Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
122 Kentlands Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant Menu
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Address :
122 Kentlands Boulevard
Gaithersburg, MD, 20878 - Phone (301) 947-7346
- Website https://www.bucadibeppo.com/restaurants/md/gaithersburg/
- 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 : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : 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.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Chris B.
If you can get past the 1960s Atlantic City looking decor, the food and the service were great. The host/owner greeted us and because we were first timers, walked us through the kitchen. Was strange but cool. It was very clean and organized. Staff was very friendly. Ordered artichoke florentine dip and spicy rigatoni. They customized it because my wife and I are vegetarians; with no weird kickbacks like vegetarians often get. Food was a good Americanized Italian. Overall satisfied and I would totally eat here again.
(4)Ariel D.
Great place for large parties and birthdays. Decoration around the whole restaurant gives you a little Italian vibe. Some pictures I would say are not good for young children. You have to ask for bread they don't just give it to you. But definitely ask because the food does take a while to get out. You order by plate, Small or large. Small feeding up to 2-4 people a plate.. I went with my sister and we ordered calamari as our appetizer. Very delicious and crispy with a side of marinara for dipping. Also, we ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were very juicy and tasty. Took half togo. A little disappointed with their margarita pizza. The crust was burnt on the bottom and too thin. Not enough cheese, and I felt I was mostly eating bread. Service was a little slow. The restaurant is very spacious but there was only 2 of us in the room, and I think I only saw our server only 3 times.
(3)Jay M.
I've been to the Buca in the Kentlands three or four times now, always for dinner, this latest time with a family celebration. The family style format of the dishes suits a large family gathering very well, allowing for everyone to get some of whatever they would like; we really did have an enjoyable evening! So why only two stars, you might well ask? Because, as a number of other reviewers have pointed out, the restaurant, while it excels in fun decor and ambiance, is not competent when it comes to the basics of good food and good service. First, the food. I don't think of myself as a food snob and I'm definitely not Italian but even I know overcooked pasta when I bite into it. I've literally had better spaghetti cooked by Boy Scouts on camping trips. Fellas, properly cooked pasta is only slightly more difficult than boiling water, come on! Top it off with tomato sauce that tastes like it came straight out of a can and meatballs that... Ok I will not criticize the meatballs as I did not eat them but they did not smell appetizing. Not a vegan, would have glady partaken, but they smelled too much like Alpo dog food, and there was nothing for it once that thought entered my mind. Second, the service is slow, to be sure as others have noted, but also irritating in ways that I did not expect. "Do you want more water for everyone at the table?" Yes, look, everyone needs some more water, why is that even a question? "Will you need another box?" You can plainly see that the leftovers don't fit so yes we will not carry the rest home in our pockets... And on like that. Our server was full of these questions which made one think that perhaps he did not wish to actually look at our table or make any judgements about what he saw, but would rather pelt us with a steady stream of inane questions. Weird and irritating. I really hope for some improvement, which I think could be had without too much fuss; buy the cook a timer, give the wait staff some coaching, etc because like it or not, I'll probably be back with the next family celebration.
(2)Kim H.
Pastas were okay to not-that-great, but the chicken parm is excellent. Jessica, our server, was great- super patient with the kids and indecisive adults. Sorry to say overall not my fave place for Italian food and we only ever go when invited by family.
(3)Ryan L.
So when we arrived 5 minutes early for our reservation we where told our party of 7 would have to wait to be seated as our intended server was not available,aka late to work. When we were led to our table it was a cramped booth at the bar. We requested a table so we could be excused without everyone having to get up. They obliged and we were seated at table near the kitchen. Our server, Emily,was very prompt, attentive and polite, we could not have asked for more from her. We ordered a salad, veal dish, ravioli, and green beans. Typical fair for a standout Italian restaurant. Long story short, I know too late, the veal was overcooked and tuff as jerky. It tasted good,well seasoned but jerky, as in tough. We told the waitress who informed the manager and the so called chef. The manager came out and offered that we could order something else. To me this seems like an insult as tho we should order something else like chicken if we think the veal is tough. We told the manager we would like veal that is not over cooked and tough, he replied the chef can not cook it any differently, would you like the chicken or something else. So basically the chef can only overcook the veal. Seems to me an animal that is specifically kept young and tender should not then be cooked to the same texture as a chopped chuck steak. We said no thank you to the other entree and ate our other food. Shocked at the idea of veal only being able to be cooked tough. Too bad. If you want any thing but veal come here. It could have been a four star but poor cooking and poor reconciliation by the manager dragged it down to two stars, Emily's good service even after the veal issue was what brought it back up to a 3 star. Thanks Emily.
(3)Ma-e M.
I was mad for not finding the restaurant even though my GPS said we were there so I called the restaurant and had 3 people who can't give me good landmark for direction to Buca. Jason, the manager told me a prominent store but not large called 7 Eleven and yet was not effective to find Buca. But Jason was a nice person and to calm me down, he offered a free appertizer; I was a bit understandbly worried, but feel appreciated. I would like to apologize again for my diva outburst. The veal though was overkilled fried so it was tough. The salmon did not have enough zest or citrusy taste as described in the menu. I expressed my food opinion to staff. I enjoyed the introduction and the meal.
(3)Tiffany Y.
Brought my family here for a treat and to use up a giftcard I had. The decor inside is interesting, a lot of pictures, very colorful and the layout with multiple rooms is different, but feels relaxed and homey. The food was ok - average for a chain Italian restaurant. They do family style portions, so we were able to share, but the portions were still too much for our group. For 7 people, we ordered calamari, 3 entrees, and a vegetable side. I like their gnocchi with vodka sauce. The tiramisu is a large portion that can be shared, it was too much for our table of 7. At the end of our meal, one of the chairs in our group completely fell apart and caused her to fall to the floor. The chair appeared to be in poor condition, not sure if it was a repaired chair. When the waiter got the supervisor, they both just looked shocked and speechless, all they offered was a free dessert. I saw online that this has happened at another location as well.
(2)Amanda I.
I went on a Friday night, so I understand it is a busier night, but the service was scattered. We waited about five minutes to get water. When we ordered our server asked us if we wanted complementary bread, we said ok... we got the bread plates maybe 2 minutes later, then the olive oil dip came out another 2 minutes later, but where's the bread? Came about 4 minutes after the dip. The bread was warm, soft on the inside and harder on the outside, not a crispy outside bread more of a harder shell. It was ok. With all the table visits from servers the food did not seem to take long overall probably took about 15 minutes. We ordered the small portions (serves 2 or more) of the baked ziti, definitely not the best I've had. There was not much sauce or cheese really, the dish overall just seemed a little dried out to me. If this is all you get it could feed about 2 to 3 people, but I would not recommend it on its own. We also got the chicken parmesan, classic breaded chicken topped with cheese and tomato sauce. This was good, nothing special but that's ok with a classic dish like this. The extra sauce helped moisten the ziti also. I will not be coming back here, as we were leaving my boyfriend turns to me and says we could make way better AND healthier at home... so true. And the service did not make dining out worth it.
(2)Nhi T.
The food at this restaurant is served Italian style and meant to be shared with a group of two or more, so bring someone along! The portions are HUGE! The small size serves two and the large size serves up to four. Sharing is caring... :) Alright I came here with a group of 3 other friends and we ordered the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni! I was not expecting such a large portion. I've also never seen such LARGE noodles! Oh my!! It was really exciting! They also make their own noodles here and if you come early enough, you can tour the kitchen! How awesome... How many restaurants allow you to tour behind the scenes? Will definitely be back to watch the noodle making process.. They also serve bread as an appetizer! Woo... Their desserts also looked outstanding and I hear they are LARGER than life, but maybe next time.. Nom Nom... Also, if you sign up your email up with this restaurant, they will send you coupons.. $10 off etc..
(4)Stephen C.
Between the s l o w n e s s of service and food, I had to go through three iterations of the waiter going back and forth to finally choose a beer. He had no idea what they had other than light beers. Heineken? Nope, wait..back from the bar, I KNOW they have Corona.wait...back from the bar. No they don't. I think the bar has Bass Ale. WAIT, OK, FINALLY! You would think they might actually have something stocked for the weekend, guess not. You'd think the wait staff would have SOME level of familiarity but apparently not. You would think after the first failure the timing of service would "pick up" but apparently not. Fifteen minutes from the request to actually getting a beer. Wow. I also was less than impressed by the pizza we got (50 minutes after ordering IT and being assured several times starting at 35 minutes that it would be "right out") it was chewy, greasy and uninspiring all at the same time. Fairness statement though, one of my table mates liked it. We also had Cesar salad. Chopped up romaine, 6 croutons and dressing. Meh. Chicken Limone was good, just not a good choice for me, It's accompanying spaghetti with marinara adequate. I've been to Buca before and have always liked the meal. This was different and poor, Perhaps they're going downhill and that's why they weren't at all busy at prime time dinnertime on a Friday.
(2)Crys C.
Service was decent for lunch hour (noon), not many diners present. I didn't appreciate the waiter trying to haggle me into ordering items on the dinner menu when i specifically asked for the lunch menu. After I placed my order for the lunch pasta & salad combo, he came back to change it for me (again) because it would be "cheaper". Add a glass of water and my bill came out to 17.95?! SOrry but what a ripoff for a lunch special. On top of that, no Italian seasoning for the bread oil/dip?! Seriously you just offer plain olive oil for the bread? #fail.
(1)Christyn O.
My first time here and the food is great!! I loved it!! Most Italian restaurants are far from authentic, but this place is spot on!! We had the chicken parmigiana, fried mozzarella, side of spaghetti and meat sauce... Everything is served family style so there was plenty for both of us and even some to take home for later... The thing I like the most about this place was our waiter Ensio, as he was very special in more ways than one... He works hard and took great care of us!! We never waited for anything but the food to be cooked, and he was amazing!! Hats off to the management for giving this young man a chance to change the world!! One table at a time!! And thank you Ensio, for making my experience here at Buca a great one!!
(5)Kaye N.
We went there on a friday night and it was pretty crowded but it was a good thing that we made reservations online. The place was casual and homey.for appetizers: calamari..it was delicious and the serving was huge so it was enough for both of us. We ordered a small spaghetti with meatballs and it was more than enough for two people(the meatball was humongous and so good!!). we ordered the itlalian pizza which was ok,nothing special really but it was still good. we ended up taking some home since we were so full from the pasta. when it was time for dessert we asked the server which one would be enough for two people and he said the serving is normally big. we ordered the fudge lava cake(i cant recall the name) and it was so big. it felt like it was dry though and needed to be heated up for it to be enjoyed better. all in all the experience is good,staff was friendly and would be coming back here.
(4)Josh A.
This place was awful. We got take out last night and had to wait forever to get the order. One woman had been waiting for almost three hours and there wasn't a manager to be found. The food was cold and looked like it had been sitting forever. The dishes were also throw together. There were various types of pasta and did not have the pasta that was supposed to be in the dish. This place is awful.
(1)Christy L.
Horrible! People That Work There Are RUDE! They Wouldn't Accept Coupon Printed From Offers.com ! Food Was Not That Good! Won't Be Returning!!
(1)Natasha S.
I've been back again with family since the last visit. The parents were craving the pizza they had ordered the time before, and we also have vegetarians in the family so it's nice to go somewhere that everyone can get something they can eat. Since the last visit, I have cut things out of my diet for health reasons and these things are in EVERYTHING, especially Italian style food; bread, sugar, gluten and dairy. So I was almost positive that dinner here would be challenging for me. While I can't avoid sugar since that is added to sauces and such, I was able to avoid the rest. I didn't eat the bread, didn't get pasta, but instead decided to order the mussels in marinara. Normally, I would lean towards the mussels in garlic sauce but I needed to avoid dairy as much as I could. What a pleasant surprise! I ordered the mixed green salad to eat with the mussels and it was DELICIOUS! The marinara is on point and super garlicky! I was in love, and there was so much I had some again for lunch the next day. Other than that, I really didn't see very many other options on the menu that I could choose from. But I was VERY pleased. I just wish they had options like gluten-free pasta, or more seafood options. This last visit was more of a make or break experience, and for sure I can now give this place 4 stars! Definitely the best pick out of all the chain Italian style restaurants!
(4)Connie M.
This is really a place to go with friends. I like to dine out alone and sit at the bar, but there is no way I could do that here...too much food!!! Everything is served "family style". Even a small serves at least 2 hungry people. This visit my sister and I decide to share the antipasto salad. What an excellent choice! Pepperoni, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, Kalamata and green olives, provolone, feta and Gorgonzola on mixed lettuce with a tart Italian vinaigrette for $15. We ate the whole thing and asked for bread to mop up the yummy vinaigrette! My sister loves fettuccine alfredo with chicken so I knew she would like the Chicken Carbonara. Chicken breast, prosciutto, peas and garlic in Alfredo sauce on top of spaghetti noodles. A small for $21. She loved it! We have eaten here many time with the family. We have enjoyed the pizza, the fettuccine alfredo, the eggplant parm, the sausage and peppers. Everything is yummy!
(4)Alexa B.
Service here is awful. Have been waiting over an hour on a carry out order for 2 small pastas a pizza and salad. This is nothing that should take longer than 40 minutes on an extremely busy night. To make matters worse the manager is standing around watching but not getting involved in helping out and there are two teenagers running around like chickens without heads. I am disappointed. This used to be one of my family's favorite places to go for birthdays and celebrations. Not sure we will continue coming. This is the second time something like this has happened. Overall disappointed and displeased.
(2)Galya M.
Visited Buca with my whole family (4 people) on a Saturday night. It was our first time. We didn't eat and we will not be returning here again. WORST SERVICE! Don't waste your money and time here! We were really excited to have some good Italian pasta and pizza. We were told the wait time is 30-45 minutes, which we didn't mind and made our way towards the bar. We sat at the Bar and waited to order. Although there were three people behind the bar, we waited for over 15 minutes to be acknowledged. And actually that only happened because I made a comment about it. They were not that busy, and could clearly see us but there was no effort to ask if we needed anything. We proceeded to order some beers which took another 10 minutes to arrive. Two of the beers were super flat, to the point where we couldn't even drink them. While we waited at the bar to be seated, I witnessed the following. A waitress came over and said to one of the bartenders "Hey I have no glasses left on the floor for water, can you spare me some?" None of them acknowledged her, even though they were 100% aware of her presence and question. They all looked at each other as if she is bothering them and shrugged her off. She waited in silence, dumbfounded and said "Well thanks for your help guys! and walked away. What kind of place is this? Why are your employees so dissatisfied to be working there. They were clearly not interested to serve us, be bothered by a fellow coworker etc. Not to mention that the bar area was a mess. After witnessing this scene, the flat beers and the poor customer service we received - we took our stuff and walked out of the Restaurant. Hope others have had a better experience, but by the looks of the reviews this place is a mess! Good luck Buca Management!
(1)Rob W.
What a difference a few months (and a new manager) make...Went back after a few months with my son to see if things have changed for the better..and they gave ! This is the old Buca with good food and prompt service. Our waitress, Jessica was terrific. Servers were clearly running around attending to their customers. The manager came over to make sure we were enjoying our meal (as he did to other tables).. We had a "small" spaghetti and meat sauce. Couldn't finish half..great leftovers... Now that the smoke has cleared, and they are back on track, we'll be back often.
(4)Annie S.
I have been going to this location for the past ten years for my birthday and I think this is going to be my last year... Ever since they were bought, things have just gone down hill. They don't seem to care as much about their ingredients or in general. Their Chicken Marsala used to be my favorite thing in the world and now it's like chicken in Marsala flavored water. And I wish I would have thought to take a picture of the "mashed potatoes" the manager brought out. It looked like pure white soup (like pure liquid!) and she actually got irritated that we questioned it. I'm so bummed. I looked forward to this every year but I think this was enough to turn me away from now on. I even threw away my leftovers which are my favorite part. If Buca can go back to what made them, I'll come back but not until then.
(2)I O.
After speaking with the Regional VP of Bucca Di Beppo, I am hoping things will start to turn around at this location. According to the VP, Managers should always try and make the best of a bad situation with a dissatisfied customer, the know to do that. Not sure why in this (Previous Review) case that just didn't happen.
(4)Alexander Z.
Third update: The manager for the region finally called me back and offered me a $50 gift card as an apology for everything, so we figured we'd venture back here again. We were seated quickly, but then it took ten minutes before a server even greeted us and brought us water. (The restaurant was maybe 20-25% full, by the way.) The bread was once again brought to us cold; if you can't manage to bring good bread to the table, then just quit with the farce and stop serving bread altogether. Then, our Caesar salad came. The dressing was too watery, and the salad hadn't been properly tossed, so one bite would be filled with dressing and another would taste like dry leaves. Finally, our chicken parmigiana and penne a la vodka came. These were absolutely delicious. They were the only redeeming qualities of the dining experience. Despite running out of water at the beginning of our entrees, our server didn't refill them until I asked him when he brought the check. (Needless to say, his tip was not large.) Lastly, as we were eating our entree, the servers seated a party with 5 children at a table 2 feet from ours. So now, our quiet area of the restaurant that was being shared with two other couples was now disrupted by a bunch of loud children and their Youtube videos on their phones. The restaurant was pretty empty, so they could have sat that party in another area away from the smaller, all-adult parties, but they apparently were either too lazy or too stupid to do so. Look, if you have a gift card or certificate of some kind, you might want to brave this place for the delicious pasta. Otherwise, definitely avoid it; the experience doesn't warrant what you'll end up paying.
(2)Kevin F.
I like it. It's Sunday and the spaghetti and 2 Flintstones meatballs were good. Saved half for tomorrow. Good Chianti
(3)Tom M.
Service here has gone downhill. It seems like they don't have enough servers. The last three times we've been in we've had to wait long periods to get a drink reorder etc.
(2)Trisha H.
Came here for a baby shower. They served large family style dishes. Since I didn't "choose" my food, I really can't complain, but I wish there was more variety. I guess that is what you get when it is family style. Even so, the food was quite good. We had penne in a white sauce, and the chicken parmigiana. We also had the house white and red wines, and they were decent. I will say, this place has some of the weirdest decor. I counted THREE pictures of children picking their nose. Weird. Still, good food and great for large parties.
(3)David K.
We were seated right away, but it took forever for our server to check on us, mind you, the restaurant was empty. When he approached, there was no apology for making us wait unattended for such a long time and he reeked of old/stale cigarette smoke. In fact, as I was writing up this post, the stench lingered. As the rest of the evening progressed, it improved. The food came out pretty quickly and he was good with replenishing our olive oil/basalmic bread dip. We ordered the calamari which was done well. I ordered the Shrimp Fra Diavolo. The penne was done perfectly and the sauce was good. My wife ordered the Fresh Harvest Pappardelle. I tried it and thought it lacked flavor. I think it would've been better with more sauce. I would return but they definitely have to work on their etiquette.
(2)Beth P.
Do not waste your precious time or hard earned money. Went there two days ago. My first time so I was excited. They walked us through the kitchen, which is a standard practice, and it was a wreck. Boxes and half eaten food everywhere. The place was relatively empty but they seated us in the bar. Not my choice since we had a minor with us but did not complain. After 5 minutes the guy took out drink order. We got our drinks but could hear the staff discussing things they were out of including meatballs, veal, pizza dough and more. Why were they even open??? Our order was taken ten minutes later and we asked about the mini meatballs. He went to check and returned 10 minutes later to say that they magically located 3 big ones. So we ordered one. We finally got bread but no refills. He came back 20 minutes later and we asked about drinks and the appetizer to which he stated he didn't know we wanted in first and that it wouldn't be an issue because it was sitting in the window. He brought it to us and it was cold but didn't bother to see if it was ok for another 15 minutes. At this point I went to ask for a manager. None came. When he saw us do this he ran back to get our food....which obviously had been sitting in the window because it was cold. He rolled his eyes and huffed with every pointed out mistake. Again he ran away before we could tell him the food was wrong. Finally after a third request a manager appeared. We explained and he remade the food. We ate. Then waited and waited. I finally got up and once again requested a manager and got a different manager. It was just constant issues and such. There were other people in the bar area with us and we all got this level of service. I doubt I will ever return. There are so many amazing places to eat in this area with comparable costs that I cannot see any reason to go back.
(1)Angela F.
Came here for the first time with my family on Friday. The service at the front desk was awful. When we walked in, the hostess completely ignored us and walked away. 5 minutes later another hostess walked over and told us the wait for 3 people was about 20-25 minutes. Then she left to help this other family that looked extremely dissatisfied. When the first hostess came back, she told us we would have to wait 45 minutes to an hour. After waiting for about 5 minutes, we asked again how long the wait would be, and a table was magically ready for us. Our server was pretty great though. She was very attentive and answered our questions as best as she could, as she was pretty new and was still learning. We ordered the Mussels Bianca and the Penne Basilica. The mussels were delicious. The pasta was okay - not bad, but not amazing. We ordered a small pasta and had almost 2/3 left over. If I were to come back, I would probably come with a larger group next time so we could have more variety.
(3)Fred K.
Great place for large groups and also for pizza! Their pizza is so good. Best one in the Kentlands, albeit a bit pricey ($18 for small pepperoni). I do carry out here twice a month and dine here on occasion and really enjoy their penne basilica, shrimp fra diavlo, chicken parm, calamari, and sometimes their Chianti short ribs and lasagna. Their celebration cake is always a hit. Better food here than their DC counterpart. Is it better than Maggianos or Carmine's? Carmine's is the best, then Buca, then Maggianos in my opinion.
(4)Miyuki L.
I have gone to Buca quite a bit since I have lived in Gaithersburg. I do think its starting to go down in service and quality. The most recent experience, we walk in and are the only people, the hostess walks up asks us how many etc... then a person walks in and she goes to help them and they are applying for a job.. not a word to us just skips us to help a possible employee get an application, seats her at the bar then finally comes back to seat us.. not cool.. those kind of moments you just wish you had left the place. Without too much detail, the place looks like its seen better days especially the carpet. Lots of employees but we are waiting on the bartender who luckilly for us is very nice and helpful. We get to hear lots of employee chatter/complaints-- just not a professional experience... I think the mixed drinks are very expensive, almost like when you go on vacation to touristy restaurants. The food is almost always good. Chicken parmesan, chicken stuffed with prosciutto, buca salad, sausage, shrimp di fraviallo, etc. I am hesitant to get their meatballs because they have been cold in the center. The kids cheese pizza looked terrible so I would not order that for my kid again, I would probably just order them a regular pizza. All and all I will probably be back again hoping they return to what they used to be.
(3)Ashley L.
Food is so bland.. Great service but they need more flavored seems like large quantity but no quality
(1)Bradley H.
So our meal started out great but about half way through a really large party of 14 was seated in our room. They were so loud that I could barely hear the people at our table. To make matters worse, our waiters basically stopped paying attention to us. The food was fine but service and atmosphere stinks. If you have 1 night to spend out in the next few months, go to a nice quiet place and don't come to this zoo.
(1)Kimberley P.
While the food is decent quality and the portions generous, I likely won't eat here again. At 5pm on a Friday we were each given three different menus (regular, specials, then I think cocktails or deserts) and every last one was filthy; not just a little sticky but literally splattered with chunks of food. I can't imagine the bacteria covering them. Service was sloppy and too casual. They do a good job with orders called in for take out though.
(3)B A K.
Overpriced, cold bread, bland food (esp shrimp) dirty and smelly. Not ever returning!
(1)Jackie O.
Once you enter their door it's like you're entering an Italian household. It's like an authentic Italian restaurant they serve large amounts of food. The food is really good. You get a tour around the kitchen they also have a table if you would like to eat in the kitchen. It's great for larger groups they have different sections. You must try it. It's really good.
(4)Marian G.
I used to go to this restaurant when I lived in the Kentlands and was always disappointed no matter what I got. I tried it again this weekend because I had a coupon and was even more underwhelmed and the food gave major indigestion. They give you so much food and I just wish they would give you less and give a higher quality. It really is a far cry from tasty flavourful Italian food. sigh.
(2)Aubrey G.
Came here for my 28th bday. Friends and family came here from nj to visit me and help me celebrate! First off I am an Italian lover, but this restaurant was not what I expected! Food was blah... No seasonings and flavor what so ever! Staff were def on point for my party of 17, they were very contegient and courteous BUT the wait for our food was long, even though it was "family style" wasn't really memorable! It was cold and we asked for them to turn on the heat! That was not a problem... I love to visit new places especially ITALIAN , but I must say my tastebuds aren't amped for this restaurant.
(2)Angelica S.
I love going to eat a Buca di Beppo. They have really good service that is fast and friendly. I dislike green apples and blue cheese but I think that their apple gorgonzola salad is very delicious. I love their fried calamari, spaghetti and meatballs and their spicy chicken rigatoni.
(5)Emmy M.
I really like the food here, it's not the best food ever, but I enjoy it, but I can only give this place 3 stars because the service is terrible and slow. We've been twice, once on Christmas and once in February. Christmas we expected it to be insane, but the reservations were over an hour behind and when we were finally seated, we were in a corner where the waiter almost forgot we existed. Oh, and the lady that was running the podium to check people in ignored customers standing in front of her waiting to check in. The guy answering the phone talked to me and even had trouble getting her to actually talk to us. We weren't bothering her about wait, we just wanted to let her know we had arrived. She was very much not suited for that job and was completely overwhelmed. The food came out at a good pace though, so minus the wait it was bearable so that's why we figured we'd try again on a less busy day. The next time was a Sunday night in February. It was just the two of us (boyfriend and I) and they sat us in a room with a kids birthday party going on. That was a horrible choice on the hostesses part, a young couple on a romantic evening do not want to be sat next to a room of screaming kids. And then the service was slow. So. very. slow. The waitress seemed like she was at her wits end, but it took over an hour for ours to get our pasta (alfredo) and garlic bread. It shouldn't take over an hour for that. Our reservation was at 7 and we didn't get our food until after 8 (and thankfully at that point the party had left). I think we left around 9, which was way too long. I really like this place and really want to go back, but they just have so much work they need to do with service and speed. I may try another location.
(3)PitBull D.
Reluctantly, IMHO quality has declined and prices have gone WAY up. Not sure if this is just a problem with the Gaithersburg, MD location, or is typical of other Bucas. Menu prices are not posted on the web site. This one is the nearest at 80 miles (we live in WV) so we haven't had the opportunity to visit Bucas in recent few years, but I have visited several across the country when traveling for pleasure and on business before retiring (Allentown, PA; San Diego, CA; Minneapolis, MN, and Cherry Hill, NJ come to mind), and have come to expect quality and consistency, which were noticeably deficient on this visit. Three of us had two soft drinks, "luncheon" priced antipasto salad, stuffed mushroom appetizer, SMALL Veal Saltimbocca, and SMALL Shrimp Fra Diavolo and the bill came to $76.21 before tip. Antipasto Salad had traces of meat (just a few small ones, probably pepperoni), cheese (probably provolone) and green olives. The lettuce was soggy, which suggests the salad was made up in advance and sitting a while. The mushroom app was very good, as was the Shrimp Fra Diavolo...al dante penne pasta, and mildly spicy creamy red sauce, but the shrimp also were small and scarce. The Veal Saltambicco was very good, but seemed a bit overcooked, not tender--we were given a steak knife to cut it. I have posted a picture of the "small" portion taken on a previous visit that was tender and excellent. So with tip this visit approached $30 per person for what I would think can be had for under $60 ($20/pp) elsewhere. I rated this $$$ because we skimped on drinks (no liquor, and two soft drinks at $2.75 each) and skipped dessert, so folks that include these are solidly in the $$$ range, and/or if they order LARGE portions of entrees, pasta , or baked pasta dishes. Not planning a return visit here to this location. I also have "reservations" about returning to other Bucas...one I visited in Cherry Hill, NJ a few years back has closed, and I wonder if they are experiencing a corporate decline?
(2)J Y.
We've been twice and were disappointed both times for the same reason. We thought we would give it another try after the first awful trip and tried something different but the end result was the same....bland bland bland. For what they charge for their meals we expect something with more flavor. Even doctoring it with salt, pepper, and parm cheese didn't help the taste. The service was also very disappointing....we will not be going back.
(1)Good E.
overall I would say it was a pleasant experience. I came with a friend in have spaghetti and meatballs as well some kalamari the meatballs were very tastyand portions were very huge. I got the Mediterraneo cocktail which was pretty light on alcohol. service was nice ambience is okay. parking is a private lot overall I would recommend this experience to try
(4)Solace C.
Though its just another Italian food chain... They can join Olive Garden's ranks. Dont except a real italian experience here. Are you really willing to spent almost $20 on pasta when you can go to Giant and by a box of pasta for a buck? The pasta is no Mama DePandi quality. I can guarantee that that pasta is not made fresh daily. The portions are huge and its meant to share among friends...The place is loud...I can even hear myself think at times. The decor is cheesy if you ask me. I would prefer Carrabas.but anywho.. Desserts are okay.Cannolis were okay but not good enough to knock my socks off. The service is okay. I definitely would not come here again unless I had a coupon.
(2)Casey K.
Have been here twice now and I can't complain. It is great Italian comfort food and perfect if you don't feel like venturing into DC. For the first visit we started with the crispy calamari. They were very nice, not too soggy and not too dry. Would order again for sure. For our entree, the BF and I shared an order of spicy chicken rigatoni. The sauce was the perfect amount of hot (just enough to enhance the taste of the food) and the noodles were cooked al dente (my favorite). The chicken was good quality chicken breast, and the peas were crisp and a great addition to the dish. We were going to order the colossal sundae, but ate too much on the front end. The second time was a bit bizarre, maybe this is part of protocol, but we did not experience this last time. The hostess walked us through the kitchen to go to our seats...huh? We skipped the appetizer and shared a pizza. Our waiter this time was bit weird. His service was great, he just had timing, like he didn't know when to walk away from the table and he would linger. Plus, when he would walk up he had a weird way of interjecting himself. At one point (again, never experienced this before), the waiter put a big ass dusty can of tomatoes on the table, it was really loud when he set it down and made me jump, I was so confused. He didn't explain why it was there and just walked away. We just kept looking at each other, then at the can in the middle of the table, at each other, then back to the can. When the pizza came out, the waiter set the pizza on top of our can, finally it made some sense, it was the pizza holder! The pizza was really good, nice amount of sauce, enough basil to not be overbearing and the mozarella had a good flavor. I am very picky about my pizza crust and really like this crust, it was thin, not doughy, crisp, but not burned. So now, it was time. After the pizza was cleared, we ordered the colossal sundae... cue the "duh duh DUUUUHH" music. When it came to the table, it was in fact colossal. We immediately took the huge mound of whip cream and sprinkles of the top (just not fans of either of the two, plus I really dislike the waxiness of sprinkles). The sundae was amazing when you take off all the filler. The ice cream was creamy and a great consistency, the brownies are hearty homemade chunks that are so soft and blend so well with the ice cream and chocolate sauce. Ah so good! The waiter being the jokester he is (not at all awkward ;) ). Stuck a huge spoon in the sundae think ladle size, then gave us two smaller and more realistic spoons to partake. I am a brownie sundae kind of girl, so the fact that they made one that you could bathe in, is a plus in my book. However, unless you have like eight people, it isn't really feasible to finish this and the thought of having eight people sharing a dairy item like this makes me shutter...ew (just a quirk I have, too many spoons!). They should make a smaller version of this sundae because I do like the ice cream and brownie together and would love to partake in a less glutinous size. I would recommend this place, although the wait gets pretty insane, so make reservations or go for an early dinner.
(4)Robert C.
2 things I love aout this restaurant: the portion & the service. They sure get the service part down here. Even if you order for carry out, they'll give you plates, utensils, bread, etc. The portion's great, especially if you order their large portions. You kindda get what you're paying for. Chicken Parmagiana ($32 for Large, $20 for Small) - It's pretty good. I do enjoy their chicken quite a bit. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce ($23 for Large, $15 for Small) - It's ok, this is geared more toward the spaghetti lovers since they don't have much meat here. However, the meat's really nicely flavored. Spaghetti with Meat Balls ($29 for Large, $18 for Small) - The meatball's huge, you actually gotta cut those suckers. I do enjoy the meatballs since they're pretty nicely seasoned. Conclusion - It's a pretty decent Italian joint. If you got a big family and need a lot of food to share, this is definitely the place to go.
(3)Michelle D.
The food itself is fantastic. The penne a la vodka and the chicken parmagiana (especially the latter) are amazing and full of flavor. The bread is good (when it's warm - one time we went, it was really cold because their kitchen was overwhelmed), though I wish they'd leave the oil and vinegar bottles at your table. It's kind of irksome when you run out and have to wait on your server to get more, especially if they're overcrowded - which seems to happen frequently. The hosts don't seem to know much about how to manage wait lists, as one night, they told us it'd be a three hour wait - until we walked outside and made a reservation on our phone for 15 minutes from then. We walked back in, said we had a reservation, and were seated in 30 minutes (still late, but not nearly as much so). The atmosphere is great, with a lot of Italian kitsch. One last warning: be weary of the upselling at this place. I was once asked if I wanted "birthday ice cream" (after having presented my birthday coupon - I otherwise was not planning to ask them to come out, as I have trouble with lactose and was stuffed from our meal anyway). Since the question was posed as, "Are you SURE you don't want your birthday ice cream?", I figured we might as well get it, and I would nibble at it and give the rest to my fiance, since it seemed like a given. But, when we got the check, that actually apparently meant, "Do you want to pay $2.99 for a scoop of ice cream?" Yikes.
(3)S. O.
This place is pretty pricey for what you get - quality wise. This is a family style type of restaurant where you share the dishes. The chicken parmesan came out soggy. The spinach artichoke dip was not thick and it was lacking flavor. My fiance likes the chicken marsala but I'm not really a fan. I couldn't justify paying $19.99 for spaghetti with meatballs when I can easily make that myself at home for $5. If you do decide to go, look for coupons online! There are always coupons for this place!
(1)Emanuel C.
I would like to take the time to thank Jessika for making my evening very special. For someone who is a new server on staff; she handled herself like a true professional and did the job as if she has been doing this kind of work for many years. Jessika did a fine job making me feel warm and welcome. Her manager did an equally fine job as Jessika! I felt like I was dining with family and they were interested in me having a good time and weren't just about money. She took my order in a timely manner and made sure everything was okay all throughout the meal. Don't give up your dreams Jessica! Keep doing what your doing :). The spaghetti and meat sauce I had for dinner was nice and filling. It was a Buca Small but I was able to eat it all. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for good food with compassionate and excellent service. I will be more than happy to eat here again! The iced tea they served me was made with high quality tea leaves and was very refreshing. Jessika even made sure I had enough lemons for my tea. It's not enough to serve good food; but people also matter! I am glad the people who run this place see that and put that into practice! JOB WELL DONE from an EXTREMELY SATISFIED CUSTOMER! I would be more than happy to eat there again and give them future business! OUTSTANDING!!! OUTSTANDING! OUTSTANDING! Best Wishes, Manny
(5)Mary Z.
Come with a big group to get medium-ly stuffed by the family portions, or come with a small group and get royally stuffed with boxed lunches for the next day :O) My mentor makes the best Italian food, so 'nuff said about my opinion. But the frutti di mare is still my favorite since I enjoy seafood (except for the grains of sand you'll encounter once in a while). Anything calamari also blows my taste bud minds, dank appetizer. The setting is also very interesting kinda darkish, family style, with lots of decoration and pictures- especially the unawares popes and nuns in bumper cars.
(3)Blaire R.
We love to eat here when we find ourselves in the area, such as this past weekend. Service is good and food is great. Huge portions for reasonable prices.
(4)Vishal S.
I have been to Buca di Beppo a few times now and have always sat in the kitchen area. Wait times have been awfully long sometimes, but IMO it has been worth the wait. This restaurant does have a good selection of wines and we love the HUGE portions - enough to feed the entire group the next day! Service has been acceptable for us - not top notch - but never bad enough for me to feel ignored! Food has been consistently good - love the pizza and pasta dishes. Bit of a hike for us to get here but has always been a fun outing!
(4)Den F.
My family loves to come to Buca. It's a large place, but for some reason when going for dinner there is always a wait. It's a family style Italian restaurant, but during my last visit, the waiter informed me that we could order individual portions from the lunch menu during any time. The food is good - I've tried a variety of dishes from their antipasto salad to calamari, spaghetti with meat sauce to salmon. Sometimes the pasta is lacking in sauce and other times its perfect. The service is questionable at times - I guess since its a big place its really a gamble.
(3)Lucky D.
First time here and I thought this place was great! The Old Country decor is very cool. The walls are painted in a deep red and covered with black and white framed photographs in different sizes from the old days. The restaurant is divided into several rooms, the aisles are narrow and wind through the place like the inside of an old Italian farm house. One of the rooms has one large round table that seats at least 15 and a huge Lazy Susan in the center. Can't find that in too many places, for sure. Supposedly they even have a booth in the kitchen, which can be reserved. That way you can feel like part of the family, eating and watching all the action, like in an old Italian flick. The menu is made up of the standard Italian fare. It's not fusion, it's not modern, just simply old school basics. The portions are small and large. The 'small' is enough for 2 perhaps even 3 people, the 'large' will feed an army. Salad and sides are extra. I tried the small lasagna and it was the size of a pound cake, ten layers total! Our app, the Buca Trio was satisfying, specially the Prosciutto Stuffed Mushrooms. The Apple Crostata was delicious. Served with ice cream and different from the standard apple pie or crisp. Seemed lighter and also revealed a hint of marzipan. The bathrooms were clean and spacious and are also decorated with pictures. Definitely the most character I have ever encountered in any restroom. The service for us was attentive but not overbearing. No issues here. The decor may not be for everybody, but in my opinion it is a great change from the stale, modern or boring decor we have to be subjected to at most Italian joints.
(4)Cynthia L.
Very [tacky] Italian decor and feel, but nonetheless, amusing to look while waiting for food. Friendly staff and huge portions. I tend to only come here when its a big party (like 8 or more) due to the ginormous portions. Try their: bruschetta (cruncy bread & soft-ripened tomatos...yum!), margherita pizza, and Linguine Frutti de Mare (seafood pasta). Red sauces taste a bit watered down and I haven't tried too many other dishes, but if you like Italian & you're in the area, it's def worth a try.
(4)Maggie F.
Overall unimpressive. Came here because I had a 10 dollar coupon. Ordered the fried calamari for appetizer, got a ceasar salad, and then had lobster raviolli. Fried calamari: Definitely have had better........... It was fried, but wet so it was kinda like soggy fried food. The sauce was barely tolerable. And as for the baby squid, wow those legs were so strong, i chewed a good 30 times before being able to swallow it. Tough. In addition to that, and perhaps it was more of a blessing than it was a curse, we found a slick piece of metal floating in the midst of our calamari halfway through. Got that bad boy refunded. Ceasar salad: Now.... I COULD'VE made that. and I don't cook. It was basically, iceburg salad with scattered cheese and LOTS of ranch. Why did I pay 10 bucks for something I could've made? Sometimes I do silly things in life. Lobster Raviolli: This was on the special. Ok ok.... there was lobster. But its not like the losber was fresh so it wasn't much of a bonus. The sauce was weak.
(2)Tetta Z.
I would probably go here again as I liked food and service. But they are clearly pricey and, unlike other guests, I was not overwhelmed by the size of the portions. Clearly enough, but not crazy plenty. 3.5 stars would be the rating of choice, let's go for four.
(4)Crystal R.
As a celebration for my birthday I suggested Bucca for my team lunch. We shared an anti pasta salad which was excellent! the salad was just enough for everyone and with the bread, it was a great starter for the appetite I had on that day. The pasta was soooo fresh the service was excellent. I know the restaurant is a chain but it's never disappointing. Great place to take your kids by the way to see the kitchen. When I went with them, they really enjoyed the tour and the ambiance. Very kitchy.
(5)Jaime L.
I always enjoy the Caesar salad (and I don't like Caesar salad). It is always fresh. Bread is served before your meal. My husband and I usually order the Chicken Carbonara and the Quatro al Forno. Always delicious, and you have plenty of leftovers. Last night we changed it up and got the Spaghetti and Meatballs. What a delicious meatball. We always receive excellent service every time we go.
(4)Chinglan L.
The food is not bad, but it is not good enough that worth for the full price they are asking. I wouldn't come here without a coupon. The service at the Kenlands is marginally passable for a mid-price restaurant. For quite a few times we were there, servers were not very attentive. I finally wrote a review because I just called to make a take out order and was put on hold for 5 minutes. They forgot me. I hung up and made another call, told the person I was put on hold for 5 minutes. She ignored my comment, and continued, "what would you like to order?". I feel this is pretty much their attitude all the time. They just want to get over with, not very attentive.
(2)Michelle F.
Wait Staff - always excellent Catering - always excellent Have done events there and have had then cater, they are great. Maxine Chen in catering is a joy to work with. Have also been there personally and love the food - not the best for a diet but who cares :). Recommend highly
(5)Rebecca T.
I had to find a place for a reception after my mother's funeral. I reached out to a couple of places, but was most impressed by the response from Anet from Buca. I did not have much time to plan, but she was so helpful and accommodating. On the day, the wait staff (I can only remember Marco's name) were all outstanding. Everyone who attended commented on how well the waiters took care of us, and how good the food was. I had selected two dishes which both contained meat, but with Anet's help, they also accommodated my two vegetarian guests with meatless versions of the pasta. I was actually very loyal to a different Italian restaurant in the area but due to this experience, will use Buca for future functions.
(5)Lisa K.
Only reasons I can see going or getting food from here would be the large portions for larger groups going out to eat. Other than that, the food is meh and essentially just basic spaghetti and meatball dishes. Not that i'm expecting authentic Italian food, but when Costco's lasagna and grocery pre-packaged italian pasta dishes outshine in taste and price, its hard not to hate. If you have a large group with people so hungry, that carbs (any carbs) will do, then you've found your spot.
(2)Vishal G.
This is definitely a step up on chains like Olive Garden. However, it is a chain so you will not be getting the absolute best Italian food. They serve family style and the quality does vary a little each time you go. For the most part, the service is good, but we have had instances of poor service. Overall, it's a chain and you get what is expected. It is a tad pricey, however if you have 4-5 people and you all are willing to eat the same main dish, the pricing works out well then.
(3)Madhu S.
The first thing that comes to mind is the portion size. Its humongous. Their salads are to die for too. I have used their take out service which is really fast in addition to great waiter service inside. The apple gorgonzola salad is good and so is chopped anti pasti salad. The main course we shared a pasta dish, egg plant parm, meat ball. For a chain restaurant it offers great quality food, good service and good value for money but its usually atleast $50 for two but the portion size is good for 3 meals.
(4)Tom K.
Buca is incredibly LOUD and always costs me $150 for a family if four no matter what I try, but for a chain it is remarkably consistent in it's high quality food. Yes, they go overboard on the olive oil, garlic, and cheese but that's what this place is about. Pizza is surprisingly good, chicken and pasta dishes are recommended over meats and seafood. Their salads are enough to leave you satisfied, even knowing it's family style in advance. Service can be slow on busy nights but always friendly and responsive.
(4)Catherine P.
Went here last night and had a GREAT experience. I realize Bucca's is a chain, but everything, from the food to the service was spot on. Ordered their limited time only salad - Mediterranean Salad, and it was great. My boyfriend and I split this along with a pasta dish - their spicy chicken rigatoni bowl. More than enough for us, and for $40 - we both walked out stuffed, carrying the next day's dinner. Frank, our server, was great. We also had a manager stop by our table - didn't catch her name - and thank us for trying the new menu item. She gave us a $10 off $20 coupon for October, and rest assured - we'll be back. Everything from the dining area, to the bar and the bathrooms was clean. The staff was smiling - obviously a happy staff, and very capable. My boyfriend and I both work in the industry, and we both give Bucca di Beppo a thumbs up!
(5)Veronica B.
I was sooooo disappointed. My husband and I went there in February and we had a great time. We were greeted and welcomed in like we were old friends. The manager came to our table to assure we were ok and our food was hot and delicious. Tonight not so much. The Cesar salad was old and dry, I had to ask for extra dressing. The spaghetti was warm at best and not tasty. I actually used some of the dressing to dress it up. The same manager that welcomed us before and came to our table, tonight walked by us and gave us an evil look. I was like what the hell. Our waiter kept coming back to the table and asking us are you finish, you want the check, I had to say no I just want talk for a bit. It was not busy we were there like 4:30pm. I was not happy with this visit at all.
(2)blowfly x.
This place is awful. I'm ashamed that my Italian family members actually like this chain - who knows, maybe other locations are better. The pasta seems heavy and coated in oil. The calamari is thin and dry and overcooked. The mussels were small and not tasty. The least bad thing was the shrimp pasta with spinach and tomatoes, but it wasn't actually good. The waitress was efficient but came around way too often to ask if everything was good. I'd much rather they ask if we need anything - when someone keeps asking me if my food is good I feel like I'm attending to HER (her emotional needs) rather than her attending to ME. I thought I was at Coastal Flats with all the neediness. The noise level is off the charts. It's pretty high in general but when the waiters and waitresses hook up to sing bday songs they literally shriek. I think I got some lesions on my eardrums as bad as at a rock concert. Will I come back? Absolutely not ever. Save your ears and your money. If you like Italian chains Brio is much better.
(1)Maria S.
When I lived in G-burg Buca was a great place to eat because it was close! We'd go shopping at the Petsmart in the Kentlands and then head over to Buca. The pope room is too funny! What you need to know ~Tacky decor ~HUGE portions, since it's family style. You can split the Buca "small" between 2 people and still have left overs Recommendations ~Mozzarella Garlic Bread, can only be done better at a NY deli ~Mozzarella Caprese ~Cheese Manicotti ~Gnocchi al telefono ~The Sausage and peppers Service might be bit slower with a larger group, but I never had any complaints!
(4)Afshin D.
This place got much better with their new GM, I think his name is Farhad. We use to go there often but It kind of went down with in the past year and a half. I returned there for the first time after a while last week and it was a day & night different. The food is good and the service is great. I really like that Margaret too. Very nice lady. The food is a bit on the high $ Side, but you get a family size dishes. Im glad i gave them a second chance!!!
(4)Sokha A.
Huge portions; good for groups; fun, quirky decor; not great for a date night, cause even though the rooms are separated, for some reason, no matter where you sit, it's unusually loud, making it difficult to hear the person you are sitting across from you. The food is good though.
(3)Krystal W.
I love tacky decor, so this place was up ,my alley! Husband and I didnt understand family style at first, so we were confused over the huge portions.... (duh) Though it seems this place is made for large parties or good for a birthday. I was really scared of heartburn with the red sauced items, but it was so good and guess what?? No heartburn! The wait for our table (45 mins to an hour) was horrendous on a Sat night, and we even came early (5:30pm) to avoid this...though they offered all of us pizza in the waiting area which was awesome! We toured the kitchen and I must say that most restaurants dont even employ that many friendly faces! Everyone must have said "Hello" "Hi" "How are you" and it was wonderful! I would give it 10 stars!
(5)William S.
One of the most consistent and flavorful chain Italian places. I enjoy their food although sometimes it is hard to rationalize how much value one gets but at least you know the food will be good.
(4)Glenn F.
If you do takeout/delivery from this location that is fine. The food is fine. The service is AWFUL. Any waiter who forgets both a drink and an entire meal twice and lies about it and then says, "accidents happen, everyone does it. its like a fannie hole, everyone has one." I was quite in shock from this guy and on top of that the manager was completely deadpan. Lets end this by saying, when I went in and saw the place empty at 6:30pm when most places have waits and it still took 5 minutes to figure out how to seat us I knew it was trouble. Do takeout, avoid the awful service..
(1)Jenny L.
I like Buca just because of the way the place looks. It's pretty neat the way they have all the rooms set up, so much to look at. In terms of the food, it's probably your average Italian fare. Ordered the combination plate thing, which had a little taste of many things on the menu. Nothing really stands out. Pizza is pretty good though. Got some gelato for dessert but it tasted like freezer burn - not so hot. 3.5
(3)Shine S.
GREAT FOR GROUPS! Huge portions, decent price for what you get. It's a notch up from the other Italian Chains in the area, but nonetheless it's still a chain (not a bad thing though) Everytime I've been there service has always been on par. So no complaint at all, but I'd say it's not the #1 place I'd go for Italian but it's definitely up there.
(4)stephen m.
I did not like this place at all. When I go to an Italian restaurant, I want the pasta homemade on the premises, and I want homemade sauce. This place cooks some pasta out of a box and dumps sauce on it from out of a can. Yuck. And the decor is sooo tacky. Plus, I don't want all of the customers walking around the kitchen--what is that all about? I don't think I saw one Italian person in the kitchen when they walked me back there--it was just a bunch of young spanish kids (that don't use a pasta machine). Also, they poured rancid balsamic vinegar onto a plate for me to dip my bread into. Gross. Definitely not an authentic Italian restaurant--i'm not going back.
(1)Chuck C.
First of all, this restaurant does not give free bread when you sit down. I've never been to an Italian restaurant where they didn't give you bread. They didn't even offer us bread that we could pay for. Second of all, we ordered calamari as an appetizer, and it was the smallest offering of calamari I've ever seen. They included a cup of tomato sauce, and I swear there was more tomato sauce than calamari. Third, this place claims to offer family servings, so a small sized entree is supposed to serve 2-3 people, while a large size is supposed to serve 4-6 people. I went with my mom and dad, so we only ordered 2 small entrees, which we thought would be more than enough for the 3 of us. We were disappointed when the entrees came out, because they were really small. I'd say the small size entree is definitely NOT enough for 2 people, although it might be a little bit too much for the average person. I could have definitely finished a small entree by myself (although I'd be pretty full). But since we had to split 2 entrees between the 3 of us, we weren't close to being full at the end of the meal. Also, each small entree is around 20 bucks or so, which sounds good if it could actually feed 2-3 people, but since it can't even feed 2 people, then it's way too expensive. Finally, everything here is a la carte. Don't expect to get any pasta with your chicken parmigiana or whatever you ordered, because you have to order it separately. You thought your super small entree was expensive? Well your bill just got way more expensive since you had to order the pasta too! Oh, and the food itself doesn't taste all that great. It's not bad, but I've had a lot better. Definitely isn't worth the price.
(1)Jhenie L.
we went for lunch after Easter mass we did have a reservation and they seated us right away, the receptionist in the front show a tour around the kitchen, our waiter Leo is great and very attentive with our needs, took our order the special for that day, the food is good and the ambiance is cool, the best antipasto salad i have for years luv it i will definitely recommend this place to my friends who visited Gaithersburg, MD
(5)sonia g.
This place is perfect for a large group of people wanting to celebrate, be loud, eat lots of delicious food, and have a relaxing time. Great for families. Different from many other restaurants in the way that it is decorated and the way they serve their food (family-style, so you split your dish with others, but there is ALWAYS enough since they give so much food). Service is good. Amazing tiramisu. One thing that I am confused about is why they removed two really good pizzas from their menu - a white corn pizza and pizza arrabbiata. Highly recommend. Definitely an experience.
(4)Corey I.
I really wanted to like this place. Honestly, I really did. Everything looked very appealing at first glance -- The first thing you'll probably notice when you walk in is the colorful, rustic "old world" decor. I found myself immediately drawn to & the many vintage photos of famous Italians & Italian-Americans on the wall. And of course I took a look at what other people were eating, & it certainly LOOKED appetizing upon first glace. However, when you peer below the surface, you see that everything is not really as it seems. Sure, it's hearty portions of family-style food, but quantity doesn't mean quality. Hate to say it, but this restaurant is just "too much" in every possible way. Sigh. The pizza isn't very flavorful or exciting & the chicken dish we had seemed tasty at first, but after a few bites, quickly lost its appeal. There was far too much garlic in the Caesar salad dressing (Whoa, talk about overpowering! I could've warded off vampires for days! :) ), & don't even get me started about the (very obviously!) pre-mixed Caesar salad dressing. This restaurant might seem alright at first, but it's the kind of place in which you leave thinking it's not bad, but then when you look back & reflect upon the experience later that evening or a day later, you realize how average the food was. Overall, this place is a disappointment, but for some reason, these impressions didn't hit me over the head right away in any obvious way, until it was a bit too late. ;-) The metamorphosing opinions I experienced after eating here were sort of like a slowly mutating creature right out of some B-horror flick -- Perhaps if it were a movie character, it'd be the Seth Brundle/"The Fly" of eating experiences. :) OK, it wasn't that horrific, but the delayed reaction was like a slow seep of an infected wound over time. Maybe part of it has to do with that deflated, remorseful feeling one gets after realizing that you've either (a) eaten too much or (b) will be eating mediocre leftovers for days. :)
(2)diana k.
I have been coming here for several years now and ever since they changed ownership...I think Planet HOLLYWOOD bought them out....I have been worried. First of all, I love their fruti di mari linguine, cannollis, calamari, and cheese sticks. They REMOVED their canollis from the menu! OMG! Their free bread was soooo good before and now it's this awful bread with no flavor. BOO hoo...
(3)Alan G.
Love the atmosphere - I know it's a chain, but no chain feeling there. The decor is, well, interesting - like fridays decor on steroids - italian photos and other relics mish-moshed all over in no particular order. Each roon has a theme The way it is sectioned off makes it cozy and intimate as opposed to a big restaurant without character. Never had a problem with customer service and always get good, solid food. Love the "Pope" room - if you have a party of around 10 I highly recommend it, or the kitchen table (hard to get) where you sit literally in the kitchen. Prices aren't the lowest, but not out of line.
(4)Karen A.
I hate to review on one bad experience, but I just can't get past this. A restaurant really has to screw up to keep me from giving it a second shot, because I know that everyone has "off" nights. Pro: Huge glasses of Stella draft! Cons: Where to begin... I ate at Buca with 5 friends. We had reservations on a Saturday night. They took us over a half an hour late, which I understood because it was very busy at the time. We sat at the bar (cue huge Stella drafts) and were finally seated in a booth that was very "cozy" for 6 people. There was an open table across from us that could have much more easily seated the 6 of us, so we asked our waiter if we could switch tables. The answer was no, the larger table was taken. It wasn't a problem until we saw that they were saving the larger table for a couple. Two people. OK, no worries, the Stella buzz was still running strong. We ordered appetizers and a pitcher of sangria to share. The pitcher was filled with ice and only served three people. When we mentioned this to the waiter, he informed us that the bartender had been generous with the amount of sangria and there was nothing he could do about it. Fine, but I personally think that $20 pitcher of sangria was a sham if it was truly meant to serve only three people. It wasn't even that good. To summarize the rest of the evening, the food wasn't that good. We asked a dozen times for bread to be brought to the table, and all we got was a dish of olive oil. Two of our appetizers never arrived, so after being promised that they would be out shortly about a dozen times we finally told the waiter not to bother and just to make sure we weren't charged for them. Of course, we were charged. We were so peeved at this point that we asked to talk to the manager... for the amount we were charged the service was terrible. To his credit, he was very apologetic. So apologetic, in fact, that he gave us a $10 gift card to split between the 6 of us! Let's do the math: the pitcher of sangria we ordered cost almost $20 and it served 3 people. So the gift card was good for 1.5 glasses of sangria! I know he was trying to be nice, but I couldn't help laughing it off. I told my friends to keep it because I won't be back!
(1)Nikki D.
When I'm in an Italian mood, I literally can walk to Buca di Beppo from home, though I choose to drive. I have yet to have bad service or rude wait staff. My favorite dish is the lasagna. Its pretty epic. The ravioli is also amazing, and of course, a number 1 go to, the spaghetti and meatballs. The "small" portions are huge and the "large" portions are gigantic. Worth every penny, and especially if you want left overs for lunch the next day. The decor is a little tacky, and the kitchen tour is getting lame, but other than that, no complaints.
(5)Emily R.
Buca has so many different nooks and crannies filled with tables, it's easy to get lost inside. Especially since photos and posters adorn every inch of the walls without much rhyme or reason, except having some sort of Italian or Italian-American theme. I've been a few times but came with my family this time, and all parties seemed to be pleased with their experience! We made a reservation and when we arrived, the table was ready on time. Our waiter was attentive and helped us figure out how many and which size dishes would be able to feed all 5 of us. The family style dishes are available in small and large sizes, but feed multiple people. We ended up with a small garden salad, a large pizza, a small linguini frutti di mare (with shrimp, mussels, calamari), and a small veal parmigiana. There were even leftovers when we were done. The veal was absolutely delicious, it wasn't drenched in sauce and soggy like I've experienced at other places. I also enjoyed the linguini, but the pizza really hit the spot. I've never had such thin pizza before! We got the pepperoni and spicy Italian sausage on top, and it definitely came with a kick! They also use gorgonzola in addition to the mozzarella which was a nice twist. It's really worth it to go with a group here - you'll get your money's worth. They also now have individually sized portions, but why bother? Unless you're by yourself, or you're with incredibly picky eaters who don't want to share, it's not worth it. These dishes cost just as much as the "smalls" that serve 2 - 4. FYI: An order of garlic bread (or garlic pizza, I should say) will surely keep the vampires away. Eat at your own risk.
(4)Orlangela A.
She Said..."This is an awesome italian place, the decor is a bit much but i think its fun. So many pictures and sculptures surround the resturaunt, mostly naked ones so be aware. You can order the food family style, if you are with a big table then this is the way to go, the portions are pretty big and will feed about 4-6 people. The chicken parm is my fav along with their mashed potatoes, sooo yummy. If you are looking for a family style italian resturaut this is the place to go to." He Said,,,"This place is hardcore italiano...from the waitstaff to the food. The waitstaff are really friendly almost like they are in the witness protection plan...the food comes on these huge plates enough to feed a family. We would of given it five stars but the chicken marsala was too sweet. The mashed potatoes were awesome and the cheese ravolli was great. We went with my brother's family so we had 3 kids there and they were loud, which is okay because this place is loud and its okay. And not annoying loud like Ombra. One weird note was in the men's bathroom there was a picture of a little boy peeing on a old lady..don't know what's going on there...looked like borderline kiddie porn."
(4)Sara N.
Ahhh Buca. So this is a family favorite.... not really a favorite of mine. The best thing about Buca is just how loud and colorful it is. There are lots of flashy portraits and pictures of Italian actors and scenery, statues, lights, and the like. It's a colorful place to visit and pretty unique. As a vegetarian though, it is not really tops on my list. Their vegetarian pizzas are pretty bland: big on the sauces and cheeses but not really vegetables. In fact, except for the eggplant parmigiana, you should except every vegetarian dish to be pretty... vegetable-less. Unfortunately it seems that Buca has made some budget cuts (because of the economy?). So they still offer you the bread and oil to dip it in... just smaller breads and they take away the oil. On the bright side, the Cesar Salad is now vegetarian whereas before it had an icky anchovy dressing. They also cut back on the loud Italian music.. a shame because that was always fun to hear. So my advice on Buca? It IS really worth visiting because the ambiance of the place is just so cool. Go with your family or a group of friends because it's all about the family size proportions. But unless you're a carbatarian, you'll miss the veggies!
(3)Cameron T.
Horrendous service...and I'm not being dramatic. When your server is so annoying that you almost wish they don't come back to your table...then it's bad. I've been to this location a handful of times and I think we had a decent server once. This time our server didn't clear plates unless we asked him to, didn't bring anything we asked for unless we asked multiple times, and kept trying to tell us what to order. It wasn't merely suggesting either. Everything we ordered was good. Chicken saltimbocca & Ravioli with meat sauce were cooked perfectly. The garlic bread was good but done on ciabatta which is not my favorite but still okay. The salad with prosciutto and Gorgonzola was really good as well. If you don't care about the ambiance.....think Sopranos meets Lady & the Tramp. If you don't mind terrible service (I'm talking like negative stars here.) Then by all means go and enjoy the food.
(3)Mike M.
The food is going down hill, along with the wait staff. The quality might be a couple of steps above Denny's, but not much more & the wait is staff is on par with Denny's!
(2)Steven W.
To quote ex-Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green..."They are who we thought they were." ...Used to be one of my favorite chain restaurants...over this past year they've fallen into the land of 3 star (at best) and fallen into true chain restaurant status.
(3)Kristen K.
Having been to buca before it seemed like a great place to take out of town guests. I made a reservation at the Gaithersburg location for a party of 14 and was offered the Pope room, I even went in a couple days earlier to pre-order our food to make sure everything would go smoothly. Imagine my surprise when we show up for our reservation told the pope room is currently occupied and they had no contingency plan for my party. We had to wait 20 minutes before asking if they could even accommodate our group any other way at which point tables were set up for us. We were then given menus and I had to remind them my party had pre placed an order. I asked the waiter to go check to make sure our food was being prepared for us at our new table which he finally did after multiple prompts to do so. No free appetizers or drinks were ever offered for our inconvenience, not even an apology. After paying our $500 bill, someone asked for a glass of water before leaving and the waiter said he'd bring it only to never return with more water. It was embarrassing to have told my guests how great this was only to be shoved haphazardly into a corner of the restaurant and seemingly forgotten about. Very disappointed with the experience and would recommend any party over four take their business elsewhere as buca doesn't seem prepared to accomodate larger groups.
(1)John K.
We had one of our worst dining experiences in this place. We ordered pizza. Cold crust feeling like it was made from stale crackers, toppings barely to be found. high price. We will never be back.
(1)Kat F.
MAN OH MAN what HUGE DISHES!! My boyfriend and I decided to try this place out since we always pass by it coming into Kentlands. I had heard that the dishes were big, but HOLY COW! First, we had the Mini Meatballs antipasti. We were impressed by the taste that we believe that they're homemade meatballs. That in itself was a good portion between the two of us. For dinner, we ordered the Chicken and Sausage Ziti ($20). The sausage was so flavorful and the chicken was tender and juicy. We ate until our bellies burst and still could not even put a dent into the dish and had to take it home. It ended up taking me a week to finish the whole thing! But man, was it still tasty. Service was amazing! Our server (i forgot his name :( ) was so helpful and his recommendation were en pointe. We had ordered some alcoholic beverages (mine was a margarita of some sort) and boy were they generous....also as we were leaving, almost every server/bartender/hostess we passed greeted us goodnight, which felt very very homey. This place is pretty great and I can't believe I had not come here sooner.
(4)Renato S.
Family Style is a nice touch. I think the Pizza here is the best thing on the menu. I've got a couple free ones with those coupons they give you for your next visit also. Gelato is so so, it's nice that you can get a free scoop sometimes too. Ate in the Pope room a few times and it's a little creeepy but fun. A nicely themed place with cool design and decor. my lack of items on the menu other than pizza gives this place a 3.5 for me.
(3)Mandee N.
My favorite Italian eatery. The decor is very homey and comforting (except for the bust of the Pope in the Pope Room... its kinda eerie!) For the first-timers, the host gives you a tour of the restaurant through all the special rooms (i.e. Passion Room, Pope Room, etc.) You even go through the kitchen to see the food being created! The portions come in family-style or single. The single is large enough for 2-4 people. MUST-HAVE: calamari -- the marinara sauce is the best part!... with a little kick of spice. the calamari, itself, isnt soggy, nor too salty. it comes out hot and crunchy. linguine fruitti de mar -- seafood linguine in marinara sauce. there's an abundance of seafood, they don't jip you on that. tomato basil pizza salmon I've been here countless times. Each time was an enjoyable experience.
(5)Mike L.
it's loud and expensive, but the portions are big and come in bigger bowls. family style dinners where everyone gets stuffed. service can be slow which gives you time to look at the gaudy decoractions. food was A-OK.
(3)Nicole L.
I used to live a block from the restaurant and would walk over with my bf for dinner. They serve food family style so the portion is pretty big for two people. We've tried most of the dishes there and I think they make the pizza and pasta well. The service is not the greatest I remember having to wait for the server alot.
(3)Annie A.
Love it for its food and its ambience. Its so classic and so Italian. I never get enough of both the food and the pictures posted all over the walls. The service is great, they wont let you down. Also the quantity of food is so much most times I ve no place left for desserts. If you want an exceptional experience try their seating right in their kitchen where you can watch their chefs at work. I love it.
(5)Victoria S.
I went with my friend because she loves this place for some reason. Unfortunately, we had a really bad experience with the service. We waited forever to get our entrees but at least when I told the manager they took the entrees off our bill so that's why it gets 2 stars instead of 1. It may be worth a try but I don't recommend seating in the bar area - we were practically ignored and they didn't have a bar server. We were at the mercy of the busy bartender.
(2)Paul L.
I love the single lunch portions, really great food and service. Always have a great time. Great for large groups too.
(5)Michael S.
Flipping a coin can equate to the dining experience you'll have at Buca. At times I'm really impressed, and others sort of disappointed. In reality, what more can I expect from a chain restaurant that has Christmas lights on a plastic bust outside their restaurant. Convenience-wise it it awesome. You can call ahead, and they ID your car from inside the restaurant and bring out your food. Really good service. Highs: HUGE hunkin' piece of focaccia 1893 Salad Chicken Saltimbocca Veal Limone Limoncello (aperitif)
(3)Sam K.
I recently tried the baked Ziti and it was good.
(3)Mr. H.
Bucca is a not so a good. I went there the other day with two other people, one of whom was raving about the Beppo and said she had eaten there at least once a month for the past year. I've never gone out of my way to dine at an Italian chain restaurant, especially since a) I work in one and b) there's a Bonefish across the street (me likey bang bang shrimp) but I thought I'd try it out for the first time in my life. Decor and ambience: Extremely tacky. But to be fair, they're going for kitsch. The labryinth-like dining room(s) don't work. I got lost on the way back from the men's room. And who wants to stuff their face while being stared at by a stern portrait of the Pope? Gluttony is a sin, I tell ya. We were fortunately not seated at the Papal table. We started with a pitcher of some kind of white sangria. It was quite good. Cool, sweet, not too tart and refreshing. We ordered a small portion of the calamari and I was not impressed with the calamari or the sauce it came with. Dry and poorly seasoned. We decided to try a vegetarian pizza (small order) and a large order of the veal parmigiana. About the pizza I can say, I've had better delivery pizza. The crust was dry and there was little or no flavor. The veal was good. Tender and moist. I did not remember to ask the waiter if the veal was caged or free range. I have issues with the former. I like my veal guilt free, thank you. From the teat to the table. We ordered a tiramasu for dessert. No, it wasn't a tiramasu. Somebody decided to pour a fifth of rum over some mushy ladyfingers. I think I took a few bites and got a buzz. They seriously put too much damn liquor in the tiramisu. I can't complain about the service. It was a Tuesday afternoon and there was probably just a few other people in the place. Still, the manager came over to talk to us and he was pleasant. The server was pleasant but not annoyingly so. A lot of people like the Buca but I was definitely not blown away. The food is just average if that. The prices are reasonable considering the size of the portions. And if you order large, I do mean big heaping portions. So if you want pretty average Italian-American food served in ridiculously large portions and you like a little kitsch with your lunch or dinner, check out Buca di Beppo at Kentlands.
(2)Kelly W.
My favorite for Italian food at a decent price. Service can be slow, but this place is huge! And the different rooms they have are really cool. I suggest the chicken parm and garlic bread for an appetizer. They also have a huge selection of wines :)
(5)JB D.
You know what you get a Buca di Beppo. Lots and lots of Italian food in a family style setting. The walls are covered in some of the kitchiest, kitch around, which makes it kinda fun too. The best way to experience Buca is to bring a group (12-18) and sit in the Pope room. It is a semi private space with a single round table and a massive lasy susan. You can reserve it for 2 hours and will have more fun and food than you'll know what to do with. Beware, the ceiling over the table is a dome that makes the conversation across the table very very easy to hear! But that's more fun! Note, that any other group table arrangement will be in a looonnnggg table set up, which I think is not much fun. So we go for the Pope room. Another super idea is to get a reservation for the single table (4-6?) that is located in the KITCHEN! That place really moves.
(4)Mahmoud E.
Very entertaining interpretation of an 'Authentic' Italian restaurant. The decor is über tratoria , what with way too many repeats of Sophia Loren, Joe De Maggio and Caruso photographs. Nothing about this restaurant is Italian, much less 'Authentic Italian'. No grissini at the table was a bad sign. The menu is predictable and duplicates about 10,000,000 such menus around the country. Indeed, in plain sight the establishment lists the purveyors of their essentially non-Italian ingredients. Free advertising for the culprits of our national insult to real Italian food. So the meals were basically as good as or slightly less than a Sodexo Marriott cafeteria but about four times the price- Grazie per niente! So should I really bother talking about the actual food? If you have not eaten here for example..... bucamario.it .... then Buca di Beppo in the Kentlands is no better or worse than any of a dozen 'Me Too' chain Italian Restaurants in America. I tried it as a lesson in humility and I left, merely insulted. At least the youngsters had fun! But I gotta go now- appointment with plop, plop, fizz, fizz ;)
(1)Mike W.
I waited to review this one. They have recently been taken over by Planet Hollywood. I go about once a month to Buca because when you eat there and have the family style portions you always go home with a doggy bag. and there is nothing like leftover italian. I'm so jumping the gun here. So since Planet Hollywood has taken over the menu has changed a little. There is more single portion items on there, but you can still do the family style. Otherwise Buca is still Buca and I'll continue to keep going there. as you enter the restaurant they walk you through the kitchen, where if you make a reservation you can request the table that is in the kitchen. normally you would think this is odd, but I really like it. You get to see the chefs at work, and if your willing to play around, so are they. I'm a visual person and while sitting in the kitchen they walk the meals past you and tell you what they are. it's a nice touch. And the best part is times they'll give you samples if there is extra. Love that. In the back of the restaurant is the pope room. I's a room for a large party with a lazy susan and the pope head in the middle. Every Buca I've been to has this. Kinda funny. A waitress once told me that every night they have a buffet for the workers and family so they can eat. I really like how much they take care of there employee's. Now onto my favorites. I know i never shut up but there is so many great things about this place. if you go you have to try the meatballs with spaghetti. Where talkin 1/2 pound meatball the size of a baseball. and I dont know if there is crack in them, but god there addicting. lol and anything with there pesto cream sauce is great. Normally 2 small dishes will feed 4 hungry people no problem. enjoy
(4)Tiffany L.
Its a chain. Chains can't be all that fantastic. But I had a great time here. The energy is great! There are a ton of people, the decor is loud and obnoxious, and everyone looks like they are having a great time. The food comes in a family style which to me means, HUGE ASS PORTIONS. I loved everything I had, just standard heavy italian food cooked in mass amounts of fat. We had the calamari, bruschetta (very light), garlic bread with cheese (OMG), carbonara, and the gniocchi. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I had here to be honest. Good for large parties and you can be as loud as possible. Also for 19 people and tons of food/drinks we only paid 20 each including tip. Great time and great deal!!
(3)Stephanie M.
I attended a birthday party here this past Monday and overall found the experience lacking. The first thing was we had a large party (around ten people) and were seated in the Pope room. We had two servers who could not seem to coordinate who was really in charge of the table, which meant we also either waited extremely long for service or just didn't get any. There was a lot of "oh so and so hasn't been back by here" and 'so and so hasn't brought the water refill yet". The food also was, in my opinion, a bit disgusting. I've been on a major diet, so I was ready for a splurge. My boyfriend and I decided to split the past that comes with chicken, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, and Alfredo because we heard the portions were huge. They were huge, but our bowl of past had ZERO artichokes, none what so ever it was one of those "do you see artichokes because I don't see artichokes". The Alfredo sauce stuck to the pasta it was not creamy or sauce like at all. I don't know if this was because it wasn't fresh or if the bowl had sat for a while, but it was pretty gross. The bread they brought to the table was hard and not sliced all the way through. It would've been ok if it was just the two of us, but with ten people all holding the loaf to pull a slice away I just wanted to pass on the pre-groped bread. I probably won't go back.
(2)Arista W.
Can we say healthy servings?? lol...this place gives enough food in one dish to feed three people! and this place has some of the coolest stuff on their walls! every where you look there is something to keep u entertained! the waiters and waitresses are great...it feels like your right at home! they have some of the best italian food i've ever tasted!
(5)Chip Z.
If you just go and get the spaghetti bolognese and eat tons of their awesome bread, it would get 5 stars. The meat sauce is SUPERB (!), and bread is wonderful, portions are huge, place is very fun/festive/loud inside. But truth be told, many of the other entrees were medicore. Pizza--blah. Lasagna--awful! How can you do amazing meat sauce but lousy lasagna?!?! Service--always friendly but uneven. So not sure I can really recommend it except for people who love Italian bread and pasta with meat sauce. For them, it's among the best south of Baltimore. For other entrees, you are on your own.
(3)Ame C.
I first found out about Bucca when we lived in San Diego. It was our favorite italian restaurant out there. So when I saw it here I was so excited. The excitement ended once we got our food. It was not at all what I expected or remembered. Maybe Michael S is right... it's a coin toss. I'm just not feeling like tossing another coin on this one. Maybe one day I will but for now I'm too turned off by it.
(2)Sarah G.
I gave it a 2 star because I have experience better! Customer service was great and no problem at all on that end. Food was beyond pricey. Do not ever get the lasagna dish as it is expensive and disgusting for those who love lasagna! The dishes there are made for you to share up to four people. So we got pizza and lasagna. I also ordered a glass of wine, (half the glass) was $11 PRICEY! I love Italian food but should've went with my taste buds (Cheese Cake Factory) I will definitely return for their pizza since I know it is poplar there!
(2)Harris H.
We went around 6pm tonight, after just driving into town. We live 10 minutes away, and have been a few times and always leave asking why we even go back. We sat down and had enough time to look at our menu and actually know what to order before our waiter showed up. When he came, he introduced himself and took our full order. That was basically the last we saw of him until after our dinner was completed. We ordered the Trio platter, prosciutto stuffed chicken and the broccoli romano. We were very clear that my wife had to have the broccoli over cooked so that there was no crunch as she hates that. A runner brought out our trio platter, and that was good, and then it was removed. Immediately after our dinner showed up and the runner left. We tested the broccoli and it was hard, more on the raw side then over cooked. I cut in to my chicken and went about 1/3 of the way just to see the one tiny strip of prosciutto. My wife did the same thing and out of the whole chicken, we had about 2 inches of actual prosciutto and one tiny strip. We figured this was like a normal restaurant, where the waiter/waitress would come check on our meals so we sat for a few and waited. We wanted this addressed as this was horrible. NOBODY ever came back and checked on us so at some point we ate anyway, and took a picture to put on yelp. Finally at the end, our waiter came back and asked how our meal was. My wife was not real happy when she answered him and we thought he might have gotten the message about the broccoli. I was actually surprised to see it still on my bill. My wife was so mad that this was the first time in our 20 plus years that she said the waiter didn't deserve any tip as he did nothing but take an order. He never came back to even freshen up our drinks. When he brought our check, he laid it on a clean plate. lol I tipped him 15%, instead of my standard 20% just because it is how I am. First time in a long time that I felt like I just threw money out the window when eating.
(1)Mary W.
If zero stars were possible I would give this restaurant that rating. I have no clue what the heck went on when we visited the restaurant on the Sunday after Christmas. We walk in rather early for dinner time and the hostess basically insinuates that she does not want to seat us because the kitchen is busy. We were in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs so we told her we would eat at the bar. We order a glass of sangria each. Stay away from the white sangria it is nothing but sour mix- disgusting. We wait for 30 minutes for our spaghetti and meatballs and are later told that the restaurant is out of meatballs. Let me understand this- an Italian restaurant is out of meatballs. I had it at that point, spoke with the manager and walked out. No offer to comp anything just one very poorly run restaurant. I've eaten at this restaurant at other times and have never been impressed with the food or service but when I'm in the area and want spaghetti and meatballs this is where I go. But I will not be back again any time in the future.
(1)Hain L.
i was here fore a friend's birthday dinner last night. We were seated in a nook with a big round table that could sit all 14 of us. There were a lot of photos of the Pope on the wall and there even was a pope statute on the revolving table top which made the place fun/tacky/creepy all at the same time. We ordered calamari(2) and apple gorgonzola salad for appetizer and they were both very good. For entree, we ordered eggplant parm, lasagna, chicken rigatoni, and spaghetti with meatballs. The portions were huge (4 entrees fed 14 of us and we had quite a bit of leftover to bring home) but the taste was lacking -- the spicy chicken rigatoni (bland and not spicy. at. all.)and eggplant parm were especially disappointing. Meatballs had a good flavor though. The waitress was very attentive and the service was great. If you bring a cake for a special occasion, they will keep it in the fridge and bring it out after the meal w/ plates (no plating fee!!). The birthday boy got a small complimentary dessert as well. Overall, this was a decent place for an inexpensive dinner for a large group.
(2)John M.
Another outstanding experience at Buca! Farone Williams is a fantastic GM and made sure we had an amazing night. You are guaranteed a memorable night here.
(5)Claudia R.
My husband and I decided to give Buca another try a couple weeks ago. We had the calamari and it was crisp and tasty. Not greasy at all. We got the small size this time since it wasn't a big party. I think the large martini glass that they serve the large size in causes the calamari to get greasy. They sit on top of each otter and steam the oil out. When flat on a plate it didn't get the chance to get greasy. We also had the lemon chicken with capers. Great flavor but it only had 3 thin slices of chicken - maybe one large breast worth sliced thin. We got a small order of fettuccini Alfredo with this. It was bland. No cheesy flavor. Just tasted like heavy cream and noodles. Service was good. The waiter was very attentive. Just wish the food tasted and priced better.
(3)Devin B.
The cheesy decor evokes the ambiance of a creepy circus funeral home. The hostess bizarrely yet proudly force-marched us through a grease-smeared kitchen with mushed food on the floor. Pizzas are better out of a box; our appetizers sounded good but should not have been allowed on the table; mussels were over steamed. The spinach cheese dip with artichoke hearts was a disaster. Entrees tasted assembled instead of prepared. Service was unnecessarily intrusive with frequent annoying and inane interruptions. A food-smeared, greasy wine glass was placed on our table after the waiter simply wiped it out with a towel; it wasn't even a busy night. I'm not making this up: my 12 and 16 year-old daughters made me promise I'd never inflict Buca di Beppo on them ever again...a promise I can easily keep.
(1)Cecilia C.
We have come here for years even the chef always says hi to my brother inlaw and my sister which is how I got introduced to Bucca. I always get the Frutti Di Mari and my husband gets the lasagna we always share and these two dishes they are the best for our palettes. If you came in hungry you will leave with at least a full stomach but most of the time I take leftovers for lunch. If you are in the mood for lasagna this is the best one I've ever had in my life and the frutti Di Mari is so good and it has enough seafood in it that it won't leave you wanting more in a good way because its generous. We get fried calamari and its also the best! This place is so family friendly from the many times we have been here we even celebrated my sisters wedding in 2007 and back then they had an Italian gelato that was our favorite but unfortunately they don't have it anymore I wish they brought it back once in a while. We have celebrated so many birthdays and little events here that we even know where a lot of the pictures are and we don't get lost in their funny maze with pictures I even remember the popes head on the table on the way to the restroom. All in all is an amazing Italian place and I recommend it to everyone, take friends you will have and amazing experience
(5)Jenni K.
I came here for the first time with a family of 4; my parents, my husband, and I. All we wanted was a nice family outing; catching up over some family style Italian food. We arrived at 545pm. Our waiter stopped by a total of 3 times; one for beverages, second to take our order, and third to bring our bread. After we got our beverages, we waited over 15 minutes to put in our order. Food was average and not memorable. Not worth the extravagant money they were priced. We didn't even get bread until we asked for it specifically. No butter, no oil to accompany the bread; just cold bread. We wanted to ask our server for some butter or oil to accompany our bread, but he never came back around. He had, I believe, 2 tables of 8, who were all taken care of 110% better than us. I don't know whether it was because we were a smaller table or whether we were the only table not drinking wine, but a 1.5 hours of awful service and mediocre food is not something I want to go back to.
(2)Britt D.
Received a gift card for this restaurant for Christmas. They serve family style, meaning the food comes out in a serving dish and you fill your plate much like you would at home. The food was very good, the small was enough for two with a little left over to take home. This would be great for a large group of friends or a family that likes to share, that way you can sample many of their dishes. Interesting photos on the walls, a fun atmosphere. Downside, it's expensive. Food is worth it though. This is a family place so expect kids. There were a couple seated behind us doing what kids do, so if this bothers you you may want to think twice. We went for a late lunch, so perhaps there would be fewer or no kids for a late dinner. Will I go back? Perhaps, if the group was right and I was in the mood for Italian food, but I don't think I'll make it a frequent habit partially because it's far from my home and partially because of the price.
(3)Zara K.
Okay! so after getting a very responsible phone call and coupon to spend at this place, i decided to give it another try. to be honest i was afraid so i didnt plan to order much food. me and my husband started off with a peach drink, which i have to say, was amazing!...that set the hunger off so we ordered the small calamari (cos i had read recommendations) and also our server advised it. i dont know my servers name but he was absolutely great...he was the best..and i wouldnt just say that.. so the calamari wasnt bad, it was fun to eat...it was soft unlike most places...the oil didnt seem to be of very good quality but the calamari itself was fresh and soft...not chewy at all...and the portion was soo big that it filled us up! we only had room for dessert.... since i love canollis and previous experience wasnt too bad...we ordered one canolli and it was actually better than last time?..i think they really have improved since december when i last went... i thought i would never ever go here again..but im planning that MAYBE i might wanna go here again in the future and give the food another try....
(3)John X.
The service was awesome! Might go back because the food wasn't what I expected. OMG a large size of the paste can feed the a family of 5+ and the price for that is $30. Just for the large size of the paste
(4)Wesley Y.
Awesome spot to come for lunch, the portions are HUGE. Had a $10 off $20 coupon. Ordered a huge salad, sangria was good, the actual pasta itself needed more sauce and the bartender got it for us asap. Dan was awesome and took good care of us kept us breaded up. We ordered a small salad, and a small fettuccine pasta for 4 people. It was the perfect amount of food and everyone left satisfied. Price per person average comes out to be below $10/person Definitely need to come with a large group so you can try more items family style.
(4)Kyle N.
Far and away, Buca di Beppo is the best Italian chain out there. They have traditional favorites and rotating seasonal items. The atmosphere is fun, and the Italian memorabilia all over the walls are great conversation starters for dates and family gatherings. Dinner is served family style (shared portions) and lunch is served individually. The Spicy-Chicken Rigatoni is a must have.
(5)Lisa I.
It is my New Year's Resolution to not be ashamed of liking chain restaurants. I've never claimed to be a foodie, any more than just liking food, like most humans. I like Buca di Beppo's food. I find their kitsch to not be kitsch enough, or the right kind of kitsch or perhaps fake kitsch. I would not call the decor delightfully tacky, or even tacky for that matter. Just outdated and sad. Any restaurant whose theme is defined by the crap nailed to the walls seriously needs a reinvention. What is maybe the worst about all the wall-junk is that it just isn't clean. All the nooks and crannies of those plaster frames, silk flowers, flags, figurines, etc. get very dusty, and I would imagine over time, greasy. Don't take too close a look, because you may lose your appetite. And you really need that appetite, because the portions at Buca are huge. Most everything is served family-style, available in two different family sizes. Tonight we had the Mixed Greens Salad, Supremo Italiano pizza and Baked Rigatoni. My husband ate the entire Small salad (serves 2-3 people!) himself, so I guess he liked it. I find the greens to be just a bit limp and slightly overdressed. And me likey salad dressing. The rigatoni in the Baked Rigatoni was perfectly cooked, perfectly al dente. Now the Supremo Italiano pizza was something different. We've ordered this in the past, and it has been italian sausage, red and green peppers, onion and cheese. Tonight it also had meatballs and a ton of sauce too. I would describe it more like a crispy flatbread with sauce, meat, and a bit of cheese. This is not a bad different, just different. We got the Apple Crostada to go, and OMG it is so good. They give you a huge piece, and it is perfect. The apple has a good mouth feel, and it has a ton of everyone's favorite part--the streusel! It might be 50% streusel, which I am A-OK with. It also has caramel on the inside, and on top. The crust is flaky, although maybe a bit thick. I think I only LOVE like two desserts from chains, and this is one of them. Food spillage? Yes. Meatballs just love my boobs.
(3)Mike M.
I'm a big supporter of anything in the Kentland's. Buca is best for groups. I'd say no less than 4 people, maybe 5. The portions are large, family style, meant to be shared. **Update** My family and I made another visit to Buca. We shared the large lasagna and a large salad. The lasagna comes out as a huge loaf of food. It was hot and tasty. Not the same as a single serving in it's own vessel but still good. My daughter really enjoyed the salad. A manager came by twice to see if we were enjoying our dinner. Overall the experience was enjoyable and we left with happy tummies. I'll stick to my comment above that this place is best for dining with large groups but for that purpose, it should make everyone happy.
(3)Muriel H.
My 14 person lab and I did a family style lunch here and there was SO MUCH FOOD!!!! We ate so much that I was in a food coma the rest of the day. I am truly a fan of this place. The drink prices are decent too.
(4)Brandon S.
I reviewed this restaurant with only two stars, and the restaurant reached out to me to apologize and get more information. The manager personally called me, invited me to come back, apologized for the bar problems, and promised to make things right. He also offered me a $25 gift certificate for my next visit. So my wife and I decided to try again. This time, we had a wonderful experience with a waitress who was almost TOO eager to help us (not a bad thing though!). The food was excellent and though I would have liked more sauce it was prepared correctly and salted well. My wife and I each ordered a dish and had leftovers, which were great the next day. Oh, and my wife even entered the drawing for their business card lunch program, and won the very next day! So it was money well spent. I'll be coming back here.
(4)Ja'Bette L.
So the allure and charm have totally worn off, but I love their salad and garlic cheese bread. They don't have much turn around here, which makes me happy, and has got to be a sign that the staff here are happy. I wouldn't call myself a regular, but I guess I kinda am. This place can be fun and a little pricey, but overall I give this place two thumbs up. More than anything it's just a zany place to eat for my fam and I with all the crazy decor, peeing statues, pope heads taking up valuable real estate on my table, etc. If you've never been, it's worth going at least once to check it out. You won't be disappointed, and will probably have a dandy time listening to old italian classics and crooner tunes by Dean, Frank, and maybe even a little Sophia Loren!
(4)Kim T.
Buca di Beppo is a great family-style Italian restaurant. You don't really order individual entrees so this isn't a good place to go solo. If you're with your significant other you will likely end up taking stuff home. I love their calamari and their garlic mashed potatoes. The main dishes aren't super fancy but I definitely think they are better than some of the other Italian chains like Olive Garden though I'm sure part of that is the experience of the family style dinner where you share entrees and whatnot. It just feels a little more homey.
(4)Julio E. G.
Folks this is four stars if you have a huge group (or family) . You must have 7 or more people to make it work. Not recommended for couples. This place is made for huge families that love to eat a lot and want a good deal. If this is your case it will be quite OK. If you are a couple then it is probably an average 3 stars, but way better than Mama Lucia.
(4)Gautam S.
We always come here on special occasions. This place has great ambiance but is a bit on the pricey side. Still, it is one of the best Italian restaurants in Gaithersburg, MD.
(4)Mira B.
Tacky decor, mediocre service. We've tried most of their vegetarian options and the only thing that's consistently good is their eggplant parmesan. Pizzas and pasta dishes are usually a hit or miss. All their dishes tend to be a little too salty. Their Italian salad dressing is good and so is their tirimisu.
(3)Amy C.
I was a little skeptical, but could not have been happier to have held our celebration in a private room at Buca di Beppo in Gaithersburg. We had 27 guests at 3 booths and a table for 8. The space was quiet, the food was good and the service was excellent. Our server was very attentive and she fulfilled requests quickly and with a wonderful smile. The food came at the same time for all the tables, water glasses were filled promptly and everything was done in an attentive and thoughtful way. The bill came to about $1100 for our dinner with wine and a beer and including fees, tip and tax. This comes to about $40 per person - a steal, I think. I would highly recommend Buca di Beppo for any occasion.
(5)Meggie C.
i love coming here, the atmosphere is nice, not fancy but not all the way casual. plenty of seating. and the portions omgg are nice and big. when ever me and my friends go, we have to split a dish between two people. ive gone there with small groups and for bday dinners with a party of 25+ recommendations: fried calamari shrimp fra diavlo and for dessert order their colossal brownie sundae. yummm!!!
(4)Jess C.
I came here for a dessert run--tiramisu craving, and it wasn't worth it. The staff was super friendly. The host even offered us a tour of the kitchen because it was our first visit. Unfortunately there was not much to rave about for our tiramisu ($10.95 for a big bowl of tiramisu -- perfect for sharing with 4 people). It had too much rum flavor, not enough espresso, and the cake was weak. :/ Furthermore, since this place is catered for big groups, we were seated next to a huge group of parents and their screaming babies. And they were so LOUD the entire time that it ruined the whole atmosphere. I don't know why they put us in that room, but this restaurant is filled with other rooms. They should really divide the loud groups (families), small gathering of friends, and couples into separate rooms. Now that would be intelligent and effective seating!
(2)