Carrabba's Italian Grill

Doesn't Recommend

jasonhottie

Joined 2 years ago

Good Bread, Everything Else WAS BAD!!!!. OVERPRICED, PLAIN FLAVORING, VERY VERY POOR SERVICE, SLOP FOR FOOD!!!!!b I WOULD RATE a BIG 0 if I could!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jason

Cary NC

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

An open kitchen churns out wood-fired pizzas and fresh-made pastas at this casual Sicilian-American chain.. In Short
Decorated with family photos of founders Damian Mandola and Johnny Carrabba, the open dining rooms pack groups of friends and extended families into four- and six-person tables and booths; smaller parties or couples can grab stools at the open kitchen's adjoining bar to watch chefs make dinner. The traditional southern Italian menu offers grill specialties like steak Marsala and fire-roasted chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes; pasta dishes include fettuccine Alfredo and garlic-sauteed shrimp with linguine.

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BonMonster

Joined 5 years ago

In defense to the "Avoid this place" Review. I actually worked at a Carrabbas in NJ. I am one picky eater and i have tried more things at this restaraunt than I ever have in my life. A) The chicken soup- not made with a tomato base. Its chicken stock w/ fresh chicken breast may I add. B) Anywhere you go they season your steak, perhaps the seasoning was a bit too tasty for your husbands liking. C) The skin of a potato is the most nutritonal part and at least you know they aren't fake like most places. As far as service goes, I cannot completely defend it because some servers just s uck. However the extensive training that they put us doesnt gaurentee a great server.

I have worked there for 3 years. I made some great regulars. And I also had some miserable people that were hungry and just wanted to take out their frustrations because their life s ucks. The trick is, if you find a server that is amazing, ask them their name, tip them at least 20%, and ask for them next time. If you take care of them, they WILL take care of you. I always took care of my regulars, an extra beer here, a dessert on me, just something that made their day a little better because they made mine by just coming in. And if you like a server, talk to them, ask them about life, joke with them...we do have personalities ya know.

Carrabba's is probably one of the best restaraunts I have worked in. I absolutely love their food, and to those who says its not real italian, who cares, it taste great to me. Anything off the grill is amazing. And they pretty much try to meet your needs no matter what. I would have to say dont ever be afraid to try something. Because worst case scenerio, we'll make ya something new or send ya home with something delicious. And if you dont like something say parmesan cheese or grill seasoning....SAY IT! This way you dont end up like that other lady hating your food.

Doesn't Recommend

chilangoneria

Joined 7 years ago

TERRIBLE service!!!, good bread though. My wife and I love(d) this place, food used to be great and service "o.k.", but the last experience we had was just awful. Our waiter (Samson) was just dying for the tables around us and pretending we didn't exist, it seemed like he was doing us a huge favor just by looking at us, he was slow, distracted and had that "Homer Simpson" face (and attitude). The shrimp appetizer we ordered was perfect, as usual, and we shared one dinner plate, he didn't ask if we wanted the dish split into two plates or an extra plate, the chicken "Rigatoni Martino" we had was not even O.K. I don't know if they changed the management staff at the Capital Blvd. location but the owners of this restaurant should pay attention to some items in the menu, develop a better training plan, something more "customer satisfaction oriented" and that guy Homer...ooops!, I mean Samson needs to be fired and sent to wait tables at the Golden Corral or at a Chinese Buffet.

Doesn't Recommend

angeliquelove

Joined 6 years ago

Avoid This Place. Parmesan cheese on everything whether you like it or not!

I've been to this restaurant about 5 or 6 times, and I can only remember getting good food once. (The first time that I went). I remained optimistic until this time. They are not consistently good.

My husband took me here again on Friday night (July 28). I was seated facing the kitchen door next to the bar, at the back of the place.

The waitress brought us tea and bread, which turned out to be the highlight of the meal. We ordered the crab cakes appetizer. Finally it came, and they were cold, burnt and undercooked, and they had some kind of tomato/Parmesan sauce with them. Yuck! Immediately after receiving the "crab", the salad and the soup that he ordered arrived. The salad was mostly spines of crappy lettuce, and the dressing was parmesan again. The soup was a tomato chicken soup, and he didn't eat it. So far, only the bread has impressed him. Finally, the entrees came. I got lasagna, he got filet mignon. His steak was smothered in spices that he detested. The broccoli was plain, and didn't have a cheese sauce, and the mashed potatoes still had the skins on. The lasagna was like Chef Boyardee, and the sickening overpowering stench of old parmesan was overpowering. I ended up throwing away the leftovers. Not even my dog would eat it. Everything that we ordered was bad. I woke up sick later that night.

I hate this place, and do not recommend it, unless you like nasty food, I wouldn't waste my time, or my money.

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markrlindsey

Joined 6 years ago

Quick service, good call-ahead seating, friendly water, very good food. My wife and I called ahead on a Wednesday night and were seated immediately. Everything visible was in good shape -- clean and orderly. Our waiter, Konstantine, was quick, helpful, and even humorous.

We got salads; they arrived within a minute or so. The dressing for the Caesar and for the House seemed very similar, but we liked them in both cases. The food arrived quickly, too; we had the Rigatoni Martino. The dish was very good, and hot.

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chichibells

Joined 7 years ago

Tasteless. The first time I'd ever met my future In-laws: they had traveled from PA to visit their son, my fiancee. We went to Carrabba's that night. We liked this place and my husband arranged an "engagement" to me there. Our favorite server is Bess. She is a delight, really down-to-earth and honest type of person. Don't know her personally but she does a really good job at serving and making a dining experience a good one.

Anyways, the night that we went went out to dinner with my future in-laws the front doors of Carrabba's swung open and the hostess (Her name is Nicole) JUMPED on my husband!!!!! Like a monkey, all arms and legs wrapped around him. My husbands' parents were shocked, I was, too. The next time we went there (with my mother and sister) the same girl (Nicole) was working. She almost did the same thing.... my husband ignored her when she shouted out his name. The whole night was uncomfortable as she kept passing our table and making gestures. Carry-out is pretty good and I don't think she works there anymore.

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beselby31

Joined 7 years ago

Never disapointed always good. Very good food and service. I recommend over Olive Garden though a little pricier. Try the cavatappi as an entree, its a little spicy but super delicious!

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uffepeder

Joined 7 years ago

Decent choice. Had reservations for 6 at Apex location. Very clean, but dimly lit facility. Not as wide of a variety of pizzas and pastas as I expected. At least 4 different servers/supervisors came to ask about the quality of the food.

Salads were okay. Chicken marsala was a nice big serving. Everyone in our party left full and satisfied. Would recommend for family dinners.

*Waitresses/servers were definitely being trained the night we came.

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lb79

Joined 7 years ago

Favorite restaurant in Raleigh area. Mmmm. Food is yummy. From the bread to the salads to the main dishes. Love it! Atmosphere is great too. Highly recommend.