Benvenuto’s Italian Grill
2949 Triverton Pike Dr, Fitchburg, WI, 53711
Benvenuto’s Italian Grill Menu
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Address :
2949 Triverton Pike Dr
Fitchburg, WI, 53711 - Phone (608) 278-7800
- Website https://benvenutos.com/locations/fitchburg
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Jae M.
Our first impression of their service wasn't too stellar. We had no utensils and appetizers were placed on the table....and the servers didn't seem to notice until we asked! Oh well. The rest of the night was pleasant. We ordered scalloped stuffed mushrooms (White mushroom caps stuffed with fresh scallops and garlic, then wrapped in bacon and topped with a baked parmesan crust). It was hands down our favorite part of the whole meal. Too bad they only give you three! Love that their focaccia bread was all warm and sliced into bitesize pieces. TIP: Skip the olive oil that they hand you for the bread. Dip it in the garlic sauce the stuffed mushrooms came with. With a squeeze of lemon? HEAVEN! We also ordered the pasta trio (fettucine alfredo, chicken parmigiana, and beef lasagna...and a meatball for $2) and the steak gorgonzola (Fettuccine with fresh spinach and a gorgonzola alfredo sauce, toped with grilled beef medallions and drizzled with a balsamic glaze). The pasta trio was humongous. Bf said it tasted decent, the meatball was too salty though. The steak gorgonzola was also a big portion. it was too creamy and rich for my liking, especially after stuffing my face with the appetizers, but it didn't taste too bad when I brought it to work the next day. Overall a good and belly-bulging night. Definitely wanna come back and try their french dip sandwich. Apparently they use the previous weekend's prime rib and soak it in au jus for a week before serving it as their sandwich. *drools*
(4)Judy D.
I ordered veal and it was so salty I was unable to eat it. They offered to replace it but I said I would just eat the pasta but it was so average I did not eat that either. I then ordered Cannoli for dessert. It was so hard I could barely get my knife through it, so sent that back. Basically returned my whole meal but no one of authority came over to discuss this with me. Poor server who had to serve the stuff! At least she took it off my bill as I would have refused to pay for it anyway. I will not return.
(1)Yang J.
Took friends and family there on 3/1 for a dinner. Service was good, but the food was really disappointing. Steak was not very tender or juicy, penny was slightly better than frozen ones from the grocery store. Bread was sub-par and the olive oil was not served with the bread immediately. Okay, the price tag is low which I got it, but please improve the food, service is good and I do give good tips. But let me make my point, restaurant was supposed to deliver taste at a top priority.
(2)Chazz B.
Generic Italian chain. Lasagna is meh, ravioli was probably frozen. If you are forced to go here by your god damn pleb friends, order the cajun pasta. The bread is pretty good too.
(2)Chy L.
This is the epitome of a chain restaurant and the food reflects that. Ordered the onion rings ($7.99), chicken fingers ($9.99), pasta trio ($18.99), and 12 oz ribeye ($20.59). The onion rings could have stand to stay in the fryer longer, we couldn't get a bite in without the batter slipping of the soggy and mushy onions. The chicken fingers could have followed the same technique. They offered sauces of ranch, honey mustard, or buffalo and we went with the buffalo sauce. I didn't realize they would be serving up Frank's RedHot in its watery form... I guess it works? The bread basket, minestrone and tomato bisque soup that came with our entrees was the highlight of the meal. The bisque was absolutely delicious, a creamy comfort to a cold winter night. The minestrone had hearty chucks of ingredients in a savory broth. The pasta trio arrived with unremarkable Alfredo fettuccine, a flat piece of chicken parmesan with little sauce, and a small ramekin of dry lasagna. At least at Olive Garden, they try to dress it up a bit by offering cracked black pepper and grated parmesan cheese with your overpriced noodles. The worst was the ribeye. By the time my partner got done cutting through the edible pieces, he had about 8 oz of fat and gristle left on his plate. He chose fries as a size and it was as much of a disappointment as the meal; a child's portion of dry, stake cut fries. I guess ours or fault for not ordering what they are known for... oh wait that's nothing. I will say the servers are incredibly nice and try really hard.
(2)Dave K.
Great service. Bartenders are friendly and the place feels like Cheers to me. Great family restaurant too. We have three kids and they all have their favorites on the menu. When we talk about going to a restaurant, they always vote for Bene's, even though I (sometimes) wish they would pick somewhere else for variety. I can't, and wouldn't, say a single negative thing about this place.
(5)Jonathan V.
Ordered veal parmigiana and the veal cutlet was like a piece of leather. Everyone from the bar was using the outdoor seating area as a place to smoke cigarettes. The waitress even took a long time to refill the water. I would not come back here.
(1)Jeff L.
What can I see, it's your typical Italian chain. I've been here 10 times or so and never been disappointed. Prices are fair, service is always good. Huge menu selection with large proportions. You're not going to be wowed but you will not leave disappointed or Hungry.
(3)Nikooooooo C.
All the people here are super nice. I really enjoy to have meal here. The price is also really reasonable. Every dollar you spent here worth more then it. I would like to go there with my friends next time.
(5)Larry G.
We recently watched all the Wisconsin March Madness games at the Benvenuto's. While the TV's are a bit small (ok, this isn't a sports bar), the food is always good. We enjoy the pizzas they have here...it's probably the best you can get in Fitchburg. The bar staff is always friendly and the tall beers are a good price!
(5)Kassie H.
Love this place. Awesome customer service and very affordable. Our server Cody went above and beyond. They all write their name for you before they serve you to give you a phenomenal experience with your sever. You also get bread with a delightful olive oil dipping sauce before your meal for free. I highly suggest you go here!
(5)Nathan F.
Been in the service industry myself as a server for two years, with that being said our server's presentation (Cody) was flawless. His professional demeanor and attentiveness was so refreshing and something you don't get very often these days. Very good meal from the beginning with our Caesar Salads to the end with Peanut Butter pie my girlfriend and I split, which is too good to pass up! Thank you server, and hosts for your smiling faces and friendliness.
(5)Ana B.
Service was really mediocre. Ten minutes to get water and lemonade. Another ten minutes to order. Had the stuffed mushrooms which I was super excited about but they came out raw and cold. Each mushroom was the size of my fist so I knew it would take a minimum of 20 minutes to cook that dish in the oven. We received them after we had finished our soup and entrees ( more on that later) and they were very good. The soup special was a sausage and kale and I enjoyed it very much, shame it isn't on the menu because I would go back for that alone. My entree was disappointing. Had the penne pasta with portobellos and balsamic butter. The pasta was drowned in balsamic and after five bites I just couldn't stand the acidity any longer. I had it wrapped so I could take it home and finish it with a touch of cream. That did make the flavor softer and more enjoyable. I forgot to mention that my mushrooms and artichoke heart were also not cooked thoroughly and at one point I had an ice cold artichoke that I couldn't even bite through. The one bright spot was my friend's truffle mac and cheese. Divine! I will not be returning to this location but will try the Middleton location and order the Mac and cheese for myself.
(2)Kira W.
I will give this place 3 stars for their bread as well as their lunch service, it was friendly and attentive. My mother and I ate here, she said she liked it. She had a pasta dish, and I had the unlimited soup and salad, zuppa and Caesar salad. The soup was good, but extremely meaty, with bacon. I don't prefer bacon so I ate the broth. It was still tasty and if you like soup, but the Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden is much better (sorry, sad truth). If you get salad, ask for the dressing on the side, which is what I usually do, or it will be drowning. Also, definitely try the bread, it's warm and quite delicious. Finally, we shared the salted caramel cheesecake. The cheesecake was probably a B. I'd eat it again. I wouldn't eat here for dinner and I wouldn't choose to eat here again, it seems pricey for what I had, but I would eat lunch here again with my mom if she wanted to eat here.
(3)M S.
We are always satisfied here. Good prices on beer. Tasty food in big portions. I don't think any dish I've had was particularly memorable - kinda typical mass-market Italian, but it never disappoints.
(4)Onotse I.
I'm almost embarrassed to write this review because I really enjoy this place and the other reviewers do not seem to feel the same way. Regardless however the man and I go to Benvenuto's quite often for lunch and dinner and we both love it. The entrees are served with bread with olive oil and Parmesan cheese flakes that we love! They also come with a soup or salad option as well. We always sit at the bar and though the bartenders are never particularly rude they also are not overly friendly. Despite that though I enjoy coming to this place and have many favorite dishes. The man orders the baked spaghetti and meat balls; that's actually the only thing he orders because he loves it so much. I'm not sure what my favorite dish is there but I've ordered pasta with a red creamy sauce with chicken and sausage that I love. I have also ordered their pizza and have loved that also. All in all, I love this place and always look forward to going back.
(4)Elizabeth R.
Wow, so I was not expecting to like Benvenuto's as much as I did. It has a reputation for being overpriced and stuffy. I could not disagree more! The atmosphere is friendly yet private. The restaurant has cute alcoves with booths that allow to have a private dinner with your significant other. At the same time, it is bright and clean inside. My husband and I went in there for a couple of drinks and appetizers. Their Artichoke and Spinach dip is amazing. Wow. It is served with Focaccia bread. It is just delicious. Their regular prices are great but if you go during happy hour, appetizers are half off. The service was great and I can not wait to go again. So why not a 5 star rating? The parking lot is so cramped that it is difficult to maneuver. The bar area is a bit tight. I appreciate that they left room for a patio and a spacious dining room but I feel like the bar could be a tad bigger.
(4)Diana K.
Was at the Middleton location half price apps good thing because if I would have paid full priced I would have had a FIT!!!!! 1/2 priced wine YEAH!!!! that was the only thing. Left with gut rot!!!!!
(1)Elizabeth G.
I'd heard good things about Benvenuto's, and when we walked in, the place was gorgeous... Wonderful ambiance, great decor with lots to look around at. There was one small problem: the food. I had one of the dinner specials, a pasta dish in the carbonara family with bacon and peas. For the calorie load I was taking on, I expected my pasta to be a mountain of creamy goodness, but instead it was just swimming in oil. My dining companion had the shrimp tetrazzini, which was predictably rather bland and creamy. Here's what I look for in an Italian restaurant: fresh ingredients, unusual combinations, maybe even some homemade pasta. The menu at Benvenuto's made it look like this type of place, but for me it didn't deliver. If you're someone who likes the Italian-American classics (fettuccine alfredo, veal parmigiana), then this place is probably fine for that, but honestly I think Olive Garden does it better. Sorry, Benvenuto's.
(2)Steve L.
We were in the mood for something Italian tonight, so we headed over to Benvenuto's. I'd been to this location for a rehearsal dinner and thought it was decent, so I talked my better half into giving Benvenuto's a try (she wanted Thai). We arrived at around 6:00pm on a Saturday night and were immediately seated. The dining area is beautiful and nicely decorated. Booths are large and roomy. So far, so good. Waitress introduced herself, and promptly brought us our drinks. I had Spotted Cow (as usual), she had an Italian Red. Waters were also brought out, which is always a welcomed touch. The Spotted Cow at Benvenuto's seems to taste better than any I've had elsewhere. Not sure why, but it has an extra fresh, extra clean taste. And that's about where the greatness ended. I ordered chicken noodle soup; she ordered a house salad. The soup had an overwhelmingly strong oregano/rosemary flavor - it was all I could taste. I'm a fan of rosemary, but wow. Her salad was good; the ranch dressing was light if not watery. Entrees consisted of seared Ahi Tuna (ordered rare) and Penne Classico with prosciutto, chicken, and shrimp. The Tuna arrived well done - not a hint of pink in it anywhere. It was covered in a "cajun rub" that destroyed the flavor (well, that and the overcooking) of the tuna. The filet looked to be of the frozen Sysco type - nothing like I had imagined. Her pasta was bland, bland, bland. Absolutely zero flavor. Just a gooey mess of white sauce over noodles with some flavorless prosciutto, some boiled and tasteless chicken, and some shrimp that were obviously frozen and pre-cooked. Ugh. Just awful. The service was great. The beer fantastic. Everything else - 1 star or less. Sorry, Benvenuto's, but we absolutely will not return. And, it was expensive - a soda is $2.59... our bill came to $42. No thanks. Service: 4.5 stars Beer/wine: 5 stars Food: 0 stars Price/value: 0 stars Sorry.
(1)Lori B.
Very disappointing. It's a basic Italian-American restaurant so we ordered basic food - their trio dish - lasagna, chx parm and fettuccine Alfredo. Chicken was overcooked and then slathered with so-so sauce and cheese. Lasagna was really bad and the fettuccine wasn't worth a second bite. If you can't make these basic dishes, close up shop.
(1)Jason A.
I jumped on Yelp to look up the hours for Benvenuto's and was very surprised by the many bad reviews. My wife and I regularly eat at Benvenuto's in Fitchburg because I find the food to be good, prices reasonable, and service perfectly fine. Benvenuto's doesn't try to be something it's not. I don't believe their goal is to be fine Italian dining, but rather a restaurant that has a variety of Italian meals, with a mix of American options for those looking for something different. I've tried a variety of items at Benvenuto's, including Burgers (large and good), Angry Chicken Pasta (great), Pizza (very good), chicken parm (standard fare), etc...we also enjoy their fresh bread and olive oil which is served before your meal. Service has always been perfectly fine. Glasses always full, food served quick, pleasant servers, etc. We've had one entree that wasn't what we expected. It was the bruschetta chicken and unfortunately it had way to much garlic. We told the server and they quickly brought out a new plate that tasted so much better. Last night we went for New Year's Eve dinner. We have an 18 month old, so we're kind of limited on our options. This place is great as we can get in and out quickly. We had two great surprises. Monday night Kid's Eat Free. So our daughter's meal was free. Secondly, Monday and Tuesday are half-price bottles of wine...another win for us! Anyway, don't go to Benvenuto's expecting fine Italian Dining. There are plenty of great places in Madison for that. Instead, go to Benvenuto's for good service, a variety of food, and reasonable prices. Lastly, for a place that gets such bad reviews, I'm surprised by how busy this very large restaurant gets. Be prepared for a wait if you get there during prime time on a Friday or Saturday evening.
(4)Reena D.
Oh such a disappointment. I ordered the parmesean crusted salmon but they got my order wrong. I ended up with grilled salmon which was very salty. The salad was very crisp & fresh. The next day I ordered the vegetable flatbread. Oh it was horrible. I only ordered from here as it was close to the location I was staying at. I was just pretty disappointed. The only thing I liked here were the cheese sticks.
(1)Laura Kate S.
The Beaver Dam Benvenuto's - the original location - is wonderful. This one is a bit so-so (much like the Northside location). My food was alright: lobster ravioli. Nothing amazing, but tasty enough. The rest of my party (4 others) all had nice meals, but none of us were amazed. Desserts were lackluster. Service was very good, but the tables are overly large and it's really dark. I had trouble reading the menu. A decent meal out with the family.
(3)Robert W.
Benvenuto's is exactly what I would expect for a Wisconsin Italian food chain. While perhaps not authentic, it's reliable, reasonably priced, and has always had excellent service. The wife is a big fan of their tomato basil bisque (which really is very good), and I usually rotate through the chicken or eggplant parmigiana, chicken tetrazzini, or some variation of the manicotti. I'm told the pizza is also quite good, though I've never tried it myself. Oh, and their artichoke dip is worth trying as well.
(4)Jenny L.
I really liked my meal here. We stopped for lunch and had sandwiches and salads. The bread they bring is good, as was the rest of the food. Nice atmosphere.
(4)Summer D.
If you have to order a buffalo chicken wrap at an "Italian Grill," there's something amiss. We ate here because everything nearby was closed, and it was a total waste of time and money. All the pastas are clearly from the same three pots, and the menu was too long for anything to be really great. The restaurant is huge but there was only one other party there. The server was rude and deliberately slow - even turned away pointedly when we waved him over to ask for more napkins. The portions were ok but the food was bland and overpriced.
(2)Brady K.
It was my dad's 70th birthday weekend in January. I flew into town to celebrate with our family. My parents don't eat out much, but my mom wanted to plan something grand for my dad's special day and chose Benvenuto. She met with an employee of BV before the big day and spelled out her requests of how she'd like to decorate. The restaurant seemed ready to accommodate. Unfortunately when we arrived at 4:30, to prep for the party at 5, a baby shower was still in our private back room. They were to have left by 4 but the best excuse we got from the manager was "It's impossible to get a room of 25 ladies to leave." Uhhh, not our problem. But it was - because when no one asked them to leave I ultimately had to speak with their group and politely let them know about our party at 5. The room was a mess. There was cake on the floor and the room was in shambles. By 4:45 they began to clean up. All of the careful thought and planning my mom had discussed with BV was forgotten because it was never written down, and her original contact was not there that night. In all, the room was clean and decorated by 5:30. We had to detain my dad's friends in the entrance while my mom frantically set things up. She was stressed, my dad was stressed, and it really showed how little this place cared. When my sister asked an employee to vacuum he rolled his eyes at her and said, "Whatever you'd like." The rest of the night went better and to be fair the food was delicious and everyone had a good time. Our server Michelle was incredibly sweet and nice to us. She didn't even know about the party but seriously saved the day and improved my mom's mood. BV also comp'd two x-large pizza appetizers, which was a nice gesture we appreciated. But 5 stars goes to Michelle, 4 stars for the food and negative 20 for the stress they gave my family that night.
(2)Christine D.
We live right down the street, and had never visited until recently - but now we are regulars! The beer specials are great. The service is normally awesome. The soups are ridiculously good, we scout out when the soup is going to be Philly Cheesesteak and go then. My husband always gets the Pasta Trio and adds a meatball (GIANT!) and I normally get the Chicken Parm or a Calzone. The things I have noticed that are not my favorite are that some of the servers are real stinkers - but most of them are awesome! The Chicken Parm can be kind of dry (pasta wise) and the time spent there can be very varied. Sometimes we feel a bit sped through, and other times everything takes a very long time. You never really know! Overall we love this place and plan on visiting frequently. We always fill out the survey that comes with the receipt a lot of times.
(4)Ryan B.
The first time or two that I came here I thought it was great. But in the past year or more, I haven't had one good experience. The food has only been of moderate quality, yet the prices are that of a higher level restaurant. And the service has been horrendous. The last time I was there, our server, after barely attending to us when we were his only table, up and left near the end of our meal. We watched him walk right out the door and drive away without saying anything to us. After about 10 minutes, I grabbed my coat and was ready to walk out. Then the manager finally came over with our bill. It wasn't until after I paid and we were leaving did she tell us that she sent him to their other location. To abandon your tables without even explaining anything to them is absurd. For management to condone it is even worse. Maybe they don't understand that they need customers to stay in business. Whatever the case, I won't be wasting my time or money here again.
(2)Amy B.
So I basically come here because of its close proximity to my parent's house, not because I love the food or ever crave anything from here. The space is really huge, probably way bigger than necessary because I've never seen it that full, although there is a separate room with a large bar that is pretty nice. The food is all extremely generic, in no way anything like "authentic" Italian. I would never call anything I've had on the menu "original", in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the entire menu's meals were frozen in boxes in the freezer. If you are hungry and nearby with picky eaters, go here, there are a lot of options, it is reasonably priced, pretty fast, and as mentioned earlier, generic, so it gets the job done, but without much enjoyment.
(2)Ben M.
Went here twice last week with clients. I was very impressed. Had a great salad one day and one of the best pieces of salmon I have ever eaten...and it was extremely affordable and I was very impressed Service was great too. To all of the reviewers that complain that it is not authentic Italian...please remember where you are. The Italian population in WI is like 2 percent
(5)Colin U.
I have been here a few times and I think it is pretty good, it isn't amazing or anything. It is almost like an expensive Olive Garden but a little more classy. They have a cool way of waitering though the waiters and waitresses write their names upside down (upright) to the customers and its great. Anyways, not really the greatest place in town but definitely a nice getaway.
(3)Chris C.
Pasta was good. Steak was nothing special. I can make better. Not my favorite place but I'll come back.
(3)Miguel S.
Very good restaurant. Excellent service',!!!!very good food,,nice environment , I'd recommend it
(4)Heather T.
Considering all the rave reviews I'd heard about Benvenuto's, I was pleased when my ex-boyfriend wanted to take me out to dinner there. Mmm, Italian, right? Nahhh. Not so much. It was like a slightly souped up version of the Olive Garden. The food wasn't bad, but it was truly unimpressive. I got something that should've made my head explode with deliciousness (because, honestly, what's not to love about sausages, peppers and pasta with spicy tomato sauce?), but instead I was left feeling quite "Meh" about the whole thing. Plus, the place was noisy and lacked any inkling of ambiance. If you want a good Italian chain, go to Biaggi's. If you want good Italian, PERIOD, go to Lombardino's.
(2)Mary O.
The best thing I can say about this place is some of the decor is nice. I say some because for the price I shouldn't have to eat on a paper table cloth. The drink menu was terribly out dated but their food menu looked delicious. I ordered the shrimp capallini and my bff ordered the seafood primavera. The food was out within 10 minutes of ordering which made us immediately think the food wasn't fresh. The shrimp in both of our dishes were slightly rubbery and tasteless. The crab in my bff's dinner was intolerably fishy and her veggies were not even close to being cooked! The waitress was rude and seemed bothered by any requests! Don't waste your money on this place!
(1)Diana H.
Surprisingly nice decor and ambiance for the price. Good drinks. This place is less expensive than I would expect although the service is pretty amateur. The wine list is very limited. I don't know if they have a corkage, but it's probably not too high, so if you have your heart set on something, bring it in. They have a selection of options so if you're looking for wine, there are some chiantis, zins and pinots on the menu to choose from. I had the meat lasagna. It came in an individual dish with a nice melt of cheese on the top. The problem was, the bottom was all noodles, then the meat and sauce, then the cheese. It wasn't really layered. My kids ordered off the children's menu - one got the spaghetti with a meatball added, the other had fettuccine alfredo. Both were reported to be good. DH had baked spaghetti with a sausage link. The sausage link didn't show up until he flagged the waitress down, asked for it and then waited a bit. I would go back, but not if I wanted a fancy dinner.
(4)Jae M.
Our first impression of their service wasn't too stellar. We had no utensils and appetizers were placed on the table....and the servers didn't seem to notice until we asked! Oh well. The rest of the night was pleasant. We ordered scalloped stuffed mushrooms (White mushroom caps stuffed with fresh scallops and garlic, then wrapped in bacon and topped with a baked parmesan crust). It was hands down our favorite part of the whole meal. Too bad they only give you three! Love that their focaccia bread was all warm and sliced into bitesize pieces. TIP: Skip the olive oil that they hand you for the bread. Dip it in the garlic sauce the stuffed mushrooms came with. With a squeeze of lemon? HEAVEN! We also ordered the pasta trio (fettucine alfredo, chicken parmigiana, and beef lasagna...and a meatball for $2) and the steak gorgonzola (Fettuccine with fresh spinach and a gorgonzola alfredo sauce, toped with grilled beef medallions and drizzled with a balsamic glaze). The pasta trio was humongous. Bf said it tasted decent, the meatball was too salty though. The steak gorgonzola was also a big portion. it was too creamy and rich for my liking, especially after stuffing my face with the appetizers, but it didn't taste too bad when I brought it to work the next day. Overall a good and belly-bulging night. Definitely wanna come back and try their french dip sandwich. Apparently they use the previous weekend's prime rib and soak it in au jus for a week before serving it as their sandwich. *drools*
(4)Judy D.
I ordered veal and it was so salty I was unable to eat it. They offered to replace it but I said I would just eat the pasta but it was so average I did not eat that either. I then ordered Cannoli for dessert. It was so hard I could barely get my knife through it, so sent that back. Basically returned my whole meal but no one of authority came over to discuss this with me. Poor server who had to serve the stuff! At least she took it off my bill as I would have refused to pay for it anyway. I will not return.
(1)Onotse I.
I'm almost embarrassed to write this review because I really enjoy this place and the other reviewers do not seem to feel the same way. Regardless however the man and I go to Benvenuto's quite often for lunch and dinner and we both love it. The entrees are served with bread with olive oil and Parmesan cheese flakes that we love! They also come with a soup or salad option as well. We always sit at the bar and though the bartenders are never particularly rude they also are not overly friendly. Despite that though I enjoy coming to this place and have many favorite dishes. The man orders the baked spaghetti and meat balls; that's actually the only thing he orders because he loves it so much. I'm not sure what my favorite dish is there but I've ordered pasta with a red creamy sauce with chicken and sausage that I love. I have also ordered their pizza and have loved that also. All in all, I love this place and always look forward to going back.
(4)Summer D.
If you have to order a buffalo chicken wrap at an "Italian Grill," there's something amiss. We ate here because everything nearby was closed, and it was a total waste of time and money. All the pastas are clearly from the same three pots, and the menu was too long for anything to be really great. The restaurant is huge but there was only one other party there. The server was rude and deliberately slow - even turned away pointedly when we waved him over to ask for more napkins. The portions were ok but the food was bland and overpriced.
(2)Ben M.
Went here twice last week with clients. I was very impressed. Had a great salad one day and one of the best pieces of salmon I have ever eaten...and it was extremely affordable and I was very impressed Service was great too. To all of the reviewers that complain that it is not authentic Italian...please remember where you are. The Italian population in WI is like 2 percent
(5)Colin U.
I have been here a few times and I think it is pretty good, it isn't amazing or anything. It is almost like an expensive Olive Garden but a little more classy. They have a cool way of waitering though the waiters and waitresses write their names upside down (upright) to the customers and its great. Anyways, not really the greatest place in town but definitely a nice getaway.
(3)Chris C.
Pasta was good. Steak was nothing special. I can make better. Not my favorite place but I'll come back.
(3)Miguel S.
Very good restaurant. Excellent service',!!!!very good food,,nice environment , I'd recommend it
(4)Heather T.
Considering all the rave reviews I'd heard about Benvenuto's, I was pleased when my ex-boyfriend wanted to take me out to dinner there. Mmm, Italian, right? Nahhh. Not so much. It was like a slightly souped up version of the Olive Garden. The food wasn't bad, but it was truly unimpressive. I got something that should've made my head explode with deliciousness (because, honestly, what's not to love about sausages, peppers and pasta with spicy tomato sauce?), but instead I was left feeling quite "Meh" about the whole thing. Plus, the place was noisy and lacked any inkling of ambiance. If you want a good Italian chain, go to Biaggi's. If you want good Italian, PERIOD, go to Lombardino's.
(2)Mary O.
The best thing I can say about this place is some of the decor is nice. I say some because for the price I shouldn't have to eat on a paper table cloth. The drink menu was terribly out dated but their food menu looked delicious. I ordered the shrimp capallini and my bff ordered the seafood primavera. The food was out within 10 minutes of ordering which made us immediately think the food wasn't fresh. The shrimp in both of our dishes were slightly rubbery and tasteless. The crab in my bff's dinner was intolerably fishy and her veggies were not even close to being cooked! The waitress was rude and seemed bothered by any requests! Don't waste your money on this place!
(1)Chazz B.
Generic Italian chain. Lasagna is meh, ravioli was probably frozen. If you are forced to go here by your god damn pleb friends, order the cajun pasta. The bread is pretty good too.
(2)Sarajane L.
Just stopped in for drinks and snacks after kickball and volleyball on a Sunday afternoon. Beautiful interior, very quiet, nice tap list, a quietly efficient and polite bartender, and tasty apps, all good. Nice way to wind down the weekend.
(4)Larry G.
We recently watched all the Wisconsin March Madness games at the Benvenuto's. While the TV's are a bit small (ok, this isn't a sports bar), the food is always good. We enjoy the pizzas they have here...it's probably the best you can get in Fitchburg. The bar staff is always friendly and the tall beers are a good price!
(5)Kyara M.
I am really in the middle when it comes to rating Benvenuto's. They have great drinks but the food lacks authenticity and flavor. My last visit here, I ordered their Truffle Mac N Cheese and had grilled chicken added. Maybe it was my fault for not reading the menu as well as I should have but my Mac N Cheese had these gigantic size chunks of feta cheese in there. At first, I thought it was chicken until I but into it then realizing it was feta. To me, this was the death of the entree. I would be OK with a few pieces but it was as if the cheese would not stop showing up in them meal. Feta overkill to the max! Honestly, I am not sure why they have feta in the dish to begin with. It completely overtook the the taste of any other ingredient. I may order this meal again minus the feta and see if it's better the second time around.
(3)Chy L.
This is the epitome of a chain restaurant and the food reflects that. Ordered the onion rings ($7.99), chicken fingers ($9.99), pasta trio ($18.99), and 12 oz ribeye ($20.59). The onion rings could have stand to stay in the fryer longer, we couldn't get a bite in without the batter slipping of the soggy and mushy onions. The chicken fingers could have followed the same technique. They offered sauces of ranch, honey mustard, or buffalo and we went with the buffalo sauce. I didn't realize they would be serving up Frank's RedHot in its watery form... I guess it works? The bread basket, minestrone and tomato bisque soup that came with our entrees was the highlight of the meal. The bisque was absolutely delicious, a creamy comfort to a cold winter night. The minestrone had hearty chucks of ingredients in a savory broth. The pasta trio arrived with unremarkable Alfredo fettuccine, a flat piece of chicken parmesan with little sauce, and a small ramekin of dry lasagna. At least at Olive Garden, they try to dress it up a bit by offering cracked black pepper and grated parmesan cheese with your overpriced noodles. The worst was the ribeye. By the time my partner got done cutting through the edible pieces, he had about 8 oz of fat and gristle left on his plate. He chose fries as a size and it was as much of a disappointment as the meal; a child's portion of dry, stake cut fries. I guess ours or fault for not ordering what they are known for... oh wait that's nothing. I will say the servers are incredibly nice and try really hard.
(2)Nikooooooo C.
All the people here are super nice. I really enjoy to have meal here. The price is also really reasonable. Every dollar you spent here worth more then it. I would like to go there with my friends next time.
(5)Kassie H.
Love this place. Awesome customer service and very affordable. Our server Cody went above and beyond. They all write their name for you before they serve you to give you a phenomenal experience with your sever. You also get bread with a delightful olive oil dipping sauce before your meal for free. I highly suggest you go here!
(5)Elizabeth R.
Wow, so I was not expecting to like Benvenuto's as much as I did. It has a reputation for being overpriced and stuffy. I could not disagree more! The atmosphere is friendly yet private. The restaurant has cute alcoves with booths that allow to have a private dinner with your significant other. At the same time, it is bright and clean inside. My husband and I went in there for a couple of drinks and appetizers. Their Artichoke and Spinach dip is amazing. Wow. It is served with Focaccia bread. It is just delicious. Their regular prices are great but if you go during happy hour, appetizers are half off. The service was great and I can not wait to go again. So why not a 5 star rating? The parking lot is so cramped that it is difficult to maneuver. The bar area is a bit tight. I appreciate that they left room for a patio and a spacious dining room but I feel like the bar could be a tad bigger.
(4)Diana K.
Was at the Middleton location half price apps good thing because if I would have paid full priced I would have had a FIT!!!!! 1/2 priced wine YEAH!!!! that was the only thing. Left with gut rot!!!!!
(1)Jason A.
I jumped on Yelp to look up the hours for Benvenuto's and was very surprised by the many bad reviews. My wife and I regularly eat at Benvenuto's in Fitchburg because I find the food to be good, prices reasonable, and service perfectly fine. Benvenuto's doesn't try to be something it's not. I don't believe their goal is to be fine Italian dining, but rather a restaurant that has a variety of Italian meals, with a mix of American options for those looking for something different. I've tried a variety of items at Benvenuto's, including Burgers (large and good), Angry Chicken Pasta (great), Pizza (very good), chicken parm (standard fare), etc...we also enjoy their fresh bread and olive oil which is served before your meal. Service has always been perfectly fine. Glasses always full, food served quick, pleasant servers, etc. We've had one entree that wasn't what we expected. It was the bruschetta chicken and unfortunately it had way to much garlic. We told the server and they quickly brought out a new plate that tasted so much better. Last night we went for New Year's Eve dinner. We have an 18 month old, so we're kind of limited on our options. This place is great as we can get in and out quickly. We had two great surprises. Monday night Kid's Eat Free. So our daughter's meal was free. Secondly, Monday and Tuesday are half-price bottles of wine...another win for us! Anyway, don't go to Benvenuto's expecting fine Italian Dining. There are plenty of great places in Madison for that. Instead, go to Benvenuto's for good service, a variety of food, and reasonable prices. Lastly, for a place that gets such bad reviews, I'm surprised by how busy this very large restaurant gets. Be prepared for a wait if you get there during prime time on a Friday or Saturday evening.
(4)Reena D.
Oh such a disappointment. I ordered the parmesean crusted salmon but they got my order wrong. I ended up with grilled salmon which was very salty. The salad was very crisp & fresh. The next day I ordered the vegetable flatbread. Oh it was horrible. I only ordered from here as it was close to the location I was staying at. I was just pretty disappointed. The only thing I liked here were the cheese sticks.
(1)Christine D.
We live right down the street, and had never visited until recently - but now we are regulars! The beer specials are great. The service is normally awesome. The soups are ridiculously good, we scout out when the soup is going to be Philly Cheesesteak and go then. My husband always gets the Pasta Trio and adds a meatball (GIANT!) and I normally get the Chicken Parm or a Calzone. The things I have noticed that are not my favorite are that some of the servers are real stinkers - but most of them are awesome! The Chicken Parm can be kind of dry (pasta wise) and the time spent there can be very varied. Sometimes we feel a bit sped through, and other times everything takes a very long time. You never really know! Overall we love this place and plan on visiting frequently. We always fill out the survey that comes with the receipt a lot of times.
(4)Ryan B.
The first time or two that I came here I thought it was great. But in the past year or more, I haven't had one good experience. The food has only been of moderate quality, yet the prices are that of a higher level restaurant. And the service has been horrendous. The last time I was there, our server, after barely attending to us when we were his only table, up and left near the end of our meal. We watched him walk right out the door and drive away without saying anything to us. After about 10 minutes, I grabbed my coat and was ready to walk out. Then the manager finally came over with our bill. It wasn't until after I paid and we were leaving did she tell us that she sent him to their other location. To abandon your tables without even explaining anything to them is absurd. For management to condone it is even worse. Maybe they don't understand that they need customers to stay in business. Whatever the case, I won't be wasting my time or money here again.
(2)Amy B.
So I basically come here because of its close proximity to my parent's house, not because I love the food or ever crave anything from here. The space is really huge, probably way bigger than necessary because I've never seen it that full, although there is a separate room with a large bar that is pretty nice. The food is all extremely generic, in no way anything like "authentic" Italian. I would never call anything I've had on the menu "original", in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the entire menu's meals were frozen in boxes in the freezer. If you are hungry and nearby with picky eaters, go here, there are a lot of options, it is reasonably priced, pretty fast, and as mentioned earlier, generic, so it gets the job done, but without much enjoyment.
(2)Robert W.
Benvenuto's is exactly what I would expect for a Wisconsin Italian food chain. While perhaps not authentic, it's reliable, reasonably priced, and has always had excellent service. The wife is a big fan of their tomato basil bisque (which really is very good), and I usually rotate through the chicken or eggplant parmigiana, chicken tetrazzini, or some variation of the manicotti. I'm told the pizza is also quite good, though I've never tried it myself. Oh, and their artichoke dip is worth trying as well.
(4)Jenny L.
I really liked my meal here. We stopped for lunch and had sandwiches and salads. The bread they bring is good, as was the rest of the food. Nice atmosphere.
(4)Dave K.
Great service. Bartenders are friendly and the place feels like Cheers to me. Great family restaurant too. We have three kids and they all have their favorites on the menu. When we talk about going to a restaurant, they always vote for Bene's, even though I (sometimes) wish they would pick somewhere else for variety. I can't, and wouldn't, say a single negative thing about this place.
(5)Jonathan V.
Ordered veal parmigiana and the veal cutlet was like a piece of leather. Everyone from the bar was using the outdoor seating area as a place to smoke cigarettes. The waitress even took a long time to refill the water. I would not come back here.
(1)Jeff L.
What can I see, it's your typical Italian chain. I've been here 10 times or so and never been disappointed. Prices are fair, service is always good. Huge menu selection with large proportions. You're not going to be wowed but you will not leave disappointed or Hungry.
(3)Lori R.
Great Italian restaurant in Fitchburg. Good selection of entrees ranging from traditional Italian to pizza. Nice bar area with a nice mix of wines and beers. Very kid-friendly with a good menu of options including spaghetti and pizza.
(5)Nathan F.
Been in the service industry myself as a server for two years, with that being said our server's presentation (Cody) was flawless. His professional demeanor and attentiveness was so refreshing and something you don't get very often these days. Very good meal from the beginning with our Caesar Salads to the end with Peanut Butter pie my girlfriend and I split, which is too good to pass up! Thank you server, and hosts for your smiling faces and friendliness.
(5)Ana B.
Service was really mediocre. Ten minutes to get water and lemonade. Another ten minutes to order. Had the stuffed mushrooms which I was super excited about but they came out raw and cold. Each mushroom was the size of my fist so I knew it would take a minimum of 20 minutes to cook that dish in the oven. We received them after we had finished our soup and entrees ( more on that later) and they were very good. The soup special was a sausage and kale and I enjoyed it very much, shame it isn't on the menu because I would go back for that alone. My entree was disappointing. Had the penne pasta with portobellos and balsamic butter. The pasta was drowned in balsamic and after five bites I just couldn't stand the acidity any longer. I had it wrapped so I could take it home and finish it with a touch of cream. That did make the flavor softer and more enjoyable. I forgot to mention that my mushrooms and artichoke heart were also not cooked thoroughly and at one point I had an ice cold artichoke that I couldn't even bite through. The one bright spot was my friend's truffle mac and cheese. Divine! I will not be returning to this location but will try the Middleton location and order the Mac and cheese for myself.
(2)Kira W.
I will give this place 3 stars for their bread as well as their lunch service, it was friendly and attentive. My mother and I ate here, she said she liked it. She had a pasta dish, and I had the unlimited soup and salad, zuppa and Caesar salad. The soup was good, but extremely meaty, with bacon. I don't prefer bacon so I ate the broth. It was still tasty and if you like soup, but the Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden is much better (sorry, sad truth). If you get salad, ask for the dressing on the side, which is what I usually do, or it will be drowning. Also, definitely try the bread, it's warm and quite delicious. Finally, we shared the salted caramel cheesecake. The cheesecake was probably a B. I'd eat it again. I wouldn't eat here for dinner and I wouldn't choose to eat here again, it seems pricey for what I had, but I would eat lunch here again with my mom if she wanted to eat here.
(3)Yang J.
Took friends and family there on 3/1 for a dinner. Service was good, but the food was really disappointing. Steak was not very tender or juicy, penny was slightly better than frozen ones from the grocery store. Bread was sub-par and the olive oil was not served with the bread immediately. Okay, the price tag is low which I got it, but please improve the food, service is good and I do give good tips. But let me make my point, restaurant was supposed to deliver taste at a top priority.
(2)M S.
We are always satisfied here. Good prices on beer. Tasty food in big portions. I don't think any dish I've had was particularly memorable - kinda typical mass-market Italian, but it never disappoints.
(4)Brady K.
It was my dad's 70th birthday weekend in January. I flew into town to celebrate with our family. My parents don't eat out much, but my mom wanted to plan something grand for my dad's special day and chose Benvenuto. She met with an employee of BV before the big day and spelled out her requests of how she'd like to decorate. The restaurant seemed ready to accommodate. Unfortunately when we arrived at 4:30, to prep for the party at 5, a baby shower was still in our private back room. They were to have left by 4 but the best excuse we got from the manager was "It's impossible to get a room of 25 ladies to leave." Uhhh, not our problem. But it was - because when no one asked them to leave I ultimately had to speak with their group and politely let them know about our party at 5. The room was a mess. There was cake on the floor and the room was in shambles. By 4:45 they began to clean up. All of the careful thought and planning my mom had discussed with BV was forgotten because it was never written down, and her original contact was not there that night. In all, the room was clean and decorated by 5:30. We had to detain my dad's friends in the entrance while my mom frantically set things up. She was stressed, my dad was stressed, and it really showed how little this place cared. When my sister asked an employee to vacuum he rolled his eyes at her and said, "Whatever you'd like." The rest of the night went better and to be fair the food was delicious and everyone had a good time. Our server Michelle was incredibly sweet and nice to us. She didn't even know about the party but seriously saved the day and improved my mom's mood. BV also comp'd two x-large pizza appetizers, which was a nice gesture we appreciated. But 5 stars goes to Michelle, 4 stars for the food and negative 20 for the stress they gave my family that night.
(2)Laura Kate S.
The Beaver Dam Benvenuto's - the original location - is wonderful. This one is a bit so-so (much like the Northside location). My food was alright: lobster ravioli. Nothing amazing, but tasty enough. The rest of my party (4 others) all had nice meals, but none of us were amazed. Desserts were lackluster. Service was very good, but the tables are overly large and it's really dark. I had trouble reading the menu. A decent meal out with the family.
(3)Elizabeth G.
I'd heard good things about Benvenuto's, and when we walked in, the place was gorgeous... Wonderful ambiance, great decor with lots to look around at. There was one small problem: the food. I had one of the dinner specials, a pasta dish in the carbonara family with bacon and peas. For the calorie load I was taking on, I expected my pasta to be a mountain of creamy goodness, but instead it was just swimming in oil. My dining companion had the shrimp tetrazzini, which was predictably rather bland and creamy. Here's what I look for in an Italian restaurant: fresh ingredients, unusual combinations, maybe even some homemade pasta. The menu at Benvenuto's made it look like this type of place, but for me it didn't deliver. If you're someone who likes the Italian-American classics (fettuccine alfredo, veal parmigiana), then this place is probably fine for that, but honestly I think Olive Garden does it better. Sorry, Benvenuto's.
(2)Steve L.
We were in the mood for something Italian tonight, so we headed over to Benvenuto's. I'd been to this location for a rehearsal dinner and thought it was decent, so I talked my better half into giving Benvenuto's a try (she wanted Thai). We arrived at around 6:00pm on a Saturday night and were immediately seated. The dining area is beautiful and nicely decorated. Booths are large and roomy. So far, so good. Waitress introduced herself, and promptly brought us our drinks. I had Spotted Cow (as usual), she had an Italian Red. Waters were also brought out, which is always a welcomed touch. The Spotted Cow at Benvenuto's seems to taste better than any I've had elsewhere. Not sure why, but it has an extra fresh, extra clean taste. And that's about where the greatness ended. I ordered chicken noodle soup; she ordered a house salad. The soup had an overwhelmingly strong oregano/rosemary flavor - it was all I could taste. I'm a fan of rosemary, but wow. Her salad was good; the ranch dressing was light if not watery. Entrees consisted of seared Ahi Tuna (ordered rare) and Penne Classico with prosciutto, chicken, and shrimp. The Tuna arrived well done - not a hint of pink in it anywhere. It was covered in a "cajun rub" that destroyed the flavor (well, that and the overcooking) of the tuna. The filet looked to be of the frozen Sysco type - nothing like I had imagined. Her pasta was bland, bland, bland. Absolutely zero flavor. Just a gooey mess of white sauce over noodles with some flavorless prosciutto, some boiled and tasteless chicken, and some shrimp that were obviously frozen and pre-cooked. Ugh. Just awful. The service was great. The beer fantastic. Everything else - 1 star or less. Sorry, Benvenuto's, but we absolutely will not return. And, it was expensive - a soda is $2.59... our bill came to $42. No thanks. Service: 4.5 stars Beer/wine: 5 stars Food: 0 stars Price/value: 0 stars Sorry.
(1)Lori B.
Very disappointing. It's a basic Italian-American restaurant so we ordered basic food - their trio dish - lasagna, chx parm and fettuccine Alfredo. Chicken was overcooked and then slathered with so-so sauce and cheese. Lasagna was really bad and the fettuccine wasn't worth a second bite. If you can't make these basic dishes, close up shop.
(1)Diana H.
Surprisingly nice decor and ambiance for the price. Good drinks. This place is less expensive than I would expect although the service is pretty amateur. The wine list is very limited. I don't know if they have a corkage, but it's probably not too high, so if you have your heart set on something, bring it in. They have a selection of options so if you're looking for wine, there are some chiantis, zins and pinots on the menu to choose from. I had the meat lasagna. It came in an individual dish with a nice melt of cheese on the top. The problem was, the bottom was all noodles, then the meat and sauce, then the cheese. It wasn't really layered. My kids ordered off the children's menu - one got the spaghetti with a meatball added, the other had fettuccine alfredo. Both were reported to be good. DH had baked spaghetti with a sausage link. The sausage link didn't show up until he flagged the waitress down, asked for it and then waited a bit. I would go back, but not if I wanted a fancy dinner.
(4)Kyara M.
I am really in the middle when it comes to rating Benvenuto's. They have great drinks but the food lacks authenticity and flavor. My last visit here, I ordered their Truffle Mac N Cheese and had grilled chicken added. Maybe it was my fault for not reading the menu as well as I should have but my Mac N Cheese had these gigantic size chunks of feta cheese in there. At first, I thought it was chicken until I but into it then realizing it was feta. To me, this was the death of the entree. I would be OK with a few pieces but it was as if the cheese would not stop showing up in them meal. Feta overkill to the max! Honestly, I am not sure why they have feta in the dish to begin with. It completely overtook the the taste of any other ingredient. I may order this meal again minus the feta and see if it's better the second time around.
(3)Lori R.
Great Italian restaurant in Fitchburg. Good selection of entrees ranging from traditional Italian to pizza. Nice bar area with a nice mix of wines and beers. Very kid-friendly with a good menu of options including spaghetti and pizza.
(5)Sarajane L.
Just stopped in for drinks and snacks after kickball and volleyball on a Sunday afternoon. Beautiful interior, very quiet, nice tap list, a quietly efficient and polite bartender, and tasty apps, all good. Nice way to wind down the weekend.
(4)