I recently visited Maggianos, an all-day Italian-American casual dining restaurant known for its generous portions that can easily satisfy a family-sized appetite! It felt like stepping into a time machine, as I learned that the founders aimed to recreate the charm of pre-World War II dinner houses, known for their hearty food, friendly vibes, and a holiday-like cheer. The restaurant is named after Marvin, the late partner of founder Rich Melman of 'Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises'.
If you're curious about this place and are considering paying a visit, just head to their website. All the info you'd need is at your fingertips: https://www.maggianos.com/
Can I Find a Maggianos Near Me?
Originally gracing the streets of Chicago since 1991, Maggianos has expanded to boast 54 locations spread over 22 states and the District of Columbia. Use their restaurant finder on their website to discover a local branch. You can hop to the restaurant locator by simply typing in your state or ZIP code - voila! Details about opening times, contact numbers, online ordering, and online reservations for all nearby branches will be displayed.
The first thing that hits you about Maggianos is their staggering variety of food offered. It was a struggle trying to choose between Calamari Fritte, Margherita Flatbread, and Three Cheese Fondue! Unable to make up my mind, I went for the Bombalina, a smorgasbord of the Chef's four favorite appetizers. The mains offered everything from salads, sandwiches, a range of seafood and chicken dishes, and some really tempting pasta dishes.
For die-hard meat lovers, there's a separate dinner menu with a lot more to choose from. I had to loosen my belt a bit after a behemoth 16oz bone-in ribeye steak, and those beef tenderloin medallions just hit all the right notes!
Of course, being a sweet-tooth, I just couldn't resist trying their range of desserts. They even had a menu of mini desserts in personal portions, for those who like a little bit of everything. Breathing heavily, I dug into the Tiramisu and relished each bite as it melted in my mouth.
If you're dining in a group of four or more, I'd recommend the Family Style dinners. It was a fun way to share different flavor experiences with my friends. Don't hesitate to ask your server for their recommendations, they provide some great insights.
What if Kids Are in Tow?
Kids and Italian food are a match made in heaven. My youngest sunk his teeth into a Cheese Flatbread Pizza, while the older one devoured Spaghetti with a rather large meatball, much to our amusement. No complaints from either of them - a win in my book!
Kid meals come with either lemon cookies or vanilla ice cream and they can also add a cup of soup or a side salad for a small extra charge.
Pros
- Generous portions
- Huge menu with a wide variety of choices
- Great atmosphere for families
- Child-friendly options
- Excellent service
Cons
- Can be overcrowded during peak hours
- Some dishes can be a bit too savory for certain preferences
- Not many vegan options
All in all, Maggianos truly delivers on the hospitality front, making sure you're comfortable while you're there and full when you leave. Just remember one thing: don't forget to save room for dessert!