E
Earl
Chicago / Illinois8 reviews
- Overall 3
- Food 4
- Service 5
- Ambience 4
We have been visiting various locations for probably 2 decades now, if not longer... Tonight's visit, was very different. Our last visit to Maggiano's was probably 6-9 months ago. This particular visit was a last minute choice, as our other plans fell through.
We were overall "satisfied" but things have changed. Many (if not all) the items on the menu are now different.
The bread was dry and cold, borderline stale in our opinion.
Oil was on the table, but no cheese. We had to ask, and when we did, it arrived in a shaker jar, like an average pizza place.
The appetizer mozzarella, not the same. No longer triangles, No longer has the marinara poured on top, and the cheese itself seemed different. Was moderately warm, borderline cool.
The classic salad was VERY different. This is typically one of the staples of the meal for our family, and was no longer a chopped salad. Didn't have the same core taste, and this time we left the "left overs" on the table for the salad.
Chicken Parm, used to be a large single chicken breast covered with cheese, and toasted. Now, it was two slightly large tenders, but no where near the same size. Significantly less cheese, that was more like a dab put on top, not melted over. Sauce was okay. Rigatoni pasta, was just slightly over cooked and soft.
On the menu, the Family option was increased in price, with a lot less choices then previously. We didn't use the family style option this time, because two of our party were not big eaters... but ultimately when we got our bill, maybe we should have.
Desert: Cheesecake was a large good portion, and very tasty. As was the tiramisu.
When we got our bill, that was the big surprise. $260 after tip, for 4 people. 1 appetizer, 4 dishes, 2 deserts, and 4 soft drinks. Sadly, I am not sure Maggiano's is going to be our destination dinner anymore. We have local options, that are probably better value and taste.
