Wicked great service! GET THE RIGATONI D, you will be so happy you did. Service was genuine and excellent.
(5)
Shirley Y.
Food is pretty good, a little on the salty side, but pretty good. The calamari is great. However, service tends to always be slow. I've been for lunch and dinner, and it always seems to be waiting to order or waiting for the food to arrive, and even waiting for the bill.
(3)
Malyatha K.
Absolutely love this place. I think everything we ordered was super tasty. We had a cute bachelorette party and the hosts were extremely helpful. Our waiter was super sweet and had thought of everything before we asked. The food was amazing and the portion sizes were very reasonable. I think the star of the night was the Stuffed Mushrooms. It was just perfection. Definitely coming back!
(5)
Brenda N.
Went here with one of my friends for our late birthday celebration. I made a reservation on open table, and we got there a little early. Our host seated us right away. He was friendly, maybe a little too friendly. He had a "serial killer" smile, and it freaked us out just a bit. Our server seemed a little nervous. It was probably due to the fact that one of the managers brought his family in to have lunch at the table next to us. He was really nice, and brought out bread right away. We were starving. The bread was warm and delicious. He brought out another basket for us after we placed our order. When it came to the food, it was amazing. We started with the bruschetta. I usually hate tomatoes, but we devoured it. I think our server was shocked by our big appetites. For the main entree, I ordered the Mom's Lasagna in meat sauce. It was so yummy, I didn't finished it because I wanted to bring some home to enjoy tomorrow. Overall experience, it was a great experience. I will come back again soon.
(5)
Danielle R.
Exceptionally rude. I went here for dinner last night with out-of-town guests, even thought it was a Sunday night and I knew it would be slow, I made reservations for 8pm. We arrived at 7:30pm, and I was told when I checked in, even though we were there before our reservation we could be seated early. I checked back in at 7:50pm, just to see how we were doing for time, and I was told (by a different guy), that it would be at least 45 minutes. I hadn't yet given him my name (and there was no one else waiting to be seated), so I asked him if he could look up my reservation. He told me no, he knew who I was, and it wasn't his fault I showed up early. Then he told me if I didn't like that, I could give my complaints to the floor manager, him, and he'd be happy to hear them. By this point two other staff members were standing there watching the whole interaction, and not wanted to make a scene in front of my guests, I started to walk away. He then asked if it was just me, or if I'd brought some friend too, and if he seated my now would that make me happier? He grabbed menus, walked to a table, and told our waiter "good luck". Later in the night, when I passed him walking to the bathroom, he asked me if I was "behaving" myself. Even if I had been rude (which I wasn't, I've worked in the service industry before, and always try to be understanding), there are too many good restaurants in town to put up with this type of service. Disrespectful, condescending, rude staff is not a way you want to start an evening out with friends - there are plenty of equally good (or better) places in the North End, that will treat you with respect, and honor your reservations without batting an eyelash.
(1)
Cindy H.
Great food, mediocre service. The front desk did not approach me when I entered. I made reservations so I was seated right away. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The portions are generous too, so expect to walk away with a bag. Though I enjoyed my food, I cannot say that the service was up to par. My waiter was inpatient throughout the night. I split the bill with a coworker and he looked really annoyed at that. Also, I said thank you to him on the way out and got ignored. I will be back for the food, and hopefully, with better service.
(4)
Vikram G.
Service was great. Margarita flatbread was good, pasta was nothing special (needed salt) Not the best place to have a mojito. Desert sampler Tiramisu was exceptional, good for 2 to share. The key reason for 3 star would be great server.
(3)
Jessie L.
Food was fantastic and huge portion sizes for the price. Took us 45 minutes to get seated but we did show up without a reservation on a Saturday night (only 2 people). Recommend making a reservation. Had the eggplant appetizer and the gnocchi. The pasta was homemade and delicious. Staff were very friendly.
(4)
Lilly D.
I went here for the first time with my girlfriend who came to stay with me in the city and the food was amazing . My only complaint would be that there was a leakage falling on me and the manager was called to checkout out by the waitress and he was worried more about the table getting wet then my self .
(3)
Dean H.
Great food & drink. If your a party of 4 or more, order family style. All you can eat! 'Enough said!
Want to go for real Italian Food this is the place! Top notch service and they really keep conversation going! The food is pricy, the portion is decent and the food is Fantastic! My favorite red wine fruity Cabernet Sauvignon and try the Sangria delicious!
(5)
Ian G.
Really solid food and the service was exceptional. Ordered the Rustic Chicken and Shrimp al Forno. I really liked my dish a lot and the portion size was very generous. My wife had the gnocchi and sausage and commented it was a little saltier than she would've liked. If you're looking for a casual place, great for kids, that will give you a solid Italian meal that you could enjoy with a family, this is a great pick.
(4)
Jeffrey T.
awesome place to eat here with family and friends, their family style dinners are large and filling, but the individual entrees are also very good, wait staff here are very pleasant, attentive.
(5)
Dylan N.
A very average Italian restaurant, nothing too special about it. You walk in to find yourself bombarded by large crowds of familys and Frank Sinatra tunes playing faintly in the background. I happened to find myself here on graduation day in the heart of downtown Boston, so my friend and I had to opt for bar seating, not interested in waiting 1-2 hours for a table. I must say, great service (friendly bartenders and waiters), but unfortunately, the good news stops here. I ordered a house favorite, chicken parmigiana with a side of angel hair pasta over marinara. Can't get much more basic than that, so when I order a meal with little complexity such as a chicken parm, I'm expecting great flavor and piping hot from the kitchen. First off, both the meat and the pasta were luke warm - not a great start. As far as my palette was concerned, I tasted three separate flavors: chewiness in the chicken, overly salted parmigiana paste, and a hideous slice of mozzarella that was almost to sour to consume. I could have cooked a much finer meal myself. I couldn't help but think that the chefs purchased some cheap cans of Campbell's tomato sauce and spread it all over a poorly cooked piece of meat and a sad bowl of spaghetti. I hate to be so harsh, but Maggiano's is very far from an adequate Italian meal. Maybe it was an off night... but maybe that's just me being too generous.
(2)
John M.
Based on other reviews and our one experience here, I think it all depends on what you order. But before the food, let's talk about the service. SLOW, very slow. And unorganized. Usually the better restaurants will have people dedicated to keeping water glasses filled, etc. Not here. Many times we waited 10 - 15 minutes to get water refills. We had been seated for about 15 minutes before our waitress came by with menus, another 15 to order (maybe trying to increase the alcohol sales?). We ordered 5 appetizers for our party of 8. The appetizers were the best part of the meal. The spinach and artichoke dip was very good. However the mussels appetizer never arrived. 15 minutes later the waitress said it would be right out (my father ordered these). And so my father asked for his side salad, which also had apparently been forgotten. Salad came with no dressing, another 10 minutes later they finally bring him dressing. I feel sorry for the waitress. They were obviously way understaffed and she was doing everything. But they were also very unorganized. And if you're unorganized, and understaffed, it leads to chaos. And that is what the whole dinner experience here was like... it felt like more of a battle than a pleasant experience. The mussels never did come out. The meals were brought out by other people, not our server and no one knew who ordered which meal. Again, the organized restaurants know where the meals go to... just sayin'. The meals finally come out, all but one, my sons. He ordered the cheese ravioli. Now that is a very simple dish to prepare. 15 minutes later his ravioli came out. The meals were all just average for some and below average for others. I got the Captain Mann's pasta. I could not eat it. The meatballs were rubbery, the pasta tasteless, the peppers chewy and tough. I even tried loading it up with parmesan cheese to help, but it was bad. The chicken parmesan was average. When you go to a restaurant like this you expect some level of "wow that was good". But we all were underwhelmed. It's the kind of place you know you will never go back to, so let's just get through this and go home. Afterwards I needed to go downstairs to use the bathroom before our hour drive home and the floor manager was down there, the one who had apologized for our missing and slow food items. After he used the facilities he washed his hands. Then he blew his nose several times and did not wash his hands again, sorry but that is gross. The only reason I am giving this 2 stars is our waitress was going a million miles an hour and the appetizers were good. Also, they have no parking lot there, so be prepared to pay for valet parking or walk a distance. They also make suggestions on how much the gratuity comes to, starting with 18% as the lowest number. Obviously meaning that is the lowest tip they expect to receive. They also calculate that amount for the tip on top of the sales tax. I don't know about you, but I never figure the amount of my tip including the sales tax. And given the high cost of the food here, the tip suggested seemed very dis-proportional. I ended up giving a 15% tip, which I still feel was more than fair and only because of how hard the waitress was working.
Fantastic! I got the ziti in pomodoro with sausage, Mom got the lasagna, Dad got the special, and Niece got ziti with alfredo sauce. Everyone loved it. The service was great.
(5)
Kimmie P.
Came to eat with my sister and friend. The place was quite nice, but the bathroom was downstairs which was really odd. Anyways, my only complaint was the waiter. He was giving us an attitude from the start. Took our order and my sister only order two food and an appetizer. Didn't order for me because we decide to share. Also gave them an attitude. After we finish paying, we paid separately and he gave this disgusting face. Overall, the food was SUPER good, but the server was HORRIBLE. Might not even think of coming back here. So I'm only giving ONE star, the server ruined it.
(1)
Brian M.
We had a reservation, so I can't speak to the waiting problems. Overall good experience for both food and service especially considering it's New Year's Eve Family of 5 and we went with the "family style", definitely the best bargain and plenty of take home to boot, just under $300 with tip (included 2 martini's and a bottle of wine) Let's talk about the food; Zuchini Frite appetizer is the crowd favorite as is the rigatoni D and the chicken Saltimbocca! The other dishes we shared were the mushroom ravioli and gnocchi with sausage, all very good! The let down was the bruschetta, bread was so soggy and they left a pile of plates on the table for quite a while but they more than compensated for it with the insanely good Apple crustada and chocolate cake Don't forget to make your reservation, get there, order a martini and the rest will flow!
(3)
Anthony P.
Been a long time customer and the food has been reliably good for a chain, that said like many of the reviews here the service has gone down way down hill. I had a reservation for this past Friday night and they could not take us for over half and hour after our reservation time. We ended up leaving. I will go back and try again because I do like this place. I just hope they get their act together and work on the customer service issues.
(2)
Nina K.
The Maggiano experience is very dependent on your waiter, and the location of your table. The booths are very comfortable; however, if you go on a busy night (typically weekends), you may be stuck with a table that feels like it is at RIGHT by the hostess stand. The atmosphere is rather loud and family-oriented. They typically have very large groups in the main dining area, which makes it difficult to maintain a conversation without talking loudly. Again, if you are at a booth, it is along the wall and slightly more isolated, allowing easier conversation and feeling of greater intimacy. The food at Magliano's is amazing. Its creative, yet home-style. The portions are big; so you will never leave hungry. Individualized ratings of the food items: Appetizers---------------- Stuffed Mushrooms: 5/5 Sausage and Peppers: 100/5 This is truly to die for. Entrees------------------- Baked Eggplant Parmesan: 5/5 Lobster Carbonara: 10/5 Lighter Take Veal Piccata: 4/5 This dish is a little bland and colorless Prime New York Steak: 5/5 Mom's Lasagna: 5/5
(4)
Tien T.
Went tonight with my family. I don't eat Italian a lot but it was nothing spectacular. Very filling portions, each with a different taste and sauce so it was nice. Main reason I'm leaving a review is because of our server, Hannah. She was very helpful, quick, knowledgeable and best of all, genuine! Basically every thing you want in a server. It's the night before Mother's Day and it looks pretty packed, however she did not seem behind at all. Overall, good experience. Will return but going to try new things. All the apps/entrees seem to be on par with other Italian restaurants.
(5)
Tina M.
The staff was friendly. The restaurant is lovely. Dimmed lighting is perfect for pasta and wine dinner. I chose to sit at the bar next to the window and it was a fabulous time. Mario the bartender was a delight and Richard came out from the kitchen to see if I liked my Rigatoni. I recommend the rigatoni. It came in a garlic cream sauce with chicken. I think it's the best I've ever had. Mario paired it with a perfect Pinot noir. Try the truffles. It was a perfect compliment. I'll be back the next time I'm in Boston.
(5)
Rachel L.
This place is wonderful.... The dinners are delicious and the desserts are even better... I recommend the tiramisu .... Appetizers are great (stuffed mushrooms are delightful) my only problem is some of the wait staff... I've had a few that act like they want to be somewhere else and are so slow at providing you service, but other than that I definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Jennifer T.
We came here with a large party of 15+ people, and ordered off their Family Style menu. Their appetizers are worth checking out, however their entrees were not the best Italian in Boston. Their desserts are so-so, though it was fun to have spumoni in a puff pastry, versus the traditional vanilla. One perk is that their portions are hefty here, we went home with at least 2 boxes a person. Service was also really great, and the server was super friendly and cracking jokes alot and on top of checking in on us. The place is also huge, and so can imagine not much of a wait, and good for large parties, which is a rarity to find in Boston. Parking on street a weeknight was doable.
(3)
Sam D.
Food is amazing. Every time I have been, have never been disappointed. If you like seafood the lobster carbonara is to die for and filled with lobster meat.
(5)
Pierre B.
Food was delicious and the presentation was great.... The family and I were out to celebrate my mothers bday- made a reservation through Opentable.com and the restaurant was receptive and accommodating ... We ordered family style for the 7 adults and the 2 kids ordered from the kids menu... There were absolutely no complaints about the food.... Not the best Italian food I have ever had, but it was really delicious and my whole party left satisfied and full... Service and management was great... Diarmuid, a manager on the shift was awesome... Making the kids laugh and had extended conversations w the table, which really made us feel comfortable and it improved our experience... I would recommend this location!!!!! Food is awesome!!!!
(4)
Chris W.
My experience here was surprisingly good! Arrived just before closing, and they gladly took us in anyway. Were not rushed at all. My expectations were a bit lower since this is a chain restaurant, but boy were we surprised by the quality of the food! I ended up with the linguine with seafood, but substituted the fra diavolo sauce. Meal was absolutely delicious and they didn't skimp on the clams, lobster, mussels or shrimp either. Couldn't finish the dish and didn't even have any room left over for dessert, which was a shame, considering this Maggiano's is just around the corner from Finale!
(5)
Janice P.
Love this place. Music wasn't annoying, service was good, and the food was outstanding. Portions were more than enough. Atmosphere was elegant enough to make birthday parties for the little girl sitting near us something special, but not so casual that the grown ups feel invaded by children. One of these reviews says they were bombarded with people when they walked in. My suggestion... Don't go at peak time. We walked right in at 8 pm and didn't have long to wait for anything. Probably will go back before we leave Boston in a few days. The fried zucchini looked delicious.
(5)
Marc P.
Chain yes but had always been good. Tried BOS park plaza location and got egplant dish with chicken meatballs... yea don't do that and probably will not go back soon. Eggplant great, meatballs chew chew blah.
(2)
Ankita R.
The food was amazing. Loved the desserts. This place has a good ambience but can get a little noisy coz of big groups.
(4)
julie l.
Needed a place near our hotel for dinner and settled on Maggianio's Little Italy was close by. Since this was a chain my expectations were a bit lower but my family and I were pleasantly surprised. The drinks were delicious and the food was very well prepared. Everyone in my party enjoyed their food.
(4)
Jon D.
The worst service ever. I have never left a restaurant until now. From the second we sat down we had nothing but attitude from our server. It was really unfortunate too because we were all familiar with the chain restaurant and we're looking forward to a great meal, but enough was enough. So, menu wise it is robust and delicious, but DO NOT EXPECT A HIGH QUALITY RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE!! I will never eat at this restaurant again... Please do a better job of screening your wait staff as they are just as important as the quality of your product...
(1)
Jennifer C.
My favorite fettucini alfredo in the city!! When I splurge and get this dish, I want Maggiano's, and ONLY Maggiano's fettucini alfredo!! Rich, creamy deliciousness every time!! The zucchini sticks are also amazing. Actually, every dish I have had from the veal marsala to the side of asparagus has been wonderful. But, for all you fettucini alfredo lovers out there, Maggiano's is the best!
(5)
Mark T.
Ahh... this place was so close to getting five stars, if I could give decimal ratings, I would give it a 4.3, but alas, I must relegate its rating to a 4. We came in on a Saturday night, the 20th of December. It was jam packed in here. A group of friends came in without a reservation, and were nicely sent away. If you are going here, make your reservation far in advance, a month or more!! While they keep the lighting low, and try to keep an intimate atmosphere, there was way too many people in here, and thus it was extremely loud.I had to yell for a person 5 feet away to hear me. were were't in the center either... The food... oh goodness was there some good stuff, in large portions too! Since I went in a party of three, I did not have the option for family style, but the dishes are prime for sharing, so there were three appetizers and main dishes to try. First, appetizers... Bruschetta was the best of the appetizers. The bread was toasted to perfection, the bruschetta itself was very nice, with just the right amount of "everything else" to go with the tomatoes. Thought it came without fresh mozzarella, there was another cheese on there which was delightful, and not overwhelming. My only complaint about it is that it is a touch too acidic. Take small bites, and it won't be as noticeable! Creamy Tomato Basil Soup can best be described as being sauce in a soup dish. But this was something else, it was creamy, of good consistency and texture, and of good thickness. Very nice dish, and not found in an everyday garden. Calamari was pleasant. It was not over or under: seasoned, fried, breaded, and the sauce that came with it was lovely. However, these calamari, while great, were not super special. Main Courses: Mussels: A huge plate full of steamed mussels. There was pasta underneath, and some kind of tomato-y thing with it, but the mussels were the stars on the plate. They had not been transformed very much, but they were steamed perfectly. They were tender, flavorful, and came right out of the shell. Mushroom Ravioli: A delightful dish, ravioli had an excellent ratio or pasta to filling. Pasta was as soft as the filling inside, but was still flavorful, and did not break apart. Sauce was very pleasant and cheesy, and filling was very fine, not ground, and extremely flavorful Chef Mann's Country Style Pasta: This was our favorite dish of the evening. Everything about this dish was superb. From the hand-twisted pasta, to the sauce and pasta "toppings" to the ricotta meatballs, soft, every so slightly moist, and delightfully spicy. When it comes to dessert, we had capuchinos, and the mini-dessert sampler. Capuchinos were lovely, and had a tiny amount of cinnamon atop the foam, barely noticeable, but noticeable nonetheless. Out of desserts, the only thing that was worth mentioning are the Chocolate Zuccotto Bites, they are divine. The Crostata is very nice too.Everything else was not super special, and the tiramisu is not among best I ever had. Service was quick, polite, attentive, and (our server) was in a great, joking mood. However, I will say one glass on our table was slightly dirty (fingerprints?) but was removed (table was intended for four, there were three of us) Plates had not been wiped dry, and a dessert spoon ha a tiny bit of food crusted on. I may be over analyzing this, but it is worth mentioning.
(4)
Amanda P.
I was personally expecting amazing service and amazing food but it was all mediocre to me. The wait for the food was extremely long!! Our waitress didn't check up on us often. She didn't come off too friendly either. The food was either over-seasoned or under-seasoned! The place is honestly beautiful and clean!
(3)
Kim B.
I have now been to Maggianos twice. The idea of it is great. It is a HUGE Italian family place, where all waiters/waitresses probably are somewhat related, and are certainly all Italian. The ambiance is certainly upscale, elegant, and nicely decorated. However, the size of it loses a lot of the family atmosphere that you might imagine it to have. It feels like a banquet hall. In that sense, it is. Both times we have done the family style dinner, which again, is perfect for a huge group. You pick 4 apps/salads, 3 dinners, and 2 desserts. And all are unlimited quantities. I mean, again, the idea is great. But if you want Italian food, then if it is cooked in this big of quantities, do you really think it's going to be that good? Our service was, what is the word... bad? Inadequate? I mean this in the sense that it was extremely extremely slow. Our server himself was extremely friendly, personable, accommodating, and lively. He kept us entertained. We all ordered drinks, and mine came pretty fast, and no one else's came for about 25 minutes. I literally was done with my glass of vino and no one else had even gotten there's yet. There also were a few drink orders that never came, but were on the bill (to which the server brought it to us to chug on our way out). For the quantity you get, the food is reasonably priced. For the actual food itself, you are paying way too much for something that is nothing really more than banquet food. However, if you are in a large group and want an easy meal, in a fun atmosphere... definitely give it a try.I breakdown our food below, and I overall was just not impressed with the flavors, consistencies, or makings of them. Next time I crave Italian, I will not think to go here. The Mozzarella sticks were 99% cheese and 1 % bread. They did taste good though. The Bruschetta was delicious. I had a few too many. The bread in general was good, I was pleased. Probably a 3.5 out of 5. The baked ziti tasted like it was frozen, or that some of my frozen dishes have tasted better than this. There was no flavor whatsoever, it was overdone and there was hardly any cheese. The Famous Rigatoni D was the hit of the night. I don't even like mushrooms ( i picked them out), but the marsala cream sauce was unbelievable. The chicken parm was typical, again, it tasted like it was for a banquet. The chicken picatta was nothing special, there was no flavor to it. The chocolate/raspberry mousse cake was a little dry, but the mousse part was delicious.
(3)
Krysten C.
My husband and I had a great time here for dinner on a date night. The cocktails were truly outstanding, and the caprese appetizer was excellent. My chicken piccata was also fantastic and so was the tiramisu and coffee. My husband wasn't overjoyed with the chicken saltimboca, but said it was just fair. The restaurant is casual, and has a nice family-style menu. There were lots of people there with their families, friends and co-workers. I would recommend it for any occasion.
(4)
Sophie B.
The best alfredo I have ever had in my entire life. It is absolutely amazing. Their chicken parm is also very good too. The only reason I'm giving a three is me and my boyfriend ordered out from there one night after work and he specifically stated multiple times he just wanted gnocchi with alfredo and no meat because he was a vegetarian. We get home and there was meat on it and barely any gnocchi. For a $20 plate i figured there would have been a way better portion size. Also the sausage really ruined the taste of the alfredo. Was really bummed out.
(3)
Sharon D.
A solid dining experience! I typically have come during lunch and they have great lynch deals that sometimes come with an additional to go lunch. The fettuccine Alfredo is delicious, and I'm generally not an Alfredo fan! My other favorite has been the caesar salad and chicken piccata. It is a perfect balance of lemon and capers. Once in a while, a group of us will come for a family style dinner which is entirely too much food that we end up taking home. It gets pretty packed and as such, gets pretty loud. Prices are extremely reasonable. I strongly suggest making a reservation on Open Table to ensure you get a table when you arrive. The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and dietary issues. A more recent addition has been the lighter versions of their classics if you are watching calories. Bravo! A solid dining choice!
(4)
Sarah B.
We brought my mother here for her birthday, and it was so busy they stuck us in a back room in a near-corner. The hardwood floor was so slippery both my sister and I almost fell, and not one staff member seemed to notice, despite there being dozens of them running around. The food it typical Italian. Lots of red sauce. Lots of pasta. Some meat, some fish. A little dessert. We did family style because there were 8 of us, but I'm not sure it was a wiser choice than everybody ordering individually. I also didn't think the food stood out from any other Italian eatery I've ever been to. Eggplant parm, veal, chicken. Oh, and let's not forget the caprese salad. You're not missing anything your grandma can't make.
(2)
Medgy R.
Rating this a 3 because they don't make drinks other than the drinks on their menu... Which is ridiculous... All my mother wanted was a piña colada and since they don't make it, she complained my ear off the whole night... Thanks a lot maggianno's
(3)
Patricia A.
Went there yesterday and was very disappointed. I ordered the Chef's Special chicken with mushrooms and onions in a creamy marsala sauce. There wasn't much chicken, the rigatoni was overcooked and falling apart but worse... the creamy marsala sauce was more like watery soup. My husband ordered the steak which was smothered in a herb sauce. The decor was nice but there are so many good Italian restaurants don't waste your money.
(1)
Bonnie C.
Maggiano's is a great place with great Italian food. Their jumbo crab cakes are really good and highly recommend it. Their desserts are delicious! However, I am usually way too full from their entrees to even get dessert. I recommend the tiramisu and the vanilla bean ice cream. I came here for my friend's birthdays and other special occasions, but I wouldn't come here regularly. North End has better and more authentic Italian food for basically the same prices. Their service is also not that great. The couple times I was here, the service was super slow and they were not that friendly either. I don't remember a time when I was actually satisfied with their customer service, which is why I am giving the restaurant three stars. It's not worth all the hype.
(3)
Christina H.
In eyeballing the reviews, I'm surprised by any of the negative ones. A few mention this as " a chain", which I think is misguided. Yes, there are a few other expansions of the restaurant, but this is no Olive Garden - it's boston's Carmine's which speaks to it's level and quality. We had dinner as a group of 10 (family style) for a Bachelorette and what I was deeply impressed by was their commitment to the group, treating us with the same respect and attention they would for a romantic night out for two. Our server Diego, was professional, quickly helping us navigate our choices and making recommendations that suited the group's needs. The portions were huge, and we took them with us to pass along to some needier folks on our walk home. I can't say enough about our experience and am still dreaming about the Rigatoni D and chicken parm. Well done Maggiano's!
(5)
Anand S.
Went here with the family for my mom's birthday and had a somewhat mixed meal. We made a reservation the night before for dinner at 7:30 on a Friday and had no issues, which certainly makes life easier cause it seem's like there's always a wait when we go. After being seated at our table (which seemed unreasonably high, and I'm fairly tall), we ordered a bottle of wine (I'm no wine connoisseur so I can't give a very informed opinion but I enjoyed it so at least there's that). Foodwise, it was a bit of a mixed bag however. We got the margherita flat bread - pretty standard, though I would have preferred it a little bit more crispy. We also got a spring vegetable ravioli that typically comes with a parmesan chicken broth that they subbed out for basic tomato sauce. This one was kinda meh - I thought some of the vegetables were on the slightly underdone side and the tomato sauce just didn't seem to fit, maybe was a bit on the sweet side for my liking. Also got an order of eggplant parmesan that I really enjoyed. Ended the night with the dessert sampler and I have to say, please please please stay away from this. We really only liked maybe 2 of the 5 - the creme brulee (pretty standard) and the apple crostada were both pretty decent. The tiramisu was also OK, pretty average overall I've had the chocolate zuccoto cake before and it is WAY better than the chocolate zuccoto balls so I'd recommend just going for the full cake rather than these small versions, which are just way way way too dense. The cheesecake was just dry and unappetizing though. I'm pretty sure I've had most of these desserts as normal, full sized desserts and they were all much better than they were when I went most recently, so maybe it was just a bad day for desserts. Luckily, they also gave us some lemon cookies for my mom's birthday and those were surprisingly tasty! So we ended happy and had some leftovers for lunch the next day too. All in all, a pretty good b-day celebration.
(3)
Yelper H.
Ive been going here for lunch for over a year now. Always excellent food, and excellent service. The food is fantastic, and they do a lunch deal. I dont know about any other times or prices outside lunch hour M-F.They can also cook to your specific needs from the menu and change it somewhat. No issue with cleanliness or any other issues.
(5)
Andrew D.
Excellent meal that warmed the soul on this frigid night in Boston. The calamari was great as was the tender veal parm. Will definitely recommend to friends. The waiter was attentive and provided exemplary service.
(5)
Thomas L.
Maggiano's never gets old. We visited the nite before the Marathon and the place was packed. Didn't have an impact on service one bit, though. The bread/oil/etc. at the beginning of the meal is second to none. The portions are huge; I had the chicken piccata and the wife had the linguini and clam sauce. Both were excellent.
(5)
Tom M.
Let me just say...it's been a looooooong time since I got exceptional service, but our waitress SANDY took care of us big time!!! Granted we went during the Mother's Day rush...the place was packed and they were turning away walk-ins w/o RSVP's. Our waitress took our order and even rushed our food (it was less than 15mins tops) She told us since we had toddlers in our party, she feels bad if they had to wait longer than they should for their food. Sandy definitely deserved the 20% tip on my $80 check....we will be going back there and specifically requesting her section....good job!
(5)
Jessica B.
We arrived at Maggiano's for dinner at 5:30 before a 7:30 p.m. play and were not served our food until a few minutes before 7 despite having told our server about our time constraints. The food when it did arrive was mediocre--our eggplant parm. had no mozzarella! With regard to price, while entrees are reasonable, wine prices are extremely high. Definitely a restaurant to be avoided!
(1)
Meg F.
We had our rehearsal dinner in the Taormina room on 5/29/2015. This was a perfect spot to hold our rehearsal dinner the night before our downtown wedding. We were able to rent out the private room for 3 hours for a very reasonable food and beverage minimum cost. They set up the room to have two round tables to seat our 14 guests. The private room was great to have, since our ring bearer and flower girl got a bit rowdy. The food was DELICIOUS. Some of our favorites were the bruschetta, the stuffed mushrooms, the baked eggplant parmesan, and the crab and shrimp canneloni. Also, Vera's lemon cookies were a BIG hit for dessert. I don't think my wine glass was ever empty, they would refill it without my even noticing! The family style service allowed for a great, casual atmosphere that was just what we wanted for the night before our wedding. Michelle, Kelly, and Astrid were great to work with and were always responsive to any of our questions. Thank you Maggiano's for giving us such a great rehearsal dinner!
(5)
B D.
This place is outstanding. A lot of food always. Big dishes, great taste. Even though it is a chain, it doesn't feel like it. I highly recommend this place. Make sure to have the mozzarella marinara for appetizer!
(5)
Rob K.
Went to Maggiano's with my gf after work on Tuesday. This place was great! Delicious food (huge menu), good dinning music, friendly/helpful waiter and a pleasant all around atmosphere. I would suggest this place to anyone!
(5)
Jennifer E.
Came here for an anniversary dinner with my husband. We had the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer. Probably some of the best I've ever had in my life. He had the Rigatoni D which was very good, and I got classic chicken parm, which was excellent. For dessert we got the lemon cookies and a chocolate martini. Really really delicious! Everything was great. We were seated in a U shaped booth, which I thought was romantic and very nice. The staff was very pleasant. We waited a little bit longer than normal for the good but that did not bother us. We had a great time. If we went back to Boston, we would definitely come here again.
(5)
Donna G.
Best pizza around Mass area, overall is good. Just sometimes need to wait too long. I will recommend to the friends who first visit Boston.
(4)
Joe H.
Fresh soft bread. Great food and not overpriced. I liked the atmosphere and it's not to fancy and great for families too.
(4)
Pam C.
Maggiano's has the flavors of a nicer, more upscale looking restaurant, probably a place I would want my parents to take me (and pay for me). The prices were very reasonable and they have a good bar and cocktails selection - the sangria pitcher tastes more like watered down jam in how sweet and sugary it was, but it was definitely still pretty good. The pastas come in huge servings, and are definitely more suited for a family style gathering - sharing is definitely encouraged. Good food, great atmosphere - definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Thomas N.
been here a few times, lunch recently....we really enjoy this places, services is good, drinks are good, food is good and plentiful....it was not too busy and our server was attentive and pleasant, the decor seems appropriate ( little oldish looking)......it was a cold day in boston and this was a very pleasant place to take a break!!!
(4)
shari r.
We went to Maggiano's Saturday night before we went out for a bachelorette party. The food was delicious and our waitress was phenomenal! Very sweet, personable and attentive. Love this place!
I'll keep this one short since we had our Thanksgiving meal here and it was a special, pre-fixe menu. The menu allowed us to choose between several options for each course but unfortunately for us, they were already out of a lot of food by the time we got there (it was only 6 PM!). I understand they probably only made a limited amount of each dish but when they ran out of creamed spinach, they automatically subbed it with creamed corn instead of asking us what we'd like to replace it with. The corn was way too sweet and creamy and the rest of the Thanksgiving fare was pretty uneventful but the regular menu items were tasty - the chopped salad and bruschetta were both good. Service was minimal but that's kinda expected for a busy night. I don't know if I'd return again, mainly because I have to trek all the way from Hawaii to Boston and I'd much rather go to the North End for Italian.
(3)
Meg C.
I came here with a large group on a Friday night. Service was decent from start to finish. They do a BYOB option with a $15 corking fee. It's a little high for a corking fee but still much cheaper than buying tons of bottles there. The waitress was patient while we decided what to order and quickly uncorked bottles for us. The food was nothing special. We did the family-style ordering, a choice of 3 appetizers, 4 pastas/entrees and 2 deserts. The appetizers were probably the best part of the meal. We ordered bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms and the mussles. The mussels had a great sauce. I do not like mushrooms but I very much enjoyed the stuffed mushrooms. The entrees weren't bad, but also weren't good. We ordered the baked ziti, gnocchi with sausage, eggplant parm, and chicken marsala. None of the dishes were hot, just luke warm and the center of the eggplant parm was just cold. I'm used to baked ziti that has a ton of sauce and ricotta and mozzerella cheeses melted throughout. There was barely any sauce, more like some chopped up tomoatos, and only mozzerella cheese melted on the top. The gnocchi was heavy and tasted like typical gnocchi you can buy at a grocery store. I have made both of these dishes much better at home. The chicken marsala was fine, the chicken was cooked well but the marsala sauce was way too thin and there wasn't enough of it. The eggplant parm was cold in the center wtih just a huge amount of sauce on top. I also didnt find that there was any sauce or cheese throughout the layers also making it a bit dry. For desert we ordered cheesecake and a flourless chocolate cake. The cheesecake was cream cheese based and a little overly sweet for my tastes. The chocolate cake came with ice cream and had that fudge-like consistency in the center. Overall Maggiano's is a place to come with a big group when you want to eat and drink a lot but dont want to spend a ton. It won't be the best meal you've ever eaten but it probably won't be the worst either.
(3)
Mary Jane J.
Blah. Atmosphere is okay, if not very noisy. If you want to be treated like a peon by the hostess this is where you want to go. Had a reservation and still had to wait fifteen minutes. Food was mediocre but the server was pleasant. Glad I came here on a giftcard.
(2)
Lily S.
For what it is, i love this place! It's your pretty standard italian fare--spaghetti, meatballs, gnocchi etc. Ample portions, friendly smiling staff. Good place for family dining and the like. The dining room is huge and the old fashioned decor makes the space look warm. From the entry way, it also looked like they had some private dining space as well. We left feeling full and happy, having spent way less than expected. yeay!
(3)
Kushal M.
Went there for a celebration dinner with a large (10+ person) group. The staff was very helpful and gave us excellent service. Excellent food also. Some of the best food I've had in Boston. Definitely try: Linguine di Mare - if you love seafood, you will love this. A most delicious medley of amazing seafood. Tiramisu - Very light and very delicious.
(5)
Warren B.
Food was fine the one time I went. The setting was great if you like oldy worldy wood panelling. Made me feel like I was in an old movie (in a good way).
(4)
Kate T.
Food was good, the waitress was fairly rude though.
(3)
Rachel L.
Made reservations for 4 for 530pm; arrived and was seated right away. Waitress did a really amazing job tonight; very attentive and friendly. Ordered the calamari, Italian salad, Taylor Street ziti, veal marsala and tiramisu. The calamari was really good, crispy and good even without the sauce on the side. The Italian salad was also very good, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like salads. The Taylor Street ziti was good; sauce wasn't too strong and just right. Pasta was al dente and not too soft or hard. The veal marsala was actually really good. The tiramisu was just amazing, potentially the best I have ever had. Portions are fair, service was friendly, vibes were good. Nice ambience for date nights or just casual dining.
(4)
Mike J.
Good place to hang with friends, family and date as well. So many people go there so expect to wait in line at least 30 minutes during peak hours.
(4)
S T.
After my complaint Maggiano's sent me a voucher that can be used for a future date. I will likely take my chances with a sit down this go around
(3)
Brittany B.
My boyfriend took me here for a Valentine's Day dinner. The service was great, the food came out piping hot and was delicious. We will definitely be returning and I hope to take my parents there soon as well. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes great Italian food in a great atmosphere!
(5)
K S.
For a large chain restaurant, this place never fails to fill my hunger and Italian cravings. Stuffed mushrooms, mushroom ravioli, chicken parm are a few of my favorite things. The dishes are so large that I get an awesome lunch for the next day
(5)
Brad G.
Group of 10.(including lots of kids). Great accommodations. Kids really loved their meals. I had the balsamic salmon, wife had the mushroom ravioli. Both were excellent. Atmosphere was homey and relaxing. Hannah was an outstanding waitress.
(4)
Charlena K.
Location is tricky to find especially if you're walking and relying on Siri. Food was great, no surprise! Overall service was good, but staff friendliness and availability/tentativeness could be improved. Gabriel was our waiter, he was awesome! I highly recommend him. Restroom is inconveniently located downstairs- clean though which is a plus!
(4)
Chris B.
A great family restaurant. Lots of good Italian food with so many choices. Fried zucchini is out of this world. Caters to families with small children or large groups with two or three generations. The staff is friendly and helpful.
(5)
Baris C.
I came here with my mom on a Monday. The restaurant was still crowded with not many tables available. My mom has food allergy. I notified the waitress about this and she took care of it. My mom got a salad with a steak on her salad. The salad originally had chicken in it, we asked to replace the chicken with steak. The waitress said she would do with an extra charge. We said ok but the meat on the salad was really small considering the extra charge. I got the meatball spaghetti. I asked for whole wheat past and I guess whole wheat spaghetti was not in stock the meal came with penne. It was penne with meatballs. It was not bad but tue expectation was not set right with wheat pasta options. Overall the service and food was good.
(4)
mercer m.
Heard a lot of great reviews on Yelp and decided to give Maggiano's a whirl and order out via Foodler. We ordered two items (lasagna with meat sauce and a pasta dish with shrimp and chicken). The cost? $58. Again, two items. Seemed a bit pricey for my liking, but I had read that the portions where large so I figured that at least I'd be able to stretch it into a second meal, perhaps the next day's lunch. Not so. Admittedly, the lasagna with the meat sauce was pretty delicious, i pretty much inhaled it. The portion was of decent size, certainly not as monumental as previous Yelpers had indicated. So, that was a bit of a bummer. My gf got the pasta/shrimp/chicken dish (which came in a creamy sauce (which I was able to snag a bite of), and it too was quite tasty. She, unlike me, managed to stretch the meal into next day's lunch. We did get a 'complimentary' piece of bread which was nice and two little cups of parmesan cheese...but, honestly, for the price, I was hoping for a bit more especially with all of the heaping praise Maggiano's had been garnering. It sounds as if dining in at Maggiano's is where one can achieve optimum dining pleasure, but as far as take-out, i'd suggest going with something a bit less pricey. They tack on a delivery fee of $6.99 which was kind of a bummer as well, but when the dude arrive I realized he was on a bike.
(3)
Katie C.
For some reason, Hubs loves Maggiano's. Me? Well, considering the proximity to the North End, why not just go there? We came in after an afternoon at the Wine Riot next door and we were quickly seated. Our server was nice and efficient, but she kept pushing us to order a bottle of wine. Over and over again. Regardless, once we got past that, we looked through the menu. Everything was just "generic" was rustic names. I had lasagna that was just okay. There was no special flavor to it and served with generic marinara sauce that was super salty. Hubs had ziti that was served to his liking, but it was clear that my lasagna was left under a heat lamp. Anyhoo, it was a hearty lunch but nothing memorable. And between the price, we could have easily had something a little more authentic in the North End. Our bill was messed up at the end of the meal -- it included the entrees of a table nearby. Eh, no thanks.
(2)
Graham K.
I went to maggianos for a work function. Nice place. Friendly staff. The food was not great. It was all frozen and microwaved. You could tell there was just no quality behind it. There are plenty of other Italian restaurants in Boston with much better food.
(2)
Kelly W.
I was last here April 2014. The only reason I fear going here is the huge number of calories I am likely to take onboard. The pasta is fresh and excellently prepared, perfectly cooked--I can't believe this is a chain. I had a ravioli dish with asparagus and a lemony cream sauce--fabulous! I went to a benefit here a couple months earlier and there was a buffet set up for that. One of the best buffet's I've ever attended--everything tasted fresh and delicious. The kitchen staff here really does a great job! And of course the Tiramisu is awesome. Seriously, probably the best Tiramisu I have ever had. And a HUGE portion! I was one of a party of 6--every one was very happy with their food!
(4)
Elicica M.
The customer service is not up to par but the food compensated for it. I had pesto ravioli and a cheesecake for dessert. The last time I went here, the waiter was rude and asked for a tip at the end although most of us gave him one...super rude.
(4)
Renzo T.
Been here 3 times the latest was this past Saturday night.... One of the best spots in Boston in my opinion....service is top of the line...food is delicious... Certain dishes can be pricey but you pay for what you get.... I ate the surf and turf...lobster tail and steak....steak was the some of the succulent meat I've ever tasted.... Definitely a must go
(5)
Brianna S.
Great Italian food! Great service...a bit pricey but hefty portions and you'll be happy when u leave. My suggestion: chicken orzo soup and baked ziti with Italian sausage in the tomato and Alfredo sauce..pics provided! Speaking of service: the manager let me use my bday coupon after it expired!! Yay! :)
(4)
Jovanna O.
The food is delicious as usual. I ordered my favorite chicken Parmesan with Alfredo sauce! Yummo! The portions are huge and I wish I could take my leftovers with me but there is no fridge in my hotel. I also ordered the apple crostada mini. It wasn't as good as it used to be. Too bready, kinda disappointed
(4)
Greg m.
Mamma Mia I love this restaurant! I love it so much I just recently celebrate my 50th birthday there. First I have to say this restaurant has excellent service! The staff goes out of its way to make your experience the best possible, even going above and beyond your expectations. From the hostess, to the bartender, to the waiter, to the busboy, to even the guy the holds the door open for you these people take service to an exceptional level! It makes you feel like you're there for a special experience and of course you are! Now the food! The food is incredible :-) Everything we've had there has always been fresh and delicious here are just a few of my favorites. For my appetizer I love the calamari. Lightly battered with a touch of salt and pepper and delicious. I really enjoy the house salad. Chicken parmesan is classic. The stuff shells are to die for! The lasagna can satisfy any appetite! And my two favorite things for dessert are, there super delicious lemon cookies and the old world tiramisu!! You can order this family style or individually! Regardless of what you get you and your fellow companions will go away feeling like kings and queens of Italy old. Royal treatment, quality service and exceptional food! If you're in Boston this experience is a must!! Bon Appetit
(5)
Mark D.
I've eaten here many, many, many... many times. It's the most non-homestyle, homestyle Italian you can find in the area. Yes, it is a *gasp* CHAIN, but, it's one of the few chains that's actually pretty fantastic. So, it's Italian. It's the type of Italian, that unless you are Italian, that you hope your home cooked meals come out like. I'm Italian. I have high standards for good Italian after being raised on my grandmothers old world style Italian food. The first time I ate here, I was like wow, really good! There are things that suck (read: meatballs) and there are things that are really fantastic (read: marinara sauce, heavy drink pours, Family Style meals, etc). Let's dive into these a bit... The Suck: Meatballs. meatballs should be small, one or two bites sized, not spongy but not dense. More like a 50/50 mix of meat to breadcrumbs. Or, as my grandmother taught me... you put in as much breadcrumbs as how much you like your guests... or as how much you need to stretch your meat. Following my grandmother's logic, I'm either part of a really large, poor family, or they just don't like me very much. To their credit, their balls are huge. But not much there... So Family Style... do you eat a lot? Do you have friends/family who eat a lot (at least three), then you want to participate in their family style meal option! For a fixed price, you can have unlimited portions of predetermined food. So that means, if you really want 10 plates of chicken parm, you guys will end up paying the same, fixed price (trust me, you won't go through more than three plates of any food, unless you are truly pigs). But you have to agree on the food as you can only choose one or two dishes from the menu. Maybe hard for some parties but most won't find an issue with it. Another great thing about this place is its bar. It doesn't have a lot of top shelf items but for the $10 cost of a drink you definitely get your moneys worth. Drinks are poured generously so this is a great place to have one or two drinks to start off your evening. Be aware that this place can be packed on Theatre nights but Monday's and Tuesday's are generally quiet.
(4)
Wes S.
My fiancee and I love this place. The atmosphere is very well welcoming. Service is always on point. The Linguini Di Marre is a must-try.
(4)
Marcus M.
I had a great experience here this evening. The food was great, the service was great, and the prices were quite reasonable. The portions were fantastic. The place was packed on a Monday evening, and I see why. And, I knew I had to give a positive review when I saw one of the servers helping to calm a crying baby. The patience and willingness of the staff were nice to see. If you like Italian-- no, if you like food period, you need to take a trip to Maggiano's. Dooooo iitttt.
(4)
Mystery D.
The atmosphere in the dining area is cozy. I ordered pasta with chicken meatballs. It was very good
(4)
Jason M.
The wife and I were walking around Boston about 9:00 looking for a place to eat we just came across this restaurant which happened to be across from hotel we were staying. From the outside I thought they were closed but entered and it was packed. The room is a little dark but still comfy to eat I had the rustic chicken and shrimp it was delicious the wife had the linguini with clam sauce that was a little to salty for my taste . Very generous with the bread and portion sizes a pleasant surprise for a random dine in.
(4)
Mike C.
Maggiano's may not have the best or gourmet Italian food, but it will always be my favorite. The food is still very high quality and and fairly consistent considering that it is a chain. The biggest draw for Maggiano's has to be its capacity to handle groups. Each one that I have been to accommodates group sizes from 4 to 100 and up. They never have an issue with changing their floor layouts to combine tables. They also specialize in catering and parties in private rooms. This Maggiano's has large banquet rooms on a lower level. The majority of time that I eat here is under the family style menu. It is the all-you-can-eat option that is shared with the table. Finish your food and waiter keeps bringing more. There is a fixed charge per person; light, classic, and chefs choice, in increasing price. I recommend the classic for the biggest bang for your buck. Appetizers: Calamari- favorite menu item, fried, includes both cut rings and baby squid with tentacles. Mussels- always fresh, broth is a little bit salty, but still satisfying. Mozzarella- huge portion, so cheesy, def bad for your health. Salad: Chopped- avocado, blue cheese, bacon-like prosciutto. One large order of salad is enough for 4 people usually. Entrees: Salmon- hard to screw up, comes on a bed of spinach and orzo, but proportions of each vary at this restaurant. Chicken parm- Crispy, solid staple to any Italian meal. Either ravioli is my preferred pasta since the other basics are well, too basic. I can boil spaghetti at home. Dessert: Apple crostada- best way to make hot apple pie better; add ice cream. Tiramisu- varies a bit, but a treat I can't make myself. Portions here are oversized. But if your table finishes, you get more under the family style dining! Either way, it ends up producing plenty of leftovers to take home. Now why is this place not 5 stars? This particular location is always packed. Expect to wait even if you have reservations. Waiters have also been hit or miss. Regardless, I still return because I love the unlimited delicious food.
(4)
Elaina C.
I went here this past weekend. We went on a Saturday night and the place was bustling. Luckily, I made a reservation through Open Table and the only time we could get was 8 pm. Great place... the food is amazing, the bread is great. We got the baked ziti and the best part is they offer some meals with a "lighter fare" with less calories. And you wouldn't even know... it was delicious. My boyfriend got the chicken sauage soup and it was so flavorful. I definitely recommend it. They had a white sangria on special and that was right up my alley. Unfortunately, I dropped my glass, it broke and spilt everywhere. Talk about embarassing.. but our waiter was a peach and was very kind to me. I definitely recommend this place; we will be back! And just a hint: if you sign up for their email club, you receive a $10 coupon.
(4)
Keith F.
Great food. I had a reservation for 7 (5 adults, 2 children) at 6pm on a Friday in Boston. We arrived at 6pm had the car valet parked ($18) walked in and were seated immediately. Classic Family syle got us 3 entrees, 3 appetizers, and 2 desserts which was more than enough for all of us. The food was really well done and the deserts were EXCELLENT. Table service was really good too. We never had to ask or call our waiter over for anything. The table was always maintained and drinks were always full. At the end of the meal the bill was $375 with the 20% tip. That also included some wine. Definitely recommend.
(4)
rose n.
Eh I've had some great experiences here but this last time, it felt like the Olive Garden. The food was good but not spectacular. It's high volume Italian so not surprising. The waiter even told us that the bread was bad that night (?!) because it wasn't their usual vendor. Our waiter just didn't seem like he was on his a game which is disappointing when you're there for a special occasion. Sigh.
(3)
Shyam V.
Here for a special event celebration. the waitress had such a don't care attitude. We ordered an appetizer "bruchetta" - was good. Next an eggplant Parmesan ( really sad .. The eggplant half raw and the tomato sauce all over the plate) .. We ordered a side dish that never came. When we asked about it the waitress actually asked if "you want it removed from the check?" Now after 30 mins since we ordered desert the lady just came and tossed the Tiramisu and walked..no greeting no nothing.
(1)
Kristen M.
Staff was excellent!! Food was great as always
(5)
Harlan K.
When it comes to accommodating a large group, Maggianos is pretty great. The Family Style system that they have is excellent, and works very well to give everyone what they want and much more. Technically it's all you can eat, but the plates are so large that unless you have a group of linebackers to feed, the mountain of food will be unconquerable. The service was pretty good, the staff knowledgeable and fun, and they were very accommodating to a gluten-free member of our party. At the end of the day, if you have a group of 7 or more, it's probably best to just go Maggianos.
(4)
Kaleb E.
Everything about this experience was pleasant. I used round table to book a reservation for two at 7pm. My girlfriend and I arrived in Boston earlier than expected so we went in and asked if we could be seated even though we were early. The lady at the front desk was more than accommodating. Once seated, we were greeted by Chris (out waiter) and received our drinks promptly. They have a huge collection of wine (being from California, I enjoy a large range of choices). Lots of choices ranging in red/white wines and a great variety of wines from all over the US! Chris was hands down what made the night so wonderful. He had my girlfriend and I laughing and feeling comfortable all night. Because we were new they gave us a complimentary appetizer which was phenomenal. Once it came to ordering a meal, Chris told us he had tried everything on the menu. He told us his favorites and even helped my girlfriend choose between the two dishes she thought sounded good. Both our dishes were spectacular and our deserts were even better. All in all this was a great experience and I will surely be back when I'm in Boston again. I suggest this place for a nice dinner date with your significant other or even if the family is in from out of town!
(5)
L. R.
Food is great. The service was only okay. I felt rushed...app arriving two minutes before dinner after I told the waiter I didn't want to be rushed. We were seated at a four top on a slippery hardwood floor near a lot of traffic. It was disappointing.
(2)
Lynn J.
REVIEW is for the TAKE-OUT ONLY! I expected to like this place less than I do, only because it is a chain...but I was wrong. It is a lot of GOOD FOOD at a GREAT PRICE. FOOD: Large portions of good food. The pasta is not homemade, but it's not overcooked. The one jumbo meatball is soft and delicious, and the Italian Sausage was finely ground, like Irish Sausage. Get the "Chopped Salad" for only $5... It's got 1/2 an avocado & proscuitto crumbled like bacon! ONE PROBLEM: I ordered the GNOCCHI & SAUSAGE online. Their system asked if I wanted spaghetti or whole wheat pasta. I thought, "serving a side of pasta with gnocchi...OK?" I chose "whole wheat pasta." I received no gnocchi at all...OOPS. TAKE-OUT DEAL: Only $5 doubles your entire meal! This is not a little bigger...It's 2 entire meals. Take one to lunch tomorrow...such a great deal. DINE-IN DEAL: Check in on Foursquare & take home a DOUBLE of your ENTREE MEAL FOR FREE!
(4)
Mary Ann A.
Sunday, July 20, at about 4 pm. I ordered Chicken Marsala. I was served baked chicken with blackened whole mushrooms spread over the chicken with NO Marsala sauce. I should have sent it back, but I did eat part of it. I imagine that this dish was prepared ahead of time, later baked much too long, and then served. This was not the dish I ordered,and I was sorely disappointed. Never again. While I am at it, the sausages and peppers were not prepared as previously ordered many times. The not-so-cooked sausages were whole served with very little yellow and orange strips of pepper. The sausages were previously sliced and fried with equal amounts of GREEN, yellow, and orange peppers with onions. Again, a disappointment! The bread was not the usual bread, just plain Italian bread, and not the melba toast or bread sticks as in the past, that I so much enjoyed. The wine was fine. The service was good. Prices were fair, reasonable.
(1)
Diane H.
You should definitely make reservations..though i haven't been here without them so i wouldn't know how long the wait is. This place is huge...and it's packed. Though it's a chain, it's better than average. Their bread left more to be desired...very plain. They didn't offer to refill the bread even after we were done. I ordered the lobster carbonara for about $23, a bellini swirl $8.75 and a cappuccino $3.95 at the end which came with a biscotti. The lobster carbonara was a huge portion, i ate half. There was a good amount of lobster so for that price i am okay with it. Normal pasta here ranged around 13-16$. The bellini was delicious...wish it was bigger! The cappuccino was okay, nothing special...the biscotti was nice. I'm just too used to fancy cappuccinos from the EU so don't mind me..you might like theirs. They do sprinkle, cinnamon, i think? on top. My friend and i shared the stuffed mushroom as an app..OMG..it was soooooo good. At 9.25, it better be delicious! It wasn't burnt or anything..just perfect. My friend and i agreed we can totally order two each and just make a meal out of it! haha. She also got the ragatoni D pasta...which i found very nice. It was definitely more seasoned than mines..more salty and tasty with mushrooms/chicken pieces. THe chicken was a bit dry as with chicken you find everywhere. I would love to try that "Family style buffet" everyones talking about...but that's a hell lot of pasta you be eating! Though the price would be nicer...my price tag came out to be about about 43 before tip...hmmm. If only you can choose whatever you want on the menu, yeah i'll keep on dreaming! There were birthdays going on..and alot of people over 20+. Also two vip rooms available from what i can see. Though getting to the bathroom was quite a trek..all the way downstairs and getting back to my table we had to squish between other tables so i dont know how...anyone who isn't skinny can get through and i'm pretty skinny and i thought i wouldn't fit!! O__O Our waiter was kinda weird.......i guess management must be watching him or something---he can be friendlier...and make small talk with me yenno.... Just no connection made, i know youre busy..but please, appreciate my business so that i actually want to come back for the service.
(4)
Denise D.
A family style Italian restaurant. We booked for thanksgiving evening and had a feast of turkey, ham, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing and creamed spinach, followed by tiramisu and apple pie. There's no way we could eat all that, so we left with plenty of food for the next day. Good value for $40 a head.
(5)
Daniel H.
The restaurant is fancy ish, the deals are awesome, and the lasagna is to die for. The best appetizers would be the fried calamari. This place is great
(5)
Urmy M.
Great restaurant! Food was delicious! And the seasonal sangria , one of the best I have had! They make magic out of the moscato :)! We ordered the chicken red peppers flatbread for our appetizer and it was delicious! For main course we had fettuchine alfredo and chicken parmesan and they were both delicious! The portions were generous and the sitting just right. Will definitely go back again. The best part is even though this is a chain restaurant it didnt feel like one. Highly recommend!
If you want great Italian food, please go to the North End. Came here for a friend's 21st birthday dinner (I don't know why he chose this place.) It was my first time there and I immediately noticed the picnic style table cloths that just screamed family style. It was busy for a Friday night but we were seated pretty fast. There was a couple of times during the night where our server did take a while to come to our table which was a bit frustrating but she was super nice. She did however forget the birthday boys first drink which took about an hour and a half to serve. It was on the house though and also when he didn't like it, they served him another one for free. He received a free dessert as well! I ordered the Shrimp Scampi. It looked really huge on the plate and sort of soupy. I was afraid I wasn't going to eat it all but surprisingly did. It was really appetizing. I would say this place is bad at mixing drinks but hey, it's a chain Italian restaurant, right? Good staff though. I guess it's a nice place to eat if you don't want to go anywhere too fancy and if you're with a bunch of people.
(3)
Julianna F.
Ordered the Spaghetti and Meatball and it was good. Comes in a large dish and it is very fulfilling.
(3)
Ron L.
If you're looking for a snooty, trendy, Northern Italian experience, this isn't it. It's not a restuarant for the pretentious or wannabe food critic. It's a typical Southern Italian/Italian American family style restaurant. Staff was friendly and polite, service was good, and the food was good too. It's a chain restaurnant, but definitely a big step up from Olive Garden or Macaroni Grille. If you want Giacomo's or Strega, go to the North End, stand on ridiculous lines, and impress your facebook friends. If you're worried about ordering something "typical" on a menu, there are still other choices on their menu, or just go to one of the trendy North End joints and dine elbow to elbow with the tourists. Be sure and wave to them from the window as they peer in and stare at you while eating your meal.
(4)
Ed G.
We ended up back here again as we were given a gift card. My wife and 3 sons and I went for my kids birthday. 4 of us wanted to do family style but my one ultra picky kid wanted to order a regular meal. The waiter acted like we just asked for something ridiculous. He didn't refuse our request but made it awkward enough that we decided to all get the family style. (upgrading to the premium package so he could find something that he liked.) The rest of the meal was OK, average food, almost adequate service, overall not very impressive. Certainly not worth the price tag.
(1)
Lynsey A.
I had the veal which was terrific and my cocktail was also great. The service was friendly and fast. My only complaint is that I was shifting in my booth and pressed against the bottom of table for leverage which knocked my cocktail over on the table. So maybe some heavier tables would be helpful....
(4)
Wind E.
We brought friends from Mexico there for dinner. They have a decent wine selection and the food is very good. Portions are generous so bring your appetite! It is quite loud so if you are looking for quiet and romantic, this is not the place. We had to pay for valet ($17), so heads up... Definitely will come back for a hearty Italian meal.
(4)
Jane's G.
To say that the waiter was fantastic would be like saying winning the lottery was...meh. He was a delight and the food from this scratch kitchen was off the charts. After finding out we were visiting from Oregon the manager brings out a free appetizer of fried ravioli! The Bellini was authentic and tasty too. I had filet mignon tips in the most delicious sauce. I barely made it to this delectable entree because the bread was so fresh and the olive oil dipping sauce was crazy nutso good.
(5)
Alex F.
Dude, seriously the best Italian food in Boston. And No the North End doesn't compare. Literally, great service, better food, and an amazing restaurant.
(5)
Tanya Y.
I am beyond thankful to know that we have the only Maggiano's in Massachusetts located in this convenient location; and I'm even more shocked that I hadn't come here sooner, because everything is amazing. As soon as you walk in, the ambiance makes you feel like you're in a swanky hotel, which is hard to believe because it's a chain restaurant. We were warmly greeted by the host and taken right away to a table available. The dining area was pretty large and I was shocked to see how big inside was. Our waiter, Juan? Jose? I don't quite remember his name, but he was incredible. Totally charming, attentive, and personable. Waters were given to us initially accompanied by bread and olive oil while we read over what we wanted from the menu. We decided to eat family style and ended up ordering the Bruchetta (Baked garlic toast topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar and roasted garlic - $6.95), Eggplant Parmesan (Sliced eggplant, breaded and fried, layered with Provolone cheese and marinara sauce - $13.50), and the Linguine di Mare (Lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams and spicy lobster tomato broth - $19.75). The bruchetta was so amazing. It hit every note of flavors that my tongue/mouth craved - sweet, juicy, crispy, and garlicy. Then, the two main entrees came with on plates in heaping portions. The Linguine di Mare definitely was the star of the two, bursting with flavor. It wasn't all that spicy at all, rather it had a little cute kick, which my mouth could handle. If you plan on driving here, plan on parking in the garage near by. Instead, save some money and take the train; Back Bay Station on the Orange Line or Arlington on the Green Line is a short walking distance from the restaurant. We ended up tipping our waiter over 20% because we were so impressed with our experience at Maggianos. Without a doubt, I'll be back for more.
(5)
CK K.
My daughter's sweet16 birthday here. Everything went well. Good food, very kind and friendly. Good price as well!
(5)
Colin P.
I was not able to eat here on a Saturday night. Reservations is a must. But on a Monday night, it was easy to get a table. The food was great. I even splurged on dessert--the Tiramisu was delicious. The service was good. I didn't get bread until I was almost done with my entree. The staff was friendly. The atmosphere was nice. I liked the background music.
(5)
Matthew A.
Nice place to go for pre- show drinks. They have Peroni on tap!! Staff friendly, and courteous. Men's room had no paper towels and hand dryer did not work. I alerted the manager who appeared happy that I told him.
(3)
Craig S.
My wife and I went here before last week's Third Day concert at the nearby Colonial. The reservation was ready for us, the service was great, the veal Marsella was very good, and they got us in and out quickly. All in all a very nice experience, we'll go back again.
(4)
Susan T.
We made a reservation here before seeing a show. I had a special night out planned for my little girls for dinner and a show. Our reservation was for 4:45, but we got there at 4:30. The lobby was jam packed with irritated customers. I checked us in and was told we would be seated when a table was available. Fifteen minutes went by and not a single person in the said jam packed lobby had been seated. I went back up to the hostess to see if we had any hope of being seated and she told me that they had no tables available and we would likely have to wait another 20-30 minutes. given we had tickets to a show, we had to cancel our reservation and look elsewhere. Such a disappointment as this was a special night out for my little girls. It seems this restaurant needs to learn how to book reservations between afternoon matinees and evening shows.
(1)
Stefania T.
I have been there 3 times and two of those times were a nightmare. Usually I never have problems at restaurants and can never complain. First bad experience was when they took an hour and a half to bring out my food and when I got it it was cold and them they took it back and it took them another half an hour to warm it. Second bad experience also involved a long wait for my food, but the cherry on top of that night was when the valet lost our car and the valet took over an hour to find it and then expected us to pay. The manager at maggianos was of no help and just said that the valet was an independent company they hired. There service was unacceptable and I go out of my way to discourage anyone from going there.
(1)
kiva p.
I went to this place for a friends birthday party and my body doesn't do the best with cheese, however this lace was a temptation. I ordered the mussels which were fresh and garlicky. I also had some lasagna which was felt like a Homemade dish. The food was heavy, but the leftovers served me well. It's best to go in a large group because the portions are HUGE, which makes good for sharing everything.
(5)
Maggie W.
We made a reservation for a celebratory engagement dinner for 4 and they had lost our reservation. The customer service was not great, they said they would do the best they could do- which was honestly just a shrug of. We just went back to Red Lantern where its always a good time and good customer service
(2)
Dave C.
It was the best night ever, and the best food in the world! I got mussels in white wine sauce and linguine with clams. I also got Nonna's pound cake! I loved it! - M, age 7
(5)
Leela H.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. I figured it was your typical chain restaurant, with the usual spread of bland Italian-American food. I absolutely love Italian food, but it definitely makes a difference when they put some love into it! Amazingly, Maggiano's is absolutely delicious. Every dish is fantastic! Believe me, I'm sampled quite a few pastas here. Raviolis, rigatonis, fettuccinis... Oh my. Drooling already. Great for small parties or large groups! The family style is fun, but I'm greedy so I like my own dish ;) Delicious!
(4)
Jackie L.
Sad face Maggiano's! You are totally overpriced and really nothing special. With the North End nearby and tons of other great restaurants, I don't understand why anyone would come here, except if you have a large party. We had a party of 14. Good luck fitting a party of 14 at a restaurant in the North End. Even with an advance reservation, the best we could do was 5:00 PM on Saturday, but no matter, I have an early bedtime. :) We were celebrating two birthdays, and the birthday girl decided we should not do family style, so we all ordered a la carte. I think this place is better for family style, but then again, that's relative. The wine list has a good selection and most of the glasses are in the neighborhood of $10 for a 6 oz pour. One thing I do like is they do a 6 oz OR a 9 oz pour. 9 oz sounds like a lot, but its actually perfect. I usually like a bit more than one glass of wine, but can't drink a full two glasses, so 9 oz is great. On the reds side of the menu, there was a section for meritage & blends. There were four wines listed under this category but it wasn't clear which were meritage and which were blends. Curious about the meritage I asked our server who quite abruptly said "they're all blends" in a way that kind of made me feel like an idiot. That was the start of our poor service experience. The waitress assigned to our table seemed completely put out by the fact that we were a large group, which I do not have any sympathy for. We racked up a bill of over $700 and the server is guaranteed an 18% gratuity, so you do the math. If it were me I would be in a GREAT mood. (Another weird thing was the fact that food that didn't belong to our table kept showing up throughout the night. Our waitress would hold the food over our heads and call out "CAPRESE SALAD" and seem annoyed when no one responded. Out of 14 people NO ONE ordered caprese salad.) Anywho, we ordered some appetizers, of which I tried the bruschetta and the fried zucchini. The bruschetta was fine although the bread was a bit crisp making it hard to eat. The fried zucchini was entirely too fried with a very thick layer of breadcrumb crust. For dinner I had the chicken parmesan. I almost never get chicken parmesan at an Italian restaurant because its just so typical, but I was preparing myself to be underwhelmed by the food and thought the chicken parm would be a safe bet. It was exactly that - safe - not bad, not excellent. My husband ordered a tilapia topped with lobster meat served with orzo and spinach. His meal was barely edible - the fish was overly fishy and the orzo and spinach was 90% spinach with a few grains of orzo. He ended up eating half of my chicken, which was fine because the portions are enormous. I will say I liked the marinara sauce on my chicken and on the spaghetti, but dinner was disappointing on the whole. I was pretty full, but the birthday crowd insisted on dessert, so my husband and I decided to split the chocolate zuccotti cake. It was ABSURDLY large, as were all the other desserts including the profiteroles (birthday girl said they were profiteroles on steroids), cheesecake, and tiramisu, which my friends ordered. I think the desserts are the same size as if you were ordering family style, designed so that 10 people can try a little of each dessert, but for one (or even two) people it is just ridiculous and no doubt a scheme to upcharge on dessert. Price per person came to an absurd $66 - we did cover the birthday boy and girl, but still. What a complete waste of money. Luckily my companions were great and the night was not a complete bust, but I'll try not to come back here if I can help it. (P.S. I felt I had to share a picture of the dessert if only to show the absurdity of its size.)
(2)
Tony W.
I love this place! Every time I come I leave absolutely stuffed. The service is great and management takes pride in running a good floor. The portions are huge and the food is delicious! They have a respectable win list too.
(5)
Christina M.
Every time I go to Maggiano's I forget it is a chain restaurant because it really just feels like a nice downtown Boston Italian eatery. I've never had a meal I didn't like, the staff is always so attentive and friendly, and the ambiance is always great. If the prices weren't a little on the expensive side, I'd go there a lot more often! Inside, the place is huge, and has a range of romantic booths along the walls and family style tables in the center. I like that all of the tables are covered in real linens and candle light, and can be just as inviting to both big families or couples on a date night. The first time I came here I had the cheese ravioli, and not only was it a generous portion, but the best ravioli I've ever eaten. It came in a delicious cream sauce and was packed with flavor. The second time I came I had the chicken tortelloni which was amazing. I want to go back just to eat it again. Top it off with a fruity sangria and one of their yummy desserts and you'll be rolling out of there feeling quite satisfied!
(4)
Eric E.
Excellent Chicken Parmagiana, Caesar salad and fried calamari as an appetizer. Very large portions, plenty to share without ordering the family pre fix menu. I would definitely come back here.
(5)
Robert H.
Yes, we ate at a chain Italian restaurant while in Boston! Lol! Once we sat down, we looked at each other and said "we probably should have gone to the north end for Italian". But, I digress. The food and service were on point. Maggiano's is a great Italian chain restaurant. I had soup and salad - which were good as usual. My boss had Chicken Marsala which was really good! The food is standard Maggiano's food. It's good Italian food. The service at this location was great. Is a very busy restaurant, and it seems the servers all help each other out to ensure everyone has a eat experience. Would we go back to Maggiano's in Boston? Most definitely.
(4)
Mike W.
Maggianos refused to serve us family style. There were 5 of is out of a party of 15 that wanted family style. They refused. I understand that they don't want the rest of the party taking advantage... But the rest of our group had already ordered. I spoke the to the manager he have us some bogus excuse about "inventory" if the 5 of is were at a separate table it would have been the same thing. So much for a "family style" resturaunt. STAY AWAY false advertisement!!! Menu states 4 or more for family style no fine print or exception to to the rule!
(1)
Mike C.
I was very pleased with my visit to Maggiano's. I sat at the bar since I was by myself. I had the chicken Marsala with angel hair pasta and chopped salad. First time I've tried the chopped salad, really liked it, avocados and blue cheese. When the food came out the pasta was actually hot, that doesn't happen much at restaurants. The chicken was very, very good too. The bartender/server Samantha did a great job taking care of everyone eating at the bar.
(5)
Elise M.
The food was delicious. I got ravioli in pesto alfredo, which was absolutely to die for, and the bread was pretty decent. Our waitress was really slow. It took her ten minutes to remember to fill my water (after I had asked her). She took my food away without asking if I wanted it wrapped up (which I did). The chairs were also pretty uncomfortable. Good food. Slow service. If you're okay with a meal being dragged out over 3 hours in not-the-comfiest seating, then this is the place for you.
(3)
Marissa F.
Food was delicious. Service was too notch. I will be soon. CKs Lobster Carbonara was delicious. A must get. Also the new Chef Mann's Country Style Pasta. Awesome. You must come here. You will leave full and a take home bag. No dessert. Too full... Don't worry I will!! Bottle of wine, water and a family environment. No worries if you bring your kids. Very convenient to the Theatre District. Book your tickets and enjoy a relaxing full meal and a wonderful show.
(5)
Kevin R.
I will start out by saying the food was actually very good. If this review was based solely on the food, it would be 4 stars. I ordered the lasagna for my main course and it is arguably the best lasagna I have ever had. The other main courses ordered at the table were good, but not as good, hence the 4 stars and not 5. Maggiano's gets a -2 stars for the service. Our waiter knocked over a glass of red wine onto one of the people I was at dinner with and he barely even apologized. The waiter also did not replace the glass of wine that he spilled and nothing was taken off the bill. Completely baffled by this experience.
(2)
Georgina C.
While I'm technically a lifestyle blogger, I receive invitations to fashion, beauty and now food/wine oriented events and tastings. Wednesday evening... Maggiano's hosted a group of us to taste their new Chef's Summer Grill Menu. We were greeted warmly by our hosts who gave us a bit of history along with details of how the evening would progress. I loved that they remained pretty hands off and were incredibly accommodating to those with food allergies. Our first course was the Heirloom Tomato & Shrimp Flatbread. The tomatoes were immensely savory and the dish created a nice light starter. Second came...the Grilled Chicken & Sausage Spiedini. The grilled potatoes were so delectably crisp and the peppers, succulent. Grilled Mahi Mahi with Carbonara Orzotto was served next, topped with roasted pepper almond pesto and sugar snap peas. The orzotto was prepared in the most heavenly broth that incited one of those close your eyes and enjoy the flavor moments. The snap peas were also remarkably fresh. Lastly... dessert was produced with rightful flourish. Fresh Strawberry Pie, the strawberries dressed in a balsamic glaze sitting atop fluffy layers of mascarpone. The Cheesecake... I don't love cheesecake, most of the time I don't even like it beyond a few bites. When you visit Maggiano's you must have a slice and make sure your dining partner gets their own. It was that exquisite. Thank you to our hosts for treating us to a lovely evening. Photos are available of the evening at: notesonlifestylebygeorgi…
(4)
Kaitie S.
I don't know if I'm just easy to please. But some reviewers are kind of harsh on this place so I'm assuming their experience must have really sucked . I on the other hand am from New York City where we have all kinds of culinary wonders . I personally found the food to be very satisfying the apple tart and calamari being amazing. We opted for the family style menu and was very pleased when they brought us more servings and were glad to let us fill containers (that they gladly provided) to take leftovers !! Most all you can eat places don't allow that. Just for this I was very happy. The server was very attentive , suggested dishes and wines . And the ambience was very family oriented . Would definitely come again when I'm in boston .
(4)
Ruth M.
The food and service was amazing!! I loved the selection and portion size.
(5)
Xin Z.
This is a classic italian restaurant - the ones you see from the movies or the Saprano LOL. Everything is delicious, and it's definitely one of the best places for a group gathering!
(4)
G S.
Ok, I try to keep an open mind with chain restaurants. This was our second time here (last time 4 years ago) and the experience was exactly the same as the first. Mediocure food, bad service. WIthout going on and on the prices were fine, no complaints there. The service was not very good. 3 of the 4 dinners came out cold and the server was basically clueless. Son had veal parm (typical 19 year old dish) and it was very thick and tough..I had the chicken with sage (very good once re-heated) Another person had the gnocchi (very good) My wife's dinner came with a cold side of tasteless angel hair with garlic and oil. By the time it arrived to the table it was a glop of startch without any sauce so she asked the server to bring her some hot oil and garlic sauce to add to it. When it was delivered the manager said "oh the spoon fell into the dish" and handed me a small bowl of great smelling garlic & hot oil with a spoon in it?? I looked at her puzzlingly and took it from her and didn't say a thing. It wouldnt have mattered....The spoon literally was covered by the hot sauce....COME ON MAGGIANO'S!!
(2)
Kimberly P.
My boyfriend and I literally almost rolled over and fell asleep on the table after this meal. I mean, I even had to unbutton my pants because I couldn't breathe. We came here for our anniversary because we don't usually eat Italian food and it blew us away. We ordered the calamari as an app, had lasagna, and the chicken parm. My mouth is literally watering as I am writing this review because it was soooo delicious. The portions are huge, so if your eyes are hungry, just think twice. Anyway, we both had enough leftovers for the next days lunch so ahhhhhhmazing, twice :) Highly recommend this place for date night. Ladies, wear something comfortable.
(5)
Tom S.
Who knew pasta and meatballs could be so good. Maggianos is a great restaurant for large groups. The family style is fantastic. Great selection of wines. For a downtown location, parking is easy.
(4)
Jackie C.
I have always been a Maggiano's fan! This is the one I have found in Boston and it is so nice! It has a great Italian feel and is very cozy.
(4)
Amanda G.
The two stars is generous because the only good thing about our night was our really awesome waiter. We went in Saturday night at 7:15 with a reservation , to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Upon arrival exactly on time, the rude unsmiling hostesses snap at my that my table isn't ready yet. When I ask how long it will be (wondering to get a drink or not) I get " how should we know? A couple minutes" Rude. Oh, and when we walked up to the hostess booth we were not greeted at all. I had to say "Hi I have a reservation". Then we have to go squash against the wall near the table where the menus and mints are ( since bar and waiting area are packed) and the table was filthy- covered in drink stirrers (used) fruit from drinks, empty glasses, crumbs, etc. It was disgusting. After the wait we are finally seated in a "nice booth" which is literally on top of a wait station so we got to watch and listen to a bus boy fold napkins and clink glasses two feet behind my husband's head throughout our dinner. When we finally got our food it wasn't even hot and we waited a really long time for a cocktail. I was so disappointed. We had out first date here, so it was a special place for us. Now I will never go back. 85$ later all I am is angry and disappointed. Never going back.
(score 1-100) - 77. HUGE PORTIONS!... GREAT VALUE!... where do you ever hear that in the city? Think Vinny Testas meets Olive Garden, just slightly better in food quality...oh and by the way it is a chain. Homemade meatballs, sauce is decent quality and the bread is fresh (not the lunch rolls you get in similar venues). I had the Meatballs and sauce for 12 dollars and for an extra 5 bucks you can get a DOUBLE serving. Which means I'll be having leftovers for the next two days... phew! Look it is not as good as the top end North End restaurants but IT IS as good as almost anything in the Back Bay or South End as far as italian food. Tip: Join their email club and get 10 bucks back!
(4)
Dan L.
Wonderful food, great service, and great atmosphere.
(4)
Alexandra M.
Got the Margherita Flatbread, Spinach Salad, Chopped Salad, and Bowtie Aglio. All was amazing! Could not eat all of it because the portions are so massive, so keep that in mind. The flatbread is a great starter to share, its like a small pizza. My only issue with the food overall was the soupy-ness of the aglio--but I guess its just because I didn't expect that. Service was funny and great--really on top of everything. The large portions don't stop with the entrees--I saw the desert and they are the size of a whole cake! Didn't get any though, which I kind of regret now but would have felt awkward walking out with soo many boxes.
(4)
Patrick P.
The service here is wonderful! It may not seem as important as the taste of the food, but they definitely make it a nice dinning experience. I are with a large work group and had steak with an assortment of side dishes. My steak was perfectly cooked, the veggies were fantastic, and the mashed potatoes melt in your mouth. This isn't a quick in and out meal, expect to sit and enjoy your meal. Also you'll be too stuffed to go out for drinks after, so plan for a nap because you'll need it.
(4)
Claire B.
Had a large party/private meal here for a group of 14. Price could not be beat for family style apps, entrees, and two choices of dessert. Service could have been a bit quicker on refilling drinks, but, we were very pleased overall!
(4)
Lisa K.
this place has gone DOWNHILL.. thankfully their food is still OK, but their service is horrible. When I walked in the male (about 40's) greeter/host didn't even look up at me..i stood there for about 2-3 min while he conversed with a coworker (still hadn't looked up at me) and then i finally said i'm here with so and so party.. STILL hasn't looked up at this point.. and he was like ohhh. they're somewhere on this floor.. go find them... RUDE... i overlooked that because I was already late dinner.. our server was super nice. (older man with scottish accent). the night would have been grand and the rude host forgotten if the bus-boy/server did not spill a full glass of water on my iphone.. NOT apologize, tell me it was time for an upgrade to the 5, and then further get too close for comfort and try to flirt with me. BACK UP. so sad. this place used to be a cute italian spot, but now it's a spot for rude ass hosts and grimey bus boys who ruin your electronics, and then insult u for not having the most recent iphone.. seriously?
(2)
Tara S.
Great Italian food at a wonderful price! The four cheese ravioli was amazing. The dish is served with both pesto and tomato sauce. I have never had both in one plate but my oh my was it delicious. The booths are spacious and luxurious. This place is both upscale and casual?!?! I highly recommend a dinner here followed by dessert at finale (across the street) to top it all off!
(4)
Nancy M.
We had a party of 12 and everyone loved their meals. The service, however, wasn't so great. When I made the reservation I asked if we could get separate checks and was told its not a problem. When I arrived I asked the hostess the same thing and was told that she would inform the waiter. She didn't. When I told him, before we ordered, he was obviously annoyed. He was also annoyed when we didn't want to order family-style meals. My group makes frequent trips into Boston but we will not be returning to this place.
(4)
Alexander C.
I went here around 7 pm on a weekday and it wasn't too busy, but the service was just a tad bit slow considering the amount of people that were eating there (not too crowded). Apart from that small gripe, I'm a big fan of this place. Our table had a very friendly waiter and luckily we had a decent amount of people, so we ordered family style. For those of you that don't know, family style at Maggiano's entails ordering several plates of food (including apps, main course, and dessert) and then once you finish the plate, you can continue getting the same dish for no extra charge until you tell them to stop. Because of this, the food is not high high quality, but it was still really good. Our waiter was pretty funny and kept telling us to eat more and more, and by the end of the night we finished and he still brought out more plates of food and told us that we could take it home as take out. While the pricing was a little high ~$40 per person, including tip, it was clearly worth the money considering I ate for days after on the take out alone. For reference, we brought home about 2 shopping bags worth of take out.
(4)
Marceline V.
Went to Maggiano's for a dinner with a party of 11 and had an awesome time. Even with a large party our server, John, was prompt, polite and attentive. We ordered off of the Family Menu and the endless trays of food were delicious and so worth the money. I don't eat meat, but of the things that we ordered I enjoyed the fried calamari (tastey), eggplant parm (oh so delicious), and the Salmon with lemon and herb (fresh and light). The desserts were also great! There were no complaints from us, will be visiting again!
(4)
Daphnee D.
Ehh, I give Maggiano's a B-. Not too shabby. Parking-street if you're lucky or garage...what else. Pretty big and spacious restaurant. I was there on a Thursday night, no reservations, and was seated promptly. I had the rigatoni D, it was satisfactory. The pasta is not made in-house, and it was slightly undercooked. Seeing how this place goes by little Italy -_- I was a little disappointed. The bread was not warm, who wants to eat hard as rocks bread. Cold hard as rock bread? No one. The bathrooms are really far, so pee beforehand. The waiters and waitresses did a stand up job, no complaints. Overall inexpensive, good eats, casual attire. Papa razzi on Newbury st. Is still my fav Italian spot. You're welcome.
(3)
Adam E.
For a work luncheon, Maggiano's is a good bet. My team of 20-ish went here for a "winter holiday" thing, and we got a spacious, private room to dine and make awkward conversation in. There were probably 3 other larger rooms full of work lunch groups. The food was good enough. I mean, it's a chain, so you have to lower the bar a little and expect that the fat content of the food is double what you imagine it might be. Once you've got that settled, you can relax and enjoy some pretty delicious food. The food comes out on big platters, so you can take as much as you want and try a little of everything. I think the desserts were the best part, so I'll start there. We got cheesecake and an apple crumble type thing. They were both amazing. Everyone at my table was "so full" but managed to fit in dessert once they tried a bite. And there may have been a tussle over who got to take the leftovers. That's another great thing about Maggiano's, they bring out containers for you to put leftovers in without prompting. Combine that with the fact that they bring out another dish if you've eaten all that was on the 1st serving platter, and you can easily see that this is a great bargain. Even at $30/pp for lunch. Anyway, we had a lot left on our table, so we all took some home for dinner and our wives. The entrees and apps were solid, but kind of unremarkable. The chicken parm didn't have enough sauce with it and was served alone, without pasta. I don't understand that. It was good, but would've benefitted from both pasta and more sauce. But, we had a pesto ravioli dish that filled our pasta cravings and was rich and enjoyable. The calamari was battered just enough to be crispy but not bready, and I really liked that appetizer the best. The spinach artichoke dip was not too shabby either. Lastly, we had a good number of vegetarians in our group, and Maggiano's provided delicious options for them (and everyone else), without batting an eye. It stinks to be stuck with boring salad and plain pasta when everyone else is enjoying rich and creative dishes. There was an excellent veggie option for both the app and entree course. And thankfully for the dessert course as well.
(3)
Bella B.
Food wise, it's perfect if you know what you're getting and know what to expect - the sauces are laden with butter and sugar, if you feel like a nice homemade tasting red sauce you don't go here, obviously, you go to the North End. BUT it's a great place for a gathering with the family-style serving; they do coupons and discounts (check retailmenot.com !); the cocktails are good; it's not too loud and the ambiance is good. And the service is always great! Each of the last 2 times we went we had Kelly as a waitress, and she was EXCELLENT - made the meal such a nice experience that I wanted to come on here and write a review!
(4)
Nguyet N.
Service is always great but food is ok. Clam and linguini is bland and chick parm was not a hit for me. Fried calimari was too salty for me. I been here a few times and probably won't be back for a while.
(2)
Jenn G.
I love Maggianos! I have gone to the one in Philadelphia several times, but I went to the Boston location for the first time since moving here. It was great! The location is convenient, close to the Arlington T stop and close to the theaters, Common and Public Gardens. The food is also really delicious. For a chain restaurant, there is still some authenticity to the food and the environment. My group did family style and I must say that my favorites were the fried mozzarella, gnocci (no sausage) and the cheesecake. The cheese in the fried mozzarella was incredibly fresh and delicious, the gnocci was clearly handmade and fresh, and the cheesecake was fluffy and creamy. Mmm!! Also, the drinks are not outrageously priced. I started with a prosecco but switched to the frozen peach bellini, which was pretty delicious and large! I think it was about $8, but it was worth it for the taste/size.
This is a great choice for large parties and groups and the best deal is to go with the Family Style Menu. The platters are huge and will have enough for leftovers that will last you a couple of days! Our party of 6 were seated right away and we had a jovial waiter with a couple of bussers who took care of our needs. He explained the menu and of course won us over. Top choices from the Family menu are the fried calamari, baked ziti and the linguine di mari. So good! I was happy with the food and they have a nice large wine menu. This a great go-to for large gatherings.
(4)
Jay B.
The food is generally good here and this is a good place for families to visit but the valets steal money from your car. Do not trust them.
(2)
M F C.
I mostly get take out from here. Always been very happy. Their house salad is the best salad around, hand down. The pasta's are always great, and the portions are huge. If you like italian food, you won't be disappointed. I'm a repeat customer for life. Probably had their food 20+ times with no slowdown in sight. I'm only subtracting 1 star because they got rid of garlic bread. I get it, they give you free regular bread, but not being able to order garlic bread just seems strange. I want to dip that sucker in my sauce! A++
(4)
Bob W.
Granted a chain but across the nation they never fail to deliver great value and product. The lasagna is a standard to judge by as is their heavy red sauce. One of my "go to" places when failures not an option.
(5)
Mahina K.
This is for thanksgiving at Maggianos. I can't say anything about a normal night. But it was phenomenal on thanksgiving. It was about $40 a head. But you got two sides, two salads, two pasta dishes, and two thanksgiving dishes, and two desserts. If your table happened to finish the large amounts of food they gave you, they would bring you more. No charge. We got the maggianos salad which is delicious. I would eat that again in a second. Along with the chopped salad (same as maggianos just with avocado). The ham and sweet potatoes, turkey and stuffing, mushroom ravioli, baked ziti, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, apple crostata and vanilla profiteroles. They also started us out with bruschetta, bread and olive oil, and fried beef ravioli. It was kind of all the bang for your buck and skipping the hassle of having everyone over and cooking and cleaning. My favorite app was the beef ravioli. The vanilla profiteroles are like vanilla ice cream cream puffs. Delicious. Our waitress was sweet. She put up with my dad's joking, so that's always good. It seemed to be a fairly busy night so they did their best to keep up. We did serve ourselves water and they did apologize for that. Points off because I wanted to try the chocolate cake but they ran out... Ditto for the creamed spinach (and deciding that we obviously wanted creamed corn instead of any other side). And the turkey was a little bland and the gravy was too salty (they evened out if you got a perfectly portioned piece).
(4)
Michael L.
My GF and went here once after hearing its good. I got the Salmon Oscar ($25) and it was, by far, the best meal I have ever had!!! I often think about it and we talk about that experience as one of the best dining experiences. We had a bottle of red wine and ate wonderful meals. Even better, as we were walking out the waitress gave us a take out box with homemade lemon cookies- free, for no reason. She said she loves them and wanted us to try them. It's on the expensive side, so we now plan ahead the semi-annual reason to splurge. It's worth every cent though!
(5)
Laura B.
This was just run-of-the-mill, large portion italian food. I don't opt for italian restaurants often because most don't compare to authentic home cooking, but my husband and I brought his brother and wife here because it was close to a show we were seeing afterward. My food was satisfying but I wouldn't call it high quality. I had a scallop pasta dish, and at least the scallops were cooked well and the pasta was al dente. Apple crostata for dessert was very good. Overall, food was OK but I wouldn't choose to go here again.
(3)
Anna V.
My boyfriend and I had our first visit here on NYE, and I don't regret booking a table here at all. I've noticed quite a few reviewers here have mentioned poor service - this was not my case NYE. Our waiter Chris was really friendly and we had our drinks ordered and served within the first 10 mins of being seated. For an appetizer we choose the calamari -perfect start. Then for dinner I had the Linguine Di Mare, and my boyfriend had the stuffed bolognese(sp?). I LOVED my dish and all the wonders of the sea in my big huge bowl that I couldn't even finish. My boyfriend very much enjoyed his meal, he just wished he should of asked for more cheese in the shells. Regardless, we were both very happy with the food. Our food was served within 20-25 mins, which is impressive for a packed house on NYE. I'm a Chianti lover, and before I went ahead and bought a glass Chris was nice enough to let me sample two types of what he recommended. I have never actually had that offer before in a restaurant, so that was wonderful! I feel bad for not remembering the brand of beer my boyfriend had, but apparently it is made local and only sold in Boston restaurants - this was also a recommendation by Chris. My boyfriend loved it so much he had three glasses, and it was a nice step away from his usual Sam Adams choice. all in all, I LOVED this place and I will no doubt be back.
(4)
cassandra L.
This is a long overdue review from february. Maggiano was one of my fav restaurant. So why 3 stars? I was there in feb to celebrate mine my gf's birthday! I put it down on my reservation on open table that we are here to celebrate 2 birthdays. No birthday wishes, no candles. Not that we need the attention. When we see one of the table got their candles, my gf told our server it's our b'day too. He just ignore it. Perhaps he didn't hear it? We don't want to make any frills on our birthdays. We still hv a good time although service is very very slow today. We were there from 210pm till almost 430pm!!! Half the time is spend waiting for our food. We were determined not to let this spoil our birthday. So we don't complain. We were also asked to be moved to another table as there is a larger party coming soon and they need the space? So... the 3 stars are really for the food only..
(3)
John B.
We have eaten here many times, and been very happy with the food, staff,and atmosphere!
(5)
Diana C.
we ordered 3 desserts: creme brulee, chocolate zucotto cake and the tiramusu. they were all delicious!!!! maggiano's dishes are family oriented and so are their dessert sizes, they were more than enough for 3 people. definitely recommend it here for dessert.
(4)
Jim T.
If you have a large group you can't beat the value of a family style meal here. Drinks are also cheap with bottles if wine ranging $50-$100. Service was excellent and the good tasty. Try the chicken spinach manicotti and the tiramisu!
(4)
Dave H.
Went to Maggiano's with 5 of us before heading over to see Blue Man Group. Had a 6pm reservation before the 8pm show and this was the *right* amount of time (the restaurant correctly advised us of this). We chose to do the family style dining and did the "light" version which was WAY more food than we could eat (we took some home with us ;). Had we chosen the normal/classic amount we probably would have needed another hour to finish it all. ;) The food itself was really fantastic. We wound up picking a few different dishes than we normally would because of a family friend who was with us that didn't like some of our standby choices. The Chicken Tortellini (or, more accurately, tortelloni) was truly fantastic. I'm not usually a fan of pasta and cream sauce, but this changed my opinion. Highly recommended, didn't feel like a chain restaurant at all. Reminded me a lot of the family atmosphere of Carmine's in NYC.
(4)
Kayla C.
Everything was on point. Made a great first impression of my now boyfriend. We went there for our first date. The staff was amazing. The food was great. Beautiful atmosphere. Great drinks from the bar. Valet was quick when picking up the car. Overall 5 stars is a must
(5)
Jen L.
I typically don't love chains but this was an easy choice for us - we had lots of people and needed a rez. The joints in the Italian section - while more authentic and most likely better - don't take last-minute reservations. Plus, Maggiano's was close to our hotel and centrally located for everyone else in our party. Upon arriving, I checked in on FourSquare and noted that there was a special - it stated: "Order 1 of our 9 Classic Pastas to enjoy one in the restaurant and take another home free." When I brought this to the attention of our server Michael, he refused to honor it and said that this was an expired special. I asked to speak to a manager. The manager never came over and Michael actually sent over a different server to wait on us. How embarassing. So there you go.
(2)
AJ M.
It may be a franchise but this is my go-to Italian restaurant in Boston, and it is consistently delicious and worth the trip and price (I'm on a college budget) every time! It may not be as crazy authentic as the North End, but I can honestly say I've never had a bad dish at Maggiano's, literally everything on the menu is delicious. The portions are huge and their Family-Style meals make for the best group dinners I've ever had. I've seen a lot of complaints that they lose reservations or their hosts aren't on top of things, but if you make a reservations, get there right on time, and make sure to stand close to the podium, you really should never have a problem. Sometimes I think people just don't realize that this staff deals with a lot of huge parties and you need to make their job a little easier. The waiters and waitresses are always extremely nice and attentive, and very flexible. Boston does not usually accept a lot of the national Maggiano's promotions, but if I bring them up to the server I am always given whatever offer I am asking about, no questions asked. My favorite deal is ordering a classic pasta and getting another one free to take home, it's perfect. Best meal options: Baked Ziti, Chicken Parm, and the Spaghetti and Meatball are my favorites, oh and the Salmon is perfection. My biggest tip: GET THE POUNDCAKE. Best dessert on the menu, and it is unlike any other dessert you will try, I go just for that sometimes. This is the one of the best places to get a filling, great dinner in Boston, and I don't think I'll ever stop coming to it. If you are looking for a great meal, lively atmosphere, or a place to go with friends, this is the place to be.
(5)
Paul S.
Thanks to my lovely wife who made it all happen, we celebrated my 40th here lastnight with most of my family. From the classy Christmas decor to the wonderful Rat-Pack Crooner Christmas tunes playing all throughout the night and the attentive service, it was another Home Run at Maggiano's! A very nice fella named Fabrizio gave us one on the house when he found out the occasion, so a shout out to him for his kindess there. First course - Spinach and Artichoke dip with bread, Bruschetta and Stuffed Mushrooms -all with great flavor, all excellent as usual. Second course - Chicken Saltimbocca, Rigatoni "D" , Eggplan Parm and Chicken Parm. Again, all top-notch and flavorful. The favorite was the Rigatoni "D" - Rigatoni smothered in a delicious cheesy sauce with button mushrooms, garlic and evoo. Desert - Creme brulee, Chocolate zucutto cake with hints of sambuca, and apple crostada - All rich and decedant and everyone enjoyed! The servers were attentive throughout the night and paid good attention to our table. A shout out to Johnny K the Maitre D who always works efficiently to see things get set up smoothly. For Italian Dining, this place is it for me - Its Maggiano's for Boston, and Luciano's if we stay close to home!!
(5)
susie l.
Food was great, service was great, the reason for the three stars is because it took so long to serve our food. Must of waited close to twenty minutes, way too long. Thinking that the cook is slow one night, we went back the following night. Same thing, great food, long wait. Decided not to go back because of the wait.
(3)
Meredith M.
This place is awesome. I ordered the Chicken and Truffle Tortellini and it was absolutely amazing. They have gluten free options which someone in our party needed and our service was impeccable. Everything was the right price, right atmosphere and it was one of my first nights dining out as a Boston resident. Definitely will be back! A+++
(5)
Nicolas M.
Wow..thought I had written a review of this eatery quite some time ago! Anyways, it will do me some good since my previous two reviews on here haven't exactly been so great. I have been to this place three times during my time in Boston for college. The first time was with a student group at my school, the second with my viola teacher and our studio, and the third time with family after my graduation in May 2011. All three times I have eaten great food and had a wonderful fun time with people. Maggiano's claims to be a family-style restaurant and they're very right. It is quite beneficial to order the family-style dinner option on the menu in which you can pick from a few dishes from appetizers, entrees, etc that are for the table and everyone can help themselves to. I've done that each time I have come and though when I eat out, I usually just order my own dish, this proved to be a better choice, at least here! When my family and I came here after my graduation, we had so much food we didn't know what to do. It was more food than when I came with my studio and people from school! We all had a jolly-fantastic time but ate so much that we felt coma-like for hours afterwards..even into the next day! My mom and aunt are on Weight Watchers...screw that! No point-counting here! Besides, it is much much better at all times to enjoy a large family meal like this that make life truly great than to sit there cold and hungry obsessing over what goes into your body. I have always liked the ambiance in here. Even though it can get loud, the main dining room is plenty big and allows for families with still enough space to move around. They play jazzy music and the interior design is classy and homey. Hell, even the little take-out bags which you carry your leftovers in when you leave are nice.
(4)
Kenny L.
I would say Maggiano is one of my favorite Italians place to eat in Back Bay. Be careful of how much food you are ordering because their portions are huge. They do not hold back. (Which is awesome) I have had almost everything in this restaurant before. I really enjoy the chicken parm, and their mozzarella marinara. They also have nice specials from time to time. (try the lobster carbonara!) For dessert you try their chocolate cake ( i usually don't like chocolate cake, but it so good here) My favorite dessert by far is their tiramisu. For date wise, i would say the atmosphere is pretty nice. It feels a little classy because of the dim light and decor, so it might feel as if it a little to romantic, but the prices here are very decent. I would say this is not a place to go on a first date, but would make a great place if you are progressing on the dates(meaning 3 or 4th date) But the atmosphere is very relaxing and soothing, it feels very family and inviting all at the same time very respectful to your privacy.
(4)
Andrew M.
Here's what we got, ordering family-style: Garlic bread: a little light on garlic Bruschetta: pretty darn good, but very sweet - practically dessert Caesar salad: too much dressing for my taste Gnocchi: good, maybe a little plain Chicken piccata: fine Eggplant parmesan: very good Chocolate cake: good, frosting-to-cake ratio a little high Also a couple other dishes that I didn't try. A pretty good dining experience on the whole.
(3)
Brandon N.
This is clearly my favorite place to eat HANDS DOWN! Fried Moz app is easily the best I have ever had. The chicken parm is breaded perfectly. The deserts are TOP TIER. Pricey, definitely, but if you are looking to treat yourself to the best Italian food in Boston, why not? Also, amazing staff here and if you have more than four people you MUST do family style. Non stop food coming until you literally have to tell them to stop. You will hardly be able to drive home, in a good way!!!
(4)
Kristen K.
After deciding on a very small/intimate wedding (50 people), my fiancee and I decided to choose Maggiano's banquet hall (located downstairs) to host our dinner. We were originally given the Florentine room for 6pm but when I reviewed the final contract just days before the wedding to sign it said 6:30pm start time and I had already sent out the invites with a 6pm start. I immediately called the banquet manager Kelly who admitted her mistake and provided us with the Capri/Medici room for no extra cost (there are sales minumums depending on room size). I was pleased with that. The food was tasty. It was served family style so multiple plates were presented at each table. It was more than a sufficient amount of food. The food wasn't hot at all. It was barely warm which was disappointing. The banquet staff was really helpful and accomodating and continued to bring each course out as I had expected. The chicken parm, ravioli's and roasted potatoes were great! We also ordered lasagna, eggplant parm and mixed vegetables but I was too full to sample them. Overall the night went well thankfully but I wouldn't have another function there. Just a final note, the banquet manager who had my food order, guest count, table arrangements and time to start dinner left the office on Thursday and would not return until the following Tuesday due to "unforseen circumstances" which I only discovered after I emailed her the day before the wedding giving the final guest count, which she asked for. I was not told she as well as her assistant (who had all my event info) would just be absent for days and the manager on duty on Friday had no idea about my event the next evening. Thankfully my fiancee went there 2 hours ahead of time because the room wasn't how we asked for it to be. He had to set up our centerpieces, placecards, and rush to find tables as the DJ had no table as requested and our sweetheart table was a tiny high top 2 seater. The tables were in the wrong places and misnumbered. Needless to say the banquet staff is disorganized.
(3)
Marc V.
Great spot for a drink with Dan running the bar, or I have brought my family in for a large party dinner. Reasonably priced, great location and the decor is truly unique and tasteful. I consider this a great hidden gem of bars and restaurants!
(5)
Kevin F.
I have been a yelper for 4 years, this is my first review. I have been to Maggiano's many times. The food has been consistent and well prepared. Any disappoints have been minor in the past. Tonight was different. We arrived early for our reservation, by 45 minutes. We were seated five minutes after our reservation time. Walk-ins were seated ahead of us. Food service was slow, but it was a busy Christmas eve. The food order was served incorrectly. An entree was not served, and something unordered was delivered in its place. 4 different waitstaff walked by me as I tried to get their attention. A hostess saw me trying to get her attention, spoke to a food runner, but neither responded. Finally i did get the attention of a server. Our own server came and asked what was wrong, I explained that the fish dinner ordered for one our party who could not eat meat was not served and a different item was brought in error. It was a half an hour not coming after the other entrees were served. We told the server to skip the entree we would order dessert instead. When dessert came i asked for the check. The check contained the charge for the entree not served and the incorrect entree as well. I spoke to the manager and received a check removing the item not served and the item not wanted. There was an apology for error. I am a restaurant owner, I know mistakes happen. That is why I have not written a review for four years. I would not let a customer pay for my error or that of my staff. If you ruin a family event, you have to compensate the customer if you want them back. I paid full price for what was served. I am glad that Maggiano's is so successful that they do not care if I come back, because I will not return. There are better italian restaurants in Boston, and that is where i will go.
(2)
Krys A.
My stomach is not big enough to handle all of the food we were served at Maggiano's. Family style is the best choice when dining here. No-one should or will leave hungry with that option. 3 types of family style options to choose from and they very in app, entree and dessert selections. We choose the "Classic" middle option which was $30pp. With 4 of us we mixed up our options and choose the tiramisu for dessert. With this being a classic Italian restaurant you cant go wrong with any choice on the menu. We got the chicken parm and cheese ravioli and much much more! Service was great, very polite. Though the waiters do tell you if you finish the plate they will automatically bring you a new plate of the dish, but that did not happen with us - which was okay because we were full anyways. Great place to dine without breaking the bank!
(5)
Ryan C.
I had no idea this was a chain until I went to write this review. Great Gnocchi! They even gave us a free app because it was our first time there. Service was spot on, I'll be back.
(5)
Linda B.
My company had its post-season holiday party here Thursday night and I was SO pleased with very dish we had. Incredible crab cakes for an appetizer, a seafood manicotti-type dish that was clearly made with fresh lobster and shrimp, lovely broccolini and spinach, simply prepared and a great counterpoint to the main courses. And though I am not normally a dessert fan, the profiteroles were completely out of this world -- that fudge sauce!! As a former restaurant worker in Boston, I am rarely impressed with the quality of Boston restaurants, but Maggiano's never disappoints, either in terms of food or customer service. Kudos to a great Boston institution!
(5)
Scott B.
I'm not sure I would classify this as "family dining," but it was still an awesome experience. To me "family dining" is something a little more affordable and a little less "classy." BUT... this was an awesome place to go for a business dinner of 15 people. The family dining package is $25ish per person, and the food never stops... 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 4 main dishes, and 2 deserts keep coming until you're basically comatose. My professional and awesome recommendations: Appetizers: DEFINITELY get the zucchini fritte. It's soooo amazing... zucchini cut longways and fried to a crispy perfection served with ranch dipping sauce. Perfectly executed. Don't bother with the brushetta... it's soggy and overly saturated with vinegar. Salads: Both the house salad and the ceasar are awesome. Main Dishes: The chicken parmesan is out of control good! Also the lasagna and three cheese ravioli are splendid! Deserts: The terimssu (sp?) sucks... but I'm not a big fan of that dish... The cheesecake is UNBELIEVABLE! SOOOOOO good.... you MUST get this! The service was great, and the environment was perfect. SIDE NOTE: They are very good with special accommodations. We had both vegans and nut allergies in our party, and they catered to them personally and sensitively. For big parties, this is the place to go.
(4)
Bonnie S.
Came in after a 5 hour flight. Thankfully our party of 4 was able to walk in and get seated. Took a booth off to the side and ordered some wine. Waitress was most helpful and got our drinks and food, knowing we were all hungry. Yes this place is apart of a franchise, but overall I would recommend. Servive is good and the food is tastey. Manga!
(4)
Larissa A.
There are a million places like Maggiano's, family style Italian food. Lots and lots of food. The food is decent. The sausage and pepper appetizer and the Maggiano Salad were excellent. I would go back just for these 2 things. The entrees were not as good. The vodka sauce was a little bland. Our server was very eager, at times a little too eager. To the point where I am not sure he heard what we said to him. For instance, drinks were missed and a second round of dessert was brought even though we said no when asked. Maggiano's would not be my first choice for Italian in Boston, but for a large group is an excellent choice.
(3)
Mac W.
Shame on me. I came to a chain. A NY-foodie in a chain restaurant is not a good idea. Oh what the hell, let's try the lasagna. I order. 45 minutes later the waitress comes to the table and tells me they are out of lasagna. I look for Ashton Kutcher to pop out or candid camera. Sigh. Just bring me the overinflated check. I'm done.
(2)
Kelly A.
I am normally not into the whole chain restaurant thing, but there's something about Maggiano's... Could it be the wonderful and delicious freshly brewed unsweetened black currant iced tea? The (vegetarian when served sans broth!) stuffed mushroom caps? The great gnocchi? The fact that there will inevitably be leftovers which will make for a great next-day lunch? I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I've never had a Maggiano's meal that I didn't like.
(4)
Beth P.
This place is an awesome Italian family place! I've been here twice, once on a date and once with my family and it was a good atmosphere for both. I have tried the fried mozzarella which was very tasty, and spinach and mushroom lasagna which was a special. It was honestly one of my favorite Italian dishes I've ever had! And I've been to Italy twice! The lasagna was so good and rich that I actually needed to take breaks while eating it. My boyfriend got the fetticcini alfredo which was pretty basic. The second time I went with my family, everyone could not believe how much food there was. We got fried zuccini which was AMAZING and I normally hate zuccini, and also a margherita flat bread which was just okay. We all got side salads (mine was spinach and was alright). For a main dish I got a penne dish that I cannot remember the name of, but it had red sauce and sausage in it with 4 cheeses. I was not as impressed as I was with my lasagna from my first visit, but it was still good, and everyone else was satisfied. Besides the food being a huge portion size (a good thing) and the food being good, the one bad thing is the service. I understand that this is a very busy place! But maybe they need a few more servers. Both times I went, we were forgot about several times (our appetizer never came, we asked for butter than never came with our bread and the butter never was delivered, I didn't have silverware until my meal arrived!). Above all, this is a good place to go. Not too expensive, good helping of good food, and a really fun enviornment. (make sure you get the after dinner mints!!)
(4)
Lorraine S.
Maggianos has been my fav place for the past few years, great food, top notch service, when ever im around i try to stop by, simply amazing
(5)
Shakti S.
SO i got a gift card for this place and went in for dinner yesterday 07/03/2013. The place was busy enough but not packed,we didn't even need to wait to be seated. The waiter came over with the menus etc........................it took him over half an hour to actually come over to take our orders,even our drink order!!! The bread was brought out soon after he took the order and goodness gracious me,it was AWFUL bread!!! That should have been a sign to just leave when the bread is bad. I should have brought my own from the local supermarket!!! There was a tabe of 8 next to us for someone's bachelorette which means that their bill would've been alot more hence a helluva lot more tip than we or another couple nearby would've been giving. We also noticed that they were being neglected in favor of this group of women. The starters were ok and the main course weren't any better, It would seem that 'brown sauce' is what they put over EVERYTHING to make it taste good = sweet here in America! Not good enough!!!! Decor was also cheap,shabby and dirty if i may say so! Will NEVER be returning to this place! By the way we refused to tip the waiter because he was taking the piss really and truly by the length of time he took to come to our table for anything. A two course mean took just over 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!! PATHETIC! We did also write on the receipt why he wasn't tipped
(1)
Melissa T.
This restaurant is always great! The food is delicious with very generous portions. They accommodate all parties from a small family dinner, to tables for 10+, to function rooms. I've used them for family dinners and for my wedding rehearsal dinner. I've never left dissatisfied. Highly recommend the zucchini frite, rigatoni d, and Nona's toasted pound cake.
(5)
Katie D.
While I am half-Italian, I'm not really an Italian food snob. But oh, do I love to eat. So, I love Maggianos. Why? Because I love disgustingly huge portions of food for reasonable prices. I also love that you can get two meals for $13.50--one for today, one for tomorrow. The pasta is solid--I generally go for the gnocci or baked ziti (or both, note the aforementioned deal), and both are big, filling, and tasty. It's certainly much more satisfying than a place like Vinny T's, whose food is far too seasoned for my liking. I've also been here for a company party, and all I can say is the only thing better than huge portions is all-you-can-eat huge portions. Love. But really, you can't beat $13.50 for two meals. Two good meals, too. Oh, and their chocolate cake has so much ganache frosting, I thought I was going to die a happy, chocolate-covered death. Awesome.
(4)
Soul B.
I love the food here! Every time I eat here I try something new and love it. The portions are humongous and you will always have left overs to take home. The best bet is to order a 1 dish for two people so you can finish the meal without taking leftovers. Makes the meal more inexpensive too. I'm a big fan of family style Italian places for get togethers . Usually the quality of the food at these family style places is bland because they are making so much food but that is not the case at Maggiano's. My favorites include Fettuccine Alfredo, Broccoli, Chicken Pesto Linguin, Gnocchi, Tomato Vodka Sauce & Garlic Shrimp Linguine. menu: maggianos.com/foodbevera…
(4)
Erika K.
So i have been here twice and was very happy both times. The gorgonzola and pear bruschetta is fantastic. It should be a full time item on the menu everyone at the table was fighting over it. The stuffed mushrooms are a great vegetarian option and a very good appetizer for the price. The italian salad is ok. Its a salad not much to write home about. Olive garden has a better salad. Main options. The gnocchi is oh so good. It is a huge serving and keeps you so satisfied you won't want to eat for hours. I ordered a side of green beans and added it to mine and I was in heaven. The only complaint I have is about how long it takes to eat here The first time it took two people an hour and a half to eat lunch the second time it took an hour. over all a great place for lunch but can get pricey.
(4)
Lea L.
My boyfriend and I just went this past weekend for the first time (so this review is just based on one experience) and it was excellent. It is definitely a family style, large restaurant. So not ideal for a romantic night out, but great for me and my boyfriend who prefer the open, friendly ambiance. Everything we ordered was fantastic and we would highly recommend: - stuffed mushrooms - chicken and truffle tortellacci - linguini di mare - ny cheesecake Our service was great and we were seated exactly at our reservation time.
(5)
Happy H.
I will always love it here. At this point in time the service always has been good. The food always delicious. The Italian-Boston atmosphere always put me in a good mood. Tonight we got the creamy chicken and potato soup and the sausage soup. Both flavorful; both eaten quickly. The mussels app was bathed in this nice tomato broth. IT was nice to dip bread in to it. For entree we got the Classic Rigatoni D and Mussel Linguine. My husband said it's not the best linguine he's had but was very tasteful. The dessert didn't fail. I hope the day never comes when/if the place goes sour.
(5)
Jon B.
I somehow had never been to Maggiano's in the seven years I've been in Boston, but finally got around to it last weekend. I agree with most of the other reviews here. It's a chain, it is what it is, but it is good one. I passed on the alcoholic beverages, so I can't comment on that. I went with the chicken parmigiana. The chicken was cooked to perfection, breaded perfectly and the cheese was delicious. The pasta was good, but not great. It was cooked well, but the sauce was a bit watery. We finished up with chocolate cake which was delicious, but a bit pricey at $7.50. The service was good, we had a waiter and waiter-in-training who had an awkward dynamic, but that's to be expected with a trainee. Overall, no major complaints. It was good food, good service, but nothing that really catapulted into 5-star amazingness.
(4)
Nicole V.
When you go to Maggiano's you know you're going to a large chain. That being said, they do what they do well. We started with calamari and drinks. Their calamari was a huge portion, but a little greasy. I got a lemon drop and it was absolutely fantastic. The boy went with a beer, but was pretty impressed with their tap selection. From there I decided to get some delicious pasta dish with crab, shrimp, tomatoes, and squash. I wish it was a little heavier weighted with the veggies, but it was still impressive (and big enough that I took almost half of it home). The boy ordered off the 13.50 menu so that he could eat one meal and take home a second. So decent food, good drinks.... why only 3 stars? Our waiter was horrendous. We started out good but then he COMPLETELY ignored us. We were in a area where none of the other servers were really walking by, so we would get completely ignored for up to 20 minutes at a time. A runner brought out our food (completely understandable) and our waiter walked by us THREE times without asking us how anything was or offering to fill our empty cups. Call me crazy, but isn't taking two drink orders an easy way to boost your tip? I'll probably give it a try again because it is such a good value, but I'm not so likely to be dumping a lot of money into there.
(3)
Manpreet K.
This is a family style dining experience where the portion sizes are HUGE and menu hardly has any innovative choices. The food was okay, nothing that shouted "oh my god" in either direction. The prices definitely did not correlate the quality because they were much higher than expected. The ambience was kind of drabby. Wine selection was decent. Service was pretty good. It's an okay place but not something to seek out if you are craving Italian, esp since there are much better dining options around for the same price.
(2)
Louise K.
We were looking for a restaurant to take our children that was in walking distance of Emerson College where our son is a Freshman. We always torture him with Asian cuisine which is not his favorite so we promised him Italian food for a change! I tried to get a reservation at Artu in Beacon Hill but no one would pick up the phone. Found Maggiano's online and it had good reviews so gave it a try. We ended up driving over since it was nasty out and valet parked. We were warmly greeted by the owner/manager and I mentioned that I had heard Jon Bon Jovi dined here. He was very nice and told us the story of when he came in with his father and other guests. He offered to put us at the "Bon Jovi" booth but it was a little tight for us tall folks, so we took a nearby round table which was really comfortable for the 4 of us. Good service all night, our server brought out some good bread and olive oil for dipping, along bread plates and ice water. The dining atmosphere is nice in there with the decor, low lighting, white tablecloths and cloth napkins. To start, my husband and I split an individual Caesar salad. It was good but far from great, a little dry but I prefer that to too much dressing. Had some hints of anchovy bits and a bit too many croutons and heavy on the grated parmesan. My husband was disappointed they didn't ask if we wanted anchovies because he would have said yes. For entrees-I went for the grilled shrimp balsamic wrapped with cheese and bacon served with orzo. Our server recommended it and it was excellent and a beautiful presentation in a long dish. We ordered sauteed brocollini for the table which was tasty and fresh. My husband's dish was not that exciting, Linguine di Mare. More of a basic thick red sauce than the spicy lobster tomato broth that the menu described. Our son was in heaven with the lobster carbonara, and our daughter loved her 4 cheese ravioli with pesto cream. We split a tiramisu for dessert (huge!) and I had a cappuccino which came with a biscotti (nice surprise!). Wine list is good but a bit pricey- i.e., a bottle of Sonoma-Cutrer chardonnay is $55 on their menu as opposed to $37 in the Nashua area. It is Boston though!!! All in all, we had a great time, enjoyed the food, took home "doggie bags", good that didn't break the bank! I will have to try it again and a few more dishes to really comment on the food consistency and quality.
(3)
Melissa B.
Loved, loved, loved this place. I recently traveled to Italy and this place brought me right back to the wonderful meals we had in Florence. It was a warm friendly atmosphere with quirky decorating downstairs. My boyfriend said there were Pinup girls for the decor in the mens room. Famous photos everywhere, lots of rooms downstairs, swanky feel but not stuffed up. I wished we had a few more people with us so we could have shared the family(parties of 4 or more) meal it looked cozy, fun and delicious. The calamari was crunchy and flavorful, I couldn't get enough of it. I ordered the bowties aglio y olio and it was a never ending bowl of pasta. I couldn't even make a dent. My boyfriend had the chicken parmigiana. It was the crispiest, juciest chicken parm I have ever tried. Go, go, go. Have to try it.
(5)
Darryl L.
Food was good the service was fast went for dinner with friends. Had the Chicken Saltimbocca Chicken breasts lightly breaded and topped with fresh sage, prosciutto and Provolone cheese, served in a garlic white wine sauce with caramelized onions. Served with angel hair aglio olio was delish the meatballs tasted great. would go again.
(4)
pico d.
Had a great meal there for my wife's birthday. While yes it is not true Italian like you might get in the north end it is still delicious . You can't go wrong with the family style option.
(5)
Emily F.
Food = great Restaurant overall = huge Staff = meh... they're OK Appearance = checkered table-cloths? Really? I just think the look trashes it up a bit much We did family style for 8 people. My top finds: Calamari was really good, we got a second plate Mushroom ravioli, to die for delicious, creamy and amazing. Chicken parm was good, not amazing. Caesar salad, creamy dressing was good, I am a big Caesar fan. House red? Just get a bottle of something good, this was a little funky. The puff pastry desserts with ice cream were quite tasty I heard the creme brulee was good too, but I didnt try it.
(4)
Sara M.
So this is basically a glorified (more elegant, better quality food) Bertuccis. That said, it has so many good things going for it. First, excellent service. Waitstaff are friendly and attentive and generally make the dining experience here quite pleasant. Second, truly decent food. So it's not really amazing/authentic Italian, but it tastes good and comes in generous portions. A-OK. Third, prices. The prices are perfectly reasonable for the quality/amount of food you get. Fourth, group events here rock. This place handles company dinners masterfully. They are extremely professional, accommodating, and generally on-the-ball when hosting large groups. Awesome. I would give this place 3.5 stars if I could- 3 for just Maggiano's as a restaurant, 4 for Maggiano's as an event venue. All in all a solid establishment.
(3)
Jeremy B.
Awesome Italian good with a great atmosphere!! We've eaten at three of their locations and we'll be eating at our fourth by the end of this summer. Time tested, great Italian food from a scratch oven with Ol' Blue Eyes playing on the speakers. You just can't beat that!!
(5)
Nikki B.
If you want huge portions, this is the place for you. If you want it to be well cooked and high quality food, not so much. I went with a group and we ordered family style, which was really fun and a great concept. When the food started coming, it was pre-packaged frozen stuff heated through just before service. The pork special was like chewing a rubber tire. Decor is glam and cheeseball, but with the North End so close, I can't help but be a food snob (and remember, I'm the girl that wrote a four-star post about meatloaf). Might as well hit the Olive Garden.
(2)
Mary R.
The waiter was very friendly and energetic. Our food took a long time, but the quality was very good. I would definitely come back if I'm craving Italian.
(4)
J. Lynn T.
I've eaten here a few times, haven't been disappointed yet! Friendly staff, large portions and hot food. As with many restaurants, there are some dishes I enjoyed more than others. The family style option is definitely the way to go for larger parties; each dish is never ending so you can get one after another of your favorite choices! Desserts are good, the bar isn't cheap on their liquor either. Overall, good experiences each time.
(4)
Luis P.
I have been to two locations for this restaurant now, and they are both five stars. The one in Boston has a great ambiance. I love the spaghetti with meat sauce. The best sauce I have had anywhere. Everyone at the table loved their food. Wait staff is great. I would highly recommend.
(5)
susan r.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner this passed weekend and was impressed!! Yummy appetizers included: Calamari Fritte and Barb's Spinach & Artichoke al Forno! Salads: Caesar (awesome) and Maggiano's salad (not so good). The food was served family style so I was able to try a lot of food: Salmon lemon and herb (pretty good), four cheese ravioli (pretty tasty), Chicken Picatta, Lasagna (served cold .. and didn't taste so hot, fresh asparagus (yummy) and garlic mashed potatoes (more please). For dessert: delicious Toasted Nonna's Pound Cake (really good) and Chocolate Zuccoto Cake (pretty good). All in all it was an awesome night of some seriously tasty food!
(3)
Erin R.
Let me start by admitting that I am in no way a "foodie," and I know that Maggiano's is a chain, but this is my absolute favorite restaurant. I am never disappointed when I eat here. If you time it right and visit during one of their non-peak times, service is very fast. If you want to go during prime time, you should make a reservation as the wait can get long. The bathrooms are always clean, and the servers are usually very helpful and prompt. (I say "usually" because no restaurant is perfect -- I have gotten a few slow, inattentive Maggiano's servers over the years, but not enough to bring down the rating.) Meals here can be a bit pricey, but if you go with a group, you can save with the family style service. Overall, I can't recommend this place enough. Everyone I've ever taken here absolutely loves the food. As an added bonus, they have a carry-out window, so you can order anything you want to go and eat at work or home.
(5)
David B.
I needed my Lasagna fix and left a very happy (and full) customer. I stopped in on a Wednesday at 5 and was seated with no waiting. Food was great and price similarly to restaurants in the area.
(4)
Braden R.
Waiter was wonderful but food was only so-so.
(3)
Alicia C.
This review is not on the quality of the food - its on the delivery service,. We ordered chicken parmesan and spaghetti and meatballs through grub hub. What we didnt know was that Dining In, a third party delivery service, handles their delivery. It was supposed to take an hour, but ended up taking two full hours for the delivery. I had to call to find out when it would be delivered after we waited for an hour and a half. While they refunded our delivery charge, the food was cold by the time it arrived. Both the dining in driver and grub hub told us that there have been a lot of complaints about dining in and that they take more orders than they have drivers. Tip: use the option on Grubhub that remove third party delivery services. I will not be ordering from here again. The restaurant should explicitly say that they use Dining in for delivery so informed customers can avoid the hassle.
(1)
Francisca W.
(review dated 12/07): cute place for a couple or family/friends event. had a good pasta and some family meal items. tiramisu is on par, but since my sis and mom both know how to make it, i'm not finding this much more superb than theirs. coffee is not what i had in italy, a bit disappointed on that. :) note: went back quite a few times in years afterwards. the wait is a bit discouraging, but the food was wholesome and experience enjoyable. had some family-style dinner w/the whole group: pay a per-head charge, order a couple things in each category, and then that's all-you-can-eat. oh my!!
(4)
diana n.
Not sure about the pricing......we had our company xmas meeting here. Food was great.....Stuffed mushrooms are delicious and so are the fried zucchini. Many of my co workers have dinned here with their family after our xmas meeting. I plan on doing the same....This food was EXCELLENT!
(5)
Steve H.
For a chain, this place is excellent. Wait staff is on par with North End Italian restaurants, and I might say in some ways better!
(4)
Victoria K.
Maggiano's is for sure not the best Italian restaurant I've been to, but it's really not bad when you're craving a good meal. I was there last night in a pretty large group. The staff was very accommodating, and the food was enjoyable. We had the calamari, the stuffed mushrooms, and the bruschetta. All was good, except my bruschetta was on the soggy side. Not sure if it was sitting there soaking the juices for too long or what. The flavors were good, but the bread should have been crunchier. My Lobster Fettuccine was yummy as was my cocktail and the wine we had. The service was adequate, considering how busy the restaurant was. The one major flop would have to be that the floors are really slippery. I've been in many restaurants in heels or shoes that are not very slip-resistant, but this place has a pretty slippery floor. One of my friends fell on her way to the bathroom. It led me to be extra cautious, but I knew it could have been me, especially since I was full of wine. I think having a nice shiny floor really makes no difference if people can easily slip on it. This leads to law suits. I'm just saying...
(3)
Tommy B.
I took my sister to Maggiano's for her birthday with my 4 yr old nephew. He had the pizza. he ate all but the 2 slices we ate. And he never finishes his food. That should be all I have to say. I tried mussels for the first time in my life and now I'm a fan. I had the the Taylor street pasta dish, my personal fav. The service was excellent. Definitively make reservations b/c there was a wait to be seated, but thank God I made reservations an hour earlier. LOL.
(4)
Julie N.
Scenario: Last minute plans for my dad's 60th birthday party for 12 people on a Friday night at 7:00pm in the South End / Back Bay during Restaurant Week. Where the hell can I get a reservation. I haven't really heard too much about Maggiano's other than their very large portions and decent prices but other than that I had no idea what to expect. As long as I had a reservation, I was happy. First off, this place was bumpin. We got a large round table near the back and commented on how seriously busy this place was. Within a few minutes we met our waiter for the night. He was fine at the beginning (other than having to get up from my chair to grab more olive oil from the waitstand for the bread) but as the night went on he sucked more and more. I ordered the Short Rib Cannelloni and when he brought me the Shrimp and Crab Cannelloni I told him I had ordered the Short Ribs. He said he knew that, but when he went to punch it into the computer they were out of it that night so he figured I meant the Shrimp and Crab. Uhm, no. I obviously didn't know you were out of short ribs. He told me he'd return it and to pick something else (I quickly said the chicken parm - I didn't care at that point) and as he took the cannelloni plate away, another waitress came up and said "Just leave it for the table. It's on the house." Thank you nice backup waitress. Apps: I read on here the Bruschetta was soggy and was nervous when someone ordered it but it ended up being perfectly crisp and extremely flavorful. The Spinach and Artichoke Dip was outstanding and the Stuffed Mushrooms held their own. Entrees: The Lobster Carbonara was out of this world. For a $20 dish you got more lobster than I've seen in $14 lobster rolls around the city. The sauce was stick to your ribs and the meal was succulent. The Shrimp and Crab Cannelloni was decadently rich but after a few bites you felt like you needed to run 5 miles to work off the calories. The Chicken Parm was good but not the best, the Eggplant Parm was tasty, the Chicken Pesto Pasta was really nicely done... yeah. All of the food absolutely worked. Birthday cake: I made a big deal telling the hostess, our waiter, and anyone else around that it was my dad's 60th birthday. When the cake came out, our waiter brought it to my 90 year old GRANDFATHER and proceeded with the birthday song. Our waiter didn't care enough to double check whose birthday it was. Moron. Anyway, the place ended up being a really nice surprise and we had a great time celebrating as a family. I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Jen M.
I ordered 9 party pans from Maggiano's for a work party to serve 30+ people. There was more than enough food and it was reasonably priced and delicious! It was a huge hit with all my co-workers. It is very difficult to plan a nice meal for a large group with a tight budget, but I was well within budget thanks to Maggiano's!
(4)
David M.
We went here the night before the Boston marathon. We had a reservation and got in right on time. The food and the service were both very good. This was our third time eating at a Maggiano's, but first time at this one in Boston. The food, prices and service are constantly good.
(5)
Matthew J.
This is fitting for my first review. My family and I have been coming here there for about 10 years now. When we first found out about it, I didn't even realize it was a chain-restaurant. After sampling many Italian spots in the over-priced North End, I still find Maggiano's to be #1 in Boston for Italian. We visited this past weekend for my Grandma's 80th Birthday. We usually do the Family-Style, but there just weren't enough of us this time, and we didn't want to waste a lot of amazing food. So here's the breakdown: We got the o-so-perfect Spinach Salad and the Stuffed Mushrooms as an appetizer, with a sampling of Veal Parm, Rigatoni D (the BEST!), Butternut Squash Ravioli and Italian Short-Ribs as entrees. And of course, you can't leave without dessert. The Profiteroles were good, but a tad over-baked, and mom's Pumpkin cheesecake was great, though could have used a bit more sugar! The service was the worst it's been in 10 years. The food took FOREVER for a Saturday afternoon (Almost 2.5 hours for our meal, and only 5 of us). The staff in general seemed to lack focus. Our waitress was either nervous or hungover from the night before. She was attentive to re-filling water but definitely wasn't the quality Maggiano's usually delivers. She did however put some candles in my grandma's Ice Cream so we could sing Happy Birthday, which redeemed her! Also try the Gnocchi, Chicken Piccata, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and their N.Y. Style Cheesecake!!!!
(4)
Steve R.
Great place for family style Italian dining. A little touristy but the food is good and prices reasonable.
(4)
Zeu T.
Overall, the food was good and service was okay. I had the streamed pei mussels which has a nice and mildly tomato base broth as a starter. I also had the sausage and orzo soup, which was spicy with a nice favor profile. The calm linguine was my main course. The calm was chewy and the broth of the dish had a nice sea salt favor. The linguine had a nice chewy texture. As for desert, I had the mini sampler dish of tiramisu, apple crostata, and creme brulee. The tiramisu was soft, not so sweet with a espresso base. The creme brulee has a nice top carmelized crust and a creamy filling. The apple crostata was similar to a bread pudding, warm with a nice Carmel sauce topped with a flavorful and addicted vanilla bean ice cream.
(3)
Paula R.
Excellent food. Excellent service. Very reasonably priced, and in comparison to other restaurants in the area, a bargain. We ate there twice and found this to be true on both visits. We had our nine year son with us. The child's menu was great and he loved the food.
(5)
Leanna L.
This place was pretty...uh...gross? yes. gross. We stumbled upon this establishment because it was our first night in Boston and couldn't yelp things fast enough. ugh. Oh well. But yeah, if you want italian food, where your mussles are cooked and not gooey...don't go here. please. bleh.
(1)
Jeff M.
What you'd expect from this chain.
(2)
Cassie B.
Came here with a Bachelorette party, did family style dining. Starting with the good, the food was good for family style dining, came quickly and was properly hot or cold depending on what it was. We all had enough to eat, and never had to wait. Drinks were also good. Atmosphere was...festive with all the big groups, so that helped put our group in good spirits! For all this i would lean towards 4 stars But...the bathrooms were a gross mess, and while i did find entertainment in some chick vomiting everywhere and telling her friends she was "still cute!" Biggest issue was the rude server. He pretty much told me i was an idiot. I told him i thought the salt shaker was empty, he responded with "no you have to turn it over and shake it" Uh...how did you think i was coming to my conclusion that it was empty? I turn it over and shake it to appease him, and his next brain buster was "Are you SURE?!" GAH! Who doesnt know how to use a salt shaker...sheesh. Also Maitre'd made a very rude comment on my pulling out a cigarette on my way out. Maybe one should mutter their judgements a little quieter...douche.
(3)
Alicia S.
I love this place especially this one. Our waitress was new but she had a lot of personality and seem to really have her act together. The food was good especially the lasgana and chicken parm. I liked it a lot! I have been back many times
(4)
Ziadee C.
Great authentic Italian place. Delicious homemade sauces and home baked bread.
(4)
Karen S.
I took my daughter to the Nutcracker yesterday in Boston and we came here after the show. I got a coupon first by signing up online. The decor was so pretty for the holidays! We got right in since I reserved a table on open table. The waiter was pleasant, and quick. I tried the Red Sangria, and it was really good! The bread was good too! I had the Spinach and Chicken Manicotti ...OMG it was really yummy! Served hot and bubbly! Just the way I like my food...really worth the trip! My daughter got her favorite, chicken parmesan...and she loved it! The sauce was smooth, just what she likes! Yes a little pricey, the coupon helped...but it is the city, and an overall great experience!
(4)
Rose K.
Oooh boy! I've been out to fondue at The Melting Pot before, and based on those experiences, I'm not too fond of places where you need instructions on how to order a meal. I went with a group of 14 last night for "Family Style Dining." I'm a vegetarian, so I have to admit that I don't generally look forward to meal times where I have to counsel with others about what the table *will order* (fondue, Benihana...). I end up either making people get something veg when they wanted meat, or getting stiffed on my meal. So, I heard some confused people at my table asking the waiter how exactly the ordering process works - the whole table orders two things from the entree menu, etc. The waiter snarkily shot back that, "If you look at the menu and can't find 2 things on here that you want, then you're too picky and probably shouldn't be going out to dinner." Umm, I *can* find two things that I like on here, but nobody else wants them! That's - dare I say - why restaurants have menus with different things on them. So I ended up doing an individual entree, along with two other people at the table, and the waiter promptly wagged his finger at us that he didn't want to see one leaf of Family Style lettuce on our Individual plates. "I'm not even supposed to allow you to do individual, but I will." Well, thanks for your generosity, a@#$%*&! The waiter could have gotten away with his Quirky Unpleasant Attitude if the service had been good. But it took at least 15 minutes since sitting down and saying "a round of waters, please," to get water. We were sitting there, munching on sub-par table bread, with no saliva to wash it down because there were no waters. My individual meal was a $12.50 mediocre eggplant parmesan, with no salad (because I had not partaken in Family Style). I could have gotten similar-quality eggplant parm on a sandwich at the Pour House for $4. As another Yelper said, the sauce was sparse and institutional-looking, but it did taste good. Ugh. I scarfed it down, though, because I had been watching my table-mates eat for the last 45 minutes, and was starving. One final note... when we split the bill and included gratuity and drinks, I ended up with a $25 tab, but most everyone at my table had a $50 tab. It's an awfully steep price for food where you can't even pick your own entree.
(2)
Bee M.
Great place!!! Very classy! Waiters in suits and bow ties and strong Italian accents!!, checkered table clothes, dim lighting, lovely booths for two, not to mention the place is not not expensive at all!!! Large portions of delish Italian food! The only weird this is the take out box they give us, it is tin with re-heating directions for the oven (cute, and thoughtful i guess) but when I go home and discovered that I couldn't just pop it in the microwave I was a lil upset, lol The place screams Italy. Especially with the head guy up front, he is definitely associated with the mafia somehow, lol
(5)
Ben B.
Went here on a very busy Saturday night at the restaurant. They had over 700 reservations (or so we heard) so the place was packed! We got seated right away and ordered our meal within 15 minutes. We were disappointed to find out that they don't make any of the pasta themselves so we opted for some other options as well. We got one whole wheat pasta dish, one eggplant parm, one chicken dish and a big Italian salad to share. The food was good and was brought out in a reasonable amount of time. If you are looking for a quiet Italian restaurant this is not your place - since it was packed and is a very large space it was quite loud. Good food but remember that it's a chain.
(4)
Maria Del Carmen D.
Went here last night with the in-laws, my parents and the fiance. We made reservations and I suggest that you do the same because once we got in at 7 pm the place seemed to fill up quickly! I got some Vino to start off the night (of course), but I was kind of turned off by the splash of wine that I received. They brought it over in a cute little carafe. But that was it- LITTLE. I think I got 3 oz worth. That was sort of a bummer. Appetizers we shared Mozzarella, Artichoke & Spinach Dip and the Stuffed mushrooms. HOLY CRAP, Those stuffed mushrooms were AMAZING. Served with a slice of lemon! Be sure to try it with some lemon juice because it just brought out the flavor THAT much more! And I originally was not going to order them because I don't eat mushrooms on a regular basis, but it left me craving for more! Do yourself a favor and order these when you go out. You will not be disappointed. I ordered the Chicken Francese. I think it lacked a little bit of flavor but it was still yummy. The roasted red potatoes were perfectly cooked! Our server (Susanna?) was a delight. Accurate, timely, cleared the table of any unnecessary tables/cups. Kudos to her because there have been many-a-time when I would be bussing the table myself when I go out to other restaurants. (I used to work in a restaurant) Overall, a very nice experience. I will definitely be coming here again. Next time I will just have to pre-game ahead of time since they don't want to give me my own grown-up cup of wine.
(4)
G. i. J.
Maggiano's has a chef named Bobby who went over the top to create a vegetarian/vegan dinner for my friend and me. I saw that the menu had some close vegetarian items, but I am rather strict and asked if the cheese had animal rennet (most places can't tell you, but some can). They weren't sure, but it got a dialog going. Bobby had seen the movie "Forks over Knives" and came to our table, twice, to ask how the meal was going. He prepared a special pasta with marinara sauce and vegetables including artichoke hearts. It was fabulous. The sauce does have butter, so it isn't suitable for vegans, but Bobby is so creative, I am sure he could accommodate anyone's wishes or needs. Typically, New Englanders are NOT good with customer service. At all. It is nice to see that customer service is alive and well in Boston. Thanks, Bobby! By the way, dinner for two with an appetizer and enough food for two additional meals the next day came to only $22! Totally worth it! (Note: No alcohol was ordered -- that saves a bundle.)
(5)
C J.
My review is of the stuffed mushrooms only. Loaded with salt, but I could eat them for days.
(5)
Thomas H.
Recommended to me a local Bostonian, I wasn't disappointed! The restaurant itself has a very casual atmosphere. Nice lighting and classy music playing in the background. The food was great! I highly recommend the Chef's Favorite called Crab & Shrimp Cannelloni - roasted red peppers, Asiago cheese sauce and seasoned breadcrumbs.
(4)
Li S.
I went here for a private company dinner. Um, I don't understand all the low ratings... The food--atleast for our party--was really, really good. The comparisons to Olive Garden are kind of moot since OG throws a thousand ingredients into a bowl until you can't really tell what you're eating anymore. The food at Maggiano's, instead, was simple ingredients, served family style, and cooked very well. We started with bruschetta on a bread with the perfect texture and fried calamari. The calamari was cooked perfectly! It was not at all chewy and not at all over -fried to the point where it just tastes like seafoody grease, either. We started the meal with a ceasar salad and antipasto salad. They were surprisingly good... I usually skip all green things on my plate but I actually went for seconds of the antipasto. For an entree we had rigatoni with these moist, cheesy meatballs; fetuccini alfredo with broccoli which was the perfect balance of cream and subtle cheese flavors; chicken picatta with a lightly lemony cream and capers; and eggplant parm. These are simple dishes that don't require a lot of elaboration. They were cooked well, seasoned well, and delicious. For dessert, we had tiramisu (I really enjoyed this) and these huge profiterols. It was so good... This was the kind of meal in which everyone tried everything. No need to be picky, you know? So yeah, take a large group and enjoy your selves. Maybe this is the kind of place better suited for company events, I dunno. I will be going back to find out!
(4)
Marly T.
Love the stuffed mushrooms!!! Will definitely go back to try other dishes. Very nice atmosphere.
(4)
Vel S.
I will never eat at Maggiano's again. We pre ordered our family style menu for a party of eight. After we where seated they could not find our pre order. It took them about 15-20 minutes to find out that they had served our order to another party. It then took about an hour and a half to serve us. By then they had ran out of one of the appetizers. For the entree the dish that everyone loved was the Chicken & Spinach Manicotti and we where only served one dish of that before the ran out. it also was my husbands birthday celebration and we did not ask them to acknowledge the birthday but they brought him a little cake with candles and charged us for it. I sent an email to complain and they did not even respond.
(1)
Cathy S.
I was here a couple weeks ago for lunch after my sister's graduation. There were 6 of us for lunch and we decided to give the family style a try. It was just amazing. Everyone got to chose something they wanted and everyone was happy. We had no qualms with our server who kept on top of our empty plates and the next serving of whatever dish we just finished only took a few minutes to arrive piping hot to our table. The restaurant was busy as usual but that's expected on a Friday afternoon right after any local university's graduation. All in all we really enjoyed the food, especially the next day's leftovers!
(4)
Jacki M.
Last minute plans on a Thursday night around 8pm. We were actually headed to PFChang's but came across Maggiano's first. What a fabulous meal! There were four of us and there was no wait. We were seated at a spacious table in the corner. Waitress was quick and attentive with taking our drink orders, explaining the menu. Plenty of bread with dipping oil and cheese to begin with. Then for the meal, three of us had Chicken Francese which was absolutely delish. Came with arugula salad and the best red potatoes I've ever had. My friend had the spinich/chicken mannicotti. All of our meals were great. After dinner we each got a coffee and we split an order of the 12 lemon cookies. Fabulous. Overall with the tip it came to $120 total. Not bad considering the amount of food we got (leftovers for lunch!). Can't wait to return!
(5)
L B.
The concierge at the hotel suggested this place. Well thank you very much sir! It was phenomenal and worth the 45 minute wait. While waiting we took in all the autographed photos from the celebrities all over the walls. And the food, service, and entire experience was great. We were fortune to have a refrigerator in our room because the family style portions provided lots of leftovers. We went back a second time and a ordered sausage with my pasta. When the waitress came by to check on us I told her the sausage was over cooked for me and showed her. She immediately suggested she could me another and took off to the kitchen. The manger was the one who brought my second order, not just the sausage but a whole new bowl of pasta and apologized, saying it was on the house, end of story, so I thought. No, when the manager said it was on the house it was on the house, they comped the entire food portion of our meal. I explained everything else was fine even the second order, but they insisted on making it a wonderful dining experience for us. I was very grateful and showed my generosity in the tip. Service like that keeps customers happy, especially when they go above and far beyond what's needed. I have told this experience to other friends and many have gone there and experienced a great meal with exceptional service. It's this wonderful food and service that takes me back there and to many other Maggiano's around the country. Bravo Maggiano's! Bravo!
(5)
Mona P.
I went here for lunch with my cousin when we were visiting Boston. I have always heard this place was great, after having their Mushroom Ravioli in Alfredo Sauce I can confirm the food was fabulous. Me and my cousin were able to share the ravioli, the serving size is big. The drinks were great, Rachael made us her signature drink called the "Rachael" which had the perfect amount of sweetness and was fruity and refreshing for a hot summer afternoon. I'm not a fan of Italian restaurants because it is hard to find food that isn't bland, Maggiano's food was tasty and just perfect. Defiantly worth a visit and don't forget to order a "Rachael" you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jeremy K.
yea, im giving 4 stars, one for everyone who made this dinner a hit. so we (allow me to introduce, wifey, melly, and the always fabbie b) decided to pregame prom here, why? well as they say: location location location. ok, more like, gnocchi gnocchi gnocchi. guess what we ordered? so melly booked us the res for 645 online, win. we rolled up to the place around 7 or 8, no actually 646 and they honored the reservation, which is always a sigh of relief as this place got mobbed real quick. mel and b sat while mer and i parked, i guess they knew who we were looking for, i think it was the teased hair and 80s gear, ya think? so as i was saying, the wait staff was charmed by our appearance and why shouldnt they, we were in full get up and we rocked it hardcore. at one point someone asked me, '80's party?' to which i replied, no? hee hee, i fooled him, ok, maybe not, but the service was great, the food didnt get us gassy (big plus as you cant trip the light fantastic with a lower GI full of methane) and they validate parking next door 8 buckaroos for 3 hours. this did not apply to us as we were there for maybe 6 or so. we had some of the mozzarella salad, the fried mozzarella & wifey had the mushroom rav (she loved it!) and the rest of us ate down some pretty tasty gnocchi in vodka sauce. fair priced and good to go. your family gravy store have you. it was mint!
(4)
Elliott L.
If it werent for the lousy service I might have given this place 3 stars. The food is ok and nothing really special. We had veal parm, chicken parm and salmon dishes. Like I said, nothing special. The best part of the meal was the desert. Love the spumoni but they didnt have claret sauce and the waitress had no clue as to what claret sauce was. Service was extremely slow. I hate it when a waitress says the food will be out in 2 minutes and 15 minutes later you are still waiting. If there are any servers reading this never say that to a customer unless you absolutely know the food will be out in 2 minutes. Our waitress was very personable but didnt seem to have a clue and thats a shame.
(2)
Colin L.
As far as I'm concerned this is the best chain restaurant I've been to. I always have an awesome experience with consistently great food and service. it's also gigantic, i don't know how they keep everything so smooth with such a crowd in the building. They always do. This is a great place for a delicious italian dinner, whether it's 2 or 20.
(5)
Christina G.
I don't come here when I'm looking for authentic Italian. I go to the North End for that, but I come here for some good standard Italian and a fun atmosphere. When I come to Maggianos I feel like I've stepped back in time to the 20's. The place has a very classy, old time feel to it. The food is good, not out of the this world, though I have had a few things that were. I've noticed that their specials are ALWAYS delicious so try to get one of them if you can. This place has great appetizers and delicious desserts so go all out. The price is right, and I always leave happy and full to the max!
(4)
Katie P.
I have actually only been to Maggiano's once. I can not say enough about this place. Fast service, amazing menu. Started off with Martini's which were great, then bruschetta, best I have ever had. Our meals were sooo good. We had NO idea, but we ordered from the menu where you get a second meal to take home. In Boston? The food was very well priced HUGE portions, great service and amazing food. I liked it so much, that I recommended we have them cater my friends Bachellorette party at a nearby hotel a few months later. They were extremely efficient and every item we got was to die for. Salad, bread, ravioli, chicken marsala...and even little mini creme brulee's! I would highly recommend going there or having them cater your next event or stop by if you are in the area!
(5)
Anna W.
Hmm... I don't understand some of the bad reviews of this place. Maggiano's is *definitely* light years better than any Olive Garden I've ever been to! I've been here a few times, and every time, I went with a larger group of people and we got the family style meal. It is a great deal! I think it's about $30 and for that, you and your whole party get to pick 2 salads, 2 appetizers, 2 pastas, 2 entrees (meats) and 2 desserts. It is unlimited food, so if you run out of one thing and want more, all you have to do is ask and they will bring you more. It is INSANE the amount of food you get for the money. For each of the choices, you get a TON of options. The salad was the only thing where there was only 4 choices. For everything else, there was at least 5 or more for you to pick from. Some of my recommendations: -- Mussels! They prepare them a few different ways. Get them in the red sauce. You will *not* regret it. It is probably some of the best mussels I've ever had. Super yummy and it doesn't taste seafood-y, if y'know what I mean. -- Rotisserie Chicken. This is one of their entree options. The chicken is tender, not overcooked, and seasoned perfectly. -- Spinach salad. I don't even like salad that much. To me, it's just ruffage and takes up space in my stomach. But, I would stop traffic or jump in front of a Mac truck to have this Spinach salad. -- Tiramisu. You can't go to an Italian place and not have tiramisu. This one doesn't disappoint. The restaurant is decked out in all checkerboard, but even that is not a big enough turnoff for me. I keep on coming back for more! Portions are insanely large, service is fast and friendly. Two of the times we went there, a perky blonde named Holly helped us, and she was great! All in all, a great place to dine. I would never go there for anything other than family-style eating though.
(4)
Mary C.
Went back here for lunch and had the chicken pesto sandwich. It came on a ciabatta roll with home made chips w/ parmesan on top....and Yum! I couldn't finish it all because they give such big portions, but I took the rest of the sandwich home and gladly ate the left overs for dinner.
(4)
Wendy K.
I will first say that I am actually not a big fan of Italian food (my boyfriend just died a little inside). I generally prefer rice over pasta, my tongue and stomach don't react well to tomatoes, so there's that, and I am a pretty healthy eater most of the time (except for my love of cheese) so I try not to eat breaded or fried food very often either. All of that being said, I have rarely had a bad meal at Maggiano's. I have been there several times over the past seven years or so and have enjoyed many items. They have a good drink list, though the "martinis" last night were abnormally sweet (bartender's fault?), there's also excellent Red Sangria, and the Lemon Vito is interesting. The Chicken Parmesan is something my roommate and best friend loves with a passion (we went last night for her birthday and that was one of the non-negotiables), I enjoy the fried zucchini (crispy, thin strips served with a yogurt sauce), the Spinach Salad (a little heavy on the dressing - get it on the side if you're particular), the Chicken Saltimbocca, Rigatoni "D" (This has been a favorite of mine, but the last time I had it, they put about a pound of parsley on it for whatever reason, and I don't like parsley :() and a brand new favorite as of last night, the Rustic Chicken and Shrimp. (Prosciutto, good. Ziti, good. Red pepper cream sauce, GOOOD). I find the Tiramisu, though tasty, a bit chalky (there's a layer of cacao on the top and when inhaled, doesn't feel great), and the bread they give you when you sit down is really hard (I cut my gums on this last night). The atmosphere is classy, and the dining area spacious. The bathrooms (or at least the ladies' room) are clean, and there are thick hand towels instead of cheap paper ones. People working there are friendly and accommodating (put birthday candles in the Tiramisu for my friend), and I learned that they have wine tasting on Wednesdays, where there are also hors d'oeuvres for free. Score!
(4)
Lys W.
I really wanted to love this place, because this friend who I absolutely love, this is her favorite restaurant. Yeah, you suck Maggiano's. Time #1: I am hanging out with a friend I haven't seen in a long time. and our waitress kept eavesdropping on our conversations and trying to include herself in them. When we didn't instantly bond with her, she felt the need to come back every 4/5 minutes to interrupt our conversation to ask us if we needed anything. RUDE! Time #2: I took my friend who loves Maggiano's out to eat, and it was wholly uneventful. UNTIL, I got my credit card statement and they had added their own tip onto the bill, onto of the 20% I had already given them. They hadn't even deserved that. I called to try to resolve the issue, and nothing was done. Not even an apology. I will never come back. Plus the food is kinda bland.
(1)
Damien Y.
Went here on a Tuesday with my brother, 25 minute wait! A party of three had a friend who worked there and got their table in 5 minutes though. I really enjoyed the decor and feeling of the place. The U shaped booth was a bit odd to eat at. We started with a half portion of the fried calamari which was very good, and the portion was very generous. I had the linguini with clam sauce which I thoroughly enjoyed. My brother had the chicken piccata which I got to try and was also very good. The entree portions weren't as large as I would have liked, but the food was very flavorful. Quality over quantity!
What better place to go celebrate the end of the very last class of the semester?? Well... Maybe Tavern in the Square. (But I'm biased. I love that place.) We ordered the family-style, which is basically what happens when you go to my house - you squabble over the food and the last piece in every plate. BUT Maggiano's is awesome enough to serve bottomless servings when you go homestyle, so everyone is guaranteed a gut-busting quantity of food. A definite plus! The food was pretty good, but not the best Italian I've ever had. It looked better than it tasted. Chicken pesto linguini, calamari, some scrumptious salads, and salmon that was pretty good but just a tad too dry. The tiramisu had too much rum in it, and I think I'm the only weirdo who would ever complain of that, but the apple costrada (I think that's what it was called) was heavenly. We actually got a great table though! Right by the window, and not entrenched within the loud din of other diners and surrounding tables. The wait staff was attentive and rapid, and when a foreign object appeared in my friend's glass of Peroni it was promptly replaced with another, no questions asked, and not charged. It's not my favorite place, but I'd go again.
(3)
Josh S.
This place was okay, not super good nor super bad. We had theatre tickets for an 8:00pm show at the Cutler Majestic, so thought this would be a good place to eat beforehand because it was so close. The food was good, but nothing to rave about--basically Americanized Italian food that is predictable. A lot of the food has an amazingly high calorie count, so I'm happy I looked at the nutrition info online before we went. I had the eggplant and asked for the whole wheat penne instead of the white spaghetti. My partner had the chicken Marsala with the side pasta. It was wicked busy, so I am also happy we made reservations or we wouldn't have gotten a table in time. The service was excellent, though. Our server was very attentive as were the others there.
(3)
Tarryn G.
I should preface this review by saying that I did not choose Maggiano's for our dinner-with-out-of-town-friends. Something about the whole "chain Italian restaurant trying to disguise itself as a true-blue, old time mobster operated establishment" kinda rubs me the wrong way. In fact, I have more respect for the "Macaroni Grill" tier of Italian restaurants, that greet you at the front door with a "Hi there - we are the Italian cousin of TGI Friday's and Chili's! Please, come sit under our faux grape-arbors and doodle on our tablecloths! We know you and your book club are here for the bread - we understand. Our market researchers know you like your mama does." Maggiano's, on the other hand, wants you to believe that several generations of Tonys and Vinnys have been operating a successful mafia money laundering scheme out of the back office, while wining and dining the creme de la creme of the organized crime world in the style in which they're accustomed (read - dark wood, red velvet curtains, checked linens accented with tastefully framed "family mementos"). Crafty. But whatever - it's a nice place, centrally located and just colorful enough for my vacationing friends. We ordered off of the Family Style menu - which appears to be designed to feed a family of 12 morbidly obese people. I was almost embarrassed by the amount of food on the table, while the waitress dubiously reminded us that we could definitely "order more" if we started to run out of anything. Lady, if we manage to consume all of this and are still demanding more food - it might be time for an intervention. That said - the food was delish! Again, being sort of anti-chain restaurant, I was prepared for a typical hot-off-the-steam tray cauldron of pasta with a factory made sauce dumped over it, etc. etc. But no - my snobby eye-talian ass got served! We started with spinach & artichoke dip and calamari - the calamari was tender and lovely, with the perfect amount of batter-fried goodness. Even my friend who is extremely anti-squid was impressed. I also enjoyed the spinach salad (as did my body, which was begging me to back off the carbs, please!). The chicken piccatta was delightful, and the marinara sauce with the spaghetti and meatballs was solid. Like, Nonni clearly wasn't back there stirring the gravy or anything - but it was definitely flavorful and good. Dessert included some very excellent tiramisu (to be fair, I've never met a tiramisu I haven't liked) and cheesecake that I would possibly whack my cousin for! I think the waitress said it is made with marscapone, which made it rich and light and heavenly. We ended up with a comical amount of leftovers, which made the lavish spread totally reasonable in the end in terms of price. So, Maggianos . . . you might not be my first stop on "lets go out for Italian" nite . . . but if my friends should ever suggest another evening in your faux-old-world, ambient-lit dining room . . . it's an offer I couldn't refuse.
(3)
Carol C.
Enjoy the overall feel of the restaurant! Managers there were super friendly and welcoming. It was busy for a Wednesday night but one of them still asked if we would like a big booth or a table. The experience with a couple of good friends was nice. On a scale of being Italian food..it was definitely not up there. However, portions were really big. I don't think any of us were able to finish our entrees entirely. Side note..I really like their chocolate mint. There's a jar full right near the entrance!
(3)
Leighann F.
January 24, January 29 and January 30. My boyfriend's sister's birthday, my boyfriend's birthday and my birthday, respectively. What better way to celebrate a bevy of birthdays than dinner at Maggiano's? Courtesy of my boyfriend's parents, we came here for an early dinner on a Saturday and the atmosphere was bubbling over. People laughing and drinking, delectable smells from the dining room and kitchen and WHAT - all you can eat?? Hold on just a minute here. Family-style, all-you-can-eat Italian food in a five-course meal. I've never eaten so much in my life. Every bite was delectable, from the warm fresh bread (and unbelievably yummy Parmesan cheese), and the chopped salad, to the chicken Parmesan, lemon herb salmon, gnocchi and creme brulee (my favorite favorite dessert). The food just kept coming and I didn't have the self restraint to stop eating. I gained 10 pounds from this meal and every single pound was worth it!
(5)
Sara B.
Holy huge portions! Apparently Maggiano's is a chain (I had never seen it before) but we stopped in here after our first choice was not open for lunch. Boooo. Delicious calamari and stuffed shrooms. I opted for salmon for my meal and it was decent - nothing out of the ordinary other than the portion was huge. I didn't even eat the roasted potatoes it came with. My friends tried shrimp scampi and spaghetti and meatballs and both seemed pleased. But we ended up wasting a lot of food since they give you so much! The Italian Sangria was meh - I've had better Sangria but it also might be because I asked for "skinny" (which apparently is less calories...I don't know, it was on the menu!). It's a huge place and...there's a picture of Bon Jovi on the wall down the stairs to the bathroom (lol! We didn't know this when we got there!). Seemed pretty packed as well so it must be popular - or maybe it's because nowhere else is OPEN for lunch! I am not big on Italian so I can't compare it, but it was definitely edible.
(3)
Krissy B.
I really can't complain about Maggiano's- at all. Every time I've gone there I've enjoyed it, as has everyone else in the party. I did want to warn people with little ones. I brought my husband for a birthday dinner with our best friends, and both of us couples have little ones. One almost 2 and the other just over a year. It's VERY family friendly however, I would NOT order "family style" if you have little ones with you. Family Style takes much longer then ordering off the regular menu and the little ones, well, yeah, get fussy. So, going with kids, don't order Family Style- just order individually and all will be fine! :)
(4)
Dan K.
First: the food was really good and there was alot of it. The appetizers were truly some of the best ive had in a while. The main courses were pretty standard and really good, but by no means were earth shattering. They got it done though. Second: A little pricey, but I can deal... I think that the family style deal is really great: You get SO much food! It's $20ish pp and you get 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 pasta dishes, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts for the table. I was eating leftovers for like 3 days after. It was definitely worth the price. I say go!
(4)
Ali L.
It's hard to be TOO enthusiastic about an Italian chain restaurant when you are in a city where the "North End" is chock full of "authentic" Italian restaurants. But you know what? I like chain restaurants. I'm really debating between a 3 and a 4 starts on this one. I really like going to this place but I doubt I would make a point to go if I couldn't see it from cubicle. I've only been here for lunch, but have been many many times: Small group, large party served family style, as well as ordered from their carryout menu. Only once was it crowded enough to have to wait for a table-- usually it's not too busy during lunch time. And the service is always decent-- neither spectacular nor horrible enough to really comment on. When I go, I will invariably get whatever stuffed kind of pasta is on their lunch specials menu, with a house salad to start. Dressing on the house salad is fantastic. If gnocchi of any kind shows up on the lunch specials menu, I am on it. Yummm. Last week I had Tortellaci in a truffle cream sauce-- from the specials menu. My only complaint was that the sauce was a little watery and there was a lot of it. This could have been easily rectified but the waiter unfortunately took my plate away before I could sop up the remaining sauce with my bread :( I suppose I could have stopped him if I had really asserted myself, but I had already stopped him from taking away my salad bowl and was slightly embarrassed that I appeared to want to literally lick my plates clean. If I were going to go out for dinner and wanted Italian, I'd go to the North End. But Maggianos for lunch is satisfying, and reasonably priced for the amount of food. I've never been disappointed in whatever pasta dish that appears on the specials menu. Generally after eating here, I return to my desk in the middle of the day and yearn to slip into a food coma.
(3)
George C.
The food is decent but man do they really skimp with the portion sizes at this place. $15 for Chicken Parm and one tiny spoon full of noodles? B.S.!
(1)
Jill S.
I have eaten here a million times and I am never disappointed. The fried zucchini appetizer is my favorite with this tangy creamy dipping sauce. I highly recommend the fettuccine. It is the best I have ever had. I also recommend the desert sampler because you get a little taste of all of their wonderful deserts!
(4)
Kenny L.
Offices of Little Maggiano, M.D. Patients: Kenny L., Jessika D., Paul S. Reason for office visit: Indecision lunch but can't have bunch and must have meat Sunday. Symptoms: Whining, complaining, followed by confusion, particularly figuring out whether North End opens on Sundays (it does). Treatment: Entrees - Chicken Francese, Rigatoni D, and Beef Bracioli (all half orders, although full size for chicken is recommended). Dessert - Apple Crostada w/caramel sauce, tiramisu, and creme brulee w/strawberry and mint on top (good but a bit cold when I got it. They use a wide dish so that caramelized sugar crust is maximized) Follow-up: For a chain (visited a California office), it has decor of good taste and a gigantic dining area, including their banquet rooms in the basement. The service was good as well. The food was delicious but extraordinary good. Despite its higher than average prices, it is definitely a worthwhile restaurant to visit and revisit, though I would recommend a good North End Italian any day if I had to choose and is covered by my medical plan aka wallet. Referral to specialist: Doogie Howser, M.D. youtube.com/watch?v=djEr…
(3)
Trish F.
What a very Frank Sinatra Thanksgiving. He seemed to be the man of the hour along with some music from the Cole Porter songbook and a bit of Swing Time. Mom and I showed up 15 minutes early, but they gladly seated us at one of the back mafia tables overlooking the main dining room. This was interesting because when I was looking for a 3 person in case Kenny decided to crash, there were none available on OpenTable. Funny thing is, when we got there it wasn't crowded at all and we were in a 4 person booth. Although we (me) had a few issues getting in (and I kept on crapping change magically.. hole in my jacket or bag or something). That made the waiters laugh a bit, but whatever, they were working Thanksgiving so I'm glad I got to entertain. The restaurant was serving family style Thanksgiving dinner for $33, but we decided that that would be way too much food so we ordered individual items off the menu and the waiter said it'd probably be cheaper. Mama Dish and I had the bruschetta plate as an appetizer. It came out with roasted butternut squash chunks in some type of creamy stuff along with prosciutto (MY FAVE), goat cheese and olive (nothing too fancy.. but I dig goat cheese), and fresh tomatoes and basil (which I ate without putting it on the bread. heh) Then we had the Caesar salad. One bowl is more than enough for two people.. we definitely shouldn't have ordered two plates. haha.. Despite the amount of cheese (too much) and the croutons (too dry), the salad was pretty good. The dressing was tossed evenly and the romaine was very crisp. After that, our main dish came out. Three large slices of turkey (a little dry) with an ice cream scoop (what? that's what it looked like.. there's probably a term, I know) of focaccia sausage stuffing (different.. but really good) and real cranberries in sauce (am I a dorkus if I like canned better?). For sides, we got the sauteed spinach (which madre had to squeeze lemon over to cut the saltiness) and the garlic mashed potatoes (tasted better the next day after reheating it). Lastly, we had tiramisu profiteroles (which I always feel awkward saying) with vanilla bean ice cream and hot fudge. The pastry part was a bit harder than I would have liked, but holy ice cream Batman.. that vanilla bean was deeeelliccciioouusss. I did that awkward scraping thing with the plate even though I knew I wasn't getting anywhere.. you gotta lick da plate! At the end of the meal the waiter informed us that ordering the plates individually was way more expensive, so he charged us for family style instead. Not as good as a homemade Thanksgiving meal. But for $30p/p that was a LOT of food. I've eaten family style for birthdays before. I think it's a good place to go with groups since you'll get a ridiculous amount of food, but I wouldn't necessarily go here again for a regular dinner. The service IS fantastic though. Deepa was right in saying, the atmosphere is a bit forced but at the end of the day it's one of the nicer chains.
(3)
David W.
This place is large. Can accommodate large parties. Portion sizes are huge and meant to be shared. Server was very nice & friendly. Mini desserts are nice and good size. I had herb roasted chicken which was a good choice.
(4)
Steve T.
What can I say...an Italian in love with an Italian restaurant. Come on! Hey Vinnie, can you believe what this guy is saying? Lol! I've been to Maggiano's around the country (another high quality chain), and have yet to have a bad meal. I've been with large groups (12 or more) and as little as 2. At any time, the service was stellar, the food was, as usual, great and one draw I have to it, I guess you can call it an affinity, is the old school Italian feel. Old Blue Eyes belting out the tones over the in house soundboard, joined by Al Martino, Jerry Vale and, of course, Dino...Dean Martin for all you non-Italians. JK. Granted the place is packed regularly, but with such a high volume you would expect a degrade in service and food. Not so here. Highly recommend.
(5)
Maria P.
I was craving some spaghetti the other day, but I really didn't feel like making it myself. I thought that this would be a good pick because their menu seemed pretty good. I was wrong. There was a lot of pasta and not enough sauce. The sauce itself was not impressive and I was surprised that they messed up such a simple dish. They earn an extra star only because the tiramisu was pretty good. But they also lose one because it was pretty pricey. I wouldn't go here again.
(3)
Wendy L.
Yes, it's a chain. I went with a really large group (~100 people), so this is an easy place to go where you can rent out the room...and feed a ton of people on a budget. For a chain, the food isn't too bad - we had heaps of pasta and chicken parm, and the dark wood paneling makes you feel like you are in a more upscale restaurant than you are. Perfect place for a big (the bigger the better) group.
(4)
Kelly B.
I went here recently on a first date. It was our only date... but that wasn't Maggiano's fault. Granted, I was a little surprised when he told me, "I've heard of this Italian place, but I can't recall the name." I assumed that it was some small place on the corner of Salem Street or Hanover... but no... later he texted me: "The place is called Maggiano's"... except he spelled it incorrectly, but I digress. Maggiano's is a place I had previously only been to with large groups for the family style dining. It's a fun place, a classic red sauce Italian, complete with "batta-bing" style maitre d'. We both ordered pasta dishes, which were good, but not amazing, a glass of wine, and then dessert (I know, I should have skipped desert since I knew there wouldn't be a 2nd date already - but it was creme brulee, and I'm a sucker for creme brulee). To be fair, I made sure we split the bill. My choice of pasta was the "Famous Rigatoni D" - Rigatoni pasta, herb-roasted chicken, mushrooms and caramelized onions, tossed in a Marsala cream sauce. Leftovers reheated well in the foil pan provided with directions printed on the cover, clearly they have leftovers taken home often, which is not surprising given the sheer size of the meals. There was no leftover dessert, however. :)
(3)
Tricia N.
I feel FAT and I didn't spend a lot of money. The portions are HUGE. The food is ok..... it is bland american/italian spaghetti. They have a "family style" option that is all you can eat. I guess it is for those people that 1lb+ of spaghetti is just not enough. Personally I prefer quality over quantity. There are much better places in the North End. To end on a happy note....The service was prompt & friendly. The restaurant was packed & lively. People were definitely having a good time. We couldn't help but have a good time too.
(2)
Megan B.
I was concerned that this would simply be a glorified Olive Garden, but it wasn't so bad, really. My date was really keen on going here (it's sort of a guy's type of place with its behemoth portions). What stands out by far the most to me is the CHEESECAKE. Good ricotta makes all the difference to me- this was light, tangy, sweet heaven. Unfortunately, we were too full to even finish the one divine piece that we had ordered to split. 4-Cheese Ravioli- I would really hope that pasta stuffed with cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and and provolone and then covered in alfredo sauce is damn tasty. Because, really, you would have to work hard to mess that up. Good but guilt-inducing. Diavolo Mussels- meh, just OK. In retrospect, this is my fault for ordering mussels on a Sunday (seafood is never fresh on Sunday). Could have been spicier, too. Italian "Champagne" (not really champagne per se but sparkling wine)- In the words of a friend, "champagne tastes like fun!" And indeed, this made the meal much more fun.
(3)
ELIZABETH R.
I love this place. I haven't been in awhile and we ate there today and the food was amazing. The service was very good as well. I highly recommend eating there if you love Italian food.
(5)
Lara C.
I'm Celiac and have found it quite difficult to go out to eat with friends. However, this place is fantastic. The gluten free pasta is better than any Gluten Free pasta I have had. Even the left over pasta microwaves perfectly-which is pretty rare. My non-GF friends enjoyed their food just as much. I recommend the Alfredo-so delicious!
(5)
James D.
We walked in with a party of five and they had a table, should have been read as a sign of bad to come . Steak and soup - simple right? Must have slaughtered the steer cause it took forever. Soup came after the steak. Never again. Steak was overcooked.
(2)
Alex S.
The family style menu was interesting; it allowed a slection from a fine and diverse array of entrees that could be shared amongst the group. This allowed for very satisfying portions. The appetizers were tasty and I think patrons would enjoy the cheese appetizer. The desserts were great; I tried the tiramisu and it was of a high quality, up-there with what you could get in Little Italy.
(4)
Greg C.
I was shocked to see that there were actual, real-life, authentic Italians at this restaurant. I couldn't tell if they were there voluntarily or if they were hired to compliment the motif. In any event, this restaurant wasn't as bad as some of the other Italian food chains. Actually, it wasn't bad at all. EXCEPT!... the little lamp that was on my table kept flicking on and off. Is faulty wiring a well-known Italian quality? ALSO! our server was a little spacey. We waited about 20-25 minutes, no joke, for our bill. I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the paper it was printed on, but not all that impressed by the fact that the receipt had a list of menu items that we didn't order. Yes, my friends, we got the wrong receipt. Having been a server, I know that giving someone the wrong bill is the NUMBER ONE tell tale sign that your server doesn't give a shit about you. If you've ordered around $30.00 worth of food and beverage and your server gives you a check for $80.00... you can bet that your server a) never cared about you, b) still doesn't care about you, and c) cared so little that he refused to even glance at the check prior to presenting it. Besides that, the food was overall good. I pulled the typical thing I usually do and just asked the server for "the most commonly ordered thing on the menu." I've found that this tactic guarantees a tasty meal at a fair price. What I received was some D rigatoni or rigatoni D or D-lish rig or DugRigatoni or some shit I can't remember the name of. I asked the server why they called it "D" something or other and he said. "Oh! because that's what they named it." So...! Food = flavorful, but borderline bland... Service = okay, but borderline certifiably insane. I would've given it 4 stars, but I've worked for the Brinker company before (they own On The Border, Chili's, Macaroni Grill, and Maggiano's) and they suck... hard.
(3)
Tulsi D.
I was impressed with this restaurant because they were able to accomodate a large group for dinner. I really think that the family style dinner is a great thing that they have for large parties and a great deal! You can pay $30pp for 3 apps, 4 entrees and 2 desserts. They were also extremely flexible because I asked if they could sit us a little earlier and they said as soon as a table opened up they would, and they actually did! Also, I was allowed to call in the menu the day of and they gave us the option of putting in the apps as soon as we sat down (great if you need to get somewhere by a certain time). The food is good, I don't think it's the best Italian food I've had but with the family style dinner and the large group of people, I can't really complain and think the food is good for this type of situation. The environment is nice and the drinks are also good, especially the red sangria. The waitstaff was also very attentive and I was really satisfied with our dinner here. Also, we were allowed to take all the leftovers home, and with 4-5 plates with each course, there were a lot of leftovers! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to others!
(4)
Marc L.
It was on the high end of what I expected. Big and crowded, but pleasant and efficient. Food was high quality if uninspired. Service was prompt and professional. I would go back if consistent middle-of-the road Italian was what i was in the need for.
(4)
Kathleen P.
I don't know what you people who only gave it 1 star are talking about. Perhaps you did not appreciate the heavenly food here. Let's see, starting with the calamari. It had a nice light breading and cooked perfectly. Meatball soup of the day was good, but seemed too normal compared to everything else. The Veal parm = best veal parm I have ever ever had (including homemade). I loved the eggplant parm as well, but it has a sweet spice ( I think nutmeg), which is great but mixed with the sweet red sauce is a little too much sweet. The dessert we had was again really good: Profiteroles. The puff pastry could have been a little softer though. Now, I am a potato lover, so many may pass off the red potato side as no big deal, after all they are basically just boiled potatoes. Well, it is hard to come across delicious potatoes at restaurant, or even in my own kitchen, they usually are just bland like a potato. Much to my pleasant surprise these were amazing. Unfortunately, I couldn't think if eating anymore food, so I had to pack them to take home. . . and I can't wait to have them. My only complaint of the night was that my waitress didn't seem enthusiastic to share her thoughts about what was delicious or give opinions on what to order, which is fine, but I saw every other waiter have tremendous energy when talking about the food, which I have to say made me a little jealous. All in all I cannot wait to go back, and I will dream about the potatoes and veal until then.
(5)
Joyce M.
The Buca di Beppo's of Boston. Family style portions, random photos on the walls, checkered table cloths. Check. A medley of kick ass carbs? Check, check. It's got a cute atmosphere and can accomodate large groups so if you're going out with your friends, you'll get the most out of this place since you can sample more of the menu. And don't forget the vino!Plus, with more people eating, there's always more room for dessert (not that that's ever stopped anyone anyway). So when you're done at Maggiano's, hop over to Finale, a couple of doors down and try the tiramisu or the chocolate cake to top off your night right. Bon appetite!
(4)
Brenda C.
I love Maggiano's for one reason: Red sauce. Call me boring. For the price, it has three things going for it: 1. It's actually spicy, though it won't kill you; 2. There's more than enough of it to cover the spaghetti AND the bread; and 3. They have a reasonably sized half portion. Yes, I've had better Italian, but not at this price. I love it and can't wait to try some other other locations.
(4)
Dustin M.
Family style was great, you won't leave hungry. The food overall was good. The clams and linguini was excellent, pork was a little dry but still flavorful. The maggiano salad was great. Was a fun place to eat with a group and kid friendly. The service was average, the waiter was friendly as was the rest of the staff, however, my water glass was empty and i had to ask for more, i find that water refill is a good gauge of attentiveness, and overall service level. I highly recommend family style, great selection, all you and your friends/family can eat and lots of fun!
(3)
Nancy D.
food was good. service was good. I'd go back again.
(3)
Meg M.
I hit up Maggianos last night for the Tomorrow Too deal. This review is based pretty much solely on that. This deal is 12.95 for a half order of pasta that you eat there and they let you pick another selection of pasta (again a half order) that they pack up to send you home with. Its genius. Half orders are still friggin huge and while the pasta isnt as good as my fave spots in the North End... its still quite yummy. What a great idea in todays economy. You get TWO meals for the price of one. In my case... I got 4 meals. I can only eat a half of each portion in one sitting. If I was in college I would be hitting up Maggianos on the reg. The service was not so great however. Our server was either very new, or just not very good. She didnt see to be familiar with the beer list, or the wine list. I ordered the Beringer Pinot Noir and she looked at me like I was nuts. "A what?". We sat with our bread for about ten minutes without her bringing the oil which makes me crazy cuz I LOVE that crispy italian bread they serve there. Either way, the service got better towards the end and ultimately, I am reviewing the food and the great deal we got. I will be eating my gnocchi with vodka sauce for lunch today!
(4)
Linh V.
the lobster raviolis were absolutely delicious but my dumb boyfriend was challenged by the waiter to eat a large pasta dish and it was gross watching him out how BIG it really was. seems like a fun place to take your family for a huge meal.
(4)
andrew s.
A word to the wise: do not eat for at least 12 hours before stopping at Maggiano's for dinner. While it may be a chain Italian restaurant that is only a notch or two above Olive Garden and Vinny T's - I highly recommend you give it a shot. While you won't get truely authentic Italian, you will get all of the basics covered (i.e. chicken/eggplant parm, chicken picatta, lasagna, etc.) and a fairly good wine list to boot. And with the size of the entrees, as well as the option of the "family-style meal", this is the perfect place to bring a large group. Aside from the massive portions (which are beyond comprehension) the price is incredible. My girlfriend and I had a 3 course meal and a bottle of wine for around $65. For a place surrounded by the likes of Smith and Wollensky, Flemmings and Davio's - that's pretty darn impressive.
(4)
Deepa C.
I have been here a handful of times now - once right before the Tufts Senior Gala, then for my rehearsal dinner, then for an office luncheon, and now for just a simple two person lunch. i can't really rave about the place; it is what it is: consistent, hot, lightly flavored American Italian food. You know what you're getting when you come in the door. The food is very straightforward, the service good (although today's was a little questionable), but the meal forgettable. the food is good when you are eating it, but not something you crave three days later. This place is ideal for a big group, pre-event dinners, or take out for a big group. the atmosphere is a bit forced, though, so don't come for ambiance...
(4)
Christopher M.
Fantastic dinner. We had great big round table that my 8 guests could all eat family style at and face each other! Apps were amazing stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari. For dinner we had spaghetti meat balls, fettucini and chicken parm. Food was really good but not amazing. For a party that size on Saturday night you couldn't ask for a better time. food, atmosphere, and service!
(4)
Andrew A.
Maggiano's is by itself a nice restaurant. This is a nice Italian place (one of the few outside the North End) that could be good for couples but is probably the best in Boston for big groups (4 or more people). At Maggiano's should you have four or more people you could get your food family style, 2 different apps, 2 different salads, 2 different pasta dishes, 2 different entrees, and 2 different desserts. No matter how many people you have, the price is $25 for each person, everyone gets to share in the meal, and you get as much of it as you want! The calamari is very good here, along with the Gnocci (someof the best I've tasted at a chain restaurant). Maggiano's overall is an excellent place to sit down with your family!
(4)
Mike V.
Didn't realize this place was a chain until after the meal. But I should have guessed. The first thing the waitress did was list about 7 items they didn't have that were on the menu. I ordered the Mussels but about 10 minutes afer I ordered she came back to tell me they were out of them as well. Overall the experience wasn't great. Food was overpriced and I wasn't able to order what I wanted. The only positive I have for this place is the atmosphere. It has the feel of an authentic North End Italian restaurant.
(2)
Jules C.
We lived in Chicago before we came here, and I have extremely fond memories of the Maggianos in the suburbs there. We recently went in to this location with a guest from out of town for a special occasion and were really disappointed. The food was very spotty - for ex., one in our party ordered a "special" risotto. The meat was pretty well-prepared, but the "risotto" was dry white rice with pieces of cooked squash mixed in - not even close to an arborio rice risotto. Another in our party had ravioli, which was pretty good but very expensive for the portion size. I got a chopped salad - my favorite dish at Maggianos back in the day - and it was a sad combination salad of not-so-crisp iceberg and romaine with a few pieces of soft avocado and mealy tomato - and not chopped. The service was very professional but not terribly attentive, warm or sincere. When someone says "it's been a true pleasure" in a monotone voice without looking at you when they say it, call me over-sensitive, but it's kind of a weird experience. It was also pretty expensive for what it is. I understand that's the location too, but with all the choices around, we'll go elsewhere.
(1)
Thana T.
3 stars for the velvet cake! Ok no, but seriously. The cake is delicious. You should try it. I've been here several times, for birthdays, anniversarys and work power lunches and have not yet been dissapointed. Large portions, cute atmosphere (my boyfriend and I had fun playing guess-the-celebrity in the Sinatra-y photos scattered throughout), comfort Italian food and near enough to parking and the Charles Play House to walk. Good enough for me!
(4)
Allison C.
I didn't enjoy myself at Maggianos nearly as much as I would have liked. This is because I am on a diet and could not get any of the wonderful things I would normally have loved. Non-engaged Allison would have ordered this: Cup of Orzo and Sausage soup or a Caesar to start, eggplant parmesan with a pound of pasta, followed by a nice coffee, all the while dipping the delicious bread into some oil sprinkled with pepper and parmesan. But instead it went down like this: Water with lemon, and chopped chicken salad featuring a little avocado and prosciutto with house dressing. The salad was good and pretty big and I like the atmosphere in Maggianos but I cannot give it a 4 or 5 because I don't want salads for lunch when I go out. I just don't. I wanted what my friends had: mushroom ravioli, mom's lasagna, spinach manicotti with plenty of parm and oil and italian bread. My boyfriend said "but is that Maggiano's fault?" Well no I guess not. But I've been before and had delicious amount of cheese and carbohydrates and it was very nice.
(3)
Mary B.
This is a fantastic authentic Italian. The best pasta dishes (lasagna if my favorite) in Boston. No need to go to the North End, this is bellissimo! There is something fantastic here for everyone in the family! Great wine selection too!!
(5)
Stephen Y.
A prodigious amount of food when ordered "family style"- must be for a family of morbidly obese male (or soon to be) .... or just rescued Swiss Family Robinson... The mussels were awesome... the lasagna was more like meat loaf with three token slices of pasta sheet... Rest of entree passable but quite greasy. Desert was the best part of the meal however. The wines that we chose were pretty decent as well- a chianti and a pinot noir.... Service was decent... So much food... ended up carrying two hugh bags of left overs home....
(3)
Giancarlo C.
Love you guys for gluten free-ness. However, your sauce is not as good as it used to be. But, I continue to come back because your food is high quality and I like the atmosphere. Your servers are friendly, and you can at least count on getting a good meal, for a decent price.
(4)
Mitchell P.
Went here for my friends birthday dinner. Food was fantastic, we had a bunch of family style options, chicken parm was solid, lasagna was great, raviolis were delicious, tiramasu was good too. this place was super packed, and they kept the food moving, it was good. i would def go back.
(4)
Wini P.
Very disappointing experinece. First, our waiter didn't pay attention when we ordered a salad with dinner. He brought the salad with dinner instead of before. They we asked to speak to the manager, but he had better things on his mind. I appreciate his taking off the salads. The waiter never came back to check on us, so we were lucky we got our second drink. For the money, if you don't go family style, the portions are very small and hardly worth the big bucks they charge. Great if you are with a group, but if you are just going out with one other person...don't bother
(2)
Paul J.
Love this place!!! good price for nice portions and the service is always fantastic... My favorite restaurant in Boston
(5)
E B.
Ok, the service here was crap, they made us wait forever to sit and I don't think it was that crowded (when we went up to them to see if we'd get seated soon it seemed like they had totally forgotten we were waiting). Also, I felt like it was a little overpriced for what it was. They took forever to give us menus, and then didn't give us enough... gave us bread, but took forever to give us oil & were out of egg plant parm entirely. On service alone I'd give this place zero stars. But, the food was quite good. I had the 4 cheese ravioli's which had a pesto/white sauce/red sauce thing going on and they were reallllllllly good. We also got the side salad, which wasn't that amazing but it did the trick of making me feel a little healthier while eating so much food. We had their version of mozzarella sticks, so good... and the bruscetta was some of the best I've ever had (I usually think bruscetta is a little too garlicky). The best part of dinner, had to be the dessert... the chocolate cake here is A+++++++. It was layered and moist and had the best chocolate fudge layer over it. If I order it again, I'll go all the way and ask them to top it with a few scoops of icecream. As a chocoholic, it's hard to find a good chocolate cake and this stole the cake (ahhh I'm so funny!). I'd def go back, but I'd probably get takeout next time.
(3)
Becky M.
I've been here before also but I brought my parents here for the first time on Friday night. They LOVED it! My Mom was raving about the atmosphere and the way the menu was family style. Dad was suprised it wasn't that expensive for all you could eat good food. We started with the stuffed mushrooms and mozzarella and tomato salad. The mushrooms were so good we got another order, the salad was decent but nothing special. We moved on to the baked ziti with sausage and chicken and spinach manicotti. Both were fantastic. Chicken Parm and Salmon for the main dishes, both great. Dessert was Creme Brulee and Tiramisu. Perfect. There was 4 of us and one order of each thing gave us each enough to try everything and leave us stuffed. Our waitress was super nice and attentive and though I drank water like a camel and she filled my glass probably 8 times she didn't seem to mind. I made the reservation through Open Table and we were seated right away with no problems. I'll definitely be back with a big group again!
So Good, So Good, So Good. What can I say I love the place. I recently dined at Maggiano's with a group of friends and it was amazing. Because we arrived in such a large group we had to order the Family Style Dinner. The Family Style Dinner consists of two choices of appetizers salads, pastas, entrees and desserts. I have never eaten so much in my entire life. The menu has a mixture of old school Italian favorites such as chicken parmesan and baked ziti. But it also consists of revamped favorites such as chicken and spinach manicotti and chicken pesto linguine. Their desserts are also excellent. My favorite is nonna's pound cake with caramelized banana with hot fudge sauce, which is served with vanilla ice cream. It's not very good for your waistline, but every now and then you have to treat yourself.
(4)
Kelly N Z R.
Phenomenal service! Our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable and came back with a detailed list of vegetarian/vegan-friendly options. A good selection of delicious options. Nice atmosphere. Huge portions-- had enough for 5 meals out of one dish. Pricey, but worth it. Try the sorbet mix for dessert-- superb!
(5)
joana b.
I had the extreme pleasure of dining here over the weekend. It was for a bday party of 15. We didn't wait to be seated, we didn't wait for bread or water, we didn't wait for our salads, apps, nothing, service was fast, efficient and pleasant. The atomosphere was charming and nice. The food was really great, i half expected "wedding" style chicken, but this seemed made to order in small batches! we tried the sausage and pepers, chix pesto, beef braciolla, and ravioli. My only slight complaint was that the caprese salad didn't have any basil and the tomatoes were on the unripened side, i think they used large beefsteak tomatoes. the pasta definitely tasted homemade and look forward to checking out that resaturant with just me and the honey to try other menu selections. btw, the tiaramisu was faaaaab! also, with the family style they were packing up ample left overs and would have accomadated wrapping up several different portions, based on who wanted to take what home! great job!
(4)
jess M.
While the food was great and the decor was fine, the service was a little... scary. The waiter accidentally bounced a wine glass off of my shoulder and it fell to the floor and broke, sending pieces of glass everywhere. Not that big of a deal, accidents do happen, but the waiter then left the glass shards on the floor for a good 10 plus minutes. As a former server, I was shocked that he would leave such a hazard unattended. The service remained a bit shaky the rest of the evening, nothing too appalling but some spilled water and abrupt removal of dishes was occasionally disconcerting. The waiter seemed to just be having an off night. Or maybe since it was Thursday he had the shakes. A sadder thought is that since we were a party of 12, he knew that he'd be tipped 20% regardless. Positives - good food, great for groups, really good apple crostada. Negatives - server had the shakes
(3)
Anita B.
Was very pleasantly suprised by Maggiano's. Let me preface this by saying that we didn't have to pay for this meal. We were in town for my cousin's wedding and they held a dinner here for out of towners so it was a free meal. They had a good bar which, at risk of sounding like the neighborhood alchi, is always a plus in my book. The bartender knew what he was doing and I didn't have to talk him through a simple drink like I have at some other restaurants. They served calamari which was excellent. Apparently it was an "on" night for them. It was tender and the way calamari is meant to be enjoyed. The other app. was sliced tomato with mozzarella cheese which was also quite good. The main course(s) (keep in mind, it was family style) were chicken parmesan which was fine, but average, gnocchi with a tomato/vodka sauce which was my personal favorite and then your typical pasta with marinara sauce. Desserts weren't anything to write home about, but keep in mind, I can pretty much take or leave any dessert you put in front of me so I may not be the best judge of that. All in all, it was a solid meal and I would probably go again at some point. I wouldn't make a special trip as the closest one here is too much of a drive for a chain, when I can get authentic Italian food blocks from home. I know it's a chain and while that generally turns me off, I can't really fault this one. Above average food, good service and large portions. I'd recommend it if you're going for more Americanized Italian and have enough taste to stay away from the Olive Garden.
(4)
April I.
I can't help but like Maggiano's Little Italy. It's consistent. It's filling. It's cheap. The food is good and yes it is a traditional, Americanized version of Italian food, but good nonetheless. I like the chicken and spinach manicotti. I like the chicken marsala. I like the house salad with crispy prosciutto bits. I like the mound of fried calamari appetizer. I like the gin martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. I love the soft and chewy bread with olive oil, parmesan, and pepper. The service has also always been spot on when we've gone. Fast, friendly and informative. What more could I want. I get to eat good food on the cheap, dress casual, and get decent service. Unless I'm missing something I happen to think Maggiano's is great!!
(3)
Patrick K.
This is an amazing Italian restaurant, especially considering how massive it is. It always amazes me when I go to a small place in the north end and they don't have any idea what a good wait staff is! So many bad experiences in the north end that Maggiano's has become my favorite traditional Italian restaurant in Boston. The food is amazing; everything I have ever had on their menu is premium quality. Also, it is consistent. You will probably have a slightly obnoxious host/hostess but other than that the servers are very good.
(5)
Cee L.
I went here for the first time with a huge group of people, and we had the family style. To put it simply, it was DELICIOUS. We had the mozzarella, zucchini fritte, Caesar salad, chicken and eggplant parm, fettucine alfredo, baked ziti, profiteroles, apple crostada. Very nice ambience, and the servers were attentive.
(5)
JohnnyFoodface ..
Horrible service. I was with a corporate group, ties and jackets, and we were placed at a large round table. We saw our waiter three times - took our orders, brought our food, and when we requested the check. Some salad plates, including mine, were at the table when we were leaving. I did not get my water refilled. I ordered the eggplant parmesan, and it was rather tasty, but it was a 3"x5" slab on a plate with a light red sauce. No side pasta, no nice mozzarella topping. It looked like it went from the freezer to the plate. It tasted average. The decor was beautiful (+1 star). It feels like you're a cast member of the Godfather, minus the bullets. Would not go here again, not even for a biz lunch. I would rather go to Vinny T's! The manager (guy with the tie) even came over, and asked how everything was. I didn't have the heart to tell him he should fire whoever our waiter should have been. I'm polite when I go out, especially among coworkers.
(2)
R.G. W.
I typically hate chain restaurants because the food usually tastes like it came out of a can or vacuum pack, the wait staff tends to be terribly impersonal, and I'd rather give business to locally-owned places than big corporations. But ... Maggiano's doesn't fall into any of those traps (well, maybe except for the last one, but I suppose that's inevitable). I'll always be surprised that their cup of soup is as big as most other places' bowls ... and only $2.95; not to mention how fresh the ingredients are. I'll forever be a fan of the pot roast, chicken cacciatore, and shrimp fra diavolo dishes. On their own, the pot roast or chicken cacciatore entrees are big enough to feed 2-3 hungry adults. And the shrimp fra diavolo: Finally, a red sauce spicy enough to be interesting to my seasoned tongue (no pun intended). I don't know why Maggiano's allows folks to order soup AND an entree... the soup on its own is big enough for an entire meal!
(5)
Jennifer G.
We had our rehearsal dinner here a couple weeks back and it was great! The private rooms are really nice - ours had its own built in bar area which added a nice touch - so much classier than getting a drink from one of those "bar stand" things you see in the corner of most banquet rooms. The food was fantastic - everyone was raving about it. The service was pretty good I'd say that's the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star review actually. They set up the room a couple chairs short which was really embarrassing. An unexpected game of musical chairs isn't the impression I was trying to give - especially when it was my grandmother who didn't get a chair. Terrible The Bartender was multi tasking and occasionally wasn't behind the bar - or even in our room actually. It's hard to make use of the open bar when there isn't anyone present to make drinks. The event planning staff was amazing and as soon as they heard about the 2 relatively small issues during my event they apologized profusely and are sending me gift certificates to make up for it which I thought was pretty nice of them. I would definitely recommend them if you want to host an Italian dinner event :)
(4)
Jen H.
They not only have great food you can carry out in small portions.... great for yourself or an "upscale movie night" ... they also have great carry out for catering! We just ordered from them for our housewarming party, and everything we got was so scrum-diddly-umptious! I highly recommend the Spinach & Artichoke al Forno and the Cheese Ravioli.... yum..... makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
(4)
Dana B.
I went here for a friend's birthday with a large group and the great thing is that if you get "family style" dining - it's only $25 per person so there is no "oh, look we're short by $60" at the end of the night. They also have a ton of options within their family style menu. You get to pick 2 apps, 2 salads, 4 entrees and 2 desserts - and they bring you as much as you want. I would give it five stars, but it loses a star because they forgot our reservation. There was a party of 40 that night and they ended up giving us one of their tables. We were trying to get acquainted and understand the whole "family style" thing and I found our waiter to be very pushy even stating that he had that party of 40 coming so he wanted our order. I also heard him talking to someone else that worked there at one point say "and they dont even know what the hell they want yet" - which was annoying and RUDE.
(4)
Amanda S.
With a $100 gift card in my pocket, my boyfriend and I headed out to Maggiano's on a Friday night. As we expected there was an hour or so wait, so we grabbed a seat at the bar and had some cocktails, one of which was the highlight of my night- order the espresso martini- dee-lish. After being seated we began our over-ordering: Caprese Salad & Stuffed Mushrooms to start (both were excellent), for entrees we tried the Chicken Saltimbocca & the Chicken Manicotti- the portions were enormous and we packed most of it, had a great apple/pastry like dessert with vanilla ice cream. Felt like I needed to be rolled out of this place. The food was good, but with so many mom and pop Italian places around town, I probably wouldn't go back to Maggiano's unless another $100 gift certificate fell into my lap, but overall it was a good experience.
(3)
Katharina I.
I went here with a large group and we ate the family style. I am vegan and was unsure how it would go for me (would I be eating an Odwalla bar from my purse?). I was pleasantly surprised when I informed the waiter I was vegan he immediately went back and talked with the chef. He made me my own salad without cheese and made my own entree with grilled veggies and pasta! It was a very good meal but the service was tops!
(4)
Julie T.
I've never been a fan of this place. My aunt thinks that it's the most amazing Italian ever, but I don't think she eats out very much. Anyhow, I'm not the best cook ever and even I make a better linguine in white clam sauce. It's ridiculous how not tasty this place is. I give it two stars cuz it's pretty cheap, especially if you go in a huge group, but if I was basing my review solely on the food, I would have given only one star.
(2)
Amanda G.
BIG portions, but the food and service is always fab. The family style is great if you're going with a group. Still like the sauce better at Vinny T's though.
(4)
Shauna B.
This is by far our favorite spaghetti and meatballs in boston. Gotta get the extra meatball. It makes life grander.
(5)
Amanda K.
Want good Italian food for the same price? Go to the North End. This place is one star away from the Olive Garden.
(2)
Aretha B.
Maggiano's is great! The mussels are yummy and come in a large portion... The spaghetti with meatballs is tasty and a huge plate of food. The linguine and white clam - leaves a lot to be desired, mainly more broth, clams, herbs etc. I like a meaty clam sauce, this is like a light tossing of sauce. The veal and mushroom ravioli was ok but next time I think I'd prefer just the mushroom ravioli. I had the meat lasagna and it was like a block of sauce meat and cheese.... the noodles were thin and a bit mushy. I took half of it home and cooked up some extra pasta and mixed it in and it was DELICIOUS! So if you get the lasagna order some plain pasta to go alongside. 4 cheese ravioli - good but RICH! tiramisu - flavorful, genuine coffee flavor. Spongy and lite - if you split it with someone! The chocolate cake is also VERY chocolatey, with a fudge icing. Best consumed at home with a tall glass of cold milk. Every time I leave maggiano's I have a doggy bag that weighs at least 3 pounds. I think it's a good date place. Especially if you get the little booths.
(4)
Nicole M.
I don't do chain restaurants. Maggianos is one of very, very, very few exceptions. I've been here for dinner with then-boyfriend-now-hubby, family dinners, huge group dinners, and a function. The service was much better for the huge group dinners and function than just when I was sitting at a small table. The food is decent. It's tempting to give Maggianos 4 stars based on Nonna's Pound Cake, that stuff is awesome!
(3)
Dynne S.
Large portions. Tons of carbs. I'd only go back for really heavy Italian food. It was mediocre in taste, maybe it's because I enjoy lighter Italian foods. Compared to Italy's food, it seems about 80% authentic. Personally, it tastes a bit Americanized. The prices are pretty good for the ridicious amounts served. Also, the atmosphere is fairly loud. Bring your appetite!
(2)
I M.
Maggiano's is a great place to go if you have a group(i'd say 6 or more) It's a great atmospher to get together and catch up with everyone. The food is great and the servers are friendly. it can get a little pricey, but it is soo worth it.
(3)
Julianne M.
This place was pretty empty at lunch time on a weekday, making it a good place for lunch with my boss to talk "business." Service is somewhat slow, but I enjoyed my raspberry lemonade and baked ziti (not as good as homemade). The office ordered takeout from here once when we were working late and they messed up our orders big time. Their gnocchi is something I could have brought at Trader Joe's and made myself for a fraction of the price; there was nothing spectacular about it.
(3)
Sherry Z.
A nice, laid-back atmosphere. The food was pretty decent. With their wonderful bread, I was pretty much filled up by the time the entrees rolled around. If this is the right restaurant, the downstairs restroom is set in what seems to be an old hotel -- it had a very old world atmosphere.
(3)
Kelley M.
I am not big on chain restaurants but Maggiano's never disappoints me. My husband and I wanted to have Italian for our rehearsal dinner and the North End was busy with Saint Anthony's festival on our date so we had it here. It was amazing! They have private rooms downstairs and the decor is very nice. Our room had its own bar and they even provided the flowers on the tables, which served as beautiful centerpieces. The food was great, people are still talking about it. While I thought the family style dining might be weird it was great. We could not have asked for anything better!
(5)
Stephen W.
Wanted to give a great shout out to the management of this place. Snow storm was due to arrive at the time of our surprise birthday party. To keep guests safe we wanted to cancel. No problem! Thank you, thank you. We are looking forward to doing the party after snow season I have been to many events here and the food is fantastic for event food and the service is always good. Book your party today
(5)
Patrick S.
Great place to get a nice Italian dinner in Boston.
(5)
AJ N.
Not a good experience at all. The food was on par with what you would get at a mall food court. Not to add, I have a gluten allergy (I informed the waiter) and not only did they give me non-gluten free food the first time, but then they finally gave me the food a second time, and my table was finished eating and we were waiting for the check. To add to it, I came home and got sick (I am assuming gluten). Not a fun time, very disappointing.
(1)
Mo J.
3-4 stars. Excellent for large groups, and the food and service are consistently on point. The food is standard fare- nothing too exciting or memorable but definitely satisfying. You get your money's worth.
(3)
Steve H.
The Gnocchi was excellent! We called ahead and asked if we needed to make reservations and the gentleman on the other line with a Italian accent said "no need sir, just come in". He took my name and we walked over and arrived about 20 min later. We arrived and the female host was unable to find my name on the list. Then a guy in a tuxedo walked over with the same Italian accent I heard on the phone and he acted like we were royalty and took us right to a table like he was expecting us. Overall very pleased!
(5)
Meredith M.
Tasty food. Big Portions. Tons of tables, so you don't have to wait very long. The interior is beautifully decorated. It's definitely an Americanized Italian place. I was in a party of 5 on a Tuesday night and we still had a 20 minute wait. However, the comfy leather couch and bold house wine (10$ a glass) made the time fly. We only ordered 2 apps and 3 family style entrees at the table and the bill came out to 150! We weren't stuffed, but we had enough. The clamari and bruschetta were delicious. (Even my super-italian friend approved!) If you are downtown and craving italian, I say go for it. The location is excellent if you are staying at one of the many hotels nearby or seeing a show in the theatre district. Other than that, go to the north end for more ambiance and authenticity!
(3)
Mimi F.
This is a big chain restaurant, but the food is quite good, and EXTREMELY reasonably priced. It was quite busy when we when, but we had reservations and were seated immediately. Service was brusque but good and quick. The portions are definitely generous. Desserts are HUge. Tried the tiramisu, which was pretty good. The chocolate cake looked amazing. Would definitely recommend this.
(4)
Mira N.
I love this place. It is great for family style. The waiters are attentive and helpful. The spaghetti and meatballs are though very large and big portions are delicious. The appetizers are humongous but as well delicious. The onion rings are to die for. And everything there is amazing!!!!!! This is the Italian place to go.
(5)
Sandeep T.
Great value for bucks!
(5)
Craig M.
The Mama D's Rigatoni is some of the best pasta and sauce I have had. The zucchini appetizers with the sauce are amazing as well. Every time I have been here I always leave happy.
(5)
Grace E.
This review is for Maggiano's as a wedding reception venue. I have not eaten in the main restaurant for years. Friends of ours recently held their reception at Maggiano's and it was a great time. We had the whole of the downstairs for the party. It was a great space to hold an event. The food was excellent. I was very impressed as I know Maggiano's is a chain restaurant and I know GOOD Italian food. The food was served family style and it was delicious. The servers were very attentive. The whole experience was wonderful, with great ambience, intimate yet spacious. I would recommend Maggiano's for any large event.
(4)
Jessa C.
Just about every time I go to Boston for a show or some other special occasion, we wind up here. I am sure there are other great Italian restaurants in the city, that do Italian food better than Maggiano's does, but I still come back. Maybe I have a comfort in that it is a chain. That being said, I have never had a bad meal here. I have always received attentive service, the food comes fairly quickly and the portions are huge. Their pasta dishes which are usually under $15, are always big enough that I bring home half for lunch. Lunch and dinner for that price is a bargain to me. I found out on my last visit, that they have a kids menu, with quite a few choices, for just under $6 for the meal and ice cream for dessert. Try the Apple Crostada for dessert... Really, really tasty!
(5)
Carol W.
I have been here in the past few months for two different events in the banquet rooms. Both times, the food tasted about the same - below average and over cooked. Food here is much better when you go with a group of five/six friends and have it cooked to order so that it comes out piping hot and fresh. When food is mass produced here, the quality noticeably declines. For example, in the chicken mushroom alfredo rigatoni dish, the pasta was terribly over cooked - not al dente. I was very disappointed and wouldn't come back here for a large group dinner.
(1)
Shane K.
I have never, ever had a single complaint about the food, service or drinks at Maggianos. This place is always brimming with people celebrating birthdays, engagements or just treating themselves. The family style dining has always left me with a glorious food baby. I can't help but stuff myself with the apps, leaving little room for the entree & dessert. The mozzarella marinara is to die for!! The star of the show last night was definitely the chicken & truffle tortellacci. First time ever having this dish but instantly my new favorite. The cream sauce, the bacon.......I'm drooling just thinking about it. And one of the best things about family style?? They keep bringing the food until you can't eat anymore! I don't care if this is a chain. Its my go to spot for Italian food.
(5)
Dan C.
I am a bit ashamed to be writing a review of Maggiano's, but here goes.... I have Italian roots and still make some of the family recipes, such as a killer bolognese sauce. I am generally a food snob, too. But I think every Italian should have a soft spot for an Italian chain or two. My soft spots are Bravo in the Midwest and Maggiano's in the Northeast. What can I say? The service is good and they don't screw anything up for starters. They make great fried mozzarella, which isn't even Italian, but what the heck, it's tasty. I do like their other fake Italian dishes like chicken parm, which is very tasty. One authentic thing they make really well are meatballs. Their meatballs are excellent, moist and very flavorful without being an oregano or garlic bomb. They also have whole wheat penne, which is a huge plus. So, when I go, I usually get the whole wheat penne and the meatball (one baseball sized hunk of tasty). So, call me a hypocrite for liking the place, but if you can deal with large groups of tourists, "girls night in the city", birthdays and other crap, you will have a pretty good meal here - just stick to the basics, ok?
(3)
Whitney K.
I had the Seared Pork Medallions and they were amazing. I even had left overs so I got to enjoy it twice. Service was great, as well. Will be back for sure!
(4)
SC S.
Excellent food! Excellent wait staff! Everyone enjoyed the 3 course family style meal. It was great to be able to try a verity of dishes. See below for my favorites. The bartender seemed clueless but other than that our entire experience at Maggiano's was extremely enjoy. First Course Stuffed Mushrooms FAVORITE!! Bruschetta Maggiano's Salad FAVORITE!! Choped Apple & Walnut Salad Second Course BakedRigatoni & meatballs with Smoked Italian Cheese FarfalleAglio with Herb Chicken, Spinach, Asparagus Ocen Roasted Pork Loin, Balsamic Cream Sauce FAVORITE!! Salmon, Lemon & Herb FAVORITE!! Third Course Tiramisu FAVORITE!! Apple Crostada September 8
(5)
carol l.
Had a reservation for 6pm on a Saturday night. Got seated quickly but could hear that there was a 2 hour wait for people without reservations. To drink, I had a cosmopolitan which was $10 and average. It's hard to mess up a cosmo! For my meal I ordered from the "Classics" menu which is when you choose one meal for dinner and one to take home. It seems as though they are all already pre-made. My meal which was eggplant parmesan came out within 10 mins or less of ordering. It was luke warm and average flavor but nothing spectacular. My "take home" meal which was spaghetti with marinara sauce was cold and labeled so it had been pulled from a refrigerator somewhere. The spaghetti marinara which I had for lunch the next day was just average. All in all, an ok place but I wouldn't rush back there anytime soon.
(3)
Kevin M.
This place is great -- for a chain. I think the food is good ( but honestly for most italian restaurants, it's good, right?) I think it's fun for groups - if you have a business meeting or wedding rehearsal dinner or family outing -- The staff does a great job of helping to keep the energy up.
(3)
Gee T.
Good food, good prices. I've eaten at a few of these restaurants in different states and they always do the job. The food is always adequate to pretty great and the prices are always great. I've tried half the stuff on the menu and I've honestly never been disappointed. I will say that in my opinion, for a chain, they make awesome marinara sauce. This is a great place to go with a group, either just for a quick bite or for an ocassion.
(4)
Charlene G.
We were looking for a restaurant within walking distance to the Charles Playhouse, that our kids 10 and 14 would enjoy. The food and service were both top notch!
(5)
Bret C.
Good for groups. Not good for just about everything else. For my first experience here I had below-average service and mediocre food. There are just too many other places in Boston that serve Italian food that is better! The biggest tip I could give: Go to the North End for Italian food. The second biggest tip: If you do have to go to Maggiano's, book on OpenTable.com and they will send you a $10 off coupon for dinner. A nice touch.
(2)
Marian M.
This place is scrumptious.. My group of 8 did the family dinner thing.. We ordered a cesar salad with the Maggiano salad, which was surprisingly good (I'm not a big salad eater). For appetizers, we got the stuffed mushrooms and the calamari. The stuffed mushrooms are soooooooooo good, but the quality parallel Olive Garden stuffed mushrooms. The calamari was a bit too heavily breaded for more likely but good nonetheless. For entrees, we got chicken marsala, gnocchi with vodka sauce, salmon, and seafood linguine with a white sauce. The gnocchi and salmon were realllllly good. Gnocchi tends to be heavy in the first place, but I kept going at it. The salmon was pretty good -- almost at the melt in your mouth status but not quite. Chicken was pretty good, and the linguine tasted somewhat bland after the eating the gnocchi. So expensive though... Dropped about $40 on this place... I would come here again only for special occasions.
(4)
Julie B.
Recently went here for the first time after having it recommended by tons of people. The restaurant is huge and has huge portions. My family wanted to order off the family style menu but our waiter kindly advised us not to as we would have to leave with about 10 boxes of leftovers. We ordered the bombalina appetizer platter which was great (and mostly fried...)! The stuffed mushrooms and spinach and artichoke dip were my favorites. We then ordered the garlic shrimp linguine and the baked ziti and sausage to share. I wasn't too fond of the sausage but the linguine was great. Overall not too pricey and you get a ton of food...great place for groups.
(4)
Rob C.
i cannot possibly fathom how one can possibly do justice to the 'family style' meal on a normal day. Of course, this past Sunday wasn't a normal day--my dad, my sister, and i ran a half-marathon that morning. Before that, we made a shortlist of places that would allow us to replenish our desperately needed junkfood reserves in the most efficient way possible, and my sister promoted Maggiano's to the top of the list. It helped that they weren't too fussy about seating our sweaty selves. The waiter was very helpful in giving us pep talks to rock the ludicrous amounts of food we faced, helpfully taking away the bread and suggesting good times to ask for more. The food itself is also quite good, the chicken parm and pesto ravioli both standouts. The fried mozzarella is also ridiculously good, and i'd have been happy just to pay $20 to polish off plate after plate of that. The only thing resembling a complaint is that the tables are way too small for a normal meal, much less such a ludicrous feast. In short, if you've worked up a monstrous appetite and no one else can help, maybe you can handle the family style at maggiano's. failing that, they're efficient and not the least bit grudging with the doggy bags.
(4)
Thuy L.
Went here with 3 of my girlfriends for my belated birthday. We started out with stuffed mushrooms , spinach artichoke dip, & mussels (lemon butter) and it was soo good! (thanks to the yelpers!) The portions was decent and by the time our entrees came out, we were already full!. I got the Beef tenderloin medallions that's come with creamy mash portatoes topped with crispy onions & sauteed mushrooms and a side a asparagus. It was pretty flavorful and I couldn't finished it so I took it to go. The environment is nice, definitely good for family dinners/get together. I wanna try the all u can eat that's $30 per person next time!
(4)
Hannah R.
Great homemade Italian food. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive. We got lots of free items (apps and dessert)! Kid friendly (our two 7 year olds even loved it!). Highly recommend!
(5)
Joanna L.
I like Maggiano's even though it's a chain. It's a success story, like an italian version of cheesecake factory. Portions are huge here, but the quality isn't sacrificed. Pastas are still al dente, and sauces still taste fresh and well proportioned to the food on the plate. Execution is great. Appetizers are reasonably priced, and the fried mozzarella and stuffed mushrooms are good. There's no opening a bag of frozen stuff in the kitchen and defrosting it here, and you can taste it. Staff is usually pretty nice. When they run specials here, it's always well worth a visit. Also a great place for pre-theater, because you'll be in/out in efficient manner without feeling rushed.
(4)
Sandra C.
Great Italian restaurant. Fantastic food at a reasonable price. The ambience is also very nice with warm lighting and lots of conversation. I love this place though it's a little hard to get to.
(5)
Rob M.
Not bad, a decent little Italian restaurant on the ground floor of the Park Plaza Hotel. Generous portion sizes.
(3)
Andrew L.
A family style Italian restaurant located right in Arlington. They offer great portions so definitely go with a group. I recommend the fried mozzarella as an appetizer, it's great. Parking is tough so taking the T is recommended, Arlington stop on the Green line.
(4)
J. H.
This "family style" Italian chain can be extremely crowded and seems to be really popular for group outings and the afterwork crowd. The huge serving sizes border on the ridiculous. I prefer places that try to impress me with the quality of the food first and then the quantity second. The food here is passably good, but definitely not the best Italian you will get in town.
(3)
Jeffrey W.
I've never been disappointed in Maggiano's. Sure it's a chain and there are tons of more "authentic" Italian restaurants in North End, but if you're not up for dealing with crowd packed tiny streets and dining rooms the size of a closet, check out Maggiano's. The lasagna is great for two. Order it and a salad and dessert and you're out for less than $30. Family style is great for big groups too.
(5)
Dorian G.
a better choice if you need to go "chain" for an Italian meal. the portions are ginormous, so the pricing works for me since i always get to take home enough food for 2 more meals. they have a great family-style menu that is really well priced. if there's 4 of you, its def the way to go if you can all agree on what to order. like previous yelper, the desserts are a HUGE disappointment. go around the corner to Finale.
(4)
Ame k.
the food is ok, hugh portion of food go to waste because we cannot finish it. i ordered calamari and it's good. i forgot what other's ppl orders it's for bf sis or bro b-day. anyway i am not impress at all.
(3)
Juliette V.
I love love love this restaurant. I come from an Italian heritage and really enjoy the all you can eat family style portions as well as the old fashioned pictures on the wall. I recommend this place for large group celebrations as well as for parties of four or more. For a place that does such a large volume, everything seems fresh, nothing seems pre-made or microwaved. The Nonna's pouncake is the best!
(5)
Karolina B.
My boyfriend and I have been going here for semi-special occasions (or just because we feel like it) for the last 6 years now - ever since I was a freshman in college, and we have always been impressed. The only times we got frustrated was when we couldn't get reservations due to all the Boston schools having graduations, etc.. But then we would just get take-out - which is a separate service at the restaurant that I will also review. Dining in, the atmosphere is superb - you feel like you should be dressed up in theire as the dining area is very elegant, but I saw people in jeans so I'm assuming the dress code is pretty reasonable. There are dim lights and the servers wear black and white uniforms and mill around every table tending to your every need. There is a host who I'm guessing may be the manager of that restaurant (Maggiano's is a chain for those not familiar), because he is always there when we go and he makes everyone feel like a celebrity. Now as for the food - amazing. From the bread basket with olive oil and the salad (the house salad is not your plain house salad with its cheese shavings and unbelieveable house dressing) to the pasta or meat dishes, whatever your pleasure, to the cheesecake desserts, everything is satisfying. And don't worry about finishing your meal as leftovers are packed into this cute-looking souvenir paper bag and the box the leftovers are put in have DIRECTIONS on how to properly re-heat the food so as to repeat the experience. Even if you normally don't order dessert, I strongly recommend the cheesecake - as it seriously beats out every cheesecake I've had (and I've been to the Cheesecake Factory!). Share it if you must, but it's worth a try. Although, unless it's wine, skip the cocktails/frozen alcoholic drinks - they don't have much alcohol and seem a waste of money in my opinion. Also, if you're going as a large group - DEFINITELY get the family meal - it is such a good value as for (I think) about $27/person, you get 2 types of appetizers, 2 types of salads, 2 types of entrees, and 2 types of desserts and each in UNLIMITED portions. It is definitely the way to go. Like mentioned above, I also frequent the take-out "window" part of the restaurant and have always been satisfied with the service and ending product. Unlike some take-out places, they have never forgot anything or messed up our order. Only downside is, you may have to wait up to 30-40 mins for take-out so it's better to just look at the menu online and call ahead. And compared to the North End's Italian restaurants, the prices are very reasonable (pasta dishes range from $13-22) and you get a lot more, so worth checking out!
(5)
D L.
Are you a pasta lover? A fan of big portions? Then this is the place to go! I went with a bunch of my friends and did the family style. It was a good deal. Nothing too fancy though.
(3)
Ebrahim B.
Best pasta in Boston if you ask me. Our waiter was from Scottland and the service was great. The atmosphere makes you feel like its a restraunt right out of the Soprano's or something. Try the stuffed mushrooms, its enough to fill 2 people as a main course though so beware.
(5)
Ashley J.
I went here once and didnt have to wait which was nice. My friend and I got bruschetta to start which was great. I got eggplant parm which was very very good, he got lasagna and really liked it. Most of it went home with us. I got a lemon martini and was a little disappointed. It was too bitter and not balanced well. My friend is a waiter here now and is awesome so I am likely to go again. Overall it is good standby generic Italian.
(3)
Belle F.
We went here recently to celebrate a 40th birthday with family and friends and the food was plentiful and the service. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck here. I have to say that I am puzzled by poor reviews of this place. We have gone here for many family functions, including our rehearsal dinner and the food has always been consistently good. We are also very particular about our Italian food, since we are Italian and I grew up in the North End. If you want yuppified trendy Italian food, where you spend $50 a head and leave hungry, then this is probably not the place for you. But if you want really good basic Italian like you would get in nonna's kitchen, then you will find it here. While I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you try, definitely try the fried calamari, stuffed mushrooms, spinach and artichoke dip, gnocchi, veal parm and the chicken piccata.
(5)
Olivia C.
Place is fancier than the food is great, but the price fixes will not put a hit out on you, and can be fun cause you get to eat everything, and... Maggiano's has great service-- I successfully used yelp to brace myself for work party. I may have been dining on the clock, and I did "enjoy it all," but I refused to get bloated and drunk in front of the new boss. Anyway, pace yourself people, if you must go to Guido's Ginormous Gluttony Gazebo. MOZZARELLA MARINARA: "Whole milk mozzarella cheese breaded and fried,topped with provolone cheese and marinara sauce." I am a champion because I only had a half a fatty as this was only the second course. Sauced mozz sticks topped with prov? Mama mia!! Chopped salad.. o I have a hard time with blue cheese. Calamari, on the fresh side. I wanted to try the eggplant parm but my suggestions got lost in the opera!! :( Chicken parm. Alright. Lobster ravioli big deal (sarcastioni) Angel hair with sauce with a touch of spice - barely recognizable. Profiteroles and CREME BRULLE, (some of the best I've had in a while, gotta go italian for this) light and dreamy. Well, like my Italian auntie says "I never order Italian food when I go out, they always mess it up." And p.s. I was in the South not North End, and at a Work Party chain-gang-bang- I did realize here that I am actually a baby cow advocate. Save the baby veal! Just say no, let them grow! Blah, blah, blah go to the North End.
(3)
M M.
My family and I went here for our Christmas dinner, about 10 of us and 2 kids. We've all been here a few times before. We were sat on time, and then sat there for 10 minutes until a waitress came over to us, she filled only 1/2 of the table with water...never got the kids a drink, and I had to ask a bus boy to have our waitress come over and get people drinks and table water! I previously called in our family style menu..so its not like she had to take our orders. Her name was Jamie, and she was probably one of the worst waitresses I have ever encountered. She brought 1 plate of chicken parm, with 4 pieces of chicken on it, my boyfriend asked to her put in another order asap because obv everyone wanted it..and that took about 35mins. I took the 2 kids to the bathroom-which obv took some time, i came back and the table wasn't cleared, she never took off the wine glasses, never cleared the small plates...disaster...total disaster. And it took us 3 hours to get out of there due to her slowness. She had maybe 3 tables and took forever. This is known as a fast paced family restaurant, so she should probably quit since its obvious she can't handle it. I prob won't be back for a long long time.
(2)
Brady B.
I love Maggiano's! For a family style restaurant that mass-produces, you can't go wrong. I've only eaten here about 5 times, but it's always been with a large group (Birthdays, going away parties, etc.) and I've always left very satisfied. As Sunny said it's Amer-Italian but what they do, they do very well. Go with a group and order family style: 2 salads, 2 pastas, two entrees, 2 sides and 2 desserts. Make sure that you don't eat a crumb all day so that you can really have a wonderful gorgefest when you do eat here. As soon as a tray empties you can say "more chicken parm please!". Lotsa food and very tastey to boot. Skip Vinny T's and go directly to Maggiano's......you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Bruce L.
Went to dinner here with my wife and wanted to try a little of everything. You could really order one meal for a couple and have plenty. We split the artichoke spinach dip on toast for an appetizer which was very tasty. The entrees were veal and mushroom ravioli in a sun dried tomato creamy sauce, and chicken saltimboca. These two were served quickly and the taste was wonderful. We ordered the Maggianos salad also which was a combo of mixed greens, prosciutto crumbled, red onions, and blue cheese. The salad was the only disappointment of the meal just not nearly as good as the other items, the cooked ham was not good in my opinion and it needed more blue cheese and dressing. We ordered Creme Brulee for desert and it was very large one is plenty for two people, the tatse and texture was great. All in all a good meal but watch what you order as a couple and keep it cut back, the portions are very large.
(3)
Von D.
Phenomenal!...our waitperson Dean was a real pro! The maitre d' Johnny was very helpful. Didnt even have to look at the menu, Dean told us what was good and he was right!
(5)
john e.
This is a great experience. The food is good quality for the money - the portions are massive and reasonably priced. Good location. The staff are great. This place is one of the best in Boston.
(4)
Blake S.
This is a very large restaurant near the Radisson. We visited this establishment after running the Boston marathon. There were very few people in the restaurant, but the wait was quite long. Once we were seated, the service was very good. The kitchen was busy, so the food came out a little slow. The Cesar salad was very good. The bread was fabulous, some of the best I have eaten. The shrimp scampi on angel hair pasta was very good. It was a pleasure dinning here. The deserts were a meal in themselves. We had the tiramisu and it was huge!!. Very light and delicious. I definitely recommend this spot.
(4)
Jezibel C.
I'm a huge fan of family style dinners. It's always great to try a bunch of different stuff. Every time I've gone we go home with bags of food because the portions are super big. Interior is very nice. Make a reservation so you don't have to wait
(4)
Pete K.
One of the few places I will eat Italian food outside of the North End in Boston. Always filling, never disappoints! My advice: do Family Style. They'll just keep refilling your plates with food. It's so worth it!
(4)
Heidi C.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am a big fan of Maggiano's. Admittedly, it is a mass produced version of Italian favorites, but the food is always reliably tasty and the portions are huge! They offer many dishes in both half or full portions. We've often found the whole size portions big enough to split for two and still had leftovers. Favorites include the Chicken Francese with Roasted Red Potatoes and Baked Ziti with Sausage. The mozzarella fritta makes for a great appetizer, albeit slightly bad for your waistline. :) A few things to note: DO NOT expect to show up on a Friday night and wait less than hour (or more) without reservations. This place is always packed with locals, birthday parties and politicians alike. If you do come sans reservation, they have a great lounge where you can have apps and drinks while waiting for your table. More other restaurants should follow-suit. Finally, you can sit at the bar first come, first serve with the same full menu. Great food, reasonable prices and a great location equal a winning combo for me!
(4)
Lala L.
One of the places you'll find me at regularly. The 5-star is only for the dishes I order, Maggiano's salad and the mushroom ravioli. GOOD STUFF! As for the rest of the menu...it's a hit or miss. Some of the better dishes is the Rigatoni D (penne with chicken and mushroom in a light cream broth...much better the next day), the lasagna is also a good choice...sometimes it's chicken, not pork. Do order the fried calamari...the marinara is nice n tart, calamari a bit too tender, but the batter is crispy and light. The desserts are really good. Nonna's Poundcake is caramelized on a pan, served warm with bananas, chocolate syrup and a heaping spoon of vanilla ice cream. The tiramisu is pretty darn good too. They have a "Family Style" menu, where for $23 a person, you get an unlimited/bottomless meal. Awesome for parties. (be aware of the additional charges p/p for seafood or steak.)
(5)
L B.
Wow, this is a terrible place. Now twice I have left feel sick. The super salty food is some of the worst Italian food I have ever had. My Italian wife vomited the first time she went. I figured she was sick that day. But just recently, we happened to go again.....she was sick again! We will NEVER go to this place again. It's really made for tourists with it's overly gushy Italian copies of food.....but nothing is good, or even close. For looks only. What a shame.
(1)
Tim T.
So-so. Good business dinner place, but the food is nothing to speak of. You'll find better frozen Italian food at your grocery store!
(2)
Momo K.
really enjoyed it, nice meal!!! i went there w/ my bf and had really good food and we were stuffed. must try their seafood pasta, alot of seafood, shrimp, clams, lobster cooked in tomato sauce for under 20 bucks!!! really good deal. i love the fact that you can ground your own peppers and salt. love the place, good place,good food, nice atmosphere, and good reasonable prices.
(5)
Goofy D.
We walked in late right before the fourth. Great food and service. I'd recommend it. We got Calamari for an appetizer. Best we've had in a while. We also got the lobster carbonaro, Salmon, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken rigatonni.
(5)
Adam M.
In this economy it makes too much sense to get as much bang for your buck as you can, and Maggiano's takes the cake here. I love Italian food anyway, and I also love heaping portions of food, no matter what style or nationality. If you do it right here you will not only be fully satisfied but you will have leftovers for days, which me and my friends had the last time we went here. The key is to do the family dinners, eat as much as you can of the first portions, order the free refills, eat a little bit of them, then have them bagged so you can take them home. It's the greatest two-for-one deal in town, and again, in this economy, you can't take something as simple as food for granted. If I had a last meal, it might be here.
(5)
K J.
Maggiano's gives me the impression that restaurants can be bipolar too. I could never understand what kind of crowd they would like to cater to. At first look its decor gives the impression that it is a "bit" upscale than a regular restaurant. The items are priced that way. But then you see normal people like you and me, dressed casually sitting and eating there. Any day you will find a lot of families inside this place and a lot of camera flashes and cute lil babies. Out waiter was a nice bloke. He liked to talk a lot, to the point we thought it was an overkill, but I was later told he had been working 5/7 straight days and he was exhausted. The world's smalled suspension bridge is supposedly at the park nearby, thus he spake. I never saw it, but would love to verify it. My salmon was cooked so perfectly [drooling.....]. The four cheese ravioli was tasty. The fried zuchini frite was crisp. This is a great place to take your mom and pop, gramps and all for a lil italian when they are visting Boston.
(4)
Eve L.
Maggiano's is pretty good. It's by no means the best Italian in Boston - for that, go to Rino's in East Boston - but it's pretty tasty, has a great wine and liquor menu, is prominently located, and is huge - so it's good for big parties and almost always a slam dunk for getting seated quickly.
(4)
Sarah A.
Great place to come with a big party or a large group. The food is pretty decent, but I would not go here just for the food. What makes it worthy of three starts is how well they accomodate a big group and the family style eats. Like someone else said, it's good to come here if your primary focus is not on the food itself, but on meeting with a bunch of people. If you want really good Italian food, of course, the North End, or closer to this area, Piatinni on Columbus Ave or Newbury St.
(3)
MICHELLE C.
good date place! Pros: portions- enough to feed a horse!!! atmosphere- lively, fun and typical italian restaurant decor prices are not that bad little bar area to wait in- watch the red sox friendly staff location- back bay valet! great wine list!! red wine- get the Artemis. cons: don't get me wrong its decent. some nights were better than others. i guess i'm biased though- i'm use to some unbelievable italian food. i would definately go back here though!!! the lobster ravoli is awesome! and my boyfriend got some type of beef stew- he loved it!!!
(4)
B T.
This place has the best chicken parm I've ever tried by farrr. Is it the best in the city?
(5)
Lynette M.
great for groups. Very classic fare, the spinach salad and mushroom raviolis were particularly food.
(3)
Derek G.
Wow I love Maggiano's. Love it love it love it. The food is soooo good. I don't think it is all made from scratch, but it certanly isn't microwaved. Big menu, you can get your own or eat family style. Good for big groups. I went here before I went out for my bachelor party. The portions are pretty big, and the cost isn't so bad.
(5)
stacey l.
I'm sure the dining experience is different, but I thought that I would post a review on their catering. It's not very good. Bad lasagna, dry ziti w/ broccoli and chicken, and the order of meatballs came as a few gigantic balls instead of a bunch of serving sized ones. Overall, disapointing.
(2)
Raymond W.
In Boston for the weekend and didn't know where to eat. Used YELP to find a spot. Lucky me it was located on the same block as the hotel. Made reservations conveniently online and headed out the door. On arrival I was pleasantly surprised at the atmosphere and ambiance. Was seated and had menu's in our hands in minutes. Review of the menu showed a large selection of delicious choices. I choose the chicken parmigiana and my partner had the veal ravioli. We both had house wine which was very good. The meals were brought quickly piping hot with nice presentation and cooked to perfection. Both were as good as they looked. We topped it off with Profiteroles and ice cream. A nice touch was the visit from the manager "Rocky" He stopped by every table to ensure everything was up to standard. We were very impressed with the experience. I do have to say the server wasn't top notch but adequate. We would definately eat there again.
(4)
Rebecca C.
The food was really good, HOWEVER, i received TERRIBLE service last night. We have the waitress, Nakisha, serving our table of 6. We order many dishes to share and she only bring us 5 plates and settings, and waited 10 minute to bring the 6th plate and setting... Order coffee and dessert, she brought out the coffee and took her 10 minute to bring out the cream even though we asked for cream twice when she walk by during those 10 minute. By the time we got the cream, the coffee was already cold and she never offer to replace the coffee. My friend asked for hot water, so she brought out a teapot of hot water but no mug. I escalated the matter to the manager and he is completely useless. He said there's a big convention in Boston so they have too many customers and understaff..... i am in meeting planning business, and i want to say that there's ALWAYS a convention or large meeting going on in Boston, that is just so BS... he didn't offer me anything for poor service. It was an extremely disappointing dinner.
(2)
H T.
Average food. Good service. Decent pricing. Big portions. Boring dessert (a big *YAWN* for their ice cream).
(3)
Jen B.
Let me start off by saying I wish yelp would allow you to give stars for different reasons in the restaurant category like service, food, overall experience etc. That said, here are my thoughts. I have been here for two functions and just to eat dinner. The first function was a dinner for a bachlorette party. They did a wonderful job it was in a private room which was nicely decorated. Our server was Diego from Venezula. If you plan a function, please ask for Diego to be your server. He was really accomodating and one of the best servers I have had in a restaurant ever. The food for this event was plentyful and came out on time there was no waiting. I really would give this experience a five star rating. My second function that I helped organize was a baby shower for 20 people. My friend handled the contacting of Maggianos with regard to pricing food etc and the service we received was not acceptable. I'd give this a one if I could. Every time we called we got a different price for the function and a different list of what was included and not included. Also, everytime we called back we got a different person and no one could give us the same answer or the same price. Very disappointing. The day of the function they had us in a nice room sort of semi private which was great. The first helping of food we got the chicken saltemboca seemed very dry and sort of overcooked. I will say though the eggplant parm looked and tasted very good both times it came out. The second round of food which typically they refill as your plates empty, took awhile to come out and when it did the chicken was not dry like the previous order. All in all the servers were attentive and in the end it all worked out. If I could rate this experience id give it a three simply because of all the previous stress about pricing prior to the event and the dry chicken and the waiting for food. Would I go back there again? Yes. Would I plan a function there? Maybe.
(3)
sunny n.
good value--rich italian food in sizeable portions....love the family style seating.....service is good.....american-italian food...not authentic.... but overall its decent..!
(3)
Nicole J.
First off, if you go to Maggianos, order the fried zucchini. You will not be disappointed. My friends also ordered the calamari and it was served with..ranch or garlic cream sauce?? In any case I didn't try the sauce, but I tried the calamari, and it was good. I'm used to marinara sauce with my calamari, so it threw me off a little. I ordered the gnocchi for my main course, and it was surprisingly good. We had to flag the server down for parmesan cheese, but other than that it was a great location, my food was good, and I would go back. I've also had a chicken and shrimp pasta dish, which is definitely worth ordering.
(4)
Helen L.
I have never eaten at Maggianos and not felt sick afterwards. The food is SO heavy and I feel so insanely sick and gross afterwards. Yes, the food is good but afterwards, you feel like you ate 20 Big Macs. Service was bad- they are so slow during lunch time that they forget about you. One time, we were seated, 20 minutes later, our waiter shows up and says he had no idea that he was suppose to wait on us. Anyways, food is too heavy!
(1)
Paul B.
After writing this review we were immediately contacted by the restaurant with an apology and they told us they wanted to make it up to us. We agreed to come back and give them another shot since they agreed to comp us a second meal. Johnny K, the Maitre'd was very apologetic about our previous trip and ensured us that they would make it up to us this time around. Our server was Johnny C and he was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us some great recommendations on what to order. The food was great as usual and we were so full that we could barely eat any of the dessert. He also made a great suggestion on the wine. The meal was completely comped with the exception of the alcoholic drinks so it was very worth it for us to return. My only criticism is that we were at the same style table as last time and the fold-able sides to the table have a slight downward pitch and a couple of us dropped our silverware. The table also seems to have a soft leather top and we were nervous the wine bottle was going to fall over. Nevertheless, I would happily return to Maggianos again.
(4)
Susan J.
This enormous Italian-style restaurant offers generous portions and a boisterous atmosphere. Whether for a working lunch or dinner in a large group, Maggiano's delivers. My grilled vegetable sandwich with parmesan fries was outstanding, and my dining companion thoroughly enjoyed his fried ravioli... Mmmm!
(5)
Esther L.
Love the sandwiches here on the lunch menu, especially the portabella mozerella (drooling, thinking about it). It comes with homemade chips, which are tasty too. Stuff here is kind of pricey, but its worth it for lunch. Their pasta bowls look small, but are really filling, so don't be fooled. Good free bread too for the appetizer. Dinner menu: your typical Italian choices. Wasn't so hot on it- thought lunch options were better. Servings are huge though, large enough for you to share. I would recommend going to Maggiano's for lunch, but not so sure about dinner.
(4)
Jennifer K.
I''ve never been impresed with Maggiano's. I don't think I"ll revisit. The food is boring, seems like the sauce is of the "out-of-the-can" nature.... The service is great though. I had the funniest (yet unobtrusive) and prompt waiter there on my last visit.
(2)
Michael C.
Been to a bunch of different Maggianos around the US, and I have to say the Boston location is by far the best. The Mozzarella is some of the best in town. The portions are perfect for a glutton like me. I suggest the Beef Tenderloin Medallions. Every time I have had them they have been cooked perfectly. In Boston, it seems very difficult to get into this place without a reservation, so make one today!
(5)
J B.
Here's the scoop: if you've got a group of people and you're looking for a decent Italian restaurant serving up large portions of all the Italian-American classics, family-style , Maggiano's is worth a visit. I'm not an advocate of chain restaurants, but I admit Maggiano's is pretty good as far as chains go. Food seems to be good and well executed, service is always spot-on as well. On the other hand, if it's the two of you on an intimate, romantic date, get yourself to the North End and explore one of the many amazing spots in that neighborhood.
(4)
Beth F.
We love Maggiano's for big dinners and great taste. The plates are huge. The atmosphere is fun and loud. It is a great place to go with a large group because they can accomodate you and make it fun! The prices are about average.
(5)
Kevin W.
HARDCORE OVERRATED, its a small litte place, with ratty service. I've had better italian at the Olive Garden.
(1)
Rebecca Y.
If you have a group: go here. The price fix menu ($24/$25 per person) offers an unlimited supply of two of each course. Order the spinach salad and drinks lotsa vino! If you have to wait (there is hardly ever one when you make reservations) order the Bellini from the bar.
(5)
So S.
Great Family Style Italian chain. WAY BETTER than popular Vinny T's. Good portions. Amazing pasta and very consistent. Love the four-cheese ravioli!! ALSO great desserts. Can't get enough of "Nonna's pound cake" w/ sugar coated bannas and fudge---ohhh my gosh! . (Sometimes would just go to the bar for this dessert.) It gets crowded fast and can be noisy. Wise to make reservations.
(4)
Kathryn G.
We just hosted our other child's graduation banquet at Maggiano's (had such a great experience two years ago), and it was just as wonderful as last time!
(5)
Alexandra Z.
Wow! I'm so glad my friends took me to Maggiano's last weekend. Believe it or not, it's BETTER than North End!!! North End is so over rated with no place to sit or park. Maggiano's is so huge with convenient parking garages nearby. We parked in a garage 100 feet away for $8 on Friday which is not bad at all for the location! We did family style dinner, I think we picked the classic option which comes with 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 4 entrees, and 2 deserts. The portions are huge and you can get unlimited refills!!! Everything tasted sooooo good! Service was excellent too! We ate so much and each person had taken so much leftovers home too. I would absolutely come back again and again! Couldn't be happier with that place!
(5)
Aimee P.
Wait staff seemed flustered however the food was so amazing that it made up for it! Have never had better alfredo sauce. Making a reservation via Yelp was perfect. Saved a ton of time!
(4)
Eric F.
Had a big group dinner here with classmates last year and tried a number of the pasta, chicken, and fish dishes. The stuffed mushrooms and spumoni were quite good, everything else was more or less passable. On average, Maggiano's is a level or two below Buca di Beppo in terms of food quality. If you're looking for legit Italian cuisine, you simply won't find it here. However, the place is great for large groups and totally worth the money if you do the Family Style dinner and come very, very hungry.
(3)
H T.
Good food, service and ambiance (a bit on the dark side, but I like it). Nice place to take family to dinner as well as take a date. Portions are large. I went at a quiet time so I can't comment about the noise level.
(4)
Yelp Z.
Sunday night - busy but no reason to be losing your mind as a server/bartender. Walked in to be ignored by valet/doorman. Hostess looks out from under her eye lids and huffs "its going to be at LEAST and hour for two". Say no problem, we're here now and happy at the bar for the wait. Hostess says that two people are leaving the bar tables and they are first come first serve. We say that's just as great and promptly seat ourselves at the dirty table. Bus boys come and clean it up, present water and bread - and I go to the bathroom. While I was in the bathroom the bartender has come over and taken a drinks and app order. My husband ordered a house pinot for me and a traditional Bud for himself. He said the bartender kept trying to upsell him on Sam Adams and it felt really awkward to decline. My main complaint about this place was the service received. All around us people were being treated nicely - things would go wrong with their order, they'd complain and yell and get comped. Meanwhile the table for two, being quiet and courteous, happy with their order -is made to feel they are not good enough to sit in the BAR at a chain restaurant filled with tourists. The bartender would have had his easiest table of the night and easy tip if he JUST took a SECOND to acknowledge us as fellow humans. What a dick. Typical only brings out the smile when presenting the check - and of course as I suspected has charged us $15 for the "house" wine which was actually the most expensive pinot. DICK! We took his thoughtfulness off the tip that would have been left and took off. Food was mediocre, portions are smaller and WAY WAY WAY overpriced. I hate getting gift cards here.
(2)
Christine S.
Had family in town and they made a reservation at Maggiano's. I must admit I was a little worried after my previous experience, but this time the food was much better. Our waiter was not very friendly, but we had a great meal so we didn't care. It was a quiet night over Labor Day Wknd and I think that helped things. Anyway I had a great dish of gnocchi in a creamy tomato sauce and it was divine. Our apps were pretty standard Italian fare, but still yummy. We left feeling content and full - which was just what we needed. Not necessarily my favorite place, but it shows that under the right circumstances, the food here can be great.
(3)
Ian C.
I was in town for a 1-year old's birthday and my cousin had suggested coming here for dinner. We got huge platters of food, like chicken marsala, pork scaloppine, linguine in clam sauce, salmon, with stuffed mushrooms, and calamari to start. I liked the appetizers. The mushrooms were excellent and the fried calamari-- well you can't really screw that up too bad. I had mixed feelings about the entrees. The chicken was kind of dry, despite all the sauce surrounding it. The pork was pretty good, but by the time it got to me, I only had a little piece. I ended up eating a lot of the linguine because I love the white clam sauce. Plus, nobody else was eating it because they noticed a few cracked clam shells in the pasta. They weren't small pieces. They were big enough to pick out, but my family was like "we ain't having any of that." Yes, having clam shells and other inedibles in food is a no-no, but sometimes things like that happen. But more for me, I guess. For dessert, we got cheesecake and the tiramisu. The cheesecake was good, but compared to the tiramisu, it was alright. The tiramisu was awesome. With a dinner like this, I generally don't have room for dessert, but once I had a bite of the tiramisu, I just kept eating it. I think I ate more dessert than dinner.
(3)
Willie T.
So disappointed... brought friends here after the marathon, talked it up ahead of time and was horribly let down. The food was averagely prepared, not the same chopped salad as in previous visits, the baked ziti was burned on the top, the lasagna was dry and the service was sub-par. The busboys cleared the table before salads as if they were in a race to get out of there, taking everything from the table even though we were not through, and one particular busser had horrible body odor. Inside the building was absolutely freezing cold, when asked to turn the A/C down possibly they snuffed the request off. This is a quick review because I want to say something about the experience. There were also no managers on site supervising.... that is probably the reason for the lack of quality in both food and service. In visits past the managers are right on it, walking around, checking on tables, supervising the podium for incoming reservations, etc... even the host seemed to not want to be there, not exuberant, welcoming or very helpful. I have seen much better at lesser restaurants. It's all too bad, I won't go back, especially with the north end and true authentic food so close by.
I went here for a birthday party, and was pleased to hear that the chef could provide a special meal for me, since I'm vegan. The spaghetti and marinara with broccolini, mushrooms, and asparagus was delicious, but very overpriced. It came to $17, which was the same as my friend's rigatoni with chicken. My main complaint is that the manager couldn't confirm if the bread was vegan or not. It's a little unsettling to go to a nice restaurant and have the manager and chefs not know the ingredients of all the food. I hope this is resolved in the future so that people with similar dietary restrictions can enjoy the bread. Overall, the pasta was delicious, even if overpriced, and I'm glad they could accommodate my diet!
(3)
Brian W.
Maggiano's has gluten free pasta and some of the best fried zucchini I've ever had. Honestly the zucchini alone earns this place the 4 stars and next time I go I'm going to simply get this as my meal and sit there with a smile on my face. The servings are large, the prices on most dishes are extremely reasonable (especially compared to other Park Plaza eateries), and the food generally tastes good. The only problem is during or immediately after eating both my wife and I always end up feeling like our stomachs are going to explode - even if we don't eat ALL the food. I can't explain why, but it's definitely not the best feeling in the world. We still come back because it tastes good going down.
(4)
Laine B.
We went there for small intimate post wedding dinner of 8 people and 4 kids under 2 years old. We had reservations for 7pm and although it was very crowded, we were seated quickly. The food was very delicious. We did clasic family style menu which worked out perfectly. There was plenty of food and a lot of leftovers to take home. Even though it is a little pricey, I would highly recommend it.
(4)
Melinda N.
So we went here for a party of about 18 for a friend's birthday. we had to order the menu beforehand because we wanted to do family style dinner. this means that there's a set dinner of the dishes that we choose. i loved the crab cakes and the beef medallions that came out. usually i don't like my meat red, but this was just perfect and it melted in your mouth! i was so full but i ate dessert anyways. it was chocolate cake with ice cream AND tiramisu. omg, their tiramisu was sooo creamy and it was more marzapone cheese than cake but it was definitely good. the service was good, they were a full house and i felt like we all got attention when we needed it and we were able to enjoy our dinner. i went to the bathroom which is located downstairs and i love the decor. i took a moment to look around and its beautiful in here. people are seated in booths or tables and some are seated higher than others so everywhere you look people are smiling and talking and eating. the lights aren't too dark but not too bright and the wall decor is old feeling filled with photos of people who have stopped by to dine (jessica simpson when she was married to nick lachey!)
(5)
Paul C.
It's ok. Good for large groups. Can get a little unnecessarily expensive - don't order too many family style dishes (they will refill the ones you order). Our waiter didn't know how to answer all our questions, we would ask: "What is x"; Waiter: "Ah, well x has x in it". Hmmmm.
(2)
Ian S.
A godsend for just-got-to-the-hotel hunger malaise, this is a high-quality, efficient Italian takeout option. The flatbreads are elegant, crisp and come in their own cool box. Solid lasagne (a little pricey at $14, but you can double your portion size for an additional $5 - bear that in mind if there's two of you sharing). Nothing out of this world, but no complaints either.
(4)
Teri L.
After my daughter-in-law Amanda L. ran the Boston Marathon (am I not proud??), the 6 of us wanted to celebrate and she wanted pizza, so we helped her into the restaurant and plopped her in her seat. She wanted practically everything in the appetizer section so we slowed her down and ordered all the Flatbreads on the menu which were: Chicken & Roasted Pepper, Pepperoni & Arugula, Italian Sausage and Margherita; 2 Pepperoni Dips (I know that's not the right name of this decadence but it was a special and not on the menu online), Calamari Fritte, Stuffed Mushrooms, Tomato Caprese. What a great way to have dinner with family!! All kinds of wonderfulness on the table where everyone can just try this and then that and then over there! Everything was amazing especially the Calamari! O.M.G. The best I've had hands down! Go and enjoy. Very worth the trip even if no one in your crowd ran the marathon ;)
(4)
Anthony S.
The day before the marathon the runners loaded up on pasta as we had the following entrees. Okay the gnocchi's were ok, the chicken dish was dry . The regular spaghetti I would never eat. The fish was not bad. Cheesecake was off the hook
(2)
Yvette S.
Great service and the food was good Why 3 stars? Because the women's bathroom was so filthy and the toilets don't flush well
(3)
Danielle W.
I went with a friend this past weekend and my meal was pretty good, but nothing I'd rave about. I didn't know it was a chain restaurant until after the fact, but knowing that now makes more sense. The food was good, but generic. It's probably a step or two above an Olive Garden in terms of actual Italian food. The gnocchi and sausage I had was decent, but but I've definitely had better in the city. The wine list wasn't that impressive, but the server suggested a decent Riesling to go with out meals. She was very attentive and friendly, so my review gets an extra star for her service! It was a good place to get a quick bite to eat before the show we were attending, but it's definitely more of a big family/tourist style place. If you're looking for amazing and unique Italian food, you'd be better off looking elsewhere.
(4)
Lisa F.
Very good pasta...homemade...highly recommend! Try Chef Mann's special pasta with sun dried tomatoes, broccoli rabbi and sausage in a garlic wine sauce...awesome! Seafood carbonara was also outstanding. Thomas was our server was attentive and knowledgeable regarding the menu and wines...he could not please us enough...what a pleasurable experience. Thank you!
(5)
Alan C.
setting and ambiance is good. service could have been a little bit more attentive but we did go during lunch hour. the calamari was excellent. it was salted well and the batter is crispy and not bulky just the way i like it. the buttered and garlicky angel hair pasta is the best i've had. big big fan. will come back again.
(4)
Jonathan M.
As a general rule I don't like reviewing chain restaurants. After all, what's good in Boston will be in good in Boise or Berkeley or Baton Rouge, right? But I feel like this particular Maggiano's needs a shout out for exceptional service and consistently high quality food. On MLK day, the teachers and I were celebrating a significant birthday milestone (30!!!) of one of the group. The birthday girl isn't exactly a woo-girl (you know the woo- girls, and if you don't they can be found stumbling outside the Green Dragon at 2:15am on any given Friday or Saturday night). Instead, this birthday girl is a civilized family style lunch kinda gal, and what better place to have a civilized family style lunch than Maggiano's. I live in Southie, but the rest of the teachers were coming in from the South Shore. The traffic was abysmal, which will happen when there's a high speed chase on the highway. Needless to say, I got there on time while everyone else was running an hour late. The staff was extremely accommodating, seating me despite the fact that no one else was there, and the waiter came right over with bread and asked for my drink order. Here's a tip: the beers are fairly expensive, as are the mixed drinks, but the Maggiano's apperativo is only $5 and well worth it. At first I was hesitant, I figured it would just be a small shot, but it came in a smallish rocks glass and knocked my socks off. Seriously strong, and very good it contained St. Germain, gin, and some type of juice that made it a perfect before eating drink. If you go, just keep drinking these, well worth the price. Because we were a large group, we got the family style menu. Being half Italian, I'm really picky with my Italian food. While it won't taste like your grandmother's cooking, the food is solidly good and extremely fresh. Best part about family style? You can keep asking for more! And like any good American, of course I'm impressed by quantity that is also quality. I actually wouldn't recommend this place for a couple. I think there's far better Italian food in the city (mmmm Lucca) But Maggiano's does an outstanding job of making you feel welcome in a place where you can linger with friends and family. The staff embodies the home-like quality that this restaurant goes for and succeeds at very well.
(4)
Anne D.
I'm giving Maggiano's 4 stars because we enjoy the restaurant (when it's not mobbed) and always have a good meal there (visited @ 25 times). We've always considered the staff congenial and personable. We dined late on Marathon Monday at Maggiano's. We called in advance and were told...no problem, plenty of available seating, etc. That was true. We informed them that we intended to dine, not rush through our meal...that was fine, no problem...yada yada yada! We had a fantastic server named Chris. Now...here it comes!!! The manager or assistant manager wasn't on board with our concept of dining. He very, very impolitely informed us that we had to order our dinners (after being there 45 minutes, having appetizers and drinks) or close out our tab. After having a wonderful day Marathon Monday...our daughter ran and we were all on a "high"...this moron put a damper on it! We each ate a bit of our meal and decided to have it boxed up. Our normal routine when we dine at Maggiano's is to top off the meal with Nutty Irishman coffees and tiramisu. Rude staff = loss of appetite. Note to Maggiano's...have a little chat with this manager. He needs a big time attitude adjustment! And, to him personally, thanks for ruining a fantastic Boston weekend...remember, what goes around, comes around.
(4)
Ellie W.
The upside: You will NEVER leave hungry after a visit to Maggiano's, and it's definitely a destination spot if you have a large party. The downside: Food is ok, but not anything special that will leave you craving it on a Saturday evening.
(3)
Joanna F.
I think I have to give Maggiano's five stars considering I've spent almost every occasion I can think of at Maggiano's. Birthdays, business meetings, business Christmas parties, graduations, romantic dates, family dinners... you name it, I've been at Maggiano's for it at least once. Maggiano's does what they do VERY well. This isn't the best Italian food ever, but it's a lot of generic, very tasty Italian food for a very low price in a kind of cheesy but awesome setting. I'm staring down the barrel of two family style dinners here next week (one for a birthday, one for a business dinner) and I have to say, I'm excited for both. And a little scared since I'll probably gain ten pounds. But mostly excited.
(5)
Marcie N.
Second time going to Maggiano's, first time was great. Second time was a huge a disappointment. The service was very slow, drinks took forever, the food took forever and for a $600 bill you should walk away very happy. Mussels came out frozen....and I believe Mom's lasagna was cold as well. We had kids and the service was so bad and there were no apologies. We were a table of 15 but this place should be used to serving big parties. We had reservations, and there were other large groups as well. It's to bad the service and food were not good because the atmosphere is a very romantic dining experience and regardless of how many people are there it is not loud and obnoxious. Will not be returnining
(1)
Quang H.
Aight, here's the run down. I had a birthday dinner here with some friends of mine, and wasn't necessarily sure what to expect since I've always passed by it but never took a peek inside. After passing the revolving doors, we were greeted by nice hosts, and our server was very nice. The food was alright - I don't think I appreciated it enough because Italian isn't necessarily my favorite choice of food. Nevertheless, the food we ate wasn't bad, but nothing incredibly amazing. What I did like, was the fact that if it is your birthday, they give you a desert sampler and candles, etc. It was free too! Very nice gesture. In addition, I definitely liked how the manager went to each table and asked us if everything was going okay.
(4)
Byron K.
Always well staffed and tons of quality italian food, they took care of the kids, service was a little slow, would have loved to have our entrees come out a little after the kids entree instead of 15-20 min leater, but we made it. Also have been here on business with a big groupd and they did a nice job, thanks!
(3)
Kadin L.
I came here for the first time with my friend yesterday. This place is amazing, though our waitress was in LaLa land or something, but that's okay. We had the garlic bread with marinara sauce for appetizer and it was ridiculous yummy. i ordered the chicken marsala, which was also yummy! I love the chicken, very moist and tender, and i love how it has a "grilled smell" to it. I would definitely come back and try their calamari!
(4)
Elaine C.
NEVER EVER AGAIN!!! I have gone to Maggianos for years - never once had a bad meal or negative experience. I have always had my favorites ~ stuffed mushrooms, lasagna and Nonna's Pound Cake for dessert. The service was always perfection. Oh, has everything changed. This restaurant is now run by a totally disinterested staff obsessed with their cell phones/texting than caring for customers. What once was 6-8 huge mushrooms is now 8-10 very small mushrooms literally swimming in oil from one side of the plate to the other. My lasanga was sent back THREE times - cold, swimming in sauce, melted beyond recognition - courtesy of a microwave. I had to get up to find any manager to complain and was treated like a child by a know-it-all manager who could have cared less. My companion's chicken parm was 2 very tiny breasts of chicken swimming in tomato sauce. Needless to say - no dessert, we took off to Finale across the street. What happened here? For years this was a quality restaurant, frequented by the Boston famous, always a line to get in. The following day I called their TX office to complain - they could have cared less - took my personal info and I never heard from anyone. I also feel this was a waitstaff that only wanted a large party for great tips and could have cared less about 2 women out for a celebratory evening. Bad move on their part -- women DO know how to tip well. Why the inflated prices yet smaller portions? I have removed them from my email list, my favorite restaurant list and would never recommend anyone go there.
(1)
Netty P.
Went around 4:30pm prior to a show on Sunday. It was pretty busy, the wait staff was excellent and seating was no problem (I did have a reservation). We had A La Carte dinner which means we all ordered off the menu (not family style). The food was good, we had Shrimp and Ziti al Forno, Veal Parm, Sirloin medallions with Mashed potatoes, Spaghetti with Vodka sauce, and my daughter had the Chicken Parm. The salads and appetizers were great (house salad, Bruschetta and Calamari) cooked to perfection. The main meals were great , Highest marks to the Sirloin dish and the Spaghetti with Vodka Sauce. The two Parms were fair, I think the Veal and Chicken were deep fried as opposed to pan fried. This made the meat tough and not tender but overall the sauce was great and the dishes were OK, just not as good as the other three dishes. I would go again, perfect for a family dinner out prior to a show.
(4)
Helen M.
Authentic Italian? I think not! We usually go here for our quarterly meeting for work and have a banquet room downstairs for about 7-8 tables and dine family style. At first, I loved this place! But the more and more I go here, I realize just how awful this food makes me feel. No food poisoning or anything like that. Just stuffed beyond belief even while eating reasonable portions. The spaghetti and meatballs are OK. Not the best or most moist meat. The roast chicken can be a hit or miss. Sometimes it is dry, sometimes it is tender and cooked perfectly. The gnocchi is really dense and I prefer one a little lighter and fluffier. Their only saving grace is their profiteroles - puff pastry stuffed with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate syrup (though I generally just eat the ice cream because the puff pastry can be dry). For authentic Italian, try the North End even if it is touristy.
(2)
Tommy K.
You HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE get the fried mozzarella!!! Service was good - food was HOT and so tasty! There were 4 of us and we did classic family style and all four of us walked out with doggy bags!! Dessert - WAS UNREAL!
(4)
Tom M.
We recently went to Maggiano's for a birthday celebration; others in the group had been before, but it was my first visit. We had a reservation for a late lunch (3:15) and were seated soon after we arrived, although they weren't as busy yet as when we left. I found the service to be excellent, with the waiter stopping frequently. For food, we chose the family style (they have 3 options for family style; each rises in price, but allows you to choose additional entrees) We tried veal marsala, chicken saltimboca, beef fillets, and rigatoni. I tried all but the chicken and found them all to be very good. The portions are ample, as the family style is all you can eat. The next time you are in the mood for Italian, I would definitely consider them. Parking is easier than in the North End, and in my opinion some of the restaurants there are nothing but over-rated tourist traps.
(5)
Catie C.
Great for large parties since they have the room and it's family style. Well, if you don't like to share then no point of coming here since family style is their signature! I was here for a friend's birthday sitting at a table of 14. It was a 3 hr ordeal since it took forever between courses. It was at least 20 mins in between each. Is that their way of making sure we don't ask for refills? Why I say that? Cuz we asked for more mussels and they said the kitchen is closing up. I'm not totally sure but I believe that it was requested before the dinner course was demolished by the guys. They told us after we were thru with dinner that they cannot refill but can take it to-go. Seriously!? I was in awe when the server was cleaning up after each course. I thought I was in Chinatown. She just slid the debris of our plates into one main plate that was in the middle of the table. The whole time i was thinking, "she better not make the tomato sauce splatter onto my shirt." You know those stains never come off! What I thought was cute is that the birthday boy got a birthday card from the staff and a coupon for a complimentary appetizer. We all were going to sign that card too since none of us got him a card.. lol $780 tab for the whole nine yards!
(2)
Annette V.
If I could give it no stars, I would. I went here to carbo-load before the Boston Marathon (yes, that marathon). We were seated right away and I did notice a smell in the place that was turning me off but it wasn't my choice to eat here. We had a rather large party so they gave us a "pre-planned" menu. I really didn't eat all that much, the food was mediocre, it was like a bad Olive Garden (and I don't eat there). There are so many great options in the North end, don't get suckered into this place. It's a fast food Italian place without the good. The server didn't smile at all at us & RUSHED us like he was car racing I would NOT go back. I did not like the service at all, it was weirdly cold & I felt like I was intruding anytime we asked for something.
(1)
Andre T.
Food never disappoints, I always go with either the chicken Alfredo or spaghetti & meatballs. Great for larger parties.
(4)
David V.
OK, based on my previous 2 reviews you would think that I'd never go back to Maggiano's. Well, we went back again only because we got another gift card. The other options with this gift card were Chili's, On the Border, and Macaroni Grill, and the closest option aside from Maggiano's was Chili's. After some thought, we realized that anything is better than Chili's, so we went back to Maggiano's. Here's the thing, I want to give Maggiano's a better rating, but because they are so over-priced, I can't bring myself to give them more than 3 stars. The service both times that we've been has been excellent. The staff are professional and courteous, and seem to take pride in their jobs. The restaurant is clean and spacious, and the food is good. I had the beef medallions with a portabello mushroom sauce, which came with mashed potatoes and fried onion strings. The beef was perfect, the sauce was delicious, and the mashed potatoes were just OK. This dish costs $25!!! Two nights ago my wife and I ate a delicious and filling dinner at an Asian restaurant in Boston (not Chinatown) and the bill came to $23 (two entrees and an appetizer)! My wife had the salmon with a balsamic sauce and orzo with spinach. This dish was delicious, the salmon was fresh and prepared just right, the orzo was excellent, but was it worth $20? I just don't know. For dessert we had the tiramisu ($7.50). It was delicious, and a large portion. Maggiano's is a chain restaurant. It is like an upscale version of Vinny Testa's. The food is good, but the prices are ridiculous. As I said in my first review, this is a great place for a large party/family gathering, but for a dinner for two it is just not the right choice. The only way we'll come back is if we get more gift cards! ***Side note: We signed up for the email club on the restaurant website and received an email coupon for $10 off our meal!
(3)
Kyle W.
Used to love this place and go frequently. The service has gone down. On a recent visit the waitress forgot everything and made the experience horrible. I don't think I will be back for a while.
(2)
Ross G.
Went here recently they swapped the white sauce for my red sauce which pleased me. I was happy to hear they make everything home made in house, the bread was good and the proper amount of shredded cheese and olive oil were at the table. Would like to try more dishes as well, definitely enjoyed it though.
(3)
Tom T.
Awesome food! Great private dining room! authentic rustic old world deco, server's were very attentive. Great family style dining. Great Itailan food!
(5)
Nicole P.
Went to Maggiano's because my husband got a gift card last year for his birthday. I would definitely come back again without having a gift card. We went on a Saturday and luckily we made a reservation the night before because it was a 45 to an hour wait without one. We were seated right away, served water and bread while we looked over the drink menu. Our waitress was very knowledgable and her wine recommendations were right on point. While we waited for our appetizer we were given a plate of stuffed mushrooms just to try. I'm not a fan of mushrooms but these were amazingly delicious! Our appetizers, meals, and desserts were all very large portions and were delicious. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants good food for a reasonable price. We will definitely be returning for another night in Boston.
(5)
Josh N.
Wonderful restaurant for a chain. The food is quite good and the ambience and service is excellent. The Four Cheese Ravioli which is Ravioli stuffed with Ricotta cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella and Provolone. Served in a pesto-alfredo cream sauce with a touch of marinara, was amazing. Just perfection!! If you do one thing though please, PLEASE order the Nonna's Toasted Pound Cake with Caramelized Bananas.
(4)
Jennifer O.
I had fun here because I was with a big group, and the family-style menu is accommodating for large groups. But the food is not good. I mean it was fine and I ate it, but it really wasn't great. Yes, portions are huge, but it's quantity over quality. I won't be going back. Too many other restaurants in Boston that actually have quality food.
(2)
Mi R.
I was dissapointed because the reviews were very good. I went a few weeks ago on a Sunday for dinner with my Partner. First, I was attracted to it because I love Italian food and the prices are reasonable. But I guess you pay for what you get. We started out with the stuffed mushrooms; they were average; nothing special about them. I am not much of a cook, and mine taste better. They were good, though. I love gnocchi and ordered it. Mine was very salty. Also, the sausage it it lacked flavor and needed something more. I finished my plate, but I would not order it again if I go back. My partner ordered the chicken parm; he said it was good. Our server was very pleasant, friendly, and smiled at us. Overall, I don't have much to say about this restaurant. I probably, in all likelyhood, will not be going back. It is definately not truly Authentic Italian food.
(3)
John S.
Maggiano's scratches a very specific itch; it feeds a lot of people a lot of Italian food with a minimum of fuss. The Family Style menu and serving style is the bread and butter of the place, and it does it very well. You sit down with your friends and family, pick out the menu and let the two hour parade of food begin. If you want more of something, they'll bring you more of something. If you want them to wrap up the abundant leftovers, they'll wrap them up for you. Sure, it's a chain, but so is Smith and Wollensky, and both places excel in serving high end food to big groups. Look to the nicely appointed Maggiano's for this need. If it's just you and a date, head up to the North End like a good Bostonian. As far as specific recommendations go, stick to anything that your grandma would make for a family reunion - that is, anything that is generally served in a giant tray. Lasagne, eggplant parmesan, spinach and artichoke dip, etc. If you can imagine your kindly old grandma serving it, Maggiano's will do it well.
(5)
Thanh L.
Maggiano's is a nice fancy Italian restaurant for good food. They do family style if you have a large group and want to sample everyone's plate. The down side is everyone at your table has to do family style. I opted to do my own plate. I forgot what was the name of the plate but it was a holiday special which had rice,shrimp, crab, and a nice creamy sauce. The plate ran me about $20 something dollar, but worth every penny. The service was very good and the environment was lovely to look at. I recommend this place if you willing to spend money on good food and service.
(5)
Kim K.
I'm always in search of a place that can accommodate a large group with aplomb. Until now that search has been difficult. A friend was in town and 8 of us wanted to have a big dinner out, and we ended up at Maggiano's. The family style menu is clearly a hit here. I opted to forgo that even though the rest of my group went for it. It's pretty great that having one or two folks in a large party order off the regular menu is still an option. Gotta say I did it for two reasons: it was clearly the healthier option and was way cheaper. I got the chicken and apple salad which was MASSIVE and delicious. The family style portions are unbelievably enormous. And they just kept coming and coming and coming. I was surprised that even with the quantity it seemed the quality was not lost. The meal lasted forever (2+ hours) so go early if you don't want to be eating past 10PM. One crappy thing though. The portions were so huge even my group couldn't eat it all. Our waiter informed me that if I shared anything I would be charged the per person price for the family style. Really? Not even one crostini or bite of tiramisu? It's just sitting there!!?!
(4)
Greg P.
My family and I love Maggiano's. We were introduced to this family style Italian restaurant while traveling in Boston and have visited several in our travels. Everything is made fresh that day and the portions are huge. The maitre d' was very accommodating for our large group.
(4)
Dustin S.
Great family Italian restaurant. We go here whenever we are in Boston to see a play. We always make reservations, and I recommend you do the same. The fried mozzarella appetizer is a huge mozzarella stick and the best tasting I've ever had. I get the rigatoni "D" it's a house special and a great tasting pasta dish. Just a Warning, this place isn't cheap, but worth splurging here at least once. Also, if you get desert, the chocolate cake is huge and way too much for one person.
(4)
Ribblet N.
I go here from time to time, large family portions. I think its a bit on the bland side.
Maggianos really gets 3 and a half stars. I upgraded because it was borderline four, not closer to three. Things that were awesome: 1. Stuffed Mushrooms 2. Sangria 3.Generous portions 4. Manager coming over to check up on our table and fixed a minor issue within 45 seconds 5.Old, soothing classic music playing in the backround Things that were so-so: 1. The waiter wasn't very attentive, and only asked how everything was once we were finished. (good thing the manager happened to check in) 2. The prices, ech, they are alright Thing that kind of sucked: 1. No regular Gnocci. They had a weird version of it 2. No family style unless you have 4 people 3. Small wine portions As you can see, theres more good than evil. My suggestion is go as a group, and buy a bottle of wine instead of by the glass. If it's just a party of two and you're craving Italian, head into a smaller place in the North End.
(4)
Mindy L.
Sure, Maggiano's is a chain... Sure, it can't compete with some North End restaurants... Sure, it's a little pricey sometimes... But it's so much fun when you go with a big group! I've been here for birthday parties, for bachelorette parties, and for holiday parties and I love, love, love the family style menu! Apps: Stuffed Mushrooms & Mozzerella Marinara (SO good) Salads: Maggianos & Spinach Main Course: Chicken Parma or Marsala...and some of the best cheese and spinach manicotti I've ever had. When it comes to 'chain' dining - this one's hard to beat.
(4)
Renata P.
Used to be my favorite place to eat in Boston however they keep taking my favorite dishes off the menu. Think it might be time to look for a new favorite.
(2)
Rob I.
Made a reservation for 7 on a Friday night via Yelp on my iPod (which was nice), got there on time and was seated promptly. Our waiter, Tomas, was extremely personable, not to mention efficient. My date and I very much enjoyed our dinner.
(4)
Andrew T.
Famous Rigatoni D is one of the best past dishes I have ever had!
(4)
Tom K.
This place is good enough. If you're looking for a fantastic dining experience or some great Italian food, this is not your place. But if you're looking for a good dining experience, with lots of food, and possibly a large group, this place is a good choice. There's nothing wrong here, its just all very generic and chain-like. Its an upscale version of the Olive Garden. But doesn't hold a candle to most of the places in the North End.
(3)
Debra G.
Yum Yum Yum! One of my favorite Italian Restaurants to eat anywhere! I know I live in Boston and I can easily head over to the North End. But sometimes I like to order food I can actually pronounce to the waitress on the menu and know what I am getting to eat and not have to give them my jewerly at the end of the bill because of the high price for just some ziti and sauce. Maggianos has a HUGE menu! You will always find something you like to eat here! The only reason I added them at a 4 star and not 5. Is that on the weekends they are slam packed and you have to wait a bit to get seated. They definitely need another room in there for seating! Other than that A+
(4)
Kelly O.
3.5 stars. Another faux-Italian place I wouldn't have chosen myself, this place actually was perfect for a party of 11 for a friend's b-day. I had never been and was a bit surprised just how huge this place was, as well as with the whole concept of family style which seemed tailor-made for our group. We did the classic family style, which was $27 pp and all you can eat with 2 apps, 2 salads, 4 entrees/pastas, and 2 desserts, and man did we eat. (Note: you can do a lighter version, which is only $20 pp, or the more decadent chef's choice, which was just under $40... I think the lighter version is probably the best deal, since the salads and sometimes even desserts tend to be just filler in an all-you-can-eat situation IMO). For the most part, all we needed to do was request more, and another 1-2 plates of whatever it was just appeared, it was magical. (Great service, incidently.) Our choices were: Apps: bruchetta and spinach and artichoke dip, both of which were actually pretty excellent. Salads: caesar was your typical caesar (in a good way), and I didn't try it but people seemed to like the chopped (mainly because of the bacon I think). Mains: shortribs were raved about, fetticini alfredo was standard, gnocchi with vodka sauce was tasty but didn't have enough sauce IMO, chicken parm was solidly good. Desserts: tiramisu was a solid version, and the pound cake was the sleeper surprise (it was warm and chocolatey with ice cream and carmelized bananas). The best part: you could take as much as you want home in doggie bags. I literally have at least one, if not 2, more meals in my fridge right now, which is a great deal. Everyone left fat and happy with extra meals for later, and had a great time for this b-day celebration. I really don't have any major complaints about Maggiano's (surprising because I was expecting to dislike it). In sum: you're not gonna get the most authentic or mind-blowing Italian food here, but most of what I tried was solidly good, and is not only a great deal but is perfect for groups (they have something for everyone). I'd probably go elsewhere with only 1-2 other dining companions, but this place is a solid choice for group dining for sure.
(3)
Katie O.
Worst customer service at a restaurant I've ever experienced. My very first time there, my husband and I walked in, and waited and waited and WAITED right in front of two hostesses jabbering away about something unimportant (and getting paid to do it), and then one of them glanced over at us, LOOKED BACK at the other hostess, completed the convo, giggled, and then proceeded to stare at us like she didn't know what we wanted. Finally I said, "Hi." She said, "Um, can I help you?" I said, "Yes, two for dinner please." "Oh, well that'll be a 45 minute wait." And that's all she said. So we turned around and left. I hate you and your piss-poor service, Maggiano's. Nice first (and only) impression. I heard all the wonderful things about the food, but having worked as a waitress and in retail for years, I know what customer service should be, and trust me, anyone with half a brain can do it. Fire your hostesses, please.
(1)
Edith K.
Maggiano's has been a part of my life during some major events! I came here for my 21st birthday with my parents, I came here for my graduation dinner from Bentley with my friends and family and most recently I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday before a show. Their food is as good as it gets, I feel like the portions are a little smaller than before but the prices have stayed low so it is just a trade off with the economy. Never in my life have I been able to finish a meal at Maggianos but I did this past weekend; I got the mushroom ravioli and there were 6 or 7, but at a low price of 12.95 how can I possibly complain!? I made notes in my reservation that we had a show and it was my boyfriends birthday and the waiter was attentive with time and gave a huge shock to my boyfriend when he brought out a generous slice of chocolate cake. Thank you Maggianos for creating such lovely memories for me!
(5)
R. M.
I put in a medium-sized food order -- lasagna, chicken parm, spaghetti, tiramusu over the phone. They said ready in 20 minutes and indeed it was! I was impressed. Hearty food and reasonably priced. I particularly like the fact that you can double the size of their classic pasta dishes for just 5 dollars more. A somewhat expensive lasagna became a large order or lasagna for two at a really good price. Staff at the front counter seemed a little overworked and distracted -- which is not their fault, but just because orders seem to come in fast and there's only one person working the counter. Nonetheless she took my order accurately, was willing to make a quick change after I placed the order and called back, and was friendly at pickup. I left a good tip. Food might have been a touch salty-- but that could have been that I ordered a lot of things with sausage, which tends to add to the salt content. I will definitely order out more from here.
(4)
David K.
Been here about a half dozen times over the past few years. Never dissapoints. It is what it is. A nice, affordable Italian restaurant with generous servings and good service. It gets 5 stars by me because I understand what it is. If you want fine dining, than this isn't the place for you. You may have to deal with a server dissapearring once in awhile when you are ready for another round or need to cash out, but the food is consistently good and the same(what you expect at a chain restaurant) and the place is always clean and well taken care of. The chicken parm is excellent and the only small complaint would be the prices on the mixed drinks($10 for a weak rum and coke). Other than that, I enjoy eating here a couple times a year before seeing a game or after a long day of watching my wife shop lol.
(5)
Ann S.
MMH MMH MMH! I was brought here during my stay with Liberty Mutual at their yearly national forum. It was definitely a treat! We were given appetizers, entrees, and even dessert, and within each category were multiple options! The servers kept bringing more food until we all put down our forks. Once a plate was finished, they would bring another full one even if we haven't touched any other dish yet! My favorite was the spinach dip. I just couldn't get enough of it! The appetizers were absolutely delicious. With that said, the entrees were a bit lacking...the pasta was very average. I would still give this place 4 stars though because the service was great and I loved all the appetizers.
(4)
Jenn S.
Last night was the 3rd time (second time with 20+ people) that I've been to Maggiano's. While it's not as cozy an atmosphere as places in the North End and it is a chain, you feel as though you're in an authentic Italian place and, as one of the girls I went with said last night - you feel like Tony Soprano might walk in at any moment! We hit a few snags with service. I arrive early - having walked from work - and checked in with the hostess. First off, she was on the phone with a customer while I was waiting and never once smiled at me or acknowledged I was there while she was on the phone. As a former hostess I know that's something you should always do. Second, apparently the customer was being annoying or put her on hold - whatever it was, she started hitting her hand against the host stand, rolling her eyes and sighing. She eventually got off and said I was the first of my party and I could wait. As I was waiting, I saw a few groups of other women show up. We were a party of 20 and I didn't know everyone in it, but assumed the host would say to anyone who checked in "She's with your party." When the organizer showed up, we all got together and one of the girls said "we checked in and told we were the first ones." I said "interesting, that's exactly what I was told!" I think the hostesses had switched and either not marked down that someone had checked in or didn't communicate, leaving me to sit along for a half-hour, waiting for the rest of my party, some of which were there already! The second snag came with the service. We had pre-ordered our meal, as you do for a large group, and even told them we had a show to make at a certain time. 15-20 minutes after we'd sat, they finally got around to bringing the appetizers. It wasn't so bad, but knowing we were in a bit of a rush and having the order a week ahead of time, I would have thought there would be no wait. Drink-wise, it's fantastic! I treated myself to the Caramel Apple Martini (Smirnoff Green Apple Twist, DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker & Buttershots), which one of the girls sipped and tried to steal from me. So tasty! Everyone at the table was impressed with its look and kept saying "what is that?!" Food-wise, it was great. The two appetizers were amazing - so flavorful and tasty. We got Barb's Spinach & Artichoke al Forno (Diced artichoke hearts, spinach, tomatoes and asiago cheese baked with alfredo sauce until bubbling and golden; served with crispy Foccacia bread) and Bruschetta (Italian garlic bread toasted and topped with a tomato bruschetta relish made of diced tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and roasted garlic). The two salads were also really flavorful and great: Caesar Salad (A traditional Caesar salad of romaine lettuce tossed with Caesar dressing, croutons and shaved parmesan cheese) and Chopped Salad (Chopped iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, green onion, avocado, crispy Prosciutto, tossed in our signature House Dressing). I felt that while the entrees were good, they weren't as flavorful as the appetizers & salads. We got 2 Baked Specialties: Eggplant Parmesan (Sliced eggplant, breaded and fried, layered with provolone cheese and marinara sauce) and Baked Ziti & Sausage (Italian Sausage, Pomodoro Sauce and Ziti Topped with a Layer of Melted Provolone & Parmesan Cheeses). I had been SO excited for the Baked Ziti and was a bit let down. It was good, but not what I expected. Not sure why. And although I usually don't like Eggplant, I tried it and it was really good! Quite possibly the best of the entrees. The 2 chicken dishes we got were the classic Chicken Parmesan (Lightly breaded chicken breasts fried and topped with provolone cheese and marinara sauce) and Chicken Picatta (Chicken breasts sauteed with capers, lemon, white wine; served over aglio spinach). The Parm was good, but I've had better at other places (including my apartment) and the Picatta was pretty bland, the spinach a bit overcooked. For dessert, we had HUGE Homemade Profiteroles (Pastry shell filled with vanilla bean ice cream and topped with hot fudge and fresh whipped cream; dusted with cocoa powder and powdered sugar) and amazing N.Y. Style Cheesecake (New York style ricotta cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream). That cheesecake was divine! So over-all, a great meal and always a great place for a group, but not the best Italian I've had. It was also a great deal - it's $26.50 per person I think for all of that, not including tip, tax or drinks. I'll definitely go back, but they almost had to roll me out of there!
(4)
AB H.
Maggiano's was better than I expected. I went here for a group function and was simply dreading the food experience. As I anticipated, the food was nothing interesting, inventive, or even solid, but it wasn't gross either. The spinach salad was overdressed, the chopped apple and walnut was served on iceberg or white romaine (not sure) and had pecans instead of walnuts (which is fine with me, I love pecans, but they should have said something). The calamari was actually pretty good and the spinach and artichoke dip was also OK. The chicken was tender, and the broccolini was good too. The eggplant parm was heavy and bland, the salmon was served with a too sweet balsamic sauce. The mushroom ravioli was also heavy and a bit chewy. The ice cream profiteroles were good, the sauce a bit too heavy and sweet and the chocolate cake was dense and rich with just a slight tang of something off. There was plenty of food, and if we hadn't ordered any drinks, the price would be pretty reasonable. We had a private room, and they were quick to turn down the music and the AC when we requested it. This restaurant is American chain of family restaurants, and I think that says it all.
(2)
M. S.
What a gracious staff and great restaurant! We came to Boston from California for a gym meet and to Maggiano's for our team dinner. They took our reservation for 29 people and treated us like an intimate group. Johnny, the maitre'd, was classy and a pleasure to work with. The wait staff were all friendly, efficient and professional. Food was served all at the same time and was delicious! Thank you to the staff for making our team dinner a great night of food, fun and a great Boston experience!
(5)
Melissa M.
They have caprese salad on their menu. But, they don't actually have it. Our waiter told me this after I ordered it. Apparently the tomatoes are "not in season." Then how do you make the sauce? They might want to think of getting new menus as some of them were very greasy/sticky. Yuck.
(3)
Erica V.
Went here after a recommendation from my brother for Valentine's Day. I knew it was a chain restaurant so I was afraid that I would be making reservations at a place that had the same atmosphere as the 99 but boy was I wrong. This place is fantastic! It gives you the feel of being in a fancy Italian restaurant but you aren't paying the fancy price. We were seated quickly, our waiter was attentive but let us take our time on making selections and the food was great! The portions are huge so make sure you go with an empty stomach. Even the chocolate cake we ordered for desert was massive. The price was great for a Boston restaurant. I will be visiting Maggiano's again in the future!
(4)
Amanee W.
This food is pretty amazing. The only things ive gotten here and didnt like is the string beans with the bacon on it, and the toasted pound cake. I have been going here multiple times for years and have never experienced a bad plate of food. Most people complain bout their portions,but honestly if you dont like to eat thats on you. I love thier large portions,its like you get two meals for the price of one. The only reason I reduced the stars is because the parking is terrible in this area. This is deffinetly quality food and ive never had a problem with the service either.
(4)
Christine k.
I used to really like Maggiano's--fell in love with the Vegas one, appreciated the one in Woodland Hills (CA), and was super excited when I found out they had one here in Boston, until I showed up last night on Saturday and encountered by far and away the rudest hostesses I've ever met in any restaurant, ever. (Yes, there were two hostesses and a gentleman who I couldn't tell was a waiter or a manager, all standing there gossiping--why you need 3 people to seat customers in a restaurant that doesn't even want them, as evidenced by the following encounter, is beyond me). They looked irritated when I walked up, like I was interrupting the world's most interesting conversation. The blonde one asks if I need help, and when I inquire about a table for 3, the Asian one turns to me and says with major attitude, "That'll be AT LEAST 45 minutes to an hour, if not more." Some things are hard to describe in words, and this is one of them, because the way she said it, and the way she looked at me, made it clear to all the world that she was essentially saying, "SO YOU CAN JUST GO AWAY NOW." On my way out, I notice there's an empty table for 4 in the bar area, and my husband, toddler and I try to squeeze in, but the customer at the adjacent table had his chair so far out we literally couldn't fit, and he literally refused to move. At this point, we give up, and decide to head back to Newbury for our one of our go-to restaurants. My husband wants to be polite, so he goes back to the hostesses and tell them that we won't be staying after all, and at this point she literally ROLLS HER EYES at him. Here's the part I don't get about the outrageous attitude from these hostesses. They are literally entry-level employees with no experience, no credibility, no prestige, at a chain restaurant that mass-produces cheap (as in quality, not necessarily price) Italian food from pre-made, reheated pasta. Just because you threw in some dark-wood stained tables and ambient lighting does NOT make you some four-star Michelin restaurant that could get away with this level of snooty-ness (ironically, I've been to restaurants run by chefs who've won James Beard awards and they all treat their customers better than this. I've also been to McDonalds, and they also treat you better).
(1)
Michael T.
Easter dinner here has officially become a tradition for the family. Fantastic. Everything about this place is perfect. Family Style meals were so delicious.
(5)
Marcel G.
Food was great!! Just need to slow them down...small tables and no place to put it all. Kids always love it here = all of the favorites are on the menu.
(4)
Alvin C.
I went here with the family after my cousin graduated from Emerson's grad program last month. The food was excellent as always, but they completely lost our reservation. They were able to accommodate us, but it took them a few to get their bearings. After that, everyone was nice, helpful, and on point. We left full and happy. The graduate loved it too, and that's what mattered most.
(4)
Aboud Y.
Another bad Chicago export. Disgraceful. No-Go
(1)
Michael C.
This place is just awesome. Great Value. The food is awesome. Best to eat here Family Style. You will need four. if you love Italian food this is the place for you.
(5)
Ryan D.
This is one of the top 3 places I wouldn't mind dying. My love of Maggiano's is known throughout the land. Anyone who has ever heard my speak has probably heard me talk about how much I love this place. If you're my friend, especially when I lived in Boston, I probably brought you there. And made you like it (with the random exception of Jen S. - who somehow missed out). Kiel C., Elizabeth G., and Michelle M. were all among my early victims. Now they are hooked. There's nothing that especially sets it apart; it's location, close to a convergence of the Red and Green lines near Boston Common, make it an ideal location to stop off at when I'm now passing though Boston on my way from Nashua to New York. I almost always make a point to. The food is always good; I don't think I've ever really had a bad experience here. Like this place is the one thing I can agree with Tina on. I took Scott B. here on our way to NYC. We met up with Michelle M. who had the day off and was all too happy to join us. I was in a boring, tired mood so I just got chicken parm. Michelle got her salad, and Scott got some special that helped support "Make A Wish." Lunch, especially on weekdays, is a good time to go- not very crowded at all. The service, as it was this time, is also top notch; our waitress was TOO nice. I wish that there was one in NYC I could compare it to, but it makes the Boston Maggiano's one of the best loved restaurants in my heart.
Went here for a business meeting last night. Decor was nice, very relaxed environment. Tons of autographed pictures everywhere. Really wasn't too impressed with the staff. Everyone seemed flustered and unorganized, but maybe it was an off night. Lot's of tourists with well behaved kids. Food was great. Started with Mozzarella Marinara. Garlic bread was decent. Caesar was slimy but the main courses were fantastic. I shared fettuccine alfredo and parmesan crusted chicken. Both prepared very well...but they do not make their own pasta, which is really what sets apart a good Italian restaurant. Everything was pretty cheap though, good spot to take a date if you want to impress but not break the bank. Centrally located a nice walk from the park. 3 stars, nothing beats the North End...
(3)
Sami W.
1-caesar salad. 2-maggiano salad. 3-mozzarella marinara. 4-fried calamari. 5-linguini with clams. 6-salmon. 7-chicken marsala. 8-veal ravioli. 9-cheesecake. 10-tiramisu. the above was consumed by a party of 4! we got the "classic" off the family style menu where you choose two appetizers, two salads, four main course selections and two desserts and the food kept flowing and flowing and flowing and....see where I'm going with this?
(5)
Olga P.
Celebrated my dad's 80th birthday today! Service was terrific! Food (Family style menu) please all 3 generations. Last time we were there was 10 yrs ago for his 70th. Our family is scattered from NYC to upstate NY to Westchester county, NY, to Lynn, MA - and we all gathered at Maggiano's. At under $30 a person for a sumptuous lunch, it was reasonable and felt like a feast!
(5)
John M.
My guess is that there are more can openers and freezers than there are fresh ingredients and made from scratch dishes in the kitchen. I've had the same food at a mall food court. It's not bad, it's just not my kind of thing. If you're the type that would rather go to Epcot instead of Europe, or the sort of person who prefers Milli Vanilli to Ray Charles, then Maggiano's is your kind of place. I'll pass. The restaurant is clean, the food was hot, the staff lacked personality, but the same is true for food courts and Epcot.
(2)
Gabby T.
Went here for the first time after tons of my friends had recommended it. Three friends and I decided to try it out. Luckily, there was four of us so we could get the family style meal. We chose the middle one in price which included two appetizers, two salads, four entrees, and two desserts. So much food! We got spinach and artichoke dip and bruschetta for appetizers and both were well received by all of us. With this came our Italian and caesar salads. They were both on par. Then came our four huge platters of entrees. We got cheese ravioli, fettuccine Alfredo, eggplant Parmesan, and gnocchi with Italian sausage. I did not try the ravioli or fettuccine but my friends loved them. The eggplant Parmesan was really good. Now for the gnocchi with Italian sausage, I loved it! It came with a tomato cream sauce and if I could have eaten the whole platter of it, I would have. The desserts were also great but at that point we had eaten so much, we could hardly even look at them. I will definitely be going here again.
(5)
Casey P.
I went on a Saturday nigth with my boyfriend and the place was mobbed with large parties/ families, it was very loud, and the wait staff and other employees were running all over the place. We made a reservation for 9:30 and still had to wait about 10 minutes to be sat. There was not a good designated space to wait so we were constantly having to move out of peoples way and felt very out of place. I understand its a Saturday night at a business establishment but the wait staff was not very accomidating even when we were trying to just walk to our seat, I walked in front of one waiter trying to keep up with the host and the waiter yelled "EXCUSE ME" at me, which I found to be quite rude. Will most likely not return.
(1)
Stan G.
Great food, excellent service for our party of 10. The calamari and bruschetta were excellent. The four different plates all blended well with the Rey nice house red wine.
(4)
Jeffrey L.
Belisimmo! The vodka sauce with gnocchi is amazing and their calamari is on point. Came here with my family of 7 and had the family style dinner which is almost like a buffet but with regular menu items. Amazing portions and no flavor was loss in between. Sauces make an Italian restaurant and the sauces here are stellar.
(5)
Christopher M.
I recall an episode of the Twilight Zone I saw once as a kid. The patrons of a restaurant were served dog food, mud and charcoal. But to the bewilderment of the main character they ate it right up, raving about how amazing the food was. That's how I feel every time I go to Maggiano's Little Italy. Seriously, the food is a couple notches BELOW Olive Garden. Yeah, it's that bad. And I go there far more often that I would like. It's an institution - birthday parties, office parties, graduations, celebrations of all kinds - everyone wants to go to Maggianos. And every time we go we have to wait an extra hour past our reservations before we get squeezed into a cramped booth or table in a noisy, hot, overcrowded dining room to eat family style garbage, and everyone raves about what an amazing time they're having. It makes me want to stand up and should, "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!!!" If the food was good (IF!!!) the family style dining would be a good deal. It's $27/person, and you choose two appetizers, two salads, two pastas, two meat dishes and two deserts from the menu. The food is brought out piled high on massive dishes, it's all you can eat, and anything you order can be put in doggy bags. Last night we had the fried mozzarella (think luke warm, slightly gooey cheese product with an unidentifiable crust) and stuff mushrooms (mushrooms sprinkled with bread crumbs, then thrown in the warmer for 30 seconds). The salad would have been very good, if they'd served it a week ago. I swear to G*D the gnocchi, linguini with clams, rosemary chicken and chicken parm were all from microwaveable TV dinners - after two bites I was about ready to storm the kitchen to find the empty boxes in the trash. The desert was a high point, which meant mediocre crème brulee and chocolate cake. However, our party of four walked out of there cramped from the tiny booth, full from the crappy food, and carrying four HUGE bags of leftovers with a $150 bill for the food and wine (bar bill while waiting for a table was separate). The food was left in my car, which means it now in my fridge, soon to be in my garbage. WHY?????
(2)
Ed Y.
Probably one of the best restaurants ive ever been to. Food is very good, service is excellent, atmosphere is family style. In fact i always order the family style meal and by the end of the dinner i always leave with a large bag, sometimes 2 bags of take home. I recommend the veal parm. and linguine with white clam sauce. Price is alittle pricey for teens, my 15 yr old can never eat $30 worth of food but that is ok since we all enjoy ourselves. Very highly recommended. Bring a big party with you because there will be plenty of food to go around. I forgot to mention that when you finish a plate you can reorder another and another until you are satisfied. i always reorder the mussel appetizers.
(5)
Jen R.
I love Italian food and the meals I have had here are somewhat unmemorable. Portions are large. If you go with a large group, and you are more focused on the people you are with, and want large portions, Maggiano's is a good call, otherwise, go to the North End.
(3)
Claudia C.
In my humble opinion, this is the best place to get Italian food. I know it's probably not genuinely Italian, but the combination of the atmosphere, music, service, and menu selection that wins me over.
(5)
Jason F.
went here for the girl's birthday, and i was impressed. i liked the atmosphere and the waiter's dressed up. for an appetizer we got the calimari and it was great! i got the baked ziti and sausage for the main meal, and i loved it as well... the sauce was amazing. overall, a good experience, large portions, and good service!
(4)
Brian D.
If you've been to Vinny Testa's in the Boston area, then Maggiano's will not be a shocker to you. What I mean by that is, if you go to a Vinny Testa's you might decide on the family style portions if you are not dining alone and as a result - you will have a ridiculous amount of leftovers because you will simply not be able to scarf down all the grub they dish out. The food is good, not the most authentic Italian or the best, but it is not bad at all. Price wise, eh, a little bit more than makes me comfortable but it's not gonna break the bank either. They play all the hokey Italian music over the speakers, and they push a list of house wines that is sadly lacking some of the best Italian reds but - that is a common sin among local Italian places - so they are merely guilty by association. I've been here for big group dinners, and the service is really good - so even if you don't LOVE the place - you will leave happy.
(3)
Mandi M.
Good classic American-Italian dishes like lasagna, chicken parm and other pastas. Not very authentic but very yummy. It is a pretty big restaurant and perfect for very large parties because they do great family style dinners. Good atmosphere and friendly waiters. I think it would be perfect for a big family get-together but not all that great for a little night out with your friends.
(3)
Eater O.
A little better than Vinny T's. I like this place if you have friends who want to eat family style. The food is good but it's not great. Just does the trick when u need some italian. Not my favorite choice though. The pasta is often overcooked- Al dente please!
(3)
Jay and Jenn O.
The trick is to go with a lot of people and do it "Family Style" that is all you can eat. Do yourself a favor and order a dish, then order it again to take it home. Tasty Italian food served big- my favorite.
(4)
Kris K.
Lots of food, pasta is great (not over/under cooked), they treat you well, free chocolate mints! The carry-out is not bad either, at all. I've frequented this place for over a year and have no complaints.
(5)
Tina D.
Another average italian restaurant in Boston, go figure. To make it a little more exciting though, this place is family style (which means you must be comfortable sharing food with the people you are dining with). I met some friends out here for dinner, although I chose not to eat since I had already had dinner and it was an 8:30 reservation. I definitely made the right decision. Although the food was "endless", it did not appear to be too appetizing. My party ordered the mussels and mozzerella sticks (though not really sticks) for the appetizers, two chicken dishes and Linguine & Clams with White Clam Sauce for entrees. The creme brulee and Homemade Profiteroles finished the meal. I did manage to sneak a taste of the creme brulee, since that is my favorite dessert of all time, and to be honest, it was just average. No one in my party was blown away, but to be fair I didn't exactly eat the full meal. The ambiance was very family-oriented and the staff sang happy birthday about 10 times while we were there. Overall, another 2 (i'd give it 2.5 if i could) star restaurant. Oh, and good luck parking since it is all residential permit only.
(2)
Catherine E.
The first time I went here I thought I thought it was too big, too noisy, and my chicken parmesan was tough. Since then, I've been back twice and was pleasantly surprised. First was my birthday and I had Cheese Tortellini in a Pesto Alfredo sauce that was very good. What I was most impressed with, however, was a graduation party I attended today that was held in one of the downstairs dining areas. They put out a great spread with 2 types of salad, Spinach & Artichoke al Forno, Mozzarella Marinara, Gnocchis in Tomato Vodka Sauce, Pork Loin, Chicken Parm, and 2 types of dessert. The courses were spaced perfectly, allowing everyone to digest accordingly. Also, our group made several speeches and was up moving around alot. The waitstaff did a great job staying out of the way, yet still doing their job. I thought it was a great place to have a function because it's relatively inexpensive, great atmosphere, and great Italian family favorites.
(3)
M C.
this place seems very well run. the food is delicious, and the management checked in on my birthday dinner to see how everything was. service was attentive and friendly.
(4)
Rachel D.
Not my favorite restaurant. The food isn't bad, it just isn't anything spectacular. Though the portions are quite large, the price doesn't seem to reflect on the ingredients at all. I would much rather have smaller portions of impeccable food. It seems like a glorified Fridays with all the faux italian trimmings. Why bother when the North End is a hop away?
(2)
Nina W.
Lemme tell you something about Maggiano's...this is where all the hungry mobsters go after many grueling hours of work on the set of The Sopranos. No, just kidding, but that would be BAD! Its good food, and the portions are good, but don't worry - you WILL finish it. That's the beauty of America. Guys, don't take a skinny girl on a date here, Gals, get ready to cozy up to your man on the romantic half moon date tables. PLEASE try the Maggiano's Salad especially if you love Roquefort cheese, proscuttio, and onions. The beef medallions is excellente, and the warm apple crostada is a yummy way to finish things off.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage, Street 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 : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Jesse C.
Wicked great service! GET THE RIGATONI D, you will be so happy you did. Service was genuine and excellent.
(5)Shirley Y.
Food is pretty good, a little on the salty side, but pretty good. The calamari is great. However, service tends to always be slow. I've been for lunch and dinner, and it always seems to be waiting to order or waiting for the food to arrive, and even waiting for the bill.
(3)Malyatha K.
Absolutely love this place. I think everything we ordered was super tasty. We had a cute bachelorette party and the hosts were extremely helpful. Our waiter was super sweet and had thought of everything before we asked. The food was amazing and the portion sizes were very reasonable. I think the star of the night was the Stuffed Mushrooms. It was just perfection. Definitely coming back!
(5)Brenda N.
Went here with one of my friends for our late birthday celebration. I made a reservation on open table, and we got there a little early. Our host seated us right away. He was friendly, maybe a little too friendly. He had a "serial killer" smile, and it freaked us out just a bit. Our server seemed a little nervous. It was probably due to the fact that one of the managers brought his family in to have lunch at the table next to us. He was really nice, and brought out bread right away. We were starving. The bread was warm and delicious. He brought out another basket for us after we placed our order. When it came to the food, it was amazing. We started with the bruschetta. I usually hate tomatoes, but we devoured it. I think our server was shocked by our big appetites. For the main entree, I ordered the Mom's Lasagna in meat sauce. It was so yummy, I didn't finished it because I wanted to bring some home to enjoy tomorrow. Overall experience, it was a great experience. I will come back again soon.
(5)Danielle R.
Exceptionally rude. I went here for dinner last night with out-of-town guests, even thought it was a Sunday night and I knew it would be slow, I made reservations for 8pm. We arrived at 7:30pm, and I was told when I checked in, even though we were there before our reservation we could be seated early. I checked back in at 7:50pm, just to see how we were doing for time, and I was told (by a different guy), that it would be at least 45 minutes. I hadn't yet given him my name (and there was no one else waiting to be seated), so I asked him if he could look up my reservation. He told me no, he knew who I was, and it wasn't his fault I showed up early. Then he told me if I didn't like that, I could give my complaints to the floor manager, him, and he'd be happy to hear them. By this point two other staff members were standing there watching the whole interaction, and not wanted to make a scene in front of my guests, I started to walk away. He then asked if it was just me, or if I'd brought some friend too, and if he seated my now would that make me happier? He grabbed menus, walked to a table, and told our waiter "good luck". Later in the night, when I passed him walking to the bathroom, he asked me if I was "behaving" myself. Even if I had been rude (which I wasn't, I've worked in the service industry before, and always try to be understanding), there are too many good restaurants in town to put up with this type of service. Disrespectful, condescending, rude staff is not a way you want to start an evening out with friends - there are plenty of equally good (or better) places in the North End, that will treat you with respect, and honor your reservations without batting an eyelash.
(1)Cindy H.
Great food, mediocre service. The front desk did not approach me when I entered. I made reservations so I was seated right away. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The portions are generous too, so expect to walk away with a bag. Though I enjoyed my food, I cannot say that the service was up to par. My waiter was inpatient throughout the night. I split the bill with a coworker and he looked really annoyed at that. Also, I said thank you to him on the way out and got ignored. I will be back for the food, and hopefully, with better service.
(4)Vikram G.
Service was great. Margarita flatbread was good, pasta was nothing special (needed salt) Not the best place to have a mojito. Desert sampler Tiramisu was exceptional, good for 2 to share. The key reason for 3 star would be great server.
(3)Jessie L.
Food was fantastic and huge portion sizes for the price. Took us 45 minutes to get seated but we did show up without a reservation on a Saturday night (only 2 people). Recommend making a reservation. Had the eggplant appetizer and the gnocchi. The pasta was homemade and delicious. Staff were very friendly.
(4)Lilly D.
I went here for the first time with my girlfriend who came to stay with me in the city and the food was amazing . My only complaint would be that there was a leakage falling on me and the manager was called to checkout out by the waitress and he was worried more about the table getting wet then my self .
(3)Dean H.
Great food & drink. If your a party of 4 or more, order family style. All you can eat! 'Enough said!
(4)Renee U.
They didn't give me bread and butter, which is a little thing but when you're serving everyone else bread and I ask and you still forget to give it to me, I'm annoyed. The food was OK. The best part of our meal was our desserts. My friend got the tiramisu which was easily the best we've ever had, unlike many places who make it to soggy or heavy in liquor this was perfectly light and absolutely delicious. My creme brûlée didn't have the same standard. It wasn't torched enough on top leaving it very soggy overall. For my entree I had the chefs hand rolled pasta which was not that impressive. The pasta seemed overlooked and soggy and the sauce was just a little too sweet for my liking. The place is also set up weird. To exit the building you have to squeeze past this pose putting your butt on someone's table as you go, not ideal if you're seated at that table.
(2)Catherine R.
Want to go for real Italian Food this is the place! Top notch service and they really keep conversation going! The food is pricy, the portion is decent and the food is Fantastic! My favorite red wine fruity Cabernet Sauvignon and try the Sangria delicious!
(5)Ian G.
Really solid food and the service was exceptional. Ordered the Rustic Chicken and Shrimp al Forno. I really liked my dish a lot and the portion size was very generous. My wife had the gnocchi and sausage and commented it was a little saltier than she would've liked. If you're looking for a casual place, great for kids, that will give you a solid Italian meal that you could enjoy with a family, this is a great pick.
(4)Jeffrey T.
awesome place to eat here with family and friends, their family style dinners are large and filling, but the individual entrees are also very good, wait staff here are very pleasant, attentive.
(5)Dylan N.
A very average Italian restaurant, nothing too special about it. You walk in to find yourself bombarded by large crowds of familys and Frank Sinatra tunes playing faintly in the background. I happened to find myself here on graduation day in the heart of downtown Boston, so my friend and I had to opt for bar seating, not interested in waiting 1-2 hours for a table. I must say, great service (friendly bartenders and waiters), but unfortunately, the good news stops here. I ordered a house favorite, chicken parmigiana with a side of angel hair pasta over marinara. Can't get much more basic than that, so when I order a meal with little complexity such as a chicken parm, I'm expecting great flavor and piping hot from the kitchen. First off, both the meat and the pasta were luke warm - not a great start. As far as my palette was concerned, I tasted three separate flavors: chewiness in the chicken, overly salted parmigiana paste, and a hideous slice of mozzarella that was almost to sour to consume. I could have cooked a much finer meal myself. I couldn't help but think that the chefs purchased some cheap cans of Campbell's tomato sauce and spread it all over a poorly cooked piece of meat and a sad bowl of spaghetti. I hate to be so harsh, but Maggiano's is very far from an adequate Italian meal. Maybe it was an off night... but maybe that's just me being too generous.
(2)John M.
Based on other reviews and our one experience here, I think it all depends on what you order. But before the food, let's talk about the service. SLOW, very slow. And unorganized. Usually the better restaurants will have people dedicated to keeping water glasses filled, etc. Not here. Many times we waited 10 - 15 minutes to get water refills. We had been seated for about 15 minutes before our waitress came by with menus, another 15 to order (maybe trying to increase the alcohol sales?). We ordered 5 appetizers for our party of 8. The appetizers were the best part of the meal. The spinach and artichoke dip was very good. However the mussels appetizer never arrived. 15 minutes later the waitress said it would be right out (my father ordered these). And so my father asked for his side salad, which also had apparently been forgotten. Salad came with no dressing, another 10 minutes later they finally bring him dressing. I feel sorry for the waitress. They were obviously way understaffed and she was doing everything. But they were also very unorganized. And if you're unorganized, and understaffed, it leads to chaos. And that is what the whole dinner experience here was like... it felt like more of a battle than a pleasant experience. The mussels never did come out. The meals were brought out by other people, not our server and no one knew who ordered which meal. Again, the organized restaurants know where the meals go to... just sayin'. The meals finally come out, all but one, my sons. He ordered the cheese ravioli. Now that is a very simple dish to prepare. 15 minutes later his ravioli came out. The meals were all just average for some and below average for others. I got the Captain Mann's pasta. I could not eat it. The meatballs were rubbery, the pasta tasteless, the peppers chewy and tough. I even tried loading it up with parmesan cheese to help, but it was bad. The chicken parmesan was average. When you go to a restaurant like this you expect some level of "wow that was good". But we all were underwhelmed. It's the kind of place you know you will never go back to, so let's just get through this and go home. Afterwards I needed to go downstairs to use the bathroom before our hour drive home and the floor manager was down there, the one who had apologized for our missing and slow food items. After he used the facilities he washed his hands. Then he blew his nose several times and did not wash his hands again, sorry but that is gross. The only reason I am giving this 2 stars is our waitress was going a million miles an hour and the appetizers were good. Also, they have no parking lot there, so be prepared to pay for valet parking or walk a distance. They also make suggestions on how much the gratuity comes to, starting with 18% as the lowest number. Obviously meaning that is the lowest tip they expect to receive. They also calculate that amount for the tip on top of the sales tax. I don't know about you, but I never figure the amount of my tip including the sales tax. And given the high cost of the food here, the tip suggested seemed very dis-proportional. I ended up giving a 15% tip, which I still feel was more than fair and only because of how hard the waitress was working.
(2)Adam V.
Good dinners, but the desserts shine! Tiramisu was awesome, and the creme brûlée was huge.
(4)Georgina R.
Fantastic! I got the ziti in pomodoro with sausage, Mom got the lasagna, Dad got the special, and Niece got ziti with alfredo sauce. Everyone loved it. The service was great.
(5)Kimmie P.
Came to eat with my sister and friend. The place was quite nice, but the bathroom was downstairs which was really odd. Anyways, my only complaint was the waiter. He was giving us an attitude from the start. Took our order and my sister only order two food and an appetizer. Didn't order for me because we decide to share. Also gave them an attitude. After we finish paying, we paid separately and he gave this disgusting face. Overall, the food was SUPER good, but the server was HORRIBLE. Might not even think of coming back here. So I'm only giving ONE star, the server ruined it.
(1)Brian M.
We had a reservation, so I can't speak to the waiting problems. Overall good experience for both food and service especially considering it's New Year's Eve Family of 5 and we went with the "family style", definitely the best bargain and plenty of take home to boot, just under $300 with tip (included 2 martini's and a bottle of wine) Let's talk about the food; Zuchini Frite appetizer is the crowd favorite as is the rigatoni D and the chicken Saltimbocca! The other dishes we shared were the mushroom ravioli and gnocchi with sausage, all very good! The let down was the bruschetta, bread was so soggy and they left a pile of plates on the table for quite a while but they more than compensated for it with the insanely good Apple crustada and chocolate cake Don't forget to make your reservation, get there, order a martini and the rest will flow!
(3)Anthony P.
Been a long time customer and the food has been reliably good for a chain, that said like many of the reviews here the service has gone down way down hill. I had a reservation for this past Friday night and they could not take us for over half and hour after our reservation time. We ended up leaving. I will go back and try again because I do like this place. I just hope they get their act together and work on the customer service issues.
(2)Nina K.
The Maggiano experience is very dependent on your waiter, and the location of your table. The booths are very comfortable; however, if you go on a busy night (typically weekends), you may be stuck with a table that feels like it is at RIGHT by the hostess stand. The atmosphere is rather loud and family-oriented. They typically have very large groups in the main dining area, which makes it difficult to maintain a conversation without talking loudly. Again, if you are at a booth, it is along the wall and slightly more isolated, allowing easier conversation and feeling of greater intimacy. The food at Magliano's is amazing. Its creative, yet home-style. The portions are big; so you will never leave hungry. Individualized ratings of the food items: Appetizers---------------- Stuffed Mushrooms: 5/5 Sausage and Peppers: 100/5 This is truly to die for. Entrees------------------- Baked Eggplant Parmesan: 5/5 Lobster Carbonara: 10/5 Lighter Take Veal Piccata: 4/5 This dish is a little bland and colorless Prime New York Steak: 5/5 Mom's Lasagna: 5/5
(4)Tien T.
Went tonight with my family. I don't eat Italian a lot but it was nothing spectacular. Very filling portions, each with a different taste and sauce so it was nice. Main reason I'm leaving a review is because of our server, Hannah. She was very helpful, quick, knowledgeable and best of all, genuine! Basically every thing you want in a server. It's the night before Mother's Day and it looks pretty packed, however she did not seem behind at all. Overall, good experience. Will return but going to try new things. All the apps/entrees seem to be on par with other Italian restaurants.
(5)Tina M.
The staff was friendly. The restaurant is lovely. Dimmed lighting is perfect for pasta and wine dinner. I chose to sit at the bar next to the window and it was a fabulous time. Mario the bartender was a delight and Richard came out from the kitchen to see if I liked my Rigatoni. I recommend the rigatoni. It came in a garlic cream sauce with chicken. I think it's the best I've ever had. Mario paired it with a perfect Pinot noir. Try the truffles. It was a perfect compliment. I'll be back the next time I'm in Boston.
(5)Rachel L.
This place is wonderful.... The dinners are delicious and the desserts are even better... I recommend the tiramisu .... Appetizers are great (stuffed mushrooms are delightful) my only problem is some of the wait staff... I've had a few that act like they want to be somewhere else and are so slow at providing you service, but other than that I definitely recommend this place.
(4)Jennifer T.
We came here with a large party of 15+ people, and ordered off their Family Style menu. Their appetizers are worth checking out, however their entrees were not the best Italian in Boston. Their desserts are so-so, though it was fun to have spumoni in a puff pastry, versus the traditional vanilla. One perk is that their portions are hefty here, we went home with at least 2 boxes a person. Service was also really great, and the server was super friendly and cracking jokes alot and on top of checking in on us. The place is also huge, and so can imagine not much of a wait, and good for large parties, which is a rarity to find in Boston. Parking on street a weeknight was doable.
(3)Sam D.
Food is amazing. Every time I have been, have never been disappointed. If you like seafood the lobster carbonara is to die for and filled with lobster meat.
(5)Pierre B.
Food was delicious and the presentation was great.... The family and I were out to celebrate my mothers bday- made a reservation through Opentable.com and the restaurant was receptive and accommodating ... We ordered family style for the 7 adults and the 2 kids ordered from the kids menu... There were absolutely no complaints about the food.... Not the best Italian food I have ever had, but it was really delicious and my whole party left satisfied and full... Service and management was great... Diarmuid, a manager on the shift was awesome... Making the kids laugh and had extended conversations w the table, which really made us feel comfortable and it improved our experience... I would recommend this location!!!!! Food is awesome!!!!
(4)Chris W.
My experience here was surprisingly good! Arrived just before closing, and they gladly took us in anyway. Were not rushed at all. My expectations were a bit lower since this is a chain restaurant, but boy were we surprised by the quality of the food! I ended up with the linguine with seafood, but substituted the fra diavolo sauce. Meal was absolutely delicious and they didn't skimp on the clams, lobster, mussels or shrimp either. Couldn't finish the dish and didn't even have any room left over for dessert, which was a shame, considering this Maggiano's is just around the corner from Finale!
(5)Janice P.
Love this place. Music wasn't annoying, service was good, and the food was outstanding. Portions were more than enough. Atmosphere was elegant enough to make birthday parties for the little girl sitting near us something special, but not so casual that the grown ups feel invaded by children. One of these reviews says they were bombarded with people when they walked in. My suggestion... Don't go at peak time. We walked right in at 8 pm and didn't have long to wait for anything. Probably will go back before we leave Boston in a few days. The fried zucchini looked delicious.
(5)Marc P.
Chain yes but had always been good. Tried BOS park plaza location and got egplant dish with chicken meatballs... yea don't do that and probably will not go back soon. Eggplant great, meatballs chew chew blah.
(2)Ankita R.
The food was amazing. Loved the desserts. This place has a good ambience but can get a little noisy coz of big groups.
(4)julie l.
Needed a place near our hotel for dinner and settled on Maggianio's Little Italy was close by. Since this was a chain my expectations were a bit lower but my family and I were pleasantly surprised. The drinks were delicious and the food was very well prepared. Everyone in my party enjoyed their food.
(4)Jon D.
The worst service ever. I have never left a restaurant until now. From the second we sat down we had nothing but attitude from our server. It was really unfortunate too because we were all familiar with the chain restaurant and we're looking forward to a great meal, but enough was enough. So, menu wise it is robust and delicious, but DO NOT EXPECT A HIGH QUALITY RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE!! I will never eat at this restaurant again... Please do a better job of screening your wait staff as they are just as important as the quality of your product...
(1)Jennifer C.
My favorite fettucini alfredo in the city!! When I splurge and get this dish, I want Maggiano's, and ONLY Maggiano's fettucini alfredo!! Rich, creamy deliciousness every time!! The zucchini sticks are also amazing. Actually, every dish I have had from the veal marsala to the side of asparagus has been wonderful. But, for all you fettucini alfredo lovers out there, Maggiano's is the best!
(5)Mark T.
Ahh... this place was so close to getting five stars, if I could give decimal ratings, I would give it a 4.3, but alas, I must relegate its rating to a 4. We came in on a Saturday night, the 20th of December. It was jam packed in here. A group of friends came in without a reservation, and were nicely sent away. If you are going here, make your reservation far in advance, a month or more!! While they keep the lighting low, and try to keep an intimate atmosphere, there was way too many people in here, and thus it was extremely loud.I had to yell for a person 5 feet away to hear me. were were't in the center either... The food... oh goodness was there some good stuff, in large portions too! Since I went in a party of three, I did not have the option for family style, but the dishes are prime for sharing, so there were three appetizers and main dishes to try. First, appetizers... Bruschetta was the best of the appetizers. The bread was toasted to perfection, the bruschetta itself was very nice, with just the right amount of "everything else" to go with the tomatoes. Thought it came without fresh mozzarella, there was another cheese on there which was delightful, and not overwhelming. My only complaint about it is that it is a touch too acidic. Take small bites, and it won't be as noticeable! Creamy Tomato Basil Soup can best be described as being sauce in a soup dish. But this was something else, it was creamy, of good consistency and texture, and of good thickness. Very nice dish, and not found in an everyday garden. Calamari was pleasant. It was not over or under: seasoned, fried, breaded, and the sauce that came with it was lovely. However, these calamari, while great, were not super special. Main Courses: Mussels: A huge plate full of steamed mussels. There was pasta underneath, and some kind of tomato-y thing with it, but the mussels were the stars on the plate. They had not been transformed very much, but they were steamed perfectly. They were tender, flavorful, and came right out of the shell. Mushroom Ravioli: A delightful dish, ravioli had an excellent ratio or pasta to filling. Pasta was as soft as the filling inside, but was still flavorful, and did not break apart. Sauce was very pleasant and cheesy, and filling was very fine, not ground, and extremely flavorful Chef Mann's Country Style Pasta: This was our favorite dish of the evening. Everything about this dish was superb. From the hand-twisted pasta, to the sauce and pasta "toppings" to the ricotta meatballs, soft, every so slightly moist, and delightfully spicy. When it comes to dessert, we had capuchinos, and the mini-dessert sampler. Capuchinos were lovely, and had a tiny amount of cinnamon atop the foam, barely noticeable, but noticeable nonetheless. Out of desserts, the only thing that was worth mentioning are the Chocolate Zuccotto Bites, they are divine. The Crostata is very nice too.Everything else was not super special, and the tiramisu is not among best I ever had. Service was quick, polite, attentive, and (our server) was in a great, joking mood. However, I will say one glass on our table was slightly dirty (fingerprints?) but was removed (table was intended for four, there were three of us) Plates had not been wiped dry, and a dessert spoon ha a tiny bit of food crusted on. I may be over analyzing this, but it is worth mentioning.
(4)Amanda P.
I was personally expecting amazing service and amazing food but it was all mediocre to me. The wait for the food was extremely long!! Our waitress didn't check up on us often. She didn't come off too friendly either. The food was either over-seasoned or under-seasoned! The place is honestly beautiful and clean!
(3)Kim B.
I have now been to Maggianos twice. The idea of it is great. It is a HUGE Italian family place, where all waiters/waitresses probably are somewhat related, and are certainly all Italian. The ambiance is certainly upscale, elegant, and nicely decorated. However, the size of it loses a lot of the family atmosphere that you might imagine it to have. It feels like a banquet hall. In that sense, it is. Both times we have done the family style dinner, which again, is perfect for a huge group. You pick 4 apps/salads, 3 dinners, and 2 desserts. And all are unlimited quantities. I mean, again, the idea is great. But if you want Italian food, then if it is cooked in this big of quantities, do you really think it's going to be that good? Our service was, what is the word... bad? Inadequate? I mean this in the sense that it was extremely extremely slow. Our server himself was extremely friendly, personable, accommodating, and lively. He kept us entertained. We all ordered drinks, and mine came pretty fast, and no one else's came for about 25 minutes. I literally was done with my glass of vino and no one else had even gotten there's yet. There also were a few drink orders that never came, but were on the bill (to which the server brought it to us to chug on our way out). For the quantity you get, the food is reasonably priced. For the actual food itself, you are paying way too much for something that is nothing really more than banquet food. However, if you are in a large group and want an easy meal, in a fun atmosphere... definitely give it a try.I breakdown our food below, and I overall was just not impressed with the flavors, consistencies, or makings of them. Next time I crave Italian, I will not think to go here. The Mozzarella sticks were 99% cheese and 1 % bread. They did taste good though. The Bruschetta was delicious. I had a few too many. The bread in general was good, I was pleased. Probably a 3.5 out of 5. The baked ziti tasted like it was frozen, or that some of my frozen dishes have tasted better than this. There was no flavor whatsoever, it was overdone and there was hardly any cheese. The Famous Rigatoni D was the hit of the night. I don't even like mushrooms ( i picked them out), but the marsala cream sauce was unbelievable. The chicken parm was typical, again, it tasted like it was for a banquet. The chicken picatta was nothing special, there was no flavor to it. The chocolate/raspberry mousse cake was a little dry, but the mousse part was delicious.
(3)Krysten C.
My husband and I had a great time here for dinner on a date night. The cocktails were truly outstanding, and the caprese appetizer was excellent. My chicken piccata was also fantastic and so was the tiramisu and coffee. My husband wasn't overjoyed with the chicken saltimboca, but said it was just fair. The restaurant is casual, and has a nice family-style menu. There were lots of people there with their families, friends and co-workers. I would recommend it for any occasion.
(4)Sophie B.
The best alfredo I have ever had in my entire life. It is absolutely amazing. Their chicken parm is also very good too. The only reason I'm giving a three is me and my boyfriend ordered out from there one night after work and he specifically stated multiple times he just wanted gnocchi with alfredo and no meat because he was a vegetarian. We get home and there was meat on it and barely any gnocchi. For a $20 plate i figured there would have been a way better portion size. Also the sausage really ruined the taste of the alfredo. Was really bummed out.
(3)Sharon D.
A solid dining experience! I typically have come during lunch and they have great lynch deals that sometimes come with an additional to go lunch. The fettuccine Alfredo is delicious, and I'm generally not an Alfredo fan! My other favorite has been the caesar salad and chicken piccata. It is a perfect balance of lemon and capers. Once in a while, a group of us will come for a family style dinner which is entirely too much food that we end up taking home. It gets pretty packed and as such, gets pretty loud. Prices are extremely reasonable. I strongly suggest making a reservation on Open Table to ensure you get a table when you arrive. The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and dietary issues. A more recent addition has been the lighter versions of their classics if you are watching calories. Bravo! A solid dining choice!
(4)Sarah B.
We brought my mother here for her birthday, and it was so busy they stuck us in a back room in a near-corner. The hardwood floor was so slippery both my sister and I almost fell, and not one staff member seemed to notice, despite there being dozens of them running around. The food it typical Italian. Lots of red sauce. Lots of pasta. Some meat, some fish. A little dessert. We did family style because there were 8 of us, but I'm not sure it was a wiser choice than everybody ordering individually. I also didn't think the food stood out from any other Italian eatery I've ever been to. Eggplant parm, veal, chicken. Oh, and let's not forget the caprese salad. You're not missing anything your grandma can't make.
(2)Medgy R.
Rating this a 3 because they don't make drinks other than the drinks on their menu... Which is ridiculous... All my mother wanted was a piña colada and since they don't make it, she complained my ear off the whole night... Thanks a lot maggianno's
(3)Patricia A.
Went there yesterday and was very disappointed. I ordered the Chef's Special chicken with mushrooms and onions in a creamy marsala sauce. There wasn't much chicken, the rigatoni was overcooked and falling apart but worse... the creamy marsala sauce was more like watery soup. My husband ordered the steak which was smothered in a herb sauce. The decor was nice but there are so many good Italian restaurants don't waste your money.
(1)Bonnie C.
Maggiano's is a great place with great Italian food. Their jumbo crab cakes are really good and highly recommend it. Their desserts are delicious! However, I am usually way too full from their entrees to even get dessert. I recommend the tiramisu and the vanilla bean ice cream. I came here for my friend's birthdays and other special occasions, but I wouldn't come here regularly. North End has better and more authentic Italian food for basically the same prices. Their service is also not that great. The couple times I was here, the service was super slow and they were not that friendly either. I don't remember a time when I was actually satisfied with their customer service, which is why I am giving the restaurant three stars. It's not worth all the hype.
(3)Christina H.
In eyeballing the reviews, I'm surprised by any of the negative ones. A few mention this as " a chain", which I think is misguided. Yes, there are a few other expansions of the restaurant, but this is no Olive Garden - it's boston's Carmine's which speaks to it's level and quality. We had dinner as a group of 10 (family style) for a Bachelorette and what I was deeply impressed by was their commitment to the group, treating us with the same respect and attention they would for a romantic night out for two. Our server Diego, was professional, quickly helping us navigate our choices and making recommendations that suited the group's needs. The portions were huge, and we took them with us to pass along to some needier folks on our walk home. I can't say enough about our experience and am still dreaming about the Rigatoni D and chicken parm. Well done Maggiano's!
(5)Anand S.
Went here with the family for my mom's birthday and had a somewhat mixed meal. We made a reservation the night before for dinner at 7:30 on a Friday and had no issues, which certainly makes life easier cause it seem's like there's always a wait when we go. After being seated at our table (which seemed unreasonably high, and I'm fairly tall), we ordered a bottle of wine (I'm no wine connoisseur so I can't give a very informed opinion but I enjoyed it so at least there's that). Foodwise, it was a bit of a mixed bag however. We got the margherita flat bread - pretty standard, though I would have preferred it a little bit more crispy. We also got a spring vegetable ravioli that typically comes with a parmesan chicken broth that they subbed out for basic tomato sauce. This one was kinda meh - I thought some of the vegetables were on the slightly underdone side and the tomato sauce just didn't seem to fit, maybe was a bit on the sweet side for my liking. Also got an order of eggplant parmesan that I really enjoyed. Ended the night with the dessert sampler and I have to say, please please please stay away from this. We really only liked maybe 2 of the 5 - the creme brulee (pretty standard) and the apple crostada were both pretty decent. The tiramisu was also OK, pretty average overall I've had the chocolate zuccoto cake before and it is WAY better than the chocolate zuccoto balls so I'd recommend just going for the full cake rather than these small versions, which are just way way way too dense. The cheesecake was just dry and unappetizing though. I'm pretty sure I've had most of these desserts as normal, full sized desserts and they were all much better than they were when I went most recently, so maybe it was just a bad day for desserts. Luckily, they also gave us some lemon cookies for my mom's birthday and those were surprisingly tasty! So we ended happy and had some leftovers for lunch the next day too. All in all, a pretty good b-day celebration.
(3)Yelper H.
Ive been going here for lunch for over a year now. Always excellent food, and excellent service. The food is fantastic, and they do a lunch deal. I dont know about any other times or prices outside lunch hour M-F.They can also cook to your specific needs from the menu and change it somewhat. No issue with cleanliness or any other issues.
(5)Andrew D.
Excellent meal that warmed the soul on this frigid night in Boston. The calamari was great as was the tender veal parm. Will definitely recommend to friends. The waiter was attentive and provided exemplary service.
(5)Thomas L.
Maggiano's never gets old. We visited the nite before the Marathon and the place was packed. Didn't have an impact on service one bit, though. The bread/oil/etc. at the beginning of the meal is second to none. The portions are huge; I had the chicken piccata and the wife had the linguini and clam sauce. Both were excellent.
(5)Tom M.
Let me just say...it's been a looooooong time since I got exceptional service, but our waitress SANDY took care of us big time!!! Granted we went during the Mother's Day rush...the place was packed and they were turning away walk-ins w/o RSVP's. Our waitress took our order and even rushed our food (it was less than 15mins tops) She told us since we had toddlers in our party, she feels bad if they had to wait longer than they should for their food. Sandy definitely deserved the 20% tip on my $80 check....we will be going back there and specifically requesting her section....good job!
(5)Jessica B.
We arrived at Maggiano's for dinner at 5:30 before a 7:30 p.m. play and were not served our food until a few minutes before 7 despite having told our server about our time constraints. The food when it did arrive was mediocre--our eggplant parm. had no mozzarella! With regard to price, while entrees are reasonable, wine prices are extremely high. Definitely a restaurant to be avoided!
(1)Meg F.
We had our rehearsal dinner in the Taormina room on 5/29/2015. This was a perfect spot to hold our rehearsal dinner the night before our downtown wedding. We were able to rent out the private room for 3 hours for a very reasonable food and beverage minimum cost. They set up the room to have two round tables to seat our 14 guests. The private room was great to have, since our ring bearer and flower girl got a bit rowdy. The food was DELICIOUS. Some of our favorites were the bruschetta, the stuffed mushrooms, the baked eggplant parmesan, and the crab and shrimp canneloni. Also, Vera's lemon cookies were a BIG hit for dessert. I don't think my wine glass was ever empty, they would refill it without my even noticing! The family style service allowed for a great, casual atmosphere that was just what we wanted for the night before our wedding. Michelle, Kelly, and Astrid were great to work with and were always responsive to any of our questions. Thank you Maggiano's for giving us such a great rehearsal dinner!
(5)B D.
This place is outstanding. A lot of food always. Big dishes, great taste. Even though it is a chain, it doesn't feel like it. I highly recommend this place. Make sure to have the mozzarella marinara for appetizer!
(5)Rob K.
Went to Maggiano's with my gf after work on Tuesday. This place was great! Delicious food (huge menu), good dinning music, friendly/helpful waiter and a pleasant all around atmosphere. I would suggest this place to anyone!
(5)Jennifer E.
Came here for an anniversary dinner with my husband. We had the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer. Probably some of the best I've ever had in my life. He had the Rigatoni D which was very good, and I got classic chicken parm, which was excellent. For dessert we got the lemon cookies and a chocolate martini. Really really delicious! Everything was great. We were seated in a U shaped booth, which I thought was romantic and very nice. The staff was very pleasant. We waited a little bit longer than normal for the good but that did not bother us. We had a great time. If we went back to Boston, we would definitely come here again.
(5)Donna G.
Best pizza around Mass area, overall is good. Just sometimes need to wait too long. I will recommend to the friends who first visit Boston.
(4)Joe H.
Fresh soft bread. Great food and not overpriced. I liked the atmosphere and it's not to fancy and great for families too.
(4)Pam C.
Maggiano's has the flavors of a nicer, more upscale looking restaurant, probably a place I would want my parents to take me (and pay for me). The prices were very reasonable and they have a good bar and cocktails selection - the sangria pitcher tastes more like watered down jam in how sweet and sugary it was, but it was definitely still pretty good. The pastas come in huge servings, and are definitely more suited for a family style gathering - sharing is definitely encouraged. Good food, great atmosphere - definitely worth a visit.
(4)Thomas N.
been here a few times, lunch recently....we really enjoy this places, services is good, drinks are good, food is good and plentiful....it was not too busy and our server was attentive and pleasant, the decor seems appropriate ( little oldish looking)......it was a cold day in boston and this was a very pleasant place to take a break!!!
(4)shari r.
We went to Maggiano's Saturday night before we went out for a bachelorette party. The food was delicious and our waitress was phenomenal! Very sweet, personable and attentive. Love this place!
(5)A M.
Great setting, beautiful restaurant, friendly service, and good Italian food, what more can you ask for? First of all, best spinach artichoke dip everrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!! Had it as an appetizer, it's so good... next time I go I might just get as an app, entrée and dessert. J/K .. Ok time to get serious...I had to get that out of my system. Had the Linguine Di mare, generous portion and very very good, had enough to pack up and take some to my dad, he was also very pleased (and quite upset I didn't take him along) My friend had the Rustic chicken and shrimp al forno, I dug my fork in it while she wasn't looking a few times and I must say it was also very tasty! Might get it next time. Drinks are very good and strong, had the pomegranate and the long island iced tea. So if you like Italian food and strong drinks head over to Maggiano's, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Kawena K.
I'll keep this one short since we had our Thanksgiving meal here and it was a special, pre-fixe menu. The menu allowed us to choose between several options for each course but unfortunately for us, they were already out of a lot of food by the time we got there (it was only 6 PM!). I understand they probably only made a limited amount of each dish but when they ran out of creamed spinach, they automatically subbed it with creamed corn instead of asking us what we'd like to replace it with. The corn was way too sweet and creamy and the rest of the Thanksgiving fare was pretty uneventful but the regular menu items were tasty - the chopped salad and bruschetta were both good. Service was minimal but that's kinda expected for a busy night. I don't know if I'd return again, mainly because I have to trek all the way from Hawaii to Boston and I'd much rather go to the North End for Italian.
(3)Meg C.
I came here with a large group on a Friday night. Service was decent from start to finish. They do a BYOB option with a $15 corking fee. It's a little high for a corking fee but still much cheaper than buying tons of bottles there. The waitress was patient while we decided what to order and quickly uncorked bottles for us. The food was nothing special. We did the family-style ordering, a choice of 3 appetizers, 4 pastas/entrees and 2 deserts. The appetizers were probably the best part of the meal. We ordered bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms and the mussles. The mussels had a great sauce. I do not like mushrooms but I very much enjoyed the stuffed mushrooms. The entrees weren't bad, but also weren't good. We ordered the baked ziti, gnocchi with sausage, eggplant parm, and chicken marsala. None of the dishes were hot, just luke warm and the center of the eggplant parm was just cold. I'm used to baked ziti that has a ton of sauce and ricotta and mozzerella cheeses melted throughout. There was barely any sauce, more like some chopped up tomoatos, and only mozzerella cheese melted on the top. The gnocchi was heavy and tasted like typical gnocchi you can buy at a grocery store. I have made both of these dishes much better at home. The chicken marsala was fine, the chicken was cooked well but the marsala sauce was way too thin and there wasn't enough of it. The eggplant parm was cold in the center wtih just a huge amount of sauce on top. I also didnt find that there was any sauce or cheese throughout the layers also making it a bit dry. For desert we ordered cheesecake and a flourless chocolate cake. The cheesecake was cream cheese based and a little overly sweet for my tastes. The chocolate cake came with ice cream and had that fudge-like consistency in the center. Overall Maggiano's is a place to come with a big group when you want to eat and drink a lot but dont want to spend a ton. It won't be the best meal you've ever eaten but it probably won't be the worst either.
(3)Mary Jane J.
Blah. Atmosphere is okay, if not very noisy. If you want to be treated like a peon by the hostess this is where you want to go. Had a reservation and still had to wait fifteen minutes. Food was mediocre but the server was pleasant. Glad I came here on a giftcard.
(2)Lily S.
For what it is, i love this place! It's your pretty standard italian fare--spaghetti, meatballs, gnocchi etc. Ample portions, friendly smiling staff. Good place for family dining and the like. The dining room is huge and the old fashioned decor makes the space look warm. From the entry way, it also looked like they had some private dining space as well. We left feeling full and happy, having spent way less than expected. yeay!
(3)Kushal M.
Went there for a celebration dinner with a large (10+ person) group. The staff was very helpful and gave us excellent service. Excellent food also. Some of the best food I've had in Boston. Definitely try: Linguine di Mare - if you love seafood, you will love this. A most delicious medley of amazing seafood. Tiramisu - Very light and very delicious.
(5)Warren B.
Food was fine the one time I went. The setting was great if you like oldy worldy wood panelling. Made me feel like I was in an old movie (in a good way).
(4)Kate T.
Food was good, the waitress was fairly rude though.
(3)Rachel L.
Made reservations for 4 for 530pm; arrived and was seated right away. Waitress did a really amazing job tonight; very attentive and friendly. Ordered the calamari, Italian salad, Taylor Street ziti, veal marsala and tiramisu. The calamari was really good, crispy and good even without the sauce on the side. The Italian salad was also very good, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like salads. The Taylor Street ziti was good; sauce wasn't too strong and just right. Pasta was al dente and not too soft or hard. The veal marsala was actually really good. The tiramisu was just amazing, potentially the best I have ever had. Portions are fair, service was friendly, vibes were good. Nice ambience for date nights or just casual dining.
(4)Mike J.
Good place to hang with friends, family and date as well. So many people go there so expect to wait in line at least 30 minutes during peak hours.
(4)S T.
After my complaint Maggiano's sent me a voucher that can be used for a future date. I will likely take my chances with a sit down this go around
(3)Brittany B.
My boyfriend took me here for a Valentine's Day dinner. The service was great, the food came out piping hot and was delicious. We will definitely be returning and I hope to take my parents there soon as well. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes great Italian food in a great atmosphere!
(5)K S.
For a large chain restaurant, this place never fails to fill my hunger and Italian cravings. Stuffed mushrooms, mushroom ravioli, chicken parm are a few of my favorite things. The dishes are so large that I get an awesome lunch for the next day
(5)Brad G.
Group of 10.(including lots of kids). Great accommodations. Kids really loved their meals. I had the balsamic salmon, wife had the mushroom ravioli. Both were excellent. Atmosphere was homey and relaxing. Hannah was an outstanding waitress.
(4)Charlena K.
Location is tricky to find especially if you're walking and relying on Siri. Food was great, no surprise! Overall service was good, but staff friendliness and availability/tentativeness could be improved. Gabriel was our waiter, he was awesome! I highly recommend him. Restroom is inconveniently located downstairs- clean though which is a plus!
(4)Chris B.
A great family restaurant. Lots of good Italian food with so many choices. Fried zucchini is out of this world. Caters to families with small children or large groups with two or three generations. The staff is friendly and helpful.
(5)Baris C.
I came here with my mom on a Monday. The restaurant was still crowded with not many tables available. My mom has food allergy. I notified the waitress about this and she took care of it. My mom got a salad with a steak on her salad. The salad originally had chicken in it, we asked to replace the chicken with steak. The waitress said she would do with an extra charge. We said ok but the meat on the salad was really small considering the extra charge. I got the meatball spaghetti. I asked for whole wheat past and I guess whole wheat spaghetti was not in stock the meal came with penne. It was penne with meatballs. It was not bad but tue expectation was not set right with wheat pasta options. Overall the service and food was good.
(4)mercer m.
Heard a lot of great reviews on Yelp and decided to give Maggiano's a whirl and order out via Foodler. We ordered two items (lasagna with meat sauce and a pasta dish with shrimp and chicken). The cost? $58. Again, two items. Seemed a bit pricey for my liking, but I had read that the portions where large so I figured that at least I'd be able to stretch it into a second meal, perhaps the next day's lunch. Not so. Admittedly, the lasagna with the meat sauce was pretty delicious, i pretty much inhaled it. The portion was of decent size, certainly not as monumental as previous Yelpers had indicated. So, that was a bit of a bummer. My gf got the pasta/shrimp/chicken dish (which came in a creamy sauce (which I was able to snag a bite of), and it too was quite tasty. She, unlike me, managed to stretch the meal into next day's lunch. We did get a 'complimentary' piece of bread which was nice and two little cups of parmesan cheese...but, honestly, for the price, I was hoping for a bit more especially with all of the heaping praise Maggiano's had been garnering. It sounds as if dining in at Maggiano's is where one can achieve optimum dining pleasure, but as far as take-out, i'd suggest going with something a bit less pricey. They tack on a delivery fee of $6.99 which was kind of a bummer as well, but when the dude arrive I realized he was on a bike.
(3)Katie C.
For some reason, Hubs loves Maggiano's. Me? Well, considering the proximity to the North End, why not just go there? We came in after an afternoon at the Wine Riot next door and we were quickly seated. Our server was nice and efficient, but she kept pushing us to order a bottle of wine. Over and over again. Regardless, once we got past that, we looked through the menu. Everything was just "generic" was rustic names. I had lasagna that was just okay. There was no special flavor to it and served with generic marinara sauce that was super salty. Hubs had ziti that was served to his liking, but it was clear that my lasagna was left under a heat lamp. Anyhoo, it was a hearty lunch but nothing memorable. And between the price, we could have easily had something a little more authentic in the North End. Our bill was messed up at the end of the meal -- it included the entrees of a table nearby. Eh, no thanks.
(2)Graham K.
I went to maggianos for a work function. Nice place. Friendly staff. The food was not great. It was all frozen and microwaved. You could tell there was just no quality behind it. There are plenty of other Italian restaurants in Boston with much better food.
(2)Kelly W.
I was last here April 2014. The only reason I fear going here is the huge number of calories I am likely to take onboard. The pasta is fresh and excellently prepared, perfectly cooked--I can't believe this is a chain. I had a ravioli dish with asparagus and a lemony cream sauce--fabulous! I went to a benefit here a couple months earlier and there was a buffet set up for that. One of the best buffet's I've ever attended--everything tasted fresh and delicious. The kitchen staff here really does a great job! And of course the Tiramisu is awesome. Seriously, probably the best Tiramisu I have ever had. And a HUGE portion! I was one of a party of 6--every one was very happy with their food!
(4)Elicica M.
The customer service is not up to par but the food compensated for it. I had pesto ravioli and a cheesecake for dessert. The last time I went here, the waiter was rude and asked for a tip at the end although most of us gave him one...super rude.
(4)Renzo T.
Been here 3 times the latest was this past Saturday night.... One of the best spots in Boston in my opinion....service is top of the line...food is delicious... Certain dishes can be pricey but you pay for what you get.... I ate the surf and turf...lobster tail and steak....steak was the some of the succulent meat I've ever tasted.... Definitely a must go
(5)Brianna S.
Great Italian food! Great service...a bit pricey but hefty portions and you'll be happy when u leave. My suggestion: chicken orzo soup and baked ziti with Italian sausage in the tomato and Alfredo sauce..pics provided! Speaking of service: the manager let me use my bday coupon after it expired!! Yay! :)
(4)Jovanna O.
The food is delicious as usual. I ordered my favorite chicken Parmesan with Alfredo sauce! Yummo! The portions are huge and I wish I could take my leftovers with me but there is no fridge in my hotel. I also ordered the apple crostada mini. It wasn't as good as it used to be. Too bready, kinda disappointed
(4)Greg m.
Mamma Mia I love this restaurant! I love it so much I just recently celebrate my 50th birthday there. First I have to say this restaurant has excellent service! The staff goes out of its way to make your experience the best possible, even going above and beyond your expectations. From the hostess, to the bartender, to the waiter, to the busboy, to even the guy the holds the door open for you these people take service to an exceptional level! It makes you feel like you're there for a special experience and of course you are! Now the food! The food is incredible :-) Everything we've had there has always been fresh and delicious here are just a few of my favorites. For my appetizer I love the calamari. Lightly battered with a touch of salt and pepper and delicious. I really enjoy the house salad. Chicken parmesan is classic. The stuff shells are to die for! The lasagna can satisfy any appetite! And my two favorite things for dessert are, there super delicious lemon cookies and the old world tiramisu!! You can order this family style or individually! Regardless of what you get you and your fellow companions will go away feeling like kings and queens of Italy old. Royal treatment, quality service and exceptional food! If you're in Boston this experience is a must!! Bon Appetit
(5)Mark D.
I've eaten here many, many, many... many times. It's the most non-homestyle, homestyle Italian you can find in the area. Yes, it is a *gasp* CHAIN, but, it's one of the few chains that's actually pretty fantastic. So, it's Italian. It's the type of Italian, that unless you are Italian, that you hope your home cooked meals come out like. I'm Italian. I have high standards for good Italian after being raised on my grandmothers old world style Italian food. The first time I ate here, I was like wow, really good! There are things that suck (read: meatballs) and there are things that are really fantastic (read: marinara sauce, heavy drink pours, Family Style meals, etc). Let's dive into these a bit... The Suck: Meatballs. meatballs should be small, one or two bites sized, not spongy but not dense. More like a 50/50 mix of meat to breadcrumbs. Or, as my grandmother taught me... you put in as much breadcrumbs as how much you like your guests... or as how much you need to stretch your meat. Following my grandmother's logic, I'm either part of a really large, poor family, or they just don't like me very much. To their credit, their balls are huge. But not much there... So Family Style... do you eat a lot? Do you have friends/family who eat a lot (at least three), then you want to participate in their family style meal option! For a fixed price, you can have unlimited portions of predetermined food. So that means, if you really want 10 plates of chicken parm, you guys will end up paying the same, fixed price (trust me, you won't go through more than three plates of any food, unless you are truly pigs). But you have to agree on the food as you can only choose one or two dishes from the menu. Maybe hard for some parties but most won't find an issue with it. Another great thing about this place is its bar. It doesn't have a lot of top shelf items but for the $10 cost of a drink you definitely get your moneys worth. Drinks are poured generously so this is a great place to have one or two drinks to start off your evening. Be aware that this place can be packed on Theatre nights but Monday's and Tuesday's are generally quiet.
(4)Wes S.
My fiancee and I love this place. The atmosphere is very well welcoming. Service is always on point. The Linguini Di Marre is a must-try.
(4)Marcus M.
I had a great experience here this evening. The food was great, the service was great, and the prices were quite reasonable. The portions were fantastic. The place was packed on a Monday evening, and I see why. And, I knew I had to give a positive review when I saw one of the servers helping to calm a crying baby. The patience and willingness of the staff were nice to see. If you like Italian-- no, if you like food period, you need to take a trip to Maggiano's. Dooooo iitttt.
(4)Mystery D.
The atmosphere in the dining area is cozy. I ordered pasta with chicken meatballs. It was very good
(4)Jason M.
The wife and I were walking around Boston about 9:00 looking for a place to eat we just came across this restaurant which happened to be across from hotel we were staying. From the outside I thought they were closed but entered and it was packed. The room is a little dark but still comfy to eat I had the rustic chicken and shrimp it was delicious the wife had the linguini with clam sauce that was a little to salty for my taste . Very generous with the bread and portion sizes a pleasant surprise for a random dine in.
(4)Mike C.
Maggiano's may not have the best or gourmet Italian food, but it will always be my favorite. The food is still very high quality and and fairly consistent considering that it is a chain. The biggest draw for Maggiano's has to be its capacity to handle groups. Each one that I have been to accommodates group sizes from 4 to 100 and up. They never have an issue with changing their floor layouts to combine tables. They also specialize in catering and parties in private rooms. This Maggiano's has large banquet rooms on a lower level. The majority of time that I eat here is under the family style menu. It is the all-you-can-eat option that is shared with the table. Finish your food and waiter keeps bringing more. There is a fixed charge per person; light, classic, and chefs choice, in increasing price. I recommend the classic for the biggest bang for your buck. Appetizers: Calamari- favorite menu item, fried, includes both cut rings and baby squid with tentacles. Mussels- always fresh, broth is a little bit salty, but still satisfying. Mozzarella- huge portion, so cheesy, def bad for your health. Salad: Chopped- avocado, blue cheese, bacon-like prosciutto. One large order of salad is enough for 4 people usually. Entrees: Salmon- hard to screw up, comes on a bed of spinach and orzo, but proportions of each vary at this restaurant. Chicken parm- Crispy, solid staple to any Italian meal. Either ravioli is my preferred pasta since the other basics are well, too basic. I can boil spaghetti at home. Dessert: Apple crostada- best way to make hot apple pie better; add ice cream. Tiramisu- varies a bit, but a treat I can't make myself. Portions here are oversized. But if your table finishes, you get more under the family style dining! Either way, it ends up producing plenty of leftovers to take home. Now why is this place not 5 stars? This particular location is always packed. Expect to wait even if you have reservations. Waiters have also been hit or miss. Regardless, I still return because I love the unlimited delicious food.
(4)Elaina C.
I went here this past weekend. We went on a Saturday night and the place was bustling. Luckily, I made a reservation through Open Table and the only time we could get was 8 pm. Great place... the food is amazing, the bread is great. We got the baked ziti and the best part is they offer some meals with a "lighter fare" with less calories. And you wouldn't even know... it was delicious. My boyfriend got the chicken sauage soup and it was so flavorful. I definitely recommend it. They had a white sangria on special and that was right up my alley. Unfortunately, I dropped my glass, it broke and spilt everywhere. Talk about embarassing.. but our waiter was a peach and was very kind to me. I definitely recommend this place; we will be back! And just a hint: if you sign up for their email club, you receive a $10 coupon.
(4)Keith F.
Great food. I had a reservation for 7 (5 adults, 2 children) at 6pm on a Friday in Boston. We arrived at 6pm had the car valet parked ($18) walked in and were seated immediately. Classic Family syle got us 3 entrees, 3 appetizers, and 2 desserts which was more than enough for all of us. The food was really well done and the deserts were EXCELLENT. Table service was really good too. We never had to ask or call our waiter over for anything. The table was always maintained and drinks were always full. At the end of the meal the bill was $375 with the 20% tip. That also included some wine. Definitely recommend.
(4)rose n.
Eh I've had some great experiences here but this last time, it felt like the Olive Garden. The food was good but not spectacular. It's high volume Italian so not surprising. The waiter even told us that the bread was bad that night (?!) because it wasn't their usual vendor. Our waiter just didn't seem like he was on his a game which is disappointing when you're there for a special occasion. Sigh.
(3)Shyam V.
Here for a special event celebration. the waitress had such a don't care attitude. We ordered an appetizer "bruchetta" - was good. Next an eggplant Parmesan ( really sad .. The eggplant half raw and the tomato sauce all over the plate) .. We ordered a side dish that never came. When we asked about it the waitress actually asked if "you want it removed from the check?" Now after 30 mins since we ordered desert the lady just came and tossed the Tiramisu and walked..no greeting no nothing.
(1)Kristen M.
Staff was excellent!! Food was great as always
(5)Harlan K.
When it comes to accommodating a large group, Maggianos is pretty great. The Family Style system that they have is excellent, and works very well to give everyone what they want and much more. Technically it's all you can eat, but the plates are so large that unless you have a group of linebackers to feed, the mountain of food will be unconquerable. The service was pretty good, the staff knowledgeable and fun, and they were very accommodating to a gluten-free member of our party. At the end of the day, if you have a group of 7 or more, it's probably best to just go Maggianos.
(4)Kaleb E.
Everything about this experience was pleasant. I used round table to book a reservation for two at 7pm. My girlfriend and I arrived in Boston earlier than expected so we went in and asked if we could be seated even though we were early. The lady at the front desk was more than accommodating. Once seated, we were greeted by Chris (out waiter) and received our drinks promptly. They have a huge collection of wine (being from California, I enjoy a large range of choices). Lots of choices ranging in red/white wines and a great variety of wines from all over the US! Chris was hands down what made the night so wonderful. He had my girlfriend and I laughing and feeling comfortable all night. Because we were new they gave us a complimentary appetizer which was phenomenal. Once it came to ordering a meal, Chris told us he had tried everything on the menu. He told us his favorites and even helped my girlfriend choose between the two dishes she thought sounded good. Both our dishes were spectacular and our deserts were even better. All in all this was a great experience and I will surely be back when I'm in Boston again. I suggest this place for a nice dinner date with your significant other or even if the family is in from out of town!
(5)L. R.
Food is great. The service was only okay. I felt rushed...app arriving two minutes before dinner after I told the waiter I didn't want to be rushed. We were seated at a four top on a slippery hardwood floor near a lot of traffic. It was disappointing.
(2)Lynn J.
REVIEW is for the TAKE-OUT ONLY! I expected to like this place less than I do, only because it is a chain...but I was wrong. It is a lot of GOOD FOOD at a GREAT PRICE. FOOD: Large portions of good food. The pasta is not homemade, but it's not overcooked. The one jumbo meatball is soft and delicious, and the Italian Sausage was finely ground, like Irish Sausage. Get the "Chopped Salad" for only $5... It's got 1/2 an avocado & proscuitto crumbled like bacon! ONE PROBLEM: I ordered the GNOCCHI & SAUSAGE online. Their system asked if I wanted spaghetti or whole wheat pasta. I thought, "serving a side of pasta with gnocchi...OK?" I chose "whole wheat pasta." I received no gnocchi at all...OOPS. TAKE-OUT DEAL: Only $5 doubles your entire meal! This is not a little bigger...It's 2 entire meals. Take one to lunch tomorrow...such a great deal. DINE-IN DEAL: Check in on Foursquare & take home a DOUBLE of your ENTREE MEAL FOR FREE!
(4)Mary Ann A.
Sunday, July 20, at about 4 pm. I ordered Chicken Marsala. I was served baked chicken with blackened whole mushrooms spread over the chicken with NO Marsala sauce. I should have sent it back, but I did eat part of it. I imagine that this dish was prepared ahead of time, later baked much too long, and then served. This was not the dish I ordered,and I was sorely disappointed. Never again. While I am at it, the sausages and peppers were not prepared as previously ordered many times. The not-so-cooked sausages were whole served with very little yellow and orange strips of pepper. The sausages were previously sliced and fried with equal amounts of GREEN, yellow, and orange peppers with onions. Again, a disappointment! The bread was not the usual bread, just plain Italian bread, and not the melba toast or bread sticks as in the past, that I so much enjoyed. The wine was fine. The service was good. Prices were fair, reasonable.
(1)Diane H.
You should definitely make reservations..though i haven't been here without them so i wouldn't know how long the wait is. This place is huge...and it's packed. Though it's a chain, it's better than average. Their bread left more to be desired...very plain. They didn't offer to refill the bread even after we were done. I ordered the lobster carbonara for about $23, a bellini swirl $8.75 and a cappuccino $3.95 at the end which came with a biscotti. The lobster carbonara was a huge portion, i ate half. There was a good amount of lobster so for that price i am okay with it. Normal pasta here ranged around 13-16$. The bellini was delicious...wish it was bigger! The cappuccino was okay, nothing special...the biscotti was nice. I'm just too used to fancy cappuccinos from the EU so don't mind me..you might like theirs. They do sprinkle, cinnamon, i think? on top. My friend and i shared the stuffed mushroom as an app..OMG..it was soooooo good. At 9.25, it better be delicious! It wasn't burnt or anything..just perfect. My friend and i agreed we can totally order two each and just make a meal out of it! haha. She also got the ragatoni D pasta...which i found very nice. It was definitely more seasoned than mines..more salty and tasty with mushrooms/chicken pieces. THe chicken was a bit dry as with chicken you find everywhere. I would love to try that "Family style buffet" everyones talking about...but that's a hell lot of pasta you be eating! Though the price would be nicer...my price tag came out to be about about 43 before tip...hmmm. If only you can choose whatever you want on the menu, yeah i'll keep on dreaming! There were birthdays going on..and alot of people over 20+. Also two vip rooms available from what i can see. Though getting to the bathroom was quite a trek..all the way downstairs and getting back to my table we had to squish between other tables so i dont know how...anyone who isn't skinny can get through and i'm pretty skinny and i thought i wouldn't fit!! O__O Our waiter was kinda weird.......i guess management must be watching him or something---he can be friendlier...and make small talk with me yenno.... Just no connection made, i know youre busy..but please, appreciate my business so that i actually want to come back for the service.
(4)Denise D.
A family style Italian restaurant. We booked for thanksgiving evening and had a feast of turkey, ham, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing and creamed spinach, followed by tiramisu and apple pie. There's no way we could eat all that, so we left with plenty of food for the next day. Good value for $40 a head.
(5)Daniel H.
The restaurant is fancy ish, the deals are awesome, and the lasagna is to die for. The best appetizers would be the fried calamari. This place is great
(5)Urmy M.
Great restaurant! Food was delicious! And the seasonal sangria , one of the best I have had! They make magic out of the moscato :)! We ordered the chicken red peppers flatbread for our appetizer and it was delicious! For main course we had fettuchine alfredo and chicken parmesan and they were both delicious! The portions were generous and the sitting just right. Will definitely go back again. The best part is even though this is a chain restaurant it didnt feel like one. Highly recommend!
(4)Kamille W.
I use Maggiano's family-style dining as a measure of compatibility in all my relationships. If the words "bottomless crème brulée" make you cower in fear rather than leap with excitement, you and I probably shouldn't hang out. Because really, what are you thinking? Play like a champion. For those who don't know, here's how family-style at Maggiano's works: you and at least three of your favorite people sit down and figure out exactly how much you can all eat. Then, based on everyone's hunger levels, you pick a menu (light, classic, or chef's choice). Everyone pays the same amount, and the kitchen just sends plate after plate of food out to your table until you say "when." Enormous (ie, infinite) portions aside, every single thing that I have eaten here has pleased my inner chub-o-tron. For apps, I always go for the fried calamari; it's crisp and well-fried -- never chewy. During my most recent visit, I was informed that they were out of the calamari. I nearly seized with panic. Our server recommended the fried zucchini instead and was met with the most epic of side-eyes. However, we did as he suggested and were forced to bow before their undeniable tastiness. (But really, you ran out of calamari by 7pm and didn't even offer a conciliatory crab cake? Are you serious Wendy? Color me disappointed. Minus one star.) The potato-y indulgence of the gnocchi and sausage will make you want to slap your mom. The lasagna, linguine with clams, chicken parm, and grilled salmon will induce similar mother-slapping urges. The desserts are gloriously rich and sort of too much, but that's what you should expect from Maggiano's anyway, no? Crème brulée. Cheesecake. Tiramisu. These are the things dreams are made of. Make a reservation, throw on some roomy pantaloons, and ready your mind/body/spirit for the wonders in store.
(4)Kathy N.
If you want great Italian food, please go to the North End. Came here for a friend's 21st birthday dinner (I don't know why he chose this place.) It was my first time there and I immediately noticed the picnic style table cloths that just screamed family style. It was busy for a Friday night but we were seated pretty fast. There was a couple of times during the night where our server did take a while to come to our table which was a bit frustrating but she was super nice. She did however forget the birthday boys first drink which took about an hour and a half to serve. It was on the house though and also when he didn't like it, they served him another one for free. He received a free dessert as well! I ordered the Shrimp Scampi. It looked really huge on the plate and sort of soupy. I was afraid I wasn't going to eat it all but surprisingly did. It was really appetizing. I would say this place is bad at mixing drinks but hey, it's a chain Italian restaurant, right? Good staff though. I guess it's a nice place to eat if you don't want to go anywhere too fancy and if you're with a bunch of people.
(3)Julianna F.
Ordered the Spaghetti and Meatball and it was good. Comes in a large dish and it is very fulfilling.
(3)Ron L.
If you're looking for a snooty, trendy, Northern Italian experience, this isn't it. It's not a restuarant for the pretentious or wannabe food critic. It's a typical Southern Italian/Italian American family style restaurant. Staff was friendly and polite, service was good, and the food was good too. It's a chain restaurnant, but definitely a big step up from Olive Garden or Macaroni Grille. If you want Giacomo's or Strega, go to the North End, stand on ridiculous lines, and impress your facebook friends. If you're worried about ordering something "typical" on a menu, there are still other choices on their menu, or just go to one of the trendy North End joints and dine elbow to elbow with the tourists. Be sure and wave to them from the window as they peer in and stare at you while eating your meal.
(4)Ed G.
We ended up back here again as we were given a gift card. My wife and 3 sons and I went for my kids birthday. 4 of us wanted to do family style but my one ultra picky kid wanted to order a regular meal. The waiter acted like we just asked for something ridiculous. He didn't refuse our request but made it awkward enough that we decided to all get the family style. (upgrading to the premium package so he could find something that he liked.) The rest of the meal was OK, average food, almost adequate service, overall not very impressive. Certainly not worth the price tag.
(1)Lynsey A.
I had the veal which was terrific and my cocktail was also great. The service was friendly and fast. My only complaint is that I was shifting in my booth and pressed against the bottom of table for leverage which knocked my cocktail over on the table. So maybe some heavier tables would be helpful....
(4)Wind E.
We brought friends from Mexico there for dinner. They have a decent wine selection and the food is very good. Portions are generous so bring your appetite! It is quite loud so if you are looking for quiet and romantic, this is not the place. We had to pay for valet ($17), so heads up... Definitely will come back for a hearty Italian meal.
(4)Jane's G.
To say that the waiter was fantastic would be like saying winning the lottery was...meh. He was a delight and the food from this scratch kitchen was off the charts. After finding out we were visiting from Oregon the manager brings out a free appetizer of fried ravioli! The Bellini was authentic and tasty too. I had filet mignon tips in the most delicious sauce. I barely made it to this delectable entree because the bread was so fresh and the olive oil dipping sauce was crazy nutso good.
(5)Alex F.
Dude, seriously the best Italian food in Boston. And No the North End doesn't compare. Literally, great service, better food, and an amazing restaurant.
(5)Tanya Y.
I am beyond thankful to know that we have the only Maggiano's in Massachusetts located in this convenient location; and I'm even more shocked that I hadn't come here sooner, because everything is amazing. As soon as you walk in, the ambiance makes you feel like you're in a swanky hotel, which is hard to believe because it's a chain restaurant. We were warmly greeted by the host and taken right away to a table available. The dining area was pretty large and I was shocked to see how big inside was. Our waiter, Juan? Jose? I don't quite remember his name, but he was incredible. Totally charming, attentive, and personable. Waters were given to us initially accompanied by bread and olive oil while we read over what we wanted from the menu. We decided to eat family style and ended up ordering the Bruchetta (Baked garlic toast topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar and roasted garlic - $6.95), Eggplant Parmesan (Sliced eggplant, breaded and fried, layered with Provolone cheese and marinara sauce - $13.50), and the Linguine di Mare (Lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams and spicy lobster tomato broth - $19.75). The bruchetta was so amazing. It hit every note of flavors that my tongue/mouth craved - sweet, juicy, crispy, and garlicy. Then, the two main entrees came with on plates in heaping portions. The Linguine di Mare definitely was the star of the two, bursting with flavor. It wasn't all that spicy at all, rather it had a little cute kick, which my mouth could handle. If you plan on driving here, plan on parking in the garage near by. Instead, save some money and take the train; Back Bay Station on the Orange Line or Arlington on the Green Line is a short walking distance from the restaurant. We ended up tipping our waiter over 20% because we were so impressed with our experience at Maggianos. Without a doubt, I'll be back for more.
(5)CK K.
My daughter's sweet16 birthday here. Everything went well. Good food, very kind and friendly. Good price as well!
(5)Colin P.
I was not able to eat here on a Saturday night. Reservations is a must. But on a Monday night, it was easy to get a table. The food was great. I even splurged on dessert--the Tiramisu was delicious. The service was good. I didn't get bread until I was almost done with my entree. The staff was friendly. The atmosphere was nice. I liked the background music.
(5)Matthew A.
Nice place to go for pre- show drinks. They have Peroni on tap!! Staff friendly, and courteous. Men's room had no paper towels and hand dryer did not work. I alerted the manager who appeared happy that I told him.
(3)Craig S.
My wife and I went here before last week's Third Day concert at the nearby Colonial. The reservation was ready for us, the service was great, the veal Marsella was very good, and they got us in and out quickly. All in all a very nice experience, we'll go back again.
(4)Susan T.
We made a reservation here before seeing a show. I had a special night out planned for my little girls for dinner and a show. Our reservation was for 4:45, but we got there at 4:30. The lobby was jam packed with irritated customers. I checked us in and was told we would be seated when a table was available. Fifteen minutes went by and not a single person in the said jam packed lobby had been seated. I went back up to the hostess to see if we had any hope of being seated and she told me that they had no tables available and we would likely have to wait another 20-30 minutes. given we had tickets to a show, we had to cancel our reservation and look elsewhere. Such a disappointment as this was a special night out for my little girls. It seems this restaurant needs to learn how to book reservations between afternoon matinees and evening shows.
(1)Stefania T.
I have been there 3 times and two of those times were a nightmare. Usually I never have problems at restaurants and can never complain. First bad experience was when they took an hour and a half to bring out my food and when I got it it was cold and them they took it back and it took them another half an hour to warm it. Second bad experience also involved a long wait for my food, but the cherry on top of that night was when the valet lost our car and the valet took over an hour to find it and then expected us to pay. The manager at maggianos was of no help and just said that the valet was an independent company they hired. There service was unacceptable and I go out of my way to discourage anyone from going there.
(1)kiva p.
I went to this place for a friends birthday party and my body doesn't do the best with cheese, however this lace was a temptation. I ordered the mussels which were fresh and garlicky. I also had some lasagna which was felt like a Homemade dish. The food was heavy, but the leftovers served me well. It's best to go in a large group because the portions are HUGE, which makes good for sharing everything.
(5)Maggie W.
We made a reservation for a celebratory engagement dinner for 4 and they had lost our reservation. The customer service was not great, they said they would do the best they could do- which was honestly just a shrug of. We just went back to Red Lantern where its always a good time and good customer service
(2)Dave C.
It was the best night ever, and the best food in the world! I got mussels in white wine sauce and linguine with clams. I also got Nonna's pound cake! I loved it! - M, age 7
(5)Leela H.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. I figured it was your typical chain restaurant, with the usual spread of bland Italian-American food. I absolutely love Italian food, but it definitely makes a difference when they put some love into it! Amazingly, Maggiano's is absolutely delicious. Every dish is fantastic! Believe me, I'm sampled quite a few pastas here. Raviolis, rigatonis, fettuccinis... Oh my. Drooling already. Great for small parties or large groups! The family style is fun, but I'm greedy so I like my own dish ;) Delicious!
(4)Jackie L.
Sad face Maggiano's! You are totally overpriced and really nothing special. With the North End nearby and tons of other great restaurants, I don't understand why anyone would come here, except if you have a large party. We had a party of 14. Good luck fitting a party of 14 at a restaurant in the North End. Even with an advance reservation, the best we could do was 5:00 PM on Saturday, but no matter, I have an early bedtime. :) We were celebrating two birthdays, and the birthday girl decided we should not do family style, so we all ordered a la carte. I think this place is better for family style, but then again, that's relative. The wine list has a good selection and most of the glasses are in the neighborhood of $10 for a 6 oz pour. One thing I do like is they do a 6 oz OR a 9 oz pour. 9 oz sounds like a lot, but its actually perfect. I usually like a bit more than one glass of wine, but can't drink a full two glasses, so 9 oz is great. On the reds side of the menu, there was a section for meritage & blends. There were four wines listed under this category but it wasn't clear which were meritage and which were blends. Curious about the meritage I asked our server who quite abruptly said "they're all blends" in a way that kind of made me feel like an idiot. That was the start of our poor service experience. The waitress assigned to our table seemed completely put out by the fact that we were a large group, which I do not have any sympathy for. We racked up a bill of over $700 and the server is guaranteed an 18% gratuity, so you do the math. If it were me I would be in a GREAT mood. (Another weird thing was the fact that food that didn't belong to our table kept showing up throughout the night. Our waitress would hold the food over our heads and call out "CAPRESE SALAD" and seem annoyed when no one responded. Out of 14 people NO ONE ordered caprese salad.) Anywho, we ordered some appetizers, of which I tried the bruschetta and the fried zucchini. The bruschetta was fine although the bread was a bit crisp making it hard to eat. The fried zucchini was entirely too fried with a very thick layer of breadcrumb crust. For dinner I had the chicken parmesan. I almost never get chicken parmesan at an Italian restaurant because its just so typical, but I was preparing myself to be underwhelmed by the food and thought the chicken parm would be a safe bet. It was exactly that - safe - not bad, not excellent. My husband ordered a tilapia topped with lobster meat served with orzo and spinach. His meal was barely edible - the fish was overly fishy and the orzo and spinach was 90% spinach with a few grains of orzo. He ended up eating half of my chicken, which was fine because the portions are enormous. I will say I liked the marinara sauce on my chicken and on the spaghetti, but dinner was disappointing on the whole. I was pretty full, but the birthday crowd insisted on dessert, so my husband and I decided to split the chocolate zuccotti cake. It was ABSURDLY large, as were all the other desserts including the profiteroles (birthday girl said they were profiteroles on steroids), cheesecake, and tiramisu, which my friends ordered. I think the desserts are the same size as if you were ordering family style, designed so that 10 people can try a little of each dessert, but for one (or even two) people it is just ridiculous and no doubt a scheme to upcharge on dessert. Price per person came to an absurd $66 - we did cover the birthday boy and girl, but still. What a complete waste of money. Luckily my companions were great and the night was not a complete bust, but I'll try not to come back here if I can help it. (P.S. I felt I had to share a picture of the dessert if only to show the absurdity of its size.)
(2)Tony W.
I love this place! Every time I come I leave absolutely stuffed. The service is great and management takes pride in running a good floor. The portions are huge and the food is delicious! They have a respectable win list too.
(5)Christina M.
Every time I go to Maggiano's I forget it is a chain restaurant because it really just feels like a nice downtown Boston Italian eatery. I've never had a meal I didn't like, the staff is always so attentive and friendly, and the ambiance is always great. If the prices weren't a little on the expensive side, I'd go there a lot more often! Inside, the place is huge, and has a range of romantic booths along the walls and family style tables in the center. I like that all of the tables are covered in real linens and candle light, and can be just as inviting to both big families or couples on a date night. The first time I came here I had the cheese ravioli, and not only was it a generous portion, but the best ravioli I've ever eaten. It came in a delicious cream sauce and was packed with flavor. The second time I came I had the chicken tortelloni which was amazing. I want to go back just to eat it again. Top it off with a fruity sangria and one of their yummy desserts and you'll be rolling out of there feeling quite satisfied!
(4)Eric E.
Excellent Chicken Parmagiana, Caesar salad and fried calamari as an appetizer. Very large portions, plenty to share without ordering the family pre fix menu. I would definitely come back here.
(5)Robert H.
Yes, we ate at a chain Italian restaurant while in Boston! Lol! Once we sat down, we looked at each other and said "we probably should have gone to the north end for Italian". But, I digress. The food and service were on point. Maggiano's is a great Italian chain restaurant. I had soup and salad - which were good as usual. My boss had Chicken Marsala which was really good! The food is standard Maggiano's food. It's good Italian food. The service at this location was great. Is a very busy restaurant, and it seems the servers all help each other out to ensure everyone has a eat experience. Would we go back to Maggiano's in Boston? Most definitely.
(4)Mike W.
Maggianos refused to serve us family style. There were 5 of is out of a party of 15 that wanted family style. They refused. I understand that they don't want the rest of the party taking advantage... But the rest of our group had already ordered. I spoke the to the manager he have us some bogus excuse about "inventory" if the 5 of is were at a separate table it would have been the same thing. So much for a "family style" resturaunt. STAY AWAY false advertisement!!! Menu states 4 or more for family style no fine print or exception to to the rule!
(1)Mike C.
I was very pleased with my visit to Maggiano's. I sat at the bar since I was by myself. I had the chicken Marsala with angel hair pasta and chopped salad. First time I've tried the chopped salad, really liked it, avocados and blue cheese. When the food came out the pasta was actually hot, that doesn't happen much at restaurants. The chicken was very, very good too. The bartender/server Samantha did a great job taking care of everyone eating at the bar.
(5)Elise M.
The food was delicious. I got ravioli in pesto alfredo, which was absolutely to die for, and the bread was pretty decent. Our waitress was really slow. It took her ten minutes to remember to fill my water (after I had asked her). She took my food away without asking if I wanted it wrapped up (which I did). The chairs were also pretty uncomfortable. Good food. Slow service. If you're okay with a meal being dragged out over 3 hours in not-the-comfiest seating, then this is the place for you.
(3)Marissa F.
Food was delicious. Service was too notch. I will be soon. CKs Lobster Carbonara was delicious. A must get. Also the new Chef Mann's Country Style Pasta. Awesome. You must come here. You will leave full and a take home bag. No dessert. Too full... Don't worry I will!! Bottle of wine, water and a family environment. No worries if you bring your kids. Very convenient to the Theatre District. Book your tickets and enjoy a relaxing full meal and a wonderful show.
(5)Kevin R.
I will start out by saying the food was actually very good. If this review was based solely on the food, it would be 4 stars. I ordered the lasagna for my main course and it is arguably the best lasagna I have ever had. The other main courses ordered at the table were good, but not as good, hence the 4 stars and not 5. Maggiano's gets a -2 stars for the service. Our waiter knocked over a glass of red wine onto one of the people I was at dinner with and he barely even apologized. The waiter also did not replace the glass of wine that he spilled and nothing was taken off the bill. Completely baffled by this experience.
(2)Georgina C.
While I'm technically a lifestyle blogger, I receive invitations to fashion, beauty and now food/wine oriented events and tastings. Wednesday evening... Maggiano's hosted a group of us to taste their new Chef's Summer Grill Menu. We were greeted warmly by our hosts who gave us a bit of history along with details of how the evening would progress. I loved that they remained pretty hands off and were incredibly accommodating to those with food allergies. Our first course was the Heirloom Tomato & Shrimp Flatbread. The tomatoes were immensely savory and the dish created a nice light starter. Second came...the Grilled Chicken & Sausage Spiedini. The grilled potatoes were so delectably crisp and the peppers, succulent. Grilled Mahi Mahi with Carbonara Orzotto was served next, topped with roasted pepper almond pesto and sugar snap peas. The orzotto was prepared in the most heavenly broth that incited one of those close your eyes and enjoy the flavor moments. The snap peas were also remarkably fresh. Lastly... dessert was produced with rightful flourish. Fresh Strawberry Pie, the strawberries dressed in a balsamic glaze sitting atop fluffy layers of mascarpone. The Cheesecake... I don't love cheesecake, most of the time I don't even like it beyond a few bites. When you visit Maggiano's you must have a slice and make sure your dining partner gets their own. It was that exquisite. Thank you to our hosts for treating us to a lovely evening. Photos are available of the evening at: notesonlifestylebygeorgi…
(4)Kaitie S.
I don't know if I'm just easy to please. But some reviewers are kind of harsh on this place so I'm assuming their experience must have really sucked . I on the other hand am from New York City where we have all kinds of culinary wonders . I personally found the food to be very satisfying the apple tart and calamari being amazing. We opted for the family style menu and was very pleased when they brought us more servings and were glad to let us fill containers (that they gladly provided) to take leftovers !! Most all you can eat places don't allow that. Just for this I was very happy. The server was very attentive , suggested dishes and wines . And the ambience was very family oriented . Would definitely come again when I'm in boston .
(4)Ruth M.
The food and service was amazing!! I loved the selection and portion size.
(5)Xin Z.
This is a classic italian restaurant - the ones you see from the movies or the Saprano LOL. Everything is delicious, and it's definitely one of the best places for a group gathering!
(4)G S.
Ok, I try to keep an open mind with chain restaurants. This was our second time here (last time 4 years ago) and the experience was exactly the same as the first. Mediocure food, bad service. WIthout going on and on the prices were fine, no complaints there. The service was not very good. 3 of the 4 dinners came out cold and the server was basically clueless. Son had veal parm (typical 19 year old dish) and it was very thick and tough..I had the chicken with sage (very good once re-heated) Another person had the gnocchi (very good) My wife's dinner came with a cold side of tasteless angel hair with garlic and oil. By the time it arrived to the table it was a glop of startch without any sauce so she asked the server to bring her some hot oil and garlic sauce to add to it. When it was delivered the manager said "oh the spoon fell into the dish" and handed me a small bowl of great smelling garlic & hot oil with a spoon in it?? I looked at her puzzlingly and took it from her and didn't say a thing. It wouldnt have mattered....The spoon literally was covered by the hot sauce....COME ON MAGGIANO'S!!
(2)Kimberly P.
My boyfriend and I literally almost rolled over and fell asleep on the table after this meal. I mean, I even had to unbutton my pants because I couldn't breathe. We came here for our anniversary because we don't usually eat Italian food and it blew us away. We ordered the calamari as an app, had lasagna, and the chicken parm. My mouth is literally watering as I am writing this review because it was soooo delicious. The portions are huge, so if your eyes are hungry, just think twice. Anyway, we both had enough leftovers for the next days lunch so ahhhhhhmazing, twice :) Highly recommend this place for date night. Ladies, wear something comfortable.
(5)Tom S.
Who knew pasta and meatballs could be so good. Maggianos is a great restaurant for large groups. The family style is fantastic. Great selection of wines. For a downtown location, parking is easy.
(4)Jackie C.
I have always been a Maggiano's fan! This is the one I have found in Boston and it is so nice! It has a great Italian feel and is very cozy.
(4)Amanda G.
The two stars is generous because the only good thing about our night was our really awesome waiter. We went in Saturday night at 7:15 with a reservation , to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Upon arrival exactly on time, the rude unsmiling hostesses snap at my that my table isn't ready yet. When I ask how long it will be (wondering to get a drink or not) I get " how should we know? A couple minutes" Rude. Oh, and when we walked up to the hostess booth we were not greeted at all. I had to say "Hi I have a reservation". Then we have to go squash against the wall near the table where the menus and mints are ( since bar and waiting area are packed) and the table was filthy- covered in drink stirrers (used) fruit from drinks, empty glasses, crumbs, etc. It was disgusting. After the wait we are finally seated in a "nice booth" which is literally on top of a wait station so we got to watch and listen to a bus boy fold napkins and clink glasses two feet behind my husband's head throughout our dinner. When we finally got our food it wasn't even hot and we waited a really long time for a cocktail. I was so disappointed. We had out first date here, so it was a special place for us. Now I will never go back. 85$ later all I am is angry and disappointed. Never going back.
(2)Darryn T.
Ordered the eggplant parmigiana. Served tepid on a plate with sauce smeared around the edges of the plate. The sauce was a uniform purée that could easily be matched with the cheapest you'd get out of a jar at your local grocery. The eggplant itself was a gluey mass of tasteless cardboard sitting on a pile of well-cooked pasta that was unevenly heated, cool in spots and almost warm in others.. Though I was offered warm bread I was told garlic bread was dependent upon the whims of the chef. I chose not to try his/her mood of the day. The wine was a Banfi Chianti which tasted like it had been open a while. Finally, the service, while polite and even a little helpful was tired and nearly disinterested. All-in-all two stars is probably a half star too much.
(2)Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 77. HUGE PORTIONS!... GREAT VALUE!... where do you ever hear that in the city? Think Vinny Testas meets Olive Garden, just slightly better in food quality...oh and by the way it is a chain. Homemade meatballs, sauce is decent quality and the bread is fresh (not the lunch rolls you get in similar venues). I had the Meatballs and sauce for 12 dollars and for an extra 5 bucks you can get a DOUBLE serving. Which means I'll be having leftovers for the next two days... phew! Look it is not as good as the top end North End restaurants but IT IS as good as almost anything in the Back Bay or South End as far as italian food. Tip: Join their email club and get 10 bucks back!
(4)Dan L.
Wonderful food, great service, and great atmosphere.
(4)Alexandra M.
Got the Margherita Flatbread, Spinach Salad, Chopped Salad, and Bowtie Aglio. All was amazing! Could not eat all of it because the portions are so massive, so keep that in mind. The flatbread is a great starter to share, its like a small pizza. My only issue with the food overall was the soupy-ness of the aglio--but I guess its just because I didn't expect that. Service was funny and great--really on top of everything. The large portions don't stop with the entrees--I saw the desert and they are the size of a whole cake! Didn't get any though, which I kind of regret now but would have felt awkward walking out with soo many boxes.
(4)Patrick P.
The service here is wonderful! It may not seem as important as the taste of the food, but they definitely make it a nice dinning experience. I are with a large work group and had steak with an assortment of side dishes. My steak was perfectly cooked, the veggies were fantastic, and the mashed potatoes melt in your mouth. This isn't a quick in and out meal, expect to sit and enjoy your meal. Also you'll be too stuffed to go out for drinks after, so plan for a nap because you'll need it.
(4)Claire B.
Had a large party/private meal here for a group of 14. Price could not be beat for family style apps, entrees, and two choices of dessert. Service could have been a bit quicker on refilling drinks, but, we were very pleased overall!
(4)Lisa K.
this place has gone DOWNHILL.. thankfully their food is still OK, but their service is horrible. When I walked in the male (about 40's) greeter/host didn't even look up at me..i stood there for about 2-3 min while he conversed with a coworker (still hadn't looked up at me) and then i finally said i'm here with so and so party.. STILL hasn't looked up at this point.. and he was like ohhh. they're somewhere on this floor.. go find them... RUDE... i overlooked that because I was already late dinner.. our server was super nice. (older man with scottish accent). the night would have been grand and the rude host forgotten if the bus-boy/server did not spill a full glass of water on my iphone.. NOT apologize, tell me it was time for an upgrade to the 5, and then further get too close for comfort and try to flirt with me. BACK UP. so sad. this place used to be a cute italian spot, but now it's a spot for rude ass hosts and grimey bus boys who ruin your electronics, and then insult u for not having the most recent iphone.. seriously?
(2)Tara S.
Great Italian food at a wonderful price! The four cheese ravioli was amazing. The dish is served with both pesto and tomato sauce. I have never had both in one plate but my oh my was it delicious. The booths are spacious and luxurious. This place is both upscale and casual?!?! I highly recommend a dinner here followed by dessert at finale (across the street) to top it all off!
(4)Nancy M.
We had a party of 12 and everyone loved their meals. The service, however, wasn't so great. When I made the reservation I asked if we could get separate checks and was told its not a problem. When I arrived I asked the hostess the same thing and was told that she would inform the waiter. She didn't. When I told him, before we ordered, he was obviously annoyed. He was also annoyed when we didn't want to order family-style meals. My group makes frequent trips into Boston but we will not be returning to this place.
(4)Alexander C.
I went here around 7 pm on a weekday and it wasn't too busy, but the service was just a tad bit slow considering the amount of people that were eating there (not too crowded). Apart from that small gripe, I'm a big fan of this place. Our table had a very friendly waiter and luckily we had a decent amount of people, so we ordered family style. For those of you that don't know, family style at Maggiano's entails ordering several plates of food (including apps, main course, and dessert) and then once you finish the plate, you can continue getting the same dish for no extra charge until you tell them to stop. Because of this, the food is not high high quality, but it was still really good. Our waiter was pretty funny and kept telling us to eat more and more, and by the end of the night we finished and he still brought out more plates of food and told us that we could take it home as take out. While the pricing was a little high ~$40 per person, including tip, it was clearly worth the money considering I ate for days after on the take out alone. For reference, we brought home about 2 shopping bags worth of take out.
(4)Marceline V.
Went to Maggiano's for a dinner with a party of 11 and had an awesome time. Even with a large party our server, John, was prompt, polite and attentive. We ordered off of the Family Menu and the endless trays of food were delicious and so worth the money. I don't eat meat, but of the things that we ordered I enjoyed the fried calamari (tastey), eggplant parm (oh so delicious), and the Salmon with lemon and herb (fresh and light). The desserts were also great! There were no complaints from us, will be visiting again!
(4)Daphnee D.
Ehh, I give Maggiano's a B-. Not too shabby. Parking-street if you're lucky or garage...what else. Pretty big and spacious restaurant. I was there on a Thursday night, no reservations, and was seated promptly. I had the rigatoni D, it was satisfactory. The pasta is not made in-house, and it was slightly undercooked. Seeing how this place goes by little Italy -_- I was a little disappointed. The bread was not warm, who wants to eat hard as rocks bread. Cold hard as rock bread? No one. The bathrooms are really far, so pee beforehand. The waiters and waitresses did a stand up job, no complaints. Overall inexpensive, good eats, casual attire. Papa razzi on Newbury st. Is still my fav Italian spot. You're welcome.
(3)Adam E.
For a work luncheon, Maggiano's is a good bet. My team of 20-ish went here for a "winter holiday" thing, and we got a spacious, private room to dine and make awkward conversation in. There were probably 3 other larger rooms full of work lunch groups. The food was good enough. I mean, it's a chain, so you have to lower the bar a little and expect that the fat content of the food is double what you imagine it might be. Once you've got that settled, you can relax and enjoy some pretty delicious food. The food comes out on big platters, so you can take as much as you want and try a little of everything. I think the desserts were the best part, so I'll start there. We got cheesecake and an apple crumble type thing. They were both amazing. Everyone at my table was "so full" but managed to fit in dessert once they tried a bite. And there may have been a tussle over who got to take the leftovers. That's another great thing about Maggiano's, they bring out containers for you to put leftovers in without prompting. Combine that with the fact that they bring out another dish if you've eaten all that was on the 1st serving platter, and you can easily see that this is a great bargain. Even at $30/pp for lunch. Anyway, we had a lot left on our table, so we all took some home for dinner and our wives. The entrees and apps were solid, but kind of unremarkable. The chicken parm didn't have enough sauce with it and was served alone, without pasta. I don't understand that. It was good, but would've benefitted from both pasta and more sauce. But, we had a pesto ravioli dish that filled our pasta cravings and was rich and enjoyable. The calamari was battered just enough to be crispy but not bready, and I really liked that appetizer the best. The spinach artichoke dip was not too shabby either. Lastly, we had a good number of vegetarians in our group, and Maggiano's provided delicious options for them (and everyone else), without batting an eye. It stinks to be stuck with boring salad and plain pasta when everyone else is enjoying rich and creative dishes. There was an excellent veggie option for both the app and entree course. And thankfully for the dessert course as well.
(3)Bella B.
Food wise, it's perfect if you know what you're getting and know what to expect - the sauces are laden with butter and sugar, if you feel like a nice homemade tasting red sauce you don't go here, obviously, you go to the North End. BUT it's a great place for a gathering with the family-style serving; they do coupons and discounts (check retailmenot.com !); the cocktails are good; it's not too loud and the ambiance is good. And the service is always great! Each of the last 2 times we went we had Kelly as a waitress, and she was EXCELLENT - made the meal such a nice experience that I wanted to come on here and write a review!
(4)Nguyet N.
Service is always great but food is ok. Clam and linguini is bland and chick parm was not a hit for me. Fried calimari was too salty for me. I been here a few times and probably won't be back for a while.
(2)Jenn G.
I love Maggianos! I have gone to the one in Philadelphia several times, but I went to the Boston location for the first time since moving here. It was great! The location is convenient, close to the Arlington T stop and close to the theaters, Common and Public Gardens. The food is also really delicious. For a chain restaurant, there is still some authenticity to the food and the environment. My group did family style and I must say that my favorites were the fried mozzarella, gnocci (no sausage) and the cheesecake. The cheese in the fried mozzarella was incredibly fresh and delicious, the gnocci was clearly handmade and fresh, and the cheesecake was fluffy and creamy. Mmm!! Also, the drinks are not outrageously priced. I started with a prosecco but switched to the frozen peach bellini, which was pretty delicious and large! I think it was about $8, but it was worth it for the taste/size.
(5)Jonathan B.
I've been to Maggiano's a number of times for work meetings. The atmosphere is usually on the livelier side. The downstairs function rooms are smallish and the décor is generally appealing. Positive indicator: The restaurant is almost always busy. And for what is ultimately chain food, I've found their offerings mostly enjoyable. My GF and I paid a visit to Maggiano's a few Thursdays back. We were immediately seated and placed an order for steamed mussels and a house Chianti. The wine menu was refreshingly long, though the silverware and glasses produced were disappointingly dirty. The mussels were of the PEI variety and arrived in a white wine sauce with cannellini beans, and sun-dried tomatoes, adorned with lemon and roasted garlic. Needless to say, they were delicious. Our waitress was as green as they get but also tried to be exceedingly helpful, but not in the bumbling doof sort of way that is characteristic of many new hires. My choice of entrée for the night was the Delmonico. It was a 16 oz. rib eye cut that was char-crusted with garlic butter and topped with crispy onion strings. And for $36.50, I expected this plate to leave an impression. And so it did, but not the type I had anticipated. I don't think I've ever spent as much for such a bland cut of meat. It was fat laden and utterly without taste. So much so that it was nearly successful in eradicating the fond memory of our recently devoured mussels. But nothing's that bad. Her entrée was the infinitely tastier Filet Mignon. And at 9 ounces, it far exceeded my dish's taste, proving once again that quantity is not analogous with quality. She seemed kind enough to share, but I'm thinking it was all pity. Either way, our desserts rescued what would have otherwise been a slightly more than mediocre experience for me. My apple crostada came in a caramel sauce that was superb. The apples were baked in a pastry crust dipped in cream and crystallized sugar. It was served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream that singularly contrasted the opposing temperatures. When we left, there was nothing remaining of her crème brûlée. It was rich and creamy custard with caramelized sugar crust and a touch of citrus. And it was topped with large strawberries. Big plus. I've withheld 1 star for my insipid steak and another for filthy cutlery, but Maggiano's has enough going for it to compel repeat dining. So, in the immortal words of the Governator: I'll be back.
(3)Melissa D.
This is a great choice for large parties and groups and the best deal is to go with the Family Style Menu. The platters are huge and will have enough for leftovers that will last you a couple of days! Our party of 6 were seated right away and we had a jovial waiter with a couple of bussers who took care of our needs. He explained the menu and of course won us over. Top choices from the Family menu are the fried calamari, baked ziti and the linguine di mari. So good! I was happy with the food and they have a nice large wine menu. This a great go-to for large gatherings.
(4)Jay B.
The food is generally good here and this is a good place for families to visit but the valets steal money from your car. Do not trust them.
(2)M F C.
I mostly get take out from here. Always been very happy. Their house salad is the best salad around, hand down. The pasta's are always great, and the portions are huge. If you like italian food, you won't be disappointed. I'm a repeat customer for life. Probably had their food 20+ times with no slowdown in sight. I'm only subtracting 1 star because they got rid of garlic bread. I get it, they give you free regular bread, but not being able to order garlic bread just seems strange. I want to dip that sucker in my sauce! A++
(4)Bob W.
Granted a chain but across the nation they never fail to deliver great value and product. The lasagna is a standard to judge by as is their heavy red sauce. One of my "go to" places when failures not an option.
(5)Mahina K.
This is for thanksgiving at Maggianos. I can't say anything about a normal night. But it was phenomenal on thanksgiving. It was about $40 a head. But you got two sides, two salads, two pasta dishes, and two thanksgiving dishes, and two desserts. If your table happened to finish the large amounts of food they gave you, they would bring you more. No charge. We got the maggianos salad which is delicious. I would eat that again in a second. Along with the chopped salad (same as maggianos just with avocado). The ham and sweet potatoes, turkey and stuffing, mushroom ravioli, baked ziti, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, apple crostata and vanilla profiteroles. They also started us out with bruschetta, bread and olive oil, and fried beef ravioli. It was kind of all the bang for your buck and skipping the hassle of having everyone over and cooking and cleaning. My favorite app was the beef ravioli. The vanilla profiteroles are like vanilla ice cream cream puffs. Delicious. Our waitress was sweet. She put up with my dad's joking, so that's always good. It seemed to be a fairly busy night so they did their best to keep up. We did serve ourselves water and they did apologize for that. Points off because I wanted to try the chocolate cake but they ran out... Ditto for the creamed spinach (and deciding that we obviously wanted creamed corn instead of any other side). And the turkey was a little bland and the gravy was too salty (they evened out if you got a perfectly portioned piece).
(4)Michael L.
My GF and went here once after hearing its good. I got the Salmon Oscar ($25) and it was, by far, the best meal I have ever had!!! I often think about it and we talk about that experience as one of the best dining experiences. We had a bottle of red wine and ate wonderful meals. Even better, as we were walking out the waitress gave us a take out box with homemade lemon cookies- free, for no reason. She said she loves them and wanted us to try them. It's on the expensive side, so we now plan ahead the semi-annual reason to splurge. It's worth every cent though!
(5)Laura B.
This was just run-of-the-mill, large portion italian food. I don't opt for italian restaurants often because most don't compare to authentic home cooking, but my husband and I brought his brother and wife here because it was close to a show we were seeing afterward. My food was satisfying but I wouldn't call it high quality. I had a scallop pasta dish, and at least the scallops were cooked well and the pasta was al dente. Apple crostata for dessert was very good. Overall, food was OK but I wouldn't choose to go here again.
(3)Anna V.
My boyfriend and I had our first visit here on NYE, and I don't regret booking a table here at all. I've noticed quite a few reviewers here have mentioned poor service - this was not my case NYE. Our waiter Chris was really friendly and we had our drinks ordered and served within the first 10 mins of being seated. For an appetizer we choose the calamari -perfect start. Then for dinner I had the Linguine Di Mare, and my boyfriend had the stuffed bolognese(sp?). I LOVED my dish and all the wonders of the sea in my big huge bowl that I couldn't even finish. My boyfriend very much enjoyed his meal, he just wished he should of asked for more cheese in the shells. Regardless, we were both very happy with the food. Our food was served within 20-25 mins, which is impressive for a packed house on NYE. I'm a Chianti lover, and before I went ahead and bought a glass Chris was nice enough to let me sample two types of what he recommended. I have never actually had that offer before in a restaurant, so that was wonderful! I feel bad for not remembering the brand of beer my boyfriend had, but apparently it is made local and only sold in Boston restaurants - this was also a recommendation by Chris. My boyfriend loved it so much he had three glasses, and it was a nice step away from his usual Sam Adams choice. all in all, I LOVED this place and I will no doubt be back.
(4)cassandra L.
This is a long overdue review from february. Maggiano was one of my fav restaurant. So why 3 stars? I was there in feb to celebrate mine my gf's birthday! I put it down on my reservation on open table that we are here to celebrate 2 birthdays. No birthday wishes, no candles. Not that we need the attention. When we see one of the table got their candles, my gf told our server it's our b'day too. He just ignore it. Perhaps he didn't hear it? We don't want to make any frills on our birthdays. We still hv a good time although service is very very slow today. We were there from 210pm till almost 430pm!!! Half the time is spend waiting for our food. We were determined not to let this spoil our birthday. So we don't complain. We were also asked to be moved to another table as there is a larger party coming soon and they need the space? So... the 3 stars are really for the food only..
(3)John B.
We have eaten here many times, and been very happy with the food, staff,and atmosphere!
(5)Diana C.
we ordered 3 desserts: creme brulee, chocolate zucotto cake and the tiramusu. they were all delicious!!!! maggiano's dishes are family oriented and so are their dessert sizes, they were more than enough for 3 people. definitely recommend it here for dessert.
(4)Jim T.
If you have a large group you can't beat the value of a family style meal here. Drinks are also cheap with bottles if wine ranging $50-$100. Service was excellent and the good tasty. Try the chicken spinach manicotti and the tiramisu!
(4)Dave H.
Went to Maggiano's with 5 of us before heading over to see Blue Man Group. Had a 6pm reservation before the 8pm show and this was the *right* amount of time (the restaurant correctly advised us of this). We chose to do the family style dining and did the "light" version which was WAY more food than we could eat (we took some home with us ;). Had we chosen the normal/classic amount we probably would have needed another hour to finish it all. ;) The food itself was really fantastic. We wound up picking a few different dishes than we normally would because of a family friend who was with us that didn't like some of our standby choices. The Chicken Tortellini (or, more accurately, tortelloni) was truly fantastic. I'm not usually a fan of pasta and cream sauce, but this changed my opinion. Highly recommended, didn't feel like a chain restaurant at all. Reminded me a lot of the family atmosphere of Carmine's in NYC.
(4)Kayla C.
Everything was on point. Made a great first impression of my now boyfriend. We went there for our first date. The staff was amazing. The food was great. Beautiful atmosphere. Great drinks from the bar. Valet was quick when picking up the car. Overall 5 stars is a must
(5)Jen L.
I typically don't love chains but this was an easy choice for us - we had lots of people and needed a rez. The joints in the Italian section - while more authentic and most likely better - don't take last-minute reservations. Plus, Maggiano's was close to our hotel and centrally located for everyone else in our party. Upon arriving, I checked in on FourSquare and noted that there was a special - it stated: "Order 1 of our 9 Classic Pastas to enjoy one in the restaurant and take another home free." When I brought this to the attention of our server Michael, he refused to honor it and said that this was an expired special. I asked to speak to a manager. The manager never came over and Michael actually sent over a different server to wait on us. How embarassing. So there you go.
(2)AJ M.
It may be a franchise but this is my go-to Italian restaurant in Boston, and it is consistently delicious and worth the trip and price (I'm on a college budget) every time! It may not be as crazy authentic as the North End, but I can honestly say I've never had a bad dish at Maggiano's, literally everything on the menu is delicious. The portions are huge and their Family-Style meals make for the best group dinners I've ever had. I've seen a lot of complaints that they lose reservations or their hosts aren't on top of things, but if you make a reservations, get there right on time, and make sure to stand close to the podium, you really should never have a problem. Sometimes I think people just don't realize that this staff deals with a lot of huge parties and you need to make their job a little easier. The waiters and waitresses are always extremely nice and attentive, and very flexible. Boston does not usually accept a lot of the national Maggiano's promotions, but if I bring them up to the server I am always given whatever offer I am asking about, no questions asked. My favorite deal is ordering a classic pasta and getting another one free to take home, it's perfect. Best meal options: Baked Ziti, Chicken Parm, and the Spaghetti and Meatball are my favorites, oh and the Salmon is perfection. My biggest tip: GET THE POUNDCAKE. Best dessert on the menu, and it is unlike any other dessert you will try, I go just for that sometimes. This is the one of the best places to get a filling, great dinner in Boston, and I don't think I'll ever stop coming to it. If you are looking for a great meal, lively atmosphere, or a place to go with friends, this is the place to be.
(5)Paul S.
Thanks to my lovely wife who made it all happen, we celebrated my 40th here lastnight with most of my family. From the classy Christmas decor to the wonderful Rat-Pack Crooner Christmas tunes playing all throughout the night and the attentive service, it was another Home Run at Maggiano's! A very nice fella named Fabrizio gave us one on the house when he found out the occasion, so a shout out to him for his kindess there. First course - Spinach and Artichoke dip with bread, Bruschetta and Stuffed Mushrooms -all with great flavor, all excellent as usual. Second course - Chicken Saltimbocca, Rigatoni "D" , Eggplan Parm and Chicken Parm. Again, all top-notch and flavorful. The favorite was the Rigatoni "D" - Rigatoni smothered in a delicious cheesy sauce with button mushrooms, garlic and evoo. Desert - Creme brulee, Chocolate zucutto cake with hints of sambuca, and apple crostada - All rich and decedant and everyone enjoyed! The servers were attentive throughout the night and paid good attention to our table. A shout out to Johnny K the Maitre D who always works efficiently to see things get set up smoothly. For Italian Dining, this place is it for me - Its Maggiano's for Boston, and Luciano's if we stay close to home!!
(5)susie l.
Food was great, service was great, the reason for the three stars is because it took so long to serve our food. Must of waited close to twenty minutes, way too long. Thinking that the cook is slow one night, we went back the following night. Same thing, great food, long wait. Decided not to go back because of the wait.
(3)Meredith M.
This place is awesome. I ordered the Chicken and Truffle Tortellini and it was absolutely amazing. They have gluten free options which someone in our party needed and our service was impeccable. Everything was the right price, right atmosphere and it was one of my first nights dining out as a Boston resident. Definitely will be back! A+++
(5)Nicolas M.
Wow..thought I had written a review of this eatery quite some time ago! Anyways, it will do me some good since my previous two reviews on here haven't exactly been so great. I have been to this place three times during my time in Boston for college. The first time was with a student group at my school, the second with my viola teacher and our studio, and the third time with family after my graduation in May 2011. All three times I have eaten great food and had a wonderful fun time with people. Maggiano's claims to be a family-style restaurant and they're very right. It is quite beneficial to order the family-style dinner option on the menu in which you can pick from a few dishes from appetizers, entrees, etc that are for the table and everyone can help themselves to. I've done that each time I have come and though when I eat out, I usually just order my own dish, this proved to be a better choice, at least here! When my family and I came here after my graduation, we had so much food we didn't know what to do. It was more food than when I came with my studio and people from school! We all had a jolly-fantastic time but ate so much that we felt coma-like for hours afterwards..even into the next day! My mom and aunt are on Weight Watchers...screw that! No point-counting here! Besides, it is much much better at all times to enjoy a large family meal like this that make life truly great than to sit there cold and hungry obsessing over what goes into your body. I have always liked the ambiance in here. Even though it can get loud, the main dining room is plenty big and allows for families with still enough space to move around. They play jazzy music and the interior design is classy and homey. Hell, even the little take-out bags which you carry your leftovers in when you leave are nice.
(4)Kenny L.
I would say Maggiano is one of my favorite Italians place to eat in Back Bay. Be careful of how much food you are ordering because their portions are huge. They do not hold back. (Which is awesome) I have had almost everything in this restaurant before. I really enjoy the chicken parm, and their mozzarella marinara. They also have nice specials from time to time. (try the lobster carbonara!) For dessert you try their chocolate cake ( i usually don't like chocolate cake, but it so good here) My favorite dessert by far is their tiramisu. For date wise, i would say the atmosphere is pretty nice. It feels a little classy because of the dim light and decor, so it might feel as if it a little to romantic, but the prices here are very decent. I would say this is not a place to go on a first date, but would make a great place if you are progressing on the dates(meaning 3 or 4th date) But the atmosphere is very relaxing and soothing, it feels very family and inviting all at the same time very respectful to your privacy.
(4)Andrew M.
Here's what we got, ordering family-style: Garlic bread: a little light on garlic Bruschetta: pretty darn good, but very sweet - practically dessert Caesar salad: too much dressing for my taste Gnocchi: good, maybe a little plain Chicken piccata: fine Eggplant parmesan: very good Chocolate cake: good, frosting-to-cake ratio a little high Also a couple other dishes that I didn't try. A pretty good dining experience on the whole.
(3)Brandon N.
This is clearly my favorite place to eat HANDS DOWN! Fried Moz app is easily the best I have ever had. The chicken parm is breaded perfectly. The deserts are TOP TIER. Pricey, definitely, but if you are looking to treat yourself to the best Italian food in Boston, why not? Also, amazing staff here and if you have more than four people you MUST do family style. Non stop food coming until you literally have to tell them to stop. You will hardly be able to drive home, in a good way!!!
(4)Kristen K.
After deciding on a very small/intimate wedding (50 people), my fiancee and I decided to choose Maggiano's banquet hall (located downstairs) to host our dinner. We were originally given the Florentine room for 6pm but when I reviewed the final contract just days before the wedding to sign it said 6:30pm start time and I had already sent out the invites with a 6pm start. I immediately called the banquet manager Kelly who admitted her mistake and provided us with the Capri/Medici room for no extra cost (there are sales minumums depending on room size). I was pleased with that. The food was tasty. It was served family style so multiple plates were presented at each table. It was more than a sufficient amount of food. The food wasn't hot at all. It was barely warm which was disappointing. The banquet staff was really helpful and accomodating and continued to bring each course out as I had expected. The chicken parm, ravioli's and roasted potatoes were great! We also ordered lasagna, eggplant parm and mixed vegetables but I was too full to sample them. Overall the night went well thankfully but I wouldn't have another function there. Just a final note, the banquet manager who had my food order, guest count, table arrangements and time to start dinner left the office on Thursday and would not return until the following Tuesday due to "unforseen circumstances" which I only discovered after I emailed her the day before the wedding giving the final guest count, which she asked for. I was not told she as well as her assistant (who had all my event info) would just be absent for days and the manager on duty on Friday had no idea about my event the next evening. Thankfully my fiancee went there 2 hours ahead of time because the room wasn't how we asked for it to be. He had to set up our centerpieces, placecards, and rush to find tables as the DJ had no table as requested and our sweetheart table was a tiny high top 2 seater. The tables were in the wrong places and misnumbered. Needless to say the banquet staff is disorganized.
(3)Marc V.
Great spot for a drink with Dan running the bar, or I have brought my family in for a large party dinner. Reasonably priced, great location and the decor is truly unique and tasteful. I consider this a great hidden gem of bars and restaurants!
(5)Kevin F.
I have been a yelper for 4 years, this is my first review. I have been to Maggiano's many times. The food has been consistent and well prepared. Any disappoints have been minor in the past. Tonight was different. We arrived early for our reservation, by 45 minutes. We were seated five minutes after our reservation time. Walk-ins were seated ahead of us. Food service was slow, but it was a busy Christmas eve. The food order was served incorrectly. An entree was not served, and something unordered was delivered in its place. 4 different waitstaff walked by me as I tried to get their attention. A hostess saw me trying to get her attention, spoke to a food runner, but neither responded. Finally i did get the attention of a server. Our own server came and asked what was wrong, I explained that the fish dinner ordered for one our party who could not eat meat was not served and a different item was brought in error. It was a half an hour not coming after the other entrees were served. We told the server to skip the entree we would order dessert instead. When dessert came i asked for the check. The check contained the charge for the entree not served and the incorrect entree as well. I spoke to the manager and received a check removing the item not served and the item not wanted. There was an apology for error. I am a restaurant owner, I know mistakes happen. That is why I have not written a review for four years. I would not let a customer pay for my error or that of my staff. If you ruin a family event, you have to compensate the customer if you want them back. I paid full price for what was served. I am glad that Maggiano's is so successful that they do not care if I come back, because I will not return. There are better italian restaurants in Boston, and that is where i will go.
(2)Krys A.
My stomach is not big enough to handle all of the food we were served at Maggiano's. Family style is the best choice when dining here. No-one should or will leave hungry with that option. 3 types of family style options to choose from and they very in app, entree and dessert selections. We choose the "Classic" middle option which was $30pp. With 4 of us we mixed up our options and choose the tiramisu for dessert. With this being a classic Italian restaurant you cant go wrong with any choice on the menu. We got the chicken parm and cheese ravioli and much much more! Service was great, very polite. Though the waiters do tell you if you finish the plate they will automatically bring you a new plate of the dish, but that did not happen with us - which was okay because we were full anyways. Great place to dine without breaking the bank!
(5)Ryan C.
I had no idea this was a chain until I went to write this review. Great Gnocchi! They even gave us a free app because it was our first time there. Service was spot on, I'll be back.
(5)Linda B.
My company had its post-season holiday party here Thursday night and I was SO pleased with very dish we had. Incredible crab cakes for an appetizer, a seafood manicotti-type dish that was clearly made with fresh lobster and shrimp, lovely broccolini and spinach, simply prepared and a great counterpoint to the main courses. And though I am not normally a dessert fan, the profiteroles were completely out of this world -- that fudge sauce!! As a former restaurant worker in Boston, I am rarely impressed with the quality of Boston restaurants, but Maggiano's never disappoints, either in terms of food or customer service. Kudos to a great Boston institution!
(5)Scott B.
I'm not sure I would classify this as "family dining," but it was still an awesome experience. To me "family dining" is something a little more affordable and a little less "classy." BUT... this was an awesome place to go for a business dinner of 15 people. The family dining package is $25ish per person, and the food never stops... 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 4 main dishes, and 2 deserts keep coming until you're basically comatose. My professional and awesome recommendations: Appetizers: DEFINITELY get the zucchini fritte. It's soooo amazing... zucchini cut longways and fried to a crispy perfection served with ranch dipping sauce. Perfectly executed. Don't bother with the brushetta... it's soggy and overly saturated with vinegar. Salads: Both the house salad and the ceasar are awesome. Main Dishes: The chicken parmesan is out of control good! Also the lasagna and three cheese ravioli are splendid! Deserts: The terimssu (sp?) sucks... but I'm not a big fan of that dish... The cheesecake is UNBELIEVABLE! SOOOOOO good.... you MUST get this! The service was great, and the environment was perfect. SIDE NOTE: They are very good with special accommodations. We had both vegans and nut allergies in our party, and they catered to them personally and sensitively. For big parties, this is the place to go.
(4)Bonnie S.
Came in after a 5 hour flight. Thankfully our party of 4 was able to walk in and get seated. Took a booth off to the side and ordered some wine. Waitress was most helpful and got our drinks and food, knowing we were all hungry. Yes this place is apart of a franchise, but overall I would recommend. Servive is good and the food is tastey. Manga!
(4)Larissa A.
There are a million places like Maggiano's, family style Italian food. Lots and lots of food. The food is decent. The sausage and pepper appetizer and the Maggiano Salad were excellent. I would go back just for these 2 things. The entrees were not as good. The vodka sauce was a little bland. Our server was very eager, at times a little too eager. To the point where I am not sure he heard what we said to him. For instance, drinks were missed and a second round of dessert was brought even though we said no when asked. Maggiano's would not be my first choice for Italian in Boston, but for a large group is an excellent choice.
(3)Mac W.
Shame on me. I came to a chain. A NY-foodie in a chain restaurant is not a good idea. Oh what the hell, let's try the lasagna. I order. 45 minutes later the waitress comes to the table and tells me they are out of lasagna. I look for Ashton Kutcher to pop out or candid camera. Sigh. Just bring me the overinflated check. I'm done.
(2)Kelly A.
I am normally not into the whole chain restaurant thing, but there's something about Maggiano's... Could it be the wonderful and delicious freshly brewed unsweetened black currant iced tea? The (vegetarian when served sans broth!) stuffed mushroom caps? The great gnocchi? The fact that there will inevitably be leftovers which will make for a great next-day lunch? I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I've never had a Maggiano's meal that I didn't like.
(4)Beth P.
This place is an awesome Italian family place! I've been here twice, once on a date and once with my family and it was a good atmosphere for both. I have tried the fried mozzarella which was very tasty, and spinach and mushroom lasagna which was a special. It was honestly one of my favorite Italian dishes I've ever had! And I've been to Italy twice! The lasagna was so good and rich that I actually needed to take breaks while eating it. My boyfriend got the fetticcini alfredo which was pretty basic. The second time I went with my family, everyone could not believe how much food there was. We got fried zuccini which was AMAZING and I normally hate zuccini, and also a margherita flat bread which was just okay. We all got side salads (mine was spinach and was alright). For a main dish I got a penne dish that I cannot remember the name of, but it had red sauce and sausage in it with 4 cheeses. I was not as impressed as I was with my lasagna from my first visit, but it was still good, and everyone else was satisfied. Besides the food being a huge portion size (a good thing) and the food being good, the one bad thing is the service. I understand that this is a very busy place! But maybe they need a few more servers. Both times I went, we were forgot about several times (our appetizer never came, we asked for butter than never came with our bread and the butter never was delivered, I didn't have silverware until my meal arrived!). Above all, this is a good place to go. Not too expensive, good helping of good food, and a really fun enviornment. (make sure you get the after dinner mints!!)
(4)Lorraine S.
Maggianos has been my fav place for the past few years, great food, top notch service, when ever im around i try to stop by, simply amazing
(5)Shakti S.
SO i got a gift card for this place and went in for dinner yesterday 07/03/2013. The place was busy enough but not packed,we didn't even need to wait to be seated. The waiter came over with the menus etc........................it took him over half an hour to actually come over to take our orders,even our drink order!!! The bread was brought out soon after he took the order and goodness gracious me,it was AWFUL bread!!! That should have been a sign to just leave when the bread is bad. I should have brought my own from the local supermarket!!! There was a tabe of 8 next to us for someone's bachelorette which means that their bill would've been alot more hence a helluva lot more tip than we or another couple nearby would've been giving. We also noticed that they were being neglected in favor of this group of women. The starters were ok and the main course weren't any better, It would seem that 'brown sauce' is what they put over EVERYTHING to make it taste good = sweet here in America! Not good enough!!!! Decor was also cheap,shabby and dirty if i may say so! Will NEVER be returning to this place! By the way we refused to tip the waiter because he was taking the piss really and truly by the length of time he took to come to our table for anything. A two course mean took just over 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!! PATHETIC! We did also write on the receipt why he wasn't tipped
(1)Melissa T.
This restaurant is always great! The food is delicious with very generous portions. They accommodate all parties from a small family dinner, to tables for 10+, to function rooms. I've used them for family dinners and for my wedding rehearsal dinner. I've never left dissatisfied. Highly recommend the zucchini frite, rigatoni d, and Nona's toasted pound cake.
(5)Katie D.
While I am half-Italian, I'm not really an Italian food snob. But oh, do I love to eat. So, I love Maggianos. Why? Because I love disgustingly huge portions of food for reasonable prices. I also love that you can get two meals for $13.50--one for today, one for tomorrow. The pasta is solid--I generally go for the gnocci or baked ziti (or both, note the aforementioned deal), and both are big, filling, and tasty. It's certainly much more satisfying than a place like Vinny T's, whose food is far too seasoned for my liking. I've also been here for a company party, and all I can say is the only thing better than huge portions is all-you-can-eat huge portions. Love. But really, you can't beat $13.50 for two meals. Two good meals, too. Oh, and their chocolate cake has so much ganache frosting, I thought I was going to die a happy, chocolate-covered death. Awesome.
(4)Soul B.
I love the food here! Every time I eat here I try something new and love it. The portions are humongous and you will always have left overs to take home. The best bet is to order a 1 dish for two people so you can finish the meal without taking leftovers. Makes the meal more inexpensive too. I'm a big fan of family style Italian places for get togethers . Usually the quality of the food at these family style places is bland because they are making so much food but that is not the case at Maggiano's. My favorites include Fettuccine Alfredo, Broccoli, Chicken Pesto Linguin, Gnocchi, Tomato Vodka Sauce & Garlic Shrimp Linguine. menu: maggianos.com/foodbevera…
(4)Erika K.
So i have been here twice and was very happy both times. The gorgonzola and pear bruschetta is fantastic. It should be a full time item on the menu everyone at the table was fighting over it. The stuffed mushrooms are a great vegetarian option and a very good appetizer for the price. The italian salad is ok. Its a salad not much to write home about. Olive garden has a better salad. Main options. The gnocchi is oh so good. It is a huge serving and keeps you so satisfied you won't want to eat for hours. I ordered a side of green beans and added it to mine and I was in heaven. The only complaint I have is about how long it takes to eat here The first time it took two people an hour and a half to eat lunch the second time it took an hour. over all a great place for lunch but can get pricey.
(4)Lea L.
My boyfriend and I just went this past weekend for the first time (so this review is just based on one experience) and it was excellent. It is definitely a family style, large restaurant. So not ideal for a romantic night out, but great for me and my boyfriend who prefer the open, friendly ambiance. Everything we ordered was fantastic and we would highly recommend: - stuffed mushrooms - chicken and truffle tortellacci - linguini di mare - ny cheesecake Our service was great and we were seated exactly at our reservation time.
(5)Happy H.
I will always love it here. At this point in time the service always has been good. The food always delicious. The Italian-Boston atmosphere always put me in a good mood. Tonight we got the creamy chicken and potato soup and the sausage soup. Both flavorful; both eaten quickly. The mussels app was bathed in this nice tomato broth. IT was nice to dip bread in to it. For entree we got the Classic Rigatoni D and Mussel Linguine. My husband said it's not the best linguine he's had but was very tasteful. The dessert didn't fail. I hope the day never comes when/if the place goes sour.
(5)Jon B.
I somehow had never been to Maggiano's in the seven years I've been in Boston, but finally got around to it last weekend. I agree with most of the other reviews here. It's a chain, it is what it is, but it is good one. I passed on the alcoholic beverages, so I can't comment on that. I went with the chicken parmigiana. The chicken was cooked to perfection, breaded perfectly and the cheese was delicious. The pasta was good, but not great. It was cooked well, but the sauce was a bit watery. We finished up with chocolate cake which was delicious, but a bit pricey at $7.50. The service was good, we had a waiter and waiter-in-training who had an awkward dynamic, but that's to be expected with a trainee. Overall, no major complaints. It was good food, good service, but nothing that really catapulted into 5-star amazingness.
(4)Nicole V.
When you go to Maggiano's you know you're going to a large chain. That being said, they do what they do well. We started with calamari and drinks. Their calamari was a huge portion, but a little greasy. I got a lemon drop and it was absolutely fantastic. The boy went with a beer, but was pretty impressed with their tap selection. From there I decided to get some delicious pasta dish with crab, shrimp, tomatoes, and squash. I wish it was a little heavier weighted with the veggies, but it was still impressive (and big enough that I took almost half of it home). The boy ordered off the 13.50 menu so that he could eat one meal and take home a second. So decent food, good drinks.... why only 3 stars? Our waiter was horrendous. We started out good but then he COMPLETELY ignored us. We were in a area where none of the other servers were really walking by, so we would get completely ignored for up to 20 minutes at a time. A runner brought out our food (completely understandable) and our waiter walked by us THREE times without asking us how anything was or offering to fill our empty cups. Call me crazy, but isn't taking two drink orders an easy way to boost your tip? I'll probably give it a try again because it is such a good value, but I'm not so likely to be dumping a lot of money into there.
(3)Manpreet K.
This is a family style dining experience where the portion sizes are HUGE and menu hardly has any innovative choices. The food was okay, nothing that shouted "oh my god" in either direction. The prices definitely did not correlate the quality because they were much higher than expected. The ambience was kind of drabby. Wine selection was decent. Service was pretty good. It's an okay place but not something to seek out if you are craving Italian, esp since there are much better dining options around for the same price.
(2)Louise K.
We were looking for a restaurant to take our children that was in walking distance of Emerson College where our son is a Freshman. We always torture him with Asian cuisine which is not his favorite so we promised him Italian food for a change! I tried to get a reservation at Artu in Beacon Hill but no one would pick up the phone. Found Maggiano's online and it had good reviews so gave it a try. We ended up driving over since it was nasty out and valet parked. We were warmly greeted by the owner/manager and I mentioned that I had heard Jon Bon Jovi dined here. He was very nice and told us the story of when he came in with his father and other guests. He offered to put us at the "Bon Jovi" booth but it was a little tight for us tall folks, so we took a nearby round table which was really comfortable for the 4 of us. Good service all night, our server brought out some good bread and olive oil for dipping, along bread plates and ice water. The dining atmosphere is nice in there with the decor, low lighting, white tablecloths and cloth napkins. To start, my husband and I split an individual Caesar salad. It was good but far from great, a little dry but I prefer that to too much dressing. Had some hints of anchovy bits and a bit too many croutons and heavy on the grated parmesan. My husband was disappointed they didn't ask if we wanted anchovies because he would have said yes. For entrees-I went for the grilled shrimp balsamic wrapped with cheese and bacon served with orzo. Our server recommended it and it was excellent and a beautiful presentation in a long dish. We ordered sauteed brocollini for the table which was tasty and fresh. My husband's dish was not that exciting, Linguine di Mare. More of a basic thick red sauce than the spicy lobster tomato broth that the menu described. Our son was in heaven with the lobster carbonara, and our daughter loved her 4 cheese ravioli with pesto cream. We split a tiramisu for dessert (huge!) and I had a cappuccino which came with a biscotti (nice surprise!). Wine list is good but a bit pricey- i.e., a bottle of Sonoma-Cutrer chardonnay is $55 on their menu as opposed to $37 in the Nashua area. It is Boston though!!! All in all, we had a great time, enjoyed the food, took home "doggie bags", good that didn't break the bank! I will have to try it again and a few more dishes to really comment on the food consistency and quality.
(3)Melissa B.
Loved, loved, loved this place. I recently traveled to Italy and this place brought me right back to the wonderful meals we had in Florence. It was a warm friendly atmosphere with quirky decorating downstairs. My boyfriend said there were Pinup girls for the decor in the mens room. Famous photos everywhere, lots of rooms downstairs, swanky feel but not stuffed up. I wished we had a few more people with us so we could have shared the family(parties of 4 or more) meal it looked cozy, fun and delicious. The calamari was crunchy and flavorful, I couldn't get enough of it. I ordered the bowties aglio y olio and it was a never ending bowl of pasta. I couldn't even make a dent. My boyfriend had the chicken parmigiana. It was the crispiest, juciest chicken parm I have ever tried. Go, go, go. Have to try it.
(5)Darryl L.
Food was good the service was fast went for dinner with friends. Had the Chicken Saltimbocca Chicken breasts lightly breaded and topped with fresh sage, prosciutto and Provolone cheese, served in a garlic white wine sauce with caramelized onions. Served with angel hair aglio olio was delish the meatballs tasted great. would go again.
(4)pico d.
Had a great meal there for my wife's birthday. While yes it is not true Italian like you might get in the north end it is still delicious . You can't go wrong with the family style option.
(5)Emily F.
Food = great Restaurant overall = huge Staff = meh... they're OK Appearance = checkered table-cloths? Really? I just think the look trashes it up a bit much We did family style for 8 people. My top finds: Calamari was really good, we got a second plate Mushroom ravioli, to die for delicious, creamy and amazing. Chicken parm was good, not amazing. Caesar salad, creamy dressing was good, I am a big Caesar fan. House red? Just get a bottle of something good, this was a little funky. The puff pastry desserts with ice cream were quite tasty I heard the creme brulee was good too, but I didnt try it.
(4)Sara M.
So this is basically a glorified (more elegant, better quality food) Bertuccis. That said, it has so many good things going for it. First, excellent service. Waitstaff are friendly and attentive and generally make the dining experience here quite pleasant. Second, truly decent food. So it's not really amazing/authentic Italian, but it tastes good and comes in generous portions. A-OK. Third, prices. The prices are perfectly reasonable for the quality/amount of food you get. Fourth, group events here rock. This place handles company dinners masterfully. They are extremely professional, accommodating, and generally on-the-ball when hosting large groups. Awesome. I would give this place 3.5 stars if I could- 3 for just Maggiano's as a restaurant, 4 for Maggiano's as an event venue. All in all a solid establishment.
(3)Jeremy B.
Awesome Italian good with a great atmosphere!! We've eaten at three of their locations and we'll be eating at our fourth by the end of this summer. Time tested, great Italian food from a scratch oven with Ol' Blue Eyes playing on the speakers. You just can't beat that!!
(5)Nikki B.
If you want huge portions, this is the place for you. If you want it to be well cooked and high quality food, not so much. I went with a group and we ordered family style, which was really fun and a great concept. When the food started coming, it was pre-packaged frozen stuff heated through just before service. The pork special was like chewing a rubber tire. Decor is glam and cheeseball, but with the North End so close, I can't help but be a food snob (and remember, I'm the girl that wrote a four-star post about meatloaf). Might as well hit the Olive Garden.
(2)Mary R.
The waiter was very friendly and energetic. Our food took a long time, but the quality was very good. I would definitely come back if I'm craving Italian.
(4)J. Lynn T.
I've eaten here a few times, haven't been disappointed yet! Friendly staff, large portions and hot food. As with many restaurants, there are some dishes I enjoyed more than others. The family style option is definitely the way to go for larger parties; each dish is never ending so you can get one after another of your favorite choices! Desserts are good, the bar isn't cheap on their liquor either. Overall, good experiences each time.
(4)Luis P.
I have been to two locations for this restaurant now, and they are both five stars. The one in Boston has a great ambiance. I love the spaghetti with meat sauce. The best sauce I have had anywhere. Everyone at the table loved their food. Wait staff is great. I would highly recommend.
(5)susan r.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner this passed weekend and was impressed!! Yummy appetizers included: Calamari Fritte and Barb's Spinach & Artichoke al Forno! Salads: Caesar (awesome) and Maggiano's salad (not so good). The food was served family style so I was able to try a lot of food: Salmon lemon and herb (pretty good), four cheese ravioli (pretty tasty), Chicken Picatta, Lasagna (served cold .. and didn't taste so hot, fresh asparagus (yummy) and garlic mashed potatoes (more please). For dessert: delicious Toasted Nonna's Pound Cake (really good) and Chocolate Zuccoto Cake (pretty good). All in all it was an awesome night of some seriously tasty food!
(3)Erin R.
Let me start by admitting that I am in no way a "foodie," and I know that Maggiano's is a chain, but this is my absolute favorite restaurant. I am never disappointed when I eat here. If you time it right and visit during one of their non-peak times, service is very fast. If you want to go during prime time, you should make a reservation as the wait can get long. The bathrooms are always clean, and the servers are usually very helpful and prompt. (I say "usually" because no restaurant is perfect -- I have gotten a few slow, inattentive Maggiano's servers over the years, but not enough to bring down the rating.) Meals here can be a bit pricey, but if you go with a group, you can save with the family style service. Overall, I can't recommend this place enough. Everyone I've ever taken here absolutely loves the food. As an added bonus, they have a carry-out window, so you can order anything you want to go and eat at work or home.
(5)David B.
I needed my Lasagna fix and left a very happy (and full) customer. I stopped in on a Wednesday at 5 and was seated with no waiting. Food was great and price similarly to restaurants in the area.
(4)Braden R.
Waiter was wonderful but food was only so-so.
(3)Alicia C.
This review is not on the quality of the food - its on the delivery service,. We ordered chicken parmesan and spaghetti and meatballs through grub hub. What we didnt know was that Dining In, a third party delivery service, handles their delivery. It was supposed to take an hour, but ended up taking two full hours for the delivery. I had to call to find out when it would be delivered after we waited for an hour and a half. While they refunded our delivery charge, the food was cold by the time it arrived. Both the dining in driver and grub hub told us that there have been a lot of complaints about dining in and that they take more orders than they have drivers. Tip: use the option on Grubhub that remove third party delivery services. I will not be ordering from here again. The restaurant should explicitly say that they use Dining in for delivery so informed customers can avoid the hassle.
(1)Francisca W.
(review dated 12/07): cute place for a couple or family/friends event. had a good pasta and some family meal items. tiramisu is on par, but since my sis and mom both know how to make it, i'm not finding this much more superb than theirs. coffee is not what i had in italy, a bit disappointed on that. :) note: went back quite a few times in years afterwards. the wait is a bit discouraging, but the food was wholesome and experience enjoyable. had some family-style dinner w/the whole group: pay a per-head charge, order a couple things in each category, and then that's all-you-can-eat. oh my!!
(4)diana n.
Not sure about the pricing......we had our company xmas meeting here. Food was great.....Stuffed mushrooms are delicious and so are the fried zucchini. Many of my co workers have dinned here with their family after our xmas meeting. I plan on doing the same....This food was EXCELLENT!
(5)Steve H.
For a chain, this place is excellent. Wait staff is on par with North End Italian restaurants, and I might say in some ways better!
(4)Victoria K.
Maggiano's is for sure not the best Italian restaurant I've been to, but it's really not bad when you're craving a good meal. I was there last night in a pretty large group. The staff was very accommodating, and the food was enjoyable. We had the calamari, the stuffed mushrooms, and the bruschetta. All was good, except my bruschetta was on the soggy side. Not sure if it was sitting there soaking the juices for too long or what. The flavors were good, but the bread should have been crunchier. My Lobster Fettuccine was yummy as was my cocktail and the wine we had. The service was adequate, considering how busy the restaurant was. The one major flop would have to be that the floors are really slippery. I've been in many restaurants in heels or shoes that are not very slip-resistant, but this place has a pretty slippery floor. One of my friends fell on her way to the bathroom. It led me to be extra cautious, but I knew it could have been me, especially since I was full of wine. I think having a nice shiny floor really makes no difference if people can easily slip on it. This leads to law suits. I'm just saying...
(3)Tommy B.
I took my sister to Maggiano's for her birthday with my 4 yr old nephew. He had the pizza. he ate all but the 2 slices we ate. And he never finishes his food. That should be all I have to say. I tried mussels for the first time in my life and now I'm a fan. I had the the Taylor street pasta dish, my personal fav. The service was excellent. Definitively make reservations b/c there was a wait to be seated, but thank God I made reservations an hour earlier. LOL.
(4)Julie N.
Scenario: Last minute plans for my dad's 60th birthday party for 12 people on a Friday night at 7:00pm in the South End / Back Bay during Restaurant Week. Where the hell can I get a reservation. I haven't really heard too much about Maggiano's other than their very large portions and decent prices but other than that I had no idea what to expect. As long as I had a reservation, I was happy. First off, this place was bumpin. We got a large round table near the back and commented on how seriously busy this place was. Within a few minutes we met our waiter for the night. He was fine at the beginning (other than having to get up from my chair to grab more olive oil from the waitstand for the bread) but as the night went on he sucked more and more. I ordered the Short Rib Cannelloni and when he brought me the Shrimp and Crab Cannelloni I told him I had ordered the Short Ribs. He said he knew that, but when he went to punch it into the computer they were out of it that night so he figured I meant the Shrimp and Crab. Uhm, no. I obviously didn't know you were out of short ribs. He told me he'd return it and to pick something else (I quickly said the chicken parm - I didn't care at that point) and as he took the cannelloni plate away, another waitress came up and said "Just leave it for the table. It's on the house." Thank you nice backup waitress. Apps: I read on here the Bruschetta was soggy and was nervous when someone ordered it but it ended up being perfectly crisp and extremely flavorful. The Spinach and Artichoke Dip was outstanding and the Stuffed Mushrooms held their own. Entrees: The Lobster Carbonara was out of this world. For a $20 dish you got more lobster than I've seen in $14 lobster rolls around the city. The sauce was stick to your ribs and the meal was succulent. The Shrimp and Crab Cannelloni was decadently rich but after a few bites you felt like you needed to run 5 miles to work off the calories. The Chicken Parm was good but not the best, the Eggplant Parm was tasty, the Chicken Pesto Pasta was really nicely done... yeah. All of the food absolutely worked. Birthday cake: I made a big deal telling the hostess, our waiter, and anyone else around that it was my dad's 60th birthday. When the cake came out, our waiter brought it to my 90 year old GRANDFATHER and proceeded with the birthday song. Our waiter didn't care enough to double check whose birthday it was. Moron. Anyway, the place ended up being a really nice surprise and we had a great time celebrating as a family. I'd definitely come back.
(4)Jen M.
I ordered 9 party pans from Maggiano's for a work party to serve 30+ people. There was more than enough food and it was reasonably priced and delicious! It was a huge hit with all my co-workers. It is very difficult to plan a nice meal for a large group with a tight budget, but I was well within budget thanks to Maggiano's!
(4)David M.
We went here the night before the Boston marathon. We had a reservation and got in right on time. The food and the service were both very good. This was our third time eating at a Maggiano's, but first time at this one in Boston. The food, prices and service are constantly good.
(5)Matthew J.
This is fitting for my first review. My family and I have been coming here there for about 10 years now. When we first found out about it, I didn't even realize it was a chain-restaurant. After sampling many Italian spots in the over-priced North End, I still find Maggiano's to be #1 in Boston for Italian. We visited this past weekend for my Grandma's 80th Birthday. We usually do the Family-Style, but there just weren't enough of us this time, and we didn't want to waste a lot of amazing food. So here's the breakdown: We got the o-so-perfect Spinach Salad and the Stuffed Mushrooms as an appetizer, with a sampling of Veal Parm, Rigatoni D (the BEST!), Butternut Squash Ravioli and Italian Short-Ribs as entrees. And of course, you can't leave without dessert. The Profiteroles were good, but a tad over-baked, and mom's Pumpkin cheesecake was great, though could have used a bit more sugar! The service was the worst it's been in 10 years. The food took FOREVER for a Saturday afternoon (Almost 2.5 hours for our meal, and only 5 of us). The staff in general seemed to lack focus. Our waitress was either nervous or hungover from the night before. She was attentive to re-filling water but definitely wasn't the quality Maggiano's usually delivers. She did however put some candles in my grandma's Ice Cream so we could sing Happy Birthday, which redeemed her! Also try the Gnocchi, Chicken Piccata, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and their N.Y. Style Cheesecake!!!!
(4)Steve R.
Great place for family style Italian dining. A little touristy but the food is good and prices reasonable.
(4)Zeu T.
Overall, the food was good and service was okay. I had the streamed pei mussels which has a nice and mildly tomato base broth as a starter. I also had the sausage and orzo soup, which was spicy with a nice favor profile. The calm linguine was my main course. The calm was chewy and the broth of the dish had a nice sea salt favor. The linguine had a nice chewy texture. As for desert, I had the mini sampler dish of tiramisu, apple crostata, and creme brulee. The tiramisu was soft, not so sweet with a espresso base. The creme brulee has a nice top carmelized crust and a creamy filling. The apple crostata was similar to a bread pudding, warm with a nice Carmel sauce topped with a flavorful and addicted vanilla bean ice cream.
(3)Paula R.
Excellent food. Excellent service. Very reasonably priced, and in comparison to other restaurants in the area, a bargain. We ate there twice and found this to be true on both visits. We had our nine year son with us. The child's menu was great and he loved the food.
(5)Leanna L.
This place was pretty...uh...gross? yes. gross. We stumbled upon this establishment because it was our first night in Boston and couldn't yelp things fast enough. ugh. Oh well. But yeah, if you want italian food, where your mussles are cooked and not gooey...don't go here. please. bleh.
(1)Jeff M.
What you'd expect from this chain.
(2)Cassie B.
Came here with a Bachelorette party, did family style dining. Starting with the good, the food was good for family style dining, came quickly and was properly hot or cold depending on what it was. We all had enough to eat, and never had to wait. Drinks were also good. Atmosphere was...festive with all the big groups, so that helped put our group in good spirits! For all this i would lean towards 4 stars But...the bathrooms were a gross mess, and while i did find entertainment in some chick vomiting everywhere and telling her friends she was "still cute!" Biggest issue was the rude server. He pretty much told me i was an idiot. I told him i thought the salt shaker was empty, he responded with "no you have to turn it over and shake it" Uh...how did you think i was coming to my conclusion that it was empty? I turn it over and shake it to appease him, and his next brain buster was "Are you SURE?!" GAH! Who doesnt know how to use a salt shaker...sheesh. Also Maitre'd made a very rude comment on my pulling out a cigarette on my way out. Maybe one should mutter their judgements a little quieter...douche.
(3)Alicia S.
I love this place especially this one. Our waitress was new but she had a lot of personality and seem to really have her act together. The food was good especially the lasgana and chicken parm. I liked it a lot! I have been back many times
(4)Ziadee C.
Great authentic Italian place. Delicious homemade sauces and home baked bread.
(4)Karen S.
I took my daughter to the Nutcracker yesterday in Boston and we came here after the show. I got a coupon first by signing up online. The decor was so pretty for the holidays! We got right in since I reserved a table on open table. The waiter was pleasant, and quick. I tried the Red Sangria, and it was really good! The bread was good too! I had the Spinach and Chicken Manicotti ...OMG it was really yummy! Served hot and bubbly! Just the way I like my food...really worth the trip! My daughter got her favorite, chicken parmesan...and she loved it! The sauce was smooth, just what she likes! Yes a little pricey, the coupon helped...but it is the city, and an overall great experience!
(4)Rose K.
Oooh boy! I've been out to fondue at The Melting Pot before, and based on those experiences, I'm not too fond of places where you need instructions on how to order a meal. I went with a group of 14 last night for "Family Style Dining." I'm a vegetarian, so I have to admit that I don't generally look forward to meal times where I have to counsel with others about what the table *will order* (fondue, Benihana...). I end up either making people get something veg when they wanted meat, or getting stiffed on my meal. So, I heard some confused people at my table asking the waiter how exactly the ordering process works - the whole table orders two things from the entree menu, etc. The waiter snarkily shot back that, "If you look at the menu and can't find 2 things on here that you want, then you're too picky and probably shouldn't be going out to dinner." Umm, I *can* find two things that I like on here, but nobody else wants them! That's - dare I say - why restaurants have menus with different things on them. So I ended up doing an individual entree, along with two other people at the table, and the waiter promptly wagged his finger at us that he didn't want to see one leaf of Family Style lettuce on our Individual plates. "I'm not even supposed to allow you to do individual, but I will." Well, thanks for your generosity, a@#$%*&! The waiter could have gotten away with his Quirky Unpleasant Attitude if the service had been good. But it took at least 15 minutes since sitting down and saying "a round of waters, please," to get water. We were sitting there, munching on sub-par table bread, with no saliva to wash it down because there were no waters. My individual meal was a $12.50 mediocre eggplant parmesan, with no salad (because I had not partaken in Family Style). I could have gotten similar-quality eggplant parm on a sandwich at the Pour House for $4. As another Yelper said, the sauce was sparse and institutional-looking, but it did taste good. Ugh. I scarfed it down, though, because I had been watching my table-mates eat for the last 45 minutes, and was starving. One final note... when we split the bill and included gratuity and drinks, I ended up with a $25 tab, but most everyone at my table had a $50 tab. It's an awfully steep price for food where you can't even pick your own entree.
(2)Bee M.
Great place!!! Very classy! Waiters in suits and bow ties and strong Italian accents!!, checkered table clothes, dim lighting, lovely booths for two, not to mention the place is not not expensive at all!!! Large portions of delish Italian food! The only weird this is the take out box they give us, it is tin with re-heating directions for the oven (cute, and thoughtful i guess) but when I go home and discovered that I couldn't just pop it in the microwave I was a lil upset, lol The place screams Italy. Especially with the head guy up front, he is definitely associated with the mafia somehow, lol
(5)Ben B.
Went here on a very busy Saturday night at the restaurant. They had over 700 reservations (or so we heard) so the place was packed! We got seated right away and ordered our meal within 15 minutes. We were disappointed to find out that they don't make any of the pasta themselves so we opted for some other options as well. We got one whole wheat pasta dish, one eggplant parm, one chicken dish and a big Italian salad to share. The food was good and was brought out in a reasonable amount of time. If you are looking for a quiet Italian restaurant this is not your place - since it was packed and is a very large space it was quite loud. Good food but remember that it's a chain.
(4)Maria Del Carmen D.
Went here last night with the in-laws, my parents and the fiance. We made reservations and I suggest that you do the same because once we got in at 7 pm the place seemed to fill up quickly! I got some Vino to start off the night (of course), but I was kind of turned off by the splash of wine that I received. They brought it over in a cute little carafe. But that was it- LITTLE. I think I got 3 oz worth. That was sort of a bummer. Appetizers we shared Mozzarella, Artichoke & Spinach Dip and the Stuffed mushrooms. HOLY CRAP, Those stuffed mushrooms were AMAZING. Served with a slice of lemon! Be sure to try it with some lemon juice because it just brought out the flavor THAT much more! And I originally was not going to order them because I don't eat mushrooms on a regular basis, but it left me craving for more! Do yourself a favor and order these when you go out. You will not be disappointed. I ordered the Chicken Francese. I think it lacked a little bit of flavor but it was still yummy. The roasted red potatoes were perfectly cooked! Our server (Susanna?) was a delight. Accurate, timely, cleared the table of any unnecessary tables/cups. Kudos to her because there have been many-a-time when I would be bussing the table myself when I go out to other restaurants. (I used to work in a restaurant) Overall, a very nice experience. I will definitely be coming here again. Next time I will just have to pre-game ahead of time since they don't want to give me my own grown-up cup of wine.
(4)G. i. J.
Maggiano's has a chef named Bobby who went over the top to create a vegetarian/vegan dinner for my friend and me. I saw that the menu had some close vegetarian items, but I am rather strict and asked if the cheese had animal rennet (most places can't tell you, but some can). They weren't sure, but it got a dialog going. Bobby had seen the movie "Forks over Knives" and came to our table, twice, to ask how the meal was going. He prepared a special pasta with marinara sauce and vegetables including artichoke hearts. It was fabulous. The sauce does have butter, so it isn't suitable for vegans, but Bobby is so creative, I am sure he could accommodate anyone's wishes or needs. Typically, New Englanders are NOT good with customer service. At all. It is nice to see that customer service is alive and well in Boston. Thanks, Bobby! By the way, dinner for two with an appetizer and enough food for two additional meals the next day came to only $22! Totally worth it! (Note: No alcohol was ordered -- that saves a bundle.)
(5)C J.
My review is of the stuffed mushrooms only. Loaded with salt, but I could eat them for days.
(5)Thomas H.
Recommended to me a local Bostonian, I wasn't disappointed! The restaurant itself has a very casual atmosphere. Nice lighting and classy music playing in the background. The food was great! I highly recommend the Chef's Favorite called Crab & Shrimp Cannelloni - roasted red peppers, Asiago cheese sauce and seasoned breadcrumbs.
(4)Li S.
I went here for a private company dinner. Um, I don't understand all the low ratings... The food--atleast for our party--was really, really good. The comparisons to Olive Garden are kind of moot since OG throws a thousand ingredients into a bowl until you can't really tell what you're eating anymore. The food at Maggiano's, instead, was simple ingredients, served family style, and cooked very well. We started with bruschetta on a bread with the perfect texture and fried calamari. The calamari was cooked perfectly! It was not at all chewy and not at all over -fried to the point where it just tastes like seafoody grease, either. We started the meal with a ceasar salad and antipasto salad. They were surprisingly good... I usually skip all green things on my plate but I actually went for seconds of the antipasto. For an entree we had rigatoni with these moist, cheesy meatballs; fetuccini alfredo with broccoli which was the perfect balance of cream and subtle cheese flavors; chicken picatta with a lightly lemony cream and capers; and eggplant parm. These are simple dishes that don't require a lot of elaboration. They were cooked well, seasoned well, and delicious. For dessert, we had tiramisu (I really enjoyed this) and these huge profiterols. It was so good... This was the kind of meal in which everyone tried everything. No need to be picky, you know? So yeah, take a large group and enjoy your selves. Maybe this is the kind of place better suited for company events, I dunno. I will be going back to find out!
(4)Marly T.
Love the stuffed mushrooms!!! Will definitely go back to try other dishes. Very nice atmosphere.
(4)Vel S.
I will never eat at Maggiano's again. We pre ordered our family style menu for a party of eight. After we where seated they could not find our pre order. It took them about 15-20 minutes to find out that they had served our order to another party. It then took about an hour and a half to serve us. By then they had ran out of one of the appetizers. For the entree the dish that everyone loved was the Chicken & Spinach Manicotti and we where only served one dish of that before the ran out. it also was my husbands birthday celebration and we did not ask them to acknowledge the birthday but they brought him a little cake with candles and charged us for it. I sent an email to complain and they did not even respond.
(1)Cathy S.
I was here a couple weeks ago for lunch after my sister's graduation. There were 6 of us for lunch and we decided to give the family style a try. It was just amazing. Everyone got to chose something they wanted and everyone was happy. We had no qualms with our server who kept on top of our empty plates and the next serving of whatever dish we just finished only took a few minutes to arrive piping hot to our table. The restaurant was busy as usual but that's expected on a Friday afternoon right after any local university's graduation. All in all we really enjoyed the food, especially the next day's leftovers!
(4)Jacki M.
Last minute plans on a Thursday night around 8pm. We were actually headed to PFChang's but came across Maggiano's first. What a fabulous meal! There were four of us and there was no wait. We were seated at a spacious table in the corner. Waitress was quick and attentive with taking our drink orders, explaining the menu. Plenty of bread with dipping oil and cheese to begin with. Then for the meal, three of us had Chicken Francese which was absolutely delish. Came with arugula salad and the best red potatoes I've ever had. My friend had the spinich/chicken mannicotti. All of our meals were great. After dinner we each got a coffee and we split an order of the 12 lemon cookies. Fabulous. Overall with the tip it came to $120 total. Not bad considering the amount of food we got (leftovers for lunch!). Can't wait to return!
(5)L B.
The concierge at the hotel suggested this place. Well thank you very much sir! It was phenomenal and worth the 45 minute wait. While waiting we took in all the autographed photos from the celebrities all over the walls. And the food, service, and entire experience was great. We were fortune to have a refrigerator in our room because the family style portions provided lots of leftovers. We went back a second time and a ordered sausage with my pasta. When the waitress came by to check on us I told her the sausage was over cooked for me and showed her. She immediately suggested she could me another and took off to the kitchen. The manger was the one who brought my second order, not just the sausage but a whole new bowl of pasta and apologized, saying it was on the house, end of story, so I thought. No, when the manager said it was on the house it was on the house, they comped the entire food portion of our meal. I explained everything else was fine even the second order, but they insisted on making it a wonderful dining experience for us. I was very grateful and showed my generosity in the tip. Service like that keeps customers happy, especially when they go above and far beyond what's needed. I have told this experience to other friends and many have gone there and experienced a great meal with exceptional service. It's this wonderful food and service that takes me back there and to many other Maggiano's around the country. Bravo Maggiano's! Bravo!
(5)Mona P.
I went here for lunch with my cousin when we were visiting Boston. I have always heard this place was great, after having their Mushroom Ravioli in Alfredo Sauce I can confirm the food was fabulous. Me and my cousin were able to share the ravioli, the serving size is big. The drinks were great, Rachael made us her signature drink called the "Rachael" which had the perfect amount of sweetness and was fruity and refreshing for a hot summer afternoon. I'm not a fan of Italian restaurants because it is hard to find food that isn't bland, Maggiano's food was tasty and just perfect. Defiantly worth a visit and don't forget to order a "Rachael" you won't be disappointed.
(5)Jeremy K.
yea, im giving 4 stars, one for everyone who made this dinner a hit. so we (allow me to introduce, wifey, melly, and the always fabbie b) decided to pregame prom here, why? well as they say: location location location. ok, more like, gnocchi gnocchi gnocchi. guess what we ordered? so melly booked us the res for 645 online, win. we rolled up to the place around 7 or 8, no actually 646 and they honored the reservation, which is always a sigh of relief as this place got mobbed real quick. mel and b sat while mer and i parked, i guess they knew who we were looking for, i think it was the teased hair and 80s gear, ya think? so as i was saying, the wait staff was charmed by our appearance and why shouldnt they, we were in full get up and we rocked it hardcore. at one point someone asked me, '80's party?' to which i replied, no? hee hee, i fooled him, ok, maybe not, but the service was great, the food didnt get us gassy (big plus as you cant trip the light fantastic with a lower GI full of methane) and they validate parking next door 8 buckaroos for 3 hours. this did not apply to us as we were there for maybe 6 or so. we had some of the mozzarella salad, the fried mozzarella & wifey had the mushroom rav (she loved it!) and the rest of us ate down some pretty tasty gnocchi in vodka sauce. fair priced and good to go. your family gravy store have you. it was mint!
(4)Elliott L.
If it werent for the lousy service I might have given this place 3 stars. The food is ok and nothing really special. We had veal parm, chicken parm and salmon dishes. Like I said, nothing special. The best part of the meal was the desert. Love the spumoni but they didnt have claret sauce and the waitress had no clue as to what claret sauce was. Service was extremely slow. I hate it when a waitress says the food will be out in 2 minutes and 15 minutes later you are still waiting. If there are any servers reading this never say that to a customer unless you absolutely know the food will be out in 2 minutes. Our waitress was very personable but didnt seem to have a clue and thats a shame.
(2)Colin L.
As far as I'm concerned this is the best chain restaurant I've been to. I always have an awesome experience with consistently great food and service. it's also gigantic, i don't know how they keep everything so smooth with such a crowd in the building. They always do. This is a great place for a delicious italian dinner, whether it's 2 or 20.
(5)Christina G.
I don't come here when I'm looking for authentic Italian. I go to the North End for that, but I come here for some good standard Italian and a fun atmosphere. When I come to Maggianos I feel like I've stepped back in time to the 20's. The place has a very classy, old time feel to it. The food is good, not out of the this world, though I have had a few things that were. I've noticed that their specials are ALWAYS delicious so try to get one of them if you can. This place has great appetizers and delicious desserts so go all out. The price is right, and I always leave happy and full to the max!
(4)Katie P.
I have actually only been to Maggiano's once. I can not say enough about this place. Fast service, amazing menu. Started off with Martini's which were great, then bruschetta, best I have ever had. Our meals were sooo good. We had NO idea, but we ordered from the menu where you get a second meal to take home. In Boston? The food was very well priced HUGE portions, great service and amazing food. I liked it so much, that I recommended we have them cater my friends Bachellorette party at a nearby hotel a few months later. They were extremely efficient and every item we got was to die for. Salad, bread, ravioli, chicken marsala...and even little mini creme brulee's! I would highly recommend going there or having them cater your next event or stop by if you are in the area!
(5)Anna W.
Hmm... I don't understand some of the bad reviews of this place. Maggiano's is *definitely* light years better than any Olive Garden I've ever been to! I've been here a few times, and every time, I went with a larger group of people and we got the family style meal. It is a great deal! I think it's about $30 and for that, you and your whole party get to pick 2 salads, 2 appetizers, 2 pastas, 2 entrees (meats) and 2 desserts. It is unlimited food, so if you run out of one thing and want more, all you have to do is ask and they will bring you more. It is INSANE the amount of food you get for the money. For each of the choices, you get a TON of options. The salad was the only thing where there was only 4 choices. For everything else, there was at least 5 or more for you to pick from. Some of my recommendations: -- Mussels! They prepare them a few different ways. Get them in the red sauce. You will *not* regret it. It is probably some of the best mussels I've ever had. Super yummy and it doesn't taste seafood-y, if y'know what I mean. -- Rotisserie Chicken. This is one of their entree options. The chicken is tender, not overcooked, and seasoned perfectly. -- Spinach salad. I don't even like salad that much. To me, it's just ruffage and takes up space in my stomach. But, I would stop traffic or jump in front of a Mac truck to have this Spinach salad. -- Tiramisu. You can't go to an Italian place and not have tiramisu. This one doesn't disappoint. The restaurant is decked out in all checkerboard, but even that is not a big enough turnoff for me. I keep on coming back for more! Portions are insanely large, service is fast and friendly. Two of the times we went there, a perky blonde named Holly helped us, and she was great! All in all, a great place to dine. I would never go there for anything other than family-style eating though.
(4)Mary C.
Went back here for lunch and had the chicken pesto sandwich. It came on a ciabatta roll with home made chips w/ parmesan on top....and Yum! I couldn't finish it all because they give such big portions, but I took the rest of the sandwich home and gladly ate the left overs for dinner.
(4)Wendy K.
I will first say that I am actually not a big fan of Italian food (my boyfriend just died a little inside). I generally prefer rice over pasta, my tongue and stomach don't react well to tomatoes, so there's that, and I am a pretty healthy eater most of the time (except for my love of cheese) so I try not to eat breaded or fried food very often either. All of that being said, I have rarely had a bad meal at Maggiano's. I have been there several times over the past seven years or so and have enjoyed many items. They have a good drink list, though the "martinis" last night were abnormally sweet (bartender's fault?), there's also excellent Red Sangria, and the Lemon Vito is interesting. The Chicken Parmesan is something my roommate and best friend loves with a passion (we went last night for her birthday and that was one of the non-negotiables), I enjoy the fried zucchini (crispy, thin strips served with a yogurt sauce), the Spinach Salad (a little heavy on the dressing - get it on the side if you're particular), the Chicken Saltimbocca, Rigatoni "D" (This has been a favorite of mine, but the last time I had it, they put about a pound of parsley on it for whatever reason, and I don't like parsley :() and a brand new favorite as of last night, the Rustic Chicken and Shrimp. (Prosciutto, good. Ziti, good. Red pepper cream sauce, GOOOD). I find the Tiramisu, though tasty, a bit chalky (there's a layer of cacao on the top and when inhaled, doesn't feel great), and the bread they give you when you sit down is really hard (I cut my gums on this last night). The atmosphere is classy, and the dining area spacious. The bathrooms (or at least the ladies' room) are clean, and there are thick hand towels instead of cheap paper ones. People working there are friendly and accommodating (put birthday candles in the Tiramisu for my friend), and I learned that they have wine tasting on Wednesdays, where there are also hors d'oeuvres for free. Score!
(4)Lys W.
I really wanted to love this place, because this friend who I absolutely love, this is her favorite restaurant. Yeah, you suck Maggiano's. Time #1: I am hanging out with a friend I haven't seen in a long time. and our waitress kept eavesdropping on our conversations and trying to include herself in them. When we didn't instantly bond with her, she felt the need to come back every 4/5 minutes to interrupt our conversation to ask us if we needed anything. RUDE! Time #2: I took my friend who loves Maggiano's out to eat, and it was wholly uneventful. UNTIL, I got my credit card statement and they had added their own tip onto the bill, onto of the 20% I had already given them. They hadn't even deserved that. I called to try to resolve the issue, and nothing was done. Not even an apology. I will never come back. Plus the food is kinda bland.
(1)Damien Y.
Went here on a Tuesday with my brother, 25 minute wait! A party of three had a friend who worked there and got their table in 5 minutes though. I really enjoyed the decor and feeling of the place. The U shaped booth was a bit odd to eat at. We started with a half portion of the fried calamari which was very good, and the portion was very generous. I had the linguini with clam sauce which I thoroughly enjoyed. My brother had the chicken piccata which I got to try and was also very good. The entree portions weren't as large as I would have liked, but the food was very flavorful. Quality over quantity!
(4)Jenny J.
Quantity not quality is what you'll find here.
(2)Kai P.
Maggiano's Maggiano's is an establishment of high taste. Being Christine had a joint gift certificate with Chili's on it also I guessed it may be a chain restaurant like Papa Razi or something. That isn't to say a chain can be good as I have seen with a few places. I still don't know if it is a chain or not or if it is just owned by a corporation but regardless the lunch we had was spectacular. We had often thought of going by for dinner but it has always been wall to wall. I am glad we decided to forgo going to Burger King being we had one of the best lunches to date. I had the chicken special and she had a linguini with seafood and both dishes were awesome, and it took sometime to decide being the menu was huge and all the entrées sounded tasty. My hat goes off to the chef. We started with just the bread and olive oil which we learned was a secret mix of extra virgin first pressed with spices which tasted better than many brands I had. The decor is the run of the mill old school 40-ties type decor with a few renaissance paintings but is was nice and classy. Classic vocal jazz greats like Sinatra, Martin and Rosemary Clooney played in the back and added to the vibe. By the end we were stuffed and neither of us had finished our meal. The people here even have a reheating booklet on the top of the doggie bag containers. Maggiano's was a great eating experience. even the the waiter was a cool dude and managed to kick a few jokes while he was there. The prices can be steep but wont break your wallet too bad. I give it two thumbs.
(4)Hisham K.
What better place to go celebrate the end of the very last class of the semester?? Well... Maybe Tavern in the Square. (But I'm biased. I love that place.) We ordered the family-style, which is basically what happens when you go to my house - you squabble over the food and the last piece in every plate. BUT Maggiano's is awesome enough to serve bottomless servings when you go homestyle, so everyone is guaranteed a gut-busting quantity of food. A definite plus! The food was pretty good, but not the best Italian I've ever had. It looked better than it tasted. Chicken pesto linguini, calamari, some scrumptious salads, and salmon that was pretty good but just a tad too dry. The tiramisu had too much rum in it, and I think I'm the only weirdo who would ever complain of that, but the apple costrada (I think that's what it was called) was heavenly. We actually got a great table though! Right by the window, and not entrenched within the loud din of other diners and surrounding tables. The wait staff was attentive and rapid, and when a foreign object appeared in my friend's glass of Peroni it was promptly replaced with another, no questions asked, and not charged. It's not my favorite place, but I'd go again.
(3)Josh S.
This place was okay, not super good nor super bad. We had theatre tickets for an 8:00pm show at the Cutler Majestic, so thought this would be a good place to eat beforehand because it was so close. The food was good, but nothing to rave about--basically Americanized Italian food that is predictable. A lot of the food has an amazingly high calorie count, so I'm happy I looked at the nutrition info online before we went. I had the eggplant and asked for the whole wheat penne instead of the white spaghetti. My partner had the chicken Marsala with the side pasta. It was wicked busy, so I am also happy we made reservations or we wouldn't have gotten a table in time. The service was excellent, though. Our server was very attentive as were the others there.
(3)Tarryn G.
I should preface this review by saying that I did not choose Maggiano's for our dinner-with-out-of-town-friends. Something about the whole "chain Italian restaurant trying to disguise itself as a true-blue, old time mobster operated establishment" kinda rubs me the wrong way. In fact, I have more respect for the "Macaroni Grill" tier of Italian restaurants, that greet you at the front door with a "Hi there - we are the Italian cousin of TGI Friday's and Chili's! Please, come sit under our faux grape-arbors and doodle on our tablecloths! We know you and your book club are here for the bread - we understand. Our market researchers know you like your mama does." Maggiano's, on the other hand, wants you to believe that several generations of Tonys and Vinnys have been operating a successful mafia money laundering scheme out of the back office, while wining and dining the creme de la creme of the organized crime world in the style in which they're accustomed (read - dark wood, red velvet curtains, checked linens accented with tastefully framed "family mementos"). Crafty. But whatever - it's a nice place, centrally located and just colorful enough for my vacationing friends. We ordered off of the Family Style menu - which appears to be designed to feed a family of 12 morbidly obese people. I was almost embarrassed by the amount of food on the table, while the waitress dubiously reminded us that we could definitely "order more" if we started to run out of anything. Lady, if we manage to consume all of this and are still demanding more food - it might be time for an intervention. That said - the food was delish! Again, being sort of anti-chain restaurant, I was prepared for a typical hot-off-the-steam tray cauldron of pasta with a factory made sauce dumped over it, etc. etc. But no - my snobby eye-talian ass got served! We started with spinach & artichoke dip and calamari - the calamari was tender and lovely, with the perfect amount of batter-fried goodness. Even my friend who is extremely anti-squid was impressed. I also enjoyed the spinach salad (as did my body, which was begging me to back off the carbs, please!). The chicken piccatta was delightful, and the marinara sauce with the spaghetti and meatballs was solid. Like, Nonni clearly wasn't back there stirring the gravy or anything - but it was definitely flavorful and good. Dessert included some very excellent tiramisu (to be fair, I've never met a tiramisu I haven't liked) and cheesecake that I would possibly whack my cousin for! I think the waitress said it is made with marscapone, which made it rich and light and heavenly. We ended up with a comical amount of leftovers, which made the lavish spread totally reasonable in the end in terms of price. So, Maggianos . . . you might not be my first stop on "lets go out for Italian" nite . . . but if my friends should ever suggest another evening in your faux-old-world, ambient-lit dining room . . . it's an offer I couldn't refuse.
(3)Carol C.
Enjoy the overall feel of the restaurant! Managers there were super friendly and welcoming. It was busy for a Wednesday night but one of them still asked if we would like a big booth or a table. The experience with a couple of good friends was nice. On a scale of being Italian food..it was definitely not up there. However, portions were really big. I don't think any of us were able to finish our entrees entirely. Side note..I really like their chocolate mint. There's a jar full right near the entrance!
(3)Leighann F.
January 24, January 29 and January 30. My boyfriend's sister's birthday, my boyfriend's birthday and my birthday, respectively. What better way to celebrate a bevy of birthdays than dinner at Maggiano's? Courtesy of my boyfriend's parents, we came here for an early dinner on a Saturday and the atmosphere was bubbling over. People laughing and drinking, delectable smells from the dining room and kitchen and WHAT - all you can eat?? Hold on just a minute here. Family-style, all-you-can-eat Italian food in a five-course meal. I've never eaten so much in my life. Every bite was delectable, from the warm fresh bread (and unbelievably yummy Parmesan cheese), and the chopped salad, to the chicken Parmesan, lemon herb salmon, gnocchi and creme brulee (my favorite favorite dessert). The food just kept coming and I didn't have the self restraint to stop eating. I gained 10 pounds from this meal and every single pound was worth it!
(5)Sara B.
Holy huge portions! Apparently Maggiano's is a chain (I had never seen it before) but we stopped in here after our first choice was not open for lunch. Boooo. Delicious calamari and stuffed shrooms. I opted for salmon for my meal and it was decent - nothing out of the ordinary other than the portion was huge. I didn't even eat the roasted potatoes it came with. My friends tried shrimp scampi and spaghetti and meatballs and both seemed pleased. But we ended up wasting a lot of food since they give you so much! The Italian Sangria was meh - I've had better Sangria but it also might be because I asked for "skinny" (which apparently is less calories...I don't know, it was on the menu!). It's a huge place and...there's a picture of Bon Jovi on the wall down the stairs to the bathroom (lol! We didn't know this when we got there!). Seemed pretty packed as well so it must be popular - or maybe it's because nowhere else is OPEN for lunch! I am not big on Italian so I can't compare it, but it was definitely edible.
(3)Krissy B.
I really can't complain about Maggiano's- at all. Every time I've gone there I've enjoyed it, as has everyone else in the party. I did want to warn people with little ones. I brought my husband for a birthday dinner with our best friends, and both of us couples have little ones. One almost 2 and the other just over a year. It's VERY family friendly however, I would NOT order "family style" if you have little ones with you. Family Style takes much longer then ordering off the regular menu and the little ones, well, yeah, get fussy. So, going with kids, don't order Family Style- just order individually and all will be fine! :)
(4)Dan K.
First: the food was really good and there was alot of it. The appetizers were truly some of the best ive had in a while. The main courses were pretty standard and really good, but by no means were earth shattering. They got it done though. Second: A little pricey, but I can deal... I think that the family style deal is really great: You get SO much food! It's $20ish pp and you get 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 pasta dishes, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts for the table. I was eating leftovers for like 3 days after. It was definitely worth the price. I say go!
(4)Ali L.
It's hard to be TOO enthusiastic about an Italian chain restaurant when you are in a city where the "North End" is chock full of "authentic" Italian restaurants. But you know what? I like chain restaurants. I'm really debating between a 3 and a 4 starts on this one. I really like going to this place but I doubt I would make a point to go if I couldn't see it from cubicle. I've only been here for lunch, but have been many many times: Small group, large party served family style, as well as ordered from their carryout menu. Only once was it crowded enough to have to wait for a table-- usually it's not too busy during lunch time. And the service is always decent-- neither spectacular nor horrible enough to really comment on. When I go, I will invariably get whatever stuffed kind of pasta is on their lunch specials menu, with a house salad to start. Dressing on the house salad is fantastic. If gnocchi of any kind shows up on the lunch specials menu, I am on it. Yummm. Last week I had Tortellaci in a truffle cream sauce-- from the specials menu. My only complaint was that the sauce was a little watery and there was a lot of it. This could have been easily rectified but the waiter unfortunately took my plate away before I could sop up the remaining sauce with my bread :( I suppose I could have stopped him if I had really asserted myself, but I had already stopped him from taking away my salad bowl and was slightly embarrassed that I appeared to want to literally lick my plates clean. If I were going to go out for dinner and wanted Italian, I'd go to the North End. But Maggianos for lunch is satisfying, and reasonably priced for the amount of food. I've never been disappointed in whatever pasta dish that appears on the specials menu. Generally after eating here, I return to my desk in the middle of the day and yearn to slip into a food coma.
(3)George C.
The food is decent but man do they really skimp with the portion sizes at this place. $15 for Chicken Parm and one tiny spoon full of noodles? B.S.!
(1)Jill S.
I have eaten here a million times and I am never disappointed. The fried zucchini appetizer is my favorite with this tangy creamy dipping sauce. I highly recommend the fettuccine. It is the best I have ever had. I also recommend the desert sampler because you get a little taste of all of their wonderful deserts!
(4)Kenny L.
Offices of Little Maggiano, M.D. Patients: Kenny L., Jessika D., Paul S. Reason for office visit: Indecision lunch but can't have bunch and must have meat Sunday. Symptoms: Whining, complaining, followed by confusion, particularly figuring out whether North End opens on Sundays (it does). Treatment: Entrees - Chicken Francese, Rigatoni D, and Beef Bracioli (all half orders, although full size for chicken is recommended). Dessert - Apple Crostada w/caramel sauce, tiramisu, and creme brulee w/strawberry and mint on top (good but a bit cold when I got it. They use a wide dish so that caramelized sugar crust is maximized) Follow-up: For a chain (visited a California office), it has decor of good taste and a gigantic dining area, including their banquet rooms in the basement. The service was good as well. The food was delicious but extraordinary good. Despite its higher than average prices, it is definitely a worthwhile restaurant to visit and revisit, though I would recommend a good North End Italian any day if I had to choose and is covered by my medical plan aka wallet. Referral to specialist: Doogie Howser, M.D. youtube.com/watch?v=djEr…
(3)Trish F.
What a very Frank Sinatra Thanksgiving. He seemed to be the man of the hour along with some music from the Cole Porter songbook and a bit of Swing Time. Mom and I showed up 15 minutes early, but they gladly seated us at one of the back mafia tables overlooking the main dining room. This was interesting because when I was looking for a 3 person in case Kenny decided to crash, there were none available on OpenTable. Funny thing is, when we got there it wasn't crowded at all and we were in a 4 person booth. Although we (me) had a few issues getting in (and I kept on crapping change magically.. hole in my jacket or bag or something). That made the waiters laugh a bit, but whatever, they were working Thanksgiving so I'm glad I got to entertain. The restaurant was serving family style Thanksgiving dinner for $33, but we decided that that would be way too much food so we ordered individual items off the menu and the waiter said it'd probably be cheaper. Mama Dish and I had the bruschetta plate as an appetizer. It came out with roasted butternut squash chunks in some type of creamy stuff along with prosciutto (MY FAVE), goat cheese and olive (nothing too fancy.. but I dig goat cheese), and fresh tomatoes and basil (which I ate without putting it on the bread. heh) Then we had the Caesar salad. One bowl is more than enough for two people.. we definitely shouldn't have ordered two plates. haha.. Despite the amount of cheese (too much) and the croutons (too dry), the salad was pretty good. The dressing was tossed evenly and the romaine was very crisp. After that, our main dish came out. Three large slices of turkey (a little dry) with an ice cream scoop (what? that's what it looked like.. there's probably a term, I know) of focaccia sausage stuffing (different.. but really good) and real cranberries in sauce (am I a dorkus if I like canned better?). For sides, we got the sauteed spinach (which madre had to squeeze lemon over to cut the saltiness) and the garlic mashed potatoes (tasted better the next day after reheating it). Lastly, we had tiramisu profiteroles (which I always feel awkward saying) with vanilla bean ice cream and hot fudge. The pastry part was a bit harder than I would have liked, but holy ice cream Batman.. that vanilla bean was deeeelliccciioouusss. I did that awkward scraping thing with the plate even though I knew I wasn't getting anywhere.. you gotta lick da plate! At the end of the meal the waiter informed us that ordering the plates individually was way more expensive, so he charged us for family style instead. Not as good as a homemade Thanksgiving meal. But for $30p/p that was a LOT of food. I've eaten family style for birthdays before. I think it's a good place to go with groups since you'll get a ridiculous amount of food, but I wouldn't necessarily go here again for a regular dinner. The service IS fantastic though. Deepa was right in saying, the atmosphere is a bit forced but at the end of the day it's one of the nicer chains.
(3)David W.
This place is large. Can accommodate large parties. Portion sizes are huge and meant to be shared. Server was very nice & friendly. Mini desserts are nice and good size. I had herb roasted chicken which was a good choice.
(4)Steve T.
What can I say...an Italian in love with an Italian restaurant. Come on! Hey Vinnie, can you believe what this guy is saying? Lol! I've been to Maggiano's around the country (another high quality chain), and have yet to have a bad meal. I've been with large groups (12 or more) and as little as 2. At any time, the service was stellar, the food was, as usual, great and one draw I have to it, I guess you can call it an affinity, is the old school Italian feel. Old Blue Eyes belting out the tones over the in house soundboard, joined by Al Martino, Jerry Vale and, of course, Dino...Dean Martin for all you non-Italians. JK. Granted the place is packed regularly, but with such a high volume you would expect a degrade in service and food. Not so here. Highly recommend.
(5)Maria P.
I was craving some spaghetti the other day, but I really didn't feel like making it myself. I thought that this would be a good pick because their menu seemed pretty good. I was wrong. There was a lot of pasta and not enough sauce. The sauce itself was not impressive and I was surprised that they messed up such a simple dish. They earn an extra star only because the tiramisu was pretty good. But they also lose one because it was pretty pricey. I wouldn't go here again.
(3)Wendy L.
Yes, it's a chain. I went with a really large group (~100 people), so this is an easy place to go where you can rent out the room...and feed a ton of people on a budget. For a chain, the food isn't too bad - we had heaps of pasta and chicken parm, and the dark wood paneling makes you feel like you are in a more upscale restaurant than you are. Perfect place for a big (the bigger the better) group.
(4)Kelly B.
I went here recently on a first date. It was our only date... but that wasn't Maggiano's fault. Granted, I was a little surprised when he told me, "I've heard of this Italian place, but I can't recall the name." I assumed that it was some small place on the corner of Salem Street or Hanover... but no... later he texted me: "The place is called Maggiano's"... except he spelled it incorrectly, but I digress. Maggiano's is a place I had previously only been to with large groups for the family style dining. It's a fun place, a classic red sauce Italian, complete with "batta-bing" style maitre d'. We both ordered pasta dishes, which were good, but not amazing, a glass of wine, and then dessert (I know, I should have skipped desert since I knew there wouldn't be a 2nd date already - but it was creme brulee, and I'm a sucker for creme brulee). To be fair, I made sure we split the bill. My choice of pasta was the "Famous Rigatoni D" - Rigatoni pasta, herb-roasted chicken, mushrooms and caramelized onions, tossed in a Marsala cream sauce. Leftovers reheated well in the foil pan provided with directions printed on the cover, clearly they have leftovers taken home often, which is not surprising given the sheer size of the meals. There was no leftover dessert, however. :)
(3)Tricia N.
I feel FAT and I didn't spend a lot of money. The portions are HUGE. The food is ok..... it is bland american/italian spaghetti. They have a "family style" option that is all you can eat. I guess it is for those people that 1lb+ of spaghetti is just not enough. Personally I prefer quality over quantity. There are much better places in the North End. To end on a happy note....The service was prompt & friendly. The restaurant was packed & lively. People were definitely having a good time. We couldn't help but have a good time too.
(2)Megan B.
I was concerned that this would simply be a glorified Olive Garden, but it wasn't so bad, really. My date was really keen on going here (it's sort of a guy's type of place with its behemoth portions). What stands out by far the most to me is the CHEESECAKE. Good ricotta makes all the difference to me- this was light, tangy, sweet heaven. Unfortunately, we were too full to even finish the one divine piece that we had ordered to split. 4-Cheese Ravioli- I would really hope that pasta stuffed with cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and and provolone and then covered in alfredo sauce is damn tasty. Because, really, you would have to work hard to mess that up. Good but guilt-inducing. Diavolo Mussels- meh, just OK. In retrospect, this is my fault for ordering mussels on a Sunday (seafood is never fresh on Sunday). Could have been spicier, too. Italian "Champagne" (not really champagne per se but sparkling wine)- In the words of a friend, "champagne tastes like fun!" And indeed, this made the meal much more fun.
(3)ELIZABETH R.
I love this place. I haven't been in awhile and we ate there today and the food was amazing. The service was very good as well. I highly recommend eating there if you love Italian food.
(5)Lara C.
I'm Celiac and have found it quite difficult to go out to eat with friends. However, this place is fantastic. The gluten free pasta is better than any Gluten Free pasta I have had. Even the left over pasta microwaves perfectly-which is pretty rare. My non-GF friends enjoyed their food just as much. I recommend the Alfredo-so delicious!
(5)James D.
We walked in with a party of five and they had a table, should have been read as a sign of bad to come . Steak and soup - simple right? Must have slaughtered the steer cause it took forever. Soup came after the steak. Never again. Steak was overcooked.
(2)Alex S.
The family style menu was interesting; it allowed a slection from a fine and diverse array of entrees that could be shared amongst the group. This allowed for very satisfying portions. The appetizers were tasty and I think patrons would enjoy the cheese appetizer. The desserts were great; I tried the tiramisu and it was of a high quality, up-there with what you could get in Little Italy.
(4)Greg C.
I was shocked to see that there were actual, real-life, authentic Italians at this restaurant. I couldn't tell if they were there voluntarily or if they were hired to compliment the motif. In any event, this restaurant wasn't as bad as some of the other Italian food chains. Actually, it wasn't bad at all. EXCEPT!... the little lamp that was on my table kept flicking on and off. Is faulty wiring a well-known Italian quality? ALSO! our server was a little spacey. We waited about 20-25 minutes, no joke, for our bill. I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the paper it was printed on, but not all that impressed by the fact that the receipt had a list of menu items that we didn't order. Yes, my friends, we got the wrong receipt. Having been a server, I know that giving someone the wrong bill is the NUMBER ONE tell tale sign that your server doesn't give a shit about you. If you've ordered around $30.00 worth of food and beverage and your server gives you a check for $80.00... you can bet that your server a) never cared about you, b) still doesn't care about you, and c) cared so little that he refused to even glance at the check prior to presenting it. Besides that, the food was overall good. I pulled the typical thing I usually do and just asked the server for "the most commonly ordered thing on the menu." I've found that this tactic guarantees a tasty meal at a fair price. What I received was some D rigatoni or rigatoni D or D-lish rig or DugRigatoni or some shit I can't remember the name of. I asked the server why they called it "D" something or other and he said. "Oh! because that's what they named it." So...! Food = flavorful, but borderline bland... Service = okay, but borderline certifiably insane. I would've given it 4 stars, but I've worked for the Brinker company before (they own On The Border, Chili's, Macaroni Grill, and Maggiano's) and they suck... hard.
(3)Tulsi D.
I was impressed with this restaurant because they were able to accomodate a large group for dinner. I really think that the family style dinner is a great thing that they have for large parties and a great deal! You can pay $30pp for 3 apps, 4 entrees and 2 desserts. They were also extremely flexible because I asked if they could sit us a little earlier and they said as soon as a table opened up they would, and they actually did! Also, I was allowed to call in the menu the day of and they gave us the option of putting in the apps as soon as we sat down (great if you need to get somewhere by a certain time). The food is good, I don't think it's the best Italian food I've had but with the family style dinner and the large group of people, I can't really complain and think the food is good for this type of situation. The environment is nice and the drinks are also good, especially the red sangria. The waitstaff was also very attentive and I was really satisfied with our dinner here. Also, we were allowed to take all the leftovers home, and with 4-5 plates with each course, there were a lot of leftovers! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to others!
(4)Marc L.
It was on the high end of what I expected. Big and crowded, but pleasant and efficient. Food was high quality if uninspired. Service was prompt and professional. I would go back if consistent middle-of-the road Italian was what i was in the need for.
(4)Kathleen P.
I don't know what you people who only gave it 1 star are talking about. Perhaps you did not appreciate the heavenly food here. Let's see, starting with the calamari. It had a nice light breading and cooked perfectly. Meatball soup of the day was good, but seemed too normal compared to everything else. The Veal parm = best veal parm I have ever ever had (including homemade). I loved the eggplant parm as well, but it has a sweet spice ( I think nutmeg), which is great but mixed with the sweet red sauce is a little too much sweet. The dessert we had was again really good: Profiteroles. The puff pastry could have been a little softer though. Now, I am a potato lover, so many may pass off the red potato side as no big deal, after all they are basically just boiled potatoes. Well, it is hard to come across delicious potatoes at restaurant, or even in my own kitchen, they usually are just bland like a potato. Much to my pleasant surprise these were amazing. Unfortunately, I couldn't think if eating anymore food, so I had to pack them to take home. . . and I can't wait to have them. My only complaint of the night was that my waitress didn't seem enthusiastic to share her thoughts about what was delicious or give opinions on what to order, which is fine, but I saw every other waiter have tremendous energy when talking about the food, which I have to say made me a little jealous. All in all I cannot wait to go back, and I will dream about the potatoes and veal until then.
(5)Joyce M.
The Buca di Beppo's of Boston. Family style portions, random photos on the walls, checkered table cloths. Check. A medley of kick ass carbs? Check, check. It's got a cute atmosphere and can accomodate large groups so if you're going out with your friends, you'll get the most out of this place since you can sample more of the menu. And don't forget the vino!Plus, with more people eating, there's always more room for dessert (not that that's ever stopped anyone anyway). So when you're done at Maggiano's, hop over to Finale, a couple of doors down and try the tiramisu or the chocolate cake to top off your night right. Bon appetite!
(4)Brenda C.
I love Maggiano's for one reason: Red sauce. Call me boring. For the price, it has three things going for it: 1. It's actually spicy, though it won't kill you; 2. There's more than enough of it to cover the spaghetti AND the bread; and 3. They have a reasonably sized half portion. Yes, I've had better Italian, but not at this price. I love it and can't wait to try some other other locations.
(4)Dustin M.
Family style was great, you won't leave hungry. The food overall was good. The clams and linguini was excellent, pork was a little dry but still flavorful. The maggiano salad was great. Was a fun place to eat with a group and kid friendly. The service was average, the waiter was friendly as was the rest of the staff, however, my water glass was empty and i had to ask for more, i find that water refill is a good gauge of attentiveness, and overall service level. I highly recommend family style, great selection, all you and your friends/family can eat and lots of fun!
(3)Nancy D.
food was good. service was good. I'd go back again.
(3)Meg M.
I hit up Maggianos last night for the Tomorrow Too deal. This review is based pretty much solely on that. This deal is 12.95 for a half order of pasta that you eat there and they let you pick another selection of pasta (again a half order) that they pack up to send you home with. Its genius. Half orders are still friggin huge and while the pasta isnt as good as my fave spots in the North End... its still quite yummy. What a great idea in todays economy. You get TWO meals for the price of one. In my case... I got 4 meals. I can only eat a half of each portion in one sitting. If I was in college I would be hitting up Maggianos on the reg. The service was not so great however. Our server was either very new, or just not very good. She didnt see to be familiar with the beer list, or the wine list. I ordered the Beringer Pinot Noir and she looked at me like I was nuts. "A what?". We sat with our bread for about ten minutes without her bringing the oil which makes me crazy cuz I LOVE that crispy italian bread they serve there. Either way, the service got better towards the end and ultimately, I am reviewing the food and the great deal we got. I will be eating my gnocchi with vodka sauce for lunch today!
(4)Linh V.
the lobster raviolis were absolutely delicious but my dumb boyfriend was challenged by the waiter to eat a large pasta dish and it was gross watching him out how BIG it really was. seems like a fun place to take your family for a huge meal.
(4)andrew s.
A word to the wise: do not eat for at least 12 hours before stopping at Maggiano's for dinner. While it may be a chain Italian restaurant that is only a notch or two above Olive Garden and Vinny T's - I highly recommend you give it a shot. While you won't get truely authentic Italian, you will get all of the basics covered (i.e. chicken/eggplant parm, chicken picatta, lasagna, etc.) and a fairly good wine list to boot. And with the size of the entrees, as well as the option of the "family-style meal", this is the perfect place to bring a large group. Aside from the massive portions (which are beyond comprehension) the price is incredible. My girlfriend and I had a 3 course meal and a bottle of wine for around $65. For a place surrounded by the likes of Smith and Wollensky, Flemmings and Davio's - that's pretty darn impressive.
(4)Deepa C.
I have been here a handful of times now - once right before the Tufts Senior Gala, then for my rehearsal dinner, then for an office luncheon, and now for just a simple two person lunch. i can't really rave about the place; it is what it is: consistent, hot, lightly flavored American Italian food. You know what you're getting when you come in the door. The food is very straightforward, the service good (although today's was a little questionable), but the meal forgettable. the food is good when you are eating it, but not something you crave three days later. This place is ideal for a big group, pre-event dinners, or take out for a big group. the atmosphere is a bit forced, though, so don't come for ambiance...
(4)Christopher M.
Fantastic dinner. We had great big round table that my 8 guests could all eat family style at and face each other! Apps were amazing stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari. For dinner we had spaghetti meat balls, fettucini and chicken parm. Food was really good but not amazing. For a party that size on Saturday night you couldn't ask for a better time. food, atmosphere, and service!
(4)Andrew A.
Maggiano's is by itself a nice restaurant. This is a nice Italian place (one of the few outside the North End) that could be good for couples but is probably the best in Boston for big groups (4 or more people). At Maggiano's should you have four or more people you could get your food family style, 2 different apps, 2 different salads, 2 different pasta dishes, 2 different entrees, and 2 different desserts. No matter how many people you have, the price is $25 for each person, everyone gets to share in the meal, and you get as much of it as you want! The calamari is very good here, along with the Gnocci (someof the best I've tasted at a chain restaurant). Maggiano's overall is an excellent place to sit down with your family!
(4)Mike V.
Didn't realize this place was a chain until after the meal. But I should have guessed. The first thing the waitress did was list about 7 items they didn't have that were on the menu. I ordered the Mussels but about 10 minutes afer I ordered she came back to tell me they were out of them as well. Overall the experience wasn't great. Food was overpriced and I wasn't able to order what I wanted. The only positive I have for this place is the atmosphere. It has the feel of an authentic North End Italian restaurant.
(2)Jules C.
We lived in Chicago before we came here, and I have extremely fond memories of the Maggianos in the suburbs there. We recently went in to this location with a guest from out of town for a special occasion and were really disappointed. The food was very spotty - for ex., one in our party ordered a "special" risotto. The meat was pretty well-prepared, but the "risotto" was dry white rice with pieces of cooked squash mixed in - not even close to an arborio rice risotto. Another in our party had ravioli, which was pretty good but very expensive for the portion size. I got a chopped salad - my favorite dish at Maggianos back in the day - and it was a sad combination salad of not-so-crisp iceberg and romaine with a few pieces of soft avocado and mealy tomato - and not chopped. The service was very professional but not terribly attentive, warm or sincere. When someone says "it's been a true pleasure" in a monotone voice without looking at you when they say it, call me over-sensitive, but it's kind of a weird experience. It was also pretty expensive for what it is. I understand that's the location too, but with all the choices around, we'll go elsewhere.
(1)Thana T.
3 stars for the velvet cake! Ok no, but seriously. The cake is delicious. You should try it. I've been here several times, for birthdays, anniversarys and work power lunches and have not yet been dissapointed. Large portions, cute atmosphere (my boyfriend and I had fun playing guess-the-celebrity in the Sinatra-y photos scattered throughout), comfort Italian food and near enough to parking and the Charles Play House to walk. Good enough for me!
(4)Allison C.
I didn't enjoy myself at Maggianos nearly as much as I would have liked. This is because I am on a diet and could not get any of the wonderful things I would normally have loved. Non-engaged Allison would have ordered this: Cup of Orzo and Sausage soup or a Caesar to start, eggplant parmesan with a pound of pasta, followed by a nice coffee, all the while dipping the delicious bread into some oil sprinkled with pepper and parmesan. But instead it went down like this: Water with lemon, and chopped chicken salad featuring a little avocado and prosciutto with house dressing. The salad was good and pretty big and I like the atmosphere in Maggianos but I cannot give it a 4 or 5 because I don't want salads for lunch when I go out. I just don't. I wanted what my friends had: mushroom ravioli, mom's lasagna, spinach manicotti with plenty of parm and oil and italian bread. My boyfriend said "but is that Maggiano's fault?" Well no I guess not. But I've been before and had delicious amount of cheese and carbohydrates and it was very nice.
(3)Mary B.
This is a fantastic authentic Italian. The best pasta dishes (lasagna if my favorite) in Boston. No need to go to the North End, this is bellissimo! There is something fantastic here for everyone in the family! Great wine selection too!!
(5)Stephen Y.
A prodigious amount of food when ordered "family style"- must be for a family of morbidly obese male (or soon to be) .... or just rescued Swiss Family Robinson... The mussels were awesome... the lasagna was more like meat loaf with three token slices of pasta sheet... Rest of entree passable but quite greasy. Desert was the best part of the meal however. The wines that we chose were pretty decent as well- a chianti and a pinot noir.... Service was decent... So much food... ended up carrying two hugh bags of left overs home....
(3)Giancarlo C.
Love you guys for gluten free-ness. However, your sauce is not as good as it used to be. But, I continue to come back because your food is high quality and I like the atmosphere. Your servers are friendly, and you can at least count on getting a good meal, for a decent price.
(4)Mitchell P.
Went here for my friends birthday dinner. Food was fantastic, we had a bunch of family style options, chicken parm was solid, lasagna was great, raviolis were delicious, tiramasu was good too. this place was super packed, and they kept the food moving, it was good. i would def go back.
(4)Wini P.
Very disappointing experinece. First, our waiter didn't pay attention when we ordered a salad with dinner. He brought the salad with dinner instead of before. They we asked to speak to the manager, but he had better things on his mind. I appreciate his taking off the salads. The waiter never came back to check on us, so we were lucky we got our second drink. For the money, if you don't go family style, the portions are very small and hardly worth the big bucks they charge. Great if you are with a group, but if you are just going out with one other person...don't bother
(2)Paul J.
Love this place!!! good price for nice portions and the service is always fantastic... My favorite restaurant in Boston
(5)E B.
Ok, the service here was crap, they made us wait forever to sit and I don't think it was that crowded (when we went up to them to see if we'd get seated soon it seemed like they had totally forgotten we were waiting). Also, I felt like it was a little overpriced for what it was. They took forever to give us menus, and then didn't give us enough... gave us bread, but took forever to give us oil & were out of egg plant parm entirely. On service alone I'd give this place zero stars. But, the food was quite good. I had the 4 cheese ravioli's which had a pesto/white sauce/red sauce thing going on and they were reallllllllly good. We also got the side salad, which wasn't that amazing but it did the trick of making me feel a little healthier while eating so much food. We had their version of mozzarella sticks, so good... and the bruscetta was some of the best I've ever had (I usually think bruscetta is a little too garlicky). The best part of dinner, had to be the dessert... the chocolate cake here is A+++++++. It was layered and moist and had the best chocolate fudge layer over it. If I order it again, I'll go all the way and ask them to top it with a few scoops of icecream. As a chocoholic, it's hard to find a good chocolate cake and this stole the cake (ahhh I'm so funny!). I'd def go back, but I'd probably get takeout next time.
(3)Becky M.
I've been here before also but I brought my parents here for the first time on Friday night. They LOVED it! My Mom was raving about the atmosphere and the way the menu was family style. Dad was suprised it wasn't that expensive for all you could eat good food. We started with the stuffed mushrooms and mozzarella and tomato salad. The mushrooms were so good we got another order, the salad was decent but nothing special. We moved on to the baked ziti with sausage and chicken and spinach manicotti. Both were fantastic. Chicken Parm and Salmon for the main dishes, both great. Dessert was Creme Brulee and Tiramisu. Perfect. There was 4 of us and one order of each thing gave us each enough to try everything and leave us stuffed. Our waitress was super nice and attentive and though I drank water like a camel and she filled my glass probably 8 times she didn't seem to mind. I made the reservation through Open Table and we were seated right away with no problems. I'll definitely be back with a big group again!
(5)Marina P.
I loved coming here with my friends. I highly recommend this location for parties bigger than 6 people, otherwise it can be a little too overwhelming. I really had the best experience because it was birthday celebration on Friday night and there were about 12 of us. We chose the Family Style Classic Menu Option and it was fantastic. The amount of food was insane. Here is what we ordered: Appetizers: Mussels delicately prepared with sun dried tomatoes and cannellini beans: a hit. Calamari - I loved it cause they were big and tasty. Main Entrées: Tilapia - excellent I highly recommend it. Chicken & Truffle Tortellacci - to die for. EXCELLENT! Lasagna - didn't care for it that much (maybe because i was pretty full by the time I had it? But I'd say that most of the table agreed with me) Seared Pork Medallions - didn't really try those. Dessert: TIramisu - just awesome This dinner took us 3 hours. We felt like it was Thanksgiving :)
(4)Sophia E.
So Good, So Good, So Good. What can I say I love the place. I recently dined at Maggiano's with a group of friends and it was amazing. Because we arrived in such a large group we had to order the Family Style Dinner. The Family Style Dinner consists of two choices of appetizers salads, pastas, entrees and desserts. I have never eaten so much in my entire life. The menu has a mixture of old school Italian favorites such as chicken parmesan and baked ziti. But it also consists of revamped favorites such as chicken and spinach manicotti and chicken pesto linguine. Their desserts are also excellent. My favorite is nonna's pound cake with caramelized banana with hot fudge sauce, which is served with vanilla ice cream. It's not very good for your waistline, but every now and then you have to treat yourself.
(4)Kelly N Z R.
Phenomenal service! Our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable and came back with a detailed list of vegetarian/vegan-friendly options. A good selection of delicious options. Nice atmosphere. Huge portions-- had enough for 5 meals out of one dish. Pricey, but worth it. Try the sorbet mix for dessert-- superb!
(5)joana b.
I had the extreme pleasure of dining here over the weekend. It was for a bday party of 15. We didn't wait to be seated, we didn't wait for bread or water, we didn't wait for our salads, apps, nothing, service was fast, efficient and pleasant. The atomosphere was charming and nice. The food was really great, i half expected "wedding" style chicken, but this seemed made to order in small batches! we tried the sausage and pepers, chix pesto, beef braciolla, and ravioli. My only slight complaint was that the caprese salad didn't have any basil and the tomatoes were on the unripened side, i think they used large beefsteak tomatoes. the pasta definitely tasted homemade and look forward to checking out that resaturant with just me and the honey to try other menu selections. btw, the tiaramisu was faaaaab! also, with the family style they were packing up ample left overs and would have accomadated wrapping up several different portions, based on who wanted to take what home! great job!
(4)jess M.
While the food was great and the decor was fine, the service was a little... scary. The waiter accidentally bounced a wine glass off of my shoulder and it fell to the floor and broke, sending pieces of glass everywhere. Not that big of a deal, accidents do happen, but the waiter then left the glass shards on the floor for a good 10 plus minutes. As a former server, I was shocked that he would leave such a hazard unattended. The service remained a bit shaky the rest of the evening, nothing too appalling but some spilled water and abrupt removal of dishes was occasionally disconcerting. The waiter seemed to just be having an off night. Or maybe since it was Thursday he had the shakes. A sadder thought is that since we were a party of 12, he knew that he'd be tipped 20% regardless. Positives - good food, great for groups, really good apple crostada. Negatives - server had the shakes
(3)Anita B.
Was very pleasantly suprised by Maggiano's. Let me preface this by saying that we didn't have to pay for this meal. We were in town for my cousin's wedding and they held a dinner here for out of towners so it was a free meal. They had a good bar which, at risk of sounding like the neighborhood alchi, is always a plus in my book. The bartender knew what he was doing and I didn't have to talk him through a simple drink like I have at some other restaurants. They served calamari which was excellent. Apparently it was an "on" night for them. It was tender and the way calamari is meant to be enjoyed. The other app. was sliced tomato with mozzarella cheese which was also quite good. The main course(s) (keep in mind, it was family style) were chicken parmesan which was fine, but average, gnocchi with a tomato/vodka sauce which was my personal favorite and then your typical pasta with marinara sauce. Desserts weren't anything to write home about, but keep in mind, I can pretty much take or leave any dessert you put in front of me so I may not be the best judge of that. All in all, it was a solid meal and I would probably go again at some point. I wouldn't make a special trip as the closest one here is too much of a drive for a chain, when I can get authentic Italian food blocks from home. I know it's a chain and while that generally turns me off, I can't really fault this one. Above average food, good service and large portions. I'd recommend it if you're going for more Americanized Italian and have enough taste to stay away from the Olive Garden.
(4)April I.
I can't help but like Maggiano's Little Italy. It's consistent. It's filling. It's cheap. The food is good and yes it is a traditional, Americanized version of Italian food, but good nonetheless. I like the chicken and spinach manicotti. I like the chicken marsala. I like the house salad with crispy prosciutto bits. I like the mound of fried calamari appetizer. I like the gin martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. I love the soft and chewy bread with olive oil, parmesan, and pepper. The service has also always been spot on when we've gone. Fast, friendly and informative. What more could I want. I get to eat good food on the cheap, dress casual, and get decent service. Unless I'm missing something I happen to think Maggiano's is great!!
(3)Patrick K.
This is an amazing Italian restaurant, especially considering how massive it is. It always amazes me when I go to a small place in the north end and they don't have any idea what a good wait staff is! So many bad experiences in the north end that Maggiano's has become my favorite traditional Italian restaurant in Boston. The food is amazing; everything I have ever had on their menu is premium quality. Also, it is consistent. You will probably have a slightly obnoxious host/hostess but other than that the servers are very good.
(5)Cee L.
I went here for the first time with a huge group of people, and we had the family style. To put it simply, it was DELICIOUS. We had the mozzarella, zucchini fritte, Caesar salad, chicken and eggplant parm, fettucine alfredo, baked ziti, profiteroles, apple crostada. Very nice ambience, and the servers were attentive.
(5)JohnnyFoodface ..
Horrible service. I was with a corporate group, ties and jackets, and we were placed at a large round table. We saw our waiter three times - took our orders, brought our food, and when we requested the check. Some salad plates, including mine, were at the table when we were leaving. I did not get my water refilled. I ordered the eggplant parmesan, and it was rather tasty, but it was a 3"x5" slab on a plate with a light red sauce. No side pasta, no nice mozzarella topping. It looked like it went from the freezer to the plate. It tasted average. The decor was beautiful (+1 star). It feels like you're a cast member of the Godfather, minus the bullets. Would not go here again, not even for a biz lunch. I would rather go to Vinny T's! The manager (guy with the tie) even came over, and asked how everything was. I didn't have the heart to tell him he should fire whoever our waiter should have been. I'm polite when I go out, especially among coworkers.
(2)R.G. W.
I typically hate chain restaurants because the food usually tastes like it came out of a can or vacuum pack, the wait staff tends to be terribly impersonal, and I'd rather give business to locally-owned places than big corporations. But ... Maggiano's doesn't fall into any of those traps (well, maybe except for the last one, but I suppose that's inevitable). I'll always be surprised that their cup of soup is as big as most other places' bowls ... and only $2.95; not to mention how fresh the ingredients are. I'll forever be a fan of the pot roast, chicken cacciatore, and shrimp fra diavolo dishes. On their own, the pot roast or chicken cacciatore entrees are big enough to feed 2-3 hungry adults. And the shrimp fra diavolo: Finally, a red sauce spicy enough to be interesting to my seasoned tongue (no pun intended). I don't know why Maggiano's allows folks to order soup AND an entree... the soup on its own is big enough for an entire meal!
(5)Jennifer G.
We had our rehearsal dinner here a couple weeks back and it was great! The private rooms are really nice - ours had its own built in bar area which added a nice touch - so much classier than getting a drink from one of those "bar stand" things you see in the corner of most banquet rooms. The food was fantastic - everyone was raving about it. The service was pretty good I'd say that's the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star review actually. They set up the room a couple chairs short which was really embarrassing. An unexpected game of musical chairs isn't the impression I was trying to give - especially when it was my grandmother who didn't get a chair. Terrible The Bartender was multi tasking and occasionally wasn't behind the bar - or even in our room actually. It's hard to make use of the open bar when there isn't anyone present to make drinks. The event planning staff was amazing and as soon as they heard about the 2 relatively small issues during my event they apologized profusely and are sending me gift certificates to make up for it which I thought was pretty nice of them. I would definitely recommend them if you want to host an Italian dinner event :)
(4)Jen H.
They not only have great food you can carry out in small portions.... great for yourself or an "upscale movie night" ... they also have great carry out for catering! We just ordered from them for our housewarming party, and everything we got was so scrum-diddly-umptious! I highly recommend the Spinach & Artichoke al Forno and the Cheese Ravioli.... yum..... makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
(4)Dana B.
I went here for a friend's birthday with a large group and the great thing is that if you get "family style" dining - it's only $25 per person so there is no "oh, look we're short by $60" at the end of the night. They also have a ton of options within their family style menu. You get to pick 2 apps, 2 salads, 4 entrees and 2 desserts - and they bring you as much as you want. I would give it five stars, but it loses a star because they forgot our reservation. There was a party of 40 that night and they ended up giving us one of their tables. We were trying to get acquainted and understand the whole "family style" thing and I found our waiter to be very pushy even stating that he had that party of 40 coming so he wanted our order. I also heard him talking to someone else that worked there at one point say "and they dont even know what the hell they want yet" - which was annoying and RUDE.
(4)Amanda S.
With a $100 gift card in my pocket, my boyfriend and I headed out to Maggiano's on a Friday night. As we expected there was an hour or so wait, so we grabbed a seat at the bar and had some cocktails, one of which was the highlight of my night- order the espresso martini- dee-lish. After being seated we began our over-ordering: Caprese Salad & Stuffed Mushrooms to start (both were excellent), for entrees we tried the Chicken Saltimbocca & the Chicken Manicotti- the portions were enormous and we packed most of it, had a great apple/pastry like dessert with vanilla ice cream. Felt like I needed to be rolled out of this place. The food was good, but with so many mom and pop Italian places around town, I probably wouldn't go back to Maggiano's unless another $100 gift certificate fell into my lap, but overall it was a good experience.
(3)Katharina I.
I went here with a large group and we ate the family style. I am vegan and was unsure how it would go for me (would I be eating an Odwalla bar from my purse?). I was pleasantly surprised when I informed the waiter I was vegan he immediately went back and talked with the chef. He made me my own salad without cheese and made my own entree with grilled veggies and pasta! It was a very good meal but the service was tops!
(4)Julie T.
I've never been a fan of this place. My aunt thinks that it's the most amazing Italian ever, but I don't think she eats out very much. Anyhow, I'm not the best cook ever and even I make a better linguine in white clam sauce. It's ridiculous how not tasty this place is. I give it two stars cuz it's pretty cheap, especially if you go in a huge group, but if I was basing my review solely on the food, I would have given only one star.
(2)Amanda G.
BIG portions, but the food and service is always fab. The family style is great if you're going with a group. Still like the sauce better at Vinny T's though.
(4)Shauna B.
This is by far our favorite spaghetti and meatballs in boston. Gotta get the extra meatball. It makes life grander.
(5)Amanda K.
Want good Italian food for the same price? Go to the North End. This place is one star away from the Olive Garden.
(2)Aretha B.
Maggiano's is great! The mussels are yummy and come in a large portion... The spaghetti with meatballs is tasty and a huge plate of food. The linguine and white clam - leaves a lot to be desired, mainly more broth, clams, herbs etc. I like a meaty clam sauce, this is like a light tossing of sauce. The veal and mushroom ravioli was ok but next time I think I'd prefer just the mushroom ravioli. I had the meat lasagna and it was like a block of sauce meat and cheese.... the noodles were thin and a bit mushy. I took half of it home and cooked up some extra pasta and mixed it in and it was DELICIOUS! So if you get the lasagna order some plain pasta to go alongside. 4 cheese ravioli - good but RICH! tiramisu - flavorful, genuine coffee flavor. Spongy and lite - if you split it with someone! The chocolate cake is also VERY chocolatey, with a fudge icing. Best consumed at home with a tall glass of cold milk. Every time I leave maggiano's I have a doggy bag that weighs at least 3 pounds. I think it's a good date place. Especially if you get the little booths.
(4)Nicole M.
I don't do chain restaurants. Maggianos is one of very, very, very few exceptions. I've been here for dinner with then-boyfriend-now-hubby, family dinners, huge group dinners, and a function. The service was much better for the huge group dinners and function than just when I was sitting at a small table. The food is decent. It's tempting to give Maggianos 4 stars based on Nonna's Pound Cake, that stuff is awesome!
(3)Dynne S.
Large portions. Tons of carbs. I'd only go back for really heavy Italian food. It was mediocre in taste, maybe it's because I enjoy lighter Italian foods. Compared to Italy's food, it seems about 80% authentic. Personally, it tastes a bit Americanized. The prices are pretty good for the ridicious amounts served. Also, the atmosphere is fairly loud. Bring your appetite!
(2)I M.
Maggiano's is a great place to go if you have a group(i'd say 6 or more) It's a great atmospher to get together and catch up with everyone. The food is great and the servers are friendly. it can get a little pricey, but it is soo worth it.
(3)Julianne M.
This place was pretty empty at lunch time on a weekday, making it a good place for lunch with my boss to talk "business." Service is somewhat slow, but I enjoyed my raspberry lemonade and baked ziti (not as good as homemade). The office ordered takeout from here once when we were working late and they messed up our orders big time. Their gnocchi is something I could have brought at Trader Joe's and made myself for a fraction of the price; there was nothing spectacular about it.
(3)Sherry Z.
A nice, laid-back atmosphere. The food was pretty decent. With their wonderful bread, I was pretty much filled up by the time the entrees rolled around. If this is the right restaurant, the downstairs restroom is set in what seems to be an old hotel -- it had a very old world atmosphere.
(3)Kelley M.
I am not big on chain restaurants but Maggiano's never disappoints me. My husband and I wanted to have Italian for our rehearsal dinner and the North End was busy with Saint Anthony's festival on our date so we had it here. It was amazing! They have private rooms downstairs and the decor is very nice. Our room had its own bar and they even provided the flowers on the tables, which served as beautiful centerpieces. The food was great, people are still talking about it. While I thought the family style dining might be weird it was great. We could not have asked for anything better!
(5)Stephen W.
Wanted to give a great shout out to the management of this place. Snow storm was due to arrive at the time of our surprise birthday party. To keep guests safe we wanted to cancel. No problem! Thank you, thank you. We are looking forward to doing the party after snow season I have been to many events here and the food is fantastic for event food and the service is always good. Book your party today
(5)Patrick S.
Great place to get a nice Italian dinner in Boston.
(5)AJ N.
Not a good experience at all. The food was on par with what you would get at a mall food court. Not to add, I have a gluten allergy (I informed the waiter) and not only did they give me non-gluten free food the first time, but then they finally gave me the food a second time, and my table was finished eating and we were waiting for the check. To add to it, I came home and got sick (I am assuming gluten). Not a fun time, very disappointing.
(1)Mo J.
3-4 stars. Excellent for large groups, and the food and service are consistently on point. The food is standard fare- nothing too exciting or memorable but definitely satisfying. You get your money's worth.
(3)Steve H.
The Gnocchi was excellent! We called ahead and asked if we needed to make reservations and the gentleman on the other line with a Italian accent said "no need sir, just come in". He took my name and we walked over and arrived about 20 min later. We arrived and the female host was unable to find my name on the list. Then a guy in a tuxedo walked over with the same Italian accent I heard on the phone and he acted like we were royalty and took us right to a table like he was expecting us. Overall very pleased!
(5)Meredith M.
Tasty food. Big Portions. Tons of tables, so you don't have to wait very long. The interior is beautifully decorated. It's definitely an Americanized Italian place. I was in a party of 5 on a Tuesday night and we still had a 20 minute wait. However, the comfy leather couch and bold house wine (10$ a glass) made the time fly. We only ordered 2 apps and 3 family style entrees at the table and the bill came out to 150! We weren't stuffed, but we had enough. The clamari and bruschetta were delicious. (Even my super-italian friend approved!) If you are downtown and craving italian, I say go for it. The location is excellent if you are staying at one of the many hotels nearby or seeing a show in the theatre district. Other than that, go to the north end for more ambiance and authenticity!
(3)Mimi F.
This is a big chain restaurant, but the food is quite good, and EXTREMELY reasonably priced. It was quite busy when we when, but we had reservations and were seated immediately. Service was brusque but good and quick. The portions are definitely generous. Desserts are HUge. Tried the tiramisu, which was pretty good. The chocolate cake looked amazing. Would definitely recommend this.
(4)Mira N.
I love this place. It is great for family style. The waiters are attentive and helpful. The spaghetti and meatballs are though very large and big portions are delicious. The appetizers are humongous but as well delicious. The onion rings are to die for. And everything there is amazing!!!!!! This is the Italian place to go.
(5)Sandeep T.
Great value for bucks!
(5)Craig M.
The Mama D's Rigatoni is some of the best pasta and sauce I have had. The zucchini appetizers with the sauce are amazing as well. Every time I have been here I always leave happy.
(5)Grace E.
This review is for Maggiano's as a wedding reception venue. I have not eaten in the main restaurant for years. Friends of ours recently held their reception at Maggiano's and it was a great time. We had the whole of the downstairs for the party. It was a great space to hold an event. The food was excellent. I was very impressed as I know Maggiano's is a chain restaurant and I know GOOD Italian food. The food was served family style and it was delicious. The servers were very attentive. The whole experience was wonderful, with great ambience, intimate yet spacious. I would recommend Maggiano's for any large event.
(4)Jessa C.
Just about every time I go to Boston for a show or some other special occasion, we wind up here. I am sure there are other great Italian restaurants in the city, that do Italian food better than Maggiano's does, but I still come back. Maybe I have a comfort in that it is a chain. That being said, I have never had a bad meal here. I have always received attentive service, the food comes fairly quickly and the portions are huge. Their pasta dishes which are usually under $15, are always big enough that I bring home half for lunch. Lunch and dinner for that price is a bargain to me. I found out on my last visit, that they have a kids menu, with quite a few choices, for just under $6 for the meal and ice cream for dessert. Try the Apple Crostada for dessert... Really, really tasty!
(5)Carol W.
I have been here in the past few months for two different events in the banquet rooms. Both times, the food tasted about the same - below average and over cooked. Food here is much better when you go with a group of five/six friends and have it cooked to order so that it comes out piping hot and fresh. When food is mass produced here, the quality noticeably declines. For example, in the chicken mushroom alfredo rigatoni dish, the pasta was terribly over cooked - not al dente. I was very disappointed and wouldn't come back here for a large group dinner.
(1)Shane K.
I have never, ever had a single complaint about the food, service or drinks at Maggianos. This place is always brimming with people celebrating birthdays, engagements or just treating themselves. The family style dining has always left me with a glorious food baby. I can't help but stuff myself with the apps, leaving little room for the entree & dessert. The mozzarella marinara is to die for!! The star of the show last night was definitely the chicken & truffle tortellacci. First time ever having this dish but instantly my new favorite. The cream sauce, the bacon.......I'm drooling just thinking about it. And one of the best things about family style?? They keep bringing the food until you can't eat anymore! I don't care if this is a chain. Its my go to spot for Italian food.
(5)Dan C.
I am a bit ashamed to be writing a review of Maggiano's, but here goes.... I have Italian roots and still make some of the family recipes, such as a killer bolognese sauce. I am generally a food snob, too. But I think every Italian should have a soft spot for an Italian chain or two. My soft spots are Bravo in the Midwest and Maggiano's in the Northeast. What can I say? The service is good and they don't screw anything up for starters. They make great fried mozzarella, which isn't even Italian, but what the heck, it's tasty. I do like their other fake Italian dishes like chicken parm, which is very tasty. One authentic thing they make really well are meatballs. Their meatballs are excellent, moist and very flavorful without being an oregano or garlic bomb. They also have whole wheat penne, which is a huge plus. So, when I go, I usually get the whole wheat penne and the meatball (one baseball sized hunk of tasty). So, call me a hypocrite for liking the place, but if you can deal with large groups of tourists, "girls night in the city", birthdays and other crap, you will have a pretty good meal here - just stick to the basics, ok?
(3)Whitney K.
I had the Seared Pork Medallions and they were amazing. I even had left overs so I got to enjoy it twice. Service was great, as well. Will be back for sure!
(4)SC S.
Excellent food! Excellent wait staff! Everyone enjoyed the 3 course family style meal. It was great to be able to try a verity of dishes. See below for my favorites. The bartender seemed clueless but other than that our entire experience at Maggiano's was extremely enjoy. First Course Stuffed Mushrooms FAVORITE!! Bruschetta Maggiano's Salad FAVORITE!! Choped Apple & Walnut Salad Second Course BakedRigatoni & meatballs with Smoked Italian Cheese FarfalleAglio with Herb Chicken, Spinach, Asparagus Ocen Roasted Pork Loin, Balsamic Cream Sauce FAVORITE!! Salmon, Lemon & Herb FAVORITE!! Third Course Tiramisu FAVORITE!! Apple Crostada September 8
(5)carol l.
Had a reservation for 6pm on a Saturday night. Got seated quickly but could hear that there was a 2 hour wait for people without reservations. To drink, I had a cosmopolitan which was $10 and average. It's hard to mess up a cosmo! For my meal I ordered from the "Classics" menu which is when you choose one meal for dinner and one to take home. It seems as though they are all already pre-made. My meal which was eggplant parmesan came out within 10 mins or less of ordering. It was luke warm and average flavor but nothing spectacular. My "take home" meal which was spaghetti with marinara sauce was cold and labeled so it had been pulled from a refrigerator somewhere. The spaghetti marinara which I had for lunch the next day was just average. All in all, an ok place but I wouldn't rush back there anytime soon.
(3)Kevin M.
This place is great -- for a chain. I think the food is good ( but honestly for most italian restaurants, it's good, right?) I think it's fun for groups - if you have a business meeting or wedding rehearsal dinner or family outing -- The staff does a great job of helping to keep the energy up.
(3)Gee T.
Good food, good prices. I've eaten at a few of these restaurants in different states and they always do the job. The food is always adequate to pretty great and the prices are always great. I've tried half the stuff on the menu and I've honestly never been disappointed. I will say that in my opinion, for a chain, they make awesome marinara sauce. This is a great place to go with a group, either just for a quick bite or for an ocassion.
(4)Charlene G.
We were looking for a restaurant within walking distance to the Charles Playhouse, that our kids 10 and 14 would enjoy. The food and service were both top notch!
(5)Bret C.
Good for groups. Not good for just about everything else. For my first experience here I had below-average service and mediocre food. There are just too many other places in Boston that serve Italian food that is better! The biggest tip I could give: Go to the North End for Italian food. The second biggest tip: If you do have to go to Maggiano's, book on OpenTable.com and they will send you a $10 off coupon for dinner. A nice touch.
(2)Marian M.
This place is scrumptious.. My group of 8 did the family dinner thing.. We ordered a cesar salad with the Maggiano salad, which was surprisingly good (I'm not a big salad eater). For appetizers, we got the stuffed mushrooms and the calamari. The stuffed mushrooms are soooooooooo good, but the quality parallel Olive Garden stuffed mushrooms. The calamari was a bit too heavily breaded for more likely but good nonetheless. For entrees, we got chicken marsala, gnocchi with vodka sauce, salmon, and seafood linguine with a white sauce. The gnocchi and salmon were realllllly good. Gnocchi tends to be heavy in the first place, but I kept going at it. The salmon was pretty good -- almost at the melt in your mouth status but not quite. Chicken was pretty good, and the linguine tasted somewhat bland after the eating the gnocchi. So expensive though... Dropped about $40 on this place... I would come here again only for special occasions.
(4)Julie B.
Recently went here for the first time after having it recommended by tons of people. The restaurant is huge and has huge portions. My family wanted to order off the family style menu but our waiter kindly advised us not to as we would have to leave with about 10 boxes of leftovers. We ordered the bombalina appetizer platter which was great (and mostly fried...)! The stuffed mushrooms and spinach and artichoke dip were my favorites. We then ordered the garlic shrimp linguine and the baked ziti and sausage to share. I wasn't too fond of the sausage but the linguine was great. Overall not too pricey and you get a ton of food...great place for groups.
(4)Rob C.
i cannot possibly fathom how one can possibly do justice to the 'family style' meal on a normal day. Of course, this past Sunday wasn't a normal day--my dad, my sister, and i ran a half-marathon that morning. Before that, we made a shortlist of places that would allow us to replenish our desperately needed junkfood reserves in the most efficient way possible, and my sister promoted Maggiano's to the top of the list. It helped that they weren't too fussy about seating our sweaty selves. The waiter was very helpful in giving us pep talks to rock the ludicrous amounts of food we faced, helpfully taking away the bread and suggesting good times to ask for more. The food itself is also quite good, the chicken parm and pesto ravioli both standouts. The fried mozzarella is also ridiculously good, and i'd have been happy just to pay $20 to polish off plate after plate of that. The only thing resembling a complaint is that the tables are way too small for a normal meal, much less such a ludicrous feast. In short, if you've worked up a monstrous appetite and no one else can help, maybe you can handle the family style at maggiano's. failing that, they're efficient and not the least bit grudging with the doggy bags.
(4)Thuy L.
Went here with 3 of my girlfriends for my belated birthday. We started out with stuffed mushrooms , spinach artichoke dip, & mussels (lemon butter) and it was soo good! (thanks to the yelpers!) The portions was decent and by the time our entrees came out, we were already full!. I got the Beef tenderloin medallions that's come with creamy mash portatoes topped with crispy onions & sauteed mushrooms and a side a asparagus. It was pretty flavorful and I couldn't finished it so I took it to go. The environment is nice, definitely good for family dinners/get together. I wanna try the all u can eat that's $30 per person next time!
(4)Hannah R.
Great homemade Italian food. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive. We got lots of free items (apps and dessert)! Kid friendly (our two 7 year olds even loved it!). Highly recommend!
(5)Joanna L.
I like Maggiano's even though it's a chain. It's a success story, like an italian version of cheesecake factory. Portions are huge here, but the quality isn't sacrificed. Pastas are still al dente, and sauces still taste fresh and well proportioned to the food on the plate. Execution is great. Appetizers are reasonably priced, and the fried mozzarella and stuffed mushrooms are good. There's no opening a bag of frozen stuff in the kitchen and defrosting it here, and you can taste it. Staff is usually pretty nice. When they run specials here, it's always well worth a visit. Also a great place for pre-theater, because you'll be in/out in efficient manner without feeling rushed.
(4)Sandra C.
Great Italian restaurant. Fantastic food at a reasonable price. The ambience is also very nice with warm lighting and lots of conversation. I love this place though it's a little hard to get to.
(5)Rob M.
Not bad, a decent little Italian restaurant on the ground floor of the Park Plaza Hotel. Generous portion sizes.
(3)Andrew L.
A family style Italian restaurant located right in Arlington. They offer great portions so definitely go with a group. I recommend the fried mozzarella as an appetizer, it's great. Parking is tough so taking the T is recommended, Arlington stop on the Green line.
(4)J. H.
This "family style" Italian chain can be extremely crowded and seems to be really popular for group outings and the afterwork crowd. The huge serving sizes border on the ridiculous. I prefer places that try to impress me with the quality of the food first and then the quantity second. The food here is passably good, but definitely not the best Italian you will get in town.
(3)Jeffrey W.
I've never been disappointed in Maggiano's. Sure it's a chain and there are tons of more "authentic" Italian restaurants in North End, but if you're not up for dealing with crowd packed tiny streets and dining rooms the size of a closet, check out Maggiano's. The lasagna is great for two. Order it and a salad and dessert and you're out for less than $30. Family style is great for big groups too.
(5)Dorian G.
a better choice if you need to go "chain" for an Italian meal. the portions are ginormous, so the pricing works for me since i always get to take home enough food for 2 more meals. they have a great family-style menu that is really well priced. if there's 4 of you, its def the way to go if you can all agree on what to order. like previous yelper, the desserts are a HUGE disappointment. go around the corner to Finale.
(4)Ame k.
the food is ok, hugh portion of food go to waste because we cannot finish it. i ordered calamari and it's good. i forgot what other's ppl orders it's for bf sis or bro b-day. anyway i am not impress at all.
(3)Juliette V.
I love love love this restaurant. I come from an Italian heritage and really enjoy the all you can eat family style portions as well as the old fashioned pictures on the wall. I recommend this place for large group celebrations as well as for parties of four or more. For a place that does such a large volume, everything seems fresh, nothing seems pre-made or microwaved. The Nonna's pouncake is the best!
(5)Karolina B.
My boyfriend and I have been going here for semi-special occasions (or just because we feel like it) for the last 6 years now - ever since I was a freshman in college, and we have always been impressed. The only times we got frustrated was when we couldn't get reservations due to all the Boston schools having graduations, etc.. But then we would just get take-out - which is a separate service at the restaurant that I will also review. Dining in, the atmosphere is superb - you feel like you should be dressed up in theire as the dining area is very elegant, but I saw people in jeans so I'm assuming the dress code is pretty reasonable. There are dim lights and the servers wear black and white uniforms and mill around every table tending to your every need. There is a host who I'm guessing may be the manager of that restaurant (Maggiano's is a chain for those not familiar), because he is always there when we go and he makes everyone feel like a celebrity. Now as for the food - amazing. From the bread basket with olive oil and the salad (the house salad is not your plain house salad with its cheese shavings and unbelieveable house dressing) to the pasta or meat dishes, whatever your pleasure, to the cheesecake desserts, everything is satisfying. And don't worry about finishing your meal as leftovers are packed into this cute-looking souvenir paper bag and the box the leftovers are put in have DIRECTIONS on how to properly re-heat the food so as to repeat the experience. Even if you normally don't order dessert, I strongly recommend the cheesecake - as it seriously beats out every cheesecake I've had (and I've been to the Cheesecake Factory!). Share it if you must, but it's worth a try. Although, unless it's wine, skip the cocktails/frozen alcoholic drinks - they don't have much alcohol and seem a waste of money in my opinion. Also, if you're going as a large group - DEFINITELY get the family meal - it is such a good value as for (I think) about $27/person, you get 2 types of appetizers, 2 types of salads, 2 types of entrees, and 2 types of desserts and each in UNLIMITED portions. It is definitely the way to go. Like mentioned above, I also frequent the take-out "window" part of the restaurant and have always been satisfied with the service and ending product. Unlike some take-out places, they have never forgot anything or messed up our order. Only downside is, you may have to wait up to 30-40 mins for take-out so it's better to just look at the menu online and call ahead. And compared to the North End's Italian restaurants, the prices are very reasonable (pasta dishes range from $13-22) and you get a lot more, so worth checking out!
(5)D L.
Are you a pasta lover? A fan of big portions? Then this is the place to go! I went with a bunch of my friends and did the family style. It was a good deal. Nothing too fancy though.
(3)Ebrahim B.
Best pasta in Boston if you ask me. Our waiter was from Scottland and the service was great. The atmosphere makes you feel like its a restraunt right out of the Soprano's or something. Try the stuffed mushrooms, its enough to fill 2 people as a main course though so beware.
(5)Ashley J.
I went here once and didnt have to wait which was nice. My friend and I got bruschetta to start which was great. I got eggplant parm which was very very good, he got lasagna and really liked it. Most of it went home with us. I got a lemon martini and was a little disappointed. It was too bitter and not balanced well. My friend is a waiter here now and is awesome so I am likely to go again. Overall it is good standby generic Italian.
(3)Belle F.
We went here recently to celebrate a 40th birthday with family and friends and the food was plentiful and the service. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck here. I have to say that I am puzzled by poor reviews of this place. We have gone here for many family functions, including our rehearsal dinner and the food has always been consistently good. We are also very particular about our Italian food, since we are Italian and I grew up in the North End. If you want yuppified trendy Italian food, where you spend $50 a head and leave hungry, then this is probably not the place for you. But if you want really good basic Italian like you would get in nonna's kitchen, then you will find it here. While I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you try, definitely try the fried calamari, stuffed mushrooms, spinach and artichoke dip, gnocchi, veal parm and the chicken piccata.
(5)Olivia C.
Place is fancier than the food is great, but the price fixes will not put a hit out on you, and can be fun cause you get to eat everything, and... Maggiano's has great service-- I successfully used yelp to brace myself for work party. I may have been dining on the clock, and I did "enjoy it all," but I refused to get bloated and drunk in front of the new boss. Anyway, pace yourself people, if you must go to Guido's Ginormous Gluttony Gazebo. MOZZARELLA MARINARA: "Whole milk mozzarella cheese breaded and fried,topped with provolone cheese and marinara sauce." I am a champion because I only had a half a fatty as this was only the second course. Sauced mozz sticks topped with prov? Mama mia!! Chopped salad.. o I have a hard time with blue cheese. Calamari, on the fresh side. I wanted to try the eggplant parm but my suggestions got lost in the opera!! :( Chicken parm. Alright. Lobster ravioli big deal (sarcastioni) Angel hair with sauce with a touch of spice - barely recognizable. Profiteroles and CREME BRULLE, (some of the best I've had in a while, gotta go italian for this) light and dreamy. Well, like my Italian auntie says "I never order Italian food when I go out, they always mess it up." And p.s. I was in the South not North End, and at a Work Party chain-gang-bang- I did realize here that I am actually a baby cow advocate. Save the baby veal! Just say no, let them grow! Blah, blah, blah go to the North End.
(3)M M.
My family and I went here for our Christmas dinner, about 10 of us and 2 kids. We've all been here a few times before. We were sat on time, and then sat there for 10 minutes until a waitress came over to us, she filled only 1/2 of the table with water...never got the kids a drink, and I had to ask a bus boy to have our waitress come over and get people drinks and table water! I previously called in our family style menu..so its not like she had to take our orders. Her name was Jamie, and she was probably one of the worst waitresses I have ever encountered. She brought 1 plate of chicken parm, with 4 pieces of chicken on it, my boyfriend asked to her put in another order asap because obv everyone wanted it..and that took about 35mins. I took the 2 kids to the bathroom-which obv took some time, i came back and the table wasn't cleared, she never took off the wine glasses, never cleared the small plates...disaster...total disaster. And it took us 3 hours to get out of there due to her slowness. She had maybe 3 tables and took forever. This is known as a fast paced family restaurant, so she should probably quit since its obvious she can't handle it. I prob won't be back for a long long time.
(2)Brady B.
I love Maggiano's! For a family style restaurant that mass-produces, you can't go wrong. I've only eaten here about 5 times, but it's always been with a large group (Birthdays, going away parties, etc.) and I've always left very satisfied. As Sunny said it's Amer-Italian but what they do, they do very well. Go with a group and order family style: 2 salads, 2 pastas, two entrees, 2 sides and 2 desserts. Make sure that you don't eat a crumb all day so that you can really have a wonderful gorgefest when you do eat here. As soon as a tray empties you can say "more chicken parm please!". Lotsa food and very tastey to boot. Skip Vinny T's and go directly to Maggiano's......you won't be disappointed.
(5)Bruce L.
Went to dinner here with my wife and wanted to try a little of everything. You could really order one meal for a couple and have plenty. We split the artichoke spinach dip on toast for an appetizer which was very tasty. The entrees were veal and mushroom ravioli in a sun dried tomato creamy sauce, and chicken saltimboca. These two were served quickly and the taste was wonderful. We ordered the Maggianos salad also which was a combo of mixed greens, prosciutto crumbled, red onions, and blue cheese. The salad was the only disappointment of the meal just not nearly as good as the other items, the cooked ham was not good in my opinion and it needed more blue cheese and dressing. We ordered Creme Brulee for desert and it was very large one is plenty for two people, the tatse and texture was great. All in all a good meal but watch what you order as a couple and keep it cut back, the portions are very large.
(3)Von D.
Phenomenal!...our waitperson Dean was a real pro! The maitre d' Johnny was very helpful. Didnt even have to look at the menu, Dean told us what was good and he was right!
(5)john e.
This is a great experience. The food is good quality for the money - the portions are massive and reasonably priced. Good location. The staff are great. This place is one of the best in Boston.
(4)Blake S.
This is a very large restaurant near the Radisson. We visited this establishment after running the Boston marathon. There were very few people in the restaurant, but the wait was quite long. Once we were seated, the service was very good. The kitchen was busy, so the food came out a little slow. The Cesar salad was very good. The bread was fabulous, some of the best I have eaten. The shrimp scampi on angel hair pasta was very good. It was a pleasure dinning here. The deserts were a meal in themselves. We had the tiramisu and it was huge!!. Very light and delicious. I definitely recommend this spot.
(4)Jezibel C.
I'm a huge fan of family style dinners. It's always great to try a bunch of different stuff. Every time I've gone we go home with bags of food because the portions are super big. Interior is very nice. Make a reservation so you don't have to wait
(4)Pete K.
One of the few places I will eat Italian food outside of the North End in Boston. Always filling, never disappoints! My advice: do Family Style. They'll just keep refilling your plates with food. It's so worth it!
(4)Heidi C.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am a big fan of Maggiano's. Admittedly, it is a mass produced version of Italian favorites, but the food is always reliably tasty and the portions are huge! They offer many dishes in both half or full portions. We've often found the whole size portions big enough to split for two and still had leftovers. Favorites include the Chicken Francese with Roasted Red Potatoes and Baked Ziti with Sausage. The mozzarella fritta makes for a great appetizer, albeit slightly bad for your waistline. :) A few things to note: DO NOT expect to show up on a Friday night and wait less than hour (or more) without reservations. This place is always packed with locals, birthday parties and politicians alike. If you do come sans reservation, they have a great lounge where you can have apps and drinks while waiting for your table. More other restaurants should follow-suit. Finally, you can sit at the bar first come, first serve with the same full menu. Great food, reasonable prices and a great location equal a winning combo for me!
(4)Lala L.
One of the places you'll find me at regularly. The 5-star is only for the dishes I order, Maggiano's salad and the mushroom ravioli. GOOD STUFF! As for the rest of the menu...it's a hit or miss. Some of the better dishes is the Rigatoni D (penne with chicken and mushroom in a light cream broth...much better the next day), the lasagna is also a good choice...sometimes it's chicken, not pork. Do order the fried calamari...the marinara is nice n tart, calamari a bit too tender, but the batter is crispy and light. The desserts are really good. Nonna's Poundcake is caramelized on a pan, served warm with bananas, chocolate syrup and a heaping spoon of vanilla ice cream. The tiramisu is pretty darn good too. They have a "Family Style" menu, where for $23 a person, you get an unlimited/bottomless meal. Awesome for parties. (be aware of the additional charges p/p for seafood or steak.)
(5)L B.
Wow, this is a terrible place. Now twice I have left feel sick. The super salty food is some of the worst Italian food I have ever had. My Italian wife vomited the first time she went. I figured she was sick that day. But just recently, we happened to go again.....she was sick again! We will NEVER go to this place again. It's really made for tourists with it's overly gushy Italian copies of food.....but nothing is good, or even close. For looks only. What a shame.
(1)Tim T.
So-so. Good business dinner place, but the food is nothing to speak of. You'll find better frozen Italian food at your grocery store!
(2)Momo K.
really enjoyed it, nice meal!!! i went there w/ my bf and had really good food and we were stuffed. must try their seafood pasta, alot of seafood, shrimp, clams, lobster cooked in tomato sauce for under 20 bucks!!! really good deal. i love the fact that you can ground your own peppers and salt. love the place, good place,good food, nice atmosphere, and good reasonable prices.
(5)Goofy D.
We walked in late right before the fourth. Great food and service. I'd recommend it. We got Calamari for an appetizer. Best we've had in a while. We also got the lobster carbonaro, Salmon, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken rigatonni.
(5)Adam M.
In this economy it makes too much sense to get as much bang for your buck as you can, and Maggiano's takes the cake here. I love Italian food anyway, and I also love heaping portions of food, no matter what style or nationality. If you do it right here you will not only be fully satisfied but you will have leftovers for days, which me and my friends had the last time we went here. The key is to do the family dinners, eat as much as you can of the first portions, order the free refills, eat a little bit of them, then have them bagged so you can take them home. It's the greatest two-for-one deal in town, and again, in this economy, you can't take something as simple as food for granted. If I had a last meal, it might be here.
(5)K J.
Maggiano's gives me the impression that restaurants can be bipolar too. I could never understand what kind of crowd they would like to cater to. At first look its decor gives the impression that it is a "bit" upscale than a regular restaurant. The items are priced that way. But then you see normal people like you and me, dressed casually sitting and eating there. Any day you will find a lot of families inside this place and a lot of camera flashes and cute lil babies. Out waiter was a nice bloke. He liked to talk a lot, to the point we thought it was an overkill, but I was later told he had been working 5/7 straight days and he was exhausted. The world's smalled suspension bridge is supposedly at the park nearby, thus he spake. I never saw it, but would love to verify it. My salmon was cooked so perfectly [drooling.....]. The four cheese ravioli was tasty. The fried zuchini frite was crisp. This is a great place to take your mom and pop, gramps and all for a lil italian when they are visting Boston.
(4)Eve L.
Maggiano's is pretty good. It's by no means the best Italian in Boston - for that, go to Rino's in East Boston - but it's pretty tasty, has a great wine and liquor menu, is prominently located, and is huge - so it's good for big parties and almost always a slam dunk for getting seated quickly.
(4)Sarah A.
Great place to come with a big party or a large group. The food is pretty decent, but I would not go here just for the food. What makes it worthy of three starts is how well they accomodate a big group and the family style eats. Like someone else said, it's good to come here if your primary focus is not on the food itself, but on meeting with a bunch of people. If you want really good Italian food, of course, the North End, or closer to this area, Piatinni on Columbus Ave or Newbury St.
(3)MICHELLE C.
good date place! Pros: portions- enough to feed a horse!!! atmosphere- lively, fun and typical italian restaurant decor prices are not that bad little bar area to wait in- watch the red sox friendly staff location- back bay valet! great wine list!! red wine- get the Artemis. cons: don't get me wrong its decent. some nights were better than others. i guess i'm biased though- i'm use to some unbelievable italian food. i would definately go back here though!!! the lobster ravoli is awesome! and my boyfriend got some type of beef stew- he loved it!!!
(4)B T.
This place has the best chicken parm I've ever tried by farrr. Is it the best in the city?
(5)Lynette M.
great for groups. Very classic fare, the spinach salad and mushroom raviolis were particularly food.
(3)Derek G.
Wow I love Maggiano's. Love it love it love it. The food is soooo good. I don't think it is all made from scratch, but it certanly isn't microwaved. Big menu, you can get your own or eat family style. Good for big groups. I went here before I went out for my bachelor party. The portions are pretty big, and the cost isn't so bad.
(5)stacey l.
I'm sure the dining experience is different, but I thought that I would post a review on their catering. It's not very good. Bad lasagna, dry ziti w/ broccoli and chicken, and the order of meatballs came as a few gigantic balls instead of a bunch of serving sized ones. Overall, disapointing.
(2)Raymond W.
In Boston for the weekend and didn't know where to eat. Used YELP to find a spot. Lucky me it was located on the same block as the hotel. Made reservations conveniently online and headed out the door. On arrival I was pleasantly surprised at the atmosphere and ambiance. Was seated and had menu's in our hands in minutes. Review of the menu showed a large selection of delicious choices. I choose the chicken parmigiana and my partner had the veal ravioli. We both had house wine which was very good. The meals were brought quickly piping hot with nice presentation and cooked to perfection. Both were as good as they looked. We topped it off with Profiteroles and ice cream. A nice touch was the visit from the manager "Rocky" He stopped by every table to ensure everything was up to standard. We were very impressed with the experience. I do have to say the server wasn't top notch but adequate. We would definately eat there again.
(4)Rebecca C.
The food was really good, HOWEVER, i received TERRIBLE service last night. We have the waitress, Nakisha, serving our table of 6. We order many dishes to share and she only bring us 5 plates and settings, and waited 10 minute to bring the 6th plate and setting... Order coffee and dessert, she brought out the coffee and took her 10 minute to bring out the cream even though we asked for cream twice when she walk by during those 10 minute. By the time we got the cream, the coffee was already cold and she never offer to replace the coffee. My friend asked for hot water, so she brought out a teapot of hot water but no mug. I escalated the matter to the manager and he is completely useless. He said there's a big convention in Boston so they have too many customers and understaff..... i am in meeting planning business, and i want to say that there's ALWAYS a convention or large meeting going on in Boston, that is just so BS... he didn't offer me anything for poor service. It was an extremely disappointing dinner.
(2)H T.
Average food. Good service. Decent pricing. Big portions. Boring dessert (a big *YAWN* for their ice cream).
(3)Jen B.
Let me start off by saying I wish yelp would allow you to give stars for different reasons in the restaurant category like service, food, overall experience etc. That said, here are my thoughts. I have been here for two functions and just to eat dinner. The first function was a dinner for a bachlorette party. They did a wonderful job it was in a private room which was nicely decorated. Our server was Diego from Venezula. If you plan a function, please ask for Diego to be your server. He was really accomodating and one of the best servers I have had in a restaurant ever. The food for this event was plentyful and came out on time there was no waiting. I really would give this experience a five star rating. My second function that I helped organize was a baby shower for 20 people. My friend handled the contacting of Maggianos with regard to pricing food etc and the service we received was not acceptable. I'd give this a one if I could. Every time we called we got a different price for the function and a different list of what was included and not included. Also, everytime we called back we got a different person and no one could give us the same answer or the same price. Very disappointing. The day of the function they had us in a nice room sort of semi private which was great. The first helping of food we got the chicken saltemboca seemed very dry and sort of overcooked. I will say though the eggplant parm looked and tasted very good both times it came out. The second round of food which typically they refill as your plates empty, took awhile to come out and when it did the chicken was not dry like the previous order. All in all the servers were attentive and in the end it all worked out. If I could rate this experience id give it a three simply because of all the previous stress about pricing prior to the event and the dry chicken and the waiting for food. Would I go back there again? Yes. Would I plan a function there? Maybe.
(3)sunny n.
good value--rich italian food in sizeable portions....love the family style seating.....service is good.....american-italian food...not authentic.... but overall its decent..!
(3)Nicole J.
First off, if you go to Maggianos, order the fried zucchini. You will not be disappointed. My friends also ordered the calamari and it was served with..ranch or garlic cream sauce?? In any case I didn't try the sauce, but I tried the calamari, and it was good. I'm used to marinara sauce with my calamari, so it threw me off a little. I ordered the gnocchi for my main course, and it was surprisingly good. We had to flag the server down for parmesan cheese, but other than that it was a great location, my food was good, and I would go back. I've also had a chicken and shrimp pasta dish, which is definitely worth ordering.
(4)Helen L.
I have never eaten at Maggianos and not felt sick afterwards. The food is SO heavy and I feel so insanely sick and gross afterwards. Yes, the food is good but afterwards, you feel like you ate 20 Big Macs. Service was bad- they are so slow during lunch time that they forget about you. One time, we were seated, 20 minutes later, our waiter shows up and says he had no idea that he was suppose to wait on us. Anyways, food is too heavy!
(1)Paul B.
After writing this review we were immediately contacted by the restaurant with an apology and they told us they wanted to make it up to us. We agreed to come back and give them another shot since they agreed to comp us a second meal. Johnny K, the Maitre'd was very apologetic about our previous trip and ensured us that they would make it up to us this time around. Our server was Johnny C and he was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us some great recommendations on what to order. The food was great as usual and we were so full that we could barely eat any of the dessert. He also made a great suggestion on the wine. The meal was completely comped with the exception of the alcoholic drinks so it was very worth it for us to return. My only criticism is that we were at the same style table as last time and the fold-able sides to the table have a slight downward pitch and a couple of us dropped our silverware. The table also seems to have a soft leather top and we were nervous the wine bottle was going to fall over. Nevertheless, I would happily return to Maggianos again.
(4)Susan J.
This enormous Italian-style restaurant offers generous portions and a boisterous atmosphere. Whether for a working lunch or dinner in a large group, Maggiano's delivers. My grilled vegetable sandwich with parmesan fries was outstanding, and my dining companion thoroughly enjoyed his fried ravioli... Mmmm!
(5)Esther L.
Love the sandwiches here on the lunch menu, especially the portabella mozerella (drooling, thinking about it). It comes with homemade chips, which are tasty too. Stuff here is kind of pricey, but its worth it for lunch. Their pasta bowls look small, but are really filling, so don't be fooled. Good free bread too for the appetizer. Dinner menu: your typical Italian choices. Wasn't so hot on it- thought lunch options were better. Servings are huge though, large enough for you to share. I would recommend going to Maggiano's for lunch, but not so sure about dinner.
(4)Jennifer K.
I''ve never been impresed with Maggiano's. I don't think I"ll revisit. The food is boring, seems like the sauce is of the "out-of-the-can" nature.... The service is great though. I had the funniest (yet unobtrusive) and prompt waiter there on my last visit.
(2)Michael C.
Been to a bunch of different Maggianos around the US, and I have to say the Boston location is by far the best. The Mozzarella is some of the best in town. The portions are perfect for a glutton like me. I suggest the Beef Tenderloin Medallions. Every time I have had them they have been cooked perfectly. In Boston, it seems very difficult to get into this place without a reservation, so make one today!
(5)J B.
Here's the scoop: if you've got a group of people and you're looking for a decent Italian restaurant serving up large portions of all the Italian-American classics, family-style , Maggiano's is worth a visit. I'm not an advocate of chain restaurants, but I admit Maggiano's is pretty good as far as chains go. Food seems to be good and well executed, service is always spot-on as well. On the other hand, if it's the two of you on an intimate, romantic date, get yourself to the North End and explore one of the many amazing spots in that neighborhood.
(4)Beth F.
We love Maggiano's for big dinners and great taste. The plates are huge. The atmosphere is fun and loud. It is a great place to go with a large group because they can accomodate you and make it fun! The prices are about average.
(5)Kevin W.
HARDCORE OVERRATED, its a small litte place, with ratty service. I've had better italian at the Olive Garden.
(1)Rebecca Y.
If you have a group: go here. The price fix menu ($24/$25 per person) offers an unlimited supply of two of each course. Order the spinach salad and drinks lotsa vino! If you have to wait (there is hardly ever one when you make reservations) order the Bellini from the bar.
(5)So S.
Great Family Style Italian chain. WAY BETTER than popular Vinny T's. Good portions. Amazing pasta and very consistent. Love the four-cheese ravioli!! ALSO great desserts. Can't get enough of "Nonna's pound cake" w/ sugar coated bannas and fudge---ohhh my gosh! . (Sometimes would just go to the bar for this dessert.) It gets crowded fast and can be noisy. Wise to make reservations.
(4)Kathryn G.
We just hosted our other child's graduation banquet at Maggiano's (had such a great experience two years ago), and it was just as wonderful as last time!
(5)Alexandra Z.
Wow! I'm so glad my friends took me to Maggiano's last weekend. Believe it or not, it's BETTER than North End!!! North End is so over rated with no place to sit or park. Maggiano's is so huge with convenient parking garages nearby. We parked in a garage 100 feet away for $8 on Friday which is not bad at all for the location! We did family style dinner, I think we picked the classic option which comes with 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 4 entrees, and 2 deserts. The portions are huge and you can get unlimited refills!!! Everything tasted sooooo good! Service was excellent too! We ate so much and each person had taken so much leftovers home too. I would absolutely come back again and again! Couldn't be happier with that place!
(5)Aimee P.
Wait staff seemed flustered however the food was so amazing that it made up for it! Have never had better alfredo sauce. Making a reservation via Yelp was perfect. Saved a ton of time!
(4)Eric F.
Had a big group dinner here with classmates last year and tried a number of the pasta, chicken, and fish dishes. The stuffed mushrooms and spumoni were quite good, everything else was more or less passable. On average, Maggiano's is a level or two below Buca di Beppo in terms of food quality. If you're looking for legit Italian cuisine, you simply won't find it here. However, the place is great for large groups and totally worth the money if you do the Family Style dinner and come very, very hungry.
(3)H T.
Good food, service and ambiance (a bit on the dark side, but I like it). Nice place to take family to dinner as well as take a date. Portions are large. I went at a quiet time so I can't comment about the noise level.
(4)Yelp Z.
Sunday night - busy but no reason to be losing your mind as a server/bartender. Walked in to be ignored by valet/doorman. Hostess looks out from under her eye lids and huffs "its going to be at LEAST and hour for two". Say no problem, we're here now and happy at the bar for the wait. Hostess says that two people are leaving the bar tables and they are first come first serve. We say that's just as great and promptly seat ourselves at the dirty table. Bus boys come and clean it up, present water and bread - and I go to the bathroom. While I was in the bathroom the bartender has come over and taken a drinks and app order. My husband ordered a house pinot for me and a traditional Bud for himself. He said the bartender kept trying to upsell him on Sam Adams and it felt really awkward to decline. My main complaint about this place was the service received. All around us people were being treated nicely - things would go wrong with their order, they'd complain and yell and get comped. Meanwhile the table for two, being quiet and courteous, happy with their order -is made to feel they are not good enough to sit in the BAR at a chain restaurant filled with tourists. The bartender would have had his easiest table of the night and easy tip if he JUST took a SECOND to acknowledge us as fellow humans. What a dick. Typical only brings out the smile when presenting the check - and of course as I suspected has charged us $15 for the "house" wine which was actually the most expensive pinot. DICK! We took his thoughtfulness off the tip that would have been left and took off. Food was mediocre, portions are smaller and WAY WAY WAY overpriced. I hate getting gift cards here.
(2)Christine S.
Had family in town and they made a reservation at Maggiano's. I must admit I was a little worried after my previous experience, but this time the food was much better. Our waiter was not very friendly, but we had a great meal so we didn't care. It was a quiet night over Labor Day Wknd and I think that helped things. Anyway I had a great dish of gnocchi in a creamy tomato sauce and it was divine. Our apps were pretty standard Italian fare, but still yummy. We left feeling content and full - which was just what we needed. Not necessarily my favorite place, but it shows that under the right circumstances, the food here can be great.
(3)Ian C.
I was in town for a 1-year old's birthday and my cousin had suggested coming here for dinner. We got huge platters of food, like chicken marsala, pork scaloppine, linguine in clam sauce, salmon, with stuffed mushrooms, and calamari to start. I liked the appetizers. The mushrooms were excellent and the fried calamari-- well you can't really screw that up too bad. I had mixed feelings about the entrees. The chicken was kind of dry, despite all the sauce surrounding it. The pork was pretty good, but by the time it got to me, I only had a little piece. I ended up eating a lot of the linguine because I love the white clam sauce. Plus, nobody else was eating it because they noticed a few cracked clam shells in the pasta. They weren't small pieces. They were big enough to pick out, but my family was like "we ain't having any of that." Yes, having clam shells and other inedibles in food is a no-no, but sometimes things like that happen. But more for me, I guess. For dessert, we got cheesecake and the tiramisu. The cheesecake was good, but compared to the tiramisu, it was alright. The tiramisu was awesome. With a dinner like this, I generally don't have room for dessert, but once I had a bite of the tiramisu, I just kept eating it. I think I ate more dessert than dinner.
(3)Willie T.
So disappointed... brought friends here after the marathon, talked it up ahead of time and was horribly let down. The food was averagely prepared, not the same chopped salad as in previous visits, the baked ziti was burned on the top, the lasagna was dry and the service was sub-par. The busboys cleared the table before salads as if they were in a race to get out of there, taking everything from the table even though we were not through, and one particular busser had horrible body odor. Inside the building was absolutely freezing cold, when asked to turn the A/C down possibly they snuffed the request off. This is a quick review because I want to say something about the experience. There were also no managers on site supervising.... that is probably the reason for the lack of quality in both food and service. In visits past the managers are right on it, walking around, checking on tables, supervising the podium for incoming reservations, etc... even the host seemed to not want to be there, not exuberant, welcoming or very helpful. I have seen much better at lesser restaurants. It's all too bad, I won't go back, especially with the north end and true authentic food so close by.
(2)H N.
Had a reservation for 5 people at noon on a Saturday. It wasnt so packed until 30 mins later. We did the classic family style option and it was definitely worth it because its unlimited refills on all the food (note: it cost each person about $30 but you get a choice of three apps or salads, four entrees, and two desserts). The Bruschetta was AMAZING just all around delicious, and this is coming from a person that's not too find of tomatoes. Also try the Rigatoni "D", the sauce was delicious along with the chicken and mushrooms. Lastly you HAVE to get the profiteroles and creme Brûlée, literally heaven in your mouth. I gave it 4 stars b/c when the place seemed to pick up, our waiter wasnt around much and the food seemed to take awhile to come out. Other than that everything was great. Our server seemed to realize he wasnt at our table often BC it got busy that he threw in free coffees and extra dessert. Very thoughtful and nice of him. I would definitely come back!
(4)Molly S.
I went here for a birthday party, and was pleased to hear that the chef could provide a special meal for me, since I'm vegan. The spaghetti and marinara with broccolini, mushrooms, and asparagus was delicious, but very overpriced. It came to $17, which was the same as my friend's rigatoni with chicken. My main complaint is that the manager couldn't confirm if the bread was vegan or not. It's a little unsettling to go to a nice restaurant and have the manager and chefs not know the ingredients of all the food. I hope this is resolved in the future so that people with similar dietary restrictions can enjoy the bread. Overall, the pasta was delicious, even if overpriced, and I'm glad they could accommodate my diet!
(3)Brian W.
Maggiano's has gluten free pasta and some of the best fried zucchini I've ever had. Honestly the zucchini alone earns this place the 4 stars and next time I go I'm going to simply get this as my meal and sit there with a smile on my face. The servings are large, the prices on most dishes are extremely reasonable (especially compared to other Park Plaza eateries), and the food generally tastes good. The only problem is during or immediately after eating both my wife and I always end up feeling like our stomachs are going to explode - even if we don't eat ALL the food. I can't explain why, but it's definitely not the best feeling in the world. We still come back because it tastes good going down.
(4)Laine B.
We went there for small intimate post wedding dinner of 8 people and 4 kids under 2 years old. We had reservations for 7pm and although it was very crowded, we were seated quickly. The food was very delicious. We did clasic family style menu which worked out perfectly. There was plenty of food and a lot of leftovers to take home. Even though it is a little pricey, I would highly recommend it.
(4)Melinda N.
So we went here for a party of about 18 for a friend's birthday. we had to order the menu beforehand because we wanted to do family style dinner. this means that there's a set dinner of the dishes that we choose. i loved the crab cakes and the beef medallions that came out. usually i don't like my meat red, but this was just perfect and it melted in your mouth! i was so full but i ate dessert anyways. it was chocolate cake with ice cream AND tiramisu. omg, their tiramisu was sooo creamy and it was more marzapone cheese than cake but it was definitely good. the service was good, they were a full house and i felt like we all got attention when we needed it and we were able to enjoy our dinner. i went to the bathroom which is located downstairs and i love the decor. i took a moment to look around and its beautiful in here. people are seated in booths or tables and some are seated higher than others so everywhere you look people are smiling and talking and eating. the lights aren't too dark but not too bright and the wall decor is old feeling filled with photos of people who have stopped by to dine (jessica simpson when she was married to nick lachey!)
(5)Paul C.
It's ok. Good for large groups. Can get a little unnecessarily expensive - don't order too many family style dishes (they will refill the ones you order). Our waiter didn't know how to answer all our questions, we would ask: "What is x"; Waiter: "Ah, well x has x in it". Hmmmm.
(2)Ian S.
A godsend for just-got-to-the-hotel hunger malaise, this is a high-quality, efficient Italian takeout option. The flatbreads are elegant, crisp and come in their own cool box. Solid lasagne (a little pricey at $14, but you can double your portion size for an additional $5 - bear that in mind if there's two of you sharing). Nothing out of this world, but no complaints either.
(4)Teri L.
After my daughter-in-law Amanda L. ran the Boston Marathon (am I not proud??), the 6 of us wanted to celebrate and she wanted pizza, so we helped her into the restaurant and plopped her in her seat. She wanted practically everything in the appetizer section so we slowed her down and ordered all the Flatbreads on the menu which were: Chicken & Roasted Pepper, Pepperoni & Arugula, Italian Sausage and Margherita; 2 Pepperoni Dips (I know that's not the right name of this decadence but it was a special and not on the menu online), Calamari Fritte, Stuffed Mushrooms, Tomato Caprese. What a great way to have dinner with family!! All kinds of wonderfulness on the table where everyone can just try this and then that and then over there! Everything was amazing especially the Calamari! O.M.G. The best I've had hands down! Go and enjoy. Very worth the trip even if no one in your crowd ran the marathon ;)
(4)Anthony S.
The day before the marathon the runners loaded up on pasta as we had the following entrees. Okay the gnocchi's were ok, the chicken dish was dry . The regular spaghetti I would never eat. The fish was not bad. Cheesecake was off the hook
(2)Yvette S.
Great service and the food was good Why 3 stars? Because the women's bathroom was so filthy and the toilets don't flush well
(3)Danielle W.
I went with a friend this past weekend and my meal was pretty good, but nothing I'd rave about. I didn't know it was a chain restaurant until after the fact, but knowing that now makes more sense. The food was good, but generic. It's probably a step or two above an Olive Garden in terms of actual Italian food. The gnocchi and sausage I had was decent, but but I've definitely had better in the city. The wine list wasn't that impressive, but the server suggested a decent Riesling to go with out meals. She was very attentive and friendly, so my review gets an extra star for her service! It was a good place to get a quick bite to eat before the show we were attending, but it's definitely more of a big family/tourist style place. If you're looking for amazing and unique Italian food, you'd be better off looking elsewhere.
(4)Lisa F.
Very good pasta...homemade...highly recommend! Try Chef Mann's special pasta with sun dried tomatoes, broccoli rabbi and sausage in a garlic wine sauce...awesome! Seafood carbonara was also outstanding. Thomas was our server was attentive and knowledgeable regarding the menu and wines...he could not please us enough...what a pleasurable experience. Thank you!
(5)Alan C.
setting and ambiance is good. service could have been a little bit more attentive but we did go during lunch hour. the calamari was excellent. it was salted well and the batter is crispy and not bulky just the way i like it. the buttered and garlicky angel hair pasta is the best i've had. big big fan. will come back again.
(4)Jonathan M.
As a general rule I don't like reviewing chain restaurants. After all, what's good in Boston will be in good in Boise or Berkeley or Baton Rouge, right? But I feel like this particular Maggiano's needs a shout out for exceptional service and consistently high quality food. On MLK day, the teachers and I were celebrating a significant birthday milestone (30!!!) of one of the group. The birthday girl isn't exactly a woo-girl (you know the woo- girls, and if you don't they can be found stumbling outside the Green Dragon at 2:15am on any given Friday or Saturday night). Instead, this birthday girl is a civilized family style lunch kinda gal, and what better place to have a civilized family style lunch than Maggiano's. I live in Southie, but the rest of the teachers were coming in from the South Shore. The traffic was abysmal, which will happen when there's a high speed chase on the highway. Needless to say, I got there on time while everyone else was running an hour late. The staff was extremely accommodating, seating me despite the fact that no one else was there, and the waiter came right over with bread and asked for my drink order. Here's a tip: the beers are fairly expensive, as are the mixed drinks, but the Maggiano's apperativo is only $5 and well worth it. At first I was hesitant, I figured it would just be a small shot, but it came in a smallish rocks glass and knocked my socks off. Seriously strong, and very good it contained St. Germain, gin, and some type of juice that made it a perfect before eating drink. If you go, just keep drinking these, well worth the price. Because we were a large group, we got the family style menu. Being half Italian, I'm really picky with my Italian food. While it won't taste like your grandmother's cooking, the food is solidly good and extremely fresh. Best part about family style? You can keep asking for more! And like any good American, of course I'm impressed by quantity that is also quality. I actually wouldn't recommend this place for a couple. I think there's far better Italian food in the city (mmmm Lucca) But Maggiano's does an outstanding job of making you feel welcome in a place where you can linger with friends and family. The staff embodies the home-like quality that this restaurant goes for and succeeds at very well.
(4)Anne D.
I'm giving Maggiano's 4 stars because we enjoy the restaurant (when it's not mobbed) and always have a good meal there (visited @ 25 times). We've always considered the staff congenial and personable. We dined late on Marathon Monday at Maggiano's. We called in advance and were told...no problem, plenty of available seating, etc. That was true. We informed them that we intended to dine, not rush through our meal...that was fine, no problem...yada yada yada! We had a fantastic server named Chris. Now...here it comes!!! The manager or assistant manager wasn't on board with our concept of dining. He very, very impolitely informed us that we had to order our dinners (after being there 45 minutes, having appetizers and drinks) or close out our tab. After having a wonderful day Marathon Monday...our daughter ran and we were all on a "high"...this moron put a damper on it! We each ate a bit of our meal and decided to have it boxed up. Our normal routine when we dine at Maggiano's is to top off the meal with Nutty Irishman coffees and tiramisu. Rude staff = loss of appetite. Note to Maggiano's...have a little chat with this manager. He needs a big time attitude adjustment! And, to him personally, thanks for ruining a fantastic Boston weekend...remember, what goes around, comes around.
(4)Ellie W.
The upside: You will NEVER leave hungry after a visit to Maggiano's, and it's definitely a destination spot if you have a large party. The downside: Food is ok, but not anything special that will leave you craving it on a Saturday evening.
(3)Joanna F.
I think I have to give Maggiano's five stars considering I've spent almost every occasion I can think of at Maggiano's. Birthdays, business meetings, business Christmas parties, graduations, romantic dates, family dinners... you name it, I've been at Maggiano's for it at least once. Maggiano's does what they do VERY well. This isn't the best Italian food ever, but it's a lot of generic, very tasty Italian food for a very low price in a kind of cheesy but awesome setting. I'm staring down the barrel of two family style dinners here next week (one for a birthday, one for a business dinner) and I have to say, I'm excited for both. And a little scared since I'll probably gain ten pounds. But mostly excited.
(5)Marcie N.
Second time going to Maggiano's, first time was great. Second time was a huge a disappointment. The service was very slow, drinks took forever, the food took forever and for a $600 bill you should walk away very happy. Mussels came out frozen....and I believe Mom's lasagna was cold as well. We had kids and the service was so bad and there were no apologies. We were a table of 15 but this place should be used to serving big parties. We had reservations, and there were other large groups as well. It's to bad the service and food were not good because the atmosphere is a very romantic dining experience and regardless of how many people are there it is not loud and obnoxious. Will not be returnining
(1)Quang H.
Aight, here's the run down. I had a birthday dinner here with some friends of mine, and wasn't necessarily sure what to expect since I've always passed by it but never took a peek inside. After passing the revolving doors, we were greeted by nice hosts, and our server was very nice. The food was alright - I don't think I appreciated it enough because Italian isn't necessarily my favorite choice of food. Nevertheless, the food we ate wasn't bad, but nothing incredibly amazing. What I did like, was the fact that if it is your birthday, they give you a desert sampler and candles, etc. It was free too! Very nice gesture. In addition, I definitely liked how the manager went to each table and asked us if everything was going okay.
(4)Byron K.
Always well staffed and tons of quality italian food, they took care of the kids, service was a little slow, would have loved to have our entrees come out a little after the kids entree instead of 15-20 min leater, but we made it. Also have been here on business with a big groupd and they did a nice job, thanks!
(3)Kadin L.
I came here for the first time with my friend yesterday. This place is amazing, though our waitress was in LaLa land or something, but that's okay. We had the garlic bread with marinara sauce for appetizer and it was ridiculous yummy. i ordered the chicken marsala, which was also yummy! I love the chicken, very moist and tender, and i love how it has a "grilled smell" to it. I would definitely come back and try their calamari!
(4)Elaine C.
NEVER EVER AGAIN!!! I have gone to Maggianos for years - never once had a bad meal or negative experience. I have always had my favorites ~ stuffed mushrooms, lasagna and Nonna's Pound Cake for dessert. The service was always perfection. Oh, has everything changed. This restaurant is now run by a totally disinterested staff obsessed with their cell phones/texting than caring for customers. What once was 6-8 huge mushrooms is now 8-10 very small mushrooms literally swimming in oil from one side of the plate to the other. My lasanga was sent back THREE times - cold, swimming in sauce, melted beyond recognition - courtesy of a microwave. I had to get up to find any manager to complain and was treated like a child by a know-it-all manager who could have cared less. My companion's chicken parm was 2 very tiny breasts of chicken swimming in tomato sauce. Needless to say - no dessert, we took off to Finale across the street. What happened here? For years this was a quality restaurant, frequented by the Boston famous, always a line to get in. The following day I called their TX office to complain - they could have cared less - took my personal info and I never heard from anyone. I also feel this was a waitstaff that only wanted a large party for great tips and could have cared less about 2 women out for a celebratory evening. Bad move on their part -- women DO know how to tip well. Why the inflated prices yet smaller portions? I have removed them from my email list, my favorite restaurant list and would never recommend anyone go there.
(1)Netty P.
Went around 4:30pm prior to a show on Sunday. It was pretty busy, the wait staff was excellent and seating was no problem (I did have a reservation). We had A La Carte dinner which means we all ordered off the menu (not family style). The food was good, we had Shrimp and Ziti al Forno, Veal Parm, Sirloin medallions with Mashed potatoes, Spaghetti with Vodka sauce, and my daughter had the Chicken Parm. The salads and appetizers were great (house salad, Bruschetta and Calamari) cooked to perfection. The main meals were great , Highest marks to the Sirloin dish and the Spaghetti with Vodka Sauce. The two Parms were fair, I think the Veal and Chicken were deep fried as opposed to pan fried. This made the meat tough and not tender but overall the sauce was great and the dishes were OK, just not as good as the other three dishes. I would go again, perfect for a family dinner out prior to a show.
(4)Helen M.
Authentic Italian? I think not! We usually go here for our quarterly meeting for work and have a banquet room downstairs for about 7-8 tables and dine family style. At first, I loved this place! But the more and more I go here, I realize just how awful this food makes me feel. No food poisoning or anything like that. Just stuffed beyond belief even while eating reasonable portions. The spaghetti and meatballs are OK. Not the best or most moist meat. The roast chicken can be a hit or miss. Sometimes it is dry, sometimes it is tender and cooked perfectly. The gnocchi is really dense and I prefer one a little lighter and fluffier. Their only saving grace is their profiteroles - puff pastry stuffed with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate syrup (though I generally just eat the ice cream because the puff pastry can be dry). For authentic Italian, try the North End even if it is touristy.
(2)Tommy K.
You HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE get the fried mozzarella!!! Service was good - food was HOT and so tasty! There were 4 of us and we did classic family style and all four of us walked out with doggy bags!! Dessert - WAS UNREAL!
(4)Tom M.
We recently went to Maggiano's for a birthday celebration; others in the group had been before, but it was my first visit. We had a reservation for a late lunch (3:15) and were seated soon after we arrived, although they weren't as busy yet as when we left. I found the service to be excellent, with the waiter stopping frequently. For food, we chose the family style (they have 3 options for family style; each rises in price, but allows you to choose additional entrees) We tried veal marsala, chicken saltimboca, beef fillets, and rigatoni. I tried all but the chicken and found them all to be very good. The portions are ample, as the family style is all you can eat. The next time you are in the mood for Italian, I would definitely consider them. Parking is easier than in the North End, and in my opinion some of the restaurants there are nothing but over-rated tourist traps.
(5)Catie C.
Great for large parties since they have the room and it's family style. Well, if you don't like to share then no point of coming here since family style is their signature! I was here for a friend's birthday sitting at a table of 14. It was a 3 hr ordeal since it took forever between courses. It was at least 20 mins in between each. Is that their way of making sure we don't ask for refills? Why I say that? Cuz we asked for more mussels and they said the kitchen is closing up. I'm not totally sure but I believe that it was requested before the dinner course was demolished by the guys. They told us after we were thru with dinner that they cannot refill but can take it to-go. Seriously!? I was in awe when the server was cleaning up after each course. I thought I was in Chinatown. She just slid the debris of our plates into one main plate that was in the middle of the table. The whole time i was thinking, "she better not make the tomato sauce splatter onto my shirt." You know those stains never come off! What I thought was cute is that the birthday boy got a birthday card from the staff and a coupon for a complimentary appetizer. We all were going to sign that card too since none of us got him a card.. lol $780 tab for the whole nine yards!
(2)Annette V.
If I could give it no stars, I would. I went here to carbo-load before the Boston Marathon (yes, that marathon). We were seated right away and I did notice a smell in the place that was turning me off but it wasn't my choice to eat here. We had a rather large party so they gave us a "pre-planned" menu. I really didn't eat all that much, the food was mediocre, it was like a bad Olive Garden (and I don't eat there). There are so many great options in the North end, don't get suckered into this place. It's a fast food Italian place without the good. The server didn't smile at all at us & RUSHED us like he was car racing I would NOT go back. I did not like the service at all, it was weirdly cold & I felt like I was intruding anytime we asked for something.
(1)Andre T.
Food never disappoints, I always go with either the chicken Alfredo or spaghetti & meatballs. Great for larger parties.
(4)David V.
OK, based on my previous 2 reviews you would think that I'd never go back to Maggiano's. Well, we went back again only because we got another gift card. The other options with this gift card were Chili's, On the Border, and Macaroni Grill, and the closest option aside from Maggiano's was Chili's. After some thought, we realized that anything is better than Chili's, so we went back to Maggiano's. Here's the thing, I want to give Maggiano's a better rating, but because they are so over-priced, I can't bring myself to give them more than 3 stars. The service both times that we've been has been excellent. The staff are professional and courteous, and seem to take pride in their jobs. The restaurant is clean and spacious, and the food is good. I had the beef medallions with a portabello mushroom sauce, which came with mashed potatoes and fried onion strings. The beef was perfect, the sauce was delicious, and the mashed potatoes were just OK. This dish costs $25!!! Two nights ago my wife and I ate a delicious and filling dinner at an Asian restaurant in Boston (not Chinatown) and the bill came to $23 (two entrees and an appetizer)! My wife had the salmon with a balsamic sauce and orzo with spinach. This dish was delicious, the salmon was fresh and prepared just right, the orzo was excellent, but was it worth $20? I just don't know. For dessert we had the tiramisu ($7.50). It was delicious, and a large portion. Maggiano's is a chain restaurant. It is like an upscale version of Vinny Testa's. The food is good, but the prices are ridiculous. As I said in my first review, this is a great place for a large party/family gathering, but for a dinner for two it is just not the right choice. The only way we'll come back is if we get more gift cards! ***Side note: We signed up for the email club on the restaurant website and received an email coupon for $10 off our meal!
(3)Kyle W.
Used to love this place and go frequently. The service has gone down. On a recent visit the waitress forgot everything and made the experience horrible. I don't think I will be back for a while.
(2)Ross G.
Went here recently they swapped the white sauce for my red sauce which pleased me. I was happy to hear they make everything home made in house, the bread was good and the proper amount of shredded cheese and olive oil were at the table. Would like to try more dishes as well, definitely enjoyed it though.
(3)Tom T.
Awesome food! Great private dining room! authentic rustic old world deco, server's were very attentive. Great family style dining. Great Itailan food!
(5)Nicole P.
Went to Maggiano's because my husband got a gift card last year for his birthday. I would definitely come back again without having a gift card. We went on a Saturday and luckily we made a reservation the night before because it was a 45 to an hour wait without one. We were seated right away, served water and bread while we looked over the drink menu. Our waitress was very knowledgable and her wine recommendations were right on point. While we waited for our appetizer we were given a plate of stuffed mushrooms just to try. I'm not a fan of mushrooms but these were amazingly delicious! Our appetizers, meals, and desserts were all very large portions and were delicious. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants good food for a reasonable price. We will definitely be returning for another night in Boston.
(5)Josh N.
Wonderful restaurant for a chain. The food is quite good and the ambience and service is excellent. The Four Cheese Ravioli which is Ravioli stuffed with Ricotta cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella and Provolone. Served in a pesto-alfredo cream sauce with a touch of marinara, was amazing. Just perfection!! If you do one thing though please, PLEASE order the Nonna's Toasted Pound Cake with Caramelized Bananas.
(4)Jennifer O.
I had fun here because I was with a big group, and the family-style menu is accommodating for large groups. But the food is not good. I mean it was fine and I ate it, but it really wasn't great. Yes, portions are huge, but it's quantity over quality. I won't be going back. Too many other restaurants in Boston that actually have quality food.
(2)Mi R.
I was dissapointed because the reviews were very good. I went a few weeks ago on a Sunday for dinner with my Partner. First, I was attracted to it because I love Italian food and the prices are reasonable. But I guess you pay for what you get. We started out with the stuffed mushrooms; they were average; nothing special about them. I am not much of a cook, and mine taste better. They were good, though. I love gnocchi and ordered it. Mine was very salty. Also, the sausage it it lacked flavor and needed something more. I finished my plate, but I would not order it again if I go back. My partner ordered the chicken parm; he said it was good. Our server was very pleasant, friendly, and smiled at us. Overall, I don't have much to say about this restaurant. I probably, in all likelyhood, will not be going back. It is definately not truly Authentic Italian food.
(3)John S.
Maggiano's scratches a very specific itch; it feeds a lot of people a lot of Italian food with a minimum of fuss. The Family Style menu and serving style is the bread and butter of the place, and it does it very well. You sit down with your friends and family, pick out the menu and let the two hour parade of food begin. If you want more of something, they'll bring you more of something. If you want them to wrap up the abundant leftovers, they'll wrap them up for you. Sure, it's a chain, but so is Smith and Wollensky, and both places excel in serving high end food to big groups. Look to the nicely appointed Maggiano's for this need. If it's just you and a date, head up to the North End like a good Bostonian. As far as specific recommendations go, stick to anything that your grandma would make for a family reunion - that is, anything that is generally served in a giant tray. Lasagne, eggplant parmesan, spinach and artichoke dip, etc. If you can imagine your kindly old grandma serving it, Maggiano's will do it well.
(5)Thanh L.
Maggiano's is a nice fancy Italian restaurant for good food. They do family style if you have a large group and want to sample everyone's plate. The down side is everyone at your table has to do family style. I opted to do my own plate. I forgot what was the name of the plate but it was a holiday special which had rice,shrimp, crab, and a nice creamy sauce. The plate ran me about $20 something dollar, but worth every penny. The service was very good and the environment was lovely to look at. I recommend this place if you willing to spend money on good food and service.
(5)Kim K.
I'm always in search of a place that can accommodate a large group with aplomb. Until now that search has been difficult. A friend was in town and 8 of us wanted to have a big dinner out, and we ended up at Maggiano's. The family style menu is clearly a hit here. I opted to forgo that even though the rest of my group went for it. It's pretty great that having one or two folks in a large party order off the regular menu is still an option. Gotta say I did it for two reasons: it was clearly the healthier option and was way cheaper. I got the chicken and apple salad which was MASSIVE and delicious. The family style portions are unbelievably enormous. And they just kept coming and coming and coming. I was surprised that even with the quantity it seemed the quality was not lost. The meal lasted forever (2+ hours) so go early if you don't want to be eating past 10PM. One crappy thing though. The portions were so huge even my group couldn't eat it all. Our waiter informed me that if I shared anything I would be charged the per person price for the family style. Really? Not even one crostini or bite of tiramisu? It's just sitting there!!?!
(4)Greg P.
My family and I love Maggiano's. We were introduced to this family style Italian restaurant while traveling in Boston and have visited several in our travels. Everything is made fresh that day and the portions are huge. The maitre d' was very accommodating for our large group.
(4)Dustin S.
Great family Italian restaurant. We go here whenever we are in Boston to see a play. We always make reservations, and I recommend you do the same. The fried mozzarella appetizer is a huge mozzarella stick and the best tasting I've ever had. I get the rigatoni "D" it's a house special and a great tasting pasta dish. Just a Warning, this place isn't cheap, but worth splurging here at least once. Also, if you get desert, the chocolate cake is huge and way too much for one person.
(4)Ribblet N.
I go here from time to time, large family portions. I think its a bit on the bland side.
(3)Bruce M.
Food quality is hearty 3 stars, but at this price earns a 4th Fast service, huge meals, roomy, not too noisy due to high acoustic ceilings and heavy décor, great for family with kids but also for couples with plenty of booth seating. Been in operation a long time as evidence by the stars and famous portrait photos on the walls. We selected a Chianti Classico to go with our meal, which being unavailable by the glass, we went with the waitress recommendation (twice), one being a "special blend of wines for Maggiano's" - that should have been a hint as neither were to our liking and nothing like the style of our selection. By-the-glass delivered already poured was a new experience for us, but since have come to expect that as standard in US restaurants As a visitor looking for a very special dining event I would probably venture to try somewhere else Overall a nice experience, and would readily return again for a good decent honest meal if I was in the area, or on a budget.
(4)Alexa D.
Maggianos really gets 3 and a half stars. I upgraded because it was borderline four, not closer to three. Things that were awesome: 1. Stuffed Mushrooms 2. Sangria 3.Generous portions 4. Manager coming over to check up on our table and fixed a minor issue within 45 seconds 5.Old, soothing classic music playing in the backround Things that were so-so: 1. The waiter wasn't very attentive, and only asked how everything was once we were finished. (good thing the manager happened to check in) 2. The prices, ech, they are alright Thing that kind of sucked: 1. No regular Gnocci. They had a weird version of it 2. No family style unless you have 4 people 3. Small wine portions As you can see, theres more good than evil. My suggestion is go as a group, and buy a bottle of wine instead of by the glass. If it's just a party of two and you're craving Italian, head into a smaller place in the North End.
(4)Mindy L.
Sure, Maggiano's is a chain... Sure, it can't compete with some North End restaurants... Sure, it's a little pricey sometimes... But it's so much fun when you go with a big group! I've been here for birthday parties, for bachelorette parties, and for holiday parties and I love, love, love the family style menu! Apps: Stuffed Mushrooms & Mozzerella Marinara (SO good) Salads: Maggianos & Spinach Main Course: Chicken Parma or Marsala...and some of the best cheese and spinach manicotti I've ever had. When it comes to 'chain' dining - this one's hard to beat.
(4)Renata P.
Used to be my favorite place to eat in Boston however they keep taking my favorite dishes off the menu. Think it might be time to look for a new favorite.
(2)Rob I.
Made a reservation for 7 on a Friday night via Yelp on my iPod (which was nice), got there on time and was seated promptly. Our waiter, Tomas, was extremely personable, not to mention efficient. My date and I very much enjoyed our dinner.
(4)Andrew T.
Famous Rigatoni D is one of the best past dishes I have ever had!
(4)Tom K.
This place is good enough. If you're looking for a fantastic dining experience or some great Italian food, this is not your place. But if you're looking for a good dining experience, with lots of food, and possibly a large group, this place is a good choice. There's nothing wrong here, its just all very generic and chain-like. Its an upscale version of the Olive Garden. But doesn't hold a candle to most of the places in the North End.
(3)Debra G.
Yum Yum Yum! One of my favorite Italian Restaurants to eat anywhere! I know I live in Boston and I can easily head over to the North End. But sometimes I like to order food I can actually pronounce to the waitress on the menu and know what I am getting to eat and not have to give them my jewerly at the end of the bill because of the high price for just some ziti and sauce. Maggianos has a HUGE menu! You will always find something you like to eat here! The only reason I added them at a 4 star and not 5. Is that on the weekends they are slam packed and you have to wait a bit to get seated. They definitely need another room in there for seating! Other than that A+
(4)Kelly O.
3.5 stars. Another faux-Italian place I wouldn't have chosen myself, this place actually was perfect for a party of 11 for a friend's b-day. I had never been and was a bit surprised just how huge this place was, as well as with the whole concept of family style which seemed tailor-made for our group. We did the classic family style, which was $27 pp and all you can eat with 2 apps, 2 salads, 4 entrees/pastas, and 2 desserts, and man did we eat. (Note: you can do a lighter version, which is only $20 pp, or the more decadent chef's choice, which was just under $40... I think the lighter version is probably the best deal, since the salads and sometimes even desserts tend to be just filler in an all-you-can-eat situation IMO). For the most part, all we needed to do was request more, and another 1-2 plates of whatever it was just appeared, it was magical. (Great service, incidently.) Our choices were: Apps: bruchetta and spinach and artichoke dip, both of which were actually pretty excellent. Salads: caesar was your typical caesar (in a good way), and I didn't try it but people seemed to like the chopped (mainly because of the bacon I think). Mains: shortribs were raved about, fetticini alfredo was standard, gnocchi with vodka sauce was tasty but didn't have enough sauce IMO, chicken parm was solidly good. Desserts: tiramisu was a solid version, and the pound cake was the sleeper surprise (it was warm and chocolatey with ice cream and carmelized bananas). The best part: you could take as much as you want home in doggie bags. I literally have at least one, if not 2, more meals in my fridge right now, which is a great deal. Everyone left fat and happy with extra meals for later, and had a great time for this b-day celebration. I really don't have any major complaints about Maggiano's (surprising because I was expecting to dislike it). In sum: you're not gonna get the most authentic or mind-blowing Italian food here, but most of what I tried was solidly good, and is not only a great deal but is perfect for groups (they have something for everyone). I'd probably go elsewhere with only 1-2 other dining companions, but this place is a solid choice for group dining for sure.
(3)Katie O.
Worst customer service at a restaurant I've ever experienced. My very first time there, my husband and I walked in, and waited and waited and WAITED right in front of two hostesses jabbering away about something unimportant (and getting paid to do it), and then one of them glanced over at us, LOOKED BACK at the other hostess, completed the convo, giggled, and then proceeded to stare at us like she didn't know what we wanted. Finally I said, "Hi." She said, "Um, can I help you?" I said, "Yes, two for dinner please." "Oh, well that'll be a 45 minute wait." And that's all she said. So we turned around and left. I hate you and your piss-poor service, Maggiano's. Nice first (and only) impression. I heard all the wonderful things about the food, but having worked as a waitress and in retail for years, I know what customer service should be, and trust me, anyone with half a brain can do it. Fire your hostesses, please.
(1)Edith K.
Maggiano's has been a part of my life during some major events! I came here for my 21st birthday with my parents, I came here for my graduation dinner from Bentley with my friends and family and most recently I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday before a show. Their food is as good as it gets, I feel like the portions are a little smaller than before but the prices have stayed low so it is just a trade off with the economy. Never in my life have I been able to finish a meal at Maggianos but I did this past weekend; I got the mushroom ravioli and there were 6 or 7, but at a low price of 12.95 how can I possibly complain!? I made notes in my reservation that we had a show and it was my boyfriends birthday and the waiter was attentive with time and gave a huge shock to my boyfriend when he brought out a generous slice of chocolate cake. Thank you Maggianos for creating such lovely memories for me!
(5)R. M.
I put in a medium-sized food order -- lasagna, chicken parm, spaghetti, tiramusu over the phone. They said ready in 20 minutes and indeed it was! I was impressed. Hearty food and reasonably priced. I particularly like the fact that you can double the size of their classic pasta dishes for just 5 dollars more. A somewhat expensive lasagna became a large order or lasagna for two at a really good price. Staff at the front counter seemed a little overworked and distracted -- which is not their fault, but just because orders seem to come in fast and there's only one person working the counter. Nonetheless she took my order accurately, was willing to make a quick change after I placed the order and called back, and was friendly at pickup. I left a good tip. Food might have been a touch salty-- but that could have been that I ordered a lot of things with sausage, which tends to add to the salt content. I will definitely order out more from here.
(4)David K.
Been here about a half dozen times over the past few years. Never dissapoints. It is what it is. A nice, affordable Italian restaurant with generous servings and good service. It gets 5 stars by me because I understand what it is. If you want fine dining, than this isn't the place for you. You may have to deal with a server dissapearring once in awhile when you are ready for another round or need to cash out, but the food is consistently good and the same(what you expect at a chain restaurant) and the place is always clean and well taken care of. The chicken parm is excellent and the only small complaint would be the prices on the mixed drinks($10 for a weak rum and coke). Other than that, I enjoy eating here a couple times a year before seeing a game or after a long day of watching my wife shop lol.
(5)Ann S.
MMH MMH MMH! I was brought here during my stay with Liberty Mutual at their yearly national forum. It was definitely a treat! We were given appetizers, entrees, and even dessert, and within each category were multiple options! The servers kept bringing more food until we all put down our forks. Once a plate was finished, they would bring another full one even if we haven't touched any other dish yet! My favorite was the spinach dip. I just couldn't get enough of it! The appetizers were absolutely delicious. With that said, the entrees were a bit lacking...the pasta was very average. I would still give this place 4 stars though because the service was great and I loved all the appetizers.
(4)Jenn S.
Last night was the 3rd time (second time with 20+ people) that I've been to Maggiano's. While it's not as cozy an atmosphere as places in the North End and it is a chain, you feel as though you're in an authentic Italian place and, as one of the girls I went with said last night - you feel like Tony Soprano might walk in at any moment! We hit a few snags with service. I arrive early - having walked from work - and checked in with the hostess. First off, she was on the phone with a customer while I was waiting and never once smiled at me or acknowledged I was there while she was on the phone. As a former hostess I know that's something you should always do. Second, apparently the customer was being annoying or put her on hold - whatever it was, she started hitting her hand against the host stand, rolling her eyes and sighing. She eventually got off and said I was the first of my party and I could wait. As I was waiting, I saw a few groups of other women show up. We were a party of 20 and I didn't know everyone in it, but assumed the host would say to anyone who checked in "She's with your party." When the organizer showed up, we all got together and one of the girls said "we checked in and told we were the first ones." I said "interesting, that's exactly what I was told!" I think the hostesses had switched and either not marked down that someone had checked in or didn't communicate, leaving me to sit along for a half-hour, waiting for the rest of my party, some of which were there already! The second snag came with the service. We had pre-ordered our meal, as you do for a large group, and even told them we had a show to make at a certain time. 15-20 minutes after we'd sat, they finally got around to bringing the appetizers. It wasn't so bad, but knowing we were in a bit of a rush and having the order a week ahead of time, I would have thought there would be no wait. Drink-wise, it's fantastic! I treated myself to the Caramel Apple Martini (Smirnoff Green Apple Twist, DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker & Buttershots), which one of the girls sipped and tried to steal from me. So tasty! Everyone at the table was impressed with its look and kept saying "what is that?!" Food-wise, it was great. The two appetizers were amazing - so flavorful and tasty. We got Barb's Spinach & Artichoke al Forno (Diced artichoke hearts, spinach, tomatoes and asiago cheese baked with alfredo sauce until bubbling and golden; served with crispy Foccacia bread) and Bruschetta (Italian garlic bread toasted and topped with a tomato bruschetta relish made of diced tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and roasted garlic). The two salads were also really flavorful and great: Caesar Salad (A traditional Caesar salad of romaine lettuce tossed with Caesar dressing, croutons and shaved parmesan cheese) and Chopped Salad (Chopped iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, green onion, avocado, crispy Prosciutto, tossed in our signature House Dressing). I felt that while the entrees were good, they weren't as flavorful as the appetizers & salads. We got 2 Baked Specialties: Eggplant Parmesan (Sliced eggplant, breaded and fried, layered with provolone cheese and marinara sauce) and Baked Ziti & Sausage (Italian Sausage, Pomodoro Sauce and Ziti Topped with a Layer of Melted Provolone & Parmesan Cheeses). I had been SO excited for the Baked Ziti and was a bit let down. It was good, but not what I expected. Not sure why. And although I usually don't like Eggplant, I tried it and it was really good! Quite possibly the best of the entrees. The 2 chicken dishes we got were the classic Chicken Parmesan (Lightly breaded chicken breasts fried and topped with provolone cheese and marinara sauce) and Chicken Picatta (Chicken breasts sauteed with capers, lemon, white wine; served over aglio spinach). The Parm was good, but I've had better at other places (including my apartment) and the Picatta was pretty bland, the spinach a bit overcooked. For dessert, we had HUGE Homemade Profiteroles (Pastry shell filled with vanilla bean ice cream and topped with hot fudge and fresh whipped cream; dusted with cocoa powder and powdered sugar) and amazing N.Y. Style Cheesecake (New York style ricotta cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream). That cheesecake was divine! So over-all, a great meal and always a great place for a group, but not the best Italian I've had. It was also a great deal - it's $26.50 per person I think for all of that, not including tip, tax or drinks. I'll definitely go back, but they almost had to roll me out of there!
(4)AB H.
Maggiano's was better than I expected. I went here for a group function and was simply dreading the food experience. As I anticipated, the food was nothing interesting, inventive, or even solid, but it wasn't gross either. The spinach salad was overdressed, the chopped apple and walnut was served on iceberg or white romaine (not sure) and had pecans instead of walnuts (which is fine with me, I love pecans, but they should have said something). The calamari was actually pretty good and the spinach and artichoke dip was also OK. The chicken was tender, and the broccolini was good too. The eggplant parm was heavy and bland, the salmon was served with a too sweet balsamic sauce. The mushroom ravioli was also heavy and a bit chewy. The ice cream profiteroles were good, the sauce a bit too heavy and sweet and the chocolate cake was dense and rich with just a slight tang of something off. There was plenty of food, and if we hadn't ordered any drinks, the price would be pretty reasonable. We had a private room, and they were quick to turn down the music and the AC when we requested it. This restaurant is American chain of family restaurants, and I think that says it all.
(2)M. S.
What a gracious staff and great restaurant! We came to Boston from California for a gym meet and to Maggiano's for our team dinner. They took our reservation for 29 people and treated us like an intimate group. Johnny, the maitre'd, was classy and a pleasure to work with. The wait staff were all friendly, efficient and professional. Food was served all at the same time and was delicious! Thank you to the staff for making our team dinner a great night of food, fun and a great Boston experience!
(5)Melissa M.
They have caprese salad on their menu. But, they don't actually have it. Our waiter told me this after I ordered it. Apparently the tomatoes are "not in season." Then how do you make the sauce? They might want to think of getting new menus as some of them were very greasy/sticky. Yuck.
(3)Erica V.
Went here after a recommendation from my brother for Valentine's Day. I knew it was a chain restaurant so I was afraid that I would be making reservations at a place that had the same atmosphere as the 99 but boy was I wrong. This place is fantastic! It gives you the feel of being in a fancy Italian restaurant but you aren't paying the fancy price. We were seated quickly, our waiter was attentive but let us take our time on making selections and the food was great! The portions are huge so make sure you go with an empty stomach. Even the chocolate cake we ordered for desert was massive. The price was great for a Boston restaurant. I will be visiting Maggiano's again in the future!
(4)Amanee W.
This food is pretty amazing. The only things ive gotten here and didnt like is the string beans with the bacon on it, and the toasted pound cake. I have been going here multiple times for years and have never experienced a bad plate of food. Most people complain bout their portions,but honestly if you dont like to eat thats on you. I love thier large portions,its like you get two meals for the price of one. The only reason I reduced the stars is because the parking is terrible in this area. This is deffinetly quality food and ive never had a problem with the service either.
(4)Christine k.
I used to really like Maggiano's--fell in love with the Vegas one, appreciated the one in Woodland Hills (CA), and was super excited when I found out they had one here in Boston, until I showed up last night on Saturday and encountered by far and away the rudest hostesses I've ever met in any restaurant, ever. (Yes, there were two hostesses and a gentleman who I couldn't tell was a waiter or a manager, all standing there gossiping--why you need 3 people to seat customers in a restaurant that doesn't even want them, as evidenced by the following encounter, is beyond me). They looked irritated when I walked up, like I was interrupting the world's most interesting conversation. The blonde one asks if I need help, and when I inquire about a table for 3, the Asian one turns to me and says with major attitude, "That'll be AT LEAST 45 minutes to an hour, if not more." Some things are hard to describe in words, and this is one of them, because the way she said it, and the way she looked at me, made it clear to all the world that she was essentially saying, "SO YOU CAN JUST GO AWAY NOW." On my way out, I notice there's an empty table for 4 in the bar area, and my husband, toddler and I try to squeeze in, but the customer at the adjacent table had his chair so far out we literally couldn't fit, and he literally refused to move. At this point, we give up, and decide to head back to Newbury for our one of our go-to restaurants. My husband wants to be polite, so he goes back to the hostesses and tell them that we won't be staying after all, and at this point she literally ROLLS HER EYES at him. Here's the part I don't get about the outrageous attitude from these hostesses. They are literally entry-level employees with no experience, no credibility, no prestige, at a chain restaurant that mass-produces cheap (as in quality, not necessarily price) Italian food from pre-made, reheated pasta. Just because you threw in some dark-wood stained tables and ambient lighting does NOT make you some four-star Michelin restaurant that could get away with this level of snooty-ness (ironically, I've been to restaurants run by chefs who've won James Beard awards and they all treat their customers better than this. I've also been to McDonalds, and they also treat you better).
(1)Michael T.
Easter dinner here has officially become a tradition for the family. Fantastic. Everything about this place is perfect. Family Style meals were so delicious.
(5)Marcel G.
Food was great!! Just need to slow them down...small tables and no place to put it all. Kids always love it here = all of the favorites are on the menu.
(4)Alvin C.
I went here with the family after my cousin graduated from Emerson's grad program last month. The food was excellent as always, but they completely lost our reservation. They were able to accommodate us, but it took them a few to get their bearings. After that, everyone was nice, helpful, and on point. We left full and happy. The graduate loved it too, and that's what mattered most.
(4)Aboud Y.
Another bad Chicago export. Disgraceful. No-Go
(1)Michael C.
This place is just awesome. Great Value. The food is awesome. Best to eat here Family Style. You will need four. if you love Italian food this is the place for you.
(5)Ryan D.
This is one of the top 3 places I wouldn't mind dying. My love of Maggiano's is known throughout the land. Anyone who has ever heard my speak has probably heard me talk about how much I love this place. If you're my friend, especially when I lived in Boston, I probably brought you there. And made you like it (with the random exception of Jen S. - who somehow missed out). Kiel C., Elizabeth G., and Michelle M. were all among my early victims. Now they are hooked. There's nothing that especially sets it apart; it's location, close to a convergence of the Red and Green lines near Boston Common, make it an ideal location to stop off at when I'm now passing though Boston on my way from Nashua to New York. I almost always make a point to. The food is always good; I don't think I've ever really had a bad experience here. Like this place is the one thing I can agree with Tina on. I took Scott B. here on our way to NYC. We met up with Michelle M. who had the day off and was all too happy to join us. I was in a boring, tired mood so I just got chicken parm. Michelle got her salad, and Scott got some special that helped support "Make A Wish." Lunch, especially on weekdays, is a good time to go- not very crowded at all. The service, as it was this time, is also top notch; our waitress was TOO nice. I wish that there was one in NYC I could compare it to, but it makes the Boston Maggiano's one of the best loved restaurants in my heart.
(5)Princess T.
My experience here was amazing. My group and I had ordered two salads, two pastas, two appetizers, and two entrées, all of which I had enjoyed. The stuffed mushroom appetizer was to die for and the first two plates became empty instantly. As far as entrees go, we all had enjoyed the chicken marsala. Although the salmon was quite good. Most definitely though, the gnocchi with vodka sauce was the best part of the meal. For the amount of food we had been served for about $30 each (tip included), it was a really good deal. Not to mention that we were completely stuffed by the end of dinner without getting additional plates, meaning without having refills on any item we order. The atmosphere doesn't particularly cater to a couple but for large or small group gatherings, its a great place to have dinner and enjoy good company.
(4)Chappy B.
Went here for a business meeting last night. Decor was nice, very relaxed environment. Tons of autographed pictures everywhere. Really wasn't too impressed with the staff. Everyone seemed flustered and unorganized, but maybe it was an off night. Lot's of tourists with well behaved kids. Food was great. Started with Mozzarella Marinara. Garlic bread was decent. Caesar was slimy but the main courses were fantastic. I shared fettuccine alfredo and parmesan crusted chicken. Both prepared very well...but they do not make their own pasta, which is really what sets apart a good Italian restaurant. Everything was pretty cheap though, good spot to take a date if you want to impress but not break the bank. Centrally located a nice walk from the park. 3 stars, nothing beats the North End...
(3)Sami W.
1-caesar salad. 2-maggiano salad. 3-mozzarella marinara. 4-fried calamari. 5-linguini with clams. 6-salmon. 7-chicken marsala. 8-veal ravioli. 9-cheesecake. 10-tiramisu. the above was consumed by a party of 4! we got the "classic" off the family style menu where you choose two appetizers, two salads, four main course selections and two desserts and the food kept flowing and flowing and flowing and....see where I'm going with this?
(5)Olga P.
Celebrated my dad's 80th birthday today! Service was terrific! Food (Family style menu) please all 3 generations. Last time we were there was 10 yrs ago for his 70th. Our family is scattered from NYC to upstate NY to Westchester county, NY, to Lynn, MA - and we all gathered at Maggiano's. At under $30 a person for a sumptuous lunch, it was reasonable and felt like a feast!
(5)John M.
My guess is that there are more can openers and freezers than there are fresh ingredients and made from scratch dishes in the kitchen. I've had the same food at a mall food court. It's not bad, it's just not my kind of thing. If you're the type that would rather go to Epcot instead of Europe, or the sort of person who prefers Milli Vanilli to Ray Charles, then Maggiano's is your kind of place. I'll pass. The restaurant is clean, the food was hot, the staff lacked personality, but the same is true for food courts and Epcot.
(2)Gabby T.
Went here for the first time after tons of my friends had recommended it. Three friends and I decided to try it out. Luckily, there was four of us so we could get the family style meal. We chose the middle one in price which included two appetizers, two salads, four entrees, and two desserts. So much food! We got spinach and artichoke dip and bruschetta for appetizers and both were well received by all of us. With this came our Italian and caesar salads. They were both on par. Then came our four huge platters of entrees. We got cheese ravioli, fettuccine Alfredo, eggplant Parmesan, and gnocchi with Italian sausage. I did not try the ravioli or fettuccine but my friends loved them. The eggplant Parmesan was really good. Now for the gnocchi with Italian sausage, I loved it! It came with a tomato cream sauce and if I could have eaten the whole platter of it, I would have. The desserts were also great but at that point we had eaten so much, we could hardly even look at them. I will definitely be going here again.
(5)Casey P.
I went on a Saturday nigth with my boyfriend and the place was mobbed with large parties/ families, it was very loud, and the wait staff and other employees were running all over the place. We made a reservation for 9:30 and still had to wait about 10 minutes to be sat. There was not a good designated space to wait so we were constantly having to move out of peoples way and felt very out of place. I understand its a Saturday night at a business establishment but the wait staff was not very accomidating even when we were trying to just walk to our seat, I walked in front of one waiter trying to keep up with the host and the waiter yelled "EXCUSE ME" at me, which I found to be quite rude. Will most likely not return.
(1)Stan G.
Great food, excellent service for our party of 10. The calamari and bruschetta were excellent. The four different plates all blended well with the Rey nice house red wine.
(4)Jeffrey L.
Belisimmo! The vodka sauce with gnocchi is amazing and their calamari is on point. Came here with my family of 7 and had the family style dinner which is almost like a buffet but with regular menu items. Amazing portions and no flavor was loss in between. Sauces make an Italian restaurant and the sauces here are stellar.
(5)Christopher M.
I recall an episode of the Twilight Zone I saw once as a kid. The patrons of a restaurant were served dog food, mud and charcoal. But to the bewilderment of the main character they ate it right up, raving about how amazing the food was. That's how I feel every time I go to Maggiano's Little Italy. Seriously, the food is a couple notches BELOW Olive Garden. Yeah, it's that bad. And I go there far more often that I would like. It's an institution - birthday parties, office parties, graduations, celebrations of all kinds - everyone wants to go to Maggianos. And every time we go we have to wait an extra hour past our reservations before we get squeezed into a cramped booth or table in a noisy, hot, overcrowded dining room to eat family style garbage, and everyone raves about what an amazing time they're having. It makes me want to stand up and should, "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!!!" If the food was good (IF!!!) the family style dining would be a good deal. It's $27/person, and you choose two appetizers, two salads, two pastas, two meat dishes and two deserts from the menu. The food is brought out piled high on massive dishes, it's all you can eat, and anything you order can be put in doggy bags. Last night we had the fried mozzarella (think luke warm, slightly gooey cheese product with an unidentifiable crust) and stuff mushrooms (mushrooms sprinkled with bread crumbs, then thrown in the warmer for 30 seconds). The salad would have been very good, if they'd served it a week ago. I swear to G*D the gnocchi, linguini with clams, rosemary chicken and chicken parm were all from microwaveable TV dinners - after two bites I was about ready to storm the kitchen to find the empty boxes in the trash. The desert was a high point, which meant mediocre crème brulee and chocolate cake. However, our party of four walked out of there cramped from the tiny booth, full from the crappy food, and carrying four HUGE bags of leftovers with a $150 bill for the food and wine (bar bill while waiting for a table was separate). The food was left in my car, which means it now in my fridge, soon to be in my garbage. WHY?????
(2)Ed Y.
Probably one of the best restaurants ive ever been to. Food is very good, service is excellent, atmosphere is family style. In fact i always order the family style meal and by the end of the dinner i always leave with a large bag, sometimes 2 bags of take home. I recommend the veal parm. and linguine with white clam sauce. Price is alittle pricey for teens, my 15 yr old can never eat $30 worth of food but that is ok since we all enjoy ourselves. Very highly recommended. Bring a big party with you because there will be plenty of food to go around. I forgot to mention that when you finish a plate you can reorder another and another until you are satisfied. i always reorder the mussel appetizers.
(5)Jen R.
I love Italian food and the meals I have had here are somewhat unmemorable. Portions are large. If you go with a large group, and you are more focused on the people you are with, and want large portions, Maggiano's is a good call, otherwise, go to the North End.
(3)Claudia C.
In my humble opinion, this is the best place to get Italian food. I know it's probably not genuinely Italian, but the combination of the atmosphere, music, service, and menu selection that wins me over.
(5)Jason F.
went here for the girl's birthday, and i was impressed. i liked the atmosphere and the waiter's dressed up. for an appetizer we got the calimari and it was great! i got the baked ziti and sausage for the main meal, and i loved it as well... the sauce was amazing. overall, a good experience, large portions, and good service!
(4)Brian D.
If you've been to Vinny Testa's in the Boston area, then Maggiano's will not be a shocker to you. What I mean by that is, if you go to a Vinny Testa's you might decide on the family style portions if you are not dining alone and as a result - you will have a ridiculous amount of leftovers because you will simply not be able to scarf down all the grub they dish out. The food is good, not the most authentic Italian or the best, but it is not bad at all. Price wise, eh, a little bit more than makes me comfortable but it's not gonna break the bank either. They play all the hokey Italian music over the speakers, and they push a list of house wines that is sadly lacking some of the best Italian reds but - that is a common sin among local Italian places - so they are merely guilty by association. I've been here for big group dinners, and the service is really good - so even if you don't LOVE the place - you will leave happy.
(3)Mandi M.
Good classic American-Italian dishes like lasagna, chicken parm and other pastas. Not very authentic but very yummy. It is a pretty big restaurant and perfect for very large parties because they do great family style dinners. Good atmosphere and friendly waiters. I think it would be perfect for a big family get-together but not all that great for a little night out with your friends.
(3)Eater O.
A little better than Vinny T's. I like this place if you have friends who want to eat family style. The food is good but it's not great. Just does the trick when u need some italian. Not my favorite choice though. The pasta is often overcooked- Al dente please!
(3)Jay and Jenn O.
The trick is to go with a lot of people and do it "Family Style" that is all you can eat. Do yourself a favor and order a dish, then order it again to take it home. Tasty Italian food served big- my favorite.
(4)Kris K.
Lots of food, pasta is great (not over/under cooked), they treat you well, free chocolate mints! The carry-out is not bad either, at all. I've frequented this place for over a year and have no complaints.
(5)Tina D.
Another average italian restaurant in Boston, go figure. To make it a little more exciting though, this place is family style (which means you must be comfortable sharing food with the people you are dining with). I met some friends out here for dinner, although I chose not to eat since I had already had dinner and it was an 8:30 reservation. I definitely made the right decision. Although the food was "endless", it did not appear to be too appetizing. My party ordered the mussels and mozzerella sticks (though not really sticks) for the appetizers, two chicken dishes and Linguine & Clams with White Clam Sauce for entrees. The creme brulee and Homemade Profiteroles finished the meal. I did manage to sneak a taste of the creme brulee, since that is my favorite dessert of all time, and to be honest, it was just average. No one in my party was blown away, but to be fair I didn't exactly eat the full meal. The ambiance was very family-oriented and the staff sang happy birthday about 10 times while we were there. Overall, another 2 (i'd give it 2.5 if i could) star restaurant. Oh, and good luck parking since it is all residential permit only.
(2)Catherine E.
The first time I went here I thought I thought it was too big, too noisy, and my chicken parmesan was tough. Since then, I've been back twice and was pleasantly surprised. First was my birthday and I had Cheese Tortellini in a Pesto Alfredo sauce that was very good. What I was most impressed with, however, was a graduation party I attended today that was held in one of the downstairs dining areas. They put out a great spread with 2 types of salad, Spinach & Artichoke al Forno, Mozzarella Marinara, Gnocchis in Tomato Vodka Sauce, Pork Loin, Chicken Parm, and 2 types of dessert. The courses were spaced perfectly, allowing everyone to digest accordingly. Also, our group made several speeches and was up moving around alot. The waitstaff did a great job staying out of the way, yet still doing their job. I thought it was a great place to have a function because it's relatively inexpensive, great atmosphere, and great Italian family favorites.
(3)M C.
this place seems very well run. the food is delicious, and the management checked in on my birthday dinner to see how everything was. service was attentive and friendly.
(4)Rachel D.
Not my favorite restaurant. The food isn't bad, it just isn't anything spectacular. Though the portions are quite large, the price doesn't seem to reflect on the ingredients at all. I would much rather have smaller portions of impeccable food. It seems like a glorified Fridays with all the faux italian trimmings. Why bother when the North End is a hop away?
(2)Nina W.
Lemme tell you something about Maggiano's...this is where all the hungry mobsters go after many grueling hours of work on the set of The Sopranos. No, just kidding, but that would be BAD! Its good food, and the portions are good, but don't worry - you WILL finish it. That's the beauty of America. Guys, don't take a skinny girl on a date here, Gals, get ready to cozy up to your man on the romantic half moon date tables. PLEASE try the Maggiano's Salad especially if you love Roquefort cheese, proscuttio, and onions. The beef medallions is excellente, and the warm apple crostada is a yummy way to finish things off.
(4)