Top 11+ Italian chain restaurants, ranked worst to best
10. The Old Spaghetti Factory
The Old Spaghetti Factory prides itself on being a family-friendly establishment with roots dating back to 1969. The flagship restaurant opened in Portland, Oregon, and to accompany the restaurant, the owners did what any astute restaurateurs would do: they bought an old trolley car, left it in a field, and let people eat inside of it. What spaghetti has to do with trolley cars is beyond my scope of understanding, but at least it fits with the old-timey theme. The infamous trolley remains a fixture in modern restaurants, which often feature a fake trolley car indoors, where diners can enjoy their meal in a strange, claustrophobic atmosphere. Today, Old Spaghetti Factory restaurants are often found in historic buildings, upsetting townsfolk when a piece of history is converted into a gimmicky restaurant that should go back to the 1960s where it belongs.
The Old Spaghetti Factory lives up to its name with archaic decor and past-its-prime-tasting food. The chain is still decked out with '60s and '70s memorabilia, albeit lacking any charm and instead giving the restaurant a sad, outdated vibe. As for the food, portions are shockingly small, although every meal is three courses. Sauces are allegedly made in-house, but they tend to be bland and have a from-a-can taste. The restaurant is famous for its Greek-style mizithra browned butter spaghetti, which is probably the only dish on its menu that isn't depressing. Just steer clear of the clam sauce — trust me.
3. Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
Biaggi's is a popular choice for chain Italian-American fare in the Midwest served in a grandiose, somewhat elevated setting that doesn't lean into its Italian-ness whatsoever. The ambiance at Biaggi's Ristorante actually leans more corporate, which might appeal to those looking for an inoffensive spot for a business lunch, but might make diners feel a little uncomfortable while trying to cozy up on a date.
Despite its lackluster atmosphere, Biaggi's is known for its elevated chain fare and wide selection of typical Italian-style offerings among some bolder options. The wine and cocktail selection is surprisingly extensive, and there are plenty of gluten-free options to better serve those with dietary restrictions.
While Biaggi's pizza usually falls flat with customers, nearly everything else on the menu is a slam dunk. Appetizers fall far outside the standard fried fare from chain establishments with options like bacon-wrapped dates and lump crab cakes with honey orange coleslaw and red pepper aioli. Lobster and corn chowder makes for a flavorful, comforting appetizer, despite it being far from Italian-inspired. Shrimp and crab-stuffed cannelloni is a favorite among loyal fans of the chain, as well as braised short rib ravioli. Finish it off with a sweet cocktail and one of many fresh desserts, like banana cream tiramisu or white chocolate bread pudding, to put the metaphorical cherry on top of an epic meal.
2. Johnny Carino's
The ambiance in Johnny Carino's restaurants definitely screams "chain," but based on the food alone, you might assume that you were sitting in a genuine Italian, family-owned ristorante. Johnny Carino's has roughly 30 locations throughout much of the contiguous U.S., from Oregon to Tennessee, although back in 2006, the chain boasted an impressive 173 locations across 30 states. Despite its closures and diminished popularity, Johnny Carino's still maintains a generally positive reputation for serving happy customers with authentic Italian-American fare in an elevated but casual environment, all for a modest price.
Like any Italian chain, expect complimentary bread at Johnny Carino's. Its fresh, toasty loaves blow Olive Garden's and Fazoli's famous breadsticks out of the water, and garlic-infused butter for dipping takes it to the next level. Italian nachos with pasta chips and skillets that somehow successfully merge spaghetti and meatballs with fajitas infuse Italian cuisine with the famous food of the American Southwest; an unlikely pairing that makes Johnny Carino's unique among plenty of standard Italian restaurant chains. There are plenty of traditional American offerings — like burgers and, oddly enough, smoked spare ribs — to please those who shy away from Italian pasta and pizza, and everything is made with the care and expertise of any mom-and-pop spot. Portions are known to be huge here, and prices tend to reflect that, so if you have a meager appetite, prepare to take leftovers home.
