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Italian Tries Maggiano's Little Italy for the First Time
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- Published on Mar 16, 2026
- Is this the worst Italian restaurant in America? Maggiano's Little Italy comes with a stellar reputation. We read numerous 5-star reviews online, and when we saw that they often host weddings and special events, we thought our experience would be amazing. Well, let's just say we were shocked. This Italian food taste test was the opposite of what we were expecting. How badly can you mess up lasagna, bolognese and tiramisu? Watch and find out!
Thank you for all of your love and support! Don't forget to subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss a new video! You can also follow us on our other socials below! Ciao for now! -Jessi and Alessio
Thank you for all of your love and support! Don't forget to subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss a new video! You can also follow us on our other socials below! Ciao for now! -Jessi and Alessio
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Best Italian Restaurants are not chains - they are hole-in-the-walls. Standardization in food is the worst food imaginable. It has to be unique and true to the culinary region.
Agreed. I'd love for them to try a non-chain ristorante.
Agreed. This statement applies to any cuisine.
Best Italian food is what Jessi & Alessio makes! Oh and his mom ❤
😊😊😊😊
Event locations make "a lot of food'...
I remember the first time I was taught to "Scarpetta". Fourth date and he took me home to meet his traditional Italian parents. (I'm Jewish) His Mom, in her Italian accent basically said: If you don't do the scarpetta (= bread swipe to clean your plate) at the end of the meal "You will have a ugly babies". Date 4! 😮😅
I've been doing the scarpetta ever since! 20 years later, our kids are beautiful and I scarpetta every day!! LOL
😂 nice
You should try the Italian-Jewish cuisine in Rome, then.
@lucapolidori8817 We plan to visit Italy again soon! I didn't know there was such cuisine in Rome. Thank you so much! I will look for it!
😂😂😂
😂😂😂❤
I was stationed in Sicily for 18 months while in the US Navy. I fell in love with the culture and especially the food. My favorite appetizer was Prosciutto E Melone. So simple. The salty flavors of the prosciutto contrasting with the sweetness of the melon was to die for. And you are right about the meat melting in your mouth. I’ve never been able to find anything close to it in America. Love your content. It makes me miss my time in Italy. ❤
Please make a series of Italian cooking with Alessios recipes would love to see the supermarket ingredients you would use to recreate as close as possible real Italian home cooking ❤
Alesia is so funny 😂😂😂 brutal honesty. Love it
He is keeping his liquids inside? How long can he hold it? 😳
To be brutally honest when you eating can you have some etiquette and eat small bites . The knives were invented to use today 😅
You’re my favorite couple to follow on RUclips you both genuinely love each other you don’t fake anything. Well some times and that’s obviously lol. Love you two and can’t wait for Jessie’s channel
I was just thinking the other day that I wish you would review Maggiano's and here it is. I always appreciate the honesty! Edited to say: I'm surprised and yet I'm not. I've had good experiences at Maggiano's but I'm not surprised at this review at all.
Fun story: Maggianos started in Chicago 33 years ago as an independent restaurant. It was a huge hit for the famous Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group (and quite delicious for many years,). It expanded into a small chain locally and then about 15 years ago became a full blown national chain when Lettuce sold to the same corporation that owns Chilis.
From what I understand, Lettuce completely divested from the chain about 2 years ago and its now completely run by the new company. So no, you're not crazy. The quality WAS way better at one point when operations were overseen by the original owners. Since selling, it truly has become as Italian as Chilis is Mexican.
Thanks for explaining that. A long time ago it was a good restaurant and it was like a fancy restaurant that businesses would take me to for a impressive meal and then I went there more recently and it was terrible and I just didn’t know what happened.
100% Correct. Excellent explanation.
That's not correct. Brinker (owner of Chili's) completely bought them in 1995 (about 30 years ago), took them national then, and still owns them. Lettuce Entertain You had zero ownership or operational stake in Maggiano's from the time of the sale.
The only think that Lettuce Entertain You did after selling in 1995 was maintain a relationship that allowed cross use of their gift cards and a frequent diner rewards program in two states. They had no control over the operations of Maggiano's after the sale. I found this on the Lettuce Entertain You website (and yes they spelled Brinker incorrectly):
"AN IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY
Maggiano's Little Italy opened its doors as a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in November 1991, with its first location on the corner of Clark St. and Grand Ave. In 1995, the concept was sold to Briner International. Effective April 16, 2023, after more than 30 years of enjoying mutual benefits from their shared history, Maggiano's Little Italy's participation in the Lettuce Frequent Diner Club, and Gift Card programs is coming to an end.
GENERAL MAGGIANO'S FAQS
Why is Maggiano’s Little Italy leaving the Frequent Diner Club?
Lettuce Entertain You opened Maggiano's Little Italy in 1991. In 1995, the concept was sold to Brinker International, and at that time, Brinker took over operations and management of all Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants nationwide. Throughout the partnership, guests have been able to continue to use Lettuce Entertain You Frequent Diner Club benefits Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants in Illinois and Wisconsin, however those benefits will expire on April 15, 2023."
@tornadoalley-123
It's not correct. Maggiano's was completely sold to Brinker International in 1995 and Lettuce Entertain You had no input at that point in the operations. Their only remaining relationship was a licensing deal for their gift card and frequent diner programs in two states.
Here's a quote from the Chicago NBC affiliate:
"Lettuce Entertain You opened Maggiano’s Little Italy in 1991 and sold the concept to Brinker International in 1995, according to its website. While Lettuce Entertain You has not owned and operated the restaurant chain since, it still maintained its relationship with the eatery.
The joint affiliation let diners enjoy perks across Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, letting guests use gift cards, as well as earn and redeem points with Frequent Diner Club benefits.
However, Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurants will no longer be affiliated with the group, which means all earned benefits will expire soon, Lettuce Entertain You noted on its website."
Chef Biordi (boy ar dee) also started in Chicago and made a billion dollars.
In the first 30 seconds I could tell when you explained that it’s a wedding venue, which are known to be absolutely horrible places for food. I think you were both being kinder than I would have been, and I didn’t even have to eat it. Medals for bravery!
It's really not everywhere....I'm shocked that's a thing/comment
@ not sure what you mean
Volume and quality rarely ever go hand in hand.
Feel like they jumped on the grenade for me. I don’t live too far from there and have thought about going many times.
It’s not a wedding venue, Maggiano’s is a family-style restaurant where you can bring large groups. It’s miles better than Olive Garden, which is something!
I love how Alessio explained the cheese and meat board, and I understood everything he said and all his points perfectly well, and then Jessi reinforced what Alessio said and I felt like I *really* understood it. 😂😂
Ciao Alessio and Jessi,
I have an aunt who was from San Daniele. Her mother used to send prosciutto from there to us here , back when you could do that. My dad was from Castelnovo. My grandmother used to send us a cheese from Friuli twice a year. When my dad would get notification from the post office that it arrived he was happier than if it was Christmas.
Happy and Healthy New year to you both.
I love that y'all were brutally honest.
Nobody would expect that the restaurant will supply the best olive oil free to their guest - that was a given you don’t have to be an expert in olive oil for that - first, this restaurant isn’t a Micheline star restaurant, it’s unfair to criticize the authenticity of their products, it’s you everyday Italian restaurant if you want authentic Italian products it will cost the customer more to eat there
@angelinatanaThat’s the point. They’re passing it off as fine dining and charging too much for products that don’t measure up. You can find restaurants that charge a fraction of the price for better food.
@TiffanyAllen1784 Sorry to burst your bubble, but this does not looks like fine dining at all.
Before you got to the reviews at the end I was wondering if something had changed - change of ownership, chefs, etc. It's unfortunate, but it happens. Some family owned restaurants I knew from years ago have changed. Decor upgrades, cleaning etc. acceptable and expected - and those maintained their standards. Others, well, you just experienced one. Too Bad - and so Sad. I appreciate your Italian perspective and informed American perspective.
I grew up in Philly and would love to see you guys visit our Italian market. Of course, keeping in mind that almost all Italians in Philadelphia are Sicilian. The best Italian restaurants we have are little spots in South Philadelphia, sometimes where they are in people's homes.
Tacconelli's pizza is a brick oven the grandfather built in the living room of his house. You used to have to call to reserve your dough but now I think they take walk-in customers also.
I live in South Philly. The 'Italian market' is not Italian anymore. More like Mexican Market now.
@judydelaurentiis661 Chinatown has taken over so much of NYC Little Italy that we call it Very Little Italy
Loved! Glad tiramisu was fine, hope good food on the next one! ☺️
Alessio is hilarious...love his honesty!!!😂😂😂
If you never had an Italian Grandmother cook for you, you don't know what Italian food is.
Even a few years ago, we absolutely loved Maggiano's. We had several family events there like Easter dinner and even a memorial lunch for my late mother. At one event, they served the appetizer course, and my neighbors loved every bite and told us how much they enjoyed lunch. We told them that they had only had appetizers and there was much more coming and their jaws dropped. Lately we found they have made changes, and not for the better. First, they changed the bread. The "new" bread is OK, but nothing like the old one. They they started reducing the menu - getting rid of veal, removing some other standards - and significantly raising the prices. We used to go about every 6 weeks. Now it's more like every 3 or 4 months.
It's because Brinker bought them.. it's just plain now.. nothing special.
@B-Dub-n7n who us Brinker?
I can relate to what you said. When Maggiano's first open in Denver the food was really good. Unfortunately, EVERYTHING has gone downhill in this Country. Try buying a reliable auto part is like finding a unicorn.
My stepfather used to eat at Maggiano's once a week and hasn't gone there for over a year. Too expensive and not good, is his review.
@ Brinker International is the corporate owner of Maggiano's.. they own Chili's.. Chili's was started by Mr. Brinker, then he bought a bunch of other restaurants.. They just get worse when bought by that conglomerate.. They ruined Macaroni Grill, and they have even messed up Chili's really bad. Mr Brinker opened up the first Chili's in Dallas. I use to work for Chili's.
I went to one in Colorado. They forgot to make my dinner (party of eight people), ruining my son's birthday dinner for me. The chef came out and argued with me when I told them to put it in a to-go box because our entire party was already done eating. The manager tried to make it right, by comps and free dessert. You only get one chance at a first impression and they ruined it. I'll never go back.
Love how it sounded like "reversal dinner" could be a great "cold feet" invention😂love from a northern 🇮🇹 neighbour !!
I’m an American of Italian descent; my grandparents immigrated from Italy. I now live in Knoxville TN, so it is nice to see reviewers in TN, especially from Italy and who know authentic Italian cuisine. I can count on one hand how many times I have eaten in an Italian restaurant and not been disappointed. As such, I tend to just make Italian dishes at home as my Nana made these dishes because I make it better than the restaurants. I would love to see an authentic Italian restaurant in Knoxville, but the closest we had here shut down after the pandemic, so…what I would love to see is more content that explains how we source authentic Italian ingredients and what the best brands are to buy, because I am sitting here making it all at home from scratch. I can source some of what I need here in town, but not without a hard search. Thank God I grow my own tomatoes 🍅🍅🍅 and herbs 🌿
Did you ever go to the Italian Market restaurant? I miss that place so much!
Your Nana? Call her Nonna .
Bravo 🤩
The lasagna in the vid looked like Iike a crime I bet you could show that place a thing or two
I live in Greeneville, TN, about an hour from you. I was going to ask you if you could recommend a good Italian restaurant in the Knoxville area.
I love your brutally honest reviews and reactions. I think it gets annoying when people review things and never have anything negative to say, not everything can be good and when it’s not it should be called out. Keep up the fun videos.
This is a shame. I am Italian and I never go to so called Italian chain restaurants. The food is terrible and why would I want to order something I can make so much better at home. The little " Hole in the wall" Italian restaurants are the best.
Those hole in the wall places seem to be all gone in my area. They never seem to last more than one or two generations.
That dining area reminds me of my stepdad’s restaurant he had for so long
Hey I like the way you think……!
100% correct.
@gerriwetherhold6369 I took my family to Brio on Saturday, a popular Italian chain. I'm not Italian, I'm Jewish, but I have a lot of Italian family through marriage. I cook great Italian, and they all agree. The food was mediocre at best, and I wished I could take over their kitchen!! 😆 The bill for 6 people came out to almost $500!
It seems like we trust you guys… that’s why we watch. I believe your reviews and I believe the quality of actual food is lacking here in US. It is fun to watch you guys compare what you have had in Italy compared to USA. What you are saying is the truth based on your perspective and experience. I am here for the truth. I hope one day I am able to experience what you have experienced. Thank you stay true to yourself
I believe them, and the review from the top Google reviewer also agreed. It’s like when a Mexican restaurant (in the Southwest) poured tomato soup all over my enchiladas. I’m positive it was Campbells. That wasn’t a fun childhood memory😢
@Merri533 gross
Random fact- I’m Polish-American and skarpeta is the Polish word for sock. I looked up the Italian word (scarpetta) you used and it means little shoe and refers to the act of cleaning sauce off a plate using bread. Cool! Your content is awesome and I love your videos!
Exactly!
I guess the lesson here is that I’ve never had authentic Italian food and when it comes to eating out, I love cheap cheesy American pasta. 😂
Authentic or not, I love my grandmas sauce the best. No restaurant can compare. Love you guys! 💕
Also that chicken dish looks awful! No longer jealous that I can’t afford expensive restaurants!
Carrabas is as close to homemade as you will get.
@TheVixen59 ewww that place is like a half step above Olive Garden
@zachromero5637 Used to be mush better, about 10+ years ago - corporate short-cuts have cut away from quality
Most Americans have never had “authentic” (fill in the blank country) food. It’s all been Americanized.
I want to know how they answered "So how was everything?"
For anyone who has not had the joy of eating in the authentic Italian food in Italy, this North American version might be acceptable. There are foods I just refuse to buy here in BC, Canada. Prosciutto is one of them, if it doesn't melt in the mouth it just doesn't cut it for me. It takes a while after coming back from Italy to even want to have what is on offer here. Guess I just need to go back to Italy for the good stuff.
I’ve never found a good Italian restaurant in B.C. Canada. I liver here too. I wait until I go home to Edmonton and go to Sorrentinos. Or go too the Italian Centre on 170 street.
I love the energy these two bring!!!!
I wish more places would just call it like it is. Italian inspired, Mexican Inspired, Asian Inspired but they don't. Not that I am an expert in any way. We use to frequent a high end asian inspired place that was fairly authentic, per the waiters, the manager and the chefs. Over the course of several years it went from really good & unique to what you can get everywhere. Manager told us that people wanted what they were use to and not the authentic/unique food they were offering so they now give the customers what they want.
Have a Chinese friend who we eat with once in a while. We frequent a particular Chinese restaurant because he can order items that are not on the menu that are made close to what he could get in his home province in China vs Chinese inspired American food. Most American Chinese restaurants can't even do that for him.
Keep up the reviews. Really love them.
I looked them up on Facebook and they do advertise as Italian American cuisine. They don’t advertise as authentic Italian.
Most American Chinese restaurants can't do that since the owners/chefs are 2nd generation. 20 years ago, they were mostly 1st generation however as the older generation retired or died, their children took over and well.... the potential for authentic cuisine disappeared with them.
In many cases, those who use words like genuine, traditional, authentic, original etcetera about food haven't done their homework or (as being the case regarding many businesses) simply don't care. It's very difficult to replicate the actual tastes of a place thousands of miles away. In my part of the world, Scandinavia, the most gifted Italian chefs working on Nordic soil realize it's a much better idea to, for instance, use the excellent shellfish provided by our frigid waters than cooking with frozen Mediterranean shellfish. The end result won't taste like food from an actual restaurant in Italy (so it's not 'authentic') - but it will taste like food prepared by a competent Italian chef. On the other hand, many Italian dishes can definitely be made to taste just like in their home country far, far away from Italy.
American Chinese restaurants have been around since the 1800's and serve authentic American Chinese food.
PF Chang said its asian american or Asian fusion. I read this in an article years ago.
Maggiano’s is a chain “Italian-like” restaurant. If you want authentic Italian in America, may I suggest you head to New Jersey or New York and find a small little place where the owner (who is the cook too) immigrated from Italy? Thank you for your lovely videos!
Yes, in those places. All I’m gonna say is they insist on it. 😂😂😂
Or just cook at home but ignore American recipes. Italian cooking simple. Family food.
I like Carmine’s Eggplant Parmigiana in NYC. And it’s not a hole in the wall, it’s actually a big chain restaurant with 2 locations in the city.
They did that a few years ago. There are some great videos of Alessio discovering Arthur Avenue in the Bronx
If old school Italian delis can directly import products a restaurant can.
Exactly
Grocery stores can get real Italian products too. Most restaurants buy their food from a distributor like Sysco.
Have to be careful at small Italian delis because their items can be old/expired.
best restaurant critic reviews I've ever read/seen!
We have an area of Baltimore Maryland called Little Italy. In the area the restaurants are very old with Nonna’s still cooking your meals. Please come visit.
It’s been years since I’ve been to one. It’s a shame, they’re used to be a few steps above Olive Garden, and Carrabba’s was in between. We have wonderful Italian restaurants in NJ so we try to avoid the chains.
I watch Jessi's eyes when she tastes things. If her eyes don't immediately light up, then I know it's not very good.
I appreciate the genuine sincerity! Thank you Jessi and Alessio!
I can only think of one authentic Italian restaurant that I have been to that is close to me, and that is Biaggi's. They have excellent food. I'm glad I can watch you and learn what is authentic or good and what isn't!
Growing up in NY, I was exposed to Arthur Ave, Little Italy and great gourmet Italian food at every level. Moving to Chicago suburbs for some years, I encountered Maggianos. One thing we thought they did well...we used to get their tiramisu to take out for major celebrations. The rest was standard chain/catering level. P.S. Edit: My mother's last request, in the hospital, was clams casino from Arthur Avenue.
Well...at least the old timey, classic music was good!😜
Thank you so much for this video, I enjoyed watching!😃
Regazi we went to the best Italian restaurant in the Sunshine Coast 2 weeks ago and all I could think of was Allessio saying no no no. They claim all bread, pizza dough & pasta is made fresh in house daily but my beef cheek ragù pappardelle pasta was actually uncooked & stuck together (packet pasta), at $36 AUD for a small plate (bowl) 1/4 the size of what you just had, I would’ve expected better, the starter’s (bread with oil & pepper) was $15, oysters $7 each, we didn’t stay for desert, I was so disappointed 😂
Love thisss👏🏼👏🏼 call them out!! It’s embarrasing and disrespectful that Maggianos claims to be Italian cuisine!
The music in the dining room is giving me Fallout New Vegas nostalgia
Based girl
The baby crying near the end of the video sums their experience 😂
I'm not Italian and I dislike every one of those chains. I can't believe people think what they serve at those places is "real Italian food".
Avoid the chains if you want authentic Italians.
I don’t think they think much
Mamma mia,solo a vedere quella collinetta di pasta affogata nel pomodoro,ho intuito il giudizio e l'hai chiamata giustamente"zuppa di pasta"😅
I watch a lot of your videos and enjoy them. I do have a question, though. What do you tell the staff when they ask if you like it? Are you brutally honest like Alessio, or do you soften your opinion like Jessi if the food is not good?
I was wondering the same thing.
Me too❤
I think it would be easier for Alessio, he could politely explain that being from Italy nothing compares to good home cooking. It would be the truth but not brutal.
Come to Ashland Kentucky and try fazolis so called authentic restaurant
You guys need to make a trip to Toronto!! 😊❤ Lots of authentic Italian restaurants and bakeries here. And the variety of other cultures is insane, you can eat around the world in one city.
Love your content and sending positive prayers to you both ❤
That would be interesting
That’s what I said we Canadians have retained the Italian culture and adapted to the same quality as Italy ❤
I've said the same to them many times. Little Italy has authentic food made by true Italians. And Toronto is a great city to visit.🇨🇦♥️
Agreed.
Same as NYC
Why do you not like ricotta? How do you make lasagna?
I went to this chain in Jacksonville, Florida. Though I rarely do this, I decided to decline the meal, as did the person I was dining with. We informed the waitress how unhappy we were and asked to leave. Most certainly, we did the right thing with only eating a small portion with being able to confirm our displeasure. A manager was called over and I explained similar to what you did with inferior quality and it reminding me of being served a Stouffer's frozen meal on a nice plate. I added that my offense was the high costs of these meals and have a certain level of expectation to live up to this. Though the manager apologized and offered substitutions with a discount, we still decided to leave. The manger tried to rationalize that this was the first complaint of the night with our ordering among their most popular meals. I looked around me and felt like I was in an alternate universe. The other diners seemed to be happy. I left thinking that even though I have never ben to Italy, I know what good Italian food tastes like, and it appears that others do not. Like you, I went because of positive reviews, but will not return. We left the waitress a tip so she did not have to suffer our loss.
If maggianos is a chain restaurant, you were ridiculous to think it would be authentic.
You should have called before going to ask questions ,asked questions at the restaurant before being seated, or looked at the orders other tables had (unless you were the only ones there).I'm a very picky eater, and I will do these things.
I even look at posted restaurant menus outside restaurant or at host stand to see if they even have anything I will eat beforebeing seated.
Sorry, you didn't do your research properly.
If I go to a chain restaurant, I dont expect authentic. I know they don't usually make things from scratch.
I like carrabbas once in awhile even though I know it's not real italian. I grew up in an area with lots of mom and pop italian pizza, restaurant and bakeries. I also ate Italian food cooked by my friends Italian parents or grandparents. We're not Italian but my mom was taught to cook great Italian food from an Italian friend before she married.
You seem to be an entitled brat.
@arfriedman4577 You are not wrong. BUT! Maggiano's did have very good food at one time. Like everything else now, gone down hill.
@silkscreenart5515 yes. I wrote before hearing Jessie read the reviews that said the food used to be better. However it's still a chain, so it's not going to be perfect italian.
Years ago, we went to a NJ macaroni grill a few times. It was good, but not real italian. This location has been closed many years I was told.
You expressed your displeasure in a civil way and you still tipped your server, that's a sign of good character! You stay classy, friend!
I recognize our Nashville Maggiano’s. Our favorite event restaurant. I don’t know if I can take you criticizing it! 😂. Can’t tell you how many times we’ve picked up the zucchini app and eaten it in the parking deck before we left.
Event Maggianos?- SO DIFFERENT than a couple of their others. WARNING. TRY
thats because youre used to eating crap fast food and thinking its fine dining like most American slobs.
I thought this was the Nashville location. We used to celebrate every birthday and anniversary and pre-game concerts there. We moved to Florida 6 years ago and go to the one in Tampa until they stopped serving the mushroom ravioli.
is that all you ate? even the calimari is no longer
good
The snobbiest Italians on RUclips, I love it. Keep being your typical selves! It’s the most entertaining! Gotta have taste!
Saying garbage food is garbage is not snobby, it's called being honest.
My wife's family does Maggiano's a lot for special occasions and yeah, I'm used to the family style presentation, so if they changed that, they lost a big selling point.
Also I feel like they really lean into the American aspects of Italian-American food - big portions, super creamy, super cheesy, etc. So I was expecting you to react to that, but if there's just been a quality drop-off, that's not great.
@adambrickley9088 Americans as a whole don’t appreciate quality…except for us foodies.
@bigdaddympd Eh it depends. And honestly I'm a big defender of immigrant cuisines like Italian-American (they have a fun history and anthropology) but sad to see a bad experience based on decreased quality.
I watch a lot of your stuff. I love the reviews. I could see that the pasta was not good. I am surprised Maggianos at one time was a very lovely place to stop.
It could also be the location they went to, if they tried different locations with different chefs or cooks it could be different.
I don't understand American "Italian" restaurants and their obsession with using sausage in Ragu alla Bolognese -- the fennel seed flavor just overpowers everything. The ragu should be quite simple, with a lot of flavor coming from the meat (whether pork, beef, veal, or a combination). The sauce should develop richness and depth of flavor as it simmers away for hours and hours; so what is the point in blowing it all up with fennel sausage?!? Still haven't found an American Italian restaurant that can match a homemade, authentic Bolognese recipe.
In the US, Italian dishes aren't Italian. They are American, perhaps Italian inspired. Should be labeled as such.
Usually overcomplicated instead of simple with quality ingredients. Garlic, basil, herby ("Italian herbs mix"...) in each and every dish doesn't make it Italian.
I agree. All my friends love that fennel flavor and I just feel like it is so overwhelmingly strong.
@Eunegin23Depends on the cook & the customer base.
Christopher's in Pittsburgh was really good
Oh and thank you for showing that “chicken” -omg, what was that?!”
Hell’s Kitchen for them!🤣🤣🤣
Oh I absolutely loved the end! “If it is sh111t it is meeerda!!!” 🤣🤣🤣 I can’t agree more ☺️😉
@PatriciaResino Also agree. I'd put THAT on a shirt...!
Microwave makes chicken rubbery.
LOVE the genuine education on the cuisine!! Highly encouraging continued education on all things Italian or American of your choosing!
Also, requesting your reviews of the Peppridge Farm Original and Chocolate collection cookie box
I have friends here from Friuli that love to eat at Bella Napoli. Give it a try!
Yes please that would he great to see that review
I love seeing couples sharing an antipasto. ❤
I come from an Italian Family (northern Italy 😉) and Maggiano's is the worst. I can't even call it Italian food- it is awful. That is the first and last time you will ever go. 🤣. Love you guys!
My father's family is full on Northern Italian ... I had contractors over for a third day and fed them lunch of my family lasagna, ravioli and homemade sauce .. they loved it and cleaned their plates ❤
Maggiano's is fine for what it is; family style dining. The Maggiano's Salad is actually quite good but this place is designed to feed masses. Come to a Chicago Maggiano's for comparison.
@gluttalcatchI rather eat at Olive Garden than Maggiano’s.
@gluttalcatchI live in Chicago and I don’t care for Maggiano’s at all. The food is terrible. When you come from an Italian family, there is no comparison 🇮🇹
Worse than Olive Garden???
Looking at your pics, I'm pretty sure you are at the Nashville location? If I'm right and you are in this area, I would love it if you would review Tutti da Gio in Hendersonville. It's the best Italian we've ever tried, but we have very American tastebuds so I'd love to see what you think about it. They have a location in Hermitage also, but it's temporarily closed. (I think it's due to reopen in a few weeks.)
Italian food in the US has been adapted to American tastes for over a century that it would be hard to change to a more authentic Italian style and still have Americans show up in large numbers for it. There is a reason all of the major chains serve the same Italian-American style and the smaller mom and pop shops can sell the more authentic Italian food.
I'd be really surprised if Americans actually prefer this over authentic Italian food.
The American chains are all garbage
My friend’s family returned from a tour of Italy. Their first remark was…they don’t know how to make sauce in Italy.😂😂
Nothing could be easier to make properly than garlic and OO pasta...
Olive Garden is an extremely low bar to set for a high end Italian restaurant. Come back to NYC and try more restaurants and let us know your opinion. I would be interested in your opinion of L'Artusi.
Of the chain restaurants, my vote is for Carabbas. No it doesn't match a good quality local place in a city (or the top end) but if you are craving Italian and there are only chains, it's the safest choice. I will be honest - even at pizzarias run by native Italians the pasta is often times not very good (esp. if they have a buffet - the pasta is pretty much just an afterthought because they know the pizza is their bread and butter for sales - and a lot of the Italians never really learned how to cook pasta well.
@jamesrawlins735if your in the middle of the country 😅
@mister8116 Agreed. However, I live near St. Louis and have the advantage of going to The Hill, an Italian part of the city that has as many good Italian restaurants as you can find in one place - and the only 5-star Italian restaurant in the country, Tony's.
This place should be serving wonderful food since it is a place for weddings/events. Is the competition that weak?
I’m addicted to your vids, best wishes guys! 🥰☺️🤩😋
Alessio is always so funny. I want to get my own Italian husband now. How do I tell my wife?
🤭
😂😂😂
You’ve highlighted why I’ve learned to cook: make my own pasta, make saltimbocca, ragu bolognese according to the Italian Academy’s official guide lines etc.
Love y'alls reviews. Maggianos used to be amazing, but it's not good anymore. My favorite is Carrabba's. We have some local family owned restaurants that are really good, but for chain it has to be Carrabba's. I knew as soon as I daw Jessi's face it was horrible.
I came here to say this! Maggiano's used to be much better! It's really gone downhill in the last 10 years or so...
@akuh530 Me too! Maggiano's use to be phenomenal, then Brinker bought them and ruined them just like they ruined their own "Chili's" .. Chili's literally only has one original menu Item.. the old timer with cheese, and the meat changed on that! I use to work at Chili's when it was great in the 90's.
@akuh530 If you like "Private Equity" food. Maggiano's is your kind of place.
The baby crying and your comment about someone trying their first bite of lasagna was hilarious! 😂
It is what it is. It's a chain and as such it tried to be consistent from location to location but can't always be. The owner is Brinker, which is the parent company of Chili's and On the Border. They formerly owned a chain called Romano's Macaroni Grill (and yeah that name is a web of complexity).
I haven't been other than in California, but there used to be a location in Los Angeles at The Grove shopping complex, although it was outside the indoor mall portion. They apparently lost their lease and are gone, but the place was popular with people working at CBS Television City, where they recorded programs like The Price is Right and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Wow. Ive gone to the Grove Maggianos before and it was decent the last time I went. I went last year to one in Woodland Hills, and the quality did take a step down. It used to be competent american italian food.
Romano's is decent, dare I say one of the better chain restaurants I've tried. Their flatbreads are fresh baked and the pasta is good.
@brandonperlow9091
There aren't that many though. I think the only other time I've ever been to one was at Santana Row in San Jose, California. It wasn't bad, but I didn't get anything off the regular menu - just a lunch special sandwich. I thought it was pretty good for the price.
I was also wrong about The Grove. I didn't actually go in to the mall, so I wasn't sure what it was like. I assumed it was indoors. But the location of Maggiano's there was right where a lot of people would visit right from Television City.
When he said “Orive Garden” in the beginning 😂
Tap water varies greatly in the US and depends on its source. Communities surrounding Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan are usually quite proud of the local water supply and can tell immediately by taste and or smell, the difference between lake water and other sources such as well water, etc.
@Dej24601 I'm a dare devil European (🇸🇪) who've tasted the faucet/tap water in Florida, the only part of the US I've visited so far. Hopefully, other parts of America have better water. However, the worst 'drinking' water I've experienced was that of Inner London. Even the water of rural India is superior (I know you're not supposed to drink it, but..)
@ wish you good travels! Lake Michigan and Lake Superior provide excellent fresh water, have strong advocates for maintaining its quality (a lot of tourism and fishing depends on that) and since the 1970’s have led efforts to control factory usage of the lake as a dumping ground. Their locations also limit a lot of farming runoff. Also, perhaps surprisingly, since it is such a heavily populated place, New York City has excellent tap water. They pride themselves that the quality of water (and that it is naturally ”soft” meaning lower amounts of certain minerals) used in preparing their famous bagels is responsible for the better taste and texture of their bagels. New York City water comes from the Catskill Mountains and upstate Hudson Valley systems. Much of Florida’s water comes from underground sources and contains a fair amount of sulfur, which accounts for a distinctive odor and taste. Runoffs from intensive farming in Florida also can affect groundwater taste and odor.
@Dej24601 Thank you very much indeed! Yesterday, I talked to a lady who's contemplating on becoming a water engineer of some sort (I don't know anything about engineering). Maybe she could find work in Fla.
@HerrBrutal-bl2fk 💧💦🌊👍
Many Americans believe that Italians eat pasta with every meal, every day and every dish has tomato sauce. They don't seem to realize that Italians eat everything and meat and potato meals exist too.
Just looking at the food you can tell it's not authentic. I'm not even talking about Italy authentic which is unmatchable, but this seems to be a place which is serving lower quality, high volume. There are authentic Italian American restaurants in NY and other cities that serve finer food.
Mamma mia che mondezza dai su, ma perché non riescono a fare semplici piatti italiani veri, farebbero soldi veri
I bet the parmigiano is grana padano
Eh, if it were Grana Padano, it would still be real Italian cheese. That one was probably made in America.
@roerd Depends. Grana Padano doesn't have to be made in Italia iirc
@Aduskett The term "Grana Padano" is protected by the Italian DOP label in the same way that "Parmigiano Reggiano" is. "Padano" refers to the Po Valley.
@roerd I stand corrected! Thank you!
per il ragùbBolognese sib aggiunge il concentrati di pomodoro.... e il ragu stesso non è troppo rosso. Ovviamente poi si è diffuso un ragu bolognese piu pomodoroso. Altro asoetto, nel tragu bolognese la varbe viebe fatta abbrustolire a oarte..si unisce dopo al siffritto quando è cambiata di colore ed è quadi abbrustolita. Sfumare poi con vino, aggiungere concentrato, al bisogno un poco di acqua per sciogliere il concentrato e lasciare sobbollire. Da quando faccio cosi viene sempre buono
My God guys I nearly cried seeing you there struggling with the food! Even poor Jessie lost her smile for a little and that is a crime! So tragic! I can't believe such places exist and offer food to people! You were really brave to take the risk and go there to try all this fake food! I was so worried about you! I hope you didn't have any stomach issues! Stay authentic as you are! Love you❤❤❤😊
When she showed the chicken up close, you could actually see how dense and tough the chicken was.
Excellent job...love your videos. I was stationed in Italy for three years (almost 30 years ago). So, thankful to have eaten Friuli, Napolianese, Siciliano, etc regional foods. To this day, I only cook using REAL Italian imported olive oil, cheeses, buy Napoli 00 flour to make my pasta-dough-breads, etc. KerryGold butter (close to Italian butters). Uncured salami. Most Americans are snoots...they think they know good Italian food, but they don't. Worse yet, they never been to Italy and think they are always right. Whatever. Keep up these videos...and buon appetito!
We live near Nashville, I used to work downtown, and Maggiannos was a place we often went...if you are American, how would you know? I think they have modified the taste for American tastes.
Olive oil taste like olives that’s one no Americans seem to grasp
@ So much of our olive oil is FAKE.
Which I don't understand since authentic Italian food is great !
Are you at the Nashville store? I have wanted to visit. Bronchitis has prevented me to go yet.😮 Do you recommend this restaurant?
I would love to see you guys try Fazoli’s fast food Italian.😂 yes it will be SH_T but at least you will know that going in.🤣 Their breadsticks are not too bad.
It's funny how strong his feelings are about Italian food. When I go abroad and eat a hamburger or other American-style food, I don't have strong feelings about it.
Yes American citizens usually don't complain 'American food' presented abroad isn't really "American" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
OH, you'd be surprised at how mad many Americans can be at European burgers!
Italians are very traditional in their food. But think about barbecue. Most Americans prefer a certain style over another. (Think Memphis, Texas, Kansas City, Carolina, etc.)
I' m italian, born and raised, still here😅 I have my own theory about our getting emotional about food. We spend SO time in our kitchen during the day, and the prepping of everything is really important, when we're hungry, it's no just like: "oh I'm hungry" it's almost like "I'm hungry and I have to prepare the most delicious dish in the world to enjoy it at the top" and the most important thing, we love to sit everybody and share that moment togheter, maybe breakfast it's the meal that families don't share the most, but we always do our best to spend lunch and dinner time togheter
@sere7810 💕
"We're not going to die here today." 🤣🤣🤣
If you 2 are around or ever plan on visiting Chicago, there's a little place that's special to me, and I'm curious what your thoughts on it would be.
The village just north east of Chicago is Evanston. The place is called Dave's Italian Kitchen.
YES! I loved Dave’s since first going there in the 1970’s. It has been many years since I went, and I know its location has changed but it was always good food, great service and fun atmosphere, for reasonable prices.
Dave's is a great restaurant. Enjoyed everything I had there (lasagna was great.) It would fit in perfectly with the other restaurants on The Hill in St. Louis.
I will have to try it...thanks for the recc.
The company I use to work for always did their Christmas party at Maggiano. I never cared for the food. Maybe try a different location or better yet try a none franchised Italian restaurant ( family owned).
You guys need to do a collaboration episode with the couple from pasta grammar, Harper and Eva. Eva is from Italy. She is very critical of American Italian cuisine too. She makes authentic Italian dishes for their channel. I bet Alessio would love it.
That would be a great foursome but they would totally brutalize the crappy American cuisine
I've eaten at Maggiano's in Boston several times and as a native Italian, i can say it has always been good, including the wonderful decor with Caravaggio classic paintings.
I think as big chain restaurants go, it is pretty decent. It's not a place for hard core foodies and it doesn't even try to be 100% regional Italian food. I always go there with my buddies when we are in Vegas and always have a good meal with good service. (Edit: this is judging from many years ago. Sounds like it has gone downhill.)
Last time we were there, before the pandemic, we thought it seemed like premade servings made off premise. Especially since at the time they had a special where you could take an entree home, BOGO.
During COVID, we could get about 6 Maggiano's dishes out of the local Chili's chain restaurant as a ghost kitchen through Door Dash. Definitely a sign of pre-prepped food from elsewhere.
Hello! I thought you two would like it! I enjoyed watching this honest video.
Parsley on dishes is the signature of those who doesn't know how to cook.
Truth!
Sprinkling on top of 90% of dishes for looks, yes...but cooking it in as an ingredient can make a difference in some recipes. The chicken soup I make from scratch REALLY loses something if I forget to add chopped parsley toward the end, it really gives it a fresher taste and actually changes the flavor for the better. Yes it also makes it look prettier, but it 100% improves the flavor too.
I would love to know what you think of Brio Italian Grille. They’ve closed some locations but their food was very good. Not quite authentic Italian food but Italian American. They give you warm sourdough bread and herbed flatbread during the meal and they have delicious salads and the pasta alla vodka is so good. I miss that place so much! Better than any other Italian American chain I’ve tried.
Italian American food is american
You mean American Italian food is American. Italian American food would be if someone in Italy decided to make barbecue.
Depends where you go. You can eat authentic food from every nation in the US.
Don't be so arrogant!
Jalaal... no. Italian American is a specific unique cuisine
@geno5360 Where? Never heard of an Italian American restaurant.
É meraviglioso come amate comprendere e spiegare le vostre radici culturali con rispetto, curiosità e amore reciproco ❤
Go back to New York, Alessio had a happy face the whole time you were there. 😂
Salutiamo gli amici di Corleone 🙂
I don’t care what anybody says. I like Maggiano’s.
Yeah Maggiano’s is the best American Italian chain.
If you like to eat garbage, your problem 😂
Your eternal optimism is so touching! I would be very surprised if you _ever_ find an American 'Italian' restaurant that approaches the kind of food you enjoy in Italy. FWIW, I much prefer your reviews of smaller, family owned businesses, rather than the big chains or 'famous' restaurants. The smaller businesses may also appreciate the publicity more - but being discovered as a 'hidden gem' can cause its own problems, I suppose. Anyway, I suspect Alessio's home cooking outshines most restaurants.
Stop expecting real Italian it isn’t going to EVER be the same. I would actually enjoy this place because I have never been to Italy. I like American Italian because thats what it is!