We used to go here quite frequently until we noticed a couple of things: 1. Salt opened up so we have been going there a lot. 2. We have been getting bad gas from eating here. This is a very good italian place and is at least as good as Olive Garden and in several respects a much better place to dine. We have no issues with the service, quality, quantity, atmosphere, taste or anything other than the gas about 4 hours later and lasts aprox. 12 hours. The cause of it is the cooking oil. In the past they hadn't used as much but I can say the past 3 years they have. Perhaps the owner or cook will read this and look into fixing it. Love the bar area and the TVs are a great additional to the area.
(4)
Dustin L.
The coveted 5 star....for a chain.... Yep they earned it last night. Sat at the bar and was immediately and properly greeted. Ordered just water and the refills were properly executed. The bread, soup and entree were properly timed and hot. The Sicilian chicken soup was delicious and not too salty. The chicken trio was fantastic. Thank you Omaha Carrabbas!
(5)
Edward P.
This was my second visit to Carrabba's. I recommended to my brother in-law that we take my in-laws there for an early Mother's Day lunch. They had nothing but good things to say about the lunch. My farther in-law is 93 and hard of hearing, so they gave us a table for 6 in the corner. I was perfect, we all had no problems talking and being heard. The last time I was there, I had the Chicken Marsala and it was delicious, so I recommended to my brother in-law and they love it.\ This time I had the Chicken Parmesan with a side of Garlic Mashed Potatoes. It also came with a Caesar salad. It was also delicious. My wife had Lasagna, which she thought was very good, which says something because her favorite Italian food is Lasagna. This has become one our favorite Italian restaurants You will enjoy eating here..
(4)
Mark C.
Between Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill and Carrabba's; Carrabba's is hands down our favorite go to Italian restaurant chain. Love the fresh warm bread that is brought to the table as you arrive served with an olive oil and spice dip. Delicious. Service was reasonably quick and our waiter kept our drinks full without having to ask. If you haven't been to Carrabba's lately, there is a new menu that is worth checking out. Our entrees were: Spiedino Di Mare - shrimp and sea scallops coated with Italian breadcrumbs, grilled and topped with lemon butter sauce with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. Very good. One of my favorite dishes at this restaurant. Tilapia Nocciola - lightly breaded tilapia with hazelnuts, topped with roma tomatoes and basil lemon butter sauce. Fish was grilled well and the sauce it is topped with is absolutely delicious. Dessert: Slight hiccup here. Wanted to try the Panna Cotta, but they were out. Then wanted to try the Apple Crostata, but they were out of the ice cream. Server said that they were actually running to the store to buy more ice cream and did we want to wait 5-10 minutes. We said yes and ended up getting the apple crostata topped with ice cream and the John Cole (vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce and roasted cinnamon rum pecans). Crostata was okay, not really worth waiting on. Probably will not get that one again.
(4)
Michelle D.
REALLY disappointed with this place. Used their call ahead seating and all it got us was 30 minutes in a seat in their waiting area. And the hostesses were unhelpful and bordering on rude.
(1)
Lauren S.
I only give this place a star for their Caesar salad and bread which doesn't say much because it's hard to screw those items up. The first two times we ate there two out of our four dishes were actually good. The lobster ravioli and seafood enchiladas really had us believing we liked this place. However the third and fourth time there is why I will never be back. The third time there I really wanted chicken piccata which is a very typical Italian dish. Well Carrabas only had veal piccata so I thought I'd give it a shot. The sauce was SO sour it tasted like it'd been sitting in the fridge for months. I didn't return it because by the time i got another dish I wouldn't of been hungry anyways so I just left the entire meal on my plate and the waitress didn't even get the hint when I didn't want a box to take it home. The fourth time there we were sat at a table and a male waiter came by to take our drink orders and bring us their popular bread. When the waiter was away a female waitress came to our table and basically made us feel bad for this male waiter stealing her table. I can't stress how unprofessional that made her and the company look. Take that to your manager not the people eating and giving this company money. This time I ordered the scallops with vodka sauce pasta dish. It was decent but not great. However less than two hours later I was puking and in the bathroom until the next morning. I was lucky the third time there I didn't eat all of the veal piccata or I probably would have food poisoning then also. It seems this place has major food issues to work out. And also from my review and others they need to teach their staff how to treat their customers with respect.
(1)
Seth R.
I've been to Carrabba's about four times now with many mixed feelings. I've yet to have a good experience when going at or near peak times. The wait time has consistently been over the estimated time given, even when calling ahead. I feel like their call ahead method doesn't really save you time. Last time they somehow lost my name on the list. The food can be very good but it seems every time I go someone at our table gets something wrong or it needs to be sent back. Even the famed calamari hasn't been good when they use way too much salt. The limoncello is a great way to distract from other problems. I've also really enjoyed their Panko chicken dishes, garlic mashed potatoes, fettuccine Alfredo. I've had poor experiences with their calamari (salty), lasagne(greasy and didn't hold up), fried mozzarella (over cooked and tasted like fish). I have had great experiences with their catering service and everyone loves their bread. I'm probably never going back at my suggestion. I need better and more consistent experiences to be satisfied.
(2)
Sieda J.
My husband and I saw a late movie and loved the fact that this restaurant was still open. I had calamari which was a little salty but still good, with a side salad. My husband had pasta. They served us some amazing red wine and warm bread. I would like to go back there again with the family.
(4)
Brent L.
Long wait, super noisy, bland food, ok service. The fact that there was a 30 min wait confirms to me that Omaha needs better Italian places.
(2)
Pebbles J.
We'll never return. I think the only thing that I was happy about was that they an appetizer of bruschetta with a goat cheese. I'm allergic to cow cheese and have found that very few restaurants offer goat cheese. Though this was a redeeming quality, it was not enough to truly redeem in the sense that we'll ever return. After being seated our waiter came to the table for our drink orders. Our entire visit was riddled with one mistake after another. From the commercials I expected the food we ordered to at least look delicious. Not the case. My husband did not even finish his pizza, let alone take home the left overs. Multiple times it took forever to get our server's attention. We got the feeling that either he didn't want to be there or that he didn't want us to be there?! Either way, he was not a 'happy camper.' Kinda snooty at one point, even. I ask questions and when I recall a couple of questions I asked he thought was not important and even got snippy. I think he forgot the fact that return clientele is job security. Yeah, we'll not be returning.
(1)
Chester V.
Not as good as in recent years. The quality of the service is very spotty, either some of the best or some of the worst. Food isn't as good as it use to be, I know they are a chain but maybe too much outsourcing for prepared foods has hurt the taste or just poorly made dishes, don't know. Worth another go someday down the road for someone else, but I will stick to locally owned and original concepts here in town.
(1)
John O.
Black berry sangria is like some mores. Everything is great. Great place to have an inexpensive meal.
(4)
Cathy C.
Thank you, Carrabba's for keeping me alive when I was in college. On my last semester before graduation, this is pretty much all I would eat. Being a college student with an internship and 2 jobs, I absolutely had no time to cook or do dishes. This is a block away from my apartment so it was easy to just pick up something to eat. Calamari Ricardo, salads, soup, mezzaluna, lasagne, pasta weesie, chicken parmesan, chicken Bryan and sogno di cioccolata meant sustenance for me. Calamari Ricardo: Breaded and fried calamari in lemon butter sauceand pepperoncini. The sauce and the pepperoncini make this great and different from everyone else's calamari. The calamari is well-seasoned and the breading isn't too heavy. 5/5 Soups and salads: Caesar's salad with grilled chicken is my favorite but the other soups and salads are quite tasty too. 4/5 Mezzaluna: Translation: half moon. Ravioli with chciken and ricotta in tomato cream sauce. You'd smell like cheese after eating this but it's quite delicious. 4/5 Chicken Bryan: Chicken with goat cheese, basil lemon butter sauce, tomatoes and mint. I love goat cheese but I hate mint with tomato sauce. 3/5 Sogno di Cioccolata: Fudge brownie + chocolate mousse with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. 5/5 We only have 2 Carrabba's locations in Vegas/Henderson - none of which is close to my house...and I do miss Americanized Italian food every once in a while.
(4)
Average J.
Well it seems they decided to change the menu to the point the things you used to love here are gone! Our friend couldn't even order a simple pepperoni pizza! You should have heard the hassle the waiter gave him for thinking of such! Little did they know, we ran into them after we got there! Our friends were sitting in the booth in front of us and we heard it all. Right down to the point he asked for the Manager before their food got there! He told the Manager of the problem with the waiter and that they decided that Carrabba's didn't seem to want their business, so they will go spend their money elsewhere! The Manager gave them a gift card to entice them back. Our food was MEH....well, let's just say I should have followed my friends lead and left too! But I ordered a pizza too and it wasn't as good as the last time I was there. Well any way, you get the picture. They need to get it together there! I may give them another shot, I just don't know at this point.
This is just like any other Carrabba's, so not a whole lot to say, other than it's really good as usual. The staff is good, always friendly and helpful. Honestly, they've seemed a little over staffed every time I've been in there... I think I counted 5 hostesses last time I was there. There was a lot of standing around going on. But, as a customer, I guess we can rank this as more of a positive for customer service. For an appetizer, I'd recommend the calamari. They seem to have some decent drink specials during their happy hour, too. I always go with the Pollo Rosa Maria. It's one of my favorite dishes all around. I'm not a fan of the oil they bring to dip the bread in, but my family seems to love it, so I'm in the minority on that topic. Overall, I recommend going... and be sure to get the Pollo Rosa Maria!
(4)
Deborah S.
Very disappointed and I won't return. This was my husband's birthday, and he chose the restaurant and was happy with his food. I remained silent, but my meal was less than enjoyable. I ordered the house salad which was a joke consisting of bagged iceberg lettuce (heavy on the ribs) with some shredded carrots and two olives. Seriously? Tuscan skewers were gristly; only one piece of meat was actually tender. He ordered soup and loved it and was over the moon with his chicken. He prefers Carrabba's over Olive Garden for a chain Italian restaurant, and I'm the opposite. I guess we'll stick with Spaghetti Works since we both agree on that one.
This was one of the worst places we've eaten in Omaha. First, we used their "call ahead seating". Once we arrived, we were told we had a 25-30 minute wait, which was the same wait for the person behind us who hadn't used the "call ahead seating". While we waited, we noticed that there were three tables completely open that no one was being seated at. After our 25 minute wait, we were seated at one of those tables, but during our entire time there, no one was ever seated at the other two tables, even though there were a large number of people waiting for tables. Our appetizer and salads were ok, but our main courses were really bad. Both of our entrees tasted like something from a Chef Boyardee can of pasta. They really were that bad. The waiter never refilled our water glasses and only came to check on us once during the meal. Needless to say, we will not be back.
(1)
Taylor K.
The food was good, as usual at Carrabas. I would have given 5 stars, but the service was not great at all. The servers were just not very nice.
(3)
Jesse M.
REMEMBER, KIDS: Yelp is always right. If you have half a brain, you'll order the Yelp-approved calamari as an appetizer and savor in its exquisite perfection. Try the Sausage and Lentil Soup and realize it's damn delicious. The portions are huge, and with appetizers, bread, soup, and the main course, you'll be stuffed in no time. P.S. When I visited about a week ago, they had this ridiculous special going on-something about "free seconds" where if you ordered a pasta dish (clam linguine for my mother) they would serve you seconds when you wanted them. Essentially, you were buying two $17 pasta dishes for the price of one. I'd highly recommend it.
(5)
YOUNG A.
This was my first and last eating experience at Carrabbas. My husband and I went for dinner on a Saturday evening and was crazy. We were told that there would be a 45 minute wait but that quickly turned into an hour and fifteen minutes. I ordered the sirloin and shrimp special. My steak was about the size of my palm if that. I questioned the waiter and asked her if she thought it was a 7oz steak and she replied that the cook weighed it before he cooked it. To wrap it up this was a mediocre restaurant that is way too expensive and wasn't worth the wait!
(3)
Matt M.
I am not a huge fan of chain restaurants but I must say Carrabba's does a above average job. The food and service are always good. I had the linguine with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and lobster in a basil lemon butter sauce and it was superb.
(4)
Matthew J.
Great service and delicious Italian food. Yes, this is a national chain but they've managed to keep up the quality and provide good customer service. The prices are a bit steep for what you're getting but that is to be expected, especially since they are a national chain with only one location in Omaha. You're paying extra for the distribution to one location rather than five. Their basic wine list is a bit pricey but they carry a better selection than most of the chain restaurants in town. All in all, this is a good place to eat that reflects the look and feel of all the other Carrabba's.
(4)
Jim W.
Ate there Wednesday night 2/1/2012. This was my first time there. It was OK. Felt like a take off on other Italian "chains" although a little more expensive. The food itself was EXCELLENT, but felt the portions, for the price, were not as generous as they should be. I played it safe and had the Manicotti. Wonderful flavor, pasta done right, but it was maybe a 4" long manicotti noodle and only 2 were served. The Salad before the main course was pretty much just plain lettuce and a couple kidney beans on the side of the plate. Again, it was ok, but nothing special. They serve a nice bread before the meal. I did not eat much as I was not wanting to fill up on bread....in retrospect, wish I had eaten more bread. Now...the service. THAT was another story....quite frankly, totally underwhelming. We had a party of 9 and our server Dave L didn't do anything to make us feel he even cared. We waited an excessive time between being seated and before he even came to the table. Just didn't seem overly excited that we were even there. On parties of 8 or more, they automatically add and 18% gratuity. THAT was plenty. In summary...food very tastey. Portions - little skimpy on portion and service was average.
(3)
Shawn G.
For a chain, this place is superb. The decor is very well done. The dining room is dimly lit, with lattice adorning the booths giving a very "fauxthentic" feel. The restaurant also features outdoor seating for those summer evening dining trips. It can get a bit louder than the decor would lead you to believe, so I recommend going off-peak hours. if possible. The appetizers leave something to be desired, for me. I remember eating here a few years ago and the fried mozzarella was spectacular, with obviously fresh cheese used in healthy portions, whereas the current appetizer feels more like what you'd get at any old chain place. I've never been particularly blown away by any of their other pre-dinner offerings either. That said, I am not a soup person, but those of my family who ARE soup people inform me that Carrabba's is very good in this regard. The meals, though, are very good. I've had a variety of things, from the wood-fire pizza, to the Pasta Carrabba, to the Lobster Ravioli, and everything has been delicious. Some dishes don't come in very large portions (the stuffed pastas come to mind) but with bread, appetizers and desserts, I've never left hungry. The desserts are delish, and like many chains, Carrabba's offers the "dessert shooter" option for those looking to save money/calories. However, for those seeking to launch a full-scale assault on their waste-lines, this place offers a dynamite chocolate cake. I've seen four people take on this bad mamma jamma and be satisfied. The service is typically great, though they lose half a point because my lovely waitress didn't know what Limoncello was, despite working at an Italian place. (I kid about the point-losing thing...) My party of five dined on an appetizer, salads/soups, drinks, meals, and desserts for 145 bucks total (pre-tip). All in all, Carrabba's is an excellent choice for people in North West Omaha looking for good Italian food.
(4)
Carrie H.
OK - a cold rainy evening and I found myself wanting a big bowl of the Spicy Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup (yes - I am obsessed - see previous post!) Dear husband called ahead and indeed the girl on the other end of the line said they had it. However sadly when we arrived and I ordered, our server declared they did not but headed off to double check. I was perusing the menu for "Plan B" when the manager stopped by to apologize. I was sad, but it was Carrabbas after all and there was plenty to choose from. No biggy - and I am not one to raise a stink. After our tasty meal and a shared quartino of wine our waiter said dessert was on them. Nice! We ordered the tiramisu. (BTW dear husband who is not a tiramisu fan (*gasp!*) did enjoy this one -light and not too "alcohol-y.") To our surprise when we got the bill, the manager had even taken off half of our total!!! OK - THIS is customer service and totally unexpected. We thanked them very much as we headed out ... I had to share our experience. It's rare that people go above and beyond. What a nice surprise. :)
(5)
Joey A.
Stopped for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon. It was our first time eating there. I ordered the chicken Marsala- it was grilled and had very thin sauce- it was super generic, but edible. I expected a tenderized, sauteed chicken breast with a thick Marsala wine sauce. It came with a double scoop of garlic mashed- it was supposed to be served with veggies as well but I didn't get any. The other three at the table enjoyed their food- spaghetti and meatballs and appetizer order of scampi.The service was good so I think next time I'll just stick to pasta. Really, for a chain, it was to be expected. The service was very good, so that helped. I'll give it a b-.
(2)
Kit W.
This restaurant has yet to ever disappoint. The service has always been extraordinary and the food is amazing. I've had quite a few things on the menu. So far, this place has the best calamari I've had ever, and I try everyone's calamari if they serve it. The breading is light and fluffy and very well seasoned. Their prices are decent, and they offer a veriety of different flavors. The lentil soup is very delicious (when they have it). Depending on the day and time, you may have a very long wait time, but it's worth the wait. Also, it is entertaining to sit at the bar near where they cook the pizzas. The pizzas are delicious, the pastas are all very well cooked, seasoned, and adorned with quite a bit of meat (if what you order has meat). I would write more, but it would just be descriptions about everything I've had there, and nothing is a disappointment.
(5)
Mark W.
Always good, check out the Mezzaluna, steak Brian or Chicken Brian. Fresh spices and bread great.
(5)
Lee N.
Order "the Johnny" amazing every time. I've eaten here a dozen times an very time I say that was a fantastic meal and wonderful service.
(5)
Stu S.
I have eaten fillet Mignon in Omaha at some of the famed steakhouses, and Carrabba's has the best. I have been here three times, and the fillet is the most tender and flavorful I have ever had. I am in Omaha now to get married today (really!!), and my in-laws took us to an expensive steakhouse one night and Carrabba's the next. At the steakhouse, they serve the fillet on a plate, with nothing else. At Carrabba's they pile on two side dishes as well as salad or their wonderful minestrone. Even the bread is outstanding. I know this is a chain restaurant, but I bet they get their beef from a local purveyor who has the best.
(5)
L C.
It's been about a year since I've been there but every time I've been I've never been disappointed. Sirloin Marsala is my favorite!
(4)
Rob R.
Best Italian food in Omaha. No doubt about it. I've eaten at them all. Nothing compares to Carrabba's. Service is usually pretty good too. Nice clean and cozy atmosphere. I wish it was a little cheaper, but other than that...it's the bomb.
(4)
Michael B.
My wife really enjoyed their food, and I believe it is a step above Olive Garden, but not the best Italian food in the world. A good place to "just grab a bite"
(3)
Ramon B.
From start to finish this place's food keeps this on the top of my favorite Italian grub hole. From the great appetizer choices, which is home to the best calamari I can find anywhere(and believe me, every place that I go and has calamari on the menu, I order and hold it to the standard set by Carrabba's), to the wide menu of hefty portioned, decently priced, flavorful entrees, this is a mean well worth every bite. Throw in great service, warm, family atmosphere and great pizza and you got yourself a winner! I recommend this to anyone willing to make the drive to BF west O or who already are lucky enough to live close to it. And when you are there be sure to try their bread pudding for dessert!! Holy God! It's like greatest sex is happening in your mouth and you're the one having it!
(5)
Patrick W.
I tried the Tag Pic Pac which consists of Tagliarini in a Picchi Pacchiu sauce with crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil. This may have been one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. I also tried the mozzarella marinara and it was very good as well. Next time you're headed to Olive Garden, stop the car and head to Carrabba's instead. You won't be disappointed. I still think the best spot is right at the past bar so try to snag a spot there if you can.
(5)
A B.
***Oops - this has been pending for a few weeks!*** Husband and I went with his sister and family for her birthday! I think I had only been there one time before and it was awhile ago so I couldn't remember if I liked it or not. It was super busy (warm March evening in Omaha on a Saturday night = busy restaurants) but we didn't have to wait too long. We were seated and had to wait a bit longer than we would have liked for drink service and bread service. But considering it was a packed house, we kept our patience. Not sure what everyone else ordered but I ordered the chicken parm and my husband ordered the spaghetti bowl. I was blown away at the amount of food on my plate - it was huge and I didn't think I'd be able to eat it all. But my husband's, in comparison, was pretty small - it was almost like they brought out a childrens or lunch portion. Not that all servings should be ginormous like mine was but there should be some proportion for all of the dinner meals - if one plate is heaping all should be heaping otherwise, keep the portions normal for all. Just saying (this is also why 1 star was lost). Portion sizes aside, the food was delicious. In fact, I told both my niece and my husband as we were leaving that it was the best chicken parm I'd had in a long time! In speaking with everyone else, they also enjoyed their food. My husband loved his spaghetti but was just expecting a little bit more. Overall, great place and will most likely return!
(4)
Claire B.
Been going to Carrabbas since we moved to OMA. I didn't know it was a chain restaurant, and when I found out I wasn't deterred from my continuous visits. The minestrone is enough reason to keep coming back. My only issue with Carrabbas is that the lasagna is never consistent. I've raised this issue with servers before, and one explained that they only make so many pans of lasagna each day, and if it runs out, the chef will just throw together some noodles, meat, cheese and sauce. That explained a few of my lacklustre plates - so each time I intend to order it, I ask "Do you still have lasagna" and I have the server check. That seems to have cleared things up.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Tom C.
We used to go here quite frequently until we noticed a couple of things: 1. Salt opened up so we have been going there a lot. 2. We have been getting bad gas from eating here. This is a very good italian place and is at least as good as Olive Garden and in several respects a much better place to dine. We have no issues with the service, quality, quantity, atmosphere, taste or anything other than the gas about 4 hours later and lasts aprox. 12 hours. The cause of it is the cooking oil. In the past they hadn't used as much but I can say the past 3 years they have. Perhaps the owner or cook will read this and look into fixing it. Love the bar area and the TVs are a great additional to the area.
(4)Dustin L.
The coveted 5 star....for a chain.... Yep they earned it last night. Sat at the bar and was immediately and properly greeted. Ordered just water and the refills were properly executed. The bread, soup and entree were properly timed and hot. The Sicilian chicken soup was delicious and not too salty. The chicken trio was fantastic. Thank you Omaha Carrabbas!
(5)Edward P.
This was my second visit to Carrabba's. I recommended to my brother in-law that we take my in-laws there for an early Mother's Day lunch. They had nothing but good things to say about the lunch. My farther in-law is 93 and hard of hearing, so they gave us a table for 6 in the corner. I was perfect, we all had no problems talking and being heard. The last time I was there, I had the Chicken Marsala and it was delicious, so I recommended to my brother in-law and they love it.\ This time I had the Chicken Parmesan with a side of Garlic Mashed Potatoes. It also came with a Caesar salad. It was also delicious. My wife had Lasagna, which she thought was very good, which says something because her favorite Italian food is Lasagna. This has become one our favorite Italian restaurants You will enjoy eating here..
(4)Mark C.
Between Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill and Carrabba's; Carrabba's is hands down our favorite go to Italian restaurant chain. Love the fresh warm bread that is brought to the table as you arrive served with an olive oil and spice dip. Delicious. Service was reasonably quick and our waiter kept our drinks full without having to ask. If you haven't been to Carrabba's lately, there is a new menu that is worth checking out. Our entrees were: Spiedino Di Mare - shrimp and sea scallops coated with Italian breadcrumbs, grilled and topped with lemon butter sauce with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. Very good. One of my favorite dishes at this restaurant. Tilapia Nocciola - lightly breaded tilapia with hazelnuts, topped with roma tomatoes and basil lemon butter sauce. Fish was grilled well and the sauce it is topped with is absolutely delicious. Dessert: Slight hiccup here. Wanted to try the Panna Cotta, but they were out. Then wanted to try the Apple Crostata, but they were out of the ice cream. Server said that they were actually running to the store to buy more ice cream and did we want to wait 5-10 minutes. We said yes and ended up getting the apple crostata topped with ice cream and the John Cole (vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce and roasted cinnamon rum pecans). Crostata was okay, not really worth waiting on. Probably will not get that one again.
(4)Michelle D.
REALLY disappointed with this place. Used their call ahead seating and all it got us was 30 minutes in a seat in their waiting area. And the hostesses were unhelpful and bordering on rude.
(1)Lauren S.
I only give this place a star for their Caesar salad and bread which doesn't say much because it's hard to screw those items up. The first two times we ate there two out of our four dishes were actually good. The lobster ravioli and seafood enchiladas really had us believing we liked this place. However the third and fourth time there is why I will never be back. The third time there I really wanted chicken piccata which is a very typical Italian dish. Well Carrabas only had veal piccata so I thought I'd give it a shot. The sauce was SO sour it tasted like it'd been sitting in the fridge for months. I didn't return it because by the time i got another dish I wouldn't of been hungry anyways so I just left the entire meal on my plate and the waitress didn't even get the hint when I didn't want a box to take it home. The fourth time there we were sat at a table and a male waiter came by to take our drink orders and bring us their popular bread. When the waiter was away a female waitress came to our table and basically made us feel bad for this male waiter stealing her table. I can't stress how unprofessional that made her and the company look. Take that to your manager not the people eating and giving this company money. This time I ordered the scallops with vodka sauce pasta dish. It was decent but not great. However less than two hours later I was puking and in the bathroom until the next morning. I was lucky the third time there I didn't eat all of the veal piccata or I probably would have food poisoning then also. It seems this place has major food issues to work out. And also from my review and others they need to teach their staff how to treat their customers with respect.
(1)Seth R.
I've been to Carrabba's about four times now with many mixed feelings. I've yet to have a good experience when going at or near peak times. The wait time has consistently been over the estimated time given, even when calling ahead. I feel like their call ahead method doesn't really save you time. Last time they somehow lost my name on the list. The food can be very good but it seems every time I go someone at our table gets something wrong or it needs to be sent back. Even the famed calamari hasn't been good when they use way too much salt. The limoncello is a great way to distract from other problems. I've also really enjoyed their Panko chicken dishes, garlic mashed potatoes, fettuccine Alfredo. I've had poor experiences with their calamari (salty), lasagne(greasy and didn't hold up), fried mozzarella (over cooked and tasted like fish). I have had great experiences with their catering service and everyone loves their bread. I'm probably never going back at my suggestion. I need better and more consistent experiences to be satisfied.
(2)Sieda J.
My husband and I saw a late movie and loved the fact that this restaurant was still open. I had calamari which was a little salty but still good, with a side salad. My husband had pasta. They served us some amazing red wine and warm bread. I would like to go back there again with the family.
(4)Brent L.
Long wait, super noisy, bland food, ok service. The fact that there was a 30 min wait confirms to me that Omaha needs better Italian places.
(2)Pebbles J.
We'll never return. I think the only thing that I was happy about was that they an appetizer of bruschetta with a goat cheese. I'm allergic to cow cheese and have found that very few restaurants offer goat cheese. Though this was a redeeming quality, it was not enough to truly redeem in the sense that we'll ever return. After being seated our waiter came to the table for our drink orders. Our entire visit was riddled with one mistake after another. From the commercials I expected the food we ordered to at least look delicious. Not the case. My husband did not even finish his pizza, let alone take home the left overs. Multiple times it took forever to get our server's attention. We got the feeling that either he didn't want to be there or that he didn't want us to be there?! Either way, he was not a 'happy camper.' Kinda snooty at one point, even. I ask questions and when I recall a couple of questions I asked he thought was not important and even got snippy. I think he forgot the fact that return clientele is job security. Yeah, we'll not be returning.
(1)Chester V.
Not as good as in recent years. The quality of the service is very spotty, either some of the best or some of the worst. Food isn't as good as it use to be, I know they are a chain but maybe too much outsourcing for prepared foods has hurt the taste or just poorly made dishes, don't know. Worth another go someday down the road for someone else, but I will stick to locally owned and original concepts here in town.
(1)John O.
Black berry sangria is like some mores. Everything is great. Great place to have an inexpensive meal.
(4)Cathy C.
Thank you, Carrabba's for keeping me alive when I was in college. On my last semester before graduation, this is pretty much all I would eat. Being a college student with an internship and 2 jobs, I absolutely had no time to cook or do dishes. This is a block away from my apartment so it was easy to just pick up something to eat. Calamari Ricardo, salads, soup, mezzaluna, lasagne, pasta weesie, chicken parmesan, chicken Bryan and sogno di cioccolata meant sustenance for me. Calamari Ricardo: Breaded and fried calamari in lemon butter sauceand pepperoncini. The sauce and the pepperoncini make this great and different from everyone else's calamari. The calamari is well-seasoned and the breading isn't too heavy. 5/5 Soups and salads: Caesar's salad with grilled chicken is my favorite but the other soups and salads are quite tasty too. 4/5 Mezzaluna: Translation: half moon. Ravioli with chciken and ricotta in tomato cream sauce. You'd smell like cheese after eating this but it's quite delicious. 4/5 Chicken Bryan: Chicken with goat cheese, basil lemon butter sauce, tomatoes and mint. I love goat cheese but I hate mint with tomato sauce. 3/5 Sogno di Cioccolata: Fudge brownie + chocolate mousse with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. 5/5 We only have 2 Carrabba's locations in Vegas/Henderson - none of which is close to my house...and I do miss Americanized Italian food every once in a while.
(4)Average J.
Well it seems they decided to change the menu to the point the things you used to love here are gone! Our friend couldn't even order a simple pepperoni pizza! You should have heard the hassle the waiter gave him for thinking of such! Little did they know, we ran into them after we got there! Our friends were sitting in the booth in front of us and we heard it all. Right down to the point he asked for the Manager before their food got there! He told the Manager of the problem with the waiter and that they decided that Carrabba's didn't seem to want their business, so they will go spend their money elsewhere! The Manager gave them a gift card to entice them back. Our food was MEH....well, let's just say I should have followed my friends lead and left too! But I ordered a pizza too and it wasn't as good as the last time I was there. Well any way, you get the picture. They need to get it together there! I may give them another shot, I just don't know at this point.
(1)Melanie D.
I am not usually a fan of chain italian restaurants, but there is nothing chain tasting about Carrabbas! They have a happy hour where they offer the larger carafes of their sangria for the price of the small one. My favorite is the peach sangria. They start your meal with endless fresh bread with fresh oil and seasonings to dip it in. If you are hungry for an appetizer, I would suggest the calamari, it is some of the best I have ever had. My husband and my in-laws are dead set on the Pollo Rosa Maria chicken dish, it is chicken stuffed with fontina and prosciutto, topped with mushrooms and a basil lemon butter sauce and it is delicious! My new favorite however is the Pasta Weesie it is Fettuccine alfredo with shrimp sautéed in a garlic, lemon butter, white wine sauce with sautéed mushrooms and scallions. It is hard to say which is better because both dishes are seriously to die for!
(5)Matthew D.
This is just like any other Carrabba's, so not a whole lot to say, other than it's really good as usual. The staff is good, always friendly and helpful. Honestly, they've seemed a little over staffed every time I've been in there... I think I counted 5 hostesses last time I was there. There was a lot of standing around going on. But, as a customer, I guess we can rank this as more of a positive for customer service. For an appetizer, I'd recommend the calamari. They seem to have some decent drink specials during their happy hour, too. I always go with the Pollo Rosa Maria. It's one of my favorite dishes all around. I'm not a fan of the oil they bring to dip the bread in, but my family seems to love it, so I'm in the minority on that topic. Overall, I recommend going... and be sure to get the Pollo Rosa Maria!
(4)Deborah S.
Very disappointed and I won't return. This was my husband's birthday, and he chose the restaurant and was happy with his food. I remained silent, but my meal was less than enjoyable. I ordered the house salad which was a joke consisting of bagged iceberg lettuce (heavy on the ribs) with some shredded carrots and two olives. Seriously? Tuscan skewers were gristly; only one piece of meat was actually tender. He ordered soup and loved it and was over the moon with his chicken. He prefers Carrabba's over Olive Garden for a chain Italian restaurant, and I'm the opposite. I guess we'll stick with Spaghetti Works since we both agree on that one.
(2)Michael H.
They need to work on better estimate wait times we were told 40 minutes and it ended up taking 65 minutes but after 20 we were able to order a drink at the bar fiancé loved her wine drink but I order a makers and cola they way over poured 90% maker 10% cola just way to strong I ended up order glass of cola and pouring my drink into that but our main server was very nice quick gave good opinions of what he liked I had the pork and chicken combo platter it was amazing my fiancé had shrimp and scallop pasta she enjoyed good size portions overall not bad probably will go back
(4)Jamie H.
This was one of the worst places we've eaten in Omaha. First, we used their "call ahead seating". Once we arrived, we were told we had a 25-30 minute wait, which was the same wait for the person behind us who hadn't used the "call ahead seating". While we waited, we noticed that there were three tables completely open that no one was being seated at. After our 25 minute wait, we were seated at one of those tables, but during our entire time there, no one was ever seated at the other two tables, even though there were a large number of people waiting for tables. Our appetizer and salads were ok, but our main courses were really bad. Both of our entrees tasted like something from a Chef Boyardee can of pasta. They really were that bad. The waiter never refilled our water glasses and only came to check on us once during the meal. Needless to say, we will not be back.
(1)Taylor K.
The food was good, as usual at Carrabas. I would have given 5 stars, but the service was not great at all. The servers were just not very nice.
(3)Jesse M.
REMEMBER, KIDS: Yelp is always right. If you have half a brain, you'll order the Yelp-approved calamari as an appetizer and savor in its exquisite perfection. Try the Sausage and Lentil Soup and realize it's damn delicious. The portions are huge, and with appetizers, bread, soup, and the main course, you'll be stuffed in no time. P.S. When I visited about a week ago, they had this ridiculous special going on-something about "free seconds" where if you ordered a pasta dish (clam linguine for my mother) they would serve you seconds when you wanted them. Essentially, you were buying two $17 pasta dishes for the price of one. I'd highly recommend it.
(5)YOUNG A.
This was my first and last eating experience at Carrabbas. My husband and I went for dinner on a Saturday evening and was crazy. We were told that there would be a 45 minute wait but that quickly turned into an hour and fifteen minutes. I ordered the sirloin and shrimp special. My steak was about the size of my palm if that. I questioned the waiter and asked her if she thought it was a 7oz steak and she replied that the cook weighed it before he cooked it. To wrap it up this was a mediocre restaurant that is way too expensive and wasn't worth the wait!
(3)Matt M.
I am not a huge fan of chain restaurants but I must say Carrabba's does a above average job. The food and service are always good. I had the linguine with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and lobster in a basil lemon butter sauce and it was superb.
(4)Matthew J.
Great service and delicious Italian food. Yes, this is a national chain but they've managed to keep up the quality and provide good customer service. The prices are a bit steep for what you're getting but that is to be expected, especially since they are a national chain with only one location in Omaha. You're paying extra for the distribution to one location rather than five. Their basic wine list is a bit pricey but they carry a better selection than most of the chain restaurants in town. All in all, this is a good place to eat that reflects the look and feel of all the other Carrabba's.
(4)Jim W.
Ate there Wednesday night 2/1/2012. This was my first time there. It was OK. Felt like a take off on other Italian "chains" although a little more expensive. The food itself was EXCELLENT, but felt the portions, for the price, were not as generous as they should be. I played it safe and had the Manicotti. Wonderful flavor, pasta done right, but it was maybe a 4" long manicotti noodle and only 2 were served. The Salad before the main course was pretty much just plain lettuce and a couple kidney beans on the side of the plate. Again, it was ok, but nothing special. They serve a nice bread before the meal. I did not eat much as I was not wanting to fill up on bread....in retrospect, wish I had eaten more bread. Now...the service. THAT was another story....quite frankly, totally underwhelming. We had a party of 9 and our server Dave L didn't do anything to make us feel he even cared. We waited an excessive time between being seated and before he even came to the table. Just didn't seem overly excited that we were even there. On parties of 8 or more, they automatically add and 18% gratuity. THAT was plenty. In summary...food very tastey. Portions - little skimpy on portion and service was average.
(3)Shawn G.
For a chain, this place is superb. The decor is very well done. The dining room is dimly lit, with lattice adorning the booths giving a very "fauxthentic" feel. The restaurant also features outdoor seating for those summer evening dining trips. It can get a bit louder than the decor would lead you to believe, so I recommend going off-peak hours. if possible. The appetizers leave something to be desired, for me. I remember eating here a few years ago and the fried mozzarella was spectacular, with obviously fresh cheese used in healthy portions, whereas the current appetizer feels more like what you'd get at any old chain place. I've never been particularly blown away by any of their other pre-dinner offerings either. That said, I am not a soup person, but those of my family who ARE soup people inform me that Carrabba's is very good in this regard. The meals, though, are very good. I've had a variety of things, from the wood-fire pizza, to the Pasta Carrabba, to the Lobster Ravioli, and everything has been delicious. Some dishes don't come in very large portions (the stuffed pastas come to mind) but with bread, appetizers and desserts, I've never left hungry. The desserts are delish, and like many chains, Carrabba's offers the "dessert shooter" option for those looking to save money/calories. However, for those seeking to launch a full-scale assault on their waste-lines, this place offers a dynamite chocolate cake. I've seen four people take on this bad mamma jamma and be satisfied. The service is typically great, though they lose half a point because my lovely waitress didn't know what Limoncello was, despite working at an Italian place. (I kid about the point-losing thing...) My party of five dined on an appetizer, salads/soups, drinks, meals, and desserts for 145 bucks total (pre-tip). All in all, Carrabba's is an excellent choice for people in North West Omaha looking for good Italian food.
(4)Carrie H.
OK - a cold rainy evening and I found myself wanting a big bowl of the Spicy Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup (yes - I am obsessed - see previous post!) Dear husband called ahead and indeed the girl on the other end of the line said they had it. However sadly when we arrived and I ordered, our server declared they did not but headed off to double check. I was perusing the menu for "Plan B" when the manager stopped by to apologize. I was sad, but it was Carrabbas after all and there was plenty to choose from. No biggy - and I am not one to raise a stink. After our tasty meal and a shared quartino of wine our waiter said dessert was on them. Nice! We ordered the tiramisu. (BTW dear husband who is not a tiramisu fan (*gasp!*) did enjoy this one -light and not too "alcohol-y.") To our surprise when we got the bill, the manager had even taken off half of our total!!! OK - THIS is customer service and totally unexpected. We thanked them very much as we headed out ... I had to share our experience. It's rare that people go above and beyond. What a nice surprise. :)
(5)Joey A.
Stopped for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon. It was our first time eating there. I ordered the chicken Marsala- it was grilled and had very thin sauce- it was super generic, but edible. I expected a tenderized, sauteed chicken breast with a thick Marsala wine sauce. It came with a double scoop of garlic mashed- it was supposed to be served with veggies as well but I didn't get any. The other three at the table enjoyed their food- spaghetti and meatballs and appetizer order of scampi.The service was good so I think next time I'll just stick to pasta. Really, for a chain, it was to be expected. The service was very good, so that helped. I'll give it a b-.
(2)Kit W.
This restaurant has yet to ever disappoint. The service has always been extraordinary and the food is amazing. I've had quite a few things on the menu. So far, this place has the best calamari I've had ever, and I try everyone's calamari if they serve it. The breading is light and fluffy and very well seasoned. Their prices are decent, and they offer a veriety of different flavors. The lentil soup is very delicious (when they have it). Depending on the day and time, you may have a very long wait time, but it's worth the wait. Also, it is entertaining to sit at the bar near where they cook the pizzas. The pizzas are delicious, the pastas are all very well cooked, seasoned, and adorned with quite a bit of meat (if what you order has meat). I would write more, but it would just be descriptions about everything I've had there, and nothing is a disappointment.
(5)Mark W.
Always good, check out the Mezzaluna, steak Brian or Chicken Brian. Fresh spices and bread great.
(5)Lee N.
Order "the Johnny" amazing every time. I've eaten here a dozen times an very time I say that was a fantastic meal and wonderful service.
(5)Stu S.
I have eaten fillet Mignon in Omaha at some of the famed steakhouses, and Carrabba's has the best. I have been here three times, and the fillet is the most tender and flavorful I have ever had. I am in Omaha now to get married today (really!!), and my in-laws took us to an expensive steakhouse one night and Carrabba's the next. At the steakhouse, they serve the fillet on a plate, with nothing else. At Carrabba's they pile on two side dishes as well as salad or their wonderful minestrone. Even the bread is outstanding. I know this is a chain restaurant, but I bet they get their beef from a local purveyor who has the best.
(5)L C.
It's been about a year since I've been there but every time I've been I've never been disappointed. Sirloin Marsala is my favorite!
(4)Rob R.
Best Italian food in Omaha. No doubt about it. I've eaten at them all. Nothing compares to Carrabba's. Service is usually pretty good too. Nice clean and cozy atmosphere. I wish it was a little cheaper, but other than that...it's the bomb.
(4)Michael B.
My wife really enjoyed their food, and I believe it is a step above Olive Garden, but not the best Italian food in the world. A good place to "just grab a bite"
(3)Ramon B.
From start to finish this place's food keeps this on the top of my favorite Italian grub hole. From the great appetizer choices, which is home to the best calamari I can find anywhere(and believe me, every place that I go and has calamari on the menu, I order and hold it to the standard set by Carrabba's), to the wide menu of hefty portioned, decently priced, flavorful entrees, this is a mean well worth every bite. Throw in great service, warm, family atmosphere and great pizza and you got yourself a winner! I recommend this to anyone willing to make the drive to BF west O or who already are lucky enough to live close to it. And when you are there be sure to try their bread pudding for dessert!! Holy God! It's like greatest sex is happening in your mouth and you're the one having it!
(5)Patrick W.
I tried the Tag Pic Pac which consists of Tagliarini in a Picchi Pacchiu sauce with crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil. This may have been one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. I also tried the mozzarella marinara and it was very good as well. Next time you're headed to Olive Garden, stop the car and head to Carrabba's instead. You won't be disappointed. I still think the best spot is right at the past bar so try to snag a spot there if you can.
(5)A B.
***Oops - this has been pending for a few weeks!*** Husband and I went with his sister and family for her birthday! I think I had only been there one time before and it was awhile ago so I couldn't remember if I liked it or not. It was super busy (warm March evening in Omaha on a Saturday night = busy restaurants) but we didn't have to wait too long. We were seated and had to wait a bit longer than we would have liked for drink service and bread service. But considering it was a packed house, we kept our patience. Not sure what everyone else ordered but I ordered the chicken parm and my husband ordered the spaghetti bowl. I was blown away at the amount of food on my plate - it was huge and I didn't think I'd be able to eat it all. But my husband's, in comparison, was pretty small - it was almost like they brought out a childrens or lunch portion. Not that all servings should be ginormous like mine was but there should be some proportion for all of the dinner meals - if one plate is heaping all should be heaping otherwise, keep the portions normal for all. Just saying (this is also why 1 star was lost). Portion sizes aside, the food was delicious. In fact, I told both my niece and my husband as we were leaving that it was the best chicken parm I'd had in a long time! In speaking with everyone else, they also enjoyed their food. My husband loved his spaghetti but was just expecting a little bit more. Overall, great place and will most likely return!
(4)Claire B.
Been going to Carrabbas since we moved to OMA. I didn't know it was a chain restaurant, and when I found out I wasn't deterred from my continuous visits. The minestrone is enough reason to keep coming back. My only issue with Carrabbas is that the lasagna is never consistent. I've raised this issue with servers before, and one explained that they only make so many pans of lasagna each day, and if it runs out, the chef will just throw together some noodles, meat, cheese and sauce. That explained a few of my lacklustre plates - so each time I intend to order it, I ask "Do you still have lasagna" and I have the server check. That seems to have cleared things up.
(3)