6 Best Italian Chain Restaurants in America, According to Diners
If you can’t find a mom-and-pop Italian restaurant, Italian chains are the next best thing. And, according to some diners, may even be better. One thing diners love about Italian chains is the consistency and the ability to get their favorite dishes no matter where in the country they are. There are a handful that diners maintain are the best. From more affordable and casual options to upscale and expensive fine dining experiences, here are the 6 best Italian chain restaurants in America, according to diners.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s Little Italy is famous for family-style scratch pasta. A bit more upscale Italian restaurant with large portions of pasta, it is “an exceptional value available only for parties of four or more,” that includes salad, an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. “It’s an institution,” writes a Redditor. “This is the way,” another adds. “The noodles you could tell were made that day they were so fresh. The sauce – was awesome,” a Yelper says.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Carrabba’s Italian Grill serves wood-grilled Italian classics and Family Bundles to feed a large group cheaply, including spaghetti, penne Alfredo, and lasagne. Each meal includes a main dish, your choice of side salad, and bread, feeding four. “I would eat carrabba’s for every meal if it was free,” a Redditor says.
Olive Garden
The endless soup, salad, and breadsticks at Olive Garden are a national treasure, and fans of the chain maintain that the pasta dishes are truly unique and delicious. “I like their salad. And breadsticks. That’s worth it to me by itself,” a Redditor says. One Redditor shared, “I had the Olive Garden toasted ravioli appetizer months ago and cannot stop thinking about it.”
Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo is another family-style favorite. According to diners, they do simple dishes justice, like lasagna, chicken parm, and the jumbo cheese ravioli baked under layers of mozzarella and meat sauce. “It’s very tasty, and the sauce is not bitter. Very generous with the meat,” says a TripAdvisor diner.
Il Fornaio
Il Fornaio is an authentic Italian chain where pasta is made fresh daily, and dishes like tagliatelle alla Bolognese taste straight from Northern Italy. The California-based chain was founded in 1972 as a baking school in Barlassina (Lombardia), Italy, according to the brand’s website. All locations are supervised by Sicilian native Executive Chef Roberto Gerbino and serve “multi-generational family recipes,” preparing dishes that Italians have “mastered over centuries of making great cuisine.” Authenticity will cost you! Just a cup of traditional Minestrone Di Verdure in the Beverly Hills outpost retails for $12.
Rao’s
Rao’s, a smaller, more upscale Italian restaurant with a few locations, is my favorite. I have dined multiple times at the Miami Beach location, and the food was absolutely delicious. I have to admit that even the simplest of pasta dishes were divine. Two kids ordered pasta with red sauce, while my daughter got pasta with vodka sauce. Nobody was disappointed. The restaurant also oozes old-school luxury, with red leather banquet seating and perfect lighting. “Just had to say (and show) that this Veal Chop Parm at RAOS Miami Beach was a 9.9,” one Facebooker writes. “Rao’s makes the best veal parm I’ve ever had,” an Instagrammer adds. “Love at first taste oh yeah,” a third says.