Same experience as Gabby M. in an earlier post. Deserves twice the stars... GM, George, was kind enough to set up tables for us and serve us like a sit down more long term experience. He along with a couple others were our servers and let us try all the dishes on the menu for free! The service was very quick and efficient for not being known as that kind of business and rather known more for a more quick dining order at the front style. Very nice and very informative about the dishes and had a great, comfortable experience with all of my coworkers. And the food was delicious.
(5)
Eric N.
I have been to this location several times in the last few months and besides the food always being great (what more can you ask for when it is cheap, fast, and tasty!) I was also impressed with the level of service. One person in specific (Doug), remembered my name from the last time I was in, and was helpful and jovial every time I was there, suggesting substitutions in dishes when I wanted and overall being fun and convivial. He was so nice I even tried to tip him, and he wouldn't take it! I will return!
(5)
Mike O.
I came here with my son on his 6th birthday since he always wanted to have lunch here. What 6 year old doesn't like noodles? The restaurant features prominently in the whole Uptown Park Ridge corner, located above street level. Inside, it's huge with a high ceiling and plenty of dining areas, including tables outside. Very attractive setup. Now I never ate at Noodles & Co. before, so I was new to the experience. Basically, you choose a type of pasta and the style (Mediterranean or Asian for example) and then you can add sides to your order. You get a number, sit down and they bring the order to your table. Since I was a novice at Noodles, the guy at the counter took the time to explain how it all works and how to order. I got Cavatappi noodles (hollow-tubed spiral shaped pasta) with pesto sauce and a parmesian cheese-crusted grilled chicken breast, which was not the recommended companion side dish on the chart but I thought it would be a good one anyway. My son went for plain old cavatappi noodles with marinara sauce for dipping. I got a Nantucket Nectar lemonade and he got milk. The food was excellent. My cavatappi and pesto tasted great, and the chicken breast was awesome too. My son liked his noodles as well and even had a piece of my chicken. What got me was the price. For a small kid-sized bowl and a rather simple grownup meal like mine, it cost us over $16! I thought we got a bigger meal overall and the free ice cream at the end when we went to Jason's Deli nearby, and it was about $4-$5 less. It was OK to try and can't complain about food or service, but Noodles & Co. can be an expensive habit for a rather low-cost food item like pasta.
(3)
Amy M.
My husband and I went into this location with our almost 6 month old daughter (who was luckily sleeping the whole time so Daddy and Mommy could eat!) My husband had been here before, but I had not. I ordered the spicy Caesar sandwich with the tomato and cucumber salad. My husband ordered the truffle Mac. The cashier man kindly let us know they were out of the truffle Mac and that all the locations were discontinuing it. Instead, my husband ordered the chicken caesar salad. Our total should have been $15, but instead the gentleman said it was $6 and some change. He then told us he didn't charge us for the salad because they didn't have what my husband ordered. The kindness of not charging us was totally unnecessary, but he did it anyway. The food was fabulous, and the service was great. We will definitely be back numerous times.
(5)
Susan P.
Pesto cavatappi is really good. Side of flat bread and a milk to top it off.
(4)
Nina I.
So this is my neighborhood Noodles & Co. and recently I noticed that they added some new items on the menu like udon noodles and a Spanish style pasta, or something of the sort. The staff is friendly for sure, and I've been there plenty of times and have been picky and the staff has yet to give me a hard time *knock on wood*. Have no fear, those of you who may think the food is either really unhealthy or tastes nothing like the traditional cultural dishes it represents will be baffled by the surprisingly crispy fresh taste of their dishes. The ability to serve something delicious in a minimal amount of time is what also adds to my happiness. For now they have yet to disappoint me. Great place for a quick yet delicious bite. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Chris P.
When I saw the negative reviews this joint was getting, I had to throw in my completely opposite and absolutely correct opinion. Noodles & Company features good food at a decent price. There's no other chain comparable to it considering the variety of the dishes (American, Italian, Mediterranean), the amount of food and the minor hit to your wallet. Someone here said you can go to a number of "authentically ethnic restaurants" in the area for bigger portions and cheaper prices. To which I say: Name some of them. Try the penne rosa pasta; it's delicious. (I've had it at other Noodles locations, but the one in Park Ridge gets it just right with the amount of sauce they use.) Dollar-for-dollar, I'll put the penne rosa against almost any other pasta dish I've had from a myriad Italian restaurants.
(4)
Christine M.
Generally, I like carbs. Any by generally, I mean give me a bowl of pasta and a loaf of bread and I'll be your friend for life. That's how I felt about Noodles & Co. after my first meal there. I'll never forget, I had the Pesto Cavatappi with Chicken. I was impressed by the portions, the prices, and the service. All this in my first experience! - I must have been a bit delusional. Of course, as you must imagine, after my first experience I was eager to eat there again. And, after revisiting several different locations, I came to realize it was actually kind of expensive, not that tasty, and they take FOREVER to get you your food. You would think they would already have the pasta ready as well as most of the sauces. But No, you can be the only one in the place and it'll still take you 15 - 20 minutes to get your food. Also, I became less impressed by the pasta after I had their Portobello mac and cheese (yes, it was a weak and wobbly limb I went out on when I tried that). Basically, it's the same mac & cheesy sauce with mushrooms... Not impressed. I can go home and make a better Portobello pasta in just as much time as it takes them to chop up a few mushrooms, pour their sauce over their bland, dry and unappetizing noodles. - Clearly, I have become less reverent. Finally, on a recent visit, still not entirely convinced that it wasn't worth my time or money, I visited this location during my lunch hour. There were dirty dishes on a few of the tables, despite the fact that several of the servers sitting around inside the restaurant, chatting...During a normal lunch hour! Not that the place was super busy, but I was definitely not alone in my choice for lunch that day. I'm not going to say I won't eat there again, but I would pick Panera over Noodles & Co. any day.
(2)
Eduardo E.
Why would anyone want to eat this uninspired, blandish chain pasta, when you could go to any authentically ethnic restaurant and enjoy much more food, for far less money? Proximity perhaps? I'm mystified. Service was fair to uninspired. Tiny portions of Pad Thai (gummy and canned) and some Italianized weak sauce on overcooked pasta. We went pretty close to their not so grand opening, so maybe they've gotten better and friendlier. We were looking forward to a good pasta place in the area, but this did not cut it at all. Odd...because friends who go to other locations love this chain.
(1)
steve c.
I dont understand all of the bad reviews of this place? You get a nice big noddle bowl and a soup for $7. My favorites are the Beef Stroganough or the Mac n Cheese. Who doesn't like a good bowl of mac with Wisconsin cheese? I love the Thai curry soup - a must try. Stay away from the pad Thai as its nothing you would expect it to be. The service is fine for a chain. Dont forget to grab a stroodledoodle cookie on the way out. You'll be glad you did.
(4)
Todor K.
Quality of the dishes is alway good and served hot. The portions are huge she way want concider the small entre. They now also serve spagetti and meatballs but I alway seem to fall back on the Pad Thai. This location also has beer and wine.
(3)
Bella D.
We had the Beef Stroganough and Shrimp & Asparagus Noodle dishes, they were surprisingly good! We also got a free tasting invite from the manager there. So far so good. I'm interested in trying more dishes here, its an interesting concept this little franchise! : )
(3)
Tom B.
Usually I am pleased with Noodles & Co. I've been to a bunch of them and it's consistently good. I was so excited that my hometown finally got a Noodles and entered the 21st Century. However, this place sucks. The first time I went there was right after it opened and expectations were high. But my pad thai was flavorless and the tofu was gross and mushy. Bad experience but not bad enough for me to run home and yelp about. My second visit, a few weeks ago, was so bad that I felt the need to add this place to yelp just so I could vent about it. I ordered veggie potstickers by saying "I'd like the veggie potstickers." Clearly I was under the impression that they served veggie potstickers. When I bit into one, though, there was a whole lotta chicken staring back at me. As a vegetarian, there are few worse things you can do to me than trick me into eating meat. So I went back up to the counter and told the guy he gave me the wrong potstickers. He then informed me that they only have chicken potstickers. So I asked to talk to the manager, he came out, and told me the same thing. Apparently on the menu when it says "Chicken & Veggie Potstickers" it means only chicken. So I asked for my money back and if I could get a free small soup for my trouble. He told me that none of the soups are vegetarian because they have milk (clearly he did not know what the word "vegetarian" means). I explained to him that I can eat milk, and he told me it would be $7. FOR A SMALL SOUP! I told him to forget it and left. After the whole debacle I couldn't believe he wasn't being nicer if nothing else. While Noodles & Co in general may be a solid grade B kind of place, this specific one, in my experience, gets an F for both food and customer service.
(1)
Leang E.
This is my first experience coming to a Noodles and Company and did not have any expectations. It took me a while to decide on what type of cuisine I was in the mood for, but the guy taking my order totally helped me out. He gave great recommendations, and let me know of the most popular items. He even said that he would stop in to check to see how I liked the dishes he had suggested. I got the tomato basil bisque and the pasta fresca. These were perfect for the lighter lunch that I was looking for. True to his word, he came by to ask. I was so impressed! I don't even get service like this with servers at some other sit down restaurants. The icing on the cake was when our table got cleared a waiter brought us rice crispy treats! These were delicious, and I was so stuffed! The prices are comparable to other noodle spots, but the service here goes above and beyond. The people there seem like they enjoy their job and the people that they work with. I definitely would not mind coming back!
(5)
Steph R.
I recently tried Noodles for the first time. Park Ridge staff is much more friendlier and helpful than the staff at Clybourn location. I've tried multiple items, all delicious, but my staple is the Med Sandwich and Tomato Bisque because combined, they are only 500 calories, and they are both delicious and filling. I commend them for offering wheat pasta but I wish they offered a wheat flatbread, as well, which is the only reason i'm deducting a star.
(4)
Kim S.
Don't understand the negative reviews here at all. Noodles in Park Ridge is a great, reasonably priced, fast-food option. Compared to the other fast-food options in Park Ridge price wise (like Panera, where the cost for food for my husband and I typically falls around the $18-20 range or even Potbellys or plain-ole Subway, where we spend $15ish), two plates of pasta, with drinks at Noodles, falls around $15. Yes, this is not what I would call "authentic" fare, but rarely do the authentic options even come close to understanding the needs of individuals with dietary restrictions. Not the case with Noodles. They meet the needs of those with intolerances to gluten due to Celiac Disease (ie. rice noodles, and cleaning up the pots, pans, and utensils prior to cooking gluten-free meal) and they also have nutritional values on their meals so you know exactly what you are getting calorie and fat intake wise. The managers and staff at this location are also very friendly and helpful. The only semi-complaint that I have is that when the restaurant is bustling, it can tend to get a bit sloppy. They need to be quicker in their turnaround of cleaning up glasses, dishes, and food left behind by the previous guests. I don't tend to like to look at crusty leftovers while I am waiting for my food to be brought to the table. Above all, I feel like Noodles was an excellent addition to Park Ridge, adding a new, upper-scale, fast-food option to the area.
(4)
Basil M.
This is the best Noodles in the Chicago area, and I'm not saying that because I work across the street. They have the friendliest staff and Holly the manager is fantastic. I actually heard her once apologizing to a customer for the service they received at another Noddles location and she issued a coupon for a free meal to them on the spot. You can't beat that. Top marks for this place
(5)
Anne W.
I had not been to a Noodles before, and it was a wonderful surprise to me. The service was phenomenally attentive and efficient. The selection of dishes is varied, and one is more delicious than the other. The food is remarkably fresh and well seasoned. Great for adults and children, too. And don't miss having a dessert or two. Tasty cookies and the best rice krispie treats anywhere. The manager, Drichmond was a fantastic host. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Brandy T.
I really love this Noodles & Company. I love the simplicity of the menu and certainly have my favorites! I frequent this Noodles at least once a week and one of the things that I love is that they remember my name:) I also love that its VERY VERY clean.. I do have a diet restriction as I have a wheat allergy. They go above and beyond to ensure that there is no cross contamination into my dish. They also pull out there allergy guide so I can ensure that I can eat safely. I would suggest letting the cashier know right away if you have restrictions. That includes vegetarians. Mike you obviously dont know that the pad thai sauce is actually fish sauce. So if you wouldve let them know up front that you were a vegetarian they would've educated you on the potstickers and the fact that the pad thai is NOT vegetarian:) The menu does not say chicken or veggie. It says Potstickers, chicken AND veggies. Also all small dishes including soups are 4.25 so I'm not sure where you got 7. I highly recommend this Noodles they are my favorite:)
(5)
Amanda D.
Horrible place with very incompetent employees. I will never ever go back here and will continue to help them lose customers. I went there and got an order to go (very simple order of a noodles dish and pot stickers) when I got home I noticed they gave me the complete wrong noodle meal. So I called and spoke to 3 different employees telling them all the same issue I had until I finally was able to speak to a manager, who did not really help resolve my issue. I had to go back there to get the "correct" meal, and was supposed to receive a refund as well (which was never issued). When I got home for the second time I realized my meal was once again incorrect. Probably my fault for not checking it before I left, but being my second time back I was certain they would have it correct, especially since I spoke to a manager....clearly I was mistaken.
(1)
William J.
I went here recently for the first time...I never heard of the chain before. Great model, the various exotic noodles soups on the menu were a surprise...wish I could have tried more than one. My kids loved it. But I was disappointed that the king of soups Pho was not on the menu. A corporate decision of course...but how could they skip that one?
(4)
Natalie K.
Not sure what the type about this place is about. For the five-star reviewers, what in the world are you ordering? I've ordered a few things from here and haven't cared for any of it. The last time I came, I ordered the Indonesian Peanut Saute. It was really similar to what I'd get from buying a Lean Cuisine Frozen Dinner or an overcooked Boxed Simply Asia Noodle Bowl. It's basically Soggy/gummy noodles drenched in a not-so-good asian style sauce (no complex flavors here) and topped with tasteless toppings such as bean sprouts and carrots. I tried to drench it in hot sauce, but I found it inedible (for my tastebuds at least) and ended up tossing it. Mac and Cheese is a joke. It's literally plain elbow noodles with cheese poured on top. That's like something you'd serve a toddler. It's just super commercial food. Yuck. Won't return.
(2)
Ruth S.
Customer service is amazing. Tip top chain. Came in with a large group of co-workers and the manager offered us a business lunch free of charge where we could try all of the dishes. It was an fantastic experience. It allowed me to try new meals I wouldn't normally try. Have been back many times since!
(5)
Sarah C.
Haven't been here in two years because I was always let down- more with the environment that anything. Fast forward to tonight, when my husband picked up our take out order. Mine was horrendous and wrong. My pad thai was not only fried to a crisp but it was missing chicken (that we paid for) and had a lime in it that looked used and didn't even release a drop of juice. I debated between calling, going back or writing corp but have decided to vote with my feet and never return. What would calling do? and driving back would was lte our gas. So we decided, We'll share our poor perception of the restaurant and about the lack of cross checking AND care for take out orders.
(1)
candy b.
It's my second time going here and experienced really horrible customer service. First time I came here, an employee (teenager) threw some instrument across the counter, he looked very pissed to be helping me out after another employee had told him to. Second visit, I was helped by a girl that was very monotone and she did not even smile. I only ordered the Med sandwich and they took about 15 minutes to get it done and there were barely any customers in the place that day. The med sandwich tasted horrible! I've gotten the med at other places and it does not taste like it did here. Not coming here again even though it's close to my work.
(1)
Jenni S.
The backyard BBQ is awesome - the only thing I order in the summer. When it's not in season I get the Med (chicken, tomato, etc on a pita) with the cucumber tomato salad. It swims in an exquisitely sweet raspberry vinaigrette.
(4)
Peter B.
Great place for lunch. Good amount of choices. Could use a little more spice. Quick service and very fresh food. Can go Italian or various Asian cuisines.
(4)
Sailesh B.
Poor service, small portion size. They were out of meatballs on a Friday evening! The location in Schaumburg is much better than this one.
(1)
Mike A.
I want to love this place, as the overall concept is great. The ability to get noodles cooked Asian, Italian, etc style with a mix of proteins? Concept: Brilliant Execution: 3 Stooges I have eaten at this location three times and each time walk away scratching my head trying to figure out who runs this place. They always seem to be slammed at the front, with patrons in line shacking their heads or like today, group of 4 just walked out after a 5 min wait to place an order. The noodles here are ok and the while the proteins(I had steak) seem to be precooked or come from a pouch, the pasta dishes are cooked to order. Nothing outstanding, but decent for the price. The other two times I had their sandwich and soup/combo. First time, the soup (tomato bisque) was brought out ice cold, oops someone forgot to heat up the "prepackaged?" mix. I sent it back and it looked like another table did the same. Second time, the soup was a bit overheated; looks like they need to get a standard set as to how long the mixes need to be warmed up. Unlike Panera, I did not see soups coming out of any crocks. Both times the sandwiches were pretty good and their flat bread is very good. As for value, for $6.99 you get a decent combo and nice variety of other noodle dishes priced between $5-$8. Overall the service is ok, but VERY slow to place and then get your order, make sure you have plenty of time over lunch to eat here. I also wish they would provide some napkins either at the front or by the soda fountain: None are to be found in this place! Meals are "warmed up" to order, so it takes a while, as they appear to have a space limitation in the cooking area. Last time here, I saw two people back there, today, only one. Also the lone counter person had to do double duty: taking orders and also running some meals to the diners. I assume this was related to a staffing issue, but @ noon, you better be fully staffed for at least a 1/2 prior.
(3)
Samantha P.
I always get the spicy chicken pita sandwich and they made it perfect at this location! Large amount of outdoor seating and clean interior!
(4)
Karl P.
Worst food ever !!! I had the pad Thai and it had no flavor what so ever and the service wasn't anything worth the money I will never eat here again
(1)
Andi C.
We go to Noodles all the time -the service people are always friendly and the food is good -when you get it ! Their foods are actually all vegetarian -but you can add meat, shrimp or tofu. There is just something about this location. Ever since we started going here we've had problems with our orders being wrong, being cold and sometimes not getting orders at all. There is a lot of competition in downtown Park Ridge and there is another Noodles up Harlem and in Niles -there's really no reason to have to deal with this. Parking is also not the greatest you can park in the underground lot but at night it's a little creepy !
(3)
Dev S.
Best garlic bread ever. Perfect for family when need of light Italian food. The new menu is pretty good.
(5)
Catie B.
Love, love, love their pesto cavatappi!!! I love getting a chance to eat here when I am in the Chicago area for work. I wish they had them here in Atlanta! And the Izze drinks are awesome. I am so glad they carry the blackberry instead of the citrus one that Starbucks only carries. Further, their GIANT rice krispie is a great treat... for days. If I go, I am required to bring one home for my husband. :)
(5)
Christina G.
Pretty good fast comfort food. My favorites are the Japanese Pan Noodles, Mac and Cheese, and the Thai Curry Soup. I used to like the Pad Thai, but lately, it's missed the mark for me. This location is usually pretty busy, as it's in Uptown Park Ridge. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get a table if you're planning to eat in. One quick tip: do sign up for emails from Noodles. You can get random deals in your inbox (buy one, get one free), and around your birthday, you'll get a free dish of your choice.
(3)
Jeff C.
We came in at 1:30 on a Saturday. Ordered and when we went to sit there was one remotely clean table to sit at. But the place was practically empty of customers. There was a guy moving at a snails pace cleaning. But the place was trashed. Stepped on spilled mac and cheese to get to our dirty table. It's a chain. The food is the food. But I'll avoid this location forever.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Paid Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
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.
Michael C.
Same experience as Gabby M. in an earlier post. Deserves twice the stars... GM, George, was kind enough to set up tables for us and serve us like a sit down more long term experience. He along with a couple others were our servers and let us try all the dishes on the menu for free! The service was very quick and efficient for not being known as that kind of business and rather known more for a more quick dining order at the front style. Very nice and very informative about the dishes and had a great, comfortable experience with all of my coworkers. And the food was delicious.
(5)Eric N.
I have been to this location several times in the last few months and besides the food always being great (what more can you ask for when it is cheap, fast, and tasty!) I was also impressed with the level of service. One person in specific (Doug), remembered my name from the last time I was in, and was helpful and jovial every time I was there, suggesting substitutions in dishes when I wanted and overall being fun and convivial. He was so nice I even tried to tip him, and he wouldn't take it! I will return!
(5)Mike O.
I came here with my son on his 6th birthday since he always wanted to have lunch here. What 6 year old doesn't like noodles? The restaurant features prominently in the whole Uptown Park Ridge corner, located above street level. Inside, it's huge with a high ceiling and plenty of dining areas, including tables outside. Very attractive setup. Now I never ate at Noodles & Co. before, so I was new to the experience. Basically, you choose a type of pasta and the style (Mediterranean or Asian for example) and then you can add sides to your order. You get a number, sit down and they bring the order to your table. Since I was a novice at Noodles, the guy at the counter took the time to explain how it all works and how to order. I got Cavatappi noodles (hollow-tubed spiral shaped pasta) with pesto sauce and a parmesian cheese-crusted grilled chicken breast, which was not the recommended companion side dish on the chart but I thought it would be a good one anyway. My son went for plain old cavatappi noodles with marinara sauce for dipping. I got a Nantucket Nectar lemonade and he got milk. The food was excellent. My cavatappi and pesto tasted great, and the chicken breast was awesome too. My son liked his noodles as well and even had a piece of my chicken. What got me was the price. For a small kid-sized bowl and a rather simple grownup meal like mine, it cost us over $16! I thought we got a bigger meal overall and the free ice cream at the end when we went to Jason's Deli nearby, and it was about $4-$5 less. It was OK to try and can't complain about food or service, but Noodles & Co. can be an expensive habit for a rather low-cost food item like pasta.
(3)Amy M.
My husband and I went into this location with our almost 6 month old daughter (who was luckily sleeping the whole time so Daddy and Mommy could eat!) My husband had been here before, but I had not. I ordered the spicy Caesar sandwich with the tomato and cucumber salad. My husband ordered the truffle Mac. The cashier man kindly let us know they were out of the truffle Mac and that all the locations were discontinuing it. Instead, my husband ordered the chicken caesar salad. Our total should have been $15, but instead the gentleman said it was $6 and some change. He then told us he didn't charge us for the salad because they didn't have what my husband ordered. The kindness of not charging us was totally unnecessary, but he did it anyway. The food was fabulous, and the service was great. We will definitely be back numerous times.
(5)Susan P.
Pesto cavatappi is really good. Side of flat bread and a milk to top it off.
(4)Nina I.
So this is my neighborhood Noodles & Co. and recently I noticed that they added some new items on the menu like udon noodles and a Spanish style pasta, or something of the sort. The staff is friendly for sure, and I've been there plenty of times and have been picky and the staff has yet to give me a hard time *knock on wood*. Have no fear, those of you who may think the food is either really unhealthy or tastes nothing like the traditional cultural dishes it represents will be baffled by the surprisingly crispy fresh taste of their dishes. The ability to serve something delicious in a minimal amount of time is what also adds to my happiness. For now they have yet to disappoint me. Great place for a quick yet delicious bite. Two thumbs up!
(5)Chris P.
When I saw the negative reviews this joint was getting, I had to throw in my completely opposite and absolutely correct opinion. Noodles & Company features good food at a decent price. There's no other chain comparable to it considering the variety of the dishes (American, Italian, Mediterranean), the amount of food and the minor hit to your wallet. Someone here said you can go to a number of "authentically ethnic restaurants" in the area for bigger portions and cheaper prices. To which I say: Name some of them. Try the penne rosa pasta; it's delicious. (I've had it at other Noodles locations, but the one in Park Ridge gets it just right with the amount of sauce they use.) Dollar-for-dollar, I'll put the penne rosa against almost any other pasta dish I've had from a myriad Italian restaurants.
(4)Christine M.
Generally, I like carbs. Any by generally, I mean give me a bowl of pasta and a loaf of bread and I'll be your friend for life. That's how I felt about Noodles & Co. after my first meal there. I'll never forget, I had the Pesto Cavatappi with Chicken. I was impressed by the portions, the prices, and the service. All this in my first experience! - I must have been a bit delusional. Of course, as you must imagine, after my first experience I was eager to eat there again. And, after revisiting several different locations, I came to realize it was actually kind of expensive, not that tasty, and they take FOREVER to get you your food. You would think they would already have the pasta ready as well as most of the sauces. But No, you can be the only one in the place and it'll still take you 15 - 20 minutes to get your food. Also, I became less impressed by the pasta after I had their Portobello mac and cheese (yes, it was a weak and wobbly limb I went out on when I tried that). Basically, it's the same mac & cheesy sauce with mushrooms... Not impressed. I can go home and make a better Portobello pasta in just as much time as it takes them to chop up a few mushrooms, pour their sauce over their bland, dry and unappetizing noodles. - Clearly, I have become less reverent. Finally, on a recent visit, still not entirely convinced that it wasn't worth my time or money, I visited this location during my lunch hour. There were dirty dishes on a few of the tables, despite the fact that several of the servers sitting around inside the restaurant, chatting...During a normal lunch hour! Not that the place was super busy, but I was definitely not alone in my choice for lunch that day. I'm not going to say I won't eat there again, but I would pick Panera over Noodles & Co. any day.
(2)Eduardo E.
Why would anyone want to eat this uninspired, blandish chain pasta, when you could go to any authentically ethnic restaurant and enjoy much more food, for far less money? Proximity perhaps? I'm mystified. Service was fair to uninspired. Tiny portions of Pad Thai (gummy and canned) and some Italianized weak sauce on overcooked pasta. We went pretty close to their not so grand opening, so maybe they've gotten better and friendlier. We were looking forward to a good pasta place in the area, but this did not cut it at all. Odd...because friends who go to other locations love this chain.
(1)steve c.
I dont understand all of the bad reviews of this place? You get a nice big noddle bowl and a soup for $7. My favorites are the Beef Stroganough or the Mac n Cheese. Who doesn't like a good bowl of mac with Wisconsin cheese? I love the Thai curry soup - a must try. Stay away from the pad Thai as its nothing you would expect it to be. The service is fine for a chain. Dont forget to grab a stroodledoodle cookie on the way out. You'll be glad you did.
(4)Todor K.
Quality of the dishes is alway good and served hot. The portions are huge she way want concider the small entre. They now also serve spagetti and meatballs but I alway seem to fall back on the Pad Thai. This location also has beer and wine.
(3)Bella D.
We had the Beef Stroganough and Shrimp & Asparagus Noodle dishes, they were surprisingly good! We also got a free tasting invite from the manager there. So far so good. I'm interested in trying more dishes here, its an interesting concept this little franchise! : )
(3)Tom B.
Usually I am pleased with Noodles & Co. I've been to a bunch of them and it's consistently good. I was so excited that my hometown finally got a Noodles and entered the 21st Century. However, this place sucks. The first time I went there was right after it opened and expectations were high. But my pad thai was flavorless and the tofu was gross and mushy. Bad experience but not bad enough for me to run home and yelp about. My second visit, a few weeks ago, was so bad that I felt the need to add this place to yelp just so I could vent about it. I ordered veggie potstickers by saying "I'd like the veggie potstickers." Clearly I was under the impression that they served veggie potstickers. When I bit into one, though, there was a whole lotta chicken staring back at me. As a vegetarian, there are few worse things you can do to me than trick me into eating meat. So I went back up to the counter and told the guy he gave me the wrong potstickers. He then informed me that they only have chicken potstickers. So I asked to talk to the manager, he came out, and told me the same thing. Apparently on the menu when it says "Chicken & Veggie Potstickers" it means only chicken. So I asked for my money back and if I could get a free small soup for my trouble. He told me that none of the soups are vegetarian because they have milk (clearly he did not know what the word "vegetarian" means). I explained to him that I can eat milk, and he told me it would be $7. FOR A SMALL SOUP! I told him to forget it and left. After the whole debacle I couldn't believe he wasn't being nicer if nothing else. While Noodles & Co in general may be a solid grade B kind of place, this specific one, in my experience, gets an F for both food and customer service.
(1)Leang E.
This is my first experience coming to a Noodles and Company and did not have any expectations. It took me a while to decide on what type of cuisine I was in the mood for, but the guy taking my order totally helped me out. He gave great recommendations, and let me know of the most popular items. He even said that he would stop in to check to see how I liked the dishes he had suggested. I got the tomato basil bisque and the pasta fresca. These were perfect for the lighter lunch that I was looking for. True to his word, he came by to ask. I was so impressed! I don't even get service like this with servers at some other sit down restaurants. The icing on the cake was when our table got cleared a waiter brought us rice crispy treats! These were delicious, and I was so stuffed! The prices are comparable to other noodle spots, but the service here goes above and beyond. The people there seem like they enjoy their job and the people that they work with. I definitely would not mind coming back!
(5)Steph R.
I recently tried Noodles for the first time. Park Ridge staff is much more friendlier and helpful than the staff at Clybourn location. I've tried multiple items, all delicious, but my staple is the Med Sandwich and Tomato Bisque because combined, they are only 500 calories, and they are both delicious and filling. I commend them for offering wheat pasta but I wish they offered a wheat flatbread, as well, which is the only reason i'm deducting a star.
(4)Kim S.
Don't understand the negative reviews here at all. Noodles in Park Ridge is a great, reasonably priced, fast-food option. Compared to the other fast-food options in Park Ridge price wise (like Panera, where the cost for food for my husband and I typically falls around the $18-20 range or even Potbellys or plain-ole Subway, where we spend $15ish), two plates of pasta, with drinks at Noodles, falls around $15. Yes, this is not what I would call "authentic" fare, but rarely do the authentic options even come close to understanding the needs of individuals with dietary restrictions. Not the case with Noodles. They meet the needs of those with intolerances to gluten due to Celiac Disease (ie. rice noodles, and cleaning up the pots, pans, and utensils prior to cooking gluten-free meal) and they also have nutritional values on their meals so you know exactly what you are getting calorie and fat intake wise. The managers and staff at this location are also very friendly and helpful. The only semi-complaint that I have is that when the restaurant is bustling, it can tend to get a bit sloppy. They need to be quicker in their turnaround of cleaning up glasses, dishes, and food left behind by the previous guests. I don't tend to like to look at crusty leftovers while I am waiting for my food to be brought to the table. Above all, I feel like Noodles was an excellent addition to Park Ridge, adding a new, upper-scale, fast-food option to the area.
(4)Basil M.
This is the best Noodles in the Chicago area, and I'm not saying that because I work across the street. They have the friendliest staff and Holly the manager is fantastic. I actually heard her once apologizing to a customer for the service they received at another Noddles location and she issued a coupon for a free meal to them on the spot. You can't beat that. Top marks for this place
(5)Anne W.
I had not been to a Noodles before, and it was a wonderful surprise to me. The service was phenomenally attentive and efficient. The selection of dishes is varied, and one is more delicious than the other. The food is remarkably fresh and well seasoned. Great for adults and children, too. And don't miss having a dessert or two. Tasty cookies and the best rice krispie treats anywhere. The manager, Drichmond was a fantastic host. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Brandy T.
I really love this Noodles & Company. I love the simplicity of the menu and certainly have my favorites! I frequent this Noodles at least once a week and one of the things that I love is that they remember my name:) I also love that its VERY VERY clean.. I do have a diet restriction as I have a wheat allergy. They go above and beyond to ensure that there is no cross contamination into my dish. They also pull out there allergy guide so I can ensure that I can eat safely. I would suggest letting the cashier know right away if you have restrictions. That includes vegetarians. Mike you obviously dont know that the pad thai sauce is actually fish sauce. So if you wouldve let them know up front that you were a vegetarian they would've educated you on the potstickers and the fact that the pad thai is NOT vegetarian:) The menu does not say chicken or veggie. It says Potstickers, chicken AND veggies. Also all small dishes including soups are 4.25 so I'm not sure where you got 7. I highly recommend this Noodles they are my favorite:)
(5)Amanda D.
Horrible place with very incompetent employees. I will never ever go back here and will continue to help them lose customers. I went there and got an order to go (very simple order of a noodles dish and pot stickers) when I got home I noticed they gave me the complete wrong noodle meal. So I called and spoke to 3 different employees telling them all the same issue I had until I finally was able to speak to a manager, who did not really help resolve my issue. I had to go back there to get the "correct" meal, and was supposed to receive a refund as well (which was never issued). When I got home for the second time I realized my meal was once again incorrect. Probably my fault for not checking it before I left, but being my second time back I was certain they would have it correct, especially since I spoke to a manager....clearly I was mistaken.
(1)William J.
I went here recently for the first time...I never heard of the chain before. Great model, the various exotic noodles soups on the menu were a surprise...wish I could have tried more than one. My kids loved it. But I was disappointed that the king of soups Pho was not on the menu. A corporate decision of course...but how could they skip that one?
(4)Natalie K.
Not sure what the type about this place is about. For the five-star reviewers, what in the world are you ordering? I've ordered a few things from here and haven't cared for any of it. The last time I came, I ordered the Indonesian Peanut Saute. It was really similar to what I'd get from buying a Lean Cuisine Frozen Dinner or an overcooked Boxed Simply Asia Noodle Bowl. It's basically Soggy/gummy noodles drenched in a not-so-good asian style sauce (no complex flavors here) and topped with tasteless toppings such as bean sprouts and carrots. I tried to drench it in hot sauce, but I found it inedible (for my tastebuds at least) and ended up tossing it. Mac and Cheese is a joke. It's literally plain elbow noodles with cheese poured on top. That's like something you'd serve a toddler. It's just super commercial food. Yuck. Won't return.
(2)Ruth S.
Customer service is amazing. Tip top chain. Came in with a large group of co-workers and the manager offered us a business lunch free of charge where we could try all of the dishes. It was an fantastic experience. It allowed me to try new meals I wouldn't normally try. Have been back many times since!
(5)Sarah C.
Haven't been here in two years because I was always let down- more with the environment that anything. Fast forward to tonight, when my husband picked up our take out order. Mine was horrendous and wrong. My pad thai was not only fried to a crisp but it was missing chicken (that we paid for) and had a lime in it that looked used and didn't even release a drop of juice. I debated between calling, going back or writing corp but have decided to vote with my feet and never return. What would calling do? and driving back would was lte our gas. So we decided, We'll share our poor perception of the restaurant and about the lack of cross checking AND care for take out orders.
(1)candy b.
It's my second time going here and experienced really horrible customer service. First time I came here, an employee (teenager) threw some instrument across the counter, he looked very pissed to be helping me out after another employee had told him to. Second visit, I was helped by a girl that was very monotone and she did not even smile. I only ordered the Med sandwich and they took about 15 minutes to get it done and there were barely any customers in the place that day. The med sandwich tasted horrible! I've gotten the med at other places and it does not taste like it did here. Not coming here again even though it's close to my work.
(1)Jenni S.
The backyard BBQ is awesome - the only thing I order in the summer. When it's not in season I get the Med (chicken, tomato, etc on a pita) with the cucumber tomato salad. It swims in an exquisitely sweet raspberry vinaigrette.
(4)Peter B.
Great place for lunch. Good amount of choices. Could use a little more spice. Quick service and very fresh food. Can go Italian or various Asian cuisines.
(4)Sailesh B.
Poor service, small portion size. They were out of meatballs on a Friday evening! The location in Schaumburg is much better than this one.
(1)Mike A.
I want to love this place, as the overall concept is great. The ability to get noodles cooked Asian, Italian, etc style with a mix of proteins? Concept: Brilliant Execution: 3 Stooges I have eaten at this location three times and each time walk away scratching my head trying to figure out who runs this place. They always seem to be slammed at the front, with patrons in line shacking their heads or like today, group of 4 just walked out after a 5 min wait to place an order. The noodles here are ok and the while the proteins(I had steak) seem to be precooked or come from a pouch, the pasta dishes are cooked to order. Nothing outstanding, but decent for the price. The other two times I had their sandwich and soup/combo. First time, the soup (tomato bisque) was brought out ice cold, oops someone forgot to heat up the "prepackaged?" mix. I sent it back and it looked like another table did the same. Second time, the soup was a bit overheated; looks like they need to get a standard set as to how long the mixes need to be warmed up. Unlike Panera, I did not see soups coming out of any crocks. Both times the sandwiches were pretty good and their flat bread is very good. As for value, for $6.99 you get a decent combo and nice variety of other noodle dishes priced between $5-$8. Overall the service is ok, but VERY slow to place and then get your order, make sure you have plenty of time over lunch to eat here. I also wish they would provide some napkins either at the front or by the soda fountain: None are to be found in this place! Meals are "warmed up" to order, so it takes a while, as they appear to have a space limitation in the cooking area. Last time here, I saw two people back there, today, only one. Also the lone counter person had to do double duty: taking orders and also running some meals to the diners. I assume this was related to a staffing issue, but @ noon, you better be fully staffed for at least a 1/2 prior.
(3)Samantha P.
I always get the spicy chicken pita sandwich and they made it perfect at this location! Large amount of outdoor seating and clean interior!
(4)Karl P.
Worst food ever !!! I had the pad Thai and it had no flavor what so ever and the service wasn't anything worth the money I will never eat here again
(1)Andi C.
We go to Noodles all the time -the service people are always friendly and the food is good -when you get it ! Their foods are actually all vegetarian -but you can add meat, shrimp or tofu. There is just something about this location. Ever since we started going here we've had problems with our orders being wrong, being cold and sometimes not getting orders at all. There is a lot of competition in downtown Park Ridge and there is another Noodles up Harlem and in Niles -there's really no reason to have to deal with this. Parking is also not the greatest you can park in the underground lot but at night it's a little creepy !
(3)Dev S.
Best garlic bread ever. Perfect for family when need of light Italian food. The new menu is pretty good.
(5)Catie B.
Love, love, love their pesto cavatappi!!! I love getting a chance to eat here when I am in the Chicago area for work. I wish they had them here in Atlanta! And the Izze drinks are awesome. I am so glad they carry the blackberry instead of the citrus one that Starbucks only carries. Further, their GIANT rice krispie is a great treat... for days. If I go, I am required to bring one home for my husband. :)
(5)Christina G.
Pretty good fast comfort food. My favorites are the Japanese Pan Noodles, Mac and Cheese, and the Thai Curry Soup. I used to like the Pad Thai, but lately, it's missed the mark for me. This location is usually pretty busy, as it's in Uptown Park Ridge. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get a table if you're planning to eat in. One quick tip: do sign up for emails from Noodles. You can get random deals in your inbox (buy one, get one free), and around your birthday, you'll get a free dish of your choice.
(3)Jeff C.
We came in at 1:30 on a Saturday. Ordered and when we went to sit there was one remotely clean table to sit at. But the place was practically empty of customers. There was a guy moving at a snails pace cleaning. But the place was trashed. Stepped on spilled mac and cheese to get to our dirty table. It's a chain. The food is the food. But I'll avoid this location forever.
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