explosion.
(5)Doris D.
Just your average franchise with overpriced, mediocre food. The first time I came here, I was in a large group, so the restaurant is good for large groups. The service was good. But the food, man, the food was terrible. I can't remember a damn thing about it but I can assure you that I came out of the restaurant saying, really? That was Italian food? Last week, we got take out for a large group. chicken marsala, spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp and penne, gnocci, sausage and peppers, string beans, etc. I didn't try the chicken because it looked pretty dry. The meatball was awful, no flavor and tasted like pocket lint. The sausage was ok, like supermarket sausage. The gnocci was terrible, really gummy and flavorless. The string beans were undercooked. There's no effort behind the food, just entrees that are obviously tried and true and just "good enough" for the masses. I'd rather take my money to a local Italian place. I'm from New York and I've tasted some really great Italian food - I guess this Italian food at Buca's would be good if you didn't know any better. Sorry! This restaurant doesn't get my vote.
(1)Sierrah I.
When you come to Buca, you have to look around. I'm always super amused by the photos and antiques they have around the restaurant. Every time I go here I always feel like I find a new photo to laugh at. I think this past time going it was the nuns in the bumper cars, and then it was Creation of Adam painting with the Parmesan cheese. Haha. Their walls never fail to amuse me. Food here is always so large -.-, sometimes coming here on date night is not a good idea, but being the fatty couple me and my boyfriend are we some how manage to get through at least one or two appetizers, an entrée, a bottle of wine, and of course ice cream (: I REALLY do wish at night they had the option to order lunch portions (individual portions) because sometimes I don't feel like eating 2-4 servings of pasta :( or maybe I want to try something but not 2-4 servings worth of it... BOO. Fried Calamari- Their homemade marinara sauce that comes with it is delicious and slightly spicy. It goes well with the calamari and the house bread they give you too~ Caesar Salad- On the sweet side for me- the dressing that is, wasn't the best I've tried but okay. Pepperoni Pizza- I really enjoy the style of pizza Buca serves. It used to be a bit different when they first opened-crispier and thinner, and quite frankly I really think they should go back to how it was before, but something about the thin but doughy crust and tomato-y sauce is yummy! I think they use their house marinara sauce in the pizza because you can taste the fresh tomatoes. Pizza was a tad much more oily for my liking, but after a few napkin dabs I was all good.
(3)Imo C.
Buca's, the home of the the meatballs the size of you're head, and plates larger than your stomach. Unfotunetly the meatballs aren't anything special. Fortunately their chicken is much much better. The best is the marsala with the parmisan being a close second. They just seem to make it super juicy and tender other amerItalian restaurants can't do. Also their appetizers are pretty yummy. I would skip the salad though as they aren't that well done and even mix in cheap iceberg lettuce.
(4)Rachel R.
First trip here, I was pleasantly surprised. Our large group was seated quickly, after the "kitchen tour". Our server was attentive and cheerful. I can see why some people would have problems with the decor, but I thought it was fun and relaxed - Babies and nakedness! The food was decent. We had some calamari and other appetizers - good sized portions! We had some sort of spicy chicken pasta, pretty good. If you are expecting authentic food or a quite, intimate evening, go elsewhere. But if you want something fun when you are really hungry, try Buca!
(4)Antonio B.
Awful....unless you like pre-packaged meals and over-cooked pasta. This food is very low quality and priced very high....Typical Corporate Scam! For the same price, one can go to a REAL Italian restaurant and eat a very nice meal. Aside from the food, the restaurant is cramped and over crowded. As a result, the service is slow and it is very loud inside. I have grown up around Italian food all my life. I cook it myself and have eaten all over Italy. Trust me, do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else. This place is an insult to one's intelligence. There already some fairly good Italian restaurants in Oahu that are worth going to.
(1)Dwight L.
Service was really bad every time I have gone. Not unfriendly, but getting food to table took a very long time. The food is unspectacular and not really worth the wait. Portions are huge, so bring a crowd if you go, but I would rather spend my money on phenomenal Italian food at La Cucina, the bill will be about the same. If you are going for mediocre chain Italian, I would go to Macaroni Grill.
(2)Derek K.
The food sucks. The service sucks. It's a little better than eating can spaghetti but not much. I waited 45 min to eat junk
(2)Puka P.
I love Buca! We eat there almost every time before or after movie, pretty much once a week. Servers are friendly, food comes out super fast. The only thing that annoys me every time is the photography ppl, they always come when I'm in the middle of enjoying my pasta and it pisses me off! Once we were in a big group of girls and let the girl take a pic, she brought a sample and said it would be $15 per pic..whatt??Was it made out of gold? No thanks...We politely said "No,thanks", the girl rolled her eyes and rushed to annoy table next to us. Not very nice! It's a good place for group of ppl, for celebrating some event, not good for romantic dates or if you expect quiet dinner, coz there is always someone celebrating birthday, families with kids, this place is always crowded. I just come to eat, nothing esle matters, the food is super good for the price and portions are very generous.
(5)Raych D.
The 1st time I came here was years ago for a birthday party which I arrived fashionably late. And the second time coming here was last Thursday with several of my coworkers and bosses. As a quarterly gift one of my boss treats us to whatever we want and for quarter 1 everyone voted on dinner, D&B's and movies. Our reservation was for 10 people and at 6pm, before being seated most of our party had to be there. When we did get seated the host gave us a tour from the lobby, to the bathroom, kitchen and back of the restaurant. Our table was huge and in a rectangular way. We ordered 2 bottles of white and Bucca di Beppo Sangria, 2 pitchers of Corona, hello kitty shots all around and several mojitos. For the food we ordered the supremo Italiano pizza (sausage, peperoni, bell peppers, onion with red sauce and cheese), spicy chicken rigatoni, linguine frutti di mare, shrimp fra diavolo, calamari, Caesars salad, and cheesy bread Florentine. My favorites where the cheesy bread, sangria, calamari, linguine frutti di mare and shrimp fra diavolo. Those where probably the most moist, full of flavor un-heavy dish there and everything was all huge portions! So we took them home for the branch to eat for lunch the next day. Our bill came out to about $500 so not bad considering how many people we had and drinks we drank. And everyone got a little taste of everything. I didn't care so much for their bread they gave so don't get yourself full eating that. The bathroom is really big and clean and the decorations are mainly about Italy from photos of the pope, nuns, naked woman and people eating on a table. All the workers are very nice, especially our waitress (Leilani?). I will come back again probably if it's another a huge party since everything is all big portions.
(3)Nicole K.
Their portions are ginormous. So, i think that you definitely get your money's worth. It's always crowded whenever we go here, and I think it's because the food is so good. I always come here with a group of people (at least 5), and we order family style. I love getting the pizzas, too. You definitely need a lot of people to eat that. Honestly, I think I eat a lot, but I barely dent the pizza on my own. I've been here a lot, and I think that anything on the appetizer section is good. Main dishes, I'd highly recommend getting the marsala :) It's rare that I have a good marsala because it's usually dry, but theirs is so juicy.
(4)Somany Q.
Love this chain and this location. Every time I am in Honolulu, I eat lunch or dinner here at least once.
(4)Russ L.
If you are looking for an authentic tasting Italian restaurant this is NOT it. We came here two nights ago to celebrate my niece birthday. We preordered the food so we didn't have to wait a long time for the food to come once we got seated. All family size serving, so if you have a party of 12 or more a large serving is more than enough, otherwise a small portion will do. Here's what I like: Apple Gorgonzola Salad, The Frutti di Mari Linguini. The rest was just alright.
(2)Riana S.
Frank Sinatra and generous portions of delicious food! Keep in mind that a "Buca Small" feeds 3 people! Came here with a friend and got the new shrimp scampi with garlic bread, Quattro al Forno and the Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken with pesto sauce. All of it was delicious! Espeically the appetizer. The chicken could have had more pesto sauce but damn....every dish was so good. They apparently have a summer special appetizer going on. The shrimp scampi with garlic bread was surprisingly really awesome. The bread was warm and toasty and garlicky (sp?) and the shrimp scampi was AMAZING. It wasn't mediocre which was nice. By the time we got our quattro al forno and chicken, we were full. The quattro al forno I think is the best to get because it gives you all the baked pasta kind of like a sampler like baked shells, callonis (sp?), and ravioli. They're pretty generous with the tomato sauce. The chicken is hand-breaded (that's what the waitress said) and the outside is so crispy but so tender on the inside and SURPRISE! In the middle there's yummy prosciutto. Dip it in the pesto sauce! They're stingy with it, so ask for more :) In the end we couldn't eat it all because we were too full. Too full of entrees that is. For dessert we got the apple crostata. Definitely a fancier version of apple pie ala mode. The apple crostata is warm (like they just baked it!), the crust tastes like cinnamon bread and there's pieces of almonds that really accent the apples. Paired off with vanilla ice cream (they should give 2 scoops because that crostata is pretty big). It was a perfect ending to a really good meal. My family and I come here often and my mother usually orders the pizza. You must try their pizza! It's thin crust according to my mom, "real italian pizza." The italian sausage is super spicy but good. When I came here for my 21st birthday, I got the Raspberry Lemondrop....if you like sweet stuff you'll love this drink. The rim has sugar on it and it's so dangerous because you can't really taste the alcohol. It's a really fun atmosphere, lots of fun pictures to look at. My favorite is the nuns running through the water in the front. Our waitress was really nice, her trainer was following her around so I think that made her a little more nervous. She was good, provided good recommendations that she was right about and apparently it was her first night! She did a great job for her first night so I gave her a nice tip "hea..buy yourself sometin nice." Service is great, food is.....just go eat there. CIAO!
(4)Mark S.
Lots of food for a reasonable price. Great for parties. Tiramisu is da bomb
(4)Angelo A.
Good food, serving size is enormous. Good for families, very loud. Best to get there early, and reservations are a good idea. Service is great, people are friendly. I have NEVER left hungry.
(3)Jamila J.
This is like any other Bucca Di Beppo in the country. A chain restaurant that mass produces. It's good for a large group and the food is decent. Not great and not horrible. Just decent. If you're looking for great italian this is not the place to go, you will be really disappointed. Unless you haven't experienced great italian, then you may think this is quality. There are crowds, so sometimes there's a wait and if you have a large party you should try to make a reservation. For what it is, it does it well enough.
(3)Caryn W.
I was always a fan of Buca di Beppo since they opened at Ward. I remember being excited about going there for my brother's high school graduation lunch back in 2002. My friend even had her rehearsal dinner there when she got married a few years ago. Sadly, I feel that the quality of food has depleted since the restaurant's opening. My fiancee and I decided to come to Buca for lunch during the Valentine's Day weekend to avoid crowds on Monday. I knew I wanted to eat Italian and he suggested we go to Buca. We didn't have to wait too long to be seated and our server came right away to get our drink orders. We decided to get the lunch portions of the spaghetti with meatball, the pesto pizza, and fried calamari. The calamari appetizer came out quickly, but we were left waiting for our main dishes for quite some time after our calamari dish was taken away. The spaghetti came with one huge meatball, which we cut in half and shared and we ended up taking most of the pesto pizza home as leftovers. The spaghetti was meh-tasting, but the meatball was tasty. We also really liked the pizza. When we were done with our food, we had to wait some more for our server to come with our bill. THEN.... there were some problems with the debit/credit card machine, so my fiancee ended up having to find an ATM to take out cash to pay. I wouldn't mind going back to Buca again to see if they'll ever redeem themselves, but then again, there are a lot of other (better) Italian restaurants closer to where I live (like Ricado's Verbano, Paesano, Assagio's)...so we'll see.
(3)Neil R.
I know I have many positive reviews...well I try to go to paces I like. I'm a creature Of habit. Who doesn't like Buca's? They welcome you into their kitchen and they are proud of it! I admire their spirit. We had a nice liter of sangria and a chicken pesto dish. Always family friendly, my son colored and had mac & cheese. One of these days I'm going to eat in the kitchen!! Friendly, service oriented and tasty... Its not Jersey shore pizza but its good.
(5)Rupert L.
Been going here since 07. It only got better because of the discounts. Really good for family/friend get togethers.
(4)Lin H.
We had the 4 for $40 coupon and it totally serves more than 4 people! We also added the Chicken Parmesan and Margharita Pizza...they were yummy!!! The service was good. The only thing, it's very very noisy in there.
(4)Liko S.
Haven't been there in a while. It was okay. The prices seemed to have gone way up and the food quality wasn't that good. Went to celebrate my mom's birthday and thought they would do something more than just sing, such as a free dessert or something...especially with those prices!! I'll probably go back, but will look for a coupon and not expect much!!
(2)Galen Y.
Good for big parties, family style. Very noisey but its part of the atmosphere. Food quality is not great if your going for good italian food but it passes.
(3)Anthony B.
This place has an incredible atmosphere. The food is amazing, the portions are ridiculous, and overall it is always a great time. We had a ''family dinner'' here tonight, and we couldn't have picked a better spot. Our waitress was Melissa, and even with a crew of 17 rowdy submariners, she was always courteous, upbeat and had a smile on her face. The chefs also brought their A game tonight, serving savory meals at an expeditious pace. Normally with 17 of us, it takes quite a while for all our food, but tonight I had my stuffed shells in less than 10 minutes .I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone that wants to have a get together and enjoy a night of laughs, stories, and great food. We will definitely be back for our next "family dinner."
(5)Mel G.
Been here a few times and thought it was a good chance to give it my ol 2 cents. The decor is entertaining to say the least! The hallway winds through the restaurant to make it feel like several puzzle pieced together, each room more unique than the last. The walls are covered with such a varied mix of items you are instantly intrigued. The staff is mostly friendly and generally quick, considering the size of the place. The food is amazing considering what you pay for it. Warning: extremely generous portions! Family sized, even if you get a small, you will have to take most home or plan on sharing with others. This place is made to feed an army! All of the dishes I've tried so far are tasty, tasty. The salads have a good variety of toppings, not just loads of lettuce and skimpy extras. Bruschetta is perfectly seasoned and the prosciutto stuffed chicken is a must have! Also, I must mention to try the raspberry lemon drop martini, oh so good. Super sweet, but good. Make sure you call ahead for seating as they get busy earlier than most other restaurants.
(3)Shirley Mina Y.
FIVE STARS to sales manager Tiffany Lee and her staff that took in 200 of our sixth graders for their end of the year lunch banquet this morning! I arranged almost everything by email, a few phone calls, and one fax. A dozen of our faculty sat in the Pope's room. Their waitstaff chugged soda for our students, while the students chanted "chug chug chug!" Two of our birthday boys had their complimentary cupcakes to go and they also gave our faculty a stack of $10 off coupons for our next visit this summer. I also ordered an entire celebration cake to take home. I'm going to need that cake after today's field trip.
(5)Laura R.
We were not too keen on the food. The service was okay. We weren't happy about the alfredo. It tasted like butter was on the noodles so I asked that they give us more sauce in hopes that it taste better. She gave us the sauce but failed to tell us it will cost us an extra 2 dollars. Wasn't that big of a fan. The cheese bread we got with the alfredo sauce on it, gross (obviously since I did not like the alfredo sauce). I probably won't go here again unless I am invited by someone else.
(3)Beth I.
My girlfriend and I have Lambrusco here all the time. The bartenders know us and know we want a whole bottle. It's hard to find in restaurants and they always have it here! Foods good too.
(4)Bo-Bae K.
Thoroughly disappointed. The only reason why I'm giving two stars tonight is because the assistant GM took care of our tab (minus the alcohol). I come with family and friends to Buca for special occasions and am never disappointed. Even at their busiest the service is wonderful and the food is consistently amazing. Which is why this was a huge fall from grace. Tonight was a dinner for catching up with a friend who went away for college. The two of us went with her parents and we were seated after a reasonable 15-minute wait. Our waitress took our drink orders and failed to bring us our bread and the glass of wine. Okay, it's a busy night, it's fine. Half a strike. Our salad comes out and it is salty, slightly wilted, and small. Alright, again, they're busy, and everyone cuts portion sizes to save money nowadays. Now it's a full strike. The waitress comes by and brings the wine, doesn't remember the bread. Strike one and a half. Pizza comes out (pepperoni) and it's delicious, previous irritation wears off and dinner conversation starts up; then the frutti di mare comes out and it immediately strikes the whole table as not having enough color; upon pushing the noodles aside, half the bowl that the pasta came in is filled with runny, watery 'sauce'. Having ordered this multiple times before, we know this isn't right. We pull our waitress over and she snips at us that it's a "light clam sauce" and that it's supposed to look that way. We look at each other and she takes that time to walk away. Wow. Okay, never mind all the strikes before this, this was definitely strike three. The assistant GM comes over and tells us she's here to save our pasta. We show and explain to her the watery soup that's in the bowl and she agrees that it is definitely wrong and that she will return it to the kitchen and have them add some chunky marinara. Fantastic, thank you. The pasta comes back several minutes later and while it does have a spoonful of marinara on top of it, it looks like the exact same bowl. The GM comes by again and we show her that not much has changed. By this time, we're really irritated and have lost our appetite. She offers to have it re-made as it's one of their best dishes, and that she'd like to take care of our bill (again, minus the alcohol). We thank her and explain that we don't want the pasta anymore and that we would just like the tab. She insists that she take care of the food and that she'll pack it up for us to take home. Okay, thank you! She was fantastic and professional, courteous and amiable even though we were already frustrated with our waitress, who didn't come back to try to apologize and even kept her back to us the rest of the time we waited for our bill to come out. We got the frutti di mare to go and waited for the server to bring us our bill; when she came back, she told us she was glad things worked out and that she "knew immediately that wasn't how it was supposed to look, which is why I got my manager." To me, customer service is important. Working with food and people, I make sure that a proper apology is given and that the situation is rectified to the customer's standards. We got no apology, and she tried to feed us a line which contradicted what she told us when she brought our food as well as how busy they were, etc. We mentioned that we were a little disappointed tonight because we usually love the frutti di mare, and her voice starts getting sarcastic as she tells us again that it's in a light sauce and that what we got was pretty much what it was supposed to look like. ...what? Tried to keep it classy by leaving a tip for her, but she needs to go to a workshop on customer service and the kitchen needs to at least TRY to fix the food when it gets sent back. I'll go again, but I'll be increasingly critical of their service and will request another server if I get the same one.
(2)Alison A.
We recently ate here for a going away party for a coworker. My husband and I had just been the night before to Casablanca in Kailua (see my review) and were fairly traumatized by the awful service there. So, what a pleasant experience this was! The entire staff at Buca is so friendly. They are all smiling, and not in a fake way. The food was good. The calamari, blanco pizza, and desserts were standouts. We had about fifteen people so we ordered a bunch of menu items, everything was tasty. Is this the best italian food I've ever had? Of course not, but all in all, we were quite happy and stuffed! I had seconds of quite a few of the pastas. The arrabiata sauce was not as spicy as it should be, instead the sausage in the sauce was spicy. Still pretty good though. The fettucine alfredo was decent, again, I make better, but for a chain restaurant, pretty good. The chicken stuffed with prosciutto was really good. Had a yummy pesto cream side on top. That went fast! The staff was super attentive and friendly. Our waters were constantly full and empty plates vanished quickly. They didn't even seem to mind splitting the check with cash, gift card, and multiple credit cards. Get the dessert sampler. Wow. That is some good tiramisu (I make my own and am fairly snobby about it, I admit). The Italian cream cake is yummy too. The cheesecake was thick and rich and the chocolate cake was good as well. Everyone at the table was saying they wanted to come back. I'm really glad I chose Buca for this party. Definitely go with a big group!
(4)Kelly G.
In terms of a chain Italian restaurant, Buca di Beppo stands as a great venue for big groups and gatherings, but probably not for its food. Spicy Chicken Rigatoni and a pitcher of Sangria = $40. On the pricey side, but the Sangria was pretty good. Enough wine without being overpowered by the fruit/juice. The rigatoni was also delicious except for the actual pasta itself. The pasta was a little harder than al dente, would have liked it to be a little more soft. Dinner came with bread, olive oil and vinegar. Decent service at the bar.
(3)Kristen C.
This is place is pretty good for american italian fare, i mean, what can you expect from a chain restaurant. Its good for what it does. i come here once in a while and when i came the other day the house bread has changed each time i came. I know in the beginning they served this foccacia bread, then when i came sometime last year they served this garlic like bread in strips, and then when i came the other day they had the more traditional french/italian bread. Why the change? idk. anyway the new bread was good just not hot and fresh out of the oven, it was just room temp, not even warm but whatevers. Anyway I ordered the small gnocchi al telefono (which is a potato dumpling in a light tomato cream sauce with mozzarella balls and a chiffanade of basil) $16.99. It was delish and my waitress was very nice. Overall a good experience with good family-style food.
(4)Happy K.
They make their OWN TOMATO SAUCE FRESH TOMATOES EVERY DAY!!! Best tomato sauce in town. Great place, thank you!
(4)Brian R.
I don't really understand some of the low reviews here. It seems like people want to drop points because of the pope room. If you're giving out 2 star reviews because you can't handle a pope-in-a-box I think you should lighten up guys! Perhaps it's important to understand the sort of place this is. If you're looking for serious italian cuisine for a peaceful romantic evening - this is not the place. If you're looking for a place where you can be loud and indulge in some decent family style dining - then Buca is for you. Sure its kitsch and cheesy but that's part of the charm of this sort of place. Complaining about it is misplaced - it's like saying that a hot dog stand only had paper napkins! Anyway I think Buca is great with a big crowd. The service is very laid back, which I understand can be interpreted as bad. Don't go there if you expect to be prima-donna'd and waited on hand and food. If you can lighten up then you'll enjoy it. Eating at Buca is more like eating at a friend's house. They're not going to constantly hover over you - but the flipside is that I feel a lot more relaxed and enjoy myself. If you want more water or whatever just ask for it, I've never had any problems. They'll also pack up everything for you if you can't finish it or you can get it to go.
(4)Rise D.
This is a good place to have a large party, since you can be as noisy as you want. The food is ok....not the best Italian food ever, but the portions are family size and are filling. Service has been good each time I've been here. If you're looking to eat quality Italian food, go elsewhere, but if you're looking for a fun family environment with large portions of food, you should consider Buca di Beppo.
(3)Vanessa V.
A great family place! A little loud and your common chain restaurant but still fun. Huge family portions are great for sharing too.
(4)Elle B.
The only reason to come here is if you like to eat in what looks like a cross between an Italian memorabilia shop and a stuffy, cavernous dungeon. ALWAYS take the cheesy tour through their kitchen before you go to your table. I never tire of seeing their sweat shop turn and burn, scoop and plop, its way out of the weeds nightly. I somehow wish that one of these days I'd see the Sweedish Chef from the muppets cooking on their line. Bork Bork Bork! Food is okay but it all tastes the same...out of vacuum bags, buckets, and cans imported from the corporate commissary on the mainland. It's pretty tasty if you're famished and love Americanized Italian food. If you're in the Ward area and are looking for Italian, this place is one notch above Old Spaghetti Factory but you're gonna pay more (but the portions are enormous!) The calamari, veal parm, linguine frutti di mare, and meat balls are my favorite picks. All their desserts are disappointing. Service is usually really slow. Last time it took over an hour for the apps to come and another 45 minutes for the mains. Thankfully I tanked a bottle of Chianti while waiting so my tolerance for bullshit and lousy service was higher than normal. This is a place you eat at once in a blue moon, just for the kitch and the ludicrous fantasy of what America thinks an Italian restaurant should look and feel like.
(2)Tom S.
somewhat smelly. great for large groups/family style cuisine. really large portions. GET THE CHICKEN CARBONARA!!!
(3)Jane M.
The food is good. The most annoying thing is the obtrusive lady that takes the pictures and interrupts you to buy them while you're eating. What a rip.
(4)Bethany N.
We went here last night for dinner. It was packed but we were seated quickly. Our bruschetta came out quickly and was delicious. Maybe I'm spoiled but I vote to skip the olive oil & balsamic at Buca. The balsamic is just too acidic. Start with the bruschetta instead; the bread was toated to hold up to the tomatoes, oil and basil. It was good consistancy, not too watery like some places making a soggy mess of your bread. Next we had mushrooms with prosciutto, cheese, rosemary & sage. These were so delicious, really good earthy flavor. They were plated with pesto sauce. These were comped because they were busy and they felt the wait was too long; we have waited longer at Denny's and not been comped so this was refreshing. For our main we had quatro al forno. Nice spectrum with stuffed shells, ravioli, cannoli and manicotti. I really enjoyed this plate. For dessert we had cheesecake with raspberry sauce and toasted hazelnuts. I was leary at first with the lack of crust and the hazelnuts just laid on top but you know what, it works.. The sweetness of the raspberry sauce and the crunch and texture of the hazelnuts compliments the cheesecake just right. All that for $50. Cheaper and better food than other Italian places here.
(4)Melissa C.
Ehh? I don't get why so low reviews... Well anyway, I'm used to Olive Garden back home in Cali. Since there's not one here, Buca was the only other option for Italian food (although there's Buca in Cali too, just not close to where I lived). We ordered the mozzarella bread, which was $13.99. Steep price for bread and cheese. It was delish, but $14 is ridiculous. Our entree was a Buca large order of the chicken penne with sundried tomatoes and artichoke, minus the peas. I found one pea. I ate it and had a crazy allergic reaction, which made my lips swollen and my skin itch all over and I was rushed to the ER. I could have died. Just kidding. The penne was really good!
(4)Sean V.
The food is decent, prices are good and the portions are good. This place is great for an outing with friends before drinking and having fun. I am more of a southern and sicilian food fan, because of spice! For people who say that its horrible, really have no good sense of what a good meal consists of. this is not california pizza kitchen.
(3)Boki C.
this would totally be an over-rating if this was the mainland...but nope, it's hawaii - and it's the best ito-american place i've had here. granted, i haven't eaten at too many italian places in hawaiian. we had x'mas dinner here. there were lots of people, we had a reservation, but still had to wait - oh well, expected on a holiday. portions were huge (family style), food was delicious, prices were decent. wait staff was great. we ordered: bruschetta was yummy - tomatoes & bread were very fresh Penne San Remo - DELICIOUS & rich! apple gorgonzola salad - loved the combination of ingredients Gnocchi al Telefono - hearty & heavy; yummy! chicken w/ lemon - we've had better i was some-what of an anti-chain food restaurant, but sorry italian mom & pop restaurants! buca di beppo prevails (at least in hawaii!)
(4)Carmen C.
Came here on the free lasagna night, and although the lasagna was free, it tasted pretty bad. I mean, despite it being free, I hoped that it'd tasted better. Anyways, I ordered the parmesan chicken and I was very disappointed. It had only 2 slices of chicken that tasted bland and soggy, nothing compared to other parmesan chicken from other Italian restaurants. Also, it doesn't come with pasta which I was a little sad about. If any of you come here, I highly suggest to NOT order the chicken parmesan. It doesn't taste good and it's not worth paying almost 20 bucks. My boyfriend ordered the spicy chicken rigatoni and it tasted bad. It was dry & bland but they did give a big portion. It was more quantity than quality, but I perfer quality, so that dish didn't meet my expectations. For dessert we ordered the caniolis and that was bad too! The cream had such a weird texture that I was done after just one bite. Overall, for me, I would only come back here only for the atmosphere, not the food. This is place has good service & great atmosphere, especially if you're with a big group. My 3 stars are for the atmosphere & service, not the food.
(3)Joe B.
Great food and great service. Make sure you understand how the portions work or you might end up with way too much food. We had some pizza there and it was delicious. The service was also great. Highly recommend.
(4)christopher c.
Badly made Italian-American food in HUGE family-size portions. I LOVE the family-style concept and wish more restaurants would do it (other than pizza places, they don't count). Pastas are cooked to mush and not al dente at all (which is harder than you think; almost opaque/white in the middle of each noodle). Kitschy Italian-American 1950s decor is funny and charming. Go for the odd atmosphere and for large groups, but just don't expect decent food. Service is fine. Parking at Ward at night always sucks.
(2)Rita L.
take out here is great! the small is actually large! a must to order is the lemon chicken, frutti di mare, and the meat sauce spaghetti! soo good! they give free bread to so don't spend extra dollars for garlic bread, just ask for bread and make it yourself! great flavor, love the food, and its a deal! :)
(4)Jesse M.
When a certain malevolent dictator was stomping his way through Europe to form his perfect Arian nation in the 1950's, Bucca de Beppo was probably what he envisioned. Blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin, seems to be the prerequisites to be a waiter or anybody front of the house at this establishment. It isn't until a patron is given the tour of the restaurant's kitchen that they see where all the "colored" staff are-- segregated and hidden away in the back of the proverbial Bucca de Beppo bus. Having an all white front of the house staff seems like a statistical impossibility in Hawaii with cultures and ethnicities as mixed and diverse as the rainbow, but somehow it has occured with perfect imperialism at Bucca. Equally Nazi-like (in case you didn't catch the first reference) are the group reservations. Customers (and I use the term loosely, "subject" or "easy mark" is probably more appropriate) wanting to do a group reservation are forced to come in and sign a contract stating exactly how many party members are coming. Customers are then forced into ordering from a group menu, which item by item ends up signficiantly more expensive than had they ordered off the regular menu. Auto gratuity is also included, which to me seems fair assuming service was also included-- which is conveniently absent as well. Remember that contract I mentioned earlier? Well if less people show up than originally stated (as in if 20+ people's schedules are not coordinated with perfect precision, someone gets sick, called in to work, has to pick up their kid) the group is still billed the same amount, and the cost is defrayed amongst whoever was unlucky enough to show up. My group ended up paying $45 per person for noodles, salad and overcooked fish under green slime. This was not including the cost of drinks which was added seperately. So I spent roughly $120 for myself and the missus to eat at this mediocre restaurant-- that's Allen Wong or Ruth's Cris pricing for food that's on par with microwavable pasta. Actually I stand corrected; I do from time to time eat and enjoy a bertoli's meal. Bucca's food was beneath even that. I actually did the math, and had the missus and I ordered every individual item from the group menu, it still would have come out less than the cost for the both of us, AND it would have been enough to feed 6+ people easily. I'm disgusted by how much this place ripped us off. Moreover, the waitstaff will creep in one of the many hallways where they feel protected and discuss at length how cheap, stupid, ugly, the table they are serving is-- which I happened to have the good fortune to overhear on my way to the restroom a discussion going on about a table of young folks next to us. Classy Bucca, real classy. Questionable hiring practices asside, overpriced food asside, crude and cruel waitresses asside... well what else is there? Tacky decorum on the walls? This place is a disaster and a disgrace to food service. Do not eat here. Do not support what they do. Do not put money into their pockets. Support businesses elsewhere.
(1)Ed K.
we try our best to not waste food but shmall kine feeding frenzy over there. PORTIONS WERE HUMONGOUS HEAPFULLS. we shoulda just scavenged a previous tables leftovers. the birthday cake was a foot tall. bright lights, plenty flair, loud, decorations had tradition in it.. must be the vegas italians. we were all singing, clapping, n just going along with it. plenty people wanted what we had. no no no.. food defeated us. could've been a lot worse. their business plan really helped us have a good time. Happy Birthday AW!
(4)d s.
Dropped by for dinner the other night because my boy loves Italian and we had one of their coupons they're constantly sending out. We came a little early (about 5:30pm) so got seated immediately. I never understand, though, why they put you ALL the way back in the restaurant when it's empty. Waiter was attentive in the beginning but a little on the pushy side. Seemed disappointed when we pulled out the coupon. Also seemed disappointed when we didn't order more. There's only three of us, how much can we eat??? Made comments like, "oh, saving room for dessert?" We were starving so we ate up the bread as quickly as they brought it. Each time, only a small piece of bread was brought so we finished it up in no time. Interesting thing is that once the entre came no more bread! WTF? Had to ask another waiter for more. On the plus side, I thought the spinach salad and the seafood linguine we had were pretty good. But keep in mind that just for those two items and two soft drinks came out to nearly $40. And these were the "small" portions. Not expensive but not inexpensive either.
(2)Cristina M.
I haven't been to a Buca di Beppo in over 3 years. When my family and I headed to Dave & Busters on a Friday night I was more than ecstatic to see this italian restaurant. I know it's another franchise, but I've been living in Bremerton, WA for almost 2 years prior to moving here, and the only thing on our side of the Puget Sound was Olive Garden (don't let me get started on that...) There were a ton of people waiting outside. So I just called in a reservation while we played games upstairs. When we walked in the hostess did the usual walk through of the kitchen. My husband who has never been to Buca was impressed. Our server was fine. Nothing over the top, just average service. We ordered the calamari, which was delicious. A little spice from the marinara sauce was good. For entrees we had the rigatoni w/ spicy sausage, chicken parmesan & salmon with pesto sauce. The salmon was a bit overcooked for my liking by the garlic infused pesto sauce made up for it. For a family of 3 we ordered small portions for the entrees and still had plenty of leftover to take home. There was some guy walking around taking pictures of each table. The first picture was free, which was put on a postcard with a $5.00 coupon for our next visit. Any other pictures was a 4x6 in a carboard frame for $10. Overall, I enjoyed my dinner. We did spend a bit but I already expected that. Our next visit won't be for a while and will probably be for lunch since it'll be cheaper. We're likely to try other italian restaurants but it's good to know a Buca is here on the island.
(4)Laurie K.
Amazing place with fabulous service! The manager Serena was terrific as well as personable and willing to jump through hoops to get you what you want. The only thing missing was not being able to get grilled calamari instead of fried but this place was so worth every penny!
(4)Claudia M.
This place is delicious but expensive lol. They have a large variety of italian food here and its really good. The service is very friendly here. Their portion sizes are huge here as well XD
(4)Albert M.
While it is really noisy in here, the food is great! I love the decor on the walls. The staff are all friendly.
(4)g s.
I'm part Italian, so when it comes to pastas I'm all over it. I love the atmosphere and the service is always friendly, as far as the times I've been there. Every dish is amazing and great for large parties. As well as a party for two. I love the Frutti Del Mar because I'm a seafood lover, but for some reason I've been hitting up the pizza's lately. I can't seem to get enough of that thin crust and spicy pepperoni and sausage with mushrooms. And don't let me forget to mention the Tiramisu! I'm not sure if you can get a buzz off of it, maybe it's the sugar rush, but I'm in heaven when I finish off with this desert. It's just fun being there. Recommend the red wines.
(4)Joshua C.
Got to go in here before it even opened, despite it's chainess I had high hopes for this place. That was back when I was young and foolish. High quantity, low quality. Good for large groups that really don't fit anywhere, bad for everything else. The perfect place for those looking for copious amounts of mediocre food served in a way over decorated labyrinth.
(2)Eric M.
Great place to come celebrate a birthday. Family style cuisine and large portions. You must get the Colossal Sundae. It's in Waikiki so realize on the weekends parking might be limited. I suggest calling ahead for a reservation if you have a large party.
(4)Serena F.
Still in love with their Spicy Chicken RIgatoni. Portions are huge here (meant for sharing of course), and prices aren't exactly cheap, but with the $10 off your $20 bill coupon, it becomes really affordable. I print out the coupon at home and bring it in every time. You can download and print it here: bucadibeppocouponssite.c…
(5)Desiree M.
I went to one in California and the pasta was okay and the mashed potatoes were great. This time, Kyle and I went here after watching Iron Man at Ward. The pasta was okay and the mashed potatoes were good. It is a pretty big restaurant and the portions are huge, which makes it really affordable. We got the pasta primavera and it was okay but not something to really brag about. It doesn't have the greatest Italian food in the world or in the city for that matter. On the other hand, it's a good, fun place for groups where it's good to be loud and laugh and have great conversations with friends.
(3)Shay F.
The only reason I go to this place is because they serve gnocchi and I LOVE gnocchi. Other than that...it's okay.
(3)Kaiulani K.
going by the definition of 2 stars, which is "meh. i've experienced better." i used to go here a lot in highschool, but never liked it. decided to give it another chance since the last time i ate there was about 4 years ago. still not impressed. nothing is wrong with the food, i just don't think it's that good.
(2)Jodi K.
WARNING: kind of a long review...sorry! i was a bit excited to try the food here because people have told me the food was good. so of course, i had some sort of 'expectation' that the food was going to be great. the place is totally covered wall to wall with photos, pictures, and paintings. it's kinda of an unusual set up, like a circle or something...there are little rooms, and within these rooms are tables for small groups or long tables for bigger parties...the place is dim which i loved; dim lighting makes anyone look good, right? the service was good. the servers were friendly, they even asked everyone within that particular room to sing along 'happy birthday' to this girl who was celebrating her sweet 16th party. they also had crayons for the younger children to keep them occupied; smart idea! moving on to the food and drinks: i ordered an ultimate raspberry lemon drop. it was yummy to me because i LOVE sweet, fruity alcohol drinks. my future sister-in-law ordered a strawberry italian cream soda which was served in a huge glass with huge amounts of whip cream on top. for starters, people ordered the fried calamari, bruschetta (forgive my spelling!), spinach salad, and i guess what appeared to be their version of the chopped salad. the salads were kind of drenched in dressing...a bit too much for my liking. the calamari was kinda yummy, little, tiny bite sized pieces that was actually tasty. their version of the bruschetta was horrible. it came out on this 12x12 pan with a mound of diced tomatoes on top of it...i can do better, i think! their 'bread' was like dried, sourdough foccacia (forgive my spelling!) which i didn't care for...the entrees weren't any better, unless it depends on what you order...this was my first time so i relied on everyone else's opinions and taste. people ordered the chicken saltimboca, this seafood linguine w/tomato sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, and eggplant parmesan. i don't know if it's just me because i can be picky, or if the food really isn't that great at all...because, the only two dishes i ended up eating was the chicken saltimbocca and the eggplant parmesan. all in all, i've concluded this place isn't for me. the food was just 'okay', it wasn't anything great where i wanted to lick my plate and eat every, single, morsel. in addition, it was SO NOISY, there were servers running around, people chatting, talking, laughing, dishes clinking and clanking. this is definitely NOT a place where you want to take your date! sadly, bucca did not meet my 'expecations.'
(3)Mish B.
My husband and I came on a Saturday night. I was surprised the wait time was only 5-10 min. With all the people waiting outside, I thought we be waiting for at least an hour. When we were greeted, the staff were friendly. Our server, Kim was great! She was on top of things bringing out our food, and refilling our soda's.
(5)Mimi T.
Went on a Saturday night, an hour before closing..the place wasn't busy at all. Our server Noel was very nice and welcoming. It was our first time, so we got the tour to their kitchen. Ended up bringing lots of leftovers..but overall, the food was great!
(4)Jenn P.
Went here last night on a whim cuz we were close, and starving, and I wanted pasta and was craving some good old olive garden but since there aren't any in Hawaii (they still have the torturous mouthwatering commercials!) we decided to go here. Food was delicious, but it was like pulling teeth getting service. Saw the waitress 15 min after we sat. Got our food soon after we ordered (mass production) but had to wait another 15 minutes for our pitcher of Sangria. I was trying to slow my roll cuz I didn't have anything to drink with my food, but was already getting full. Once everything was on the table, we saw the waitress more often then we needed, which became annoying. Then when it came time for the check, we asked to split it, she was gone for a good 20-30 minutes, long enough for a table of 20 people to slowly straggle in. There was no one else but our table in her section, so she didn't have a good reason to be so long, so I asked for the manager. While I was speaking to the manager about the poor service, the waitress came with the checks and took our friends credit card to run his check without waiting. The manager thanked us for bringing up the service to her attention, apologized, and comped our whole meal. She found out that the waitress already took our friends card and was irritated at her, but refunded his bill anyhow. I didn't see the waitress again before we left, I kinda felt bad, but not that bad. We wasted a whole night on a meal that could have lasted less than an hour. Next time, just gonna call-in for takeout.
(2)Clinton W.
One of the best dining experince have ever had. I friend told me about this place since it was my daughters birthday we called and got a 5pm reservation for the kitchen table. The staff from the begining made you feel like your mattered as a customer not to mention sitting in the kitchen gives your the status of super customer, since it was a busy Friday there were kitchen tours coming by often. The food portions we MONDOHUGE, and tasted excellent! I will have lasagne sandwiches for the next 3 days. The prices my seem high for some, but I have paid a lot more for less so I found it reasonable, and my daughter had a birthday to remember!
(5)charlie d.
Can you say amazing. This place is so righteous there is nothing that cAn stand in the way of it's righteousness. We have been here numerous times and love it. My personal favorite server is Tony, very personal, will talk and hang out and has good suggestions. It's a Long drive for us but definately worth it. It's A bit pricey, but no different then the stateside ones. For my wife and I we get two regular dishes ( one feeds two ppl or one hungry boy like Me) so we can take it home later and bask in it's glory the next morning. For the two dishes and some Mimosa is came Out to around $70 with tip. The decor is your usual buca Style and always entertaining. Anytime friends Wanna know where To go i always say here or ewa Pointe Chinese.
(5)Lynn C.
Celebrated my birthday with friends who have never been at Buca. All of us left with doggies bags to indulge in laters. Shucks! No family style dining for lunch hours to share. Tiramisu was extremely massive! Thought it was free for my birthday... Not! No matters, Great time with friends and having birthday greetings sung by staff.
(3)Young Mi K.
Not much is good about this place, especially the loud ambience and confusing layout. The bread is boring, not warm or toasted. The salad was bland and boring. I could not really taste any hint of gorgonzola cheese in the apple salad. The gnocchi was dry, bland, and just too thick? It's hard to describe...it kind of looked and tasted like something you made and left out for several hours. The penne san remo had a nice, light sauce to it that was flavorful...but it too was dry. I would recommend the fried mozzarella appetizer dish, however. That was pretty yummy. I guess this place actually does have several things going for them: 1) great location, 2) free parking, 3) huge portions, 4) free drink refills, and 5) good fried mozzarella. That's not saying much, though, about the quality of their food.
(1)Remee A.
Love family style meals?? Buca is the place to go. We always sit at the bar this way you get excellent service. The food is always consistent and good. Our favorites are apple Gorgonzola salad and chicken prosciutto!
(4)Scott H.
Decent "Italian" food (yeah, it's not Tuscany, but it'll do for Honolulu). Great place for large groups/parties. Kinda loud, not really a place to go for an intimate dinner with your wife or girlfriend. Though the dishes are served mostly family sized, in recent years they've added individual portion sized dishes... The Good: - Fettuccine Alfredo: Creamy yet light. Isn't soupy or too heavy like most places. Seams like the light cream alfredo just coats the fettuccine...my favorite dish at Buca. I think the chicken version with broccoli ruins the dish, I susally just get the basic. - Pizza: Surprisingly good, thin crust, perfect balance of ingredients. They sever on cans of food to elevate the dish (literally). - Fried Calamari: another surprise. Lightly battered and fried. Not oily or swimming in sauce. Really good. - Mussels: Not overcooked. served in a tomato sauce. Really good. - Baked rigatoni: If you like your pasta al dente, then you like the pasta here. This dish was another surprise. Sausage is a little spicy, paired well with the mozzarella and ricotta. - Linguine Frutti di Mare: Probably the best dish they serve, fruit of the sea! Shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari with linguine and a spicy red clam sauce. Perfection. It is kinda expensive, so it might be best to suggest this one when someone else is paying (expense account?). - For the most part, the service I've had here has been pretty good. Attentive for such a cramped place. Sometimes you can get lost in a large group. The alright/not so good: - Portions are really big, even the small sizes. Yeah, how can you complain about portion size being too big? Well, maybe it's just a warning. My eyes are usually bigger than my stomach here. I always order way too much. - It can get loud and busy. Being so close to Ward theaters, this place will be packed on Friday and Saturday nights. Make reservations, other wise you might get stuck at Dave and Busters...or even worse...Big City Diner :( it will get loud, especially if you are stuck in a room with a large group...even more if it's a large group of large women (it's like Hawaii's version of the Olive Garden...a magnet for girls night out types). It's also one of those ghetto nice places (you know what I mean).
(4)Dan C.
Cheese Garlic Bread, Seafood Pasta:::-- SLAP!!!
(3)Joy W.
In a nutshell: Very uneven service and bland food. When my friends suggested we do our holiday meal here because of its family-friendly atmosphere, I was tasked with organizing the event. But boy was that ever a task because they were so disorganized! I made reservations in late August for a December meal and although I had to repeat myself three times as to what date and time we wanted, I was able to secure the slot needed. In late October, I received a call that since we had a large party, we had to reserve our meal from a set menu in advance ... oh and could we do it by the end of the week because their seats do fill up ever so quickly during the holidays. (Um and they couldn't have told me this two months ago and given me more time to consult the group??) The menus they offered were normally for banquets of 30+ people whereas we were feeding 9 adults. When I asked for a more reasonably priced menu, I did receive 3 alternatives but still the price per head was more than if we had ordered ala carte, as another reviewer noted below. We were able to choose a menu and secure it within the timeframe requested but then another week later, I received another call that since we had a large party with a set menu, I had to sign a contract and provide credit card details ... oh and could I do so ASAP because their seats do fill up ever so quickly during the holidays. (Well, if they fill up so quickly, why wasn't all of this taken care of back in August when I first made the reservations??) Needless to say, I was quite annoyed at this point at their process. Two days before the event, they called to reconfirm my seats, which I approved and also reminded them of the 3 high chairs needed as stated in my contract. Yes, yes, they assured me all was in order. Well guess what: We got there and there were no high chairs. There were, however, 12 seats for our party of 9 adults and 3 babies. After we got our high chairs, the food started arriving, and everything was rather bland and tasteless, even the chocolate cake for dessert. The service wasn't bad although drink refills were far and few between. But then we got the bill, and we were billed for 12 adults instead of 9. They did fix it without fuss but still I was glad to leave when we did. I was kind of hoping they would call yet again afterward, as a followup to hear about my experience, but not a word, so here I am on Yelp, hoping to save all of you from making the same mistake I did!
(1)Crystal B.
This place is just tacky and the food isn't good. If you're looking for a family friendly place, this would be an ok option. Relatively inexpensive, casual, and kids wouldn't be picky about the food. Plus they have family style. But if you actually want decent Italian food stay away. The servers have a routine they have to follow, and it comes off as rehearsed and over-zealous. The decor and low ceilings are awkward and uncomfortable. The food all has that smoky, too-long-cooking-in-oil taste. Yuck. I've gone there twice now (with people who for some reason wanted to go) and I'm hoping I don't have to go again. Two stars for reasonable prices and family-friendly atmosphere.
(2)Conrad L.
I've been here three times and each visit was so passable that I honestly can't remember anything I ordered. I DO remember how at the end of every visit I walked out the place thinking how I wish I pulled a Michael Corleone and planted a gun in the bathroom so I could shoot myself in the face with it. OK, OK, I take that back. It wasn't THAT bad, although chances are you could probably make better pasta yourself for a lot less money. And if large portions are to your liking then hey, you'll be sitting pretty in your plate full of mediocre pasta. The atmosphere is cool though. Almost feels like you're in another country and that's probably why I went back those last two times. Actually on second thought, the last two times were for a birthday dinner and because I was back home for Christmas vacation and my friends wanted to have our little reunion there. And I guess the location helps it a whole lot better because since it's townside, it makes us country side people feel like we're going someplace fancy. Lol. "Eh! You wearing shoes?! Where YOU goin all dress up?!".."We goin Buca's, brah!".."Meeeeean da dope!" Wouldn't be my first choice if I were aching for some Italian food though. This place reminds me of how much Hawai'i needs an Olive Garden. THAT place is an awesome place that has BOTH QUANTITY AND QUALITY and it's unfortunate that Buca has, by default, become one of the "better places" to get Italian food in Hawai'i. But hey, ignorance is bliss right? P.S. - I remember now that I ordered the same dish here that I usually get at Olive Garden and it was terrible by comparison. That's why I didn't like that place the first time.
(2)Tessa t.
i had gone out drinking the night before... when i woke up i needed to run errands, but didn't feel up to driving around so i called my friend and bribed her...saying that i would buy her lunch if she took me around... :) i was pretty hungry (or at least i thought i was) i ended up ordering the caesar salad, bread, quattro al forno, and the chicken parmigiana... (lunch menu) the food isn't THE BEST italian i have ever eaten, but it hit the spot... the bill only came out to around $40 (including soft drinks) which is pretty good considering the amount of food i ordered...i even had enough left overs to take home to the boyfriend for him to eat lunch AND dinner :D service was ok... nothing extraordinary, but nothing to complain about... 20% tip for her :)
(3)Maria O.
Yummy Spaghetti, pizza, chicken parmesan and garlic bread!Good price for the size portions and great for kids!
(4)Jess T.
All I can say is that my boyfriend and I absolutely LOVE this place! Their food is always delicious and we are always shocked at the quantity they serve. Not to mention how much fun the decor is here. It has great food, ambiance, and service!
(5)Malia E.
I had sent my kids to a 5:45 movie upstairs, thinking I could nab a reservation for about 7:30ish, so we would go seamlessly from movie to dinner. Saturday nighst at Buca's at Ward are normally packed. On this night, much to my frustration, they stopped taking reservations around 5:30. So, I walked around for a while, then showed up to "Drew", the pretty reservation lady, at 7pm, hoping to squeeze in by 7:30-7:45. My kids got out at 7:40 - and we were seated by 7:45. So far so good, right? Every table was packed. Huge parties everywhere were going on. We were seated in a corner, under an air conditioning vent. I think because we were in a corner, the air from vent hit the wall and went straight down. The table was freeeezing. I asked to be moved - but a kind manager showed up, saw my kids with hoodies covering their heads and shivering, and said he was shutting down that particular vent. Yay for the responsive manager! Our waiter was helpful in our ordering. I can be a pain in the okole when I order, no doubt. In this case, we wanted a small fettucini alfredo, but half with shrimp, a kids chicken parm, and a lobster caesar salad but with the lobster on side. The kids also wanted lemonade. Water for me. The waiter answered my questions, got the order, and off he went. Yay for the sharp waiter! Heres where it went downhill, big time, from there: 1) The Lemonade seriously tasted like it was made with dirty water. Gross. Totally gross. We sent it back - and just got water - which ironically - tasted cleaner than the lemonade. 2) The bread was hard. Bottom of the bread basket, maybe? 3) The fettucini came out first, in two huge bowls, one with shrimp, the other without. We werent sure if he gave us two orders of the pasta, but when we checked, sure enough this was one order, split in two. ...except that both bowls were cold. Ok, not freezing cold like the ice coming off my kids nose, but you know how cream is icky if its not hot and steaming, how it sorta curdles on your noodles, and becomes a not even luke warm sticky mess? Thats what those kids were served. I didnt send it back because they were starving and they ate it, but really it was barely warm. Plus, I think to any adult, their FA is actually really bland and boring. 4) We got our lobster caesar, with some pretty huge lobster claws on the side. Now, normally, our family LOVES Bucas salads. But this salad SUCKED. No other way to describe it. It was dry, dry, dry. Adding the lobster to my portion did nothing to save it. We asked for extra dressing - but it still sucked. For $17 for a salad, we will stick with the antipasto one next time. 5) The kids-portion chicken parm did not come out until we were almost done with everything else. It took the waiter talking to that same kind manager to get the darn thing out of the kitchen. 6) Halfway through the meal, the darn air conditioner vent kicked back on. WIth their hoodies back on, I pointed it out again, and again the manager turned it off. They really should just disable that particular vent. 7) No one checked on our waters. I know the place is packed, but wheres the backup to your waiters? 8) Last but not least, we waited, easily 20 minutes - if not more - to get the check and get our change back. At this time, I should actually again apologize to our waiter who I literally ass-grabbed (completely by accident, I swear!!!) as he was walking past us, just trying to get our check from him. I dont get why establishments let tables wait like that - just holding up people and seats. For ALL of the above reasons, I am sooooo glad my husband was not with us. I know that, despite the above review, we will be returning to Bucas. But I know it wont be when its super-packed like that. And I also suggest that the management and kitchen step up their A-Game.
(2)Florence K.
Buca di Beppo is always my to go place when we need to make reservations for a huge group. First of all, they can definitely accommodate huge parties, but not only that, their food is served in huge portions, meant for family-style eating. In that way, everyone can try many different things during one dinner, rather than just an entree. The food here is always filling.Their pasta is always something I order. Their pizza is delicious as well, and basically everything. A must get is the Chicken Marsala. It's definitely the best Marsala I've tried in Hawaii. Another one of my favorites is the Chicken Carbonara. I love the bacon and peas mixed in with all that cheesy buttery goodness. I've tried so many things here over the years...and I've enjoyed the food here. I love the smell of the tomato sauce every time I pass by here. However, I did not enjoy the sangria here. It could be because I've tried so many elsewhere, that this one just did not compare to any of them. But you don't need to come here for the drinks. The ambiance here is so cultural. I love the paintings and sculptures they have here. Real Italian. I really like some of the pictures of the naked people, that makes it seem like you're eating in a real Italian restaurant. Service here always seems to be a hit or miss. But whatever, the food here makes up for it.
(4)Seda-Vae F.
We went there because it was our time to treat my brother and his wife to lunch. So we decided to go to Buca Di Beppo in Kakaako. First of all, I was happy there's "Free Parking," Secondly, the hostess was sweet and took us on a tour of the kitchen because it was our first time there. Third, the food was delish and the portion was good enough to feed the six of us, Fourth, Our server Milo was the "BEST." He was awesome. Thank You!
(5)Kimmy T.
American Italian. Not a authentic italian. Amount is huge. Service is ok. Little bit too oily...
(3)Julie E.
Met up with some friends here on a Friday evening. This was our first time to a Bucas although I have heard about it. We had reservations and were promptly seated. I think there were about 10 or 15 of us including a bunch of rugrats. The restaurant is family style so each couple ordered a plate or two and we shared amongst the table. - Ceasar Salad was great!! I think it was my favorite part of the meal. - Seafood Trio Appetizer was great as well (mussels, calamari, etc) - Main dish (forget what I ordered...it was forgettable) Although the portions were huge and looked great, I found the main dishes to lack in flavor a bit. I didn't try everything though, I had binged on ceasar salad! I liked the atmosphere, although this place is pretty confusing to find your way to the restroom and back again.
(3)Eduardo S.
Excellent Service! Amazing food! Good prices! We go to bucca di beppo about 2-3 times a month and we have never experience any problems at all ! I highly recommend this restaurant !
(5)Megan S.
Tasty food, eclectic atmosphere, but the service is really hit or miss. We've been here a couple of times where we had our food within minutes of arrival, but today we waited and waited and waited... the table next to us that was seated after had food before we had drinks.
(3)Stina L.
Horrible RSVP policy!
(1)Momo N.
The pastas are a bit hit or miss here at buca. The "rosa" sauce (alfredo + marinara) is quite bland. Not sure why they would do that. It would have been better to have them separated and you eat them to give you palate a cleansing each time. The chicken parmesan is one of my favorites, they just get it right evne though its frozen chicken. The marsala is quite tasty too. They are a bit on the pricey side for what you get though. Even the $20 hardly helps to dent that bill!
(3)Nicole O.
I went here just last week for my friends birthday dinner. The seating wait was just horrible. We got there around 6pm but ended up waiting for 45 minutes because the hostess gave our table to another party. The hostess was like " your party is waiting inside already" but we didn't even get seated yet WTF? When we finally got seated, my friends and i decided to share a one small pepperoni pizza and a small margarita pizza. I didn't really like the pepperoni pizza because it was soaked in grease but the margarita pizza on the other hand was very delicious. For a small pizza, it was actually pretty big for like 16 slices.
(3)Jordan Pono B.
Recently I've received a special $5 per person deal via email so wanted to try. Haven't been to the restaurant for ages since many new eateries pop up in town like crazy. The Caesar salad was tasty, to my surprise! The waitress was so attentive...she even announced the entire dining room that my niece has just gotten into University of Maryland.(we were there to celebrate that she got into her first choice of school). She made my niece very special and that was nice. Lately, I seem to choose to the restaurant for ther service not necessarily for the food. Ugh. Anyway,try, you'll like it
(4)Tellia W.
I really like their food. The place is a little noisy though as they are constantly singing the Bucca De Birthday song. Great place for a family meal.
(4)Fernando G.
i love food -- i do !!! yet i love to eat quality food. and so for as much as with my group of friends we all were on celebratory mood, the servings at buca were kind of not what italian food is about. smaller portions, better quality will suffice best. i think. i would go back, if i must. but not a fan of mass produced food and much less a fan of loud birthday songs being chanted the place over.
(4)Annie W.
Last minute, but we came here for my husband's birthday. The portions are big, but the SMALL is NOT meant for 3 people, maybe 2. The cool thing is we got an over sized cupcake to celebrate at the end of the meal. I really enjoyed their birthday jingle!! The food was mediocre, nothing to really rave about. Huge restaurant, loud atmosphere, screaming kids some times. They also have the standard bread served with oil and vinegar before the meal.
(3)Azzi E.
Well, first of all, this was my first visit at Buca. Because I spent some time in Italy I can tell what's Italian and what is not. The atmosphere is kind of weird. Some decorations are nice (I like the old school photographs and Italian antiques here and there) but some are really weird (the upper torso of the pope on the table, WTF?). The outline of the restaurant is an underground maze and if you are claustrophobic don't go in there. Our waiter was great - friendly, giving us recommendations but at the end he was politely asking us to leave (in Italy people use to spend hours at the dinner, here, they just try to feed you, charge you and GTFO). Kind of rude, especially when the restaurant wasn't totally packed. The food was OK. Average. Maybe people here think that wow, what an authentic Italian cuisine. However, the menu card was really full of stuff (should be shorter for that kind of price range) and the quality - I just had a feeling that not everything was made fresh and some ingredients were prefabricated. Plenty of free parking space at the Ward (across the street). Summary: Mixed feelings. Buca has potential, obviously great marketing and a good renomé in town. However, it's kind of fake. 3/5 is my rating. I might go there again if someone persuades me and I'll give Buca a second chance.
(3)Danielle C.
Great food! Great location! Great staff! I came here last summer when I visited Hawaii and we got there super hungry and we placed our order and the food came quickly. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered and we will definitely visit Buca in SF!
(5)Dianna D.
This restaurant often has coupons/specials, and the food is delicious, and at great prices with large portions, with the exception of the salads. I would highly suggest this place for group meals, although in past experiences, I've always had to wait outside for a bit before being seated. Their bread is good. Sometimes I get really full off the bread alone because it's so delicious before I actually get to my entree. Of the entrees I've tried, I recommend the chicken pesto pizza, supremo italiano, and chicken saltimbocca. The pasta, while very filling, isn't too special. Overall great food, great service, and interesting decor. I would come here again in the future with groups of friends after watching a good movie.
(3)Tina H.
I have a new found respect for a) People who make their RSVPs on time, b) People who keep their RSVPs and c) Restaurants who keep their cool and don't go ape shit in dealing with that sort of madness. Last week, I came up with a brilliant idea: Invite a bunch of strangers from reddit.com/r/hawaii to eat Italian food in homage to our favorite Italian plumber, Mario, and all of his Nintendo friends. I called the event "The Super Italian Mario Party". Originally, I was expecting 7 redditors to show up -- Maybe 10 if I was really lucky. So, I posted a thread inviting everyone and waited. Soon enough, I received my first RSVP. Then a second person RSVP'd after that. Then another. And another. And another. Hitting the 20 mark is when I began to question whether or not Buca's would appreciate a herd of Nintendo nerds arriving like hungry cattle, so I placed a phone call. When I told them the potential number of party goers, I was immediately put through to the sales crew. For the next couple of days, I touched base with wonder-woman, Kalei, who was so totally pro about this situation. For a group this size, we were offered the banquet menu rather than the regular one. They have several you could choose from and tweak to your liking. I chose the Firenze, a menu that's worth $21 per person (not including tax and tip). In this menu, you get two salads, fetuccini alfredo, spaghetti, chicken parmigiana, and a dessert of your choosing (I picked chocolate cake). So, the big night rolls around and sure enough there are a few flakers; Eight of them to be exact. I was told that if people didn't show up, to tell the front desk so that we didn't get charged for the full 25 seats that I reserved. When I did this, I got no snobby stink eye nor any trouble from the awesome girl who worked with me. They took care of the situation better than Joe Pesci with a dead gangster at his feet. Throughout the evening we not only received fantastic food (particularly the chicken parmigiana that tastes like melted love in your mouth) but also fantastic, fun service. The servers made us feel comfortable and we could actually joke and carry a conversation with them. I loved that. It seemed like everyone around us was treated to a birthday song that night and as it turned out, one of the guys in our group had a birthday the day prior to the party. I approached the waiters about doing something special for him and they were genuinely enthusiastic about doing it. So right around dessert time, they came around with candle sticks, lit them up, and had the whole restaurant clap as they sang a song for him. He got a special birthday moment and I got to feel like fucking Oprah that night. This place is awesome for just about anyone -- whether if you're in a group or you're kicking it solo. The food goes off without a hitch and the people there bust ass to make sure you get a night you'll always remember. Choosing Buca's was part of the reason why this party was such a success.
(5)Wayne S.
Great family restaurant. The food isn't anythign special however the atmophere makes it fun! Its a place for alot of friends and or family. Food is good but the company you are with makes it even better. I sure miss the roasted vegis. BRING THEM BACK!
(4)Kalani C.
4.5 stars. Love the bar scene here. The bartenders are always great and take care of you (mahalo Davin & Robbie!) There's always something going on. For instance, I was here during a supposed Barber Shop Quartet Convention at the Convention Center. Not knowing this I pull up to the bar and soon after four older woman belly up and start placing drink orders. The bartender asks why they are all dressed alike and they tell him they are part of the Barber Shop Quartet Convention and they just placed third. The bartender coaxes them to show off their stuff. Without a hesitation, someone in their group pitches a note and they all follow with this huge wave of a cappella brilliance that took everyone within earshot aback. Bar Service: 5 stars! Another visit, I was at the bar (imagine that) and three ladies were celebrating one's birthday. I guess she happened to be a cat lover, because the multitude of small token gifts they were giving her were all cat or animal related. Cat pendant, cat cards, cat slippers, cat glasses, you get the picture. I didn't realize cougars liked cats. But I guess a cougar is like a type of cat. Anyhow this pride of cougars, ended up buying my buddy and I a couple rounds (NSA). Rowr! Thank you very much, don't mind if I do. I've always enjoyed their food. Primarily their Lasagna, Eggplant Parmesan and Chopped Antipasto Salad: 3.5 stars each. Huge portions, so come hungry. All this with the decent house Chianti and you're set! The new menu offers some interesting pasta dishes, like the Veal Saltimbocca (3.5 stars) . However my favorites are the massive Double Dark Chocolate Cake and Cheesecake with hazelnuts, OMG 5 stars each! Anyhow, always something going on at the bar. A unpretentious option that usually comes with some form of entertainment on either side. Sit back and enjoy the show. Qui alla vita! Tally: Bar Service: 5 stars! Food: 3.5 stars Dolci/Dessert: 5 stars! Bar happenings: Priceless. 5+3.5+5= 13.5/3= 4.5 stars #Yelp 063/365
(4)Crissy K.
The perfect spot for large group parties! Buca is really great about putting large groups in a spot where they won't be too much of a bother to the casual diner -- my office even had the back of the restaurant pretty much to ourselves, which was great. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the amount of food you get. I know it's not "authentic" Italian food, but it's tasty and filling. They have quite a few protein choices (including chicken with lemon and capers, as well as a really moist salmon with pesto) if you're not heavy into the carbs, and there are a few vegetarian options, as well -- pretty much something for everybody, which, again, is perfect for group functions. Even though the restaurant is extremely busy, especially around the holidays, the wait staff is polite, patient and accommodating. We've never had to ask for anything twice. Love, love, love this place for group functions, in case I didn't get that across already. Highly recommended. If you get the gigantic bottle of chianti, even better: Everybody walks away happy. Oh, and . . . wait for it . . . it's conveniently located near a Starbucks. ;o)
(4)Lup Wah M.
I had my graduation dinner party here this and I have to say I am so glad I did. Not only was the service spectacular but so was the food. All of my guests enjoyed the food and left the restaurant fully satisfied. Two thumbs up to Buccas!!!!
(5)Tricia M.
i'm usually not that impressed by Buca but my baby shower there was simply wonderful! :) maybe it was the special occasion and company that put me in a 4-star mood, but i must give at least some credit to the restaurant for its service, food and atmosphere. our server, Alfredo (not joking), was totally "on it!" he was genuinely caring, attentive and patient, explained dish ingredients (since i can't eat certain things), kept us abreast of timing (which helped us since we played games while we waited) and kept our breads and iced teas coming. as for food, it obviously helps to know what's good. we ordered the apple gorgonzola salad (tasty and unique), chicken pesto pizza (winning combo), eggplant parm (my favorite) - and yes it doesn't come with pasta but scooping it over baked ziti was genius if i do say so myself! as everyone says, the portions are grande so it's best to go with a minimum party of 4 and order family-style. even then you'll most likely leave with leftovers. last but not least, atmosphere. we sat in the infamous "pope room" but the whole place is casual, fun, lively and will spark conversation. great for first dates, kids, groups, lunch or dinner. for this mama-to-be-ya it was bellissimo!
(4)Ryan K.
The food was good but it arrived cold kina bumbed but nice place make sure to make a reservation though so ur garanteed a table
(3)Rick H.
My wife and I always enjoy our visit to Buca and this time was no different. We had a excellent Chopped Antipasto Salad and great Spaghetti and Meat Sauce. Simple, but very good. I think the salad is one of the best anywhere! The service was great too. Friendly and helpful- as usual! At almost $40 for two without drinks of any kind, Buca can be a bit pricey, but it's worth it! I highly recommend Buca for locals and visitors too!
(5)Deborah S.
It's our favorite meeting place since parking is plentiful and you don't have to mess with the traffic at Waikiki.... Went here recently with a party of 15 people. None of our orders were misplaced, we were all able to eat together. Price was very reasonable.
(5)John A.
Best pasta on the island.
(5)Mai T.
Buca is the usual spot for my husband and i while we are waiting for our movie to start. The portions of the food is so big that it is difficult to order especially if you already have your heart set on popcorn and hot dog, as we usually do, If you do order something and cant finish it.. they will actually hold your left over for you so you can get it after the movie finishes. So the next time you get something to order and want to take it home but have to go and watch the show.. just ask them to hold it for you!!!
(3)Chris D.
I have gone here a few times with some of my friends and I like it; the portions are share-able, and the prices are pretty good for the amount of food that you get. The food is definitely very good, I think. I would recommend it to others :)
(4)Adam A.
Adam "domo" is absolutely amazing! My dinning experience was filled with great conversation, laughter, and delicious food. Morgan was another server in the room that was kind and friendly would check on us to ensure we were ok! Akhat was a bus boy that took our empty plates away and politely asked if we needed anything. I was very pleased with Adam as he made our night enjoyable. I will come back very soon to see him and spread the word about Buca's celebratory dining experience.
(5)Kristen C.
Very family friendly. The portions are extremely generous and the food is great. some family favorites are the pizza, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken caesar salad, lasagna, and Quatro al forno. So delicious! Had a really fun atmosphere and there is so much to look at. We have been here many times but I am always finding new things to love about Buca!
(5)Racquel S.
What was I thinking of going back here! Well blame it on my hormonal cravings for some italian food! My boyfriend and I get here at around 5pm and go straight to the bar area to watch the college basketball championship game. We are already seated and I swear we waited for about 10 minutes before a waiter acknowledge our presence. I would understand if it was a busy day but believe me their were only 6 people total at the bar area including us. If you've never been to Buca's they have it setup as family style and they offer two different sizes. The small size which claims to feed up to 3 people and the large size feeding 6, which I disagree because when we ordered our small portion it feed the both of us just to the point that we were satisfied. So to be safe I would order the large if you have a group of 3 especially if you know one of you will eat more than just a serving. When we finally got our waiter we ordered quickly so that we didn't have to wait another minute. I ordered a wild-berry mojito and my other half a pitcher of a Heineken, a (small) fried calamari, (small) Quattro al Forro. I really liked my drink but I could feel the alcohol kicking in, it would have helped if I had a glass of water but maybe they were conserving water.. i don't really know what the deal was but I was quenching of thirst for water! But we got our fried calamari quickly so that helped in sobering me up. I really like the calamari and the sauce, it went very well together! The crispiness of the calamari and the marinara sauce was delicious! I can't say the same for our other dish which was a plate of Four of their favorite baked pastas. Cheese Manicotti, Chicken Cannelloni, Baked Ravioli and Stuffed Shells which all tasted the same and I could not taste the difference between the four! I finally asked for the bill along with a cup of water, my bill came first and dang it was expensive for the portions and the quality of the food! Our bill came out to $50 for 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 2 drinks, that didn't even come with bread! I finally got my water the second time I asked my waiter after I signed the merchant copy for the bill. I will never go back here, it was just a waste of time and money. They do not offer Happy Hour and the service is lacking, that is the reason why they are always empty on the outside!
(2)Nathary R.
Best Italian on the island hands down, and amazing prices. Their portions are large and are meant for sharing, depending on the number of people in your party you can either get a small which feeds usually 2-3 people or large which feeds 3-5 people depending on the dish you select. Apps: their spicy calamari is amazing, it's not really spicy but if you are sensitive to spicy things I'd recommend the original calamari. Entree: the pastas are the way to go, I've tried many of them and they are all delicious, and if you don't like an ingredient or wish to add something they are very accommodating. I'm from Spain so their sangria to me is a joke, save your money. If you like wine get a glass of your favorite wine, they have a large selection.
(4)Lofa L.
I had a great time eating here. Yeah you order the large and you get large. Gotta love the pictures and decorations (especially in the mens bathroom...grow some balls and go look ladies!). The food was great and I left that place stuffed. Mozzarella Caprese, baked rigatoni with sausage & meatballs, bread and I'm happy. I still gotta find out who sings that "Pennies from Heaven" song from the movie Elf. Kiss my pinky ring! Leave the gun, take the rigatonis!
(5)Z Z.
I have been a regular at Buca di Beppo for years, but it wasn't until my last visit that I have decided never to return. I went to Bucca for my 37th birthday. The first problem was the annoying Russian lady that came to our table offering free photos. She was loud, obnoxious, and took way way way too many photos. I felt really uncomfortable during the time she visited our table. I didn't even want her to take photos, but the other people with me did. Anyway, she came back later and tried to sell the photos to us for $10 each. If we had purchased all of the photos it would have cost us about $60.00. What a rip off, especially since she deceived us into thinking they were free. The photographer was so loud that as she traveled throughout the restaurant, her annoying broken English Russian voice could be heard through the entire dining area. The second problem was the food. the Caesar salad dressing tasted like mayonnaise, the cheesy garlic bread was bland and lacked garlic and cheese, and we were never served or offered complimentary bread. Thirdly, and the most egregious part of our meal came at the end. Being that it was my B-day, the servers did their normal embarrassing birthday celebratory song and placed an ugly gothic style candelabrum with large red candles on our table (WHAT?!...who does that?). No desert, no sweet stuff, no nothing. Now I have been to many restaurants on my B-day, and never, never, never ever ever ever has a restaurant not given something for me on my birthday. I mean, how freak'n cheap does a restaurant have to be to not offer a birthday boy or girl a complimentary desert? We spent good money at this place and they couldn't even find it in their heart to even offer ice-cream, cake, a brownie, a single M&M? A complimentary anything would have been appreciated, but all I got was a hideous candle stick holder and a horrible song that drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Maybe I should have gotten the attention of everyone in the restaurant and told them that Bucca di Beppo is too cheap to even offer someone celebrating their birthday a free desert. Maybe then the management and servers would cower in shame. I will never return to Bucca and will not miss it one bit. Arrivederci cheapskates.
(1)Jackie G.
Wow! What a lucky find. The greeting as you walk in is very warm. You get a tour if the kitchen. Food is served family style and small orders are mongo huge. I was out with 3 other ladies for dinner and we were lucky to get 'The Kitchen Table' whuch is the only half moon sized booth table in there. This is the table that stars like Gene Simmons, Danny DeVito and comedien Carrot Top have been. I assure you no small child will be screaming at a table next to you, because its the only one. We were told its usually reserved weeks out but our night had zero reservations. Yay! We had very personalized service by a very knowledgable waiter. He was fantastic, funny and attentive. Spot on! We were able to watch the staff and see the patrons get their kitchen tour. You never know on any given night who will be at 'The Kitchen Table' . If you like italian cuisine and you're in the area...this is the place to go.
(5)Kimi L.
The parking is ample here, which I love. Hate going somewhere and having to search and search for parking. Their food portions are huge. The small can feed several people. The caesar salad is yummy and so is their cheesy bread. It's not the best Italian food I've had, but for the price and portions, I'm a fan. Plus, they serve alcohol and the service was good.
(4)Aaron W.
Beware using your Buca COUPONS!!!!! Our friends and family (7 families in all) all clipped coupons and went to eat at Buca this past weekend. We were told we would have to eat at separate tables (what kind of party is that?), and could only use 3 coupons. We asked to speak with the manager, and said, "it's the customer, stupid." Better PR would have been to honor the coupons as we spent a ton of money there anyway. We did split up the tables -- so crazy, but that's what they insisted we do in order to use 3 coupons. I'm giving them 2 stars on this action, and will not recommend this place to anyone. If a place wants to publish coupons to the public, I suggest they really honor them, no strings attached. People are going to spend the money, so let them be happy campers! Or don't put out coupons! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BUCA after this incident.
(2)Eric M.
Terrific service and food on this visit. Drinks refilled so quickly that the cups were never empty. Attentive wait staff cheated on us regularly even though it was pretty busy. Linguine with clams, unfortunately a limited time dish, was perfectly lit, tasty, and with lots of clams. Lobster fonduta, also a limited time item, was terrific - I'll order it every time I go, while I can.
(5)Kimo S.
For what it is... Buca can do me no harm. I go there for one thing and one thing only, the spaghetti with meatballs. I'm not looking for homemade pasta with homemade sauce... what I want when I come here is a solid, filling dish with tasty sauce and killer meatballs. And that's what I get, big, tasty balls... of meat, on a bed of pasta. I ordered their garlic bread one night and realized that the "small" size portion was way overpriced and way under sized. Avoid appetizers and side dishes because they charge way to much. Find an entree you like and enjoy it, don't deviate otherwise you won't be happy though. Oh, and sign up online for their email blast... they send some great coupons. Free appetizers, $10 off a $25 purchase, etc. So far, the email deals are really good.
(4)Am C.
I don't come here all that often, but when I do dine in I always leave satisfied. Food is very reasonably priced. Service is quick and friendly. You can get a family-sized entree for the price some other places charge for single entrees. I think this place definitely works best for group outings.
(4)Bobby And Estee F.
Portions are huge! So it is a great place for sharing which is actually encouraged with the family style dining. The food was good for an Italian "chain" restaurant. The eggplant parm was very nicely done and not soggy. The salads we all ordered were fresh with very crispy lettuce and veggies. Our server Joe was very attentive and helpful in making sure we didn't over order - which is very easy to do here!
(4)S Y.
Dinner time with the fiance's fam and they chose Buca... again! Last year, when visiting they chose this same restaurant. It was good then, but I was disappointed in the food and service this time and we also have this same restaurant in SF, soo nothin new... Service was slow, when food came they seemed to just drop it off at the closest end of the table. The food came in a timely manner, but a kids size cheese pizza. No servers came by, and my fiance's uncle who is a regular had to CALL the restaurant to have them send someone. (I'm guessing he's done this before... a bit awkward). Buca also does this thing now where they take pics of your party, then come by later trying to sell you the picture in a Buca frame. I think it's tacky and a desperate attempt to make more money!
(2)Yuko K.
Went to Buca's for lunch today. Made reservation ahead of time which the gentleman on the phone was very pleasant. We got seated right away when we got there. We got our bread when right away as we decided what to order. We all ordered from the lunch menu. Supreme pizza, seafood pasta, salmon and baked pasta. Everyone was very satisfied with the food! To top it off, we even ordered the huge sundae which was delicious! All in all everything was great. If our server was much more personable, it would've been perfect!
(4)Tracie F.
Honestly...I just don't like their food that much. Atmosphere is fun! The wait staff is great. The food is simply so so. Everything is family style so you have to pray that your fellow diners want to sample the same dishes as you. Prices are moderate but it's the quality that is just not there. Pastas are bland. The pizza is simply ok. I had a priority seating card and the hostess had no clue what that meant...or maybe I didn't. I thought it meant my name went to the head of the list. Apparently it means sit over there and wait your turn. You really think you are special? The wait was not that bad though. Would I return? Maybe but not by choice. I would go if dragged by my +1 who seems to really enjoy it. I guess everything is subjective!
(2)Sita L.
yup, like the pizza, love the thin crust, everything on it tasty, sauce and all. Was dissapointed in the apple salad dressing. The salad had all the lovely things you want, cheese, walnuts, cranberries, greens and apples. The dressing, was WAY to salty and strong for the salad. Good thing it was a take out and I had it on the side. Large portion too. Which brings me to the stuffed mushrooms. Considering the size of everything, 6 small mushrooms, $13 bucks. Now I know what to order and what not.
(4)Kayla L.
Best lasagna I've had in a while aside from Bravos that is. The portions are huge so if you come with a lot of people, it's worth it. Great place for birthdays too. They sing and bring out these huge candles. I was actually embarrassed, but other ppl seemed to enjoy it. Kind of pricey, but if you split the bill it's not that bad. I will say that we saw a German roach crawling near a friend's head, but hey, this is Hawaii. I'm pretty sure all restaurants have some roaches. Main thing is that they don't get in the food. Their kitchen looked clean, especially since they bring new comers through to see it, so it can't be that bad right? Btw it gets crowded so make a reservation.
(4)Gidget T.
I went here for the first time with my husband this afternoon and it wasn't what I expected, by looking at the outside. We came around noon and the place was empty. The host mentioned there was only one other table seated so she thought our food would come out quickly, which was great. When you walk in, the dining areas are divided into small rooms. It's a much more cozy feeling. The walls are pink and gold and cramped with photos and paintings. The booths are comfortable and spacious, and the ceilings are especially low, giving it a more intimate feel. Our waiter came by quickly and gave us some bread. The bread was very good. Crispy and flaky on the outside, and soft and delicious on the inside. I ordered the Fettuccine Supremo ($11.99) and it was enormous. There was no way I could finish the entire thing for lunch. It had tons of chicken and very creamy sauce. However, after about 15 minutes, it just felt boring. With the bell peppers, sauce and chicken I would have expected it to have more flavor. I was disappointed. My husband ordered the Penne Arrabbiata ($10.99) and he really enjoyed it. Again, it was a very generous portion and there was tons of flavor. The sausage is very spicy, though, so it's not for everyone. Our total came to a bit less than $30, including tax and tip. Our waiter was very fast, friendly and attentive. There was ample seating inside and outside. They have clean bathrooms (at least in the women's room). And there is ample parking across the street. I took off two stars because of the dullness of the Fettuccine Supremo and for their prices. I understand they give you a lot food, but I would think the purpose of a "lunch special" is to have smaller servings at more reasonable prices. I would have been much happier if they served only half the portion for around $7 a plate.
(3)Michelle S.
If you want a quiet atmosphere, then Buca di Beppo is NOT the place for you. I swear, this is THE loudest restaurant that I've ever been to, and on my last visit I guess this was because practically every table had a birthday celebrant. It's tradition for the wait staff to sing Buca's birthday song, so about every 15 minutes the whole restaurant sang and clapped along. It was total madness! If you have a small appetite, then Buca di Beppo is NOT the place for you either. The restaurant is famous for its large portions, even the small size can feed at least three people. So of course Buca is perfect for large groups and parties. As for the food itself, honestly, it's just okay. The pepperoni pizza looks appetizing but once you bite into it, the oil just oozes out. The pizza at Pizzetta's on Kauai is way better. The spaghetti, on the other hand, is very dry. Just a scant amount of marinara sauce is poured over the pasta and it's not even mixed together. I guess we Hawaii folk are so use to loads of sauce premixed with the noodles. Buca di Beppo does have a great location at the Ward Center. It's just below Dave and Buster's, which is a given after dinner for my family with three kids. And it's also next to Ward Theaters. So of course the area is very busy, but fortunately there's valet parking to ease the pain of finding a stall yourself. But if you're budget-conscious, you can park for free at the Marukai Market Place, which is less than a minute walk.
(3)Summer W.
Oh gosh I just love this place. Plenty of food. Meant for sharing. Friendly staff. How can you go wrong?
(4)Seta P.
Bad service, waitress hardly visited my table, i was never even offered not 1 single refill on my drink, food was decent but doesn't make up forvthe service or should i say lack of?
(1)Daira C.
i think i speak for everyone when i say " hell yea 5 stars" i am the biggest fan of this place if it was up to me i would eat here everyday but come on as a girl alwasys trying to keep figure haha!! amazing staff service looks like everyone enjoys working there. and the food so watery and delicious i always get shrimp diavolo try it !!
(5)Joe S.
I really enjoy this place on the Island for what I consider to be the best Italian in all aspects. The food is spectacular, the staff friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere (photos covering every inch of the walls) are all Italian and make it fun to just look around. We went at 1:30pm yesterday and were greeted kindly where we ordered the 3 meatball special dish of theirs. It cost a bit ($18) though I had an American Express gift card for $25, so they were free. These meatballs are a meal in and of themselves. They are huge with a wonderful marinara sauce to die for. The fresh baked bread is also a must to sop up the gravy (sauce) and enjoy with a great glass of an Oregon Pinot Noir. It was perfect to go home with where the wine was waiting. What a combination... what a meal. Pay them a visit for their lunch specials (opening until 3pm) where you receive the same meal as dinner, just smaller... which is perfect because I strongly believe the evening meal plates are just too large. Even the lunch meals give you too much food. That's why you will leave with a to go order in tote to your home or hotel. If you're in the Ward Center area, make sure you try this place out. If you've been to a Buca di Beppo before, you will feel at home. If not, you will discover your newest Italian home away from home. Cheers!!
(5)Oleksandr K.
Hi, it looks like nice Italian restaurant but if you go to Italy or even to the mainland and go to Italian restaurant you will understand that Buca di Beppo can`t cook Italian food.
(2)Ksenia C.
We love this place! they only time we go here because its so expensive is when i get the coupons via email for discounts. every time we have been, its been a great experience! customer service is great all around. clean. food is amazing every time!
(5)Jody S.
Cool ambience. Delish food. Perfect for sharing with lots of food selections to choose from. Fun atmosphere. Affordable and plentiful.
(4)raechelle v.
Yes, there are better places to get Italian food. Yes, the wait is crazy at times. But heck, when you're looking to carbo load before a big race like the Honolulu Marathon, Buca's is the place to be! If you want to skip out on the hassle of waiting for a table, just call in the order and do takeout. They have smaller portions which work out great for our little family.
(4)Lorena B.
I love this place. Its better to come with a group because it's such big portions, family style. Food is always good. Once you walk in they are very friendly and smiley. Service is was good but sometimes when they are really busy its hard to get your waiter. Overall its great.
(5)Eric F.
I always have a good time here. The food is delicious, the bar area is great, and the waiters are always checking in. I love to go here before or after a movie and have a beer and some of their wonderful bread!!
(5)Sterling E.
Great restaurant to take family out to. Our Server, Kalani, was great and always made sure we were doing great! Ordered the cheese bread florentine, the buca salad and a chicken Alfredo plus a pear flavored iced tea. They start you off with some house bread so be careful to save some of your appetite! The food I ordered was all splendid and delicious plus the pear tea was very good. The only thing I can think of is the crappy container you get when you take the food home because you are too stuffed to eat anymore. Upon arriving home, I put the containers in my fridge without any problems. Couple hours later, I decide to pick on the leftovers (which was plentiful!) and when I try to cover the food back, the lid just slides off and it becomes difficult to contain the container!
(4)Connie C.
Don't usually post comments but hopefully this will help the restaurant improve it's service. Did not expect much from the limited celebratory menu but food was very mediocre. Fettucine was cold, clumpy, dry and the worse I've ever had, can't really mess up meat sauce, chocolate cake nothing to rave about. Probably had the worse server on staff that night. Not awful service but not good. Other servers seemed much more enthusiastic about their job than this guy. Chicken Limone is delicious! Only bright point of the meal. Other menu items looked goo
(2)Sharon N.
I don't know. Was debating on 4 or 5 stars, but what the heck! I'll let this place slide with 5 stars. I really like this place. My husband really likes this place. It's such a nice place to go to for some good Italian food. When we're in town and hungry, we just mention Buca di Beppo, and everyone just says, "Ooooooh! Yeah! Let's go there!" If it's your first time there, tell them. They'll give you a tour. Although, they always seem to ask us if it's our first time there everytime we go. So it seems like they offer the kitchen tour all the time, which is nice! If it's your birthday, they'll even sing "Happy Birthday" towards the end of your meal. Super fun!!! Just walking to your table, you're magically being transported to Italy. The statues, the decor, the ambiance. It just makes me smile walking to our table. Although, as often as we've been here, I always seem to feel like I could get lost. I think people that have gone here know what I mean. This is one of those places were we have "our usuals." We always order the Chicken Limone (KILLER!!!), pepperoni pizza, and either the Penne San Remo or Spaghetti Marinara with meatballs (depending on whether I'm craving a red or white sauce). All of these are super delicious. I've also sampled a friend's order of the Eggplant Parmagiano. That was so good! Everything we've tried and everything my friends have tried have been spot on. I love the atmosphere and vibe of this place. The framed pictures on the wall are just so wonderful to look at and be surrounded by. It really just takes me to Italy (although I've never visited that country). I love the music in the background. The environment is just perfect while eating your Italian food. Great place to go with your significant other, or with a small family, or even with a large group of friends. One day, I have to try and do a dinner in that ever-obvious Pope room. Looks like having dinner in there would be fun! Always had a pleasant experience whenever we come here. LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
(5)Mike O.
Going to Ward to watch a 745p movie, we decided to go a little early to eat before. We decided on Bucca as we arrive at 615p. It was packed, we put our name down and the hostess advised us that it would be 20-30 min wait. At 645p we were sat. We prepared ourselves by looking over the menu while we waited for our table so we could ordered right away. When the waitress came to our table to get our drink order, we kindly asked to order because we wanted to catch a 745p movie. She said no problem and took our order. She confidently said we'll get you out of here real quick. I wasnt so confident seeing all these customer in the restaurant. But I was wrong! She brought our drinks in a few minutes and a few minutes after that our caesar salad came. Literally 5 minutes after that our Penne Arrabiata was served. About 10 min later our pepperoni pizza arrived. We ordered these items in the past and it is consistently good food. We were done eating by 7:15p and had time for dessert. Unfortunately the cannoli s werent that good, but that didnt ruin our experience here. Yes, its loud. Yes, its crowded. Yes, you may hear that unique birthday song sung 3-4x during your meal. But it is amazing that amongst the all this chaos in the restaurant, they have a system that works very well. Everyone seems to be very well trained and this restaurant is very well managed. When being first walked into the restaurant you literally run into all the server with bringing or taking the food away. They always stop for you and let you pass and alway acknowledge you with a welcome and a smile. When departing you are thanked by at least a few employees along the way out (I'm talking servers/bussers that werent serving you, plus the host or hostess at the door). Kudos to the employee here. Im in the service industry and would love to learn their company mission, philosophy and training program. BTW we watched "Warrior" tonight. It sucked really bad. Should have watched the real Warriors at Aloha stadium kick some azz tonight. Sorry its 2am and trying to combine a few reviews into bucca. Sorry Bucca!
(5)Cleaner T.
Ok, so they updated the TV's. It is certainly better. Not fabulous but much, much better. Seems like management is keeping their ears open. Thanks Bucca.
(3)Michelle E.
The sign of a good Italian restaurant is the spaghetti and meatballs.....and their's is a homerun!!! The small fed my family of three enough for one leftover.
(5)Luis R.
Came here with the wife and another couple. First, if you haven't been there before they give you a tour of the kitchen. Pretty cool. There is also a table in the kitchen that you can sit at. If you want to show off for your old lady and act like your Mafioso you can reserve the table. As an appetizer we ordered the Mussels Bianca - steamed mussels prepared in a white wine garlic butter broth. Tasted good but it lacked garlic flavor. For our entrees we ordered the Chicken Carbonara - chicken breast, prosciutto, peas and garlic in Alfredo sauce. Tasted bland, lacked flavor. We also ordered the Shrimp Fra Diavolo - garlic shrimp and crushed red pepper with penne in spicy rosa sauce. This dish was official. Get it. You won't be disappointed. It sounds like a spicy dish but let me tell you, it is not. Unless you consider table pepper spicy. Overall it was a good meal. I enjoyed the atmosphere although it is loud in the restaurant. A small dish will feed two men or three ladies easy. Unless of course if you have big bones, that changes things up.........
(4)Brandon M.
I love eating here! Don't forget to bring your appetite. The portions are HUGE!! If you are planning to hit up Dave n Busters after you eat, I would strongly suggest leaving a cooler with ice in your vehicle so you can save all your leftovers. (Don't want all that extra food spoiling, while you spend a couple hours upstairs) The service was great! The servers have impeccable timing. Always around when you need a refill or something. My choice was the shrimp Florentine. Loved it! My wife had gotten the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. Mmmmm! I can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch! I recommend this place for a two person dinner date, or a large group (family, company) party. You won't be disappointed. Especially for authentic Italian food. The environment compliments the style and food. It's like a little piece of Italy, in Hawaii! Can't wait for another dinner date at bucas!!
(5)Brent K.
This place is good for large groups. Food is just ok, But the service is great. pasta is average salad is average, good for parties as we had10 people, I wouldn't come here for just pasta. Load and fun sums it up.
(3)Shan S.
Would not come back. The service is mediocre, the bread is meh... the portions are too big. Quality of food is also meh, the pricing is ridiculous. I wish I could say good things but I can't.
(1)Michael C.
Always reliable, never a bad meal. We've been patronizing the restaurant for several years and we are always pleased with the good Italian food, the selection of beer on tap (Peroni, yay!), and the very cheerful and friendly staff. Even saw a few actors from "Lost" eating there when it was still filming in Honolulu. The pizza is a great appetizer, but we go for the great meatballs. Mama mia, so good! We love Buca's and a movie (theater is up the escalator from it).
(4)Elle W.
Just like any other Bucca. The service was great and the good was delicious. I just wished they didn't kick us out so soon. Since I've been to other Bucca I advised my friends that their small order can actually feed 6-8 if you order to small entrees and a salad. The waiter told us it would feed 2-3. The waitress kept our water flowing as she knew we were running the marathon so kudos to them.
(3)David G.
Great food with a family atmosphere. Prices aren't bad for the waikiki area and you get a lot of food for what you're paying. Not much more to say beyond that. Definitely recommended and this is one of the very few restaurants I'll take my family when they come visit.
(5)Jon M.
Atmosphere absolutely amazing it took me back to Italy! We had the fried mozzarella and capri salad to start, both great. Red sangria was good. Only reason I didn't give it 5 star due to our sauce being too light on our pasta.
(4)Amy G.
I'm not sure what it is about this place, but I really don't like it. It's the place you go to when you have a big group of people who try to go on a budget thinking you'll order a couple of large pasta bowls to share, but everyone ends up wanting something different so you walk out paying $20+ for sub par food that you can whip up a lot better at home. anyways, portions here are massive and not bad for the price but everything i have ever tried here is always oh so bland. i'm not even going to name the dishes i've tried b/c i've had over 10 varieties of pasta dishes here and the only one i can tolerate eating is the alfredo b/c its not so bad compared to the others. the only thing i love from here and the only reason why i would ever come back and my must order or i'll never eat from Buca's is their breads, some of the salads, and a few of the appetizers. although each one is still pricy and never enough, its the only thing i'll eat that keeps this place at a 3 star instead of a 1 or 2. service here is always great though. super friendly waiters everytime im here. the only thing is they sell the food as if it was the best pasta place ever, and every time i get sucked into thinking this experience will be better then the last, i'm always disappointed after. i know my friends love this place, but its one of those, "eh, i think i'll pass on tonights dinner guys. thanks but if you change location, lmk, i'll be there" kinda restaurant.
(3)J N.
Impressed w/ the quality & flavors of the dishes chosen for a dinner mtg for a large crowd. Absolutely delicious bruschetta- had to stop myself from devouring the whole serving. Salads were fresh, filled w/ great flavors of apples and strong cheeses. Not wimpy mild stuff. The sauce on the pasta did not disappoint. Penne and rigatoni cooked just the way I like it. The chicken limone was so delicious I had to get an extra order to take home. The service was excellent. The restaurant layout always confuses me. Parking is free but hard to find. Someone got their bike stolen in the parking lot. Beware!
(3)Tabatha P.
I have been here a couple times and I really enjoy everything about it. I like to go with new people or just say it's my first time so they will give me the tour and I can walk my son through the kitchen and watch his eyes get big with amazement. I really wish they would bring the bread out when you get there before the meal though. To me the bread's purpose is to hold you over. The place smells so good so I sat there for quite a bit with a grumbling, sick-feeling stomach. I like how the servings feed two, and the kid's plate was low priced and my son enjoyed it and it also had a very decent serving. The good was hot and delicious, can't complain there. Bathrooms were tidy and holy nudity on the walls! LoL The place has so many interesting artifacts and pictures on the wall. I really love how into the Italian theme this place is. That makes it really unique and special. I enjoy having the photographer around in case you want a photo. Classy, unique, fun, and fulfilling. Birthday songs are kind of a hoot too.
(5)Ashley Q.
What we had: Prosiitto stuffed chicken Caesar salad Shrimp diablo Spaghetti with marinara sauce Sarento salmon All dishes are in family sizes unless ordered as a side Good for large parties!! Overall the food is what it is. Italian food...at it's finest? Some people will agree to disagree. My particular favorite was the prosciutto baked chicken. Like chicken bake in a creamy pesto sauce. Second favorite was the sarento salmon. If you like salmon in a butter lemon caper sauce, this is the dish for you, the salmon was moist and cooked to perfection. And for dessert... Teramisu and canolis. I think the teramisu was made a head of time,so it's always a quick turnout. How ever if it's made too far in advance it tends to get watery vs hold into the cake portion like its suppose to. But overall it was a great dessert. I would have this again. The canoli however I might reconsider, unless I'm having coffee with it to offset the sweetness if the canoli. It is on the sweeter side. If horchata was made into pudding and stuffed into a fortune cookie, that would be the equivalent of this canoli. Our servers name was Morgan. She was very insightful and helpful with choosing dishes.We had a split between carnivores and a vegetarian. She did mention that any dish could be converted into a vegetarian option. She checked on us multiple times and refilled drinks without being asked. (Which is a huge plus for me considering most places aren't as on it) There's something for everyone! It's not just a spaghetti place and not everything comes in a marinara sauce. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes American Italian food. And especially in large parties seeing that their large portions can feed up to 8-10 people it more , depending on the number of other dishes you get. If you have a large party, it's considerate to reserve so they can accommodate and you don't have to wait. :3
(4)J S.
I would not recommend this restaurant unless you have really low standards. First, the stank in the restaurant is overwhelming. It wreaks of rotten socks and beer. It actually smelled better in the bathroom. Second, the restaurant is filthy. The seats and tables are sticky and the menus are covered with nasty dried food. Third, the greeter had a miserable attitude. He definitely made it clear that he was not happy about being at work at all. He lacked sincerity and personality when he spoke. Fourth, the food was cold, room temperature at best. I would not go back to eat here even if someone paid me to.
(1)Janell D.
Made reservations online the night before was great convenience. Parking in the structure was very busy but it's always like that because there is also the movie theater and other restaurants in the area. They called me the day of to confirm my reservations. I got a txt message a few minutes before my reservation time that my table is ready and waiting. I did not like that they sat us in the bar area when I have 4 kids and we have to hear the games along with the already loud atmosphere. Food was ok. Parmesan chicken could use a little more flavor. Meatballs could use some of that Italian flavor too. Dust some oregano or parsley on them. Maybe I'm being a little picky but the marinara taste like a can of stewed tomatoes. Put some Italian into your food Buca!
(2)Trina T.
Warning!!! Horrible service. 0 stars 9 stars 0 stars I wish we never had gone here. The management needs to do better and be on time . Definitely loss my business and everyone I know. Had dinner here and Lost my sons shoe and wanted to pick it up this morning called them and was told manager will be in before 10am came they're waited until 9:50 finally saw someone inside decided to knock and girl at front was extremely rude. " Ummmm excuse me, I'm not suppose to Let you in because my manager called saying you're supposed to wait for her to look for your lost item. I told her I just needed to see the table we are at and I don't think its necessary for ua to wait. I don't get it, the kitchen manager finally came out to say he'll look in lost and found in office waited another 15 minutes ( thus point I was waiting outside because the front desk girl was extremely rude) had to call and girl says are you calling me? I can see you i said I'm waiting for the kitchen manager he's supposed to let me know if he has found my item as being in customer service industry you're supposed to follow through. He comes out a minute later I called and says sorry I can't find it. then I asked when is the other manager coming? He then says she's stuck in traffic and will be here 11am. I am so frustrated as I had my 2 year old son with me and they expect me to wait another hour or so?!!!! Seriously what service is this??? Rude, lying, workers/management. Finally got a call from the lady manager that was an hour late saying she found my shoe!!! Like really!!! I think as part of service you're supposed to be like I'm going to be late but my workers can help you look for the shoe! Not make us wait over an Hour and be lied to because kitchen manager really didn't care to look. Girl at front has attitude. Really unethical place! Definitely loss my business!!! Do not go here
(1)Tiffinie K.
Love this place if I go with a large group who likes family style. REALLY LOVE the veggie pizza. I think it's because I didn't expect it to taste good, being a meat lover and all. haha!
(3)R G.
Shut up and take my money!!! I abso-freaking-lutely love this place. If they were closer I'd eat here every day! We always order a full family portion per person so that we have leftovers for the next day... or two! It's not super cheap but if you get 2-3 meals out of it it's pretty reasonably priced. The Chef is always super nice with food allergies in our group. Clean, yummy family fun!
(5)Victoria R.
Good food most of the time. The food comes in large portions so be prepared to share. They will accommodate changes you want in your meal. I also recommend getting a peach Bellini to drink. It's a frozen drink and it's amazing! :) the only problems are they get crowded and because it's busy you don't always get the best customer service.
(4)Farrah A.
this place just isn't what it used to be from years back (at least 6 years ago). lacking in flavor and heavy on the salt. I am continually disappointed with BDB. not to mention their photographer going around asking for pictures then trying to sell it to you...as if we didn't all have cell phones to take pix with and as if we wanted to spend more money on that stuff. UUUUGH! the fried mozzarella tastes like it comes from a frozen food box, the chicken marsala is missing the richness of the marsala wine. calamari is too salty and breaded too thick. blah.
(2)Steven C.
Woulda been 5 stars, if they didn't run out of meatballs for spaghetti & meatballs. Service: Great (Ashley - the waitress) Ambiance: Italian decor with a lot of photos, well lit, but cold. (a/c is on full blast) Kinda slow, but there was a couple of bday parties so the noise level were up... When our order came I was surprised at the servings. It appeared that my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Then I was asked how my substitute dish from the spaghetti/meatballs were and I wasn't a big fan of it. But, what really earned them the 5th star was when one of the managers' came and offered me a side order of spaghetti/meatballs and took off the charge for the substitute dish. Overall: I would come again and be a repeat customer and recommend this restaurant to other people
(5)Steven K.
I love the food, atmosphere and the wait staff there. We were with a big party, and they nailed everything perfectly.
(4)Jennee G.
As much as I enjoy this establishment I was vet disappointed last night! I made a reservation for 8:45 and they close at 9. Our waitress seemed annoyed with our arrival. I understand she wants to be finished with work but don't rub off onto your guests. Our drinks were not refilled from the time we got there and whenever we needed something she was no where to be found. When it was time to pay her and a coworker walked around the corner speaking poorly about a guest whom he served that night! Really!? Where was management! Not impressed!
(2)Terry K.
Three of us. We ordered Salad and Spagetti with meatballs and sausage. As always, we planned to eat "family" style. The portions are large enough that family style becomes more or less a "must". Oh, everything there is ala carte. no bread, no nothing. So we ordered garlic bread... $10.50 for dried toast with garlic salt, not even real garlic.... The service was ok- waiters took the orders, buspeople bussed the tables, but we had to ask more than once for the basic things (like napkins and water....) The management strategy must be to herd them in, get them fed, and get them out..... turn those tables.... It was never about how our food is, do you have enough water, let me get you a napkin.... Nope! done with them.
(2)Jhoren C.
"when the moon hits your eyes like a big-a pizza pie, that AMORE!" this song always pops in my head whenever I enter Bucca. Could be their lovely decor idk, but I always come here and leave happy! +great place for family dinners or large groups +portions are unbelievably HUGE. I remember a long long time ago, my mom took me and my sisters here and we each ordered our own entrees not realizing that it was accomodating to feed 4 people! so FYI, come here on an empty stomach just so you can try everything on their menu. *FOOD* +their Deep Fried Calamari for starters is excellent, lightly battered and crispy +Chopped Antipasto Salad or Apple Gorgonzola Salad - a bowl full of goodness you'll forget that it's even a salad you're eating +Margherita Pizza -fresh mozzarella cheese, aromatic basil topped with tomatoe sauce YUMMMY! +Shrimp Fra Diavolo - A++ for it having lotsa shrimp, add some crushed red pepper flakes and BAM it's an explsion in your mouth +Liguine Frutti Di Mare (MY FAVE) - if you love seafood w/ red clam sauce then this is the one to try *DESSERT* +Pistachio Gelato ice cream +Canoli's
(4)Jay P.
Buca di Beppo is really family style dining. I love you, incredibly large portions of everything. This Buca di Beppo is located at Ward Center just below the movie theaters. Parking is readily available practically everywhere -- in the parking lot below the movie theaters and across the street. It's best to make reservations before going because there is usually a wait. I enjoyed the tour through the restaurant the very first time I decided to dine here, but I really don't need to see it every single time I come to dine here. I should probably be the initiator and demand that "I don't want the tour! I just want to sit down and eat with my friends!" There is complementary bread with free refills for every table, which is great! Since this is a family style restaurant, the portions are big enough to share with a large group. When I came with a group of ten, we ended up ordering five different items and still had leftovers! If you want, order one item from each section! The Supremo Italiano, Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, and Baked Lasagna are my personal favorites.
(4)Kesha W.
Very very good restaurant. For the service and amount of food is well worth the price. All they meal portion is for 2 people
(5)Kathy F.
Mama Mia!!! You can't help but start thinking that Guido and Rosa may be right around the corner as you enter into this restaurant that resembles your Stegga Nona's dining room!!! Italian charm abounds, and the food is really pretty good. Let them know that you are a first timer and they will be sure to walk you through the kitchen and introduce you to the ones who will be making your meal. I love this! They even point out the men and women's bathrooms, a must stop just to see all of the fun items on the wall and in the cases. Let them know you are celebrating a special occasion and they will give you a sign to carry with you and placed on your table. We were with our friends celebrating an anniversary. So many of the patrons asked what they were celebrating and offered their congrats too. Talk about Ohana...uh, I mean, La Familia!!!! Big, hearty dishes with an atmosphere that is truly unique. "Try it, you'll like it"
(4)Rex D.
We went there for the first time last night. I'm not that fussy when it comes to pasta, so I would give the pasta 4 stars. I thought it was very good, and the prices are great, for Honolulu. They have small and large servings. They say the small serves two and the large serves four. I was a little skeptical, but the small serving really is enough for two people. My wife and I left stuffed. The five stars are for the service. As many have mentioned, the service is fantastic. Our server was Rachel and she couldn't have been better. We will definitely be repeat customers.
(5)Michael M.
Such a great place and great food! First time here and we got a chance to eat at the Chef's table in the kitchen! Awesome service, great atmosphere and the food was delicious. They were giving tours of the kitchen and every staff member said hi to the visitors just making them feel welcomed. I don't know how I avoided this place for so long. If this is your first time, be prepared to bring home leftovers!!! I have nothing but good to say about this restaurant. Enjoy!
(5)Christina S.
I love this place! Only go to this restaurant if you have a big group of loud and hungry friends. The food is really good and is served family style (and I mean HUGE servings so don't go as a couple unless you want your dinner to serve as the next day's lunch as well). None of their dishes have disappointed me yet! My favorites are the frutti di mari (seafood pasta), chicken limone, ceasar salad, and to top it off: the colossal brownie sundae (it truly is colossal!). It's a great place to have loud and hilarious conversations with friends because that is what everyone else around you is doing too. Plus someone is always celebrating their birthday there so the servers always sing their loud birthday songs while the whole room claps along. Also, don't bring really conservative people along with you because there are pictures of boobs, penisis, and alcohol covering the walls of this place. I think it adds to the charm : ) Overall, it is a great place to have a fun get together with a bunch of friends with lots of really good food.
(5)Criselda W.
They like to advertise that Buca di Beppo is the perfect place for celebrations but we weren't impressed. Came here to celebrate dual birthdays for my husband and brother. Everything is family style and while their menu says that the small portion is good for 2 or more people, we found out that the large size is too big for even a party of 8. We ordered 4 large size entrees and we have leftovers for the next day. Take my husband's advice: There is never a need to order a large at Buco di Beppo. The service was good but not excellent. They have a guy who takes pictures of your party "for free" but of course, if you want the framed picture, it will cost you. We didn't ask how much it would cost because we weren't interested. Makes me wonder what they do with the printed pictures though. Like the service, the food was good but not amazing. The only dish my family and I regretted ordering is the cheesy bread florentine. Do not order this dish! It was NOT worth the $18 cost for bread with alfredo sauce and very little veggies. We also regretted ordering large dishes. It was definitely not necessary. One thing I would also like to note is that unlike other Italian restaurants, they don't serve free bread. The large entrees are pricey at about $30 a dish. Since we had ordered 4 large dishes and 2 small appetizers, we were stuffed. We passed on their desserts because they're made to share and we did not need to eat another huge dish. In addition, their desserts cost about $12, which I thought was a ridiculous amount to pay. The thing that really got to me was that they did not make the birthday celebration feel special. Sure, they announce it to the whole room and your server sings you a song but if you do not order a $12 dessert, expect NOTHING else for your birthday. All they give you is a candle for you to blow out. Thanks, I guess? After spending over $200 on dinner, we felt gypped. We weren't expecting a huge, shareable dessert for my husband's and brother's birthday but how about a small scoop of ice cream? We could have went to another restaurant and I'm sure they would have given us more than a candle to blow out.
(3)Santi T.
Want a food coma? Looking to carb load? Then this is your place! BdiB will satisfy your pseudo Italian taste buds with their huge portions. Located on the street level of the Ward movie center, step inside this Christmas light luvin', black and white photos and cans of tomatoes covering the ceilings to share a family style meal. If you come here, be sure to bring an empty stomach because: small = huge large = huge 2x On my last visit, I ordered the small meat sauce spaghetti ($16) which didn't wow me because the flavor was slightly bland. Not even the chili flakes and Parmesan cheese could help it. I must admit their Margherita pizza (small $14) was super tasty with the melted cheese, basil and red sauce all on a thin crust. If you can't wait, ask for their complimentary focaccia bread and use their balsamic vinegar/olive oil dipping sauce until you get your meal. Watch out because it gets loud and crowded. They take reservations which is a plus. If you have a big party, try the Pope's room for some good laughs. After eating here, don't blame me if you get sleepy!
(3)James W.
It's been almost a year since I've eaten at Buca and it was as good as I remembered. We shared the chicken carbonara and the manicotti and it was fantastic. We also had a great waitress who was both efficient and friendly! Ask for her next time you come
(4)Pie C.
Buca di Beppo! We ate dinner here last night to celebrated my friend's graduation and another friend's birthday. I am really amazed by the service and orgazation of the crew. Our reservation was in shrort notice yet they still got us a spot for 12 people to dine. I really regret not getting the name of our server for I would surley praise her in this review, she did such an amazing job in keeping us entertained and Fed Asap. She started by giving us a tour of the kitchen then to some of the rooms that has amazingly interesting decour,very italian. She then gave us our seats asked us what's the special occasion, took out orders, got our food after 2 min and we ordered a load of food maybe 5 dishes. After eating they didnt let us leave without their BUCA song for our birthday celebrant and grad girl. It was fun eating at BUCA DI BEPPO i totally recommend this to all ages price:$$-$$$ ambicance: super artistic, very tourisy dress code: casual is fine service: AWESOME!!!!
(5)Zane L.
Frank was awesome with getting me non dairy meals (stupid lactose intolerance!).
(4)Michael E.
One of our favorite places to kill time when traffic sucks like it does today! Whether you are by yourself (not recommended) or with a bunch of people, it's always a good time to Bucca!!!!! At Bucca you're always part of la familia. bring the rest of the mob next time and stop in get a large bowl of pasta and marinara to share. But don't fuggedaboutda meatballs, there huge and a great addition to any pasta and marinara combination.
(5)David P.
One of the Italian restaurants in town that can house a large party. That being said, let's get down to the nitty gritty. Food: This place can have their good and bad days. On the days they are good, the food will taste great as well as the service being fantastic. On the good days, I suggest the seafood linguine (I forgot the name they use on the menu, but it will be one of the more expensive entrees). This entree has great amounts of seafood (mussels, shrimp, etc.) mixed in with the noodles. Please make sure you don't get the one with the tomato sauce. The pizza with the Italian sausage is really good here on the good days, and I also enjoyed the stuffed shells as well as the lasagne (some days). Service: On the bad days, it gets pretty horrible. For example, they might forget to bring things like lemon with your iced tea, straws with your drinks, and not bring the bill and make you wait another 15 minutes (and this is when it is NOT busy). Otherwise, there have been times when I have received good service from this establishment. Atmosphere: The restaurant tries to simulate a more authentic feel, but with the excessive noise (mainly from birthday celebrations, which I do not mind by the way), this place is only great with a big party. All that being said, I actually would prefer another place like Paesano's, Ricado's (if you want to go a bit farther), or even Arancino's (not really authentic, but has better service). Happy yelping!
(3)Krysten I.
Buca di beppo is a restaurant chain...the layout of the restaurants are the same, the menu is the same even the pictures on the wall are the same. I was disappointed in this location because the one time I came here to dine-in the hostess was extremely rude. Another time, I called to order a salad to go. I came to pick it up and the hostess said she didn't have my order. 15 minutes later she informed me that the order was not found (it wasn't in the right place or something) and that I had to wait another 15 minutes for them to make it. The food is decent, but you really should go with a large group.
(2)Holly B.
Quaint Italian restaurant with good portions and a host of choices. Friendly waitstaff and medium to quick service. Enjoyable, but nothing inventive or outstanding.
(3)George G.
Had BdB when I lived in Jersey, didn't like it...it helped me find Carrabbas (that's a whole different story/review). So, I decided to give it a try here, but same ole stuff. The decor is just overboard, cluttered, old and dusty. When they were escorting us to the table, they ask if we wanted a tour of the kitchen...I was thinking is this a restaurant or a show? I told them no, but they did any way (STRIKE ONE) I think they want you to focus on the size/quantity of food, instead of the quality. The food wasn't up to par and the service was not good it all. Had to ask for refills twice(STRIKE TWO) Also, from my table/seat I had a clear line of sight to the ice/soda machine, I saw one of the waiters have a glass of ice and put his hand in it to pick a piece of ice and eat it, then he put water in the glass and serve it to a patron...WTH!!! (STRIKE THREE) So, you take the risk of getting sick or your expectations unfulfilled when going there.
(1)Greg C.
I'd give five stars, but the wait on the weekends makes me go upstairs to Dave & Buster's instead. As for the service, always great! I think sometimes they get a little tired of trapsing my family through the kitchen over-and-over again, but what can I say, I like seeing how the stuff is made. The food is authentic Italian, and it's always hard to pick a dish. I'm especially fond of the penne pasta with spicy sausage. We sometimes ask for extra cheese to be melted on top before serving. The kids can't eat it because it's too spicy, so more for me and the wife. The decor is what really makes the place special. There are so many pictures and trinkets on the walls and shelves, you've always got something to look at in between trying to keep the kids from touching each other. Great place to eat after seeing a movie at Ward Theatres!
(4)Michelle M.
I guess I can say that I should have written this review a while ago...SHOOT me! I've been lazy and a bit distracted :) Be it lunch with the officemates, dinner with the favorite foodie friend, or as the afterparty for a sucky film showing at Ward; I really enjoy Buca di Beppo! The Penne Ala Vodka was great last night. Service was par none! Humorous and very sensitive to my foodie friend's loss to me at D&B's...it was an overall great time. I do struggle with the family style servings but that's because I tend to eat with my eyes and cant ever decide on one thing I like. Wish they had a single dinner menu like they have for lunch. :)
(4)Karen D.
A group dinner at Buca di Beppo is not my idea of a romantic Valentine's Day. But I was here for a cause. My friend decided to get married on short notice, and because she wanted to do the deed on Valentine's Day, our options for the reception location were VERY limited. Hence, our adventure at Buca di Beppo! My memories of Buca were ones of mediocre food, ticky-tacky decor, and so-so service, so my expectations were very low. However, I was pleasantly surprised that they made a real effort to help the happy couple enjoy their special evening at their fine establishment. I was in charge of "decorations" (as if the place needed more of that), so I went arrived ahead of the rest of our party to set up. From start to finish, everyone went all out to assist me with everything I needed. Five stars for service! The food was also better than I expected. While it was by no means gourmet dining, it was respectable, and portions are large. Food appearance and flavor three stars. The "ambiance" is quite kitschy; two stars. Overall value for price three stars. Buca is a good place to come if you have a group who isn't too picky about their food, likes to let their hair down, and has plenty of time to enjoy the festivities. The Buca staff truly work with you to help you plan and enjoy your special occasion, so they get a solid four stars in my book for that. Buca is located in Ward Entertainment Center (below the movie theatre), on Auahi at Kamake'e. Hours are Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm. Free on-site parking located across from the restaurant on Auahi Street and in the parking garage located on Kamake'e (garage entrance by Nordstrom Rack). Yelp 365 Challenge #151
(4)V V.
Usually Bucca is on point with their services but this one waitress was so horrible this made my review turn into a horrific experience!!!!! It's a filipino young lady wish I shoulda gotten her name. Anyway, came here for a friends birthday and there were a total of ten of us on the table. Me and my main ordered lasagna. After waiting for about 20 mins or so the waitress tell us that they don't have lasagna no more when they bought everyone else's foods out to be served. Like um hello you only wait til food is ready to be served that you tell us there's no more lasagna??? I was also pissed the fact that the lady didn't return to take our new order and I had to order it through someone else. I was pissed. Then, she didn't even offer us any house bread when we were waiting for our food or no appetizers on the house for makin us wait like that. Then one of the food server came out finally with bread with our orders but it was only one bread basket for one side of the table and mind you there was ten of us! We had to ask for more bread. Lady didn't even ask how we were doing and no customer service. No customer service=NO TIP so I didn't give her shitty ass a tip. Usually we tip big but with the lousy customer service she deserved to be fired! Usually I would say something but I didn't want to make a big deal since it was for my friends birthday and I didn't want to make a scene. I mean come on now! Lasagna is one of their popular dishes and for a waitress to tell me twenty mins later they don't got any more and made me reorder is unacceptable. I'll take my money else where like Dnb at least they give military discount.
(1)NEILAND S.
I ordered a dinner for 8 delivered (plenty of food for ten or more). Management and delivery personnel went above expectations to make my event a success. My last minute request was accommodated without complaint. The main courses were very well prepared and the salad cold and fresh. I highly recommend Buca as a great option for effortless entertaining.
(5)Briana K.
This was my 2nd visit here and I'm pretty sure I'm never going back... My bf and I shared a small fettuccine with chicken and mushrooms, first off the pasta had no damn taste and the mushrooms were just thrown in the pasta not cooked at all! It was so hard I lost my appetite! For a Italian place I'd expect it to be way better Bravos has better pasta then them! The bread sucked not warm or anything! The only good thing was the strawberry ice tea! For 20.00 bucks you'd expect your food to taste decent the up side was the waiter didn't charge me for my ice tea which I'm not going to complain since the food was junk...
(1)Jacob A.
Everything from the house wine, bread, and our meals were delicious server was great and checked on us often. I will be back for sure!!!
(4)Stephen F.
Outstanding! Probably the best Italian restaurant I've ever ate at. Great family atmosphere with large portions of good food. Lots of laughter and conversation make for a great atmosphere. Reasonably priced considering the portions and quality. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Makayla B.
This was my first time at this location, I have only been to locations in California. I was impressed by the service I received from a man named Thomas. He provided us amazing customer service and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our dinner. Every employee welcomed us as we received a tour of the kitchen. I was happy to see a gluten free menu available upon request, but wish they had more options. I ate the salmon dish and was pleased. I would go back again, but with more people since the portion sizes were huge. They have a GLUTEN FREE MENU!!! ASK FOR IT.
(4)Cindy L.
Great big round table for 14 with the Pope's status sitting in the middle, and tons of Pope's picture surrounding you. Of course, don't forget that it also comes with a king's chair for the birthday girl. How's that for a baby girl's first birthday? We ordered 7 different entrees (all large portions) and did family style: Mozzarella Caprese ($18.95) - Vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh mozzarella drizzled with basil olive oil and topped with fresh basil leaves. - YUM! Apple Gorgonzola Salad ($20.95) - Tart Granny Smith apples, spiced walnuts, dried cranberries and Gorgonzola cheese tossed with fresh lettuce blend in Italian vinaigrette. - Love it, love it! Margherita ($20.95) - Fresh mozzarella cheese, aromatic basil and pizza sauce. - Very light and appetizing! Penne Basilica ($30.95) - Tender chicken breast, broccoli and a light pesto cream sauce with penne pasta. Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken ($32.95) - Breaded chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto, baked and topped with marinara, served on a bed of pesto cream sauce. Baked Ziti ($27.95) - Baked pastas with chicken, marinara and lots of cheese. Penne San Remo ($30.95) - Tender chicken breast, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and peas tossed with penne pasta in a white wine cream sauce. We probably ate half of the food and took the other half to go. Yeah, each large portion can serve 4 - 6 people. So don't order too much.
(3)Blessing F.
My family and I have always been a big fan of this restaurant and often celebrate there. Our last visit there was sooooo bad I don't think I'll ever come back. In the 3+ years that we've been coming, my daughter would order the spaghetti and meatballs but she's not a fan of the meatballs so we would ask our waiter if we can upgrade to clams. In the last 3 years we've never had any issues with that. This time we tried to do the same and the waiter said sure. Minutes later, a man came up to us and said, "the chef cannot change it. It has to come out with meatballs" so I told him that we have never had any issues in the past changing it and did not know that it was something that they do not do and he's response to me was that it's not possible because they never change their orders. Why would I lie about that? Well, our waiter comes back drops our food and that was the last time we saw him. He never came back to ask if we needed anything and we had to get another waiter to refill our water cups for us. He later came back to give us our check (did not ask if we wanted desert or not). My husband who is stationed in Korea and was home visiting was so disappointed because we felt as if we had wasted our night time together. Off course my daughter are her spaghetti and we left the meatballs for them. I would not spend over $100 on a place that refuses to accommodate their customers and/or ignore them if they feel as if they might not get tipped. We've been going to Bravo in aiea and even though the food isn't as good their service is spectacular and we've not had any issues with changing our order.
(1)Eugenia W.
Food was great, as usual, but very disappointed by the dishonest actions of our server tonight. We were a group of 6, so the bill was high as was expected. I paid with multiple gift cards and cash, but after we started to leave the table I realized I had made a mistake with the gift cards, that they were $50 not $25, which meant that I had way overpaid. I asked to see the manager who at first seemed like it was just too bad, but after I made it clear that I was not leaving without some of my money back she went to get a copy of the receipt. The server did not enter everything I had given him into the computer. I gave him four $50 cards, one with $30, and $170 in cash for a $250 bill resulting in a $120 tip. I'm generous, but no one is that generous. He must have pocketed the $30 card because only the $50 ones were entered and $50 in cash. I told the manager I wanted $110 refunded which still left him with a 17% tip, but since he kept the $30 card I had no proof and she would only give me $100 back. I know things are tough all over, but lying to keep a bigger tip......
(2)Kimberly S.
My husband and I have been here several times, so I decided to take my family on the way back to the airport. First, the host was having some "power trip" issue. He knew all the servers were there, but since two didn't speak to him directly, he "isn't sitting people in that section until they speak to him". Really? Seemed rather childish to me - especially since he tried to sit my family of 8 with 2 children in the bar! After I spoke up, we finally got seated in one of the previous mentioned sections. Then, to try to excuse his behavior, the young lady leading us states, "Please excuse him. He almost died last night overdosing on sleeping pills". Lovely! Finally, sitting, we order drinks. The waitress promptly pours it all over my brother-in-law. Nice! He doesn't mind a 12 hour plane ride with wet socks and clothes. Next, the photographer would not go away. The food was okay. .. not really special. .. and certainly not worth the craziness!
(2)Dave K.
Many people I know like this place or speak positively about it. I went and was not impressed. In my opinion the "larger family style servings" thing is just a ploy to get you to pay more money. I have yet to taste anything there to call a favorite. Otherwise service and atmosphere was good. Food is average, if you want Italian, I'd say spend a couple extra bucks and go to Macaroni Grill. I encourage you to try this place yourself because it isn't atrocious, just didnt reach my expectation and was nothing special to me (I'd even take Spaghetti Factory over this spot) Anyone saying this is the "best Italian on the island" should seriously be questioned.
(2)Esteban W.
I hate Buca. However, EVERYONE else seems to pee their pants when the possibility of going to Buca pops up. I am sorry, but this chain of bland, processed food is so boring to me; and when you add all the eccentric and extravagant decorations in a maze of a restaurant, its like adding sprinkles to a turd. And I don't say the word turd that often. The only good thing about Buca is the dramatic display of gluttony when they bring out your meal. Family style my ass, Buca serves "Neighborhood-Style" you end up with so much left overs that on day 3 of trying to finish your gnocchi, you contemplate suicide. I hate going to Buca.
(1)Mike J.
I like a lot of things about Buca. The service is usually excellent. They show you the kitchen (this is huge for us germaphobes). The portions are huge. The portion size is also a negative sometimes. It's really easy to order way too much food. And if you got plans after dinner you are saddled with groceries. I recommend visiting this restaurant Mon-Thurs. They are way too busy on weekends and service starts to go downhill. Little things go wrong, like last night my pizza came out cold. I was entertaining guest so I didn't want to make a big deal about it. But cold pizza sucks, especially when it's the best pizza on the island when it's hot. The pizza is soooooo ono.
(4)Monica L.
Before you go, check the internet for Buca di Beppo coupons. $10 off coupons are usually easy to find. This is totally unexpected, but I like their Chianti Braised Short Ribs! They were tender and covered in a tomato & red wine reduction. Personally, I wish they would give bigger portions but it's only because it tastes so good and I want more. It comes in small ($28) or large ($40). In the past, I've also helped organize a dinner for a group of about 20 people. When I inquired about group menus, the representative I worked with was very pleasant and provided us with the information we needed. I don't know if you can compare this place to some of the other traditional Italian restaurants. I think Buca is in a different category. That being said, I believe Buca does very well in their own category. Pros (+) Good for groups, large families, and for dining affordably. (+) While the set menus work well for groups, I would suggest ordering specific dishes that stand out above the rest. My go-to dish is the Chianti Braised Short Ribs. Cons (-) Not too good if you are health conscious. LOL! On the otherhand, if you're dining out, are you really that concerned with calories?!
(4)Hawaiian G.
Ummmmm..... I'm torn. LOVE the atmosphere, love the location, love the staff (yes, even the overly-upbeat person who wants to take our photo) but the quality of food is "meh". We've been to this restaurant several times already. The food isn't BAD, but it isn't GREAT. BEWARE - the LUKE WARM SOUPS! The couple of times I've been here, the soup is ALWAYS luke warm borderline cold. What up with that? Doesn't matter what kind of soup you order - Minestrone, Wedding Soup, Tomato Basil.....they all come out luke warm. One time we sent it back and asked that they reheat it. The pasta is good, the sauce is good but is very basic. Lacks depth (as far as flavor goes). Have tried both tomato sauce and meat sauce - kinda tangy/acid-y. Still like the place. Decent food, good atmosphere :)
(3)BigIsle F.
Just starting out but I wanted to post before we begin to enjoy our meal, that the hostess Mia has no people skills at all! We came and got on the waiting list, they said it was going to be a forty minute wait but then they had text us in 30 minutes and when we came we still had to wait over 10 more minutes and the hostess was really rude about making us wait and even asked us if we wanted to sit in the kitchen!! I'll post more after we've had our meal!
(1)Amanda M.
I was craving Italian food after some co-workers were overheard talking about it a few days ago. So today my family went to Buca. It was Friday, around noon, so it was easy to get a table, and the service was quick. I was not totally impressed though. The table bread tasted like simple white bread, it was not warm either. We started with the antipasta salad, which was AMAZING! The lunch portion was enough to feed my family of 3. Then we ordered a large lasagna ($32) because I wanted weekend leftovers (I'm lazy). But, it wasn't the greatest. The cheese is kind of thick and fluffy if that makes sense. It could use more meat. My son had the kids portion of spaghetti and meatballs, and he liked it. So overall, it was ok, if I go back, I would try something else though.
(4)Angel O.
Buca di Beppo's a great family restaurant. I just love getting my money's worth. It's in a great location near Ward center. Parkings all over the place. I usuallY do across the street. Back to the food. Buca di Beppo's wait time was only like 10 minutes tops. They are very hospitable and love to cater to the customer. The portions are big and usually feed families. I will definitely keep going and recommend it to friends new to the island. Thanks
(5)Erica W.
Unlike other italian restaurants, Buca prides itself on family styl portions, not mention family style atmosphere. I don't mean that as an insult, in fact I love it! There are times when it gets a little TOO loud for my liking (but I blame that more on the annoying patrons of the business). I have tried literally majority of the food on the menu. Sorry, not a big fan of the entree, I know that is common of italian cuisine, but I am a HUGE pasta/pizza lover, so that's what I stick to here. Oh, and the tiramisu is awesome (did I mention they actually put alchohol in this dessert unlike other places that serve tiramisu?). The last time I came here I learned something new. Nicole, my awesome waitress, informed my parents and I that if we don't happen to finish our bottle of wine, Buca provides a take home "container." How can you have a take out "container" for alcohol without getting into trouble with the law you ask? Well, let me tell you. Because now their wine has a screw on top (I know wine conniessurs will have a problem with this since it's not a cork) but this actually makes it easier to take home. Let me finish. There is a sealable bag, just screw on the top, slip the bottle inside, waiter/waitress slips in a copy of your bill as proof that you paid for it and why the bottle techinically is open, and viola! There is your take home container. Just put the bag in the truck of your vehicle or locked glove compartment (but seriously, whom has a vehicle with a glove box big enough to fit a bottle of wine?!?). There, if for some reason law enforcement requests to search your vehicle they can't bust you on having an open container in the vehicle.
(4)Simon C.
Buca Di Beppo it basically screams consumer italian food. its a very pre-packaged experience that you can get from a supermarket italian frozen dinner. Atmosphere: great for big groups as its more often than not very loud. you can always count on hearing the italian rendition of "happy birthday" by the various servers working throughout the restaurant. again as mentioned before, the decor seems to scream consumer italy not necessarily authentic italian food. price: considering the fact that the food is served family portions its not too bad considering you can spend around $40 and feed 3-4 people considerably. my favorite dish is the Linguini Frutti De Mare which is around $40. keeping that in mind its not that bad given the fact that you can always expect left overs. most dishes around tend to range around the $25-$40. food: although i did mention that the experience you get is very consumer-esqe the food is a treat. great pasta dishes, starters and desserts. still a bit on supermarket italian dishes, but considering the amount of food you get for what you pay its a treat.
(3)Vince B.
Took one look at Buca di Beppo... Contrived name, quaint fake Italian photos on the wall, probably a giant mainland chain operation, over done interior decoration and the waiters probably had to sing in Italian. Been there and done that. No way I'm going there voluntarily. A tour through the kitchen?? No way. You are not going to catch ME in there. Well, when I'm wrong, at least I'll admit it. Buca di Beppo is pretty good and it is clearly a crowd pleaser. No I don't feel like I'm in a sidewalk Ristorante in Roma nor a neighborhood Italian restaurant in NYC. Everyone that I know is happy when they walk in. Professional hosts, servers, good family style food and lots of it. The Food: Our recent dinner for three. Chicken Carbonara plus Margherita Pizza. The pizza was a strong 4.5. Thin crispy crust and near perfect toppings with nice basil flavor and the fresh cheese. This one was finished by the group. Chicken Carbonara was near perfect and not too oily. Appeared to be freshly cooked and not just scooped into the bowl from a giant batch. We ate our fill but took a big box home. It is even better the nest day! Another 4.5. The Experience: No waiting on this week night. Mostly birthdays or other celebrations going on around us. We felt sort of out of place that night. The couple next to us was having champagne for a special night of some sort. I would have enjoyed a nice glass of Chianti with the meal but we had other plans after dinner. Had fried Calamari appetizer while we were waiting. Tender, flavorful and not too oily. A very nice 4.5. We decided to skip dessert as we were going to walk over to Menchies FroYo after. Not to slight their desserts at all. We just felt like yogurt. Service: Experienced and helpful waiter. Available but out of the way so we could concentrate on eating. Being wrong helps keep my ego in check. It makes me a better person. I'm glad I was wrong in this case.
(4)Katherine N.
Eddie was an amazing server! Meatballs and italian sausages are to die for and this time our pasta came out hot and tasty! Thanks a lot Bucas!
(5)Val D.
A family style restaurant that gives a lot of food for a family. Went with a group, so didn't really price out everything, but as for the food: Ceasar Salad - 4 stars - your usual ceasar salad. My son loved it, and ate this dish the most, especially with the croutons. Fettucine Alfredo - 3 stars - very creamy, like any restaurant, in a really huge plate. 4 cheese pizza - 3 stars - cheese pizza on a thin crust. Was pretty good, and the kids like it. I like my crusts a little thick, so I'm a little biased. Fettucine Supremo - 4 stars - much more ingredients than the fettucini. Was very flavorful and a lot. Best to order just the fettucini or this dish since they both have creamy sauce, and it was a little overload of cream with both. Chicken parmigiana - 5 stars - I really liked this dish a lot, more because it had thick pieces of chicken with a nice wine flavored tomato sauce. Service - 5 stars - our waters were filled, and it has a party atmosphere which is great for kids. When we first arrived, they also gave us a tour of their kitchen before we sat on our table.
(4)Jessie S.
Went here a few days ago for dinner with some friends. I gotta say, compared to the first couple times I came here, I really enjoyed it. Our server was great. He was very friendly and helpful. The food (calamari and a spinach shrimp pasta) was amazing. Portions were big as usual so it was enough to feed me and my girlfriend. I really enjoyed it and definitely plan to be back. I think working in an authentic Italian restaurant myself really makes me appreciate and know what good Italian food is. This place is great for family and get togethers. It doesn't disappoint. If you hadn't tried, you should. =)
(4)Gabriel T.
This place is always awesome for groups and going out for dinner with friends and stuff. They have Italian and American style food served family style. To me the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant is very festive. They have a bar and stuff almost right next to and near the entrance of the restaurant almost outside and the waiting area. The staff and customer service is great. Everyone is very friendly. My favorite dish is the eggplant Parmesan. They have other awesome dishes like pizzas and pastas. They also got some good appetizers too. The prices are decent for what you get. Buccas can fill you up pretty good after a good meal. Talking about the staff and customer service, there was this one time when my crew and I were playing our favorite board game, "Apples to Apples." Our waitress immediately spotted us and says she loves the game. She started playing along with us as she was taking our order and serving us. That's whatsup. I thought that was one of the coolest waiter/waitress experiences that I ever had. For big parties, it is highly hecka recommended you make a reservation. If you go there expecting to walk in and get seated for a short period of time, ain't gonna happen, especially if you go at a busy time like the weekend. I think this is one of the most overrated places to eat in the island but it deserves to be overrated. It's conveniently located at the Ward Theater center area right underneath Dave n Busters and the movie theater right next to the Bose store. Yelp 365 Challenge #198/365
(5)Christine K.
Super fun for groups! When I graduated from my Master's program I reserved the Pope room...it is funny, there is a bust of the Pope's head in the middle of the table. But it is great. The table is in the round so you can see everyone. The food just kept coming and coming. Eating family style is the way to go. My favorite for an intimate party is the kitchen room...very entertaining. Watching the chefs, the expediter, its like being in Hell's Kitchen without the swearing and throwing of plates! I can recommend the child's portion with half a meatball (the size of a soft ball) for a quick bite. The veal saltimboca, if out, chicken piccata is great. I also like the spicy chicken and rigatoni. I lived in Italy for a year and I think their thin-style Pizza is very similar as to what I enjoyed there. Great salads too. They used to have a warm spinach salad there, but it seemed to disappear off the menu. I have had better Italian fare, but for the money, the entertainment and the service this is a definite crowd pleaser.
(4)Ashley H.
Phenomenal place! We made reservations for Valentines Day (yesterday) which was also or 3 year anniversary! They took us on a quick tour of the kitchen on the way to our table in the "wine room." The restaurant is nicely decorated and had nice music playing. Since this was our first time there so our waitress, Simone, explained their portions to us! A small is big enough for 2 maybe 3 people to share. A large is enough for 3-4 people. We ordered 2 small dishes and observed the table next to us order a large. The large was HUGE! We ordered the small Veal Parmagiano & small stuffed shells. Both were delightful! We also ordered the Italian meatball appetizer & I loved when Simone brought over olive oil & balsamic vinegar and put them on a small dish to dip our bread in! Yum! After our tour of the kitchen & getting to see where they made the desserts I knew I had to save room. I chose to eat 2 of my shells, a small portion of the veal & then get to go boxes for that so I could order dessert. We got the Italian Creme Cake! Oh em gee! My life has changed! Lol. It's amazing! We are definitely coming back here! Amazing customer service and even better food! Oh and try a glass of the seven daughters moscato wine - BEST Moscato I've ever had! Amazing place!
(5)Michael M.
What a great place to eat. It was my first time so I made a reservation online which was incredibly simple. Good thing I did because this place was packed. Was seated fast with excellent service. The meal was great with plenty left over for as midnight food binge or lunch tomorrow
(5)Heidi K.
Massive amounts of portions for anything you order, delicious food, delicious apps, entrees, wines, desserts. Everything. I will definitely be back! Our waitress was very nice, the hostess was very pleasant, and nobody acted like they hated us... which happens in a lot of restaurants that don't care about customer service. We ordered bruschetta for an appetizer and it was delicious! My husband is a huge meat eater and normally doesn't like much on the vegetation end of things but really liked it too! I ordered lambrusco and it was an amazing wine. I also ordered a martini, but wish I had stuck with just wine. For an entree we ordered the spicy chicken one with pasta, I can't remember what type of pasta it was. For dessert we got the Pumpkin Cheesecake... Yum! This is family style and so it's not like you're paying $15/person, it's meant to be shared. It is on the more expensive side, with all said and done, tip included, we spent up towards 80 dollars for the 2 of us, but we also ordered alcohol and 3 courses. This place is great, and I look forward to going back! *I just had to say here, in response to the person giving 2 stars and complaining that the waiter said, "Saving room for dessert?" HELLOOOO, do you ever go out to eat?!?!?!?!?! I've rarely had a waiter NOT ask if we want dessert, I'm sure you'd be complaining if they DIDN'T offer you dessert! Get a grip!*
(5)Corinne E.
I haven't gone to Buca in awhile. I remember faintly the huge portions and I think that's why I shy away from that... but hey, why not take home the leftovers? I was surprised at our bill... I thought, wow, that's really affordable! I was starving by the time we got there so maybe that's why everything tasted super good too... I don't know! Even the bread! I loved dipping it in the sauce! The apple gorgonzola salad with so delish! It's been awhile since I've been to a restaurant and had someone go around to take your picture. She kept saying "It's free!" But in actuality you get this tiny photo printed on this piece of photo paper with a coupon to use for next time you visit. So I guess that cute little photo would have been enough but then they say you can buy the actual prints. So I got suckered in to buying two of the four. Oh, well. Good keepsake! I am amazed at the huge layout... forgot how huge that place is and how huge groups can go there. Amazing how they pull off all that food coming out in a timely manner. I should come back here more often!
(4)Leukemia W.
My family of 4 went out to celebrate my husband's birthday & made reservations at Buca di Beppo (this is our first time here, yay!). We were there 15min early, checked in and I informed the hostess that we were celebrating a birthday. We didn't get called inside until 25 minutes later. The woman who offered to take us on a tour didn't wait for my whole family to follow her before heading to the kitchen (2 of my family members are disabled & were unable to keep up with her fast pace). We didn't understand her as she was rushing while explaining what I believe were the different stations (pizza, pasta & salad?). Once we were seated, the waiter kept coming to our table almost every other minute & stared at us, expecting us to be ready to order. When we finally decided on what to eat, we were informed that our order would take longer because of our appetizer...didn't make sense...anyhow, we noticed that two tables who were seated AFTER us got their food before we did, no biggie, we were excited to try good Italian food. Behind us, we heard the employees signing happy birthday to 3 different tables, which was kind of cool. There was also a woman going around taking "complimentary" photos of people dining, which we thought would be perfect to remember our first experience. She went to every table around us, but never came to ours....our food finally arrived and felt cold, as if it had been sitting for a while (Small spaghetti with meatballs, large pepperoni pizza, small veal, large cheesy bread with spinach and tomatoes, large shrimp pasta with spinach and tomatoes). What we didn't understand was the fact that the restaurant wasn't full, so our meal should've been ready & served within 30 minutes...so not the case... Our drinks weren't refilled for over 20 minutes, even though our waiter kept walking around asking other tables if they needed anything...when we finally got our drinks refilled, we asked the waiter for to go plates as we had had enough of this HORRIBLE service. The waiter returned with only 3 to go plates, but we needed 5, so we had to wait. I asked him for the check at that time and he told us to wait since he was the cashier. We waited an additional 10 minutes & I asked the waiter if their staff was going to sing happy birthday & he gave me a look of shock, which told me that he had forgotten even though there was a huge green sign on our table that said we're celebrating a birthday...he also knew before taking our orders...oh well....we spent $165 for the WORST possible service & the food was not the greatest either...THANKS FOR RUINING OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. WE WILL NOT BE RETURNING, EVER!!
(1)Joei G.
First time writing a review on yelp. Glad this place will be my first review. This was my first time here and it happens to be a Lenten Friday. Since i'm catholic, I would not be eating meat today (meat of land animals anyway). But it didn't matter, the shrimp florentine, fried calamari and brownie sundae were very good. I also had an Italian soda called something... strawberry, it was good but nothing special since it was basically like a strawberry float and it was also priced around $5. But in any case the food was very good. We all agreed to order more calamari next time, we had ordered two large orders and wanted more haha. The there was 11 of us all together and it was very enjoyable. Since our group was big, they put us in the pope room. It was an awesome experience, we will definitely go back.
(5)Jonathan L.
Came here for a co-workers birthday. My tip is to plan ahead. What we did was look at the menu in advance and come up with a list of what we wanted and gave it to the waitress right away so we didn't take time to decide. We were seated right away as it is not busy at lunch time. If you make reservations early they give you a special area specifically for birthdays. There is a statue of a pope in the middle of the table and pictures of popes all around you. Some of my co-workers thought it was kinda creepy. But what was pretty cool was the birthday person has a extra large chair that was fit for a king. The food was pretty good. Everything was bought our promptly and our waters were refilled in the timely manner. My favorite dish there was the fried mozzarella which was oozing with cheese once you take the first bite. Everything else we ordered was okay nothing worthy to mention about,.
(4)JenniLi ..
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(3)Tobias C.
I've read some negative reviews here on Yelp concerning BdP - so I was a little worried when I was invited to a party in the Pope Room on 01-04-14. Apparently the party throwers reserved the room - took a fruit arrangement to Buca earlier that day to be later placed on the table, pre-ordered the complete dinner - including a personalized Birthday cake from Buca- ....And ....All for 17 people. There was no wait when we arrived. The restaurant allowed the table to be decorated with party favors just prior to being seated -and now for the review..... The Server -Excellent -5 stars "KATIE" - kept all of the drinks filled, brought out extra bread, delivered food from the kitchen in perfect order and in a timely fashion, boxed the left overs, and made sure that Italian Birthday song was sung for the Birthday person of the day! - She should get a raise!!! The Food - not bad - not bad at all! The Price - not sure - but I heard - it was reasonable!! Good job Buca!!! Great job - Katie!!!
(5)AshLee M.
Bad choice when you changed the fried mozzarella to freezer to fryer disgusting triangles. Please bring back the older version
(2)Diane O.
I took my business team for a promotion dinner and was disappointed in the service and food. It had been years since my last visit which I found to be quite enjoyable but this trip left me underwhelmed. We originally had reservations for 10 but only 6 of us actually made it to the restaurant. We were asked if it was a special occasion and I said yes it was for a promotion. We were seated and proceeded to order. The menu indicated that the large portions were for 4 people. We ordered 2 appetizers, 1 salad, 1 entree and 2 pastas all large. We had do much leftover food it was not funny. I wished our server would have mentioned that it was probably more food than we needed. The fettuccine was somewhat dry as the sauce seemed to have been absorbed into pasta. There was no sauce at all. Same with the ziti, all the pasta was stuck together. My water glass was never refilled during the meal. One of my dining companions knew I wanted to try the cannoli so she told our server. No one else was asked if they wanted dessert. Clean silverware was not brought for us to eat the cannoli which I shared. Since we were asked if it was a special occasion I hoped our server would have mentioned something or given us a chance to order a special dessert but nothing was said. My guest of honor wanted a dessert but ended up sharing my cannoli since they were not asked. While I am not a fan of upselling, we were not even asked if we wanted wine etc. which would have been nice since it was a celebration. We were not thanked or anything once the check was dropped off on the table. It was a very disappointing evening for all of us. We spent almost $200 for sub par service and food. We could have gone elsewhere for a much better dinner with better service.
(2)Casey D.
Spicy chicken rigatoni is delicoius. Prices are high, even for the amount of food you get. Service is typically pretty good. I definitely recommend signing up for their rewards program. So many coupons available.
(3)Jessica C.
One of the best place for traditional Italian food. They don't skimp out on the food and offers a lot for the price. The small size could fill the stomachs of 2-3 people. Everything tastes soooooooooo good here. I absolutely love the lasagna and ravioli here. And the strawberry freshly brewed green tea is amazing. Food here is to die for.
(4)Alana A.
Love all the promotions. Dishes are big. Everybody seems to take home some. Tastes are good. A bit crowded and noisy but maybe it's Italian style. I'm a frequent customer!
(4)Shigemi W.
Sadly food isn't as good as it was when they first opened. Tasted different like it was massed produced with other customers orders. No taste, good thing service is still great
(3)Ed L.
Can't beat Buca di Beppo for good eats and italian fare that can't be unmatched. Buca is known for large portions, so its good to be there on an empty stomach. I've been here just 2 times. Once a year before the Honolulu Marathon, I would partake in the serious carb loading affair. What my group of 57 people had was a hearty 5 course meal that cost $35. It included salad, 3 entrees, and dessert. I guess that was good value for the money. Alcohol was not inclusive, so we just paid that one separately. The service was good, but sometimes, slow, as they do attend to other patrons in the restaurant. I must say that the dessert that they served was pretty good: a chocolate type of pie that was to die for. Moist and chewy, which is what I like. Better than a dry chocolate cake. Ugh. Anyway, this place is good for what you like in Italian restaurant. The decor is god, although the lighting can be dim at times. I had a god time. Parking is plentiful, in the theater parking in the Ward area parking and in the covered Ward theater parking garage. Definitely will be back, but probably for next year's marathon.
(3)Deanna P.
Huge portions and nice wait staff. they have an amazing merlot called Stella. I can't seem to find it anywhere else in Hawaii.
(5)Eric Robert R.
Giuseppe's Hole! Literally! Ciao!! Super fun place to be seen and have decent pasta or pizza at affordable prices! Love the "Pope's room", but expect to reserve it with a party of at least 8. Cool themed areas. One area is literally in the kitchen, but expect noise there! Very Italiano in here... I was born Roman Catholic, so it was like home to me;) Wait help are more like actors w/ corny jokes, but heck they try hard and seem to always be in good spirits. Buca di Beppo! The name loosely translates as "Joe's Basement" (buca, which literally means "hole," can be a slang word for basement or cellar, and Beppo is a rare spelling of the nickname for "Giuseppe," the Italian form of "Joseph," in Southern Italy, since the most used spelling is Beppe. Been here at least 10 times... inside... outside... pope's room... at the bar.. and always had a good time. Not the finest, but fun, fun, fun, and above average grinds! Ciao!
(4)Corinne L.
We did a party pkg that feeds 20 for about $215 incl tax. Lots of food (choose 2 pastas & 1 salad from a set menu), generous w/ house bread, even gave extra sauce for pasta. Also provided serving utensils, a checkered tablecloth, plates & cutlery. It made everything really easy for our employee luncheon. Would def recommend.
(4)Susan I.
December 31, 2013 I always go to "yelp" to read the reviews, to find out what to expect, and to look at the pictures of the items available. When I decide to go to Bucca, I always go on to "yelp" and make reservations on line. It makes it so much easier. I've come here a number of times, since joining their eClub. Join the eClub to receive notices of up-coming events, such as the 4th of July, where they may send out an e-mail saying $10 for $20 purchase, etc. These e-mails, make me want to patronize the establishments. When I've come here, I've always received courteous, and pleasant service form the initial associate, and any other helpers. Whenever I have a problem, I will speak to the manager, and voice my concern, and they always make sure that the problem is taken care of, the next time I'm there- today was no different. The manager, Diana, came out to make sure that everything was taken care of, to my satisfaction. Being a senior citizen, makes me bolder I think, in speaking up and voicing my dissatisfaction with a situation. Both managers, Diana and Brian, have always listened to my suggestions, and concerns. This makes me very happy, since it shows that they aren't just giving me lip service. I usually go for lunch, because of the luncheon special of soup or salad, and a plate of pasta for about $10.00. (Addt'l for chicken, meat, and seafood) The salad served, is quite large, with green olives, pepperoncini and a vinaigrette dressing. The quantity of pasta, is equally large. I never go home hungry. In fact, I usually have a small take-out container, with left overs
(4)Kailua W.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. After bringing our main dishes out, the waitress realized we hadn't gotten our cheese bread ... looked around the room, went and picked it up OFF ANOTHER TABLE, right across the room from us (where it had sat for about five minutes, who knows if they had touched or breathed on it) and brought it to our table. Said oh I found it! We told her we saw it come off the other table and she said yah I know. Walked away. Didn't apologize. Didn't comp it. No one apologized at all. When we pay $45 for two people to eat dinner, would appreciate if our food comes straight to our table not passing go, not collecting germs from another table. I realize it was her servers fault that he took two breads to that other table to start but I'm sure that poor table who didn't speak much English wondered why she came and picked up one and took it away. We would have preferred to wait 10-15 more mins for fresh bread than getting their left overs!!!! Sorry, won't be returning again with that terrible service.
(1)B B.
Food are fantastic! Service is quick & on it, prices are a bit steep but it's well worth it a great meal family style with the family was just awesome!
(4)Chen N.
Portions are large but there are much better Italian places to eat at. 3* cause the service is great, at least for me... food gets 2*... cpk has better pasta dishes...
(3)Lou Casey B.
Great time with my Birthday Ladies!!!
(5)Mapa C.
***IF ROSS IS YOUR SERVER (tall skinny white guy)...JUST GET UP AND LEAVE HE SUCKS!!!!*** -ONLY GIVES GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE IF YOU HAVE TITS AND FLASH THEM -YOU'LL WAIT FOREVER AND A DAY TILL HE ACTUALLY NOTICES YOU IF YOU'RE A GUY OR JUST GUYS -YOU'LL DIE OF THIRST BEFORE HE GETS BACK TO CHECK ON YOU So today for lunch I was in the mood for some good italian food. There were many places to choose from ie Bravo, Buca, Big Kahuna (mainly for their garlic cheese balls) etc. But since I was going to see Step Up Revolution later, my bf and I decided to go to Buca di Beppo..... bad choice...like REALLY BAD CHOICE! First when we got there we had reservations for 230pm but got there at 2pm and they were able to seat us. The woman who greated us was amazing. Happy, bubbly, smiling, and engaging in conversations just an all around person you would want working for you. After we were seated we got to look over the menu, and we were told that Ross would be our server. Now usually you dont have to wait long for your server to come and say hello and start you off with drink. Ross basically took care of another table behind us,giving them their check, then walked away from us not even ackowledging us. A couple minutes later he went to the take on the other side from us to pick up a check after the gust had left, and AGAIN walked away without even a "hi" or "hello"...god he couldnt even smile at us. Then I would say after a good 10-15 minutes or so of sitting down figuring out what we want to eat and drink, I took out my phone, flipped to Yelp and started my terrible review. Only after seeing that I had Yelp out did he stop and actually acknowledge us. By this time I didnt even care. I could tell that Ross was trying to fake his way at being nice and I wasnt having any of his bullshit. So after he took out drink and food order he left..... 5 minutes later he then came back with our drinks... WOW 5 minutes for drinks...WTF was he doing that took so long? Probably forgot about us again...asshole. When we finally got our food two girls sat down at the table that Ross had taken the check from. I swear it took about 3 minutes for Ross to come by to ask if our food was good, and then turn around talk to the two girls... When they placed their drink order he got it in less then 30 seconds....after seeing this it really pissed me off. After taking their food order, he was the one who brought it out to them rather then a kitchen person, and he had a VERY BIG SMILE.... it's like you have to have tits to get good service from him. He gave two girls a warm true smile and good service, but we got a cold heap of bitch ass bullshit... GREAT SERVICE RIGHT!!! To Ross: YOU SUCK AS A SERVER! You forget about you customers, and only act when you see they are unhappy. You should make sure it doesnt even get to this point. You only offered us a refill on our drink once our meal was done. You tried to squeeze out as much money out of by offering little crap, but I swear if you took any longer to come to our table I would have walked up to your Mgr in pink and explained why we are walking out. You got no tip for a reason, learn better service, and if you cant learn well then this isnt the job for you... Thank god this gets posted to Facebook too, Let the world know this place is only good for the serving size and take out.
(1)Chad Y.
Yelp 365 Challenge #02/365 Is Buca di Beppo the most authentic restaurant to have Italian food? Probably not. However you will get copious amounts of food at reasonable prices in what can best be described as a quirky atmosphere. It is fun and different, while dishing out decent food at reasonable prices. Located right at the Ward Entertainment Center, its location offers a plethora of options if you are planning a night on the town. Granted, parking can be a pain, but whoever said parking would be easy at ward? The restaurant is reminiscent of a small cafe with eclectic knick nacks and photos abounding. Its red checkered table cloths and non-conforming seating its ruckus and just adds to the fun ambiance of the joint. The food may not be the most authentic, but it is certainly decent. Definitely go in a group since the portions are large and are meant to be shared. By group I definitely mean 4 or more people and the larger the group, the more variety you'll end up. Definitely check out some of the specials as they can certainly be some of the highlights. The pastas are pastas, you can't really screw that up and it fails to truly wow. While the meats are good, I'd certainly stay away from things that are braised or slow cooked, as you might end up walking away disappointed. Service is decent but nothing wowing. The staff definitely come by to assist you with your meals in a good orchestration, however they certainly are not attentive to an incredibly high level. I know my water glass has gone empty on many occasions while dining there. Certainly nothing to sneer at, but nothing that truly makes me go wow. Definitely good for groups, but certainly not something that I'd go to for a romantic date or a casual affair.
(3)Alice R.
I am part of a military family, and my family took me here for Mother's Day. What a wonderful experience it was. I was there with my daughter, son-in-law and three wonderful grandkids, and another family. When they called us for our table, we expected to go through the typical walk to our table, but when they said they were walking us through the kitchen, I thought, "why the kitchen? What happened." Well, we were pleasantly surprised. Every single member of the kitchen staff, including the very busy chefs, wished my daughter, and I, a happy Mother's Day. We felt so special. When we arrived at our table, the wait staff did the same, and we had only one great waiter. The family-style dining worked well for the 13 of us, and the food was phenomenal! I have since left the island to return to my home in Louisiana, but I'm so glad I visited. Thank you Buca di Beppo for a heartwarming experience for all of us. I'll definitely visit on my next trip.
(5)Tiana K.
LOVE Buca di Beppo! Family friendly environment, friendly waiters, & FAST service! Went to dinner & a movie with my kids so we went to dinner I'd say 3 hours before the movie thinking it would take forever, I thought wrong! we started off with the kids meals, cheesy garlic bread, and drinks. by the time we ordered entrees the kids meals, drinks,& bread was coming to the table! must say I'm impressed never had a waiter like Christopher hilarious, and fast! the only thing I didnt like was the photo taker, and that I didn't order cannolis :/
(5)Darrin K.
Pricey, yet enjoyable pasta restaurant. I actually didn't mind paying $20+ for a pasta dish in this place. I ordered the stuffed shells dish, full order...it was huge and heavenly tasting. Also ordered a pizza to go...they make it thin crust here. It wasn't as good as the stuffed shells dish, but still decent. My Longboard 22 oz. draft was around $9 (ouch!). They don't have "happy hour" here according to the bartender. Me and my travelmate ate at the bar. There we met a wealthy couple who sold a professional sports franchise that were interesting. He removed from his finger a diamond-encrusted championship ring for me and my buddy to oggle. They then proceeded to offer us their meal leftovers, which my buddy claimed. Interesting visit to say the least.
(4)Melissa-Nicole F.
I love it! Every time I go there I have a great experience. Its a good atmosphere and the food is always delicious. My favorite would probably be the stuffed chicken breasts. TO DIE FOR! Just make sure you have a partner to eat it with you. Its family portions so you'd get a whole lot and its made for sharing. The only reason why I gave them 4 stars instead of 5, is that they have a creepy chick who comes around and takes your picture.. it can be annoying.
(4)Hohoho B.
just went there with some co-workers for dinner. It was LOUD hard to have a conversation with the person across the table, and there were a lot of Birthdays so the servers did a lot of clapping and singing. Our server was John J. not good. We should've known when he greeted us. It seems like he tries to be funny, but comes across as a wise- ass east coast personality who doesnt enjoy his job. Not once did he refill water glasses, ask how everything was or make sure we were taken care of. We felt rushed to choose our food and place our order. But when it came time to bring the check he took his sweet time! Everytime he did something he would say "I have to do this or my boss won't like it" or some lame excuse like that. Well lemme tell you, his boss should fire his ass!! We ordered salad, pasta and pizza and he told us "I'll make it small of everything. Trust me" Well, we wanted a large pizza and when my friend tried to flag him down to tell him that, he pretended that he didn't see her. So she ended up telling one of the runners, who passed it on to our crappy server. We ordred the brownie sundae to share and it took a LONG time to come. We even joked that they had to bake the brownies before the could make our sundae. Service aside, the food was good. Very tasty. I would say family style is good value. I would love to go there again for the food, but the service was sorely lacking.
(2)Yosapon T.
Always love there chicken Parmigiana !!! A great place for birthday celebration oh just reccomendation always go big portion ! or go home : )
(4)Natalie J.
First off, its a family place. If you know how it is being around an Italian dinner table, you'll get the gist of this place. It can get loud and this place is pretty busy. Let me just say, the fried Calamari is amazingly delicious. Honestly it is deep fried but literally is soft and melts in your mouth. Gorgeously good! I have a big family and we love coming here. This is another MUST go to place for us when we are in Oahu. We're a pretty loud family, lots of kids, love talking story, we fit into the atmosphere quite fabulously, (if I do say so myself). I've been here MANY times, and when I was there over a long period of time, we did take out here as well and that was just as awesome. I've not EVER come into contact with anyone that seemed like they didn't want to work there. I guess we've been lucky. The kitchen tour is very cool. Trust me, I've been on that kitchen tour more than once, and it at least looks very clean from my view. I can appreciate a clean kitchen! The food is amazingly good, from the appetizers to those crazy family meals, I've tried many dishes and have never been disappointed. My kids are in love with those gigantic meatballs that come with the spaghetti. If you're looking for a quite ambiance, and a fanciful taste of Italy, this isn't your place. But if you're here for family, celebrating togetherness, and just plain fun, by all means -- get your buns down here. While I've never made it to the dessert round here (because I'm too busy gluttonizing myself in pasta noodles) the staff is friendly, the food is worth every penny, and its a place that is good for my ENTIRE family. Even though we always walk in, busy or not, the wait time has never been longer than 20 minutes. And that, is a SERIOUS plus on my list!
(4)Grace O.
My husband and I had a party of 9 aunties and uncles that I was treating to lunch, and I expected a bill of $200+. But no, we had plenty of food, AND leftovers, for $130 INCLUDING tip! I did have a coupon for a free small appetizer though. But still, that is a fantastic deal! Apple Gorgonzola Salad - Mmmmmmmm....my favorite dish tied with the fried mozzarella. Plenty of crisp apple slices, gorgonzola chunks and pecans! Delicious! Margherita Pizza - Pretty good. I've had better, but this was very tasty regardless. A good size, so good for sharing with a big table. Penne Arrabiata - this was ok. I make it better at home :P The sauce seemed kinda dried out. The level of spice was nice though. Fried Mozzarella appetizer - REALLY good. Yum. Triangles of mozzarella breaded and fried in a bed of marinara sauce. Florentine Cheese Bread - Very good combination of jalepenos and cheese on some cripsy bread. All in all, I enjoyed the meal :) Being Chinese I'm also kinda pake, so of course I also enjoyed the price ;D
(4)Gloria S.
Four star because of my favorite dish: Linguine Frutti di Mare (Shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari tossed with our spicy red clam sauce and imported Italian linguine) and most importantly dessert... Tiramisu (ladyfingers soaked in dark rum and espresso, layered with zabaglione and sweetened mascarpone cheese, topped with cocoa and crumbled hazelnut biscotti) Family atmosphere, it can get pretty loud if there is a birthday celebration, but everyone seems to get into the mood! Staff was friendly, bathrooms were clean.... can't complain!
(4)Inthira M.
This is more of a 3.5 stars. I've only eaten here twice before this last time and I've never really been blown away by the food. But on this one particular day I felt like, why not, I'll give this place another try. And I'm glad I did. We sat by the bar area and all the booths there are rather large. I believe it could fit about 4 people each side, so plenty of wiggle room for our party of 3. Lol. We looked over the extensive menu (there are so many options to choose from!) and we each picked a dish. We decided on the spicy rigatoni sans the peas (I've never heard of peas in pasta), the pesto chicken pizza, and their new mediterranean panzanella salad. After we ordered they brought us some warm French bread for us to dip in their olive oil and balsamic vinigerette. The bread is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, what's not to love. First up, the salad. It was spinach tossed with feta cheese, kalamata olives, grilled eggplant, pepperoncinis, cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, and Italian bread croutons. One word: Delish. I thought the eggplant could be interpreted as being a little on the salty side, but I thought it was great. All the flavors just blended so well together. Everything actually tasted good. The pesto chicken pizza was sort of what I expected haven eaten CPK's with the pesto base, chicken, garlic, and sundried tomatoes. The spicy rigatoni had garlic, chicken, red peppers, and they forgot to take the peas out. So I thought I'd give the peas a try, and realized I was right, peas just don't belong in a pasta dish. But, all I had to do was remove the peas and then the rest of the pasta dish just worked beautifully. On top of everything, my friend said that everything is made fresh. From the pasta sauces (they don't make their own pasta, though), to rolling out the pizza dough once your pizza is ordered, EVERYTHING! I was impressed, I figured because it was a chain restaurant that everything would be frozen and bottled and they just heated it up, but no, Bucca takes pride in their food and I have to give them credit for that. I've been trying to get my friends to go back because I WANT MORE!
(3)Clifford L.
Alohas! a Buca d in HNL? ! -Y am i not surprised. . . second story family feed? C [no Pope's special on web menu], but outdoor seating, al fresco, that we don't have in S.F. Ciao
(4)Robert C.
Rating: 3.25/5 Date(s) Visited: 9/23/10 Food: 3/5 Service: 2/5 Atmosphere: 3/5 Price: 4/5 Buca di Beppo is another one of those places that I had heard a lot about, and passed by numerous times on my way to watch a movie at Ward, but never had a chance to experience. The food portions are absolutely huge, well worth the seemingly stunning price on the menu, though the food itself is nothing special. The atmosphere ranges from calm and casual to loud and rowdy and the service I received during my visit was... weird. Food: The food quality is par, at best. Their "Cheesy Bread Florentine" was nothing to write home about, even with the waiter-recommended sauce (more on that later). Their "Penne San Remo" was about average, though the portion was far more than either me or my friend could possibly finish and I ended up filling a take-out plate with nothing but penne. "Chicken Paramigiana" was a bit disappointing, with very soggy skin that fell off when you picked it up and barely flavored cheese topping or marinara sauce. My friend had a mimosa, with the small bottle of champagne to the side. My friend remarked that the orange juice they used was "cheap", which it certainly appeared to be. It was "orange juice from concentrate", like the kind you get in those cartons for a couple bucks. I had a raspberry cream soda which, somehow, had very little flavor. All I could taste was the faint bite of the soda along with the cream. There was absolutely nothing raspberry about the beverage except for a thin layer of foam at the top. The one good thing about the food that I have to say, besides the portion size, was that their garlic mashed potatoes are absolutely divine. It was decadently buttery and you could taste the garlic in every bite. Service: When we first entered the restaurant, we were promptly greeted and asked if it was our first time eating there. When we answered yes, the host gave us a tour of their kitchen before seating us. I was not expecting that and none of my friends had ever mentioned being given a tour of the kitchen. I'm not sure if this is something they do with everybody, or if it was because my friend and I were in business attire and got special treatment as a result, but it was an amazing touch. My initial elation was quickly deflated when our waiter arrived. His entire conduct was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. He was trying to substitute professionalism with awkwardness, tasteless humor and a high pressure sales pitch with everything we ordered. After seating us and giving us the menu to look at for a bit, he asked if we'd like anything to drink. We didn't know they had a separate drink menu so my friend grabbed it and looked at what they had. This was clearly something that would take a while, but the waiter just stood there hovering over the table for what seemed like an eternity. "Can you give us a few minutes to decide?" I asked, not being able to take the awkwardness anymore. When he came back to take our drink orders, my friend asked for a mimosa. The waiter said something along the lines of, "Can I see your drinking license?" but did so in a creepy tone which gave me shivers When we ordered food, my friend began with an order of garlic bread. "Would you like to make that Mozzarella Garlic Bread?" the waiter asked. Sure. "Well if you like Mozzarella Garlic Bread, then you should try the Cheesy Bread Florentine." Uhh... sure. "I always recommend that you get the sauce on the side for a couple bucks more." Clearly annoyed, my friend asked, "Do you get commission off everything you sell?" I suppose he got the point that we weren't appreciating his car salesman-like approach and took the rest of our order with some semblance of normalness. Before we got our cheesy bread, he came by to tell us that if we didn't get our sauce, we should tell the server right away. Since when is it our job to tell the staff what the waiter should've already told them? But whatever. Our bread arrived without the sauce, as expected, and we told the person who brought our food that we ordered sauce. We didn't get the sauce. The waiter came by, glared at us, and asked if we had told the guy we ordered sauce. Yes. The waiter came back with the sauce. He gave us our food without much more strangeness and we proceeded to eat. His final act was to awkwardly interrupt our conversation to ask us about the food and check. Atmosphere: Buca di Beppo is a giant restaurant. I was surprised at how huge it was when we entered. We were seated near the back where it was quiet with only a few other people around. The silence was broken, however, when a nearby group in another section had a party or something and everyone was cheering. Totally loud and obnoxious, but I guess it couldn't really be helped. Price: As I said before, the proportions are huge even if you order the "small". You'll be taking home leftovers, so don't be shocked by the menu prices.
(3)Alex G.
Great for big groups because they take reservations! Came here with a group of 7, celebrating our reunion from college travels and was delighted by the fact that we got a reservation 2 hours prior to arriving there. We were seated in the bar area, which was a first, but no big deal because we weren't the only ones. Around us there were plenty of birthday parties. If you come here for someone's bday, make sure to mention it because the waiter will make the birthday boy stand up and do a dance! Good stuff. We ordered 3 large dishes. The superemo italiano pizza, ravioli with meat sauce, and fettuccine alfredo. Thankfully we ordered just enough to suffice everyone and no left overs! We even ordered the big brownie dessert which is suppose to be for 6 people. All in all, we paid about 15 a head which isn't bad considering the food was good, service was attentive, and ambiance is prime for a joyful meal. I had a peroni beer which was 9 bucks : / but ehh whatevs. If you have a few left over bucks to spare, make sure to get the garlic bread. That stuff is prime.
(4)Jillian P.
Came here for the first time last night and let me tell you, it's definitely worth going again! It's REAL Italian style, so naturally, the portions are HUGE! Boyfriend and I got the chicken cannelloni! HOLY CRAP! MUST TRY! It's soooooooooooo, sooooooooo good. :) Our server's name was Myke and he was AWESOME! I mean, he truly was amazing. He was very friendly, personable, and helpful! Their raspberry lemon drop is WORTH the 7.50! It's SOOOOOO frickin' good I pounded mine in like . . . Five minutes! Usually, the price is enough to make me want to savor drinks like that . . . But it was sooo good! It was served with a FRESH raspberry! VERY good! :) Their cabarnet cosmo was alright . . . It was good at first, but after drinking too much, it really doesn't taste that good and it can get to be too much. Towards the end it tasted like pomegranate syrup and flat sprite! O.O. The only thing I DIDN'T like about this place was HOW LOUD it was! :( It was WAY TOO MUCH for me. I couldn't take it! It was so loud it felt like I was at a concert! And that's NEVER good. :( Overall, definitely would recommend this place and I can't wait to go back!
(4)Ashley B.
I used to have my birthday here every year because i absolutely love the jolly italian family atmosphere. The prices are not too friendly, but the portions are family style and therefore very kind. Ive also never had a problem with the service. I feel they only hire incredibly happy people. When i go here now, i tend to always order a carafe of sangria with whatever dish i feel like eating. I have never been disappointed with any of their food. The gnocchi and other pastas and salads are good. I usually just get their spicy calamari now, which in my opinion is much better than their original. Great....after all this thought, a nice glass of sangria and calamari sounds perfect right now! As for dessert? Im not a huge fan of cannoli, but i like buca's cannoli. It might be the sambuca sauce, which i wish they would just drench my cannoli with by default. Instead, they simply drizzle the lovely chocolate sauce. But the sambuca does compliment the cannoli filling well.
(4)Kari L.
Where to begin!? This place is extremely HUGE and unless you brought your GPS dont expect to find the restrooms. Food portions are HUGE, but BLAND! Add some salt, pepper and parmesean and you'll be good to go. MAKE SURE YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU ORDERED!!!! We ordered and were charged for a Trio platter ($24.95) and in the mix of the excitment that night, realized the next day we never got our appetizer. I have been on the phone for a week with this restaurant trying to get the situation handled. Ive been promised call backs with an answer and they didnt come through AT ALL. Finally today, I called again, with photos in hand of the evening spent there and they only wanted to offer me $10 in a gift certificate. NO WAY, not happening. I was happy to go back to the restaurant and have them whip me up a trio platter, throw it in a to-go box, but they denied me. With much persistance they finally agreed to give me a $25 gift certificate. As they should have done, DAY 1! I will take my gift card and send it to someone on the mainland who can use it at a different store. SCREW YOU HONOLULU BUCA!
(2)diego m.
Went there 2 weeks ago. I can still taste the sourness in my mouth. I was planning to order more food but the portions were so big, even for "small" portion by definition. We ordered the spaghetti ala meatballs and veggie pizza. I could give them 4 stars but the tomato sauce with the spaghetti is too f*cking sour ..so sour that it will make your BOTOX infused face overcome and regain muscle wrinkles/brows expressions..miracles do happen.... I have eaten at a lot of semi-authentic Italian Restaurants and this place has the sour-est sauce. Quality: Moderate. SOUR SOUR. Raw lemon taste less sour..me thinks Quantity: Excellent Ambiance: Good Service: Good Go there, if you have Botox on your face and want to regain your brow expressions and voluntary forehead wrinkles. I am sure it will work as a charm.
(3)Jenni S.
Buca is a fun place to eat especially for large groups! The portions are large and it's great to share the entrees family style. The food is good if you know what to order. The chicken pesto pizza is delicious as well as their pesto salmon! My favorite dish is the cheese ravioli. Yum! The atmosphere is up beat and busy. The decor is entertaining as well. Super great staff. Very friendly and helpful!
(4)Jay R.
08.31.13 with a big party came here the day before attending a wedding to celebrate. They had already set a menu before hand so my experience is based on the food and service. My family arrived late as the rest of the people were already eating salads, as our flight just came into HNL at 5:45pm and the dinner started at 5pm the service was so good, i was amazed how attentive and prompt they servers were. The food was decent as well. the food is served family style, and portions are always enough to share.
(4)Kama A.
It took a lot for me to get off my lazy A*s just to get my yelp back on...but Buca di Beppo deserves a "wet spaghetti noodle" lashing for the abuse I recently took there. After a day of heavy Ala Moana shopping my family of (4) stopped in for a 7:00 dinner. My wife walked in, let the hostess (high up on her pedestal) know our party size and name and she said we would be seated shortly, We sat to the right on the little bench by the entrance(inside Buca) and waited patiently. Several parties of (2) walked in and were seated immediately. A party of (8) came in (with reservations for an hour later) and were seated immediately.....understandable. A party of (3) walks in fresh and gets seated. Then a party of (4)..same process. At this point we were pissed and my wife stood back up to ask the hostess what's going on? The hostess looked baffled as if she never saw us before. Looking on her "motherboard" computer apparently she gave our table to a random party that walked in. The manager overheard us and stepped in to immediately seat us. The restaurant was far from crowded and there was definitely no "wait". STRIKE 1 As the mgr. gave us a "tour" of the kitchen each and every employee we confronted looked pissed we were there and had the "I hate my job" look on their face. I even overheard some employees cussing and "messing around" to say the least. STRIKE 2 When we were seated the mgr. assured us we would be assisted shortly by our waiter and we would be receiving a free appetizer for our troubles. 5 mins later the waiter arrives and can see the "pissed" look on our face. We ordered immediately and got our food in about 15 mins. The appetizer was some cheesy garlic bread that I definitely would not have got ($12.99) if it were not free. The spaghetti meatballs was "blah" and the fettucine alfredo wasn't anything impressive. The best thing abbout the dinner was dessert...go figure. Not too hard to mess up with brownies & ice cream. At the end of our meal the waiter gives me the check, and as I look it over I notice he charged me for the "free" appetizer. I let him know and in about another 15 mins. he gives me a corrected check with the right amount. STRIKE 3 Left there feeling like I got "bent over"..& I dont even swing that way, NO HOMO. Never gonna drop my hard-earned $$$$ on this spot again. Don;t matter how big the meatballs are. Definitely seems like they are overstaffed with "summer help" as employees walk around aimlessly. I've had Buca on the mainland and it was notched better than the Ward spot. Do yourself a favor and go across the street to the Old Spaghetti Factory. At least there they remember you walked in the door. Buca Di Crappo...got a nice ring to it.
(1)Laura D.
I've been here a few times before and it was decent. But with my recent trip, I'm not impressed. Service was okay. We went on a Wednesday night so it wasn't terribly busy. Our waiter was good and put up with all our requests: warm bread instead of the cold bread, red pepper, more water please. He was quick to bring these things. The problem was finding him to ask for them. Never checked up on us. I ordered the small cheesy bread. Our waiter asked if I wanted the other cheesy bread. I asked the difference and he said it had four cheeses. More cheese? Yes please. He failed to mention it had spinach on it. Disappointing if you don't like spinach. Ew. For an entree I got the lunch serving of chicken saltimbocca. The lunch size is a normal one person serving. Though I still have extra to take home. I was disappointed with the tiny size of the chicken and the copious amount of pasta. Maybe theres more chicken buried under the mountain of pasta? Nope. And saltimbocca isn't cooked with Alfredo sauce. It's suppose to be a white wine sauce. Oh well. The flavor wasnt bad and lemony and I love anything with prosciutto. But of course the pasta was overcooked and well beyond al dente. The entree was $13. No problem there. But so was the small cheesy bread. The serving of the bread is the same size as most garlic bread servings elsewhere for much cheaper. Buca, you done me wrong this time. Don't think I'll be eager to go back any time soon.
(2)Marjorie S.
Such a terrible experience tonight at this restaurant and will never go again. Celebrated a birthday and gave them a birthday coupon which was emailed to me. Manager could not honor it as there was no bar code. I showed her the coupon on my phone and they still did not want to honor it with a bar code. Did not understand why... as she kept explanning no bar code. Why send out coupons if you will not honor the coupon. I will unsubscribe to them asap. Carol our waitress was nice enough to pay for our dessert from her own pocket. too bad, for bad business, as the manager said its a corporate thing.
(1)Caitlin L.
So despite the fact we're early mid-twenties, the hubs and I are kind of like an old couple and we have a routine Saturday date night. We go to church (no we're not weirdos...we go to New Hope Honolulu and they're rockin enough to have a Saturday night service so we don't have to venture over there on Sunday morning...yes, that was an intentional shameless church plug) and then we head over to Buca. Every Saturday night, 730 we're there, unless of course, those dang deployments get in the way and steal my husband. Like previous reviewers said, the service is hit or miss. Sometimes, we have awesome servers, really helpful, really enthusiastic, and really quick...then there are the times like last weekend, when we hear the server bitch out the hostess for double seating him, neglecting our drinks til the hardworking busboy filled them, and forgetting to put in our dessert order. That aside, we love the place. I love Italian food of any shape or form and am easily impressed by it and we try something new every weekend. One thing we don't compromise is on the salad (Apple Gorgonzola and nothing else!) and dessert (Apple crostata...is good enough to make you lick the plate!, these are staples and will never change. Venturing out on the entree part of the menu, my favorite has been the summer special Pasta Caprese with chicken added to it. Very light, big chunks of mozzarella? Yum! My husband's favorite has been the baked chicken cannolloni. Pretty delectable, but not my favorite. You can print out $10 off $20 purchases if you google it you know...don't leave home without it!
(4)Hanna M.
A lot of food for low price. I went there recently and for a table for two at 5pm there was an hour long wait. The food here will make you fat.
(3)Kelly G.
My son turned sweet 16 last week & he picked Bucca For his dinner celebration ..... I reserved the Pope's table for 10 people..... we got there, got seated quickly, placed our order of: bruschetta lemon chicken fra diavolo spicy chix rigatoni caesar salad meatball side penne arrabiatta fried calamari We played some games while we waited and then all the food came at once so everyone got to dig in and enjoy - everything was good .... we had so over ordered that my son got to eat Bucca for the next 2 days. Our server was awesome - our drinks were promptly refilled, plates bussed, etc. .... & even though we brought in our own cake she still rounded up a group of Bucca guy's to come sing LOUDLY to my son with the large candelabra for him to blow out !! Bucca was super nice about not doing a cake charge or a room charge deposit..... it is definately a FUN place to celebrate at ..... the kids LOVED it !!! Total bill with 20% tip was $200 - sweet 16 memories ...priceless !!!!
(4)O.M. R.
awesome kitchen tour:D and the food was really good!!! Servers really nice too;)
(5)Jessica T.
Love the family style portions! Definitely come here with an empty stomach. There is SO much food. Atmosphere is lively and fun. My favorites are: peach bellini, shrimp diablo, ceasar salad, pizza! My only complaints would be dessert (they aren't bad, just not my favorite) and the long wait (make reservations if you plan to go on fri or sat night!).
(5)Aaron A.
Absolutely love this place. We went here a few days ago to celebrate our wedding anniversary and had a blast. We made a reservation, which is totally in your best interest because the place was packed at 6pm on a Sunday night. We only had to wait maybe two minutes before we were quickly whisked away to our table. The host takes you through their kitchen to give you a "tour". Wasn't much of a tour, but it was cool. If you've ever worked in a restaurant before, you know what this kitchen looks like. Even though everyone is working at a break-neck pace, they all greet you as you pass through, which is nice. There's even a table in the kitchen that you can reserve for your meal. It's noisy in there (as any kitchen is) but it's still a nice touch. The main advantage that I see to the kitchen tour is that it requires them to keep a spotless kitchen since all of their customers see it. The restaurant itself is a maze. Once we got to our table, we had no idea where we were compared to the front, but no big deal. The walls are COVERED in kitschy Italian art, pictures, and other pieces that add to the atmosphere. Also, the restaurant is LOUD. Considering how many tables there are in the restaurant and that it's almost a communal, family-style place, this is to be expected; just be ready for it. Our server was awesome, making it seem like we were her only table, even though she clearly had many. We were never left wanting anything seeing as how she came by often, but not so much that she was annoying. The food, the main star of the show, was amazing. While it's not AUTHENTIC Italian food (you are in a chain restaurant, after all), it's still very, very good Italian-American (for lack of a better word) food. Like everyone else states, the portions are rediculous. Most entrees come in a small and a large size. I ordered the small baked rigatoni and could easily get three meals out of it. My wife ordered the prosciutto stuffed chicken and thorougly enjoyed it. She is somewhat of a connisuer of tiramisu and while she liked theirs, it was soaked in Myer's Rum. I mean SOAKED. She caught a buzz off of it. Be warned. Overall, one of our favorite restaurants on the island. The prices are pretty expensive: sangria, starter, two entrees, and dessert came out to about $120. However, the fact that we had a HUGE bag of leftovers to take home, coming out to about another four meals, the price evened itself out. One thing to be advised of though: Yelp and the restaurant both advertise that if you sign up for Buca's e-club, you get a free appetizer. While that is true, you don't get it at that meal. I signed up online and didn't get the coupon for it until a few days later. You can sign up for their e-club with your server and that may net you the free appetizer right then, but I'm not sure. FYI: "buca di beppo" roughly translates into "Joe's basement" in Italian (thank you Wikipedia).
(5)Teresa M.
Great service from Alfredo; friendly atmosphere & great food. I don't eat here that often but when I do, I am appreciative of the pride that the staff take in providing excellent customer service.
(5)Dar C Y.
Buca is a fun place to be. It's close to the movies, games, shopping and the beach. If I know I'm having a party of about 6 or more, I'll probably book dinner at Buca for the family sharing portioned size food and loud atmosphere. They also have a menu to feeds a party of 2! Dates are welcomed here too. Not recommended for people who are claustrophobic or can't handle a cluttered place. It's not cluttered but there is a lot of decor that may come across as clutter to some.
(4)Yena W.
Located right by Ward Theatres, it's an incredibly convenient spot to have dinner before/after a movie. Most of the food is good, although every now and then I pick a dish that just completely fails, like the Pancetta Buccatini they had a while back. Absolutely inedible. But I do have to say their calamari is one of my favorite calamari dishes ever. I'd like to split a large one between myself and only one other person, have some Italian beer, and then go into a movie pleasantly fried food/beer buzzed. Or talk about the movie I just watched while popping the deliciously crispy squids in my mouth in between glugs of light bitter beer. Either way, between the comfort foods, ridiculous bordering on funny cliche decorations, and great service, it's just one of those chain restaurants that feel familiar and comfortable enough to be perfect for a birthday celebration or something, or any celebration needing a cake, because their cheesecake also happens to be one of my favorite cheesecakes ever. Just try it. Calamari. Beer. Cheesecake. Maybe not all at once, and definitely not regularly.
(4)Jenny C.
This place is definitely overrated. When it first opened, it was crazy busy and I always wanted to try it. I've been there a few times and the food isn't great at all. I used to love their penne cardinal (I think that's what it's called) but they took it off the menu. However, if you ask for it, they will check with the kitchen to see if they have the ingredients to make it (they always do when I check). But now as I look back, I wonder why I ever liked this place. The food isn't great, the service is horrible and the wait can be horrendous (both to get in and to get your food). Don't bother.
(2)William H.
What a great find! To begin with, the decor will overload your sensory receptors upon impact. It is more Italian than the best of Italy! Seriously good food and lots of it. Our waitress (Natalie) was great, too. My husband and I were commenting on how awesome it was to get a kitchen preview (yes, they walked us through it!) and how tidy it was. The decor, as already stated, was wild (in a great feast for the eyes way) and as we were discussing all this with Natalie, she said management is incredible, too, which I believe. She really enjoys her job and those with whom she works. The place really has it's act together. Clean, good food, good service and real Italian ambiance. Be sure to check out the bathrooms, too! No wall is spared a feast for the eyes :-)
(4)jessica a.
Waiting for your movie to start at ward and need to chill and eat something filling??? YUM and perfect! Love the place and the atmosphere... I do not see how this place could get just one star or even two... Definately will be going back.
(5)Christine C.
Good food and atmosphere! Great for groups, since it is "family style".
(4)Joj o.
Huge, family-style portions; crappy food and service. Nothing was really good at this place. It's been over a year since I went, but the memory still lingers. We ordered a caesar salad for everyone to share. They bring out a garden salad. We ask them if they can change it for caesar, and they do. This time they bring out a giant plate full of iceberg lettuce, parmesan cheese, sliced onions, that were all dripping in some sort of clear, oily dressing. Our server told us they were out of romaine lettuce and croutons. At least tell us that beforehand, so we don't bother ordering it. We told them to just take the salad back, and they still ended up charging us. Service was slow, and our waitress sucked. The rest of the dinner was a mediocre attempt at Italian food. Never going back to Buca di Crappo.
(2)Earl N.
This place is very unique. The first time my family and I ate at Buca we spent almost half of it looking around at all the pictures, statues and random decor items strewn about the restaurant. The family sized portions were a new thing to us but it wasn't a bother; plus it went along with the overall feel of the place. The staff was friendly and on point; not once did I remember anyone critiquing anything or having to ask for something. As for the food, my wife and I agreed that it was some of the best Italian food we've had--granted we haven't tried many exclusively Italian restaurants before Buca. The prices for the dishes were good, giving a decent amount of grub for your buck (compared to the other establishments in Hawaii). Though, since its all family sized portions it might be a little difficult if you're with a group that is going to share but also wants to split the bill. All in all an awesome place to have a nice dinner with the family and friends. Definitely recommended!
(5)steven u.
I have eaten here numerous times and i always come back for two things, their wine and dessert. Obvisouly i love to drink and i like to match the ambiance of the setting so every time i come in here i choose to drink wine. Italian food complements wine and with out wine you cant have italian food! if u love red wine as i do i would highly recommend the cabernet woodbridge from california and for the dessert their tiramisu cake. Now im not a big fan of tiramisu but this one packs a punch! for less than 14 bucks it comes out to be a size of a freezer pizza... it is so big it has its own gravitational pull... in the tiramisu it has a secret ingredient that packs a punch... literally! ill leave that suprise for you to find out... hint... it will get you tipsy...
(4)CJ C.
If you're looking for good, solid food that will fill you up, Buca di Beppo fits the bill. The food is good--not extraordinary--but there's plenty of it. We had salad, the sausage pizza, the rigatoni and penne specials and the Chicken stuffed with prosciutto in a pesto cream sauce. I think this is a kitschy place which is fun for a large group of not too picky eaters. But if you're looking for authentic Italian, you will be disappointed.
(3)Duane H.
Best bargain in Hawaii and the food is great.
(5)Richard K.
Had guests from Japan who wanted to shop at strip along Ward so it was decided to have dinner at Buca. Tasked to make reservations while the ladies shopped, went direct to Buca to make last minute reservations. A first, I was told 8:30 was the only time available, but with a little friendly persuasion managed to get one for 6:30. Plus point for that ! (^^) The last time I ate there, the food was overwhelmingly oily and left a bad taste in the mouth. This time, all the dishes were not oily at all, very pleasant to the palate and filling. Our guests enjoyed every bite! To top the dinner off we had the Colossal Brownie Sundae.....(^^). It was pure pleasure seeing the faces of our guests when the mountain of ice cream and whipped cream was brought to the table. There was a big birthday party next to us which added to the merriment and appetite. Our guests enjoyed the happy atmosphere. The service was good and they even brought out a special dish for our guest who was celebrating her wedding anniversary. This was greatly appreciated. It's kind of funny that despite the volume we ate we did not get that heavy feeling of the stomach being overworked. PS It is also nice that the wallet was not overworked as well. v(^^)v
(4)Nancy M.
I'm surprised this place has gotten such bad reviews on here because each time I have gone I have had a blast. My husband and I enjoy going with at least one other couple, but the more the merrier considering the portion sizes. I LOVE the family style portions- everyone orders something different and you get to try a bunch of great food. The drinks-especially with an Italian background- are beyond par. For example, my favorite drink is a Bellini. I attempted to order a Bellini down in Waikiki and the bartender looked me straight in the face and said, "What's a Bellini?" However at Buca Di Beppo, a Bellini is served almost as authentically as if you were in Italy. (Note: There is NOTHING in the world like a Bellini in Italy if you ever get a chance to go and order one.) For desert, try their gelato- sooo good, and still worth it even if you are bursting from dinner. I have found the waiters to be knowledgeable and a great resource if you are interested in trying something new- hence the gelato I tried a year ago. The prices are what you would expect for a family style meal- don't let that scare you away from good food. Try to sit outside if you can, it's great people watching! Pros: *Good Food *Great Service * A good place to go to dinner with a couple of great friends or a group of people *Great drinks Cons: *Price could be a factor if you are not expecting it * Friday and Saturday nights are (of course) going to be a bit busier.
(4)Chris Y.
I had one of their salads (consisted of apples, cranberries, walnuts and etc...) and it was awesomely delicious with the white wine the waitress recommended. Service was great!
(4)Michael Q.
When you want feed an army of friends and not break the bank. Large portions and always leftovers for lunch the next day. Gets kind of loud if theres a party in another room. Not a place for a romantic dinner for two. Not authentic italian but it'll do. Meatballs the side of your head!!
(4)Nolan F.
We've been here quite a few times and it's normally OK but tonight our service wasn't great. The server came to our table and didn't even ask what drinks we wanted. I had to be like ok, can I have a diet coke? I think her name was Leilani- maybe she's new to serving and just doesn't have the hang of it yet? Having been a server for quite a few years, you ask what drinks the customers want and while they look at the menu, come back for apps. Well, she came over and asked which apps we wanted and stood there while we looked at the menu. It was kinda awkward so that's I asked for a drink. I shouldn't have to be the one to suggest a drink though. The food was good, the cheesy bread is really good but not for $12 for the small portion! C'mon, it's bread and cheese! The manicotti was good also but again, overpriced. What really pissed us off was when it came time for dessert. My wife is very allergic to nuts so we asked if the brownie sundae had nuts in it. She told us it did not so I asked her to PLEASE double check, I did not want to have to go to the hospital. We said we could not have it if it had nuts. She comes back with the brownie sundae and tells us it has hazelnuts- um, hello??? She's like oh, well the cook already made it, do you want me to take it off the bill? Uh yea, I told you not to put the order in if it had nuts. Omg I feel bad because she was not rude or anything, just not the best server. Also, do not tell someone that a dish is prepared a certain way unless you are sure. It will save you and the customer a lot of trouble, and possibly a law suit! For about 8 pieces of manicotti for $27 or so, I give up on going there to eat. I could have made it at home for under $10. Very overpriced, but having to deal with poor service makes it really hard to go back there.
(2)Sharon C.
Sat inside at the bar for the first time. Usually sit outside. When you sit outside, you don't realize how dirty the inside area is. The food is average.
(2)Catt G.
The pizza here surprised me by being pretty tasty, and I would come back again to get it to-go. The garlic bread was laughingly bad, though: whitebreadish, very dry, with half a sprinkling of some garlic substance, and it was 10 bucks. However, one terrible thing about this restaurant is the waiter entertainment. They sing loudly and annoyingly in a manufactured show of what I presume to be an attempt at stereotypical 'Italian-ness," but its really just ridiculous. The tourists around us seemed to be enjoying it though, but I just found it super-cheesy almost to the point of being embarrassing. (Why is it that when people travel they suddenly become huge cornballs?) Anyway, it was loud and interrupting. In their favor, the service here is really good, I must say. And, if you really want to see something special, go to the restroom: the wall of the stall has a huge mirror at toilet level...so you can watch yourself do your business, I guess.
(2)Alyssa B.
This is a yummy, fun, friendly, family style restaurant! I have eaten at many buca locations and none have failed me. The portions are huge! I always get the apple and walnut salad, their garlic bread which is to die for, and one or two pasta dishes depending on how many people I go with. The atmosphere is so fun, and the servers are very friendly. I go to Buca whenever I can which Is not enough, open one in Santa Barbara!
(5)James S.
Here at Buca do Beppo for another awesome date night. We just got our appetizer, stuffed mushrooms. At some point in time I am sure those shrooms started out as healthy little veggies, but when they were plated, healthy they were not. Damn they were good. I am sure the broccoli started out that way also. We got the Chicken Parm and Pasta Rigotoni which was awesome as usual. My wife and I love to go here, but I have heard from several people that this Buca do Beppo is not as good as others around the country. Well we haven't experienced any other Buca's except this one. It's the only restaurant that gives you a tour of the kitchen and the atmosphere is awesome. Tonight they sat us at a table that was a little too close to a walkway and I felt like I was in the way and my wife's back was up against a shelf where extra bottles of whatever were stored which caused the staff to reach over her shoulder (invading her bubble). Despite that we still had a great time.
(5)Emmy D.
Third visit wasn't very enjoyable. Our waiter was not attentive, but he did manage to get refills after a little wait. Also, he spilled a mess coke from his re-fill pitcher on the lasagna (main serving dish too) and didn't apologize for it. All he said was oops and then walked away. What's going on with this place? It's bad, it's great, then gets even worse than the first time. Food was OLD. I choked to near-death on the bread, and the pastas were all dry and sick-looking. Stuffed shells, mancotti and ravioli were not hot, the cheese wasn't even melted. I did enjoy the taste of the shell with spinach and cheese. The lasagna was unusually dark and the noodles were super-soft and not in a good way. It was pretty old and overcooked and somehow unpleasantly garlicky. Maybe the waiter and my mishap of choking for 10 minutes on old bread ruined the experience enough I couldn't enjoy the food like I wanted to. This was one of my favorite restaurants too. Our waiter also didn't pack any of the marinara sauce that came with our food in our to-go box. Yay, dried leftovers!
(3)Andy D.
Yep. 4 stars. I know it's a chain. I know the food isn't authentic Italian. I know the decor is obnoxiously overdone. But I can't help but really like this place. Maybe its because I would come here with large groups all the time when I was in high school. The decor and ambiance (including the lame Italian music) is really kitschy and funny. Admit it, you love the picture of the baby flipping you off. And I remember laughing at the pictures in the bathroom. The service is always very friendly, though hit or miss in terms of speed You shouldn't come here expecting authentic Italian food. It's more Italian-American for the masses, but better than any Olive Garden or Romano's. I love the family style concept, since it allows you to share several dishes among a group, and its really social. I love the eggplant parmesan. Nice and thinly sliced with lots of cheese and breading flavor, served with great marinara. Last time we went we got the Pizza Angelo. It was decent, but really gooey and cheesy. My biggest complaint is that it was soggy and limp.
(4)Joseph B.
So this is a great place to eat with a bunch of people. Tons of pasta and pizza. Family style. Portions are huge. Fun place to eat.
(4)Lukasz S.
I will say only one thing THE SHIT nothing else to add :) . Seriously the best restaurant i went in hawaii
(5)Cheryl K.
Yes! My fiance and I frequent this place. At least once a month or so. Only gripe is really minor. Two times I went there and ordered Chianti. Both times they had no wine glasses. Yah, I drink cheap red wine at home and I don't care what kinda glass it is in. But when I am out and paying to be served and a glass of wine cost more then a whole bottle of wine I pick up at Safeway, I would like it in a wine glass. Maybe they need more dishwashers or possibly more wine glasses? But anyways. Food is awesome and awesomely fattening but tastes great. We usually walk out of Buca's wobbling. Overall pretty good!
(4)Margaret W.
Buca's is a fun place visit for luch or dinner. They provide kithcen tour before you are seated which allows you to see the quality and cleaniliness of the cooks and kitchen. The menu is extensive, the portions are large and the food tastes great! Look for the $10 coupons in the newspaper and online to make the experience even better!
(4)Janders S.
Yea, good Italian food, and LOTS of it TOO. and it was at a good price overall as well. Good for a romantic date and good to take kids and people you don't really care about and show them a good time. Take the tour so you know where the bathroom is and how to exit in case of a fire. Waitress was great. Best for groups of 3 or more, but alone at the bar looks good too. Parking in the building.
(4)Koji H.
I love pasta! They always give big portions and looked like we hardly ate anything. The place was fairly empty for a Friday. Forgot to ask them to not sprinkle parmeasan cheese on the pizza. Friendly and fast service. A Pepsi establishment so only 4 stars.
(4)Al D.
We love to go to BDB with those $10 off coupons they give. The eggplant parmesan is my favorite, although the spaghetti is always too soft and the tomato sauce runny. I like the margherita pizza too. We had the collossal sundae and it was ok. The brownies would've been better if they were baked on site, which they definitely weren't. The free bread is good. Unfortunately, the waitstaff isn't the most charming of cats. In fact, we had one guy today who was pretty ornery, although he lightened up at the end. And dang, this place gets loud. Don't try to get all romantic with your s/o because it ain't gonna happen. But this is the perfect place to bring a screaming 3 year old and stuff them with pasta! Some items are pretty solid here but for actual, good italian food and better ambiance, go elsewhere.
(3)Dennis H.
Great food, great atmosphere, good service...what more can you ask for? We went to Buca on a Saturday - we were warned about the crowds and that was an understatement. We arrived at 5:15 and had to wait about a hour. We later learned that reservations were accepted - next time we will know better. Food was great with gi-normous portions - you will not leave hungry.
(5)Jay P.
I entered Buca Di Beppo with a couple of friends on a whim, having the idea that we should eat a late lunch/early dinner out to celebrate one of our birthdays. We looked like a bunch of sniveling high school brats so the waiter/waitresses saw us and I could tell right away none of them were all too happy about serving us. They gave each other funny looks and finally the guy copped out to seating us to our table. He was cool enough to ask us if we had ever been to BDB before and when we replied that we haven't, he gladly gave us a short tour around the kitchen and showed us to our table. The decor around the restaurant is pretty interesting and will have you turning your head to look at some things twice. The booth is spacey enough and although it seats 4, it could've easily sat 6 or more... It was VERY roomy, which I love. Our server approached us at a timely manner and was very polite. Because we're a bunch of kids we ended up ordering off the lunch menu, a cheap pizza to split between two of us, while me and my friend both got our own pasta plates. I got a fried calamari appetizer for the table and that was DELICIOUS. (Average dish is about $15; more if it's dinner) The server made an awesome red wine vinegar and oil sauce that tasted great with the calamari, along with some bread and butter and a couple Italian sodas around the table. The final bill came out to about $68, which is not bad to say the least. The service was pretty good and the food was delicious. I would definitely go again... If I had the money.
(3)James C.
Is it me or has the food gotten better there since my last review?
(4)Remy Z.
Large portions a plus Place is tough to navigate Food is above par
(3)Fern D.
One of the chain restaurants that I can't stand. Maybe it's because when they first came to the SF Bay Area, I waaay OD'd on it and attended too many group dinners with friends there. After you get past the huge family style servings, really, the food is just mediocre. Admittedly, I will say this is a good place for groups or families. You can definitely get your money's worth and then some...like lots of leftovers! The decor is campy and fun. The Pope Room is pretty comical, and perfect for a large party. Anyway, if you're jonesing for authentic or good Italian, you will be disappointed. But, if you're looking to feed a big group of people at a decent price, then ka-ching!
(2)James Q.
Food portions and atmosphere are great, not the best Italian food around. I would recommend this place if your very hungry.
(2)Scott R. D.
Our group of 8 had dinner here last night. I'm not a big fan of big chains, but this was decent food at a decent price. We had great service. They even took the price of our lasagna off the bill because we sent it back. It wasn't hot. It would have been more fun if our group had been into the "family style" thing.
(3)Lisa S.
Buca's is a really great experience. The food is wonderful although not an extensive menu. Just enough corporate integrated to guarantee similar experiences every time. We now ask for Tony every time because he really makes the experience! Our friends and I always gather a good sized group and go for a big dinner together, it is one of our favorites places for group outtings!! I love the veal saltimbocca as well as the chicken, and the gnocchi was delicious! I have had many dishes and always satisfied! The prosciutto stuffed chicken is super yummy, though mostly an upgraded cordon blue. The smalls are good for a couple to share but we still always end up with plenty of extras to take home!! They could use some extra sides, something besides broccoli, my husband doesn't like their version of this, but other than that, it's a really cool place.
(4)L. D.
Not bad, but not great. The more people you have in your party, the better, because the portions are huge--even the "small" ones. The atmosphere is fun, especially for special occasions. Stuffed mushrooms and Caesar salad are delicious.
(3)Mojojojo Y.
i hadn't been to buca's in years so since i received one of those $10 off coupons in the mail i decided to try it out and see if my original dislike of the food still existed. one thing for certain, this place is not cheap. my bf ordered the lunch portion of the chicken canneloni which equaled two canneloni and that was like $13 plus my small order of the butternut squash ravioli $17 and two drinks $8 was a bit much for the amount of food given. i was about to order dessert but the slice of chocolate cake was $13! everything tasted just ok. i wouldn't go out of my way to go here again even with another coupon. the bf agreed.
(3)Jesse m.
All i have to say is they delivered our appetizer to the wrong people. They ate it, then when we asked for ours they finally brought it to us. with attitude. But to top it all off they spit in my girlfriends wine. yes SPIT in her wine. We could see the snot in the glass floating, slimey, going down the glass, this is after she had taken a sip. The general manager could only comp our bill and tell us how sorry he was. Sorry will not changhe the fact that you drank someone else's spit. So if you would enjoy drinking other peoples snot and saliva i recommend this place. DISGUSTING
(1)Stefanie H.
I loved it there, it was a fun and laid back atmosphere. It's served family styles so a dish that u can share for 2-3 people for 17 dollars is actually a pretty good price. They give u a tour through the kitchen. Their meatballs are 1/2 pound and bigger than the size of my fist. There is just so much on the menu to choose from. I loved it.
(4)Big Willie K.
I normally dont want to go to Buca di Beppo, a few bad memories. Unfortunate for me. The last 2 times I HAVE HAD A GREAT TIME VISITING/GETTING SERVED from the AWESOME bartender Robbie! He's the man behind the bar. I think it comes with his years of working there and perhaps learning from his predecessor. we went just before movie starts upstairs (our bad timing) but the food has come out FAST and the servers polite and attentive. did i mention ROBBIE was awesome? he impressed my mom in law (BIG DEAL) got my baby to smile, & took care of service stuff (drink refills, "anything else?"). GOOD TIMES! oh & iron man 2 was good.
(4)Daisy S.
It's a good place... with good food... and large portions! but I remember when it just opened in early 2000.. OH!! how over-crowded the place was!! Craziness!! We had to wait 4 hours for our table! so, being crazy locals that we were... we went up and watched a movie while we waited!!!
(3)Ali B.
honestly...i really dont like this place at all...at least here in hawaii...in back home in CALI ots great but here..cmon..how can you have a Italian place with NO italians in the kitchen..its crap to much oil NO flavor and gi-hugean plates..yea I get family style..but its a lil much. Im not even gunna go into the food it was a waste of my money. The place is real cool looking though i like the pope table and the sinatra playi. All i gota say is...c'mon man step up the food a lil bit more.
(1)Wil T.
Max's Birthday party was a good time. All the food was fine. Once again, we had the Pope Table. Service was better than the first time. I have nothing to complain about. BTW the birthday cake I purchased from the restaurant was enormous! and good.
(4)Jyb J.
the pizza was sooo good..went here whiling in hawaii and it was yummy...i cant wait to go to the one in sacramento and try some more of their foods...i love it there..the service was good and friendly
(5)Eric P.
Fettaccinni Alfredo is one of my favorite pasta dishes EVER. And the stuff here is really that good... Only problem? Lactose intolerant me. So every time I ate here... I was either jealous all dinner or tied to within 30 yards of a bathroom the rest of the night... -1 star because sometimes too much food is too much food.
(4)Joy R.
This place is okay... if you're 12 and having a birthday party with a bunch of your friends and mom and/or dad let you have the credit card. I guess what it comes down to for me is that I'd rather not eat at any chain if possible. Overall, it's not bad if you've got lots of people together; it's nothing fancy, just overpriced family style fun. In addition to having friendly service I give this restaurant an extra nostalgia point.
(2)Mel W.
Good fast and friendly service. Tour of kitchen gives it that special touch. Food was reasonable priced. Great for large groups. Entrees are over sized, all the small entrees feed 2-3 people. Great Italian memorabilia. I went on a Monday and didn't have to wait. Recommend calling ahead or making reservations on the weekend especially if you have a large group. The taste of the food was alright. A lil bland. I've actually eaten food in Italy so I know the difference lol.
(3)Thomas K.
Had lunch there today before going to the movies. First of all...the service was excellent. Got our drinks and bread almost immediately after sitting down, and my glass was never empty. I tend to drink alot of liquids during my meal...so I'm a stickler for that. The food itself was excellent. This was my first time eating here and my brother and I decided to go with the pizza. I hadn't really heard anything about the pizza from here...but I have to say it was pretty damn good. It was also fairly large and we ended up having to take some home. All in all...I will be back one day to try their pasta.
(4)Stan M.
Buca is a terrific place for a quick meal...or for a party with friends. They always are willing to accomodate...and boy can they dish it out. Love the docor especially all the great photos that surround you from every wall. If you are lucky enough to have Precious working as a manager...you will get the best of what Buca has to offer. Great service and her manner is so gracious you don't realize how wonderful her teamwork is. Kim is one of their very best servers...sharp, always on top of what you need and always anticipating your needs. We always try to use coupons in these tough times and the entire staff doesn't hesitate or make you feel cheap. We have been here at least 10 times in the last 6 months as a couple and with a large party of friends. Buca is always a great dining and joyous experience.
(5)Travis M.
Been here a couple of times for parties. Good sized portions, but not too great in taste. Good for parties, bad for food. Only thing I liked was the limoncello, which was a shot, pretty strong, but it was good.
(2)Natasha C.
We were very fortunate to have a great server but I will say that you could def see that it was a hit/miss kind of thing there! I felt bad for the hostess though.. she looked a bit scared and the HUGE mass of people waiting on a Friday night to be seated! We made reservations and were seated pretty quickly, but there was a "gentleman" ranting at the door about not being seated with a reservation. Food portions are def a plus! It is a fun place for a get together but can be a bit loud and overwhelming if you're not into that (at least on the weekends!) I was a little sad to see that I had 2 cannelloni's left for dessert to take home and only one made it in the box? Not sure what happened there! I may have to venture back during the week to make up for it! Oh and the tiramisu tasted as if it had a bottle of rum dumped on it... not a great balance there:( Overall though, I'd venture back again just cause it is a fun place!
(3)Keane L.
Translates to "Joe's Basement." Supposedly "immigrant southern Italian dining" that imitates the diners on the East Coast that existed back when red was a really evil color. "Italian dinners and sanitary bathrooms." I love this restaurant. It's so festive and eccentric (see men's restroom... I'm not saying I like THAT.) that it's fun. Portions are enormous and average about $15 (one plate can feed 2-4 people, depending on how much you eat). The garlic bread is the size of a medium fast-food pizza and is topped with tons of fresh garlic (mmm!). The pizzas (thin, crispy crusts) are even bigger. Lunch offers smaller, individual portions. Service was good, but I didn't like being seated in the bar area when I came here for lunch. This is my favorite Buca because of the great location in Ward. I've been here twice, and I've been to the Sacramento location once. I haven't been to the one in SF, but how can you compare SOMA or Sacramento to the beauty of Kaka'ako?! Walk up the stairs to the theater and stare at the beautiful ocean! "Where Chianti flows from 3-liter bottles..." Sounds like an excellent vintage...
(5)S D.
All I got to say is is best food and service EVER!!! Truly loved this place...and I see it again in the future.
(5)Nicole j.
I've never had a bad meal at Buca's. Yea, it is kinda cheesy and all with the singing for birthdays and screaming kids for kids' parties....but tune it out w/ a glass of wine. I have eaten Italian all over the world - even in Italy. Of course, nothing comes close to the real deal, but Buca's is as close as I have found on the island. The Chicken Saltimbocca is the BEST chicken I have ever had. Period. Never dry, never rubbery, always tasty. And it comes w/ a side of fettucine alfredo - also VERY delicious. The best way to enjoy Buca's is to have about 6 people and order 4 different dishes and share - you get to eat a lot and try different things. The portions are huge, so really, everyone doesn't need to order their own meal! I really like it and recommend going in late afternoon before the dinner rush (down side is that's when most people have kids' b-day parties so lots of noise...but the wine drowns that out!). Only down side to this place is they don't do fresh pepper or parmesean cheese (guess I'm spoiled from eating in authentic italian restaraunts!).
(4)Javier C.
The staff is great but sometimes slow, they serve huge portions and its good for large groups or families but the food is not tasty at all. Arancino, Mediterraneo or Cafe Sistina are better choices if you want the real taste of italian food.
(1)Kristina M.
Took my two daughters to Buca today for lunch. Just a girls day. We had a waiter named Alfredo, he was fabulous, he entertained the girls and answered all of their questions. Plus the food was wonderful!!!! We normally try to go at least once a month, but this was def the best trip.
(5)Mark C.
It was our first time to Buca for the wife and I. I read several listings here on yelp and called for a reservation. I asked for a cozy table away from most of the hustle and bustle. We got there and were immediatly taken of the tour of the kitchen area where everyone said hello and then seated in a nice little cozy cove, all to ourselves. In two minutes the most attentive, on point server "Malia" was there to politely introduce herself and just simply talk a little. Being the I already reviewed the menu online I placed the order for the Buca Trio Platter and one glass of red fruity Chianti and a glass of white fruity Chianti. Malia asked if we were ready for our order, which we were and we placed our order with a little information from Malia. I went with the Linguine Frutti Di Mare which I asked Malia if I could replace the Linguine with Fettuccine which she replied "Absolutely". The wife decided to go with the Veal Saltimbocca. We were brought our drinks and glasses of water within 5 minutes of our order and some freshly backed bread. Malia showed us the EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar and we waited patiently while sipping each others Very frutti Chianti's. The Trio platter arrived and everything was on point. The stuffed Mushrooms sitting in the pesto cream sauce was off the chain! I highly recommend these mushrooms if you like mushrooms. The fried calamari was very well done with just the right amout of spice to them and the fried Mozz was fresh and it was hand breaded for sure. Malia check on us again and brought some extra napkins for as she stated "Just in case things get INTENSE!" which brought a laugh to both of us. We polished off the antipasti and sipped on our drinks and dinner arrived nice and hot from the Kitchen staff who warned us of the hot dishes. My Feffuccine Frutti Di Mare was "ONO" and full of plump shrimp, muscles, clams, and the red sauce was very flavorful. I was a little spicy but not spicy enough for my taste. I asked Malia for some red pepper and BAMM! took it up a notch and it was very delicious. The wifes Veal was a little stiff and then I tasted the prosciutto and capers in this rich sauce and was taken back. It blended so well and the wife enjoyed it thoroughly. We finished our meal with the Chocolate Chip Cannoli and a cup of Cappuccino that finished off the meal perfectly. We asked Malia for some take out containers and filled one with my pasta and the other with 1 of the 2 pieces of Veal for lunch the next day. Bagged up one of the 3 Cannoli's for mom and sat back and reflected on the dinner. Service was AWESOME! Malia know's what services is and what it means to a patron and earned every bit of the 15+% we tagged on our 10% discounted meal (Had the 10% off Coupon). The food was on point and the portions was what I had expected, Cant Finish it all but not really HUGE, perfect for a bag lunch of left overs the next day. Price was decent and not going to set you back. Make reservations a must, and a must to enjoy....
(5)Michael C.
It is what it is. I would never come here for a nice dinner, or on a date, but it's perfect for a large group that wants to eat family style. In fact, it's one of the few places in town that can handle large groups. The Chicken Carbonara is salty, cheesy, greatness. The gnocchi is solid and filling; it totally works as comfort food. The eggplant parmagiana decent enough, though I could taste the bread more than the eggplant. The giant meatballs taste like bread. Skip them. I thought the Frutti di Mare was grossly over-rated - there was no spice, and no "sea food" taste. It was just linguine with rubbery things in it. I'm not sure why it is so popular.
(3)Greg S.
After the latest of several visits, I had the following thoughts about Bucca. First, I've been in some clubs and bars that were quieter than Bucca when it's packed, which is most of the time. Count on there being at least one huge noisy group sitting by you. Second, while I've never come away thinking that the food is amazing, it is decent italian served with huge portions. Unfortunately, there is no Maggiano's here because I was impressed with their locations in Chicago and Seattle. The concept is similar but better executed in terms of food and atmosphere, for a fairly reasonable price.
(2)Rob B.
Poor quality, no taste...... But great service!!
(1)Albert F.
Its okay - like everyone else says, huge portions of mediocre italian food. Great decorations, full of knick-knacks and "flair"
(3)Russ M.
We had an opportunity to have the table in the kitchen. GREAT place to be. The staff was very friendly and showed us each dish they were delivery to the tables. Our waiter John J was great!!!! He took pictures after each dish. Santa came by and we had additional photos. All in all a great time.
(4)Tanya H.
My husband and I have been to Buca probably over ten times! It's the best Italian food place I've been to, the portions are of a very satisfying size and the prices are lower than what is expected. Yes, sometimes the waiters are busy (and believe me they don't stand and chat around, they fly over the floor as fast as they can) and maybe a couple of times we had to ask for more bread ourselves rather than wait for them to offer it. But the restaurant IS a hit, they are always very accommodating about reservations and so far everything we tried was a blast!
(5)Mary c.
I've been here twice and the service is sooo slow. Portions are huge and the decorations are quite unusual so it's interesting to go at least once to check it out.
(3)Jennifer M.
We didn't originally plan on coming to Buca's for dinner, but it was late and a couple of the restaurants we tried to go to were already closed, so we decided to head over to Ward Center. This Buca's is pretty much like every other Buca I've been to, right down to the pics of Sophia Loren on the Wall. The food is decent, portions are large, and the food is cheap. We ordered a small pizza margherita and the spaghetti and meatballs, I really liked the pizza as the crust was thin and crispy with yummy bits of basil and mozzarella cheese. The meatballs were ginormous and we were only able to eat one of them, everything else got packed up in to go boxes. If I were to write this review based solely upon food and price I'd give this Buca a solid three stars, but our waitress Drea was so incredibly friendly and sweet she deserves an extra star. Drea's a Maui girl and we had so much fun comparing notes on Maui and all our favorite places there. Too often on Yelp we complain about the bad servers who ruin our meals and we forget to acknowledge the awesome servers like Drea that go out of their way to provide you with a great dining experience.
(4)Elizabeth B.
I love this place. The ambience alone makes it remarkable. It can be a little noisy, but it wasn't so noisy that we were unable to have a conversation. I've been here a couple of times. The staff were friendly, and while I wouldn't say it's the best Italian food in the world, it's my favorite Italian place on the island so far. The women's bathroom is a kick (not sure how the men's is ) - you could spend a few minutes in there looking at the funny retro advertisements. :D And their food is pretty decent. The cannoli is yummy - very rich, fried, the filling is smooth sweet, not overpoweringly so (but I have a sweet tooth). I really liked the gnocchi with the rose (pinkish) sauce. That's not what it was called but I can't remember the actual name. I've made actual gnocchi from scratch, and I can tell you they did a pretty good job. Combined with the sauce and some crumbles of cheese (not sure - maybe ricotta?) it was divine. Great for leftovers the next day, too.
(4)Susan F.
I usually have only good things to say when I go to Bucca di Beppo, but it just wasn't that great when I ate here on wednesday. I usually order the fruitti di marr, but decided to order the veal saltimbocco instead. The veal was very flavorful and delicious, but I think it would've been better if they served it over a bed of pasta. The sauce was a butter, lemon sauce. The one that that was really bad was the house bread. The bread is usually served at room temperature and that doesn't bother me that its not hot, but the bread seemed to be wet and cold, like someone might have spilt water or something over it and put it in the refrigerator to dry out. As usual the service here was okay, better than most places. This place is usually a hit or miss when you try something. You either love it or are totally disappointed. To those who have never eaten here before, its either a hit or miss. The other times I tried something besides the fruitti di marr, I hated it. So my best advice to you is that once you find something you like, stick with it.
(3)Kai M.
Ya know, I really dig this place. As a full-blooded Italian originally from the East Coast, I think this is the most legit I can get on this hopelessly Italian-needy island. I really like the fresh baked bread and balsamic/EVOO dipping starter (just like Mama does!) and Im a fan of the Antipasto salad as an app...reminds me of my mother's, and that cant be bad! Pepperoncinis, gorgonzola, salami, ham...what's not to love?! I do NOT recommend their pizza, however. It leaves much to be desired. I thought their pastas were pretty good though! The baked rigatoni is spicy and saucy with lots of cheese. Definately a winner. But the real icing on the cake is the this-thing-must-weigh-twenty-pounds tiramisu! It was the most enormous thing Ive ever eaten in my life! And delicious, too! Lots and lots of liquor and marscapone cheese....mmmmm. I dig the ambiance too! Looks like my house! Tons of old pictures, maps, and other odds and ends. It is usually REALLY loud in there, though, so don't necessarily expect a quiet evening with the sweetie.
(4)Emiko T.
A surprisingly fun and delicious meal! Definitely recommend for birthdays, big groups, and BIG eaters. I mean, I wouldn't call this authentic Italian by any means, but if you come hungry, you leave happy (a la IHOP). Anyway, had the bruschetta (freakin' delicious tomatoes on top of crispy, buttery bread) the prosciutto stuffed chicken (so tender, so juicy, so thick) and the penne basilica (whatever they put in that pesto needs to be a sin), and the grand finale, the tiramisu. Now, let me just talk about this bowl of sugar and dark rum for just a minute. If you never thought you'd get tipsy from a piece of cake think again and take a bite. It might take three or four, but by the fifth and six you'll be slurring your words and getting courageous enough to face the bill which will inevitably be bulging like your waistline. Don't be carbaphobic, put your silly diet to rest for one night, and if you've ever wanted to get lost finding your way to a bathroom amid kitschy decor, Buca di Beppo is your place.
(4)John O.
YUK! Oh, I had to give it one star, but not by choice!
(1)Tom L.
Great food, great ambiance. LARGE portions. Cleanliness of plates was a bit lacking. (hope it was just a fluke) Save room for desert.
(4)Tracy C.
This was actually the first place I ate at when I had my first visit to Hawaii. It's every bit as good as the Buca Di Beppo's of L.A. The food was great, and the service was excellent (probably because one of the members of our party was an employee at the time =P), and the rounds of lemon cello made it all the better. This place is excellent for large parties, as the portions are humongous. I especially love the meatballs. They're the best I've had, so far...
(5)GJ S.
i don't know what the big deal is with bucca. this place is ok. the portions are ridiculously large, but i think they're just compensating for the lack of actual flavor. mediocre at best... i'll save my money next time.
(2)jacqui w.
The food is always great here - just a heads up, the portions are HUGE. You need to come here with at least three people and split, or if you'd like you can go home with two more dinners worth of left overs. (: Usually my friends and i order at least three entrees and then pick what we want from that. In any case if you're thinking of a place to plan a special dinner, make a reservation and ask for the pope room!
(4)Nelle A.
the food, staff & serving sizes are ALL OUTSTANDING! not only that , the hostess showed us the kitchen!!!! hahahah...that was awesome! LIVE ALOHA!!!!
(4)Ken M.
april 1st my lady freind and i went there for lunch after a moive and i must admit i was not fooled ...by all means this was my first experience to this place it is an awesome place and one of the first to walk us through the business i was really thrilled how big the store was and when our hostess gave ua a tour of the place i was a first to any place i've ever ate they showed us the kitchen and even had a table to eat there but you have to make a reservation for it...anyway they showed the pizza section the wine section and couple of other place the food was good we ate the stuffed mushrooms with the pesto sauce that sauce broke da mouth!....it was so ono if i had more i'd even put it on my entree the bread thay gave us was nice and soft but didn't care too much for the sauce type was expecting the butter,,.... but as the hostess took us to the tabe i could not beleive that business was so big inside on the outside looked saml but when we went inside it was huge.....i thought it would never end....they had sooo much old and classice photo's and it was awesome the way they painted inside the business i was tripping out..... but it was an awesome first time experience and i would go back in there for lunch again but forgot my coupon next time i'm gonna make sure i bring em....aloha and thank you for reading my review of this place....kensan53
(4)Daisy D.
Oh my! We went there with a bunch of friends this week and what can I say...it was oh so not good to say the least.... Let's see....pizza with canned corn and potato chips on it....paper thin and very bland. It was incredible to see such blasphemy of Italian pizza. The lasagna was unfortunately not much better. The pasta was mushy and overcooked, and the sauce very salty. True this place is good if you have a gigantic stomach and don't care what you put in it, but for those that have actually eaten Italian food, well.....we were disappointed. The chicken cannelloni was a display of genetically modified chicken with a thick sauce that covered the oh-not-so fresh chicken underneath....also very bland. We had a few other things which are not worth mentioning. This was so expensive for the quality of food. We could have eaten at Mariposa or Longhi's for this price.....less food but far better quality---minus the gas and GI problems...
(1)Trish P.
still only 3 stars...... the waitress we had began with abusive banter (abusive in a good way, like how your family and friends tease you.) and my friends and i felt comfortable right away. for the three of us - we probably ordered too much food - but whatever -here goes: fried calamari mozzarella cheese (caprese salad basically) veggie pizza spicy chicken rigatoni prosciutto stuffed chicken before i get to the food - why is the bread here always cold? that sucks. i'd like warm bread please - just toss it in with my pizza for a few seconds, geez. fried calamari came with lots of legs this time, which for me is good. i like the crispy bits. the caprese was good and they use nice fresh basil - i would have liked this better with some balsamic vinegar, but they take the bottle away from you. veggie pizza was good, but you could probably make this at home for cheaper. get a different pizza, unless you really, really wanna pay 17 bucks for the "small" pizza. the spicy chicken rigatoni was good, but not spicy at all. if you want a good pasta, get this - if you want a spicy pasta, get something else or bring hot sauce. the prosciutto stuffed chicken.... this was a little better than the last time we got it - but still, in my opinion, stingy. it was not salty like the last time, and the chicken was not dry, BUT, there was practically no prosciutto in the chicken. i thought i was eating only breaded chicken until i discovered a speck of prosciutto hiding in there. i have to say, i do like their lasagna (didnt eat it this time, but i've had it before) - but i cant see paying 20 bucks for the small, or 30 bucks for the large portion. that is just too much for beef, noodles and sauce..... overall - ok, but not the greatest.
(3)Josh S.
4.5 Stars A fantastic place for family or large groups. The place is massive and sits right underneath the Ward 16 theater, so location is very good. I can imagine bunch of friends watch movie and head to Buca for dinner or vice versa. My party included 7 people. We made a RSVP at 6PM but got there little late. They didn't say anything and welcomed like we were there at 6PM. Great people. Our host gave a quick tour of the kitchen. Everyone I made eye-contact with greeted me with aloha spirit. Kinda funny seeing Hawaiian people working at an Italian establishment. The foods were excellent. For those who aren't familiar with this place, it's family-styled dining - meaning, you share entrees with your party. A small entree maybe good for 2-3 people and large will serve 4 grown-up men (so I was told). We ordered all small plates: cheesebread, ceasar salad, fettucine alfredo, and penne arrabiata. 4 small dishes served 7 adults (3 ladies). We were all very full after this. I must say the best one I had was penne arrabiata. It was very spicy but bold with flavor. Probably one of best Italian dishes I've had in long time. Alfredo was great as well. Cheesebread was recommended as an appetizer, although it was good, I wasn't wow-ed by it. The server, Carol, was wonderful. She was attentive and recommended many good dishes for us to choose. My party included few soft-spoken people, and even non-English speakers, so I did most of talking with her. She was enthusiastic. Loved her as server. Be warned: This place gets jammed packed on weekends. Not a place to go for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights as you will wait at least an hour before seated. I'd say explore other places as this isn't like oh-my-god-I-must-have-this place, but probably one of best Italian joints in Hawaii.
(4)Colin P.
Good pasta. Good service. Just a bit cold inside.
(4)Jaisa C.
Omg!! If you're craving Italian, this place is definitely the spot to dine at. Affordable family style Italian dining. The portions are huge and very flavorful. We ordered the buca large half Italiano supremo/half chicken pesto, spicy chicken rigatoni, strawberry Italian sodas and Tiramisu. All of the food was delicious, the pizza highlighted the meal and the Tiramisu had a strong rum taste to it. If you're into that flavor then it's a must try, otherwise, I'd recommend ordering something else. Overall, the experience was fun and the food was awesome! I love the atmosphere and the service, fast and friendly. Don't forget to ask for the kitchen tour before getting seated.
(4)Graham W.
DECOR: Gawdy over the top, but entertaining. AMBIENCE: LOUD, welcoming SERVICE: fast, friendly, professional FOOD: DELICIOUS, check your food as sometimes the kitchen staff may make slight errors, but the management rectifies this and makes sure your satisfied WAIT: depends on what time of day/night, night are very busy but lunch to early dinner are reasonable. Would have given 5 stars but they forgot onions on my salad during one visit, the Veal saltin bucco was so thin and over cooked on the visit before. If you give this place a few tries you'll find the things to get and reasons to keep coming back! Canoli's! Antipasto salad!
(4)Troy L.
Simply the best family style Italian Restaraunt in all of Hawaii.
(5)jeannine s.
I've been to this chain before in other cities. It's a great novelty for a while, but like all novelties, it wears off. Someone suggested going here, so I said what the heck? I REALLY like Italian food. When it's good, I LOVE it. But I can't say much good about the food here. So I'll try to focus on the positives. Decor - check - Like you're in a traditional, family run Italian joint. Cheesy photos look like they've been around for years and years, but they're more recent than you think. Menu selection - check - lots of options here and if you come a lunch you get more reasonable human sized portions. Otherwise, be ready to haul home the doggy bags. Service - check - staff is friendly and attentive and not in an annoying way. Drinks and food came without too much of a wait once our minds were made up. Beverages - check - lots of options again, cocktails are generous and tasty, but not of the handcrafted variety. But good marks overall for a chain. Prices - check - doesn't break the bank, UNLESS you're ordering family size platters for two people who can't possibly stomach every bite. Here's were we fall short: Food - uncheck - very generous, nothing too spectacular except for the gargantuan size. I wish the dishes were more tasty so I could eat my fair share. It seems like they are a little too heavy handed with the salt. It has a harsh finish on the palette. *** BDB is good for groups. And, if your palette is more suited to Chef-Boy-Are-Dee, you will feel satiated walking out of here.
(2)Art T.
Food is better than average and a good value. If you hunt online for coupons you can usually get $5 off per $20 order so you split up a $60 takeout order into 3 $20 orders and save $15.
(4)Colin F.
My wife decided she wanted to go to Buca's for her birthday the other night, last minute decision, so I'm thinking oh boy, this is crunch time. Called two hours ahead of time to make reservations, and asked if we could be seated in a private area away from the noise (this place can get very noisy), she said yes. When we got there, we got a quiet table, along with a polite and informative server, named Alfredo. He was patient and very knowledgeable. He even made some great suggestions, and overall made us feel welcome, like we were family. Wonderful food, we had the eggplant parm, fettuccine alfredo and the meatballs, along with cannoli for dessert. Amazing experience and if you go in there ask for Alfredo, you won't be sorry. Enjoy!
(5)Bran H.
Having never tried a Buca di Beppo before we were not really expecting to be impressed. Although I wouldn't say it was out of this world, the food was good and portions were huge. Our service was excellent. But our judgement could have been clouded as our kids weren't there screaming in our ears. Only complaint was the place had a mildew-y smell, like the carpets were in need of cleaning our hadn't dried completely.
(3)AsianRunningDiva S.
Came here last night after a couple of beers at Real. This place was packed! There were people waiting outside. The cool thing is that they can text you when your table is ready so you can go ahead and shop or we saw some families come in with D&B tickets! We ordered take out and that only took about 15-20 minutes. I had a $10 GC again, so we ordered a small chicken and sausage ziti for $13 (after the $10 was taken off from the original price). They offered us plates and utensils, but we were just going home, so we didn't need. Got home, saw that they gave bread (YAY! FREE WARM BREAD!) and the portion was really big! Large pieces of chicken breast meat, sausage pieces, spinach and tomatoes in a white cream sauce. We ate until we were stuffed and we have leftovers for another person. So, in retrospect, you do get a lot for your money! 2-3 people can dine off 1 small dish for the price of $25! Not too bad! Since we ate at home, we drank our own wine/beer/liquor which saved a lot too! I'm not a huge fan of Italian, but this place isn't bad for huge portions to share! :)
(4)Brian P.
Italian food isn't one of Hawaii's strengths. This place is not good nor bad. Just average. I've had a few pasta dishes with seafood here that I did like, but, nothing ground breaking. On the other hand, with little competition I find myself coming once or twice a year usually before the marathon to carboload. Beware that like the Cheese Cake factory portions are way too big at Buca di Beppo. It is easy to eat 1500 calories in one sitting so make sure you split or get a 1/2 order. As someone else mentioned, $10 off $20 coupons are available in the entertainment book sent to my house every few months. That makes a meal reasonable. It can get very busy during peak times so call ahead.
(3)Dmitry O.
pricy but good, try their chicken parmesan!!!!!!!
(4)Jennifer L.
Went for my first time Sunday at lunch we didn't wait more than 5 minutes before being seated. On our way to our seats they gave us a tour of the kitchen which was very clean btw. I got the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni lunch portion which was fairly priced. I can handle spicy and this was spicy so I wouldn't get it if you only like a moderate spice level. My husband got the chicken parmesan and it was so crispy and a nice thick piece of chicken, we enjoyed our lunch. This restaurant has a very fun atmosphere lots of interesting decor to look at and they have a huge brownie sundae, perfect for the dessert lover or a group for a birthday. Glad we found a good Italian restaurant that is fairly priced at lunch.
(4)Vanessa H.
This is my favorite Italian place to eat on Oahu! The food is yummy and very generous portions. Seems expensive when you look at the menu, but since it can be shared, it's not! I love that they walk you through the kitchen. This shows that they take pride in their work and their cleanliness. The staff is super nice too. There is also a sweet girl with a cute accent that walks around and takes photos! The photos are a little too pricey ($20 for two pictures in a cardboard Hawaii frame)! Overall, very good place to eat. Been here twice, and we plan on being frequent customers!
(4)Jennifer H.
I am so so so very disappointed with Bucca di Beppo. The stuff I had was CRAP. If you dont believe me then good luck finding out. I could be wrong but most likely I'm not. I do love the funky and cheesey atmosphere but that's about it. The kitchen is very messy but that is to be expected..kitchens are always messy. I have eaten at this location several times and every time I tried to give Bucca another chance, they seem to blow it. I really wanted to love this place because the first time I had Bucca was in San Francisco and boy was it a good time with good food. It really tastes like a teenager who never cooked in their life got thrown in the kitchen.. or maybe someone from prison got released and is now making the food behind the scenes. RUN AWAY AS FAST AS U CAN FROM THIS JOINT!!!! RuNNNNNN!!!!!! I came here with a large group of people and ordered several dish to share. The quality of the food is sup-par. I dont understand how they can spend so much to decorate the place but neglect to take extra care to prepare it. I will be back to update this review of what I had tried.... I know I had the crappy gorgonzola cheese salad with apples and pecans.. and margherita pizza... lasagnia....bruschetta... ( meh nothing impressive) I think the only thing I thought was good was the Calamari. The first time I tried Bucca di Beppo was in San Francisco. It was much much better there! I actually really liked the Bucca in SF. They really need to hire better cooks at this place.. The people who cooked probably never took a Fundamentals of Cookery class in thier life. Really bad cooks!! I hope the manager of Bucca reads this so they can save their business. Every time I get a free 10 dollar gift card from Bucca..I just toss it out. Its that bad! I really love Italian food and this was such a disappointment. Not worth a penny. I would decline if any friends asked to com here. The service was great though and we had a really nice and funny waiter. That was the only thing that was good here.
(2)Ashley C.
My friends and I come here pretty often, since it's family-style and the food is great. Their pastas are really good, as are their salads and the Chicken Saltimbocca. ^^ It's a fantastic place to come in medium to large groups because you can make huge orders and split them up amongst each other. It's also to your benefit to get on their mailing list, since they do sometimes send out coupons and announcements via email, and don't forget to check the newspaper for coupons as well! Service... depends. Sometimes, you might get a wonderfully friendly server who's a lot of fun to talk to, and other times the servers are a little stand-off-ish and it's awkward. So it's a toss-up, but I've never been given a reason to really complain. The atmosphere's a little nuts. The decorations are crazy and all over the place, but it gives it kind of a uniquely cozy feel, unless you're claustrophobic, and some of the stranger pictures on the walls give you something to giggle about with your dining mates while you're waiting.
(4)Jorge B.
HUGE PORTIONS. It is safe for me to say that this was the first time I've ever been overwhelmed by the serving size at an italian restaraunt. This place puts franchises/corporate outlets (i.e. Olive Garden, Mac Grill, etc...) to shame. The staff is polite. They give you the tour of the kitchen if it is your first time there. The "kitchen table" looks fun if you want samples or want to watch the staff hustle. Food came quickly, but that could change depending on the volume of customers present. The place looked at 25% capacity when we went. Enjoyed the artwork and decorations throughout. This would be a great place to start a date night!
(4)Jerrene T.
I went on a first date here once and it was good because our server was really entertaining so there was no awkward moments. Fast forward about 5 years... I've come here a lot since then while I do enjoy this place... I won't wait hours for it like some people. I did enjoy their tomato salad which they no longer serve which makes me VERY angry. I loved it... it was tomatoes and salami and everything delicious. Why did you hafta get rid of it? I understand the mainland chains didn't like but it didn't mean I didn't. I just stick with their lemon chicken and fettucini from now on but it still makes me sad thinking about that darn tomato salad.
(3)Betty S.
Went there for lunch today with my boyfriend. We had the calamari as a starter and we really liked it. The marinara for dipping had great flavor and a nice little kick to it! I had the lunch size Fettuccine Alfredo which was very reasonably priced at $6.95, however, I didn't taste great. I was expecting a plate of creamy pasta and instead I got nearly dry noodles. My boyfriend ordered pizza and that was really good... I love the thin crust!
(3)Yon S.
Buca di Crappo. Can I say that? I guess I just did. I always end up here because relatives choose it and we meet up. Lately I just decline and stay home. But I never pick these Ward area restaurants. Not really my type of dining. They have really slow service. I'm uncomfortable that everyone that comes thru the door gets a walk thru the kitchen. Unsanitary. I'm surprised the board of health allows this. They have really slow service. The italian food is greasy, portions are large, costco style, and the food is oily, cheesy, and did I mention greasy? If I wanted greasy italian, I would probably go back to Auntie Pastos. I guess I lean towards the Assagio's type of italian food here in town. Even Pietro's would be my second choice.
(2)Kim N.
Felt welcome from when we walked in. Host offered to give us a kitchen tour if we wanted one. Had the Stuffed Mushrooms and the Supremo Pizza, both were flavorful and the prices were reasonable.
(4)Jared D.
I don't like Italian food but I would definitely enjoy going back here. Only, it is quite expensive here.
(4)Aina Jane B.
Never ever going back to bucas!!! 1. Had hair in pasta 2. Stupid waitress spilt milkshake all over me!!! Plus they were gonna give me a free pasta for my next visit!!! REALLY!!!
(1)Abby D.
It's a maze in there, that's for sure (we found out after waiting way too long to be seated as they lost our name). The decor is pretty nifty and it gives you PLENTY of things to look at (original or not..they're still fun) while waiting and trying to narrow down what you want (which you'll need to do because portions are mighty). Husband and I ordered a small bruschetta (about $11)..plenty of tomatoes and general yumminess. Mmmm..bruschetta...mmmm. And for our main course we ordered two things to share (because, seriously, portions are mighty) cheese manicotti (about $18 for a small..4 tubes) and chicken parmigiana (about $21 for a small..2 breasts). By the end of dinner, we were *stuffed* and neither could finish all that was before us. Fairly tasty, I say. We'll have to go back to try out more of the extensive menu..and next time, I'm doing dessert! :)
(4)Mikilani W.
We had a party of 18. We had a reservation and we were seated right away. The artichoke dip with garlic crostini was delicious. We also enjoyed the eggplant Parmesan and shrimp florentine. The servings were huge and everyone had more than enough to eat. Our servers Joe and Matt did an excellent job. We'll probably come again.
(4)Michael S.
Me and my wife were here on our anniversary and this was our first time at the restaurant. When we checked in they asked us if we wanted a tour of the kitchen which I've never heard of before. The service was excellent and the food was amazing. They tell you the portions can feed up to 2 to 4 people and believe me, they do! All in all this was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone visiting this area.
(4)Dorian N.
Another kind of food I love...Italian! I could eat it all the time, however I don't think my body would respond kindly and forgiving to that. Buca's is definitely my favorite Italian place here on Oahu. It's got the perfect atmosphere and it makes me wish I was still in Italy. But Buca's will have to suffice until I can make a trip back! The food is amazing and the portions are huge! Usually a small dish can feed 2 people (some things are bigger than others) and your stomach will wish it could eat more! I also went here for my 21st birthday dinner and the staff was awesome! Really enthusiastic and fun, singing their birthday songs and making me get up on a chair and do the "Cha Cha" birthday dance. They bring you a huge candle holder to blow out with a huge delicious birthday cupcake =] I ordered a peach orange martini (which isn't on the menu, but it's one of the bartender's specialties) and it was INCREDIBLE. I had two and I highly recommend asking about it. I've tried a few things each time and it's all been great. I love their garlic bread but it's a lot so either eat the bread they give you or order garlic bread instead! Here's a list of my favorites that are always delicious! -Baked Ravioli -Spaghetti Marinara -Ravioli al Pomodoro -Fettuccine Supremo -Chicken Carbonara -Chicken with Lemon -Chicken Parmigiana Believe it or not, there's still a ton of stuff I want to try! And I haven't even had any other desserts here besides my birthday cupcake because I'm always so full! But they all sound delicious! I also want to try their Limoncello =] Also, they carry some imported Italian beers and I highly recommend Peroni (it's a lighter beer that I discovered in Italy and I was so excited that Buca's had it!) All in all, I've always had a great experience at this place and I always recommend it to people!
(4)Philip S.
If i could have my wish, I would eat there everyday. Ok...well, maybe every other day! My wife and I frequent this restaurant quite often especially when they have their email specials (sign up for their emailer - it's worth it). Portions are staggering! We always have enough for lunch the next day. This is one of the places that has a patio and therefore we are able to bring Bruno, our little chug (Chin/Pug) to hang out with us. Call me crazy, but sometimes i find myself dreaming of their Frutti Di Mare!
(5)Puddytat C.
Used to be great but has gone downhill in the past couple years. The portions are smaller and the quality of the dishes has declined as well. Last time, we had the Linguine with white Clam sauce, Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, Caesar Salad & Mozzarella Garlic Bread & Chocolate cake for 4 light eaters. There were barely any clams, only linguine, the servings were half what they used to be. We ended up having to order two more dishes and still left not feeling satiated. We bragged about the Chocolate cake, had a piece. and even that went downhill. We used to stop just to have this desert. Nothing is like it used to be since it was one of our favorite places, especially for groups. This happened the last two times and so we just stopped coming.
(2)TEE B.
My friends took me here for my birthday and I gotta say I enjoyed it. The food was good (I still think of the salad I had that night), the service was pretty good and I liked the atmosphere. What I didn't like about this place was that we had a reservation but we still had to wait 20 mins for some reason. I look forward to going back again.
(4)Reuben R.
The first thing I noticed about the food was that the house bread wasn't fresh. Doesn't bother me that much, but it'd be nice. It still tasted good. I hadn't been here before and my friend was surprised. I haven't been to a lot o places though, so she probably wasn't that surprised. Anyway, my memory isn't serving me well, but my friend had a pasta dish with served with muscles. She gave me one to try since I haven't had muscles before and I don't like clams or oysters... surprise~ muscles aren't so bad after all, I guess I can eat those. I had a lunch sized serving of chicken cannelloni... mmmmm, it was piping hot, and soooo good, with tobasco. Maybe next time I go here I'll get spaghetti. I've always heard that the portions here can get humangous, but for lunch it was an alright size, so I didn't feel over stuffed, and of course you can pack it away (by the way, our waitress was really nice, and even got chatty with someone dining alone which I thought was pretty cool). Our slice of celebration cake was huge... no way one person could eat that and not feel full... haha. giant cake: It was yummy! But I think I'll get something else next time
(3)Michelle L.
the pope room was definitely a memorable part of my birthday dinner. there was a pope person in a glass case right in the middle of the lazy susan. it was pretty creepy because he's always staring at someone! the room is located in the middle of the restaurant so we were spectacles of those taking a tour of the restaurant. voyeurism and the pope's glaring eyes aside, buca's did a good job making my birthday dinner a great one! our waitress was really nice and patient. she always kept our drinks and bread baskets full. the food was so-so as expected. bummer that they don't sing "happy birthday" anymore due to copyright laws. LAME!
(4)Sheryl G.
what: authentic italian restaurant that offers flavorful italian dining. in the spirit of italian culture, the dishes are served family style and are meant to be shared. something good: the portions are huge and it's super fun to come here with a group of people! it's an animated restaurant and you can have as much conversation going during the meal as you want :) something not so good: it's super busy: there's almost always a wait to get in and the servers are always busy :) something to try: fettuccine supremo & lasagna
(3)S M.
I went back with a smaller group of friends and I have to admit we were extremely disappointed. We went earlier than last time, towards the end of the afternoon before the crowds began to agglomerate. We ordered a few of the same things as we did last time, and they were just not as good as we remembered them to be. We all left feeling rather disappointed, and we found it hard to get our server's attention.
(2)L K.
Went with a bunch of friends last night (good thing we had reservations, it was crowded) and we had such a great time. Our waiter was wonderful, though busy, and the food was SO good! We had SO much leftover. We ordered a salad (large), appetizer (large), three different pasta selections (small order of each), and a small Magherita Pizza. Way more than enough for the six of us. I recommend the Warm Spinach and Tomato Salad, Fried Calamari, and this Shrimp Penne with a Spicy Marinara, yum! The atmosphere is fun, lots to look at. Great for families and parties. Make reservations, especially if you go on a Saturday night.
(4)Alex A.
We used to LOVE coming here to Bucca's for a number of reasons. One, I am obsessed with eating my bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. But I *MUST* have the containers myself...because I'm what you call an oil/vinegar whore. They used to have a really awesome bread back in the day with rosemary and other herbs, but they got rid of it for a more generic bread. After eating here for years, we finally decided on our two favorites: You MUST buy the Apple-Gorgonzola salad. It's the greatest salad I've ever eaten. The apple, walnuts and gorgonzola along with the dressing all complement each other so well. It's a divine offering from the Roman god of food (whomever this is). We tried a similar salad once at ZPizza (Pear instead of Apple) and it sucked. Just doesn't compare to the way the salad is done at Bucca's. The pizza. Well, used to anyway. Unfortunately they got rid of what was basically our all-time favorite pizza anywhere (the spicy arrabiata pizza). We tried their other pizzas and it just isn't the same. They also got rid of their giant vat of spicy oil that you could ask for! The combination of the pizza + dousing it with that spicy oil was absolute perfection. That's a big reason I'm giving it 3 stars. Without the greatest pizza known to man, it loses half the reason for going. We'll probably still go once in a great while because we absolutely LOVE the salad...but I am so devastated about the death of our favorite pizza. The actual pasta dishes are usually good and always big, but they never wowwed us to the point that we felt it necessary to order them. It was always SALAD + PIZZA. The funny thing is, the small serving of both would fill us up. That's the great thing about this place, the serving sizes are ginormous! As far as service goes...it's often inconsistent. There were times we waited forever for food--one time we even waited an hour before the waiter figured out he didn't put in the order. That was a bit unforgiveable, but there were plenty of times (more recently, so I think it's improved) where we've had above-and-beyond service from the waitstaff.
(3)Jay C.
SMELL YOU LATER! we stopped by for pupus after a movie. we walked into the bar area where the smell of the not-so-clean bar made sitting in there uncomfortable. it's pretty much the smell of a bar where bartenders spill cocktails and beer on the floor and don't clean it up...for years. SOUR, spoiled and dank. UGH! we sat on the "patio" where we could still get sour breezes from the restaurant. the servers were busy winding down and breaking (not working but socializing) in the back booths near the kitchen. one employee was "breaking down" the patio by removing the tablecloths and stacking the chairs. amidst all of this commotion, our server managed to come out from time to time. our small pizza was small, tasty yet average. the appearance and cleanliness is so off-putting, but if the management doesn't care, why would the employees. all-in-all, i will continue NOT to come to this restaurant! at least that's consistent!
(2)Katrice K.
This place is great for groups and the waitress we had was fabulous. I went here with a bunch of friends on a Monday night, and the place was still pretty packed. We got to sit in the pope room and ordered one pizza, a salad, and two pastas for about 14 people. There was definitely more than enough food for everyone and two of us didn't even eat. While the quality of food is ok and the price is a little expensive, ours came out to about $17/person, it can't be beat for the loud atmosphere. The great wait staff and the fun times that can be had. I wouldn't personally want to go there all the time because I feel that I could have a better meal for less money for large groups the place is hard to beat.
(3)Arlette D.
-1 for Pepsi :) love the food.. so glad they have individual portions also.. we go for lunch and they are pretty fast ....
(4)Victoria A.
One of my favorite family-style restaurants. :) Service is always friendly & prompt. Food is amaaaazing. I have many faves here. Hmm.... Bruschetta bread, Mozzarella caprese salad, Fried calamari, Apple Gorgonzola Salad, Penne arrabiata, Chicken saltimbocca, Prosciutto stuffed chicken, Garlic mashed potatoes... Their desserts are awesome too... but it's rare to have room for any.
(5)HiLife B.
If I can say one word about this place is "HORRIBLE"!!! Never in my life going I've experience bad service when we first came in and horrible set up of where we sat. The person to talk about our reservations was completely dumb. We asked that we have a party and she said okay? So okay what do we do. She got side tracked, and said what was your name again? WTF? Really? STUPID!!!! The hostess was pushy and didn't even had courtesy. Once again, if u hate your job then quit!!!! The server we had was only one thing good about this restaurant, very fast and friendly. But the server next to us was kinda rude, his table was soooo loud and annoying and honestly if I was a server I would have common courtesy that if there's kids around to tell your table to stop swearing and being hella loud. Seriously, if this is a family restaurant there should be respect. We are from hawaii, we live here so word does come around. We gonna see you around!!!! That's all I have to say! So over this place!!!! Horrible horrible horrible!!!!
(1)Sarah G.
In short: same mediocre, overpriced Italian food that you'll find at Beppo restaurants nationwide- but for a few dollars more, since it's Hawai'i. We ordered the cheese manicotti & roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Both were adequate but I wasn't dying for seconds. The bread dipped in balsamic & olive oil was the best part of the meal... hmmmmm. The manicotti dish (small, $18) comes with four tubes, which is probably only enough for two people if you're even moderately hungry. The bowl of mashed potatoes (small, $6) is huge- certainly enough for three people. Bread is free! Do yourself a favor and print out the $10-off coupon from the Beppo website; our meal came to only $20 after tax and a twenty percent tip.
(3)Abbey Y.
I have been here only about a handful of times, as Ward gets really packed and parking becomes quite a dilemma. One of the first times I came here was with my boyfriend and since his grandma's full Italian and makes all italian dishes by hand I let him choose our dinner. As the sizes are in large family sized portions we got only an appetizer and one dish. The dish that he chose was a small sized Gnocchi. To be quite frank, I was really iffy about him ordering...more or less what I was thinking to be potato dumpling pasta, but I trusted him. To my surprise it was delicious. Honestly the thought of potato turned into pasta...not so great but it was amazingly delish! The texture was quite unique it was super chewy! I'd have to say that it reminds me of the korean/chinese type of mochi that you'd eat in soups which is very yummy. The rosera (? dunno how to spell it) sauce complimented it perfectly with small cubes of mozzarella and a sprinkle of diced basil on top created an absolutely amazing italian dish. The atmosphere is quite unique and loud. It's perfect for large groups of people and birthday celebrations as we saw many birthdays being celebrated there. The reason for the 3 stars is because I went recently with my mom, sister and boyfriend and the food wasn't as great as before. Apparently they changed the gnocchi recipe =( It isn't as chewy and has more of a potato texture which doesn't really appeal to me. So sadly the stars went down for me, but I would definitely recommend this place just to try it out and with a large group. :) Overall, the service is great and never lacking. They are always friendly, although I wouldn't really go with what their recommendations are because we tried that a couple times and...the food wasn't really to our liking. As for the environment, it's clean enough but just be prepared to dine in a loud and upbeat kind of setting as there's a lot of noise and laughter filling the air. Oh also if it's your first time, your hostess will give you a tour of the kitchen which is pretty neat, which means they can't really hide anything if their kitchen isn't up to par. :) Enjoy!
(3)Michiko H.
Great for when you have a big party and can split the bill.There portions are huge (family style) so expect to be full and satisfied. Although the few times I've been here alone or with a friend hasn't been the best experience when it comes to service. In the end I have to say their pasta's are good and the pizza's are my favorite. Kudo's for the creative decor and style!
(3)Serena W.
I got to sit at the pope table in the big chair for my birthday! I drank about five of those little champagne bottles that our servers kept coming in a timely fashion. There were 10-11 in our group and we loved the lazy susan. We kept taking turns making the pope stare at each other. I was craving eggplant parmesan and gladly it was on point! Everything else we had was super tasty as were the cannoli's. The family style food is great for large groups and for taking home the leftovers. My stomach was happy! Next time, I want the kitchen table :)
(4)Eric L.
Good food and a fun place to eat with ur family
(4)Kate R.
As most anyone who's read my reviews here knows, I'm all about local restaurants and typically anti-chains -- but Buca's one of my exceptions to this rule. Here's why: -Awesome decorations. Who wouldn't want to sit at the Pope's table? And I LOVE that crazy pictures are literally covering the walls from floor to ceiling. It makes for great dinner conversation and adds to the overall entertainment value. -Nice portions! They say 'family style' and boy, they mean it! I don't think I've ever gone to Buca's without taking at least one box of leftovers home with me. And I can eat! -Good selection of food without having an absurdly overwhelming menu. You know what I'm talking about. There's something for everyone here, from a simple side-o-meatballs to pizza and Chicken ala whatever -- even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied. -Fabulous service. I've consistently found the staff at this location at least to be friendly, outgoing, and aiming to please. -Clean kitchen. Um, this is HUGE for me. If you have hundreds of diners walking through your kitchen each day, you're definitely motivated to keep it clean -- and it keeps the kitchen staff from even being tempted to do anything, ah, sketchy, to food. Don't act surprised. You know it happens in some places. I'm glad it doesn't here. -Decent prices. Buca's pretty affordable, and often has coupons floating around the internet that are easily printable - $10 off here, $20 off there -- it adds up. Finally, I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here -- and I was SUPER stoked at the awesome customer service that I received, the flexibility, and the affordability of their options. I would definitely host an event here again based on that one experience. Overall -- two big Italian thumbs up! Yelp 365 Challenge (perhaps I should call it the "52" challenge for 52 weeks?) #30/365 - the meaty one
(4)Desiree V.
SALADS! Any salad here is a good salad. I have never had a salad and left unsatisfied. Yet, for an Italian restaurant they can step it up on the pasta-- looks good, but often leaves me feeling heavy and blah. Also a good pick: STUFFED MUSHROOMS! Don't get: CALAMARI (Something about it... must not be an Italian thing)
(4)Julius C.
Three stars based on the fun factor, not food. I most recently invited eleven of my friends to celebrate my birthday at the Pope Room, a circular room with a bust of Pope Benedict XVI on a giant lazy Susan. Because we were all gay, except for my girl Kate, I felt like was Queen Arthur and the Fabulous Knights of the Round Table. If you haven't done the Pope Room yet, I highly recommend it. Socialization is easier and people walk past the room saying things like, "Yeah, that's a cool room." I never really go to Buca di Beppo for the food. It tends to be bland and sometimes dry, but the portions are huge! Service is great and they even had a photographer take a group photo and mounted it all fancy like. Buca is great party location, especially after a movie (we saw Inception). The tacky decorations are all over the place. Framed black and white pictures of angry nuns and statues litter the place. Every hanging light is different. Go there with a big group to minimize the bill and maximize the fun. The staff sings and claps and jokes around, and trust me we had some very inappropriate jokes.
(3)Dan F.
We were with a party of 9. We didn't make reservations so we did a walk in. A lot of us came here seperately. So as I walked in, I wasn't really greeted till later. Then I asked for (insert name) and I was led by some caucasian girl who looked like she was sick of working at this job. I was the only one who was escorted to my table because all my other friends were given directions instead. It took us awhile to get everyone seated because everyone else was coming late. As for the food that we ordered I would say they are mediocre. I had the Linguine with the Mussels, Baby Clams, Shrimp, and Calamari with Red Clam sauce. First off I didn't expect the red clam sauce to taste like straight from the ocean. The mussels looked more like baby mussels or baby clams. The sauce end up disappearing somewhere most likely it was soaked up by the pasta. If you still can't imagine what this taste like. Think of a dish that tastes fishy. Now think of this dish as tasting just like ocean water. Very unpleasant. I also had a red wine but forgot what it was. My order came close to $40 which was friggin expensive. And I did not take home the linguine dish because it tasted like crap. I guess I must have ordered the wrong dish. So I recommend to never order this dish. Besides the bad part. I think the only good part about the restaurant was the ambience because you can be as loud as you want and no one cares. The service from the waiter we had was also good. But the person at the front is poor. The more I experience pasta like this, the more I'm beginning to hate it. Someone recommend me a good place for pasta because I wouldn't recommend coming here unless you like enjoy having a big group of people, mediocre food at large portions, expensive, and like to be loud.
(3)Charli T.
Phone ordered something...first they let me know that after calling them twice (okay, first time, i gave them a time range, but second time on the day of the order pick up, I checked up on the time) When I arrived, they mistakened that I was coming in 15 minutes for some reason. Then, even after 15 min....they were 20 min more late.... C'mon... The food was okay, but after that kind of terrible phone order experience, I can only give them 2 star and definitely cannot recommend phone ordering here.
(2)J H.
First impressions of this restaurant was that it looks like a torcher house. The décor was terrible. okay so now the food. that was terrible as well. I had the lasagna, it was dry. What do you mean it's dry??? I mean the pasta on the outside was dry. it sat under the heat lamp for hours, so dry that it was between crunchy and chewy. The ice tea there tasted like they used toilet water to make it.,, I wouldn't go there...there are other better italian places in Honolulu,
(1)Anela B.
Took my kids there and it was fantastic. It was our first time there so we did not have any reservations but the wait was only a few minutes. They gave us a tour of the whole restaurant. The portions were well worth the price. Will definitely go back.
(5)Brian A.
This one is somewhere between "Meh" and "A-OK," but I'll round up in this case. They give you huge portions, but there's not much memorable that I ate. The ambiance, I would describe as something that splattered extreme Italian memorabilia all over the walls and ceiling. I can be a bit crowded because the spacing between tables seems a bit small to me (and I'm not a big guy). Our service could have been better. When we went it seems that they could use more servers or maybe just someone refilling water would be good. One of the quirky things about it is you get to blow out a candelabra when it's your birthday. It gets busy because it's in a pretty popular part of Ward Center with the movie theater and Dave & Buster's right upstairs. It's not someplace I'd pick to go to with The Spaghetti Factory a short walk up the street.
(3)Jennine T.
In my opinion, Hawai'i is really lacking for authentic Italian food--things like stuffed shells, manicotti, gnocchi, etc. I know there are delicious restaurants where I can go to have that like Mediterraneo or Cafe Sistina, but sometimes, like today, I just want some authentic-ish Italian food on my way home from the beach at a weird time--4:30pm---so I go to Buca di Beppo. Also, I have the Entertainment Book which has these amazing coupons this year--5 coupons for $10 off $20 or more. . . they are fantastic coupons. We're on a budget, so that's another reason I go. First, I love the bread. It is so hearty, and it does remind me of East Coast Italian bread. Plus, they bring olive oil and vinegar, and butter, and it's a great way to start your meal. I have enjoyed everything I have eaten at Buca Di Beppo. It's a chain restaurant, so there is that element to the whole thing--from decor to menu to food, but I still enjoy eating here. Today we had Chicken Carbonara and a side of a Meatball. The pasta could have used a little more seasoning, but the prosciutto was tasty. And after eating as much as we could, the bowl of pasta still looked full (and we got the small size). We also got a Meatball--the meatballs are HUGE, and we shared it. . . plenty!!! All that for $15 (before tip, with the coupon!). . . so reasonable, especially since we have enough leftover for both of us to have lunch tomorrow. While we were eating, a photographer came over to take our picture, and she put it on a postcard, which was also another coupon for $10 off. You can also join their email list , which I did a while back, and get great coupons via email for free appetizers or desserts, $10 off, etc. I have also enjoyed the stuffed shells, stuffed manicotti, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and antipasto salad. I don't recommend the Penne San Remo. The service is always friendly and attentive.
(4)Dev C.
Meatballs are awesome, and they got the best chocolate cake ever. Chicken Marsala is good too if you like sweeter meats.
(3)Patti L.
The food here is very good but on some days the service isn't too great. Like when my daughter and I dined there for lunch on Wednesday. Our server didn't seem too interested in us being there and it wasn't very busy. The meal it self was good as always. The hostess who sat us was very nice. But when we ordered only 2 things and didn't want dessert it was like he just wanted to get us out. When our server brought the check he just kinda plopped it on the table and said thank you and kept walking.
(4)Mimi W.
Buca COUPONS are BOGUS!!! We tried to use our coupons at Buca and were only allowed to use 3, when we had a huge party of friends and families. If they're going to print out coupons, they should honor them with no strings attached. Instead, they said we would have to split up in separate tables, and could only use 3 coupons. Now, let's see...we spent a LOT of money there. The least the management could do was honor the right amount to coupons we came with/per family (we had 7 families). Definitely will NOT recommend this place to eat at -- they are not akamai in dealing with the customer in this situation.
(1)Sara T.
Bucas may be the go-to spot for big group dinners, but I've never really loved the food, the service is always so slow and it's deafening in there. The pizza is decent, but all the pasta dishes are overcooked and way too oily. I don't get why people think it's such a great deal either - the portions are big, but the prices are pretty proportionate to the amount food (not that cheap). I'll come here for work dinners and birthday parties, but I'd much rather go to Bella Mia or even Spaghetti Factory.
(3)Charisse L.
Making our reservation on yelp made it extremely simple to walk right in immediately when we arrived. We enjoyed our dinner and our waiter was very attentive. It's a fun environment and with the $10 off coupon, it's extremely affordable.
(5)Lee Ann H.
Yummy! The food is great and the servers are some of the nicest I have seen on the island.
(4)Mitch H.
I'd have to agree with another reviewer about the nasty smell... Cept it smelled like cat urine to me. A pretty serious appetite killer. Tables were very cramped together and decor is very tacky. Food was pretty bland and individual size servings are on the small side. Not worth the price if you don't have a coupon. (A lady eating near us walked up to us and handed every table a $10 off coupon... really nice of her. She had actually just taken out a wand of some sort and blessed her food, drinks and the table a few minutes earlier...) On the positive side, staff was very attentive... although somewhat on the creepy side. Way too fake happy... You'll understand what I mean if you ever eat there... Kinda eerie the way everyone in the kitchen stops and says bon appetite when they walk you through it on the way to your table. Probably wouldn't go back, unless I have a coupon and I order out... Auntie Pasto's Early Dinner Special is where is at.
(2)Cris G.
Meh... not so impressed... I love Italian food. I have had GOOD Italian food, and Buca Di Beppo is just mediocre. I'm all about the tomato sauce and if you can't do a good tomato sauce, what good are you? Buca's tomato sauce is really lacking in everything. It taste like tomatoes right out of the can and nothing else going on; no garlic, onion, herb flavors... I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and they gave me a bunch of pasta with blah tomato sauce and one GIGANTIC ass meatball plopped on the top of it. It looked un-aesthetically pleasing and appetizing for my taste. I had to cut that hunk of flesh up into bite size pieces and by then, I was just not into my meal... My pasta noodles didn't taste like good quality noodles either. They tasted old and bland and overboiled. The salad we ordered was just ok. The service is slow and not super customer-service oriented. It seemed like it was mostly 18-24 yearl olds working there and well, our waiter was not so attentive to us. We had no offer of water refills, he didn't check on us, and when we paid, he took FOREVER to bring us the card back. Mind you, it was mid afternoon and not so crowded... Also, I was trying to find him so that be coudl break my 20 dollar bill so that I could leave him a tip but since he was nowhere to be found, I asked another waiter. He was kinda rude and said, "If you want change, you'll have to give me a minute." I did, and he never came back. Yeah.... So I must say, this would not be my choice of eating spots. I come here usually because a friend suggests it, and I don't want to be selfish. But I would rather eat Italian elsewhere.
(3)Rosie F.
Their recipes are a little different than what I'm used to from California's buca di beppo. But I love their lemon chicken and garlic bread
(4)S. D.
I thought this place was very unique. My boyfriend and I decided to eat here one day and boy, is the outside very decieving. When you step into this place, It's actually pretty big. It's like a maze and there are all types of pictures hanging on the walls everywhere. It sort of gave me a Mafia type movie vibe for some reason though, lol. Anyways, our waitress was very cool and informative towards the questions I had on the menu. My boyfriend and I ordered a Caesar Salad, the Chicken Parmigiana and Chicken Carbonara. The food was delicious. We were both very satisfied and this would be a place I would enjoy going back to again. Delightful experience.
(4)Gary F.
Went here on a Saturday night for my mother's birthday. Good thing we had reservations. At 630 pm, there were lots of people waiting to get in. We checked in and got seated in a few minutes. Food was great. Surprise the Pizza came out first. Everything else was good. We had a BIG cupcake for the free birthday cake. Overall pretty good. G
(4)Val B.
They take reservations. It can get hot inside. Dress accordingly. When you are celebrating an occasion, you get to tour the kitchen. Even if you are hungry, order less so you can save room for the amazing brownie ice cream in a big a$$ martini glass. We always order chicken Marsala without flour. Parking can be a bee. So just enjoy the walk and park at nordstroms rack.
(4)Gary C.
Very good food and large portions. A friend and I ate lunch today at the Ward center location. We shared the antipasto salad, which was enough for three or four people. I got an individual pizza which was excellent, and she got the baked rigatoni. She said it was very good, but the portion was so large she took half home- which made another good meal. We always enjoy the decor and Italian music too.
(5)Pete T.
Wow - dinner was outstanding. Love the decor, great service, fantastic food. My parents were in town, so we celebrated their anniversary there. Everything I had was soooooo good: Mini Fried Mozzarella ($4), Caesar Salad ($24), Eggplant Parmigiana ($22), Baked Ziti ($23), Margherita Pizza ($17), and Chicken Saltimbocca ($28)...HUGE portions, we took a lot of it home. Unfortunately we didn't have any room left over for desert.
(5)Mikilani W.
We had a party of 18. We had a reservation and we were seated right away. The artichoke dip with garlic crostini was delicious. We also enjoyed the eggplant Parmesan and shrimp florentine. The servings were huge and everyone had more than enough to eat. Our servers Joe and Matt did an excellent job. We'll probably come again.
(4)Michael S.
Me and my wife were here on our anniversary and this was our first time at the restaurant. When we checked in they asked us if we wanted a tour of the kitchen which I've never heard of before. The service was excellent and the food was amazing. They tell you the portions can feed up to 2 to 4 people and believe me, they do! All in all this was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone visiting this area.
(4)Gen M.
Had dinner here for Valentine's Day, we ordered fried calamari as an appetizer, but they had ran out. We ordered our entree and it had also ran out, but I must say that we walked in at 10pm so that must be the reason for some of the food running out, plus it was Valentine's day. We ended up getting the eggplant parmesan with spaghetti and loved it.
(3)Andrew G.
When you are in need of a lot of food to satisfy some Italian cravings this is where you should go if you don't have any go-to Italian restaurants. If you are coming with a group at dinner time I would suggest a reservation since the place is always packed, but if for just 1-2 people you can sneak into the bar without waiting if you don't mind eating a family style meal with less space. The bartenders and servers are always friendly, the food is always plentiful, service is fast, and I always leave with a full stomach and leftovers. House wines are decent at a decent price (for the area). Sangria pitchers are awesome. Don't come for super high-end quality, but it is family style and a chain so what do you expect. I've never had a problem.
(4)Ashley A.
If you have a huge appetite or you're into marathon eating, this place is for you. We we're say within minutes of waltzing through the doors. The main host, possibly a manager greeted us with such a cheerful attitude. I work in the restaurant industry so I definitely judge from the first impression I get upon arrival. Our waitress Moe did a superb job! It was just a gal pal and me for a late dinner so we asked her what she would recommend. We had the bruschetta for an appetizer and chicken and sausage ziti. She even let us know about the pairing of their house Pinot Grigio and our entree. She was always up to date on the status of our meal and refilled our drinks in a timely fashion. Excellent service Moe! If you love foods as simple as tomatoes, onions, basil, garlic, and olive oil, do not ever hesitate or think twice about the bruschetta. I'm not 100% certain but the crustini that came along side with the topping really had a fresh garlic flavor to it that I couldn't really pin point but was definitely vibing. Think cream based garlic butter with a clam reduction. That is exactly what I could get a sense of on my tongue. Aldente non ridged ziti with fresh Roma tomatoes, dark crisp spinach, white meat chicken in thin slices and Italian sausage we're all mixed into this delicious creation. By far my favorite dish from this establishment. All in all, I give Buca 4 star rating only because although the food and service was fantastic, I could not even hear my friend talking and we we're only 2 ft apart! I totally vibe the ambience of the restaurant but it is just so loud in there. I encourage yelp users to go and sign up for the e-mail list. There's always really good deals and coupons year round!
(4)C H.
I arrived at 6 pm on a Saturday evening and was told that the wait would be a max of 1.5 hours. They texted me one hour and 32 minutes after I signed in. The food is okay; not worth an hour and a half wait. After 45 minutes my kids couldn't wait any longer. So I went upstairs and waited just 15 minutes to get into Dave & Busters.
(2)Jin K.
Wow who would have known buca could pull off a divine thanksgivings lunch... Everything from the turkey to the cranberry relish was delish... $99 to feed 6. The baked pasta was not my fave but at least it was free with coupon.
(4)Frankie R.
I am glad that I got to use the living social deal for Buca di beppo. It is for 20% off for the meal that I can use.. just gotta make sure that I have use it by the 2nd of November. I am glad that this voucher was free and boy did I score. I hope I will return again for more..whoo hoo
(5)Lena S.
First of all, I live in NY now and cannot find a Bucas anywhere near me! I miss their delicious food!!! I have got to say that the service at this restaurant is AWESOME. When I was physically there, we always had helpful and attentive servers. The management does a superb job. Everyone there seems happy and that makes a huge difference for families and friends enjoying a meal. A few of my friends from college wanted to meet up for a small reunion. I suggested Buccas so I could live vicariously through them ;) I was feeling a little down that I couldn't be there with them but thought about ordering them dessert. Being six hours ahead, I realized that by the time they were ready for dessert I would be fast asleep! I called during lunch and spoke with one of the managers Adam Amick. I felt a little weird asking for such a task but he made me feel comfortable about the process. He sent over a credit card authorization within 5 minutes of our phone call. What shocked me the most was that Adam emailed later that day to let me know that bringing dessert over had been successful and even included their reaction in the email. THAT my friends, is the kind of service that sticks in your mind forever. I am grateful for this encounter. This is truly a place to gather together and enjoy yummy food, great company and a homey atmosphere, Thank you Buca di Beppo Honolulu & Adam Amick for your spectacular service! On a side note, my husband always orders their LASAGNA and I sometimes find myself day dreaming about their STUFFED SHELLS. Did you know their CHICKEN PARMIGIANA is to die for? We have an Olive Garden 15 minutes away and I promise you, there is NO comparison when it comes to Buca. Find a bunch of friends and go TODAY!
(5)Amanda D.
I came here with my family over the weekend. We were given a friendly tour of the kitchen/restaurant prior to sitting down. The staff was welcoming and professional. Our server's name was Carol and she was fantastic, too. The food came out quickly, tasted great and was shockingly very affordable. Very impressed!
(5)G D.
Basic Italian - American comfort food Seems to always be busy as it's next door to popular movie theater . Friendly helpful waiters. They do a pretty good job of upselling the menu. Don't ask for anchovies with your Ceasars Salad, the waiter said they took it off the kitchen list!? How strange is that? Calimari fitti was good and crispy. ..like KFC chicken "extracrispy"?! Veal Santi Bola wa s also a hit run tonight If you're carb counting, leave the pasta for another night. No sense getting your maximum cal intake at this table Not the best place for low cal meal
(3)Steve H.
Raised Prices! Wow did they raise the prices since last time I was here. Took my wife out to a dinner and only had an appetizer and a small pasta dish. Only drank water and the bill was $56 before tip. With tip its a $66 dinner!! Sorry Buca, but in this economy you wont see us again.
(3)Jennifer S.
Typical red-sauce Italian, very much like any other Buca. Cheeky decor (e.g. the Pope Table) with the walls dripping with mid-century Italian-American kitsch. Pretty loud inside - as nearly everyone in the place seems to be celebrating something - so if you want an intimate candlelit date, it's not gonna happen here. A few outdoor tables, but with a view of the escalator. This place can get pricey. Huge platters of food for two or four are meant for sharing family-style, thus, it is best for large raucous groups, or two people who like exactly the same food. For smaller parties, you're better off trying a local place. The white sangria, garlic mashed potatoes, and chicken saltimbocca are my favorite items.
(3)Jessica V.
As per our Christmas Eve tradition, my husband and I and our friends came for dinner tonight. The place was very busy! Our waiter was fantastic and kept us very informed on the status of our order, as the kitchen was backed up. Every time we go, we order the prochutto stuffed chicken with extra pesto. It is seriously the most delicious dish on the planet. Thank you guys for making our Christmas Eve special again this year
(5)Genesis A.
Food and drinks are great here. It is definitely a family restaurant with the family size portions. Kinda a downside of you want one plate and your date wants another. But overall great place!!
(4)Jake O.
Buca is in my opinion one of the best places on island to get delicious Italian food. The atmosphere is very unique because of the decor they have. When you walk in the restaurant you feel like you walked into an Italian families hone to join them for dinner. Th e food portions are family style so they are massive and the small dish of it is enough to feed 4 people and still have leftovers. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting looking for good authentic Italian.
(5)Kainoa W.
This place is an awesome experience for any family get together! Plenty of loud clapping hilarious fun, definitely brightened my day!!
(5)Connie M.
This place isn't as good as I remembered. Then again, the last time I went here was maybe 6 years ago. I decided to eat at Buca for lunch with my sister. It was around 3-ish, but absolutely empty. Upon entering, the head of the house (?) asked if we wanted a kitchen tour. LOL What? It was random and awkward to say the least. Is this something they always do? We settled on the lasagna ($20) and side of garlic bread ($10). As we waited for our good, a Buca photographer asked if we wanted our picture taken LOL She took our picture and the food came after. Lasagna was definitely not worth the price. Overall it was mushy and not flavorful. The side of tomato sauce had an odd salty flavor. Garlic bread wasn't special either; it was your typical toasted French bread with cheese. For the price, it wasn't expensive, but it was overpriced. As our meal ended, the said photographer came back. She had our pictures, two in total, in black high school senior-type frames. She then said we could buy them for $5 each. HAHA NO THX. The table beside us also declined. I wonder what Buca does with the unsold photos...
(2)Chris L.
My original one sentence review was written back when I first joined Yelp! so allow me to elaborate on it. The food is great, and is more than capable of pulling off 5 stars all by itself and you KNOW that their food practices are safe because they actually walk you through the kitchen on a tour, hell they have a table in there. . .nothing to hide. "This is our kitchen, we keep it clean, please gaze upon our glory!" I bet you a lot of restaurants around the island can't make that claim. Anyway, the service is amazing from the hosts at the front of house to the servers and the photographer that walks around (although I'm not sure if she is employed by the restaurant or not). We had a lot, and I mean a lot of food. . .off of memory I think it included. Meat Lasagna Raviolis A flat bread Pizza Ceasar Salad Meatballs Some. . .tube. . .cheesy. . .noodle. . .things. . . umm. . . .Yeah well the food is amazing as I said before, everything was cooked great and burst with flavor, our table was loaded down man and everything was either taken home or eaten there, we didn't leave anything behind and every person in our group of 5 left feeling fat and happy about it. Buca Di Beppo will remain on my top 20 list of restaurants, I'll go even further and say that it is in my top 5 Italian restaurants at the moment.
(5)Costi W.
Whooooops. I forgot to review this when I was in Honolulu last summer, so this is gonna be a quickie.... Wonderful food and very filling. It's sort of pricey, but their portions are big enough that you could probably get away with sharing if you wanted to go but were ballin' on a budget. Coolness: you get a tour through the kitchen. You can also snag a kitchenside table, if you are into that sort of foolery.
(4)Lesley S.
I've always been a Buca fan, ever since I live in Miami. (I mean they show you the kitchen for Goodness sake) the portions even as a small they say feeds 2 and it makes 2 meals for 3 in our family. The probably is the whole menu is amazing. They even have Mt. Vesuvius that lights on fire. Yes. Please refrain from this girl singing, "this girl is on fire!!!!!" :) The spaghetti and meatballs are the best. They are moist and not dry. Our server Christopher gets Mad Props (and a fat tip) due to the fact he got down on our Daughter's level and talked to her. He made her feel special and took the time to show her how to use to light up cup. Way to go. :) We will be back. I've started a new Addiction in the family for Buca. For some reason my crazy husband didn't want to try it before because he lapped this in that if I ate it weekly in Miami that it must be Cuban. Lol well he knows now and we are looking at where the next Buca is where we are going next.
(5)Ruth W.
Average chain eatery offering italian food family style. If you make a good meat sauce, chicken parm or other famous italian dish you probably won't enjoy the long wait for a table, or pricey menu - if you are with a large group it does offer lots of perks, great atmosphere and can cut costs. So there's that which frankly had me torn between a three and a four. But since the food was more a three I went with that;) Good luck!
(3)Claire F.
I think I originally gave this place the benefit of the doubt, since 1) it seems to be so popular, and 2) I remember enjoying food here back in high school when visiting from Maui...back when my standards of food were lower. Now, living on Oahu, having being forced to try this place a few times for one reason or another, I now know: I don't care for this place at all. And why? 1) QUALITY. I've had watery spaghetti sauce and lasagna that had more mushy hamburger and disgusting cold gritty cheese than noodles. Their "salads" are also mostly Romaine lettuce (aka water) that looks like it came from those pre-packaged bags at the grocery store with added cheese and dressing. The only thing they do right is cook the noodles al dante, and I'm starting to wonder if that's on purpose, or purely an efficiency measure to save time. Just kidding. Their artichoke dip is pretty good on toasted baguettes, as well as their cheesy garlic bread. Be ready to pay the price though, which leads me to.... 2) WAY OVERPRICED. $11 for cheese bread, $15(?) for dip, and $21 for bowl of sub-par pasta. Maybe if the quality was better the price would be justified. But since it's not, this is a major negative for me. 3) SUPER CROWDED. This location is always crowded, always hosting some birthday party or another, and as such, is always very LOUD. Because there are so many people wanting to dine here, the restaurant tries to fit in as many tables as possible...and sometimes, that means you're pretty close to the next family. Screaming babies, no thank you. Most recently, we came for a friend's birthday and because we had a gift certificate (thank the lord for the GC) they brought over a candlestick for decoration (I'm not sure whether they provide that for everyone) which was nice. At the end of our meal they sang happy birthday to our friend, but there was no free dessert for the birthday girl or anything! You would think with all the money they save from these huge portions of pasta (relatively cheap dish), they could fork out just a little bit more for a scoop of ice cream or something, no? They also took away our candlestick, right after the birthday wish was done. Way to ruin our fun, man! I know that no matter what I write won't halt business here. This place is so widely popular, so frequently visited, and has such a fan base that one measly 2-star review won't really make a difference. And that's great for the restaurant! However, jus sayin, consumers, you've been warned!
(2)Edwin Y.
This Italian restaurant is one of my favorite since I was living in the mainland. However, in Hawaii, you don't have too many choices for the Italian restaurant, Bucca still won't disappoint you anytime. Food is great, service is excellent, reservation is so easy to make anytime. Highly recommend!
(5)Kathy A.
Great individual pizza! Thin crust of heaven, who da thunk it? Sangria!! Yummy Can't wait for dinner so having a glass of Sangria. Good stuff! Don't know why I have been reluctant to come here but have recently checked in three times in the past several weeks. Last month visited the Buca near Disneyland with best buds and had a marvelous time eating lasagna, spaghetti with giant meatballs the size of a small humans head and an awesome chopped antipasti salad. Came back to Hawaii and have been in and out of the Ward Buca picking and choosing from the menu and drinking their outstanding Sangria made fresh daily by their mistress of the bar Laura! Great fun place, family style. Large servings even when a small is ordered so loosen the belts and jump in. Love that the have a "Pope" room for parties of 10 to 12. Family dinner here we come!
(4)Chris R.
A decent place for a group dinner but certainly not authentic Italian and certainly not good value for the money. The dishes, although described as large and family style, do not give you a lot of food to share among four people. We were left wanting much more. The flavor really didn't say "Italian" either. It was all pretty bland from the appetizers to the entrees. I would not go back to this place. And yes, I know it is a chain and should have been forewarned but we had heard from friends that it is a good place to go to get your fill of decent pastas and Italian food. That is certainly not true, and even though we weren't expecting real good food it was worse than we expected and we didn't get much food for the high prices of the dishes.
(2)Raymond A.
This past Sunday, my family and I dined at Buca di Beppo for lunch. Originally, we had made reservations for 13 people. When we were seated, it felt a bit cramped, confined, and I felt a bit claustrophobic. I mentioned to the person seating us that I would prefer an opened atmosphere. He signaled for his supervisor to assist us. Adam Amick came to our table and inquired if we wanted another section. Without hesitation and very apologetic, Adam reassigned us to a spacious section. For our waiter, we were fortunate to have the congenial and personal gentleman named Ryan Pittinger. A fun loving and jovial personable , he made all of us feel welcome and a part of the Buca family. The service was wonderful, the food scrumptious, the atmosphere delightful - and the manager and staff members were outstanding. That is the reason many of my friends and family members frequent Buca di Beppo! Mahalo for the service!
(5)Susan M.
Love this place! Food is excellent! Only thing is they put us at a table where the air condition was non stop blowing on us. All the food got cold and we had to take it home. Also they have this guy coming to your table to take pictures. This guy came right when our food came, bad timing Mr. He stayed until he got his picture.
(4)Nat N.
It's all about quantity, not quality at Buca. Not that there's anything wrong with that. When you're in charge of planning a dinner out for 10 people, two places come to mind - a Chinese restaurant, or Buca Di Beppo. Buca's portions are all family-style sized, and one order of pasta can easily feed at least 4 people. Call ahead and reserve "the Pope Room". It seats about 12 people, and although it's not completely separated from the rest of the restaurant (i.e.private room), it's still segregated from the main dining areas. It has a large lazy susan in the middle of the table, making it easy for everyone on the table to access the food. For 10 people, we ordered the following: Chopped Anti-pasto Salad (too much dressing) Four Cheese Pizza (very tasty, thin and crispy crust) Spaghetti with Meatballs (average) Seafood Florentine (pretty good, light on the sauce but not on taste) Eggplant Parmigiana (delicious, since the eggplant slices are breaded and deep fried) They let us bring in our own birthday cake and even sang happy birthday for my father-in-law. Service was quick, professional, and energetic. 18% gratuity was automatically added to the bill. You're not going to get the best tasting meal at Buca, but you'll get a decent meal in a fun atmosphere. 31 Yelps Review Challenge #9/31
(3)Carl L.
Good food, good service, and good decor. Great place for group parties. Wish I could eat here everyday
(4)Gauslin J.
Spagetti and meatballs was delicious. The server Steve was professional and fast. He anticipated things before we had to ask. The outdoor area is cute and feels like Italy in Chinatown with the planters. We went here a few nights before also to catch a film and sat at a bar table because the wait was 2 hours! Bar is first come first serve and usually packed. We got lucky and snagged a table. We had a girl server that day I believe her name was Carmen. She made our experience great.
(5)S Y.
Dinner time with the fiance's fam and they chose Buca... again! Last year, when visiting they chose this same restaurant. It was good then, but I was disappointed in the food and service this time and we also have this same restaurant in SF, soo nothin new... Service was slow, when food came they seemed to just drop it off at the closest end of the table. The food came in a timely manner, but a kids size cheese pizza. No servers came by, and my fiance's uncle who is a regular had to CALL the restaurant to have them send someone. (I'm guessing he's done this before... a bit awkward). Buca also does this thing now where they take pics of your party, then come by later trying to sell you the picture in a Buca frame. I think it's tacky and a desperate attempt to make more money!
(2)Yuko K.
Went to Buca's for lunch today. Made reservation ahead of time which the gentleman on the phone was very pleasant. We got seated right away when we got there. We got our bread when right away as we decided what to order. We all ordered from the lunch menu. Supreme pizza, seafood pasta, salmon and baked pasta. Everyone was very satisfied with the food! To top it off, we even ordered the huge sundae which was delicious! All in all everything was great. If our server was much more personable, it would've been perfect!
(4)Tracie F.
Honestly...I just don't like their food that much. Atmosphere is fun! The wait staff is great. The food is simply so so. Everything is family style so you have to pray that your fellow diners want to sample the same dishes as you. Prices are moderate but it's the quality that is just not there. Pastas are bland. The pizza is simply ok. I had a priority seating card and the hostess had no clue what that meant...or maybe I didn't. I thought it meant my name went to the head of the list. Apparently it means sit over there and wait your turn. You really think you are special? The wait was not that bad though. Would I return? Maybe but not by choice. I would go if dragged by my +1 who seems to really enjoy it. I guess everything is subjective!
(2)Sita L.
yup, like the pizza, love the thin crust, everything on it tasty, sauce and all. Was dissapointed in the apple salad dressing. The salad had all the lovely things you want, cheese, walnuts, cranberries, greens and apples. The dressing, was WAY to salty and strong for the salad. Good thing it was a take out and I had it on the side. Large portion too. Which brings me to the stuffed mushrooms. Considering the size of everything, 6 small mushrooms, $13 bucks. Now I know what to order and what not.
(4)Kayla L.
Best lasagna I've had in a while aside from Bravos that is. The portions are huge so if you come with a lot of people, it's worth it. Great place for birthdays too. They sing and bring out these huge candles. I was actually embarrassed, but other ppl seemed to enjoy it. Kind of pricey, but if you split the bill it's not that bad. I will say that we saw a German roach crawling near a friend's head, but hey, this is Hawaii. I'm pretty sure all restaurants have some roaches. Main thing is that they don't get in the food. Their kitchen looked clean, especially since they bring new comers through to see it, so it can't be that bad right? Btw it gets crowded so make a reservation.
(4)Gidget T.
I went here for the first time with my husband this afternoon and it wasn't what I expected, by looking at the outside. We came around noon and the place was empty. The host mentioned there was only one other table seated so she thought our food would come out quickly, which was great. When you walk in, the dining areas are divided into small rooms. It's a much more cozy feeling. The walls are pink and gold and cramped with photos and paintings. The booths are comfortable and spacious, and the ceilings are especially low, giving it a more intimate feel. Our waiter came by quickly and gave us some bread. The bread was very good. Crispy and flaky on the outside, and soft and delicious on the inside. I ordered the Fettuccine Supremo ($11.99) and it was enormous. There was no way I could finish the entire thing for lunch. It had tons of chicken and very creamy sauce. However, after about 15 minutes, it just felt boring. With the bell peppers, sauce and chicken I would have expected it to have more flavor. I was disappointed. My husband ordered the Penne Arrabbiata ($10.99) and he really enjoyed it. Again, it was a very generous portion and there was tons of flavor. The sausage is very spicy, though, so it's not for everyone. Our total came to a bit less than $30, including tax and tip. Our waiter was very fast, friendly and attentive. There was ample seating inside and outside. They have clean bathrooms (at least in the women's room). And there is ample parking across the street. I took off two stars because of the dullness of the Fettuccine Supremo and for their prices. I understand they give you a lot food, but I would think the purpose of a "lunch special" is to have smaller servings at more reasonable prices. I would have been much happier if they served only half the portion for around $7 a plate.
(3)Michelle S.
If you want a quiet atmosphere, then Buca di Beppo is NOT the place for you. I swear, this is THE loudest restaurant that I've ever been to, and on my last visit I guess this was because practically every table had a birthday celebrant. It's tradition for the wait staff to sing Buca's birthday song, so about every 15 minutes the whole restaurant sang and clapped along. It was total madness! If you have a small appetite, then Buca di Beppo is NOT the place for you either. The restaurant is famous for its large portions, even the small size can feed at least three people. So of course Buca is perfect for large groups and parties. As for the food itself, honestly, it's just okay. The pepperoni pizza looks appetizing but once you bite into it, the oil just oozes out. The pizza at Pizzetta's on Kauai is way better. The spaghetti, on the other hand, is very dry. Just a scant amount of marinara sauce is poured over the pasta and it's not even mixed together. I guess we Hawaii folk are so use to loads of sauce premixed with the noodles. Buca di Beppo does have a great location at the Ward Center. It's just below Dave and Buster's, which is a given after dinner for my family with three kids. And it's also next to Ward Theaters. So of course the area is very busy, but fortunately there's valet parking to ease the pain of finding a stall yourself. But if you're budget-conscious, you can park for free at the Marukai Market Place, which is less than a minute walk.
(3)Summer W.
Oh gosh I just love this place. Plenty of food. Meant for sharing. Friendly staff. How can you go wrong?
(4)jeannine s.
I've been to this chain before in other cities. It's a great novelty for a while, but like all novelties, it wears off. Someone suggested going here, so I said what the heck? I REALLY like Italian food. When it's good, I LOVE it. But I can't say much good about the food here. So I'll try to focus on the positives. Decor - check - Like you're in a traditional, family run Italian joint. Cheesy photos look like they've been around for years and years, but they're more recent than you think. Menu selection - check - lots of options here and if you come a lunch you get more reasonable human sized portions. Otherwise, be ready to haul home the doggy bags. Service - check - staff is friendly and attentive and not in an annoying way. Drinks and food came without too much of a wait once our minds were made up. Beverages - check - lots of options again, cocktails are generous and tasty, but not of the handcrafted variety. But good marks overall for a chain. Prices - check - doesn't break the bank, UNLESS you're ordering family size platters for two people who can't possibly stomach every bite. Here's were we fall short: Food - uncheck - very generous, nothing too spectacular except for the gargantuan size. I wish the dishes were more tasty so I could eat my fair share. It seems like they are a little too heavy handed with the salt. It has a harsh finish on the palette. *** BDB is good for groups. And, if your palette is more suited to Chef-Boy-Are-Dee, you will feel satiated walking out of here.
(2)Art T.
Food is better than average and a good value. If you hunt online for coupons you can usually get $5 off per $20 order so you split up a $60 takeout order into 3 $20 orders and save $15.
(4)AsianRunningDiva S.
Came here last night after a couple of beers at Real. This place was packed! There were people waiting outside. The cool thing is that they can text you when your table is ready so you can go ahead and shop or we saw some families come in with D&B tickets! We ordered take out and that only took about 15-20 minutes. I had a $10 GC again, so we ordered a small chicken and sausage ziti for $13 (after the $10 was taken off from the original price). They offered us plates and utensils, but we were just going home, so we didn't need. Got home, saw that they gave bread (YAY! FREE WARM BREAD!) and the portion was really big! Large pieces of chicken breast meat, sausage pieces, spinach and tomatoes in a white cream sauce. We ate until we were stuffed and we have leftovers for another person. So, in retrospect, you do get a lot for your money! 2-3 people can dine off 1 small dish for the price of $25! Not too bad! Since we ate at home, we drank our own wine/beer/liquor which saved a lot too! I'm not a huge fan of Italian, but this place isn't bad for huge portions to share! :)
(4)Brian P.
Italian food isn't one of Hawaii's strengths. This place is not good nor bad. Just average. I've had a few pasta dishes with seafood here that I did like, but, nothing ground breaking. On the other hand, with little competition I find myself coming once or twice a year usually before the marathon to carboload. Beware that like the Cheese Cake factory portions are way too big at Buca di Beppo. It is easy to eat 1500 calories in one sitting so make sure you split or get a 1/2 order. As someone else mentioned, $10 off $20 coupons are available in the entertainment book sent to my house every few months. That makes a meal reasonable. It can get very busy during peak times so call ahead.
(3)Dmitry O.
pricy but good, try their chicken parmesan!!!!!!!
(4)Jennifer L.
Went for my first time Sunday at lunch we didn't wait more than 5 minutes before being seated. On our way to our seats they gave us a tour of the kitchen which was very clean btw. I got the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni lunch portion which was fairly priced. I can handle spicy and this was spicy so I wouldn't get it if you only like a moderate spice level. My husband got the chicken parmesan and it was so crispy and a nice thick piece of chicken, we enjoyed our lunch. This restaurant has a very fun atmosphere lots of interesting decor to look at and they have a huge brownie sundae, perfect for the dessert lover or a group for a birthday. Glad we found a good Italian restaurant that is fairly priced at lunch.
(4)Vanessa H.
This is my favorite Italian place to eat on Oahu! The food is yummy and very generous portions. Seems expensive when you look at the menu, but since it can be shared, it's not! I love that they walk you through the kitchen. This shows that they take pride in their work and their cleanliness. The staff is super nice too. There is also a sweet girl with a cute accent that walks around and takes photos! The photos are a little too pricey ($20 for two pictures in a cardboard Hawaii frame)! Overall, very good place to eat. Been here twice, and we plan on being frequent customers!
(4)Jennifer H.
I am so so so very disappointed with Bucca di Beppo. The stuff I had was CRAP. If you dont believe me then good luck finding out. I could be wrong but most likely I'm not. I do love the funky and cheesey atmosphere but that's about it. The kitchen is very messy but that is to be expected..kitchens are always messy. I have eaten at this location several times and every time I tried to give Bucca another chance, they seem to blow it. I really wanted to love this place because the first time I had Bucca was in San Francisco and boy was it a good time with good food. It really tastes like a teenager who never cooked in their life got thrown in the kitchen.. or maybe someone from prison got released and is now making the food behind the scenes. RUN AWAY AS FAST AS U CAN FROM THIS JOINT!!!! RuNNNNNN!!!!!! I came here with a large group of people and ordered several dish to share. The quality of the food is sup-par. I dont understand how they can spend so much to decorate the place but neglect to take extra care to prepare it. I will be back to update this review of what I had tried.... I know I had the crappy gorgonzola cheese salad with apples and pecans.. and margherita pizza... lasagnia....bruschetta... ( meh nothing impressive) I think the only thing I thought was good was the Calamari. The first time I tried Bucca di Beppo was in San Francisco. It was much much better there! I actually really liked the Bucca in SF. They really need to hire better cooks at this place.. The people who cooked probably never took a Fundamentals of Cookery class in thier life. Really bad cooks!! I hope the manager of Bucca reads this so they can save their business. Every time I get a free 10 dollar gift card from Bucca..I just toss it out. Its that bad! I really love Italian food and this was such a disappointment. Not worth a penny. I would decline if any friends asked to com here. The service was great though and we had a really nice and funny waiter. That was the only thing that was good here.
(2)Jenna C.
Large family style restaurant. Because it is family style, it tends to be very noisy. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant if you want a quiet dinner. Portions are huge and fairly priced. I recommend ordering several small dishes and sharing. You'll have more than enough food! Waitstaff was friendly, but very busy and not attentive.
(4)Ashley C.
My friends and I come here pretty often, since it's family-style and the food is great. Their pastas are really good, as are their salads and the Chicken Saltimbocca. ^^ It's a fantastic place to come in medium to large groups because you can make huge orders and split them up amongst each other. It's also to your benefit to get on their mailing list, since they do sometimes send out coupons and announcements via email, and don't forget to check the newspaper for coupons as well! Service... depends. Sometimes, you might get a wonderfully friendly server who's a lot of fun to talk to, and other times the servers are a little stand-off-ish and it's awkward. So it's a toss-up, but I've never been given a reason to really complain. The atmosphere's a little nuts. The decorations are crazy and all over the place, but it gives it kind of a uniquely cozy feel, unless you're claustrophobic, and some of the stranger pictures on the walls give you something to giggle about with your dining mates while you're waiting.
(4)Jorge B.
HUGE PORTIONS. It is safe for me to say that this was the first time I've ever been overwhelmed by the serving size at an italian restaraunt. This place puts franchises/corporate outlets (i.e. Olive Garden, Mac Grill, etc...) to shame. The staff is polite. They give you the tour of the kitchen if it is your first time there. The "kitchen table" looks fun if you want samples or want to watch the staff hustle. Food came quickly, but that could change depending on the volume of customers present. The place looked at 25% capacity when we went. Enjoyed the artwork and decorations throughout. This would be a great place to start a date night!
(4)Jerrene T.
I went on a first date here once and it was good because our server was really entertaining so there was no awkward moments. Fast forward about 5 years... I've come here a lot since then while I do enjoy this place... I won't wait hours for it like some people. I did enjoy their tomato salad which they no longer serve which makes me VERY angry. I loved it... it was tomatoes and salami and everything delicious. Why did you hafta get rid of it? I understand the mainland chains didn't like but it didn't mean I didn't. I just stick with their lemon chicken and fettucini from now on but it still makes me sad thinking about that darn tomato salad.
(3)Betty S.
Went there for lunch today with my boyfriend. We had the calamari as a starter and we really liked it. The marinara for dipping had great flavor and a nice little kick to it! I had the lunch size Fettuccine Alfredo which was very reasonably priced at $6.95, however, I didn't taste great. I was expecting a plate of creamy pasta and instead I got nearly dry noodles. My boyfriend ordered pizza and that was really good... I love the thin crust!
(3)Yon S.
Buca di Crappo. Can I say that? I guess I just did. I always end up here because relatives choose it and we meet up. Lately I just decline and stay home. But I never pick these Ward area restaurants. Not really my type of dining. They have really slow service. I'm uncomfortable that everyone that comes thru the door gets a walk thru the kitchen. Unsanitary. I'm surprised the board of health allows this. They have really slow service. The italian food is greasy, portions are large, costco style, and the food is oily, cheesy, and did I mention greasy? If I wanted greasy italian, I would probably go back to Auntie Pastos. I guess I lean towards the Assagio's type of italian food here in town. Even Pietro's would be my second choice.
(2)Kim N.
Felt welcome from when we walked in. Host offered to give us a kitchen tour if we wanted one. Had the Stuffed Mushrooms and the Supremo Pizza, both were flavorful and the prices were reasonable.
(4)Jared D.
I don't like Italian food but I would definitely enjoy going back here. Only, it is quite expensive here.
(4)Aina Jane B.
Never ever going back to bucas!!! 1. Had hair in pasta 2. Stupid waitress spilt milkshake all over me!!! Plus they were gonna give me a free pasta for my next visit!!! REALLY!!!
(1)Abby D.
It's a maze in there, that's for sure (we found out after waiting way too long to be seated as they lost our name). The decor is pretty nifty and it gives you PLENTY of things to look at (original or not..they're still fun) while waiting and trying to narrow down what you want (which you'll need to do because portions are mighty). Husband and I ordered a small bruschetta (about $11)..plenty of tomatoes and general yumminess. Mmmm..bruschetta...mmmm. And for our main course we ordered two things to share (because, seriously, portions are mighty) cheese manicotti (about $18 for a small..4 tubes) and chicken parmigiana (about $21 for a small..2 breasts). By the end of dinner, we were *stuffed* and neither could finish all that was before us. Fairly tasty, I say. We'll have to go back to try out more of the extensive menu..and next time, I'm doing dessert! :)
(4)Dorian N.
Another kind of food I love...Italian! I could eat it all the time, however I don't think my body would respond kindly and forgiving to that. Buca's is definitely my favorite Italian place here on Oahu. It's got the perfect atmosphere and it makes me wish I was still in Italy. But Buca's will have to suffice until I can make a trip back! The food is amazing and the portions are huge! Usually a small dish can feed 2 people (some things are bigger than others) and your stomach will wish it could eat more! I also went here for my 21st birthday dinner and the staff was awesome! Really enthusiastic and fun, singing their birthday songs and making me get up on a chair and do the "Cha Cha" birthday dance. They bring you a huge candle holder to blow out with a huge delicious birthday cupcake =] I ordered a peach orange martini (which isn't on the menu, but it's one of the bartender's specialties) and it was INCREDIBLE. I had two and I highly recommend asking about it. I've tried a few things each time and it's all been great. I love their garlic bread but it's a lot so either eat the bread they give you or order garlic bread instead! Here's a list of my favorites that are always delicious! -Baked Ravioli -Spaghetti Marinara -Ravioli al Pomodoro -Fettuccine Supremo -Chicken Carbonara -Chicken with Lemon -Chicken Parmigiana Believe it or not, there's still a ton of stuff I want to try! And I haven't even had any other desserts here besides my birthday cupcake because I'm always so full! But they all sound delicious! I also want to try their Limoncello =] Also, they carry some imported Italian beers and I highly recommend Peroni (it's a lighter beer that I discovered in Italy and I was so excited that Buca's had it!) All in all, I've always had a great experience at this place and I always recommend it to people!
(4)Philip S.
If i could have my wish, I would eat there everyday. Ok...well, maybe every other day! My wife and I frequent this restaurant quite often especially when they have their email specials (sign up for their emailer - it's worth it). Portions are staggering! We always have enough for lunch the next day. This is one of the places that has a patio and therefore we are able to bring Bruno, our little chug (Chin/Pug) to hang out with us. Call me crazy, but sometimes i find myself dreaming of their Frutti Di Mare!
(5)Puddytat C.
Used to be great but has gone downhill in the past couple years. The portions are smaller and the quality of the dishes has declined as well. Last time, we had the Linguine with white Clam sauce, Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, Caesar Salad & Mozzarella Garlic Bread & Chocolate cake for 4 light eaters. There were barely any clams, only linguine, the servings were half what they used to be. We ended up having to order two more dishes and still left not feeling satiated. We bragged about the Chocolate cake, had a piece. and even that went downhill. We used to stop just to have this desert. Nothing is like it used to be since it was one of our favorite places, especially for groups. This happened the last two times and so we just stopped coming.
(2)TEE B.
My friends took me here for my birthday and I gotta say I enjoyed it. The food was good (I still think of the salad I had that night), the service was pretty good and I liked the atmosphere. What I didn't like about this place was that we had a reservation but we still had to wait 20 mins for some reason. I look forward to going back again.
(4)Reuben R.
The first thing I noticed about the food was that the house bread wasn't fresh. Doesn't bother me that much, but it'd be nice. It still tasted good. I hadn't been here before and my friend was surprised. I haven't been to a lot o places though, so she probably wasn't that surprised. Anyway, my memory isn't serving me well, but my friend had a pasta dish with served with muscles. She gave me one to try since I haven't had muscles before and I don't like clams or oysters... surprise~ muscles aren't so bad after all, I guess I can eat those. I had a lunch sized serving of chicken cannelloni... mmmmm, it was piping hot, and soooo good, with tobasco. Maybe next time I go here I'll get spaghetti. I've always heard that the portions here can get humangous, but for lunch it was an alright size, so I didn't feel over stuffed, and of course you can pack it away (by the way, our waitress was really nice, and even got chatty with someone dining alone which I thought was pretty cool). Our slice of celebration cake was huge... no way one person could eat that and not feel full... haha. giant cake: It was yummy! But I think I'll get something else next time
(3)Michelle L.
the pope room was definitely a memorable part of my birthday dinner. there was a pope person in a glass case right in the middle of the lazy susan. it was pretty creepy because he's always staring at someone! the room is located in the middle of the restaurant so we were spectacles of those taking a tour of the restaurant. voyeurism and the pope's glaring eyes aside, buca's did a good job making my birthday dinner a great one! our waitress was really nice and patient. she always kept our drinks and bread baskets full. the food was so-so as expected. bummer that they don't sing "happy birthday" anymore due to copyright laws. LAME!
(4)Sheryl G.
what: authentic italian restaurant that offers flavorful italian dining. in the spirit of italian culture, the dishes are served family style and are meant to be shared. something good: the portions are huge and it's super fun to come here with a group of people! it's an animated restaurant and you can have as much conversation going during the meal as you want :) something not so good: it's super busy: there's almost always a wait to get in and the servers are always busy :) something to try: fettuccine supremo & lasagna
(3)S M.
I went back with a smaller group of friends and I have to admit we were extremely disappointed. We went earlier than last time, towards the end of the afternoon before the crowds began to agglomerate. We ordered a few of the same things as we did last time, and they were just not as good as we remembered them to be. We all left feeling rather disappointed, and we found it hard to get our server's attention.
(2)L K.
Went with a bunch of friends last night (good thing we had reservations, it was crowded) and we had such a great time. Our waiter was wonderful, though busy, and the food was SO good! We had SO much leftover. We ordered a salad (large), appetizer (large), three different pasta selections (small order of each), and a small Magherita Pizza. Way more than enough for the six of us. I recommend the Warm Spinach and Tomato Salad, Fried Calamari, and this Shrimp Penne with a Spicy Marinara, yum! The atmosphere is fun, lots to look at. Great for families and parties. Make reservations, especially if you go on a Saturday night.
(4)Alex A.
We used to LOVE coming here to Bucca's for a number of reasons. One, I am obsessed with eating my bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. But I *MUST* have the containers myself...because I'm what you call an oil/vinegar whore. They used to have a really awesome bread back in the day with rosemary and other herbs, but they got rid of it for a more generic bread. After eating here for years, we finally decided on our two favorites: You MUST buy the Apple-Gorgonzola salad. It's the greatest salad I've ever eaten. The apple, walnuts and gorgonzola along with the dressing all complement each other so well. It's a divine offering from the Roman god of food (whomever this is). We tried a similar salad once at ZPizza (Pear instead of Apple) and it sucked. Just doesn't compare to the way the salad is done at Bucca's. The pizza. Well, used to anyway. Unfortunately they got rid of what was basically our all-time favorite pizza anywhere (the spicy arrabiata pizza). We tried their other pizzas and it just isn't the same. They also got rid of their giant vat of spicy oil that you could ask for! The combination of the pizza + dousing it with that spicy oil was absolute perfection. That's a big reason I'm giving it 3 stars. Without the greatest pizza known to man, it loses half the reason for going. We'll probably still go once in a great while because we absolutely LOVE the salad...but I am so devastated about the death of our favorite pizza. The actual pasta dishes are usually good and always big, but they never wowwed us to the point that we felt it necessary to order them. It was always SALAD + PIZZA. The funny thing is, the small serving of both would fill us up. That's the great thing about this place, the serving sizes are ginormous! As far as service goes...it's often inconsistent. There were times we waited forever for food--one time we even waited an hour before the waiter figured out he didn't put in the order. That was a bit unforgiveable, but there were plenty of times (more recently, so I think it's improved) where we've had above-and-beyond service from the waitstaff.
(3)Jay C.
SMELL YOU LATER! we stopped by for pupus after a movie. we walked into the bar area where the smell of the not-so-clean bar made sitting in there uncomfortable. it's pretty much the smell of a bar where bartenders spill cocktails and beer on the floor and don't clean it up...for years. SOUR, spoiled and dank. UGH! we sat on the "patio" where we could still get sour breezes from the restaurant. the servers were busy winding down and breaking (not working but socializing) in the back booths near the kitchen. one employee was "breaking down" the patio by removing the tablecloths and stacking the chairs. amidst all of this commotion, our server managed to come out from time to time. our small pizza was small, tasty yet average. the appearance and cleanliness is so off-putting, but if the management doesn't care, why would the employees. all-in-all, i will continue NOT to come to this restaurant! at least that's consistent!
(2)Katrice K.
This place is great for groups and the waitress we had was fabulous. I went here with a bunch of friends on a Monday night, and the place was still pretty packed. We got to sit in the pope room and ordered one pizza, a salad, and two pastas for about 14 people. There was definitely more than enough food for everyone and two of us didn't even eat. While the quality of food is ok and the price is a little expensive, ours came out to about $17/person, it can't be beat for the loud atmosphere. The great wait staff and the fun times that can be had. I wouldn't personally want to go there all the time because I feel that I could have a better meal for less money for large groups the place is hard to beat.
(3)Arlette D.
-1 for Pepsi :) love the food.. so glad they have individual portions also.. we go for lunch and they are pretty fast ....
(4)Victoria A.
One of my favorite family-style restaurants. :) Service is always friendly & prompt. Food is amaaaazing. I have many faves here. Hmm.... Bruschetta bread, Mozzarella caprese salad, Fried calamari, Apple Gorgonzola Salad, Penne arrabiata, Chicken saltimbocca, Prosciutto stuffed chicken, Garlic mashed potatoes... Their desserts are awesome too... but it's rare to have room for any.
(5)HiLife B.
If I can say one word about this place is "HORRIBLE"!!! Never in my life going I've experience bad service when we first came in and horrible set up of where we sat. The person to talk about our reservations was completely dumb. We asked that we have a party and she said okay? So okay what do we do. She got side tracked, and said what was your name again? WTF? Really? STUPID!!!! The hostess was pushy and didn't even had courtesy. Once again, if u hate your job then quit!!!! The server we had was only one thing good about this restaurant, very fast and friendly. But the server next to us was kinda rude, his table was soooo loud and annoying and honestly if I was a server I would have common courtesy that if there's kids around to tell your table to stop swearing and being hella loud. Seriously, if this is a family restaurant there should be respect. We are from hawaii, we live here so word does come around. We gonna see you around!!!! That's all I have to say! So over this place!!!! Horrible horrible horrible!!!!
(1)Sarah G.
In short: same mediocre, overpriced Italian food that you'll find at Beppo restaurants nationwide- but for a few dollars more, since it's Hawai'i. We ordered the cheese manicotti & roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Both were adequate but I wasn't dying for seconds. The bread dipped in balsamic & olive oil was the best part of the meal... hmmmmm. The manicotti dish (small, $18) comes with four tubes, which is probably only enough for two people if you're even moderately hungry. The bowl of mashed potatoes (small, $6) is huge- certainly enough for three people. Bread is free! Do yourself a favor and print out the $10-off coupon from the Beppo website; our meal came to only $20 after tax and a twenty percent tip.
(3)Abbey Y.
I have been here only about a handful of times, as Ward gets really packed and parking becomes quite a dilemma. One of the first times I came here was with my boyfriend and since his grandma's full Italian and makes all italian dishes by hand I let him choose our dinner. As the sizes are in large family sized portions we got only an appetizer and one dish. The dish that he chose was a small sized Gnocchi. To be quite frank, I was really iffy about him ordering...more or less what I was thinking to be potato dumpling pasta, but I trusted him. To my surprise it was delicious. Honestly the thought of potato turned into pasta...not so great but it was amazingly delish! The texture was quite unique it was super chewy! I'd have to say that it reminds me of the korean/chinese type of mochi that you'd eat in soups which is very yummy. The rosera (? dunno how to spell it) sauce complimented it perfectly with small cubes of mozzarella and a sprinkle of diced basil on top created an absolutely amazing italian dish. The atmosphere is quite unique and loud. It's perfect for large groups of people and birthday celebrations as we saw many birthdays being celebrated there. The reason for the 3 stars is because I went recently with my mom, sister and boyfriend and the food wasn't as great as before. Apparently they changed the gnocchi recipe =( It isn't as chewy and has more of a potato texture which doesn't really appeal to me. So sadly the stars went down for me, but I would definitely recommend this place just to try it out and with a large group. :) Overall, the service is great and never lacking. They are always friendly, although I wouldn't really go with what their recommendations are because we tried that a couple times and...the food wasn't really to our liking. As for the environment, it's clean enough but just be prepared to dine in a loud and upbeat kind of setting as there's a lot of noise and laughter filling the air. Oh also if it's your first time, your hostess will give you a tour of the kitchen which is pretty neat, which means they can't really hide anything if their kitchen isn't up to par. :) Enjoy!
(3)Michiko H.
Great for when you have a big party and can split the bill.There portions are huge (family style) so expect to be full and satisfied. Although the few times I've been here alone or with a friend hasn't been the best experience when it comes to service. In the end I have to say their pasta's are good and the pizza's are my favorite. Kudo's for the creative decor and style!
(3)Serena W.
I got to sit at the pope table in the big chair for my birthday! I drank about five of those little champagne bottles that our servers kept coming in a timely fashion. There were 10-11 in our group and we loved the lazy susan. We kept taking turns making the pope stare at each other. I was craving eggplant parmesan and gladly it was on point! Everything else we had was super tasty as were the cannoli's. The family style food is great for large groups and for taking home the leftovers. My stomach was happy! Next time, I want the kitchen table :)
(4)Eric L.
Good food and a fun place to eat with ur family
(4)Kate R.
As most anyone who's read my reviews here knows, I'm all about local restaurants and typically anti-chains -- but Buca's one of my exceptions to this rule. Here's why: -Awesome decorations. Who wouldn't want to sit at the Pope's table? And I LOVE that crazy pictures are literally covering the walls from floor to ceiling. It makes for great dinner conversation and adds to the overall entertainment value. -Nice portions! They say 'family style' and boy, they mean it! I don't think I've ever gone to Buca's without taking at least one box of leftovers home with me. And I can eat! -Good selection of food without having an absurdly overwhelming menu. You know what I'm talking about. There's something for everyone here, from a simple side-o-meatballs to pizza and Chicken ala whatever -- even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied. -Fabulous service. I've consistently found the staff at this location at least to be friendly, outgoing, and aiming to please. -Clean kitchen. Um, this is HUGE for me. If you have hundreds of diners walking through your kitchen each day, you're definitely motivated to keep it clean -- and it keeps the kitchen staff from even being tempted to do anything, ah, sketchy, to food. Don't act surprised. You know it happens in some places. I'm glad it doesn't here. -Decent prices. Buca's pretty affordable, and often has coupons floating around the internet that are easily printable - $10 off here, $20 off there -- it adds up. Finally, I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here -- and I was SUPER stoked at the awesome customer service that I received, the flexibility, and the affordability of their options. I would definitely host an event here again based on that one experience. Overall -- two big Italian thumbs up! Yelp 365 Challenge (perhaps I should call it the "52" challenge for 52 weeks?) #30/365 - the meaty one
(4)Desiree V.
SALADS! Any salad here is a good salad. I have never had a salad and left unsatisfied. Yet, for an Italian restaurant they can step it up on the pasta-- looks good, but often leaves me feeling heavy and blah. Also a good pick: STUFFED MUSHROOMS! Don't get: CALAMARI (Something about it... must not be an Italian thing)
(4)Julius C.
Three stars based on the fun factor, not food. I most recently invited eleven of my friends to celebrate my birthday at the Pope Room, a circular room with a bust of Pope Benedict XVI on a giant lazy Susan. Because we were all gay, except for my girl Kate, I felt like was Queen Arthur and the Fabulous Knights of the Round Table. If you haven't done the Pope Room yet, I highly recommend it. Socialization is easier and people walk past the room saying things like, "Yeah, that's a cool room." I never really go to Buca di Beppo for the food. It tends to be bland and sometimes dry, but the portions are huge! Service is great and they even had a photographer take a group photo and mounted it all fancy like. Buca is great party location, especially after a movie (we saw Inception). The tacky decorations are all over the place. Framed black and white pictures of angry nuns and statues litter the place. Every hanging light is different. Go there with a big group to minimize the bill and maximize the fun. The staff sings and claps and jokes around, and trust me we had some very inappropriate jokes.
(3)Dan F.
We were with a party of 9. We didn't make reservations so we did a walk in. A lot of us came here seperately. So as I walked in, I wasn't really greeted till later. Then I asked for (insert name) and I was led by some caucasian girl who looked like she was sick of working at this job. I was the only one who was escorted to my table because all my other friends were given directions instead. It took us awhile to get everyone seated because everyone else was coming late. As for the food that we ordered I would say they are mediocre. I had the Linguine with the Mussels, Baby Clams, Shrimp, and Calamari with Red Clam sauce. First off I didn't expect the red clam sauce to taste like straight from the ocean. The mussels looked more like baby mussels or baby clams. The sauce end up disappearing somewhere most likely it was soaked up by the pasta. If you still can't imagine what this taste like. Think of a dish that tastes fishy. Now think of this dish as tasting just like ocean water. Very unpleasant. I also had a red wine but forgot what it was. My order came close to $40 which was friggin expensive. And I did not take home the linguine dish because it tasted like crap. I guess I must have ordered the wrong dish. So I recommend to never order this dish. Besides the bad part. I think the only good part about the restaurant was the ambience because you can be as loud as you want and no one cares. The service from the waiter we had was also good. But the person at the front is poor. The more I experience pasta like this, the more I'm beginning to hate it. Someone recommend me a good place for pasta because I wouldn't recommend coming here unless you like enjoy having a big group of people, mediocre food at large portions, expensive, and like to be loud.
(3)Charli T.
Phone ordered something...first they let me know that after calling them twice (okay, first time, i gave them a time range, but second time on the day of the order pick up, I checked up on the time) When I arrived, they mistakened that I was coming in 15 minutes for some reason. Then, even after 15 min....they were 20 min more late.... C'mon... The food was okay, but after that kind of terrible phone order experience, I can only give them 2 star and definitely cannot recommend phone ordering here.
(2)J H.
First impressions of this restaurant was that it looks like a torcher house. The décor was terrible. okay so now the food. that was terrible as well. I had the lasagna, it was dry. What do you mean it's dry??? I mean the pasta on the outside was dry. it sat under the heat lamp for hours, so dry that it was between crunchy and chewy. The ice tea there tasted like they used toilet water to make it.,, I wouldn't go there...there are other better italian places in Honolulu,
(1)Anela B.
Took my kids there and it was fantastic. It was our first time there so we did not have any reservations but the wait was only a few minutes. They gave us a tour of the whole restaurant. The portions were well worth the price. Will definitely go back.
(5)Brian A.
This one is somewhere between "Meh" and "A-OK," but I'll round up in this case. They give you huge portions, but there's not much memorable that I ate. The ambiance, I would describe as something that splattered extreme Italian memorabilia all over the walls and ceiling. I can be a bit crowded because the spacing between tables seems a bit small to me (and I'm not a big guy). Our service could have been better. When we went it seems that they could use more servers or maybe just someone refilling water would be good. One of the quirky things about it is you get to blow out a candelabra when it's your birthday. It gets busy because it's in a pretty popular part of Ward Center with the movie theater and Dave & Buster's right upstairs. It's not someplace I'd pick to go to with The Spaghetti Factory a short walk up the street.
(3)Jennine T.
In my opinion, Hawai'i is really lacking for authentic Italian food--things like stuffed shells, manicotti, gnocchi, etc. I know there are delicious restaurants where I can go to have that like Mediterraneo or Cafe Sistina, but sometimes, like today, I just want some authentic-ish Italian food on my way home from the beach at a weird time--4:30pm---so I go to Buca di Beppo. Also, I have the Entertainment Book which has these amazing coupons this year--5 coupons for $10 off $20 or more. . . they are fantastic coupons. We're on a budget, so that's another reason I go. First, I love the bread. It is so hearty, and it does remind me of East Coast Italian bread. Plus, they bring olive oil and vinegar, and butter, and it's a great way to start your meal. I have enjoyed everything I have eaten at Buca Di Beppo. It's a chain restaurant, so there is that element to the whole thing--from decor to menu to food, but I still enjoy eating here. Today we had Chicken Carbonara and a side of a Meatball. The pasta could have used a little more seasoning, but the prosciutto was tasty. And after eating as much as we could, the bowl of pasta still looked full (and we got the small size). We also got a Meatball--the meatballs are HUGE, and we shared it. . . plenty!!! All that for $15 (before tip, with the coupon!). . . so reasonable, especially since we have enough leftover for both of us to have lunch tomorrow. While we were eating, a photographer came over to take our picture, and she put it on a postcard, which was also another coupon for $10 off. You can also join their email list , which I did a while back, and get great coupons via email for free appetizers or desserts, $10 off, etc. I have also enjoyed the stuffed shells, stuffed manicotti, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and antipasto salad. I don't recommend the Penne San Remo. The service is always friendly and attentive.
(4)Kelly G.
My son turned sweet 16 last week & he picked Bucca For his dinner celebration ..... I reserved the Pope's table for 10 people..... we got there, got seated quickly, placed our order of: bruschetta lemon chicken fra diavolo spicy chix rigatoni caesar salad meatball side penne arrabiatta fried calamari We played some games while we waited and then all the food came at once so everyone got to dig in and enjoy - everything was good .... we had so over ordered that my son got to eat Bucca for the next 2 days. Our server was awesome - our drinks were promptly refilled, plates bussed, etc. .... & even though we brought in our own cake she still rounded up a group of Bucca guy's to come sing LOUDLY to my son with the large candelabra for him to blow out !! Bucca was super nice about not doing a cake charge or a room charge deposit..... it is definately a FUN place to celebrate at ..... the kids LOVED it !!! Total bill with 20% tip was $200 - sweet 16 memories ...priceless !!!!
(4)Trish P.
still only 3 stars...... the waitress we had began with abusive banter (abusive in a good way, like how your family and friends tease you.) and my friends and i felt comfortable right away. for the three of us - we probably ordered too much food - but whatever -here goes: fried calamari mozzarella cheese (caprese salad basically) veggie pizza spicy chicken rigatoni prosciutto stuffed chicken before i get to the food - why is the bread here always cold? that sucks. i'd like warm bread please - just toss it in with my pizza for a few seconds, geez. fried calamari came with lots of legs this time, which for me is good. i like the crispy bits. the caprese was good and they use nice fresh basil - i would have liked this better with some balsamic vinegar, but they take the bottle away from you. veggie pizza was good, but you could probably make this at home for cheaper. get a different pizza, unless you really, really wanna pay 17 bucks for the "small" pizza. the spicy chicken rigatoni was good, but not spicy at all. if you want a good pasta, get this - if you want a spicy pasta, get something else or bring hot sauce. the prosciutto stuffed chicken.... this was a little better than the last time we got it - but still, in my opinion, stingy. it was not salty like the last time, and the chicken was not dry, BUT, there was practically no prosciutto in the chicken. i thought i was eating only breaded chicken until i discovered a speck of prosciutto hiding in there. i have to say, i do like their lasagna (didnt eat it this time, but i've had it before) - but i cant see paying 20 bucks for the small, or 30 bucks for the large portion. that is just too much for beef, noodles and sauce..... overall - ok, but not the greatest.
(3)g s.
I'm part Italian, so when it comes to pastas I'm all over it. I love the atmosphere and the service is always friendly, as far as the times I've been there. Every dish is amazing and great for large parties. As well as a party for two. I love the Frutti Del Mar because I'm a seafood lover, but for some reason I've been hitting up the pizza's lately. I can't seem to get enough of that thin crust and spicy pepperoni and sausage with mushrooms. And don't let me forget to mention the Tiramisu! I'm not sure if you can get a buzz off of it, maybe it's the sugar rush, but I'm in heaven when I finish off with this desert. It's just fun being there. Recommend the red wines.
(4)Josh S.
4.5 Stars A fantastic place for family or large groups. The place is massive and sits right underneath the Ward 16 theater, so location is very good. I can imagine bunch of friends watch movie and head to Buca for dinner or vice versa. My party included 7 people. We made a RSVP at 6PM but got there little late. They didn't say anything and welcomed like we were there at 6PM. Great people. Our host gave a quick tour of the kitchen. Everyone I made eye-contact with greeted me with aloha spirit. Kinda funny seeing Hawaiian people working at an Italian establishment. The foods were excellent. For those who aren't familiar with this place, it's family-styled dining - meaning, you share entrees with your party. A small entree maybe good for 2-3 people and large will serve 4 grown-up men (so I was told). We ordered all small plates: cheesebread, ceasar salad, fettucine alfredo, and penne arrabiata. 4 small dishes served 7 adults (3 ladies). We were all very full after this. I must say the best one I had was penne arrabiata. It was very spicy but bold with flavor. Probably one of best Italian dishes I've had in long time. Alfredo was great as well. Cheesebread was recommended as an appetizer, although it was good, I wasn't wow-ed by it. The server, Carol, was wonderful. She was attentive and recommended many good dishes for us to choose. My party included few soft-spoken people, and even non-English speakers, so I did most of talking with her. She was enthusiastic. Loved her as server. Be warned: This place gets jammed packed on weekends. Not a place to go for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights as you will wait at least an hour before seated. I'd say explore other places as this isn't like oh-my-god-I-must-have-this place, but probably one of best Italian joints in Hawaii.
(4)Colin P.
Good pasta. Good service. Just a bit cold inside.
(4)O.M. R.
awesome kitchen tour:D and the food was really good!!! Servers really nice too;)
(5)Jessica T.
Love the family style portions! Definitely come here with an empty stomach. There is SO much food. Atmosphere is lively and fun. My favorites are: peach bellini, shrimp diablo, ceasar salad, pizza! My only complaints would be dessert (they aren't bad, just not my favorite) and the long wait (make reservations if you plan to go on fri or sat night!).
(5)Serenie S.
I was so excited to finally eat here. I loooove pasta. I went during lunch with my friend. We couldn't eat the family portions so we didn't get the full experience of Bucca. I really want to go back for a birthday and order their HUGE portions. I like the price you pay for so much food. The service was great and the pictures and art surrounding you when you eat is really interesting.
(4)Jaisa C.
Omg!! If you're craving Italian, this place is definitely the spot to dine at. Affordable family style Italian dining. The portions are huge and very flavorful. We ordered the buca large half Italiano supremo/half chicken pesto, spicy chicken rigatoni, strawberry Italian sodas and Tiramisu. All of the food was delicious, the pizza highlighted the meal and the Tiramisu had a strong rum taste to it. If you're into that flavor then it's a must try, otherwise, I'd recommend ordering something else. Overall, the experience was fun and the food was awesome! I love the atmosphere and the service, fast and friendly. Don't forget to ask for the kitchen tour before getting seated.
(4)Graham W.
DECOR: Gawdy over the top, but entertaining. AMBIENCE: LOUD, welcoming SERVICE: fast, friendly, professional FOOD: DELICIOUS, check your food as sometimes the kitchen staff may make slight errors, but the management rectifies this and makes sure your satisfied WAIT: depends on what time of day/night, night are very busy but lunch to early dinner are reasonable. Would have given 5 stars but they forgot onions on my salad during one visit, the Veal saltin bucco was so thin and over cooked on the visit before. If you give this place a few tries you'll find the things to get and reasons to keep coming back! Canoli's! Antipasto salad!
(4)Troy L.
Simply the best family style Italian Restaraunt in all of Hawaii.
(5)Brian R.
I don't really understand some of the low reviews here. It seems like people want to drop points because of the pope room. If you're giving out 2 star reviews because you can't handle a pope-in-a-box I think you should lighten up guys! Perhaps it's important to understand the sort of place this is. If you're looking for serious italian cuisine for a peaceful romantic evening - this is not the place. If you're looking for a place where you can be loud and indulge in some decent family style dining - then Buca is for you. Sure its kitsch and cheesy but that's part of the charm of this sort of place. Complaining about it is misplaced - it's like saying that a hot dog stand only had paper napkins! Anyway I think Buca is great with a big crowd. The service is very laid back, which I understand can be interpreted as bad. Don't go there if you expect to be prima-donna'd and waited on hand and food. If you can lighten up then you'll enjoy it. Eating at Buca is more like eating at a friend's house. They're not going to constantly hover over you - but the flipside is that I feel a lot more relaxed and enjoy myself. If you want more water or whatever just ask for it, I've never had any problems. They'll also pack up everything for you if you can't finish it or you can get it to go.
(4)Charisse L.
Making our reservation on yelp made it extremely simple to walk right in immediately when we arrived. We enjoyed our dinner and our waiter was very attentive. It's a fun environment and with the $10 off coupon, it's extremely affordable.
(5)Lee Ann H.
Yummy! The food is great and the servers are some of the nicest I have seen on the island.
(4)Elle B.
The only reason to come here is if you like to eat in what looks like a cross between an Italian memorabilia shop and a stuffy, cavernous dungeon. ALWAYS take the cheesy tour through their kitchen before you go to your table. I never tire of seeing their sweat shop turn and burn, scoop and plop, its way out of the weeds nightly. I somehow wish that one of these days I'd see the Sweedish Chef from the muppets cooking on their line. Bork Bork Bork! Food is okay but it all tastes the same...out of vacuum bags, buckets, and cans imported from the corporate commissary on the mainland. It's pretty tasty if you're famished and love Americanized Italian food. If you're in the Ward area and are looking for Italian, this place is one notch above Old Spaghetti Factory but you're gonna pay more (but the portions are enormous!) The calamari, veal parm, linguine frutti di mare, and meat balls are my favorite picks. All their desserts are disappointing. Service is usually really slow. Last time it took over an hour for the apps to come and another 45 minutes for the mains. Thankfully I tanked a bottle of Chianti while waiting so my tolerance for bullshit and lousy service was higher than normal. This is a place you eat at once in a blue moon, just for the kitch and the ludicrous fantasy of what America thinks an Italian restaurant should look and feel like.
(2)Tom S.
somewhat smelly. great for large groups/family style cuisine. really large portions. GET THE CHICKEN CARBONARA!!!
(3)Jane M.
The food is good. The most annoying thing is the obtrusive lady that takes the pictures and interrupts you to buy them while you're eating. What a rip.
(4)Bethany N.
We went here last night for dinner. It was packed but we were seated quickly. Our bruschetta came out quickly and was delicious. Maybe I'm spoiled but I vote to skip the olive oil & balsamic at Buca. The balsamic is just too acidic. Start with the bruschetta instead; the bread was toated to hold up to the tomatoes, oil and basil. It was good consistancy, not too watery like some places making a soggy mess of your bread. Next we had mushrooms with prosciutto, cheese, rosemary & sage. These were so delicious, really good earthy flavor. They were plated with pesto sauce. These were comped because they were busy and they felt the wait was too long; we have waited longer at Denny's and not been comped so this was refreshing. For our main we had quatro al forno. Nice spectrum with stuffed shells, ravioli, cannoli and manicotti. I really enjoyed this plate. For dessert we had cheesecake with raspberry sauce and toasted hazelnuts. I was leary at first with the lack of crust and the hazelnuts just laid on top but you know what, it works.. The sweetness of the raspberry sauce and the crunch and texture of the hazelnuts compliments the cheesecake just right. All that for $50. Cheaper and better food than other Italian places here.
(4)Melissa C.
Ehh? I don't get why so low reviews... Well anyway, I'm used to Olive Garden back home in Cali. Since there's not one here, Buca was the only other option for Italian food (although there's Buca in Cali too, just not close to where I lived). We ordered the mozzarella bread, which was $13.99. Steep price for bread and cheese. It was delish, but $14 is ridiculous. Our entree was a Buca large order of the chicken penne with sundried tomatoes and artichoke, minus the peas. I found one pea. I ate it and had a crazy allergic reaction, which made my lips swollen and my skin itch all over and I was rushed to the ER. I could have died. Just kidding. The penne was really good!
(4)Sean V.
The food is decent, prices are good and the portions are good. This place is great for an outing with friends before drinking and having fun. I am more of a southern and sicilian food fan, because of spice! For people who say that its horrible, really have no good sense of what a good meal consists of. this is not california pizza kitchen.
(3)Mitch H.
I'd have to agree with another reviewer about the nasty smell... Cept it smelled like cat urine to me. A pretty serious appetite killer. Tables were very cramped together and decor is very tacky. Food was pretty bland and individual size servings are on the small side. Not worth the price if you don't have a coupon. (A lady eating near us walked up to us and handed every table a $10 off coupon... really nice of her. She had actually just taken out a wand of some sort and blessed her food, drinks and the table a few minutes earlier...) On the positive side, staff was very attentive... although somewhat on the creepy side. Way too fake happy... You'll understand what I mean if you ever eat there... Kinda eerie the way everyone in the kitchen stops and says bon appetite when they walk you through it on the way to your table. Probably wouldn't go back, unless I have a coupon and I order out... Auntie Pasto's Early Dinner Special is where is at.
(2)Boki C.
this would totally be an over-rating if this was the mainland...but nope, it's hawaii - and it's the best ito-american place i've had here. granted, i haven't eaten at too many italian places in hawaiian. we had x'mas dinner here. there were lots of people, we had a reservation, but still had to wait - oh well, expected on a holiday. portions were huge (family style), food was delicious, prices were decent. wait staff was great. we ordered: bruschetta was yummy - tomatoes & bread were very fresh Penne San Remo - DELICIOUS & rich! apple gorgonzola salad - loved the combination of ingredients Gnocchi al Telefono - hearty & heavy; yummy! chicken w/ lemon - we've had better i was some-what of an anti-chain food restaurant, but sorry italian mom & pop restaurants! buca di beppo prevails (at least in hawaii!)
(4)Joshua C.
Got to go in here before it even opened, despite it's chainess I had high hopes for this place. That was back when I was young and foolish. High quantity, low quality. Good for large groups that really don't fit anywhere, bad for everything else. The perfect place for those looking for copious amounts of mediocre food served in a way over decorated labyrinth.
(2)Eric M.
Great place to come celebrate a birthday. Family style cuisine and large portions. You must get the Colossal Sundae. It's in Waikiki so realize on the weekends parking might be limited. I suggest calling ahead for a reservation if you have a large party.
(4)Serena F.
Still in love with their Spicy Chicken RIgatoni. Portions are huge here (meant for sharing of course), and prices aren't exactly cheap, but with the $10 off your $20 bill coupon, it becomes really affordable. I print out the coupon at home and bring it in every time. You can download and print it here: bucadibeppocouponssite.c…
(5)Jesse M.
When a certain malevolent dictator was stomping his way through Europe to form his perfect Arian nation in the 1950's, Bucca de Beppo was probably what he envisioned. Blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin, seems to be the prerequisites to be a waiter or anybody front of the house at this establishment. It isn't until a patron is given the tour of the restaurant's kitchen that they see where all the "colored" staff are-- segregated and hidden away in the back of the proverbial Bucca de Beppo bus. Having an all white front of the house staff seems like a statistical impossibility in Hawaii with cultures and ethnicities as mixed and diverse as the rainbow, but somehow it has occured with perfect imperialism at Bucca. Equally Nazi-like (in case you didn't catch the first reference) are the group reservations. Customers (and I use the term loosely, "subject" or "easy mark" is probably more appropriate) wanting to do a group reservation are forced to come in and sign a contract stating exactly how many party members are coming. Customers are then forced into ordering from a group menu, which item by item ends up signficiantly more expensive than had they ordered off the regular menu. Auto gratuity is also included, which to me seems fair assuming service was also included-- which is conveniently absent as well. Remember that contract I mentioned earlier? Well if less people show up than originally stated (as in if 20+ people's schedules are not coordinated with perfect precision, someone gets sick, called in to work, has to pick up their kid) the group is still billed the same amount, and the cost is defrayed amongst whoever was unlucky enough to show up. My group ended up paying $45 per person for noodles, salad and overcooked fish under green slime. This was not including the cost of drinks which was added seperately. So I spent roughly $120 for myself and the missus to eat at this mediocre restaurant-- that's Allen Wong or Ruth's Cris pricing for food that's on par with microwavable pasta. Actually I stand corrected; I do from time to time eat and enjoy a bertoli's meal. Bucca's food was beneath even that. I actually did the math, and had the missus and I ordered every individual item from the group menu, it still would have come out less than the cost for the both of us, AND it would have been enough to feed 6+ people easily. I'm disgusted by how much this place ripped us off. Moreover, the waitstaff will creep in one of the many hallways where they feel protected and discuss at length how cheap, stupid, ugly, the table they are serving is-- which I happened to have the good fortune to overhear on my way to the restroom a discussion going on about a table of young folks next to us. Classy Bucca, real classy. Questionable hiring practices asside, overpriced food asside, crude and cruel waitresses asside... well what else is there? Tacky decorum on the walls? This place is a disaster and a disgrace to food service. Do not eat here. Do not support what they do. Do not put money into their pockets. Support businesses elsewhere.
(1)Ed K.
we try our best to not waste food but shmall kine feeding frenzy over there. PORTIONS WERE HUMONGOUS HEAPFULLS. we shoulda just scavenged a previous tables leftovers. the birthday cake was a foot tall. bright lights, plenty flair, loud, decorations had tradition in it.. must be the vegas italians. we were all singing, clapping, n just going along with it. plenty people wanted what we had. no no no.. food defeated us. could've been a lot worse. their business plan really helped us have a good time. Happy Birthday AW!
(4)Carmen C.
Came here on the free lasagna night, and although the lasagna was free, it tasted pretty bad. I mean, despite it being free, I hoped that it'd tasted better. Anyways, I ordered the parmesan chicken and I was very disappointed. It had only 2 slices of chicken that tasted bland and soggy, nothing compared to other parmesan chicken from other Italian restaurants. Also, it doesn't come with pasta which I was a little sad about. If any of you come here, I highly suggest to NOT order the chicken parmesan. It doesn't taste good and it's not worth paying almost 20 bucks. My boyfriend ordered the spicy chicken rigatoni and it tasted bad. It was dry & bland but they did give a big portion. It was more quantity than quality, but I perfer quality, so that dish didn't meet my expectations. For dessert we ordered the caniolis and that was bad too! The cream had such a weird texture that I was done after just one bite. Overall, for me, I would only come back here only for the atmosphere, not the food. This is place has good service & great atmosphere, especially if you're with a big group. My 3 stars are for the atmosphere & service, not the food.
(3)Joe B.
Great food and great service. Make sure you understand how the portions work or you might end up with way too much food. We had some pizza there and it was delicious. The service was also great. Highly recommend.
(4)christopher c.
Badly made Italian-American food in HUGE family-size portions. I LOVE the family-style concept and wish more restaurants would do it (other than pizza places, they don't count). Pastas are cooked to mush and not al dente at all (which is harder than you think; almost opaque/white in the middle of each noodle). Kitschy Italian-American 1950s decor is funny and charming. Go for the odd atmosphere and for large groups, but just don't expect decent food. Service is fine. Parking at Ward at night always sucks.
(2)Rita L.
take out here is great! the small is actually large! a must to order is the lemon chicken, frutti di mare, and the meat sauce spaghetti! soo good! they give free bread to so don't spend extra dollars for garlic bread, just ask for bread and make it yourself! great flavor, love the food, and its a deal! :)
(4)Rise D.
This is a good place to have a large party, since you can be as noisy as you want. The food is ok....not the best Italian food ever, but the portions are family size and are filling. Service has been good each time I've been here. If you're looking to eat quality Italian food, go elsewhere, but if you're looking for a fun family environment with large portions of food, you should consider Buca di Beppo.
(3)Vanessa V.
A great family place! A little loud and your common chain restaurant but still fun. Huge family portions are great for sharing too.
(4)d s.
Dropped by for dinner the other night because my boy loves Italian and we had one of their coupons they're constantly sending out. We came a little early (about 5:30pm) so got seated immediately. I never understand, though, why they put you ALL the way back in the restaurant when it's empty. Waiter was attentive in the beginning but a little on the pushy side. Seemed disappointed when we pulled out the coupon. Also seemed disappointed when we didn't order more. There's only three of us, how much can we eat??? Made comments like, "oh, saving room for dessert?" We were starving so we ate up the bread as quickly as they brought it. Each time, only a small piece of bread was brought so we finished it up in no time. Interesting thing is that once the entre came no more bread! WTF? Had to ask another waiter for more. On the plus side, I thought the spinach salad and the seafood linguine we had were pretty good. But keep in mind that just for those two items and two soft drinks came out to nearly $40. And these were the "small" portions. Not expensive but not inexpensive either.
(2)Cristina M.
I haven't been to a Buca di Beppo in over 3 years. When my family and I headed to Dave & Busters on a Friday night I was more than ecstatic to see this italian restaurant. I know it's another franchise, but I've been living in Bremerton, WA for almost 2 years prior to moving here, and the only thing on our side of the Puget Sound was Olive Garden (don't let me get started on that...) There were a ton of people waiting outside. So I just called in a reservation while we played games upstairs. When we walked in the hostess did the usual walk through of the kitchen. My husband who has never been to Buca was impressed. Our server was fine. Nothing over the top, just average service. We ordered the calamari, which was delicious. A little spice from the marinara sauce was good. For entrees we had the rigatoni w/ spicy sausage, chicken parmesan & salmon with pesto sauce. The salmon was a bit overcooked for my liking by the garlic infused pesto sauce made up for it. For a family of 3 we ordered small portions for the entrees and still had plenty of leftover to take home. There was some guy walking around taking pictures of each table. The first picture was free, which was put on a postcard with a $5.00 coupon for our next visit. Any other pictures was a 4x6 in a carboard frame for $10. Overall, I enjoyed my dinner. We did spend a bit but I already expected that. Our next visit won't be for a while and will probably be for lunch since it'll be cheaper. We're likely to try other italian restaurants but it's good to know a Buca is here on the island.
(4)Laurie K.
Amazing place with fabulous service! The manager Serena was terrific as well as personable and willing to jump through hoops to get you what you want. The only thing missing was not being able to get grilled calamari instead of fried but this place was so worth every penny!
(4)Claudia M.
This place is delicious but expensive lol. They have a large variety of italian food here and its really good. The service is very friendly here. Their portion sizes are huge here as well XD
(4)Albert M.
While it is really noisy in here, the food is great! I love the decor on the walls. The staff are all friendly.
(4)Jodi K.
WARNING: kind of a long review...sorry! i was a bit excited to try the food here because people have told me the food was good. so of course, i had some sort of 'expectation' that the food was going to be great. the place is totally covered wall to wall with photos, pictures, and paintings. it's kinda of an unusual set up, like a circle or something...there are little rooms, and within these rooms are tables for small groups or long tables for bigger parties...the place is dim which i loved; dim lighting makes anyone look good, right? the service was good. the servers were friendly, they even asked everyone within that particular room to sing along 'happy birthday' to this girl who was celebrating her sweet 16th party. they also had crayons for the younger children to keep them occupied; smart idea! moving on to the food and drinks: i ordered an ultimate raspberry lemon drop. it was yummy to me because i LOVE sweet, fruity alcohol drinks. my future sister-in-law ordered a strawberry italian cream soda which was served in a huge glass with huge amounts of whip cream on top. for starters, people ordered the fried calamari, bruschetta (forgive my spelling!), spinach salad, and i guess what appeared to be their version of the chopped salad. the salads were kind of drenched in dressing...a bit too much for my liking. the calamari was kinda yummy, little, tiny bite sized pieces that was actually tasty. their version of the bruschetta was horrible. it came out on this 12x12 pan with a mound of diced tomatoes on top of it...i can do better, i think! their 'bread' was like dried, sourdough foccacia (forgive my spelling!) which i didn't care for...the entrees weren't any better, unless it depends on what you order...this was my first time so i relied on everyone else's opinions and taste. people ordered the chicken saltimboca, this seafood linguine w/tomato sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, and eggplant parmesan. i don't know if it's just me because i can be picky, or if the food really isn't that great at all...because, the only two dishes i ended up eating was the chicken saltimbocca and the eggplant parmesan. all in all, i've concluded this place isn't for me. the food was just 'okay', it wasn't anything great where i wanted to lick my plate and eat every, single, morsel. in addition, it was SO NOISY, there were servers running around, people chatting, talking, laughing, dishes clinking and clanking. this is definitely NOT a place where you want to take your date! sadly, bucca did not meet my 'expecations.'
(3)Mimi W.
Buca COUPONS are BOGUS!!! We tried to use our coupons at Buca and were only allowed to use 3, when we had a huge party of friends and families. If they're going to print out coupons, they should honor them with no strings attached. Instead, they said we would have to split up in separate tables, and could only use 3 coupons. Now, let's see...we spent a LOT of money there. The least the management could do was honor the right amount to coupons we came with/per family (we had 7 families). Definitely will NOT recommend this place to eat at -- they are not akamai in dealing with the customer in this situation.
(1)Jenn P.
Went here last night on a whim cuz we were close, and starving, and I wanted pasta and was craving some good old olive garden but since there aren't any in Hawaii (they still have the torturous mouthwatering commercials!) we decided to go here. Food was delicious, but it was like pulling teeth getting service. Saw the waitress 15 min after we sat. Got our food soon after we ordered (mass production) but had to wait another 15 minutes for our pitcher of Sangria. I was trying to slow my roll cuz I didn't have anything to drink with my food, but was already getting full. Once everything was on the table, we saw the waitress more often then we needed, which became annoying. Then when it came time for the check, we asked to split it, she was gone for a good 20-30 minutes, long enough for a table of 20 people to slowly straggle in. There was no one else but our table in her section, so she didn't have a good reason to be so long, so I asked for the manager. While I was speaking to the manager about the poor service, the waitress came with the checks and took our friends credit card to run his check without waiting. The manager thanked us for bringing up the service to her attention, apologized, and comped our whole meal. She found out that the waitress already took our friends card and was irritated at her, but refunded his bill anyhow. I didn't see the waitress again before we left, I kinda felt bad, but not that bad. We wasted a whole night on a meal that could have lasted less than an hour. Next time, just gonna call-in for takeout.
(2)Clinton W.
One of the best dining experince have ever had. I friend told me about this place since it was my daughters birthday we called and got a 5pm reservation for the kitchen table. The staff from the begining made you feel like your mattered as a customer not to mention sitting in the kitchen gives your the status of super customer, since it was a busy Friday there were kitchen tours coming by often. The food portions we MONDOHUGE, and tasted excellent! I will have lasagne sandwiches for the next 3 days. The prices my seem high for some, but I have paid a lot more for less so I found it reasonable, and my daughter had a birthday to remember!
(5)charlie d.
Can you say amazing. This place is so righteous there is nothing that cAn stand in the way of it's righteousness. We have been here numerous times and love it. My personal favorite server is Tony, very personal, will talk and hang out and has good suggestions. It's a Long drive for us but definately worth it. It's A bit pricey, but no different then the stateside ones. For my wife and I we get two regular dishes ( one feeds two ppl or one hungry boy like Me) so we can take it home later and bask in it's glory the next morning. For the two dishes and some Mimosa is came Out to around $70 with tip. The decor is your usual buca Style and always entertaining. Anytime friends Wanna know where To go i always say here or ewa Pointe Chinese.
(5)Lynn C.
Celebrated my birthday with friends who have never been at Buca. All of us left with doggies bags to indulge in laters. Shucks! No family style dining for lunch hours to share. Tiramisu was extremely massive! Thought it was free for my birthday... Not! No matters, Great time with friends and having birthday greetings sung by staff.
(3)Young Mi K.
Not much is good about this place, especially the loud ambience and confusing layout. The bread is boring, not warm or toasted. The salad was bland and boring. I could not really taste any hint of gorgonzola cheese in the apple salad. The gnocchi was dry, bland, and just too thick? It's hard to describe...it kind of looked and tasted like something you made and left out for several hours. The penne san remo had a nice, light sauce to it that was flavorful...but it too was dry. I would recommend the fried mozzarella appetizer dish, however. That was pretty yummy. I guess this place actually does have several things going for them: 1) great location, 2) free parking, 3) huge portions, 4) free drink refills, and 5) good fried mozzarella. That's not saying much, though, about the quality of their food.
(1)Remee A.
Love family style meals?? Buca is the place to go. We always sit at the bar this way you get excellent service. The food is always consistent and good. Our favorites are apple Gorgonzola salad and chicken prosciutto!
(4)Scott H.
Decent "Italian" food (yeah, it's not Tuscany, but it'll do for Honolulu). Great place for large groups/parties. Kinda loud, not really a place to go for an intimate dinner with your wife or girlfriend. Though the dishes are served mostly family sized, in recent years they've added individual portion sized dishes... The Good: - Fettuccine Alfredo: Creamy yet light. Isn't soupy or too heavy like most places. Seams like the light cream alfredo just coats the fettuccine...my favorite dish at Buca. I think the chicken version with broccoli ruins the dish, I susally just get the basic. - Pizza: Surprisingly good, thin crust, perfect balance of ingredients. They sever on cans of food to elevate the dish (literally). - Fried Calamari: another surprise. Lightly battered and fried. Not oily or swimming in sauce. Really good. - Mussels: Not overcooked. served in a tomato sauce. Really good. - Baked rigatoni: If you like your pasta al dente, then you like the pasta here. This dish was another surprise. Sausage is a little spicy, paired well with the mozzarella and ricotta. - Linguine Frutti di Mare: Probably the best dish they serve, fruit of the sea! Shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari with linguine and a spicy red clam sauce. Perfection. It is kinda expensive, so it might be best to suggest this one when someone else is paying (expense account?). - For the most part, the service I've had here has been pretty good. Attentive for such a cramped place. Sometimes you can get lost in a large group. The alright/not so good: - Portions are really big, even the small sizes. Yeah, how can you complain about portion size being too big? Well, maybe it's just a warning. My eyes are usually bigger than my stomach here. I always order way too much. - It can get loud and busy. Being so close to Ward theaters, this place will be packed on Friday and Saturday nights. Make reservations, other wise you might get stuck at Dave and Busters...or even worse...Big City Diner :( it will get loud, especially if you are stuck in a room with a large group...even more if it's a large group of large women (it's like Hawaii's version of the Olive Garden...a magnet for girls night out types). It's also one of those ghetto nice places (you know what I mean).
(4)Dan C.
Cheese Garlic Bread, Seafood Pasta:::-- SLAP!!!
(3)Joy W.
In a nutshell: Very uneven service and bland food. When my friends suggested we do our holiday meal here because of its family-friendly atmosphere, I was tasked with organizing the event. But boy was that ever a task because they were so disorganized! I made reservations in late August for a December meal and although I had to repeat myself three times as to what date and time we wanted, I was able to secure the slot needed. In late October, I received a call that since we had a large party, we had to reserve our meal from a set menu in advance ... oh and could we do it by the end of the week because their seats do fill up ever so quickly during the holidays. (Um and they couldn't have told me this two months ago and given me more time to consult the group??) The menus they offered were normally for banquets of 30+ people whereas we were feeding 9 adults. When I asked for a more reasonably priced menu, I did receive 3 alternatives but still the price per head was more than if we had ordered ala carte, as another reviewer noted below. We were able to choose a menu and secure it within the timeframe requested but then another week later, I received another call that since we had a large party with a set menu, I had to sign a contract and provide credit card details ... oh and could I do so ASAP because their seats do fill up ever so quickly during the holidays. (Well, if they fill up so quickly, why wasn't all of this taken care of back in August when I first made the reservations??) Needless to say, I was quite annoyed at this point at their process. Two days before the event, they called to reconfirm my seats, which I approved and also reminded them of the 3 high chairs needed as stated in my contract. Yes, yes, they assured me all was in order. Well guess what: We got there and there were no high chairs. There were, however, 12 seats for our party of 9 adults and 3 babies. After we got our high chairs, the food started arriving, and everything was rather bland and tasteless, even the chocolate cake for dessert. The service wasn't bad although drink refills were far and few between. But then we got the bill, and we were billed for 12 adults instead of 9. They did fix it without fuss but still I was glad to leave when we did. I was kind of hoping they would call yet again afterward, as a followup to hear about my experience, but not a word, so here I am on Yelp, hoping to save all of you from making the same mistake I did!
(1)Crystal B.
This place is just tacky and the food isn't good. If you're looking for a family friendly place, this would be an ok option. Relatively inexpensive, casual, and kids wouldn't be picky about the food. Plus they have family style. But if you actually want decent Italian food stay away. The servers have a routine they have to follow, and it comes off as rehearsed and over-zealous. The decor and low ceilings are awkward and uncomfortable. The food all has that smoky, too-long-cooking-in-oil taste. Yuck. I've gone there twice now (with people who for some reason wanted to go) and I'm hoping I don't have to go again. Two stars for reasonable prices and family-friendly atmosphere.
(2)Conrad L.
I've been here three times and each visit was so passable that I honestly can't remember anything I ordered. I DO remember how at the end of every visit I walked out the place thinking how I wish I pulled a Michael Corleone and planted a gun in the bathroom so I could shoot myself in the face with it. OK, OK, I take that back. It wasn't THAT bad, although chances are you could probably make better pasta yourself for a lot less money. And if large portions are to your liking then hey, you'll be sitting pretty in your plate full of mediocre pasta. The atmosphere is cool though. Almost feels like you're in another country and that's probably why I went back those last two times. Actually on second thought, the last two times were for a birthday dinner and because I was back home for Christmas vacation and my friends wanted to have our little reunion there. And I guess the location helps it a whole lot better because since it's townside, it makes us country side people feel like we're going someplace fancy. Lol. "Eh! You wearing shoes?! Where YOU goin all dress up?!".."We goin Buca's, brah!".."Meeeeean da dope!" Wouldn't be my first choice if I were aching for some Italian food though. This place reminds me of how much Hawai'i needs an Olive Garden. THAT place is an awesome place that has BOTH QUANTITY AND QUALITY and it's unfortunate that Buca has, by default, become one of the "better places" to get Italian food in Hawai'i. But hey, ignorance is bliss right? P.S. - I remember now that I ordered the same dish here that I usually get at Olive Garden and it was terrible by comparison. That's why I didn't like that place the first time.
(2)Tessa t.
i had gone out drinking the night before... when i woke up i needed to run errands, but didn't feel up to driving around so i called my friend and bribed her...saying that i would buy her lunch if she took me around... :) i was pretty hungry (or at least i thought i was) i ended up ordering the caesar salad, bread, quattro al forno, and the chicken parmigiana... (lunch menu) the food isn't THE BEST italian i have ever eaten, but it hit the spot... the bill only came out to around $40 (including soft drinks) which is pretty good considering the amount of food i ordered...i even had enough left overs to take home to the boyfriend for him to eat lunch AND dinner :D service was ok... nothing extraordinary, but nothing to complain about... 20% tip for her :)
(3)Maria O.
Yummy Spaghetti, pizza, chicken parmesan and garlic bread!Good price for the size portions and great for kids!
(4)Jess T.
All I can say is that my boyfriend and I absolutely LOVE this place! Their food is always delicious and we are always shocked at the quantity they serve. Not to mention how much fun the decor is here. It has great food, ambiance, and service!
(5)Malia E.
I had sent my kids to a 5:45 movie upstairs, thinking I could nab a reservation for about 7:30ish, so we would go seamlessly from movie to dinner. Saturday nighst at Buca's at Ward are normally packed. On this night, much to my frustration, they stopped taking reservations around 5:30. So, I walked around for a while, then showed up to "Drew", the pretty reservation lady, at 7pm, hoping to squeeze in by 7:30-7:45. My kids got out at 7:40 - and we were seated by 7:45. So far so good, right? Every table was packed. Huge parties everywhere were going on. We were seated in a corner, under an air conditioning vent. I think because we were in a corner, the air from vent hit the wall and went straight down. The table was freeeezing. I asked to be moved - but a kind manager showed up, saw my kids with hoodies covering their heads and shivering, and said he was shutting down that particular vent. Yay for the responsive manager! Our waiter was helpful in our ordering. I can be a pain in the okole when I order, no doubt. In this case, we wanted a small fettucini alfredo, but half with shrimp, a kids chicken parm, and a lobster caesar salad but with the lobster on side. The kids also wanted lemonade. Water for me. The waiter answered my questions, got the order, and off he went. Yay for the sharp waiter! Heres where it went downhill, big time, from there: 1) The Lemonade seriously tasted like it was made with dirty water. Gross. Totally gross. We sent it back - and just got water - which ironically - tasted cleaner than the lemonade. 2) The bread was hard. Bottom of the bread basket, maybe? 3) The fettucini came out first, in two huge bowls, one with shrimp, the other without. We werent sure if he gave us two orders of the pasta, but when we checked, sure enough this was one order, split in two. ...except that both bowls were cold. Ok, not freezing cold like the ice coming off my kids nose, but you know how cream is icky if its not hot and steaming, how it sorta curdles on your noodles, and becomes a not even luke warm sticky mess? Thats what those kids were served. I didnt send it back because they were starving and they ate it, but really it was barely warm. Plus, I think to any adult, their FA is actually really bland and boring. 4) We got our lobster caesar, with some pretty huge lobster claws on the side. Now, normally, our family LOVES Bucas salads. But this salad SUCKED. No other way to describe it. It was dry, dry, dry. Adding the lobster to my portion did nothing to save it. We asked for extra dressing - but it still sucked. For $17 for a salad, we will stick with the antipasto one next time. 5) The kids-portion chicken parm did not come out until we were almost done with everything else. It took the waiter talking to that same kind manager to get the darn thing out of the kitchen. 6) Halfway through the meal, the darn air conditioner vent kicked back on. WIth their hoodies back on, I pointed it out again, and again the manager turned it off. They really should just disable that particular vent. 7) No one checked on our waters. I know the place is packed, but wheres the backup to your waiters? 8) Last but not least, we waited, easily 20 minutes - if not more - to get the check and get our change back. At this time, I should actually again apologize to our waiter who I literally ass-grabbed (completely by accident, I swear!!!) as he was walking past us, just trying to get our check from him. I dont get why establishments let tables wait like that - just holding up people and seats. For ALL of the above reasons, I am sooooo glad my husband was not with us. I know that, despite the above review, we will be returning to Bucas. But I know it wont be when its super-packed like that. And I also suggest that the management and kitchen step up their A-Game.
(2)Yena W.
Located right by Ward Theatres, it's an incredibly convenient spot to have dinner before/after a movie. Most of the food is good, although every now and then I pick a dish that just completely fails, like the Pancetta Buccatini they had a while back. Absolutely inedible. But I do have to say their calamari is one of my favorite calamari dishes ever. I'd like to split a large one between myself and only one other person, have some Italian beer, and then go into a movie pleasantly fried food/beer buzzed. Or talk about the movie I just watched while popping the deliciously crispy squids in my mouth in between glugs of light bitter beer. Either way, between the comfort foods, ridiculous bordering on funny cliche decorations, and great service, it's just one of those chain restaurants that feel familiar and comfortable enough to be perfect for a birthday celebration or something, or any celebration needing a cake, because their cheesecake also happens to be one of my favorite cheesecakes ever. Just try it. Calamari. Beer. Cheesecake. Maybe not all at once, and definitely not regularly.
(4)Jenny C.
This place is definitely overrated. When it first opened, it was crazy busy and I always wanted to try it. I've been there a few times and the food isn't great at all. I used to love their penne cardinal (I think that's what it's called) but they took it off the menu. However, if you ask for it, they will check with the kitchen to see if they have the ingredients to make it (they always do when I check). But now as I look back, I wonder why I ever liked this place. The food isn't great, the service is horrible and the wait can be horrendous (both to get in and to get your food). Don't bother.
(2)William H.
What a great find! To begin with, the decor will overload your sensory receptors upon impact. It is more Italian than the best of Italy! Seriously good food and lots of it. Our waitress (Natalie) was great, too. My husband and I were commenting on how awesome it was to get a kitchen preview (yes, they walked us through it!) and how tidy it was. The decor, as already stated, was wild (in a great feast for the eyes way) and as we were discussing all this with Natalie, she said management is incredible, too, which I believe. She really enjoys her job and those with whom she works. The place really has it's act together. Clean, good food, good service and real Italian ambiance. Be sure to check out the bathrooms, too! No wall is spared a feast for the eyes :-)
(4)Dev C.
Meatballs are awesome, and they got the best chocolate cake ever. Chicken Marsala is good too if you like sweeter meats.
(3)Patti L.
The food here is very good but on some days the service isn't too great. Like when my daughter and I dined there for lunch on Wednesday. Our server didn't seem too interested in us being there and it wasn't very busy. The meal it self was good as always. The hostess who sat us was very nice. But when we ordered only 2 things and didn't want dessert it was like he just wanted to get us out. When our server brought the check he just kinda plopped it on the table and said thank you and kept walking.
(4)Sara T.
Bucas may be the go-to spot for big group dinners, but I've never really loved the food, the service is always so slow and it's deafening in there. The pizza is decent, but all the pasta dishes are overcooked and way too oily. I don't get why people think it's such a great deal either - the portions are big, but the prices are pretty proportionate to the amount food (not that cheap). I'll come here for work dinners and birthday parties, but I'd much rather go to Bella Mia or even Spaghetti Factory.
(3)Cris G.
Meh... not so impressed... I love Italian food. I have had GOOD Italian food, and Buca Di Beppo is just mediocre. I'm all about the tomato sauce and if you can't do a good tomato sauce, what good are you? Buca's tomato sauce is really lacking in everything. It taste like tomatoes right out of the can and nothing else going on; no garlic, onion, herb flavors... I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and they gave me a bunch of pasta with blah tomato sauce and one GIGANTIC ass meatball plopped on the top of it. It looked un-aesthetically pleasing and appetizing for my taste. I had to cut that hunk of flesh up into bite size pieces and by then, I was just not into my meal... My pasta noodles didn't taste like good quality noodles either. They tasted old and bland and overboiled. The salad we ordered was just ok. The service is slow and not super customer-service oriented. It seemed like it was mostly 18-24 yearl olds working there and well, our waiter was not so attentive to us. We had no offer of water refills, he didn't check on us, and when we paid, he took FOREVER to bring us the card back. Mind you, it was mid afternoon and not so crowded... Also, I was trying to find him so that be coudl break my 20 dollar bill so that I could leave him a tip but since he was nowhere to be found, I asked another waiter. He was kinda rude and said, "If you want change, you'll have to give me a minute." I did, and he never came back. Yeah.... So I must say, this would not be my choice of eating spots. I come here usually because a friend suggests it, and I don't want to be selfish. But I would rather eat Italian elsewhere.
(3)Rosie F.
Their recipes are a little different than what I'm used to from California's buca di beppo. But I love their lemon chicken and garlic bread
(4)S. D.
I thought this place was very unique. My boyfriend and I decided to eat here one day and boy, is the outside very decieving. When you step into this place, It's actually pretty big. It's like a maze and there are all types of pictures hanging on the walls everywhere. It sort of gave me a Mafia type movie vibe for some reason though, lol. Anyways, our waitress was very cool and informative towards the questions I had on the menu. My boyfriend and I ordered a Caesar Salad, the Chicken Parmigiana and Chicken Carbonara. The food was delicious. We were both very satisfied and this would be a place I would enjoy going back to again. Delightful experience.
(4)Gary F.
Went here on a Saturday night for my mother's birthday. Good thing we had reservations. At 630 pm, there were lots of people waiting to get in. We checked in and got seated in a few minutes. Food was great. Surprise the Pizza came out first. Everything else was good. We had a BIG cupcake for the free birthday cake. Overall pretty good. G
(4)Kristen C.
This is place is pretty good for american italian fare, i mean, what can you expect from a chain restaurant. Its good for what it does. i come here once in a while and when i came the other day the house bread has changed each time i came. I know in the beginning they served this foccacia bread, then when i came sometime last year they served this garlic like bread in strips, and then when i came the other day they had the more traditional french/italian bread. Why the change? idk. anyway the new bread was good just not hot and fresh out of the oven, it was just room temp, not even warm but whatevers. Anyway I ordered the small gnocchi al telefono (which is a potato dumpling in a light tomato cream sauce with mozzarella balls and a chiffanade of basil) $16.99. It was delish and my waitress was very nice. Overall a good experience with good family-style food.
(4)Happy K.
They make their OWN TOMATO SAUCE FRESH TOMATOES EVERY DAY!!! Best tomato sauce in town. Great place, thank you!
(4)Mish B.
My husband and I came on a Saturday night. I was surprised the wait time was only 5-10 min. With all the people waiting outside, I thought we be waiting for at least an hour. When we were greeted, the staff were friendly. Our server, Kim was great! She was on top of things bringing out our food, and refilling our soda's.
(5)Mimi T.
Went on a Saturday night, an hour before closing..the place wasn't busy at all. Our server Noel was very nice and welcoming. It was our first time, so we got the tour to their kitchen. Ended up bringing lots of leftovers..but overall, the food was great!
(4)Richard K.
Had guests from Japan who wanted to shop at strip along Ward so it was decided to have dinner at Buca. Tasked to make reservations while the ladies shopped, went direct to Buca to make last minute reservations. A first, I was told 8:30 was the only time available, but with a little friendly persuasion managed to get one for 6:30. Plus point for that ! (^^) The last time I ate there, the food was overwhelmingly oily and left a bad taste in the mouth. This time, all the dishes were not oily at all, very pleasant to the palate and filling. Our guests enjoyed every bite! To top the dinner off we had the Colossal Brownie Sundae.....(^^). It was pure pleasure seeing the faces of our guests when the mountain of ice cream and whipped cream was brought to the table. There was a big birthday party next to us which added to the merriment and appetite. Our guests enjoyed the happy atmosphere. The service was good and they even brought out a special dish for our guest who was celebrating her wedding anniversary. This was greatly appreciated. It's kind of funny that despite the volume we ate we did not get that heavy feeling of the stomach being overworked. PS It is also nice that the wallet was not overworked as well. v(^^)v
(4)Nancy M.
I'm surprised this place has gotten such bad reviews on here because each time I have gone I have had a blast. My husband and I enjoy going with at least one other couple, but the more the merrier considering the portion sizes. I LOVE the family style portions- everyone orders something different and you get to try a bunch of great food. The drinks-especially with an Italian background- are beyond par. For example, my favorite drink is a Bellini. I attempted to order a Bellini down in Waikiki and the bartender looked me straight in the face and said, "What's a Bellini?" However at Buca Di Beppo, a Bellini is served almost as authentically as if you were in Italy. (Note: There is NOTHING in the world like a Bellini in Italy if you ever get a chance to go and order one.) For desert, try their gelato- sooo good, and still worth it even if you are bursting from dinner. I have found the waiters to be knowledgeable and a great resource if you are interested in trying something new- hence the gelato I tried a year ago. The prices are what you would expect for a family style meal- don't let that scare you away from good food. Try to sit outside if you can, it's great people watching! Pros: *Good Food *Great Service * A good place to go to dinner with a couple of great friends or a group of people *Great drinks Cons: *Price could be a factor if you are not expecting it * Friday and Saturday nights are (of course) going to be a bit busier.
(4)Nolan F.
We've been here quite a few times and it's normally OK but tonight our service wasn't great. The server came to our table and didn't even ask what drinks we wanted. I had to be like ok, can I have a diet coke? I think her name was Leilani- maybe she's new to serving and just doesn't have the hang of it yet? Having been a server for quite a few years, you ask what drinks the customers want and while they look at the menu, come back for apps. Well, she came over and asked which apps we wanted and stood there while we looked at the menu. It was kinda awkward so that's I asked for a drink. I shouldn't have to be the one to suggest a drink though. The food was good, the cheesy bread is really good but not for $12 for the small portion! C'mon, it's bread and cheese! The manicotti was good also but again, overpriced. What really pissed us off was when it came time for dessert. My wife is very allergic to nuts so we asked if the brownie sundae had nuts in it. She told us it did not so I asked her to PLEASE double check, I did not want to have to go to the hospital. We said we could not have it if it had nuts. She comes back with the brownie sundae and tells us it has hazelnuts- um, hello??? She's like oh, well the cook already made it, do you want me to take it off the bill? Uh yea, I told you not to put the order in if it had nuts. Omg I feel bad because she was not rude or anything, just not the best server. Also, do not tell someone that a dish is prepared a certain way unless you are sure. It will save you and the customer a lot of trouble, and possibly a law suit! For about 8 pieces of manicotti for $27 or so, I give up on going there to eat. I could have made it at home for under $10. Very overpriced, but having to deal with poor service makes it really hard to go back there.
(2)Sharon C.
Sat inside at the bar for the first time. Usually sit outside. When you sit outside, you don't realize how dirty the inside area is. The food is average.
(2)Catt G.
The pizza here surprised me by being pretty tasty, and I would come back again to get it to-go. The garlic bread was laughingly bad, though: whitebreadish, very dry, with half a sprinkling of some garlic substance, and it was 10 bucks. However, one terrible thing about this restaurant is the waiter entertainment. They sing loudly and annoyingly in a manufactured show of what I presume to be an attempt at stereotypical 'Italian-ness," but its really just ridiculous. The tourists around us seemed to be enjoying it though, but I just found it super-cheesy almost to the point of being embarrassing. (Why is it that when people travel they suddenly become huge cornballs?) Anyway, it was loud and interrupting. In their favor, the service here is really good, I must say. And, if you really want to see something special, go to the restroom: the wall of the stall has a huge mirror at toilet level...so you can watch yourself do your business, I guess.
(2)Alyssa B.
This is a yummy, fun, friendly, family style restaurant! I have eaten at many buca locations and none have failed me. The portions are huge! I always get the apple and walnut salad, their garlic bread which is to die for, and one or two pasta dishes depending on how many people I go with. The atmosphere is so fun, and the servers are very friendly. I go to Buca whenever I can which Is not enough, open one in Santa Barbara!
(5)Chris Y.
I had one of their salads (consisted of apples, cranberries, walnuts and etc...) and it was awesomely delicious with the white wine the waitress recommended. Service was great!
(4)Michael Q.
When you want feed an army of friends and not break the bank. Large portions and always leftovers for lunch the next day. Gets kind of loud if theres a party in another room. Not a place for a romantic dinner for two. Not authentic italian but it'll do. Meatballs the side of your head!!
(4)James S.
Here at Buca do Beppo for another awesome date night. We just got our appetizer, stuffed mushrooms. At some point in time I am sure those shrooms started out as healthy little veggies, but when they were plated, healthy they were not. Damn they were good. I am sure the broccoli started out that way also. We got the Chicken Parm and Pasta Rigotoni which was awesome as usual. My wife and I love to go here, but I have heard from several people that this Buca do Beppo is not as good as others around the country. Well we haven't experienced any other Buca's except this one. It's the only restaurant that gives you a tour of the kitchen and the atmosphere is awesome. Tonight they sat us at a table that was a little too close to a walkway and I felt like I was in the way and my wife's back was up against a shelf where extra bottles of whatever were stored which caused the staff to reach over her shoulder (invading her bubble). Despite that we still had a great time.
(5)Emmy D.
Third visit wasn't very enjoyable. Our waiter was not attentive, but he did manage to get refills after a little wait. Also, he spilled a mess coke from his re-fill pitcher on the lasagna (main serving dish too) and didn't apologize for it. All he said was oops and then walked away. What's going on with this place? It's bad, it's great, then gets even worse than the first time. Food was OLD. I choked to near-death on the bread, and the pastas were all dry and sick-looking. Stuffed shells, mancotti and ravioli were not hot, the cheese wasn't even melted. I did enjoy the taste of the shell with spinach and cheese. The lasagna was unusually dark and the noodles were super-soft and not in a good way. It was pretty old and overcooked and somehow unpleasantly garlicky. Maybe the waiter and my mishap of choking for 10 minutes on old bread ruined the experience enough I couldn't enjoy the food like I wanted to. This was one of my favorite restaurants too. Our waiter also didn't pack any of the marinara sauce that came with our food in our to-go box. Yay, dried leftovers!
(3)Andy D.
Yep. 4 stars. I know it's a chain. I know the food isn't authentic Italian. I know the decor is obnoxiously overdone. But I can't help but really like this place. Maybe its because I would come here with large groups all the time when I was in high school. The decor and ambiance (including the lame Italian music) is really kitschy and funny. Admit it, you love the picture of the baby flipping you off. And I remember laughing at the pictures in the bathroom. The service is always very friendly, though hit or miss in terms of speed You shouldn't come here expecting authentic Italian food. It's more Italian-American for the masses, but better than any Olive Garden or Romano's. I love the family style concept, since it allows you to share several dishes among a group, and its really social. I love the eggplant parmesan. Nice and thinly sliced with lots of cheese and breading flavor, served with great marinara. Last time we went we got the Pizza Angelo. It was decent, but really gooey and cheesy. My biggest complaint is that it was soggy and limp.
(4)Joseph B.
So this is a great place to eat with a bunch of people. Tons of pasta and pizza. Family style. Portions are huge. Fun place to eat.
(4)Lukasz S.
I will say only one thing THE SHIT nothing else to add :) . Seriously the best restaurant i went in hawaii
(5)Cheryl K.
Yes! My fiance and I frequent this place. At least once a month or so. Only gripe is really minor. Two times I went there and ordered Chianti. Both times they had no wine glasses. Yah, I drink cheap red wine at home and I don't care what kinda glass it is in. But when I am out and paying to be served and a glass of wine cost more then a whole bottle of wine I pick up at Safeway, I would like it in a wine glass. Maybe they need more dishwashers or possibly more wine glasses? But anyways. Food is awesome and awesomely fattening but tastes great. We usually walk out of Buca's wobbling. Overall pretty good!
(4)Margaret W.
Buca's is a fun place visit for luch or dinner. They provide kithcen tour before you are seated which allows you to see the quality and cleaniliness of the cooks and kitchen. The menu is extensive, the portions are large and the food tastes great! Look for the $10 coupons in the newspaper and online to make the experience even better!
(4)Janders S.
Yea, good Italian food, and LOTS of it TOO. and it was at a good price overall as well. Good for a romantic date and good to take kids and people you don't really care about and show them a good time. Take the tour so you know where the bathroom is and how to exit in case of a fire. Waitress was great. Best for groups of 3 or more, but alone at the bar looks good too. Parking in the building.
(4)Koji H.
I love pasta! They always give big portions and looked like we hardly ate anything. The place was fairly empty for a Friday. Forgot to ask them to not sprinkle parmeasan cheese on the pizza. Friendly and fast service. A Pepsi establishment so only 4 stars.
(4)Al D.
We love to go to BDB with those $10 off coupons they give. The eggplant parmesan is my favorite, although the spaghetti is always too soft and the tomato sauce runny. I like the margherita pizza too. We had the collossal sundae and it was ok. The brownies would've been better if they were baked on site, which they definitely weren't. The free bread is good. Unfortunately, the waitstaff isn't the most charming of cats. In fact, we had one guy today who was pretty ornery, although he lightened up at the end. And dang, this place gets loud. Don't try to get all romantic with your s/o because it ain't gonna happen. But this is the perfect place to bring a screaming 3 year old and stuff them with pasta! Some items are pretty solid here but for actual, good italian food and better ambiance, go elsewhere.
(3)Dennis H.
Great food, great atmosphere, good service...what more can you ask for? We went to Buca on a Saturday - we were warned about the crowds and that was an understatement. We arrived at 5:15 and had to wait about a hour. We later learned that reservations were accepted - next time we will know better. Food was great with gi-normous portions - you will not leave hungry.
(5)Big Willie K.
I normally dont want to go to Buca di Beppo, a few bad memories. Unfortunate for me. The last 2 times I HAVE HAD A GREAT TIME VISITING/GETTING SERVED from the AWESOME bartender Robbie! He's the man behind the bar. I think it comes with his years of working there and perhaps learning from his predecessor. we went just before movie starts upstairs (our bad timing) but the food has come out FAST and the servers polite and attentive. did i mention ROBBIE was awesome? he impressed my mom in law (BIG DEAL) got my baby to smile, & took care of service stuff (drink refills, "anything else?"). GOOD TIMES! oh & iron man 2 was good.
(4)Jay P.
I entered Buca Di Beppo with a couple of friends on a whim, having the idea that we should eat a late lunch/early dinner out to celebrate one of our birthdays. We looked like a bunch of sniveling high school brats so the waiter/waitresses saw us and I could tell right away none of them were all too happy about serving us. They gave each other funny looks and finally the guy copped out to seating us to our table. He was cool enough to ask us if we had ever been to BDB before and when we replied that we haven't, he gladly gave us a short tour around the kitchen and showed us to our table. The decor around the restaurant is pretty interesting and will have you turning your head to look at some things twice. The booth is spacey enough and although it seats 4, it could've easily sat 6 or more... It was VERY roomy, which I love. Our server approached us at a timely manner and was very polite. Because we're a bunch of kids we ended up ordering off the lunch menu, a cheap pizza to split between two of us, while me and my friend both got our own pasta plates. I got a fried calamari appetizer for the table and that was DELICIOUS. (Average dish is about $15; more if it's dinner) The server made an awesome red wine vinegar and oil sauce that tasted great with the calamari, along with some bread and butter and a couple Italian sodas around the table. The final bill came out to about $68, which is not bad to say the least. The service was pretty good and the food was delicious. I would definitely go again... If I had the money.
(3)James C.
Is it me or has the food gotten better there since my last review?
(4)Remy Z.
Large portions a plus Place is tough to navigate Food is above par
(3)Fern D.
One of the chain restaurants that I can't stand. Maybe it's because when they first came to the SF Bay Area, I waaay OD'd on it and attended too many group dinners with friends there. After you get past the huge family style servings, really, the food is just mediocre. Admittedly, I will say this is a good place for groups or families. You can definitely get your money's worth and then some...like lots of leftovers! The decor is campy and fun. The Pope Room is pretty comical, and perfect for a large party. Anyway, if you're jonesing for authentic or good Italian, you will be disappointed. But, if you're looking to feed a big group of people at a decent price, then ka-ching!
(2)James Q.
Food portions and atmosphere are great, not the best Italian food around. I would recommend this place if your very hungry.
(2)Scott R. D.
Our group of 8 had dinner here last night. I'm not a big fan of big chains, but this was decent food at a decent price. We had great service. They even took the price of our lasagna off the bill because we sent it back. It wasn't hot. It would have been more fun if our group had been into the "family style" thing.
(3)Lisa S.
Buca's is a really great experience. The food is wonderful although not an extensive menu. Just enough corporate integrated to guarantee similar experiences every time. We now ask for Tony every time because he really makes the experience! Our friends and I always gather a good sized group and go for a big dinner together, it is one of our favorites places for group outtings!! I love the veal saltimbocca as well as the chicken, and the gnocchi was delicious! I have had many dishes and always satisfied! The prosciutto stuffed chicken is super yummy, though mostly an upgraded cordon blue. The smalls are good for a couple to share but we still always end up with plenty of extras to take home!! They could use some extra sides, something besides broccoli, my husband doesn't like their version of this, but other than that, it's a really cool place.
(4)L. D.
Not bad, but not great. The more people you have in your party, the better, because the portions are huge--even the "small" ones. The atmosphere is fun, especially for special occasions. Stuffed mushrooms and Caesar salad are delicious.
(3)Mojojojo Y.
i hadn't been to buca's in years so since i received one of those $10 off coupons in the mail i decided to try it out and see if my original dislike of the food still existed. one thing for certain, this place is not cheap. my bf ordered the lunch portion of the chicken canneloni which equaled two canneloni and that was like $13 plus my small order of the butternut squash ravioli $17 and two drinks $8 was a bit much for the amount of food given. i was about to order dessert but the slice of chocolate cake was $13! everything tasted just ok. i wouldn't go out of my way to go here again even with another coupon. the bf agreed.
(3)Jesse m.
All i have to say is they delivered our appetizer to the wrong people. They ate it, then when we asked for ours they finally brought it to us. with attitude. But to top it all off they spit in my girlfriends wine. yes SPIT in her wine. We could see the snot in the glass floating, slimey, going down the glass, this is after she had taken a sip. The general manager could only comp our bill and tell us how sorry he was. Sorry will not changhe the fact that you drank someone else's spit. So if you would enjoy drinking other peoples snot and saliva i recommend this place. DISGUSTING
(1)Stefanie H.
I loved it there, it was a fun and laid back atmosphere. It's served family styles so a dish that u can share for 2-3 people for 17 dollars is actually a pretty good price. They give u a tour through the kitchen. Their meatballs are 1/2 pound and bigger than the size of my fist. There is just so much on the menu to choose from. I loved it.
(4)Daisy S.
It's a good place... with good food... and large portions! but I remember when it just opened in early 2000.. OH!! how over-crowded the place was!! Craziness!! We had to wait 4 hours for our table! so, being crazy locals that we were... we went up and watched a movie while we waited!!!
(3)Ali B.
honestly...i really dont like this place at all...at least here in hawaii...in back home in CALI ots great but here..cmon..how can you have a Italian place with NO italians in the kitchen..its crap to much oil NO flavor and gi-hugean plates..yea I get family style..but its a lil much. Im not even gunna go into the food it was a waste of my money. The place is real cool looking though i like the pope table and the sinatra playi. All i gota say is...c'mon man step up the food a lil bit more.
(1)Wil T.
Max's Birthday party was a good time. All the food was fine. Once again, we had the Pope Table. Service was better than the first time. I have nothing to complain about. BTW the birthday cake I purchased from the restaurant was enormous! and good.
(4)Jyb J.
the pizza was sooo good..went here whiling in hawaii and it was yummy...i cant wait to go to the one in sacramento and try some more of their foods...i love it there..the service was good and friendly
(5)Eric P.
Fettaccinni Alfredo is one of my favorite pasta dishes EVER. And the stuff here is really that good... Only problem? Lactose intolerant me. So every time I ate here... I was either jealous all dinner or tied to within 30 yards of a bathroom the rest of the night... -1 star because sometimes too much food is too much food.
(4)Joy R.
This place is okay... if you're 12 and having a birthday party with a bunch of your friends and mom and/or dad let you have the credit card. I guess what it comes down to for me is that I'd rather not eat at any chain if possible. Overall, it's not bad if you've got lots of people together; it's nothing fancy, just overpriced family style fun. In addition to having friendly service I give this restaurant an extra nostalgia point.
(2)Mel W.
Good fast and friendly service. Tour of kitchen gives it that special touch. Food was reasonable priced. Great for large groups. Entrees are over sized, all the small entrees feed 2-3 people. Great Italian memorabilia. I went on a Monday and didn't have to wait. Recommend calling ahead or making reservations on the weekend especially if you have a large group. The taste of the food was alright. A lil bland. I've actually eaten food in Italy so I know the difference lol.
(3)Thomas K.
Had lunch there today before going to the movies. First of all...the service was excellent. Got our drinks and bread almost immediately after sitting down, and my glass was never empty. I tend to drink alot of liquids during my meal...so I'm a stickler for that. The food itself was excellent. This was my first time eating here and my brother and I decided to go with the pizza. I hadn't really heard anything about the pizza from here...but I have to say it was pretty damn good. It was also fairly large and we ended up having to take some home. All in all...I will be back one day to try their pasta.
(4)Stan M.
Buca is a terrific place for a quick meal...or for a party with friends. They always are willing to accomodate...and boy can they dish it out. Love the docor especially all the great photos that surround you from every wall. If you are lucky enough to have Precious working as a manager...you will get the best of what Buca has to offer. Great service and her manner is so gracious you don't realize how wonderful her teamwork is. Kim is one of their very best servers...sharp, always on top of what you need and always anticipating your needs. We always try to use coupons in these tough times and the entire staff doesn't hesitate or make you feel cheap. We have been here at least 10 times in the last 6 months as a couple and with a large party of friends. Buca is always a great dining and joyous experience.
(5)Travis M.
Been here a couple of times for parties. Good sized portions, but not too great in taste. Good for parties, bad for food. Only thing I liked was the limoncello, which was a shot, pretty strong, but it was good.
(2)Natasha C.
We were very fortunate to have a great server but I will say that you could def see that it was a hit/miss kind of thing there! I felt bad for the hostess though.. she looked a bit scared and the HUGE mass of people waiting on a Friday night to be seated! We made reservations and were seated pretty quickly, but there was a "gentleman" ranting at the door about not being seated with a reservation. Food portions are def a plus! It is a fun place for a get together but can be a bit loud and overwhelming if you're not into that (at least on the weekends!) I was a little sad to see that I had 2 cannelloni's left for dessert to take home and only one made it in the box? Not sure what happened there! I may have to venture back during the week to make up for it! Oh and the tiramisu tasted as if it had a bottle of rum dumped on it... not a great balance there:( Overall though, I'd venture back again just cause it is a fun place!
(3)jessica a.
Waiting for your movie to start at ward and need to chill and eat something filling??? YUM and perfect! Love the place and the atmosphere... I do not see how this place could get just one star or even two... Definately will be going back.
(5)Christine C.
Good food and atmosphere! Great for groups, since it is "family style".
(4)Keane L.
Translates to "Joe's Basement." Supposedly "immigrant southern Italian dining" that imitates the diners on the East Coast that existed back when red was a really evil color. "Italian dinners and sanitary bathrooms." I love this restaurant. It's so festive and eccentric (see men's restroom... I'm not saying I like THAT.) that it's fun. Portions are enormous and average about $15 (one plate can feed 2-4 people, depending on how much you eat). The garlic bread is the size of a medium fast-food pizza and is topped with tons of fresh garlic (mmm!). The pizzas (thin, crispy crusts) are even bigger. Lunch offers smaller, individual portions. Service was good, but I didn't like being seated in the bar area when I came here for lunch. This is my favorite Buca because of the great location in Ward. I've been here twice, and I've been to the Sacramento location once. I haven't been to the one in SF, but how can you compare SOMA or Sacramento to the beauty of Kaka'ako?! Walk up the stairs to the theater and stare at the beautiful ocean! "Where Chianti flows from 3-liter bottles..." Sounds like an excellent vintage...
(5)S D.
All I got to say is is best food and service EVER!!! Truly loved this place...and I see it again in the future.
(5)Nicole j.
I've never had a bad meal at Buca's. Yea, it is kinda cheesy and all with the singing for birthdays and screaming kids for kids' parties....but tune it out w/ a glass of wine. I have eaten Italian all over the world - even in Italy. Of course, nothing comes close to the real deal, but Buca's is as close as I have found on the island. The Chicken Saltimbocca is the BEST chicken I have ever had. Period. Never dry, never rubbery, always tasty. And it comes w/ a side of fettucine alfredo - also VERY delicious. The best way to enjoy Buca's is to have about 6 people and order 4 different dishes and share - you get to eat a lot and try different things. The portions are huge, so really, everyone doesn't need to order their own meal! I really like it and recommend going in late afternoon before the dinner rush (down side is that's when most people have kids' b-day parties so lots of noise...but the wine drowns that out!). Only down side to this place is they don't do fresh pepper or parmesean cheese (guess I'm spoiled from eating in authentic italian restaraunts!).
(4)Javier C.
The staff is great but sometimes slow, they serve huge portions and its good for large groups or families but the food is not tasty at all. Arancino, Mediterraneo or Cafe Sistina are better choices if you want the real taste of italian food.
(1)Desiree M.
I went to one in California and the pasta was okay and the mashed potatoes were great. This time, Kyle and I went here after watching Iron Man at Ward. The pasta was okay and the mashed potatoes were good. It is a pretty big restaurant and the portions are huge, which makes it really affordable. We got the pasta primavera and it was okay but not something to really brag about. It doesn't have the greatest Italian food in the world or in the city for that matter. On the other hand, it's a good, fun place for groups where it's good to be loud and laugh and have great conversations with friends.
(3)Mark C.
It was our first time to Buca for the wife and I. I read several listings here on yelp and called for a reservation. I asked for a cozy table away from most of the hustle and bustle. We got there and were immediatly taken of the tour of the kitchen area where everyone said hello and then seated in a nice little cozy cove, all to ourselves. In two minutes the most attentive, on point server "Malia" was there to politely introduce herself and just simply talk a little. Being the I already reviewed the menu online I placed the order for the Buca Trio Platter and one glass of red fruity Chianti and a glass of white fruity Chianti. Malia asked if we were ready for our order, which we were and we placed our order with a little information from Malia. I went with the Linguine Frutti Di Mare which I asked Malia if I could replace the Linguine with Fettuccine which she replied "Absolutely". The wife decided to go with the Veal Saltimbocca. We were brought our drinks and glasses of water within 5 minutes of our order and some freshly backed bread. Malia showed us the EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar and we waited patiently while sipping each others Very frutti Chianti's. The Trio platter arrived and everything was on point. The stuffed Mushrooms sitting in the pesto cream sauce was off the chain! I highly recommend these mushrooms if you like mushrooms. The fried calamari was very well done with just the right amout of spice to them and the fried Mozz was fresh and it was hand breaded for sure. Malia check on us again and brought some extra napkins for as she stated "Just in case things get INTENSE!" which brought a laugh to both of us. We polished off the antipasti and sipped on our drinks and dinner arrived nice and hot from the Kitchen staff who warned us of the hot dishes. My Feffuccine Frutti Di Mare was "ONO" and full of plump shrimp, muscles, clams, and the red sauce was very flavorful. I was a little spicy but not spicy enough for my taste. I asked Malia for some red pepper and BAMM! took it up a notch and it was very delicious. The wifes Veal was a little stiff and then I tasted the prosciutto and capers in this rich sauce and was taken back. It blended so well and the wife enjoyed it thoroughly. We finished our meal with the Chocolate Chip Cannoli and a cup of Cappuccino that finished off the meal perfectly. We asked Malia for some take out containers and filled one with my pasta and the other with 1 of the 2 pieces of Veal for lunch the next day. Bagged up one of the 3 Cannoli's for mom and sat back and reflected on the dinner. Service was AWESOME! Malia know's what services is and what it means to a patron and earned every bit of the 15+% we tagged on our 10% discounted meal (Had the 10% off Coupon). The food was on point and the portions was what I had expected, Cant Finish it all but not really HUGE, perfect for a bag lunch of left overs the next day. Price was decent and not going to set you back. Make reservations a must, and a must to enjoy....
(5)Michael C.
It is what it is. I would never come here for a nice dinner, or on a date, but it's perfect for a large group that wants to eat family style. In fact, it's one of the few places in town that can handle large groups. The Chicken Carbonara is salty, cheesy, greatness. The gnocchi is solid and filling; it totally works as comfort food. The eggplant parmagiana decent enough, though I could taste the bread more than the eggplant. The giant meatballs taste like bread. Skip them. I thought the Frutti di Mare was grossly over-rated - there was no spice, and no "sea food" taste. It was just linguine with rubbery things in it. I'm not sure why it is so popular.
(3)Joj o.
Huge, family-style portions; crappy food and service. Nothing was really good at this place. It's been over a year since I went, but the memory still lingers. We ordered a caesar salad for everyone to share. They bring out a garden salad. We ask them if they can change it for caesar, and they do. This time they bring out a giant plate full of iceberg lettuce, parmesan cheese, sliced onions, that were all dripping in some sort of clear, oily dressing. Our server told us they were out of romaine lettuce and croutons. At least tell us that beforehand, so we don't bother ordering it. We told them to just take the salad back, and they still ended up charging us. Service was slow, and our waitress sucked. The rest of the dinner was a mediocre attempt at Italian food. Never going back to Buca di Crappo.
(2)Earl N.
This place is very unique. The first time my family and I ate at Buca we spent almost half of it looking around at all the pictures, statues and random decor items strewn about the restaurant. The family sized portions were a new thing to us but it wasn't a bother; plus it went along with the overall feel of the place. The staff was friendly and on point; not once did I remember anyone critiquing anything or having to ask for something. As for the food, my wife and I agreed that it was some of the best Italian food we've had--granted we haven't tried many exclusively Italian restaurants before Buca. The prices for the dishes were good, giving a decent amount of grub for your buck (compared to the other establishments in Hawaii). Though, since its all family sized portions it might be a little difficult if you're with a group that is going to share but also wants to split the bill. All in all an awesome place to have a nice dinner with the family and friends. Definitely recommended!
(5)steven u.
I have eaten here numerous times and i always come back for two things, their wine and dessert. Obvisouly i love to drink and i like to match the ambiance of the setting so every time i come in here i choose to drink wine. Italian food complements wine and with out wine you cant have italian food! if u love red wine as i do i would highly recommend the cabernet woodbridge from california and for the dessert their tiramisu cake. Now im not a big fan of tiramisu but this one packs a punch! for less than 14 bucks it comes out to be a size of a freezer pizza... it is so big it has its own gravitational pull... in the tiramisu it has a secret ingredient that packs a punch... literally! ill leave that suprise for you to find out... hint... it will get you tipsy...
(4)CJ C.
If you're looking for good, solid food that will fill you up, Buca di Beppo fits the bill. The food is good--not extraordinary--but there's plenty of it. We had salad, the sausage pizza, the rigatoni and penne specials and the Chicken stuffed with prosciutto in a pesto cream sauce. I think this is a kitschy place which is fun for a large group of not too picky eaters. But if you're looking for authentic Italian, you will be disappointed.
(3)Duane H.
Best bargain in Hawaii and the food is great.
(5)Shay F.
The only reason I go to this place is because they serve gnocchi and I LOVE gnocchi. Other than that...it's okay.
(3)Kaiulani K.
going by the definition of 2 stars, which is "meh. i've experienced better." i used to go here a lot in highschool, but never liked it. decided to give it another chance since the last time i ate there was about 4 years ago. still not impressed. nothing is wrong with the food, i just don't think it's that good.
(2)Angela Y.
Very good for big parties. Love the food here especially the Pizza. Also a good place to eat for happy hr. Decent price and portions! I think this is better than spaghetti factory.
(4)Andrew W.
Fantastic service! Good on a scale from 1 to 10 I would say the foods about a 8 and the price was horrifying.
(4)Terry L.
Buca is a place you can go back to and have consistently good food. It's formula, chain cooking. I do recommend going here with larger groups so you can try different dishes. The larger portion is huge and it gets to be expensive. Overall, I do prefer Longhi's at Ala Moana Shopping Center for the quality and atmosphere. For convenience (to the movies) and for larger groups I would choose Buca. Food=3 of 5 Atmosphere=2 of 5 Service=3 of 5 Value=2.5 of 5 Favorite dishes - chicken marsala, baked ziti, apple walnut salad, pizza (thin crust!), canoli for dessert
(3)Kai M.
Ya know, I really dig this place. As a full-blooded Italian originally from the East Coast, I think this is the most legit I can get on this hopelessly Italian-needy island. I really like the fresh baked bread and balsamic/EVOO dipping starter (just like Mama does!) and Im a fan of the Antipasto salad as an app...reminds me of my mother's, and that cant be bad! Pepperoncinis, gorgonzola, salami, ham...what's not to love?! I do NOT recommend their pizza, however. It leaves much to be desired. I thought their pastas were pretty good though! The baked rigatoni is spicy and saucy with lots of cheese. Definately a winner. But the real icing on the cake is the this-thing-must-weigh-twenty-pounds tiramisu! It was the most enormous thing Ive ever eaten in my life! And delicious, too! Lots and lots of liquor and marscapone cheese....mmmmm. I dig the ambiance too! Looks like my house! Tons of old pictures, maps, and other odds and ends. It is usually REALLY loud in there, though, so don't necessarily expect a quiet evening with the sweetie.
(4)Albert F.
Its okay - like everyone else says, huge portions of mediocre italian food. Great decorations, full of knick-knacks and "flair"
(3)Russ M.
We had an opportunity to have the table in the kitchen. GREAT place to be. The staff was very friendly and showed us each dish they were delivery to the tables. Our waiter John J was great!!!! He took pictures after each dish. Santa came by and we had additional photos. All in all a great time.
(4)Lily B.
Bucca di Beppo is located beneath Consolidated Theaters at Ward. A bunch of friends got together before the movies, and since Bucca serves food 'family style', it was best for our large group. We waited about 30 minutes before being seated. This place is HUGE. I didn't know it was such a large restaurant, and a LOUD one!!! We got a little tour of the restaurant on our way to our table (through the kitchen, where there is a table?! that you can dine at??)... the decorations are out of this world and I feel like I'm in my Grandma's house where she collects 5 of everything! I'm a pretty quiet person so the loudness/energy/decorations kinda caught me off guard.. lol. The host was very friendly and full of energy. Our waiter was pretty busy but he made sure we had everything we needed during our dinner. He was friendly and efficient. Onto the food. We ordered spaghetti and meatballs (biggest bowl of pasta I've ever seen!) $32.99. It was average sauce and meatballs. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Prosciutto stuffed chicken. $27.99. The table really liked this. I tried it.. but it just wasn't for me. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Penne alla vodka. $21.99. Simple sauce... maybe I'm just hard to impress? yelp.com/user_local_phot… Chicken... something. I forgot. Sowee. I didn't try this dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Half pepperoni and half supreme pizza. $27.99. The pepperoni pizza was better than the supreme. But again, it is pizza. yelp.com/user_local_phot… For dessert, I ordered the chocolate chip cannoli's. $10.95. I can't find my picture. The cannoli was... weird. I don't know how to describe the filling, other than weird. I took a bite but didn't eat anymore. Bucca is about having a good (loud) fun time with family and friends. The food is family style, and it's definitely more about quantity than quality. To each his own. I'd rather go to a different Italian place and order one dish, but that's just me. Meh... Upside? Great service.
(2)Chelsea C.
This food was mediocre at BEST. The chicken was undercooked, the service was slow, the hostess was kinda rude. It was one of those places that you say "ok. We went there and now we don't have to go back again"
(2)Kelly M.
Quantity not quality. Had an chicken and artichoke pasta dish in cream sauce. Could barely find the chicken and artichokes. No taste. Big portion. Expensive for what you get; after all, naked pasta isn't that expensive.
(2)Aulii H.
Buca Di Beppo is great for large gatherings, or even small ones where the focus is drinks and appetizers. I never did really have a bad experience here for any type of gathering. The food is always decent, and of course anything with cheese on it is just delicious. Sometimes the wait staff can be slow when it gets super busy, but it's understandable. The only thing I didn't like here was the canoli's. The filling is a super sweet airy textured cream that just didn't sit well with me. The other desserts are good though. They used to have a limoncello martini that I liked, and it's not on the menu anymore but if I ask them to make it they will. Overall, this is a good place to just relax and have a good meal with some good friends.
(4)Thomas P.
One of my favorite group outing spots. Huge portions for group dining experience, small portions not so great. Pizza's are high on my list. Usually a wait to be seated during rush hours.
(4)Maria Shea A.
We decided to stop in tonight after our movie. The first thing to note is that the portions are huge. What I learned by visiting is that the portions are intended to be shared. That having been said, do not expect to pay less than $20 per dish. Also, do not go alone unless you have a humongous appetite or love having leftovers for days. My little boy and I had selected to be seated in a booth. We ended up being seated in the bar area. There was a large group who were seated in the booth attached to ours. I was mostly satisfied with the service I received however didn't care much for the apparent (for lack of better words) intolerance of the waitress at the very next booth. Yes, the group was quite boisterous but not to any unreasonable standard and we weren't bothered by it. My 11 year old and I had both noticed that she seemed impatient with regard to tolerating their jokes and slight carrying on. To me, relaying that type of attitude while being in the service industry is simply not acceptable. My son even commented after one of their jokes; "did you see how irritated she looked when they were joking? " Hmmm um lighten up, you're a waitress, they are having a good time...chill out. The food was served very quickly and the menu is vast. The chidrens menu (10yrs and below) offered dishes for 5. which is a nice break from the $22. plus prices per dish on their menu. The meatballs were humongous and tasty enough. I posted a picture of them next to a crayon, I don't even think that photo did their size justice. The flavor of the food was average or slightly below. I'm a little spoiled because I enjoy the flavorful dishes of Assagio and am guessing that this place is not of the same caliber. I didn't like the fact that they don't offer freshly grated parmesan cheese. Also I do want to mention that when I asked the waiter for something spicy such as a condiment etcetera the only thing he offered me was crushed red peppers. Soon afterwards I heard the other waitress offer the table next to me various hot sauces which I'd have enjoyed. Additionally my son and I had only finished about one fourth of our portion of food so we had the rest packaged. When they package it they did not include any parmesan cheese or crushed red peppers which I had clearly stated to the service people during my meal that I wanted. Overall I get the feeling that their customer service is not the highest priority. The ambiance is cool actually and it appears as though the outdoor seating might be a nice place for a date or to relax with some friends. The quality of the food was average or slightly below and the price while the food portions are large was shocking based on my expecting to pay for single portions. I may consider going back but however, with all of the Italian restaurant options I doubt it.
(3)L-Internationally Known P.
Food was so so.. Did takeout and got the spicy chicken rigatoni. Kinda dry but still edible. As I was waiting for my order some of the waiters seemed like they didn't want to be there...complaining and whining. At any rate, I will not be going back there
(1)Emiko T.
A surprisingly fun and delicious meal! Definitely recommend for birthdays, big groups, and BIG eaters. I mean, I wouldn't call this authentic Italian by any means, but if you come hungry, you leave happy (a la IHOP). Anyway, had the bruschetta (freakin' delicious tomatoes on top of crispy, buttery bread) the prosciutto stuffed chicken (so tender, so juicy, so thick) and the penne basilica (whatever they put in that pesto needs to be a sin), and the grand finale, the tiramisu. Now, let me just talk about this bowl of sugar and dark rum for just a minute. If you never thought you'd get tipsy from a piece of cake think again and take a bite. It might take three or four, but by the fifth and six you'll be slurring your words and getting courageous enough to face the bill which will inevitably be bulging like your waistline. Don't be carbaphobic, put your silly diet to rest for one night, and if you've ever wanted to get lost finding your way to a bathroom amid kitschy decor, Buca di Beppo is your place.
(4)John O.
YUK! Oh, I had to give it one star, but not by choice!
(1)Tom L.
Great food, great ambiance. LARGE portions. Cleanliness of plates was a bit lacking. (hope it was just a fluke) Save room for desert.
(4)Tracy C.
This was actually the first place I ate at when I had my first visit to Hawaii. It's every bit as good as the Buca Di Beppo's of L.A. The food was great, and the service was excellent (probably because one of the members of our party was an employee at the time =P), and the rounds of lemon cello made it all the better. This place is excellent for large parties, as the portions are humongous. I especially love the meatballs. They're the best I've had, so far...
(5)GJ S.
i don't know what the big deal is with bucca. this place is ok. the portions are ridiculously large, but i think they're just compensating for the lack of actual flavor. mediocre at best... i'll save my money next time.
(2)jacqui w.
The food is always great here - just a heads up, the portions are HUGE. You need to come here with at least three people and split, or if you'd like you can go home with two more dinners worth of left overs. (: Usually my friends and i order at least three entrees and then pick what we want from that. In any case if you're thinking of a place to plan a special dinner, make a reservation and ask for the pope room!
(4)Nelle A.
the food, staff & serving sizes are ALL OUTSTANDING! not only that , the hostess showed us the kitchen!!!! hahahah...that was awesome! LIVE ALOHA!!!!
(4)Ken M.
april 1st my lady freind and i went there for lunch after a moive and i must admit i was not fooled ...by all means this was my first experience to this place it is an awesome place and one of the first to walk us through the business i was really thrilled how big the store was and when our hostess gave ua a tour of the place i was a first to any place i've ever ate they showed us the kitchen and even had a table to eat there but you have to make a reservation for it...anyway they showed the pizza section the wine section and couple of other place the food was good we ate the stuffed mushrooms with the pesto sauce that sauce broke da mouth!....it was so ono if i had more i'd even put it on my entree the bread thay gave us was nice and soft but didn't care too much for the sauce type was expecting the butter,,.... but as the hostess took us to the tabe i could not beleive that business was so big inside on the outside looked saml but when we went inside it was huge.....i thought it would never end....they had sooo much old and classice photo's and it was awesome the way they painted inside the business i was tripping out..... but it was an awesome first time experience and i would go back in there for lunch again but forgot my coupon next time i'm gonna make sure i bring em....aloha and thank you for reading my review of this place....kensan53
(4)Daisy D.
Oh my! We went there with a bunch of friends this week and what can I say...it was oh so not good to say the least.... Let's see....pizza with canned corn and potato chips on it....paper thin and very bland. It was incredible to see such blasphemy of Italian pizza. The lasagna was unfortunately not much better. The pasta was mushy and overcooked, and the sauce very salty. True this place is good if you have a gigantic stomach and don't care what you put in it, but for those that have actually eaten Italian food, well.....we were disappointed. The chicken cannelloni was a display of genetically modified chicken with a thick sauce that covered the oh-not-so fresh chicken underneath....also very bland. We had a few other things which are not worth mentioning. This was so expensive for the quality of food. We could have eaten at Mariposa or Longhi's for this price.....less food but far better quality---minus the gas and GI problems...
(1)Kristina M.
Took my two daughters to Buca today for lunch. Just a girls day. We had a waiter named Alfredo, he was fabulous, he entertained the girls and answered all of their questions. Plus the food was wonderful!!!! We normally try to go at least once a month, but this was def the best trip.
(5)Greg S.
After the latest of several visits, I had the following thoughts about Bucca. First, I've been in some clubs and bars that were quieter than Bucca when it's packed, which is most of the time. Count on there being at least one huge noisy group sitting by you. Second, while I've never come away thinking that the food is amazing, it is decent italian served with huge portions. Unfortunately, there is no Maggiano's here because I was impressed with their locations in Chicago and Seattle. The concept is similar but better executed in terms of food and atmosphere, for a fairly reasonable price.
(2)Rob B.
Poor quality, no taste...... But great service!!
(1)Tanya H.
My husband and I have been to Buca probably over ten times! It's the best Italian food place I've been to, the portions are of a very satisfying size and the prices are lower than what is expected. Yes, sometimes the waiters are busy (and believe me they don't stand and chat around, they fly over the floor as fast as they can) and maybe a couple of times we had to ask for more bread ourselves rather than wait for them to offer it. But the restaurant IS a hit, they are always very accommodating about reservations and so far everything we tried was a blast!
(5)Mary c.
I've been here twice and the service is sooo slow. Portions are huge and the decorations are quite unusual so it's interesting to go at least once to check it out.
(3)Jennifer M.
We didn't originally plan on coming to Buca's for dinner, but it was late and a couple of the restaurants we tried to go to were already closed, so we decided to head over to Ward Center. This Buca's is pretty much like every other Buca I've been to, right down to the pics of Sophia Loren on the Wall. The food is decent, portions are large, and the food is cheap. We ordered a small pizza margherita and the spaghetti and meatballs, I really liked the pizza as the crust was thin and crispy with yummy bits of basil and mozzarella cheese. The meatballs were ginormous and we were only able to eat one of them, everything else got packed up in to go boxes. If I were to write this review based solely upon food and price I'd give this Buca a solid three stars, but our waitress Drea was so incredibly friendly and sweet she deserves an extra star. Drea's a Maui girl and we had so much fun comparing notes on Maui and all our favorite places there. Too often on Yelp we complain about the bad servers who ruin our meals and we forget to acknowledge the awesome servers like Drea that go out of their way to provide you with a great dining experience.
(4)Elizabeth B.
I love this place. The ambience alone makes it remarkable. It can be a little noisy, but it wasn't so noisy that we were unable to have a conversation. I've been here a couple of times. The staff were friendly, and while I wouldn't say it's the best Italian food in the world, it's my favorite Italian place on the island so far. The women's bathroom is a kick (not sure how the men's is ) - you could spend a few minutes in there looking at the funny retro advertisements. :D And their food is pretty decent. The cannoli is yummy - very rich, fried, the filling is smooth sweet, not overpoweringly so (but I have a sweet tooth). I really liked the gnocchi with the rose (pinkish) sauce. That's not what it was called but I can't remember the actual name. I've made actual gnocchi from scratch, and I can tell you they did a pretty good job. Combined with the sauce and some crumbles of cheese (not sure - maybe ricotta?) it was divine. Great for leftovers the next day, too.
(4)Susan F.
I usually have only good things to say when I go to Bucca di Beppo, but it just wasn't that great when I ate here on wednesday. I usually order the fruitti di marr, but decided to order the veal saltimbocco instead. The veal was very flavorful and delicious, but I think it would've been better if they served it over a bed of pasta. The sauce was a butter, lemon sauce. The one that that was really bad was the house bread. The bread is usually served at room temperature and that doesn't bother me that its not hot, but the bread seemed to be wet and cold, like someone might have spilt water or something over it and put it in the refrigerator to dry out. As usual the service here was okay, better than most places. This place is usually a hit or miss when you try something. You either love it or are totally disappointed. To those who have never eaten here before, its either a hit or miss. The other times I tried something besides the fruitti di marr, I hated it. So my best advice to you is that once you find something you like, stick with it.
(3)Gspot H.
These Dishes R Big. Cool Staff. I bet it'd be interesting to have a meal in the kitchen table. Large parties with multiple dishes is the way to go.
(4)John S.
Enjoyed the food but totally not worth the price, it's insanely expensive, no thanks plenty of other delicious places out there.
(2)Ryan M.
I took 16 high school students here for our year end activity and was a little apprehensive about having so many of them in a restaurant. These are Ewa Beach kids who don't normally go to restaurants. They were super excited to be there! (I felt bad for some of the other patrons sitting close by; the kids were a little... rowdy...) Our waiter was Frank and he was perfect for this group of kids. He joked around with them, put up with a few of our girls gushing over him, and was incredibly patient throughout the whole night. He worked with me to make sure the amount of food was correct and helped recommend new items apart from the regular "spaghetti and meatballs." He made the entire evening memorable for all of us and I'm incredibly grateful for his efforts! Great job Frank! The food comes in generous helping sizes and was very affordable for what we got. We really enjoyed the baked ziti, it was fantastic for getting the kids to try something a little different. It was a little expensive, but the service and food were excellent. I'll definitely be back next year!
(5)Lori F.
Haven't been here for years, but we did a take out recently & it was ok. Service was good. We were greeted with a smile & girls gave helpful tips when we ordered, as well as packing our food nicely to go. The Fettucine Alfredo did not have much flavor & the Eggplant Parmesan was a little burnt. The Spaghetti with meatballs came with two giant meatballs & a TON of pasta...not bad & good value. My favorite was the Broccoli Romano that came with the Eggplant. Nice flavor & spicy! Overall though, I still prefer Assaggio's, Pietro's or Spaghetti Factory over this place.
(3)Robert H.
I have been to a few of these on the mainland...SF more than others. This one in Honolulu doesn't seem as good, but it is OK. The food is decent and service is usually OK. It's always freezing cold inside though.
(3)Pua M.
Even if the food was just mediocre, which it's not - it's GREAT, I would go back again and again just for the service. I had an expired Groupon and the service I received both from the waitress (who was training a new gal) and the manager, who had to OK the Groupon,was sooo very superior. In Hawai'i we love to taut the 'Aloha Spirit', but these two Bucca employees actually HAVE IT. They should train the hundreds of servers in Hawai'i, who give you the impression they are doing you a service by waiting on you. I love these guys - and the way they made me feel. A hui hou, Pua
(5)Jackie M.
First time coming here with a group of friends. I didn't know it was family style restaurant. The food was really good and I got a white pizza. Even though it was a lot, I took it home and had it for lunch the next day. Would visit agin!
(3)Luana P.
Great family style restaurant. The portions are HUGE. We sat in the "Pope Room" which was kinda creepy to have dinner with the Pope's head in the center of the table, but we took turns having him face one another which was pretty hilarious. The Chicken Parmesan was my favorite and their garlic bread was delicious. Service was awesome, our server was very attentive and took very good care of us. Every dish was great! Aside from the Chicken Parmesan we had Spaghetti & Meatballs, Veggie Lasagna, Cesar Salad and Pepperoni Pizza. Not an unsatisfied tummy to be found at the end of our huge meal :) For dessert 6 of us were able to share the Colossal Brownie Sundae, that thing is huge! We found a discount coupon on Living Social.
(4)Leoni B.
Very horrible service here. It's March 9th, 2015 and my grandparents, sisters, and I decided to eat here. Walking all the way to the back of the restaurant we are seated far away from any known human existence. Once we are seated the waiter is very good at asking what drinks we'd like to drink as well as appetizers. After that every thing went down hill. We receive our first appetizer; the stuffed mushrooms and all that was put on the plate was 5 tiny stuffed mushrooms. FOR $17 5 TINY STUFFED MUSHROOMS. I was in awe about how much we got. Especially since I'm paying that much I would have expected more. Second mishap; while we were about to start eating they did not give out all the plates for the number of people on the table so I had to get up and get my own. Third mishap; it was not a problem with our table, but it was a problem with two groups surrounding us. A group of four were escorted to their table to only realize that it was too small and pushed in the corner. That happened for another group after who got to move. Fourth mishap; usually the waiter/waitress would give you bread without asking. They did not even ask if we would have liked any. Then when we finally spoke up about it the waiter gave us COLD bread. Terrible. Fifth mishap; the waiter WAS very kind and friendly to us. Then he had a change of heart and decided to be rude and speak in a very annoyed manner. That is not the way we should have been treated. Sixth mishap; as we were paying the tab my grandmother had two group ons that she asked the front lady if she could use both and she said yes. When it came time to pay they called the manager and he said we could only use one. I mean okay then why did the other woman say we could use both? It was unclear and very annoying. This was the WORST experience I had at Buca di Bepo. I don't plan on eating here again.
(1)Julie D.
Huge portions of delicious food! The small servings usually feed 3 of us easily. I have gone to Buca's for romantic dinners with my hubby to huge birthday celebrations. If you have the chance to eat at the chef's table, do it. They never disappoint.
(5)Ariana M.
I haven't been here in YEARS! Decided to check it out again and the first thing that amazed me was were we were seated! Check it out! yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… When we were taken to our table, they waitress took us through the kitchen, which I though was interesting. Then she showed us a special kitchen table that you can make reservations for. I thought that was SUPER weird. Why on earth would I want to sit in the kitchen to eat? It's so warm in there! Overall I had a great time coming back here. There are SO MANY photos on the walls to look at! So it really keeps you entertained while your waiting for your food. As for the food, they come in HUGE portions. Everything you order here is for family style. It's a great place to go with a bunch of friends to share dishes with :] THE GRUB: CHEESY BREAD FLORENTINE yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I thought this was yummy when I dipped it in the marinara sauce. I don't think its that great by itself. SEAFOOD TRIO PLATTER yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I personally didn't care for this appetizer at all. MINI MEATBALLS yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… The mini meatballs, are really NOT that mini. They were definitely good though. DI BEPPO SALAD yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… OMG IM IN LOVE WITH THE SALAD! It was so good! :3 CHIANTI BRAISED SHORT RIBS yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I don't think this dish was good. COLOSSALBROWNIE SUNDAE yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… I actually did not order this.. I saw it as we were walking through the kitchen to our table, but could not resist taking a photo of it! SO CRAZY THIS DESSERT! CANNOLI yelp.com/biz_photos/buca… WAY TO SWEET. Did not really enjoy this. Also by the time dessert came around I was stuffed and really wasn't hungry for it. Ha-ha.
(3)Joe B.
Don't bother making a reservation on Open Table because they won't pay attention to a simple request for a booth. You'll end up back in the lobby pissed off and waiting for them to get their act together. They should especially get their act together when we were greeted with "Aloha" and my confused Italian wife said "you mean Ciao?" I mean this place is clearly decorated to the nines in extremely gaudy Italianesque decor. It was real nice to know the waiter, Kelandy, waited for the moment I left to the bathroom to pounce on my wife and flirt while I felt like a pedophile because the majority of pictures in there were of little boys with their pants around their ankles urinating in public places. This was just going great so far. Now, as for the food, we were far from impressed. These "meatballs bigger than your head" had less taste than a handful of sand on a cold Hawaiian night. Giving that I'm paying $20+ for a simple pasta dish, you better knock my socks off. But alas Bucca's, you didn't even come close. The shrimp and pasta was over seasoned with crushed red pepper. Stick to California Pizza Kitchen. I don't think this would have tasted any worse even if I had vomited what I ate and then ate it again. I will say thank you to Kelandy for flat out telling us NOT to order the dessert because they aren't good. It's too bad, cool looking place but god awful food.
(2)Fred D.
Sad, tired, red and sour. Time and trends and tastes have passed this place and left it in the realm of an Italian nightmare. Only in Hawaii with gulible tourists and islanders looking for an occasional family Italian experience complete with Sinatra and the Pope on the wall could this place survive. Well, the fried calamari ain't bad. It's just a mystery how this chain stays alive with the same act.
(1)Sam P.
One dish of 5 was actually great. Fetucinni Alfredo was super dry and chalky, caprese was pretty good, could have used a splash of balsamic, baked ziti needed additional sauce and was over cooked, the noodles were pretty dang crunchy... hard... they were baked alright. Manicotti was super bomb. I would recommend to everyone! Spicy chicken rigatoni was not very flavorful either. The best part was when the waitress spilled my water on me. She promptly threw napkins at the table, didn't wipe or clean anything. I h a d water on me, all over my food, my baby diaper bag, my shirt... My server Ashley... she did apologize twice, manager gave me 10% off, took off an appetizer and comped a desert. Seem fair? I think so. However fair it was... the whole experience burnt me. Don't know if I would ever come back. The waitress, I feel did me super dirty. Didn't even come back to clean or offer to clean. I cleaned up everything myself. Like I said... did me dirty. Cherry on top was when she brought me the full tab in the middle of my meal I have pasta hanging out of my fave and she hands me a $250 tab, I'm like now you want to rush me out? Then about a full minute later comes back with boxes, we are all in the middle of our meal. No one has stopped eating, we haven't even slowed down. She tells me my brother wanted boxes. Lies. She asked him if she could box anything for us he said no we will box it ourselves when we are ready... so I guess in Ashley's world that means bring me 10 boxes right away! I couldn't finish my meal. I was so furious, I maybe stomached half my plate and sat their until everyone finished. I wasn't rude, didn't make a fuss or yell, didn't make a scene or speak rudely to her. I expected royal service after this monumental screw up but she just kept reaching new lows. Highly disappointed... I still tipped $12 bucks on a party of 10. Bad service, fairly mediocre food, manager did his best to turn a negative into a positive, oh and he never once identified himself as a manager... odd... but like I said... burnt on the whole Buca Di Beppo experience!
(1)J P.
I had a coupon for $10 off from Amazon coupon had expired the Buca di Beppo excepted it and gave me the discount five stars and hats off
(5)Christa B.
These guys are absolutely awesome! We received exceptionally excellent and above and beyond service this visit. I'm not certain if it was because we had reserved the special table in the kitchen for my daughters birthday, but even so, it was the best service I ever received. Our actual server, Ashley was on top of everything offering suggestions and bringing out what we needed. She was sweet and friendly to my daughters and their girlfriends. Then there was an array of entertaining employees that should start together their own separate show with what they did for our party! First there was a server named Blake who was not only comedic, but physically talented performing handstands and difficult yoga poses for our table! Then there was a bartender (I think his name was Devin??) that brought my girls over to show them some cool magic tricks with cups. They were amazed. (I have to say, so was I!) Then there was the kitchen staff who were entertaining and hospitable as well. I don't have much to say about the food itself, it's chain restaurant Italian food, so it's not bad and it's not amazing. I can't say enough about the service though. They definitely made my daughters birthday special and unforgettable. Thanks so much guys! I want to have my birthday here, ha ha!
(5)Brenna B.
We had a great experience dining on a Saturday evening! It was our first time dining at Buca. Definitely recommend making reservations in advance. Food was good, service was excellent (and fast). I highly recommend the lasagna and the calamari. Since this was our first time visiting, the hostess walked us through the kitchen before we were seated. There is a table in the kitchen and we were told you had to reserve the kitchen table pretty far in advance.
(5)Ryan R.
Very efficient and consistent service. You can tell that the staff is well trained by ease of their friendliness and laid back demeanor. Portions are large and satisfying. Flavor can be bland and unimaginative, but not low quality. Basically this American Italian comfort food. If you are looking for a gourmet experience, this not the place. Rather it is a slight step above my moms spaghetti without the fuss. This place is always a good time and great way to have an enjoyable evening.
(5)Micah H.
First time eating here. There was no wait which was surprising due to the high traffic area. We were immediately asked if we would mind sitting at "the chefs table." We asked what that entailed and apparently it's a table in the kitchen where you can watch all the action of kitchen. Everything involving the chefs cooking, servers running food, and even customers being sat at their tables with a slight tour beforehand. At first I did not think I would enjoy this table but my mind was easily changed when as soon as we were sat down we were greeted by all the chefs with a warming "welcome." From there I automatically got that you're at home welcoming feeling. Our fried calamari was one of the best I've ever had and came in a timely matter. Our server (Steve) was very attentive and made sure all of our needs were attended to. If you are a first time eater here due note that they are a "family style" restaurant and their servings are made for two. I was very pleased to hear this since I am a firm believer in large portions for the money you spend. (Although their prices are very fair) I ordered a baked sausage penne which was delivered in a VIP fashion by the head chef (Zack) who was literally 3 feet away from us the whole time we ate. I honestly came into the restaurant with a bad attitude and left in a great one. The level of professionalism the chefs put into their work was absolutely flawless. Highly recommend eating at the chefs table and watching these guys work their magic!
(4)Christina B.
We have been here a few times for dinner. Unfortunately, this evening wasn't as good as it has been- service and food. Granted our appetizer came out rather quickly (nice surprise) as well as our meal I can't say the same for our dessert. Our sever disappeared for 10+ min THEN we finally were able to order the monstrous dessert! Unfortunately, the server decided to talk at the same time I was talking to my daughter then disappeared... I was unable to order post dinner coffee. Will we be back???? Not sure.
(3)Geoff G.
We went with a group of friends on a birthday party recently. The food was great and service fast. Why only 2 stars? Our server tricked everyone into buying a special Buca glass...well maybe tricked is a tad too strong a word. When ordering drinks, I ordered a Blue Moon. "Would you like that in a *muffled word* glass?" She asked. I nodded my agreement as everyone else at the table did and sure enough she brought boxes for the glasses at the end on the meal. If we knew we were ordering glasses we definitely would not have agreed! They aren't even nice glasses!
(2)Heather Marie F.
My favorite place to go in Waikiki! I love the atmosphere! It's so fun and family focused. The serving sizes are huge and great for sharing! My favorite dishes include the florentine bread, baked ziti, and of course a chocolate chip cannoli! We recently tried the new chicken inferno and it was awesome! Not as spicy as it sounds, there was just enough heat!
(5)Shuao Li L.
It was ok.
(4)Beth G.
Not a fan of chain Italians except this one. However in Honolulu, not the greatest. Service is good, but the menu does not have everything the mainland has. We also should not have ordered the veal. The desserts are consistently good and our Hawaiian friends love the Frutti del Mar. Still the same decor as the rest, but the service is very good and we always love the kitchen table.
(3)Adam G.
Good and service was amazing, I go whenever I can basically afford it. John j is a class act and so was the chef.
(5)Heyzool H.
A great place for a birthday celebration. My daughter loves her spaghetti and meatballs so she was excited to get her chow down. It's a great place to enjoy a meal with the kiddos bc there so entertained with the pictures and kitchen noises. The food is nothing extraordinary but service is awesome and the atmosphere is entertaing.
(3)Erik H.
This place is alright. Today was the first time I have been there. My party at out on the patio section. I'm not a fan of restaurants that have plates and silverware on the tables that are outside if no one is sitting at them. I see it as a sanitation issue. Star lost. We shared the artichoke dip as an appetizer. It came out piping hot, probably because it's really cold in the restaurant with the ac going and all. It was tasty and flavorful. I had the chicken cannelloni for lunch. It was good. But for the price you pay and the portion you get, I don't think it was worth it. Maybe if you got 3 pieces instead of 2 the price could be justified. Star lost there.
(3)Darren N.
This place is known for their family style dining and they often try to entertain their birthday-celebrating guests. Enthusiastic service. Large portion of mozzarella bread and huge salads went over well with us. Spicy Chicken Rigatoni was a bit harder than al dente but at least the flavor was good. The pizzas were ok though way too oily. 3 stars because there are better places to eat Italian or Americanized-Italian food but this place is great for larger parties.
(3)Christopher D.
Made a reservation and still had to wait for a table. Been here before, so you can skip the walk through the kitchen if you like. Watch out for tables under the air conditioning ducts...you will freeze! I suppose this place is great for people on a budget or people who eat 4 times the recommended portions in one sitting, it's not recommended for tables of two people. Portions are way too big and the prices are very high. Many chubby Americans would be into that, but not my thing. I don't like leftovers and would prefer quality over quantity. It's standard American Italian (saucy, cheesy), not authentic. Salad arrived at the table within seconds of the server taking our order. Good points, on the speed, but it just shows the "machine" in the kitchen can pump out food quickly. Entree arrived 1 minute later with no spacing of the course...we hadn't even touched the salad yet. The "penne" pasta dish also contained 3 other stray types of pasta in the presentation which shows the lack of care in the kitchen. Just dump the precooked pasta into the water to warm it up and fish out what ever else happens to be in there. The sauce contained whole cloves of garlic by mistake. Service was good and very friendly. Host who sat us was energetic and informed it that it was her first day...she did great. Hosts busy talking to each other when we left, no "goodbye" or "thank you".
(2)Jackie C.
I love coming here for a cute date night or or for a big family gathering. They can sit a group even for huge parties. They take reservations too so make sure you call ahead! Our server was super nice and always checked up on us to give us water. The hostess Mia is super nice & funny too. The servings are big so make sure you share. I liked the spicy rigatoni (I think that's what it was called) and the bread that you get is delicious with the balsamic vinegar! The pictures they take are so cute! But the only thing is that it is super expensive for just a picture. It was $20 just for one. We didn't buy them even though we wanted to. I would suggest $10 or something because I might as well just take my own picture and print it out for 50 cents. Yeah $20 is too much for a pic in my opinion. But you do get a free little postcard which I think is a nice gift for coming. Yeah I would recommend coming to Bucca if you want some Italian food or are just by the movie theaters. :)
(4)Julie O.
Great big Italian portions! A must come place for family parties. Their pizza's are full of toppings n cheese, their pasta are creamy or rich in sauce, their salads are full of everything such as meat, cheeses, and olives, and their desserts are deliciousness. A fun place to come and share plates/bowls of food with everyone and chit chat.
(4)Kelly M.
I dont care what anyone says, Bucas has the best pasta! Havent found a place better than here yet. Must try: - Calamari - Shrimp Fra Diavolo - Chicken Carbonara - Chicken Limone And take advantage of the coupons they send to your email!!! We just used our $20 birthday coupon last night. Also the food comes out pretty fast and portions are made for sharing. So this is our go-to spot when we're starving, craving pasta, n have a coupon to use.
(5)So Jung S.
I took my friends there. It was their first time. I know they do the kitchen tour for the first timers, but the waiter didnt even tour us. I had to ask him and he was like, "do you want to do it now? Or later?" I never had a waiter like him there. The picture taking guy was nice :) takes good photos!
(3)Antone S.
Brah....Just looking at the photos here are making me hungry! Oh! Right! Review... My wife and I had not been here since 2008, and I gotta admit they made a big improvement in their cuisine. More on that later... My wife got a coupon in her email for a small fettuccine alfredo and due to our busy schedules that week we were going to do take out for Wednesday night. But the coupon was for dine in only so we made plans for Saturday night. The place has not changed much, visually and audibly loud, Italian photos, artwork and such in every room, and a packed house. Fortunate for us our table was ready in less than a minute. Our waiter "John J." was a rascal of sorts but very professional. We ordered our alfredo, along with ravioli in meat sauce, bruchetta, chicken parm, and sides of garlic mash (her) and broccoli romano (me). These were all in small portions now, made for two or more. For drinks my wife ordered a raspberry soda and I had the sangria. Now this is what impressed me. John our waiter took our order without a pencil and notepad. And he repeated our order back to us in various combinations to ensure he got the order right. He also said he will have the take home boxes ready since we did order a lot of food. (Oh yeah! It was a lot!) And because I ordered the sangria John carded me, company policy he said. I didn't argue...anything that made me appear young was okay with me. Very cool! The dishes came as ordered and WOW! BIG! ...and it's just two of us! And so ONO! The bruchetta was only an appetizer but we could only eat half. The main courses the same. I loved their chicken parm and the meat sauce on the ravioli was perfect. And like John said we had to take home the rest because we definitely could not eat it all there. So as I said before a big improvement. In 2008 my wife and I tried it for the first time but we were not impressed. She had the spaghetti and meatballs and I had a lemon herbed chicken with orzo. The meatballs were a bit bland and the sauce for the chicken orzo was rather sour. It was not that full back then either. They just opened back then and I think they were "just testing the waters" per se. But they improved a lot. I didn't even see the orzo dish on the menu. BTW I forgot to mention this but when they were taking us to our table they gave us the tour of everything, including the kitchen! They even had a half moon booth table IN the kitchen, which kinda gave me a chuckle because there looked to be a kids party at the table and it was so funny that the kids were greeting us as we passed by. Well all I can say is if you like real family style dining, have a big appetite, and love good Italian food, Buca di Beppo is for you. And John J....if you can see this... Thanks for the suggestion for the leftover bruchetta topping. Had it for brunch the next morning and it was a winner! Blessings to you and the restaurant!
(5)Cheryl U.
I went in to eat lunch at buca di beppo at ward. I had a coupon that said 2 small buca pasta or large buca pasta, or entrées. We ordered one large linguini fruti de mare but the waitress told us we needed 2 small pasta or 2 large pasta. We couldn't just order 1. We got our drinks 1st but decided to leave because they weren't honoring just 1 pasta (coupon). The grammer is written wrong. She said she could give us 10% on our drinks and let the corporate contact us. We just walked out and went to big city diner right next door.
(1)Diana F.
Ward center. Right below D&B's. Fantastic Italian theme. Huge inside, to the point you could get lost if you haven't been here before. When I crave Italian I love come here. It's family style serving. So don't be greedy bring he fam share a meal
(4)Nalani P.
Was taken here yesterday for my birthday, my boyfriend knows i LOVE pasta! before being seated, because it was my first time, we got to take a tour through the kitchen, which was nice..my kids loved it! the place is huge but i love how there's different rooms, so it appears intimate and quiet, but there are really hundreds of people in there. lighting was perfect and there was so much to look at through out the restaurant. All the old photos on the wall, antique, i was impressed! the wait for our food was not long at all...we ordered a large salad, and LARGE is what we got...perfectly fed our family of 6. We ordered 1 small lasagna and 1 small baked ziti, which was perfect for us, we even had leftovers to take home. The cesar salad was sooooo delicious and i was blown away with the baked ziti! i love how its very italian tradition, full servings at your table, very family oriented. we ordered the brownie ice cream dessert and it was HUGE. the service was great, i have no complaints! There is a guy who comes around and takes photos of you and your family/friends. Photos were great and memorable, a little pricey but i thought it was perfect that they do that. I look forward to dragging my boyfriend here again! (hes more a steak person).... Glad I've finally had my Buca experience!!!
(5)Josh M.
Long wait times extremely poor service they said 15-20 mins and we ended up waiting for almost 1hr horrible I was extremely displeased with the food and the photographer was really horrible I recommend going somewhere else
(2)Bryan W.
We ordered the small chopped antipasta salad. It was huge. However, my wife and I finished it. It is our favorite. We also ordered the small bianco pizza. It has mostly cheese and some garlic. It was also excellent. The crust was thin yet chewy, which I love. We finished less than half of it had had to box it to go. Food came pretty quick and service was good.
(4)Rebecca D.
Went to Buca for a late lunch, after going to the movies. Atmosphere was great. Love the checker table cloth and pictures on the wall. Ordered the chicken parmigiano and mixed salad. Surprisingly the chicken wasn't as good as I thought it would be from such a highly recommended restaurant. The chicken seemed it was previously frozen and then reheated and served. It seemed dried out and if not for the Marinara Sauce it would be like eating card board and the salad was cheap iceberg lettuce...no green lettuce. I would not go back to that restaurant.
(1)Celia B.
Have heard really good things about buca and was expecting more! Went for my first time for a friend's party. We were a party of 14, and I have to say that they handled our large group VERY well. Our waitress was fantastic, she was able to split our checks, and she checked on us throughout the meal despite it being a crazy Saturday night. My main issue is with the beer and the food. First, the beer comes in two sizes, a small or large. Essentially the large means "take home glass" and that is what you are paying for, but they didn't state this when asking our preference. People just wanted more beer, not a glass, and it seemed like a deceiving way to make more money. 10 out of 14 people felt tricked into buying glasses, and not a single person understood what was happening. The food itself was not impressive. Mind you, Dr. Andrew loved the lasagna, but the chicken cesar salad, given that this is an ITALIAN RESTAURANT, was not good. The dressing didn't taste house made, the croutons looked cheap, the lettuce was super light and "ice burg". The chicken was minimal and looked and tasted low quality, wet and slimy slices from Costco! I could have made a better salad by buying a bag of lettuce, a bottle of cheap cesar dressing, and some cheap croutons at the store. I also had the Caprese appetizer. That was pretty good, but $14? 8 thin slices of mozzarella cheese, 8 thin tomato slices (didn't even equal 1 tomato) and some slices of basil? Wow...... Why so expensive? I think its really the atmosphere and huge portions that people love, as opposed to the food itself. We definitely ordered way to much food. A group of 14 and everyone ordered something! We should have probably only ordered 8 dishes to share, at most. Although everyone did appreciate lots of left overs and food for days. The service was excellent (aside form the lack of information related to the take home glasses), but the food wasn't exceptional given the high prices and I don't understand what the hype is about! May be good for large parties, since its family style, but I would hope that there are much better Italian restaurants in Honolulu, since this did not meet my Italian cravings at all.
(3)Susan W.
So thankful my friend had a $10 off coupon! This review is for my..... 4th(?) time eating here and I'm still liking their food. Though I would rather gone somewhere else/new. We had a party of 5 and were right on time for our reservation. As we were waiting to be called, someone standing in front of us didn't make a reservation and she was told the wait was 2 hours... whattttt! So... always make reservations! The service was alright. I noticed the guy serving us was very attentive and listened to our requests ex. more bread/help take a group pic even though it's like super loud. I don't remember the restaurant being that noisy lol. As always, they gave us the free bread in the beginning. Everyone loved it. We decided to split two dishes because we learned our lesson the last time we came here. THEIR PORTIONS ARE HUGEEEE.. no wonder they call it family size. I suggested we get the baked rigatoni because I saw a picture of it on here and it looked good. We planned to order another small dish and I let my friends decide on the other one. They chose the fettucini supremo. Our food came out surprisingly quick.... and the first thing we noticed was that the baked rigatoni dish was warm. Not hot like the fettucini supremo. Not sure if it was because we were seated like right under the AC and it was super cold...but ehh I would have liked my food better if it was hotter. Nonetheless I liked both the dishes. The baked rigatoni had these spicy cut-up sausages mixed in it which I didn't mind but all of my friends disliked it LOL! What haters. I thought the sausages gave the pasta a nice taste to it. The fettucini supremo was also delicious. It had a very creamy sauce and tender pieces of chicken. Wish they gave more broccoli though cause there was like only...4 or 5 pieces. I think we were all full and content by the end of the night. Sadly, I wasn't hungry enough for dessert yet again...maybe next timeee I'll try that brownie sundae.
(4)Valaine V.
Absolutely the best family place to eat! Our waiter, Chris J took great care of us and the kitchen crew (plus Chef Kent & Chef Alvin) spent quality time making sure our meal and experience was Buca di Perfect!!!! Well worth the $$$$ Call ahead for the kitchen table. Mahalo Nui Loa!!!
(5)Lorilynn L.
Always a great time at Buca. They helped us to execute a very special Birthday Surprise. The food was enjoyed there and all the leftovers were delicious the next day too. Service was great, food was tasty and we had a very nice time. Thank you Buca!!
(4)Mary J.
Made reservations, spoke with the manager, specifically asked for a great area to be seated at as we were entertaining family. Boasted about Buca's. Big disappointment! Seated in the back corner of restaurant by exit. Seats were ripped and embarrassing for ladies to slide down. Area was way to warm and very uncomfortable. Will think twice before coming here again!
(2)Waiki C.
Not sure of the attraction here. Service is so so, drinks are pricey, food is pricey. What was supposed be a few drinks ended up costing the same as 2 gourmet entrées at a better restaurant!! ????
(1)Tiffany Y.
Yelp 365 Challenge #157/365 Towards the ending of September, I attended a Women's Retreat that scheduled a Friday Night dinner at Buca di Beppo's (thus the update). This restaurant never fails me to visualize and analyze my imagination, which I will share with you all. *Deep Breath* Ready? Here goes: Anyone who wants to imitate characters from Good Fellas, The Godfather, Casino, Capone, Jersey Shore and Mafia Wars (for Myspace) should gather at Buca di Beppo. Casino characters can be in the far back by the huge pic of the gal in the wedding dress kicking a soccer ball. Good fellas can be seated in the kitchen area Godfather can be seated in the section with all the popes and/or bishops staring at you as you wonder if you should have brought a rosary with you for the meal gathering Jersey Shore can be seated on the outside because all their fans can gawk at them Capone and Mafia Wars can be smattered around especially Mafia Wars for the 808 crew who gathered up all their people in Hawaii to form under one big 808 Hawaii to kick butt all the mainlander mafia gangs ***End analyzing imagination*** We had a pretty good menu for our group that night: Salads: Apple Gorgonzola Salad (If you are a normal salad eater, you may be tempted to hesitate but the blend of lettuce, dried cranberries, apples, walnuts, cheese tossed in with italian dressing will have you appreciating the variety of salads) Pasta Dishes: Fetuccine Alfredo Poultry Dishes: Chicken Parmigiana Dessert: Simple homemade cheesecake with raspberry sauce (Note: It may not be Cheesecake Factory level but if you like cheesecake, then you may appreciate the simplicity). I didn't eat it because I don't care for the richness of cheesecake. However, I've made a note to try their Apple Crostata or Double Dark Chocolate Cake and savor it with coffee after a heavy meal! From the gaudy decor of weird yet humorous pictures as well as a a heavy emphasis on Catholicism, anyone will bask and have fun in the stereotype of American Italia while eating family size meals that is actually worth the price since it is family-sized portions. Note: There is a deal at the top for feeding a group of 4 for $40. Now THAT is an offer you cannot refuse!
(5)Jennifer S.
Sometimes I just wish you could do half stars!!! This is really a 3.5 :) For a chain Buca never fails! Especially when you have the need to get your fat kid on. We of course were in that mood...so we ordered a small lasagna, small Sicilian pizza, lunch order of the chicken rigatoni (spicy one) and a small mozzarella garlic bread. Everything was tasty and I love the leftovers!!!! Only thing that makes me sad is they changed how they do/serve their garlic bread...it used to be in a pie pan which kept the cheese cheesy...now it's a tad dry :( and colder than normal when it comes out. But it's bread, garlic and cheese sooo still yummy!!
(3)Kelly C.
We went with our daughter at lunchtime today, it was d.e.a.d. I order the same thing from Bucas every time I go, throughout two pregnancy's, I will never change my order. I love the Bruchetta. However the past few times I've ordered it I've noticed a change in the recipie, and even inquired about the change. Today's brushetta was nearly inedible, it clearly was slopped off someone else's plate from the previous night (visible bread crumbs/crust in the mix). Not being a complainer, I ate a few bites, soggy old tomatoes, bland flavors.....a clear sign of a pre-mixed dish sitting in cooler for weeks at a time. At over $20 a dish, for a scoop of tomatoes and basil with olive oil and some burnt bread, forget it. I can make it 100 times better myself (no, really) at home for under $5. We won't be going back, my husbands dish had enough butter and salt to kill a herd of elephants. There is clean italian cooking, then the very heavy, greasy spoon kind. Sorry but I care too much about my families heath to let them eat this kind of garbage. Our waitress was super nice, poor thing working on a dead shift at a crappy food restaurant. Hope she move on her personality was good.
(1)Sonia S.
Thank you Uncle Buca for FINALLY having a decent dark beer on draft! Kona Brewing Co. Pipeline Porter ~ beer that tastes like coffee. Try the beer with a shot of Patron Cafe.
(5)Renata M.
Amazing food, excellent staff and wonderful price! Isn't fancy but the food taste really good. The kitchen is super clean and organized. The entrees are really big, even the small ones. I recommend this place ;)
(5)Dave S.
Food is very good. Family style. Always have leftovers due to large portions. Staff is friendly and prompt
(4)Adrienne B.
My girlfriend and I ate here one evening before a movie and decided to sit outside to enjoy the weather and people watch. We ordered a carafe of sangria and also asked for glasses of water with lemon. As our server was bringing out our waters, he slipped his finger into my glass of water (making my germ phobic self squirm and silently dry heave) and placed it down and walked away. This of course started a conversation of horror between my friend and I of "how do I get my water replaced?" without me saying "HEY YOU STUCK YOUR FINGER IN MY WATER!" I decided to lie to the next person who came to our table with the sangria and bread and told them a fly (which was clearly missing from the glass) had landed in my water and requested a new non finger stirred glass. Our server when he came back did notice, but I felt better knowing I had avoided the "hey keep your fingers outta my water!" confrontation. (Mature, I know). We ordered the small antipasto salad and a small Cheese Manicotti to share. The antipasto salad has pepperoni, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, provolone, feta and gorgonzola with mixed lettuce and Italian vinaigrette and is $15.99. We both really enjoyed the dressing but found the salad to be a little salty mostly due to the pepperoni. We both think we would have enjoyed the salad better without the meat. The Cheese Manicotti was filled with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan with alfredo and marinara sauces. Personally I felt it could use a bit more marinara sauce. It also reminded me a bit of the refrigerated manicotti available at Trader Joes. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't blow you away. We both enjoyed the red sangria. I wouldn't go out of my way to seek out another dining experience here again, but if friends were going, I wouldn't deliberately stay home. There are definitely better dining options out there though.
(3)Keil L.
Making reservations is a MUST! Especially on the weekends or you'll end up waiting for 2-3hours! I like their calamari appetizer.. Not a fan of any of their pasta (always dry, so ask for extra sauce already), like the family sized portions. Tiramisu dessert is a must. Yes- waiters are always rushing you out..clearing up table, getting your meals and putting them on to-go boxes too fast.. Sometimes, not even asking if you're done..
(3)Nicole K.
Bucca di Beppo is one of my favorite spots for lunch. I have only been to Bucca's once or twice for dinner, but each time was chaotic and busy. Lunch, on the other hand, is practically empty. This means friendly and attentive waiters/waitresses, quick service, and cheap(er) prices! When my co-workers and I visit for lunch, we almost always order the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni. It is by far one of my favorite dishes on the menu. The lunch portion is HUGE and can easily be shared between 2 people with leftovers! We also order the Chopped Antipasto Salad often. I recommend ordering this salad with dressing on the side. Otherwise, it may be a little soggy and over-drenched. Our service at lunch has always been impeccable with water and bread refilled often. They also do a great job with honoring coupons. Bucca di Beppo almost always has coupons available, you just need to look around for them before you visit. I sign up for their email promotions which makes it easier and much more convenient.
(4)Carly H.
9.3.13. If you come here for lunch on a weekday, it's a ghost town. Come with a large party & you'll def get the Pope Room! It has been YEARS since I have visited Buca...& it still looks the same. A great place for gatherings where you can either order individually or go family style! The atmosphere here always seems fun. Decor is great; found something new everytime I looked around. Food is decent, but I know I've had better; I guess you could say I'm spoiled...but you really can't go wrong for the price here. Service is meh. I felt like our waitress this time was a little too pushy with the appetizers. Attentiveness was also decent. Apparently, if you've claimed you've never been to BdB before, they'll give you a mini tour that includes going through part of the kitchen. Also, you can supposedly be seated in the kitchen area; go for it if you want the full blown experience. I would suggest calling ahead of time to make reservations & make inquiries. This place is probably more crowded during the dinner hours haha. Yelp 365 Challenge: #245/365
(3)Pam H.
This place has everything from moms fav to the youngest child's fav. The large family style portions is a big winner! Salads are pretty good, but the kids just rave about the fried calamari. Now every time we visit we order the large. Wine selection is spot on and the ambiance is pretty interesting. I still get lost inside so I enjoy the walk thru from the hostess.
(4)Erin T.
Had been to this chain before years and wasn't opposed to going back for lunch one day after a morning of shopping across the street at Ward Center. SO disappointed. To start with the good- we got a table outside and our server was very friendly. Beyond that, it was downhill. The food was so bland. I had the 'panino of the day,' which was meatball and mozzarella. NO FLAVOR whatsoever. The bread was obviously out of the freezer and the meat was flavorless. No grill marks whatsoever, even though it was supposed to be a panini!! My husband had the lasagna. Again, it looked fine, but he said he'd had better with Stouffers he'd warmed himself. Definitely not worth a $40 lunch! Won't return.
(2)Rojan T.
Huge servings of food!! This place is great for a large group of people at reasonable rates.
(5)James D.
Lines to long and food to salty. I have went there several times with hopes for a change and it just has not happened.
(2)Jennee G.
As much as I enjoy this establishment I was vet disappointed last night! I made a reservation for 8:45 and they close at 9. Our waitress seemed annoyed with our arrival. I understand she wants to be finished with work but don't rub off onto your guests. Our drinks were not refilled from the time we got there and whenever we needed something she was no where to be found. When it was time to pay her and a coworker walked around the corner speaking poorly about a guest whom he served that night! Really!? Where was management! Not impressed!
(2)Paige S.
My girlfriend and I ended up here on a random weekday night since she was in the mood for some chicken she had here before. I had never been to a buca so I was game! This location is at the Ward center, underneath the theaters and the parking across the street can fill up but if you're patient people are always moving. Ambiance & Seating: Upon walking in we were greeted by smiles and friendly faces. Once my girlfriend told them it was my first time they gave me a tour of the kitchen which was pretty cool. We were then seated in a bustling little area that was mildly lit with lots of strange eclectic italian decor. It is a noisy place, not one for a romantic date night but more of a fun upbeat one. Perfect for me and my girlfriend to chit chat about our lives and our crazy man problems ;) Service: The service here was SUPERB, I want to say our servers name was michael? He was sweet, funny, attentive and it felt like he was our friend and we were coming to visit him while he worked! We carried such great funny conversation with him and it really set such a great tone for dinner. What we ordered Bellini and Sangria, Duh. They were both exceptionally delicious and perfect to start out our little excursion from the world. My peach bellini was sweet and fizzy but didn't leave me too tipsy. The sangria was delicious and had a full bodied flavor Chicken Glorioso white wine, Alfredo sauce, artichokes and sun-dried tomoatoes My girlfriend had raved about this chicken and it was really the sole reason we came. She has been here before but said this chicken was worth coming back and I couldn't agree more. It was tender, moist and was perfectly seasoned. We didnt order any sides, just chicken and it was a perfect size dish for two people. Italian Creme Cake Six layers of rich lemon cake and mascarpone cheese filling served in a pool of raspberry-hazelnut sauce and topped with fresh whipped cream and mint sprig. - sharable. I topped the meal off with this cake, which I did not share, because that was never the intent. *by the way, When they say sharable, it totally is...this slice was good for maybe 3 people...it was HUGE I devoured this cake and it was delicious!!!! It was so moist, fuffy and the combination of raspberry and lemon....ugh, you just can't go wrong with that. I would seriously consider going back here JUST for cake. Maybe even buying cake and taking it to a movie up stairs? UHHHH, my mouth is salivating at the thought of this luscious piece of heaven This place is getting 3 stars because I only tried 2 things off the menu which is really not sufficient enough to judge the quality of food that comes from this place. As with most people and their reviews for this string of restaurants, it is more about quantity than quality but they do not sacrifice and cut corners on everything. For being a chain restaurant I was pleasantly surprised by a lot of things and i have a feeling that if I had a giant party of friends that was too big to bring to kbbq, i'd definitely consider this place!
(3)Victoria R.
The staff was great friendly and helpful. We were seated right away. Next time I go I do want to try their ice cream sundae brownie. I tried their cannolis for the first time it wasn't what I expected. But that's okay.
(5)Suzanne T.
I've been here several times, from large birthday parties to just the immediate family, and it's always been good. Yes, it's always crowded and a bit chaotic in that maze of a restaurant, and yes, there's always way too much food, but it's good and a fun time, especially when you're with kids. (It must be really popular for birthdays - the last time we were there we must have heard the birthday song at LEAST five times, just in our section!) My daughter and I love the baked ziti (so cheesy and delish!) and my son's favorite is the spaghetti with a giant meatball. The pizzas and salads are great too, and all of the other pasta dishes we've tried have been pretty good. I ordered the sangria the last time and it was okay, but not great. I think it needed to marinate longer. Yes, it's a little expensive for the quality of the food, but you certainly get quantity, and I enjoy the leftovers. If you're on their email list they send out coupons about once a week, so I always have one handy when we go.
(4)Zelda M.
Nothing but the best family sure Italian food dining in Hawaii! Last night, I planned a surprise birthday dinner for my husband's 50th birthday. I wanted it perfect, they did it! Kalei, night manager and staff were on point! The food was delicious! The service was great! The guests were stuffed! Nothing but the best! Thank You to all who served our party last night!
(4)Timothy P.
Good food, good service. . The ups: short wait times every time I go, service is always very nice and well mannered, the food is not "the best!" But a solid "very good", service was very expedient. The downs: parking is kind of hard too find, usually end up parking kinda far away, one very annoying lady always taking our pictures then trying to sell us the pictures later. Although she is funny with how into it she is. Overall I highly recommend this place. Love it and come here to carb load before every race I run.
(4)Jason B.
Great service and delicious food. We came with another couple and started with the appetizer combo. The fried mozz, stuffed mushrooms and calamari were all really good. For two it would be plenty, but for four people it's a nice taste (one mush and one mozz each). We ordered the large Quatro al forgo (shells, manicotti, ravioli, and cannelloni) and Chicken Parm (s). We all loved the manicotti, raviolli, and cannelloni (in that order) with the shells coming in last. They were still good, we just enjoyed the first three of the dish better. The one thing I thought was great was although all four items were on a single large plate covered in cheeses and sauces, you could easily distinguish the tastes of each item. Everything would probably just taste the same at other places. The chicken parm was also good and plenty large enough for two people, more if you were splitting another dish. The drinks were good, food was great, patio was cramped but still nice, and the service was on point. Bottom line...SOOOOO much better than Bravo or the other place we tried.
(5)Alison E.
Love the employees! ! Very friendly & helpful! Food is tasty & reasonable!! Watch how much you order!! Lots of food! !!
(5)Daniel C.
The best part of Buca di Beppo is that they always have specials and coupons before you go to dine there. It's very conveniently located by Ward Theaters so you can do a dinner then movie. The parking garage entrance gives you easy access to the restaurant as well. For first timers, make sure to let them know so they give you a tour of the restaurant and kitchen. It's also nice that they have choices of portion size versus when they first opened. The hostess was great and our server was good. We got the 4 for $40 special this visit and still had lots of left overs. It started with a Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread then our Baked Ziti with mead red sauce came out. Surprisingly we had room to get dessert. The Colossal Brownie Sundae was massive just like everything else! If you're rushing to a movie, please make sure to let your server know so they can rush our your orders to help you make your movie on time.
(3)Samantha S.
The manicotti was delicious and the baked ziti was nothing to rave about. Portions are big like they tell you. Service was great. I think I need to go again and try other entrees to make a proper review. **Update: I never made it to the actual dining area because we sat outside first time around. WOW! What a great atmosphere. It's rather loud but if you can beat that then stick with it. We had great service especially with a table of nine. Food was really good. Id skip the Alfredo because it came out super dry but the manicotti was once again super delicious. The spicy chicken rigatoni was good and the prosciutto stuffed chicken was amazing. I would definitely go again!
(5)Adrianne S.
One of my go to restaurants with a group from time to time. Service is 4/5, parking is across the street or in the near by garage. Located next to the theatre and Dave & Buster's. The food is great, prices are reasonable, great for families, attire is casual, and they do take reservations.
(4)Tracy U.
Happy Hour menu got cut by 75%. There's only 3 items at $4 and 3 items at $5 for the food. The happy hour is 3 to 6, so the menu used to be $3, $4, $5, $6 food items for Happy Hour.
(2)Kira C.
Came here for thanksgiving brunch and it was pretty good for American food. BUT the pumpkin pie that was served after the meal was pretty disappointing.
(3)Mandy C.
They serve family style meals, We will go back, but we learned our lesson with portion size. We were advised to get the Lg as we were looking to take some home for our son, however, the large is enough for 7-8 ppl in my opinion, if you eat large amounts of past 5-6 ppl. There is only 3 of us. We continued to eat pasta for 3 days afterwords ( or should I say my son and husband did). We will be ordering a small next time. I have posted pictures of the pasta with a serving taken out.
(3)Darin P.
Sneak in your own alcohol from Ward Warehouse store the Liqour Collection, spend the cash you save on meatballs!
(4)Linda K.
You know when you see a restaurant from the outside and you think to yourself "that looks kind of small", but then you never really think more about it. That's been me for the last couple of years, yes .. you read it .. years!. I have passed Buca di Beppo plenty of times to think and wonder where all those people went that was walking through the door, but never thought about it enough to actually explore it myself. I have been to buca before, but I've only sat on the little "patio" outside. So I was accustomed to their food and knew that it was good. So two weeks ago we were trying to decide on where to eat lunch, with many options that didn't really sound right, I threw Buca out there and score! It got approved. We went for their lunch hours so the place was pretty much empty. And when the hostess showed us to our table I was surprised over how big the place actually is. Wow, I think I even asked for a map so that I would find myself out, which she gladly said that the had!? Wouldn't surprise me at all. Now, mind you .. I don't always order for myself. I mean, I decide what I want but my man being such a gentleman believes that he has to order for me. So I tend to forget what it was that I ordered right away. But, it was a spicy chicken dish that I had and it was SO GOOD. I absolutely loved it - and I'm not even a fan of spicy food! I don't remember what my fiance had but it was something that was baked in the oven. Equally as tasteful. For drinks we ordered the Italian sodas, really good. And dessert ... some cake thing that was huge. yeah, see my memory isn't the best. Overall experience: Great place to go. I hear they serve family size place but I've only been for lunch so they always have the personal plates at that time. If you get distracted easily then yeah, you'll have fun here because there are SO many things to look at ... everywhere!! Even in the ladies bathroom .. my .. I want to go in there just to look at all the posters, paintings, and what not. The service was also great. Happened to be a old HPU student and neighbor in my old apartment building who was our waiter. I will definitely come back to Buca, maybe for dinner next time.
(5)Sweetie M.
The only reason why they get a one star is because there was literally no wait time to get seated at a table. The rest is all down hill from there. Our server allana wasn't the nicest people we've come Into contact with. In fact, her bad attitude was became more apparent when we saw the other diners with servers much nicer than her. She walked past us MULTIPLE times server the other diners seated on either side of us who was also seated AFTER we had been seated. It took a good twenty mintutes before even offered a beverage. When she finally took our order she talked to us in a tone and volume as if she was standing across the room. When our bread was brought to us COLD and we asked for it to be heated she said, "Sorry the kitchen is busy and I won't be able to get it heated. REAAALLLLYYYYY?! and let me add that she claimed it was busy, but yet there was atleast a dozen tables around and near us that were EMPTY. I could go on and on about how I HATED my time there bit this would be a ridculously long hate rating. The icing on the cake to ensure I DONT return is watching a chef PICK HIS NOSE while returning to the kitchen. EEEEKKKKKKK!
(1)Stephanie T.
I've never had a great experience with this location. The food is simply okay and some times its better than others, but for the most part, I don't find it worth the price. The wait for a table is almost always 30 minutes to 2 hours. and its EXTREMELY loud. I find the clapping and singing that is constantly happening quite irritating which also makes it difficult to enjoy your meal with whomever you are there with. On this last visit I think the only staff person that I feel was nice at all was the hostess who greeted us and showed us to our table. I understand that the restaurant layout is a maze and the servers are super swamped, but there is no reason why we should sit with empty water cups for over half an hour and same goes for drink orders. If my bill didnt already have the automatic 18% gratuity on it because of the size of our party, my server would have only gotten 10% maybe 15%. If you have picky eaters, I guess this would be a good place to go, but if your wanting a nice italian meal. Pick somewhere else to go, because its just not worth it.
(2)Tracy C.
Went for lunch today and received awesome service. Had the Apple Gorgonzola Salad, Baked Rigatoni, Shrimp Alfredo, a side Meatball. This has got to be my fave salad and the meatball was awesome. Everything we had was tasty and the portions are big.
(4)Julie N.
I have ate here many times before and we love the food here. Came here on a Saturday @ 7pm hoping to get a table but the wait is 2.5 hrs!!! The wait is alway crazy here!!!nSo we decided to go to DnBs instead. Oh well next time. Make reservations if you want to eat here during rush hour.
(4)Kristianne S.
Had to attend a business dinner here and was reminded why I do not find myself suggesting "hey family, let's go to Buca for dinner!" I'm just not wow'd by their food or atmosphere. Said atmosphere is too noisy and the decor seems a little outdated, a nice sprucing couldn't hurt. The food, albeit arriving in ginormous portions (my small garden salad could easily feed 3 people!), is just regular Italian. Like, I make spaghetti at home using Ragu, that has more Oomph in the flavor department, sorry to say. At least it seems like you get yours moneys worth for the portion sizes. Prices almost killed me though. I paid $25 for my salad and a sangria. meh. My friends were kind enough to share the dishes they ordered as well. Garden Salad - too much dressing killed it. I was looking forward to fresh leafy greens not a side for the vinaigrette soup that i was served. Oven Baked Rigatoni - sausage was spicy and was topped with loads of ricotta cheese. Overall not too bad. Spaghetti w/ Meatballs - plain jane. Meat sauce wasn't too bad but i was missing a punch of at least some herby flavors or some garlic. Chicken Marsala - Pretty good. The marsala was tasty and chicken moist.
(3)Chef D's K.
Me and my husband celebrated our wedding anniversary here. It is a very nice and cozy place and I loved the kitchen tour and the smell is just heaven! We ordered Mozzarella Garlic Bread and we love it. Antipasti, we got Buca trio platter which is just amazing. I loved the mushroom, but I was really hoping that it would be cooked a little bit more. Fried calamari is my favorite! But the marinara sauce made me cough a little bit spicy for us. For specialty pasta we ordered Linguini Frutti Di Mare. I love it simply because of the seafood and noodles are aldente! Overall, it's a wonderful experience and night for us. We would definitely go back...
(4)Chris S.
great place! Are here with some friends and had the best service :) from the hostess to the bus boys service was great!!! def a place to eat at. large portions for reasonable pricing.
(4)Jenna S.
I always order the same things here - the shrimp fra diavolo and the fire baked pizza. The pepperoni is really good, one of my favorite pizzas on the island, along with JJ Dolans. For dessert I recommend the lemon cake! It tastes really light and refreshing, perfect way to end a meal. Some wine would have been good too, next time! ;) The inside is like a maze and can get pretty cold, I suggest sitting outside if it's not too hot. They have interesting bathrooms.
(4)R M.
My husband and I often go here to eat after having some fun at Dave & Busters or catching a movie at Ward Theaters. This is a wonderfully decorated Italian restaurant and its pretty big. I almost get lost in here! no matter how much times I go here, I still have to ask directions to the bathroom. Wonderful menu and really good food. Never had a problem nor any complaints at this restaurant. The staff is always friendly to us and assure that everything is well. It is truly one of our favorite spots to eat at.
(4)Britney V.
Michael is the BEST server EVER! He was nice, food came fast, he got us EVERYTHING we wanted...I'll be back!
(5)Patrick G.
After going here for a friend's birthday dinner, I now know why I haven't been to a Buca di Beppo since this franchise first opened in my hometown way back in 2001. My adventure at Buca di Beppo started when the hostess told my party that she was getting dizzy when asking us if we were ready to be seated. Then she proceeded to repeat the same sentence a few times. We asked if she wanted to sit down, but she said no and then walked away. After a little bit of confusion we were seated and the server asked us what we would like for dinner at almost the instant my butt hit the chair. When we said we weren't sure yet, she left and came back about one minute later with her notepad out ready to take orders. We decided to just try and order because she insisted she was ready now. So as we struggled through getting everyone's order ready, she seemed really inpatient and looked really uncomfortable. After getting past the weird service flaws of this restaurant, it was time to enjoy some food. For the most part, the food was average. Large quantities of Italian food usually equates to sub par quality, and there was no exception here. Some people are in to large quantities of average food; personally, it is not for me. I don't think I can honestly say that I will ever choose to return to this restaurant.
(2)Christian H.
So, I went here on a Friday night to pickup a to-go order my wife placed for us. After weeks of my wife convincing me the food was great, I caved & decided to try it. Every time I pass this place, it's packed to the outside and the wait looks long. Upon arriving, I approached the door hostess and told her I was here to pick up my order. She was very cordial, professional and full of energy. She notified the kitchen staff I was there. She then tendered me & we talked about the origin of the restaurant which was in Minnesota. She was from there, I lived there & my wife is from there. What a pleasant surprise. Nonetheless, her service was prompt & expedient, carefully ensuring I was satisfied before I left. So, I had about a 20 minute drive home. The food was still warm when I arrived. We ordered lasagna, garlic cheesy bread & broccoli. The meal was $50, so I was dying to see was it worth it. In that case, it better had lived up to its cost. THAT IT DID! The lasagna was magnificently delicious. The cheesy bread was different than usual, yet awesome. The broccoli was good too. Definitely recommend everyone who appreciates Italian food to try it.
(5)Leipupu S.
I actually went here on 7/4/2014. Our waitor was great and the food was very delishes. I always have a good experience when I go here except for New Years, but I gues its because it was busy and our waitor at that time told us this was his last day and he's off to the coast guard. This time the meal was so good; I had the marinara with cheese. YUM. Couldn't finish the whole thing ate the rest for dinner. Infact our whole party had an amazing time. Mahalo Bucca! luv ya!
(5)Cameron B.
We managed to get a reservation for a party of 11 on a Saturday night fairly quickly. We were given the pope room and even though I've sat here in the past, I didn't notice 1. The naked cherubs on the ceiling 2. How creepy the pope was (I think someone hollowed out his irises) 3. The scary nun photo that's on the left side of the room. We started off with two bottles of wine and some appetizers. We tried the calamari and the artichoke crostini to start but I would probably skip the artichoke dip next time. When our waitress came back we all ordered an entree each to share. That was probably the most ridiculous idea ever. We ended up with a large pizza, one egg and one chicken parmigiana, the antipasto salad, chicken limone, braised short rib, sea food pasta, chicken w/sun dried tomatoes, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, I mean the list went on. Like I said, the most ridiculous order. We almost ended getting a green salad as well but decided against last minute. All the food we ordered was really good and the service was great. While you're eating they have a worker come around and take your photo as well. I like the changes bucca has made and I'm glad we chose this place for our dinner.
(5)Angel H.
I took my fiance here for Father's Day lunch. We got an order of garlic bread, calamari and quattro al forno(cheese manicotti, chicken cannelloni, cheese ravioli, stuffed shells). My favorite thing here is the calamari. The calamari itself is tender and the batter has just the right amount of crisp to it. It comes with this marinara dipping sauce that is so good. The quattro al forno is alright. I would have prefered the lasagna but the fiance stopped eating red meat. They were only serving family style today so if you order a small it would be able to feed 2-3 people. Therefore, we only ordered one entree. I think they must have forgot our garlic bread because it came out after the entree. We were done with the quattro al forno and the server came and asked if everything was ok. I told him we didn't get our garlic bread and he went to check on it. It finally arrived 10 minutes later. They gave a free cannoli to all father's, which I thought was a nice touch. They also give your table free bread and the server makes this dipping sauce for it in front of you. I believe it was a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Our server was very nice and patient, explaining the different pastas to us even though it was so busy. I would have gave it 4 stars if the garlic bread would have came on time. I had to ask for it twice and it came when we were almost done eating.
(3)Roy B.
On a very recent visit a possible disaster became a great dining experience thanks to server Brian and managers Selena and Diana. These three went above and beyond to insure customer satisfaction. It was Mother's Day and the place was packed and the lines were long. We were greeted at the door by our hostess and given a tour of the kitchen and dining area before being seated at our table....everything okay so far. Understandably our orders took a bit longer than usual but that was still alright .... Until one of our favorite dishes (the seafood linguine) made its way to the table. Initially nothing appeared unusual until I started to mix up our fave pasta....O-Oh...WATZ DIS...clumps of improperly cooked linguine that should never have been served. Having waited for some time and being pretty hungry we proceeded with our meal which was still delicious even though it was not the best we've had. My daughter KIMEE politely informed our server Brian of the situation which he apologized for and promptly addressed by taking some of faulty pasta to one of the managers on duty. With in minutes the manager Selena was at our table apologizing and replacing our order even though we had finished most of it. After finishing our meal we were again approached by a second manager (Diana) who again apologized and informed us that she had comped our meal. I've always thought of Buca Di Beppo as a fun place to dine....like an Italian Farrell's....they have a great birthday cheer presented by the servers who come to your table...and the photos that adorn the dining room always makes for good conversation ....this place in my books has become "FUNNER!" With customer awareness and satisfaction it's no wonder why Buca Di Beppo continues to have long lines and a loyal following. Big Mahalo Brian,Selena and Diana!
(5)Alyssa Y.
Yup! I officially love Italian food thanks to this place. I came once before on a field trip with my academy in high school and loved it, then I returned with my parents(my treat) + even my dads friend recommended this place :D it was so yummy and the service was so friendly. I just love the tour of the kitchen XD For the three of us we ordered a small salad and a small pasta(forgot the name) which we still had left overs haha Just great! Gonna definitely return, maybe for a special occasion so I can try more things on the menu ;)
(5)Iris J.
Service was good as usual despite waitress was a hit too much. She seemed like she was rushing us to eat and leave. The food was just okay. Pepperoni pizza was great...the long island was amazing, the strongest I've tasted in a long time.
(4)Ululani C.
The best to go with a group for a good price. All entrees is family style which means you could probably feed everybody for under 30 bucks. Location is great....right under D&b's. The waiting time to get a table may be long sometimes but they are things to do in the mean time like D&B. What is good is they text you to let you know your table is ready! May want to come before the dinner rush because parking is hell! Sometimes you can't even find parking.
(5)Scott H.
Overrated, loud and expensive. Another Italian restaurant in Honolulu that doesn't use garlic or onion in their dishes. Oh I miss Philadelphia!
(2)Christine E.
Went here on Saturday for a goodbye family dinner for my boyfriends brother who was visiting from the mainland. To be honest, it wasn't our first choice, but it was a last minute Saturday night plan and Buca is the only italian place that would take our large party of 11. First of all, this place is ridiculous. Is it just me, or has this place gotten LOUDER since they first opened? It was jam packed this weekend and the front desk person was being all soup nazi with the reservations. If your whole party wasn't here then you couldn't go in yet. This made everyone grumpy as we had like 8 out of 11 people there, plus it was freezing outside! You'll make more money off of us if you let us sit inside and start ordering pupus and drinks people! Finally, they let us go in with 9. Apparently 9 is the magic number. lol. Anywhoo, we finally got in. And just fyi, don't ever try to go here if you are trying to have a conversation or catch up session with people, it's ridiculous. Every 2 seconds it was somebody's birthday, and I could barely talk to the waiter without semi-screaming. O.o Food-wise however, it's pretty good. I like their pizza, their cheesy bread, and the appetizer trio with the yummy stuffed mushrooms (in cream pesto), calamari, and mozzarella sticks (triangles) --- Dip the bread in the leftover pesto!! The portions are ridiculously huge. A Large size carbonara can feed an army, not just 4-6 people like our waiter said. The pear and gorgonzola salad was good, but had a watery dressing that was pretty much nonexistent. The best part of the dinner however is the dessert! the brownie sundae is massive and soooo good. Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream, brownie chunks, fudge and whipped cream. It can feed like 5 people easily. I told my boyfriend that next time we come to Buca, i don't want dinner, i just want the brownie sundae. :) Overall, Buca has decent food, can accomodate a lot of people, but is noisy as heck and not good for a nice quiet night out.
(3)Seta P.
Bad service, waitress hardly visited my table, i was never even offered not 1 single refill on my drink, food was decent but doesn't make up forvthe service or should i say lack of?
(1)Daira C.
i think i speak for everyone when i say " hell yea 5 stars" i am the biggest fan of this place if it was up to me i would eat here everyday but come on as a girl alwasys trying to keep figure haha!! amazing staff service looks like everyone enjoys working there. and the food so watery and delicious i always get shrimp diavolo try it !!
(5)Joe S.
I really enjoy this place on the Island for what I consider to be the best Italian in all aspects. The food is spectacular, the staff friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere (photos covering every inch of the walls) are all Italian and make it fun to just look around. We went at 1:30pm yesterday and were greeted kindly where we ordered the 3 meatball special dish of theirs. It cost a bit ($18) though I had an American Express gift card for $25, so they were free. These meatballs are a meal in and of themselves. They are huge with a wonderful marinara sauce to die for. The fresh baked bread is also a must to sop up the gravy (sauce) and enjoy with a great glass of an Oregon Pinot Noir. It was perfect to go home with where the wine was waiting. What a combination... what a meal. Pay them a visit for their lunch specials (opening until 3pm) where you receive the same meal as dinner, just smaller... which is perfect because I strongly believe the evening meal plates are just too large. Even the lunch meals give you too much food. That's why you will leave with a to go order in tote to your home or hotel. If you're in the Ward Center area, make sure you try this place out. If you've been to a Buca di Beppo before, you will feel at home. If not, you will discover your newest Italian home away from home. Cheers!!
(5)Oleksandr K.
Hi, it looks like nice Italian restaurant but if you go to Italy or even to the mainland and go to Italian restaurant you will understand that Buca di Beppo can`t cook Italian food.
(2)Ksenia C.
We love this place! they only time we go here because its so expensive is when i get the coupons via email for discounts. every time we have been, its been a great experience! customer service is great all around. clean. food is amazing every time!
(5)Jody S.
Cool ambience. Delish food. Perfect for sharing with lots of food selections to choose from. Fun atmosphere. Affordable and plentiful.
(4)raechelle v.
Yes, there are better places to get Italian food. Yes, the wait is crazy at times. But heck, when you're looking to carbo load before a big race like the Honolulu Marathon, Buca's is the place to be! If you want to skip out on the hassle of waiting for a table, just call in the order and do takeout. They have smaller portions which work out great for our little family.
(4)Lorena B.
I love this place. Its better to come with a group because it's such big portions, family style. Food is always good. Once you walk in they are very friendly and smiley. Service is was good but sometimes when they are really busy its hard to get your waiter. Overall its great.
(5)Eric F.
I always have a good time here. The food is delicious, the bar area is great, and the waiters are always checking in. I love to go here before or after a movie and have a beer and some of their wonderful bread!!
(5)Sterling E.
Great restaurant to take family out to. Our Server, Kalani, was great and always made sure we were doing great! Ordered the cheese bread florentine, the buca salad and a chicken Alfredo plus a pear flavored iced tea. They start you off with some house bread so be careful to save some of your appetite! The food I ordered was all splendid and delicious plus the pear tea was very good. The only thing I can think of is the crappy container you get when you take the food home because you are too stuffed to eat anymore. Upon arriving home, I put the containers in my fridge without any problems. Couple hours later, I decide to pick on the leftovers (which was plentiful!) and when I try to cover the food back, the lid just slides off and it becomes difficult to contain the container!
(4)Connie C.
Don't usually post comments but hopefully this will help the restaurant improve it's service. Did not expect much from the limited celebratory menu but food was very mediocre. Fettucine was cold, clumpy, dry and the worse I've ever had, can't really mess up meat sauce, chocolate cake nothing to rave about. Probably had the worse server on staff that night. Not awful service but not good. Other servers seemed much more enthusiastic about their job than this guy. Chicken Limone is delicious! Only bright point of the meal. Other menu items looked goo
(2)Sharon N.
I don't know. Was debating on 4 or 5 stars, but what the heck! I'll let this place slide with 5 stars. I really like this place. My husband really likes this place. It's such a nice place to go to for some good Italian food. When we're in town and hungry, we just mention Buca di Beppo, and everyone just says, "Ooooooh! Yeah! Let's go there!" If it's your first time there, tell them. They'll give you a tour. Although, they always seem to ask us if it's our first time there everytime we go. So it seems like they offer the kitchen tour all the time, which is nice! If it's your birthday, they'll even sing "Happy Birthday" towards the end of your meal. Super fun!!! Just walking to your table, you're magically being transported to Italy. The statues, the decor, the ambiance. It just makes me smile walking to our table. Although, as often as we've been here, I always seem to feel like I could get lost. I think people that have gone here know what I mean. This is one of those places were we have "our usuals." We always order the Chicken Limone (KILLER!!!), pepperoni pizza, and either the Penne San Remo or Spaghetti Marinara with meatballs (depending on whether I'm craving a red or white sauce). All of these are super delicious. I've also sampled a friend's order of the Eggplant Parmagiano. That was so good! Everything we've tried and everything my friends have tried have been spot on. I love the atmosphere and vibe of this place. The framed pictures on the wall are just so wonderful to look at and be surrounded by. It really just takes me to Italy (although I've never visited that country). I love the music in the background. The environment is just perfect while eating your Italian food. Great place to go with your significant other, or with a small family, or even with a large group of friends. One day, I have to try and do a dinner in that ever-obvious Pope room. Looks like having dinner in there would be fun! Always had a pleasant experience whenever we come here. LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
(5)Mike O.
Going to Ward to watch a 745p movie, we decided to go a little early to eat before. We decided on Bucca as we arrive at 615p. It was packed, we put our name down and the hostess advised us that it would be 20-30 min wait. At 645p we were sat. We prepared ourselves by looking over the menu while we waited for our table so we could ordered right away. When the waitress came to our table to get our drink order, we kindly asked to order because we wanted to catch a 745p movie. She said no problem and took our order. She confidently said we'll get you out of here real quick. I wasnt so confident seeing all these customer in the restaurant. But I was wrong! She brought our drinks in a few minutes and a few minutes after that our caesar salad came. Literally 5 minutes after that our Penne Arrabiata was served. About 10 min later our pepperoni pizza arrived. We ordered these items in the past and it is consistently good food. We were done eating by 7:15p and had time for dessert. Unfortunately the cannoli s werent that good, but that didnt ruin our experience here. Yes, its loud. Yes, its crowded. Yes, you may hear that unique birthday song sung 3-4x during your meal. But it is amazing that amongst the all this chaos in the restaurant, they have a system that works very well. Everyone seems to be very well trained and this restaurant is very well managed. When being first walked into the restaurant you literally run into all the server with bringing or taking the food away. They always stop for you and let you pass and alway acknowledge you with a welcome and a smile. When departing you are thanked by at least a few employees along the way out (I'm talking servers/bussers that werent serving you, plus the host or hostess at the door). Kudos to the employee here. Im in the service industry and would love to learn their company mission, philosophy and training program. BTW we watched "Warrior" tonight. It sucked really bad. Should have watched the real Warriors at Aloha stadium kick some azz tonight. Sorry its 2am and trying to combine a few reviews into bucca. Sorry Bucca!
(5)Cleaner T.
Ok, so they updated the TV's. It is certainly better. Not fabulous but much, much better. Seems like management is keeping their ears open. Thanks Bucca.
(3)Michelle E.
The sign of a good Italian restaurant is the spaghetti and meatballs.....and their's is a homerun!!! The small fed my family of three enough for one leftover.
(5)Luis R.
Came here with the wife and another couple. First, if you haven't been there before they give you a tour of the kitchen. Pretty cool. There is also a table in the kitchen that you can sit at. If you want to show off for your old lady and act like your Mafioso you can reserve the table. As an appetizer we ordered the Mussels Bianca - steamed mussels prepared in a white wine garlic butter broth. Tasted good but it lacked garlic flavor. For our entrees we ordered the Chicken Carbonara - chicken breast, prosciutto, peas and garlic in Alfredo sauce. Tasted bland, lacked flavor. We also ordered the Shrimp Fra Diavolo - garlic shrimp and crushed red pepper with penne in spicy rosa sauce. This dish was official. Get it. You won't be disappointed. It sounds like a spicy dish but let me tell you, it is not. Unless you consider table pepper spicy. Overall it was a good meal. I enjoyed the atmosphere although it is loud in the restaurant. A small dish will feed two men or three ladies easy. Unless of course if you have big bones, that changes things up.........
(4)Brandon M.
I love eating here! Don't forget to bring your appetite. The portions are HUGE!! If you are planning to hit up Dave n Busters after you eat, I would strongly suggest leaving a cooler with ice in your vehicle so you can save all your leftovers. (Don't want all that extra food spoiling, while you spend a couple hours upstairs) The service was great! The servers have impeccable timing. Always around when you need a refill or something. My choice was the shrimp Florentine. Loved it! My wife had gotten the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. Mmmmm! I can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch! I recommend this place for a two person dinner date, or a large group (family, company) party. You won't be disappointed. Especially for authentic Italian food. The environment compliments the style and food. It's like a little piece of Italy, in Hawaii! Can't wait for another dinner date at bucas!!
(5)Brent K.
This place is good for large groups. Food is just ok, But the service is great. pasta is average salad is average, good for parties as we had10 people, I wouldn't come here for just pasta. Load and fun sums it up.
(3)Shan S.
Would not come back. The service is mediocre, the bread is meh... the portions are too big. Quality of food is also meh, the pricing is ridiculous. I wish I could say good things but I can't.
(1)Michael C.
Always reliable, never a bad meal. We've been patronizing the restaurant for several years and we are always pleased with the good Italian food, the selection of beer on tap (Peroni, yay!), and the very cheerful and friendly staff. Even saw a few actors from "Lost" eating there when it was still filming in Honolulu. The pizza is a great appetizer, but we go for the great meatballs. Mama mia, so good! We love Buca's and a movie (theater is up the escalator from it).
(4)Elle W.
Just like any other Bucca. The service was great and the good was delicious. I just wished they didn't kick us out so soon. Since I've been to other Bucca I advised my friends that their small order can actually feed 6-8 if you order to small entrees and a salad. The waiter told us it would feed 2-3. The waitress kept our water flowing as she knew we were running the marathon so kudos to them.
(3)Amy G.
I'm not sure what it is about this place, but I really don't like it. It's the place you go to when you have a big group of people who try to go on a budget thinking you'll order a couple of large pasta bowls to share, but everyone ends up wanting something different so you walk out paying $20+ for sub par food that you can whip up a lot better at home. anyways, portions here are massive and not bad for the price but everything i have ever tried here is always oh so bland. i'm not even going to name the dishes i've tried b/c i've had over 10 varieties of pasta dishes here and the only one i can tolerate eating is the alfredo b/c its not so bad compared to the others. the only thing i love from here and the only reason why i would ever come back and my must order or i'll never eat from Buca's is their breads, some of the salads, and a few of the appetizers. although each one is still pricy and never enough, its the only thing i'll eat that keeps this place at a 3 star instead of a 1 or 2. service here is always great though. super friendly waiters everytime im here. the only thing is they sell the food as if it was the best pasta place ever, and every time i get sucked into thinking this experience will be better then the last, i'm always disappointed after. i know my friends love this place, but its one of those, "eh, i think i'll pass on tonights dinner guys. thanks but if you change location, lmk, i'll be there" kinda restaurant.
(3)J N.
Impressed w/ the quality & flavors of the dishes chosen for a dinner mtg for a large crowd. Absolutely delicious bruschetta- had to stop myself from devouring the whole serving. Salads were fresh, filled w/ great flavors of apples and strong cheeses. Not wimpy mild stuff. The sauce on the pasta did not disappoint. Penne and rigatoni cooked just the way I like it. The chicken limone was so delicious I had to get an extra order to take home. The service was excellent. The restaurant layout always confuses me. Parking is free but hard to find. Someone got their bike stolen in the parking lot. Beware!
(3)Tabatha P.
I have been here a couple times and I really enjoy everything about it. I like to go with new people or just say it's my first time so they will give me the tour and I can walk my son through the kitchen and watch his eyes get big with amazement. I really wish they would bring the bread out when you get there before the meal though. To me the bread's purpose is to hold you over. The place smells so good so I sat there for quite a bit with a grumbling, sick-feeling stomach. I like how the servings feed two, and the kid's plate was low priced and my son enjoyed it and it also had a very decent serving. The good was hot and delicious, can't complain there. Bathrooms were tidy and holy nudity on the walls! LoL The place has so many interesting artifacts and pictures on the wall. I really love how into the Italian theme this place is. That makes it really unique and special. I enjoy having the photographer around in case you want a photo. Classy, unique, fun, and fulfilling. Birthday songs are kind of a hoot too.
(5)Ashley Q.
What we had: Prosiitto stuffed chicken Caesar salad Shrimp diablo Spaghetti with marinara sauce Sarento salmon All dishes are in family sizes unless ordered as a side Good for large parties!! Overall the food is what it is. Italian food...at it's finest? Some people will agree to disagree. My particular favorite was the prosciutto baked chicken. Like chicken bake in a creamy pesto sauce. Second favorite was the sarento salmon. If you like salmon in a butter lemon caper sauce, this is the dish for you, the salmon was moist and cooked to perfection. And for dessert... Teramisu and canolis. I think the teramisu was made a head of time,so it's always a quick turnout. How ever if it's made too far in advance it tends to get watery vs hold into the cake portion like its suppose to. But overall it was a great dessert. I would have this again. The canoli however I might reconsider, unless I'm having coffee with it to offset the sweetness if the canoli. It is on the sweeter side. If horchata was made into pudding and stuffed into a fortune cookie, that would be the equivalent of this canoli. Our servers name was Morgan. She was very insightful and helpful with choosing dishes.We had a split between carnivores and a vegetarian. She did mention that any dish could be converted into a vegetarian option. She checked on us multiple times and refilled drinks without being asked. (Which is a huge plus for me considering most places aren't as on it) There's something for everyone! It's not just a spaghetti place and not everything comes in a marinara sauce. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes American Italian food. And especially in large parties seeing that their large portions can feed up to 8-10 people it more , depending on the number of other dishes you get. If you have a large party, it's considerate to reserve so they can accommodate and you don't have to wait. :3
(4)Nick L.
This was disappointing, we have been to others and this was not the same. The waiters seemed like they were rushing us to get out so they could free up a table. Also the food wasn't good, we ordered lasagna and they were out, this resturaunt is known for lasagna and they had none. We then ordered ziti and it was the worst meal I have ever had in my life
(1)Steven C.
Woulda been 5 stars, if they didn't run out of meatballs for spaghetti & meatballs. Service: Great (Ashley - the waitress) Ambiance: Italian decor with a lot of photos, well lit, but cold. (a/c is on full blast) Kinda slow, but there was a couple of bday parties so the noise level were up... When our order came I was surprised at the servings. It appeared that my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Then I was asked how my substitute dish from the spaghetti/meatballs were and I wasn't a big fan of it. But, what really earned them the 5th star was when one of the managers' came and offered me a side order of spaghetti/meatballs and took off the charge for the substitute dish. Overall: I would come again and be a repeat customer and recommend this restaurant to other people
(5)Steven K.
I love the food, atmosphere and the wait staff there. We were with a big party, and they nailed everything perfectly.
(4)Trina T.
Warning!!! Horrible service. 0 stars 9 stars 0 stars I wish we never had gone here. The management needs to do better and be on time . Definitely loss my business and everyone I know. Had dinner here and Lost my sons shoe and wanted to pick it up this morning called them and was told manager will be in before 10am came they're waited until 9:50 finally saw someone inside decided to knock and girl at front was extremely rude. " Ummmm excuse me, I'm not suppose to Let you in because my manager called saying you're supposed to wait for her to look for your lost item. I told her I just needed to see the table we are at and I don't think its necessary for ua to wait. I don't get it, the kitchen manager finally came out to say he'll look in lost and found in office waited another 15 minutes ( thus point I was waiting outside because the front desk girl was extremely rude) had to call and girl says are you calling me? I can see you i said I'm waiting for the kitchen manager he's supposed to let me know if he has found my item as being in customer service industry you're supposed to follow through. He comes out a minute later I called and says sorry I can't find it. then I asked when is the other manager coming? He then says she's stuck in traffic and will be here 11am. I am so frustrated as I had my 2 year old son with me and they expect me to wait another hour or so?!!!! Seriously what service is this??? Rude, lying, workers/management. Finally got a call from the lady manager that was an hour late saying she found my shoe!!! Like really!!! I think as part of service you're supposed to be like I'm going to be late but my workers can help you look for the shoe! Not make us wait over an Hour and be lied to because kitchen manager really didn't care to look. Girl at front has attitude. Really unethical place! Definitely loss my business!!! Do not go here
(1)Tiffinie K.
Love this place if I go with a large group who likes family style. REALLY LOVE the veggie pizza. I think it's because I didn't expect it to taste good, being a meat lover and all. haha!
(3)R G.
Shut up and take my money!!! I abso-freaking-lutely love this place. If they were closer I'd eat here every day! We always order a full family portion per person so that we have leftovers for the next day... or two! It's not super cheap but if you get 2-3 meals out of it it's pretty reasonably priced. The Chef is always super nice with food allergies in our group. Clean, yummy family fun!
(5)Victoria R.
Good food most of the time. The food comes in large portions so be prepared to share. They will accommodate changes you want in your meal. I also recommend getting a peach Bellini to drink. It's a frozen drink and it's amazing! :) the only problems are they get crowded and because it's busy you don't always get the best customer service.
(4)Farrah A.
this place just isn't what it used to be from years back (at least 6 years ago). lacking in flavor and heavy on the salt. I am continually disappointed with BDB. not to mention their photographer going around asking for pictures then trying to sell it to you...as if we didn't all have cell phones to take pix with and as if we wanted to spend more money on that stuff. UUUUGH! the fried mozzarella tastes like it comes from a frozen food box, the chicken marsala is missing the richness of the marsala wine. calamari is too salty and breaded too thick. blah.
(2)Terry K.
Three of us. We ordered Salad and Spagetti with meatballs and sausage. As always, we planned to eat "family" style. The portions are large enough that family style becomes more or less a "must". Oh, everything there is ala carte. no bread, no nothing. So we ordered garlic bread... $10.50 for dried toast with garlic salt, not even real garlic.... The service was ok- waiters took the orders, buspeople bussed the tables, but we had to ask more than once for the basic things (like napkins and water....) The management strategy must be to herd them in, get them fed, and get them out..... turn those tables.... It was never about how our food is, do you have enough water, let me get you a napkin.... Nope! done with them.
(2)Jhoren C.
"when the moon hits your eyes like a big-a pizza pie, that AMORE!" this song always pops in my head whenever I enter Bucca. Could be their lovely decor idk, but I always come here and leave happy! +great place for family dinners or large groups +portions are unbelievably HUGE. I remember a long long time ago, my mom took me and my sisters here and we each ordered our own entrees not realizing that it was accomodating to feed 4 people! so FYI, come here on an empty stomach just so you can try everything on their menu. *FOOD* +their Deep Fried Calamari for starters is excellent, lightly battered and crispy +Chopped Antipasto Salad or Apple Gorgonzola Salad - a bowl full of goodness you'll forget that it's even a salad you're eating +Margherita Pizza -fresh mozzarella cheese, aromatic basil topped with tomatoe sauce YUMMMY! +Shrimp Fra Diavolo - A++ for it having lotsa shrimp, add some crushed red pepper flakes and BAM it's an explsion in your mouth +Liguine Frutti Di Mare (MY FAVE) - if you love seafood w/ red clam sauce then this is the one to try *DESSERT* +Pistachio Gelato ice cream +Canoli's
(4)Jay P.
Buca di Beppo is really family style dining. I love you, incredibly large portions of everything. This Buca di Beppo is located at Ward Center just below the movie theaters. Parking is readily available practically everywhere -- in the parking lot below the movie theaters and across the street. It's best to make reservations before going because there is usually a wait. I enjoyed the tour through the restaurant the very first time I decided to dine here, but I really don't need to see it every single time I come to dine here. I should probably be the initiator and demand that "I don't want the tour! I just want to sit down and eat with my friends!" There is complementary bread with free refills for every table, which is great! Since this is a family style restaurant, the portions are big enough to share with a large group. When I came with a group of ten, we ended up ordering five different items and still had leftovers! If you want, order one item from each section! The Supremo Italiano, Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, and Baked Lasagna are my personal favorites.
(4)Kesha W.
Very very good restaurant. For the service and amount of food is well worth the price. All they meal portion is for 2 people
(5)Kathy F.
Mama Mia!!! You can't help but start thinking that Guido and Rosa may be right around the corner as you enter into this restaurant that resembles your Stegga Nona's dining room!!! Italian charm abounds, and the food is really pretty good. Let them know that you are a first timer and they will be sure to walk you through the kitchen and introduce you to the ones who will be making your meal. I love this! They even point out the men and women's bathrooms, a must stop just to see all of the fun items on the wall and in the cases. Let them know you are celebrating a special occasion and they will give you a sign to carry with you and placed on your table. We were with our friends celebrating an anniversary. So many of the patrons asked what they were celebrating and offered their congrats too. Talk about Ohana...uh, I mean, La Familia!!!! Big, hearty dishes with an atmosphere that is truly unique. "Try it, you'll like it"
(4)Rex D.
We went there for the first time last night. I'm not that fussy when it comes to pasta, so I would give the pasta 4 stars. I thought it was very good, and the prices are great, for Honolulu. They have small and large servings. They say the small serves two and the large serves four. I was a little skeptical, but the small serving really is enough for two people. My wife and I left stuffed. The five stars are for the service. As many have mentioned, the service is fantastic. Our server was Rachel and she couldn't have been better. We will definitely be repeat customers.
(5)Michael M.
Such a great place and great food! First time here and we got a chance to eat at the Chef's table in the kitchen! Awesome service, great atmosphere and the food was delicious. They were giving tours of the kitchen and every staff member said hi to the visitors just making them feel welcomed. I don't know how I avoided this place for so long. If this is your first time, be prepared to bring home leftovers!!! I have nothing but good to say about this restaurant. Enjoy!
(5)Christina S.
I love this place! Only go to this restaurant if you have a big group of loud and hungry friends. The food is really good and is served family style (and I mean HUGE servings so don't go as a couple unless you want your dinner to serve as the next day's lunch as well). None of their dishes have disappointed me yet! My favorites are the frutti di mari (seafood pasta), chicken limone, ceasar salad, and to top it off: the colossal brownie sundae (it truly is colossal!). It's a great place to have loud and hilarious conversations with friends because that is what everyone else around you is doing too. Plus someone is always celebrating their birthday there so the servers always sing their loud birthday songs while the whole room claps along. Also, don't bring really conservative people along with you because there are pictures of boobs, penisis, and alcohol covering the walls of this place. I think it adds to the charm : ) Overall, it is a great place to have a fun get together with a bunch of friends with lots of really good food.
(5)Criselda W.
They like to advertise that Buca di Beppo is the perfect place for celebrations but we weren't impressed. Came here to celebrate dual birthdays for my husband and brother. Everything is family style and while their menu says that the small portion is good for 2 or more people, we found out that the large size is too big for even a party of 8. We ordered 4 large size entrees and we have leftovers for the next day. Take my husband's advice: There is never a need to order a large at Buco di Beppo. The service was good but not excellent. They have a guy who takes pictures of your party "for free" but of course, if you want the framed picture, it will cost you. We didn't ask how much it would cost because we weren't interested. Makes me wonder what they do with the printed pictures though. Like the service, the food was good but not amazing. The only dish my family and I regretted ordering is the cheesy bread florentine. Do not order this dish! It was NOT worth the $18 cost for bread with alfredo sauce and very little veggies. We also regretted ordering large dishes. It was definitely not necessary. One thing I would also like to note is that unlike other Italian restaurants, they don't serve free bread. The large entrees are pricey at about $30 a dish. Since we had ordered 4 large dishes and 2 small appetizers, we were stuffed. We passed on their desserts because they're made to share and we did not need to eat another huge dish. In addition, their desserts cost about $12, which I thought was a ridiculous amount to pay. The thing that really got to me was that they did not make the birthday celebration feel special. Sure, they announce it to the whole room and your server sings you a song but if you do not order a $12 dessert, expect NOTHING else for your birthday. All they give you is a candle for you to blow out. Thanks, I guess? After spending over $200 on dinner, we felt gypped. We weren't expecting a huge, shareable dessert for my husband's and brother's birthday but how about a small scoop of ice cream? We could have went to another restaurant and I'm sure they would have given us more than a candle to blow out.
(3)Santi T.
Want a food coma? Looking to carb load? Then this is your place! BdiB will satisfy your pseudo Italian taste buds with their huge portions. Located on the street level of the Ward movie center, step inside this Christmas light luvin', black and white photos and cans of tomatoes covering the ceilings to share a family style meal. If you come here, be sure to bring an empty stomach because: small = huge large = huge 2x On my last visit, I ordered the small meat sauce spaghetti ($16) which didn't wow me because the flavor was slightly bland. Not even the chili flakes and Parmesan cheese could help it. I must admit their Margherita pizza (small $14) was super tasty with the melted cheese, basil and red sauce all on a thin crust. If you can't wait, ask for their complimentary focaccia bread and use their balsamic vinegar/olive oil dipping sauce until you get your meal. Watch out because it gets loud and crowded. They take reservations which is a plus. If you have a big party, try the Pope's room for some good laughs. After eating here, don't blame me if you get sleepy!
(3)James W.
It's been almost a year since I've eaten at Buca and it was as good as I remembered. We shared the chicken carbonara and the manicotti and it was fantastic. We also had a great waitress who was both efficient and friendly! Ask for her next time you come
(4)Pie C.
Buca di Beppo! We ate dinner here last night to celebrated my friend's graduation and another friend's birthday. I am really amazed by the service and orgazation of the crew. Our reservation was in shrort notice yet they still got us a spot for 12 people to dine. I really regret not getting the name of our server for I would surley praise her in this review, she did such an amazing job in keeping us entertained and Fed Asap. She started by giving us a tour of the kitchen then to some of the rooms that has amazingly interesting decour,very italian. She then gave us our seats asked us what's the special occasion, took out orders, got our food after 2 min and we ordered a load of food maybe 5 dishes. After eating they didnt let us leave without their BUCA song for our birthday celebrant and grad girl. It was fun eating at BUCA DI BEPPO i totally recommend this to all ages price:$$-$$$ ambicance: super artistic, very tourisy dress code: casual is fine service: AWESOME!!!!
(5)Zane L.
Frank was awesome with getting me non dairy meals (stupid lactose intolerance!).
(4)Michael E.
One of our favorite places to kill time when traffic sucks like it does today! Whether you are by yourself (not recommended) or with a bunch of people, it's always a good time to Bucca!!!!! At Bucca you're always part of la familia. bring the rest of the mob next time and stop in get a large bowl of pasta and marinara to share. But don't fuggedaboutda meatballs, there huge and a great addition to any pasta and marinara combination.
(5)Christina K.
Buca is great... especially after a work out and you need a carbo pick me up. :) While the wait can be long, the food is good and the portions are perfect for large parties. I am a fan of their pizzas and carbonara. It is very loud and you usually hear them signing a happy birthday at least 3 times during your meal. It's definitely not a place to talk and catch up. But the upbeat atmosphere is great for a large party. Careful since parking is difficult if you go when the movie theater is packed.
(4)David P.
One of the Italian restaurants in town that can house a large party. That being said, let's get down to the nitty gritty. Food: This place can have their good and bad days. On the days they are good, the food will taste great as well as the service being fantastic. On the good days, I suggest the seafood linguine (I forgot the name they use on the menu, but it will be one of the more expensive entrees). This entree has great amounts of seafood (mussels, shrimp, etc.) mixed in with the noodles. Please make sure you don't get the one with the tomato sauce. The pizza with the Italian sausage is really good here on the good days, and I also enjoyed the stuffed shells as well as the lasagne (some days). Service: On the bad days, it gets pretty horrible. For example, they might forget to bring things like lemon with your iced tea, straws with your drinks, and not bring the bill and make you wait another 15 minutes (and this is when it is NOT busy). Otherwise, there have been times when I have received good service from this establishment. Atmosphere: The restaurant tries to simulate a more authentic feel, but with the excessive noise (mainly from birthday celebrations, which I do not mind by the way), this place is only great with a big party. All that being said, I actually would prefer another place like Paesano's, Ricado's (if you want to go a bit farther), or even Arancino's (not really authentic, but has better service). Happy yelping!
(3)Krysten I.
Buca di beppo is a restaurant chain...the layout of the restaurants are the same, the menu is the same even the pictures on the wall are the same. I was disappointed in this location because the one time I came here to dine-in the hostess was extremely rude. Another time, I called to order a salad to go. I came to pick it up and the hostess said she didn't have my order. 15 minutes later she informed me that the order was not found (it wasn't in the right place or something) and that I had to wait another 15 minutes for them to make it. The food is decent, but you really should go with a large group.
(2)Holly B.
Quaint Italian restaurant with good portions and a host of choices. Friendly waitstaff and medium to quick service. Enjoyable, but nothing inventive or outstanding.
(3)George G.
Had BdB when I lived in Jersey, didn't like it...it helped me find Carrabbas (that's a whole different story/review). So, I decided to give it a try here, but same ole stuff. The decor is just overboard, cluttered, old and dusty. When they were escorting us to the table, they ask if we wanted a tour of the kitchen...I was thinking is this a restaurant or a show? I told them no, but they did any way (STRIKE ONE) I think they want you to focus on the size/quantity of food, instead of the quality. The food wasn't up to par and the service was not good it all. Had to ask for refills twice(STRIKE TWO) Also, from my table/seat I had a clear line of sight to the ice/soda machine, I saw one of the waiters have a glass of ice and put his hand in it to pick a piece of ice and eat it, then he put water in the glass and serve it to a patron...WTH!!! (STRIKE THREE) So, you take the risk of getting sick or your expectations unfulfilled when going there.
(1)Greg C.
I'd give five stars, but the wait on the weekends makes me go upstairs to Dave & Buster's instead. As for the service, always great! I think sometimes they get a little tired of trapsing my family through the kitchen over-and-over again, but what can I say, I like seeing how the stuff is made. The food is authentic Italian, and it's always hard to pick a dish. I'm especially fond of the penne pasta with spicy sausage. We sometimes ask for extra cheese to be melted on top before serving. The kids can't eat it because it's too spicy, so more for me and the wife. The decor is what really makes the place special. There are so many pictures and trinkets on the walls and shelves, you've always got something to look at in between trying to keep the kids from touching each other. Great place to eat after seeing a movie at Ward Theatres!
(4)Michelle M.
I guess I can say that I should have written this review a while ago...SHOOT me! I've been lazy and a bit distracted :) Be it lunch with the officemates, dinner with the favorite foodie friend, or as the afterparty for a sucky film showing at Ward; I really enjoy Buca di Beppo! The Penne Ala Vodka was great last night. Service was par none! Humorous and very sensitive to my foodie friend's loss to me at D&B's...it was an overall great time. I do struggle with the family style servings but that's because I tend to eat with my eyes and cant ever decide on one thing I like. Wish they had a single dinner menu like they have for lunch. :)
(4)Karen D.
A group dinner at Buca di Beppo is not my idea of a romantic Valentine's Day. But I was here for a cause. My friend decided to get married on short notice, and because she wanted to do the deed on Valentine's Day, our options for the reception location were VERY limited. Hence, our adventure at Buca di Beppo! My memories of Buca were ones of mediocre food, ticky-tacky decor, and so-so service, so my expectations were very low. However, I was pleasantly surprised that they made a real effort to help the happy couple enjoy their special evening at their fine establishment. I was in charge of "decorations" (as if the place needed more of that), so I went arrived ahead of the rest of our party to set up. From start to finish, everyone went all out to assist me with everything I needed. Five stars for service! The food was also better than I expected. While it was by no means gourmet dining, it was respectable, and portions are large. Food appearance and flavor three stars. The "ambiance" is quite kitschy; two stars. Overall value for price three stars. Buca is a good place to come if you have a group who isn't too picky about their food, likes to let their hair down, and has plenty of time to enjoy the festivities. The Buca staff truly work with you to help you plan and enjoy your special occasion, so they get a solid four stars in my book for that. Buca is located in Ward Entertainment Center (below the movie theatre), on Auahi at Kamake'e. Hours are Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm. Free on-site parking located across from the restaurant on Auahi Street and in the parking garage located on Kamake'e (garage entrance by Nordstrom Rack). Yelp 365 Challenge #151
(4)V V.
Usually Bucca is on point with their services but this one waitress was so horrible this made my review turn into a horrific experience!!!!! It's a filipino young lady wish I shoulda gotten her name. Anyway, came here for a friends birthday and there were a total of ten of us on the table. Me and my main ordered lasagna. After waiting for about 20 mins or so the waitress tell us that they don't have lasagna no more when they bought everyone else's foods out to be served. Like um hello you only wait til food is ready to be served that you tell us there's no more lasagna??? I was also pissed the fact that the lady didn't return to take our new order and I had to order it through someone else. I was pissed. Then, she didn't even offer us any house bread when we were waiting for our food or no appetizers on the house for makin us wait like that. Then one of the food server came out finally with bread with our orders but it was only one bread basket for one side of the table and mind you there was ten of us! We had to ask for more bread. Lady didn't even ask how we were doing and no customer service. No customer service=NO TIP so I didn't give her shitty ass a tip. Usually we tip big but with the lousy customer service she deserved to be fired! Usually I would say something but I didn't want to make a big deal since it was for my friends birthday and I didn't want to make a scene. I mean come on now! Lasagna is one of their popular dishes and for a waitress to tell me twenty mins later they don't got any more and made me reorder is unacceptable. I'll take my money else where like Dnb at least they give military discount.
(1)NEILAND S.
I ordered a dinner for 8 delivered (plenty of food for ten or more). Management and delivery personnel went above expectations to make my event a success. My last minute request was accommodated without complaint. The main courses were very well prepared and the salad cold and fresh. I highly recommend Buca as a great option for effortless entertaining.
(5)Briana K.
This was my 2nd visit here and I'm pretty sure I'm never going back... My bf and I shared a small fettuccine with chicken and mushrooms, first off the pasta had no damn taste and the mushrooms were just thrown in the pasta not cooked at all! It was so hard I lost my appetite! For a Italian place I'd expect it to be way better Bravos has better pasta then them! The bread sucked not warm or anything! The only good thing was the strawberry ice tea! For 20.00 bucks you'd expect your food to taste decent the up side was the waiter didn't charge me for my ice tea which I'm not going to complain since the food was junk...
(1)Jacob A.
Everything from the house wine, bread, and our meals were delicious server was great and checked on us often. I will be back for sure!!!
(4)Stephen F.
Outstanding! Probably the best Italian restaurant I've ever ate at. Great family atmosphere with large portions of good food. Lots of laughter and conversation make for a great atmosphere. Reasonably priced considering the portions and quality. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Makayla B.
This was my first time at this location, I have only been to locations in California. I was impressed by the service I received from a man named Thomas. He provided us amazing customer service and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our dinner. Every employee welcomed us as we received a tour of the kitchen. I was happy to see a gluten free menu available upon request, but wish they had more options. I ate the salmon dish and was pleased. I would go back again, but with more people since the portion sizes were huge. They have a GLUTEN FREE MENU!!! ASK FOR IT.
(4)Cindy L.
Great big round table for 14 with the Pope's status sitting in the middle, and tons of Pope's picture surrounding you. Of course, don't forget that it also comes with a king's chair for the birthday girl. How's that for a baby girl's first birthday? We ordered 7 different entrees (all large portions) and did family style: Mozzarella Caprese ($18.95) - Vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh mozzarella drizzled with basil olive oil and topped with fresh basil leaves. - YUM! Apple Gorgonzola Salad ($20.95) - Tart Granny Smith apples, spiced walnuts, dried cranberries and Gorgonzola cheese tossed with fresh lettuce blend in Italian vinaigrette. - Love it, love it! Margherita ($20.95) - Fresh mozzarella cheese, aromatic basil and pizza sauce. - Very light and appetizing! Penne Basilica ($30.95) - Tender chicken breast, broccoli and a light pesto cream sauce with penne pasta. Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken ($32.95) - Breaded chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto, baked and topped with marinara, served on a bed of pesto cream sauce. Baked Ziti ($27.95) - Baked pastas with chicken, marinara and lots of cheese. Penne San Remo ($30.95) - Tender chicken breast, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and peas tossed with penne pasta in a white wine cream sauce. We probably ate half of the food and took the other half to go. Yeah, each large portion can serve 4 - 6 people. So don't order too much.
(3)Blessing F.
My family and I have always been a big fan of this restaurant and often celebrate there. Our last visit there was sooooo bad I don't think I'll ever come back. In the 3+ years that we've been coming, my daughter would order the spaghetti and meatballs but she's not a fan of the meatballs so we would ask our waiter if we can upgrade to clams. In the last 3 years we've never had any issues with that. This time we tried to do the same and the waiter said sure. Minutes later, a man came up to us and said, "the chef cannot change it. It has to come out with meatballs" so I told him that we have never had any issues in the past changing it and did not know that it was something that they do not do and he's response to me was that it's not possible because they never change their orders. Why would I lie about that? Well, our waiter comes back drops our food and that was the last time we saw him. He never came back to ask if we needed anything and we had to get another waiter to refill our water cups for us. He later came back to give us our check (did not ask if we wanted desert or not). My husband who is stationed in Korea and was home visiting was so disappointed because we felt as if we had wasted our night time together. Off course my daughter are her spaghetti and we left the meatballs for them. I would not spend over $100 on a place that refuses to accommodate their customers and/or ignore them if they feel as if they might not get tipped. We've been going to Bravo in aiea and even though the food isn't as good their service is spectacular and we've not had any issues with changing our order.
(1)Eugenia W.
Food was great, as usual, but very disappointed by the dishonest actions of our server tonight. We were a group of 6, so the bill was high as was expected. I paid with multiple gift cards and cash, but after we started to leave the table I realized I had made a mistake with the gift cards, that they were $50 not $25, which meant that I had way overpaid. I asked to see the manager who at first seemed like it was just too bad, but after I made it clear that I was not leaving without some of my money back she went to get a copy of the receipt. The server did not enter everything I had given him into the computer. I gave him four $50 cards, one with $30, and $170 in cash for a $250 bill resulting in a $120 tip. I'm generous, but no one is that generous. He must have pocketed the $30 card because only the $50 ones were entered and $50 in cash. I told the manager I wanted $110 refunded which still left him with a 17% tip, but since he kept the $30 card I had no proof and she would only give me $100 back. I know things are tough all over, but lying to keep a bigger tip......
(2)Kimberly S.
My husband and I have been here several times, so I decided to take my family on the way back to the airport. First, the host was having some "power trip" issue. He knew all the servers were there, but since two didn't speak to him directly, he "isn't sitting people in that section until they speak to him". Really? Seemed rather childish to me - especially since he tried to sit my family of 8 with 2 children in the bar! After I spoke up, we finally got seated in one of the previous mentioned sections. Then, to try to excuse his behavior, the young lady leading us states, "Please excuse him. He almost died last night overdosing on sleeping pills". Lovely! Finally, sitting, we order drinks. The waitress promptly pours it all over my brother-in-law. Nice! He doesn't mind a 12 hour plane ride with wet socks and clothes. Next, the photographer would not go away. The food was okay. .. not really special. .. and certainly not worth the craziness!
(2)Dave K.
Many people I know like this place or speak positively about it. I went and was not impressed. In my opinion the "larger family style servings" thing is just a ploy to get you to pay more money. I have yet to taste anything there to call a favorite. Otherwise service and atmosphere was good. Food is average, if you want Italian, I'd say spend a couple extra bucks and go to Macaroni Grill. I encourage you to try this place yourself because it isn't atrocious, just didnt reach my expectation and was nothing special to me (I'd even take Spaghetti Factory over this spot) Anyone saying this is the "best Italian on the island" should seriously be questioned.
(2)Katherine N.
Eddie was an amazing server! Meatballs and italian sausages are to die for and this time our pasta came out hot and tasty! Thanks a lot Bucas!
(5)Val D.
A family style restaurant that gives a lot of food for a family. Went with a group, so didn't really price out everything, but as for the food: Ceasar Salad - 4 stars - your usual ceasar salad. My son loved it, and ate this dish the most, especially with the croutons. Fettucine Alfredo - 3 stars - very creamy, like any restaurant, in a really huge plate. 4 cheese pizza - 3 stars - cheese pizza on a thin crust. Was pretty good, and the kids like it. I like my crusts a little thick, so I'm a little biased. Fettucine Supremo - 4 stars - much more ingredients than the fettucini. Was very flavorful and a lot. Best to order just the fettucini or this dish since they both have creamy sauce, and it was a little overload of cream with both. Chicken parmigiana - 5 stars - I really liked this dish a lot, more because it had thick pieces of chicken with a nice wine flavored tomato sauce. Service - 5 stars - our waters were filled, and it has a party atmosphere which is great for kids. When we first arrived, they also gave us a tour of their kitchen before we sat on our table.
(4)Jessie S.
Went here a few days ago for dinner with some friends. I gotta say, compared to the first couple times I came here, I really enjoyed it. Our server was great. He was very friendly and helpful. The food (calamari and a spinach shrimp pasta) was amazing. Portions were big as usual so it was enough to feed me and my girlfriend. I really enjoyed it and definitely plan to be back. I think working in an authentic Italian restaurant myself really makes me appreciate and know what good Italian food is. This place is great for family and get togethers. It doesn't disappoint. If you hadn't tried, you should. =)
(4)Gabriel T.
This place is always awesome for groups and going out for dinner with friends and stuff. They have Italian and American style food served family style. To me the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant is very festive. They have a bar and stuff almost right next to and near the entrance of the restaurant almost outside and the waiting area. The staff and customer service is great. Everyone is very friendly. My favorite dish is the eggplant Parmesan. They have other awesome dishes like pizzas and pastas. They also got some good appetizers too. The prices are decent for what you get. Buccas can fill you up pretty good after a good meal. Talking about the staff and customer service, there was this one time when my crew and I were playing our favorite board game, "Apples to Apples." Our waitress immediately spotted us and says she loves the game. She started playing along with us as she was taking our order and serving us. That's whatsup. I thought that was one of the coolest waiter/waitress experiences that I ever had. For big parties, it is highly hecka recommended you make a reservation. If you go there expecting to walk in and get seated for a short period of time, ain't gonna happen, especially if you go at a busy time like the weekend. I think this is one of the most overrated places to eat in the island but it deserves to be overrated. It's conveniently located at the Ward Theater center area right underneath Dave n Busters and the movie theater right next to the Bose store. Yelp 365 Challenge #198/365
(5)Christine K.
Super fun for groups! When I graduated from my Master's program I reserved the Pope room...it is funny, there is a bust of the Pope's head in the middle of the table. But it is great. The table is in the round so you can see everyone. The food just kept coming and coming. Eating family style is the way to go. My favorite for an intimate party is the kitchen room...very entertaining. Watching the chefs, the expediter, its like being in Hell's Kitchen without the swearing and throwing of plates! I can recommend the child's portion with half a meatball (the size of a soft ball) for a quick bite. The veal saltimboca, if out, chicken piccata is great. I also like the spicy chicken and rigatoni. I lived in Italy for a year and I think their thin-style Pizza is very similar as to what I enjoyed there. Great salads too. They used to have a warm spinach salad there, but it seemed to disappear off the menu. I have had better Italian fare, but for the money, the entertainment and the service this is a definite crowd pleaser.
(4)Ashley H.
Phenomenal place! We made reservations for Valentines Day (yesterday) which was also or 3 year anniversary! They took us on a quick tour of the kitchen on the way to our table in the "wine room." The restaurant is nicely decorated and had nice music playing. Since this was our first time there so our waitress, Simone, explained their portions to us! A small is big enough for 2 maybe 3 people to share. A large is enough for 3-4 people. We ordered 2 small dishes and observed the table next to us order a large. The large was HUGE! We ordered the small Veal Parmagiano & small stuffed shells. Both were delightful! We also ordered the Italian meatball appetizer & I loved when Simone brought over olive oil & balsamic vinegar and put them on a small dish to dip our bread in! Yum! After our tour of the kitchen & getting to see where they made the desserts I knew I had to save room. I chose to eat 2 of my shells, a small portion of the veal & then get to go boxes for that so I could order dessert. We got the Italian Creme Cake! Oh em gee! My life has changed! Lol. It's amazing! We are definitely coming back here! Amazing customer service and even better food! Oh and try a glass of the seven daughters moscato wine - BEST Moscato I've ever had! Amazing place!
(5)Michael M.
What a great place to eat. It was my first time so I made a reservation online which was incredibly simple. Good thing I did because this place was packed. Was seated fast with excellent service. The meal was great with plenty left over for as midnight food binge or lunch tomorrow
(5)Heidi K.
Massive amounts of portions for anything you order, delicious food, delicious apps, entrees, wines, desserts. Everything. I will definitely be back! Our waitress was very nice, the hostess was very pleasant, and nobody acted like they hated us... which happens in a lot of restaurants that don't care about customer service. We ordered bruschetta for an appetizer and it was delicious! My husband is a huge meat eater and normally doesn't like much on the vegetation end of things but really liked it too! I ordered lambrusco and it was an amazing wine. I also ordered a martini, but wish I had stuck with just wine. For an entree we ordered the spicy chicken one with pasta, I can't remember what type of pasta it was. For dessert we got the Pumpkin Cheesecake... Yum! This is family style and so it's not like you're paying $15/person, it's meant to be shared. It is on the more expensive side, with all said and done, tip included, we spent up towards 80 dollars for the 2 of us, but we also ordered alcohol and 3 courses. This place is great, and I look forward to going back! *I just had to say here, in response to the person giving 2 stars and complaining that the waiter said, "Saving room for dessert?" HELLOOOO, do you ever go out to eat?!?!?!?!?! I've rarely had a waiter NOT ask if we want dessert, I'm sure you'd be complaining if they DIDN'T offer you dessert! Get a grip!*
(5)Corinne E.
I haven't gone to Buca in awhile. I remember faintly the huge portions and I think that's why I shy away from that... but hey, why not take home the leftovers? I was surprised at our bill... I thought, wow, that's really affordable! I was starving by the time we got there so maybe that's why everything tasted super good too... I don't know! Even the bread! I loved dipping it in the sauce! The apple gorgonzola salad with so delish! It's been awhile since I've been to a restaurant and had someone go around to take your picture. She kept saying "It's free!" But in actuality you get this tiny photo printed on this piece of photo paper with a coupon to use for next time you visit. So I guess that cute little photo would have been enough but then they say you can buy the actual prints. So I got suckered in to buying two of the four. Oh, well. Good keepsake! I am amazed at the huge layout... forgot how huge that place is and how huge groups can go there. Amazing how they pull off all that food coming out in a timely manner. I should come back here more often!
(4)Leukemia W.
My family of 4 went out to celebrate my husband's birthday & made reservations at Buca di Beppo (this is our first time here, yay!). We were there 15min early, checked in and I informed the hostess that we were celebrating a birthday. We didn't get called inside until 25 minutes later. The woman who offered to take us on a tour didn't wait for my whole family to follow her before heading to the kitchen (2 of my family members are disabled & were unable to keep up with her fast pace). We didn't understand her as she was rushing while explaining what I believe were the different stations (pizza, pasta & salad?). Once we were seated, the waiter kept coming to our table almost every other minute & stared at us, expecting us to be ready to order. When we finally decided on what to eat, we were informed that our order would take longer because of our appetizer...didn't make sense...anyhow, we noticed that two tables who were seated AFTER us got their food before we did, no biggie, we were excited to try good Italian food. Behind us, we heard the employees signing happy birthday to 3 different tables, which was kind of cool. There was also a woman going around taking "complimentary" photos of people dining, which we thought would be perfect to remember our first experience. She went to every table around us, but never came to ours....our food finally arrived and felt cold, as if it had been sitting for a while (Small spaghetti with meatballs, large pepperoni pizza, small veal, large cheesy bread with spinach and tomatoes, large shrimp pasta with spinach and tomatoes). What we didn't understand was the fact that the restaurant wasn't full, so our meal should've been ready & served within 30 minutes...so not the case... Our drinks weren't refilled for over 20 minutes, even though our waiter kept walking around asking other tables if they needed anything...when we finally got our drinks refilled, we asked the waiter for to go plates as we had had enough of this HORRIBLE service. The waiter returned with only 3 to go plates, but we needed 5, so we had to wait. I asked him for the check at that time and he told us to wait since he was the cashier. We waited an additional 10 minutes & I asked the waiter if their staff was going to sing happy birthday & he gave me a look of shock, which told me that he had forgotten even though there was a huge green sign on our table that said we're celebrating a birthday...he also knew before taking our orders...oh well....we spent $165 for the WORST possible service & the food was not the greatest either...THANKS FOR RUINING OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. WE WILL NOT BE RETURNING, EVER!!
(1)Joei G.
First time writing a review on yelp. Glad this place will be my first review. This was my first time here and it happens to be a Lenten Friday. Since i'm catholic, I would not be eating meat today (meat of land animals anyway). But it didn't matter, the shrimp florentine, fried calamari and brownie sundae were very good. I also had an Italian soda called something... strawberry, it was good but nothing special since it was basically like a strawberry float and it was also priced around $5. But in any case the food was very good. We all agreed to order more calamari next time, we had ordered two large orders and wanted more haha. The there was 11 of us all together and it was very enjoyable. Since our group was big, they put us in the pope room. It was an awesome experience, we will definitely go back.
(5)Jonathan L.
Came here for a co-workers birthday. My tip is to plan ahead. What we did was look at the menu in advance and come up with a list of what we wanted and gave it to the waitress right away so we didn't take time to decide. We were seated right away as it is not busy at lunch time. If you make reservations early they give you a special area specifically for birthdays. There is a statue of a pope in the middle of the table and pictures of popes all around you. Some of my co-workers thought it was kinda creepy. But what was pretty cool was the birthday person has a extra large chair that was fit for a king. The food was pretty good. Everything was bought our promptly and our waters were refilled in the timely manner. My favorite dish there was the fried mozzarella which was oozing with cheese once you take the first bite. Everything else we ordered was okay nothing worthy to mention about,.
(4)JenniLi ..
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(3)Tobias C.
I've read some negative reviews here on Yelp concerning BdP - so I was a little worried when I was invited to a party in the Pope Room on 01-04-14. Apparently the party throwers reserved the room - took a fruit arrangement to Buca earlier that day to be later placed on the table, pre-ordered the complete dinner - including a personalized Birthday cake from Buca- ....And ....All for 17 people. There was no wait when we arrived. The restaurant allowed the table to be decorated with party favors just prior to being seated -and now for the review..... The Server -Excellent -5 stars "KATIE" - kept all of the drinks filled, brought out extra bread, delivered food from the kitchen in perfect order and in a timely fashion, boxed the left overs, and made sure that Italian Birthday song was sung for the Birthday person of the day! - She should get a raise!!! The Food - not bad - not bad at all! The Price - not sure - but I heard - it was reasonable!! Good job Buca!!! Great job - Katie!!!
(5)AshLee M.
Bad choice when you changed the fried mozzarella to freezer to fryer disgusting triangles. Please bring back the older version
(2)Kimmy T.
American Italian. Not a authentic italian. Amount is huge. Service is ok. Little bit too oily...
(3)Julie E.
Met up with some friends here on a Friday evening. This was our first time to a Bucas although I have heard about it. We had reservations and were promptly seated. I think there were about 10 or 15 of us including a bunch of rugrats. The restaurant is family style so each couple ordered a plate or two and we shared amongst the table. - Ceasar Salad was great!! I think it was my favorite part of the meal. - Seafood Trio Appetizer was great as well (mussels, calamari, etc) - Main dish (forget what I ordered...it was forgettable) Although the portions were huge and looked great, I found the main dishes to lack in flavor a bit. I didn't try everything though, I had binged on ceasar salad! I liked the atmosphere, although this place is pretty confusing to find your way to the restroom and back again.
(3)Diane O.
I took my business team for a promotion dinner and was disappointed in the service and food. It had been years since my last visit which I found to be quite enjoyable but this trip left me underwhelmed. We originally had reservations for 10 but only 6 of us actually made it to the restaurant. We were asked if it was a special occasion and I said yes it was for a promotion. We were seated and proceeded to order. The menu indicated that the large portions were for 4 people. We ordered 2 appetizers, 1 salad, 1 entree and 2 pastas all large. We had do much leftover food it was not funny. I wished our server would have mentioned that it was probably more food than we needed. The fettuccine was somewhat dry as the sauce seemed to have been absorbed into pasta. There was no sauce at all. Same with the ziti, all the pasta was stuck together. My water glass was never refilled during the meal. One of my dining companions knew I wanted to try the cannoli so she told our server. No one else was asked if they wanted dessert. Clean silverware was not brought for us to eat the cannoli which I shared. Since we were asked if it was a special occasion I hoped our server would have mentioned something or given us a chance to order a special dessert but nothing was said. My guest of honor wanted a dessert but ended up sharing my cannoli since they were not asked. While I am not a fan of upselling, we were not even asked if we wanted wine etc. which would have been nice since it was a celebration. We were not thanked or anything once the check was dropped off on the table. It was a very disappointing evening for all of us. We spent almost $200 for sub par service and food. We could have gone elsewhere for a much better dinner with better service.
(2)Casey D.
Spicy chicken rigatoni is delicoius. Prices are high, even for the amount of food you get. Service is typically pretty good. I definitely recommend signing up for their rewards program. So many coupons available.
(3)Jessica C.
One of the best place for traditional Italian food. They don't skimp out on the food and offers a lot for the price. The small size could fill the stomachs of 2-3 people. Everything tastes soooooooooo good here. I absolutely love the lasagna and ravioli here. And the strawberry freshly brewed green tea is amazing. Food here is to die for.
(4)Alana A.
Love all the promotions. Dishes are big. Everybody seems to take home some. Tastes are good. A bit crowded and noisy but maybe it's Italian style. I'm a frequent customer!
(4)Shigemi W.
Sadly food isn't as good as it was when they first opened. Tasted different like it was massed produced with other customers orders. No taste, good thing service is still great
(3)Ed L.
Can't beat Buca di Beppo for good eats and italian fare that can't be unmatched. Buca is known for large portions, so its good to be there on an empty stomach. I've been here just 2 times. Once a year before the Honolulu Marathon, I would partake in the serious carb loading affair. What my group of 57 people had was a hearty 5 course meal that cost $35. It included salad, 3 entrees, and dessert. I guess that was good value for the money. Alcohol was not inclusive, so we just paid that one separately. The service was good, but sometimes, slow, as they do attend to other patrons in the restaurant. I must say that the dessert that they served was pretty good: a chocolate type of pie that was to die for. Moist and chewy, which is what I like. Better than a dry chocolate cake. Ugh. Anyway, this place is good for what you like in Italian restaurant. The decor is god, although the lighting can be dim at times. I had a god time. Parking is plentiful, in the theater parking in the Ward area parking and in the covered Ward theater parking garage. Definitely will be back, but probably for next year's marathon.
(3)Deanna P.
Huge portions and nice wait staff. they have an amazing merlot called Stella. I can't seem to find it anywhere else in Hawaii.
(5)Eric Robert R.
Giuseppe's Hole! Literally! Ciao!! Super fun place to be seen and have decent pasta or pizza at affordable prices! Love the "Pope's room", but expect to reserve it with a party of at least 8. Cool themed areas. One area is literally in the kitchen, but expect noise there! Very Italiano in here... I was born Roman Catholic, so it was like home to me;) Wait help are more like actors w/ corny jokes, but heck they try hard and seem to always be in good spirits. Buca di Beppo! The name loosely translates as "Joe's Basement" (buca, which literally means "hole," can be a slang word for basement or cellar, and Beppo is a rare spelling of the nickname for "Giuseppe," the Italian form of "Joseph," in Southern Italy, since the most used spelling is Beppe. Been here at least 10 times... inside... outside... pope's room... at the bar.. and always had a good time. Not the finest, but fun, fun, fun, and above average grinds! Ciao!
(4)Corinne L.
We did a party pkg that feeds 20 for about $215 incl tax. Lots of food (choose 2 pastas & 1 salad from a set menu), generous w/ house bread, even gave extra sauce for pasta. Also provided serving utensils, a checkered tablecloth, plates & cutlery. It made everything really easy for our employee luncheon. Would def recommend.
(4)Antonio B.
Awful....unless you like pre-packaged meals and over-cooked pasta. This food is very low quality and priced very high....Typical Corporate Scam! For the same price, one can go to a REAL Italian restaurant and eat a very nice meal. Aside from the food, the restaurant is cramped and over crowded. As a result, the service is slow and it is very loud inside. I have grown up around Italian food all my life. I cook it myself and have eaten all over Italy. Trust me, do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else. This place is an insult to one's intelligence. There already some fairly good Italian restaurants in Oahu that are worth going to.
(1)Amy Y.
The food there are huge. Five of us went there and only order a Lasagna (large) and we were so full after. They gave bread before the main meal came out, so make sure to not eat too much of those before you eat the main meal. The lasagna was really good and filling. I would recommend bringing a group to eat here, if not order a small portion to split with each other. In the beginning before they seat you, they give you a tour around the kitchen. I think it's to show us how big the food is so we would know how much to order. The meal was pretty pricey, but it's big, that's why. Our lasagna (large) was around $30.
(5)Murray O.
I haven't been here in years. We were invited to dinner and quickly I recalled the reason that I have stayed away. The noise is just overwhelming! We literally had to yell across the table in order to be heard. A couple of us left with headches. The food is great! I love the favors of just about all of the dishes. The staff were wonderful too. I unfortunately, will opt for "take out" dishes from here on.
(3)Bryanie R.
It's your typical Italian restaurant with those pasta favorites. If you're new, they give you a small tour of inside their kitchen. That's pretty unique to me. Their food is good, but I think it's pricey, even though the portions are big. It's meant for sharing.
(4)Sherrie D.
This place is just ok, hense the 3 stars. Really high prices for what you receive, and I am referring to the quality of the product not the quantity. You get lots of food so quantity is there, but not so much the quality. It's a place to go if you want to make sure everyone gets feed and full. If I wrote this review last month I would have given it 1 star because the service sucked. We actually asked for a different server. Yes it was that bad. Had to ask for everything, from water to plates. This time around, it was better, we got a photo compliments of Bucca's, not much to make me happy. lol
(3)Rachel R.
First trip here, I was pleasantly surprised. Our large group was seated quickly, after the "kitchen tour". Our server was attentive and cheerful. I can see why some people would have problems with the decor, but I thought it was fun and relaxed - Babies and nakedness! The food was decent. We had some calamari and other appetizers - good sized portions! We had some sort of spicy chicken pasta, pretty good. If you are expecting authentic food or a quite, intimate evening, go elsewhere. But if you want something fun when you are really hungry, try Buca!
(4)Susan I.
December 31, 2013 I always go to "yelp" to read the reviews, to find out what to expect, and to look at the pictures of the items available. When I decide to go to Bucca, I always go on to "yelp" and make reservations on line. It makes it so much easier. I've come here a number of times, since joining their eClub. Join the eClub to receive notices of up-coming events, such as the 4th of July, where they may send out an e-mail saying $10 for $20 purchase, etc. These e-mails, make me want to patronize the establishments. When I've come here, I've always received courteous, and pleasant service form the initial associate, and any other helpers. Whenever I have a problem, I will speak to the manager, and voice my concern, and they always make sure that the problem is taken care of, the next time I'm there- today was no different. The manager, Diana, came out to make sure that everything was taken care of, to my satisfaction. Being a senior citizen, makes me bolder I think, in speaking up and voicing my dissatisfaction with a situation. Both managers, Diana and Brian, have always listened to my suggestions, and concerns. This makes me very happy, since it shows that they aren't just giving me lip service. I usually go for lunch, because of the luncheon special of soup or salad, and a plate of pasta for about $10.00. (Addt'l for chicken, meat, and seafood) The salad served, is quite large, with green olives, pepperoncini and a vinaigrette dressing. The quantity of pasta, is equally large. I never go home hungry. In fact, I usually have a small take-out container, with left overs
(4)Kailua W.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. After bringing our main dishes out, the waitress realized we hadn't gotten our cheese bread ... looked around the room, went and picked it up OFF ANOTHER TABLE, right across the room from us (where it had sat for about five minutes, who knows if they had touched or breathed on it) and brought it to our table. Said oh I found it! We told her we saw it come off the other table and she said yah I know. Walked away. Didn't apologize. Didn't comp it. No one apologized at all. When we pay $45 for two people to eat dinner, would appreciate if our food comes straight to our table not passing go, not collecting germs from another table. I realize it was her servers fault that he took two breads to that other table to start but I'm sure that poor table who didn't speak much English wondered why she came and picked up one and took it away. We would have preferred to wait 10-15 more mins for fresh bread than getting their left overs!!!! Sorry, won't be returning again with that terrible service.
(1)B B.
Food are fantastic! Service is quick & on it, prices are a bit steep but it's well worth it a great meal family style with the family was just awesome!
(4)Mapa C.
***IF ROSS IS YOUR SERVER (tall skinny white guy)...JUST GET UP AND LEAVE HE SUCKS!!!!*** -ONLY GIVES GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE IF YOU HAVE TITS AND FLASH THEM -YOU'LL WAIT FOREVER AND A DAY TILL HE ACTUALLY NOTICES YOU IF YOU'RE A GUY OR JUST GUYS -YOU'LL DIE OF THIRST BEFORE HE GETS BACK TO CHECK ON YOU So today for lunch I was in the mood for some good italian food. There were many places to choose from ie Bravo, Buca, Big Kahuna (mainly for their garlic cheese balls) etc. But since I was going to see Step Up Revolution later, my bf and I decided to go to Buca di Beppo..... bad choice...like REALLY BAD CHOICE! First when we got there we had reservations for 230pm but got there at 2pm and they were able to seat us. The woman who greated us was amazing. Happy, bubbly, smiling, and engaging in conversations just an all around person you would want working for you. After we were seated we got to look over the menu, and we were told that Ross would be our server. Now usually you dont have to wait long for your server to come and say hello and start you off with drink. Ross basically took care of another table behind us,giving them their check, then walked away from us not even ackowledging us. A couple minutes later he went to the take on the other side from us to pick up a check after the gust had left, and AGAIN walked away without even a "hi" or "hello"...god he couldnt even smile at us. Then I would say after a good 10-15 minutes or so of sitting down figuring out what we want to eat and drink, I took out my phone, flipped to Yelp and started my terrible review. Only after seeing that I had Yelp out did he stop and actually acknowledge us. By this time I didnt even care. I could tell that Ross was trying to fake his way at being nice and I wasnt having any of his bullshit. So after he took out drink and food order he left..... 5 minutes later he then came back with our drinks... WOW 5 minutes for drinks...WTF was he doing that took so long? Probably forgot about us again...asshole. When we finally got our food two girls sat down at the table that Ross had taken the check from. I swear it took about 3 minutes for Ross to come by to ask if our food was good, and then turn around talk to the two girls... When they placed their drink order he got it in less then 30 seconds....after seeing this it really pissed me off. After taking their food order, he was the one who brought it out to them rather then a kitchen person, and he had a VERY BIG SMILE.... it's like you have to have tits to get good service from him. He gave two girls a warm true smile and good service, but we got a cold heap of bitch ass bullshit... GREAT SERVICE RIGHT!!! To Ross: YOU SUCK AS A SERVER! You forget about you customers, and only act when you see they are unhappy. You should make sure it doesnt even get to this point. You only offered us a refill on our drink once our meal was done. You tried to squeeze out as much money out of by offering little crap, but I swear if you took any longer to come to our table I would have walked up to your Mgr in pink and explained why we are walking out. You got no tip for a reason, learn better service, and if you cant learn well then this isnt the job for you... Thank god this gets posted to Facebook too, Let the world know this place is only good for the serving size and take out.
(1)Chad Y.
Yelp 365 Challenge #02/365 Is Buca di Beppo the most authentic restaurant to have Italian food? Probably not. However you will get copious amounts of food at reasonable prices in what can best be described as a quirky atmosphere. It is fun and different, while dishing out decent food at reasonable prices. Located right at the Ward Entertainment Center, its location offers a plethora of options if you are planning a night on the town. Granted, parking can be a pain, but whoever said parking would be easy at ward? The restaurant is reminiscent of a small cafe with eclectic knick nacks and photos abounding. Its red checkered table cloths and non-conforming seating its ruckus and just adds to the fun ambiance of the joint. The food may not be the most authentic, but it is certainly decent. Definitely go in a group since the portions are large and are meant to be shared. By group I definitely mean 4 or more people and the larger the group, the more variety you'll end up. Definitely check out some of the specials as they can certainly be some of the highlights. The pastas are pastas, you can't really screw that up and it fails to truly wow. While the meats are good, I'd certainly stay away from things that are braised or slow cooked, as you might end up walking away disappointed. Service is decent but nothing wowing. The staff definitely come by to assist you with your meals in a good orchestration, however they certainly are not attentive to an incredibly high level. I know my water glass has gone empty on many occasions while dining there. Certainly nothing to sneer at, but nothing that truly makes me go wow. Definitely good for groups, but certainly not something that I'd go to for a romantic date or a casual affair.
(3)Alice R.
I am part of a military family, and my family took me here for Mother's Day. What a wonderful experience it was. I was there with my daughter, son-in-law and three wonderful grandkids, and another family. When they called us for our table, we expected to go through the typical walk to our table, but when they said they were walking us through the kitchen, I thought, "why the kitchen? What happened." Well, we were pleasantly surprised. Every single member of the kitchen staff, including the very busy chefs, wished my daughter, and I, a happy Mother's Day. We felt so special. When we arrived at our table, the wait staff did the same, and we had only one great waiter. The family-style dining worked well for the 13 of us, and the food was phenomenal! I have since left the island to return to my home in Louisiana, but I'm so glad I visited. Thank you Buca di Beppo for a heartwarming experience for all of us. I'll definitely visit on my next trip.
(5)Tiana K.
LOVE Buca di Beppo! Family friendly environment, friendly waiters, & FAST service! Went to dinner & a movie with my kids so we went to dinner I'd say 3 hours before the movie thinking it would take forever, I thought wrong! we started off with the kids meals, cheesy garlic bread, and drinks. by the time we ordered entrees the kids meals, drinks,& bread was coming to the table! must say I'm impressed never had a waiter like Christopher hilarious, and fast! the only thing I didnt like was the photo taker, and that I didn't order cannolis :/
(5)Darrin K.
Pricey, yet enjoyable pasta restaurant. I actually didn't mind paying $20+ for a pasta dish in this place. I ordered the stuffed shells dish, full order...it was huge and heavenly tasting. Also ordered a pizza to go...they make it thin crust here. It wasn't as good as the stuffed shells dish, but still decent. My Longboard 22 oz. draft was around $9 (ouch!). They don't have "happy hour" here according to the bartender. Me and my travelmate ate at the bar. There we met a wealthy couple who sold a professional sports franchise that were interesting. He removed from his finger a diamond-encrusted championship ring for me and my buddy to oggle. They then proceeded to offer us their meal leftovers, which my buddy claimed. Interesting visit to say the least.
(4)Melissa-Nicole F.
I love it! Every time I go there I have a great experience. Its a good atmosphere and the food is always delicious. My favorite would probably be the stuffed chicken breasts. TO DIE FOR! Just make sure you have a partner to eat it with you. Its family portions so you'd get a whole lot and its made for sharing. The only reason why I gave them 4 stars instead of 5, is that they have a creepy chick who comes around and takes your picture.. it can be annoying.
(4)Hohoho B.
just went there with some co-workers for dinner. It was LOUD hard to have a conversation with the person across the table, and there were a lot of Birthdays so the servers did a lot of clapping and singing. Our server was John J. not good. We should've known when he greeted us. It seems like he tries to be funny, but comes across as a wise- ass east coast personality who doesnt enjoy his job. Not once did he refill water glasses, ask how everything was or make sure we were taken care of. We felt rushed to choose our food and place our order. But when it came time to bring the check he took his sweet time! Everytime he did something he would say "I have to do this or my boss won't like it" or some lame excuse like that. Well lemme tell you, his boss should fire his ass!! We ordered salad, pasta and pizza and he told us "I'll make it small of everything. Trust me" Well, we wanted a large pizza and when my friend tried to flag him down to tell him that, he pretended that he didn't see her. So she ended up telling one of the runners, who passed it on to our crappy server. We ordred the brownie sundae to share and it took a LONG time to come. We even joked that they had to bake the brownies before the could make our sundae. Service aside, the food was good. Very tasty. I would say family style is good value. I would love to go there again for the food, but the service was sorely lacking.
(2)Yosapon T.
Always love there chicken Parmigiana !!! A great place for birthday celebration oh just reccomendation always go big portion ! or go home : )
(4)Natalie J.
First off, its a family place. If you know how it is being around an Italian dinner table, you'll get the gist of this place. It can get loud and this place is pretty busy. Let me just say, the fried Calamari is amazingly delicious. Honestly it is deep fried but literally is soft and melts in your mouth. Gorgeously good! I have a big family and we love coming here. This is another MUST go to place for us when we are in Oahu. We're a pretty loud family, lots of kids, love talking story, we fit into the atmosphere quite fabulously, (if I do say so myself). I've been here MANY times, and when I was there over a long period of time, we did take out here as well and that was just as awesome. I've not EVER come into contact with anyone that seemed like they didn't want to work there. I guess we've been lucky. The kitchen tour is very cool. Trust me, I've been on that kitchen tour more than once, and it at least looks very clean from my view. I can appreciate a clean kitchen! The food is amazingly good, from the appetizers to those crazy family meals, I've tried many dishes and have never been disappointed. My kids are in love with those gigantic meatballs that come with the spaghetti. If you're looking for a quite ambiance, and a fanciful taste of Italy, this isn't your place. But if you're here for family, celebrating togetherness, and just plain fun, by all means -- get your buns down here. While I've never made it to the dessert round here (because I'm too busy gluttonizing myself in pasta noodles) the staff is friendly, the food is worth every penny, and its a place that is good for my ENTIRE family. Even though we always walk in, busy or not, the wait time has never been longer than 20 minutes. And that, is a SERIOUS plus on my list!
(4)Grace O.
My husband and I had a party of 9 aunties and uncles that I was treating to lunch, and I expected a bill of $200+. But no, we had plenty of food, AND leftovers, for $130 INCLUDING tip! I did have a coupon for a free small appetizer though. But still, that is a fantastic deal! Apple Gorgonzola Salad - Mmmmmmmm....my favorite dish tied with the fried mozzarella. Plenty of crisp apple slices, gorgonzola chunks and pecans! Delicious! Margherita Pizza - Pretty good. I've had better, but this was very tasty regardless. A good size, so good for sharing with a big table. Penne Arrabiata - this was ok. I make it better at home :P The sauce seemed kinda dried out. The level of spice was nice though. Fried Mozzarella appetizer - REALLY good. Yum. Triangles of mozzarella breaded and fried in a bed of marinara sauce. Florentine Cheese Bread - Very good combination of jalepenos and cheese on some cripsy bread. All in all, I enjoyed the meal :) Being Chinese I'm also kinda pake, so of course I also enjoyed the price ;D
(4)Fred M.
I gotta say my first time here was pretty good! - Parking wasn't too bad, had to do a couple circles in the garage before I found a good parking spot and not the spot I found earlier where it was between two SUVs sandwiching my itty bitty Mitsubishi Lancer. - Wait time was sort. After checking in we requested a booth and they told us it was not a guarantee. 5 minutes later we got a seat and a booth I'm guessing for 8-10 people, there was only three of us me, my friend and her toddler. - The food size here was humongous, a small portion is enough to feed at least 2-3 people. We ordered a small Cheesy Bread Florentin, kids Fettuccine Alfredo, small Fettuccine Supremo, Mediterranean Orange and Limoncello. The Fettuccine Supremo, yelp.com/user_local_phot… (looks bigger than the picture), was jaw dropping when we saw the size of this, we didn't put a dent into it after eating our Cheesy Bread Florentin, yelp.com/biz_photos/Dojf… , and their free breads. - There is one regret I have about not ordering but will order the first thing next time I come here and its their Colossal Brownie Sundae. The picture makes it look like its in a martini glass but in actuality its in a glass 10x bigger than the martini glass. Yelp 365 Challenge - #071/365
(4)Patrizia T.
First thing first,..for those that complain that its not Italian food. It's true but serious what are you expecting its an American Italian style chain restaurant! You are not in Italy. I m from Italy and I must say that sadly there are not a lot of good authentic Italian restaurants here on this island. The restaurant is still a great experience to go and eat to, the food taste very good and the tiramisu is as good as it can get made from a restaurant. I make my own at home and of course its not the same but for a restaurant thumbs up. I love it. I would recommend for the weekend dinners to make reservations.
(4)Cely H.
What happened to the food here? Did they train the cooks? Did they import their tomatoes from Italy? Why is their Chicken Limon better than mine?! That is totally unfair... but oh-so-delicious! I never volunteered to come here for any occasion. I've only came here when a friend wanted to eat here. They're a chain and their food is chain-like (read: not very good). The last time I was here, my bestie's little sis wanted to have her 17th birthday dinner here. Love, love, LOVE when restaurants embarrass the crap out of you on your birthday! The host took us through the kitchen where all the cooks wished her a happy birthday. We got to our seats and admired all the kitschy decor. Love quirkiness! I wasn't looking forward to the dinner, but good company doesn't need good dinner. We ordered mozzarella bread, calamari, chicken limon, and baked ziti. My-oh-my was I impressed! Especially with their chicken limon, which is just a spiffier name for piccata. My only gripe is that I wish the dish came with noodles so I could sop up the sauce with something. YUM! Their tomato sauce was good too (I don't want to admit that it was better than mine because it'll hurt my pretty little ego). I don't remember this place being this good so I'm going to assume that some dishes are and some dishes aren't. When I go the next time and the dishes I try are equally as good, I'll give them 5 stars.
(4)Cy K.
I came here for a birthday party. I always wanted to come here but noticed that they are always busy. So its a good thing we were invited to a party. Just my luck! :) I would recommend you make reservations. We walked to the host, and he greeted us. We told them we were with the party, and another guy showed us the way. I didn't realize that this place is huge. It looks small from the outside. But as he directed us to the room there were different rooms, and I guess with different themes and names? It was like a maze! When I would go to the bathroom I'd get lost when returning to the room. The walls are covered with all kinds of pictures. Animals, buildings, naked people, statues and just scenery. It was very interesting. The decor in the bathroom was nice too. it was really vintage. One of our waiters gave us a kitchen tour. I believe they give it to anyone who asks. The kitchen was very neat and everyone in there said hi, and they were so friendly! Unreal! I've worked in restaurants and this kitchen was really clean! there was even a booth where people were eating on in there! I asked why they gave these tours and he said that they believer everyone that walks in here is considered family, so they welcome us in their home. Down to the food- not sure what we had but whatever it was it was very good! very big portions, and very tasty! the waiters were very good with us. always informing us when the next dish is coming, and always there refilling our drinks.
(5)Jillian M.
This wasn't my first time here. My husband and I came here for our first anniversary a few years ago. Since today was my birthday and I wasn't feeling out usual food stops bucas was suggested, so my husband and I went. We made reservations and were seated. Our server was pretty good. I won't blame her for what happened tonight because I really did enjoy her service. She didn't rush us, checked up on us often and was very kind to us. With that said I am not the biggest fan of bucas because of how extremely large it is. I understand that large crowds is their target audience, but I'm sure they get enough two tops to justify having a couple of tables specifically for two people. But I also won't blame anyone for that. What I'm really upset about is the food. I came in expecting semi decent food, or at the very least it being warm. The cheesy bread wasn't warm, nor was the pasta or chicken we had ordered. My chicken was cooked a little too long and was either burnt on the ends or too chewy. I'm also upset that with the wine selection. I'm allergic to oak and somehow with the 20 plus some selections of wine not a single one was oak free. Any other drink I asked for was unorderable because they ran out of ingredients. So no alcohol for the birthday girl, poo. The most upsetting thing for me is that now that I am home I am sick enough that I'm typing this as I pray to my porcelain god that I stop vomiting. Happy birthday to me. Needless to say, I don't think I'll ever be back at Buca's.
(1)Mary Q.
You can't go wrong with Bucas. Great place for a family get together, birthday parties, out of town guests, take-out or just a quick bite at the bar before the movies. We ALWAYS take friends who come into town here. Prices are reasonable, service is great, fun ambience, free parking, next door to the movies and shopping and good food. Definitely reserve the "Pope" Room for a party of 12-15,or the Kitchen table for 4-6 guests, totally fun! If you're looking for a romantic Italian dinner for 2, this may not be the place for you, but if you enjoy casual Family style Italian dinners with no frills, you came to the right place. Love their Caesar's salad, Limone Chicken, Pesto Salmon, and green beans. Don't be afraid to order the House Chianti, it's decent, and top off the evening with a chilled shot of Limoncello. We took my German brother-in-law here with my husband's sister, (they don't have Buca's in Europe) and they loved it so much we went there 3 times when they were here on vacation! My hubby is Italian, and if it's a late night at work, he approves of Buca's take-out to take home. The only drawback, is I wish they had more of a dessert menu and locations.
(4)C K.
It's not my grandmother's cooking but decent Italian anyway. They have excellent coupons if you sign up for their e-club. I've even had them double up coupons like my free dessert birthday coupon with a $10 off coupon. The dinner items are meant for family style dining so you can share. Lunch portions are individual. I haven't tried at this location but others have given us a lunch portion at dinner when we requested it. I wish gnocchi was still on the menu but I'm happy with the baked pasta. The service is always great and I've been there 4 times since June.
(4)Angela C.
(From 03/2012) We celebrated our dad's 74th birthday here and also our cousin's arrival from California. Loved it! Buca is perfect for family events, and they let you bring your own birthday cake! I definitely suggest ordering family style, and planning out what you want to take home, because there will be leftovers.
(4)Gina YeeJi S.
First of all, this place is a chain so don't expect any ma and pa feel. But Buca is definitely its own chain and they're good at their food. Pasta's pretty simple for me - it's either good or it's not good. There's nothing much more to it and buca has GOOD pasta. All their food is satisfying and filling - great place to go in groups to try lots of different entrees
(4)Esteban W.
I hate Buca. However, EVERYONE else seems to pee their pants when the possibility of going to Buca pops up. I am sorry, but this chain of bland, processed food is so boring to me; and when you add all the eccentric and extravagant decorations in a maze of a restaurant, its like adding sprinkles to a turd. And I don't say the word turd that often. The only good thing about Buca is the dramatic display of gluttony when they bring out your meal. Family style my ass, Buca serves "Neighborhood-Style" you end up with so much left overs that on day 3 of trying to finish your gnocchi, you contemplate suicide. I hate going to Buca.
(1)Mike J.
I like a lot of things about Buca. The service is usually excellent. They show you the kitchen (this is huge for us germaphobes). The portions are huge. The portion size is also a negative sometimes. It's really easy to order way too much food. And if you got plans after dinner you are saddled with groceries. I recommend visiting this restaurant Mon-Thurs. They are way too busy on weekends and service starts to go downhill. Little things go wrong, like last night my pizza came out cold. I was entertaining guest so I didn't want to make a big deal about it. But cold pizza sucks, especially when it's the best pizza on the island when it's hot. The pizza is soooooo ono.
(4)Monica L.
Before you go, check the internet for Buca di Beppo coupons. $10 off coupons are usually easy to find. This is totally unexpected, but I like their Chianti Braised Short Ribs! They were tender and covered in a tomato & red wine reduction. Personally, I wish they would give bigger portions but it's only because it tastes so good and I want more. It comes in small ($28) or large ($40). In the past, I've also helped organize a dinner for a group of about 20 people. When I inquired about group menus, the representative I worked with was very pleasant and provided us with the information we needed. I don't know if you can compare this place to some of the other traditional Italian restaurants. I think Buca is in a different category. That being said, I believe Buca does very well in their own category. Pros (+) Good for groups, large families, and for dining affordably. (+) While the set menus work well for groups, I would suggest ordering specific dishes that stand out above the rest. My go-to dish is the Chianti Braised Short Ribs. Cons (-) Not too good if you are health conscious. LOL! On the otherhand, if you're dining out, are you really that concerned with calories?!
(4)Hawaiian G.
Ummmmm..... I'm torn. LOVE the atmosphere, love the location, love the staff (yes, even the overly-upbeat person who wants to take our photo) but the quality of food is "meh". We've been to this restaurant several times already. The food isn't BAD, but it isn't GREAT. BEWARE - the LUKE WARM SOUPS! The couple of times I've been here, the soup is ALWAYS luke warm borderline cold. What up with that? Doesn't matter what kind of soup you order - Minestrone, Wedding Soup, Tomato Basil.....they all come out luke warm. One time we sent it back and asked that they reheat it. The pasta is good, the sauce is good but is very basic. Lacks depth (as far as flavor goes). Have tried both tomato sauce and meat sauce - kinda tangy/acid-y. Still like the place. Decent food, good atmosphere :)
(3)BigIsle F.
Just starting out but I wanted to post before we begin to enjoy our meal, that the hostess Mia has no people skills at all! We came and got on the waiting list, they said it was going to be a forty minute wait but then they had text us in 30 minutes and when we came we still had to wait over 10 more minutes and the hostess was really rude about making us wait and even asked us if we wanted to sit in the kitchen!! I'll post more after we've had our meal!
(1)Amanda M.
I was craving Italian food after some co-workers were overheard talking about it a few days ago. So today my family went to Buca. It was Friday, around noon, so it was easy to get a table, and the service was quick. I was not totally impressed though. The table bread tasted like simple white bread, it was not warm either. We started with the antipasta salad, which was AMAZING! The lunch portion was enough to feed my family of 3. Then we ordered a large lasagna ($32) because I wanted weekend leftovers (I'm lazy). But, it wasn't the greatest. The cheese is kind of thick and fluffy if that makes sense. It could use more meat. My son had the kids portion of spaghetti and meatballs, and he liked it. So overall, it was ok, if I go back, I would try something else though.
(4)Angel O.
Buca di Beppo's a great family restaurant. I just love getting my money's worth. It's in a great location near Ward center. Parkings all over the place. I usuallY do across the street. Back to the food. Buca di Beppo's wait time was only like 10 minutes tops. They are very hospitable and love to cater to the customer. The portions are big and usually feed families. I will definitely keep going and recommend it to friends new to the island. Thanks
(5)Erica W.
Unlike other italian restaurants, Buca prides itself on family styl portions, not mention family style atmosphere. I don't mean that as an insult, in fact I love it! There are times when it gets a little TOO loud for my liking (but I blame that more on the annoying patrons of the business). I have tried literally majority of the food on the menu. Sorry, not a big fan of the entree, I know that is common of italian cuisine, but I am a HUGE pasta/pizza lover, so that's what I stick to here. Oh, and the tiramisu is awesome (did I mention they actually put alchohol in this dessert unlike other places that serve tiramisu?). The last time I came here I learned something new. Nicole, my awesome waitress, informed my parents and I that if we don't happen to finish our bottle of wine, Buca provides a take home "container." How can you have a take out "container" for alcohol without getting into trouble with the law you ask? Well, let me tell you. Because now their wine has a screw on top (I know wine conniessurs will have a problem with this since it's not a cork) but this actually makes it easier to take home. Let me finish. There is a sealable bag, just screw on the top, slip the bottle inside, waiter/waitress slips in a copy of your bill as proof that you paid for it and why the bottle techinically is open, and viola! There is your take home container. Just put the bag in the truck of your vehicle or locked glove compartment (but seriously, whom has a vehicle with a glove box big enough to fit a bottle of wine?!?). There, if for some reason law enforcement requests to search your vehicle they can't bust you on having an open container in the vehicle.
(4)Simon C.
Buca Di Beppo it basically screams consumer italian food. its a very pre-packaged experience that you can get from a supermarket italian frozen dinner. Atmosphere: great for big groups as its more often than not very loud. you can always count on hearing the italian rendition of "happy birthday" by the various servers working throughout the restaurant. again as mentioned before, the decor seems to scream consumer italy not necessarily authentic italian food. price: considering the fact that the food is served family portions its not too bad considering you can spend around $40 and feed 3-4 people considerably. my favorite dish is the Linguini Frutti De Mare which is around $40. keeping that in mind its not that bad given the fact that you can always expect left overs. most dishes around tend to range around the $25-$40. food: although i did mention that the experience you get is very consumer-esqe the food is a treat. great pasta dishes, starters and desserts. still a bit on supermarket italian dishes, but considering the amount of food you get for what you pay its a treat.
(3)Vince B.
Took one look at Buca di Beppo... Contrived name, quaint fake Italian photos on the wall, probably a giant mainland chain operation, over done interior decoration and the waiters probably had to sing in Italian. Been there and done that. No way I'm going there voluntarily. A tour through the kitchen?? No way. You are not going to catch ME in there. Well, when I'm wrong, at least I'll admit it. Buca di Beppo is pretty good and it is clearly a crowd pleaser. No I don't feel like I'm in a sidewalk Ristorante in Roma nor a neighborhood Italian restaurant in NYC. Everyone that I know is happy when they walk in. Professional hosts, servers, good family style food and lots of it. The Food: Our recent dinner for three. Chicken Carbonara plus Margherita Pizza. The pizza was a strong 4.5. Thin crispy crust and near perfect toppings with nice basil flavor and the fresh cheese. This one was finished by the group. Chicken Carbonara was near perfect and not too oily. Appeared to be freshly cooked and not just scooped into the bowl from a giant batch. We ate our fill but took a big box home. It is even better the nest day! Another 4.5. The Experience: No waiting on this week night. Mostly birthdays or other celebrations going on around us. We felt sort of out of place that night. The couple next to us was having champagne for a special night of some sort. I would have enjoyed a nice glass of Chianti with the meal but we had other plans after dinner. Had fried Calamari appetizer while we were waiting. Tender, flavorful and not too oily. A very nice 4.5. We decided to skip dessert as we were going to walk over to Menchies FroYo after. Not to slight their desserts at all. We just felt like yogurt. Service: Experienced and helpful waiter. Available but out of the way so we could concentrate on eating. Being wrong helps keep my ego in check. It makes me a better person. I'm glad I was wrong in this case.
(4)Debrah D.
We were shopping around at Ward warehouse and became hungry. A couple of friends were going to be joining us and suggested Buca, my husband, son and I crossed the street to find that they were still closed. They open at 11am, because it was 10:45am we decided to just have a seat outside and wait. Fifteen minutes later, sure enough they opened. The host seated us immediately, our friends would arrive ten minutes later. The waitor distracted my son with the usual crayons and coloring paper menu and offered us the lunch menu. My husband had never been here before, so I told him its family style large portions. He ends up getting two large entrees which were delish! The atmosphere is very famoly friendly with tons of vintage looking things on the walls and on the ceilings. The tables and rooms can accomodate large parties and our waitor was extremely helpful. They even have a photographer walking around asking people if the could take pictures of them. We took a group picture, several minutes later he comes back with a postcard sized picture and several bigger ones in frames, of course he's trying to sell the framed ones to us, but we decline and we still get ti keep the small one. Overall, food portions are large and great for sharing, friendly atmosphere and great for the little ones.
(4)Shawn F.
Personally I LOVE this place, I have no complaints at all. Food is very good and you get plenty of it, service is very good and the whole experience is awesome. If your looking to get down on some Italian I'd say go here and check it out.
(5)John K.
I love this restaurant because of authentic quality Italian food, and awesome atmosphere. We usually come here for family birthdays. I enjoy their great customer service and party cheers for the birthday person. The pizza dough is very soft, marinara sauce tastes like the real thing. The pasta is also done very traditionally. Everyone that eats here just seems to be in a happy mood. I definitely recommend this restaurant for casual dating, or birthday get-togethers. Ciao!!
(4)Jasen D.
Ate there twice now. Food was excellent both times. Both times it was extremely cold in the restaurant so I suggest brining a jacket. Service was excellent and food arrived pretty quickly. I will definitely eat there again!
(4)Hannah L.
Sometimes there is a wait to get in but it is WORTH IT! Their food has real fresh garlic in it which makes a huge difference. For first timers they offer a tour through the kitchen! You can even call ahead and request the special table in the kitchen for a special dining experience. Their stuffed mushrooms would have to be the absolute BEST item on the entire menu. Flavor explosion.
(5)Doris D.
Just your average franchise with overpriced, mediocre food. The first time I came here, I was in a large group, so the restaurant is good for large groups. The service was good. But the food, man, the food was terrible. I can't remember a damn thing about it but I can assure you that I came out of the restaurant saying, really? That was Italian food? Last week, we got take out for a large group. chicken marsala, spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp and penne, gnocci, sausage and peppers, string beans, etc. I didn't try the chicken because it looked pretty dry. The meatball was awful, no flavor and tasted like pocket lint. The sausage was ok, like supermarket sausage. The gnocci was terrible, really gummy and flavorless. The string beans were undercooked. There's no effort behind the food, just entrees that are obviously tried and true and just "good enough" for the masses. I'd rather take my money to a local Italian place. I'm from New York and I've tasted some really great Italian food - I guess this Italian food at Buca's would be good if you didn't know any better. Sorry! This restaurant doesn't get my vote.
(1)Sierrah I.
When you come to Buca, you have to look around. I'm always super amused by the photos and antiques they have around the restaurant. Every time I go here I always feel like I find a new photo to laugh at. I think this past time going it was the nuns in the bumper cars, and then it was Creation of Adam painting with the Parmesan cheese. Haha. Their walls never fail to amuse me. Food here is always so large -.-, sometimes coming here on date night is not a good idea, but being the fatty couple me and my boyfriend are we some how manage to get through at least one or two appetizers, an entrée, a bottle of wine, and of course ice cream (: I REALLY do wish at night they had the option to order lunch portions (individual portions) because sometimes I don't feel like eating 2-4 servings of pasta :( or maybe I want to try something but not 2-4 servings worth of it... BOO. Fried Calamari- Their homemade marinara sauce that comes with it is delicious and slightly spicy. It goes well with the calamari and the house bread they give you too~ Caesar Salad- On the sweet side for me- the dressing that is, wasn't the best I've tried but okay. Pepperoni Pizza- I really enjoy the style of pizza Buca serves. It used to be a bit different when they first opened-crispier and thinner, and quite frankly I really think they should go back to how it was before, but something about the thin but doughy crust and tomato-y sauce is yummy! I think they use their house marinara sauce in the pizza because you can taste the fresh tomatoes. Pizza was a tad much more oily for my liking, but after a few napkin dabs I was all good.
(3)Imo C.
Buca's, the home of the the meatballs the size of you're head, and plates larger than your stomach. Unfotunetly the meatballs aren't anything special. Fortunately their chicken is much much better. The best is the marsala with the parmisan being a close second. They just seem to make it super juicy and tender other amerItalian restaurants can't do. Also their appetizers are pretty yummy. I would skip the salad though as they aren't that well done and even mix in cheap iceberg lettuce.
(4)Puka P.
I love Buca! We eat there almost every time before or after movie, pretty much once a week. Servers are friendly, food comes out super fast. The only thing that annoys me every time is the photography ppl, they always come when I'm in the middle of enjoying my pasta and it pisses me off! Once we were in a big group of girls and let the girl take a pic, she brought a sample and said it would be $15 per pic..whatt??Was it made out of gold? No thanks...We politely said "No,thanks", the girl rolled her eyes and rushed to annoy table next to us. Not very nice! It's a good place for group of ppl, for celebrating some event, not good for romantic dates or if you expect quiet dinner, coz there is always someone celebrating birthday, families with kids, this place is always crowded. I just come to eat, nothing esle matters, the food is super good for the price and portions are very generous.
(5)Raych D.
The 1st time I came here was years ago for a birthday party which I arrived fashionably late. And the second time coming here was last Thursday with several of my coworkers and bosses. As a quarterly gift one of my boss treats us to whatever we want and for quarter 1 everyone voted on dinner, D&B's and movies. Our reservation was for 10 people and at 6pm, before being seated most of our party had to be there. When we did get seated the host gave us a tour from the lobby, to the bathroom, kitchen and back of the restaurant. Our table was huge and in a rectangular way. We ordered 2 bottles of white and Bucca di Beppo Sangria, 2 pitchers of Corona, hello kitty shots all around and several mojitos. For the food we ordered the supremo Italiano pizza (sausage, peperoni, bell peppers, onion with red sauce and cheese), spicy chicken rigatoni, linguine frutti di mare, shrimp fra diavolo, calamari, Caesars salad, and cheesy bread Florentine. My favorites where the cheesy bread, sangria, calamari, linguine frutti di mare and shrimp fra diavolo. Those where probably the most moist, full of flavor un-heavy dish there and everything was all huge portions! So we took them home for the branch to eat for lunch the next day. Our bill came out to about $500 so not bad considering how many people we had and drinks we drank. And everyone got a little taste of everything. I didn't care so much for their bread they gave so don't get yourself full eating that. The bathroom is really big and clean and the decorations are mainly about Italy from photos of the pope, nuns, naked woman and people eating on a table. All the workers are very nice, especially our waitress (Leilani?). I will come back again probably if it's another a huge party since everything is all big portions.
(3)Nicole K.
Their portions are ginormous. So, i think that you definitely get your money's worth. It's always crowded whenever we go here, and I think it's because the food is so good. I always come here with a group of people (at least 5), and we order family style. I love getting the pizzas, too. You definitely need a lot of people to eat that. Honestly, I think I eat a lot, but I barely dent the pizza on my own. I've been here a lot, and I think that anything on the appetizer section is good. Main dishes, I'd highly recommend getting the marsala :) It's rare that I have a good marsala because it's usually dry, but theirs is so juicy.
(4)Somany Q.
Love this chain and this location. Every time I am in Honolulu, I eat lunch or dinner here at least once.
(4)Riana S.
Frank Sinatra and generous portions of delicious food! Keep in mind that a "Buca Small" feeds 3 people! Came here with a friend and got the new shrimp scampi with garlic bread, Quattro al Forno and the Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken with pesto sauce. All of it was delicious! Espeically the appetizer. The chicken could have had more pesto sauce but damn....every dish was so good. They apparently have a summer special appetizer going on. The shrimp scampi with garlic bread was surprisingly really awesome. The bread was warm and toasty and garlicky (sp?) and the shrimp scampi was AMAZING. It wasn't mediocre which was nice. By the time we got our quattro al forno and chicken, we were full. The quattro al forno I think is the best to get because it gives you all the baked pasta kind of like a sampler like baked shells, callonis (sp?), and ravioli. They're pretty generous with the tomato sauce. The chicken is hand-breaded (that's what the waitress said) and the outside is so crispy but so tender on the inside and SURPRISE! In the middle there's yummy prosciutto. Dip it in the pesto sauce! They're stingy with it, so ask for more :) In the end we couldn't eat it all because we were too full. Too full of entrees that is. For dessert we got the apple crostata. Definitely a fancier version of apple pie ala mode. The apple crostata is warm (like they just baked it!), the crust tastes like cinnamon bread and there's pieces of almonds that really accent the apples. Paired off with vanilla ice cream (they should give 2 scoops because that crostata is pretty big). It was a perfect ending to a really good meal. My family and I come here often and my mother usually orders the pizza. You must try their pizza! It's thin crust according to my mom, "real italian pizza." The italian sausage is super spicy but good. When I came here for my 21st birthday, I got the Raspberry Lemondrop....if you like sweet stuff you'll love this drink. The rim has sugar on it and it's so dangerous because you can't really taste the alcohol. It's a really fun atmosphere, lots of fun pictures to look at. My favorite is the nuns running through the water in the front. Our waitress was really nice, her trainer was following her around so I think that made her a little more nervous. She was good, provided good recommendations that she was right about and apparently it was her first night! She did a great job for her first night so I gave her a nice tip "hea..buy yourself sometin nice." Service is great, food is.....just go eat there. CIAO!
(4)Mark S.
Lots of food for a reasonable price. Great for parties. Tiramisu is da bomb
(4)Angelo A.
Good food, serving size is enormous. Good for families, very loud. Best to get there early, and reservations are a good idea. Service is great, people are friendly. I have NEVER left hungry.
(3)Jamila J.
This is like any other Bucca Di Beppo in the country. A chain restaurant that mass produces. It's good for a large group and the food is decent. Not great and not horrible. Just decent. If you're looking for great italian this is not the place to go, you will be really disappointed. Unless you haven't experienced great italian, then you may think this is quality. There are crowds, so sometimes there's a wait and if you have a large party you should try to make a reservation. For what it is, it does it well enough.
(3)Caryn W.
I was always a fan of Buca di Beppo since they opened at Ward. I remember being excited about going there for my brother's high school graduation lunch back in 2002. My friend even had her rehearsal dinner there when she got married a few years ago. Sadly, I feel that the quality of food has depleted since the restaurant's opening. My fiancee and I decided to come to Buca for lunch during the Valentine's Day weekend to avoid crowds on Monday. I knew I wanted to eat Italian and he suggested we go to Buca. We didn't have to wait too long to be seated and our server came right away to get our drink orders. We decided to get the lunch portions of the spaghetti with meatball, the pesto pizza, and fried calamari. The calamari appetizer came out quickly, but we were left waiting for our main dishes for quite some time after our calamari dish was taken away. The spaghetti came with one huge meatball, which we cut in half and shared and we ended up taking most of the pesto pizza home as leftovers. The spaghetti was meh-tasting, but the meatball was tasty. We also really liked the pizza. When we were done with our food, we had to wait some more for our server to come with our bill. THEN.... there were some problems with the debit/credit card machine, so my fiancee ended up having to find an ATM to take out cash to pay. I wouldn't mind going back to Buca again to see if they'll ever redeem themselves, but then again, there are a lot of other (better) Italian restaurants closer to where I live (like Ricado's Verbano, Paesano, Assagio's)...so we'll see.
(3)Neil R.
I know I have many positive reviews...well I try to go to paces I like. I'm a creature Of habit. Who doesn't like Buca's? They welcome you into their kitchen and they are proud of it! I admire their spirit. We had a nice liter of sangria and a chicken pesto dish. Always family friendly, my son colored and had mac & cheese. One of these days I'm going to eat in the kitchen!! Friendly, service oriented and tasty... Its not Jersey shore pizza but its good.
(5)Rupert L.
Been going here since 07. It only got better because of the discounts. Really good for family/friend get togethers.
(4)Lin H.
We had the 4 for $40 coupon and it totally serves more than 4 people! We also added the Chicken Parmesan and Margharita Pizza...they were yummy!!! The service was good. The only thing, it's very very noisy in there.
(4)Liko S.
Haven't been there in a while. It was okay. The prices seemed to have gone way up and the food quality wasn't that good. Went to celebrate my mom's birthday and thought they would do something more than just sing, such as a free dessert or something...especially with those prices!! I'll probably go back, but will look for a coupon and not expect much!!
(2)Galen Y.
Good for big parties, family style. Very noisey but its part of the atmosphere. Food quality is not great if your going for good italian food but it passes.
(3)Anthony B.
This place has an incredible atmosphere. The food is amazing, the portions are ridiculous, and overall it is always a great time. We had a ''family dinner'' here tonight, and we couldn't have picked a better spot. Our waitress was Melissa, and even with a crew of 17 rowdy submariners, she was always courteous, upbeat and had a smile on her face. The chefs also brought their A game tonight, serving savory meals at an expeditious pace. Normally with 17 of us, it takes quite a while for all our food, but tonight I had my stuffed shells in less than 10 minutes .I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone that wants to have a get together and enjoy a night of laughs, stories, and great food. We will definitely be back for our next "family dinner."
(5)Mel G.
Been here a few times and thought it was a good chance to give it my ol 2 cents. The decor is entertaining to say the least! The hallway winds through the restaurant to make it feel like several puzzle pieced together, each room more unique than the last. The walls are covered with such a varied mix of items you are instantly intrigued. The staff is mostly friendly and generally quick, considering the size of the place. The food is amazing considering what you pay for it. Warning: extremely generous portions! Family sized, even if you get a small, you will have to take most home or plan on sharing with others. This place is made to feed an army! All of the dishes I've tried so far are tasty, tasty. The salads have a good variety of toppings, not just loads of lettuce and skimpy extras. Bruschetta is perfectly seasoned and the prosciutto stuffed chicken is a must have! Also, I must mention to try the raspberry lemon drop martini, oh so good. Super sweet, but good. Make sure you call ahead for seating as they get busy earlier than most other restaurants.
(3)Shirley Mina Y.
FIVE STARS to sales manager Tiffany Lee and her staff that took in 200 of our sixth graders for their end of the year lunch banquet this morning! I arranged almost everything by email, a few phone calls, and one fax. A dozen of our faculty sat in the Pope's room. Their waitstaff chugged soda for our students, while the students chanted "chug chug chug!" Two of our birthday boys had their complimentary cupcakes to go and they also gave our faculty a stack of $10 off coupons for our next visit this summer. I also ordered an entire celebration cake to take home. I'm going to need that cake after today's field trip.
(5)Laura R.
We were not too keen on the food. The service was okay. We weren't happy about the alfredo. It tasted like butter was on the noodles so I asked that they give us more sauce in hopes that it taste better. She gave us the sauce but failed to tell us it will cost us an extra 2 dollars. Wasn't that big of a fan. The cheese bread we got with the alfredo sauce on it, gross (obviously since I did not like the alfredo sauce). I probably won't go here again unless I am invited by someone else.
(3)Beth I.
My girlfriend and I have Lambrusco here all the time. The bartenders know us and know we want a whole bottle. It's hard to find in restaurants and they always have it here! Foods good too.
(4)Bo-Bae K.
Thoroughly disappointed. The only reason why I'm giving two stars tonight is because the assistant GM took care of our tab (minus the alcohol). I come with family and friends to Buca for special occasions and am never disappointed. Even at their busiest the service is wonderful and the food is consistently amazing. Which is why this was a huge fall from grace. Tonight was a dinner for catching up with a friend who went away for college. The two of us went with her parents and we were seated after a reasonable 15-minute wait. Our waitress took our drink orders and failed to bring us our bread and the glass of wine. Okay, it's a busy night, it's fine. Half a strike. Our salad comes out and it is salty, slightly wilted, and small. Alright, again, they're busy, and everyone cuts portion sizes to save money nowadays. Now it's a full strike. The waitress comes by and brings the wine, doesn't remember the bread. Strike one and a half. Pizza comes out (pepperoni) and it's delicious, previous irritation wears off and dinner conversation starts up; then the frutti di mare comes out and it immediately strikes the whole table as not having enough color; upon pushing the noodles aside, half the bowl that the pasta came in is filled with runny, watery 'sauce'. Having ordered this multiple times before, we know this isn't right. We pull our waitress over and she snips at us that it's a "light clam sauce" and that it's supposed to look that way. We look at each other and she takes that time to walk away. Wow. Okay, never mind all the strikes before this, this was definitely strike three. The assistant GM comes over and tells us she's here to save our pasta. We show and explain to her the watery soup that's in the bowl and she agrees that it is definitely wrong and that she will return it to the kitchen and have them add some chunky marinara. Fantastic, thank you. The pasta comes back several minutes later and while it does have a spoonful of marinara on top of it, it looks like the exact same bowl. The GM comes by again and we show her that not much has changed. By this time, we're really irritated and have lost our appetite. She offers to have it re-made as it's one of their best dishes, and that she'd like to take care of our bill (again, minus the alcohol). We thank her and explain that we don't want the pasta anymore and that we would just like the tab. She insists that she take care of the food and that she'll pack it up for us to take home. Okay, thank you! She was fantastic and professional, courteous and amiable even though we were already frustrated with our waitress, who didn't come back to try to apologize and even kept her back to us the rest of the time we waited for our bill to come out. We got the frutti di mare to go and waited for the server to bring us our bill; when she came back, she told us she was glad things worked out and that she "knew immediately that wasn't how it was supposed to look, which is why I got my manager." To me, customer service is important. Working with food and people, I make sure that a proper apology is given and that the situation is rectified to the customer's standards. We got no apology, and she tried to feed us a line which contradicted what she told us when she brought our food as well as how busy they were, etc. We mentioned that we were a little disappointed tonight because we usually love the frutti di mare, and her voice starts getting sarcastic as she tells us again that it's in a light sauce and that what we got was pretty much what it was supposed to look like. ...what? Tried to keep it classy by leaving a tip for her, but she needs to go to a workshop on customer service and the kitchen needs to at least TRY to fix the food when it gets sent back. I'll go again, but I'll be increasingly critical of their service and will request another server if I get the same one.
(2)Alison A.
We recently ate here for a going away party for a coworker. My husband and I had just been the night before to Casablanca in Kailua (see my review) and were fairly traumatized by the awful service there. So, what a pleasant experience this was! The entire staff at Buca is so friendly. They are all smiling, and not in a fake way. The food was good. The calamari, blanco pizza, and desserts were standouts. We had about fifteen people so we ordered a bunch of menu items, everything was tasty. Is this the best italian food I've ever had? Of course not, but all in all, we were quite happy and stuffed! I had seconds of quite a few of the pastas. The arrabiata sauce was not as spicy as it should be, instead the sausage in the sauce was spicy. Still pretty good though. The fettucine alfredo was decent, again, I make better, but for a chain restaurant, pretty good. The chicken stuffed with prosciutto was really good. Had a yummy pesto cream side on top. That went fast! The staff was super attentive and friendly. Our waters were constantly full and empty plates vanished quickly. They didn't even seem to mind splitting the check with cash, gift card, and multiple credit cards. Get the dessert sampler. Wow. That is some good tiramisu (I make my own and am fairly snobby about it, I admit). The Italian cream cake is yummy too. The cheesecake was thick and rich and the chocolate cake was good as well. Everyone at the table was saying they wanted to come back. I'm really glad I chose Buca for this party. Definitely go with a big group!
(4)Kelly G.
In terms of a chain Italian restaurant, Buca di Beppo stands as a great venue for big groups and gatherings, but probably not for its food. Spicy Chicken Rigatoni and a pitcher of Sangria = $40. On the pricey side, but the Sangria was pretty good. Enough wine without being overpowered by the fruit/juice. The rigatoni was also delicious except for the actual pasta itself. The pasta was a little harder than al dente, would have liked it to be a little more soft. Dinner came with bread, olive oil and vinegar. Decent service at the bar.
(3)Florence K.
Buca di Beppo is always my to go place when we need to make reservations for a huge group. First of all, they can definitely accommodate huge parties, but not only that, their food is served in huge portions, meant for family-style eating. In that way, everyone can try many different things during one dinner, rather than just an entree. The food here is always filling.Their pasta is always something I order. Their pizza is delicious as well, and basically everything. A must get is the Chicken Marsala. It's definitely the best Marsala I've tried in Hawaii. Another one of my favorites is the Chicken Carbonara. I love the bacon and peas mixed in with all that cheesy buttery goodness. I've tried so many things here over the years...and I've enjoyed the food here. I love the smell of the tomato sauce every time I pass by here. However, I did not enjoy the sangria here. It could be because I've tried so many elsewhere, that this one just did not compare to any of them. But you don't need to come here for the drinks. The ambiance here is so cultural. I love the paintings and sculptures they have here. Real Italian. I really like some of the pictures of the naked people, that makes it seem like you're eating in a real Italian restaurant. Service here always seems to be a hit or miss. But whatever, the food here makes up for it.
(4)Eduardo S.
Excellent Service! Amazing food! Good prices! We go to bucca di beppo about 2-3 times a month and we have never experience any problems at all ! I highly recommend this restaurant !
(5)Megan S.
Tasty food, eclectic atmosphere, but the service is really hit or miss. We've been here a couple of times where we had our food within minutes of arrival, but today we waited and waited and waited... the table next to us that was seated after had food before we had drinks.
(3)Stina L.
Horrible RSVP policy!
(1)Momo N.
The pastas are a bit hit or miss here at buca. The "rosa" sauce (alfredo + marinara) is quite bland. Not sure why they would do that. It would have been better to have them separated and you eat them to give you palate a cleansing each time. The chicken parmesan is one of my favorites, they just get it right evne though its frozen chicken. The marsala is quite tasty too. They are a bit on the pricey side for what you get though. Even the $20 hardly helps to dent that bill!
(3)Nicole O.
I went here just last week for my friends birthday dinner. The seating wait was just horrible. We got there around 6pm but ended up waiting for 45 minutes because the hostess gave our table to another party. The hostess was like " your party is waiting inside already" but we didn't even get seated yet WTF? When we finally got seated, my friends and i decided to share a one small pepperoni pizza and a small margarita pizza. I didn't really like the pepperoni pizza because it was soaked in grease but the margarita pizza on the other hand was very delicious. For a small pizza, it was actually pretty big for like 16 slices.
(3)Cynthia M.
This is another restaurant that is rated 4-5 stars on average...c'mon...not really! I've eaten here a couple of times since 2005 and it's the same thing; bland tasting food. The portions are huge and I could care less for that. I stick to what I know and time and time again, it's a disappointment. The dishes are either very dry or smothered in sauce. The spaghetti and meatballs are awful; not seasoned at all. The majority of the dishes are oily, flavorless, and tough to chew. The "tour" into the kitchen was horrible. The workers all look depressed and pissed; some even were side-talking about the customers...unacceptable. Why are you going to get into a customer service orientated job, if you're going to be s**t talking and look like you're held captive? I guess a job is a job. But still. They SHOULD know that the tour of the kitchen is a DAILY routine, so at least LOOK like you're happy to be there. Geez. It seems like this is just another chain restaurant that cranks out the hefty portions to all. Overall, this place is over-rated and over-priced for the food. The atmosphere is loud; tables are close together, decorations are not appropriate for children, crappy food, and crappy service. Needless to say, this restaurant gets 1 star only for location; and no stars for the food.
(1)Richard H.
I am pleased that Hawaii finally got an Italian restaurant that serves traditional, family portions. Each dish is meant for 4 to 6 people, but still has the high quality taste and preparation that would exceed any "cookie cutter" type Italian restaurant. I highly recommend the Chicken Lemon, which are boneless chicken breasts, which are baked with a tasty lemon sauce. This dish is not sweet, lemon chicken (Chinese style), but a very lean, soft, and tender chicken breast. We also love the fried calamari, which is paired with a spicy marinara sauce. The pizza here is incredible! Large rectangular, thin crusted pizzas with an unmatched tomato sauce.
(4)Misty P.
The wait time for a Sunday was reasonable during dinner time - 15 minutes. It was loud and crowded if you're wondering about atmosphere. Food wise - meh. We ordered the Apple Gargonzola salad, which was actually very unique and tasty. I loved it. As far as their pastas...blegh. The spicy chicken pasta had this annoying cayenne spice to it. I love spicy food and I can handle it but it did not compliment the dish. The pasta for ALL dishes we ordered was way too al dente and almost hard and under cooked. The sauce was underseasoned and there was barely any sauce. I don't like my pasta drenched in sauce, but this was like CHANG sauce portions on the pasta, which made it tasteless and dry. We also ordered the chicken with artichoke pasta and same thing - very little chicken, hard pasta, no taste, not much sauce. The pizza was ok, but quite small for the price you're paying. I don't mind chain Italian food, but at least get it right. It's actually pretty expensive to go here even though it's family style. I'd rather go to Cafe Sistina for a small plate of pasta that tastes right for a decent price, or to Romano's Macaroni grill for a chain restaurant that serves dishes with taste than ever spend my money here.
(2)Shuji K.
Open Christmas Day! Yes, thank you, I needed an hour or so to kil before seeing the Hobbit. Family style eating pretty much sums it up. We got the pizza to share...margaheritta i think. The pizza that sounds like the drink. Anyways--kind of dissapointed that the sauce sort of slopped off of my bread. Maybe I should have sticked to the Supreme italiano. KInd of irritated that my roomate can't "handle" spicy food. I love how all the servers are really personable and festive. I wonder if they will be open New Years Day.
(3)Melissa G.
Just wanted a decent italian meal and every Spaghetti Factory I've been to has left me bewildered as to why it's so popular. So, on to try Buca's. Food was good, service was friendly, but 80 dollars for two adults and an 8 year old? I'll look up a Saltimbocca recipe at home next time... Problem: Woman walks up to our table as we begin to eat our food, she has a heavy accent so it's hard to understand what she is saying with the general noise and music. She proceeds to whip out a camera and take our picture. Totally puzzled we finish our meal. When the check comes the woman comes back and offers us the picture for some crazy amount. My 8 year old is excited and loves it but I have to be the bad guy and say "hell no!" (politely, of course). The woman had the nerve to be offended when I handed the photo back. Don't know if this is a regular thing they do. I don't know on what planet that it's o.k. to interrupt a family meal to try and squeeze even more money out of me. Even if I was a tourist I would be offended. Get away from me!
(2)DJ E.
I'm a huge fan of their lunch portions and takeout menu. The service is incredible too.
(5)Claudia M.
Very good service. Pasta portions are huge but expensive. I remembered going about 10 years ago and having a pasta dish with chicken and peas (dont remember the name of the dish) and it was delicious. I didn't care for the baked ziti that I had today because i don't care for big tubular pastas and it tasted just ok. The bread that they offered was soft and delicious.
(1)Bj U.
i was debating on 3 or 4 stars... and since there is no 3 and a half... ill just give them 3 =) IdK what it was but i wasnt so crazy for the place. i enjoyed the environment and decor, vibe ect. the service was pretty quick to say the least, but maybe it was because everytime someone walked past our table they would hit my shoulder? lol ... well i am pretty tall but what ever.. onto the food! Pasta was plentiful, everything really tasted ok there was nothing wrong with the Alfredo pasta but there also was not any sign of awesome. but maybe its too simple of a dish to shout "amazing" out at.. The cheese pizza was quite tasty as well, packed with cheese, thin and crispy crust. my lady friend had the spaghetti with meat balls, i tried some of her's and it was ok, nothing special and also nothing wrong with it... also thanks to all the strange and humerus pictures surrounding us, we had a lot to talk and laugh about... never really a dull moment. will i return? yes... i still have to try that mushroom dish i saw on the menu.. sounded amazing.. hope it tastes just as it sounds =)
(3)D. D.
We enjoy eating at Buca often and love their Pizza and Eggplant Parmesan. The garden salad is very good too. Most servers are pleasant. So far our experiences from eating at Buca several times have been good. The food comes out in timely manner and they servers are polite. The one thing I would suggest is that Management should train the host in charge of seating people not to seat families with young and school aged children by the bar area unless they absolutely have to or have no other tables available. We have been led back there 2-3 times and have always asked to move since we don't really want to sit across a wall of alcoholic drinks and a television. I don't think any other families would unless they were starving and it was the last table available. Other than that, we do enjoy eating here :)
(4)Peter C.
Stopped in for lunch on the weekend. Had the Apple Gorgonzola Salad ($11.95) and small Margherita pizza ($14.95). Both dishes were good and the two items were more than enough for the two of us. Not crowded at all and service was very attentive. The service alone will definitely have me coming back again. The best part is that there are always coupons for this place (I used a $10 off $20 dine-in purchase from the Entertainment book), but coupons in the Valpak mailer, sunday newspaper, etc.
(4)Annie W.
Last minute, but we came here for my husband's birthday. The portions are big, but the SMALL is NOT meant for 3 people, maybe 2. The cool thing is we got an over sized cupcake to celebrate at the end of the meal. I really enjoyed their birthday jingle!! The food was mediocre, nothing to really rave about. Huge restaurant, loud atmosphere, screaming kids some times. They also have the standard bread served with oil and vinegar before the meal.
(3)Jordan Pono B.
Recently I've received a special $5 per person deal via email so wanted to try. Haven't been to the restaurant for ages since many new eateries pop up in town like crazy. The Caesar salad was tasty, to my surprise! The waitress was so attentive...she even announced the entire dining room that my niece has just gotten into University of Maryland.(we were there to celebrate that she got into her first choice of school). She made my niece very special and that was nice. Lately, I seem to choose to the restaurant for ther service not necessarily for the food. Ugh. Anyway,try, you'll like it
(4)Tellia W.
I really like their food. The place is a little noisy though as they are constantly singing the Bucca De Birthday song. Great place for a family meal.
(4)Fernando G.
i love food -- i do !!! yet i love to eat quality food. and so for as much as with my group of friends we all were on celebratory mood, the servings at buca were kind of not what italian food is about. smaller portions, better quality will suffice best. i think. i would go back, if i must. but not a fan of mass produced food and much less a fan of loud birthday songs being chanted the place over.
(4)Tina H.
I have a new found respect for a) People who make their RSVPs on time, b) People who keep their RSVPs and c) Restaurants who keep their cool and don't go ape shit in dealing with that sort of madness. Last week, I came up with a brilliant idea: Invite a bunch of strangers from reddit.com/r/hawaii to eat Italian food in homage to our favorite Italian plumber, Mario, and all of his Nintendo friends. I called the event "The Super Italian Mario Party". Originally, I was expecting 7 redditors to show up -- Maybe 10 if I was really lucky. So, I posted a thread inviting everyone and waited. Soon enough, I received my first RSVP. Then a second person RSVP'd after that. Then another. And another. And another. Hitting the 20 mark is when I began to question whether or not Buca's would appreciate a herd of Nintendo nerds arriving like hungry cattle, so I placed a phone call. When I told them the potential number of party goers, I was immediately put through to the sales crew. For the next couple of days, I touched base with wonder-woman, Kalei, who was so totally pro about this situation. For a group this size, we were offered the banquet menu rather than the regular one. They have several you could choose from and tweak to your liking. I chose the Firenze, a menu that's worth $21 per person (not including tax and tip). In this menu, you get two salads, fetuccini alfredo, spaghetti, chicken parmigiana, and a dessert of your choosing (I picked chocolate cake). So, the big night rolls around and sure enough there are a few flakers; Eight of them to be exact. I was told that if people didn't show up, to tell the front desk so that we didn't get charged for the full 25 seats that I reserved. When I did this, I got no snobby stink eye nor any trouble from the awesome girl who worked with me. They took care of the situation better than Joe Pesci with a dead gangster at his feet. Throughout the evening we not only received fantastic food (particularly the chicken parmigiana that tastes like melted love in your mouth) but also fantastic, fun service. The servers made us feel comfortable and we could actually joke and carry a conversation with them. I loved that. It seemed like everyone around us was treated to a birthday song that night and as it turned out, one of the guys in our group had a birthday the day prior to the party. I approached the waiters about doing something special for him and they were genuinely enthusiastic about doing it. So right around dessert time, they came around with candle sticks, lit them up, and had the whole restaurant clap as they sang a song for him. He got a special birthday moment and I got to feel like fucking Oprah that night. This place is awesome for just about anyone -- whether if you're in a group or you're kicking it solo. The food goes off without a hitch and the people there bust ass to make sure you get a night you'll always remember. Choosing Buca's was part of the reason why this party was such a success.
(5)Wayne S.
Great family restaurant. The food isn't anythign special however the atmophere makes it fun! Its a place for alot of friends and or family. Food is good but the company you are with makes it even better. I sure miss the roasted vegis. BRING THEM BACK!
(4)Azzi E.
Well, first of all, this was my first visit at Buca. Because I spent some time in Italy I can tell what's Italian and what is not. The atmosphere is kind of weird. Some decorations are nice (I like the old school photographs and Italian antiques here and there) but some are really weird (the upper torso of the pope on the table, WTF?). The outline of the restaurant is an underground maze and if you are claustrophobic don't go in there. Our waiter was great - friendly, giving us recommendations but at the end he was politely asking us to leave (in Italy people use to spend hours at the dinner, here, they just try to feed you, charge you and GTFO). Kind of rude, especially when the restaurant wasn't totally packed. The food was OK. Average. Maybe people here think that wow, what an authentic Italian cuisine. However, the menu card was really full of stuff (should be shorter for that kind of price range) and the quality - I just had a feeling that not everything was made fresh and some ingredients were prefabricated. Plenty of free parking space at the Ward (across the street). Summary: Mixed feelings. Buca has potential, obviously great marketing and a good renomé in town. However, it's kind of fake. 3/5 is my rating. I might go there again if someone persuades me and I'll give Buca a second chance.
(3)Danielle C.
Great food! Great location! Great staff! I came here last summer when I visited Hawaii and we got there super hungry and we placed our order and the food came quickly. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered and we will definitely visit Buca in SF!
(5)Dianna D.
This restaurant often has coupons/specials, and the food is delicious, and at great prices with large portions, with the exception of the salads. I would highly suggest this place for group meals, although in past experiences, I've always had to wait outside for a bit before being seated. Their bread is good. Sometimes I get really full off the bread alone because it's so delicious before I actually get to my entree. Of the entrees I've tried, I recommend the chicken pesto pizza, supremo italiano, and chicken saltimbocca. The pasta, while very filling, isn't too special. Overall great food, great service, and interesting decor. I would come here again in the future with groups of friends after watching a good movie.
(3)Adam A.
Adam "domo" is absolutely amazing! My dinning experience was filled with great conversation, laughter, and delicious food. Morgan was another server in the room that was kind and friendly would check on us to ensure we were ok! Akhat was a bus boy that took our empty plates away and politely asked if we needed anything. I was very pleased with Adam as he made our night enjoyable. I will come back very soon to see him and spread the word about Buca's celebratory dining experience.
(5)Kristen C.
Very family friendly. The portions are extremely generous and the food is great. some family favorites are the pizza, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken caesar salad, lasagna, and Quatro al forno. So delicious! Had a really fun atmosphere and there is so much to look at. We have been here many times but I am always finding new things to love about Buca!
(5)Kalani C.
4.5 stars. Love the bar scene here. The bartenders are always great and take care of you (mahalo Davin & Robbie!) There's always something going on. For instance, I was here during a supposed Barber Shop Quartet Convention at the Convention Center. Not knowing this I pull up to the bar and soon after four older woman belly up and start placing drink orders. The bartender asks why they are all dressed alike and they tell him they are part of the Barber Shop Quartet Convention and they just placed third. The bartender coaxes them to show off their stuff. Without a hesitation, someone in their group pitches a note and they all follow with this huge wave of a cappella brilliance that took everyone within earshot aback. Bar Service: 5 stars! Another visit, I was at the bar (imagine that) and three ladies were celebrating one's birthday. I guess she happened to be a cat lover, because the multitude of small token gifts they were giving her were all cat or animal related. Cat pendant, cat cards, cat slippers, cat glasses, you get the picture. I didn't realize cougars liked cats. But I guess a cougar is like a type of cat. Anyhow this pride of cougars, ended up buying my buddy and I a couple rounds (NSA). Rowr! Thank you very much, don't mind if I do. I've always enjoyed their food. Primarily their Lasagna, Eggplant Parmesan and Chopped Antipasto Salad: 3.5 stars each. Huge portions, so come hungry. All this with the decent house Chianti and you're set! The new menu offers some interesting pasta dishes, like the Veal Saltimbocca (3.5 stars) . However my favorites are the massive Double Dark Chocolate Cake and Cheesecake with hazelnuts, OMG 5 stars each! Anyhow, always something going on at the bar. A unpretentious option that usually comes with some form of entertainment on either side. Sit back and enjoy the show. Qui alla vita! Tally: Bar Service: 5 stars! Food: 3.5 stars Dolci/Dessert: 5 stars! Bar happenings: Priceless. 5+3.5+5= 13.5/3= 4.5 stars #Yelp 063/365
(4)Crissy K.
The perfect spot for large group parties! Buca is really great about putting large groups in a spot where they won't be too much of a bother to the casual diner -- my office even had the back of the restaurant pretty much to ourselves, which was great. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the amount of food you get. I know it's not "authentic" Italian food, but it's tasty and filling. They have quite a few protein choices (including chicken with lemon and capers, as well as a really moist salmon with pesto) if you're not heavy into the carbs, and there are a few vegetarian options, as well -- pretty much something for everybody, which, again, is perfect for group functions. Even though the restaurant is extremely busy, especially around the holidays, the wait staff is polite, patient and accommodating. We've never had to ask for anything twice. Love, love, love this place for group functions, in case I didn't get that across already. Highly recommended. If you get the gigantic bottle of chianti, even better: Everybody walks away happy. Oh, and . . . wait for it . . . it's conveniently located near a Starbucks. ;o)
(4)Lup Wah M.
I had my graduation dinner party here this and I have to say I am so glad I did. Not only was the service spectacular but so was the food. All of my guests enjoyed the food and left the restaurant fully satisfied. Two thumbs up to Buccas!!!!
(5)Tricia M.
i'm usually not that impressed by Buca but my baby shower there was simply wonderful! :) maybe it was the special occasion and company that put me in a 4-star mood, but i must give at least some credit to the restaurant for its service, food and atmosphere. our server, Alfredo (not joking), was totally "on it!" he was genuinely caring, attentive and patient, explained dish ingredients (since i can't eat certain things), kept us abreast of timing (which helped us since we played games while we waited) and kept our breads and iced teas coming. as for food, it obviously helps to know what's good. we ordered the apple gorgonzola salad (tasty and unique), chicken pesto pizza (winning combo), eggplant parm (my favorite) - and yes it doesn't come with pasta but scooping it over baked ziti was genius if i do say so myself! as everyone says, the portions are grande so it's best to go with a minimum party of 4 and order family-style. even then you'll most likely leave with leftovers. last but not least, atmosphere. we sat in the infamous "pope room" but the whole place is casual, fun, lively and will spark conversation. great for first dates, kids, groups, lunch or dinner. for this mama-to-be-ya it was bellissimo!
(4)Ryan K.
The food was good but it arrived cold kina bumbed but nice place make sure to make a reservation though so ur garanteed a table
(3)Rick H.
My wife and I always enjoy our visit to Buca and this time was no different. We had a excellent Chopped Antipasto Salad and great Spaghetti and Meat Sauce. Simple, but very good. I think the salad is one of the best anywhere! The service was great too. Friendly and helpful- as usual! At almost $40 for two without drinks of any kind, Buca can be a bit pricey, but it's worth it! I highly recommend Buca for locals and visitors too!
(5)Deborah S.
It's our favorite meeting place since parking is plentiful and you don't have to mess with the traffic at Waikiki.... Went here recently with a party of 15 people. None of our orders were misplaced, we were all able to eat together. Price was very reasonable.
(5)John A.
Best pasta on the island.
(5)Mai T.
Buca is the usual spot for my husband and i while we are waiting for our movie to start. The portions of the food is so big that it is difficult to order especially if you already have your heart set on popcorn and hot dog, as we usually do, If you do order something and cant finish it.. they will actually hold your left over for you so you can get it after the movie finishes. So the next time you get something to order and want to take it home but have to go and watch the show.. just ask them to hold it for you!!!
(3)Chris D.
I have gone here a few times with some of my friends and I like it; the portions are share-able, and the prices are pretty good for the amount of food that you get. The food is definitely very good, I think. I would recommend it to others :)
(4)Racquel S.
What was I thinking of going back here! Well blame it on my hormonal cravings for some italian food! My boyfriend and I get here at around 5pm and go straight to the bar area to watch the college basketball championship game. We are already seated and I swear we waited for about 10 minutes before a waiter acknowledge our presence. I would understand if it was a busy day but believe me their were only 6 people total at the bar area including us. If you've never been to Buca's they have it setup as family style and they offer two different sizes. The small size which claims to feed up to 3 people and the large size feeding 6, which I disagree because when we ordered our small portion it feed the both of us just to the point that we were satisfied. So to be safe I would order the large if you have a group of 3 especially if you know one of you will eat more than just a serving. When we finally got our waiter we ordered quickly so that we didn't have to wait another minute. I ordered a wild-berry mojito and my other half a pitcher of a Heineken, a (small) fried calamari, (small) Quattro al Forro. I really liked my drink but I could feel the alcohol kicking in, it would have helped if I had a glass of water but maybe they were conserving water.. i don't really know what the deal was but I was quenching of thirst for water! But we got our fried calamari quickly so that helped in sobering me up. I really like the calamari and the sauce, it went very well together! The crispiness of the calamari and the marinara sauce was delicious! I can't say the same for our other dish which was a plate of Four of their favorite baked pastas. Cheese Manicotti, Chicken Cannelloni, Baked Ravioli and Stuffed Shells which all tasted the same and I could not taste the difference between the four! I finally asked for the bill along with a cup of water, my bill came first and dang it was expensive for the portions and the quality of the food! Our bill came out to $50 for 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 2 drinks, that didn't even come with bread! I finally got my water the second time I asked my waiter after I signed the merchant copy for the bill. I will never go back here, it was just a waste of time and money. They do not offer Happy Hour and the service is lacking, that is the reason why they are always empty on the outside!
(2)Nathary R.
Best Italian on the island hands down, and amazing prices. Their portions are large and are meant for sharing, depending on the number of people in your party you can either get a small which feeds usually 2-3 people or large which feeds 3-5 people depending on the dish you select. Apps: their spicy calamari is amazing, it's not really spicy but if you are sensitive to spicy things I'd recommend the original calamari. Entree: the pastas are the way to go, I've tried many of them and they are all delicious, and if you don't like an ingredient or wish to add something they are very accommodating. I'm from Spain so their sangria to me is a joke, save your money. If you like wine get a glass of your favorite wine, they have a large selection.
(4)Lofa L.
I had a great time eating here. Yeah you order the large and you get large. Gotta love the pictures and decorations (especially in the mens bathroom...grow some balls and go look ladies!). The food was great and I left that place stuffed. Mozzarella Caprese, baked rigatoni with sausage & meatballs, bread and I'm happy. I still gotta find out who sings that "Pennies from Heaven" song from the movie Elf. Kiss my pinky ring! Leave the gun, take the rigatonis!
(5)Z Z.
I have been a regular at Buca di Beppo for years, but it wasn't until my last visit that I have decided never to return. I went to Bucca for my 37th birthday. The first problem was the annoying Russian lady that came to our table offering free photos. She was loud, obnoxious, and took way way way too many photos. I felt really uncomfortable during the time she visited our table. I didn't even want her to take photos, but the other people with me did. Anyway, she came back later and tried to sell the photos to us for $10 each. If we had purchased all of the photos it would have cost us about $60.00. What a rip off, especially since she deceived us into thinking they were free. The photographer was so loud that as she traveled throughout the restaurant, her annoying broken English Russian voice could be heard through the entire dining area. The second problem was the food. the Caesar salad dressing tasted like mayonnaise, the cheesy garlic bread was bland and lacked garlic and cheese, and we were never served or offered complimentary bread. Thirdly, and the most egregious part of our meal came at the end. Being that it was my B-day, the servers did their normal embarrassing birthday celebratory song and placed an ugly gothic style candelabrum with large red candles on our table (WHAT?!...who does that?). No desert, no sweet stuff, no nothing. Now I have been to many restaurants on my B-day, and never, never, never ever ever ever has a restaurant not given something for me on my birthday. I mean, how freak'n cheap does a restaurant have to be to not offer a birthday boy or girl a complimentary desert? We spent good money at this place and they couldn't even find it in their heart to even offer ice-cream, cake, a brownie, a single M&M? A complimentary anything would have been appreciated, but all I got was a hideous candle stick holder and a horrible song that drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Maybe I should have gotten the attention of everyone in the restaurant and told them that Bucca di Beppo is too cheap to even offer someone celebrating their birthday a free desert. Maybe then the management and servers would cower in shame. I will never return to Bucca and will not miss it one bit. Arrivederci cheapskates.
(1)Jackie G.
Wow! What a lucky find. The greeting as you walk in is very warm. You get a tour if the kitchen. Food is served family style and small orders are mongo huge. I was out with 3 other ladies for dinner and we were lucky to get 'The Kitchen Table' whuch is the only half moon sized booth table in there. This is the table that stars like Gene Simmons, Danny DeVito and comedien Carrot Top have been. I assure you no small child will be screaming at a table next to you, because its the only one. We were told its usually reserved weeks out but our night had zero reservations. Yay! We had very personalized service by a very knowledgable waiter. He was fantastic, funny and attentive. Spot on! We were able to watch the staff and see the patrons get their kitchen tour. You never know on any given night who will be at 'The Kitchen Table' . If you like italian cuisine and you're in the area...this is the place to go.
(5)Kimi L.
The parking is ample here, which I love. Hate going somewhere and having to search and search for parking. Their food portions are huge. The small can feed several people. The caesar salad is yummy and so is their cheesy bread. It's not the best Italian food I've had, but for the price and portions, I'm a fan. Plus, they serve alcohol and the service was good.
(4)Aaron W.
Beware using your Buca COUPONS!!!!! Our friends and family (7 families in all) all clipped coupons and went to eat at Buca this past weekend. We were told we would have to eat at separate tables (what kind of party is that?), and could only use 3 coupons. We asked to speak with the manager, and said, "it's the customer, stupid." Better PR would have been to honor the coupons as we spent a ton of money there anyway. We did split up the tables -- so crazy, but that's what they insisted we do in order to use 3 coupons. I'm giving them 2 stars on this action, and will not recommend this place to anyone. If a place wants to publish coupons to the public, I suggest they really honor them, no strings attached. People are going to spend the money, so let them be happy campers! Or don't put out coupons! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BUCA after this incident.
(2)Eric M.
Terrific service and food on this visit. Drinks refilled so quickly that the cups were never empty. Attentive wait staff cheated on us regularly even though it was pretty busy. Linguine with clams, unfortunately a limited time dish, was perfectly lit, tasty, and with lots of clams. Lobster fonduta, also a limited time item, was terrific - I'll order it every time I go, while I can.
(5)Kimo S.
For what it is... Buca can do me no harm. I go there for one thing and one thing only, the spaghetti with meatballs. I'm not looking for homemade pasta with homemade sauce... what I want when I come here is a solid, filling dish with tasty sauce and killer meatballs. And that's what I get, big, tasty balls... of meat, on a bed of pasta. I ordered their garlic bread one night and realized that the "small" size portion was way overpriced and way under sized. Avoid appetizers and side dishes because they charge way to much. Find an entree you like and enjoy it, don't deviate otherwise you won't be happy though. Oh, and sign up online for their email blast... they send some great coupons. Free appetizers, $10 off a $25 purchase, etc. So far, the email deals are really good.
(4)Am C.
I don't come here all that often, but when I do dine in I always leave satisfied. Food is very reasonably priced. Service is quick and friendly. You can get a family-sized entree for the price some other places charge for single entrees. I think this place definitely works best for group outings.
(4)Bobby And Estee F.
Portions are huge! So it is a great place for sharing which is actually encouraged with the family style dining. The food was good for an Italian "chain" restaurant. The eggplant parm was very nicely done and not soggy. The salads we all ordered were fresh with very crispy lettuce and veggies. Our server Joe was very attentive and helpful in making sure we didn't over order - which is very easy to do here!
(4)Mel M.
Perfect for family or any group dinners! Food and drinks are amazingly delicious! You cant go wrong with italian food! (^.^)
(5)Todd T.
Had a late Father's day dinner here the other night. Made reservations at 5:45pm. Good to get there early to avoid long waits. Had a $10 off coupon. We had the lobster ravioli the daily special which was very good, there was alot of shrimp with this ravioli, we had another linguine seafood pasta forgot name and the recommended pizza, and a kids mac and cheese. There was 5 of us and we still had left overs. We ordered small sizes for all. Fun to go with a big group so you can order more things. I was surprised to see someone sitting at the ktichen table. I don't think I would enjoy sitting and eating in the kitchen with the servers and staff constantly walking by the table. When we left around 7pm there was a crowd of people waiting outside for a table even though the restaurant wasn't full. This is a restaurant good for large groups but if just a couple there are better Italian restaurants to dine at.
(3)Janet K.
I don't think I'll be eating here anymore. I've dined here on numerous occasions and it was never that bad to the point of no return, but I realized last night that it just isn't worth it. I guess it's worth it if you're having a large party and quantity is more important than quality. Eggplant Parmesan - Good but it doesn't come with any pasta. Might want to order a pasta dish or a side of pasta to accompany this. Spinach Salad - This is the reason why they got 2 stars instead of one. Warm spinach salad with tomatoes, goat cheese, red onions and nuts in a balsamic dressing. Margarita Pizza - Worst pizza to have entered my mouth EVER!!!! This tasted like someone who had no experience cooking decided to make a pizza with no recipe on hand. I'd take a frozen pizza over this for goodness sake. I've tried the Spicy Arrabbiata pizza before and it was alright. I don't know why the Margarita Pizza sucked so bad. The service was attentive and it has a fun cheesy kind of atmosphere. They were giving out $10 off coupons for your next visit which I left on the table because I knew that I was NOT going to return unless I had to for someone else's party. There are way too many wonderful Italian restaurants in Hawaii for me to waste my taste buds on Buca di Beppo.
(2)Raphael L.
I'd say we're pretty regular patrons at Buca. Almost embarrassingly so, I've practically memorized the photos on the wall in each room. Why do we keep coming back? Good food. Try their stuffed shells. When they take the time to bake it right, it has a delicious sausage stuffing with a crispy pasta shell. Ono. And then try the apple gorgonzola salad. Can't go wrong with these two dishes. Their margherita pizza is one of my favorites too. If you're not monstrous eaters, the "small" portions are typically good enough for a family of 2. They're also one of the few places in town that I find really kid-friendly. Our 2.5 year old demon child has crayons to occupy his time and sometimes he can't even be heard above the roar of the restaurant noise. Did I mention it's not a quiet conversation place? TIP: look for their regular coupons in the mail, sign up for their club, or just complete the surveys on the back of their receipts for routine discounts. The coupons makes a meal at Buca just about as painless as going to a fast food place.
(4)Jennie H.
I feel like I could have made our dinner for far less money and more flavor. The food wasn't bad it just wasn't special. Our waiter was really nice though (thanks, Charles!) and the overall experience was fine. The place is like a maze, and it seemed like a lot of tourists were there, but that's fine too. I look like I fit into that category most of the time anyway :)
(3)Amber W.
Solid food in a convenient location. If you're like me and don't do lines, consider sitting in the bar (where they serve the full menu). Salads and pizzas are awesome. Pasta is decent. The portions are ginormous. 1 small dish of any kind is plenty for two people for an entire meal. I love their desserts. TIP: you can order 1 cannolli. Not 1 order of cannolli, mind you, just 1 cannolli.
(4)Janine L.
Hidden gem! Best Italian I've had in Honolulu and the prices are great! Plan on spending a few extra minutes looking at all the art work. Great place for a birthday too, lots of celebrating
(4)Mhia Jinky B.
Haven't been here for years!! Last night after a wedding rehearsal, my friends and I planned to go to D&Bs to eat and probably play games. We ended up here requesting for a table for a party of 12 instead! The wait wasn't long and we probably got seated after 10 minutes. The table area we were seated at was a bit too crowded. Whenever my friend who were seating all the way in the corner would use the bathroom, everyone else had to move and make way. I just wish they had more room to move around. Aside from that terrible experience, we enjoyed most of our time here! Our server was very nice and was well aware of our orders. She also checked up on us every now and then. I love love their food!! We ended up ordering three different pastas: chicken carbonara, fettucine alfredo, baked ziti(my fave), supremo Italiano pizza and mozerrela breadstick. We decided to order the family style and boy, the portion was huge! Glad we ordered what we ordered though! I got to try all the food and it was so so good! For the 10 of us who paid, we only spent $20 each... very worth it because at the end of the night, we were all stuffed:) This is definitely a great place to eat dinner especially for a large party! I just hope that we get a better table next time! ***Yelp Challenge 25/365
(4)Matthew K.
Nice family environment. The staff always is smiling and the food is good. I like the Lasagna. They have good pasta dishes too. You should give it a try.
(5)Jessie R.
The pictures on the wall of Buca never did make any sense to me. And why is there a mirror in the stalls of the women's restroom? So many unanswered questions.... We decided to do family style since we weren't craving too much. We ordered Baked Lasagna and Baked Rigatoni, both smalls. Buca small feeds 3 and large feeds 6. The lasagna was definitely not enough for 3, unless they were 3 very small people. Despite the small portion, it was delicious. The rigatoni certainly looked mouth-watering good. One bite into it and we were all thinking "Is it me or is the pasta hard?!" It was SO hard (thats what she said!) They didnt cook the pasta well enough before baking it. The server was nice though and took it off our bill. We ordered the chicken pesto pizza, which was delicious! We weren't able to finish it so they gave a cute little takeout container. Overall bill came out to about $39. It's not the best experience I've had here, but I'd definitely choose this place over Spaghetti Factory.
(2)Jesse C.
I'm not a fan of chains. And the staff here always leave a poor impression on me. They feel very scripted; no warmth. May as well put robot servers imo. Huge turn off. Anyway, I do like their tiramisu. It's huge and is nice and strong. By strong I mean alcoholic. But on my last visit they've cut the alcohol down with water or some other liquid. Why must you ruin such a simple and beautiful thing?
(2)Shannon M.
I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience here. I loved the atmosphere and being able to tour the kitchen and watch the staff at work. The decor is warm and festive. The wait staff are attentive and friendlier than average. Family style dinning proves to be very cost effective as well. As a side note, this restaurant offers some of the most generous coupons! Enjoy
(4)Zhen L.
I haven't went to eat at Buca di Beppo for a long time, but I'm always dying to go there for dinner. Sadly, many of my friends do not like Italian food. It is a great place located just below the Ward Theaters and Dave and Buster's. It may be confusing at first when you walk in cause of the different areas they have. A mini-tour is given to you when they're showing you to your table, and the staff are all very friendly. As you pass by their kitchen, everyone welcomes you. Great ambiance. Buca di Beppo's popularity shows itself as you can hear the plentiful amount of customers they have everyday. I have always loved Italian food, and this place is Italian. You get the picture. Food is recommended for at least two-three plus people. I eat A LOT, and I don't think there is a dish I can eat alone. I enjoyed the Fettucine Alfredo w/Chicken & Broccoli and the Pizza. Some may find it a bit heavy and oily, but I think it is just fine. Parking is easy to find. If you're craving desert, there is a Coldstone Creamery about 3 minutes away.
(4)P H.
Great family restaurant. Food is plentiful and a bit salty, but never disappoints. Service was very personalized and satisfactory. Just don't ever purchase pictures from the rude french photographer chick!
(4)Iffat B.
If you want good family-style Italian food, this is your place! I really love the stuffed mushrooms, the veggie pizza, the shrimp fra divalo, and especially the chocolate cake!! My absolute favorite was the Chicken marsala. I usually hate it, but it was so good here!! The spaghetti and meatballs were ok and the tiramasu was nasty!
(4)Holland M.
This was a nice laid back place for my boyfriend's family and my family to meet for the first time. Because we were on a budget we didn't want our luncheon to be too expensive. I made reservations online two weeks in advance and got a confirmation email immediately. The day of I got a nice phone reminder from a real person. And I think if you make a reservation they give tours, My family and his both got to see the kitchen and stuff. But I came in a little late so, I missed it. Maybe next :) The portions here were just what we were looking for! DANG! Not only was there delicious food there was a TON of it! My Mom lived in Italy for 5 years and speaks Italian fluently. She mentioned in Italy the food was simpler and not saucy like America. But she said the food was good. My mom and my bf's mom LOVE Italian food. We ordered the Bruschetta ($14), Linguine Frutti di Mare ($16), Chicken Marsala ($16), and the Desert Sampler ($27: Tiramisu, Apple Cobbler, Double Chocolate Cake, and they ended up giving us a large complimentary canolli [my mom's favorite]). These were no way small portions even though the menu said it was. I can only imagine the larger size XD My family and his family hit it off great. And the staff were always on hand to make everything special. The waitress and the manager were constantly circling, filling our drinks and taking our plates. And when they over heard my mom really wanted a canolli, they came by and handed her one free of charge! All in all it was a great experience. Parking at Ward Theatre is a bit hectic, but they have a lot of parking across the way or in Ward center.
(5)Jennie Lynn C.
Great food, Great service! Server's name: AUDREY!
(5)Missy S.
Great place to eat. The food is great, as im a big fan of italian food. I can't pronounce some of the names but I do love their seafood pasta that consists of shellfish, shrimp, and tiny octopus. Also their salads, pizzas, and deserts are great. I do have to admit that I am sad they have discontiuned the anchovies they use to serve at the beginning of meals, plus they were free. I also am sad that they don't do the italian sausage and mushroom pizza anymore, but that's ok. We have tried new dishes from this place and all entrees have never disappointed us. Their italian soda drinks are free for bday people and they have some really...interesting pictures of random things on their walls.
(5)Joe W.
We celebrated my sister's birthday at Buca di Beppo last night and had a fantastic experience! Buca seems to be great for groups. Our party was 10 people and we had a partaaay! (Sorry, the pun was just too easy...) Food: I wish I had three stomaches! The portions are ridiculous. I didn't even know they made plates and bowls that big! You could definitely feed however many people you brought with no problem for cheeaaap. We ordered the spaghetti and meatballs (5 stars for the meatballs, 3 stars for the sauce), and I'm not joking when I say it was served in something the size of a cake mixing bowl. We also got the caesar salad (4 stars), chicken parmigiana (2 stars), calamari (5 stars), and lobster ravioli (? I'm allergic but my sister said it was great). Service: Hilarious and fun. I've never used the word "fun" to describe service before, but that's what it was. Our server was joking around with us the entire time, even fooling my sister into thinking that it was "corporate policy" that only one birthday per room can be celebrated. He then surprised us with a hat and candles and a happy birthday song. Normally, in restaurants I feel sorry for the servers who have to sing (especially after watching the movie, Waiting), but these guys were so into it that they made me laugh and clap and just have a great time! Venue: Quirky/Historical. What a strange combination of old photos, statues of the Pope, pink puppy toys, and random jars. It makes Buca a unique and lively place that really gets you in the mood for having fun! The last time I came here I had horrible service at the bar, so I'm really happy that we came here for my sister's birthday because Buca really redeemed themselves in my eyes. Bring your large parties here and get ready to take home some leftovers!
(4)Tricia M.
love their apple walnut cranberry salad. yummy! :D
(4)Chen N.
Portions are large but there are much better Italian places to eat at. 3* cause the service is great, at least for me... food gets 2*... cpk has better pasta dishes...
(3)Lou Casey B.
Great time with my Birthday Ladies!!!
(5)Tiffany E.
The food here is delicious. We got the fried Calamari appetizer, Cheesy Bread Florentine, Pepperoni Pizza and Shrimp Fra Diavolo pasta. The calamari appetizer and pepperoni pizza were nothing out of the ordinary but they were still great. The cheesy bread florentine and shrimp fra diavolo were superb.The bread has mozzarella and spinach and all kinds of yummy things on top. The pasta has a bit of a spice to it and they don't skimp out on the shrimp. Remember that if you go, it's a family place so the noise is loud and the dishes are huge. The small is meant to feed 2 or more people so don't go there thinking you're going to order and entree for yourself. On the down side, our food did take a long time to come out. We saw three other tables who sat and ordered after us get their food first. There was a long wait between our appetizers and our meal which made us too full to really dent our main meal. And our bill came out to about $75, but there were plenty of leftovers for later! Definitely recommended when you're looking for a splurge!
(4)Teresa G.
The food came out Luke warm and had to send it back to make it warmer. Other than that the food was good and the portion was huge.
(3)Krystal W.
To say you get a trough of food is an understatement. We have a family of 8, granted four of kids are under 9 so they eat a bit less but we got out of there with just having ordered a small salad (Caesar, YUM) the large order of Florentine cheesy bread (again, double YUM) and a small order of the fettuccine Alfredo with the chicken and broccoli, and an order of cannoli. We were all stuffed! The bill was only about $70! We had a large family dinner there a while back for an anniversary and their celebration cake was one of the best I have ever had. Don't let the bright Red and Green layers throw you, it is awesome! The place is a visual carnival that keeps the kids occupied and it's so loud that my large family doesn't stand out which it nice for a change. Love it! Love it! Love it!
(4)Laura S.
This is the first time that I had ever been here and the first thing they did was give us a tour of the kitchen...talk about confidence..if a place is not afraid to show you the kitchen, then the food must be okay to eat. :) I loved the atmosphere here. It had a very homey feel to it. If you like quiet romantic Italian, then this is not the place for you, it is most definitely family oriented. The place looked pretty clean for the most part and the staff seemed to be pretty upbeat. Now, let's get to the food, this is no ordinary serving size. Their small could easily feed 3 people, no problem. We ordered a small penne de vodka and a penne alfredo with chicken for 5 people and we couldn't even begin to finish all of it. We were really stuffed but we didn't want to leave without trying their signature dessert..a colosal brownie sundae and man was it huge. It consisted of 12 brownie pieces and 6 huge scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream smothered in whip cream and chocolate syrup (definitely diabetes in the making kind of dessert). The dessert was amazing though and me and the other 4 people were able to eat the entire sundae. One reason why I give them only 4 stars instead of 5 is the pasta sauce lacked a little in richness that you look for in Italian food. It was a little bland. Overall, it was a great meal and only cost 50.00 for all of us. Not bad at all. I will definitely be coming back. It was a very fun experience, and a great way to end a visit into town for either the local person or a tourist. Definitely recommend!
(4)Samoa Surf Gu Y.
Not an Italian food fan but this place was very good. We had a party of 12 and we ordered a few dishes to share at the table. Every single one was good. It turned out better than I expected. The portions are huge! So wear your stretchy pants.
(4)Jessica D.
My husband lovessss this place Part of the reason is probably because they give you tons of food!! -which is kind of their thing, serving family style so everybody can share. We always order the Shrimp Fra Diavolo which is delicious even if you don't like shrimp (I don't- just pick them out) and a caesar salad which he raves about. Sometimes we even order the large bowl so he can eat the leftovers (for days!) Last weekend we went there on a friday and the next day, hanging out with friends we decided to get their take out. We ordered the tiramisu for desert- omg rum! It was so tasty (but I think you have to like rum because omg it was drenched in it, you could almost get drunk off it- haha jk!) They do have some dishes I don't really care for, like their spaghetti, the sauce is gross! But the other dishes I do like make up for it We probably go here more than we should :D
(5)Gloria S.
Four star because of my favorite dish: Linguine Frutti di Mare (Shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari tossed with our spicy red clam sauce and imported Italian linguine) and most importantly dessert... Tiramisu (ladyfingers soaked in dark rum and espresso, layered with zabaglione and sweetened mascarpone cheese, topped with cocoa and crumbled hazelnut biscotti) Family atmosphere, it can get pretty loud if there is a birthday celebration, but everyone seems to get into the mood! Staff was friendly, bathrooms were clean.... can't complain!
(4)Inthira M.
This is more of a 3.5 stars. I've only eaten here twice before this last time and I've never really been blown away by the food. But on this one particular day I felt like, why not, I'll give this place another try. And I'm glad I did. We sat by the bar area and all the booths there are rather large. I believe it could fit about 4 people each side, so plenty of wiggle room for our party of 3. Lol. We looked over the extensive menu (there are so many options to choose from!) and we each picked a dish. We decided on the spicy rigatoni sans the peas (I've never heard of peas in pasta), the pesto chicken pizza, and their new mediterranean panzanella salad. After we ordered they brought us some warm French bread for us to dip in their olive oil and balsamic vinigerette. The bread is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, what's not to love. First up, the salad. It was spinach tossed with feta cheese, kalamata olives, grilled eggplant, pepperoncinis, cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, and Italian bread croutons. One word: Delish. I thought the eggplant could be interpreted as being a little on the salty side, but I thought it was great. All the flavors just blended so well together. Everything actually tasted good. The pesto chicken pizza was sort of what I expected haven eaten CPK's with the pesto base, chicken, garlic, and sundried tomatoes. The spicy rigatoni had garlic, chicken, red peppers, and they forgot to take the peas out. So I thought I'd give the peas a try, and realized I was right, peas just don't belong in a pasta dish. But, all I had to do was remove the peas and then the rest of the pasta dish just worked beautifully. On top of everything, my friend said that everything is made fresh. From the pasta sauces (they don't make their own pasta, though), to rolling out the pizza dough once your pizza is ordered, EVERYTHING! I was impressed, I figured because it was a chain restaurant that everything would be frozen and bottled and they just heated it up, but no, Bucca takes pride in their food and I have to give them credit for that. I've been trying to get my friends to go back because I WANT MORE!
(3)Clifford L.
Alohas! a Buca d in HNL? ! -Y am i not surprised. . . second story family feed? C [no Pope's special on web menu], but outdoor seating, al fresco, that we don't have in S.F. Ciao
(4)Robert C.
Rating: 3.25/5 Date(s) Visited: 9/23/10 Food: 3/5 Service: 2/5 Atmosphere: 3/5 Price: 4/5 Buca di Beppo is another one of those places that I had heard a lot about, and passed by numerous times on my way to watch a movie at Ward, but never had a chance to experience. The food portions are absolutely huge, well worth the seemingly stunning price on the menu, though the food itself is nothing special. The atmosphere ranges from calm and casual to loud and rowdy and the service I received during my visit was... weird. Food: The food quality is par, at best. Their "Cheesy Bread Florentine" was nothing to write home about, even with the waiter-recommended sauce (more on that later). Their "Penne San Remo" was about average, though the portion was far more than either me or my friend could possibly finish and I ended up filling a take-out plate with nothing but penne. "Chicken Paramigiana" was a bit disappointing, with very soggy skin that fell off when you picked it up and barely flavored cheese topping or marinara sauce. My friend had a mimosa, with the small bottle of champagne to the side. My friend remarked that the orange juice they used was "cheap", which it certainly appeared to be. It was "orange juice from concentrate", like the kind you get in those cartons for a couple bucks. I had a raspberry cream soda which, somehow, had very little flavor. All I could taste was the faint bite of the soda along with the cream. There was absolutely nothing raspberry about the beverage except for a thin layer of foam at the top. The one good thing about the food that I have to say, besides the portion size, was that their garlic mashed potatoes are absolutely divine. It was decadently buttery and you could taste the garlic in every bite. Service: When we first entered the restaurant, we were promptly greeted and asked if it was our first time eating there. When we answered yes, the host gave us a tour of their kitchen before seating us. I was not expecting that and none of my friends had ever mentioned being given a tour of the kitchen. I'm not sure if this is something they do with everybody, or if it was because my friend and I were in business attire and got special treatment as a result, but it was an amazing touch. My initial elation was quickly deflated when our waiter arrived. His entire conduct was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. He was trying to substitute professionalism with awkwardness, tasteless humor and a high pressure sales pitch with everything we ordered. After seating us and giving us the menu to look at for a bit, he asked if we'd like anything to drink. We didn't know they had a separate drink menu so my friend grabbed it and looked at what they had. This was clearly something that would take a while, but the waiter just stood there hovering over the table for what seemed like an eternity. "Can you give us a few minutes to decide?" I asked, not being able to take the awkwardness anymore. When he came back to take our drink orders, my friend asked for a mimosa. The waiter said something along the lines of, "Can I see your drinking license?" but did so in a creepy tone which gave me shivers When we ordered food, my friend began with an order of garlic bread. "Would you like to make that Mozzarella Garlic Bread?" the waiter asked. Sure. "Well if you like Mozzarella Garlic Bread, then you should try the Cheesy Bread Florentine." Uhh... sure. "I always recommend that you get the sauce on the side for a couple bucks more." Clearly annoyed, my friend asked, "Do you get commission off everything you sell?" I suppose he got the point that we weren't appreciating his car salesman-like approach and took the rest of our order with some semblance of normalness. Before we got our cheesy bread, he came by to tell us that if we didn't get our sauce, we should tell the server right away. Since when is it our job to tell the staff what the waiter should've already told them? But whatever. Our bread arrived without the sauce, as expected, and we told the person who brought our food that we ordered sauce. We didn't get the sauce. The waiter came by, glared at us, and asked if we had told the guy we ordered sauce. Yes. The waiter came back with the sauce. He gave us our food without much more strangeness and we proceeded to eat. His final act was to awkwardly interrupt our conversation to ask us about the food and check. Atmosphere: Buca di Beppo is a giant restaurant. I was surprised at how huge it was when we entered. We were seated near the back where it was quiet with only a few other people around. The silence was broken, however, when a nearby group in another section had a party or something and everyone was cheering. Totally loud and obnoxious, but I guess it couldn't really be helped. Price: As I said before, the proportions are huge even if you order the "small". You'll be taking home leftovers, so don't be shocked by the menu prices.
(3)Alex G.
Great for big groups because they take reservations! Came here with a group of 7, celebrating our reunion from college travels and was delighted by the fact that we got a reservation 2 hours prior to arriving there. We were seated in the bar area, which was a first, but no big deal because we weren't the only ones. Around us there were plenty of birthday parties. If you come here for someone's bday, make sure to mention it because the waiter will make the birthday boy stand up and do a dance! Good stuff. We ordered 3 large dishes. The superemo italiano pizza, ravioli with meat sauce, and fettuccine alfredo. Thankfully we ordered just enough to suffice everyone and no left overs! We even ordered the big brownie dessert which is suppose to be for 6 people. All in all, we paid about 15 a head which isn't bad considering the food was good, service was attentive, and ambiance is prime for a joyful meal. I had a peroni beer which was 9 bucks : / but ehh whatevs. If you have a few left over bucks to spare, make sure to get the garlic bread. That stuff is prime.
(4)Jillian P.
Came here for the first time last night and let me tell you, it's definitely worth going again! It's REAL Italian style, so naturally, the portions are HUGE! Boyfriend and I got the chicken cannelloni! HOLY CRAP! MUST TRY! It's soooooooooooo, sooooooooo good. :) Our server's name was Myke and he was AWESOME! I mean, he truly was amazing. He was very friendly, personable, and helpful! Their raspberry lemon drop is WORTH the 7.50! It's SOOOOOO frickin' good I pounded mine in like . . . Five minutes! Usually, the price is enough to make me want to savor drinks like that . . . But it was sooo good! It was served with a FRESH raspberry! VERY good! :) Their cabarnet cosmo was alright . . . It was good at first, but after drinking too much, it really doesn't taste that good and it can get to be too much. Towards the end it tasted like pomegranate syrup and flat sprite! O.O. The only thing I DIDN'T like about this place was HOW LOUD it was! :( It was WAY TOO MUCH for me. I couldn't take it! It was so loud it felt like I was at a concert! And that's NEVER good. :( Overall, definitely would recommend this place and I can't wait to go back!
(4)Ashley B.
I used to have my birthday here every year because i absolutely love the jolly italian family atmosphere. The prices are not too friendly, but the portions are family style and therefore very kind. Ive also never had a problem with the service. I feel they only hire incredibly happy people. When i go here now, i tend to always order a carafe of sangria with whatever dish i feel like eating. I have never been disappointed with any of their food. The gnocchi and other pastas and salads are good. I usually just get their spicy calamari now, which in my opinion is much better than their original. Great....after all this thought, a nice glass of sangria and calamari sounds perfect right now! As for dessert? Im not a huge fan of cannoli, but i like buca's cannoli. It might be the sambuca sauce, which i wish they would just drench my cannoli with by default. Instead, they simply drizzle the lovely chocolate sauce. But the sambuca does compliment the cannoli filling well.
(4)Kari L.
Where to begin!? This place is extremely HUGE and unless you brought your GPS dont expect to find the restrooms. Food portions are HUGE, but BLAND! Add some salt, pepper and parmesean and you'll be good to go. MAKE SURE YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU ORDERED!!!! We ordered and were charged for a Trio platter ($24.95) and in the mix of the excitment that night, realized the next day we never got our appetizer. I have been on the phone for a week with this restaurant trying to get the situation handled. Ive been promised call backs with an answer and they didnt come through AT ALL. Finally today, I called again, with photos in hand of the evening spent there and they only wanted to offer me $10 in a gift certificate. NO WAY, not happening. I was happy to go back to the restaurant and have them whip me up a trio platter, throw it in a to-go box, but they denied me. With much persistance they finally agreed to give me a $25 gift certificate. As they should have done, DAY 1! I will take my gift card and send it to someone on the mainland who can use it at a different store. SCREW YOU HONOLULU BUCA!
(2)diego m.
Went there 2 weeks ago. I can still taste the sourness in my mouth. I was planning to order more food but the portions were so big, even for "small" portion by definition. We ordered the spaghetti ala meatballs and veggie pizza. I could give them 4 stars but the tomato sauce with the spaghetti is too f*cking sour ..so sour that it will make your BOTOX infused face overcome and regain muscle wrinkles/brows expressions..miracles do happen.... I have eaten at a lot of semi-authentic Italian Restaurants and this place has the sour-est sauce. Quality: Moderate. SOUR SOUR. Raw lemon taste less sour..me thinks Quantity: Excellent Ambiance: Good Service: Good Go there, if you have Botox on your face and want to regain your brow expressions and voluntary forehead wrinkles. I am sure it will work as a charm.
(3)Jenni S.
Buca is a fun place to eat especially for large groups! The portions are large and it's great to share the entrees family style. The food is good if you know what to order. The chicken pesto pizza is delicious as well as their pesto salmon! My favorite dish is the cheese ravioli. Yum! The atmosphere is up beat and busy. The decor is entertaining as well. Super great staff. Very friendly and helpful!
(4)Jay R.
08.31.13 with a big party came here the day before attending a wedding to celebrate. They had already set a menu before hand so my experience is based on the food and service. My family arrived late as the rest of the people were already eating salads, as our flight just came into HNL at 5:45pm and the dinner started at 5pm the service was so good, i was amazed how attentive and prompt they servers were. The food was decent as well. the food is served family style, and portions are always enough to share.
(4)Kama A.
It took a lot for me to get off my lazy A*s just to get my yelp back on...but Buca di Beppo deserves a "wet spaghetti noodle" lashing for the abuse I recently took there. After a day of heavy Ala Moana shopping my family of (4) stopped in for a 7:00 dinner. My wife walked in, let the hostess (high up on her pedestal) know our party size and name and she said we would be seated shortly, We sat to the right on the little bench by the entrance(inside Buca) and waited patiently. Several parties of (2) walked in and were seated immediately. A party of (8) came in (with reservations for an hour later) and were seated immediately.....understandable. A party of (3) walks in fresh and gets seated. Then a party of (4)..same process. At this point we were pissed and my wife stood back up to ask the hostess what's going on? The hostess looked baffled as if she never saw us before. Looking on her "motherboard" computer apparently she gave our table to a random party that walked in. The manager overheard us and stepped in to immediately seat us. The restaurant was far from crowded and there was definitely no "wait". STRIKE 1 As the mgr. gave us a "tour" of the kitchen each and every employee we confronted looked pissed we were there and had the "I hate my job" look on their face. I even overheard some employees cussing and "messing around" to say the least. STRIKE 2 When we were seated the mgr. assured us we would be assisted shortly by our waiter and we would be receiving a free appetizer for our troubles. 5 mins later the waiter arrives and can see the "pissed" look on our face. We ordered immediately and got our food in about 15 mins. The appetizer was some cheesy garlic bread that I definitely would not have got ($12.99) if it were not free. The spaghetti meatballs was "blah" and the fettucine alfredo wasn't anything impressive. The best thing abbout the dinner was dessert...go figure. Not too hard to mess up with brownies & ice cream. At the end of our meal the waiter gives me the check, and as I look it over I notice he charged me for the "free" appetizer. I let him know and in about another 15 mins. he gives me a corrected check with the right amount. STRIKE 3 Left there feeling like I got "bent over"..& I dont even swing that way, NO HOMO. Never gonna drop my hard-earned $$$$ on this spot again. Don;t matter how big the meatballs are. Definitely seems like they are overstaffed with "summer help" as employees walk around aimlessly. I've had Buca on the mainland and it was notched better than the Ward spot. Do yourself a favor and go across the street to the Old Spaghetti Factory. At least there they remember you walked in the door. Buca Di Crappo...got a nice ring to it.
(1)Laura D.
I've been here a few times before and it was decent. But with my recent trip, I'm not impressed. Service was okay. We went on a Wednesday night so it wasn't terribly busy. Our waiter was good and put up with all our requests: warm bread instead of the cold bread, red pepper, more water please. He was quick to bring these things. The problem was finding him to ask for them. Never checked up on us. I ordered the small cheesy bread. Our waiter asked if I wanted the other cheesy bread. I asked the difference and he said it had four cheeses. More cheese? Yes please. He failed to mention it had spinach on it. Disappointing if you don't like spinach. Ew. For an entree I got the lunch serving of chicken saltimbocca. The lunch size is a normal one person serving. Though I still have extra to take home. I was disappointed with the tiny size of the chicken and the copious amount of pasta. Maybe theres more chicken buried under the mountain of pasta? Nope. And saltimbocca isn't cooked with Alfredo sauce. It's suppose to be a white wine sauce. Oh well. The flavor wasnt bad and lemony and I love anything with prosciutto. But of course the pasta was overcooked and well beyond al dente. The entree was $13. No problem there. But so was the small cheesy bread. The serving of the bread is the same size as most garlic bread servings elsewhere for much cheaper. Buca, you done me wrong this time. Don't think I'll be eager to go back any time soon.
(2)Caitlin L.
So despite the fact we're early mid-twenties, the hubs and I are kind of like an old couple and we have a routine Saturday date night. We go to church (no we're not weirdos...we go to New Hope Honolulu and they're rockin enough to have a Saturday night service so we don't have to venture over there on Sunday morning...yes, that was an intentional shameless church plug) and then we head over to Buca. Every Saturday night, 730 we're there, unless of course, those dang deployments get in the way and steal my husband. Like previous reviewers said, the service is hit or miss. Sometimes, we have awesome servers, really helpful, really enthusiastic, and really quick...then there are the times like last weekend, when we hear the server bitch out the hostess for double seating him, neglecting our drinks til the hardworking busboy filled them, and forgetting to put in our dessert order. That aside, we love the place. I love Italian food of any shape or form and am easily impressed by it and we try something new every weekend. One thing we don't compromise is on the salad (Apple Gorgonzola and nothing else!) and dessert (Apple crostata...is good enough to make you lick the plate!, these are staples and will never change. Venturing out on the entree part of the menu, my favorite has been the summer special Pasta Caprese with chicken added to it. Very light, big chunks of mozzarella? Yum! My husband's favorite has been the baked chicken cannolloni. Pretty delectable, but not my favorite. You can print out $10 off $20 purchases if you google it you know...don't leave home without it!
(4)Hanna M.
A lot of food for low price. I went there recently and for a table for two at 5pm there was an hour long wait. The food here will make you fat.
(3)Aaron A.
Absolutely love this place. We went here a few days ago to celebrate our wedding anniversary and had a blast. We made a reservation, which is totally in your best interest because the place was packed at 6pm on a Sunday night. We only had to wait maybe two minutes before we were quickly whisked away to our table. The host takes you through their kitchen to give you a "tour". Wasn't much of a tour, but it was cool. If you've ever worked in a restaurant before, you know what this kitchen looks like. Even though everyone is working at a break-neck pace, they all greet you as you pass through, which is nice. There's even a table in the kitchen that you can reserve for your meal. It's noisy in there (as any kitchen is) but it's still a nice touch. The main advantage that I see to the kitchen tour is that it requires them to keep a spotless kitchen since all of their customers see it. The restaurant itself is a maze. Once we got to our table, we had no idea where we were compared to the front, but no big deal. The walls are COVERED in kitschy Italian art, pictures, and other pieces that add to the atmosphere. Also, the restaurant is LOUD. Considering how many tables there are in the restaurant and that it's almost a communal, family-style place, this is to be expected; just be ready for it. Our server was awesome, making it seem like we were her only table, even though she clearly had many. We were never left wanting anything seeing as how she came by often, but not so much that she was annoying. The food, the main star of the show, was amazing. While it's not AUTHENTIC Italian food (you are in a chain restaurant, after all), it's still very, very good Italian-American (for lack of a better word) food. Like everyone else states, the portions are rediculous. Most entrees come in a small and a large size. I ordered the small baked rigatoni and could easily get three meals out of it. My wife ordered the prosciutto stuffed chicken and thorougly enjoyed it. She is somewhat of a connisuer of tiramisu and while she liked theirs, it was soaked in Myer's Rum. I mean SOAKED. She caught a buzz off of it. Be warned. Overall, one of our favorite restaurants on the island. The prices are pretty expensive: sangria, starter, two entrees, and dessert came out to about $120. However, the fact that we had a HUGE bag of leftovers to take home, coming out to about another four meals, the price evened itself out. One thing to be advised of though: Yelp and the restaurant both advertise that if you sign up for Buca's e-club, you get a free appetizer. While that is true, you don't get it at that meal. I signed up online and didn't get the coupon for it until a few days later. You can sign up for their e-club with your server and that may net you the free appetizer right then, but I'm not sure. FYI: "buca di beppo" roughly translates into "Joe's basement" in Italian (thank you Wikipedia).
(5)Teresa M.
Great service from Alfredo; friendly atmosphere & great food. I don't eat here that often but when I do, I am appreciative of the pride that the staff take in providing excellent customer service.
(5)Dar C Y.
Buca is a fun place to be. It's close to the movies, games, shopping and the beach. If I know I'm having a party of about 6 or more, I'll probably book dinner at Buca for the family sharing portioned size food and loud atmosphere. They also have a menu to feeds a party of 2! Dates are welcomed here too. Not recommended for people who are claustrophobic or can't handle a cluttered place. It's not cluttered but there is a lot of decor that may come across as clutter to some.
(4)Bran H.
Having never tried a Buca di Beppo before we were not really expecting to be impressed. Although I wouldn't say it was out of this world, the food was good and portions were huge. Our service was excellent. But our judgement could have been clouded as our kids weren't there screaming in our ears. Only complaint was the place had a mildew-y smell, like the carpets were in need of cleaning our hadn't dried completely.
(3)Jolene K.
The location is great, but I'm not really impressed by the atmosphere or food. Our service was very good though! We ordered their pizza which was the monthly special, but to be honest, it seemed a little burnt. Good, but not worth 18 dollars. The bread and oil was nothing to go wild for. Just okay - probably good for large parties.
(3)Colin F.
My wife decided she wanted to go to Buca's for her birthday the other night, last minute decision, so I'm thinking oh boy, this is crunch time. Called two hours ahead of time to make reservations, and asked if we could be seated in a private area away from the noise (this place can get very noisy), she said yes. When we got there, we got a quiet table, along with a polite and informative server, named Alfredo. He was patient and very knowledgeable. He even made some great suggestions, and overall made us feel welcome, like we were family. Wonderful food, we had the eggplant parm, fettuccine alfredo and the meatballs, along with cannoli for dessert. Amazing experience and if you go in there ask for Alfredo, you won't be sorry. Enjoy!
(5)Jay T.
Bucca is located near the movie theater; therefore, this is our go-to restaurant before going to the movies. There is plenty of parking behind the building or right across the street. Whether you're here for lunch or dinner (or both), guarantee that there will be a line-- and that says a lot about this restaurant. I recommend calling ahead to make a reservation, unless they are not accepting reservations for that night. Check in right away and get on the list, they will ask for your cell# and will text you as soon as your table is ready; wait without reservations can take from 1-1 1/2 hr. Customer service is good and fast! We have been lucky to get friendly servers; they will even offer to give you a tour of the restaurant if you like. Although my customer service comment does not not include the greeters because most of the time they seem stressed out. Now when it comes too food... Food is just delicious! It comes in big servings; Small can be shared by two people. **note: appetizers itself can get you full!! We are avid fans of their mozzarella sticks and almost all pastas EXCEPT their lasagna. Their lasagna seemed really dry and tasted overcooked. White sangria is the bomb; it's light but it will give you a good buzz and their brownie ice cream is also a hit-- have you seen it! (It's a must try at least once!) Lastly, Bucca can be a little pricey. Although entrees are served in big portions, it ranges from 25-30 bucks for the "small" servings (can be shared by 2 or even 3 peeps) Their appetizers on the other hand are priced from 11- (almost) 20 bucks. Thinking about Bucca makes me hungry; I love their food!
(4)Kira C.
I've always loved this place. I've loved it since I first opened. But since being back to the islands, I had a hard time coming out this way and dealing with the parking and traffic. We decided to make a trip out there for lunch one weekend to use a GC someone gave us for Christmas. The food... wasn't as good as I remembered it. They marketed the spinach/tomato salad as something new but I pointed out to our waiter that it used to a permanent item on the menu a few years ago. The complementary bread with dipping oil/vinegar is always good. The bread is pretty fresh each time I get it. I ordered one of the seasonal pastas, where the noodles were made of veggie slivers. It was pretty good. No one else in my family liked it, though. My husband ordered the chicken alfredo supremo, which was okay. If given the choice between that and noodles at home with bottled cream sauce, I would probably opt for that (depending on the brand of sauce). The garlic cheese bread wasn't that fantastic either. My husband also ordered the chocolate chip cannoli which I thought was too sweet but plain. It was much like eating one of those dollar store sugar cones with super sugary whipped cream in it. I was not impressed. Will I be back? Not unless I get another gift card and have to.
(2)Joyce L.
Bucca is a family style Italian restaurant. Their portions are huge including dessert. So it's good to go there at least with 3 or more people. I wouldn't go there for 2 people unless you want to eat a bucket full of pasta or salad. My thing about this place is convenience. I walked in at 3pm and I could only get outside sitting on a hot summer day. They claim it's full inside and not enough servers. Hmmmm.... Luckily, our male server was excellent and made us feel at home.
(3)Anuhea P.
Buca seems top have shaped up over the years. I used to avoid this cookie cutter chain restaurant creating Italian food for the masses and only enjoyed the booze laden tiramisu. But due to a gift card and staff luncheon I've been able to change my opinion over a couple different visits in the last 6 months. In December we were a party of three, and only got to order a couple dishes, including cheesy garlic bread, chicken parmesan, and spaghetti marinara. I found that I was surprised at the flavor of these dishes and they were much better than I remembered the food at Buca tasting. At my most recent visit, I got to sit at the memorable Pope Table, which is surrounded by portraits of different popes, the Lazy Susan has a bust of a pope that stares at you as you turn it, and a Kingly chair for a special guest to sit in. I was with a big party this time so I got to try many different dishes. The appetizers were so good that I filled up and my favorites were the calamari, mozzarella sticks, and the caprese salad. The memorable entrees that I tried where the Fettuccine Alfredo (cheesy and great depth of flavor), and the chicken saltimbocca (loved the capers, artichokes and white wine sauce). Our table also wanted to order the brownie sundae which was enough of a dessert to feed 8 people stuffed with Italian food. I've worked for 3 years in a couple different Italian restaurants on the mainland, so I'm well versed in moderately priced Italian fare. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this food was tastier then one of the restaurants I worked at (a mom and pop), and I will look forward to the next time I get to come here.
(4)Bruno S.
Five star "Taste of Italy" experience at Buca! Hands down the best Italian restaurant on Oahu. Excellent location with indoor and outdoor seating, excellent atmosphere, superior service, and amazing family style Italian food. Look no further look no more, Buca di Beppo is the new hotness and Do take the kitchen tour! If you are familiar with Maggianos, you can instantly relate to a Buca, however Buca has a more "homey Italian" feel to it. In my opinion, Buca portions are much larger and their menu options favor groups and larger families. Tip: sign up for their e-club and receive email deals I.e. Kids eat free all summer. Also the big garage offers free valet. Very convienent check in service, utilizing text messaging to alert you when your table is ready so you can browse around the center while waiting. We went here with a party of seven on a summer Saturday evening, got a table within 30 minutes and our waitress was very good!! Large portion could have fed us all. All the food was top notch from the insalata (add the prescioto and gorgonzola so worth it), fried mozzarella with amazing sauce, chicken marsala, Baked Ziti (da bomb), and OMG their desserts forget about it! This restaurant is big but has not lost that mom and pop feel to it. Very lively great for groups and celebrations, dates, and family gatherings! If you love Italian food and are looking for a five star experience where you can dress casual to fancy and no one bats an eye...you've found your spot and my new favorite restaurant.
(5)Kaliko P.
Happy Fourth of July!! We enjoyed movie upstairs then headed down to Buca for dinner. Seating was instantaneous at 630 PM. The host lead us through the pizza prep area, the kitchen, the desert station, pointed the toilets out to us and finally to our seat, which was in a dark part of the resto. I've been to this particular location years ago but do not recall the really tacky, retro, chic, kitsch decorating. It was a bit kitschy at the Anaheim location but this one had more character. They like cats at this Buca and I'm cool with that. They have a room with empty wine bottles for a ceiling, pictures, cats, fat men, Mona Lisa slurping pasta on the walls combined with the elegance of a dark vampire cave. If you are an older person, you'll love this place as I do. The lighting is not harsh from above but very dark in here, so no glare from above highlighting the bags under your eyes, the protruding boney forehead, the wrinkles everywhere, the torn earring hole in your left lobe, the tattoo that says "no regerts" etc. Come here for a photo op or group shot to look beautiful. Service was very attentive for having to work on a holiday. EVERYONE was friendly tonight: host, hostess, bus boy, server - even a wait staff struck up a conversation in the bathroom with a tourist. The chef (or manager?), a rather rotund gentleman, was especially attentive to an older couple a few tables away...were they mad? Unhappy, what? Regardless, they were handled with care and we didn't have any idea why they were getting VIP treatment but we didn't care because our server rocked anyway (Mark). The bread was fresh, hot and dipped in oil/balsamic was outta this world. The Warm Spinach and Tomato salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts was excellent! The kid ate a spaghetti and meatballs and loved it. The Spicy Chicken Penne was great. Skip the sangria - it wasn't that great for $8.00. Total bill, for two alcoholic drinks, a kid fruit punch, a salad, an entree and a kid's spaghetti was $69 without tip. Parking was easy. Will be back again. Next time I'll dress really crazy so I can blend in with the decor.
(5)Angela Y.
Contrary to my previous review, I received excellent service on my recent visit to Buca di Beppo in celebration of my friend's birthday. I believe I was helped by Kamilo/Camilo, whom I would like to thank for making our experience worthwhile. Being a server is hard. Being a server during a busy lunch hour with a full section of tables is even harder. However, Kamilo successfully got us and everyone in and out with our bellies full and content. It was a shame they ran out of lasagna but the ravioli was the perfect replacement! So delicious and full of flavour. The same for the baked ziti. The spicy chicken rigatoni was a little hard and dry, and the fried calamari isn't worth your time, but my favourite appetiser was the mozarella (yum!) caprese. Throughout our meal, our server checked up on us often and although I could tell the day was wearing him out, he carried on with a big smile and small talk to keep the guests comfortable. He packed up our food in about a second. One thing that made our visit to Buca successful was his ability to get everything done fast, AND providing the best customer service. I'm glad I gave Buca another chance and thank you again.
(4)Mel B.
We love coming here. This starts our fun for movie night eating a wonderful dinner before watching the big block buster summer movie. And it's convenient. You have dinner, and you take a few steps to the escalator to get to the show. Parking can be problem sometimes but I tend to get parking inside the structure most of the time. There is valet parking at certain times. If there isn't then the 2nd floor parking opens up for self parking. We are always greeted by the Matre 'd and introduced to our wait staff who guides us to our table. We've only sat outside the times we've been there. The interior design is nice with the retro decor and pictures of an era when the Mafioso was a real threat on the East Coast. They were too on the west coast just not so much as on the east. But, I've been to a few Bucas on the mainland and, for the most part, the decos are the same. With a choice of the local Hawaiian scenery and that, hands down I gotta take an outside table. Anyways, I'm not the one who makes that decision. This place can get pricey. You'll want to figure out what is available to you to keep some of that money for the movie. We go for the discounted gift cards that save you about 25%. About $20.00 if you spend $80.00 which is close to what our bill comes out to be on average. Today we decided to get the family size spaghetti with meatballs, stuffed mushrooms and fried mozzarella. The adults get water, and Gabriel B. breaks the bank ordering root beer. The complimentary bread is brought out. The virgin oil is poured on the dish followed by the balsamic vinegar. I ask them to please add a lot more of the balsamic. My mouth was watering after we placed the order thinking of the fresh bread with balsamic. Love that taste. The stuff mushrooms is Gabriel B.'s favorite. These are good but Gabriel B. tells me mine are better. I'm not going to push that. The mushrooms are tender and the juices pour out as I bite down on them. So tasteful. The fried mozzarella is all soft and gooey. Again, a Gabriel favorite. i love mozzarella myself. The spaghetti comes out. There are 2 large meatballs in the serving. For my preference, there is never enough marinara sauce so I ask for extra. This is provided with no extra cost. For that, I'm appreciative. However, the meatballs don't have much taste to them. They probably decided to go with size using too much bread crumbs instead of taste. The rest of the meal is good to go. I don't have to ask for anything. Our drinks are refilled without us asking. We are checked on frequently to ensure everything is going okay. Dessert is offered. That's an immdediate "no". Don't even want to know what it is. I mean who has room after eating all that. Aw gosh roll us out now. We are having a good time. Laughing at all kinds of stuff. Preparing to see the movie. In the far distant future, we will remember this place with great fondness. I hope to have many more with family and friends.
(5)Tita K.
Went there for a birthday! First timer *good food : Love their lasagna , macaroni with chicken & mushroom & my favorite was their eggplant parmensan *tour: cool that we get to tour in the kitchen before we sit *enviroment: pretty loud restraunt depending whose around but where we sat had a group of kids & us having a huge crowd, cool that we got to talk & laugh out loud *service : workers are nice , our waitress was good also
(5)Rachel I.
With $100 in gift cards, we tried not once but twice to dine here, both for dinner on weekends. Both times we were given a 1.5 hour wait quote. I finally gave in and decided to see if the wait was worth it. They do have some planter boxes that you can sit around so that was nice but the humidity was killing me. 40 minutes later I received a notification that our table was ready via text message. Since some of my party had never been to Buca di Beppo, they gave us a quick tour through the restaurant (kitchen included) and sat us at our indoor table. Food: We ordered the Baked Ziti (small), Shrimp Florentine (small) and a Caesar Salad (small) in addition to the free bread with olive oil and vinegar as dipping sauce. Everything was well-portioned and delicious to my surprise! The Shrimp Florentine had perfectly cooked shrimp and tons of it!!! Our total was about $70 and no room for dessert :( Service: ...awkward. The vibe of the host, our server, the photographer and the other servers give an "east coast" feel, meaning they were aggressive, pushy and loud. I think this is the atmosphere Buca goes for hence the obnoxious interior décor and rowdy Happy Birthday song I heard at least 3 times during my dining experience. Is this how authentic Italian hospitality is? Anyways, it's not for me. I would've bought the photos from the photographer (they give you one postcard photo complimentary) but it was $20 for one photo and $12.50 if you buy 2+....mmm no thank you. The food is good and reason able for the price but from now on, I am ordering take-out. Summary: +3 stars for good food, reasonable prices and ample free parking. -2 stars for service and the wait.
(3)Javier B.
Good service, for some reason I think the Olive Garden has better favor, I was expecting tomatoes on the green salad, but it was ok. The baked ziti was too dry, I asked for marinara sauce and that fixed it pretty good. Low on salt, which is better since you can always add their sea salt. I have to say The Olive Garden usually use too much salt. Nice place, overall I think I got spoiled with all the good restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, still waiting for a place in Hawaii that blow my mind, any suggestion?
(3)Alec F.
I'm sitting at home writing this, overly stuffed and exhausted from the stuffing my face full of delicious Italian food. Bless your souls, Buca. My first time at a Buca was in Seattle, and my last time at this particular location was years ago. To be completely honest it never impressed me much simply because my grandmother makes amazing Italian food, so a chain such as this just didn't live up. But I was pleasantly surprised tonight as I gave it another chance for Mother's Day. We made reservations for 6:30 and even though it was obviously very busy given the holiday, our party of 8 was seated a few minutes before our reservation time. A super friendly waiter got to our table quickly and took our drink orders, making sure we knew how to order here. We settled on our dishes and our waiter took our (massive) order and went on his way. One of the photographers that photographs your table and sells you the printed image later came around to take our picture, which is normally a "meh okay" kind of event as it is, but he got us up and moving around and taking a tad too many pictures. While he was photographing us our food arrived - super quick, might I add - and luckily he took off promptly. The food was actually a lot better than I remembered. Maybe I haven't had my grandma's cooking in awhile either, but the chicken carbonara and this spicy shrimp pasta were incredible. I ended up also eating most the bread basket by myself - it was freshly baked and delicious. We also ordered a side of meatballs that never came - our waiter apologized but it worked out that we definitely didn't need them anyways, as we were stuffed by the end, but still. He got our food boxed up quickly and cheerfully saw us off. All in all it was a great experience. It still doesn't beat my grandma's cooking, though I don't really expect it too. A decent price and delicious food and a fun ambience - this Buca's doing everything right.
(4)Michelle J.
Went here after movie plans fell through. There wasn't a line which is always a plus cause I was starving! They always ask if you want to take a tour of the kitchen this time we did not I've seen it enough. It took a few mins before our server came by but he was very attentive. We place our order the same time as we placed the drink order. He brought out fresh bread and our drinks. About 10 mins later our food was out. The pasta was good but the noodles themselves could have been cooked a little longer. They had a firmness to them that wasn't very taste. But all in all if I ever want my pasta fix I'll be back.
(3)Jackie Q.
I love buccas! Huge portions of delicious Italian classics. Can't go wrong. The ambiance and decor is very interesting. You will always have something to look because pictures line every wall, even the ceiling. A fun place to eat especially for large groups. It gets kind of loud and busy but I feel that it kind of adds to the appeal, the liveliness. The service could improve a bit, it seems that the workers are overworked and stressed maybe. They handle it well and do their best to keep you happy. Overall a solid 4 stars. Will definitely return, again and again.
(4)Jennifer J.
Arrived at around 5pm and we were seated quickly. The inside is like a mini-maze! They'd give you a little tour of their place, showing you the kitchen is at. I honestly cannot remember where the bathroom is at. Waitress was attentive in taking down our orders. Unfortunately, the food takes a really long time to come out! What's up with their pizza stand? Didn't really like that. The food we ordered tastes ok. Their serving size is big so we only ordered 4 dishes. We were so full that we weren't able to order dessert anymore. The waitress that attend to us was nice. Very attentive from the moment we were seated to the time when we paid our bill. Unfortunately, she wasn't interested anymore after we paid because she didn't even thanked us when we stood up to leave and she was just beside our table that time. I was waiting for her to say something but instead, she just ignored us when we left.
(3)Pam M.
Buca is a good place for a large group where you don't want to break the bank. This isn't a date place in my opinion since it's kinda noisy and not intimate, I had dinner there a few weeks ago where our group include 4 kids (one teenager & 3 under age 10) and four adults. They have a kids menu for kids age 10 & under for $4.99 per kid which featured, cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, spaghetti & meatballs, so the 3 kids chose from the kids menu, happy with their options & we were happy that it was pretty inexpensive too. On to the regular food. As others have stated, most dishes come in a small (feeds about 2-3) or large (feeds 4 or more). We ordered: mozzarella sticks & calamari as an appetizer, mozzarella & tomato salad, Chicken Limone, Chicken Parmigiana, meatballs (they're the size of a baseball), a side order of spaghetti with pink sauce (you can request a blend of red & white sauce) and Stuffed Shells. I saw the Vanderpump sangria on the drink menu & was excited to try it, since Lisa Vanderpump said on her show (Vanderpump Rules) that everyone loves the sangria at SUR so she bottled it. The Vanderpump sangria was OK & tasted like any other sangria, nothing special. Either I received their regular sangria or the Vanderpump sangria was just eh, OK. Our appetizers (calamari & mozzarella sticks) never arrived & the kids pizza arrived much later after the adult entrees arrived. The kids were starving so they ate up the bread but were happy when their pizzas arrived. Overall the food was OK. We had lots of leftovers. Our server was very apologetic about the delay in the kids pizza arrival & failure of the appetizers to show up (we were too full to eat them anyway after have our entrees). He gave us a complementary brownie sundae which was served in a humungous martini glass.
(3)Tiffany B.
Get the green beans!!! Sounds silly but you won't regret it. They're super crisp & fresh & a lot lighter than pasta to accompany your yummy chicken or eggplant parm!
(5)Avery F.
I came here last night for dinner with friends. We had made he reservations and we called about an hour in advance that we would be late by 10 mins. The person on the phone was very accommodating which was good. The only down part to last night was the fact that we waited an additional 20 minutes before we go seated. I saw the person in the front kept asking if the table was ready.... lol Overall, we all had a great time there and the waiter and the food was really good!!
(4)Rachel W.
Buca di Beppo is like an old friend. It's a great place to plan get-togethers with friends or family, as there's plenty of room for big parties AND big appetites. I've been to a number of birthday parties here growing up, and my family also frequents this spot on special occasions. We've actually been here on Thanksgiving for their "Traditional Thanksgiving Feast" twice! The restaurant is one big party, fun for the whole family -- a hodgepodge of artwork, photos, and strings of lights. The only reason you might not want to be here is if you don't like loud atmospheres, or are trying to catch up with the person you're having a meal with. Servers break out into a clapping and singing frenzy whenever anyone is celebrating a birthday, and that can happen several times a night. If you are planning a special meal, you'll be interested to know that there are two unique tables in the house: 1) The Pope table. If you're planning a big party, be sure to call in advance to reserve it. Why "the Pope table?" Well because there's a glass case displaying the bust of a pope right in the middle! Pillars separate this large, circular table from the rest of the dining area, so there's lots of room and a decent amount of privacy in such a crowded eatery. 2) The kitchen table. Every time you enter Buca, the host or hostess will ask if you'd like to take the kitchen tour to see the "behind the scenes" of the restaurant. It's on this tour that you'll see they have a booth located *inside* the kitchen! Call ahead if you want this spot -- as you'll be sure to have dinner AND a show. My only complaint: It does get a little hot back there! But let's get down to business: The best pasta I've ever had from Buca is the PENNE AL FORNO. Everything that is good is in this pasta. Spicy Italian sausage, prosciutto, pepperoni, topped with three different cheeses... You won't be disappointed. Portions are family-style here, so a small along with some appetizers is the perfect amount for four people. The pizza here is *very* oily, but that never stops me from having some. As for my favorite appetizers, I recommend the calamari (size large for the table), and the bruschetta -- it's piled high with tomatoes and basil, and it just tastes fresh! Don't forget to leave room for dessert because you can't leave without the Tiramisu. They serve it up in a big bowl with a huge spoon...and I could truly eat it all by myself. It's hard to describe the perfect texture that is Tiramisu, but simply put: It's heaven. While the brownie sundae looks impressive in its giant martini glass, I wouldn't recommend it -- it's nothing special taste-wise. Although I do understand the novelty of taking pictures with it -- believe me, been there. In my experience, Buca has some excellent waiters and waitresses. Depending on your party, they know when to crank up the fun or when to tone it down and give you some space while you eat. I've had a lot of good experiences here, with some great memories to go with them. Buca is always a great choice for a big meal -- just be prepared to sleep it off!
(4)David G.
Great food with a family atmosphere. Prices aren't bad for the waikiki area and you get a lot of food for what you're paying. Not much more to say beyond that. Definitely recommended and this is one of the very few restaurants I'll take my family when they come visit.
(5)Jon M.
Atmosphere absolutely amazing it took me back to Italy! We had the fried mozzarella and capri salad to start, both great. Red sangria was good. Only reason I didn't give it 5 star due to our sauce being too light on our pasta.
(4)Catherine G.
When you walk into a chain restaurant such as Buca, you know that the servers are pretty well trained, they know how to upsell, they're given specials to memorize, yadda yadda yadda. So when we walked into Buca on a random 4pm on Sunday, we were thinking we would just have a normal meal and go on our way. From the moment we sat down, I could see the bustle of servers all over the place. However, no one said anything to us.. for a good 7 minutes. (Yeah sometimes I'll time you guys to see how long it takes for you to acknowledge me cuz I used to be a mystery shopper for restaurants.) A young female server came to us, I don't think she even told us her name and basically went through the motions of service. We ordered everything at one time and basically we didn't see her except when she brought our drinks to us. Dinner comes and we had to ask her for some bread. I didn't know if they were prejudiced on who gets bread and who doesn't but the table next to us just got bread automatically without asking. Coincidentally thats a pet peeve of mine when I'm dining. It's one thing if you're ALL SAT at the same time... or even double sat as sometimes hostesses do. But when I am clearly sat at a table long before another BUT I get service and food after another, I get irked. So anyway, tables next to us were empty when we sat, 15 minutes later, they have their drinks and bread already. Food was mediocre at best. The eggplant parmesan had all the edges clearly burnt and the spaghetti marinara was meh. But whatever, we eat and since we were waiting a while, doesn't take us all that long to finish the portions we wanted. So here it comes again... the waiting.... another 10 minutes before she shows up again. And is it not evident, food left over, no one eating, we should need a box? Nah, I had to ask for the box, ask for more water, ask for the check. I hate dining in situations where the service is SO lacking that you start to notice every thing that the servers just don't do. Only positive is that we had so much left over, hubby and I BOTH ate this for our next day's lunch. Today would be a day when I miss the service at places like Coastal Flats in Northern Virginia. Those servers are amazing... they work in teams and no one is ever left staring around trying to make eye contact with SOMEONE for a check or a take home box. Even the managers there are visible and will get that check for you on the fly! Anwyay, Buca, I loved you in California, but here in Honolulu... its a meh for me at best. I'll save my money and just go elsewhere....
(2)Gluten L.
We've eaten here a few times as well as gotten take-out. It's a good place. They have a gluten free menu, too. I love their big salads. They have huge portions. The first time we came, it was a bit noisy, but it was fine the second time. They have a great location there near the theater and everything.
(4)Dwight L.
Service was really bad every time I have gone. Not unfriendly, but getting food to table took a very long time. The food is unspectacular and not really worth the wait. Portions are huge, so bring a crowd if you go, but I would rather spend my money on phenomenal Italian food at La Cucina, the bill will be about the same. If you are going for mediocre chain Italian, I would go to Macaroni Grill.
(2)Derek K.
The food sucks. The service sucks. It's a little better than eating can spaghetti but not much. I waited 45 min to eat junk
(2)Raelyn B.
house bread + balsamic vinegar + olive oil = love. I can eat this for days and my friend and I needed to limit ourselves from eating too much of it when we go. Bucca is meant to be shared, they're extremely big on family, that's why the tables are so big, the portions are humongous, and their desserts are massive. You can always bet on being welcomed with a warm smile and on point attitudes when being asked if this is our first time here. The staff never disappoints especially when you're two girls, who can't decide on what they want. OH did I mention they have happy hour?! I learned that just recently. Well worth the snackages and getting two of them. The calamari is always good, meatballs are impregnated with cheese, I love cheese. Unfortunately my friend doesn't like spicy food so it was always never an option. So we often get the Chicken Carbonara, Spaghetti with Meatballs or the fettucini supreme, everything is really good. EVEN THE PIZZA. When someone tells you not to be practical about getting pizza at an Italian restaurant when you can get pizza everywhere else, they're wrong. It is completely acceptable to get pizza at an Italian restaurant, if that isn't the best place to get pizza, I don't know where else is. If you're not full over eating loads of pasta and appetizers, I'd suggest sharing a piece of cake or giant sundae with your bestie, just try your best to eat it, you won't regret it. Maybe when you're on the scale but in the moment you'll be so happy!
(5)Ninarae N.
I've eaten at Bucca before in California and I have to start off by saying, the customer service at this Bucca in particular is the best of all the buccas I've ever dined in. HYPES: In addition to the stellar service, my food as predicted was outstanding. I forgot the exact name of my dish, though sorry! It was a pasta dish with creamy vodka sauce...that's all I remember. The flavors were beautiful together. My bff and I also shared a strawberry cheesecake. The cheesecake was SO delectable! Each spoonful melted in my mouth. It was so amazing! GRIPES: The whole time we were sitting there, the vent kept blowing icy cold air directly on us. I had the shivers by the time we left the restaurant. This place had really dimmed lighting and is perfect for a date night or for families as it is family style dining. Serving sizes are huge! I would def come back!
(4)Jordan S.
Buca is not high end italian food, but its pretty decent when you want some food and want to hang out with friends. It's not a 5 start joint, it is not a romantic evening with a date, it's a fun place for a group to shove meatballs as big as your fist into you face, talk, be friendly, and have a nice evening. Going as a group is the only way to do it in my opinion, the portions are built for it, the prices are designed for it, and its what it was meant to be.
(4)Yoko Y.
Friendly staffs and interesting interior. We ordered Stuffed Mushrooms and Lasagna. Taste was good. Especially, I like tomato sauce that was served with lasagna. Sour and rich taste. Only one thing, they needed to heat both of dish more. Were little bit cold for me.
(3)Travis H.
So, it looks like the majority of Yelpers can't agree on whether this place is downright awful or the best non "mom and pop" Italian place around. I'm with the latter on this one. Don't worry, I've got my reasons, premature as they may be. It was my first time here, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting much. I've heard plenty from friends and family that this place is just too expensive for what it is. Well, what it is, is a chain Italian restaurant located in one of the more popular centers on island. So yeah, I'd expect it to be a bit pricey. We went for lunch before our movie started and were sat a table in the bar area within minutes. I didn't really understand having to wait at all given how dead they were, but that's nitpicking. On to the food! They give you free bread to start along with some oil and vinegar. It was decent, but it's not like we asked for more. I ordered the Shrimp Fra Diavolo. It's essentially a shrimp and penne bowl with a mixed sauce, half Alfredo half red, with hot pepper flakes heavily added in. I appreciated the waitress assuring me of my decision by restating that it is a spicy dish and she even asked if I'd rather have the dish without the flakes. I like to live life dangerously, so I chose the flakes. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. It was creamy, but not runny. Hot, but not overbearing, and the portion size was more than enough even on an empty stomach. There were several individuals there that the employees knew by name so you know people are going back for a reason. That's a good sign that the staff actually cares about you coming back given the fact they actually remember names. Yes, it's on the pricey side. Even pricier for dinner, but it was a pleasant experience. I've had better Italian food, but I've certainly had worse. All things said, I'll come back here as a go to option for a pre movie meal!
(4)Kealii M.
All good and way plenty food. Bring the whole gang it's great. My favorite is actually the soup and salad combo
(5)Sashimi J.
It was okay, but certainly not the best. The portion was massive. We Had ordered a small spaghetti and small lasagna. It was enough for four people.
(3)Eugene E.
Keha is the best. You need to have her as your waitress Chicken rigatoni is the best
(5)Russ L.
If you are looking for an authentic tasting Italian restaurant this is NOT it. We came here two nights ago to celebrate my niece birthday. We preordered the food so we didn't have to wait a long time for the food to come once we got seated. All family size serving, so if you have a party of 12 or more a large serving is more than enough, otherwise a small portion will do. Here's what I like: Apple Gorgonzola Salad, The Frutti di Mari Linguini. The rest was just alright.
(2)Seda-Vae F.
We went there because it was our time to treat my brother and his wife to lunch. So we decided to go to Buca Di Beppo in Kakaako. First of all, I was happy there's "Free Parking," Secondly, the hostess was sweet and took us on a tour of the kitchen because it was our first time there. Third, the food was delish and the portion was good enough to feed the six of us, Fourth, Our server Milo was the "BEST." He was awesome. Thank You!
(5)Myrriam R.
Wonderful experience. They have a photographer who comes around offering complimentary post card. When she returned she gave the postcard and showed 2 other photos which I assume was for sale. We didn't like the other photos and she kindly thanked us and left. It was nice not to feel pressured to buy in. If you sign up on their website to receive mailers, you get a coupon to redeem for a free pasta dish. The coupon expires within a few weeks, so make sure you sign up when you know you will be going. Didn't know they had a private dining table in the kitchen. You can reserve to sit there but I have no idea how long the wait list is for that experience. It's in the kitchen so it's not breezy, it's a bit warm when we walked through, however I wouldn't mind the experience one day. Ordered the Veal Saltimbocca, Beppos Soffici Cuscini, Baked Ziti and the Dolce Platter. The Veal was cooked to perfection, we especially enjoyed the artichoke hearts in this dish. The Soffici Cuscini was so delicious, pancett made it taste heavenly! Can't even taste the vodka in the dish, just delicious. The baked Ziti was delicious, it was the freebie. For 2 people, this small was so much food! We finished up with the desserts. We just had to have a taste of it all. The Tiramisu is the best I've ever had on island. Seriously that good! The chocolate cake was my second favorite. I would have enjoyed the cheesecake a bit more if it wasn't so soft. Overall, the experience was wonderful and the quality of the food was excellent. Parking can be a challenge, I went through Valet parking. It is free and on the second floor. The only downside to it is waiting for your turn, and then waiting for your car. If you are in no hurry, it's a good way to go...and since you don't pay for parking, please consider tipping them something when you do get your car. ;)
(4)Paula H.
PROS: -Great customer service. They will take you on a tour of their kitchen! -Great decor -Huge restaurant with lots of seating. Great for parties or large groups. CONS: -Food is not impressive. Very basic Italian. Maybe one step up from the Old Spaghetti Factory. 25/100 Yelp Challenge 2015
(4)Kuuipo D.
How is it that I have never reviewed this place? I swear this an oversight on my part. I have been coming to this location for over 13 years. Like longer than my youngest has been alive. (Wow, that's long.) I mean, in the beginning, there was joke among the staff that we were the owner's kids. It was started by the current chef at the time and kind of just stuck as new staff were trained. It didn't help that we were going there every week and ONLY sat at the kitchen table. Through it all, the changes to staff, management, chefs, this is still my go to place for a good family meal that guarantees me lots of leftovers (so I don't have to cook the next night). My favorites are the lasagna (get it while you can because it can sell out), marsala (soon good and rich), the calamari (I will hog most of it and you have to fight me for it), the carbonara (unbelievably delicious), and of course the ridiculously huge BROWNIE SUNDAE!!!! For people who love the heat, try the spicy rigatoni!!! You may ask, how about those meatballs? As big as a small dog's head! The pepperoni pizza? So gooey and oily - HEAVEN! (Yes, i like it oiy. I'm not normal.) I could go on & on, but those are my faves. Now how about the service? Over the years, we always have had exceptional service. I don't know if it's because everyone thought we were the owner's kids or not, but hands down, these servers and runners and kitchen staff are the best. BUT, if I had to highlight one particular person, Frank is the BEST!!! I kid you not people, if you are making plans to go here, when you make your reservations, you ask if Frank is working and if you can be put in his section. He should start a school for servers; he is that good. Celebrating? He will sing you a song! For example, my daughter & I have really close birthdays, so we were there twice in one week. Frank did two completely different songs. He can make you feel like you are the VIP that you know you are. I kid you not, people. So, overall this is one of my favorite places in the world to eat. And before you go debating about if it's really comparable to real Italian food, I've been to Italy and had real Italian. I'm not saying to compare to real Italian, this review is just based on good food with really good service.
(4)M. W.
Wish I could give NO STARS! I hate their food. Went after not going since they first opened - food is terrible. We had the "pope" room and a large party. Food was unlimited- but when the table asked for more chicken - they made us give a count so they wouldn't give too much to let them take home left overs. Everyone raves about the lemon chicken with capers... Why? Because it's moist and not dried out? It's bland and soft. Fettuccini Alfredo had no sauce, noodles were hard and stuck together - a sign that they were not blanched or tossed with olive oil after cooking and the cream sauce was lumpy - caused by over beating the cream and cheese added to it. Spaghetti with meat sauce tasted like sweet tomato paste - not enough sauce or meat. The salads weren't dressed well. Bread was hard and dry from sitting out too long. Cheese cake was heavy and dry and tasted like a block of philly cream cheese. The table ordered the super large sundae with 12 brownies and ice cream - brownies tasted like prepackaged little Debbie's. Gross. Then came the free photo. It's printed on a 4x6 BUT the actual picture on the 4x6 is literally (not figuratively) 1x2 inches. The rest is decorations around the printed photo. They try to get u to buy the other 12 photos they take for $12.50 each. Only thing I liked was the cup of coffee - but real cream would have been nice. Never going back. Not worth it. Also - they have a display of FDS - feminine deodorant spray in the bathroom for the women to look at- why? That's neither humorous or family entertainment. It's degrading and lame. A sign about not forgetting your sanitary belt, having fake boobs and an ass to "trap your man" and how to eat a banana. Check them out in the bathroom. Not the type of things I would expect to see in a family restaurant.
(1)Nadine J.
first of all this is an Italian restaurant but when I went inside for the first time I felt like I was in Mexico for some reason. Anyways with that being said the inside was very colorful with lots of pictures on the walls and wine bottles in the ceiling. the food portions are enormous and the taste was very tasteful especially the carbonara pasta. I think two people can share a small pasta, maybe even three depending on how much you eat. If you order salad two people can share that two. I thought this place is worth trying especially if you are hungry for pasta. So go try it and let me know what you think.
(4)Joanne A.
Buca di Beppo is one of those go to restaurants when you need a place that accommodates large groups. I've gone to Buca's for birthday parties (three of my own!), graduation parties, and social events. It is always loud and full of energy there! The hostesses often offer a kitchen tour as you make your way to your table. Food is served family style; each dish can feed at least 4 people and there always seems to be some leftovers to take home. The menu includes appetizers such as fried calamari and mozzarella caprese, salads, pizzas, and a variety of pasta dishes. Wait time tends to vary with how big the group is and how busy the restaurant is, but the servers are always lively and attentive. When it's someone's birthday (or any other celebration), the staff always calls attention to the person and sing a song. I once had my birthday party in the "Pope Room" and it was a little more intimate if you prefer that more. At my latest birthday dinner, our waiter serenaded me with his birthday song. It makes me wonder if having a loud and good singing voice is a requirement to work at Buca's...
(4)Cindy B.
Ate dinner here for the first time in six years last night with a big group and I have to say that I was super impressed! Looking at the reviews, it seemed to be a hit or miss but I'm glad it was a great experience when I went. The dinner at bucas was planned for a belated birthday dinner for my boyfriend. When our table was ready, my boyfriend was given a 'my birthday' card to hold while the host directed us to our table. The host gave us a tour of the restaurant including the kitchen and I really liked that the employees acknowledged my boyfriend and said happy birthday. We were finally seated and the waitress immediately asked us what drinks we wanted. We ordered a bunch of items from the menu. The portions were huge and everything tasted very good! My favorite has to be the fried calamari, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed chicken, and cheesecake! For a party of 15+, our food came out in a timely manner. I really liked the souvenir picture that was taken and given to you as a little gift. You can also order professional ones at $20 a piece. I also wanted to note that the staff were all very friendly which is hard to find at a big restaurant like bucas. My boyfriend forgot a gift bag under the seat and left. I called the next afternoon and the manager had told me that they had the gift bag. When I got to the restaurant, the manager was super friendly and walked the gift bag out to me. I definitely would recommend this place to large group parties! In fact, I'm already thinking of planning a future birthday party here!
(5)Jana T.
I'm ordering takeout for tonight's dinner. Tired of eating chicken cutey for dinner. Hope the dinner is good. They had a discount coupon but never asked or offered. Most places will bring it up. Next time gonna check before ordering take out.
(3)Gary D.
Great food. We love it here. Before or after a movie a sweet dining experience. I love the meatballs and the Gorgonzola Apple salad. Oh let's not forget baked ziti, lasagne, penne San Remo, cannelloni.everything is good here let's not forget the deserts.
(5)Amanda L.
Ordered 1 large plate, 2 small baked pastas, and 5 drinks. We had a $10 coupon out if he entertainment book and our bill came in under $100. Yah!
(5)Cassie B.
FOOD: The food here is okay, compared to my other Italian experiences. I'm spoiled and have had excellent Italian food from different establishments in the past, and my boyfriend's mom is Italian and likes to cook (and she is an AMAZING cook). So, I know it's not the fairest comparison. Still, because of my experience, I find the food here to be just okay. Not the best, but not the worst either. In fact, some of the dishes, like the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni and the Shrimp Fra Diavolo, are excellent! If you like spice, get those! The thing I love most is that the food is served family style, and you get to share and eat and talk with the people you love (or at least the people you chose to eat dinner with)! You always inevitably have leftovers, which to me is an A+. AMBIANCE: This restaurant has some crazy decor. There is a POPE BOOTH/ROOM for crying out loud! There are tons of pictures of Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra, and the walls are full of photos and interesting decor. It's so fun to dine here and everything around you is a conversation starter. Quirky and unique, the ambiance makes this place one of my favorite places to dine. SERVICE: The service, overall, has been excellent. Lots of smiles and the food comes out pretty quickly. The servers always make sure to make my dining experience enjoyable. My one complaint has to do with one isolated incident, which was on my mother's birthday. I made it clear to our waiter that it was her birthday, but he forgot many times to bring her the dessert I wanted to surprise her with. It took telling him more than twice, and I actually had to ruin the surprise! We also didn't get the birthday song that everyone in the restaurant received, which my mom seemed to want (even though she didn't say it). I just felt sad because I wanted my mom to have an amazing birthday and she left feeling a little "off." OVERALL: The restaurant is a fun place to dine. Despite my one bad experience, the service has always been good. I have been consistently satisfied with my dining experience here, and the food is also good and plentiful! You should come, even if just to stare and take pictures of the walls!
(3)Mai H.
Service is always so good here! I always forget the name of the server, but essentially thus are all excellent. Attentive to needs, happy, talkative, and pleasant. The food, eh, it's a toss up. The chicken Parmesan tasted differently less crunch. But the summer special with shrimp and zucchini ribbons... OMG amazing!! Perhaps it was the newness of the dish that made it shine. Deserves a second look
(5)Sally F.
Awful. I don't know why anyone gives it more that one star. We ate on a plastic fold out table.. Just check under the table cloth. They served us warm beer in a water glass and a margarita that was actually just tequila with sugar water. Worst margarita ever. We couldn't even eat the food and left as soon as possible. They asked if we wanted a take out box as if the food was any good. The decorations make you feel like you are trapped in the maze of a horror story. Definitely going to be the scene of a waiter gone psycho one day.
(1)Reg R.
Server and service was excellent. Over priced even for Waikiki or New York City standards. The food was good quality but too expensive. I would not recommend it. I was amazed at the number of locals who were there.
(2)Eugene A.
If you eat here make sure to bring more than four people lol The portions are big because they have to fit the price and these prices are no joke. Last time I came here with three other people our bill came out to $200 but it was worth it we order a lot and took a lot home. Service is great too the only downside to this place is that it was hot. Hawaii people love the A/C so turn up the A/C next time lol other than that this place is good!
(4)Whitney W.
Loved this place! Family style Italian food... Fun different style drinks ....and cozy visual atmosphere. Service was great! They even take a photo of you and add it to a postcard for free. ($20 for a bigger photo) Loved the tour of the kitchen before you sat down. How unique!! I honestly didn't expect much from the food but it was good and different. Such as baked chicken with prosciutto in the middle topped with marinara sauce but sitting in pesto. Flavors were awesome. We went here on a Thursday night before a night movie. It's a in a great location.
(5)Lillian S.
I love their Cesar salad, spaghetti marinara, spicy sausage with pepper, chicken masala, salmon, veal, all good food!
(5)Elizabeth M.
Went to Buca di Beppo tonight, I loved the food. However they only serve huge family portions. A small could feed 3 people. So it might not be a good idea to go if everyone you are with wants something different. The staff was very friendly. The price is decent for the amount of food you get. The restaurant has a lot of dinning rooms. For dessert if you ask for a slice of tiramisu you get a whole cake lol
(5)Kelli S.
I've only been to this Buca di Beppo (Buca's) a handful of times. I can't remember what was ordered during the times I've been here for parties, but this eatery is always bustling. It's deceptively large, too -- from the outside, you can't really see all the dining space that's available. I've had pizza, pasta and salads from this location, and I've always enjoyed what I've ordered. However, since I have only been here 2-3 times, I can't really say that I have a favorite dish and I haven't tried nearly everything I want to on the menu. For the one time that I've been to Buca's for a smaller birthday lunch, our group was seated promptly and it didn't take too long for the food to come out. Plus, if it's someone birthday, they provide complimentary dessert (and really loud singing). I don't think I've ever made reservations here before, but I wouldn't doubt that it would be a good idea to, especially if you're going in a large group or on the weekend during normal lunch/dinner hours. Everything at Buca's is served family-style; if you have a larger party, you can order a few dishes, but I would probably just stick to two if you're dining with a party of 2-3 (the small size serves to; the large size supposedly serves 4). Here's what I would recommend, as well as dishes I have yet to try: "Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken": The last time the BF and I went to Buca's, we got this as one of our dishes to share. It featured a moist chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto and served with homemade marinara and pesto cream sauces. Of course, I liked the pesto cream sauce more than the marinara, but I really liked the cheese that was simply oozing out of the chicken with each bite. Although there are other poultry dishes on the menu that I want to try, I'd definitely order this one again. "Chicken Cannelloni": I've had "Chicken Cannelloni" at Romano's, and I liked it so much that it was a no-brainer to order it at Buca's. This dish features spinach pasta tubes filled with chicken, ricotta and mozzarella with rosa sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed my cheesy meal--I love anything with ricotta cheese--and the chicken chunks were plentiful and moist. And, since spinach is my favorite vegetable, I definitely was a fan of the spinach pasta tubes that came with this entrée. "Artichoke Florentine Dip": I do love a good spinach artichoke dip, but I have yet to try the version at Buca's. This creamy app features artichokes, spinach and roma tomatoes that are baked in a creamy mozzarella and provolone sauce and served with Parmesan crostini. The cheese blend sounds phenomenal, and I'm sure everything pairs really nicely atop the crispy, Parmesan-crusted crostinis. "Buca Trio Platter": If I was undecided on a meal and just wanted an array of apps, I wouldn't hesitate to order the "Trio Platter" for my actual meal. It features fried calamari, fried mozzarella and stuffed mushrooms, served with the eatery's homemade marinara sauce. I normally am not the hugest fan of mushrooms, but stuffed mushrooms, I do like! I'm also excited to taste that deep-fried cheese and calamari one day. "Bianca Pizza": I always prefer my pizza with cream sauce, so this entrée is right up my alley. It features a white pizza with ricotta, fresh mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, garlic, oregano and garlic-infused olive oil. Yum! This one pie includes some of my favorite cheeses (ricotta) and I'm sure the garlic and oregano add savory flavors. "Chicken Carbonara": Carbonara is one of my favorite pasta dishes, but not every Italian eatery features a good one (or even has it on the menu at all). I have yet to try Buca's version, but it includes chicken breast, prosciutto, peas and garlic in Alfredo sauce ... and that menu description alone already has me convinced that it's going to taste great! "Chicken Limone": This chicken-centric dish features a savory medley of lemon butter sauce and capers. I love moist, succulent chicken with the slight kick and salty taste of capers! "Shrimp Florentine": This seafood dish features garlic shrimp, roma tomatoes and spinach with linguine in garlic butter sauce. I love the consistency and texture of linguine, and I'm sure I would find the spinach, garlic butter sauce and garlic shrimp that comes on top delicious and savory. However, I would order this pasta dish sans tomatoes. "Lasagna": Lasagna is definitely one of my favorites, when it comes to classic Italian fare. I have yet to try the one at Buca's. It includes alternating layers of meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. The cheesy medley sounds amazing and hopefully the lasagna is not too meaty/tomatoey for my taste. But I'm willing to give it a shot since I hardly get to eat lasagna nowadays (not worth cooking up a whole batch of lasagna for one at home).
(3)Adina B.
So I ordered the chicken cannelloni and it was super cheesy. My bf had the spicy chicken rigatoni and it was good. I wasn't super thrilled about this place but it was ok. I would come back but it wouldn't be by a choice of mine. I guess it gives you an Olive Garden feel but...
(3)Amanda K.
I know it's a chain restaurant but they are DELICIOUS. Love the selection on the menu and the fact that you can order family style. The chopped antipasto salad is seriously the best salad ever. Love the meatballs and the chicken carbonara. The drinks are good too, esp the sangria. I always leave here stuffed but so satisfied!!!
(5)Kendra S.
Buca is a fun, loud, family friendly restaurant chain. Free parking in ward center. I've been here a handful of times and always love the food and wine. The menu has quite a selection from salads to pizzas and pastas and meat. The food is served family style which means you share. The small is split usually for two people and a large for four. Unless your hungry like me and want to eat an entire small to yourself. Sign up for emails because they send out lots of discounts. I received a free small dish for signing up and another on my bday and anniversary. I feel like the prices are kinda high for dinner. When I think oh it's split so the pasta dish is really like $12 each sounds better. But let's be honest, pasta doesn't cost much to make, it's flour. Therefore it irritates me to pay $30 for pasta. I've tried the lasagna, spaghetti and meat sauce, numerous pizzas (the crust is to thin for me), garlic bread, Caesar salad and baked ziti. I love walking through the kitchen and seeing all the clean stations even though they are crazy busy with a 100 top table. The kitchen staff can still say hello and make you feel at home amid the chaos. The place as a whole has a lot of character from the decorations to the staff. They have a pope head in a glass box on a table and a bunch of ridiculous pictures. I always have fun especially after their delicious wine ciao Russo. Every time they give me the wrong size glass of wine and I end up paying more for either ordering the small and get a large or give me a small and charge a large. It's just so loud, I think the staff is probably almost deaf by now. Lunch is a relaxed environment and you don't have to yell. Think it just depends on your company of what time to visit this place. My quiet mother would not enjoy her dinner here on a Saturday night. Either way the food is delicious. I recommend making a reservation on Saturday otherwise it's usually a 45 min wait.
(4)Johanna M.
Truth be told, I have not set foot in a Buca di Beppo since high school and it's been way too long. I can't tell you how many times I walk by Buca and smell the delicious aromas coming from their restaurant. I am happy we finally decided to hit it up for pau hana. The hubby and I love exploring pau hana (happy hour) options in the neighborhood, so we headed to Buca check it out, and they did not disappoint. They have great drink and food specials. We arrived at about 5pm on a Friday and it was not too crowded. We got a high-top table and immediately placed our order for sangria, white and red" both were really nice and refreshing on that hot Friday evening. We also ordered calamari, meatball sliders, pizza fromage. Everything was pretty good and it was all so cheap. It was really a good value. Buca is Buca, it looks like every other Buca with the kitschy wallpaper and decorations, but it's kind of fun, isn't it? We probably won't be coming here for dinner, because there are a few other nearby options that offer better quality Italian food, but if you have hankering for a giant bowl of okay pasta, this is always a good option. I really think that Buca offers a great value for pau hana and so we will hit them up again!
(4)Amber C.
Love going to Buca. Family style dining is always a plus because there's always a bunch of leftovers. Got the baked zits and fried mozzarella. Everything from the food to their service was good.
(5)Rosalynn E.
Friday night is a busy night! I recommend that you set a reservation. We were here to celebrate a birthday with a party of 16. We fit comfortably in the "Pope's room." I love all of the cool yet whacky and kinda funny photos everywhere. The ambience is loud and casual. I don't know if it's because they were busy but I waited 20 min to get my water refilled. During this time I couldn't eat because my mouth was so dry from the bland zitti. In addition I feel like our server couldn't give us his undivided attention while at our table.....maybe because it was busy. I'm trying to make excuses but I have worked in the service industry and he should be able to handle the high volume and upbeat pace. He's definitely not new as he served a going away party I attended here 2 years ago. Same kind of ignorance. Well I asked to go over what everyone has ordered because I felt there was too much he simply says its a lot of food but it's fine....I ask a second time and he walks away to continue down the table. Okay, I'm paying the entire tab thank you for all the wasted food as there were 4 dishes too many and no one wanted to take any home as we continued to Dave and Busters and a movie. Sorry, no photos because I was in such a bad mood from our server. I actually only ate a few bites needed water and lost my appetite. I want to like this place for its upbeat ambience and large portions. This is the second time I've had terrible service.
(2)Kiana F.
At first I loved the tour of this restaurant. I thought it was a great idea to involve us in the operations and meet the kitchen staff, buuutttt, that's where the fun stopped. We have spaghetti and a salad and all I can say is that everything (food, taste, service..) was very average.
(3)Everlinda D.
Food was awesome but service was disapointing. Got the apitizer no plates were given. All drink arrived but wine took a long time . It was forgotten. They waived the charge that was nice. Our meal arrived then waited food for my little girl, it was forgotten. The waiter was friendly and very apologetic but it was way too busy for him to give good service. He did took 10% off the bill. I would come back because of the food but I would not be surprised to experience the same service. It's just way too busy to expect smooth service. 3 stars because of good food.
(3)G I.
It's a lot of fun ordering in this restaurant because it's "family style" where everyone can share. The food is great and the service good. The only downside would be it's not someplace you go to have a quiet dinner. The atmosphere is loud, a little crowded, people are reaching over the table to grab food...kinda reminds me of dinner at my house, but hey, I don't have to cook.
(4)Tiffany L.
Drove all the way from westside; waited str8 up for 15mins. Never offered water or acknowledged our table. Theee* worst service I had there. Usually their service is good but not tonight. (I was once a waitress, so I know how waitresses run)
(1)Yoselyn F.
So i go here once a year, usually under the guidance of a friend. I need new friends... We got there right as happy hour was ending and got over our sadness because we were too hungry to go somewhere else. We ordered a Spicy Arrabbiata pizza, and the Chicken Carbonara with ziti. I was ok with my pasta but wish they had smaller portions since two people can't finish that serving BUT have the right to eat pasta. I'm sure it is somewhere right after the pursuit of happiness. So we each had a drink, some bread and our dishes. I finally talked to my friend tonight and it turns out that we both got sick. We've identified the pizza as the culprit as I didn't have pizza on the night we were in and she didn't eat pasta. I did have left over pizza the next day and was not amused by the horrible way in which my body responded. The server was ok, she seemed to be trying but didn't impress. Although there were a million empty tables they sat us by a busy pathway. The latter made it super noisy, and we witnessed multiple dish fails. One was so intense it lead to a massive soda spill and sticky legs on my end. I think this has ended my relationship with Buca since I don't love their dishes and always find myself asking for extra sauce, needing salt and pepper and fixing the dish when I get home. If I was Italian I would understand BUT since I'm Hispanic I should just be pleased...
(1)Tricia K.
You have to be out of your mind (or very cheap) to eat here! The food is AWFUL! As an Italian woman, I have eaten Italian food all my life. I expected more from this chain hovel. The service was awful: the waiter could not tell an Italian red from a white wine. The appetizers came out and within 2 bites, the entrees were already ready. The waiter was asked for balsamic and it took him 5 minutes to return. He was asked to bring more sauce for my boyfriends pasta...20 minutes later...he was asked again, returned with a stupid excuse...it will be ready in 2 minutes. Ugh. Now, for the food. The salad was iceberg lettuce, with a few apples and cranberries. Subpar. The spaghetti was the pits. Maybe I could have made better sauce from my own pits. Yuck. The cheese pizza was inedible and I thought it was awful as well as my 7 year old. The only thing decent was the cares salad, but really, how can you mess that up? The ambiance was loud, obnoxious, and uncomfortable. I wouldn't take an enemy here to torture them. Just terrible. I'll stay away from chains. We were only here for my cousins birthday. I hope he enjoyed his food. Happy birthday.
(1)Nadine S.
Never disappointed here. The one in Florida close to me closed so very happy to be able to go while in Hawaii. Very large dining areas and you don't feel crowded. How they have great lunch specials which is awesome as their servings are almost too big . Lunch size was big but nothing like meals off the regular menu.. Pasta tastes fresh and it is not drowning in sauce or oil but just the right amount for the dish. Service is very good as well. The only suggestion is we ordered the cheese bread florentine and the middle could have been cooked a little more as it was not super warm or totally melted. Yes we consumed it all but would have been much better with a few extra minutes baking or under a broiler. Hope to be back again on my next trek to the islands.
(4)Pamela P.
If you plan to eat at Buca ask for Frank as your server. My family and I (16 of us total) went to buca this past Saturday to celebrate my son's 10th and my daughter's 15th birthday. Our servers name was Frank and he was AWESOME! I never remember the names of servers even if they give great service but Frank is one that we'll never forget. He went above and beyond to make our dining experience a great one. He did a rap for my kids instead of the traditional birthday song and he had my son get involved with it. Although it was a small part, my son loved it and he'll never forget it. Frank was truly genuine. You could tell he was giving great service because he wanted to not because he had to or because he was trying to get a good tip. EVERY single person in my family had something great to say about him. Thanks Frank for such a great and memorable experience. The food was delicious. We got three of the 4 for $40 deals and shared. The caesar salad was awesome, the garlic bread was awesome, and the linguini and clams, alfredo with chicken, and spaghetti with meat sauce was awesome as well. My family and I have eaten at buca before but after our great experience this past Saturday it has become one of our favorite places to eat.
(5)Debbie R.
The waiter did not listen and order was wrong. The garlic bread was cold, the salad had almost no dressing. Meatballs were great pasta sauce was not flavorful.
(3)Joanne V.
My go-to Italian restaurant. I'm always told the wait will be between 30 minutes & an hour, but I always get seated sooner. Maybe it's cause I'm always a part of a trio. Ohh.. And we have never met a waiter/waitress we never liked :) We ALWAYS order the same three dishes, adding one or two things in the mix every now and then. These three dishes are the large calamari, large spaghetti with meatballs in marinara, and a small pepperoni pizza & have never finished everything! It has happened so many times, I don't know why we don't just get a small of everything... Anyway, these three dishes are just so tasty! The calamari is definitely a must (my favorite calamari on island so far!). The spices of the batter plus the cocktail sauce makes my tastebuds so happy :). The spaghetti comes with two huge meatballs that we cut up and mix within the pasta & it just goes so well with the fresh, tomato-y sauce. Finally, the pizza is sometimes a tad bit only, but still delectable nonetheless. We tried the bruschetta & decided we could do without. Not very memorable & I wanna say that the tomatoes & whatever else they include in the bruschetta made the bread soggy. Have also had the chicken parmigiana & the colossal brownie sundae, which were pretty great too!
(4)Jeremy B.
The portions here are absolutely huge. So this is great for groups. It looks expensive, but every entree feeds two people. Friendly atmosphere and staff.
(5)Stacey M.
Way overpriced for just "okay" food. The bread tastes like cheap white loaf Wonder bread. The salads are salty, without a lot of flavor. The pasta...I've had better at Olive Garden and my own kitchen. Your basically paying for the decor.
(1)Jenifer V.
Summary: Parking: Medium garage, outer private lot or valet Service: 5/5 stars Food: 2 stars Atmosphere: 3 stars Cleanliness: 3 stars Wait time (weekend evening): -For seating: None with reservation -Drinks: 5-10min -Food: 15min Family friendly restaurant. Great for children/infants, and large gatherings. Huge portions. Service extremely friendly. But, the food sucks and isn't worth the price. I'd only recommend this place for the sake of novelty and nothing more. Full review: * The changing table in the women's restroom is ridiculously high from the ground. I'm about 5'4" and the table barely went past my chest. It was really uncomfortable trying to change my son. I'm glad I didn't send my 4'11" mom in there. Besides this, they are a very child & baby friendly restaurant. They even have little cots to hold a baby carrier, or two different sized high chairs, which I used both a cot and a high chair after my son woke up. * I've been here a handful of times. I think this restaurant is more of a novelty than anything else. It's good for a large gathering (if you're rich or splitting the bill) and that's about it. I wouldn't come here on a date, as it is extremely loud and the food isn't very good. The host and servers are extremely friendly and accommodating. This is probably the only truly good thing I have to say about the place. It's not the cleanest restaurant, but it's not a rat's hole. Just dusty. Usually novelty places that are filled with clutter end up collecting a lot of dust, and I've found just the things that "need" to be cleaned, are cleaned. I just have this thing about dust covered plastic flowers and picture frames, I guess. Blech. The decor is...eclectic. Kind of like going to nana's house. If your nana is 90 years old, has never met a fake plant she didn't like, and has never thrown anything away since 1940. Lastly, the food. I'll start by repeating everyone, the portions are HUGE. This is truly family-style eating. A small order of any entree is enough to feed at least 2, and have leftovers, unless you're a big eater. My friend somehow ate an entire plate. As for taste, wow. I'm ordering the wrong stuff, because everyone else out there seems to think this is the best food ever. Or maybe my palette isn't so refined (really, it isn't, I love spam). I have never been impressed with anything I've eaten here. I'd rather have Prego with hamburger meat and frozen garlic knots from Safeway. I'm not sure if everything is even cooked fresh; some things taste canned, previously frozen, or kinda just boring. The broccoli, though cooked and covered in oil, parmesan, red pepper and giant chunks of garlic, I could still see the blackened ends of the spears which only happens with age (or some nutball holding the ends over an open flame). They could at least cut the ends off so I can't obviously tell they are old. The desserts are a joke. Even covering things with ice & whipped cream can't mask the poor quality. Again, novelty. People love getting gigantic anything. Who cares that it tastes worse than something you can make c/o Betty Crocker at home. Photo op! Hell, maybe this is what authentic Italian is! I'm not Italian; I've never been to Italy. If this is authentic Italian, count me out. I'll stick with Bravos in Pearl City. At least there my bill will be about 1/3 of what it was here and I'll get free bread. And, not just any bread. Garlic balls. Those things are crazy addictive, AND bottomless. As in, unlimited. I have to tell them to stop refilling or I won't be able to eat my delicious entree. Better stop reviewing another restaurant... Anyway, I hope I don't have to go back here any time soon.
(3)Kimberly L.
Took my cousin here for her birthday. It was my first time going here. The prices and meals are large huge portions and meant to be shared. ~~ To me it was a bit annoying. It was only 3 of us and I'm pretty sure we didn't all want to settle on eating the SAME thing. Anyways we ended up with stuffed mushrooms as appetizers, the chicken canolli, and shrimp pasta. It was all ehhhhh. I could do better at home. The atmosphere and restaurant was fascinating. They had a lot of decor to discuss over. Service was great. The servers get together to do a birthday chant for guests celebrating their birthdays. Can be annoying if you don't like loud noise. Overall, not a bad experience. Would probably if guests can come to terms on what to order. And just a place to take first timers.
(3)Jill N.
Went here for a work event the other night. My review is based on this one experience and I cannot rate the prices or food tooooo much because I didn't pay nor did I choose the menu we had. Family-style eatery. Great place to be loud and not feel awkward. Not a good place for a cutesy date for 2. Oh, and forgive me in advance, I have no idea what any of the dishes are called (again, since I didn't order the food) - Caesar Salad - just your typical caesar, nothing special. dressing was kinda heavy. Tasty. Salad with green apple slices, cinnamon walnuts, cranberries, cheese - meh. I'm not a huge fan of sweet/savory salads - is that what this would be called? ha, either way, not my cup of tea. My coworkers did mention that the walnuts were a total overkill with way too much cinnamon. Chicken Picatta, i think - the chicken was dry. No noodles, just the chicken. Needed more sauce but flavor overall was decent. I'm a fan of the lemon, butter, caper sauce but there wasn't much to slather on, to my disappointment. Nonetheless, I love picatta so this was my favorite dish. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce - really, is that what this dish is? because that's all i tasted was noodles and tomato sauce. Very plain. Pesto Penne Pasta - Did it have chicken in it? I can't remember. Tasty, but again, very plain and just tasted like your typical penne noodles with pesto sauce. Dessert: Homemade Cheesecake - drizzled with raspberry(?) sauce. Not bad but served at room-temperature. I think I prefer my cheesecakes a little firmer and refrigerated. Overall taste was yums. Homemade Tiramisu - I'm actually not a fan of tiramisu, but this one was delish! I usually don't care for the liquor-ey taste but this one was not too overpowering, and the cake layers weren't soggy and mushy - very enjoyable. Also, while we were eating, there was a man that came around to the table and took pictures of us - at first I thought it was for our event but then figured out they were going to try to sell it to us later like some high-end restaurants do or dining at Disney (haha!)... and I was right. Photos were $20 each or $12.50 if purchasing more than one. Um, no thanks. Sorry, should've declined the picture in the first place to save this poor guy his time and effort of printing a bazillion pictures (since it was a large work event). Overall experience was good but not too sure how often I'd come back. This place is good for groups so maybe if another event comes up, I'll be able try it again and update my review.
(3)Amanda S.
Wonderful restaurant! Food is excellence service by far is amazing!! The only reason I knocked a star is because I understand Family portions which is great but my family is picky lol and it would be nice to be have the option of smaller portions for dinner time! Other than that I will for sure be back!
(4)Janell D.
Made reservations online the night before was great convenience. Parking in the structure was very busy but it's always like that because there is also the movie theater and other restaurants in the area. They called me the day of to confirm my reservations. I got a txt message a few minutes before my reservation time that my table is ready and waiting. I did not like that they sat us in the bar area when I have 4 kids and we have to hear the games along with the already loud atmosphere. Food was ok. Parmesan chicken could use a little more flavor. Meatballs could use some of that Italian flavor too. Dust some oregano or parsley on them. Maybe I'm being a little picky but the marinara taste like a can of stewed tomatoes. Put some Italian into your food Buca!
(2)Marjorie S.
Such a terrible experience tonight at this restaurant and will never go again. Celebrated a birthday and gave them a birthday coupon which was emailed to me. Manager could not honor it as there was no bar code. I showed her the coupon on my phone and they still did not want to honor it with a bar code. Did not understand why... as she kept explanning no bar code. Why send out coupons if you will not honor the coupon. I will unsubscribe to them asap. Carol our waitress was nice enough to pay for our dessert from her own pocket. too bad, for bad business, as the manager said its a corporate thing.
(1)Azlyn H.
I've worked in the kitchen of another Italian family restaurant on this island, and let's just say that the ingredients here are higher quality than what I've seen, and the food comes in MUCH bigger portions! My family came here for a birthday last night; we did make reservations in advance, so none of that waiting-for-a-table stuff. When we did reserve though, we asked for the kitchen table. As a culinary student and line cook myself, this was a must. If you don't mind a bit of heat and a lot of noise, as well as the other guests walking by when they get the kitchen tour, this is the best seat you can ask for!! The expeditor (I'm assuming head chef) would joke with us and introduce us to every dish that came out of the kitchen, the servers and busboys were all friendly, and when the time came for them to sing their famous birthday song, even the cooks turned to sing along and (omg) shake plate stacks/jingle pans along to the song! As far as food goes, I recommend the shrimp florentine (added a bit of salt, but it was still awesome), the granny smith gorgonzola salad (spiced walnuts are to DIE for), and the tiramisu! We also had the Quattro which was like a sample platter of baked pasta, the Seafood platter for an appetizer, and the Veal Saltimbocca. The Veal was probably the only one that I thought was just okay, since it is really thin. The flavor was there for sure, though. From a sanitation certified view, their kitchen is clean. It's not amazingly spotless, and yes their appliances and tools looked old, but everything looked well maintained and it was great to see line cooks who looked happy rather than stressed/pressed for time like I'm used to.
(5)Shannon D.
Love it. Came for 4th of July with a party of 15 and I'm glad they take reservations. Made the wait for tables less dreadful. Love the size and being that each plate cost 20-30$ a plate it made it worth it to buy a few and share with my family. Love the inside scenery. The food was pretty good but the pepperoni pizza I'd say is better at Pizza Hut. Great for children!
(4)J S.
I would not recommend this restaurant unless you have really low standards. First, the stank in the restaurant is overwhelming. It wreaks of rotten socks and beer. It actually smelled better in the bathroom. Second, the restaurant is filthy. The seats and tables are sticky and the menus are covered with nasty dried food. Third, the greeter had a miserable attitude. He definitely made it clear that he was not happy about being at work at all. He lacked sincerity and personality when he spoke. Fourth, the food was cold, room temperature at best. I would not go back to eat here even if someone paid me to.
(1)Michele P.
Was excited to eat here because of all the good reviews but unfortunately we were not satisfied. The Fried Mozzarella was ok, the garlic bread had way too much garlic and it needed salt then there was the meatballs which were definitely lacking in flavor. I told our server that we did not like the garlic bread and he was kind enough to take it off our check. For the prices I was expecting better but I guess not, after all it is a chain restaurant.
(2)Odille C.
Their lasagna is fantastic! Its a family style restaurant so there are 2 sizes of everything. One size is for 2 or more people and the other is for 4 or more people. It's a bit of a maze in the restaurant, but that's just part of the appeal. I love going here, I try to go as often as my stomach and wallet allow me.
(5)