The food is fantastic, the service is always top notch, but the prices are a little high. Anytime we visit our family in Cincinnati, we make it a point to get a group of our friends together for dinner at Maggiano's. We always go with the family meal which allows us appetizers, entrees and desserts for the whole group. It is pricy, but a good way to go if there are at least 4. My favorite is the fried mozzarella, spaghetti and meatball and tiramisu, but everything is wonderful.
(4)
Sherry T.
Our family has been to Maggiano's three times now and we have always left with smiles on our faces. The food is consistently good and service is always very friendly. I have tried the Caesar salad, four cheese ravioli, lasagna, and spaghetti and meatball (it's a big one) and all of these items were spot on. The only complaint I have about Maggiano's is the wait. Reservations are an absolute must, but even with reservations there is oftentimes a wait. There is simply no comfortable place to wait for a table, as the place is always slammed and people are packed in like sardines.
(4)
Jasmin R.
I ate lunch here with a friend yesterday, who had some severe food restrictions. Not only were the staff extremely accommodating, but the chef came out to our table to make sure everything was in order for us. I thought this was extremely thoughtful and a great added step to great customer service. As always, the food was fantastic.
(5)
Esther K.
This review is reviewing it as a chain. For a chain, it's awesome! Nice ambiance, delicious warm bread, everything is fresh and so good! Never been disappointed.
Great lunch options! As well as daytime drink specials! I had half of a chicken parmesan sandwich and a salad both were delicious! My favorite part about the meal was the drink special which was a five dollar peach Bellini frozen it was absolutely delicious!
(5)
Carrie C.
Pros: Nice decor, warm complimentary bread, big portions Cons: slow service,overly salty, olive oil tasted old, kind of pricey for the quality but they try to make up for it with the quantity, I've been here a few times and I enjoy their spaghetti and meat balls. The Alfredo was kind of watery and gnocchi dish was really salty. The Balsamic chicken flat bread was the best part of the meal.
(2)
Jessi G.
I try to support local businesses as much as possible and avoid chain restaurants, but sometimes you just want a meal when you know what you're getting! And Maggiano's is relatively inexpensive, consistent, good Italian food. I went there for lunch last weekend with my fiance. We started with their warm, fresh bread, which is served with olive oil on the side (I put parmesan cheese on top of my olive oil for extra salty cheesiness!). Don't hate, but I like the bread at Maggiano's better than the breadsticks at Olive Garden. I ordered the eat one, take one special which basically means you eat one pasta dish in the restaurant and take another pasta dish home with you for lunch the next day. At just $12.95 for two meals, they are practically giving it away! I got the "light" fettucine alfredo, which is in no way diet food, but I appreciate that they offer a lighter version of my favorites so I don't ruin my whole week on one meal. And the lighter version was still super tasty, even with 30% fewer calories (they put the calories right on the menu!). My fiance got the gnocchi and holy cannoli it was HUGE! They have monster portions here, but then he got to take some home for tomorrow's lunch as well. His gnocchi was delicious, you could really taste the fennel in the Italian sausage, and the gnocchi were cooked just right. In summary, Maggiano's is like a tastier, nicer, slightly cheaper Olive Garden. It's a good place to take a large group, and they even have an outdoor patio. I'll be coming back!
(4)
Libby V.
I'm glad we don't have a Maggiano's Little Italy in Dayton...cause I might weigh a ton. You know the Food Network show "The Best Thing I Ever Put in my Mouth?" This would be a contender...at least in my top ten (and I have lived a long time-don't ever doubt that). But I digress. I ate here years ago, and have never forgotten how wonderful my lunch was. So this week while having a girlfriend trip starting by shopping at Kenwood, and hunger hit I said "lets find that Italian place we loved years ago." Asked directions and headed off with high expectations and a spring in my step. It looks Italian, smells Italian and service is top notch. There was a special on a few dishes that benefits a local charity, and I opted for Patricia's Cheese Ravioli. Light sauce full of al dente vegetables and ricotta cheese...if I was on death row this would be my last meal accompanied with a perfect white wine. But here's where it gets even better...the server asked what pasta I wanted to go. "Excuse me" I say, and he say's any pasta dish on the menu is free to go. How can they do that for $14.95??? But I was so sad cause we were traveling and had reservations for dinner already and there was no way we could eat it. I had to decline. That broke my heart cause I was thinking Lasagna. OMG....lasagna. Wishing I had that right now. If you get the chance to eat here, please do. You can thank me later. And I promise you I won't wait years to return. This is going to be on my rotation. Already planning my next trip. See you around town...
(5)
Bob W.
We had calamari for an appetizer, it was "ok", I have had better at Bar Louie before. For dinner I ordered the Chicken Alfredo. It was the worst Italian meal I have ever been served in my life. The waitress was fantastic and the restaurant is a very nice one indeed. Maybe they were off their game that night? Either way, it will be a while before I return.
(1)
Keith Z.
Had an incredible experience at this restaurant last night. Great food and incredible service! It started with a wonderful receptionist who seated us quickly and exactly where we requested. Then the waitstaff took over and provided us special attention and care all night. As example, when we asked about getting a half order of bruschetta, the manager apologized that they didn't have a way to do this, and then he provided us a couple of pieces on a small plate at no charge! The kitchen customized my pasta dish, spicing it up as I requested. And the food was tasty and served hot. Finished off our meal with a piece of chocolate cake, and it looked and tasted fabulous. From start to finish, we had a wonderful night. Clearly this restaurant is hiring and training great people and we will be back for more.
(5)
Alisha W.
Maggiano's is one of the best places in Cincinnati for large groups. When done family style, every person pays a set individual price, the group selects the menu, and then you can eat as much as you'd like. What makes Maggiano's unique is that they will allow you to take leftovers home with you. The calamari and stuffed mushroom appetizers are wonderful. I love their pastas and my personal favorite is the four cheese ravioli. The tiramisu is light, flavorful, and orgasmic. It is my favorite menu item. I could skip everything else and eat four servings of tiramisu. If you prefer your dessert be in alcohol form, get the peach bellini. It's frozen, sweet, refreshing, and delicious. The downside to this restaurant is the location. Kenwood Mall is hell on earth when it comes to parking. In December you'll circle the parking lot for 20+ minutes before you find a spot. Maggiano's won't seat your group until everyone is present in the restaurant. So imagine if you had to take more than one car... It doesn't take long before someone in your group gets hangry.
(4)
Jenni H.
We have been here many times and the service and food is always consistant- wonderful! For $12.95 you get get SO much food, you can't eat in one sitting; so there's food to take home. But wait! There's more! You then a SECOND meal included in that price to take home! Which it also is largest enough for two meals. So basically you're getting what is equivalent to 4 meals for $12.95. Are you kidding??? The servers are always nice, all while they are very busy. You would be silly to not make reservations as this place is ALWAYS packed! And parking? Fagetaboutit.......
(5)
Lisa M.
It's a nice chain restaurant specializing in Americanized Italian food, lots of pasta. I don't mean that in a bad way. The meatballs are good and so is the mushroom ravioli. They have outside seating in the warmer months, something to consider! Their sauces are pretty good. The most disappointing this is the quick use garlic :( Being Greek myself, I eat garlic a lot and have never used jarred garlic but I know the difference. I think they buy it in big jars already peeled. That really takes away from the quality and taste. They should invest in a prep chef.
(3)
Lary R.
I usually enjoy this place. Their pizza and most of the subs are good however, got the Chicken Hoagie today. The menu says chicken breast. That's not the case. It's a processed formed chicken patty, like Banquet or a .99 McChicken. Not a good sandwich and not worth 7.00. What a disappointment.
(2)
Isaiah F.
Full disclosure: I came here for a mystery shopping gig. Normally I don't frequent chain restaurants, especially in a city like Cincinnati which has so many local eateries. I will admit that the lady friend and I did enjoy our meals. We started off with the artichoke dip and shortly thereafter the roofs of our mouths had melted off, just like the cheese in the dip. You'd think after 30 years of life we would have figured this out but nope... oh look, a squirrel. Next came the entrees, seafood something and spicy something. I'm pretty sure we carb loaded for our imaginary marathon. We probably should have run a marathon after all the calories we just ingested. Overall the food was decent, the service was good, and we left happy and pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Bob D.
I have never had a great experience here. The food and service is not terrible but far from great Italian food. The dishes I have ordered seem plain, something I could cook myslef for way less. The upside is the take home meal option but the selection is very limited. I do really like the gnocchi ( which is tough to find a good one out) but last time I was there they removed it from their take home entree list! I have not been back since. My wife enjoys the ravioli. But all in all it is never my first choice for Italian.
(3)
Jessie T.
Maggiano's I could say is my favorite Italian chain restaurant to go to, simply for their reasonable prices, their consistently great service, and the fact that their portions (at your meal and the complimentary take-home meal) are pretty generous. The food itself tastes very fresh and are all very flavorful. My favorite dishes here are the Maggiano's salad, seafood linguini, fettuccine alfredo, Mom's lasagna, and the tiramisu is also fantastic. Whether dining for 2 or for 10, they will make sure your visit is made well its worth with their dinner for 2 deal and their family-style menu. I've never had a bad experience here!
(5)
Jonny T.
Think we were unlucky and ordered everything that tasted bad. Zucchini-fried for apps. Like somebody batter my dr soles and served it with ranch Salads-best thing we ordered(but we love onions) Mine:chicken shrimp something the waitress said it was "the best thing on the menu" If it weren't for the watery skim milk(cream sauce?) I might have liked it. I'm sitting here and my stomach is turning terribly! Wife:she said the Rigatoni D which she had previously was amazing but tonight had an over powering wine flavor. Tiramisu- we ordered that to go. I hope it's good. Staff was friendly. They are doing a great job. The atmosphere is fine. Oh yes the wine was great! Overall: If we return I'll get something like spaghetti and meatballs. Anything more complicated than that In prefer I cook it.
(1)
Anna S.
I have never been one to turn my nose up at a solid Italian chain restaurant. I usually like them very much (Johnny Carino's, Carraba's, Brio, Bravo, even the OG). I'm not looking for 'authenticity', I just want free bread, and enough cheesy-saucy-noodley goodness for leftovers. We went to Maggiano's for the first time for a couple's date. Reservations were easy to make (nice touch, especially for the stampede frenzy that is Kenwood Mall). The restaurant is huge, homogenous and comfortable. I read a lot of criticism about the service, but we didn't have any issue: our server was very efficient in that polite, young college way (much preferred to that entitled, rude young college way - which I have definitely experienced), who warmed up to us quickly because my friend's husband simply won't be a stranger to anyone. We got the free standard chewy, baguette-type bread with olive oil (it's free - who cares if it's not amazing). We shared the zucchini appetizer: huge lengthwise slices of zucchini breaded and deep fried and served with some lemony sauce. It was crunchy and satisfying - if I were a vegetarian, I think it'd be a great meat substitute. We ordered dishes ranging from chicken Parmesan, chicken piccata, lobster carbonara and the "classic" lasagna (note: for an entree ordered from the "classic" selection, you get a whole entree boxed up to go, gratis - now THAT'S amazing). I liked my Parmesan very much, and the portion could easily be two meals. I sampled my friend's piccata (lemony chicken with spinach and angel hair on the side), and my husband's carbonara (creamy and massive and very tasty). For dessert we split the apple crostata a la mode and the tiramisu. Both of these were great. The crostata was flaky and buttery and can serve 2-3, and the tiramisu was thick and rich, with the perfect balance of sweetness and bitter from the coffee and cocoa dusting. Prices are fair, about the same as Olive Garden or Carraba's. Flavor-wise, not as good as Brio or Bravo, but I wouldn't hesitate to come back.
(3)
Xiaoheng P.
The service is definitely top notch,but very slow . We went in around 7pm and by the time we sat down and have the food out it was 8:30pm, by then I have already ate a whole loaf of bread :( We ordered the chicken Alfredo, and since it was buy one get one Togo for free, the second dish we got was the meatball spegetti. The first dish was a little blend the second one was a little salty. It was a decent deal though. Probably not going to come back again primarily because of the slow service
(2)
Vincent O.
All of our entrees tonight were excessively salty. The price is slightly on the expensive end but they have large portions that are more than enough. I would recommend getting the you pick two for $12.95 for dine in and one to go.
(3)
Bob E.
Second time here. Good food and value. Did the dinner for two. Eat one at the restaurant and take one home plus app and dessert for $40. Service was slow today. Dining room wasn't busy - should have been quicker.
(3)
John D.
My wife loves pasta dishes. I have food sensitivities to both tomatoes and dairy, so that means I don't usually treat her to Italian restaurants. She wanted to go to Maggiano's for her birthday. We got a reservation and went. I was very impressed with the room. Very pretty mix of old and new elements filled with well-dressed and polite wait-staff. But we had to wait for 5 mins, even though we had arrived on time for our reservation. We were seated. The place was packed. Our waiter appeared to be serving 10 tables... maybe more. The first person to our table was a manager to ask how we were doing. We did not have water or bread at the table yet, and we have now been seated for over five minutes. An assistant waiter arrives with the water and bread a minute later. Easily ten minutes later is the next time anyone comes to the table; our waiter introduces himself. We order a bottle of wine and appetizers, and I announce my food issues. He sends the chef out to talk to me. I was very impressed with that. It was very reassuring that I could inform the man actually preparing my food about my allergies. I order the veal marsala with a side of pasta (which he could easily modify), and then an extra side of grilled asparagus. The food arrived at our table after a small wait. Since it is prepared fresh, the wait seemed slightly long, but not too excessive. However, we had arrived at 6:30, and by the time we actually had our dinner it was 7:30 and the bottle was almost empty. The food was tasty, but the veal was overcooked. The asparagus never arrived. After finishing our meal, our waiter came up and asked if we wanted dessert. My wife is not too into sweets, and my allergies preclude most Italian desserts. But I ordered a port. Easily ten minutes later, I visited the waiter's station to get my bill, since it did not seem that my port was going to make it to the table. A few minutes later, the bill arrives along with some complimentary lady fingers for my wife's birthday. As I was looking at the bill, I noticed they had recommended gratuity amounts... 18%, 20%, and 22%. That seemed a little gauche, but the thing that pushed me over the top was that the amounts were WRONG! Our bill was $131.10, before a coupon and tax. After coupon, it was $121.10. Add in tax, $129.58. 20% of these numbers is $26.22, $24.22, and $25.32. What did they recommend? $28.06 (which is one-fifth of what the amount of the bill would have been had they not gave us the coupon reduction and had charged tax on the full amount). I shouldn't have to break down an itemized bill at the end of dinner just to figure out my tip. So, this was a completely "Meh" experience. I loved the concern for my allergies. I hate that they have so few waitstaff that they can't attend to basic needs on time and they can't get orders correct. And apparently, they can't do math.
(2)
Charlie T.
We hadn't gone there in over a year, somehow forgetting why. After a few bites of our entree, we remembered why. Later that night, we REALLY remembered why. First of all, everything was over-salted and has been every time we've gone. Once, we even had to fix left-over stew by watering it down because it was sooooo salty. This has been the case on numerous occasions spread out over a very long spread of time. In addition, my partner and I both got sick the night we last went. The waitress also forgot half of our very plentiful leftovers, which was perhaps for the better.
(1)
Amy E.
Went here for my birthday this past year. I've gone to other locations and have enjoyed it, especially the family style. It's a LOT of food, but really, the food was just okay, and I thought the service was very very slow. I enjoyed the mushroom ravioli, calamari, and tiramisu. You don't leave hungry, and it's fun to spend time with your friends, but I don't know if I'd come back.
(3)
Alex N.
I have been a few times and the place never disappoints. This past time was just a random night with my friend shopping but I have been here before for business lunches and a very large wedding rehearsal dinner. Every time the service and food was great, the food is made from scratch so If you have a food allergy or happen to hate onions you are in luck the chef will cook to your specifications. My friend was a vegetarian and it was no issue at all. I am a huge fan of spinach and artichoke dip but it could be hit or miss sometimes. This place easily is my top two I wish I could just eat a bowl of it and not be upset : / For the other appetizer we had fried calamari which was also good. Along with that you have dinner rolls while you wait. Just ask for the balsamic because only oil is on the table. This time we tried the take an extra entree home deal. So for $12.95 you get to choose from I believe 9 different dishes. You have one for dinner and take another one home. The best part is you can mix and match. I had the lasagna for dinner and then I took home a eggplant parmesan. My friend had the ravioli and ziti. We both really liked our dishes. The lasagna had a meat sauce on it with liberal layers of ricotta cheese in between the noodles. The portions were quite generous I was more than stuffed to say the least. I am totally looking forward for dinner tonight since its already made and if its anything like the lasagna its going to be awesome.
(5)
Katie K.
I am surprised that this place has 4 stars. I am not big on eating at chain restaurants, but we had a gift card from Christmas to use. We ordered very simple meals, I got the tomato basil soup and a salad. The soup tasted like marinara, end of story. The salad, which I requested dressing on the side, came drenched in dressing. We didn't see our server for another 10 minutes after being served by what seemed to be a food runner, so I went ahead and ate it. It could have been a decent salad, but the disgusting amount of dressing actually made me feel sick after dinner. My boyfriend had a flatbread, he said no complaints but nothing to rave about. The service was not horrible, but obviously not great. It did not seem overly crowded at the time we dined, so not sure why the kitchen/server messed up order and the server was a bit slow. I wouldn't recommend this place.... It is expensive for poor quality food.
(2)
Tom G.
I do not review chain restaurants. Just about every successful chain restaurant does not need further promotion because they are already successful. Magliano's Little Italy is exactly what I would expect out of a successful Italian restaurant.
(5)
Asim A.
Love this place !! I've been here multiple times and the food is awesome. If you get one of their pastas from the menu, you get one to take home too. What a deal !! Sign up for their coupons, which are pretty good. I have tried their two for 40 deal and you get a lot of food for 40 dollars. It's an awesome deal ! They make all their desserts in house, so nothing is shipped frozen to the site. My favorite dessert is the dessert sampler.. it's something you can share with a group and you get to enjoy a little bit of everything.
(5)
Brandee B.
Ah, Italian. I love Italian. I actually want to go to Italy one day. But unfortunately, I wasn't too crazy about Maggianos fare. They have the usual italian dishes, I had the mushroom ravioli with pesto cream sauce and they added a little marinara to the mix which was cool. It was tasty. I also had a fancy gingerberry mojito which tasted like flat ginger ale rooty mint. eww. lol The bright sides are that they have great deals like buy one take one home and the meal for two. They also have nice ambiance and big portions. I think that the highlight of their menu is their desserts. I had the chocolate cake. Awesomeness on a plate!
(3)
P B.
Great food..very nice service. I think they prepare food with their home made sauce, cream etc..anyways, food taste is very good. Bit expensive though. Definitely recommend others.
(4)
Jon M.
One hell of a restaurant. The fact you can eat great food and still go home with full meals is so American. The flavor of the food is on point the service of the staff is amazing. My family loves this place. But if you want to eat here on a Friday of Saturday. Make sure you get a reservation.
(5)
Laura C.
I've been having a challenging time finding good, reliable Italian cuisine in a town full of Germans. I have been avoiding Maggiano's specifically because it's a chain and I figured chain restaurants would have a chain vibe to the ambiance and the menu. I couldn't be more incorrect. Let's introduce you to the setting - richly colored carpets and walls with gorgeous wood floors and trim. The bar area provides ample seating (generally full) and a vibrant atmosphere. There are two floors of seating (largely, if not entirely, made up of tables and chairs) and a great little veranda/patio for the warmer months. The menu feels like something that was created specifically for the restaurant's location, like a family chef has come up with the best dishes he can conceive and is offering it to locals. The wait staff is friendly, eager, helpful, and prompt. The food is rich and satisfying, and one meal easily can feed two people. My one recommendation with the food? Either serve your delicious hot bread with butter, or provide spices to go with the olive oil left on the table. I took my fiance with me last night for our first dinner here, and it certainly won't be our last. Make a reservation!!
(5)
C L.
I really had some high hopes for this place- my first time here. Let's start by saying that the Mozzerella Caprese and tomato basil soup were really good. The soup is more marinara tasting than creamy like I've had elsewhere. If you are getting pasta with tomato sauce, skip this soup. I got spaghetti and meatballs and my date got chicken Parmesan. They love to drown the meal in sauce. The chicken was also so overdone that even cutting all the edges off still made it seem 20 days old. The pasta was cooked aldente and the meatball was good. I think I like my own sauce at home over this acidic and chef boy ar dee type sauce. Our waiter wasn't great. SLOW and we were never brought bread (even after asking) and while other waiters were explaining the menus and specials we got nothing. Waited forever for simple beverage refills. Boo. Waiting forever for a check even after asking twice. If I return, it will be for appetizers at the bar only and definitely not a meal. Good news is that the manager took off our meals from our bill. Good service that way. **Update! My date got very sick after eating here. Bathroom will be needed if you go here.
(3)
Darcy L.
If you like ridiculous amounts of food, Maggiano's is a great place to go. We went for an anniversary celebration, and splurged on a few Italian street fare appetizers, two entrees (and one extra to take home as part of their BOGO deal), and drinks. Several drinks. More than several drinks, maybe... Service was lovely in the dining area. We were a little bummed that they were out of a few of the apps we wanted to try, but our server made up for it with great alternate suggestions and a little package of melt-in-your-mouth lemon cookies to take home. The pasta dish I ordered was good, but nothing mind-blowing. Their gnocchi was wonderful, but the sauce was a little heavy and seemed identical to the sauce they'd used for some of the appetizers. Post-dinner drinks at the bar were fabulous! We got to chatting with a sweet bartender who poured perfect drinks and let us sample a few as she made different ones for diners in the restaurant. The specialty drinks that are Maggiano's own recipes are great, but hands down, their version of the Manhattan is one of the best I've ever had. I don't even feel bad for how much money I spent on two of them. Great evening out, for small or large groups. Or one shameless Manhattan lover who may or may not be found hovering alone at their bar...
(4)
Virginia C.
Two words: AWESOME SERVICE! Best event location I've used in the country! I'm a trainer who travels hosting events nationally and this location is hands down the best I've been to. Each and every time they provide exceptional service to me and my guests.
(5)
Joshua R.
My wife and I have been here several times and the experience is always the same... Awesome!!! We simply love coming here and do so about once a week. Make sure you try the zucchini fritters and have a dark and stormy for me. Any dish can have substitutions (we always get veggies instead of pasta) and don't forget the house salad.
(5)
Jim R.
Are there today, I thought the spaghetti sauce was bland. I will not be back again. Too many other restaurants in the area to spend money on less than average food.
(2)
Magda C.
My husband and me were pleasantly surprised by the place. It was an unplanned visit after lengthy shopping at Kenwood. We were hungry and expected the worst of this chain-type of restaurant, yet the whole experience was very nice. The place is huge and can acommodate parties from 2 to multi! The service is great, but the place was packed and the dished came slowly. We took the dinner for 2 for 40 USD, including an apetizer and dessert to share, 2 classic pasta dishes to dine in and 2 classic pastas to take home. The flatbread with chicken and roasted peppers we got as an apetizer was delicious, perfectly seasoned and garnished with balsamico glaze. Our skinny light versions of classic chicken Alfredos were yummy and accurately portioned. We finished with Creme Brulee, which was the only disappointment. The taste of the custard was blunt and the sugar on top was too grainy and thick to enjoy it, it was not even caramelized, so it felt like sand between the teeth. Definitely not worth trying! Wish we had tiramisu instead, some people around us had it and it looked much better. They have a happy hour for cocktails, smal bites and beer till 6 PM on weekdays, however they do not offer proper espresso-based coffee, which is sad in an Italian restaurant... All in all, the ratio of price vs. quality was great and I will be happy to come back! Plus, the dinner for tomorrow is already sitting in the fridge, love it!
(4)
Bobby G.
Perfect date night destination! Me and my Girlfriend went and had a lovely time. The food was good and felt like what an authentic Italian meal should feel like. My only 2 knocks were the prices, which aren't too terribly outrageous and if you plan right you can get 2 extra meals for your money, and the host who sat us was a little bit cocky as to how much better they were than other restaurants. Let your food do the talking. Overall it was a great environment, good authentic food and a perfect night out every once in a while. Definitely will be going back.
(4)
Celena F.
First time eating here. One of the employees who works there, Kim, invited me to try Maggianos. It was delicious! She suggested what to get and I absolutely couldn't have agreed with her more. We had Zucchini Frittè, stuffed shells with chicken, mushrooms and veggies, fettuccini Alfredo, and a shrimp chopped salad. The service was great, Clayton (I think, or Clay) was our server and he did a phenomenal job. If you've never been, you should go (just make sure you got the money, honey).
(5)
Rebecca J.
They fixed the stinky bar smell but we were disappointed with our dinner and service the list time there. The fettucini Alfredo was bland and over cooked. The Caesar dressing was way too fishy. And the server didn't offer to let us take home a pasta. As I was signing the check I asked him why, he said he could get me one. It should have been offered before I was paying the bill.
(3)
Henry J.
So we've eaten here a few times, each time I kept forgetting to check in on Yelp. For those who don't know, Maggiano's is one of the best chain Italian-American restaurants in the US. Their food is very flavorful in general. Although pricey, their entrees feature very generous portions as well. Of the pastas I've ordered, only once did my dish taste ever-so-slightly overcooked. For the most part, they cook their pastas al dente. If you want a signature dish there, then go for the Rigatoni "D". It's not pricey at all ($15.95) at this location, and the portion is enough to be a meal and a half. Their salads are also very nicely dressed. Their Italian salad dressing is a bit on the sweet side. Their flatbread is more appropriate as an appetizer for two rather than a main course for one. Most definitely have their tiramisu. It's sweet, creamy, coffee-y, and is topped with a thick layer of cocoa dust and has a few pieces of dark chocolate, finished off with a milk chocolate drizzle. We made it a point to not finish our entrees to save room for their tiramisu. Definitely a fan.
(5)
Brigid S.
Love the food and bar service is great but the hostess who is seating people tonite could use some customer service training
(1)
Cynthia T.
Even though my husband and I have been to other Maggianos locations, this one in particular has stood out to us. The service is always great and the food delicious. The manager, Mike, was extremely nice and ensured we had the best experience possible. I would say that this Maggianos makes us feel like we are at a neighborhood restaurant versus a large chain. We will keep coming back!
(5)
Holly S.
Not too handicap friendly. No automatic side door, hard to push wheelchair across carpet. Tiny elevator up stairs, poor handicap bathroom (women).
(3)
Azelle B.
My husband and I frequently visit this Maggiano's and we have never been disappointed. The food and service are always top notch. My favorite is the Taylor Street Baked Ziti and my husband LOVES the Mama's Lasagna. We have YET to be able to clean our plates because they give you a TON of food (plus one to go home depending on what you order) but the food is so good we certainly try... The ONLY bad thing to me is the location. It's located in Kenwood Mall and it's ALWAYS crowded at this mall which always makes it hard to find parking.
(5)
Devika A.
Perfect for groups, okay for dates. Great environment- classic Italian but the portions are just huge! Everything is delish- from the bread to the Ziti to the eggplant parmesan. They have this deal where you order one serving for dinner and you get another to bring back home. It's great :) I would just recommend this for group outings as leftovers aren't always the best way to remember a restaurant. I do have to say that the wait is long and if you want classic Italian, then there is better in downtown Cincinnati.
(4)
Chris G.
My most recent visit to Maggiano's Little Italy came with the obligatory trip to the Kenwood Towne Centre which is, as many malls are, a frustrating endeavor of parking spot hunting. The wait at Maggiano's without a reservation was gracefully short. We were told 15 minutes, but in reality waited less than ten before we were seated. On this visit they offered a two meal deal for $39.95 which also included two additional take-home meals an appetizer and a dessert. It's printed in the menu, so I'm sure it's now a standard offering. The appetizer chosen was the Tomato Caprese which has large thick slices of fresh mozzarella laid atop thick fresh slices of tomato seasoned with a balsamic drizzle. I really enjoyed this dish, but my date indicated she could take it or leave it. My date chose the Spaghetti and Meatball for dinner with the Fettucini Al Fredo for her take-home meal. I chose the Mushroom Ravioli al Forno for my meal, with the Four Cheese Ravioli for my take-home meal. I was conflicted because there were main entrees which interested me, but which would have negated the the special deal, and between the two of us we ordered everything I'd liked to try in the classic pasta collection. I paired my Mushroom Ravioli with the "Elderflower Collins" handcrafted cocktail which offered a distinct and interesting contrast. Not only because the cocktail was a bit puckery, but the rhubarb in the drink really shone through as oddly complimentary to the mushroom and the alfredo sauce. Not bad, but I imagine it'd take some getting used to for most. The dessert selected was the Tirimisu which came out fluffy, moist and delightfully easy to eat. For as "common" as Tirimisu is places seem to get it wrong way too often and produce a dry cakey mess which lacks the joy producing textures and tastes expected.
(4)
Courtney F.
Usually my mom and I have a great time here when we've come, but the service today was not good. A manager greeted us after about 5 minutes and was very pleasant. She told us our servers name and by then we knew what we wanted. We waited almost another 5 minutes for our server who didn't introduce herself. She just said did you decide? She was not friendly and We talked to the manager and everything turned out ok and we will be back.
(3)
Sara M.
Normally chain restaurants the food is average, Maggiano's is an exception. For an appetizer their fried zucchini with aioli is great. My favorite meal is the eggplant parmasean, one of the best I've had...not what you would expect from a chain. I get this as my meal, portions are huge, so I take half home. It's part of the Chefs deals so I get another one for free to take home! This means I have 4 meals for $12.95! The take home dinner warms up well, even when frozen.
(4)
Jennie I.
We came here for my boyfriend's mom's birthday and I'm sure glad we did. Great vegetarian options and heaps better food and atmosphere than Olive Garden. I got the mushroom ravioli to eat there and took home the eggplant parm, they were both delicious and our server was hilarious!
(5)
Karen D.
Post holiday dinner with a few friends I haven't seen in a while and yes this was my first visit to Maggiano's for dinner, I'm very picky about my Italian food & this place is always packed thats why I've never enjoyed their food before. A friend has celiac's disease, which she can only eat gluten free and have to be careful food doesn't come in contact with other food, we notified our waiter and their policy is to notify the chef. The chef came out and talked to my friend about the menu and what she could have, the chef was very impressive and thorough making my friend at ease about her dinner selection. Our server even brought her out a cup of fruit while we waited for our dinner to arrive, which felt was impressive and very accommodating to her needs. The restaurant was very busy on a Wednesday night as this location is at Kenwood mall so a mixture of families, friends enjoying a night out. All of us selected the pick 2 on the menu for $12.95, where you pick one dish and they prepare another dish for you to take home, which is great deal. I selected the lasagna for the restaurant and eggplant parmesan to take home. The lasagna was okay, I've had better, I set the bar very high for lasagna. My take home eggplant parmesan I warmed up the next day was better. Another friend selected the four cheese ravioli, which looked amazing when it was placed on our table and also eggplant parmesan to take home. They had two special pasta selections made with corn making it gluten free for friend and the servings were huge. We had a great evening catching up and now can see why Maggiano's is so popular chain Italian restaurant.
(4)
Jennifer W.
I love maggianos and was expecting to have a nice family dinner, until I called to make a reservation and Nikki answered the phone with a rude tone..and when I went to make a reservation almost 3 hrs prior to the time we were suppose to come in..she replied with just for your future reference you need to call earlier but we can fit you in because we are slow today! Oh thanks I won't be back again..next time make sure you have better customer service, and make your guests feel welcome!
(1)
Ray F.
Excellent Italian dinner! Broader selection than Carrabbas, delicious tilapia and chicken piccata. Calamari had just about the right amount of light breading. Chocolate Zucotto cake was an awesome share!!
Every time my wife and I go to Maggiano's, we always leave with so much food. We're not complaining either. We love that they take reservations and we absolutely love the food. We will definitely continue to go back and leave satisfied.
(4)
Kelsey H.
Just got take-out from here and it was so scrumptious.. had to put the "new year" eating habits on hold for just 1 more day! The eggplant parm was a pleasantly new delicious surprise. The white sauce clam spaghetti was a hit, as always! Mine did have a few crunchy bits in there though... Whether sand or shell, I wasn't sure. The food was hot enough so that it was still nice and warm when we opened it up at home, except for the bread... but that wasn't much of a shocker.
(4)
Ashley O.
It's a tradition to come here with my family for the holiday shopping kickoff....and usually it's amazing. This time they got my order wrong twice (just simply switching salad dressing from one I have a slight allergy to). The waitress was nice about it but clearly was irritated I wanted to get the correct dressing. She didn't have a very genuine attitude about service. Otherwise, the best thing about this place is the "eat one now, take one home too" for $12.95. I always get the Fettuccini Alfredo (to eat there and the second portion to take home). The portions are huge so I usually get 2 meals out of the regular adult portion. Overall I love this place and will come back here with family and friends.
(4)
Barbara W.
This place is simply AMAZING!! My husband and I are regulars and we've never been disappointed. Everything is made from scratch. The 4-cheese ravioli is divine. The lasagna and spaghetti are also exceptional. The bruschetta and fried zucchini are fantastic appetizers. On the weekends, the restaurant gets extremely busy. We've waited up to 2 1/2 hours in the past, but it has always been well worth the wait. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Tabitha W.
It was Sweetest Day, and my husband decided to surprise me by making reservations at Maggiano's and picking me up for a date after he got out of work. He had been there for a work meeting a couple months ago, and I think he was just using this as an excuse to return to somewhere with tried and true good food. Have you ever taken advantage of their deal on Classic pastas? If you buy one pasta dish, you get another whole dish to take home for free. Holy ravioli, that's a lot of food. We got the Four-Cheese Ravioli and the Mushroom Ravioli al Forno - and we liked it so much, we took home two full orders with us, PLUS our leftovers from our first dish. You can actually pick any dish to take home that you want off the Classic Pasta menu, but these sounded the best. They have mini desserts here, so we selected a few to try: Creme Brulee, Apple Crostada, and Chocolate Zuccotto Cake. Good quality food!
(4)
Joe G.
It's okay. The local people, of which I am one, eat there and like to dress in nicer clothes. It feels good and the service was great. Like most Italian food, I've eaten better for the same price or less. I've eaten Italian fare in Chicago and NYC for the same price or much less. Plus, being married to an accomplished chef, I am spoiled. But, when we go out and pay Maggiano's prices, I expect better. The food was average. It's pricey when you have 1-2 glasses of average wine for a high price.
(3)
Dale H.
My hubby and I like to go here during the week when we're not inclined to cook. We don't wait for a table, but we eat at a table near the bar. They have two T.V.s to watch the Reds game. The food is consistent. Sometimes we'll get a classic pasta and we get to take one home for free. That night he had the eggplant parmagiana. Very good. I had the chicken marsala. Good. Always huge servings - so large you can take half home for lunch the next day. I think the wines by the glass are a bit high - but good. Service is good - not great. The servers seem a bit stressed out - maybe too many tables to wait on?
(3)
Andy D.
Great service, food and atmosphere! One of my favorite Italian places in the city...I know I'm usually pretty critical of chain places, but this one is actually really great! The customer service is awesome and the decor and atmosphere are top notch...The outside patio is very relaxing and romantic. I always love eating at Maggiano's...Keep up the great work!!
(4)
Rhonda W.
This is one of my allll time Fav's Everytime my hubby went to Chicago he knew better than to come home without something from here and we were very excited one opened nearer to us. It's still an hour drive but it's worth it. Of course the Chicago location has the cute Italian waiters but when we can't go to Chicago for dinner it's a nice compromise. the portions are huge .. so do not fill up on bread or mess with soup or salad. Save it for the good stuff. For years we would get a few things and share them .. and looking forward to the left overs. Rigatoni D is a long time fav ... chicken, mushrooms, a little onion in a light cream sauce. Their mushroom ravioli and Asiago fettuccini are ta die for. If you like lasagna ....it's super. Their bruschetta is great .. the tomatos are sweetish just a great starter One dinner portion could likely be enough for two ... one time they forgot my meal but it worked out .. we share his and it was perfect amount but they were so apologetic they offered us a dessert .. but we were stuffed. They insisted and brought us some lemon finger cookies to go. The next morning while my husband was showering I thought I'd nibble a few ... while watching tv. I totally ate them all. He asked for a few to tide him over till lunch ... :( I had to fess up. But they were sooo good. so beware they might be addictive.
(5)
Heather R.
Holy boat load of food!!! I went there last week for a friend's birthday. There was a total of 7 of us & we had the Classic family style meal. All of the food was great! I was a little disappointed at the amount of steak that was served though. The initial plate had a decent amount but when we asked for more (their menu describes the family style meals as "the plates won't stop coming until everyone has had their fill.") only 2 pieces of stake were served. Really, I know it's the most expensive item we ordered but own up to your description. We weren't expecting a full platter but 2 pieces is ridiculous. Overall, the service was good & the food was tasty. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)
Chris S.
Best caterer for an Italian cuisine. The deliveries are prompt and professional and my corporate guests always love the food.
(5)
Robert M.
I struggle given this place 4 stars. Really it comes down to service. Sometimes it is great, other time awful. The food is always good. Always a wait at night. As a chain it is better then most.
(4)
Beverly C.
Fantastic Food! Huge portions that can be split between 2 people. Fantastic Deserts, Excellent wine list, Private party room, Bar area with piano - Several dining areas for different atmosphere. Love this restuarant!
(5)
Carolyn W.
Allergies? Special diet? No problem! Over-the-top service and accommodation at this tastefully decorated dining place. Because I am gluten-free and vegan we asked to see a menu. The host asked if we had food concerns and began to share how they could accommodate them. We decided to try. Our waiter knew what my limitations were and just verified that information then made recommendations based on those concerns. Ample time was provided for our decision: attentive without feeling rushed. When the bread was delivered, the chef sent out a complimentary gluten-free appetizer for me. The chef visited our table to make sure my needs were met. I noticed the staff preparing a table for a larger group. They moved other tables creating more space between the larger group and other tables for patrons. What a nice idea. The food was delicious and with their classic pasta dishes you get another classic pasta dish to take home. It makes the cost of these entrees ($14) a great value. We felt like our patronage was valued and the staff was there to serve. So, skip the Cheesecake Factory and walk into Maggiano's Little Italy for personalized service and excellent, made-to-order food.
(5)
Valerie G.
This review concerns Maggiano's carryout service. It is excellent. Five Stars for sure. On a Friday night, during restaurant "rush hour", we ordered several appetizers, a salad and entree to share, and the apple crostada for dessert. Ordering by phone was very quick, and the employee was quick, clear and friendly. She even confirmed the salad was the correct one when I slightly mis-named it when ordering. Picking up is simple and quick - there is a side door to bypass the bar and restaurant traffic. The server who gave us our food showed us each item, offered extras such as cheese/peppers/plasticware, and she separated out the hot items from the cold items in separate bags, so food items would not get warm or cold too quickly. When we got home and ate, our food was hot and/or cold as it was supposed to be, and everything was delicious. Some places treat carryout as a necessary evil. However, Maggiano's went above and beyond for carryout. This might sound silly, but I found the service impeccable for carryout.
(5)
Renee M.
Not very good... Find another Italian restaurant if possible. Sauce tastes like out of a jar.
(1)
Terri B.
Just soooooooooo good. That's all I can say!
(5)
Jo Z.
Extremely rude hostess staff!! We were made to wait even though we had a reservation days in advance. We dined at 11:45 on a Sunday so it wasn't as if they were turning around a table, simply unprepared. Waiter was good, not great. Food was good, not great and overpriced for the quality. Will not return.
Food was VERY DELICIOUS, but service was a little inept. We had a large group, and our waitress seemed new on the job. I don't fully understand what is so difficult about a large group. I have to believe that they assign tables by # of seats, meaning one person gets 5 tables with 4 seats each and another person gets, say, 2 tables of 10 each. What do I know... Anyway, they should train the staff - even if it is a big table, even if you feel overwhelmed, don't let them see you sweat. However, let me emphasize, THE FOOD IS OUSTANDING AND A GREAT VALUE.
(3)
Tls K.
We love Maggianos and visit one every chance we get...sadly the closest one to use is a 2 hour drive away. Reservations are a must! We remembered that Cincinnati has a Maggianos as we were driving to the airport and called ahead. After explaining why we couldn't wait until 9pm for dinner (we had an 11:00 flight), the restaurant agreed to accommodate us. Portions are insanely large AND they tried to send us home with a complimentary second entree. The staff is friendly and efficient. My husband enjoyed fettuccine alfredo with enough to share with our son. I enjoyed classic spaghetti with red sauce and the fabulous Maggianos Salad. My mouth is watering just writing this review! My only complaint is parking. This location is in a busy mall with very few handicapped parking spots - the night we were there - we struggled to find any spot to park. However, do not let a small issue like parking stop you from enjoying this fabulous restaurant!
(5)
KP K.
AWFUL EXPERIENCE. I will start by saying that I do not believe my experience here to be the norm and that this may be a much better establishment than my experience, but my experience would lead anyone to giving just 1 star. It started with a 2 hour wait, which seems long because the wait should never exceed the duration that an average customers dines, but it happens, the wait was okay. The host staff was not the friendliest, but again that is typical when busy. Finally, after 2 hours, we were at our table. It took 20 minutes to receive our drinks. It took 40 minutes before we were able to give our order because the waitress was AWOL (We ended up giving our order to another waitress who relayed the order). Then, the power went out. The power was out for around 15-20 minutes. At no point did management or staff let anyone know what was happened or offer any words of encouragement such as "We are working on getting the power on shortly, thank you for your patience." When the power came back, it took another 45 minutes to order our desert. The wrong desert was then served, but we just ate it because we knew we wouldn't see our waitress again for a while. Time for the bill - They said their computer system was down. We waited 45 minutes after finishing desert before we received our check. There was no apology for the delay. No discount offered. They hand wrote what we ordered on a piece of paper with prices and handed it to me. They had our bill wrong. They had the appetizer and drinks that the table behind us ordered on our hand written check. $25 extra on our bill. I argued, but they said that is what they have down and the other customer had already paid their bill. It was frustrating. We obviously knew what we ate and did not eat. I had no choice but to pay. I did. They brought me another hand written slip with the check amount and then the tax and she asked me to add the tax to the amount - in other words, she was not able to do the math and asked me to do it. Amazing. I did it. They made a copy of my card to charge when their computers get back up. This morning, I wake up, and see a pending charge on my debit for $10 more than the final amount I left. So my bill had $25 of things we did not order on it, then another $10 mystery unauthorized charge. $35 extra. I am still deciding whether to dispute the charge or not. I am unsure if its worth the hassle of disputing a charge over $35, but certainly there was some fraud going on there last night. Also, today for lunch we opened our bag with the two to-go items we ordered, and noticed she gave us the wrong items. Ordered fettuccine Alfredo to go, and received ravioli. I understand the power going out was an unusual circumstance. However, management clearly was unprepared and did not respond well.
(1)
Rebecca B.
Today I found a hidden gem of the gluten free foodie world. My best friend and blogger - Sara Wyen of Words To Run By went with me to the Celiac Awareness Tour in Cincinnati, Ohio today. We were excited to see all the fun, new gluten free goodies with all the vendors. Another blog post coming soon on that... While we were there, Maggiano's Little Italy chef Karl Lenz was there speaking and doing a gluten free demo. Well, I knew exactly where the Maggiano's Kenwood was located and we zipped on over there for lunch. I am so glad we did. Upon entering the restaurant, I asked for the gluten free menu. They explained rather than having a gluten free menu, the Assistant Manager would come out and explain the gluten free options and ensure my meal was allergy safe. Matthew Powell, the Assistant General Manager came over to the table after our waiter quickly brought us drinks and very thoroughly explained how 90% of their menu items can be made into gluten free dishes. He walked me through the menu and made sure I was clear on food preparation, ingredients and options for celiac disease. This was the most gluten friendly and celiac aware place I've been to yet. 90% of their menu items could be made gluten free - surely it wasn't so. This place isn't on any of the safe lists or gluten free places to eat. Oh boy, did they knock my socks off. I decided to try their corn pasta. It. Was. Amazing. Gluten Free Corn Pasta Maggiano's Sara and I ended up sharing a meal because it was really big. You know what the best part was? They have several menu items that you can get a to go item FREE if you order from the list. Yup - I got 2 meals for the price of one. 1 being a gluten free specialty menu item - without paying extra. Our entire lunch with the meal, Cesar salad for Sara and 2 iced teas was $24. Can you tell we didn't like it? Just kidding. Matthew even came out after the meal and ensured everything was ok and up to my gluten free liking! Of course I explained. The chef that was doing the demo at the Celiac Awareness Tour, Karl Lenz - was back before we finished lunch and he even came out to welcome us and explain their cooking methods and showed me their pastas! Maggiano's Corn Pasta I felt completely safe eating here, had no stomach ailments after my meal and will certainly make this a go to spot when we are in Cincinnati. The manager, chef and waiter all made me feel comfortable and took care of me the way a restaurant should with people suffering from food allergies. We already have a big enough burden of having this food allergy, we shouldn't have to feel like one while eating out. Rebecca Maggiano's Little Italy Cincinnati Kenwood Mall 7875 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45236 513.794.0670
(5)
Rick A.
Stopped on the way back north to home for a quick snack and drink. We ordered from the appetizer menu and we more than satisfied. Wife had the cup of Sausage and Bean soup and i had the Maggiano's small salad. Both were just right and very good. The service was 5 Star by the bartender who was handling the bar area by himself. Never intrusive, good suggestions and always ready to assist. At his suggestion we had the 5 item dessert sampler and would up with two to take home. All were very good with the Tiramisu being one of the better I have had. Great place to stop after visiting Kenwood Mall before taking off for parts North.
(5)
Tina G.
Lobster Carbonara and Maggiano's Salad....a perfect match.
(5)
Mark C.
We love coming here ... the new Street Food samplers are great!
(4)
Mandy F.
Went here for my 25th birthday dinner w/ my boyfriend - had a WONDERFUL time! It was quite busy when we walked in - and I honestly can't remember if we had reservations or not - but we waited about an hour to be seated. At first, I was second guessing our decision to have dinner there, but the waitresses in the bar area soon put me at ease. We were able to snag a cocktail table near the bar and had our first round of drinks - which were delicious! The waitresses were so sweet - recommended drinks, appetizers, etc. An older lady and her girlfriend came in for a quick bite and ended up sitting w/ us - had hilarious conversation with them - to the point that I was actually a little disappointed when it was time to be seated in the dining room. The decor and ambiance is so great here - candles everywhere, big comfortable booth - linen tablecloths - it was great! I ordered the pasta with a white sauce and mushrooms - MOST DELICIOUS THING EVER!!! Huuuuuge portion - definitely took most of it home. I know this may sound weird, but I like sauces with a soupy consistency and this was perfect! It re-heated amazingly well the next day - perfectly saucy! Boyfriend had chicken parm and loved it - chicken was crispy, plenty of cheese! The waiter was funny and down to earth. Brought me out a plate of their lemon cookies with a candle for my birthday :) Great memories of Maggiano's - if you're looking for a place to celebrate a special day or occassion without going downtown - this is it! They also have a dinner special where you can get an appetizer to share, two classic pastas (they give you an extra portion to take home!), and a dessert to share for $39.95! Wonderful deal for the quality of food and attentive service!
(4)
Charles L.
Had the family Classico menu. I did know they had this type of serving. Great surprise. We all loved it. More than we could possibly eat and the taste was wonderful. The mussel starter is the best I have ever had which includes my worldwide travel. Marina thanks
(5)
Katie H.
Good sized portions, but with drinks/appetizers/desserts the cost can definitely add up. My favorite used to be their pesto sauce with gnocchi, but more recently they don't offer the pesto sauce for classic pastas (what?!). Last time I called for carryout and asked for it, the guy on the phone said they didn't make pesto anymore. However, the last time I went to the restaurant, our waiter was able to get what I wanted. It was more expensive than before, but worth it to satisfy my craving. The sangria they offered in the summer was light and refreshing. Beverage options are extensive, and the waitstaff is knowledgeable and helpful. The pasta option where you pick one to eat at the restaurant and take one home is very reasonably priced for the amount of food. Good service, great food. Nothing special enough for me to rave about, but very reliable.
(4)
Chris C.
This is restaurant that we don't often get to and as I sat down and the waitress filled my glass with water I remembered why. The water was heavily chlorinated which I find in poor taste. I still give them a four star rating as the service was impeccable, the food was very tasty. It was a great evening as I switched from their tap water to Stella. I believe that they could easily add a carbon filter to their drinking water supply and solve my problem.
(4)
Kennie G.
I had food from Maggiano's before, and I thought it was good. It was catered into something at work. I'd never been to the restaurant before, and doing so made a good impression even better. Say what you will about national chain restaurants. Maggiano's is doing it right. I was here with a rather large party, as we were celebrating during a friend's bachelorette weekend. With such a large party, they made us order everything "family style" and I can see why now, because this made things go so much smoother. Because we'd made reservations and pre-ordered the food, we didn't have to wait long after being seated to start getting our food. And the food.... Absolutely. Delicious. The one thing that stands out to me most are the stuffed mushrooms and the baked salmon. I'm a huge fan of salmon, and it was cooked perfectly. Everything else I had was tasty as well, but the food earned five stars based on the salmon alone. I highly recommend it. Now, Maggiano's isn't your typical national chain Italian restaurant. Be prepared to spend. They do have a deal, though, that if you order from a specific menu, you get your entree to eat there and another one from that same menu to take home. That's a very good deal, because the portions are generous and delicious. But is it worth the price? Heck yeah! My one complaint would be the parking situation. You all know how Kenwood is. But there's nothing you can really do about that except circle the parking lot and hope for the best. I won't count that against them, though.
(5)
Sasha M.
I have been to maggianos many of times. It is one of the best Italian food I have ever had. Even though it takes a while for the food. I think its worth it. The service is ok. Sometimes it is better than other days. I would recommend going to maggianos it has the best italian food ever!!! -Sasha My first time at maggiano's was pretty good! The lady who seated us was a jerk. She tried to tell Sasha and I we couldn't sit at an empty booth. We did anyways. The waiter we got reminded me of Niki Minaj. She was really nice. I ordered a peach pomegranate lemonade and it was AMAZING! Sasha ordered a raspberry lemonade and it was crap It was all bland. I ordered Jimmy's hero sandwich without topinade. Sasha got fetucini Alfredo and her mom got chicken parmesian. When we were done ordering we got bread fresh out of the oven. It was good. Our food took a really long time to cook. The people across from us got waited and served food after us. We were a little ticked but our food was good. The only thingies didn't like was that they put topinade on my sandwich. The waitress took my sandwich off of the bill. She was so nice! I am definitely going back there soon! ~Mick
(4)
Scott L.
So...the food is good. The restaurant is beautiful. That staff is...snooty. I personally don't get what all the fuss is about. It's Waaaay too expensive. It's just not my cup of tea. I can get pretty much the exact same thing at Olive Garden for half the price.
(3)
Rick W.
First time there Sun. But not the last.We had a very good meal, and plenty of it.We started with Spinach & Artichoke Al Forno.I didn't think Spinach could be any good but I was wrong.The dip was very good. My wife had Chicken Alfredo and I had the Rustic Chicken & Shrimp which I would highly recommend.There was so much I brought halve of it home.Now my wife also got an order of lasagna to bring home because of what she ordered, for know charge.It was more than enough for supper.She also ordered Chocolate Zuccotto Cake which she enjoyed but I didn't care for so much.Now our server John was the best.Very helpful and took very good care of us.For all the food and the quality,thought the price was very reasonable.
(5)
Julia C.
Maggiano's is a favorite for my boyfriend and I. Granted, we don't go often, because it's a little pricey for us, but it's a definite go-to for special occasions like birthdays. He almost always gets the Taylor Street Baked Ziti (which is awesome, by the way), and I've tried several of the pastas including the baked ziti, spaghetti and meatballs, and fettuccine alfredo. I had the Salmon Oscar the last time we were there, and it was great as well. And I would definitely recommend the stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta as appetizers, and the chocolate zuccotto cake for dessert (it is MASSIVE...we ended up splitting it between the two of us). We've always experience great service there, and have never had to wait over 15-20 minutes to be seated (which wasn't bad, considering we didn't have a reservation that time, and it was a Saturday night). Oh, and also, when you get one of the Classic pastas, you get an additional free classic pasta to take home!
(5)
Kay E.
The service was the worst I've experienced, the food was thoroughly average, and the portions were huge. My companion and I were promptly seated and our waitress asked what we'd like to drink. And then she didn't come back. A manager noticed our unattended table and took our orders. The waitress later came back and explained: she had been told only part of our order, what was it? After the appetizer and bread, our plates weren't cleared. Our finished dinner plates sat too long. Over a two hour meal with a constantly dirty, unattended table. The food was okay. Nothing awry, but not exceptional. I was frustrated that I was never offered Parmesan and our waitress didn't return while we were eating so I didn't have the opportunity to ask. Our tiramisu was amazing and could have served 4-5 reasonably. The portions were huge. My companion and I ordered the $40 special for an appetizer (we only finished half), two entrees (I only finished half), and a dessert with two more entrees to take home. So we had dinner there and both left with 2-3 meals of leftovers. It was definitely worth the price.
(3)
Kyla M.
Love this place! Great service delicious food. Great kids food too. They also are great with food allergies! My sister has celiacs, and they send out a chef to tall your options. Very reasonable prices considering you get a whole meal that will feed two people to take home!
(5)
Marissa C.
Wow, I had heard a lot about Maggiano's before I finally was able to visit, and it was all true! This place is amazing, with delicious food! We visited on a Saturday evening with a large group. The place was crowded, so reservations were extremely useful. The staff was wonderful - very helpful and attentive. Despite our large group and equally large order, our server was on-the-ball and so cheerful. She really went above and beyond to make sure our visit was great. The food was fantastic - and there was plenty from which to choose, including classic and specialty pastas and meat and potato type entrees. Favorites of the evening included the Tomato Caprese, the Calamari Fritte, Veal Marsala, Veal Parmesan, Chicken & Spinach Mancotti, and the Filet Mignon. The desserts were all rich and gigantic - perfect for sharing. The Creme Brulee and both tiramisus (there is a specialty berry one right now) were rich and delicious, and the NY Cheesecake was served with a delicious strawberry sauce. Vera's Lemon Cookies were a table favorite. Eating gluten-free here was simple. The chef visited the table and discussed my options with me - and there were a lot! I almost couldn't remember them all after the chef left. I ended up with the Baked Rigatoni Pomodoro, which was delicious - so flavorful with the smoked cheese and amazing chicken sausage. It was made gluten free through the use of a corn-based pasta, which had a good texture and flavor for this dish. Attire and prices vary widely here. We saw everything from shorts and flip flops to prom dresses and tuxes for the prom season dinners. Dresses and outfits with strechy waistbands would be my recommendation - plenty of room for the food! The Classic Pastas are a great deal at $12.95 for two entire portions - one served at the table, and the second given to you to-go. The pastas don't have to be the same one either - you can ask to take home a different one from what you enjoy at the table. Veal and beef dishes approach the pricier end of the menu. Maggiano's is currently featuring a Make a Wish menu, with a variety of great dishes, from which they donate a portion of the proceeds to Make a Wish. Lauren's Lemonade, with pomegranate and peach flavors, was excellent, and the berry tiramasu was almost like a fluffy fruit trifle - both dishes perfect for the warm weather we are having now. We left with a lot of to-go bags from the generous portions, with very content stomachs!
(5)
Daniel W.
Maggiano's is authentic Italian food at its best. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Cincinnati. They are almost always packed so get a reservation if you don't want to wait. If you do end up waiting they have a nice bar and have live music playing some nights. The service is always great our waiter or waitress is always helpful and knows their stuff. The food is amazing, and portions are large so you basically get lunch for the next day too. They have a good menu that includes all the Italian staples. They have a couple unique dining options like family style dishes and a deal for one pasta dish + one to take home. My personal favorite is the Chicken & Truffle Tortelloni. They also have a good wine list that compliments their menu. If you stay for dessert they also have a couple really good options. Parking is a little hard to find since it is in the mall, especially around the holidays. To avoid circling the lot for a space they do offer a valet service
(5)
The Yelp-inator W.
Most excellent Italian Food Excellent Service This is a great place Will cost a few $$$ but it is so awesome
(5)
Audrey L.
SMART men know that when a woman says, "it's ok", it really isn't. "It's ok" is code for "something is horribly wrong and you need to find out what happened (something usually you did) so you can fix it." This was the case with my bill tonight at Maggiano's.... I visited Maggiano's tonight for a friend's birthday. It was only my second visit, and the first time was quite a while ago. I ordered a drink from the bar while we were waiting for our large party. I opted for an Italian pink lemonade- it was tasty and was a great summer drink! We were seated upstairs quickly, and while walking towards our table, I realized how big the place actually is! It is a chain, and seems like a lot of people go there for celebrations. They have a huge room for banquets. It looked very nice! While scrolling through the menu, I was having a difficult time deciding what to get. I absolutely love pasta, but was feeling like something a bit smaller that evening. The neat thing I noticed- if you order one of the classic pastas, you get another order to take one home! It does not have to be the same pasta you ordered for dinner either. For example, you could have the spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, but choose to take home the fettuccine alfredo. This sounded like a good deal to me, but again, I was not starving. I opted for a side house salad and the crab cakes off of the appetizer menu. My salad wasn't bad- a typical salad, but a little overdressed for my taste. When my crab cakes came out, I thought it was odd there were four, but it is a chain restaurant, and their portion sizes are usually huge. I didn't think much of it until I got my bill for 33 dollars!! When I examined it further, I noticed it looked like I was charged twice for the crab cakes, as the price was twice what I was expecting to pay. When I asked the waiter, he said he charged me for the entree portion of crab cakes. I must have looked very confused because he said, "Didn't I ask you if you wanted the entree portion?". To this I replied, "No. I purposely ordered a side salad and an appetizer because I wasn't that hungry." He did apologize, but made no effort to adjust my bill, or bring a manager over to the table. While the crab cakes were tasty, I never would have ordered four of them. I was more than a little miffed when I left with a bill that was almost double what I was expecting to pay. In summary: a place that is good to go with larger groups or while you are shopping. The food is decent, but in my opinion, there are far better Italian restaurants to visit in the Cincinnati area! And lesson learned...I apparently need to stop speaking in cryptic woman terms and be direct. That or the waiter was too young to have learned the art of dealing with us yet! Ha!
(3)
Dj Skillz Z.
Had Thanksgiving Lunch here with my mother for the 2nd straight year and as always the food was ON-POINT!!! Big shout out to our server Asia she was great! The bill was like $78 which was a win win in my book...If you have a small family like me or just don't want to cook on Thanksgiving you should check out Maggiano's... Read my entire blog and others at djskillz.com
(4)
Ann C.
This place confirmed my love for Italian food and for food in general. Love is a strong word. But not as strong as the flavors in their pasta. I've tried food of equal caliber but they get an extra star for letting me bring home another meal for lunch the next day. They actually provide fourthmeal. And I really enjoy the bread and olive oil before any italian meal, but not the way I enjoyed theirs. Just sayin.
Nobody can deny that Maggiano's is a chain, but it does an impressive job sectioning itself from the mall. I would rather have the flu than go to a mall's version of a restaurant, but Maggiano's really took me by surprise. Not only are the portions more than enough to take home, but their calamari may be the best I've ever had (and it's not overpriced). You may not walk away with an experience to rave about, but I promise you won't be disappointed.
(4)
David M.
They have a new special that was very appealing to my wife. When you order a regular pasta entree (which is enough for two people) they give you a second serving of the entree "to go."
(3)
Kara K.
Good food, but my family & I experienced some strange service problems when we came here to celebrate Father's Day this past Saturday. My mom had called & requested a reservation. She was told none were available, fine no big deal. We showed up expecting a wait & were pleasantly surprised to find a table was available immediately. Great! Then we discovered it was a large round banquet table for 10, so our party of 6 spread out. Awkward. I felt like we were yelling across the table all night. Our waiter was (for the most part) great. He did forget to recork the bottle of wine though so we had to track him down after waiting for him to come back. The worst was the person who brought the salads to the table. She stood in one place and pushed the salads across the table to the people who had ordered them. I believe the words she used were "here" as she pushed the salad, spilled a few leaves of lettuce on the table, and nearly fell herself trying to push the salad across the very large table. Really? I've come to expect more from Maggiano's service. I sincerely hope it was her first night or she formerly lived in a cave & doesn't know common courtesey.
(4)
Mike M.
ya know, i always kinda like this place, but then i ate there with my in laws and we ate family style. now, that's the move. the food was good, a bit "pre-prepared," but understandably so. piccatta? solid. salad? very, very nice - HUGE chunks of blue cheese. cheese cake? awesome.
(4)
Samantha B.
Tasty, tasty, tasty. Maggiano's is delectable. Their cheese ravioli is a cheesy goodness. Also the sauce is perfect amount and balance of wateriness and thickness. When you purchase certain pastas you get another to take home for free. The only thing that is a bummer is that their fat content is a little high, but a little won't hurt.
(4)
Meg G.
I am not normally a fan of chain restaurants. Especially chain restaurants located in malls. But Maggiano's deserves a review, and a good one at that, in the hopes that if you've never been, you'll try it at least once. The decor is very intimate and romantic. The booths invite you to linger a while. While they have a full bar, I've only ever had wine, but the selection is good. The food is terrific, with generous portions. There is more than enough to share. For larger groups, they have a Family Style menu, which is a good buy with four full courses. Be sure to save room for dessert. I recommend Nonna's Toasted Pound Cake. The cake is served with chocolate sauce and carmelized bananas. My husband and I fought over the bananas; they were SO GOOD! I would suggest you make reservations when you go. If you don't, bring lots of patience. Any day of the week, this place gets packed, with waits of up to two hours. So break your fear of chains, just this once, and go check out Maggiano's. You won't regret it!
(4)
Good Eats S.
DH and I drove down to Kenwood Town Center for some shopping and at 9 pm wandered into Maggiano's for dinner. And we still had to wait ten minutes for a table. I looked at my husband and said: "This better be good." It was. Think old style, comfort Italian food like Nonna use to make. No fancy nouveau here. Same with the decor, which is a lot of wood and white table cloths and soaring ceilings. Servers in crisp white shirts, black trousers and aprons. Very old school. And so was the service. Attentive without being imposing, competent, professional. Being late, DH and I shared a house salad. Server brought a bowl and two chilled plates to dish it out to. Nothing special about the salad---romaine, some onion rings, a couple of black olives and a pepperocini, but it was crisp and fresh and cool but not cold. Dressing was a house-made italian and had a nice balance of oil, vinegar, herbs and garlic. It was actually a large portion and I think maybe next time, we'd STILL share a salad, even if it is early evening. I ordered the veal piccata. DH ordered the chicken romano, a special they were having---a portion of its proceeds went to the "Make A Wish" charity. Our meals arrived at the table very hot and beautifully cooked. My veal was pan-fried, crispy at the edges and succulent at the center. The lemon-butter sauce with capers was pretty standard, but very tasty. It was accompanied by spaghetti aglio d'olio---spaghetti with garlic and olive oil. I normally don't eat much pasta out because they never cook the stuff enough. I hate al dente! What the heck is that---I want pasta sticking to my teeth??? I don't care what Mario Batelli says---cook my dang spaghetti! The pasta at Maggiano's---perfect. PERFECT! I scarfed most of it down. DH was just as happy with his chicken romano. His nicely cooked and large portion of chicken was moist and tasty with a herb-parmesan crust and tomatoes, artichokes and then it had a white wine lemon sauce very similar to mine. It was all totally delish, and even though it was late, our server never made us feel rushed or that he wanted to GO HOME! We ended up with two healthy doggie bags---that's how big the portions are! But we also saw they were having some sort of special---for about $40, you got an appetizer, entree, dessert, and then two pasta dishes to take home! That sounded like a good deal (but we didn't do it.) DH is from NJ and he says all the time that there's only a couple of restaurants that serve "acceptable" Italian food in the Dayton area---and no, he does NOT think Mamma DiSalvos is one of them. But he says we will definitely make the 30 minute drive back down to Kenwood and willingly wait for a table at Maggiano's---it was that good. Oh, and it wasn't until later we found out this is a chain. Seriously? Well, don't think Olive Garden or Carrabas, my dears----both of whom have their place in this universe---this was on a different plane. Buono Appetito!
(4)
Izzat A.
My favorite restaurant in the country. Family style is the way to go.
(5)
Muthu A.
Bad service. Food was horrible. Don't sit in the bar. Wine glass was not cleaned at all. Pasta was watery and the vegetables were not cooked well. Didn't offer the plate even. Best thing they did was to get me the check quickly!!!
(1)
Vince S.
I spent three nights at a friend's apartment in Cincinnati, I was mildly surprised there was a 'burb aspect of this city. Suburbia 'Nati"? Shudders... I don't know if it's as atrocious and criminal as the 'burb in Orange Co., CA, but somehow I felt more comfortable here of 'Nati. Personally I prefer dining or shopping at small, enclosed, urban, and independently-owned restaurants based on my upbringings and habits; so the whole chain-store thing was still foreign to be till this day. My memory was hazy since I was here two years ago and somebody drove me here; I did remember it was within stone-throw of a Nordstrom and it was definitely a chain. I came here for lunch and it the restaurant was filled. The decor was intended to be high-class, yet it became sterile and lacked authenticity and intimacy just like most of the chains. I couldn't remember the food and service, but I would say it's a worthy place to patronize if you're coming here to socialize but not of atmosphere or intimacy.
(3)
Becky S.
Best Feature: Dear god the food is AMAZING! Worst Feature: It's a bit pricey! I've been here several times and every time is a memorable experience! First off, it's a cute restaurant with lovely Italian charm. I love the way I feel like I'm stepping into a different environment when I visit. It really takes you away from the normal everyday bustle and makes the meal something to be savored. I try to get a different dish every time I go. Recently I tried a new addition to the menu, rustic chicken & shrimp. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! They also have a great selection of appetizers - if you go, try out the flatbread pizzas! We had a pepperoni flatbread pizza, and it was just enough to make us feel satisfied but allow for us to have room for lunch! Absolutely great for 2 or more people. The meals themselves are all fantastic. You can choose from pastas, chicken, seafood, salads, and they even have a dessert menu! Everything tastes delicious - it's well worth the money! The service here is always fantastic. I've never had one bad experience here, and it's because of the fantastic food/ambiance/service combination that I always have this at the top of my list of Italian restaurants!
(5)
Salmaan T.
How can you not like this place. It's some of the best Italian food you'll have, even if it is a chain. You have to try the family style meal. It's an experience but not for the small appetite.
(4)
Dan J.
Maggiano's is a chain but this is the only one to be found in Cincy. The food is obviously Italian and it is absolutely delicious. What we end up doing every time is their family meal. This is a pretty pricey meal but it includes all four courses: appetizers, salads, entrees, and dessert. You get to select from their enormous menu and select two of each (including two meats and two pastas). There are refills on anything you want more of and whatever's left goes home with you in a bag. As has been mentioned, Maggiano's does a very good business and don't be surprised to wait at least 45 minutes if you plan on just walking in there. Also, the restaurant is a little difficult to navigate because the tables are so close, but it gives the place a more intimate feel.
(4)
Mike D.
I was really surprised at how much I liked this place. Giant italian menu, super friendly service, downtown Chicago ambiance, and of course delicious food. the ciabatta bread with olive oil and balsamic on the side was crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on it inside. it was fantastic. 3 more baskets, please. All the food is family style so a half order is good for 2-3 people. The mrs and I split a caesar salad, fried mozzarella and the chicken & spinach manicotti. It all tasted great, though the chicken was obviously not freshly prepared. for some reason there were (faux) grill marks on it. Im not an italian grandma, but if i were making manicotti, i'd probably be baking the chicken. i dunno. Chain schmain, this place is great (aside from the questionable chicken). I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Rosie D.
Met a girlfriend for dinner to catch up. Don't be put off by the 'fancy-ish' atmosphere of this restaurant! I've heard a lot of people say they don't want to go there because it'll be too expensive or something. Here's the deal, it can be expensive. It's a nice place with delicious food. But: if you order one of their 'classic' dishes (spaghetti and meatballs or lasagna or something), you get one FREE to take home with you. And the portion is huge - you could have lunch for 2 or 3 days on it, literally. And, it's frozen and packaged up all ready for you to take when you're finished. --They also serve food 'family style' which I've been told is also a great deal, but we didn't do that. I forget even what I got, because I ordered one thing and then the waiter suggested another dish (that was similar). I decided to go with his suggestion (as well as the wine pairing suggestion in the menu). It was great, the wine was great....we ended up sharing a dessert which was to. die. for. It was around the holidays so we had a pumpkin cheese cake. They also have a nice looking patio outside which I imagine would be great in nice weather, but as I said it was the holiday season and cold/rainy. *Also, when you are waiting to be seated they have little 'bites' for you to try. I'm not positive that this is an everyday thing since I've only been once though. They had fried zucchini, cut up into bite sized pieces at the host stand. Only bad thing about going to this restaurant is the parking situation. Since it's in the mall, you have to use the same sprawling parking lot.
(4)
Lauren F.
This place really saved the day for me. We had tried another restaurant to celebrate my friend's birthday which was going to be a ridiculous wait so we scrambled at the last minute on a Saturday night, during prom and graduation season, to find a place that could take our large party. The manager at Maggiano's was unbelievably accommodating. We only had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated and despite the short notice, they had already prepared the table with a Happy Birthday card from the restaurant for my friend. He and the staff were a class act all the way. And the food was very good too. I shared the meal for two which was a ton of food for the price. The portions are very large. I got the cheese ravioli and one to take home as well as mom's lasagna with one to take home. We had the apple crostada with caramel sauce for dessert. Everything was very good. I am a fan of this place now.
(5)
Angela H.
Although it's a chain, Maggiano's is so popular in Cincinnati that it warrants a review so those who have never dined there understand it's appeal. Maggiano's is ALWAYS crowded. Always, always, always. I can't stress this enough...do not go on a Tuesday night at 8pm expecting to walk in and grab a table, this restaurant is both enormous and enormously popular. To be really safe, call ahead and make a reservation. The portion sizes are big enough for two (at least) so go in with a friend on an entre...not only will you save money, you'll be perfectly full, not overly stuffed. The Chicken Pesto Linguine is my personal favorite, though the Lasagna is pretty darn delicious, if you can get it. I have been to Maggiano's on quite a few occasions that the restaurant has run out of their fresh, daily prepared lasagna. Both dishes cost less than $15, so when shared, you're looking at a really cheap meal. Salads, like pastas, are big enough to share as well. We usually share the Tomato and Mozzarella appetizer salad, it easily satisfies a family of four. Maggiano's is a great place for groups and the restaurant easily accommodates any size party if you make a reservation. Servers are well equipped to easily separate checks for complicated situations. The bar at Maggiano's offers appetizers and freshly mixed drinks, it's usually even more crowded than the restaurant with happy hour specials, so be prepared!
(4)
Don G.
For a chain they are consistent. I have been to this location and one in Philly and they both have a great selection of drinks and large portions. Pretty good stuff.
(4)
Bob b.
It was perfect for the four of us. We had a ball. Fabulous, atmosphere, server, and food.
(5)
Chris B.
Spacious, captivating decor, and a really nice patio describe the restaurant. Varied, filling, and delicious describe the food. My family always orders from the family menu which has many delicious foods that come in different courses, a good option for groups because you can get more. Favorites include the Spinach and Artichoke dip, Cheese Ravioli, and profiteroles for dessert. Make sure to bring patience, lots of cash, and a huge appetite.
(5)
Hope F.
Although this is a chain it has the quality of true authentic Italian
(5)
Frank B.
I know it is a chain restaurant but it does not feel that way. This was the 3rd visit and it confirmed my two other ones; I am very pleased with Maggianos, the food is very Italian, high quality and prepared as it should be. The value is very good, the prices are in the $13 to $16 for veal dishes were the ingredients are already expensive. I am missing some traditional deserts, i have never seen cheesecake in Rome :-).
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No 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.
Robert H.
The food is fantastic, the service is always top notch, but the prices are a little high. Anytime we visit our family in Cincinnati, we make it a point to get a group of our friends together for dinner at Maggiano's. We always go with the family meal which allows us appetizers, entrees and desserts for the whole group. It is pricy, but a good way to go if there are at least 4. My favorite is the fried mozzarella, spaghetti and meatball and tiramisu, but everything is wonderful.
(4)Sherry T.
Our family has been to Maggiano's three times now and we have always left with smiles on our faces. The food is consistently good and service is always very friendly. I have tried the Caesar salad, four cheese ravioli, lasagna, and spaghetti and meatball (it's a big one) and all of these items were spot on. The only complaint I have about Maggiano's is the wait. Reservations are an absolute must, but even with reservations there is oftentimes a wait. There is simply no comfortable place to wait for a table, as the place is always slammed and people are packed in like sardines.
(4)Jasmin R.
I ate lunch here with a friend yesterday, who had some severe food restrictions. Not only were the staff extremely accommodating, but the chef came out to our table to make sure everything was in order for us. I thought this was extremely thoughtful and a great added step to great customer service. As always, the food was fantastic.
(5)Esther K.
This review is reviewing it as a chain. For a chain, it's awesome! Nice ambiance, delicious warm bread, everything is fresh and so good! Never been disappointed.
(5)Jim G.
Atmosphere is nice yet homey and casual--like an upscale Olive Garden with better food. Portions are huge so there's lots to take home for leftovers. Taking in account that for many entrées you get a second one free, that's like four meals from one visit. On my last visit we shared two appetizers. The featured bruschetta was with crab and asparagus with a lemon aioli on crunchy crostini. They were pretty tasty but a bit short on crab that was flaked rather than lumped. The star, though, was the calamari, fried perfectly tender and crispy. The best I've had in town in a VERY long time. Plus the Mulo Romano cocktail's citrusy blood orange and vodka flavors paired perfectly with our seafood selections. Excellent!!
(4)Kayla E.
Great lunch options! As well as daytime drink specials! I had half of a chicken parmesan sandwich and a salad both were delicious! My favorite part about the meal was the drink special which was a five dollar peach Bellini frozen it was absolutely delicious!
(5)Carrie C.
Pros: Nice decor, warm complimentary bread, big portions Cons: slow service,overly salty, olive oil tasted old, kind of pricey for the quality but they try to make up for it with the quantity, I've been here a few times and I enjoy their spaghetti and meat balls. The Alfredo was kind of watery and gnocchi dish was really salty. The Balsamic chicken flat bread was the best part of the meal.
(2)Jessi G.
I try to support local businesses as much as possible and avoid chain restaurants, but sometimes you just want a meal when you know what you're getting! And Maggiano's is relatively inexpensive, consistent, good Italian food. I went there for lunch last weekend with my fiance. We started with their warm, fresh bread, which is served with olive oil on the side (I put parmesan cheese on top of my olive oil for extra salty cheesiness!). Don't hate, but I like the bread at Maggiano's better than the breadsticks at Olive Garden. I ordered the eat one, take one special which basically means you eat one pasta dish in the restaurant and take another pasta dish home with you for lunch the next day. At just $12.95 for two meals, they are practically giving it away! I got the "light" fettucine alfredo, which is in no way diet food, but I appreciate that they offer a lighter version of my favorites so I don't ruin my whole week on one meal. And the lighter version was still super tasty, even with 30% fewer calories (they put the calories right on the menu!). My fiance got the gnocchi and holy cannoli it was HUGE! They have monster portions here, but then he got to take some home for tomorrow's lunch as well. His gnocchi was delicious, you could really taste the fennel in the Italian sausage, and the gnocchi were cooked just right. In summary, Maggiano's is like a tastier, nicer, slightly cheaper Olive Garden. It's a good place to take a large group, and they even have an outdoor patio. I'll be coming back!
(4)Libby V.
I'm glad we don't have a Maggiano's Little Italy in Dayton...cause I might weigh a ton. You know the Food Network show "The Best Thing I Ever Put in my Mouth?" This would be a contender...at least in my top ten (and I have lived a long time-don't ever doubt that). But I digress. I ate here years ago, and have never forgotten how wonderful my lunch was. So this week while having a girlfriend trip starting by shopping at Kenwood, and hunger hit I said "lets find that Italian place we loved years ago." Asked directions and headed off with high expectations and a spring in my step. It looks Italian, smells Italian and service is top notch. There was a special on a few dishes that benefits a local charity, and I opted for Patricia's Cheese Ravioli. Light sauce full of al dente vegetables and ricotta cheese...if I was on death row this would be my last meal accompanied with a perfect white wine. But here's where it gets even better...the server asked what pasta I wanted to go. "Excuse me" I say, and he say's any pasta dish on the menu is free to go. How can they do that for $14.95??? But I was so sad cause we were traveling and had reservations for dinner already and there was no way we could eat it. I had to decline. That broke my heart cause I was thinking Lasagna. OMG....lasagna. Wishing I had that right now. If you get the chance to eat here, please do. You can thank me later. And I promise you I won't wait years to return. This is going to be on my rotation. Already planning my next trip. See you around town...
(5)Bob W.
We had calamari for an appetizer, it was "ok", I have had better at Bar Louie before. For dinner I ordered the Chicken Alfredo. It was the worst Italian meal I have ever been served in my life. The waitress was fantastic and the restaurant is a very nice one indeed. Maybe they were off their game that night? Either way, it will be a while before I return.
(1)Keith Z.
Had an incredible experience at this restaurant last night. Great food and incredible service! It started with a wonderful receptionist who seated us quickly and exactly where we requested. Then the waitstaff took over and provided us special attention and care all night. As example, when we asked about getting a half order of bruschetta, the manager apologized that they didn't have a way to do this, and then he provided us a couple of pieces on a small plate at no charge! The kitchen customized my pasta dish, spicing it up as I requested. And the food was tasty and served hot. Finished off our meal with a piece of chocolate cake, and it looked and tasted fabulous. From start to finish, we had a wonderful night. Clearly this restaurant is hiring and training great people and we will be back for more.
(5)Alisha W.
Maggiano's is one of the best places in Cincinnati for large groups. When done family style, every person pays a set individual price, the group selects the menu, and then you can eat as much as you'd like. What makes Maggiano's unique is that they will allow you to take leftovers home with you. The calamari and stuffed mushroom appetizers are wonderful. I love their pastas and my personal favorite is the four cheese ravioli. The tiramisu is light, flavorful, and orgasmic. It is my favorite menu item. I could skip everything else and eat four servings of tiramisu. If you prefer your dessert be in alcohol form, get the peach bellini. It's frozen, sweet, refreshing, and delicious. The downside to this restaurant is the location. Kenwood Mall is hell on earth when it comes to parking. In December you'll circle the parking lot for 20+ minutes before you find a spot. Maggiano's won't seat your group until everyone is present in the restaurant. So imagine if you had to take more than one car... It doesn't take long before someone in your group gets hangry.
(4)Jenni H.
We have been here many times and the service and food is always consistant- wonderful! For $12.95 you get get SO much food, you can't eat in one sitting; so there's food to take home. But wait! There's more! You then a SECOND meal included in that price to take home! Which it also is largest enough for two meals. So basically you're getting what is equivalent to 4 meals for $12.95. Are you kidding??? The servers are always nice, all while they are very busy. You would be silly to not make reservations as this place is ALWAYS packed! And parking? Fagetaboutit.......
(5)Lisa M.
It's a nice chain restaurant specializing in Americanized Italian food, lots of pasta. I don't mean that in a bad way. The meatballs are good and so is the mushroom ravioli. They have outside seating in the warmer months, something to consider! Their sauces are pretty good. The most disappointing this is the quick use garlic :( Being Greek myself, I eat garlic a lot and have never used jarred garlic but I know the difference. I think they buy it in big jars already peeled. That really takes away from the quality and taste. They should invest in a prep chef.
(3)Lary R.
I usually enjoy this place. Their pizza and most of the subs are good however, got the Chicken Hoagie today. The menu says chicken breast. That's not the case. It's a processed formed chicken patty, like Banquet or a .99 McChicken. Not a good sandwich and not worth 7.00. What a disappointment.
(2)Isaiah F.
Full disclosure: I came here for a mystery shopping gig. Normally I don't frequent chain restaurants, especially in a city like Cincinnati which has so many local eateries. I will admit that the lady friend and I did enjoy our meals. We started off with the artichoke dip and shortly thereafter the roofs of our mouths had melted off, just like the cheese in the dip. You'd think after 30 years of life we would have figured this out but nope... oh look, a squirrel. Next came the entrees, seafood something and spicy something. I'm pretty sure we carb loaded for our imaginary marathon. We probably should have run a marathon after all the calories we just ingested. Overall the food was decent, the service was good, and we left happy and pleasantly surprised.
(4)Bob D.
I have never had a great experience here. The food and service is not terrible but far from great Italian food. The dishes I have ordered seem plain, something I could cook myslef for way less. The upside is the take home meal option but the selection is very limited. I do really like the gnocchi ( which is tough to find a good one out) but last time I was there they removed it from their take home entree list! I have not been back since. My wife enjoys the ravioli. But all in all it is never my first choice for Italian.
(3)Jessie T.
Maggiano's I could say is my favorite Italian chain restaurant to go to, simply for their reasonable prices, their consistently great service, and the fact that their portions (at your meal and the complimentary take-home meal) are pretty generous. The food itself tastes very fresh and are all very flavorful. My favorite dishes here are the Maggiano's salad, seafood linguini, fettuccine alfredo, Mom's lasagna, and the tiramisu is also fantastic. Whether dining for 2 or for 10, they will make sure your visit is made well its worth with their dinner for 2 deal and their family-style menu. I've never had a bad experience here!
(5)Jonny T.
Think we were unlucky and ordered everything that tasted bad. Zucchini-fried for apps. Like somebody batter my dr soles and served it with ranch Salads-best thing we ordered(but we love onions) Mine:chicken shrimp something the waitress said it was "the best thing on the menu" If it weren't for the watery skim milk(cream sauce?) I might have liked it. I'm sitting here and my stomach is turning terribly! Wife:she said the Rigatoni D which she had previously was amazing but tonight had an over powering wine flavor. Tiramisu- we ordered that to go. I hope it's good. Staff was friendly. They are doing a great job. The atmosphere is fine. Oh yes the wine was great! Overall: If we return I'll get something like spaghetti and meatballs. Anything more complicated than that In prefer I cook it.
(1)Anna S.
I have never been one to turn my nose up at a solid Italian chain restaurant. I usually like them very much (Johnny Carino's, Carraba's, Brio, Bravo, even the OG). I'm not looking for 'authenticity', I just want free bread, and enough cheesy-saucy-noodley goodness for leftovers. We went to Maggiano's for the first time for a couple's date. Reservations were easy to make (nice touch, especially for the stampede frenzy that is Kenwood Mall). The restaurant is huge, homogenous and comfortable. I read a lot of criticism about the service, but we didn't have any issue: our server was very efficient in that polite, young college way (much preferred to that entitled, rude young college way - which I have definitely experienced), who warmed up to us quickly because my friend's husband simply won't be a stranger to anyone. We got the free standard chewy, baguette-type bread with olive oil (it's free - who cares if it's not amazing). We shared the zucchini appetizer: huge lengthwise slices of zucchini breaded and deep fried and served with some lemony sauce. It was crunchy and satisfying - if I were a vegetarian, I think it'd be a great meat substitute. We ordered dishes ranging from chicken Parmesan, chicken piccata, lobster carbonara and the "classic" lasagna (note: for an entree ordered from the "classic" selection, you get a whole entree boxed up to go, gratis - now THAT'S amazing). I liked my Parmesan very much, and the portion could easily be two meals. I sampled my friend's piccata (lemony chicken with spinach and angel hair on the side), and my husband's carbonara (creamy and massive and very tasty). For dessert we split the apple crostata a la mode and the tiramisu. Both of these were great. The crostata was flaky and buttery and can serve 2-3, and the tiramisu was thick and rich, with the perfect balance of sweetness and bitter from the coffee and cocoa dusting. Prices are fair, about the same as Olive Garden or Carraba's. Flavor-wise, not as good as Brio or Bravo, but I wouldn't hesitate to come back.
(3)Xiaoheng P.
The service is definitely top notch,but very slow . We went in around 7pm and by the time we sat down and have the food out it was 8:30pm, by then I have already ate a whole loaf of bread :( We ordered the chicken Alfredo, and since it was buy one get one Togo for free, the second dish we got was the meatball spegetti. The first dish was a little blend the second one was a little salty. It was a decent deal though. Probably not going to come back again primarily because of the slow service
(2)Vincent O.
All of our entrees tonight were excessively salty. The price is slightly on the expensive end but they have large portions that are more than enough. I would recommend getting the you pick two for $12.95 for dine in and one to go.
(3)Bob E.
Second time here. Good food and value. Did the dinner for two. Eat one at the restaurant and take one home plus app and dessert for $40. Service was slow today. Dining room wasn't busy - should have been quicker.
(3)John D.
My wife loves pasta dishes. I have food sensitivities to both tomatoes and dairy, so that means I don't usually treat her to Italian restaurants. She wanted to go to Maggiano's for her birthday. We got a reservation and went. I was very impressed with the room. Very pretty mix of old and new elements filled with well-dressed and polite wait-staff. But we had to wait for 5 mins, even though we had arrived on time for our reservation. We were seated. The place was packed. Our waiter appeared to be serving 10 tables... maybe more. The first person to our table was a manager to ask how we were doing. We did not have water or bread at the table yet, and we have now been seated for over five minutes. An assistant waiter arrives with the water and bread a minute later. Easily ten minutes later is the next time anyone comes to the table; our waiter introduces himself. We order a bottle of wine and appetizers, and I announce my food issues. He sends the chef out to talk to me. I was very impressed with that. It was very reassuring that I could inform the man actually preparing my food about my allergies. I order the veal marsala with a side of pasta (which he could easily modify), and then an extra side of grilled asparagus. The food arrived at our table after a small wait. Since it is prepared fresh, the wait seemed slightly long, but not too excessive. However, we had arrived at 6:30, and by the time we actually had our dinner it was 7:30 and the bottle was almost empty. The food was tasty, but the veal was overcooked. The asparagus never arrived. After finishing our meal, our waiter came up and asked if we wanted dessert. My wife is not too into sweets, and my allergies preclude most Italian desserts. But I ordered a port. Easily ten minutes later, I visited the waiter's station to get my bill, since it did not seem that my port was going to make it to the table. A few minutes later, the bill arrives along with some complimentary lady fingers for my wife's birthday. As I was looking at the bill, I noticed they had recommended gratuity amounts... 18%, 20%, and 22%. That seemed a little gauche, but the thing that pushed me over the top was that the amounts were WRONG! Our bill was $131.10, before a coupon and tax. After coupon, it was $121.10. Add in tax, $129.58. 20% of these numbers is $26.22, $24.22, and $25.32. What did they recommend? $28.06 (which is one-fifth of what the amount of the bill would have been had they not gave us the coupon reduction and had charged tax on the full amount). I shouldn't have to break down an itemized bill at the end of dinner just to figure out my tip. So, this was a completely "Meh" experience. I loved the concern for my allergies. I hate that they have so few waitstaff that they can't attend to basic needs on time and they can't get orders correct. And apparently, they can't do math.
(2)Charlie T.
We hadn't gone there in over a year, somehow forgetting why. After a few bites of our entree, we remembered why. Later that night, we REALLY remembered why. First of all, everything was over-salted and has been every time we've gone. Once, we even had to fix left-over stew by watering it down because it was sooooo salty. This has been the case on numerous occasions spread out over a very long spread of time. In addition, my partner and I both got sick the night we last went. The waitress also forgot half of our very plentiful leftovers, which was perhaps for the better.
(1)Amy E.
Went here for my birthday this past year. I've gone to other locations and have enjoyed it, especially the family style. It's a LOT of food, but really, the food was just okay, and I thought the service was very very slow. I enjoyed the mushroom ravioli, calamari, and tiramisu. You don't leave hungry, and it's fun to spend time with your friends, but I don't know if I'd come back.
(3)Alex N.
I have been a few times and the place never disappoints. This past time was just a random night with my friend shopping but I have been here before for business lunches and a very large wedding rehearsal dinner. Every time the service and food was great, the food is made from scratch so If you have a food allergy or happen to hate onions you are in luck the chef will cook to your specifications. My friend was a vegetarian and it was no issue at all. I am a huge fan of spinach and artichoke dip but it could be hit or miss sometimes. This place easily is my top two I wish I could just eat a bowl of it and not be upset : / For the other appetizer we had fried calamari which was also good. Along with that you have dinner rolls while you wait. Just ask for the balsamic because only oil is on the table. This time we tried the take an extra entree home deal. So for $12.95 you get to choose from I believe 9 different dishes. You have one for dinner and take another one home. The best part is you can mix and match. I had the lasagna for dinner and then I took home a eggplant parmesan. My friend had the ravioli and ziti. We both really liked our dishes. The lasagna had a meat sauce on it with liberal layers of ricotta cheese in between the noodles. The portions were quite generous I was more than stuffed to say the least. I am totally looking forward for dinner tonight since its already made and if its anything like the lasagna its going to be awesome.
(5)Katie K.
I am surprised that this place has 4 stars. I am not big on eating at chain restaurants, but we had a gift card from Christmas to use. We ordered very simple meals, I got the tomato basil soup and a salad. The soup tasted like marinara, end of story. The salad, which I requested dressing on the side, came drenched in dressing. We didn't see our server for another 10 minutes after being served by what seemed to be a food runner, so I went ahead and ate it. It could have been a decent salad, but the disgusting amount of dressing actually made me feel sick after dinner. My boyfriend had a flatbread, he said no complaints but nothing to rave about. The service was not horrible, but obviously not great. It did not seem overly crowded at the time we dined, so not sure why the kitchen/server messed up order and the server was a bit slow. I wouldn't recommend this place.... It is expensive for poor quality food.
(2)Tom G.
I do not review chain restaurants. Just about every successful chain restaurant does not need further promotion because they are already successful. Magliano's Little Italy is exactly what I would expect out of a successful Italian restaurant.
(5)Asim A.
Love this place !! I've been here multiple times and the food is awesome. If you get one of their pastas from the menu, you get one to take home too. What a deal !! Sign up for their coupons, which are pretty good. I have tried their two for 40 deal and you get a lot of food for 40 dollars. It's an awesome deal ! They make all their desserts in house, so nothing is shipped frozen to the site. My favorite dessert is the dessert sampler.. it's something you can share with a group and you get to enjoy a little bit of everything.
(5)Brandee B.
Ah, Italian. I love Italian. I actually want to go to Italy one day. But unfortunately, I wasn't too crazy about Maggianos fare. They have the usual italian dishes, I had the mushroom ravioli with pesto cream sauce and they added a little marinara to the mix which was cool. It was tasty. I also had a fancy gingerberry mojito which tasted like flat ginger ale rooty mint. eww. lol The bright sides are that they have great deals like buy one take one home and the meal for two. They also have nice ambiance and big portions. I think that the highlight of their menu is their desserts. I had the chocolate cake. Awesomeness on a plate!
(3)P B.
Great food..very nice service. I think they prepare food with their home made sauce, cream etc..anyways, food taste is very good. Bit expensive though. Definitely recommend others.
(4)Jon M.
One hell of a restaurant. The fact you can eat great food and still go home with full meals is so American. The flavor of the food is on point the service of the staff is amazing. My family loves this place. But if you want to eat here on a Friday of Saturday. Make sure you get a reservation.
(5)Laura C.
I've been having a challenging time finding good, reliable Italian cuisine in a town full of Germans. I have been avoiding Maggiano's specifically because it's a chain and I figured chain restaurants would have a chain vibe to the ambiance and the menu. I couldn't be more incorrect. Let's introduce you to the setting - richly colored carpets and walls with gorgeous wood floors and trim. The bar area provides ample seating (generally full) and a vibrant atmosphere. There are two floors of seating (largely, if not entirely, made up of tables and chairs) and a great little veranda/patio for the warmer months. The menu feels like something that was created specifically for the restaurant's location, like a family chef has come up with the best dishes he can conceive and is offering it to locals. The wait staff is friendly, eager, helpful, and prompt. The food is rich and satisfying, and one meal easily can feed two people. My one recommendation with the food? Either serve your delicious hot bread with butter, or provide spices to go with the olive oil left on the table. I took my fiance with me last night for our first dinner here, and it certainly won't be our last. Make a reservation!!
(5)C L.
I really had some high hopes for this place- my first time here. Let's start by saying that the Mozzerella Caprese and tomato basil soup were really good. The soup is more marinara tasting than creamy like I've had elsewhere. If you are getting pasta with tomato sauce, skip this soup. I got spaghetti and meatballs and my date got chicken Parmesan. They love to drown the meal in sauce. The chicken was also so overdone that even cutting all the edges off still made it seem 20 days old. The pasta was cooked aldente and the meatball was good. I think I like my own sauce at home over this acidic and chef boy ar dee type sauce. Our waiter wasn't great. SLOW and we were never brought bread (even after asking) and while other waiters were explaining the menus and specials we got nothing. Waited forever for simple beverage refills. Boo. Waiting forever for a check even after asking twice. If I return, it will be for appetizers at the bar only and definitely not a meal. Good news is that the manager took off our meals from our bill. Good service that way. **Update! My date got very sick after eating here. Bathroom will be needed if you go here.
(3)Darcy L.
If you like ridiculous amounts of food, Maggiano's is a great place to go. We went for an anniversary celebration, and splurged on a few Italian street fare appetizers, two entrees (and one extra to take home as part of their BOGO deal), and drinks. Several drinks. More than several drinks, maybe... Service was lovely in the dining area. We were a little bummed that they were out of a few of the apps we wanted to try, but our server made up for it with great alternate suggestions and a little package of melt-in-your-mouth lemon cookies to take home. The pasta dish I ordered was good, but nothing mind-blowing. Their gnocchi was wonderful, but the sauce was a little heavy and seemed identical to the sauce they'd used for some of the appetizers. Post-dinner drinks at the bar were fabulous! We got to chatting with a sweet bartender who poured perfect drinks and let us sample a few as she made different ones for diners in the restaurant. The specialty drinks that are Maggiano's own recipes are great, but hands down, their version of the Manhattan is one of the best I've ever had. I don't even feel bad for how much money I spent on two of them. Great evening out, for small or large groups. Or one shameless Manhattan lover who may or may not be found hovering alone at their bar...
(4)Virginia C.
Two words: AWESOME SERVICE! Best event location I've used in the country! I'm a trainer who travels hosting events nationally and this location is hands down the best I've been to. Each and every time they provide exceptional service to me and my guests.
(5)Joshua R.
My wife and I have been here several times and the experience is always the same... Awesome!!! We simply love coming here and do so about once a week. Make sure you try the zucchini fritters and have a dark and stormy for me. Any dish can have substitutions (we always get veggies instead of pasta) and don't forget the house salad.
(5)Jim R.
Are there today, I thought the spaghetti sauce was bland. I will not be back again. Too many other restaurants in the area to spend money on less than average food.
(2)Magda C.
My husband and me were pleasantly surprised by the place. It was an unplanned visit after lengthy shopping at Kenwood. We were hungry and expected the worst of this chain-type of restaurant, yet the whole experience was very nice. The place is huge and can acommodate parties from 2 to multi! The service is great, but the place was packed and the dished came slowly. We took the dinner for 2 for 40 USD, including an apetizer and dessert to share, 2 classic pasta dishes to dine in and 2 classic pastas to take home. The flatbread with chicken and roasted peppers we got as an apetizer was delicious, perfectly seasoned and garnished with balsamico glaze. Our skinny light versions of classic chicken Alfredos were yummy and accurately portioned. We finished with Creme Brulee, which was the only disappointment. The taste of the custard was blunt and the sugar on top was too grainy and thick to enjoy it, it was not even caramelized, so it felt like sand between the teeth. Definitely not worth trying! Wish we had tiramisu instead, some people around us had it and it looked much better. They have a happy hour for cocktails, smal bites and beer till 6 PM on weekdays, however they do not offer proper espresso-based coffee, which is sad in an Italian restaurant... All in all, the ratio of price vs. quality was great and I will be happy to come back! Plus, the dinner for tomorrow is already sitting in the fridge, love it!
(4)Bobby G.
Perfect date night destination! Me and my Girlfriend went and had a lovely time. The food was good and felt like what an authentic Italian meal should feel like. My only 2 knocks were the prices, which aren't too terribly outrageous and if you plan right you can get 2 extra meals for your money, and the host who sat us was a little bit cocky as to how much better they were than other restaurants. Let your food do the talking. Overall it was a great environment, good authentic food and a perfect night out every once in a while. Definitely will be going back.
(4)Celena F.
First time eating here. One of the employees who works there, Kim, invited me to try Maggianos. It was delicious! She suggested what to get and I absolutely couldn't have agreed with her more. We had Zucchini Frittè, stuffed shells with chicken, mushrooms and veggies, fettuccini Alfredo, and a shrimp chopped salad. The service was great, Clayton (I think, or Clay) was our server and he did a phenomenal job. If you've never been, you should go (just make sure you got the money, honey).
(5)Rebecca J.
They fixed the stinky bar smell but we were disappointed with our dinner and service the list time there. The fettucini Alfredo was bland and over cooked. The Caesar dressing was way too fishy. And the server didn't offer to let us take home a pasta. As I was signing the check I asked him why, he said he could get me one. It should have been offered before I was paying the bill.
(3)Henry J.
So we've eaten here a few times, each time I kept forgetting to check in on Yelp. For those who don't know, Maggiano's is one of the best chain Italian-American restaurants in the US. Their food is very flavorful in general. Although pricey, their entrees feature very generous portions as well. Of the pastas I've ordered, only once did my dish taste ever-so-slightly overcooked. For the most part, they cook their pastas al dente. If you want a signature dish there, then go for the Rigatoni "D". It's not pricey at all ($15.95) at this location, and the portion is enough to be a meal and a half. Their salads are also very nicely dressed. Their Italian salad dressing is a bit on the sweet side. Their flatbread is more appropriate as an appetizer for two rather than a main course for one. Most definitely have their tiramisu. It's sweet, creamy, coffee-y, and is topped with a thick layer of cocoa dust and has a few pieces of dark chocolate, finished off with a milk chocolate drizzle. We made it a point to not finish our entrees to save room for their tiramisu. Definitely a fan.
(5)Brigid S.
Love the food and bar service is great but the hostess who is seating people tonite could use some customer service training
(1)Cynthia T.
Even though my husband and I have been to other Maggianos locations, this one in particular has stood out to us. The service is always great and the food delicious. The manager, Mike, was extremely nice and ensured we had the best experience possible. I would say that this Maggianos makes us feel like we are at a neighborhood restaurant versus a large chain. We will keep coming back!
(5)Holly S.
Not too handicap friendly. No automatic side door, hard to push wheelchair across carpet. Tiny elevator up stairs, poor handicap bathroom (women).
(3)Azelle B.
My husband and I frequently visit this Maggiano's and we have never been disappointed. The food and service are always top notch. My favorite is the Taylor Street Baked Ziti and my husband LOVES the Mama's Lasagna. We have YET to be able to clean our plates because they give you a TON of food (plus one to go home depending on what you order) but the food is so good we certainly try... The ONLY bad thing to me is the location. It's located in Kenwood Mall and it's ALWAYS crowded at this mall which always makes it hard to find parking.
(5)Devika A.
Perfect for groups, okay for dates. Great environment- classic Italian but the portions are just huge! Everything is delish- from the bread to the Ziti to the eggplant parmesan. They have this deal where you order one serving for dinner and you get another to bring back home. It's great :) I would just recommend this for group outings as leftovers aren't always the best way to remember a restaurant. I do have to say that the wait is long and if you want classic Italian, then there is better in downtown Cincinnati.
(4)Chris G.
My most recent visit to Maggiano's Little Italy came with the obligatory trip to the Kenwood Towne Centre which is, as many malls are, a frustrating endeavor of parking spot hunting. The wait at Maggiano's without a reservation was gracefully short. We were told 15 minutes, but in reality waited less than ten before we were seated. On this visit they offered a two meal deal for $39.95 which also included two additional take-home meals an appetizer and a dessert. It's printed in the menu, so I'm sure it's now a standard offering. The appetizer chosen was the Tomato Caprese which has large thick slices of fresh mozzarella laid atop thick fresh slices of tomato seasoned with a balsamic drizzle. I really enjoyed this dish, but my date indicated she could take it or leave it. My date chose the Spaghetti and Meatball for dinner with the Fettucini Al Fredo for her take-home meal. I chose the Mushroom Ravioli al Forno for my meal, with the Four Cheese Ravioli for my take-home meal. I was conflicted because there were main entrees which interested me, but which would have negated the the special deal, and between the two of us we ordered everything I'd liked to try in the classic pasta collection. I paired my Mushroom Ravioli with the "Elderflower Collins" handcrafted cocktail which offered a distinct and interesting contrast. Not only because the cocktail was a bit puckery, but the rhubarb in the drink really shone through as oddly complimentary to the mushroom and the alfredo sauce. Not bad, but I imagine it'd take some getting used to for most. The dessert selected was the Tirimisu which came out fluffy, moist and delightfully easy to eat. For as "common" as Tirimisu is places seem to get it wrong way too often and produce a dry cakey mess which lacks the joy producing textures and tastes expected.
(4)Courtney F.
Usually my mom and I have a great time here when we've come, but the service today was not good. A manager greeted us after about 5 minutes and was very pleasant. She told us our servers name and by then we knew what we wanted. We waited almost another 5 minutes for our server who didn't introduce herself. She just said did you decide? She was not friendly and We talked to the manager and everything turned out ok and we will be back.
(3)Sara M.
Normally chain restaurants the food is average, Maggiano's is an exception. For an appetizer their fried zucchini with aioli is great. My favorite meal is the eggplant parmasean, one of the best I've had...not what you would expect from a chain. I get this as my meal, portions are huge, so I take half home. It's part of the Chefs deals so I get another one for free to take home! This means I have 4 meals for $12.95! The take home dinner warms up well, even when frozen.
(4)Jennie I.
We came here for my boyfriend's mom's birthday and I'm sure glad we did. Great vegetarian options and heaps better food and atmosphere than Olive Garden. I got the mushroom ravioli to eat there and took home the eggplant parm, they were both delicious and our server was hilarious!
(5)Karen D.
Post holiday dinner with a few friends I haven't seen in a while and yes this was my first visit to Maggiano's for dinner, I'm very picky about my Italian food & this place is always packed thats why I've never enjoyed their food before. A friend has celiac's disease, which she can only eat gluten free and have to be careful food doesn't come in contact with other food, we notified our waiter and their policy is to notify the chef. The chef came out and talked to my friend about the menu and what she could have, the chef was very impressive and thorough making my friend at ease about her dinner selection. Our server even brought her out a cup of fruit while we waited for our dinner to arrive, which felt was impressive and very accommodating to her needs. The restaurant was very busy on a Wednesday night as this location is at Kenwood mall so a mixture of families, friends enjoying a night out. All of us selected the pick 2 on the menu for $12.95, where you pick one dish and they prepare another dish for you to take home, which is great deal. I selected the lasagna for the restaurant and eggplant parmesan to take home. The lasagna was okay, I've had better, I set the bar very high for lasagna. My take home eggplant parmesan I warmed up the next day was better. Another friend selected the four cheese ravioli, which looked amazing when it was placed on our table and also eggplant parmesan to take home. They had two special pasta selections made with corn making it gluten free for friend and the servings were huge. We had a great evening catching up and now can see why Maggiano's is so popular chain Italian restaurant.
(4)Jennifer W.
I love maggianos and was expecting to have a nice family dinner, until I called to make a reservation and Nikki answered the phone with a rude tone..and when I went to make a reservation almost 3 hrs prior to the time we were suppose to come in..she replied with just for your future reference you need to call earlier but we can fit you in because we are slow today! Oh thanks I won't be back again..next time make sure you have better customer service, and make your guests feel welcome!
(1)Ray F.
Excellent Italian dinner! Broader selection than Carrabbas, delicious tilapia and chicken piccata. Calamari had just about the right amount of light breading. Chocolate Zucotto cake was an awesome share!!
(4)Jessica B.
I will introduce Maggianos as an aesthetically fancy Italian chain restaurant whose focus on intimate ambiance is appreciated but yet most disproportionately exceeds the attention to consistency they put into their mass produced "traditional" Italian cuisine. Before I tear into them, which sadly I intend to do (who ever really wants to give a negative review to a business with such nice servers!?) let me share what I think this place is fantastic for: dessert and drinks! I think they have a lovely atmosphere for an intimate satisfying dessert and coffee/wine date via their generous wine and drink list, with many options for non-alcoholic cold and hot beverages as well. I'll compliment them and offer their Tiramisu is the closest I've had in the USA to date to the dessert whose namesake I have had the privilege of having personally prepared for me by an actual Italian Pastry Chef friend of mine from Italy while I was overseas on my birthday. I highly recommend Maggianos Tiramisu, just don't take it "to-go" or it will melt like mine did. I have not had their coffee, shockingly, but I promise to update once I have to complete my recommendation. Both visits, among other things, we ordered the same entrée, the four cheese ravioli, totaling three examples of the same dish. Consistency is a huge determining factor of if we'll frequent a place in this price range. They failed miserably. We ordered it the first time as part of their "Dinner For Two" for $39.99, where we would both be served the same thing on different plates. For what you get, if prepared properly, it is a great deal! As many others have stated, if you order one of their "Classic Pastas" with this meal or on their own, you get another from that section of the menu to take home gratis. It doesn't have to be the same dish you had, so it offers you a chance to try something new. That is all well and good if you value quantity over quality! We are not that type though, and appreciate anything done well over much done poorly. When our meals arrived, we noticed how different our two plates were, being that they were supposed to be the same thing. Second, we were shocked they had no problem serving them to the same table for two where they would obviously be compared! Of course even the best chef will have slight variations in presentation, but to serve two identical menu items to the same table and have them come out so ridiculously different and nobody caught it, was laughable. One of our plates was beautiful, ideal! The raviolis were spread out on the plate in a sea of green colored "pesto-alfredo sauce" (per the menu description) with a thin accent stripe of bright red marinara down the middle that gave it a beautiful pop of color. The entire plate was submerged in sauce. The other plate was it's pathetic opposite. The pasta was dry on top, not even enough sauce to coat all the raviolis nor cover any part of the plate except under the pasta itself. There seemed to be a dominance of red marinara (not even in the description) than the beautiful pesto Alfredo that was apparently now the accent. We were so shocked we took a photo for what we knew would become this review. Then, we ordered a side of the pesto-alfredo, and fixed it ourselves to avoid making a fuss too early on in the game. See our photo for yourselves, in the photo section. The third time we ordered this dish, it was even worse than the first visit. It came out with dry browning pasta from being under a lamp without any sauce to keep it moist, it was smothered in the red marinara sauce with almost none of the main sauce. Being that this was the third time we encountered consistency issues with this simple dual-component dish we vowed it foolish to expect them to get any of their more complicated dishes right on any consistent basis. Just for the sake of argument, we had also ordered the "Chicken Tortellini". That was the final nail in the coffin. The Chicken Tortellini, not surprisingly, had the same issues as the other dishes. They do not follow their own menu. The menu listed chicken, smoked ham, cheese and white truffle cream sauce. It came out chicken cheese tortellini smothered in wilted spinach (which I hate!) floating in watery white sauce that wouldn't stick to the pasta. The ham was not stuffed in the pasta but cubed bits on top of the wilted spinach water. Absolutely gross. Picking up a tortellini with a fork made all the sauce complete drain off, and we were not served spoons (despite asking for them and never receiving them, at all) so as you might imagine, we sent it back. At that moment, my Husband and I looked at each other and decided mutually we would never dine there again except for desserts and drinks. The service staff was overall very helpful and easy to reason with, making the issues we had predictable to resolve. I still stick to my recommendation of this place as a "dessert only" place if you're playing it safe, unless you aren't fussy about your food.
(3)Alex L.
Every time my wife and I go to Maggiano's, we always leave with so much food. We're not complaining either. We love that they take reservations and we absolutely love the food. We will definitely continue to go back and leave satisfied.
(4)Kelsey H.
Just got take-out from here and it was so scrumptious.. had to put the "new year" eating habits on hold for just 1 more day! The eggplant parm was a pleasantly new delicious surprise. The white sauce clam spaghetti was a hit, as always! Mine did have a few crunchy bits in there though... Whether sand or shell, I wasn't sure. The food was hot enough so that it was still nice and warm when we opened it up at home, except for the bread... but that wasn't much of a shocker.
(4)Ashley O.
It's a tradition to come here with my family for the holiday shopping kickoff....and usually it's amazing. This time they got my order wrong twice (just simply switching salad dressing from one I have a slight allergy to). The waitress was nice about it but clearly was irritated I wanted to get the correct dressing. She didn't have a very genuine attitude about service. Otherwise, the best thing about this place is the "eat one now, take one home too" for $12.95. I always get the Fettuccini Alfredo (to eat there and the second portion to take home). The portions are huge so I usually get 2 meals out of the regular adult portion. Overall I love this place and will come back here with family and friends.
(4)Barbara W.
This place is simply AMAZING!! My husband and I are regulars and we've never been disappointed. Everything is made from scratch. The 4-cheese ravioli is divine. The lasagna and spaghetti are also exceptional. The bruschetta and fried zucchini are fantastic appetizers. On the weekends, the restaurant gets extremely busy. We've waited up to 2 1/2 hours in the past, but it has always been well worth the wait. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)Tabitha W.
It was Sweetest Day, and my husband decided to surprise me by making reservations at Maggiano's and picking me up for a date after he got out of work. He had been there for a work meeting a couple months ago, and I think he was just using this as an excuse to return to somewhere with tried and true good food. Have you ever taken advantage of their deal on Classic pastas? If you buy one pasta dish, you get another whole dish to take home for free. Holy ravioli, that's a lot of food. We got the Four-Cheese Ravioli and the Mushroom Ravioli al Forno - and we liked it so much, we took home two full orders with us, PLUS our leftovers from our first dish. You can actually pick any dish to take home that you want off the Classic Pasta menu, but these sounded the best. They have mini desserts here, so we selected a few to try: Creme Brulee, Apple Crostada, and Chocolate Zuccotto Cake. Good quality food!
(4)Joe G.
It's okay. The local people, of which I am one, eat there and like to dress in nicer clothes. It feels good and the service was great. Like most Italian food, I've eaten better for the same price or less. I've eaten Italian fare in Chicago and NYC for the same price or much less. Plus, being married to an accomplished chef, I am spoiled. But, when we go out and pay Maggiano's prices, I expect better. The food was average. It's pricey when you have 1-2 glasses of average wine for a high price.
(3)Dale H.
My hubby and I like to go here during the week when we're not inclined to cook. We don't wait for a table, but we eat at a table near the bar. They have two T.V.s to watch the Reds game. The food is consistent. Sometimes we'll get a classic pasta and we get to take one home for free. That night he had the eggplant parmagiana. Very good. I had the chicken marsala. Good. Always huge servings - so large you can take half home for lunch the next day. I think the wines by the glass are a bit high - but good. Service is good - not great. The servers seem a bit stressed out - maybe too many tables to wait on?
(3)Andy D.
Great service, food and atmosphere! One of my favorite Italian places in the city...I know I'm usually pretty critical of chain places, but this one is actually really great! The customer service is awesome and the decor and atmosphere are top notch...The outside patio is very relaxing and romantic. I always love eating at Maggiano's...Keep up the great work!!
(4)Rhonda W.
This is one of my allll time Fav's Everytime my hubby went to Chicago he knew better than to come home without something from here and we were very excited one opened nearer to us. It's still an hour drive but it's worth it. Of course the Chicago location has the cute Italian waiters but when we can't go to Chicago for dinner it's a nice compromise. the portions are huge .. so do not fill up on bread or mess with soup or salad. Save it for the good stuff. For years we would get a few things and share them .. and looking forward to the left overs. Rigatoni D is a long time fav ... chicken, mushrooms, a little onion in a light cream sauce. Their mushroom ravioli and Asiago fettuccini are ta die for. If you like lasagna ....it's super. Their bruschetta is great .. the tomatos are sweetish just a great starter One dinner portion could likely be enough for two ... one time they forgot my meal but it worked out .. we share his and it was perfect amount but they were so apologetic they offered us a dessert .. but we were stuffed. They insisted and brought us some lemon finger cookies to go. The next morning while my husband was showering I thought I'd nibble a few ... while watching tv. I totally ate them all. He asked for a few to tide him over till lunch ... :( I had to fess up. But they were sooo good. so beware they might be addictive.
(5)Heather R.
Holy boat load of food!!! I went there last week for a friend's birthday. There was a total of 7 of us & we had the Classic family style meal. All of the food was great! I was a little disappointed at the amount of steak that was served though. The initial plate had a decent amount but when we asked for more (their menu describes the family style meals as "the plates won't stop coming until everyone has had their fill.") only 2 pieces of stake were served. Really, I know it's the most expensive item we ordered but own up to your description. We weren't expecting a full platter but 2 pieces is ridiculous. Overall, the service was good & the food was tasty. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)Chris S.
Best caterer for an Italian cuisine. The deliveries are prompt and professional and my corporate guests always love the food.
(5)Robert M.
I struggle given this place 4 stars. Really it comes down to service. Sometimes it is great, other time awful. The food is always good. Always a wait at night. As a chain it is better then most.
(4)Beverly C.
Fantastic Food! Huge portions that can be split between 2 people. Fantastic Deserts, Excellent wine list, Private party room, Bar area with piano - Several dining areas for different atmosphere. Love this restuarant!
(5)Carolyn W.
Allergies? Special diet? No problem! Over-the-top service and accommodation at this tastefully decorated dining place. Because I am gluten-free and vegan we asked to see a menu. The host asked if we had food concerns and began to share how they could accommodate them. We decided to try. Our waiter knew what my limitations were and just verified that information then made recommendations based on those concerns. Ample time was provided for our decision: attentive without feeling rushed. When the bread was delivered, the chef sent out a complimentary gluten-free appetizer for me. The chef visited our table to make sure my needs were met. I noticed the staff preparing a table for a larger group. They moved other tables creating more space between the larger group and other tables for patrons. What a nice idea. The food was delicious and with their classic pasta dishes you get another classic pasta dish to take home. It makes the cost of these entrees ($14) a great value. We felt like our patronage was valued and the staff was there to serve. So, skip the Cheesecake Factory and walk into Maggiano's Little Italy for personalized service and excellent, made-to-order food.
(5)Valerie G.
This review concerns Maggiano's carryout service. It is excellent. Five Stars for sure. On a Friday night, during restaurant "rush hour", we ordered several appetizers, a salad and entree to share, and the apple crostada for dessert. Ordering by phone was very quick, and the employee was quick, clear and friendly. She even confirmed the salad was the correct one when I slightly mis-named it when ordering. Picking up is simple and quick - there is a side door to bypass the bar and restaurant traffic. The server who gave us our food showed us each item, offered extras such as cheese/peppers/plasticware, and she separated out the hot items from the cold items in separate bags, so food items would not get warm or cold too quickly. When we got home and ate, our food was hot and/or cold as it was supposed to be, and everything was delicious. Some places treat carryout as a necessary evil. However, Maggiano's went above and beyond for carryout. This might sound silly, but I found the service impeccable for carryout.
(5)Renee M.
Not very good... Find another Italian restaurant if possible. Sauce tastes like out of a jar.
(1)Terri B.
Just soooooooooo good. That's all I can say!
(5)Jo Z.
Extremely rude hostess staff!! We were made to wait even though we had a reservation days in advance. We dined at 11:45 on a Sunday so it wasn't as if they were turning around a table, simply unprepared. Waiter was good, not great. Food was good, not great and overpriced for the quality. Will not return.
(1)Gloria Z.
Made an exception to my avoidance of CHAIN restaurants for Maggiano's due to having received a gift card plus a $10 coupon. The one other time we ate here was also due to a special coupon deal. The food is very very good. The interior decor is pleasant, and the front bar area looks to be nice and relaxing, an intimate hangout completely separated from the dining area. Probably great just to have drinks and/or coffee and dessert at the bar. While I have not had dessert here, I've read enough reviews to be confident that the desserts are in fact excellent. However due to the substantial savings we had with gift card and coupon, we came for dinner. Service is really only so-so. It's all well and good that servers are "friendly," but with fine dining prices such as charged here, you want top-notch professional service. And that's lacking. The atmosphere is just too corporate chain. We had uncleared dirty appetizer dishes all over the table when a worker (not our server) showed up with the entrée. He was actually attempting to put the plates down with literally no room on the table. I had to speak up and say "these dirty dishes need to be removed first - but I realize that's not your fault." And it wasn't - in this type of assembly-line service, a light probably goes off in the back, and the poor guy is just told to pick up these dishes and take them to table 14. Being aware of their huge portions, we had opted to share an entrée. After the gentleman swept our dirty dishes onto a nearby empty table he placed the platter with the entrée down - and left! But he didn't provide individual sharing plates. I got up and retrieved two appetizer plates from the nearby empty table, and we managed with those. Our waitress showed up to ask how everything was, and we told her we were not happy with the food arriving with dirty dishes not removed, as well as the absence of sharing plates. She said she was very sorry and she does apologize, then explained "when I press 'share' they are supposed to bring plates." How pathetically funny is that... THEY are supposed to do it when she "presses share." Behold, the undeniable chain mentality. So unless you've got a gift card, a Groupon deal, or your boss is paying, I would not recommend this place for your pricey Italian sit-down meal. Germano's nearby is in the same price range and it is truly excellent dining experience. (And, it's not a chain: more than coincidence?)
(3)Matthew B.
Food was VERY DELICIOUS, but service was a little inept. We had a large group, and our waitress seemed new on the job. I don't fully understand what is so difficult about a large group. I have to believe that they assign tables by # of seats, meaning one person gets 5 tables with 4 seats each and another person gets, say, 2 tables of 10 each. What do I know... Anyway, they should train the staff - even if it is a big table, even if you feel overwhelmed, don't let them see you sweat. However, let me emphasize, THE FOOD IS OUSTANDING AND A GREAT VALUE.
(3)Tls K.
We love Maggianos and visit one every chance we get...sadly the closest one to use is a 2 hour drive away. Reservations are a must! We remembered that Cincinnati has a Maggianos as we were driving to the airport and called ahead. After explaining why we couldn't wait until 9pm for dinner (we had an 11:00 flight), the restaurant agreed to accommodate us. Portions are insanely large AND they tried to send us home with a complimentary second entree. The staff is friendly and efficient. My husband enjoyed fettuccine alfredo with enough to share with our son. I enjoyed classic spaghetti with red sauce and the fabulous Maggianos Salad. My mouth is watering just writing this review! My only complaint is parking. This location is in a busy mall with very few handicapped parking spots - the night we were there - we struggled to find any spot to park. However, do not let a small issue like parking stop you from enjoying this fabulous restaurant!
(5)KP K.
AWFUL EXPERIENCE. I will start by saying that I do not believe my experience here to be the norm and that this may be a much better establishment than my experience, but my experience would lead anyone to giving just 1 star. It started with a 2 hour wait, which seems long because the wait should never exceed the duration that an average customers dines, but it happens, the wait was okay. The host staff was not the friendliest, but again that is typical when busy. Finally, after 2 hours, we were at our table. It took 20 minutes to receive our drinks. It took 40 minutes before we were able to give our order because the waitress was AWOL (We ended up giving our order to another waitress who relayed the order). Then, the power went out. The power was out for around 15-20 minutes. At no point did management or staff let anyone know what was happened or offer any words of encouragement such as "We are working on getting the power on shortly, thank you for your patience." When the power came back, it took another 45 minutes to order our desert. The wrong desert was then served, but we just ate it because we knew we wouldn't see our waitress again for a while. Time for the bill - They said their computer system was down. We waited 45 minutes after finishing desert before we received our check. There was no apology for the delay. No discount offered. They hand wrote what we ordered on a piece of paper with prices and handed it to me. They had our bill wrong. They had the appetizer and drinks that the table behind us ordered on our hand written check. $25 extra on our bill. I argued, but they said that is what they have down and the other customer had already paid their bill. It was frustrating. We obviously knew what we ate and did not eat. I had no choice but to pay. I did. They brought me another hand written slip with the check amount and then the tax and she asked me to add the tax to the amount - in other words, she was not able to do the math and asked me to do it. Amazing. I did it. They made a copy of my card to charge when their computers get back up. This morning, I wake up, and see a pending charge on my debit for $10 more than the final amount I left. So my bill had $25 of things we did not order on it, then another $10 mystery unauthorized charge. $35 extra. I am still deciding whether to dispute the charge or not. I am unsure if its worth the hassle of disputing a charge over $35, but certainly there was some fraud going on there last night. Also, today for lunch we opened our bag with the two to-go items we ordered, and noticed she gave us the wrong items. Ordered fettuccine Alfredo to go, and received ravioli. I understand the power going out was an unusual circumstance. However, management clearly was unprepared and did not respond well.
(1)Rebecca B.
Today I found a hidden gem of the gluten free foodie world. My best friend and blogger - Sara Wyen of Words To Run By went with me to the Celiac Awareness Tour in Cincinnati, Ohio today. We were excited to see all the fun, new gluten free goodies with all the vendors. Another blog post coming soon on that... While we were there, Maggiano's Little Italy chef Karl Lenz was there speaking and doing a gluten free demo. Well, I knew exactly where the Maggiano's Kenwood was located and we zipped on over there for lunch. I am so glad we did. Upon entering the restaurant, I asked for the gluten free menu. They explained rather than having a gluten free menu, the Assistant Manager would come out and explain the gluten free options and ensure my meal was allergy safe. Matthew Powell, the Assistant General Manager came over to the table after our waiter quickly brought us drinks and very thoroughly explained how 90% of their menu items can be made into gluten free dishes. He walked me through the menu and made sure I was clear on food preparation, ingredients and options for celiac disease. This was the most gluten friendly and celiac aware place I've been to yet. 90% of their menu items could be made gluten free - surely it wasn't so. This place isn't on any of the safe lists or gluten free places to eat. Oh boy, did they knock my socks off. I decided to try their corn pasta. It. Was. Amazing. Gluten Free Corn Pasta Maggiano's Sara and I ended up sharing a meal because it was really big. You know what the best part was? They have several menu items that you can get a to go item FREE if you order from the list. Yup - I got 2 meals for the price of one. 1 being a gluten free specialty menu item - without paying extra. Our entire lunch with the meal, Cesar salad for Sara and 2 iced teas was $24. Can you tell we didn't like it? Just kidding. Matthew even came out after the meal and ensured everything was ok and up to my gluten free liking! Of course I explained. The chef that was doing the demo at the Celiac Awareness Tour, Karl Lenz - was back before we finished lunch and he even came out to welcome us and explain their cooking methods and showed me their pastas! Maggiano's Corn Pasta I felt completely safe eating here, had no stomach ailments after my meal and will certainly make this a go to spot when we are in Cincinnati. The manager, chef and waiter all made me feel comfortable and took care of me the way a restaurant should with people suffering from food allergies. We already have a big enough burden of having this food allergy, we shouldn't have to feel like one while eating out. Rebecca Maggiano's Little Italy Cincinnati Kenwood Mall 7875 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45236 513.794.0670
(5)Rick A.
Stopped on the way back north to home for a quick snack and drink. We ordered from the appetizer menu and we more than satisfied. Wife had the cup of Sausage and Bean soup and i had the Maggiano's small salad. Both were just right and very good. The service was 5 Star by the bartender who was handling the bar area by himself. Never intrusive, good suggestions and always ready to assist. At his suggestion we had the 5 item dessert sampler and would up with two to take home. All were very good with the Tiramisu being one of the better I have had. Great place to stop after visiting Kenwood Mall before taking off for parts North.
(5)Tina G.
Lobster Carbonara and Maggiano's Salad....a perfect match.
(5)Mark C.
We love coming here ... the new Street Food samplers are great!
(4)Mandy F.
Went here for my 25th birthday dinner w/ my boyfriend - had a WONDERFUL time! It was quite busy when we walked in - and I honestly can't remember if we had reservations or not - but we waited about an hour to be seated. At first, I was second guessing our decision to have dinner there, but the waitresses in the bar area soon put me at ease. We were able to snag a cocktail table near the bar and had our first round of drinks - which were delicious! The waitresses were so sweet - recommended drinks, appetizers, etc. An older lady and her girlfriend came in for a quick bite and ended up sitting w/ us - had hilarious conversation with them - to the point that I was actually a little disappointed when it was time to be seated in the dining room. The decor and ambiance is so great here - candles everywhere, big comfortable booth - linen tablecloths - it was great! I ordered the pasta with a white sauce and mushrooms - MOST DELICIOUS THING EVER!!! Huuuuuge portion - definitely took most of it home. I know this may sound weird, but I like sauces with a soupy consistency and this was perfect! It re-heated amazingly well the next day - perfectly saucy! Boyfriend had chicken parm and loved it - chicken was crispy, plenty of cheese! The waiter was funny and down to earth. Brought me out a plate of their lemon cookies with a candle for my birthday :) Great memories of Maggiano's - if you're looking for a place to celebrate a special day or occassion without going downtown - this is it! They also have a dinner special where you can get an appetizer to share, two classic pastas (they give you an extra portion to take home!), and a dessert to share for $39.95! Wonderful deal for the quality of food and attentive service!
(4)Charles L.
Had the family Classico menu. I did know they had this type of serving. Great surprise. We all loved it. More than we could possibly eat and the taste was wonderful. The mussel starter is the best I have ever had which includes my worldwide travel. Marina thanks
(5)Katie H.
Good sized portions, but with drinks/appetizers/desserts the cost can definitely add up. My favorite used to be their pesto sauce with gnocchi, but more recently they don't offer the pesto sauce for classic pastas (what?!). Last time I called for carryout and asked for it, the guy on the phone said they didn't make pesto anymore. However, the last time I went to the restaurant, our waiter was able to get what I wanted. It was more expensive than before, but worth it to satisfy my craving. The sangria they offered in the summer was light and refreshing. Beverage options are extensive, and the waitstaff is knowledgeable and helpful. The pasta option where you pick one to eat at the restaurant and take one home is very reasonably priced for the amount of food. Good service, great food. Nothing special enough for me to rave about, but very reliable.
(4)Chris C.
This is restaurant that we don't often get to and as I sat down and the waitress filled my glass with water I remembered why. The water was heavily chlorinated which I find in poor taste. I still give them a four star rating as the service was impeccable, the food was very tasty. It was a great evening as I switched from their tap water to Stella. I believe that they could easily add a carbon filter to their drinking water supply and solve my problem.
(4)Kennie G.
I had food from Maggiano's before, and I thought it was good. It was catered into something at work. I'd never been to the restaurant before, and doing so made a good impression even better. Say what you will about national chain restaurants. Maggiano's is doing it right. I was here with a rather large party, as we were celebrating during a friend's bachelorette weekend. With such a large party, they made us order everything "family style" and I can see why now, because this made things go so much smoother. Because we'd made reservations and pre-ordered the food, we didn't have to wait long after being seated to start getting our food. And the food.... Absolutely. Delicious. The one thing that stands out to me most are the stuffed mushrooms and the baked salmon. I'm a huge fan of salmon, and it was cooked perfectly. Everything else I had was tasty as well, but the food earned five stars based on the salmon alone. I highly recommend it. Now, Maggiano's isn't your typical national chain Italian restaurant. Be prepared to spend. They do have a deal, though, that if you order from a specific menu, you get your entree to eat there and another one from that same menu to take home. That's a very good deal, because the portions are generous and delicious. But is it worth the price? Heck yeah! My one complaint would be the parking situation. You all know how Kenwood is. But there's nothing you can really do about that except circle the parking lot and hope for the best. I won't count that against them, though.
(5)Sasha M.
I have been to maggianos many of times. It is one of the best Italian food I have ever had. Even though it takes a while for the food. I think its worth it. The service is ok. Sometimes it is better than other days. I would recommend going to maggianos it has the best italian food ever!!! -Sasha My first time at maggiano's was pretty good! The lady who seated us was a jerk. She tried to tell Sasha and I we couldn't sit at an empty booth. We did anyways. The waiter we got reminded me of Niki Minaj. She was really nice. I ordered a peach pomegranate lemonade and it was AMAZING! Sasha ordered a raspberry lemonade and it was crap It was all bland. I ordered Jimmy's hero sandwich without topinade. Sasha got fetucini Alfredo and her mom got chicken parmesian. When we were done ordering we got bread fresh out of the oven. It was good. Our food took a really long time to cook. The people across from us got waited and served food after us. We were a little ticked but our food was good. The only thingies didn't like was that they put topinade on my sandwich. The waitress took my sandwich off of the bill. She was so nice! I am definitely going back there soon! ~Mick
(4)Scott L.
So...the food is good. The restaurant is beautiful. That staff is...snooty. I personally don't get what all the fuss is about. It's Waaaay too expensive. It's just not my cup of tea. I can get pretty much the exact same thing at Olive Garden for half the price.
(3)Rick W.
First time there Sun. But not the last.We had a very good meal, and plenty of it.We started with Spinach & Artichoke Al Forno.I didn't think Spinach could be any good but I was wrong.The dip was very good. My wife had Chicken Alfredo and I had the Rustic Chicken & Shrimp which I would highly recommend.There was so much I brought halve of it home.Now my wife also got an order of lasagna to bring home because of what she ordered, for know charge.It was more than enough for supper.She also ordered Chocolate Zuccotto Cake which she enjoyed but I didn't care for so much.Now our server John was the best.Very helpful and took very good care of us.For all the food and the quality,thought the price was very reasonable.
(5)Julia C.
Maggiano's is a favorite for my boyfriend and I. Granted, we don't go often, because it's a little pricey for us, but it's a definite go-to for special occasions like birthdays. He almost always gets the Taylor Street Baked Ziti (which is awesome, by the way), and I've tried several of the pastas including the baked ziti, spaghetti and meatballs, and fettuccine alfredo. I had the Salmon Oscar the last time we were there, and it was great as well. And I would definitely recommend the stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta as appetizers, and the chocolate zuccotto cake for dessert (it is MASSIVE...we ended up splitting it between the two of us). We've always experience great service there, and have never had to wait over 15-20 minutes to be seated (which wasn't bad, considering we didn't have a reservation that time, and it was a Saturday night). Oh, and also, when you get one of the Classic pastas, you get an additional free classic pasta to take home!
(5)Kay E.
The service was the worst I've experienced, the food was thoroughly average, and the portions were huge. My companion and I were promptly seated and our waitress asked what we'd like to drink. And then she didn't come back. A manager noticed our unattended table and took our orders. The waitress later came back and explained: she had been told only part of our order, what was it? After the appetizer and bread, our plates weren't cleared. Our finished dinner plates sat too long. Over a two hour meal with a constantly dirty, unattended table. The food was okay. Nothing awry, but not exceptional. I was frustrated that I was never offered Parmesan and our waitress didn't return while we were eating so I didn't have the opportunity to ask. Our tiramisu was amazing and could have served 4-5 reasonably. The portions were huge. My companion and I ordered the $40 special for an appetizer (we only finished half), two entrees (I only finished half), and a dessert with two more entrees to take home. So we had dinner there and both left with 2-3 meals of leftovers. It was definitely worth the price.
(3)Kyla M.
Love this place! Great service delicious food. Great kids food too. They also are great with food allergies! My sister has celiacs, and they send out a chef to tall your options. Very reasonable prices considering you get a whole meal that will feed two people to take home!
(5)Marissa C.
Wow, I had heard a lot about Maggiano's before I finally was able to visit, and it was all true! This place is amazing, with delicious food! We visited on a Saturday evening with a large group. The place was crowded, so reservations were extremely useful. The staff was wonderful - very helpful and attentive. Despite our large group and equally large order, our server was on-the-ball and so cheerful. She really went above and beyond to make sure our visit was great. The food was fantastic - and there was plenty from which to choose, including classic and specialty pastas and meat and potato type entrees. Favorites of the evening included the Tomato Caprese, the Calamari Fritte, Veal Marsala, Veal Parmesan, Chicken & Spinach Mancotti, and the Filet Mignon. The desserts were all rich and gigantic - perfect for sharing. The Creme Brulee and both tiramisus (there is a specialty berry one right now) were rich and delicious, and the NY Cheesecake was served with a delicious strawberry sauce. Vera's Lemon Cookies were a table favorite. Eating gluten-free here was simple. The chef visited the table and discussed my options with me - and there were a lot! I almost couldn't remember them all after the chef left. I ended up with the Baked Rigatoni Pomodoro, which was delicious - so flavorful with the smoked cheese and amazing chicken sausage. It was made gluten free through the use of a corn-based pasta, which had a good texture and flavor for this dish. Attire and prices vary widely here. We saw everything from shorts and flip flops to prom dresses and tuxes for the prom season dinners. Dresses and outfits with strechy waistbands would be my recommendation - plenty of room for the food! The Classic Pastas are a great deal at $12.95 for two entire portions - one served at the table, and the second given to you to-go. The pastas don't have to be the same one either - you can ask to take home a different one from what you enjoy at the table. Veal and beef dishes approach the pricier end of the menu. Maggiano's is currently featuring a Make a Wish menu, with a variety of great dishes, from which they donate a portion of the proceeds to Make a Wish. Lauren's Lemonade, with pomegranate and peach flavors, was excellent, and the berry tiramasu was almost like a fluffy fruit trifle - both dishes perfect for the warm weather we are having now. We left with a lot of to-go bags from the generous portions, with very content stomachs!
(5)Daniel W.
Maggiano's is authentic Italian food at its best. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Cincinnati. They are almost always packed so get a reservation if you don't want to wait. If you do end up waiting they have a nice bar and have live music playing some nights. The service is always great our waiter or waitress is always helpful and knows their stuff. The food is amazing, and portions are large so you basically get lunch for the next day too. They have a good menu that includes all the Italian staples. They have a couple unique dining options like family style dishes and a deal for one pasta dish + one to take home. My personal favorite is the Chicken & Truffle Tortelloni. They also have a good wine list that compliments their menu. If you stay for dessert they also have a couple really good options. Parking is a little hard to find since it is in the mall, especially around the holidays. To avoid circling the lot for a space they do offer a valet service
(5)The Yelp-inator W.
Most excellent Italian Food Excellent Service This is a great place Will cost a few $$$ but it is so awesome
(5)Audrey L.
SMART men know that when a woman says, "it's ok", it really isn't. "It's ok" is code for "something is horribly wrong and you need to find out what happened (something usually you did) so you can fix it." This was the case with my bill tonight at Maggiano's.... I visited Maggiano's tonight for a friend's birthday. It was only my second visit, and the first time was quite a while ago. I ordered a drink from the bar while we were waiting for our large party. I opted for an Italian pink lemonade- it was tasty and was a great summer drink! We were seated upstairs quickly, and while walking towards our table, I realized how big the place actually is! It is a chain, and seems like a lot of people go there for celebrations. They have a huge room for banquets. It looked very nice! While scrolling through the menu, I was having a difficult time deciding what to get. I absolutely love pasta, but was feeling like something a bit smaller that evening. The neat thing I noticed- if you order one of the classic pastas, you get another order to take one home! It does not have to be the same pasta you ordered for dinner either. For example, you could have the spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, but choose to take home the fettuccine alfredo. This sounded like a good deal to me, but again, I was not starving. I opted for a side house salad and the crab cakes off of the appetizer menu. My salad wasn't bad- a typical salad, but a little overdressed for my taste. When my crab cakes came out, I thought it was odd there were four, but it is a chain restaurant, and their portion sizes are usually huge. I didn't think much of it until I got my bill for 33 dollars!! When I examined it further, I noticed it looked like I was charged twice for the crab cakes, as the price was twice what I was expecting to pay. When I asked the waiter, he said he charged me for the entree portion of crab cakes. I must have looked very confused because he said, "Didn't I ask you if you wanted the entree portion?". To this I replied, "No. I purposely ordered a side salad and an appetizer because I wasn't that hungry." He did apologize, but made no effort to adjust my bill, or bring a manager over to the table. While the crab cakes were tasty, I never would have ordered four of them. I was more than a little miffed when I left with a bill that was almost double what I was expecting to pay. In summary: a place that is good to go with larger groups or while you are shopping. The food is decent, but in my opinion, there are far better Italian restaurants to visit in the Cincinnati area! And lesson learned...I apparently need to stop speaking in cryptic woman terms and be direct. That or the waiter was too young to have learned the art of dealing with us yet! Ha!
(3)Dj Skillz Z.
Had Thanksgiving Lunch here with my mother for the 2nd straight year and as always the food was ON-POINT!!! Big shout out to our server Asia she was great! The bill was like $78 which was a win win in my book...If you have a small family like me or just don't want to cook on Thanksgiving you should check out Maggiano's... Read my entire blog and others at djskillz.com
(4)Ann C.
This place confirmed my love for Italian food and for food in general. Love is a strong word. But not as strong as the flavors in their pasta. I've tried food of equal caliber but they get an extra star for letting me bring home another meal for lunch the next day. They actually provide fourthmeal. And I really enjoy the bread and olive oil before any italian meal, but not the way I enjoyed theirs. Just sayin.
(5)Brian D.
A chain restaurant that seems to have hit it big in Cincinnati since it has opened. If you have read any of my past reviews you know that I tend to like to stay away from writing about chain restaurants because, you can find them everywhere. I however am so pleased with Maggianos that I want to write about it and convince you, the loyal future customer that you should totally eat here. This is the only one in Cinci, located in the bustling Kenwood Town Center off of Montgomery it is ALWAYS busy, I've been during the week at lunch and on the weekend and there are always people waiting to get some food. Lucky though it takes reservations and you should do that because it is free, and means that you get to walk right in to enjoy some truly delicious food. The restaurant is large and spacious but the tables are placed in some parts uncomfortably close together, I know that business is important and that the space is at a premium but I don't need to be sitting so close to the other dinners that I pump in to them when I cut my food. I have been here a couple times during both Lunch and Dinner and there isn't a real difference between the lunch and dinner, prices are almost exactly the same, a couple of different choices and portion sizes are a bit smaller. The portion sizes here are more then adequate if you are looking for a cheaper meal you can easily get an entrée to share with a friend and still have some left over. If you order from the "Pasta Classics" section which includes the very tasty, Baked Ziti, and absolutely amazing Gnoochi with Vodka sauce, as well as favorites such as Lasagna and Fettuccine Alfredo, cheese ravioli amongst others you get a free portion to take home. Yes you read that correctly. There are not many free things in life but here you can eat a big portion, and then get another full size ( almost) to take home to eat for lunch or dinner the next day. The pasta tastes just as good if not BETTER the next day. The service here is fantastic, they are more then capable of taking care of every request that you have with out being a hassle or to involved in your conversation. Salad and other Anti-pasta choices are standard fair that you would find other places, but taste good. The wine menu is quite extensive, and provides a good range in both price and depth. Draft beer is laking, but a full service bar with a good staff can make pretty much every type of cocktail you can imagine. Spread those tables a bit a part and the experience is just perfect. I love coming here either with friends, for a special moment with my lady friend or with family. If you come with a large group family style is the way to go. with huge four course meals you can't beat it Do yourself and your tastebuds a favor place a reservation at and head on down and get some great food.
(4)Grace E.
Nobody can deny that Maggiano's is a chain, but it does an impressive job sectioning itself from the mall. I would rather have the flu than go to a mall's version of a restaurant, but Maggiano's really took me by surprise. Not only are the portions more than enough to take home, but their calamari may be the best I've ever had (and it's not overpriced). You may not walk away with an experience to rave about, but I promise you won't be disappointed.
(4)David M.
They have a new special that was very appealing to my wife. When you order a regular pasta entree (which is enough for two people) they give you a second serving of the entree "to go."
(3)Kara K.
Good food, but my family & I experienced some strange service problems when we came here to celebrate Father's Day this past Saturday. My mom had called & requested a reservation. She was told none were available, fine no big deal. We showed up expecting a wait & were pleasantly surprised to find a table was available immediately. Great! Then we discovered it was a large round banquet table for 10, so our party of 6 spread out. Awkward. I felt like we were yelling across the table all night. Our waiter was (for the most part) great. He did forget to recork the bottle of wine though so we had to track him down after waiting for him to come back. The worst was the person who brought the salads to the table. She stood in one place and pushed the salads across the table to the people who had ordered them. I believe the words she used were "here" as she pushed the salad, spilled a few leaves of lettuce on the table, and nearly fell herself trying to push the salad across the very large table. Really? I've come to expect more from Maggiano's service. I sincerely hope it was her first night or she formerly lived in a cave & doesn't know common courtesey.
(4)Mike M.
ya know, i always kinda like this place, but then i ate there with my in laws and we ate family style. now, that's the move. the food was good, a bit "pre-prepared," but understandably so. piccatta? solid. salad? very, very nice - HUGE chunks of blue cheese. cheese cake? awesome.
(4)Samantha B.
Tasty, tasty, tasty. Maggiano's is delectable. Their cheese ravioli is a cheesy goodness. Also the sauce is perfect amount and balance of wateriness and thickness. When you purchase certain pastas you get another to take home for free. The only thing that is a bummer is that their fat content is a little high, but a little won't hurt.
(4)Meg G.
I am not normally a fan of chain restaurants. Especially chain restaurants located in malls. But Maggiano's deserves a review, and a good one at that, in the hopes that if you've never been, you'll try it at least once. The decor is very intimate and romantic. The booths invite you to linger a while. While they have a full bar, I've only ever had wine, but the selection is good. The food is terrific, with generous portions. There is more than enough to share. For larger groups, they have a Family Style menu, which is a good buy with four full courses. Be sure to save room for dessert. I recommend Nonna's Toasted Pound Cake. The cake is served with chocolate sauce and carmelized bananas. My husband and I fought over the bananas; they were SO GOOD! I would suggest you make reservations when you go. If you don't, bring lots of patience. Any day of the week, this place gets packed, with waits of up to two hours. So break your fear of chains, just this once, and go check out Maggiano's. You won't regret it!
(4)Good Eats S.
DH and I drove down to Kenwood Town Center for some shopping and at 9 pm wandered into Maggiano's for dinner. And we still had to wait ten minutes for a table. I looked at my husband and said: "This better be good." It was. Think old style, comfort Italian food like Nonna use to make. No fancy nouveau here. Same with the decor, which is a lot of wood and white table cloths and soaring ceilings. Servers in crisp white shirts, black trousers and aprons. Very old school. And so was the service. Attentive without being imposing, competent, professional. Being late, DH and I shared a house salad. Server brought a bowl and two chilled plates to dish it out to. Nothing special about the salad---romaine, some onion rings, a couple of black olives and a pepperocini, but it was crisp and fresh and cool but not cold. Dressing was a house-made italian and had a nice balance of oil, vinegar, herbs and garlic. It was actually a large portion and I think maybe next time, we'd STILL share a salad, even if it is early evening. I ordered the veal piccata. DH ordered the chicken romano, a special they were having---a portion of its proceeds went to the "Make A Wish" charity. Our meals arrived at the table very hot and beautifully cooked. My veal was pan-fried, crispy at the edges and succulent at the center. The lemon-butter sauce with capers was pretty standard, but very tasty. It was accompanied by spaghetti aglio d'olio---spaghetti with garlic and olive oil. I normally don't eat much pasta out because they never cook the stuff enough. I hate al dente! What the heck is that---I want pasta sticking to my teeth??? I don't care what Mario Batelli says---cook my dang spaghetti! The pasta at Maggiano's---perfect. PERFECT! I scarfed most of it down. DH was just as happy with his chicken romano. His nicely cooked and large portion of chicken was moist and tasty with a herb-parmesan crust and tomatoes, artichokes and then it had a white wine lemon sauce very similar to mine. It was all totally delish, and even though it was late, our server never made us feel rushed or that he wanted to GO HOME! We ended up with two healthy doggie bags---that's how big the portions are! But we also saw they were having some sort of special---for about $40, you got an appetizer, entree, dessert, and then two pasta dishes to take home! That sounded like a good deal (but we didn't do it.) DH is from NJ and he says all the time that there's only a couple of restaurants that serve "acceptable" Italian food in the Dayton area---and no, he does NOT think Mamma DiSalvos is one of them. But he says we will definitely make the 30 minute drive back down to Kenwood and willingly wait for a table at Maggiano's---it was that good. Oh, and it wasn't until later we found out this is a chain. Seriously? Well, don't think Olive Garden or Carrabas, my dears----both of whom have their place in this universe---this was on a different plane. Buono Appetito!
(4)Izzat A.
My favorite restaurant in the country. Family style is the way to go.
(5)Muthu A.
Bad service. Food was horrible. Don't sit in the bar. Wine glass was not cleaned at all. Pasta was watery and the vegetables were not cooked well. Didn't offer the plate even. Best thing they did was to get me the check quickly!!!
(1)Vince S.
I spent three nights at a friend's apartment in Cincinnati, I was mildly surprised there was a 'burb aspect of this city. Suburbia 'Nati"? Shudders... I don't know if it's as atrocious and criminal as the 'burb in Orange Co., CA, but somehow I felt more comfortable here of 'Nati. Personally I prefer dining or shopping at small, enclosed, urban, and independently-owned restaurants based on my upbringings and habits; so the whole chain-store thing was still foreign to be till this day. My memory was hazy since I was here two years ago and somebody drove me here; I did remember it was within stone-throw of a Nordstrom and it was definitely a chain. I came here for lunch and it the restaurant was filled. The decor was intended to be high-class, yet it became sterile and lacked authenticity and intimacy just like most of the chains. I couldn't remember the food and service, but I would say it's a worthy place to patronize if you're coming here to socialize but not of atmosphere or intimacy.
(3)Becky S.
Best Feature: Dear god the food is AMAZING! Worst Feature: It's a bit pricey! I've been here several times and every time is a memorable experience! First off, it's a cute restaurant with lovely Italian charm. I love the way I feel like I'm stepping into a different environment when I visit. It really takes you away from the normal everyday bustle and makes the meal something to be savored. I try to get a different dish every time I go. Recently I tried a new addition to the menu, rustic chicken & shrimp. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! They also have a great selection of appetizers - if you go, try out the flatbread pizzas! We had a pepperoni flatbread pizza, and it was just enough to make us feel satisfied but allow for us to have room for lunch! Absolutely great for 2 or more people. The meals themselves are all fantastic. You can choose from pastas, chicken, seafood, salads, and they even have a dessert menu! Everything tastes delicious - it's well worth the money! The service here is always fantastic. I've never had one bad experience here, and it's because of the fantastic food/ambiance/service combination that I always have this at the top of my list of Italian restaurants!
(5)Salmaan T.
How can you not like this place. It's some of the best Italian food you'll have, even if it is a chain. You have to try the family style meal. It's an experience but not for the small appetite.
(4)Dan J.
Maggiano's is a chain but this is the only one to be found in Cincy. The food is obviously Italian and it is absolutely delicious. What we end up doing every time is their family meal. This is a pretty pricey meal but it includes all four courses: appetizers, salads, entrees, and dessert. You get to select from their enormous menu and select two of each (including two meats and two pastas). There are refills on anything you want more of and whatever's left goes home with you in a bag. As has been mentioned, Maggiano's does a very good business and don't be surprised to wait at least 45 minutes if you plan on just walking in there. Also, the restaurant is a little difficult to navigate because the tables are so close, but it gives the place a more intimate feel.
(4)Mike D.
I was really surprised at how much I liked this place. Giant italian menu, super friendly service, downtown Chicago ambiance, and of course delicious food. the ciabatta bread with olive oil and balsamic on the side was crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on it inside. it was fantastic. 3 more baskets, please. All the food is family style so a half order is good for 2-3 people. The mrs and I split a caesar salad, fried mozzarella and the chicken & spinach manicotti. It all tasted great, though the chicken was obviously not freshly prepared. for some reason there were (faux) grill marks on it. Im not an italian grandma, but if i were making manicotti, i'd probably be baking the chicken. i dunno. Chain schmain, this place is great (aside from the questionable chicken). I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)Rosie D.
Met a girlfriend for dinner to catch up. Don't be put off by the 'fancy-ish' atmosphere of this restaurant! I've heard a lot of people say they don't want to go there because it'll be too expensive or something. Here's the deal, it can be expensive. It's a nice place with delicious food. But: if you order one of their 'classic' dishes (spaghetti and meatballs or lasagna or something), you get one FREE to take home with you. And the portion is huge - you could have lunch for 2 or 3 days on it, literally. And, it's frozen and packaged up all ready for you to take when you're finished. --They also serve food 'family style' which I've been told is also a great deal, but we didn't do that. I forget even what I got, because I ordered one thing and then the waiter suggested another dish (that was similar). I decided to go with his suggestion (as well as the wine pairing suggestion in the menu). It was great, the wine was great....we ended up sharing a dessert which was to. die. for. It was around the holidays so we had a pumpkin cheese cake. They also have a nice looking patio outside which I imagine would be great in nice weather, but as I said it was the holiday season and cold/rainy. *Also, when you are waiting to be seated they have little 'bites' for you to try. I'm not positive that this is an everyday thing since I've only been once though. They had fried zucchini, cut up into bite sized pieces at the host stand. Only bad thing about going to this restaurant is the parking situation. Since it's in the mall, you have to use the same sprawling parking lot.
(4)Lauren F.
This place really saved the day for me. We had tried another restaurant to celebrate my friend's birthday which was going to be a ridiculous wait so we scrambled at the last minute on a Saturday night, during prom and graduation season, to find a place that could take our large party. The manager at Maggiano's was unbelievably accommodating. We only had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated and despite the short notice, they had already prepared the table with a Happy Birthday card from the restaurant for my friend. He and the staff were a class act all the way. And the food was very good too. I shared the meal for two which was a ton of food for the price. The portions are very large. I got the cheese ravioli and one to take home as well as mom's lasagna with one to take home. We had the apple crostada with caramel sauce for dessert. Everything was very good. I am a fan of this place now.
(5)Angela H.
Although it's a chain, Maggiano's is so popular in Cincinnati that it warrants a review so those who have never dined there understand it's appeal. Maggiano's is ALWAYS crowded. Always, always, always. I can't stress this enough...do not go on a Tuesday night at 8pm expecting to walk in and grab a table, this restaurant is both enormous and enormously popular. To be really safe, call ahead and make a reservation. The portion sizes are big enough for two (at least) so go in with a friend on an entre...not only will you save money, you'll be perfectly full, not overly stuffed. The Chicken Pesto Linguine is my personal favorite, though the Lasagna is pretty darn delicious, if you can get it. I have been to Maggiano's on quite a few occasions that the restaurant has run out of their fresh, daily prepared lasagna. Both dishes cost less than $15, so when shared, you're looking at a really cheap meal. Salads, like pastas, are big enough to share as well. We usually share the Tomato and Mozzarella appetizer salad, it easily satisfies a family of four. Maggiano's is a great place for groups and the restaurant easily accommodates any size party if you make a reservation. Servers are well equipped to easily separate checks for complicated situations. The bar at Maggiano's offers appetizers and freshly mixed drinks, it's usually even more crowded than the restaurant with happy hour specials, so be prepared!
(4)Don G.
For a chain they are consistent. I have been to this location and one in Philly and they both have a great selection of drinks and large portions. Pretty good stuff.
(4)Bob b.
It was perfect for the four of us. We had a ball. Fabulous, atmosphere, server, and food.
(5)Chris B.
Spacious, captivating decor, and a really nice patio describe the restaurant. Varied, filling, and delicious describe the food. My family always orders from the family menu which has many delicious foods that come in different courses, a good option for groups because you can get more. Favorites include the Spinach and Artichoke dip, Cheese Ravioli, and profiteroles for dessert. Make sure to bring patience, lots of cash, and a huge appetite.
(5)Hope F.
Although this is a chain it has the quality of true authentic Italian
(5)Frank B.
I know it is a chain restaurant but it does not feel that way. This was the 3rd visit and it confirmed my two other ones; I am very pleased with Maggianos, the food is very Italian, high quality and prepared as it should be. The value is very good, the prices are in the $13 to $16 for veal dishes were the ingredients are already expensive. I am missing some traditional deserts, i have never seen cheesecake in Rome :-).
(4)