For the most part this is a classy chain/establishment. The service is pretty professional and seems to make good recommendations. The wine list is about what it should be for a nicer place, and I... More

For the most part this is a classy chain/establishment. The service is pretty professional and seems to make good recommendations. The wine list is about what it should be for a nicer place, and I always find the food delicious. The wait can get a bit long, and it's often hard finding room to wait, it gets that crowded. The portions are definitely huge, and if you're going to get an appetizer, salad, and entrée, it's easy enough to share all of that with someone else, especially if you're on a date. It makes more sense than ordering a bunch of stuff you'll be too full for.
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Maggianos does a great job on salads ravioli and garlic sauces. They give you huge portions and usually serve with a smile. The food is not really authentic,.But who says something has to be... More

Maggianos does a great job on salads ravioli and garlic sauces. They give you huge portions and usually serve with a smile. The food is not really authentic,.But who says something has to be authentic to be good? It's good. But the tomato based sauces are really not worth the try. They usually taste like they haven't been cooked long enough to take away the acidity.
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Maggiano’s is well-known for its mammoth portion sizes, so bring a family or be ready for leftovers. The pasta dishes are served in really large bowls, and my lasagna was a huge rectangle of meat,... More

Maggiano’s is well-known for its mammoth portion sizes, so bring a family or be ready for leftovers. The pasta dishes are served in really large bowls, and my lasagna was a huge rectangle of meat, cheese and sauce. I had no room for dessert, which is a shame. It is part of a chain, but that connection has this placed to the consistently good Corner Bakery.
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I don't really like Maggiano's all that much. I think there are a lot of smaller, local restaurants where you can do much better with Italian food. Plus, this place gets super crowded on the weekend... More

I don't really like Maggiano's all that much. I think there are a lot of smaller, local restaurants where you can do much better with Italian food. Plus, this place gets super crowded on the weekend and then the wait times become so long and the service is slow too at that point. I would really recommend a local place for better service and food. I think even Olive Garden does a better job than this place with Italian food.
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Maggiano's is a great date place. This place has the perfect lighting for a romantic night out. My problem is that I keep ending up going there with family, but I always see the romantics in their... More

Maggiano's is a great date place. This place has the perfect lighting for a romantic night out. My problem is that I keep ending up going there with family, but I always see the romantics in their corners enjoying their wine. You are going to pay more than you would at McDonald's, but you are going to get a knowledgeable server and better food. Try the pasta!
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These great classic Italian restaurants are part of Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain you restaurant empire but they are still worth recommending. This guy just knows what people want in a... More

These great classic Italian restaurants are part of Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain you restaurant empire but they are still worth recommending. This guy just knows what people want in a restaurant. Red checkered table cloths, huge portions of classic Italian dishes perfectly cooked, reasonable prices, good service, no wonder his places are so popular. They also have the virtue of consistency. Like Mickey D's, you know what you are going to get when you get there, and they don't disappoint you. The Corner Bakery is often attached to these stores, and you get more of the same there; great lunches; sandwiches and salads, etc. http://www.maggianos.com/
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So for my last meal in Chicago before returning to Seattle, I went to Wild Fire upon the recommendation of my colleague. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I learned they did not serve lunch. When I... More

So for my last meal in Chicago before returning to Seattle, I went to Wild Fire upon the recommendation of my colleague. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I learned they did not serve lunch. When I asked for a good place nearby, they recommended Maggiano's. After a 3 block sub-arctic walk (had already paid for parking in a lot near Wild Fire), I stumbled in to a bakery which has a weird entrance to Maggiano's. After getting some good hearted ribbing from the bakery patrons ("There's a revolving door you know?" to which I replied,"Sorry! I'm from Seattle." laughing ensued) I made in to Maggiano's. I was immediately seated by this white haired, older gentleman (I suspect he's probably been there forever) and when I asked my waiter for recommendations, he suggested chicken parm which comes with some pasta on the side. As I waited, I snacked on some hot bread and olive oil and read the news (there's an unsecured network here so thank you mr. Linksys man). When the meal arrived, I didn't think much of it until I took my first bite. HOLY SHITE. Wow. Wow. The outside of the chicken had a think crusty crunch to it and the inside was moist, tender, and delicious. The sauce was simple red sauce but not cold or lumpy like some other places. The cheese was just enough and hot and stringy and pure - not the processed stuff. The pasta was a perfect al dante complement with some rich white sauce and a few pieces of brocolli. I am now sipping a late and will try their eggnog custard with a little bit of the captain. This lunch made my entire trip. God blesss Maggiano's. Great service too :-) UPDATE: just took first bite of the custard. fricking awesome. not too sweet, great texture, and the latte is perfect. UPDATE2: just was informed by my friend on IM that they're a chain! i stand by my recommendation, the one in chicago rules. will def try the one in seattle when i get back. This was posted originally on my blog, TomTalking.com
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