We took one for the team and endured 15 Italian chains so you don’t have to.
Some left us questioning if their chefs have ever seen Italy, while others made us want to kiss the cook (or at least their carbonara).
Here’s the saucy breakdown—plus which spots actually deserve your garlic bread loyalty.
1. Olive Garden’s Endless Disappointment
What if I told you those unlimited breadsticks come at a cost? The cost of mediocre pasta swimming in salty, one-dimensional sauces!
Though their famous salad still holds up, most entrées taste like they’ve been sitting under a heat lamp since The Sopranos finale. Skip this garden of culinary sadness.
2. Fazoli’s Fast Food Fiasco
Fast Italian? More like fast disappointment! Fazoli’s attempt at quick-service pasta results in noodles with the texture of wet newspaper and sauces that taste suspiciously like they came from a can.
Their drive-thru breadsticks might be convenient, but convenience can’t mask the flavor of culinary corner-cutting. Save your appetite for somewhere worth the calories!
3. Sbarro’s Mall Mediocrity
Remember when eating Sbarro in the mall food court felt like a treat? Those days are long gone, friends. Their slices now sit under heat lamps for what feels like centuries.
The cheese congeals into a rubbery mess while the crust becomes a sad, floppy disappointment. Unless you’re stranded in an airport with zero options, walk right past this nostalgic trap!
4. Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s Overpriced Underperformance
Ah, the white tablecloth experience that somehow still feels like fast food! Romano’s charges premium prices for dishes that taste suspiciously like they were microwaved minutes before serving.
The complimentary bread with oil dipping might hook you, but the main courses will leave your wallet significantly lighter than your satisfaction level. Consider yourself warned about this culinary con artist!
5. Buca di Beppo’s Quantity Over Quality Catastrophe
Holy meatballs, Batman! The portions at Buca di Beppo are enough to feed a small Italian village, but size isn’t everything in the pasta world.
While the kitschy decor might charm first-timers, the bland sauces and uninspired preparations quickly reveal the truth. You’ll leave with enough leftovers for a week, but not enough flavor to make you want to eat them!
6. Johnny Carino’s Country Italian Confusion
Ever wondered what happens when you cross Texas with Tuscany? Nothing good, as Johnny Carino’s proves with their bizarre “Italian” concoctions.
Their signature jalapeño garlic tilapia might sound innovative, but it’s just confusing. The pasta arrives drowning in oil while their sauces taste like they’ve never met a real Italian grandmother. Don’t waste your time at this identity-crisis establishment!
7. Bertucci’s Brick Oven Blunder
How can a restaurant with actual brick ovens produce such forgettable food? Bertucci’s manages this impossible feat with stunning consistency!
Pasta dishes are lukewarm and underseasoned, while their pizzas come out with charred borders and underdone middle. Although the rolls they offer may be irresistible, they are only a diversion from the disappointment of the main course that lies ahead!
8. Carrabba’s Italian Grill’s Authentic Charm
Finally, pasta worth putting in your mouth! Carrabba’s handmade pasta dishes actually taste like someone’s Italian grandmother is hiding in the kitchen.
The chicken Bryan will make you forget all of your negative Italian chain restaurant experiences, and their wood-fired pizzas come with deliciously scorched crusts. Moreover, their homemade bread dipping oil? Well worth the additional time tomorrow at the gym!
9. Maggiano’s Little Italy’s Big Flavor Victory
Mama mia! Maggiano’s makes pasta that doesn’t just fill your stomach—it fills your soul. Their family-style dining brings the authentic Italian Sunday dinner vibe without sacrificing quality.
The mushroom ravioli al forno arrives bubbling with cheesy perfection, while their famous rigatoni “D” keeps regulars coming back for more. Share the experience with friends and nobody leaves hungry or disappointed!
10. North Italia’s Fresh Take On Tradition
Where has North Italia been all our pasta-loving lives? This modern chain puts quality ingredients front and center, with handmade pasta that actually tastes… handmade!
They have a slow-simmered depth in their Bolognese that is uncommon in franchise restaurants. Even if it costs a little more than some of its rivals, the flavor and freshness make up for it. If you’re feeling brave, don’t pass up their squid ink spaghetti!
11. Brio Italian Grille’s Upscale Excellence
Holy cannoli! Brio manages to feel fancy without the pretentiousness that often accompanies upscale dining. Their pasta dishes arrive perfectly al dente—a miracle in chain restaurant territory!
The lobster and shrimp fettuccine tastes like it should cost twice its price, while the carpaccio appetizer transports you straight to Milan. Treat yourself to their tiramisu for a finale that will have you planning your next visit!
12. Il Fornaio’s Regional Italian Revelation
Would you believe a chain restaurant could transport you across different Italian regions without leaving your city? Il Fornaio accomplishes this culinary magic trick!
Their rotating regional menus showcase Italy’s diverse culinary landscape, from Sicilian seafood to Northern Italian risottos. The bread basket alone—filled with fresh-baked focaccia and grissini—is worth the trip. Splurge on their seasonal specials for the full experience!
13. Seasons 52’s Mediterranean-Italian Masterpiece
Can healthy Italian food actually taste good? At Seasons 52, the answer is a resounding yes! Their seasonally-inspired menu features Italian classics with a lighter touch that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
The wood-grilled scallops with lemon risotto deliver pure satisfaction without the food coma. Plus, their mini dessert portions mean you can indulge without regret. Your waistline and taste buds will both thank you for this choice!
14. Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano’s Suburban Surprise
Located in suburban strip malls across America, Biaggi’s doesn’t look promising from the outside. But step inside and prepare for your expectations to be deliciously shattered!
The noodles in their pasta meals are prepared in-house, and the sauces taste like they were cooked slowly with affection. The appetizer of zucchini fritti makes people instantly addicted, and their tiramisu is on par with those from many nicer restaurants. Don’t judge this pasta book by its strip mall cover!
15. Piada Italian Street Food’s Fast-Casual Revolution
Fast Italian food that doesn’t suck? Piada proves it’s possible with their innovative approach to street-inspired cuisine!
Their signature piadas—Italian flatbread wraps filled with pasta, greens, and proteins—redefine quick Italian dining. The pasta bowls feature perfectly cooked noodles with bright, fresh sauces. Grab their Italian street corn as a side and thank us later for this game-changing recommendation!