Quick service. Good food. Decent selection of beer on tap. I love the Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Flatbread(with caramelized onions, truffle oil, herbs). I ask to substitute the mushrooms for Pepperoni and it is Delicious. I haven't had anything off the menu that I haven't liked.
(5)
Shayla H.
I'm so over all the hubbub of oh, I don't eat in chain restaurants... Chain restaurants suck. Let's be real, there wouldn't be so many huge thriving chains if as many people didn't eat at them as they say.. So I am going to proudly state that I thoroughly enjoy macaroni grill. Yup. I said it. No need to make excuses. Carmela's chicken is amazing in all of its marsala cream and perfectly caramelized onion goodness. I could eat my leftovers for days but they won't make it 24 hours. The create your own pasta menu is another unique feature to tout. They are quite flexible with add ons that aren't listed if you ask nicely! The service was superior on this night as well, which is of the utmost importance when dining with a little one.
(5)
Amy F.
If I could I would give this place a half star!!!! We traveled south from northern Maine and were in the neighborhood for dinner. We are Californians but were surprised that on a week night most of the local "good" establishments close here in S. Portland at 7. (Say What?!?!) So we decided to hit a chain restaurant thinking it would be an upgrade from McDonalds. That's where we were wrong! Dead wrong!!!! We walk in around 8:30pm but are greeted with unhappy glances and gruffly given a table. I quickly checked my phone to see if this place was nearing its closing time but was pleasantly surprised to find they were open till 10:30. We had 4 kids and 2 adults and were seated at an ample sized round table. Upon sitting we asked for 3 kids menus and the rest adult menus. While looking over our menus I noticed that our table ware was dirty! Spaghetti sauce splatters on my daughters bread plate and all of our drinking cups and utensils all had crust of some kind. I hated to send back our cups requesting new ones thinking about the horror stories of people spit shining your cups. Our server was congenial but messed up our order giving us all adult portions. For the most part, the food did come out in record time but almost too fast. Everything looked like it had been under a warming light for sometime and totally tasted super prepackaged with no taste. Our sons personal pizza was burnt and they had to make a new one. I've eaten at other macaroni grills but this place was epically awful! Our server did make amends for giving us adult portions as we realize maybe she was having an off night. We tipped her good and felt bad that she worked with unfriendly staff, poor management, that doesn't have an eye for dirty ambience or even quality in food. In short, stay away from this place!
(1)
Caitlyn T.
For a chain restaurant this is 5 stars. All 4 of us enjoyed our meals. The create your own pasta menu it's a cool concept. The restaurant was very clean and the Italian lessons in the bathroom was neat. The waitress was fantastic and we enjoyed her story about moving here from Portland, Oregon by putting the wrong address into her GPS. The huge bottle of wine for $15 was an amazing deal. We will definitely be back next we drive through!
(5)
Lori S.
Yes I gave a chain restaurant a 5!!! Why, because we have been coming here for several years now and to date, we have never had a bad experience, service or meal. Tonight I tried a new dish and it was awesome! I'm sorry, I don't remember the name, but it had butternut squash, prosciutto, asiago cheese, raviolis with a couple of sauces and it was salty and sweet at the same time. I really liked it. Unfortunately, I was full and didn't get a chance to have dessert, but maybe next time !!!
(5)
Marian S.
Nice waiter but way too long to get dinner. The waiter acknowledged the wait but nothing was comp'd. It wasn't even busy for a Friday. Maybe people didn't want to wait 2.5 hours for dinner. All the food was fabulous had appetizers and main dish. Only complaint was too much dressing on salad.
(4)
Chrissy H.
I admit it. I am a food snob. So you can imagine my consternation when business found us in South Portland, surrounded by a sea of corporate eateries at dinner time. After weighing the pros and cons of the gamut of mall area restaurants, the husband and I chose Macaroni Grill, as it was in the closest proximity to us. We entered with trepidation, but my dismay was eased by the inoffensive ambience and the pleasant young woman who showed us to our table. As is the case with most chains, I was slightly shocked by the high prices listed on the menu, but I realized, by the size of the meals on the other diners' tables, that I was not only paying for dinner but for lunch the next day as well. I decided on Carmela's chicken which was a nice, semi-light roasted chicken dish with caramelized onions, mushrooms, Marsala cream and rigatoni. The husband got the Mama's Trio which had a small portion of each of the chicken parmesan, lasagna Bolognese, and the chicken and mushroom cannelloni. All were quite tasty. The one complaint I had about the meal was the bread, which was a pity because it was "fresh out of the oven." And boy do I love my fresh baked bread! Though nice and warm, it was regrettably dry and stale- A HUGE bummer. All in all, the meal was not bad and the service was attentive without being intrusive. I had purposely waited to check the yelp rating until after we had eaten and was surprised to find only 2.5 stars. Admittedly, I hold chains to a different standard from the privately owned establishments in our little foodie city. Is this fair? Maybe not. But then again, I rarely dine in chains and when I do, I walk in knowing what to expect. Macaroni Grill surpassed my expectations as far as a chain restaurant goes. Plus, I get the added bonus of enjoying it for lunch again today.
(4)
Pootums P.
If you could give negative stars, this would be it. The most disgusting, gross, vile, spoiled food I have ever been served. Salad had more dressing than lettuce and seafood came from a dog food can. Holy crap...how can this place stay in business? Stay away or sit on the toilet all night.
(1)
Chris C.
I've never went to this chain before. I just happened to walk by while I was at Maine Mall. I admit I was being a total jerk in this restaurant. It was hot, and I came in all sweaty. I was on the phone for maybe 80% of the time because I was apartment hunting and people kept calling. I left hastily because I was in a hurry. However, my server was accommodating despite all of the above. I ordered a mango Italian soda; it tasted like grapefruit. They have a create-your-own-pasta, and my server helped me with the sauce selection (I wanted something spicy). He deserved my apologetic tip. The Italian sausage is delicious, and chunky. The pasta serving was rather small though, considering my experience at other Italian restaurants. I would go back to this restaurant for the Italian sausage if I'm in the neighbourhood, since there really isn't anything good at the Maine Mall food court. Not a bad choice, but nothing spectacular.
(2)
Janet E.
My boyfriend has had a curious eye for this restaurant for a while now, so we finally decided to check it out. I like the atmosphere a lot, and they have this great thing where your table is covered in paper with a pile of crayons for you to use. Needless to say, I was never bored!! The server came up to our table to introduce himself, saying his name was "Stephen" as he wrote it out on our table. It was kinda cool. The food was okay, and also the service was not bad.
(2)
Dave P.
My wife and I love this place. I love the bread they bring with oil and I also like the atmosphere. Typically I get the Chicken Parmigiana and have yet to be disappointed. We dine here probably 2 times a month.
(4)
Matt S.
I have been eating at Romano's Macaroni Grill for over 12 years (in Florida) and it was a monthly standby for when I got cravings for italian food. My favorite dish is the Chicken Scallopine and until today it has always been consistently great. My girlfriend and I decided to go to the Maine Mall today and were excited about having Macaroni Grill as we haven't had it since relocating to Maine. I ordered my usual favorite expecting it to be just as good or better than it has for over a decade. What I got instead was a dish that looked like it had been cooked a day earlier and heated up! The artichoke hearts looked and tasted rotten which is no surprise as they were GREEN! The chicken had no breading as it is supposed to and was spongy and flimsy as it wasn't cooked nearly long enough. The mushrooms were cold and slimey. The only thing fresh was the capellini pasta which was hardly worth the price of the dish. I requested a manager and explained the situation to him. He was very friendly and offered to replace it and give me a free dessert which I graciously declined. I instead told him that I wanted the entree fee waived from my bill and he agreed to do so swiftly. We paid for my gf's chicken Parmigiana (which was also pedestrian at best) and left utterly disgusted.
(1)
Mandy C.
Tasty little lunch, service was prompt, they have a decent selection of lighter fare on their lunch menu. Very satisfactory. We came in at 11:30, so all of this satisfaction occurred before they got busy...take this with a grain of salt.
(4)
Doug R.
Chain restaurant, but OK atmosphere. Service was a bit slow, but the waitress was very friendly. The hostess was a bit gruff. The food was very good, warm bread with dipping oil, the pasta was al-dente, and the sauces were tasty. I had chicken parmesan and it was crispy outside and moist inside, good red sauce. My wife had herb crusted chicken salad, and she thought it was pretty predictable, and had too much dressing on it. She usually gets dressing on the side, but forgot to ask for it that way. The paper tablecloths and crayons add some entertainment.
(3)
Chris C.
We enjoyed our lunch here today. Good food for a chain. Service is prompt and friendly, appetizers were really good, the calamari and stuffed mushrooms. I had the parmesan encrusted sole, really like it. My wife did not like her chicken, was tough, but liked the pasta, and my daughter enjoyed her chicken parm, a good family place to go, not too pricey
(4)
J S.
Food was okay. Appetizers were marginal. What I noticed about this restaurant was how dirty the floor and the glass doors were. The floor was sticky and door looked to be covered with several months worth of grime. I thought I had seen the worst of it until I went to the bathroom. The bathroom had an overwhelming stench and was FILTHY beyond words. The napkin container was "full" and the walls and floor were awful. Has anyone EVER been in to clean? We were big fans of MG but they need to get out the bleach and Windex before I ever go back.
(2)
Conrad J.
Great new items. One of my favorites is the Buffalo Chicken Parmasean, comes with pasta. Great new addition, hoping it stays!!
(5)
Nicole B.
Asked some friends if they wanted to meet for lunch. We normally hit up Panera on a work day, but one suggested we come here because she likes the food. I've never been before, so I agreed. First of all, my ginger ale was horrible. I hate when you have to send soda back because the machine hasn't been serviced. Next, there wasn't a lunch menu, we weren't given any specials to choose from, etc. I ordered the lasagna, something I haven't had in a while and don't make often. It arrived way too fast, eerily fast. It wasn't bad, per se, but all I could taste was cheese, cheese, and more cheese. I didn't finish it because by the middle, I felt like I couldn't get a bite without being overwhelmed by it (and mind you, I do like cheese, but this was too much). Overall, I had fun meeting my friends again, but wouldn't ever come back. Glad I had a Chili's gift card to pay for this meal. Go to Olive Garden instead.
(1)
Carl B.
I went to Macaroni Grill for the first time the other day and was not disappointed. Our server, Jim, was cool, smart, funny, conscientious and helpful. He talked us through the food menu and made some great recommendations. And man, can that guy sing. He should be on stage or something. A rare talent. The food was very good too. I chose the Butternut Asiago Tortellaci which was extremely palatable. My wife went for the create your own pasta option which I thought was a really good idea. You are able to basically select your own ingredients, pasta and sauce. Additionally, the wait time for preparation was virtually non existent and our food was delivered very quickly. So, despite this restaurant being part of a corporate chain, it was welcoming and exuded a pleasant atmosphere. We left feeling very looked after and, primarily down to the service, will definitely return here in the future.
(5)
Christopher S.
Excellent again never had a bad experience now all my kids choose to come here. So hard to choose but will get them all eventually. Camellas chicken is my favorite.
(4)
Linda T.
The service is fine, but the food at this location is a dud. Seasonings and dressings are scant, leaving the food flavorless. It seemed like the kitchen was lazy or the management was cheap. The chain is fine but don't bother with the South Portland one.
(2)
Jessica W.
Loud! Very loud! The food was moderate at best, but may have been tainted by the poor conversation happening at the table on the other side of the room. Not sure how this place was desgned, but it would have been great as a concert hall. Every sound carries.
(2)
Jordan H.
ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! We decided to come here after a few of our friends said this place was good. First we wait 45 minutes before a server even came to our table. We place our entire order and wait. 1 hour and 15 minutes later we get our appetizers, bread, and oil. (The table next to use wrote "took too long" on the table and then left.) Now maybe it's just me but that combination of bread and oil was absolutely terrible. 20 Minutes later we get our dishes. I ordered the exact thing as Olive Gardens's Tour of Italy. It was completely inedible. I took maybe 3-5 bites testing each dish and I just couldn't eat it. Now, I'm not picky at all and will 9 times out of 10 usually deal with bad food, service whatever without complaining but I just couldn't stand this place. My girlfriends dish was just as bad. Everything was just terrible. So we get up, talk to the man at the front door and tell him that we waited nearly 2 hours for food and the food was just absolutely terrible and that we were leaving without paying (Only time I've EVER done this). He said okay, asked who our server was and apologized. If someone could tell me what's so good about this place I may give it another chance.
(1)
Steve M.
What's not to love when you're in the mood for Italian and you want it fast. Service is prompt and friendly, food is OK Italian, and prices are very reasonable. Wine deals are super and the 1.75 of the house Chianti holds up well. Desserts are also nice if there's still room.
(4)
Diane P.
I frequent this restaurant often and just wanted to share something....they now have a promotion called "kitchen counter." This has been going on for many months and is worth calling attention to...especially with tourist season kicking into gear. They have $7 lunches and $9 dinner options that are both a great value and very tasty. Please go to their website at macaronigrill.com and click on menus, kitchen counter. Salads, sandwiches, small calzones, and pasta on the lunch menu, all for $7. The dinner menu for "kitchen counter" is a little larger and the portions are larger, $9 will get pasta or signature plates. The chicken milanese panzanella with a parmesan crusted chicken breast and a fresh tomato and arugula balsamic salad on top with parmesan roasted potatoes is a favorite...also very good is the brisket rigatoni with a marsala cream sauce...totally yummy and satisfying. This section of the restaurant is a little different. You order and pay at a counter, you take a table number to your table and it is brought to you. 7 mins for lunch (or it's free!) or 9 minutes during dinner (or it's free!) It does happen, I have enjoyed several free lunches and dinners there....if they claim it as a selling point...they better be able to deliver on that promise in my book. Keep in mind, the slip at the register is not where you tip your server who delivers your food or brings/refills your drink....leave a tip on a credit/debit card and it goes to the cashier who makes a decent wage....save the tip for your server at the table! A nice, lower cost option for lunch or dinner with some decent choices....you give up having the bread on the table unless you buy it and you will need to pay separately for dessert at regular menu prices....this is a great option if you are short on time and want more than fast food.
This was our second attempt going here with the family and the last time I gave them a 1 star rating so this time it was a bit better than before but nothing to write home about. The service was was great with our waiter who was interactive and was able to answer any questions that we had about the menu. I had the seafood pasta dish that was littered with large sized scallops and jumbo shrimp but for the pricepoint of 18 dollars I was not sure if I felt it was worth the price (two scallops and three shrimp) and the red sauce was very bland. My wife had a salad that stated that it was supposed to come with candied walnuts and seemed much better on the menu than in reality where it didnt even come with the walnuts that were promised. Lastly my son's spaghetti and meatballs seemed like they came out frozen but was off the kids menu so I cannot expect much. The saving grace was the desserts that we ordered ... the waiter told us that they just made the tiramisu and recommended it and it was nothing short of amazing and my son got the peach gelato and he loved every minute of it. So, we decided that if we want a dessert on the fly, we can stop here but this is second time that we were not all that happy with the food and you would think with the prices of some of the dishes, they would invest in the food to deliver in competition of some of the amazing eateries around Portland area. Oh well two times to try a place and not all that happy about it so we will not be coming back I think that we can spend our hard earned money elsewhere more effectively.
(2)
Jordan H.
ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! We decided to come here after a few of our friends said this place was good. First we wait 45 minutes before a server even came to our table. We place our entire order and wait. 1 hour and 15 minutes later we get our appetizers, bread, and oil. (The table next to use wrote "took too long" on the table and then left.) Now maybe it's just me but that combination of bread and oil was absolutely terrible. 20 Minutes later we get our dishes. I ordered the exact thing as Olive Gardens's Tour of Italy. It was completely inedible. I took maybe 3-5 bites testing each dish and I just couldn't eat it. Now, I'm not picky at all and will 9 times out of 10 usually deal with bad food, service whatever without complaining but I just couldn't stand this place. My girlfriends dish was just as bad. Everything was just terrible. So we get up, talk to the man at the front door and tell him that we waited nearly 2 hours for food and the food was just absolutely terrible and that we were leaving without paying (Only time I've EVER done this). He said okay, asked who our server was and apologized. If someone could tell me what's so good about this place I may give it another chance.
(1)
Steve M.
What's not to love when you're in the mood for Italian and you want it fast. Service is prompt and friendly, food is OK Italian, and prices are very reasonable. Wine deals are super and the 1.75 of the house Chianti holds up well. Desserts are also nice if there's still room.
(4)
Chris C.
I've never went to this chain before. I just happened to walk by while I was at Maine Mall. I admit I was being a total jerk in this restaurant. It was hot, and I came in all sweaty. I was on the phone for maybe 80% of the time because I was apartment hunting and people kept calling. I left hastily because I was in a hurry. However, my server was accommodating despite all of the above. I ordered a mango Italian soda; it tasted like grapefruit. They have a create-your-own-pasta, and my server helped me with the sauce selection (I wanted something spicy). He deserved my apologetic tip. The Italian sausage is delicious, and chunky. The pasta serving was rather small though, considering my experience at other Italian restaurants. I would go back to this restaurant for the Italian sausage if I'm in the neighbourhood, since there really isn't anything good at the Maine Mall food court. Not a bad choice, but nothing spectacular.
(2)
Janet E.
My boyfriend has had a curious eye for this restaurant for a while now, so we finally decided to check it out. I like the atmosphere a lot, and they have this great thing where your table is covered in paper with a pile of crayons for you to use. Needless to say, I was never bored!! The server came up to our table to introduce himself, saying his name was "Stephen" as he wrote it out on our table. It was kinda cool. The food was okay, and also the service was not bad.
(2)
Dave P.
My wife and I love this place. I love the bread they bring with oil and I also like the atmosphere. Typically I get the Chicken Parmigiana and have yet to be disappointed. We dine here probably 2 times a month.
(4)
Matt S.
I have been eating at Romano's Macaroni Grill for over 12 years (in Florida) and it was a monthly standby for when I got cravings for italian food. My favorite dish is the Chicken Scallopine and until today it has always been consistently great. My girlfriend and I decided to go to the Maine Mall today and were excited about having Macaroni Grill as we haven't had it since relocating to Maine. I ordered my usual favorite expecting it to be just as good or better than it has for over a decade. What I got instead was a dish that looked like it had been cooked a day earlier and heated up! The artichoke hearts looked and tasted rotten which is no surprise as they were GREEN! The chicken had no breading as it is supposed to and was spongy and flimsy as it wasn't cooked nearly long enough. The mushrooms were cold and slimey. The only thing fresh was the capellini pasta which was hardly worth the price of the dish. I requested a manager and explained the situation to him. He was very friendly and offered to replace it and give me a free dessert which I graciously declined. I instead told him that I wanted the entree fee waived from my bill and he agreed to do so swiftly. We paid for my gf's chicken Parmigiana (which was also pedestrian at best) and left utterly disgusted.
(1)
Diane P.
I frequent this restaurant often and just wanted to share something....they now have a promotion called "kitchen counter." This has been going on for many months and is worth calling attention to...especially with tourist season kicking into gear. They have $7 lunches and $9 dinner options that are both a great value and very tasty. Please go to their website at macaronigrill.com and click on menus, kitchen counter. Salads, sandwiches, small calzones, and pasta on the lunch menu, all for $7. The dinner menu for "kitchen counter" is a little larger and the portions are larger, $9 will get pasta or signature plates. The chicken milanese panzanella with a parmesan crusted chicken breast and a fresh tomato and arugula balsamic salad on top with parmesan roasted potatoes is a favorite...also very good is the brisket rigatoni with a marsala cream sauce...totally yummy and satisfying. This section of the restaurant is a little different. You order and pay at a counter, you take a table number to your table and it is brought to you. 7 mins for lunch (or it's free!) or 9 minutes during dinner (or it's free!) It does happen, I have enjoyed several free lunches and dinners there....if they claim it as a selling point...they better be able to deliver on that promise in my book. Keep in mind, the slip at the register is not where you tip your server who delivers your food or brings/refills your drink....leave a tip on a credit/debit card and it goes to the cashier who makes a decent wage....save the tip for your server at the table! A nice, lower cost option for lunch or dinner with some decent choices....you give up having the bread on the table unless you buy it and you will need to pay separately for dessert at regular menu prices....this is a great option if you are short on time and want more than fast food.
(5)
Marian S.
Nice waiter but way too long to get dinner. The waiter acknowledged the wait but nothing was comp'd. It wasn't even busy for a Friday. Maybe people didn't want to wait 2.5 hours for dinner. All the food was fabulous had appetizers and main dish. Only complaint was too much dressing on salad.
(4)
Mandy C.
Tasty little lunch, service was prompt, they have a decent selection of lighter fare on their lunch menu. Very satisfactory. We came in at 11:30, so all of this satisfaction occurred before they got busy...take this with a grain of salt.
(4)
Chrissy H.
I admit it. I am a food snob. So you can imagine my consternation when business found us in South Portland, surrounded by a sea of corporate eateries at dinner time. After weighing the pros and cons of the gamut of mall area restaurants, the husband and I chose Macaroni Grill, as it was in the closest proximity to us. We entered with trepidation, but my dismay was eased by the inoffensive ambience and the pleasant young woman who showed us to our table. As is the case with most chains, I was slightly shocked by the high prices listed on the menu, but I realized, by the size of the meals on the other diners' tables, that I was not only paying for dinner but for lunch the next day as well. I decided on Carmela's chicken which was a nice, semi-light roasted chicken dish with caramelized onions, mushrooms, Marsala cream and rigatoni. The husband got the Mama's Trio which had a small portion of each of the chicken parmesan, lasagna Bolognese, and the chicken and mushroom cannelloni. All were quite tasty. The one complaint I had about the meal was the bread, which was a pity because it was "fresh out of the oven." And boy do I love my fresh baked bread! Though nice and warm, it was regrettably dry and stale- A HUGE bummer. All in all, the meal was not bad and the service was attentive without being intrusive. I had purposely waited to check the yelp rating until after we had eaten and was surprised to find only 2.5 stars. Admittedly, I hold chains to a different standard from the privately owned establishments in our little foodie city. Is this fair? Maybe not. But then again, I rarely dine in chains and when I do, I walk in knowing what to expect. Macaroni Grill surpassed my expectations as far as a chain restaurant goes. Plus, I get the added bonus of enjoying it for lunch again today.
(4)
Pootums P.
If you could give negative stars, this would be it. The most disgusting, gross, vile, spoiled food I have ever been served. Salad had more dressing than lettuce and seafood came from a dog food can. Holy crap...how can this place stay in business? Stay away or sit on the toilet all night.
(1)
S And E H.
Quick service. Good food. Decent selection of beer on tap. I love the Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Flatbread(with caramelized onions, truffle oil, herbs). I ask to substitute the mushrooms for Pepperoni and it is Delicious. I haven't had anything off the menu that I haven't liked.
(5)
Chris C.
We enjoyed our lunch here today. Good food for a chain. Service is prompt and friendly, appetizers were really good, the calamari and stuffed mushrooms. I had the parmesan encrusted sole, really like it. My wife did not like her chicken, was tough, but liked the pasta, and my daughter enjoyed her chicken parm, a good family place to go, not too pricey
This was our second attempt going here with the family and the last time I gave them a 1 star rating so this time it was a bit better than before but nothing to write home about. The service was was great with our waiter who was interactive and was able to answer any questions that we had about the menu. I had the seafood pasta dish that was littered with large sized scallops and jumbo shrimp but for the pricepoint of 18 dollars I was not sure if I felt it was worth the price (two scallops and three shrimp) and the red sauce was very bland. My wife had a salad that stated that it was supposed to come with candied walnuts and seemed much better on the menu than in reality where it didnt even come with the walnuts that were promised. Lastly my son's spaghetti and meatballs seemed like they came out frozen but was off the kids menu so I cannot expect much. The saving grace was the desserts that we ordered ... the waiter told us that they just made the tiramisu and recommended it and it was nothing short of amazing and my son got the peach gelato and he loved every minute of it. So, we decided that if we want a dessert on the fly, we can stop here but this is second time that we were not all that happy with the food and you would think with the prices of some of the dishes, they would invest in the food to deliver in competition of some of the amazing eateries around Portland area. Oh well two times to try a place and not all that happy about it so we will not be coming back I think that we can spend our hard earned money elsewhere more effectively.
(2)
Lori S.
Yes I gave a chain restaurant a 5!!! Why, because we have been coming here for several years now and to date, we have never had a bad experience, service or meal. Tonight I tried a new dish and it was awesome! I'm sorry, I don't remember the name, but it had butternut squash, prosciutto, asiago cheese, raviolis with a couple of sauces and it was salty and sweet at the same time. I really liked it. Unfortunately, I was full and didn't get a chance to have dessert, but maybe next time !!!
(5)
J S.
Food was okay. Appetizers were marginal. What I noticed about this restaurant was how dirty the floor and the glass doors were. The floor was sticky and door looked to be covered with several months worth of grime. I thought I had seen the worst of it until I went to the bathroom. The bathroom had an overwhelming stench and was FILTHY beyond words. The napkin container was "full" and the walls and floor were awful. Has anyone EVER been in to clean? We were big fans of MG but they need to get out the bleach and Windex before I ever go back.
(2)
Conrad J.
Great new items. One of my favorites is the Buffalo Chicken Parmasean, comes with pasta. Great new addition, hoping it stays!!
(5)
Nicole B.
Asked some friends if they wanted to meet for lunch. We normally hit up Panera on a work day, but one suggested we come here because she likes the food. I've never been before, so I agreed. First of all, my ginger ale was horrible. I hate when you have to send soda back because the machine hasn't been serviced. Next, there wasn't a lunch menu, we weren't given any specials to choose from, etc. I ordered the lasagna, something I haven't had in a while and don't make often. It arrived way too fast, eerily fast. It wasn't bad, per se, but all I could taste was cheese, cheese, and more cheese. I didn't finish it because by the middle, I felt like I couldn't get a bite without being overwhelmed by it (and mind you, I do like cheese, but this was too much). Overall, I had fun meeting my friends again, but wouldn't ever come back. Glad I had a Chili's gift card to pay for this meal. Go to Olive Garden instead.
(1)
Carl B.
I went to Macaroni Grill for the first time the other day and was not disappointed. Our server, Jim, was cool, smart, funny, conscientious and helpful. He talked us through the food menu and made some great recommendations. And man, can that guy sing. He should be on stage or something. A rare talent. The food was very good too. I chose the Butternut Asiago Tortellaci which was extremely palatable. My wife went for the create your own pasta option which I thought was a really good idea. You are able to basically select your own ingredients, pasta and sauce. Additionally, the wait time for preparation was virtually non existent and our food was delivered very quickly. So, despite this restaurant being part of a corporate chain, it was welcoming and exuded a pleasant atmosphere. We left feeling very looked after and, primarily down to the service, will definitely return here in the future.
(5)
Christopher S.
Excellent again never had a bad experience now all my kids choose to come here. So hard to choose but will get them all eventually. Camellas chicken is my favorite.
(4)
Doug R.
Chain restaurant, but OK atmosphere. Service was a bit slow, but the waitress was very friendly. The hostess was a bit gruff. The food was very good, warm bread with dipping oil, the pasta was al-dente, and the sauces were tasty. I had chicken parmesan and it was crispy outside and moist inside, good red sauce. My wife had herb crusted chicken salad, and she thought it was pretty predictable, and had too much dressing on it. She usually gets dressing on the side, but forgot to ask for it that way. The paper tablecloths and crayons add some entertainment.
(3)
Shayla H.
I'm so over all the hubbub of oh, I don't eat in chain restaurants... Chain restaurants suck. Let's be real, there wouldn't be so many huge thriving chains if as many people didn't eat at them as they say.. So I am going to proudly state that I thoroughly enjoy macaroni grill. Yup. I said it. No need to make excuses. Carmela's chicken is amazing in all of its marsala cream and perfectly caramelized onion goodness. I could eat my leftovers for days but they won't make it 24 hours. The create your own pasta menu is another unique feature to tout. They are quite flexible with add ons that aren't listed if you ask nicely! The service was superior on this night as well, which is of the utmost importance when dining with a little one.
(5)
Amy F.
If I could I would give this place a half star!!!! We traveled south from northern Maine and were in the neighborhood for dinner. We are Californians but were surprised that on a week night most of the local "good" establishments close here in S. Portland at 7. (Say What?!?!) So we decided to hit a chain restaurant thinking it would be an upgrade from McDonalds. That's where we were wrong! Dead wrong!!!! We walk in around 8:30pm but are greeted with unhappy glances and gruffly given a table. I quickly checked my phone to see if this place was nearing its closing time but was pleasantly surprised to find they were open till 10:30. We had 4 kids and 2 adults and were seated at an ample sized round table. Upon sitting we asked for 3 kids menus and the rest adult menus. While looking over our menus I noticed that our table ware was dirty! Spaghetti sauce splatters on my daughters bread plate and all of our drinking cups and utensils all had crust of some kind. I hated to send back our cups requesting new ones thinking about the horror stories of people spit shining your cups. Our server was congenial but messed up our order giving us all adult portions. For the most part, the food did come out in record time but almost too fast. Everything looked like it had been under a warming light for sometime and totally tasted super prepackaged with no taste. Our sons personal pizza was burnt and they had to make a new one. I've eaten at other macaroni grills but this place was epically awful! Our server did make amends for giving us adult portions as we realize maybe she was having an off night. We tipped her good and felt bad that she worked with unfriendly staff, poor management, that doesn't have an eye for dirty ambience or even quality in food. In short, stay away from this place!
(1)
Caitlyn T.
For a chain restaurant this is 5 stars. All 4 of us enjoyed our meals. The create your own pasta menu it's a cool concept. The restaurant was very clean and the Italian lessons in the bathroom was neat. The waitress was fantastic and we enjoyed her story about moving here from Portland, Oregon by putting the wrong address into her GPS. The huge bottle of wine for $15 was an amazing deal. We will definitely be back next we drive through!
(5)
Linda T.
The service is fine, but the food at this location is a dud. Seasonings and dressings are scant, leaving the food flavorless. It seemed like the kitchen was lazy or the management was cheap. The chain is fine but don't bother with the South Portland one.
(2)
Jessica W.
Loud! Very loud! The food was moderate at best, but may have been tainted by the poor conversation happening at the table on the other side of the room. Not sure how this place was desgned, but it would have been great as a concert hall. Every sound carries.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No 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 : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
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.
S And E H.
Quick service. Good food. Decent selection of beer on tap. I love the Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Flatbread(with caramelized onions, truffle oil, herbs). I ask to substitute the mushrooms for Pepperoni and it is Delicious. I haven't had anything off the menu that I haven't liked.
(5)Shayla H.
I'm so over all the hubbub of oh, I don't eat in chain restaurants... Chain restaurants suck. Let's be real, there wouldn't be so many huge thriving chains if as many people didn't eat at them as they say.. So I am going to proudly state that I thoroughly enjoy macaroni grill. Yup. I said it. No need to make excuses. Carmela's chicken is amazing in all of its marsala cream and perfectly caramelized onion goodness. I could eat my leftovers for days but they won't make it 24 hours. The create your own pasta menu is another unique feature to tout. They are quite flexible with add ons that aren't listed if you ask nicely! The service was superior on this night as well, which is of the utmost importance when dining with a little one.
(5)Amy F.
If I could I would give this place a half star!!!! We traveled south from northern Maine and were in the neighborhood for dinner. We are Californians but were surprised that on a week night most of the local "good" establishments close here in S. Portland at 7. (Say What?!?!) So we decided to hit a chain restaurant thinking it would be an upgrade from McDonalds. That's where we were wrong! Dead wrong!!!! We walk in around 8:30pm but are greeted with unhappy glances and gruffly given a table. I quickly checked my phone to see if this place was nearing its closing time but was pleasantly surprised to find they were open till 10:30. We had 4 kids and 2 adults and were seated at an ample sized round table. Upon sitting we asked for 3 kids menus and the rest adult menus. While looking over our menus I noticed that our table ware was dirty! Spaghetti sauce splatters on my daughters bread plate and all of our drinking cups and utensils all had crust of some kind. I hated to send back our cups requesting new ones thinking about the horror stories of people spit shining your cups. Our server was congenial but messed up our order giving us all adult portions. For the most part, the food did come out in record time but almost too fast. Everything looked like it had been under a warming light for sometime and totally tasted super prepackaged with no taste. Our sons personal pizza was burnt and they had to make a new one. I've eaten at other macaroni grills but this place was epically awful! Our server did make amends for giving us adult portions as we realize maybe she was having an off night. We tipped her good and felt bad that she worked with unfriendly staff, poor management, that doesn't have an eye for dirty ambience or even quality in food. In short, stay away from this place!
(1)Caitlyn T.
For a chain restaurant this is 5 stars. All 4 of us enjoyed our meals. The create your own pasta menu it's a cool concept. The restaurant was very clean and the Italian lessons in the bathroom was neat. The waitress was fantastic and we enjoyed her story about moving here from Portland, Oregon by putting the wrong address into her GPS. The huge bottle of wine for $15 was an amazing deal. We will definitely be back next we drive through!
(5)Lori S.
Yes I gave a chain restaurant a 5!!! Why, because we have been coming here for several years now and to date, we have never had a bad experience, service or meal. Tonight I tried a new dish and it was awesome! I'm sorry, I don't remember the name, but it had butternut squash, prosciutto, asiago cheese, raviolis with a couple of sauces and it was salty and sweet at the same time. I really liked it. Unfortunately, I was full and didn't get a chance to have dessert, but maybe next time !!!
(5)Marian S.
Nice waiter but way too long to get dinner. The waiter acknowledged the wait but nothing was comp'd. It wasn't even busy for a Friday. Maybe people didn't want to wait 2.5 hours for dinner. All the food was fabulous had appetizers and main dish. Only complaint was too much dressing on salad.
(4)Chrissy H.
I admit it. I am a food snob. So you can imagine my consternation when business found us in South Portland, surrounded by a sea of corporate eateries at dinner time. After weighing the pros and cons of the gamut of mall area restaurants, the husband and I chose Macaroni Grill, as it was in the closest proximity to us. We entered with trepidation, but my dismay was eased by the inoffensive ambience and the pleasant young woman who showed us to our table. As is the case with most chains, I was slightly shocked by the high prices listed on the menu, but I realized, by the size of the meals on the other diners' tables, that I was not only paying for dinner but for lunch the next day as well. I decided on Carmela's chicken which was a nice, semi-light roasted chicken dish with caramelized onions, mushrooms, Marsala cream and rigatoni. The husband got the Mama's Trio which had a small portion of each of the chicken parmesan, lasagna Bolognese, and the chicken and mushroom cannelloni. All were quite tasty. The one complaint I had about the meal was the bread, which was a pity because it was "fresh out of the oven." And boy do I love my fresh baked bread! Though nice and warm, it was regrettably dry and stale- A HUGE bummer. All in all, the meal was not bad and the service was attentive without being intrusive. I had purposely waited to check the yelp rating until after we had eaten and was surprised to find only 2.5 stars. Admittedly, I hold chains to a different standard from the privately owned establishments in our little foodie city. Is this fair? Maybe not. But then again, I rarely dine in chains and when I do, I walk in knowing what to expect. Macaroni Grill surpassed my expectations as far as a chain restaurant goes. Plus, I get the added bonus of enjoying it for lunch again today.
(4)Pootums P.
If you could give negative stars, this would be it. The most disgusting, gross, vile, spoiled food I have ever been served. Salad had more dressing than lettuce and seafood came from a dog food can. Holy crap...how can this place stay in business? Stay away or sit on the toilet all night.
(1)Chris C.
I've never went to this chain before. I just happened to walk by while I was at Maine Mall. I admit I was being a total jerk in this restaurant. It was hot, and I came in all sweaty. I was on the phone for maybe 80% of the time because I was apartment hunting and people kept calling. I left hastily because I was in a hurry. However, my server was accommodating despite all of the above. I ordered a mango Italian soda; it tasted like grapefruit. They have a create-your-own-pasta, and my server helped me with the sauce selection (I wanted something spicy). He deserved my apologetic tip. The Italian sausage is delicious, and chunky. The pasta serving was rather small though, considering my experience at other Italian restaurants. I would go back to this restaurant for the Italian sausage if I'm in the neighbourhood, since there really isn't anything good at the Maine Mall food court. Not a bad choice, but nothing spectacular.
(2)Janet E.
My boyfriend has had a curious eye for this restaurant for a while now, so we finally decided to check it out. I like the atmosphere a lot, and they have this great thing where your table is covered in paper with a pile of crayons for you to use. Needless to say, I was never bored!! The server came up to our table to introduce himself, saying his name was "Stephen" as he wrote it out on our table. It was kinda cool. The food was okay, and also the service was not bad.
(2)Dave P.
My wife and I love this place. I love the bread they bring with oil and I also like the atmosphere. Typically I get the Chicken Parmigiana and have yet to be disappointed. We dine here probably 2 times a month.
(4)Matt S.
I have been eating at Romano's Macaroni Grill for over 12 years (in Florida) and it was a monthly standby for when I got cravings for italian food. My favorite dish is the Chicken Scallopine and until today it has always been consistently great. My girlfriend and I decided to go to the Maine Mall today and were excited about having Macaroni Grill as we haven't had it since relocating to Maine. I ordered my usual favorite expecting it to be just as good or better than it has for over a decade. What I got instead was a dish that looked like it had been cooked a day earlier and heated up! The artichoke hearts looked and tasted rotten which is no surprise as they were GREEN! The chicken had no breading as it is supposed to and was spongy and flimsy as it wasn't cooked nearly long enough. The mushrooms were cold and slimey. The only thing fresh was the capellini pasta which was hardly worth the price of the dish. I requested a manager and explained the situation to him. He was very friendly and offered to replace it and give me a free dessert which I graciously declined. I instead told him that I wanted the entree fee waived from my bill and he agreed to do so swiftly. We paid for my gf's chicken Parmigiana (which was also pedestrian at best) and left utterly disgusted.
(1)Mandy C.
Tasty little lunch, service was prompt, they have a decent selection of lighter fare on their lunch menu. Very satisfactory. We came in at 11:30, so all of this satisfaction occurred before they got busy...take this with a grain of salt.
(4)Doug R.
Chain restaurant, but OK atmosphere. Service was a bit slow, but the waitress was very friendly. The hostess was a bit gruff. The food was very good, warm bread with dipping oil, the pasta was al-dente, and the sauces were tasty. I had chicken parmesan and it was crispy outside and moist inside, good red sauce. My wife had herb crusted chicken salad, and she thought it was pretty predictable, and had too much dressing on it. She usually gets dressing on the side, but forgot to ask for it that way. The paper tablecloths and crayons add some entertainment.
(3)Chris C.
We enjoyed our lunch here today. Good food for a chain. Service is prompt and friendly, appetizers were really good, the calamari and stuffed mushrooms. I had the parmesan encrusted sole, really like it. My wife did not like her chicken, was tough, but liked the pasta, and my daughter enjoyed her chicken parm, a good family place to go, not too pricey
(4)J S.
Food was okay. Appetizers were marginal. What I noticed about this restaurant was how dirty the floor and the glass doors were. The floor was sticky and door looked to be covered with several months worth of grime. I thought I had seen the worst of it until I went to the bathroom. The bathroom had an overwhelming stench and was FILTHY beyond words. The napkin container was "full" and the walls and floor were awful. Has anyone EVER been in to clean? We were big fans of MG but they need to get out the bleach and Windex before I ever go back.
(2)Conrad J.
Great new items. One of my favorites is the Buffalo Chicken Parmasean, comes with pasta. Great new addition, hoping it stays!!
(5)Nicole B.
Asked some friends if they wanted to meet for lunch. We normally hit up Panera on a work day, but one suggested we come here because she likes the food. I've never been before, so I agreed. First of all, my ginger ale was horrible. I hate when you have to send soda back because the machine hasn't been serviced. Next, there wasn't a lunch menu, we weren't given any specials to choose from, etc. I ordered the lasagna, something I haven't had in a while and don't make often. It arrived way too fast, eerily fast. It wasn't bad, per se, but all I could taste was cheese, cheese, and more cheese. I didn't finish it because by the middle, I felt like I couldn't get a bite without being overwhelmed by it (and mind you, I do like cheese, but this was too much). Overall, I had fun meeting my friends again, but wouldn't ever come back. Glad I had a Chili's gift card to pay for this meal. Go to Olive Garden instead.
(1)Carl B.
I went to Macaroni Grill for the first time the other day and was not disappointed. Our server, Jim, was cool, smart, funny, conscientious and helpful. He talked us through the food menu and made some great recommendations. And man, can that guy sing. He should be on stage or something. A rare talent. The food was very good too. I chose the Butternut Asiago Tortellaci which was extremely palatable. My wife went for the create your own pasta option which I thought was a really good idea. You are able to basically select your own ingredients, pasta and sauce. Additionally, the wait time for preparation was virtually non existent and our food was delivered very quickly. So, despite this restaurant being part of a corporate chain, it was welcoming and exuded a pleasant atmosphere. We left feeling very looked after and, primarily down to the service, will definitely return here in the future.
(5)Christopher S.
Excellent again never had a bad experience now all my kids choose to come here. So hard to choose but will get them all eventually. Camellas chicken is my favorite.
(4)Linda T.
The service is fine, but the food at this location is a dud. Seasonings and dressings are scant, leaving the food flavorless. It seemed like the kitchen was lazy or the management was cheap. The chain is fine but don't bother with the South Portland one.
(2)Jessica W.
Loud! Very loud! The food was moderate at best, but may have been tainted by the poor conversation happening at the table on the other side of the room. Not sure how this place was desgned, but it would have been great as a concert hall. Every sound carries.
(2)Jordan H.
ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! We decided to come here after a few of our friends said this place was good. First we wait 45 minutes before a server even came to our table. We place our entire order and wait. 1 hour and 15 minutes later we get our appetizers, bread, and oil. (The table next to use wrote "took too long" on the table and then left.) Now maybe it's just me but that combination of bread and oil was absolutely terrible. 20 Minutes later we get our dishes. I ordered the exact thing as Olive Gardens's Tour of Italy. It was completely inedible. I took maybe 3-5 bites testing each dish and I just couldn't eat it. Now, I'm not picky at all and will 9 times out of 10 usually deal with bad food, service whatever without complaining but I just couldn't stand this place. My girlfriends dish was just as bad. Everything was just terrible. So we get up, talk to the man at the front door and tell him that we waited nearly 2 hours for food and the food was just absolutely terrible and that we were leaving without paying (Only time I've EVER done this). He said okay, asked who our server was and apologized. If someone could tell me what's so good about this place I may give it another chance.
(1)Steve M.
What's not to love when you're in the mood for Italian and you want it fast. Service is prompt and friendly, food is OK Italian, and prices are very reasonable. Wine deals are super and the 1.75 of the house Chianti holds up well. Desserts are also nice if there's still room.
(4)Diane P.
I frequent this restaurant often and just wanted to share something....they now have a promotion called "kitchen counter." This has been going on for many months and is worth calling attention to...especially with tourist season kicking into gear. They have $7 lunches and $9 dinner options that are both a great value and very tasty. Please go to their website at macaronigrill.com and click on menus, kitchen counter. Salads, sandwiches, small calzones, and pasta on the lunch menu, all for $7. The dinner menu for "kitchen counter" is a little larger and the portions are larger, $9 will get pasta or signature plates. The chicken milanese panzanella with a parmesan crusted chicken breast and a fresh tomato and arugula balsamic salad on top with parmesan roasted potatoes is a favorite...also very good is the brisket rigatoni with a marsala cream sauce...totally yummy and satisfying. This section of the restaurant is a little different. You order and pay at a counter, you take a table number to your table and it is brought to you. 7 mins for lunch (or it's free!) or 9 minutes during dinner (or it's free!) It does happen, I have enjoyed several free lunches and dinners there....if they claim it as a selling point...they better be able to deliver on that promise in my book. Keep in mind, the slip at the register is not where you tip your server who delivers your food or brings/refills your drink....leave a tip on a credit/debit card and it goes to the cashier who makes a decent wage....save the tip for your server at the table! A nice, lower cost option for lunch or dinner with some decent choices....you give up having the bread on the table unless you buy it and you will need to pay separately for dessert at regular menu prices....this is a great option if you are short on time and want more than fast food.
(5)Cheryl F.
One of our favorite restaurants. We like to combine our visit to Cabelas with Macaroni Grille, for the full afternoon experience. I love the ambiance, the singers on the weekends, the open grille, but especially the food. I have to admit, I have only eaten one entrée here. I simply cannot stray from it. Well, once I got the Caesar salad, which was excellent. This seems to be a habit of mine, actually. My husband is a trained chef, I'm a picky eater and we have been bringing our son from when he was a difficult eater at 5 years old, to an all-you-can-eat kind of 15 year old. This place pleases ALL of us, ALL of the time. The service is usually very good. We love to write on the paper table covers. We love the water pitcher at the table, are crazy about the rosemary bread and dipping oil and I will tell you that the chicken scallopini is amazing (especially now that I know to request slightly less butter in the meal). The portions have gotten a lot smaller over the years, while the prices have increased, but these guys seem to keep that inevitable march to a minimum. We have never tried dessert, as we never have any room. The servers have always graciously given us more bread when asked and are quick to bring freshly cracked black pepper or shaved parmesan to our table with our meals. I wouldn't mind some parmesan cheese at the table so that we could add it to our dipping sauce for the bread, but we can usually grab someone and ask for it.
(5)Shane L.
This was our second attempt going here with the family and the last time I gave them a 1 star rating so this time it was a bit better than before but nothing to write home about. The service was was great with our waiter who was interactive and was able to answer any questions that we had about the menu. I had the seafood pasta dish that was littered with large sized scallops and jumbo shrimp but for the pricepoint of 18 dollars I was not sure if I felt it was worth the price (two scallops and three shrimp) and the red sauce was very bland. My wife had a salad that stated that it was supposed to come with candied walnuts and seemed much better on the menu than in reality where it didnt even come with the walnuts that were promised. Lastly my son's spaghetti and meatballs seemed like they came out frozen but was off the kids menu so I cannot expect much. The saving grace was the desserts that we ordered ... the waiter told us that they just made the tiramisu and recommended it and it was nothing short of amazing and my son got the peach gelato and he loved every minute of it. So, we decided that if we want a dessert on the fly, we can stop here but this is second time that we were not all that happy with the food and you would think with the prices of some of the dishes, they would invest in the food to deliver in competition of some of the amazing eateries around Portland area. Oh well two times to try a place and not all that happy about it so we will not be coming back I think that we can spend our hard earned money elsewhere more effectively.
(2)Jordan H.
ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! We decided to come here after a few of our friends said this place was good. First we wait 45 minutes before a server even came to our table. We place our entire order and wait. 1 hour and 15 minutes later we get our appetizers, bread, and oil. (The table next to use wrote "took too long" on the table and then left.) Now maybe it's just me but that combination of bread and oil was absolutely terrible. 20 Minutes later we get our dishes. I ordered the exact thing as Olive Gardens's Tour of Italy. It was completely inedible. I took maybe 3-5 bites testing each dish and I just couldn't eat it. Now, I'm not picky at all and will 9 times out of 10 usually deal with bad food, service whatever without complaining but I just couldn't stand this place. My girlfriends dish was just as bad. Everything was just terrible. So we get up, talk to the man at the front door and tell him that we waited nearly 2 hours for food and the food was just absolutely terrible and that we were leaving without paying (Only time I've EVER done this). He said okay, asked who our server was and apologized. If someone could tell me what's so good about this place I may give it another chance.
(1)Steve M.
What's not to love when you're in the mood for Italian and you want it fast. Service is prompt and friendly, food is OK Italian, and prices are very reasonable. Wine deals are super and the 1.75 of the house Chianti holds up well. Desserts are also nice if there's still room.
(4)Chris C.
I've never went to this chain before. I just happened to walk by while I was at Maine Mall. I admit I was being a total jerk in this restaurant. It was hot, and I came in all sweaty. I was on the phone for maybe 80% of the time because I was apartment hunting and people kept calling. I left hastily because I was in a hurry. However, my server was accommodating despite all of the above. I ordered a mango Italian soda; it tasted like grapefruit. They have a create-your-own-pasta, and my server helped me with the sauce selection (I wanted something spicy). He deserved my apologetic tip. The Italian sausage is delicious, and chunky. The pasta serving was rather small though, considering my experience at other Italian restaurants. I would go back to this restaurant for the Italian sausage if I'm in the neighbourhood, since there really isn't anything good at the Maine Mall food court. Not a bad choice, but nothing spectacular.
(2)Janet E.
My boyfriend has had a curious eye for this restaurant for a while now, so we finally decided to check it out. I like the atmosphere a lot, and they have this great thing where your table is covered in paper with a pile of crayons for you to use. Needless to say, I was never bored!! The server came up to our table to introduce himself, saying his name was "Stephen" as he wrote it out on our table. It was kinda cool. The food was okay, and also the service was not bad.
(2)Dave P.
My wife and I love this place. I love the bread they bring with oil and I also like the atmosphere. Typically I get the Chicken Parmigiana and have yet to be disappointed. We dine here probably 2 times a month.
(4)Matt S.
I have been eating at Romano's Macaroni Grill for over 12 years (in Florida) and it was a monthly standby for when I got cravings for italian food. My favorite dish is the Chicken Scallopine and until today it has always been consistently great. My girlfriend and I decided to go to the Maine Mall today and were excited about having Macaroni Grill as we haven't had it since relocating to Maine. I ordered my usual favorite expecting it to be just as good or better than it has for over a decade. What I got instead was a dish that looked like it had been cooked a day earlier and heated up! The artichoke hearts looked and tasted rotten which is no surprise as they were GREEN! The chicken had no breading as it is supposed to and was spongy and flimsy as it wasn't cooked nearly long enough. The mushrooms were cold and slimey. The only thing fresh was the capellini pasta which was hardly worth the price of the dish. I requested a manager and explained the situation to him. He was very friendly and offered to replace it and give me a free dessert which I graciously declined. I instead told him that I wanted the entree fee waived from my bill and he agreed to do so swiftly. We paid for my gf's chicken Parmigiana (which was also pedestrian at best) and left utterly disgusted.
(1)Diane P.
I frequent this restaurant often and just wanted to share something....they now have a promotion called "kitchen counter." This has been going on for many months and is worth calling attention to...especially with tourist season kicking into gear. They have $7 lunches and $9 dinner options that are both a great value and very tasty. Please go to their website at macaronigrill.com and click on menus, kitchen counter. Salads, sandwiches, small calzones, and pasta on the lunch menu, all for $7. The dinner menu for "kitchen counter" is a little larger and the portions are larger, $9 will get pasta or signature plates. The chicken milanese panzanella with a parmesan crusted chicken breast and a fresh tomato and arugula balsamic salad on top with parmesan roasted potatoes is a favorite...also very good is the brisket rigatoni with a marsala cream sauce...totally yummy and satisfying. This section of the restaurant is a little different. You order and pay at a counter, you take a table number to your table and it is brought to you. 7 mins for lunch (or it's free!) or 9 minutes during dinner (or it's free!) It does happen, I have enjoyed several free lunches and dinners there....if they claim it as a selling point...they better be able to deliver on that promise in my book. Keep in mind, the slip at the register is not where you tip your server who delivers your food or brings/refills your drink....leave a tip on a credit/debit card and it goes to the cashier who makes a decent wage....save the tip for your server at the table! A nice, lower cost option for lunch or dinner with some decent choices....you give up having the bread on the table unless you buy it and you will need to pay separately for dessert at regular menu prices....this is a great option if you are short on time and want more than fast food.
(5)Marian S.
Nice waiter but way too long to get dinner. The waiter acknowledged the wait but nothing was comp'd. It wasn't even busy for a Friday. Maybe people didn't want to wait 2.5 hours for dinner. All the food was fabulous had appetizers and main dish. Only complaint was too much dressing on salad.
(4)Mandy C.
Tasty little lunch, service was prompt, they have a decent selection of lighter fare on their lunch menu. Very satisfactory. We came in at 11:30, so all of this satisfaction occurred before they got busy...take this with a grain of salt.
(4)Chrissy H.
I admit it. I am a food snob. So you can imagine my consternation when business found us in South Portland, surrounded by a sea of corporate eateries at dinner time. After weighing the pros and cons of the gamut of mall area restaurants, the husband and I chose Macaroni Grill, as it was in the closest proximity to us. We entered with trepidation, but my dismay was eased by the inoffensive ambience and the pleasant young woman who showed us to our table. As is the case with most chains, I was slightly shocked by the high prices listed on the menu, but I realized, by the size of the meals on the other diners' tables, that I was not only paying for dinner but for lunch the next day as well. I decided on Carmela's chicken which was a nice, semi-light roasted chicken dish with caramelized onions, mushrooms, Marsala cream and rigatoni. The husband got the Mama's Trio which had a small portion of each of the chicken parmesan, lasagna Bolognese, and the chicken and mushroom cannelloni. All were quite tasty. The one complaint I had about the meal was the bread, which was a pity because it was "fresh out of the oven." And boy do I love my fresh baked bread! Though nice and warm, it was regrettably dry and stale- A HUGE bummer. All in all, the meal was not bad and the service was attentive without being intrusive. I had purposely waited to check the yelp rating until after we had eaten and was surprised to find only 2.5 stars. Admittedly, I hold chains to a different standard from the privately owned establishments in our little foodie city. Is this fair? Maybe not. But then again, I rarely dine in chains and when I do, I walk in knowing what to expect. Macaroni Grill surpassed my expectations as far as a chain restaurant goes. Plus, I get the added bonus of enjoying it for lunch again today.
(4)Pootums P.
If you could give negative stars, this would be it. The most disgusting, gross, vile, spoiled food I have ever been served. Salad had more dressing than lettuce and seafood came from a dog food can. Holy crap...how can this place stay in business? Stay away or sit on the toilet all night.
(1)S And E H.
Quick service. Good food. Decent selection of beer on tap. I love the Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Flatbread(with caramelized onions, truffle oil, herbs). I ask to substitute the mushrooms for Pepperoni and it is Delicious. I haven't had anything off the menu that I haven't liked.
(5)Chris C.
We enjoyed our lunch here today. Good food for a chain. Service is prompt and friendly, appetizers were really good, the calamari and stuffed mushrooms. I had the parmesan encrusted sole, really like it. My wife did not like her chicken, was tough, but liked the pasta, and my daughter enjoyed her chicken parm, a good family place to go, not too pricey
(4)Cheryl F.
One of our favorite restaurants. We like to combine our visit to Cabelas with Macaroni Grille, for the full afternoon experience. I love the ambiance, the singers on the weekends, the open grille, but especially the food. I have to admit, I have only eaten one entrée here. I simply cannot stray from it. Well, once I got the Caesar salad, which was excellent. This seems to be a habit of mine, actually. My husband is a trained chef, I'm a picky eater and we have been bringing our son from when he was a difficult eater at 5 years old, to an all-you-can-eat kind of 15 year old. This place pleases ALL of us, ALL of the time. The service is usually very good. We love to write on the paper table covers. We love the water pitcher at the table, are crazy about the rosemary bread and dipping oil and I will tell you that the chicken scallopini is amazing (especially now that I know to request slightly less butter in the meal). The portions have gotten a lot smaller over the years, while the prices have increased, but these guys seem to keep that inevitable march to a minimum. We have never tried dessert, as we never have any room. The servers have always graciously given us more bread when asked and are quick to bring freshly cracked black pepper or shaved parmesan to our table with our meals. I wouldn't mind some parmesan cheese at the table so that we could add it to our dipping sauce for the bread, but we can usually grab someone and ask for it.
(5)Shane L.
This was our second attempt going here with the family and the last time I gave them a 1 star rating so this time it was a bit better than before but nothing to write home about. The service was was great with our waiter who was interactive and was able to answer any questions that we had about the menu. I had the seafood pasta dish that was littered with large sized scallops and jumbo shrimp but for the pricepoint of 18 dollars I was not sure if I felt it was worth the price (two scallops and three shrimp) and the red sauce was very bland. My wife had a salad that stated that it was supposed to come with candied walnuts and seemed much better on the menu than in reality where it didnt even come with the walnuts that were promised. Lastly my son's spaghetti and meatballs seemed like they came out frozen but was off the kids menu so I cannot expect much. The saving grace was the desserts that we ordered ... the waiter told us that they just made the tiramisu and recommended it and it was nothing short of amazing and my son got the peach gelato and he loved every minute of it. So, we decided that if we want a dessert on the fly, we can stop here but this is second time that we were not all that happy with the food and you would think with the prices of some of the dishes, they would invest in the food to deliver in competition of some of the amazing eateries around Portland area. Oh well two times to try a place and not all that happy about it so we will not be coming back I think that we can spend our hard earned money elsewhere more effectively.
(2)Lori S.
Yes I gave a chain restaurant a 5!!! Why, because we have been coming here for several years now and to date, we have never had a bad experience, service or meal. Tonight I tried a new dish and it was awesome! I'm sorry, I don't remember the name, but it had butternut squash, prosciutto, asiago cheese, raviolis with a couple of sauces and it was salty and sweet at the same time. I really liked it. Unfortunately, I was full and didn't get a chance to have dessert, but maybe next time !!!
(5)J S.
Food was okay. Appetizers were marginal. What I noticed about this restaurant was how dirty the floor and the glass doors were. The floor was sticky and door looked to be covered with several months worth of grime. I thought I had seen the worst of it until I went to the bathroom. The bathroom had an overwhelming stench and was FILTHY beyond words. The napkin container was "full" and the walls and floor were awful. Has anyone EVER been in to clean? We were big fans of MG but they need to get out the bleach and Windex before I ever go back.
(2)Conrad J.
Great new items. One of my favorites is the Buffalo Chicken Parmasean, comes with pasta. Great new addition, hoping it stays!!
(5)Nicole B.
Asked some friends if they wanted to meet for lunch. We normally hit up Panera on a work day, but one suggested we come here because she likes the food. I've never been before, so I agreed. First of all, my ginger ale was horrible. I hate when you have to send soda back because the machine hasn't been serviced. Next, there wasn't a lunch menu, we weren't given any specials to choose from, etc. I ordered the lasagna, something I haven't had in a while and don't make often. It arrived way too fast, eerily fast. It wasn't bad, per se, but all I could taste was cheese, cheese, and more cheese. I didn't finish it because by the middle, I felt like I couldn't get a bite without being overwhelmed by it (and mind you, I do like cheese, but this was too much). Overall, I had fun meeting my friends again, but wouldn't ever come back. Glad I had a Chili's gift card to pay for this meal. Go to Olive Garden instead.
(1)Carl B.
I went to Macaroni Grill for the first time the other day and was not disappointed. Our server, Jim, was cool, smart, funny, conscientious and helpful. He talked us through the food menu and made some great recommendations. And man, can that guy sing. He should be on stage or something. A rare talent. The food was very good too. I chose the Butternut Asiago Tortellaci which was extremely palatable. My wife went for the create your own pasta option which I thought was a really good idea. You are able to basically select your own ingredients, pasta and sauce. Additionally, the wait time for preparation was virtually non existent and our food was delivered very quickly. So, despite this restaurant being part of a corporate chain, it was welcoming and exuded a pleasant atmosphere. We left feeling very looked after and, primarily down to the service, will definitely return here in the future.
(5)Christopher S.
Excellent again never had a bad experience now all my kids choose to come here. So hard to choose but will get them all eventually. Camellas chicken is my favorite.
(4)Doug R.
Chain restaurant, but OK atmosphere. Service was a bit slow, but the waitress was very friendly. The hostess was a bit gruff. The food was very good, warm bread with dipping oil, the pasta was al-dente, and the sauces were tasty. I had chicken parmesan and it was crispy outside and moist inside, good red sauce. My wife had herb crusted chicken salad, and she thought it was pretty predictable, and had too much dressing on it. She usually gets dressing on the side, but forgot to ask for it that way. The paper tablecloths and crayons add some entertainment.
(3)Shayla H.
I'm so over all the hubbub of oh, I don't eat in chain restaurants... Chain restaurants suck. Let's be real, there wouldn't be so many huge thriving chains if as many people didn't eat at them as they say.. So I am going to proudly state that I thoroughly enjoy macaroni grill. Yup. I said it. No need to make excuses. Carmela's chicken is amazing in all of its marsala cream and perfectly caramelized onion goodness. I could eat my leftovers for days but they won't make it 24 hours. The create your own pasta menu is another unique feature to tout. They are quite flexible with add ons that aren't listed if you ask nicely! The service was superior on this night as well, which is of the utmost importance when dining with a little one.
(5)Amy F.
If I could I would give this place a half star!!!! We traveled south from northern Maine and were in the neighborhood for dinner. We are Californians but were surprised that on a week night most of the local "good" establishments close here in S. Portland at 7. (Say What?!?!) So we decided to hit a chain restaurant thinking it would be an upgrade from McDonalds. That's where we were wrong! Dead wrong!!!! We walk in around 8:30pm but are greeted with unhappy glances and gruffly given a table. I quickly checked my phone to see if this place was nearing its closing time but was pleasantly surprised to find they were open till 10:30. We had 4 kids and 2 adults and were seated at an ample sized round table. Upon sitting we asked for 3 kids menus and the rest adult menus. While looking over our menus I noticed that our table ware was dirty! Spaghetti sauce splatters on my daughters bread plate and all of our drinking cups and utensils all had crust of some kind. I hated to send back our cups requesting new ones thinking about the horror stories of people spit shining your cups. Our server was congenial but messed up our order giving us all adult portions. For the most part, the food did come out in record time but almost too fast. Everything looked like it had been under a warming light for sometime and totally tasted super prepackaged with no taste. Our sons personal pizza was burnt and they had to make a new one. I've eaten at other macaroni grills but this place was epically awful! Our server did make amends for giving us adult portions as we realize maybe she was having an off night. We tipped her good and felt bad that she worked with unfriendly staff, poor management, that doesn't have an eye for dirty ambience or even quality in food. In short, stay away from this place!
(1)Caitlyn T.
For a chain restaurant this is 5 stars. All 4 of us enjoyed our meals. The create your own pasta menu it's a cool concept. The restaurant was very clean and the Italian lessons in the bathroom was neat. The waitress was fantastic and we enjoyed her story about moving here from Portland, Oregon by putting the wrong address into her GPS. The huge bottle of wine for $15 was an amazing deal. We will definitely be back next we drive through!
(5)Linda T.
The service is fine, but the food at this location is a dud. Seasonings and dressings are scant, leaving the food flavorless. It seemed like the kitchen was lazy or the management was cheap. The chain is fine but don't bother with the South Portland one.
(2)Jessica W.
Loud! Very loud! The food was moderate at best, but may have been tainted by the poor conversation happening at the table on the other side of the room. Not sure how this place was desgned, but it would have been great as a concert hall. Every sound carries.
(2)