While Americanized Italian food might not be the most authentic, it's all so yummy that
nobody's taste buds are complaining. To help lead you toward the most scrumptious Italian food, we have ranked Italian chain
restaurants — from the worst of the worst to the cream of the crop
A couple of decades ago, Johnny Carino's had great Italian food. It seemed like you couldn't go wrong with anything you decided to select from their menu
After you were finished with your main course, Johnny Carino's desserts would put an even bigger smile on your face
Sadly, things are no longer the same at this Italian chain restaurant. Johnny Carino's has suffered financially in recent years, and over the last 20 years or
so, the quality of their food has declined as well. Nowadays, Johnny Carino's is the place you go if you want yucky food that is painfully overpriced
Even seemingly safe choices like pizza, tortelloni, and lasagna will leave you totally underwhelmed
The desserts, specifically their watery tiramisu, will just add to the sadness
Fazoli's has more than 200 restaurants spread across more than 25 states
Even if there's a location near you and you're desperate for Italian food, just say no
This chain doesn't deserve your business. First of all, Fazoli's uses trickery to try to make you believe that their food is truly
authentic, when that is simply not the case. While restaurants can't be blamed for making their food sound more delicious than it really
is, Fazoli's goes further by using phony Italian words and phrases to try and fool you
That's a step too far. Secondly, their food just isn't that good. It'd be one thing if they used sneaky marketing tactics to get you in the door and then blew
you away with delectable food. But instead, their Italian food is at the level of what
you'd expect from a school cafeteria. Stay away. The first time you visit a spaghetti warehouse restaurant, your expectations will be sky high
The atmosphere will please your senses and your mouth will begin to water as you think
about the amazing food that will surely be served to you. Tragically, once your food
arrives at your table, the disappointment you feel will be palpable. While the decor and the
atmosphere are pristine, the food is a total and utter letdown. At a restaurant called Spaghetti
warehouse, you'd think that you could at least trust the spaghetti. But no, you'll find that
assumption to be inaccurate. Their spaghetti tastes like it has been cooked too long and is
now a mushy mess. The sauce lacks flavor, and even the meatballs will leave you yawning with boredom
The good news is that Bertucci's has relatively extensive menus for both lunch and dinner. If you
have a favorite Italian food, there's a strong likelihood that you'll find it on their menu
Moreover, they have lots of options on their menus for children, which makes this chain a
favorite destination for families. Unfortunately, the bad news outweighs the good news
Most egregiously, the quality of food at Bertucci's is basically what you'd expect from a drive-thru window
The food isn't bad, mind you, but this place is basically the McDonald's of Italian chain restaurants
That alone wouldn't be a deal-breaker, but when you factor in the high price tags that you find on the menu it makes Bertucci impossible to recommend Decent food for high prices isn a recipe for success which is probably why they had to file for bankruptcy back in 2018 This chain is still
alive and kicking, but it isn't worth your hard-earned dollars. It's places that Bertucci's has to compete with that are cheaper, faster
The first Bravo Italian kitchen opened its doors for the first time in Columbus, Ohio in 1992
Since the start, they've been a restaurant where you can find yummy Italian food. Today
there are more than two dozen locations in 14 states. From staple classics to fancier
more modern choices, you can find it all on Bravo Italian Kitchen's dinner menu
What holds this chain back? The answer is simple — inconsistency. Sometimes you'll be ecstatic after going to Bravo Italian Kitchen because whatever dish
it was that you chose was scrumptious and left you wanting more. But regrettably
that isn't always the outcome, as sometimes you'll be dismayed to find their food to be less than
stellar. Even if you order the same exact meal, you won't know what to expect from one visit to the next
With a history that dates back more than 120 years, not many Italian chain restaurants in
the United States can hold a candle to Amato's when it comes to experience
These days, this chain sells a lot more than sandwiches. At Amato's
you can get your hands on a wide host of Italian goodies, ranging from calzones to pizzas to pastas. The food at this chain is reliably good
Nothing they serve will knock your socks off, but this Italian chain restaurant definitely
deserves to be considered at least average when compared to the competition
The experience and know-how they've built up over the years can be tasted in each bite of food
While you probably shouldn't go to Amato's if you're looking to impress a date, it's a fine choice if you just want good Italian food at good prices
If you go to Zio's Italian Kitchen with a plan, you can be confident that you will be thrilled
with your meal. Conversely, if you have no idea of what you should be doing, don't be stunned when you leave this restaurant unfulfilled and unhappy
Zio's Italian Kitchen has an immense menu with virtually limitless options. If it's considered Italian food, you will find it somewhere on their menu. That said
not everything they serve is the same quality. Truthfully, it's not even close
At Zio's Italian Kitchen, your strategy should be to avoid meat dishes and stick with pasta dishes
Why? Their meat dishes promise to underwhelm. On the other hand, if you pick their pasta, you'll be overjoyed
I'm in love. I'm having a relationship with my pizza. You look like you're breaking up with the pizza, what's the matter
Sure, Olive Garden won't win any awards for being authentic. This isn't a chain you go to for a fine
dining experience. Olive Garden and the food they serve will never be confused for a Michelin-starred
restaurant. But you also shouldn't be ashamed if you love this place. They serve comfort food that
is adored by taste buds from coast to coast. They have delicious salad, and their glorious breadsticks
are addicting. When it comes to Italian chain restaurants, Olive Garden is the most successful
both in terms of sales and the number of locations That no accident The quality of of Olive Garden food is always the same no matter which location you visit Their prices are always reasonable and they have tempting specials like the never pasta bowl and the unlimited breadsticks soup and salad Olive Garden isn the best
of the best. No one could argue that with a straight face. However, it's a chain that
serves its purpose and serves it well. I actually love Olive Garden, so I won't even have to act at all
There's a lot to like about Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano. Most importantly, the food here is
really, really good. In fact, it's so good you shouldn't be surprised if you find yourself
licking your plate at the end of the meal. In addition to tasty grub, Biaggi's Ristorante
Italiano gets bonus points for having a tremendous selection of options for those looking for
gluten-free food. If you're on a gluten-free diet and you have a hankering for Italian food
go to this restaurant. You won't be sorry. Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano has one major
drawback, though. The service at this chain isn't very good, which leads to some mediocre reviews
If you are planning on visiting this restaurant, be sure to factor in their shaky service when
making your decision. Brio Italian Grill has locations across the country, and while their restaurants are fancy
enough to impress, they're still comfortable places to relax and unwind. While the prices
are on the high side, you can definitely afford to visit on special occasions
Two issues hold Brio Italian Grill back from climbing higher in this ranking. First of all
there's a lack of diversity on their menu. Too much of their food is similar. Other Italian
restaurants offer a wider array of options. Second of all, the serving sizes here can be hit or miss
Sometimes you'll be completely satisfied by the amount of food you get. Other times
you will enjoy the food, but you will wish that there was more of it. The Old Spaghetti Factory isn't exaggerating about its age. This family-owned and family-operated
restaurant chain has been around for more than 50 years, and currently they have more than 40
locations in over a dozen states. When it comes to fun decorations and a family-friendly yet classy
ambiance, this chain delivers. The Old Spaghetti Factory is always a memorable destination
and the food never disappoints. While not at the same level as the food at the restaurants
higher on this list, you'll always leave this eatery with a big grin and full tummy
The Old Spaghetti Factory is known for their three-course meals that feature an entree
bread that has been freshly baked, soup or salad, and a scoop of spumoni
or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Even if you've never tried spumoni before
don't be intimidated and settle for the vanilla ice cream. This is the perfect place to try this
delicious dessert. Romano's Macaroni Grill is truly an elite Italian chain restaurant
Launched in 1988 by the same guy who founded Fuddruckers, this chain now has more than 40
locations in a total of 15 states. This place is basically the opposite of Zio's Italian kitchen
because at Romano's Macaroni Grill, the meat dishes are to die for. Whether you opt for
something with lamb, chicken, seafood, or beef, all the meat options on their menu are marvelous
Their dessert options are also fantastic Despite having the word macaroni in their name the pasta dishes at Romano Macaroni Grill don live up to the high standards set by their meat dishes Their pasta dishes are undoubtedly better than average however they won leave you in a
state of awe like their meat dishes will. Unless you speak Italian, when you see the name of this
restaurant for the first time, you might be unnerved. Buca di Beppo may sound like a place
where a fancy dress or a suit and tie is required, but that's not the case at all
In fact, Bucca di Beppo basically translates to, my buddy's basement. And that translation hints at exactly why you'll love this chain
From the red-checkered tablecloths to the laid-back mood that permeates the restaurant
this is family-style Italian dining at its best. The greatness of Bucca di Beppo begins with the large serving sizes. Your meal starts with free
garlic bread that is better than the free bread you get at any other Italian chain restaurant
From there, the appetizers are big and hearty, and the entrees are larger than you imagine
It's not just the quantity that shines at Buca di Beppo, the quality is also very high
You'll love your meal until the moment the final morsel has disappeared into your mouth
"'How did you learn to eat spaghetti like that?' "'I've been taking lessons.'
Carrabba's Italian Grill is definitely in the running for our top spot
and although they didn't quite win the race, it was a very close call. This place serves outstanding Italian food, the service is impeccable
and the restaurants are both sophisticated and delightful. Unlike destinations like Zio's Italian Kitchen and Romano's Macaroni Grill
there isn't a huge difference between the quality of their meat dishes and pasta dishes
One of Carrabba's Italian Grill's most popular menu items is the Chicken Brian
This majestic dish features chicken that has been wood-grilled and then covered with sun-dried
tomatoes, goat cheese, lemon butter, and basil. On the side, you get a generous amount of pasta
that has been cooked to perfection and topped with a wondrous sauce. It's the best of both worlds
and just one of the many delicious options on the menu at Carrabba's. Maggiano's Little Italy is everything you dream of in an Italian chain restaurant
Whether you're on a date, looking to feed your family, or simply want a yummy escape with friends
this is the place to go. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1991, this chain is known for their
humongous portions, their unique Italy-inspired offerings, and the warm, inviting aura of each
of their restaurants. The presentation of their food is always masterful, and the flavors will
blow your mind, even if you come prepared for greatness. Each mouthful is euphoric
whether you're enjoying an appetizer, a main course, or one of their luscious desserts
When you're looking over the vast menu at Maggiano's Little Italy, you should have complete confidence that anything you decide to order will be delicious
With that level of assuredness, you can let your taste buds be your guide. Just be sure you're hungry when you visit
because you'll want room to savor each and every bite of what you order