Terrible experience after getting a recommendation to stop in for dinner. Started with a salad which was just big bowl of iceburg lettuce, two small slices of a tomato and a little bit of cheese and raw mushrooms. Really bland and not good at all. The rolls came out which were drowning in a bowl of oil with a massive overpowering scoop of minced garlic. I dont know why it would be a good idea to serve soggy rolls. Dinner was a plate of pasta and chicken with sausage which was really small for the price we paid, not very flavorful, and there was the smallest portion of meat included which made us feel ripped of for paying $17 for which was mostly a plate of pasta. Ordered dessert which was missing part of the advertised presentation which seemed weird as well. We had a problem on our visit too which we emailed the management about, however its been several days and apparently they dont seem to care and we never received a response. Extremely let down and really upset we wasted our time and money here. As much as I hate to say it, Olive Garden would be a cheaper option with better food as mediocre as that place is. Will never eat here again.
(1)
Tiffiny S.
We were up here working and decided to grab a bite to eat and see a movie. This place doesn't look like much in the outside but once you're in...... You know it will be a good meal. The dining area is a bunch of little nooks and makes for a more personal dining atmosphere. The menu is traditional Italian; large portions and done well. I don't live here but if I did I would look forward to coming back.
(4)
Chaz S.
This is a great birthday destination, as you get a free meal (must have ID proof). The entrees are very good, with some being just short of incredible. They tend to put too much sauce on their dishes sometimes, but that's a minor thing. They offer unlimited salad and garlic rolls with the meals as well, and that is by far the best thing about this restaurant. Pros: salad, garlic rolls, eggplant parm, tortellini Cons: much too dark, will not seat you until your whole party is present
(5)
Eddie M.
The atmosphere was great. The food was good for what its worth. I see how the free meal for your bday is a catch, but I don't see myself going there spending full amount on this food. It was generically good, if that is a thing. I could get this amount of generic food at olive garden for half the price.
(3)
Christopher L.
The seafood pasta was nothing special at all. Nothing really remarkable about it. The sauce needed so much salt and grated cheese to make it taste like anything at all was depressing. The seafood in the dish was not very warm. The pasta was overcooked. The ambiance was nice, however our server had to be asked for salad and rolls. The rolls are really good with the butter and garlic. As was the salad. Go here for rolls and salad; skip the rest.
(2)
Dave L.
I worked at the Provino's in SC throughout HS and college summers (It's a local chain based in Atlanta). I was sad when the one in SC closed, but excited when I saw this one in my wife's hometown of Chattanooga! The rolls and salad are great. All sauces are made fresh each day. The rolls and salad are very memorable. I rotate bw shrimp & scallops fettuccine and the traditional pasta dishes. You won't ever get a bad dish at Provino's. Since leaving SC, my wife and I look for Provino's equivalent Italian restaurants, but have rarely found any as good. One was in Prague. One was in San Antonio. Everything else in our many travels has been disappointing. And, the rolls and salad are great. Some reviews have said it's a step up from Fazzoli's which I can only assume the reviewers were looking for high end gourmet Italian. This is not gourmet. It is simply the Starbucks of Italian restaurants. You are assured a great plate of pasta consistently. It's been that way since I was first introduced to the restaurant in the late 80s, and it continues today. And, the rolls and salad are great. Snapper Francese is highly recommended. The Marsala sauce is not recommended if you want a true Marsala sauce (not Marsala wine in the sauce). The Ciopino is great. And, the rolls and salad are great. Did I mention that?
(5)
Kush S.
NOT FOR A TRUE FOOD LOVER! Do not be fooled by the waiting here, the place is jam packed all the time. Truly speaking Chattanooga please improve on your taste buds! I can not imagine people waiting hours to eat here the food is terrible, if you have been to Boccacia and Tony's you know what I am talking about. Free rolls and salad are delicious apart from that food is terrible I felt my can or frozen food is better than what these guys serve. Service sucks too had to send my ravioli back thrice until they finally made it right. Manager was nice to fix it and not charge us. I would recommend Tony's any day for the same prices on the menu or if your pockets are deep go to Boccacia on broad st.
This is by far the worst meal I have eaten in my entire life. Nearly empty and they sit us right next to the noisy kitchen. Went to the bath room and saw a member of the wait staff leave with out washing hands. So dark that they had to have night lights at the tables and I had to us a flash light to read the check. Oh top of it all the service was slow the food was bland and cold. NEVER EAT HERE!!!!
(1)
Jim C.
In over 20 years I've never had an issue with the wait till tonight. The place is packed as usual but there are tables vacant in every room. Party of 2. Got here at 6:30 on a Wed night and had to wait for an hour. We are finally seated. Let's see how the rest of the dinner goes.
(3)
Kim S.
We came in on a Friday night after seeing a movie. The food was great but the service was less than spectacular. Our server was not attentive and was busier waiting on her side duties than on us. Then we suddenly didn't see her again. She finally came to our table and said she got cut and wouldn't be our server anymore. So we were in limbo for a while with no rolls or drinks and nobody even asked us how our food was. I've never had a server, when they got "cut" to just drop everything, customers tables and just leave?!? Lol. We told the management who has been there for years and he offered nothing. And pretended to be concerned asking for her whereabouts. Disappointed we weren't even offered a come back for dessert and coffee...sorry about your experience kinda token. Just beware some of the staff is unprofessional.
(3)
Allan J.
Amazing authentic Italian food! Lived here 4 years so far, been to Provino's over 30 times, and have never had bad food or a bad experience! Angel Hair Delvina, Chicken Parm, etc are EXCELLENT! Pre-meal bottomless salad and garlic bread. DELICIOUS! Free birthday entree. AWESOME!!! 5 stars without reservations!!!
(5)
Rocky P.
I had to give this place four stars. I like them too much to give them three. Four stars for free birthday meals and the salad and bread is all you every need. They are amazing and endless. The food is okay, but it is hit or miss. Anything without pasta, the marsala and the like is great. The pasta dishes are just okay. That being said, I love going and will go again and again.
(4)
Mayo L.
I've gone to this place for years, and each time I feel a bit more disappointed. And I hate that. It was once such a fun spot. The atmosphere is cheesy and over the top, which is always humorous and comforting. Their wait staff is increasingly slow and inattentive. The food is okay. It has more of a mass produced feel instead of comfort food, which I suppose is what it's become. It's probably best reserved for large parties, and never for anything resembling "intimate" dining.
I've been eating here for years, most recently August 2015. I have always found it to be 5 stars. The food is better than what I've had in Little Italy, NYC. I highly recommend the cannelloni en bianco. I usually have to carry it out in a doggie bag, because I can't control myself with the salad and garlic rolls. The garlic rolls...small, fluffy rolls drenched in garlic and butter. And the salad...lettuce, tomato, cucumber, garbanzo beans, mushrooms, and beets, all tossed in a house blend. Service was good too, but with food like that, I don't care. :)
(5)
Stephanie T.
After living here for 5 years I went to Provino's for my free birthday dinner. Wish I hadn't. Let's just say that I adamantly disagree with anyone who thinks this is good Italian food, and especially the best Chattanooga has to offer. That's like saying Chef Boyardee canned spaghetti is the best Italian food you've ever had. Seriously. The service was great. I can't deny that. The salad and garlic rolls are fine, though a little (a lot) too much garlic, but in the end, that garlic helped my main course be more appetizing. I ordered the pasta lovers special which is basically a bowl of different kinds of small pasta with some meat sauce, a meatball, and an Italian sausage link. Ok...sure...why not? The pasta was over cooked and had no seasoning at all, it was still watery at the bottom of the bowl. The sauce was also lacking in seasoning, specifically salt. I rarely ever add salt to my food but this dish I did, and some of the garlic from the rolls, and even added a splash of some of my wine to add some flavor. I don't know why this place is packed all the time. I'm not a big fan of Olive Garden, but I would eat there over Provino's. They don't seem to care about their food or think that they have to because people just flock there.
(2)
Brandon H.
Where do I start? I had the chicken alfredo and it was tasteless. I would compare it to the 1.00 michelinas in the frozen food section. Took almost a full hour to get our food. My fiance had the manicotti and she was dissapointed. Children had spaghetti with meatsauce. Neither ate more then a few bites. I would say some of the worst italian food ive ever eaten.
(1)
Lisa M.
Good food. Went for my sisters birthday. The fried Zucchini appetizer was exceptional. Not greasy at all. The fried ravioli appetizer also really good. All of our entrees were really good. I would not call Provinos A favorite, But I would definitely go back again. The tiramisu I could have passed on. It was good but hidden under gobs of whipped topping. Oh and of course the rolls were good as well. I liked the garlic sauce, others could have done without. Check it out you won't be disappointed. The service was fine.
(4)
Yvonne K.
This has been the best Italian restaurant we have found so far. The salad is really good with lots of toppings and even extra on the side. The rolls are exceptional with fresh garlic and butter even though I prefer olive oil!Entrees were all good and service was good.
(4)
Ann B.
Drove thru Chattanooga and this was off the highway. Reviews were off and on. I gave it a try because how can you possibly mess up Fettuccine Alfredo? Well, they did. This was the worst Italian place I've been to. The Alfredo sauce was tasteless and the rolls were coated with oil-the ones on the bottom were soggy. The place was dark and romantic and they had a lot of staff in nice uniforms. The menu prices were appropriate for the atmosphere but not for the quality of their food. My pasta was so terrible I only ate a few bite cuz I was starving. Oh, I also got the fried zucchini based on a yelper's suggestion. It was disappointing. The marinara sauce was tomatoes and spices chopped up. You couldn't get the "sauce" to stick onto the tasteless zucchini. I hate giving bad reviews but the food was pretty awful and I ended up eating a PBJ sandwich that night. What a waste of my money.
(1)
Justin M.
Bad experience for our nephew's 5 year birthday! I'll start this off by saying that we have enjoyed provino's in the past and had average to good experiences. My parents were with us and regularly come here. However, on the evening of March 6 2014 we arrived at 7 pm and to our chagrin we were informed by the hostesses that they had no record of our reservation (one that had been made a day earlier). When asked what could be done, they said they could put us in the queue for an hour and a half wait. They didn't offer anything else until I said I would write a bad review on yelp. They then got the manager who said sorry and he couldn't help us after checking for our reservation. There was no offer to help in any way at all. Apparently they don't care about regular customers.
(1)
Steve M.
I chose two stars because the description of two stars is "Meh, I've experienced better". Truer words were never spoken about Provinos. I've lived in this city most of my life. I went to Provinos back in the 80's on the regular for birthdays. I went, after leaving Chattanooga for over a decade, to see if things had changed for the better. The long line outside gave me hope it had. However, as you're about to read, the food and decor was the same then as it is now. Meh. I've got to echo the sentiments from the folks that reviewed this place who were New York Italians. Believe me, these people know. They grew up eating Italian food just as us locals grew up eating the staples of Southern food culture, such as fried chicken. I've had *good* Italian food. Provinos is just okay in comparison. My real gripe about this place has to do with its management. It took us an hour and a half to get seated. Want to know why? Well, apparently half of C-Town has their birthday on February 28 (myself included). Practically every group had someone celebrating a birthday. Worse yet, it appears they don't do reservations on Saturdays, so it ends up being a "Ballroom Blitz" (It's the name of a song. Go look up the lyrics if you don't get the reference). Another issue is the person who ran the front of the house was just plain surly. I get that you're slammed. However, you're in a customer service industry where most customers have an enhanced sense of entitlement. Believe me, I get that. However, the consummate professional chokes it down, sucks it up and puts on a smile and a winning attitude. Lucky for us, he had two young ladies supporting him who understood this and maintained a better attitude about it than he did. Of course, if he instituted reservations on days that are normally hit hard, it wouldn't have spiraled out of his control. The only thing that saves this from being a one star is our server. She was a sweet kid who did a wonderful job. So, that's it. Caveat Emptor.
(2)
Sanya E. Z.
We went here for my birthday this year. Birthdays are free BTW! Salads are great, garlic rolls are great. I got a pasta with a white sauce it was good as well. By the time I got to eat it I was so full from the salad and bread I had to take mine home. Plus I got a birthday ice cream desert, yummy. This is a great place to go on a date. Cozy and dark.
(5)
Leonard M.
The stars for me are roasted garlic in a melted butter sauce, and that red wine vinegar salad dressing. Orbiting around that are a few solid vegetarian dishes we like to order: cannelloni en bianco (cream sauce, cheese, mushrooms, manicotti, and a hint of nutmeg), and angel hair dalvina (which for my taste is greatly improved by a hint of salt). The rolls allow the garlic butter sauce to achieve maximum flavor and there is no other bread at any other restaurant that I like better. There is no other restaurant in Chattanooga that has decorated the interior of their restaurant better. Most women immediately recognize it as a date spot. It is. Provinos is the best date spot and the most value for your money that Chattanooga has to offer. I have eaten here many times during the last 20+ years and I like it as much or more now as I ever have in the past. To the naysayers, sorry that you didn't like it, but I feel that there are enough people that do and others that will. I suggest giving it a try if you have not been there yet
(5)
Cheri W.
Amazingly, we didn't have to wait forever for a table! Our waitress was friendly and very attentive! The food was delicious, as usual!
(5)
Lauren D.
My family and I have been coming here for a long time. Actually my parents have been coming here for at least 30 years. The salad and garlic rolls are one of a kind and I crave them on a regular basis. The pasta is delish and the prices are very fair. If you have a chance to try this place it is a must. Vincent and John, the managers, have always been very accommodating. We love our East ridge Provinos.
(5)
Amber G.
Provino's...how I miss you! I now live in a state devoid of a true Italian restaurant...it's a treat to visit when I get to go home. The white sauces are excellent. The plates are always bubbling over, each dish freshly out of the oven. Love the salad and those garlic rolls. I have dreams about that salad and those rolls! Till next time...XO.
(5)
Mike S.
Food is always awesome when you can get it. You should always dine with a large party I guess? My wife and I dine here often but have decided to take a break for a while it's usually just the two of us but it seems like the severs will go out of their way to ignore a table of two so they can bend over backwards to take care of the larger party I understand that larger parties mean larger tips but in a dimly lit Italian restaurant you would think couples would be a priority but on our most recent visit we were completely ignored by our server. In a restaurant where they are known for unlimited salad and bread I always get a second salad and bread because I enjoy the salad and bread more than I do the actual meal not that the meal is not fantastic but salad and bread is definitely the best part of the meal for me. I set aside the empty salad bowl at the edge of the table the server walked past 3 times ignoring it finally he walked right up to the table so I thought but then he stopped started to turn towards the table next to us I said excuse me loud enough people at the other table looked my way but not the waiter he spoke to the other table then ran away 10 mins later he comes back I pick up the bowl ready to hurl it at him but then he ask would you like more salad I said yes that would be nice 8 mins later our salad arrives right behind our meal so I told him take the salad back but could we please have more bread we got that maybe 10 mins later not the same provinos I started coming to over 15 years ago. It would be fine if this was the only time but this is probably the 4th time this has happened in the past 6 months. Planning to shop around for another Italian restaurant.
(3)
Harriette H.
Boy do I love this place! As a grandmother, I am always looking for a nice restaurant where my grandkids can eat. Provino's fits this bill. The rolls are FANTASTIC and the service is great as well. I would recommend the Alfredo. Best Alfredo sauce I've ever had by far.
(5)
Sparkle T.
This place is maybe one step-up from Fazoli's. Maybe. The only reason I go there is when I'm with a group of older (read 60+) family members who insist it's what they want to eat. The Hubbs won't go. Period. So what do I order? Just the salad and garlic rolls, please. The last time I attempted to order pasta, I stuck with the lasagna. My thought was surely it can't be that bad, except it was. It was this overly dense tower of cold noodles, unidentifiable meat paste, and waxy cheese. The red sauce was burned. It obviously sat under the salamander too long when trying to reheat it. Did I mention the red sauce tastes likes it's straight from a can? Yeesh!
(2)
Pete B.
Usually very good food here. Rolls were good, but the salad was warm. yuck. My red snapper entree tasted like school food. Nasty. My son's Manacotti was nice and hot and very good. Love the cheeses and sauce on it. I should have gotten that to eat. Our server was inattentive and unfriendly. What appeared to be the manager- he was walking around barking orders at the servers like dogs. I can't stand managers like that. I don't need to hear him from my table anyhow. Jerk
(2)
Melanie -.
Provino's has really awesome...everything. Their salads are wonderful, dressing is genius. Their garlic rolls are uniquely completely round and drenched in a wonderful garlicky butter concoction. I order the eggplant parmesan every time I go and am never disappointed. I love the atmosphere but last time I went I didn't see the candles on the table like there used to be. /: Kinda bummed about that. Still a wonderful little Italian place though. Oh, and your meal is free on your birthday!
(4)
Frederick B.
Called to make a reservation for this evening. I was told they do not take reservations on Saturday night. Thought that was fine, so I asked how busy they might be at 6. Normally I would have expected a response about wait time. Instead the young man said I would have to come in to find out. FORGET IT. With that response there is no way I would go here.
(1)
Sarah L.
So i went to this restaurant with a few people and i ordered NOTHING but a coke. i saw some salad that was ALREADY THERE so i put some on my plate! they took 20 minutes with the check and they charged me $9.83 for eating the salad that THEY had put there!!! They said they had charged me for eating the salad which was $6 because i hadn't ordered!!! they said the coke was $3.00 wtf. the people who HAD ordered payed $5.00 more thats IT!! how can a salad be that damn expensive!!! so i asked to pack the gross ass salad and it leaked all over my clothes so they gave me a bag which also started leaking!! after i complained they IGNORED ME AND SAID IT WASN'T THERE PROBLEM!! STAY AWAY FROM THIS SHITTY EXCUSE OF A RESTRAINT IM WARNING YOU!!!!! plus the food is bland as hell i've never tasted anything so flavourless the only good thing there are the rolls.
(1)
Jon K.
My wife and I went last week. Her food was TERRIBLE. Bland shrimp and noodles. Tho only sauce tasted like salt water. She sent it back and we didn't have time to wait for a different entree. They charged her almost $7 for the free salad because she didn't have an entree. I would understand if she showed up and just had a salad, but it's the restaurant's fault that she didn't have her food. The management was very rude about it. They were also very unreasonable. They did not change the price. They did not even attempt to make it right. Zero. Not going back.
(1)
shawn r.
The only thing going for this place is their garlic rolls. salad and a free birthday meal. The pasta's are very mediocre and lack any character. The managers are very aggressive with their staff and extremely crazy in how they control the rolls. While there a few months back, I remember the manager chewing out one of his staff for bringing a table a bowl of rolls. That is the stupidest, most petty thing I've ever listened to and I swore I would never return. Not worth the wait, the price, or the embarrassment of watching a 50+ year old man act like a child over controlling bread in a restaurant. Go to Boccia , Aleia, or Marcos if you want real upscale Italian. This place is just american styled Italian food.
(2)
Ted H.
I enjoy dining at Provino's The service is always outstanding and the food is good and comes in large portions. I love the free meal on your birthday promotion. Give it a try.
(4)
Stephen S.
Province's has MANY things working in its favor! Heavy pasta dishes, endless salad (that is second to none) and garlic rolls, and CONSISTENCY! I always get the sausage parmigiana... it offers heavy pasta, hearty marinara, and the sausage gives a slight spice.
(5)
O C.
This was a great Italian meal. We had the veal parmesan and the manicotti, both were flavorful and fresh. Rolls and salad were also great. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because the server wasn't the best.
(4)
Luke G.
I'd give this place a 4 1/2 stars if I could. It's close to perfect but I wish they had one closer to home. The food here is amazing and flavorful. The atmosphere is darker and romantic if you like that. It don't bother me at all. The meals are cheesy mmmmmmmmmm. Delicious! Service can be a toss up at times but most of the time it is great... Oh yeah the garlic heart stopping rolls are great also.
(4)
Harry S.
I've eaten at Provinos for many years and it is the place I go eat when I'm really hungry. I get the sausage parmagian almost every time and it is plentiful, flavorful, and priced right.. The salad and rolls can be a meal in itself and many times I've done just that. If you go ask to sit with Jessica. She has become my favorite server and knows how to take care of a table.
(5)
Michelle D.
Always awesome. Even with large parties.
(5)
Duana M.
I was just here for dinner and I can say that this place is just okay. I had the Penne Pasta Primavera. I wasn't all that impressed. The garlic rools were also just "okay" but keep in mind the garlic and butter sink to the bottom of the bowl.
(3)
Dawn P.
Being an Italian New Yorker that moved to the south, I was on a hunt for a "true" Italian restaurant when I moved here. Provino's is okay, at best. I've heard if you go on your birthday with a paying partner, your meal if free. I don't know if that would make me go back. I've been there twice, as I always give a restaurant two shots. The second time was worse than the first. The unlimited salad and garlic knots are the only reason I gave it 3 stars, instead of 2. The restaurant ambiance is dark , which is good, so you don't see too much. The wait staff I felt was slow and could care less. The salad is unlimited and comes in a wooden bowl, which was cracked. The dressing is good, but they tend to be heavy handed with it. They also have unlimited garlic knots and they also come in a wooden bowl and a ton of garlic and oil over them. (BTW, you will need a ton of napkins!). The Entree's are where this restaurant lacks. The prices are hefty, with the average pasta entree averaging $12. I got the Cannelloni El Blanco the first time and you got two small Cannelloni smothered in mozarella. They were blah, at best. My DH got the Chicken Marsala and barely touched it. We opted out of the dessert and left. My second visit was worse than the first. The food is okay, but the staff and ambiance just doesn't cut it for me. They say the third time's a charm, but I won't waste my money. If it's your birthday and you want a free meal, go for it.
Solid place and has been in business since I can remember. When driving through Chattanooga and you want a good meal just off the interstate, this is your place. Prices are good, portions are large and the rolls are scrumptious. The bad news is that a lot of people know these things and go there often, so it is usually crowded. Go at off-peak times if possible.
(3)
Carol H.
OK, I'm an Italian New Yorker, too. We were driving to Atlanta and stopped for dinner here. We should've gone to Micky Dee's. One star for thinking they serve Italian food. I ordered the Pasta Lovers Special. Silly me, I assumed the four pastas would be served separately on a plate, with different sauces. Instead it's penne, farfalle, ziti and rotini (all overcooked) dumped into a pasta dish with a horrible red meat sauce, one awful meatball, one tasteless Italian sausage and a can of sliced mushrooms on top. Bleh! The DH ordered stuffed chicken breast. It was two breaded patties, straight from the institutional food supply company, with a layer of horrible creamed spinach between them, all smothered with too much foul cheese. A total waste of money.
(1)
Bethany W.
Not sure why so many people like this place so much. The only plus (if you're super thrifty): you get a free meal on your birthday. It was great when I was in college and broke all the time. Nothing special about this place, neither food nor service nor location. If you're the type of person that just wants a cheap meal and are not so concerned with really great, interesting food, this is the place for you. It's just another Americanized mediocre "Italian" restaurant.
(2)
Melissa B.
This restaurant was highly recommended to us by several people in Chattanooga. I was visiting with a friend and we were staying in town for the weekend. We were told it was very authentic Italian food and if you are going for Italian food you have to go to provino's. This restaurant is in a run down strip mall, but we realized that many great restaurants are located in similar spaces so we were not deterred. When you walk in there is still a possibility that the older restaurant could be good. The decor is old world for sure. I ordered 2 glasses of the house chianti at 5.25 each and it was flat and watery. Next we were seated and received decent service...our waiter was not Mr. Personality but was nice enough. The salad was limp and not spectacular needed chilling or a cool plate! The rolls were awesome though....small puffy and garlicky with a load of butter. Yum. We both ordered spaghetti and meatballs thinking that it would be a sure bet...the bottom line is all their food is pre made and there is nothing authentic about it. Our tiramisu was half frozen when we got it home and it had what I know is canned whipped creme on it.....again not authentic at all. While we were not repulsed we were disappointed as this was not good authentic Italian food. Sorry to all the locals who come here and think it's good. The free birthday meal is something good for family fun I'm sure. So many people said the same things here but we didn't listen as we've seen so many bogus reviews....listen to this one, trust me and go to Tony's!
(2)
Wendi H.
Had Provino's for the first time. Great marinara...thick and rich....I just got the spaghetti with marinara and mushrooms and it was very satisfying. Of course, you can't go wrong with the rolls.....sinful, but delicious! We have one right down the street from us in Kennesaw, but have never been....we plan on changing that very soon.
(4)
Le W.
Food was ok. Had better at other resturaunts. Service wa very good they replaced something that was ordered that we didn't like.
(3)
Dan B.
I was very pleasantly surprised with Provino's. The food is fairly priced, and you get quality Italian food and great service. I coincidentally came here on my birthday and it turns out they have a policy to give you a completely free meal on your birthday! That really made my day. (I know, it doesn't take much to get me psyched). I'll start from the top: the salad. I wasn't too impressed with it. I can see how others would like it, but I personally don't like beets or mushrooms too much. The garbanzos were good. The rolls were fabulous. They were those typical garlicy dreams that you'll get at any good Italian restaurant. The chicken parmigiana was special. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was something about the taste of the marinara combined with the quality of the chicken that just made it better than most. The Daniella fettucine kinda reminded me of a carbonara dish. Except, their use of the bacon was perfect. The bacon was delicate. The alfredo sauce was thick and delicious. For your birthday, they give you a spumoni ice cream which was really good. Overall, it was a great experience.
(4)
Vanessa G.
Provino's is a great place to go to with your family, because the food is standard, inexpensive Italian American. Everybody will be able to find something within budget and tasty. Also, it is a wonderful place for kids. My five year old son loves the garlic rolls, salad, and spaghetti. There is usually a wait, it is a popular restaurant. A nice, cozy, casual place to go for dinner. Service is good! I have to say, my sister got chicken Alfredo here, and it was completely inedible. My mom and I both tried a bite, and agreed it was really disgusting. Who messes up chicken Alfredo???!!! Anyway, the waitress was nice about the complaint, and of course didn't charge us for it. That is the only thing I have tasted that was bad. If you are looking for an Olive Garden type of experience/price range, but want to support local businesses, go to Provino's!
(3)
Joshua C.
Probably my fav local italian place. A must visit for the free bday meals. Salad and rolls are too delicious to describe, save room for the regular meal or you'll be getting a to-go box. I usually order the italian combo and I would highly recommend it. Overall, the place has a great atmosphere with both intimate dining and a bigger room or two for groups.
(5)
Tommy K.
Best Italian place in Chattanooga, hands down. The food there is pretty good, but I mainly go for the salad and rolls (yes, they are that good!) By the time the main dish comes out I'm full. That's what having unlimited (great) salad and rolls will do to a person. A quite, romantic atmosphere doesn't hurt either. You should normally plan right at an hour to eat here, and parking is not a problem because it's right next to a theater (dinner and a movie anyone?)
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Private P.
Terrible experience after getting a recommendation to stop in for dinner. Started with a salad which was just big bowl of iceburg lettuce, two small slices of a tomato and a little bit of cheese and raw mushrooms. Really bland and not good at all. The rolls came out which were drowning in a bowl of oil with a massive overpowering scoop of minced garlic. I dont know why it would be a good idea to serve soggy rolls. Dinner was a plate of pasta and chicken with sausage which was really small for the price we paid, not very flavorful, and there was the smallest portion of meat included which made us feel ripped of for paying $17 for which was mostly a plate of pasta. Ordered dessert which was missing part of the advertised presentation which seemed weird as well. We had a problem on our visit too which we emailed the management about, however its been several days and apparently they dont seem to care and we never received a response. Extremely let down and really upset we wasted our time and money here. As much as I hate to say it, Olive Garden would be a cheaper option with better food as mediocre as that place is. Will never eat here again.
(1)Tiffiny S.
We were up here working and decided to grab a bite to eat and see a movie. This place doesn't look like much in the outside but once you're in...... You know it will be a good meal. The dining area is a bunch of little nooks and makes for a more personal dining atmosphere. The menu is traditional Italian; large portions and done well. I don't live here but if I did I would look forward to coming back.
(4)Chaz S.
This is a great birthday destination, as you get a free meal (must have ID proof). The entrees are very good, with some being just short of incredible. They tend to put too much sauce on their dishes sometimes, but that's a minor thing. They offer unlimited salad and garlic rolls with the meals as well, and that is by far the best thing about this restaurant. Pros: salad, garlic rolls, eggplant parm, tortellini Cons: much too dark, will not seat you until your whole party is present
(5)Eddie M.
The atmosphere was great. The food was good for what its worth. I see how the free meal for your bday is a catch, but I don't see myself going there spending full amount on this food. It was generically good, if that is a thing. I could get this amount of generic food at olive garden for half the price.
(3)Christopher L.
The seafood pasta was nothing special at all. Nothing really remarkable about it. The sauce needed so much salt and grated cheese to make it taste like anything at all was depressing. The seafood in the dish was not very warm. The pasta was overcooked. The ambiance was nice, however our server had to be asked for salad and rolls. The rolls are really good with the butter and garlic. As was the salad. Go here for rolls and salad; skip the rest.
(2)Dave L.
I worked at the Provino's in SC throughout HS and college summers (It's a local chain based in Atlanta). I was sad when the one in SC closed, but excited when I saw this one in my wife's hometown of Chattanooga! The rolls and salad are great. All sauces are made fresh each day. The rolls and salad are very memorable. I rotate bw shrimp & scallops fettuccine and the traditional pasta dishes. You won't ever get a bad dish at Provino's. Since leaving SC, my wife and I look for Provino's equivalent Italian restaurants, but have rarely found any as good. One was in Prague. One was in San Antonio. Everything else in our many travels has been disappointing. And, the rolls and salad are great. Some reviews have said it's a step up from Fazzoli's which I can only assume the reviewers were looking for high end gourmet Italian. This is not gourmet. It is simply the Starbucks of Italian restaurants. You are assured a great plate of pasta consistently. It's been that way since I was first introduced to the restaurant in the late 80s, and it continues today. And, the rolls and salad are great. Snapper Francese is highly recommended. The Marsala sauce is not recommended if you want a true Marsala sauce (not Marsala wine in the sauce). The Ciopino is great. And, the rolls and salad are great. Did I mention that?
(5)Kush S.
NOT FOR A TRUE FOOD LOVER! Do not be fooled by the waiting here, the place is jam packed all the time. Truly speaking Chattanooga please improve on your taste buds! I can not imagine people waiting hours to eat here the food is terrible, if you have been to Boccacia and Tony's you know what I am talking about. Free rolls and salad are delicious apart from that food is terrible I felt my can or frozen food is better than what these guys serve. Service sucks too had to send my ravioli back thrice until they finally made it right. Manager was nice to fix it and not charge us. I would recommend Tony's any day for the same prices on the menu or if your pockets are deep go to Boccacia on broad st.
(2)Nick N.
Love going here especially on my birthday or when you have someone in your group that has a bday...Free entrée and dessert! Knowing that they are usually crowded we always go early and show up at least 30 mins before we plan to eat. They do take reservations but we have had no wait to short wait (10 to 15 mins) the last couple of times we have been. The food is always delicious and the service is good! I have sampled a variety off of the menu and it all has been good!
(4)Bryan G.
This is by far the worst meal I have eaten in my entire life. Nearly empty and they sit us right next to the noisy kitchen. Went to the bath room and saw a member of the wait staff leave with out washing hands. So dark that they had to have night lights at the tables and I had to us a flash light to read the check. Oh top of it all the service was slow the food was bland and cold. NEVER EAT HERE!!!!
(1)Jim C.
In over 20 years I've never had an issue with the wait till tonight. The place is packed as usual but there are tables vacant in every room. Party of 2. Got here at 6:30 on a Wed night and had to wait for an hour. We are finally seated. Let's see how the rest of the dinner goes.
(3)Kim S.
We came in on a Friday night after seeing a movie. The food was great but the service was less than spectacular. Our server was not attentive and was busier waiting on her side duties than on us. Then we suddenly didn't see her again. She finally came to our table and said she got cut and wouldn't be our server anymore. So we were in limbo for a while with no rolls or drinks and nobody even asked us how our food was. I've never had a server, when they got "cut" to just drop everything, customers tables and just leave?!? Lol. We told the management who has been there for years and he offered nothing. And pretended to be concerned asking for her whereabouts. Disappointed we weren't even offered a come back for dessert and coffee...sorry about your experience kinda token. Just beware some of the staff is unprofessional.
(3)Allan J.
Amazing authentic Italian food! Lived here 4 years so far, been to Provino's over 30 times, and have never had bad food or a bad experience! Angel Hair Delvina, Chicken Parm, etc are EXCELLENT! Pre-meal bottomless salad and garlic bread. DELICIOUS! Free birthday entree. AWESOME!!! 5 stars without reservations!!!
(5)Rocky P.
I had to give this place four stars. I like them too much to give them three. Four stars for free birthday meals and the salad and bread is all you every need. They are amazing and endless. The food is okay, but it is hit or miss. Anything without pasta, the marsala and the like is great. The pasta dishes are just okay. That being said, I love going and will go again and again.
(4)Mayo L.
I've gone to this place for years, and each time I feel a bit more disappointed. And I hate that. It was once such a fun spot. The atmosphere is cheesy and over the top, which is always humorous and comforting. Their wait staff is increasingly slow and inattentive. The food is okay. It has more of a mass produced feel instead of comfort food, which I suppose is what it's become. It's probably best reserved for large parties, and never for anything resembling "intimate" dining.
(2)Jonathan J.
I've been here several times before. Tonight's visit was for my finance's birthday dinner. The restaurant gives you a free meal on your birthday and my fiancé and I love to go because, well, free food. After placing an order, the waiter/waitress usually brings out garlic rolls (baked balls of dough covered in oil and garlic) and a salad with vinaigrette (lettuce, beets, tomatoes, chick peas, mushrooms). Both are quite tasty and are refilled as many times as you want without charge. I had the Chicken Ripieno (sp??) which is a chicken breast, butterflied, filled with sausage, folded over, covered with cheese, baked, and served with a side of pasta and red sauce. My fiancé had the Cannelloni Del Mar, a seafood filled pasta baked in a cream sauce. We both enjoyed our entrees enough that this is the second time we've ordered them. The booths are a little snug for four people, but not at all uncomfortable. My only complaint about the restaurant is the dim lighting. I get that they're going for a certain ambiance, but seriously, turn up the lights so I can read the menu.
(4)Wendy C.
I've been eating here for years, most recently August 2015. I have always found it to be 5 stars. The food is better than what I've had in Little Italy, NYC. I highly recommend the cannelloni en bianco. I usually have to carry it out in a doggie bag, because I can't control myself with the salad and garlic rolls. The garlic rolls...small, fluffy rolls drenched in garlic and butter. And the salad...lettuce, tomato, cucumber, garbanzo beans, mushrooms, and beets, all tossed in a house blend. Service was good too, but with food like that, I don't care. :)
(5)Stephanie T.
After living here for 5 years I went to Provino's for my free birthday dinner. Wish I hadn't. Let's just say that I adamantly disagree with anyone who thinks this is good Italian food, and especially the best Chattanooga has to offer. That's like saying Chef Boyardee canned spaghetti is the best Italian food you've ever had. Seriously. The service was great. I can't deny that. The salad and garlic rolls are fine, though a little (a lot) too much garlic, but in the end, that garlic helped my main course be more appetizing. I ordered the pasta lovers special which is basically a bowl of different kinds of small pasta with some meat sauce, a meatball, and an Italian sausage link. Ok...sure...why not? The pasta was over cooked and had no seasoning at all, it was still watery at the bottom of the bowl. The sauce was also lacking in seasoning, specifically salt. I rarely ever add salt to my food but this dish I did, and some of the garlic from the rolls, and even added a splash of some of my wine to add some flavor. I don't know why this place is packed all the time. I'm not a big fan of Olive Garden, but I would eat there over Provino's. They don't seem to care about their food or think that they have to because people just flock there.
(2)Brandon H.
Where do I start? I had the chicken alfredo and it was tasteless. I would compare it to the 1.00 michelinas in the frozen food section. Took almost a full hour to get our food. My fiance had the manicotti and she was dissapointed. Children had spaghetti with meatsauce. Neither ate more then a few bites. I would say some of the worst italian food ive ever eaten.
(1)Lisa M.
Good food. Went for my sisters birthday. The fried Zucchini appetizer was exceptional. Not greasy at all. The fried ravioli appetizer also really good. All of our entrees were really good. I would not call Provinos A favorite, But I would definitely go back again. The tiramisu I could have passed on. It was good but hidden under gobs of whipped topping. Oh and of course the rolls were good as well. I liked the garlic sauce, others could have done without. Check it out you won't be disappointed. The service was fine.
(4)Yvonne K.
This has been the best Italian restaurant we have found so far. The salad is really good with lots of toppings and even extra on the side. The rolls are exceptional with fresh garlic and butter even though I prefer olive oil!Entrees were all good and service was good.
(4)Ann B.
Drove thru Chattanooga and this was off the highway. Reviews were off and on. I gave it a try because how can you possibly mess up Fettuccine Alfredo? Well, they did. This was the worst Italian place I've been to. The Alfredo sauce was tasteless and the rolls were coated with oil-the ones on the bottom were soggy. The place was dark and romantic and they had a lot of staff in nice uniforms. The menu prices were appropriate for the atmosphere but not for the quality of their food. My pasta was so terrible I only ate a few bite cuz I was starving. Oh, I also got the fried zucchini based on a yelper's suggestion. It was disappointing. The marinara sauce was tomatoes and spices chopped up. You couldn't get the "sauce" to stick onto the tasteless zucchini. I hate giving bad reviews but the food was pretty awful and I ended up eating a PBJ sandwich that night. What a waste of my money.
(1)Justin M.
Bad experience for our nephew's 5 year birthday! I'll start this off by saying that we have enjoyed provino's in the past and had average to good experiences. My parents were with us and regularly come here. However, on the evening of March 6 2014 we arrived at 7 pm and to our chagrin we were informed by the hostesses that they had no record of our reservation (one that had been made a day earlier). When asked what could be done, they said they could put us in the queue for an hour and a half wait. They didn't offer anything else until I said I would write a bad review on yelp. They then got the manager who said sorry and he couldn't help us after checking for our reservation. There was no offer to help in any way at all. Apparently they don't care about regular customers.
(1)Steve M.
I chose two stars because the description of two stars is "Meh, I've experienced better". Truer words were never spoken about Provinos. I've lived in this city most of my life. I went to Provinos back in the 80's on the regular for birthdays. I went, after leaving Chattanooga for over a decade, to see if things had changed for the better. The long line outside gave me hope it had. However, as you're about to read, the food and decor was the same then as it is now. Meh. I've got to echo the sentiments from the folks that reviewed this place who were New York Italians. Believe me, these people know. They grew up eating Italian food just as us locals grew up eating the staples of Southern food culture, such as fried chicken. I've had *good* Italian food. Provinos is just okay in comparison. My real gripe about this place has to do with its management. It took us an hour and a half to get seated. Want to know why? Well, apparently half of C-Town has their birthday on February 28 (myself included). Practically every group had someone celebrating a birthday. Worse yet, it appears they don't do reservations on Saturdays, so it ends up being a "Ballroom Blitz" (It's the name of a song. Go look up the lyrics if you don't get the reference). Another issue is the person who ran the front of the house was just plain surly. I get that you're slammed. However, you're in a customer service industry where most customers have an enhanced sense of entitlement. Believe me, I get that. However, the consummate professional chokes it down, sucks it up and puts on a smile and a winning attitude. Lucky for us, he had two young ladies supporting him who understood this and maintained a better attitude about it than he did. Of course, if he instituted reservations on days that are normally hit hard, it wouldn't have spiraled out of his control. The only thing that saves this from being a one star is our server. She was a sweet kid who did a wonderful job. So, that's it. Caveat Emptor.
(2)Sanya E. Z.
We went here for my birthday this year. Birthdays are free BTW! Salads are great, garlic rolls are great. I got a pasta with a white sauce it was good as well. By the time I got to eat it I was so full from the salad and bread I had to take mine home. Plus I got a birthday ice cream desert, yummy. This is a great place to go on a date. Cozy and dark.
(5)Leonard M.
The stars for me are roasted garlic in a melted butter sauce, and that red wine vinegar salad dressing. Orbiting around that are a few solid vegetarian dishes we like to order: cannelloni en bianco (cream sauce, cheese, mushrooms, manicotti, and a hint of nutmeg), and angel hair dalvina (which for my taste is greatly improved by a hint of salt). The rolls allow the garlic butter sauce to achieve maximum flavor and there is no other bread at any other restaurant that I like better. There is no other restaurant in Chattanooga that has decorated the interior of their restaurant better. Most women immediately recognize it as a date spot. It is. Provinos is the best date spot and the most value for your money that Chattanooga has to offer. I have eaten here many times during the last 20+ years and I like it as much or more now as I ever have in the past. To the naysayers, sorry that you didn't like it, but I feel that there are enough people that do and others that will. I suggest giving it a try if you have not been there yet
(5)Cheri W.
Amazingly, we didn't have to wait forever for a table! Our waitress was friendly and very attentive! The food was delicious, as usual!
(5)Lauren D.
My family and I have been coming here for a long time. Actually my parents have been coming here for at least 30 years. The salad and garlic rolls are one of a kind and I crave them on a regular basis. The pasta is delish and the prices are very fair. If you have a chance to try this place it is a must. Vincent and John, the managers, have always been very accommodating. We love our East ridge Provinos.
(5)Amber G.
Provino's...how I miss you! I now live in a state devoid of a true Italian restaurant...it's a treat to visit when I get to go home. The white sauces are excellent. The plates are always bubbling over, each dish freshly out of the oven. Love the salad and those garlic rolls. I have dreams about that salad and those rolls! Till next time...XO.
(5)Mike S.
Food is always awesome when you can get it. You should always dine with a large party I guess? My wife and I dine here often but have decided to take a break for a while it's usually just the two of us but it seems like the severs will go out of their way to ignore a table of two so they can bend over backwards to take care of the larger party I understand that larger parties mean larger tips but in a dimly lit Italian restaurant you would think couples would be a priority but on our most recent visit we were completely ignored by our server. In a restaurant where they are known for unlimited salad and bread I always get a second salad and bread because I enjoy the salad and bread more than I do the actual meal not that the meal is not fantastic but salad and bread is definitely the best part of the meal for me. I set aside the empty salad bowl at the edge of the table the server walked past 3 times ignoring it finally he walked right up to the table so I thought but then he stopped started to turn towards the table next to us I said excuse me loud enough people at the other table looked my way but not the waiter he spoke to the other table then ran away 10 mins later he comes back I pick up the bowl ready to hurl it at him but then he ask would you like more salad I said yes that would be nice 8 mins later our salad arrives right behind our meal so I told him take the salad back but could we please have more bread we got that maybe 10 mins later not the same provinos I started coming to over 15 years ago. It would be fine if this was the only time but this is probably the 4th time this has happened in the past 6 months. Planning to shop around for another Italian restaurant.
(3)Harriette H.
Boy do I love this place! As a grandmother, I am always looking for a nice restaurant where my grandkids can eat. Provino's fits this bill. The rolls are FANTASTIC and the service is great as well. I would recommend the Alfredo. Best Alfredo sauce I've ever had by far.
(5)Sparkle T.
This place is maybe one step-up from Fazoli's. Maybe. The only reason I go there is when I'm with a group of older (read 60+) family members who insist it's what they want to eat. The Hubbs won't go. Period. So what do I order? Just the salad and garlic rolls, please. The last time I attempted to order pasta, I stuck with the lasagna. My thought was surely it can't be that bad, except it was. It was this overly dense tower of cold noodles, unidentifiable meat paste, and waxy cheese. The red sauce was burned. It obviously sat under the salamander too long when trying to reheat it. Did I mention the red sauce tastes likes it's straight from a can? Yeesh!
(2)Pete B.
Usually very good food here. Rolls were good, but the salad was warm. yuck. My red snapper entree tasted like school food. Nasty. My son's Manacotti was nice and hot and very good. Love the cheeses and sauce on it. I should have gotten that to eat. Our server was inattentive and unfriendly. What appeared to be the manager- he was walking around barking orders at the servers like dogs. I can't stand managers like that. I don't need to hear him from my table anyhow. Jerk
(2)Melanie -.
Provino's has really awesome...everything. Their salads are wonderful, dressing is genius. Their garlic rolls are uniquely completely round and drenched in a wonderful garlicky butter concoction. I order the eggplant parmesan every time I go and am never disappointed. I love the atmosphere but last time I went I didn't see the candles on the table like there used to be. /: Kinda bummed about that. Still a wonderful little Italian place though. Oh, and your meal is free on your birthday!
(4)Frederick B.
Called to make a reservation for this evening. I was told they do not take reservations on Saturday night. Thought that was fine, so I asked how busy they might be at 6. Normally I would have expected a response about wait time. Instead the young man said I would have to come in to find out. FORGET IT. With that response there is no way I would go here.
(1)Sarah L.
So i went to this restaurant with a few people and i ordered NOTHING but a coke. i saw some salad that was ALREADY THERE so i put some on my plate! they took 20 minutes with the check and they charged me $9.83 for eating the salad that THEY had put there!!! They said they had charged me for eating the salad which was $6 because i hadn't ordered!!! they said the coke was $3.00 wtf. the people who HAD ordered payed $5.00 more thats IT!! how can a salad be that damn expensive!!! so i asked to pack the gross ass salad and it leaked all over my clothes so they gave me a bag which also started leaking!! after i complained they IGNORED ME AND SAID IT WASN'T THERE PROBLEM!! STAY AWAY FROM THIS SHITTY EXCUSE OF A RESTRAINT IM WARNING YOU!!!!! plus the food is bland as hell i've never tasted anything so flavourless the only good thing there are the rolls.
(1)Jon K.
My wife and I went last week. Her food was TERRIBLE. Bland shrimp and noodles. Tho only sauce tasted like salt water. She sent it back and we didn't have time to wait for a different entree. They charged her almost $7 for the free salad because she didn't have an entree. I would understand if she showed up and just had a salad, but it's the restaurant's fault that she didn't have her food. The management was very rude about it. They were also very unreasonable. They did not change the price. They did not even attempt to make it right. Zero. Not going back.
(1)shawn r.
The only thing going for this place is their garlic rolls. salad and a free birthday meal. The pasta's are very mediocre and lack any character. The managers are very aggressive with their staff and extremely crazy in how they control the rolls. While there a few months back, I remember the manager chewing out one of his staff for bringing a table a bowl of rolls. That is the stupidest, most petty thing I've ever listened to and I swore I would never return. Not worth the wait, the price, or the embarrassment of watching a 50+ year old man act like a child over controlling bread in a restaurant. Go to Boccia , Aleia, or Marcos if you want real upscale Italian. This place is just american styled Italian food.
(2)Ted H.
I enjoy dining at Provino's The service is always outstanding and the food is good and comes in large portions. I love the free meal on your birthday promotion. Give it a try.
(4)Stephen S.
Province's has MANY things working in its favor! Heavy pasta dishes, endless salad (that is second to none) and garlic rolls, and CONSISTENCY! I always get the sausage parmigiana... it offers heavy pasta, hearty marinara, and the sausage gives a slight spice.
(5)O C.
This was a great Italian meal. We had the veal parmesan and the manicotti, both were flavorful and fresh. Rolls and salad were also great. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because the server wasn't the best.
(4)Luke G.
I'd give this place a 4 1/2 stars if I could. It's close to perfect but I wish they had one closer to home. The food here is amazing and flavorful. The atmosphere is darker and romantic if you like that. It don't bother me at all. The meals are cheesy mmmmmmmmmm. Delicious! Service can be a toss up at times but most of the time it is great... Oh yeah the garlic heart stopping rolls are great also.
(4)Harry S.
I've eaten at Provinos for many years and it is the place I go eat when I'm really hungry. I get the sausage parmagian almost every time and it is plentiful, flavorful, and priced right.. The salad and rolls can be a meal in itself and many times I've done just that. If you go ask to sit with Jessica. She has become my favorite server and knows how to take care of a table.
(5)Michelle D.
Always awesome. Even with large parties.
(5)Duana M.
I was just here for dinner and I can say that this place is just okay. I had the Penne Pasta Primavera. I wasn't all that impressed. The garlic rools were also just "okay" but keep in mind the garlic and butter sink to the bottom of the bowl.
(3)Dawn P.
Being an Italian New Yorker that moved to the south, I was on a hunt for a "true" Italian restaurant when I moved here. Provino's is okay, at best. I've heard if you go on your birthday with a paying partner, your meal if free. I don't know if that would make me go back. I've been there twice, as I always give a restaurant two shots. The second time was worse than the first. The unlimited salad and garlic knots are the only reason I gave it 3 stars, instead of 2. The restaurant ambiance is dark , which is good, so you don't see too much. The wait staff I felt was slow and could care less. The salad is unlimited and comes in a wooden bowl, which was cracked. The dressing is good, but they tend to be heavy handed with it. They also have unlimited garlic knots and they also come in a wooden bowl and a ton of garlic and oil over them. (BTW, you will need a ton of napkins!). The Entree's are where this restaurant lacks. The prices are hefty, with the average pasta entree averaging $12. I got the Cannelloni El Blanco the first time and you got two small Cannelloni smothered in mozarella. They were blah, at best. My DH got the Chicken Marsala and barely touched it. We opted out of the dessert and left. My second visit was worse than the first. The food is okay, but the staff and ambiance just doesn't cut it for me. They say the third time's a charm, but I won't waste my money. If it's your birthday and you want a free meal, go for it.
(3)Mindy F.
My parents used to go here a lot when I was a kid, so it's a kind of comfort food at this point. Twenty-plus years later, the salad & rolls are exactly like I remember, and the reason it's worth coming here. The entrées, much as I remember, are unremarkable. I got the eggplant parmesan, which was ok, edible. It comes with a side of spaghetti, which was a bit overcooked & topped with a very bland tomato product they called marinara. No fresh parmesan or pepper here. The service was good, two friendly guys taking orders, bringing food & keeping beverages filled. If you're looking for a transcendent Italian experience, you'll have to go elsewhere. If you want a predictable pseudo-Italian very full belly, head to the strip mall.
(3)Glenn F.
Solid place and has been in business since I can remember. When driving through Chattanooga and you want a good meal just off the interstate, this is your place. Prices are good, portions are large and the rolls are scrumptious. The bad news is that a lot of people know these things and go there often, so it is usually crowded. Go at off-peak times if possible.
(3)Carol H.
OK, I'm an Italian New Yorker, too. We were driving to Atlanta and stopped for dinner here. We should've gone to Micky Dee's. One star for thinking they serve Italian food. I ordered the Pasta Lovers Special. Silly me, I assumed the four pastas would be served separately on a plate, with different sauces. Instead it's penne, farfalle, ziti and rotini (all overcooked) dumped into a pasta dish with a horrible red meat sauce, one awful meatball, one tasteless Italian sausage and a can of sliced mushrooms on top. Bleh! The DH ordered stuffed chicken breast. It was two breaded patties, straight from the institutional food supply company, with a layer of horrible creamed spinach between them, all smothered with too much foul cheese. A total waste of money.
(1)Bethany W.
Not sure why so many people like this place so much. The only plus (if you're super thrifty): you get a free meal on your birthday. It was great when I was in college and broke all the time. Nothing special about this place, neither food nor service nor location. If you're the type of person that just wants a cheap meal and are not so concerned with really great, interesting food, this is the place for you. It's just another Americanized mediocre "Italian" restaurant.
(2)Melissa B.
This restaurant was highly recommended to us by several people in Chattanooga. I was visiting with a friend and we were staying in town for the weekend. We were told it was very authentic Italian food and if you are going for Italian food you have to go to provino's. This restaurant is in a run down strip mall, but we realized that many great restaurants are located in similar spaces so we were not deterred. When you walk in there is still a possibility that the older restaurant could be good. The decor is old world for sure. I ordered 2 glasses of the house chianti at 5.25 each and it was flat and watery. Next we were seated and received decent service...our waiter was not Mr. Personality but was nice enough. The salad was limp and not spectacular needed chilling or a cool plate! The rolls were awesome though....small puffy and garlicky with a load of butter. Yum. We both ordered spaghetti and meatballs thinking that it would be a sure bet...the bottom line is all their food is pre made and there is nothing authentic about it. Our tiramisu was half frozen when we got it home and it had what I know is canned whipped creme on it.....again not authentic at all. While we were not repulsed we were disappointed as this was not good authentic Italian food. Sorry to all the locals who come here and think it's good. The free birthday meal is something good for family fun I'm sure. So many people said the same things here but we didn't listen as we've seen so many bogus reviews....listen to this one, trust me and go to Tony's!
(2)Wendi H.
Had Provino's for the first time. Great marinara...thick and rich....I just got the spaghetti with marinara and mushrooms and it was very satisfying. Of course, you can't go wrong with the rolls.....sinful, but delicious! We have one right down the street from us in Kennesaw, but have never been....we plan on changing that very soon.
(4)Le W.
Food was ok. Had better at other resturaunts. Service wa very good they replaced something that was ordered that we didn't like.
(3)Dan B.
I was very pleasantly surprised with Provino's. The food is fairly priced, and you get quality Italian food and great service. I coincidentally came here on my birthday and it turns out they have a policy to give you a completely free meal on your birthday! That really made my day. (I know, it doesn't take much to get me psyched). I'll start from the top: the salad. I wasn't too impressed with it. I can see how others would like it, but I personally don't like beets or mushrooms too much. The garbanzos were good. The rolls were fabulous. They were those typical garlicy dreams that you'll get at any good Italian restaurant. The chicken parmigiana was special. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was something about the taste of the marinara combined with the quality of the chicken that just made it better than most. The Daniella fettucine kinda reminded me of a carbonara dish. Except, their use of the bacon was perfect. The bacon was delicate. The alfredo sauce was thick and delicious. For your birthday, they give you a spumoni ice cream which was really good. Overall, it was a great experience.
(4)Vanessa G.
Provino's is a great place to go to with your family, because the food is standard, inexpensive Italian American. Everybody will be able to find something within budget and tasty. Also, it is a wonderful place for kids. My five year old son loves the garlic rolls, salad, and spaghetti. There is usually a wait, it is a popular restaurant. A nice, cozy, casual place to go for dinner. Service is good! I have to say, my sister got chicken Alfredo here, and it was completely inedible. My mom and I both tried a bite, and agreed it was really disgusting. Who messes up chicken Alfredo???!!! Anyway, the waitress was nice about the complaint, and of course didn't charge us for it. That is the only thing I have tasted that was bad. If you are looking for an Olive Garden type of experience/price range, but want to support local businesses, go to Provino's!
(3)Joshua C.
Probably my fav local italian place. A must visit for the free bday meals. Salad and rolls are too delicious to describe, save room for the regular meal or you'll be getting a to-go box. I usually order the italian combo and I would highly recommend it. Overall, the place has a great atmosphere with both intimate dining and a bigger room or two for groups.
(5)Tommy K.
Best Italian place in Chattanooga, hands down. The food there is pretty good, but I mainly go for the salad and rolls (yes, they are that good!) By the time the main dish comes out I'm full. That's what having unlimited (great) salad and rolls will do to a person. A quite, romantic atmosphere doesn't hurt either. You should normally plan right at an hour to eat here, and parking is not a problem because it's right next to a theater (dinner and a movie anyone?)
(5)