Mangia Mangia is as good as it gets. I brought my gal Miryam here for her birthday last night. The atmosphere is as cute and traditional Italian as could be -- checkered table cloths, a lot of deep reds and soft music -- This place would be great for a date. I ordered per the waiter's recommendation a great Zinfandel -- it was robust and fruity, and the wines are kept extremely fresh through a unique system. I ordered the grilled salmon atop a medley of sauteed squash and zucchini alongside a spicy puree of butternut squash. I got the house salad as my side rather than the minestrone -- the red wine vinaigrette complimented well. The salmon was cooked to utter perfection. Sincerely... perfection. My friend ordered the eggplant parmesan which was equally tasty with baked mozzarella on top -- this dish came with a side of spaghetti and a traditional marinara that wasn't overly sweet. I am very very please with this place and I know I will be back if the mood strikes for amazing Italian food. Caution: prices are a bit steep -- but that is the price you pay for perfection!
(5)
Alicia S.
Spent a lovely evening out on the patio at Mangia Mangia! When I first walked in, I was pleasantly surprised at how large the inside is- definitely enough space to feel comfortable. The ambiance was classic and the server, bartender, host (he seemed to be doing everything) was very nice and professional. I ordered muscles as an app and manicotti as a meal, both we're enjoyable. I feel like the steamed muscles were tasty, but the broth was just okay. Also, the meatball served with the manicotti could have been more seasoned, but thats me being incredibly nit picky. The tomato sauce in the manicotti was superb and the cheeses were rich!
(4)
Debbie P.
Delicious food & excellent service. The music & ambience is very nice! I won a gift card for filling out a Kalamazoo survey & now we are using it. Appetizer, main course possibly dessert.
(5)
Erin L.
Very friendly, professional wait staff and hostess. Extensive wine list. Great, Italian desserts. I was dissatisfied by the amount of vegetarian options. Most of the pastas had chicken in them and were topped with parmesaen cheese. I'm sure most of the meals could be made sans-meat, but it's nice to have a section of the menu for vegetarians. The atmosphere was what you'd expect at an Italian Restaurant. Red and white checkered table covers, cozy tables, outdoor patio available. I ordered the eggplant parmesaen. It was delicious. Lots of food! The marinera sauce was a tad on the sweet side. I prefer sauce to have a little more spice. It came with a small portion of spaghetti with marinera along with the eggplant parmesaen. The spaghetti was cooked perfectly. The meal also came with bread and a side salad (or soup). The soup of the day was minestrone which looked terrific. Unfortunately, it was probably made with chicken stock and I didn't try it. For $15.00, I probably wouldn't order the eggplant parmesaen again. I was told they have discounted spaghetti on Mondays (I think), so I would probably come back then. It's a little expensive for pasta otherwise.
(3)
Shannon C.
Our experience at Mangia Mangia was strange from the moment we walked in. While my fiance parked the car, my good friend and I stood awkwardly by the hostess's area while no one acknowledged us. Then, three younger kids who clearly were not dining in the restaurant yet were walking around amongst the tables came up behind the hostess area. They proceeded to ask us if we had been helped, or if we wanted a table. It was very, very surreal. While we stood there, the hostess and another waitress finally came up and kept silent while the kids were talking to us! When the kids finally left the restaurant, the hostess seated us without explaining/apologizing for what had happened, which my friend and I thought was rude and unusual. Our waitress was clearly inexperienced, and her mannerisms were abrupt, although she was nice. I ordered a pesto dish and specified "no onions," while my friend ordered eggplant parmesan and my fiance ordered manicotti. When our food came out, there were plenty of onions in the dish, so I sent it back. When the manager brought my food back out, it was indeed onion-less...but all the peppers (green/red) were completely raw. It was very frustrating. In addition to this, spaghetti seems to be a weird pasta choice to serve with pesto, as most Italian restaurants I've been to serve it either with linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair. I had heard banal reviews about the restaurant from people I know, but I wanted to see for myself because I adore Italian food and admired the look of the restaurant from the outside. Nevertheless, I was extremely disappointed and probably will never go there again. Advice: - Hostesses belong at the hostess's station, not wandering around the restaurant helping the servers. People will formulate opinions about your establishment right when they walk in, and you want a friendly, accommodating hostess to greet your clientele at the door. - When the manager gave me my dish, she placed it on my place while standing behind me - I didn't know she was there, and I didn't actually see her face until she came around the table. Don't do that. I want to know when I'm being approached by someone, not be completely surprised. - Better train your servers. If I start hearing better reviews from people, perhaps I'll give it a second go.
(2)
Kevin M.
Came here because our other local favorites were both closed on Sunday nights (Fandango and The Union). Decent wine selection. Long and skinny restaurant with some forced italian charm. Shared the sampler appetizer platter, which was pretty good. Also had a nice sourdough break with olive oil to dip it in. I had the baked spaghetti with meatballs. The marinara sauce is really tasty (obviously a really classic recipe), but the dish was way too much food. I was trying to imagine that thing sitting in my belly. Only ate about 1/3 of it. Shared the tiramisu, which had an interesting custard-like topping on it without a lot of the traditional ingredients. That was slightly disappointing. Overall the timing for the courses was very good, and the ambiance and sound level was nice. I think they were playing Frank Sinatra's greatest hits.
(4)
Miryam S.
I have been to Mangia Mangia once before a few weeks ago with some friends after watching jazz down the mall. The food was fantastic, prices more than reasonable and the portions generous. I went back last night for my birthday and it was just as great as I had remembered. My friend ordered the salmon and exclaimed that it was better than any she's had in Chicago. That's a big compliment especially since her ex was the head chef for a lot of successful restaurants. Thanks and see you guys on valentines day!
(5)
Shuan C.
We went for the Monday night spaghetti deal. First thing you notice is how nice the atmosphere inside is. I loved how the restaurant was set up and decorated. We ordered their garlic bread and it was absolutely delicious! I don't know what kind of bread it is, but it was warm, soft (crust had the perfect amount of "crunch"), and just plain delicious! I almost gave 5 starts just for the bread. The spaghetti was OK. I'm not a huge spaghetti fan myself so it could just be personal preference for me. The meatball was delicious though. Seasoned and cooked very well. The portion of the spaghetti was the perfect amount. One plate is how much you're supposed to eat so you won't get overly full with that plate.
(4)
Rene B.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Kalamazoo. We always have good food here. There is always something to see and do in the "Zoo!" You must try Mangia, Mangia if you come to the west side of Michigan!
(5)
Steve S.
My wife enjoyed Mangia Mangia with some friends so she took me there last night. We both had great meals; chopped salad and veal piccatta and zabaglone (sp?) for her and minestrone, pasta carbonne and profiterole for me. Obviously, we were both very hungry. Everything was first rate. Our waitress was a little scattered and seemed to rush us a little even though it was early in the evening. We will return and I recommend this place strongly.
(4)
Carolyn K.
$2.50 Speghetti and Meatball on Monday. Sweet Sauce.
(3)
Rob S.
Pretty typical italian food. Maybe a step up from Bucca De Peppo, but probably not by much. We had the experience of having a rushed dinner prior to a show at The State Theater. We sat at the bar and wolfed down a shared plate of Chicken Parm. The bartender and staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. They even "fired" our order. They do charge for sharing an entree, but the meal was split so we each had our own plate which was nice. The marina sauce is a bit on the sweet side. I didn't mind it, but I can see how some might be put off from the flavor. The meal was pretty standard/average. Nothing really to complain about, but nothing that would have me singing praises. The service was outstanding and brings the stars up from a 3 to a 4. I would definitely return.
(4)
Borracho G.
Place looked upscale but food was typical American/Italian and the sauce on most of the dishes was way too sweet, almost ketchup like. Wished they had Bells beer on tap but only served bottles. One good thing is they have an outside dinning area which is great on a sunny day.
(3)
Sue S.
I've been here now three times over the last 2 years. Very ordinary food each time. There are MUCH better Italian places in K'zoo.
(2)
Jennifer R.
Meh. Went last summer to celebrate a promotion...good thing I got a raise with it. The food was very good, but also came with a hefty price tag. $230 for 3 people and shared one bottle of moderately priced wine. YIKES! Our server was distracted and only came to the table when food was ready, missed our appetizer, and didn't give us silverware. We had to ask the hostess for silverware and then our bill after eating, bc the waiter never came back. Yea to the food, boo to the service and prices.
(3)
Nicole D.
If you want good Italian food in the US, your best bet is to eat with Italian-Americans. When in Kalamazoo, follow your friends to Mangia Mangia, a new-ish offering in the downtown walking mall. A larger group of us dined there last night before taking in an awesome show at Farmers Alley Theatre. The place was bustling. A father-daughter dance night had a big back room full of tweens in pretty dresses and updos and men (hopefully their fathers) in suits. We were served hot whole grain crusty bread while we waited for our entrees. The service was good, the food... it was okay. I tried something I usually don't get and it was meh. But my friends got other entrees which looked and purportedly tasted divine. Eating is a social act; or at least it should be. I recommend Mangia Mangia for those looking for a warm and welcoming experience with friends, family, and food. You're here for the company and the food doesn't suck.
(3)
Sarah F.
Decorated in an overtly-themed way, with friendly servers, and average quality, comfort-style Italian food. Hubby had the baked spaghetti which he really liked. I had the chicken Parmesan--2 small breasts of chicken fried & covered in red sauce and cheese with a small side of spaghetti & marinara. I ordered it mainly because a lot of other Yelp reviews mentioned it positively, but it was pretty middle-of-the-road for me: tasty certainly, but nothing I'd seek out to eat again. Pretty good, reasonably-priced wine list with some good glass and quartino options in addition to bottles. I particularly enjoyed the Italian Pinot Noir by the glass.
(3)
Mandy M.
Vegans eat here! I normally don't ask for the chef to prepare a plate but their menu advertised meeting dietary needs, so I gave it a shot. It. Was. Amazing! I couldn't believe the thought put behind my dish. It was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. I'm not a culinary journalist but here's my best shot at a description: Mushroom and onion stuffed red pepper on cooked spinach with zucchini noodles and a zesty sauce. All of it was so good! I had a great dinner with friends and it made my day. :-)
(5)
Meraki G.
Food was just OK, dipping oil on the table was off -- I alerted the management and they said they mix olive oil with canola. For dipping oil? Seriously?
(2)
Megan H.
if my visit had been 6 months ago, I would've given 5 stars. Instead, they simplified their menu with the worst of the traditional dishes, recommended wines terribly, and apologize for the kitchen staff before we sat down. Was told he was overwhelmed with the new menu seeing the restaurant was 1/4 full with a couple table outsides. The service interaction with each other was crass, and above all disappointing. And above all, my pork in the red wine vinaigrette was no longer on the menu and the server was reluctant to make a request for an old menu option due to his "mood." I refuse to visit this restaurant by choice again, expect a mediocre experience with a lose in quality, this is where you want to come. Deceptive in appearance, but better off anywhere else in town.
(2)
Chelsea D.
Went here for the first time last night. We had the bruschetta-- it was delicious! The bread that came with our pasta meals was phenomenal... I hope it's the same bread every time. We ordered the shrimp Alfredo, which was a little bland, and the Chicken Giardinera... Which was mostly a plate of jalapeños! The menu didn't say anything about jalapeños and I feel like they should have warned us. The dish was beyond spicy, if I had ordered it, I would not have been able to eat it. My boyfriend managed about half of it before throwing in the towel. We will probably give this place a second chance.
(3)
Henry H.
My wife and I order take out through grub hub every once in a while. The lasagna is really good, it's sort of ruined most other restaurant lasagna for me. The meatballs are also quite tasty, as is the bread that comes with the pasta meals. I'm also a fan of the house dressing, although my wife isn't. Depends on if you like gorgonzola or not, I suppose. Overall it's good Italian food with house made ingredients.
(4)
Jack M.
Great food, excellent service. Period. I'm giving this four stars, but bordering on a five. Honestly, so often a good meal is complemented by the service and personality of the staff. And that is exactly the case here. Lovely Kayla, the receptionist, was friendly, genial and personal. Tyler, our waiter was the best ever-he was attentive, patient, personal. It is not often that I leave a nice meal feeling like I made a new friend. We had the chicken parmesan, white fish tarragon, spaghetti and meatballs, and the pappardelle pasta, and all were delicious. We are from California, but this is a place that we would frequent often.
(4)
Nathan L.
I have been here a few times in the last few years and have enjoyed myself. The food is incredible, the wine selection is decent and the wait staff was friendly, prompt and helpful. I like the location downtown, the bar is pretty nice and the ambiance is decent as well. The price is decently high but it is quality. I would highly suggest this for families, dates and just grabbing a bite while downtown.
(4)
Stefanie N.
Went here with a colleague and we ordered the calamari, caprese salad as starters. For mains, I had their house made papperdelle while my colleague ordered some chicken Parmesan dish. Sad to say, we both were not impressed with any of the dishes. The calamari was ok while the caprese salad looked a little tired. My colleague took a few bites out of her dish and called it a night. What really disappointed me the most was my papperdelle dish. I've had homemade, house made, whatever-made pastas from countless restaurants and have made pastas myself...my main course did not resemble anything what I envisioned. Instead, the pasta came out in weird triangle cut chunks and the dough was extremely thick and chewy. Needless to say, it was way overdressed with greasy, oily sauce. Their portions are extremely large and the service was friendly. Perhaps I caught them on an off night or didn't order the right dishes? Their menu is a little too expansive as it leaves me to question how fresh are the ingredients? I'll give this place another try if one of my friends were dying to go here and perhaps next time, I'll just stick with spaghetti and meatballs.
(2)
Beth M.
Amazing lobster mac and cheese and on Wednesdays they offer discounted bottles of wine (St Francis Cab) Great service and it helps when the weather treats you well on the patio, will definitely come back to try more options.
(5)
Daniel R.
The Fruitti di Mare was borderline ok but the Veal Marsala was not good at all and the prices were high. Overall a big dissapointment. An unfavorable experience to say the least
(2)
Cullen S.
If you want a fancy and potentially amazing Italian meal, walk down the street to Zazio's. But if you a big plate of pasta that's reasonably priced, Mangia Mangia fits the bill nicely. Some friends have had bad experiences here but for me it's always been enjoyable.
(4)
Emma B.
Great Expierence! Had an amazing dinner the other night. I ordered the Mahi Mahi which was delicious. It was cooked with a wine sauce and topped with veggies. I also enjoyed the atmosphere with its great decor. With a fully stocked bar and a large menu, this restaraunt is hard to compete with. Definitely will be back again soon!
(5)
Anna P.
It was my first and last time there. I had fruit flies hovering over my food the entire time I was eating I had to keep swatting them away, I pointed it to the waitress when she asked how my food was, she even saw them. She apologized for it, didnt make it less annoying, when I asked if I could a discount on my meal for this, she said she would ask the manager and see what could be done, she came back and said manager said no because the flies werent in my food. I wrote the restaurant about my visit there, still havent heard anything.
(1)
Josh P.
We were very pleased with everything during our meal. The server was excellent, giving us great descriptions of the dishes we asked about. We ordered an appetizer, soup/salad, a main course, and desert. Everything was timed well between courses and our drinks and empty dishes were very well tended too. Last but not least the food. Flavorful, with bright colors. Very good selections, seafood to steak. Expansive wine list and good beer selection.
(4)
Dan R.
Visited this place for the first time last night and was amazed by the friendly service and fantastic food. Prices are a tad high for pasta but the ravioli (which changes daily) was homemade and very good. Partner had the manicotti with meatballs that had perhaps the best bolognese I've ever tasted. Highly recommend, especially for this one horse town.
(5)
Christina R.
They have the best gluten free pasta I've had anywhere! Great wine list and homemade meals. Four stars because I'm not that big of a fan of their homemade sweet sauce, prefer red sauce not as sweet... I mention this as I know there are people out there who do. If that's you, consider it a 5 star. Make reservations ahead. They do not validate parking garage tickets.
(4)
Nick C.
This is my favorite Italian place yet. I have tried many things at Mangia Mangia, but my favorite is the chicken parm! Two big chicken breasts cooked to perfection. A side of noodles with lots of marinara sauce. It also has cheese and mushrooms on the chicken. Their sauce is amazing! Lots of flavor and is thick enough to stay on the noodles. Their bread is also very very good. My fiancee prefers the baked spaghetti, but she also gets the eggplant parm on occasion. I've yet to find a better chicken parm in my travels. $16.95 is a lot for the chicken. However, it's more than filling. It's rare that I finish my plate while I'm there. Keep an eye out for their specials on Groupon. If I have people in town that love Italian food, this is where we go. To be fair, I'm not a fan of their pizza. It's nothing special. However, everything else, including desserts are fantastic.
(5)
Harold S.
Not dissatisfied but not thrilled either. We went here after not being able to get into Fandango's. Never been here before, and was impressed with the interior right away. I did like the semi private dinner tables surrounded with red curtains. Our server wasn't very familiar with the bar selection or the menu and couldn't explain to me what gluten free is. I have celiac disease and was happy to see gluten free options, just wish the servers were better versed in gluten free. After ordering the dinners came out in parts. Everyone's meal came out at different times and the last one in our group got her dinner as I was finishing mine. I don't know how the kitchen could of gotten this so messed up. The server did give her a free desert, but with the prices being so high, I would of expected much better service. I would come back here, but wouldn't make the drive over to Kalamazoo just for dinner here. Have to say though, the food was outstanding, but the poor service ruined the evening.
(3)
M C.
A-OK Italian! No complaints about food, my husband and I visit this place once a month and love to try different dishes, my favorite is the Mangia Chicken, that sauce is out of this world. The service is exceptional, the only problem is once I find my favorite server they end up leaving, it is never a consistent, has me wondering maybe this place only great for eating and not working, either way it would be nice to see a familiar face each and every visit. I recommend this restaurant to any Italian food lover, you will not be disappointed!
(3)
Daniel D.
The ambiance and portions help justify the prices, the food quality does not. Although, the pizza, Chicken Mangia Mangia, and complimentary bread were fine, the bruschetta and calamari were lacking and the artichoke dip was terrible. Go for the cheap spaghetti dinner and skip the rest of the week.
(2)
Bill S.
-Notice- Small pizza is enough for two. Diner for two, a good pizza and the chicken rigatoni E, salad and bread including two bottle beers and a glass of red wine. $46.00
(4)
Abigail D.
Had a seafood pasta dish that was out of this world. The service was great, and it had such a nice atmosphere. Would definitely go again!
(5)
Amber L.
Alright Mangia Mangia. I gave you two chances and you broke my heart twice. The best part of this restaurant is the interior. It fits the classic Italian restaurant theme and is cozy with warm colors and red and white checkered tablecloths. The menu itself looks pretty tasty. The wine menu is extensive, but ordering wine by the glass is much more limited. My first time here I was disappointed with the food. My party ordered the appetizer sampler and I found everything to be overly oily. Nothing tasted bad, but the amount of oiliness was excessive. I felt my arteries clogging just looking at the bruschetta. The artichoke dip was heavy on the cream cheese. And the fried calamari was soggy and too chewy. And don't tell me calamari is supposed to be super chewy...I've had excellent fried calamari that was neither soggy nor overly difficult to chew. My entree was the farfalle. Most of the scallops in that dish were overcooked, tough, and flavorless. The whole dish could have been vastly improved by more garlic. But the other two people I was with enjoyed their meals, so I decided I wouldn't dismiss the restaurant right away. My second visit was on a busy Saturday night. We had to wait for a table. Which wouldn't be so bad, except that they have no seated waiting area. When we finally were seated, our server was pleasant but extremely slow. Now, I do not expect lightning fast service when a place is totally packed. But the slowness of the service we experienced was on a whole different level. It was absurd. There were zero apologizes for the wait and the slowness was not even acknowledged. I don't know if it was the waiter himself or a systemic issue in the restaurant. We also listened to someone making a formal complaint to a manager behind us, so we knew we weren't the only ones having issues. I ordered fettuccine alfredo because I wanted something simple. I was extremely underwhelmed. Honestly, I have had better frozen fettuccine. The center of my husband's lasagna was cold. We didn't send it back because it wasn't worth the trouble of waiting an eternity for it to come back. At the beginning of the evening I was looking forward to trying a dessert that had caught my eye on the menu, but by the end of things I was too ticked by the wait to bother with it. Actually, our waiter didn't even ask if we wanted any dessert. Boo. The pinnacle of our evening was a patron who apparently lacked knowledge of social appropriateness. She gestured to one of the empty seats at our table that we weren't using...we assumed she was asking to take the seat away and use it to wait for a table or perhaps to wait for a seat at the bar to open up. Instead, she plopped her purse down on our table, scooted in next to us, and commented on how much fettuccine I had left. What. The. Hell. I know crazy lady wasn't Mangia Mangia's fault, but perhaps this unfortunately awkward experience could have been avoided had the restaurant provided a real waiting area. So, overall, Mangia Mangia gets a solid D from me. The food is way overpriced for the quality you get. The waitstaff apparently cannot handle a busy night. This restaurant seems to have an undeserved high opinion of itself. I suggest you go to Comensoli's on Main St. instead.
(2)
Christopher M.
Honestly the worst Italian place I've ever dined at. Antipasto platter was average, minestrone was so over seasoned I could not eat it. Lasagne was over seasoned as well. The waitress never once asked us if we were happy with the food. Manager laughed at us when we complained. Will never go back. If I could have given zero stars I would have.
(1)
Ruth S.
We have eaten here 4-5 times before and enjoyed out meal immensely. This time not so much. Our drinks were awful and when I sent them back the replacements wee worse. The bartender told me "I won't add any more vodka to them, but I'll remake them". Seriously. Good cocktails bring people back just like good food. Yuck. The food was good but not great as it has been before. I am giving 3 stars because we've had good meals here before but this meal was a 2 at best.
(3)
Grace G.
I decided to try this place out on their Monday night special--spaghetti and a meatball for only $3.50. I took my children thinking it would be a great way to try it out since they are pasta fans. I was sadly disappointed. The portion for $3.50 was definitely good, but the sauce is quite sweet...not to my liking nor to any of my kids. The meatball was just meh tasting...not much flavor. I ordered 2 orders of garlic bread to go with our pasta...poor choice. It was basically two sub buns cut in half with mostly butter and I think some vinegar...yuck. Crappy bread for $3.50. My kids didn't even like it..and they love MOST breads. The service was wonderful...no complaints there for the most part, except when I complained that the lemonade two of my children ordered was mostly water. The server commented, "Oh that's odd...usually it's pretty sweet." Well...it was not. She finally tasted it after leaving our table and returned to tell me that yes...I was right and that the soda machine was not dispensing it properly. Well...if you're giving me supposed lemonade for $3.50 a glass, it had better not be from a soda machine. She did not charge us for it thankfully, but even my arnold palmer was diluted. She brought me iced tea as a consolation, but failed to tell me it was unsweetened and then never offered any sugar whatsoever. As a server, it is your job to INFORM your guests of what to expect, not make one guess. The service was good, but I can tell you that from that simple, inexpensive dinner, I refuse to come back and try any of the higher priced items on the menu.
(2)
Markie L.
I'm such a fan of this restaurant. Downtown Kalamazoo is such a nice area, I wish I would have explored more during my time there! Mangia Mangia has great italian food and it's pretty moderatly priced--especially the Spaghetti & Meatball dinner--only $3.50! (On certain days.) Everytime I went, the customer service was excellent. I've moved away and am not sure when I'll be back, but I can't wait to go again.
(4)
Jean S.
Mangia Mangia has a great catering service called Bogey's. They serve delicious sandwiches with fresh fruit and mini desserts for our customer events. Everyone loves it! I've also eaten at their restaurant downtown several times and really enjoy the food there. The spaghetti and meatball special on Monday nights is a terrific value.
(4)
Kelly C.
This place was really cute and the food was good. Services was excellent. My waiter did spill my drink, but was so apologetic and accomodating. I brought the person whom I work for who has a disability and the staff was very conscious of making sure he was comfortable and taken care of. Also, I love the location on the Kalamazoo mall. I would recommend this place to italian food lovers.
(4)
Jon C.
Not so great Italian food. Very large portions of mediocre food. Quantity does not replace quality when it comes to food. Linguini and clams was very sweet. The sauce had no seafood flavor and clams straight from a can. Prosciutto and peas was very salty and the prosciutto was over cooked. The best part of dinner was the calamari more than likely from a box.
(2)
J K.
Good for what it is - Italian comfort food - but don't expect fine dining. The interior feels like a caricature of an Italian restaurant and the food matches. Portions are generous and the flavors you'd expect are there, just not particularly interesting or refined. That said, there were times during my stay in Kalamazoo when I just wanted a big helping of pasta and this place fit the bill nicely. On those nights, the seafood farfalle was a favorite. Meals were never mind-blowing, but they were never bad, either.
(3)
Kim N.
We chose this restaurant due to moderate prices and a menu my husband was comfortable with as a hater of eggplant, spinach and fish. Wish we would've gone with Zazios or Rustica and spent a little more. Sigh. The location was easy to find and in a bustling area with lots of shopping. We were seated quickly. Our drinks were fine (Arcadia beer and a raspberry lemonade vodka drink with fresh basil). The menu was varied. I love tagliatelle, so decided to have the tagliatelle on the menu. The waitress waited until I ordered to tell us about the specials (odd). There were two nightly specials featuring the tagliatelle. One had a crab encrusted mahi mahi and one had a beef and pork ragout. We ended up ordering those. Husband also had a house salad and I had the minestrone. Minestrone: Very Good House salad: Decent. The house red wine vinegar dressing was good. Bread: Garlic toasted slices of baguette. Eh, it was ok. I'd have preferred bread and butter. Tagliatelle Pasta: Wow did they screw this up. I've spent three weeks traveling the Italian countryside and I make my own pasta at home, so I have a little cred here. Tagliatelle should be flat as a fettucini noodle and a litle wider. It was about 1-1.5 inches wide and REALLY thick. Thicker than those Reames Egg Noodles you buy in the frozen food section. It was gummy and pieces folded in half stuck together, making them inedible. The other parts of the pasta: The fish and the raguot were actually quite nice. Also notable was listening to our server chit chat with the hostess, telling her she proudly requested the cell phone number ???-6969. Really? That was appropriate conversation in the front of the house? It was about $50 before tip, so the price was reasonable. Servings were large. I would just not recommend the Tagliatelle, nor the service. This falls somewhere just above Olive Garden, though I'd frankly rather eat OG soup, salad and pasta. It's the sauces and meats (and cozy atmosphere) where Mangia Mangia excelled over OG.
(2)
L.J. P.
First time here the other night and was happy with my experience. Ordered the Chicken Parmesean and thought it was delicious. however, the prices are a little high for what you get, but i still wouldn't have a problem dining here again.
(3)
Josh Y.
Although staff is friendly and the facility is well kept, the food is nothing special.
(2)
Danielle A.
I ate here after wandering around downtown Kalamazoo while there for a business trip. I was immediately sat in the bar area at a high-top near the window next to three women who were there after work for apps & drinks before going to a movie. It was a Thursday night and not terribly busy. The waitress doubled as the bartender in the bar area. The service was decent. The menu stated that all items came with soup or salad AND fresh baked bread. I had to ask for the bread and truthfully what I got - while good - did not seem like it was fresh baked. Maybe it's because it was busy, but it seemed like it was baked off-site and delivered. Maybe fresh that morning? It was rustic, lots of seeds and crunchy bits which I do enjoy. I ordered the Napoleon, which was fresh garden vegetables (mostly eggplant and portabella mushrooms) in a marinara with a carmelized onion balsamic reduction... thing. It was tasty, but truthfully there wasn't enough veggie variety and I was expecting more of the balsamic & onions. The minestrone that came with the meal was quite good though, and if I were ever to randomly find myself in Kalamazoo and decided to just go to this restaurant again I would get a bowl of that and an appetizer. Having said that - I wasn't wowed enough to repeat here if I ever DID find myself randomly in Kalamzoo again. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't wow-worthy either.
(2)
Dick D.
After reading some of the negative reviews on this site, we had to wonder what the dining experience would be like. But since we had a Groupon we were committed. Arriving at the restaurant at 6PM on Friday night with no reservations the welcome was not real warm and fuzzy. Finally a waitress came by and said put them on my four top. A person appearing to be the manager walked by but did not seem interested in what was going on. This turned out to be a great choice because Hillary (our waitress) was great, full of life, fun, and a real pleasure. Looking at the menu it was different that what was on the internet. I choose the Shrimp Farfalle and my wife ordered the Chicken Mangia Mangia. Hers was excellent and mine just average. I ran out of shrimp well before I ran out of pasta, not a good value. Since we did not reach the total amount of the Groupon with our entres plus the salad that was not included in my selection we ordered a piece of cheesecake. For $4.95 it had to be the smallest portion of cheesecake we have seen. Overall we rated four stars on the strength of Hillary our waitress and the Chicken Mangia Mangia. Without the Groupon the $50 plus cost including tip would not have been a good value.
(4)
Philip T.
Wonderful atmosphere, great ambiance with Classic Italian look. Generous portions of delicious Italian cuisine. Gluten-free pizza was the best yet for those with Gluten allergies. Serving staff friendly and helpful! Overall, very enjoyable experience.
(4)
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Address :209 S Kalamazoo Mall
Kalamazoo, MI, 49007
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Julia H.
Mangia Mangia is as good as it gets. I brought my gal Miryam here for her birthday last night. The atmosphere is as cute and traditional Italian as could be -- checkered table cloths, a lot of deep reds and soft music -- This place would be great for a date. I ordered per the waiter's recommendation a great Zinfandel -- it was robust and fruity, and the wines are kept extremely fresh through a unique system. I ordered the grilled salmon atop a medley of sauteed squash and zucchini alongside a spicy puree of butternut squash. I got the house salad as my side rather than the minestrone -- the red wine vinaigrette complimented well. The salmon was cooked to utter perfection. Sincerely... perfection. My friend ordered the eggplant parmesan which was equally tasty with baked mozzarella on top -- this dish came with a side of spaghetti and a traditional marinara that wasn't overly sweet. I am very very please with this place and I know I will be back if the mood strikes for amazing Italian food. Caution: prices are a bit steep -- but that is the price you pay for perfection!
(5)Alicia S.
Spent a lovely evening out on the patio at Mangia Mangia! When I first walked in, I was pleasantly surprised at how large the inside is- definitely enough space to feel comfortable. The ambiance was classic and the server, bartender, host (he seemed to be doing everything) was very nice and professional. I ordered muscles as an app and manicotti as a meal, both we're enjoyable. I feel like the steamed muscles were tasty, but the broth was just okay. Also, the meatball served with the manicotti could have been more seasoned, but thats me being incredibly nit picky. The tomato sauce in the manicotti was superb and the cheeses were rich!
(4)Debbie P.
Delicious food & excellent service. The music & ambience is very nice! I won a gift card for filling out a Kalamazoo survey & now we are using it. Appetizer, main course possibly dessert.
(5)Erin L.
Very friendly, professional wait staff and hostess. Extensive wine list. Great, Italian desserts. I was dissatisfied by the amount of vegetarian options. Most of the pastas had chicken in them and were topped with parmesaen cheese. I'm sure most of the meals could be made sans-meat, but it's nice to have a section of the menu for vegetarians. The atmosphere was what you'd expect at an Italian Restaurant. Red and white checkered table covers, cozy tables, outdoor patio available. I ordered the eggplant parmesaen. It was delicious. Lots of food! The marinera sauce was a tad on the sweet side. I prefer sauce to have a little more spice. It came with a small portion of spaghetti with marinera along with the eggplant parmesaen. The spaghetti was cooked perfectly. The meal also came with bread and a side salad (or soup). The soup of the day was minestrone which looked terrific. Unfortunately, it was probably made with chicken stock and I didn't try it. For $15.00, I probably wouldn't order the eggplant parmesaen again. I was told they have discounted spaghetti on Mondays (I think), so I would probably come back then. It's a little expensive for pasta otherwise.
(3)Shannon C.
Our experience at Mangia Mangia was strange from the moment we walked in. While my fiance parked the car, my good friend and I stood awkwardly by the hostess's area while no one acknowledged us. Then, three younger kids who clearly were not dining in the restaurant yet were walking around amongst the tables came up behind the hostess area. They proceeded to ask us if we had been helped, or if we wanted a table. It was very, very surreal. While we stood there, the hostess and another waitress finally came up and kept silent while the kids were talking to us! When the kids finally left the restaurant, the hostess seated us without explaining/apologizing for what had happened, which my friend and I thought was rude and unusual. Our waitress was clearly inexperienced, and her mannerisms were abrupt, although she was nice. I ordered a pesto dish and specified "no onions," while my friend ordered eggplant parmesan and my fiance ordered manicotti. When our food came out, there were plenty of onions in the dish, so I sent it back. When the manager brought my food back out, it was indeed onion-less...but all the peppers (green/red) were completely raw. It was very frustrating. In addition to this, spaghetti seems to be a weird pasta choice to serve with pesto, as most Italian restaurants I've been to serve it either with linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair. I had heard banal reviews about the restaurant from people I know, but I wanted to see for myself because I adore Italian food and admired the look of the restaurant from the outside. Nevertheless, I was extremely disappointed and probably will never go there again. Advice: - Hostesses belong at the hostess's station, not wandering around the restaurant helping the servers. People will formulate opinions about your establishment right when they walk in, and you want a friendly, accommodating hostess to greet your clientele at the door. - When the manager gave me my dish, she placed it on my place while standing behind me - I didn't know she was there, and I didn't actually see her face until she came around the table. Don't do that. I want to know when I'm being approached by someone, not be completely surprised. - Better train your servers. If I start hearing better reviews from people, perhaps I'll give it a second go.
(2)Kevin M.
Came here because our other local favorites were both closed on Sunday nights (Fandango and The Union). Decent wine selection. Long and skinny restaurant with some forced italian charm. Shared the sampler appetizer platter, which was pretty good. Also had a nice sourdough break with olive oil to dip it in. I had the baked spaghetti with meatballs. The marinara sauce is really tasty (obviously a really classic recipe), but the dish was way too much food. I was trying to imagine that thing sitting in my belly. Only ate about 1/3 of it. Shared the tiramisu, which had an interesting custard-like topping on it without a lot of the traditional ingredients. That was slightly disappointing. Overall the timing for the courses was very good, and the ambiance and sound level was nice. I think they were playing Frank Sinatra's greatest hits.
(4)Miryam S.
I have been to Mangia Mangia once before a few weeks ago with some friends after watching jazz down the mall. The food was fantastic, prices more than reasonable and the portions generous. I went back last night for my birthday and it was just as great as I had remembered. My friend ordered the salmon and exclaimed that it was better than any she's had in Chicago. That's a big compliment especially since her ex was the head chef for a lot of successful restaurants. Thanks and see you guys on valentines day!
(5)Shuan C.
We went for the Monday night spaghetti deal. First thing you notice is how nice the atmosphere inside is. I loved how the restaurant was set up and decorated. We ordered their garlic bread and it was absolutely delicious! I don't know what kind of bread it is, but it was warm, soft (crust had the perfect amount of "crunch"), and just plain delicious! I almost gave 5 starts just for the bread. The spaghetti was OK. I'm not a huge spaghetti fan myself so it could just be personal preference for me. The meatball was delicious though. Seasoned and cooked very well. The portion of the spaghetti was the perfect amount. One plate is how much you're supposed to eat so you won't get overly full with that plate.
(4)Rene B.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Kalamazoo. We always have good food here. There is always something to see and do in the "Zoo!" You must try Mangia, Mangia if you come to the west side of Michigan!
(5)Steve S.
My wife enjoyed Mangia Mangia with some friends so she took me there last night. We both had great meals; chopped salad and veal piccatta and zabaglone (sp?) for her and minestrone, pasta carbonne and profiterole for me. Obviously, we were both very hungry. Everything was first rate. Our waitress was a little scattered and seemed to rush us a little even though it was early in the evening. We will return and I recommend this place strongly.
(4)Carolyn K.
$2.50 Speghetti and Meatball on Monday. Sweet Sauce.
(3)Rob S.
Pretty typical italian food. Maybe a step up from Bucca De Peppo, but probably not by much. We had the experience of having a rushed dinner prior to a show at The State Theater. We sat at the bar and wolfed down a shared plate of Chicken Parm. The bartender and staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. They even "fired" our order. They do charge for sharing an entree, but the meal was split so we each had our own plate which was nice. The marina sauce is a bit on the sweet side. I didn't mind it, but I can see how some might be put off from the flavor. The meal was pretty standard/average. Nothing really to complain about, but nothing that would have me singing praises. The service was outstanding and brings the stars up from a 3 to a 4. I would definitely return.
(4)Borracho G.
Place looked upscale but food was typical American/Italian and the sauce on most of the dishes was way too sweet, almost ketchup like. Wished they had Bells beer on tap but only served bottles. One good thing is they have an outside dinning area which is great on a sunny day.
(3)Sue S.
I've been here now three times over the last 2 years. Very ordinary food each time. There are MUCH better Italian places in K'zoo.
(2)Jennifer R.
Meh. Went last summer to celebrate a promotion...good thing I got a raise with it. The food was very good, but also came with a hefty price tag. $230 for 3 people and shared one bottle of moderately priced wine. YIKES! Our server was distracted and only came to the table when food was ready, missed our appetizer, and didn't give us silverware. We had to ask the hostess for silverware and then our bill after eating, bc the waiter never came back. Yea to the food, boo to the service and prices.
(3)Nicole D.
If you want good Italian food in the US, your best bet is to eat with Italian-Americans. When in Kalamazoo, follow your friends to Mangia Mangia, a new-ish offering in the downtown walking mall. A larger group of us dined there last night before taking in an awesome show at Farmers Alley Theatre. The place was bustling. A father-daughter dance night had a big back room full of tweens in pretty dresses and updos and men (hopefully their fathers) in suits. We were served hot whole grain crusty bread while we waited for our entrees. The service was good, the food... it was okay. I tried something I usually don't get and it was meh. But my friends got other entrees which looked and purportedly tasted divine. Eating is a social act; or at least it should be. I recommend Mangia Mangia for those looking for a warm and welcoming experience with friends, family, and food. You're here for the company and the food doesn't suck.
(3)Sarah F.
Decorated in an overtly-themed way, with friendly servers, and average quality, comfort-style Italian food. Hubby had the baked spaghetti which he really liked. I had the chicken Parmesan--2 small breasts of chicken fried & covered in red sauce and cheese with a small side of spaghetti & marinara. I ordered it mainly because a lot of other Yelp reviews mentioned it positively, but it was pretty middle-of-the-road for me: tasty certainly, but nothing I'd seek out to eat again. Pretty good, reasonably-priced wine list with some good glass and quartino options in addition to bottles. I particularly enjoyed the Italian Pinot Noir by the glass.
(3)Mandy M.
Vegans eat here! I normally don't ask for the chef to prepare a plate but their menu advertised meeting dietary needs, so I gave it a shot. It. Was. Amazing! I couldn't believe the thought put behind my dish. It was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. I'm not a culinary journalist but here's my best shot at a description: Mushroom and onion stuffed red pepper on cooked spinach with zucchini noodles and a zesty sauce. All of it was so good! I had a great dinner with friends and it made my day. :-)
(5)Meraki G.
Food was just OK, dipping oil on the table was off -- I alerted the management and they said they mix olive oil with canola. For dipping oil? Seriously?
(2)Megan H.
if my visit had been 6 months ago, I would've given 5 stars. Instead, they simplified their menu with the worst of the traditional dishes, recommended wines terribly, and apologize for the kitchen staff before we sat down. Was told he was overwhelmed with the new menu seeing the restaurant was 1/4 full with a couple table outsides. The service interaction with each other was crass, and above all disappointing. And above all, my pork in the red wine vinaigrette was no longer on the menu and the server was reluctant to make a request for an old menu option due to his "mood." I refuse to visit this restaurant by choice again, expect a mediocre experience with a lose in quality, this is where you want to come. Deceptive in appearance, but better off anywhere else in town.
(2)Chelsea D.
Went here for the first time last night. We had the bruschetta-- it was delicious! The bread that came with our pasta meals was phenomenal... I hope it's the same bread every time. We ordered the shrimp Alfredo, which was a little bland, and the Chicken Giardinera... Which was mostly a plate of jalapeños! The menu didn't say anything about jalapeños and I feel like they should have warned us. The dish was beyond spicy, if I had ordered it, I would not have been able to eat it. My boyfriend managed about half of it before throwing in the towel. We will probably give this place a second chance.
(3)Henry H.
My wife and I order take out through grub hub every once in a while. The lasagna is really good, it's sort of ruined most other restaurant lasagna for me. The meatballs are also quite tasty, as is the bread that comes with the pasta meals. I'm also a fan of the house dressing, although my wife isn't. Depends on if you like gorgonzola or not, I suppose. Overall it's good Italian food with house made ingredients.
(4)Jack M.
Great food, excellent service. Period. I'm giving this four stars, but bordering on a five. Honestly, so often a good meal is complemented by the service and personality of the staff. And that is exactly the case here. Lovely Kayla, the receptionist, was friendly, genial and personal. Tyler, our waiter was the best ever-he was attentive, patient, personal. It is not often that I leave a nice meal feeling like I made a new friend. We had the chicken parmesan, white fish tarragon, spaghetti and meatballs, and the pappardelle pasta, and all were delicious. We are from California, but this is a place that we would frequent often.
(4)Nathan L.
I have been here a few times in the last few years and have enjoyed myself. The food is incredible, the wine selection is decent and the wait staff was friendly, prompt and helpful. I like the location downtown, the bar is pretty nice and the ambiance is decent as well. The price is decently high but it is quality. I would highly suggest this for families, dates and just grabbing a bite while downtown.
(4)Stefanie N.
Went here with a colleague and we ordered the calamari, caprese salad as starters. For mains, I had their house made papperdelle while my colleague ordered some chicken Parmesan dish. Sad to say, we both were not impressed with any of the dishes. The calamari was ok while the caprese salad looked a little tired. My colleague took a few bites out of her dish and called it a night. What really disappointed me the most was my papperdelle dish. I've had homemade, house made, whatever-made pastas from countless restaurants and have made pastas myself...my main course did not resemble anything what I envisioned. Instead, the pasta came out in weird triangle cut chunks and the dough was extremely thick and chewy. Needless to say, it was way overdressed with greasy, oily sauce. Their portions are extremely large and the service was friendly. Perhaps I caught them on an off night or didn't order the right dishes? Their menu is a little too expansive as it leaves me to question how fresh are the ingredients? I'll give this place another try if one of my friends were dying to go here and perhaps next time, I'll just stick with spaghetti and meatballs.
(2)Beth M.
Amazing lobster mac and cheese and on Wednesdays they offer discounted bottles of wine (St Francis Cab) Great service and it helps when the weather treats you well on the patio, will definitely come back to try more options.
(5)Daniel R.
The Fruitti di Mare was borderline ok but the Veal Marsala was not good at all and the prices were high. Overall a big dissapointment. An unfavorable experience to say the least
(2)Cullen S.
If you want a fancy and potentially amazing Italian meal, walk down the street to Zazio's. But if you a big plate of pasta that's reasonably priced, Mangia Mangia fits the bill nicely. Some friends have had bad experiences here but for me it's always been enjoyable.
(4)Emma B.
Great Expierence! Had an amazing dinner the other night. I ordered the Mahi Mahi which was delicious. It was cooked with a wine sauce and topped with veggies. I also enjoyed the atmosphere with its great decor. With a fully stocked bar and a large menu, this restaraunt is hard to compete with. Definitely will be back again soon!
(5)Anna P.
It was my first and last time there. I had fruit flies hovering over my food the entire time I was eating I had to keep swatting them away, I pointed it to the waitress when she asked how my food was, she even saw them. She apologized for it, didnt make it less annoying, when I asked if I could a discount on my meal for this, she said she would ask the manager and see what could be done, she came back and said manager said no because the flies werent in my food. I wrote the restaurant about my visit there, still havent heard anything.
(1)Josh P.
We were very pleased with everything during our meal. The server was excellent, giving us great descriptions of the dishes we asked about. We ordered an appetizer, soup/salad, a main course, and desert. Everything was timed well between courses and our drinks and empty dishes were very well tended too. Last but not least the food. Flavorful, with bright colors. Very good selections, seafood to steak. Expansive wine list and good beer selection.
(4)Dan R.
Visited this place for the first time last night and was amazed by the friendly service and fantastic food. Prices are a tad high for pasta but the ravioli (which changes daily) was homemade and very good. Partner had the manicotti with meatballs that had perhaps the best bolognese I've ever tasted. Highly recommend, especially for this one horse town.
(5)Christina R.
They have the best gluten free pasta I've had anywhere! Great wine list and homemade meals. Four stars because I'm not that big of a fan of their homemade sweet sauce, prefer red sauce not as sweet... I mention this as I know there are people out there who do. If that's you, consider it a 5 star. Make reservations ahead. They do not validate parking garage tickets.
(4)Nick C.
This is my favorite Italian place yet. I have tried many things at Mangia Mangia, but my favorite is the chicken parm! Two big chicken breasts cooked to perfection. A side of noodles with lots of marinara sauce. It also has cheese and mushrooms on the chicken. Their sauce is amazing! Lots of flavor and is thick enough to stay on the noodles. Their bread is also very very good. My fiancee prefers the baked spaghetti, but she also gets the eggplant parm on occasion. I've yet to find a better chicken parm in my travels. $16.95 is a lot for the chicken. However, it's more than filling. It's rare that I finish my plate while I'm there. Keep an eye out for their specials on Groupon. If I have people in town that love Italian food, this is where we go. To be fair, I'm not a fan of their pizza. It's nothing special. However, everything else, including desserts are fantastic.
(5)Harold S.
Not dissatisfied but not thrilled either. We went here after not being able to get into Fandango's. Never been here before, and was impressed with the interior right away. I did like the semi private dinner tables surrounded with red curtains. Our server wasn't very familiar with the bar selection or the menu and couldn't explain to me what gluten free is. I have celiac disease and was happy to see gluten free options, just wish the servers were better versed in gluten free. After ordering the dinners came out in parts. Everyone's meal came out at different times and the last one in our group got her dinner as I was finishing mine. I don't know how the kitchen could of gotten this so messed up. The server did give her a free desert, but with the prices being so high, I would of expected much better service. I would come back here, but wouldn't make the drive over to Kalamazoo just for dinner here. Have to say though, the food was outstanding, but the poor service ruined the evening.
(3)M C.
A-OK Italian! No complaints about food, my husband and I visit this place once a month and love to try different dishes, my favorite is the Mangia Chicken, that sauce is out of this world. The service is exceptional, the only problem is once I find my favorite server they end up leaving, it is never a consistent, has me wondering maybe this place only great for eating and not working, either way it would be nice to see a familiar face each and every visit. I recommend this restaurant to any Italian food lover, you will not be disappointed!
(3)Daniel D.
The ambiance and portions help justify the prices, the food quality does not. Although, the pizza, Chicken Mangia Mangia, and complimentary bread were fine, the bruschetta and calamari were lacking and the artichoke dip was terrible. Go for the cheap spaghetti dinner and skip the rest of the week.
(2)Bill S.
-Notice- Small pizza is enough for two. Diner for two, a good pizza and the chicken rigatoni E, salad and bread including two bottle beers and a glass of red wine. $46.00
(4)Abigail D.
Had a seafood pasta dish that was out of this world. The service was great, and it had such a nice atmosphere. Would definitely go again!
(5)Amber L.
Alright Mangia Mangia. I gave you two chances and you broke my heart twice. The best part of this restaurant is the interior. It fits the classic Italian restaurant theme and is cozy with warm colors and red and white checkered tablecloths. The menu itself looks pretty tasty. The wine menu is extensive, but ordering wine by the glass is much more limited. My first time here I was disappointed with the food. My party ordered the appetizer sampler and I found everything to be overly oily. Nothing tasted bad, but the amount of oiliness was excessive. I felt my arteries clogging just looking at the bruschetta. The artichoke dip was heavy on the cream cheese. And the fried calamari was soggy and too chewy. And don't tell me calamari is supposed to be super chewy...I've had excellent fried calamari that was neither soggy nor overly difficult to chew. My entree was the farfalle. Most of the scallops in that dish were overcooked, tough, and flavorless. The whole dish could have been vastly improved by more garlic. But the other two people I was with enjoyed their meals, so I decided I wouldn't dismiss the restaurant right away. My second visit was on a busy Saturday night. We had to wait for a table. Which wouldn't be so bad, except that they have no seated waiting area. When we finally were seated, our server was pleasant but extremely slow. Now, I do not expect lightning fast service when a place is totally packed. But the slowness of the service we experienced was on a whole different level. It was absurd. There were zero apologizes for the wait and the slowness was not even acknowledged. I don't know if it was the waiter himself or a systemic issue in the restaurant. We also listened to someone making a formal complaint to a manager behind us, so we knew we weren't the only ones having issues. I ordered fettuccine alfredo because I wanted something simple. I was extremely underwhelmed. Honestly, I have had better frozen fettuccine. The center of my husband's lasagna was cold. We didn't send it back because it wasn't worth the trouble of waiting an eternity for it to come back. At the beginning of the evening I was looking forward to trying a dessert that had caught my eye on the menu, but by the end of things I was too ticked by the wait to bother with it. Actually, our waiter didn't even ask if we wanted any dessert. Boo. The pinnacle of our evening was a patron who apparently lacked knowledge of social appropriateness. She gestured to one of the empty seats at our table that we weren't using...we assumed she was asking to take the seat away and use it to wait for a table or perhaps to wait for a seat at the bar to open up. Instead, she plopped her purse down on our table, scooted in next to us, and commented on how much fettuccine I had left. What. The. Hell. I know crazy lady wasn't Mangia Mangia's fault, but perhaps this unfortunately awkward experience could have been avoided had the restaurant provided a real waiting area. So, overall, Mangia Mangia gets a solid D from me. The food is way overpriced for the quality you get. The waitstaff apparently cannot handle a busy night. This restaurant seems to have an undeserved high opinion of itself. I suggest you go to Comensoli's on Main St. instead.
(2)Christopher M.
Honestly the worst Italian place I've ever dined at. Antipasto platter was average, minestrone was so over seasoned I could not eat it. Lasagne was over seasoned as well. The waitress never once asked us if we were happy with the food. Manager laughed at us when we complained. Will never go back. If I could have given zero stars I would have.
(1)Ruth S.
We have eaten here 4-5 times before and enjoyed out meal immensely. This time not so much. Our drinks were awful and when I sent them back the replacements wee worse. The bartender told me "I won't add any more vodka to them, but I'll remake them". Seriously. Good cocktails bring people back just like good food. Yuck. The food was good but not great as it has been before. I am giving 3 stars because we've had good meals here before but this meal was a 2 at best.
(3)Grace G.
I decided to try this place out on their Monday night special--spaghetti and a meatball for only $3.50. I took my children thinking it would be a great way to try it out since they are pasta fans. I was sadly disappointed. The portion for $3.50 was definitely good, but the sauce is quite sweet...not to my liking nor to any of my kids. The meatball was just meh tasting...not much flavor. I ordered 2 orders of garlic bread to go with our pasta...poor choice. It was basically two sub buns cut in half with mostly butter and I think some vinegar...yuck. Crappy bread for $3.50. My kids didn't even like it..and they love MOST breads. The service was wonderful...no complaints there for the most part, except when I complained that the lemonade two of my children ordered was mostly water. The server commented, "Oh that's odd...usually it's pretty sweet." Well...it was not. She finally tasted it after leaving our table and returned to tell me that yes...I was right and that the soda machine was not dispensing it properly. Well...if you're giving me supposed lemonade for $3.50 a glass, it had better not be from a soda machine. She did not charge us for it thankfully, but even my arnold palmer was diluted. She brought me iced tea as a consolation, but failed to tell me it was unsweetened and then never offered any sugar whatsoever. As a server, it is your job to INFORM your guests of what to expect, not make one guess. The service was good, but I can tell you that from that simple, inexpensive dinner, I refuse to come back and try any of the higher priced items on the menu.
(2)Markie L.
I'm such a fan of this restaurant. Downtown Kalamazoo is such a nice area, I wish I would have explored more during my time there! Mangia Mangia has great italian food and it's pretty moderatly priced--especially the Spaghetti & Meatball dinner--only $3.50! (On certain days.) Everytime I went, the customer service was excellent. I've moved away and am not sure when I'll be back, but I can't wait to go again.
(4)Jean S.
Mangia Mangia has a great catering service called Bogey's. They serve delicious sandwiches with fresh fruit and mini desserts for our customer events. Everyone loves it! I've also eaten at their restaurant downtown several times and really enjoy the food there. The spaghetti and meatball special on Monday nights is a terrific value.
(4)Kelly C.
This place was really cute and the food was good. Services was excellent. My waiter did spill my drink, but was so apologetic and accomodating. I brought the person whom I work for who has a disability and the staff was very conscious of making sure he was comfortable and taken care of. Also, I love the location on the Kalamazoo mall. I would recommend this place to italian food lovers.
(4)Jon C.
Not so great Italian food. Very large portions of mediocre food. Quantity does not replace quality when it comes to food. Linguini and clams was very sweet. The sauce had no seafood flavor and clams straight from a can. Prosciutto and peas was very salty and the prosciutto was over cooked. The best part of dinner was the calamari more than likely from a box.
(2)J K.
Good for what it is - Italian comfort food - but don't expect fine dining. The interior feels like a caricature of an Italian restaurant and the food matches. Portions are generous and the flavors you'd expect are there, just not particularly interesting or refined. That said, there were times during my stay in Kalamazoo when I just wanted a big helping of pasta and this place fit the bill nicely. On those nights, the seafood farfalle was a favorite. Meals were never mind-blowing, but they were never bad, either.
(3)Kim N.
We chose this restaurant due to moderate prices and a menu my husband was comfortable with as a hater of eggplant, spinach and fish. Wish we would've gone with Zazios or Rustica and spent a little more. Sigh. The location was easy to find and in a bustling area with lots of shopping. We were seated quickly. Our drinks were fine (Arcadia beer and a raspberry lemonade vodka drink with fresh basil). The menu was varied. I love tagliatelle, so decided to have the tagliatelle on the menu. The waitress waited until I ordered to tell us about the specials (odd). There were two nightly specials featuring the tagliatelle. One had a crab encrusted mahi mahi and one had a beef and pork ragout. We ended up ordering those. Husband also had a house salad and I had the minestrone. Minestrone: Very Good House salad: Decent. The house red wine vinegar dressing was good. Bread: Garlic toasted slices of baguette. Eh, it was ok. I'd have preferred bread and butter. Tagliatelle Pasta: Wow did they screw this up. I've spent three weeks traveling the Italian countryside and I make my own pasta at home, so I have a little cred here. Tagliatelle should be flat as a fettucini noodle and a litle wider. It was about 1-1.5 inches wide and REALLY thick. Thicker than those Reames Egg Noodles you buy in the frozen food section. It was gummy and pieces folded in half stuck together, making them inedible. The other parts of the pasta: The fish and the raguot were actually quite nice. Also notable was listening to our server chit chat with the hostess, telling her she proudly requested the cell phone number ???-6969. Really? That was appropriate conversation in the front of the house? It was about $50 before tip, so the price was reasonable. Servings were large. I would just not recommend the Tagliatelle, nor the service. This falls somewhere just above Olive Garden, though I'd frankly rather eat OG soup, salad and pasta. It's the sauces and meats (and cozy atmosphere) where Mangia Mangia excelled over OG.
(2)L.J. P.
First time here the other night and was happy with my experience. Ordered the Chicken Parmesean and thought it was delicious. however, the prices are a little high for what you get, but i still wouldn't have a problem dining here again.
(3)Josh Y.
Although staff is friendly and the facility is well kept, the food is nothing special.
(2)Danielle A.
I ate here after wandering around downtown Kalamazoo while there for a business trip. I was immediately sat in the bar area at a high-top near the window next to three women who were there after work for apps & drinks before going to a movie. It was a Thursday night and not terribly busy. The waitress doubled as the bartender in the bar area. The service was decent. The menu stated that all items came with soup or salad AND fresh baked bread. I had to ask for the bread and truthfully what I got - while good - did not seem like it was fresh baked. Maybe it's because it was busy, but it seemed like it was baked off-site and delivered. Maybe fresh that morning? It was rustic, lots of seeds and crunchy bits which I do enjoy. I ordered the Napoleon, which was fresh garden vegetables (mostly eggplant and portabella mushrooms) in a marinara with a carmelized onion balsamic reduction... thing. It was tasty, but truthfully there wasn't enough veggie variety and I was expecting more of the balsamic & onions. The minestrone that came with the meal was quite good though, and if I were ever to randomly find myself in Kalamazoo and decided to just go to this restaurant again I would get a bowl of that and an appetizer. Having said that - I wasn't wowed enough to repeat here if I ever DID find myself randomly in Kalamzoo again. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't wow-worthy either.
(2)Dick D.
After reading some of the negative reviews on this site, we had to wonder what the dining experience would be like. But since we had a Groupon we were committed. Arriving at the restaurant at 6PM on Friday night with no reservations the welcome was not real warm and fuzzy. Finally a waitress came by and said put them on my four top. A person appearing to be the manager walked by but did not seem interested in what was going on. This turned out to be a great choice because Hillary (our waitress) was great, full of life, fun, and a real pleasure. Looking at the menu it was different that what was on the internet. I choose the Shrimp Farfalle and my wife ordered the Chicken Mangia Mangia. Hers was excellent and mine just average. I ran out of shrimp well before I ran out of pasta, not a good value. Since we did not reach the total amount of the Groupon with our entres plus the salad that was not included in my selection we ordered a piece of cheesecake. For $4.95 it had to be the smallest portion of cheesecake we have seen. Overall we rated four stars on the strength of Hillary our waitress and the Chicken Mangia Mangia. Without the Groupon the $50 plus cost including tip would not have been a good value.
(4)Philip T.
Wonderful atmosphere, great ambiance with Classic Italian look. Generous portions of delicious Italian cuisine. Gluten-free pizza was the best yet for those with Gluten allergies. Serving staff friendly and helpful! Overall, very enjoyable experience.
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