what a really fun place. I could spend a couple hours just smelling the food and looking at the photos on the wall. Make sure you sign up at their web page for the Buca celibate. You will get something good free. So many good food choices and the portions are big. Do not be afraid to split even the lunch size. Service was fast and friendly and waiters can by and checked on use just about the correct amount of times.
(4)
Erin K.
Tonight, Buca was out of meat and alfredo sauce, meatballs, sausage, and table bread at 8. Unfortunately, we didn't find out until after we ordered and had to settle for a dish that wasn't what we had hoped for. We waited more than five minutes for our table to be cleaned when numerous other tables were empty. Waiter served drinks immediately and then proceeded to ignore us and take an incredibly long time to take our order and bring us the bread we had ordered. Manager was very understanding and comped our dessert. Needless to say, other than the manager and comped apple crostada (which was very good), I was very disappointed. I've never had a bad experience with Buca in the past but it will be quite some time before I come back.
(1)
Christiaan T.
family style Italian food done well
(4)
Alexandra K.
This restaurant is just so cool. I love coming here with friends or family because you get SO much good food for your money. The place is decorated to the nines. On a non-busy night, the hostess will often take you through the entire restaurant and give you a tour of the kitchen, say hello to the cooks, and then seat you. The service and the decor really make you feel like you're in a kitschy restaurant in Italy. A single entree here can feed at least 2 people if not more. It lists on the menu how many. I recommend the garlic bread, but make sure everyone has some as you won't be able to stand each other after the meal. Everything I've had here has been good from regular spaghetti and meatballs to the fettuccine alfredo. You can't go wrong!
(4)
Amanda A.
I have never been to Buca in Rookwood even though I live less than two minutes away. It had been a long day and I didnt feel like doing the normal PF Changs that we always resort to. Walked in as two huge groups were walking out. The hostess didnt greet us, in fact just stared at us. They closed at 10, it was 8:45. I asked for a table for two, she looked at me rolled her eyes, and sighed. She said she would check to see if they had a table, there was literally no one in the place. We followed her to the dining room, they had all sections closed but one and it had a dirty table. She looked at me said it would be at least ten minutes before she could clear the table. Basically saying she didnt feel like doing it. I said we would wait and she stormed off to clean. I walked right out and into PF Changs were I didnt wait for a table and had great service as always. I will never step foot into Buca again.
(1)
Justine M.
There's really nothing on the menu that stands out as fantastic food worth the price. Honestly, I feel like I can make better dishes at home. But, this place IS good in a pinch for reservations of large parties on holidays at the last minute, which seems to be my family's MO. And the ridiculous portions do help when there are well over a dozen of us. The desserts are pretty good, but I think it takes a lot of effort to screw up a dessert. Also a plus is the kitschy decor. The major downside is that for whatever reason, this restaurant seems to attract the loudest and most obnoxious that the city has to offer. Every time I've gone there, there has inevitably been a nearby party that feels shouting is the best way to communicate while mere inches from each other. In some cases, it's actually improved the meal, as in the case of the two couples who randomly yelled out "Whoomp! There it is!" at various intervals between jokes. (And you thought awkward suburban folk were a myth!) This doesn't affect the rating, just be forewarned that you will be either highly amused or ready to sling oversized meatballs at people.
(2)
Lauren F.
Buca di Beppo is sort of like Larosa's on meth. It's almost too much of an atmosphere for me to take. I've been there several times with family and I would recommend calling in advance (several days) to reserve the booth located in the kitchen. The white noise of people talking can be slightly overwhelming if you are unable to tune it out but it's great if you're in the mood for a festive and friendly place. This is a chain, family style restaurant with really good food. the portions are preferably shared so bring a large group of friends and family. Bring a hefty appetite and plan on leftovers for a week if you go alone.
(4)
Linda M.
Dont bother going here if you DONT have reservations on a Sat nite! My hubby & I stopped in on 2/19/2011 around 4:30 for dinner. We were told it was an hr to 1 hr & 15 min wait. Ok, so we put our names on the list. Well after around 1 hr & 30 mins, my hubby went up to see how much longer. He was told "your'e next, in the next 5 mins".. well that 5 mins turned into OVER 20 mins.. so he went back up, again, a LAME ANSWER "oh your'e next, we are clearing a table for you now'.. so after A 2 HOUR WAIT we were seated.. then it took our server OVER 10 mins to come take our drink order. The food was great, as it usually is, but it seems they just dont care about you if you dont bring a large crowd in or have reservations. Now back on 2/12/19, the Sat before V day, I called to see if they were taking reservations for that nite, & I was told NO but I could come in and put my name on a 'waiting list' .. so which is it.. you DO or DONT take reservasations EVERY weekend & why would I drive there just to put my name on a waiting list??? I have emailed Buca regarding this and they have YET to reply, so that tells me they DONT care!!!!!
(2)
Jason M.
Very enjoyable meal. Awesome eclectic decor. 6 hungry college 19-20 year olds fed well. Pleasant enjoyable meal. Enjoyed the warm spinach and tomato salad. Huge! Meatballs. Lots of leftovers. Large serving of fettuccine chicken. Would have fed 5 easily
(4)
C S.
Excellent service, food and ambiance in general. Special thanks to one of the hostesses who went out of her way to help me find my phone!!! I can't remember her name, but I'll be calling the manager to tell him she is AMAZING! Love it!
(5)
Andrew H.
The food was fantastic, as it is every time I'm at this restaurant but the service was lacking just this last time I was there, otherwise would've been a 4, maybe even a 5, star review. I rarely ever tip less than 20% and typically give around 23-25% but whenever we needed anything our server was no where to be found, and I mean to order we had to wait another 15 minutes for him after he gave us our drinks, he gave us our bread and it was cold, once he gave us our food we didn't see him until we were done, not even to ask if our food was good(but of course if was good) and asked for a coffee which took another 15 minutes. Then once we had our coffee it took about a half hour before we saw him to get our check which if course took 10 more minutes. It was to the point where I was debating "should I just dine and dash?" And you may think oh this guy is just needy and was there on a busy night, but noooo, it was an extremely slow night. There wasn't even a wait for our table(which for a Buca is pretty amazing). I'll still chalk this up to just a server on a bad night though. But if it happens again I'm done with it.
(3)
Rob K.
Birthday bash and we were seated in the "Wine Room." What is that, you may ask? To start with we didn't know we were seated in the wine room until we heard a few hosts and hostesses walking past with their next patrons pointing our direction and saying, "And this is the wine room where we have over 300 bottles of wine." In the ceiling. What a funly (yes to those grammarians out there, I meant funly) obnoxious group we were. Pitty the staff when we realized the 300 "bottles of wine" were actually 300 "wine bottles." Empty! Check it out. And there are actually 319, I think. Fun staff having a fun time. They earned their tip, and we were happy to up it. Family style is good, and eating 'till the brink of internal organs exploding can be fun, too. Do the servers have access to a forklift, if needed? Don't forget the tentacles. Crunchy!
(4)
Kelly H.
Took a group of 16 for a birthday celebration. Had reservations at 4pm on a Saturday night with intention to avoid a crowd. It wasn't crowded but the service was terribly slow. Food was ok but I'd never take a large group again due to the service.
(3)
Amina D.
We went on World Pasta day. It was awesome. We got a free side of spaghetti with our pasta order and a pack of imported spaghetti to make at home. The wild raspberry Italian soda was insanely good. Cheese ravioli with Alfredo sauce was awesome. Would have gotten a 5, but the server was slow and messed up our check.
(4)
Amanda L.
This location is okay. Not the best. I always get the kitchen booth because of the interaction with staff and it's different. But here they didn't talk to us the waiter seemed put off by us. MENTAL NOTE TO WAIT STAFF: just because someone may not be dressed to the nines doesn't mean they don't have money. Judging someone like that gets you nothing but a bad tip and a bad YELP.
(3)
Ryan M.
This family portions restaurant is an awesome place. The food has a good flavor. The portions are obviously huge. I really like the pizzas the most because I'm not much of a pasta guy but even their pastas are good. have never had a bad dish from here. The decor is real vintage and interesting. This place can get super packed so if you have a table over 4, I would make a reservation. The staff is very professional and handle the busy chaos like pros.
(4)
Joel L.
I celebrated my birthday here and it was fantastic. We sat in the kitchen table. The Italian Wedding Soup is fantastic. Buca discontinued it but guess they brought it back. The service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh and tasted great. I had a great bday dinner here.
(5)
Alicia B.
There is a major discrepancy of tastiness here. Some things are great and others aren't. The apple, cranberry, gorgonzola salad is pretty perfect. So is the eggplant parmesan. Many things are only so-so though.
(3)
Danan R.
HUGE portions so bring a friend (or two!). A small pasta will easily feed 3. The food itself is surprisingly decent for a chain, and I was happy with the baked ziti, which is made with a creamy rosa sauce and finished with mozzarella and a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Yes, it's a chain but the ambiance and decor are unapologetically eclectic and tongue-in-cheek and the large portions are fun to share in that they are even larger than the Cheesecake Factory's. It's definitely not for the diet-conscious but then again, who doesn't love a filling Italian meal full of carb-loaded pasta and bread?
(3)
Reese M.
My wife and kids stopped in for dinner. We haven't ate at a Buca di Beppos' since we lived in Arizona a few years ago. So it's an establishment we've missed. Our service was definitely 5 star service. The waiter was patient, kept our drinks full, was polite. The food was pretty good, not as good as I remember it, but very good. We were seated quickly. Food came out quickly. Overall, not a bad experience. If your in the Norwood area, I recommend going here at least once.
(4)
Becky S.
Finally got around to checking this place out, and what a crazy experience! The ambience is fantastic - I really like the lighting and furniture. It's not crazy loud at all, so it would be a great place to take family/friends, coworkers; pretty much anyone! I will admit, the first impression was a little odd. When we arrived, we followed the server to be seated - I assumed in a general seating area. However, as we walked along, we began to realize we were headed right into the kitchen. Turns out they have a kitchen booth where you can sit and watch the cooks! Not sure how that experience is, however, as we opted to sit in a better lit room. The service we received was ... interesting, to say the least. Our waiter, Brady, was not a bad guy. However, one thing I've found is if the bartender is serving you, the service is a lot less prompt. Since he was bartending and apparently the only one serving as well, it took us over 5 minutes to get our drink order. Finally ordered our drinks, only to wait 10 more minutes. Normally I wouldn't mind, but I was parched so I was getting a bit irritated. The waiter was nice but made the mistake of taking our orders without writing it down - not a mistake, really, unless you forget things that were ordered. Which he did. So we had to finally mention after getting our entrees that we were curious where our appetizer was. Admittedly, after that our waiter was suddenly far more attentive and open to listening. He even attempted some jokes, which we appreciated. I gave him credit for turning around what was almost a very disappointing experience! The food itself was not bad - I got a penne dish with tomato and artichokes, which was pretty average as meals go. Their lunch portions are decent, but I was not impressed with the flavor. I'd eat there again, but not often. My friend got the fettucini supremo, which was fettucini alfredo with veggies. It was quite delicious! She was not a fan of the noodles, however. I would agree - I've had better italian, but I would definitely rank it higher up on the list than most. It IS rather pricey - most appetizers are around $9-10 and depending on the entrees, they usually are around $18-20. However the entrees that are not lunch portioned (for single person servings) are supposed to be huge, which would make up for the fact they are so expensive. Apparently they are there to feed many. Overall, I can't say it was an unpleasant experience; cheerful service, we were greeted both entering and exiting, and the ambiance was definitely spot on, with little noise to interfere with conversation. The food was pretty good. The only downs I had was the spotty service and the average food.
(3)
David G.
We went here once and after get a tour of the kitchen and restaurant I was excited. Unfortunately that was the best part of the meal. We were seated in a section by the bar where a loud and obnoxious employee was drinking after work. Our food came out overdone and hard. The pasta tasted as if it was made by a child.
(1)
N M.
Mediocre Italian in a crazy environment.
(1)
J O.
The food is always good here. The reason I only give two stars is that we waited over half an hour for a table while we sat there looking at at least three empty, increased tables. They seemed unprepared and overwhelmed. And it's freezing in here!!! Uncomfortable and annoying to the point I want to leave!
(2)
Hollyann H.
My mother and her boy(man)friend are always raving about Buca di Beppo, so when they came down to Cincinnati they finally dragged me to it for dinner one night. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants so I was expecting total disappointment. From what my mother was telling me it just sounded like an Italian TGI Fridays. The restaurant was clean, interesting decorated walls, and a decent atmosphere. It wasn't too loud and obnoxious. The big family servings were pretty neat. I enjoyed that. The food wasn't anything that blew me away. However, the dessert that was a giant sundae was the best thing. But how can you go wrong with a giant sundae that's bigger than your head? You can't. I don't think I would go here anytime by myself or with my friends, but I feel like this is a really good place for family dinners.
(3)
Christopher G.
I love me some Italian. For a lot of my life it was far and away my favorite, and although more exotic stuff has recently taken that top spot (looking at you, Thai), it remains one of those foods that, if anyone suggests it, I will always agree to, regardless of mood. That said, Buca is probably my favorite Italian place in Cincinnati. Don't listen to the other reviewers: I've been to this place maybe half a dozen times in the last year, and it has absolutely never disappointed. I force myself to try something new every time--though my old favorites, they call to me!--and every time is a joy. It's very good for dates or families, because honestly you will not finish your meal if you order alone, even if you get the small. Take it from the guy who can pack it away: these guys mean business when it comes to portions. You will split a meal and you'll still be full, especially since there is also bread. The atmosphere is, well, lively. If you're okay with that, you'll have a great time, but if you're looking for something quiet and intimate, dare I say... fuhget about it? The music is always Rat Pack or the like, which is cheesy, granted, but not intrusive. One of the walls actually has a small Sinatra shrine, which is hilarious. Actually, many of the walls are adorned with festive work that ranges from mildly to surprisingly inappropriate. Good conversation starters, all around. Overall, it's a place that seems to go out of its way to be loud and boisterous and in your face--you know, Italian. It's pricey, sure, but I mean, welcome to restaurants. If you want a better experience, you pay a higher premium (unless you're at Lavomatic, but don't even get me started on that place). And these people who would have you believe the food is so-so at best? Where do they do the majority of their dining? Manhattan? Sicily? The food is great, really, and there's lots of it. The service is uniformly good, even chummy. The seating is comfortable, the decorating, as I said, entertaining. I have very little bad to say about it, except perhaps that it can get quite loud and that the bread is the one exception to the fantastic menu. It's not bad, exactly, it's just... bread. And nothing else. But these are the extent of my complaints, so I'll let that speak for itself.
(5)
Nick A.
If you don't mind BED BUGS, by all means please go to this restaurant. We had one on our MENU plain as day. The manager CONFIRMED it was in fact a bed bug at our table. My fiance first told the bartender who asked to have the bug passed to him OVER THE LIQUOR AND ENTIRE BAR! They didn't even offer to move us to another table!! They clearly have a problem and are not telling their customers. We were completely disrespected when we called the "vice president" to complain. And he suggested WE MAY HAVE BROUGHT THEM IN!! The bugs came from the HOST STAND!! Do not go here unless you want to expose your family to bed bugs. The servers are rude and it sounded like a bar inside. STAY AWAY!!
(1)
Rick F.
I'm Italian I should not be eating at places like this. BUT I love it! the atmosphere, the kitschiness, the pope table, the table in the kitchen. The food actually pretty good for an americanized version. I love the salad amazing. The chicken limone was great, the fettuccini leaves a little bit to be desired! Bread should be warmed and butter should be soft. The pictures the bathroom all fun!
(4)
Danan R.
HUGE portions so bring a friend (or two!). A small pasta will easily feed 3. The food itself is surprisingly decent for a chain, and I was happy with the baked ziti, which is made with a creamy rosa sauce and finished with mozzarella and a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Yes, it's a chain but the ambiance and decor are unapologetically eclectic and tongue-in-cheek and the large portions are fun to share in that they are even larger than the Cheesecake Factory's. It's definitely not for the diet-conscious but then again, who doesn't love a filling Italian meal full of carb-loaded pasta and bread?
(3)
Heather L.
Went here for the first time at the request of a friend for his bday. I'm an Italian snob being from the north east so was Leary of a chain Italian place. I started with a raspberry Italian cream soda which was yummy. He had the spiked lemonade which was good and you keep the glass. The waitress didn't bring the bread out until right before the meal, which sucked since we were starving (&mind you this was not at a busy time of day). For dinner I ordered the gnocchi which had a nice creamy vodka sauce. Yes large portion, I understand the family dining concept, but ive been places with similar portions at half the price. He had the chicken Marsala, which he loved, but I tasted and to me it was meh. All in all to me it's a novelty dining experience and that's what you're paying higher prices for.
(3)
Jason M.
Very enjoyable meal. Awesome eclectic decor. 6 hungry college 19-20 year olds fed well. Pleasant enjoyable meal. Enjoyed the warm spinach and tomato salad. Huge! Meatballs. Lots of leftovers. Large serving of fettuccine chicken. Would have fed 5 easily
(4)
C S.
Excellent service, food and ambiance in general. Special thanks to one of the hostesses who went out of her way to help me find my phone!!! I can't remember her name, but I'll be calling the manager to tell him she is AMAZING! Love it!
(5)
Allison B.
Buca is always a lot of fun with a large group of people. My husband and I swung by last week for a dinner for just the two of us. Of course, I had forgotten that the portions were so massive that we had to agree on a single dish, which was disappointing, however his selection of the cheese ravioli was delicious. I ordered the calamari appetizer which you can never go wrong with and it went great on the ravioli, too. Overall, a good time. Service was attentive and the food was yummy.
(4)
Alexander D.
The effort put into decorating this place is amazing. The waiter was very friendly and the food was great. This is also where my boyfriend took me to ask me out officially after a few dates. It will be a place I hold close for as long as possible.
(5)
Jason B.
With some restaurants it's all about the food. And with others it's all about the dining experience. And with still others...well, they don't quite know what they're all about. I present to you Buca di Beppo. Oftentimes referred to as Buca's , this restaurant/circus sideshow/memorial to cheap, tacky taste is nestled in a corner of Rookwood Commons. I have absolutely no idea how to describe the interior. Pictures of all shapes and sizes from all sorts of time periods featuring all types of different scenes litter the walls. As do cheap decorations (most of which are difficult to describe) made of plastic, or glass, or wood, or a combination of all three. You've got Christmas lights, fake ivory leaves, and other borderline junk hanging on the walls. There are numerous places to sit; the bar, the main dining room, a couple of banquet rooms in the back, and even the kitchen. Yep, they've got a chef's table where you have the opportunity to sit in the kitchen and watch them fix the food. Though to be honest, I don't understand why anybody would want to do that. That's like having a front row seat to your own conception. Not very appealing. Seating ranges from booths, to rounds, to long banquet style tables with stiff, uncomfortable, wooden chairs. Then you got the food. Authentic Italian it is not. Disgusting swill it is not. Like a lot of self-described "genuine" Italian eateries, Buca's food is a watered-down, Americanized version of Italian fare. That's not to say the food is bad, because it really isn't. It's actually okay. Pretty tasty, but very heavy on grease and cheese. I mean I love cheese and all, but wow, a bit much sometimes. Servings are family-style, meaning that you don't order individual meals per person, but instead just one dish for the entire table (or maybe two dishes depending on the size of your party), and enough of that dish is brought to feed everybody. Of course this means the costs can be a bit crazy. But depending on what dish you order (I'd go with the Chopped Antipasta Salad, Lasagna, Baked Rigatoni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Shrimp Fra Diavolo) it can be worth it. Overall, this is a pretty decent place. Not overly great. But it certainly doesn't suck. I've always enjoyed it when I've visited. But that's because my expectations are never all that high. Quick note; I love the Pope Room. It's a little enclosed booth with a bust of John Paul encased in glass on a little round thingy that turns and gives the late Pontiff a 360-degree look to the table. You would think it would be creepy, but not so much. Mahalo, and enjoy.
(3)
Dave D.
Pretty good family style Italian. SamAdams on tap is a plus for the Noble Pils. Trying the kitchen booth next time. Looks fun.
(3)
Alex S.
I've been here 3 times, and haven't had one bad experience! The help is enthusiastic and energetic, the food is flavorful and a fantastic value, and is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area, and is, in my opinion, even better than Maggiano's.
(5)
Elisa O.
Me and my friends ate here to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a party of 12 and paid separately... I had a coupon that I was really excited to use for a free small. When it came time to pay the waitress told me that I couldn't use it because another couple at our table( who paid separately) used a $2 off coupon... I think this rule is ridiculous. It's something they should change. It's a rule that is going to change my mind about coming here in the future.
(2)
G K.
My fiance, daughter and I visited here tonight! We enjoyed it! Jessica was our server! She was GREAT! Kept our drinks filled and introduced me to a fabulous yet simple dip for our bread! Food was plentiful and good! We'll be back soon! Thanks for a great first visit!
(5)
Kaylee H.
I think 2 stars is generous. I would rate this a 1.5 star. I rounded up because the inside was clean. This place is a sad example of an Italian restaurant. I went with a big group (there were 10 of us) and the food was not very good. I would rank this place on par with a bad Olive Garden. The apple gorgonzola salad was completely overdressed, and there were rather large clumps of cinnamon in the dressing. The supremo italiano pizza was incredibly greasy, salty, and clumsily executed. It was so drenched in grease that the pizza dough lost all integrity and everybody at the table ended up eating it with a fork and knife since nobody could pick it up. The veal saltimboca tasted like it was was wrapped not in proscuitto as was advertised on the menu, but with something more like canadian ham. The platter had 5 very thin pieces of veal on the plate, which was disappointing. The chicken rigatoni was the only dish that we ordered that was decent. I think it was partly because this is a very hard dish to mess up. The pasta had nice chew to it, and was well cooked. The peas clearly came from a freezer, though, because they were more dried out than normal, and looked a little freezer-burnt. For dessert, we had a giant sundae with brownies. The brownies were disappointing. I think the batter was overmixed, because they were like little hockey pucks that had chocolate chips in them. Service was fine when we saw the waitress, but I think it was super understaffed beacause this poor woman was running around like a crazy person. We also didn't get any bread on the table until halfway into the meal, even though we asked for it early. The waitress told us that the kitchen had run out of bread. The decor is kitchy and fine, and it was entertaining to look at all the pictures in the frames. As I was walking around, I noticed that there was one table that looked like it was in a cathedral, and the walls of the whole room was covered by pictures of popes. In fact, there was a life sized bust of the pope sitting in the middle of the table. I was super glad that I wasn't sitting there, because it was just so weird. Imagine trying to eat while the pope is staring back at you. Overall, this was not a place that I would ever choose for an event (somebody else made the decision to go here today, I had no say in the matter).
(2)
Mary N.
The food is good, but I hate being dragged through their kitchen and being told the same story of the restaurant. Last time I asked if we could pass on it because we've been multiple times before and they refused. Quite rude.
(3)
Jim T.
Spoke with Amy the general manager and I could tell that she and Buca both really do care about customer experience. I applaud such efforts to maintain standards and treat each guest like a VIP. It's rare to find a restaurant or any business for that matter that is as concerned about customer experience. Bucas has always been a wonderful place and I'll continue to go and recommend them.
(5)
Magda C.
I think of this place as McDonald's for pasta/pizza, so my expectations were not high. The interior is rather kitch, so I prefered to take away. We had spicy Arrabiata pizza and a DiBeppio salad. Pizza was OK, very greasy and bit too hot, but it was fine. The salad was all about the quantity, not quality. Tons of onion, unpeeled hard cucumber, chunks of those flavourless tomatoes you can get in a supermarket all year long (the ones that taste like cold potatoes) topped with cheap wanna-be-Feta and cheap salami. Well....
(2)
Jeremy R.
My girlfriend had raved about Bucca's famous food so we decided to head there one night before a movie. When we arrived the service was okay from the stewardess; however, once we had our seats it took 30 minutes to get bread and our food came 45 minutes after ordering. The food here is excellent but I was really let down with the poor service by the waiters (waitresses).
(2)
William F.
Went on New Years Eve with the family (3 kids) and were seated right away with our reservation. Tiffany was our server and did a great job. We ordered a large Caesar salad. It was very large and tasted great. We also had the large chicken parm. Tasted good, but could have use a bit more cheese and sauce. We tried the garlic shrimp linguini. It was very good and the small version was enough for us all to try it. The kids said that they had a great time and enjoyed the food which is a win in my book.
(4)
Brandee B.
This was my first time ever at this restuarant and I brought my appetite! sshh, don't tell my diet... ;) As you walk in, they take you through the kitchen and show you around. They are very ecclectic with different memorabilia on the walls as well as a pope table that rotates. Its very kitsch or odd...however you choose to view it. We sat at a regular table and since it is family style you receive big portions of everything. The downside of that is if someone doesnt want to share or want what you want. Luckily, we were both easy, so we got the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, the stuffed chicken with mozzerella, and ham on a pesto cream sauce and the pasta sampler which included cannolli, manicotti, ravioli, and shells. It was divine..soooo much cheesy goodness! We barely had enough to take home. Next time I hope to try the dessert.
(3)
Andrew P.
When I go to an Italian Restaurant I am expecting a good value for my money. Comfort food at an affordable price. I received neither. We ordered the veal parm and chicken carbonara along with a salad. There were three of us. We also had an appetizer of meatballs. The veal was gristly. The spaghetti with the carbonara was over cooked and really bland. The lettuce with the salad was rusty. The meatballs were good but not great. We ordered no alcohol and there were three of us. It cost $90 before tip. WAY overpriced in my opinion. The service was pleasant prompt and friendly which is why I give it two stars but I would not go back.
(2)
Robin B.
Probably good for groups who don't care too much about the quality of the food. The atmosphere is kitchy and the hostess was great, but our server was not. She left us hanging for a while waiting for the check. We finally asked another guy, who turned out to be a manager from another location training there. He said he couldn't find her, but brought us our check. When he was running our cards, our server finally came back and asked if we wanted the check. Maybe she was taking a long break? The manager stayed talking while we were filling in the tip, probably to over compensate for his poor counterpart, but I didn't enjoy him standing over my shoulder.
(3)
Glenn W.
I've been to Buca di Beppo in Westlake, Ohio before - which truly IS in the buca (cellar), but I think Cincinnati/Norwood Buca has more "life" and charm. Very spacious with a winding path through the complex dining room layout. Lively and fun - great people-watching! Seems much larger and open than the other restaurant. Same reliable menu of authentic Italian dishes in family-size portions. Prosciutto stuffed chicken breasts and Penne San Remo were our choices this time. Super service, even on a busy Valentine's weekend. I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Melissa J.
My first time here. I really enjoyed it. The servings are HUGE. I ordered Fettuccini Alfredo in small and I'm fairly sure I could've fed a small village. They have Pepsi products (it doesn't say anywhere). Someone else ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs are HUGE and taste great! For dinner we were in there just a little over an hour. The rooms are so wonderfully kitchy decorated. Enjoyed walking through the kitchen on the way to the table as well. It was my birthday and they sang for me and brought me a candle. I would go back.
(4)
Doug S.
Alright, gave them one more chance. I'm going to make this short & sweet: Service - pretty solid, very friendly, but not the timeliest refills and check-ups Food - really just okay. nothing special. when you consider the price, below average Ambiance - i like the different areas and themes I would give it 3 stars as it's "alright", but at their price point, they are at the bottom of the list of places I'd choose when spending that money.
(2)
Chris S.
Overall the food was ok. They seemed to be understaffed both times I've been to this restaurant. It took over 40 minutes to receive my drink, I actually went to the bar myself to get my drink on my last visit. Not the best beer selection. Overall they are friendly but slow and the restaurant was clean.
(2)
Gretchen B.
My rating is really 3.5 stars. One of the few places that can accommodate a large group of people. Family style portions are fun. Food is good, not superb, but not bad either. Service was slow for our group of 3 but this is a huge place and they were busy so it was understandable. I would return, especially with a big group, for a fun evening. Reservations definitely recommended!
(3)
Mark K.
My 4th time at Buca and this was the best. The other three were just "ok". I find the menu is a little overwhelming and it's best to stick with simple dishes. We ordered the shrimp linguine with a side of marinara. It was awesome!
(3)
Lou Ann L.
This was our 2nd time here and it was just as delicious as the first time! Had plenty of leftovers to take home too! All of the staff were friendly, anytime any of them went past our table they ask if we needed anything. Loved the atmosphere & Decor!!!
(5)
Kimberly U.
Went here a few weeks ago. The place seems awesome, looks like a great place where you could have a lot of fun... it just didn't happen for us. Even though my boyfriend and I ordered about $60 worth of food, the waiter acted like he couldn't have been more ready to get us out of there. I was really excited, mentioned that it was a special occasion even, but no sympathy to it being my first experience. It looks like it has the potential to be great with a big party. You might get slighted if your party's less than 4, though.
(3)
Toree C.
Buca was a fun experience. Our server was friendly and helpful which made for a pleasant visit. The fact that they take reservations gives them high marks in my book. The portions and seating make it perfect for large groups and the atmosphere is conducive for it as well. The food tasted good, but it is overpriced. I would return for lunch or with a large group for a night out.
(3)
Julie H.
Buca is a good place for a big get together. I went during an off peak hour during a weekend with a long time friend. My friend and I ordered a small dish to share. We still had leftovers to take home. You get your bang for your buck here. I love the food...amazing and delish.
(4)
Andrew Y.
Family style servings = good. Prices = okay. Food = not so great. The service on both visits to the establishments was adequate, but not what I'd call good.
(3)
David M.
Buca is a go to for any group dinner. The servers really know how to handle large parties (10+). The food is amazing and you really can't go wrong with anything. The portions are family style so sharing is your best bet. My favorite is the spicy chicken rigatoni but I haven't had anything I didn't like. I usually try to avoid the pizza because it is so greasy... Make a reservation and go early to take advantage of very reasonable drink prices at the bar.
(5)
Andrew H.
The food was fantastic, as it is every time I'm at this restaurant but the service was lacking just this last time I was there, otherwise would've been a 4, maybe even a 5, star review. I rarely ever tip less than 20% and typically give around 23-25% but whenever we needed anything our server was no where to be found, and I mean to order we had to wait another 15 minutes for him after he gave us our drinks, he gave us our bread and it was cold, once he gave us our food we didn't see him until we were done, not even to ask if our food was good(but of course if was good) and asked for a coffee which took another 15 minutes. Then once we had our coffee it took about a half hour before we saw him to get our check which if course took 10 more minutes. It was to the point where I was debating "should I just dine and dash?" And you may think oh this guy is just needy and was there on a busy night, but noooo, it was an extremely slow night. There wasn't even a wait for our table(which for a Buca is pretty amazing). I'll still chalk this up to just a server on a bad night though. But if it happens again I'm done with it.
(3)
Ann L.
The place looks really cool. I'm all about the images - and they really have some cool ones. I love the fact that they walk you through on a tour on your way to your seat. We went with a group and had a super time. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the food. Definitely get a Cannoli for dessert.
(4)
Rasha A.
OMG the portions.... Let me tell you about the portions. BIG. It really huge. It was our first time and decided to go after my sisters graduation. So our waitress was really sweet and I think her name was Amanda. She warned us ahead that the portions were really big but we were naive. So we ordered for each person am entree. There was four of us. We ordered the spicy pasta, chicken paramogenii, meatballs, another kind of pasta and lots of side cheese bread.we ordered all of them in larges. Ohhh my god the portions. We felt like kings eating. We had so much to take home, the food was great. Ten my brother asked the waitress to sing a happy graduation to my sister and she said okay and brought out so many othe waitress and try started singing for her and gve her the famous ice cream sundae (which mind you has 12 brownies in it) it was awesome. Finally the waitress came over and started to talk to is for a whole hour she was so personable an sweet. We enjoyed it and will be back
(4)
Jamie A.
I love Buca. My fiance loves Buca. My parents and sister love Buca. We all go together a few times a year - to celebrate birthdays or the fact that my mother has once again bought a million gift cards during Kroger's 4x fuel points. We went again last night to celebrate my dad's birthday. My fiance and I arrived about an hour early to have a drink at the bar. It's just our thing. We got there at 5 - and the place was actually pretty dead (on a Saturday night). There was no one at the bar but 2 bartenders working. They were super friendly and chatty and it was fun to joke around for them for a bit. I had a glass of Reisling and my fiance had a Long Beach Iced Tea. Both were excellent. Our reservation was at 6 and they seated us right away once the rest of our group arrived. The place was starting to fill up by then. We were led through the kitchen (per usual) and to one of the back rooms. Our waitress came right away to take our drink orders. I don't remember her name but she was excellent. Buca is family style - so the portions are huge and the large dishes are enough to feed about 4-6 people. Since my mother always has gift cards and coupons, we always order way too much and take home the leftovers! It IS a little pricey. Normally, for the 5 of us, we wind up with a bill around 100 bucks. We had the Caesar Salad (my favorite salad), Chicken Parmesan (my dad's favorite and it's delicious), Baked Rigatoni (it has spicy sausage and definitely has a little kick to it!), some meatballs (the size of softballs), and some cheesy garlic bread. I think that all of their food is really good. I've never had bad food or a bad experience. In the past, we've also had their ravioli, lasagna, and a few of the other chicken dishes. Everything is always delicious. I've never saved room for dessert. Buca is the kind of place where I eat until I hate myself and feel like I might die. But, it's so good and so worth it for an occasional splurge. Make sure you check out all of the crazy decor on the walls. There are some really interesting and bizarre things. Oh, and take a Zantac before you go.
(5)
Jim S.
I've only been here once, but my 2 star rating is based on the food, not the service. No complaints with the servers. They were all polite and prompt. The food however was disappointing. I went with family, 9 people ordering various dishes, so I feel I had a good sample of what they offer. I honestly did not find any of it good. Not even the iced tea. The food was bland, tea weak. There are good Italian restaurants in Cincinnati, this unfortunately isn't one of them.
(2)
Sandra F.
This is ideal for groups. The meals are for family sizes which you still have leftovers to take home. I really enjoy just the spaghetti and meatballs with bread. I am not too fond of the Tiramasu, the rum taste was overwhelming. I love the atmosphere which is a eclectic style of bohemian chic meets italian. Service is good and pricing is reasonable. I know this is a chain restaurant and wouldn't consider it 100% pure italian, but the food is great and really enjoy coming here with friends/family.
(4)
Scott N.
Lots of food... I think that sums it up. Service has always been very good, so that's a plus. Overall, there is nothing special about the food. It's not bad, it's not great... it's A-OK. The photos in the restaurant are great... so good for putting their ambience foot forward. We have meetings here often so I really don't need the kitchen tour anymore. We do end up at the godfather table, which is nice and isolated so it works well for meetings. I would never come here for a personal dinner or dinner with a small group. There are much better italian restaurants in the city. Carry out was not accurately delivered, so check it before you leave.
(3)
David C.
The food at Bucca has always been very prompt, tasty and cooked perfectly. I've been to this location twice, and have had good service both times. I've mostly eaten the pasta dishes - the bruschetta as an appetizer is a must. Great garlic-y taste! The 4-star review: the 3-hour party limit. With a large group, it would be great if you could reserve a longer time period. This option may be offered, but both times I've felt rushed to leave by the restaurant. I would reccommend this restaurant - great food, fun atmosphere - just be aware you might get the boot from Bucca.
(4)
Michael H.
I decided to have kind of a late night dinner by myself. I went to the bar 40 minutes prior to closing and the bartender was finishing his shift. He graciously got me my beer, but then told me he was leaving and someone else would place my order. I should've left at that point terrible service overpriced food for a single diner and the server who acted as a "" bartender Should not have been allowed to take over for the bar.
(2)
Nigel C.
Mostly visit during quite afternoons off and enjoy a relaxing meal, but after a long weekend decided should treat myself. So a Sunday night I was thinking would be busy and things may take a little longer. Walking in the lobby was empty at 6 PM maybe others knew better than me. From beginning to end was the worst. Had to ask three time for our bread basket to start. Food took forever, I mean tables sat after us got served. Server seemed more intent on the larger tables. Other food runners seemed to be doing all her work. The shirts on the food runners were dirty. Had they been there all day? Every time we ask fro something it seemed like they were doing us a big favour. At the end we ordered cheese cake to go an that took 20 mins. We paid our tab and left on the way out wanted to speak to a manager but found a server hunched over the hostess stand I think asleep. So simply left.. Just seemed everyone was worn out. Lost count on how many plates I hear dropped. On a good note, I went to the bother of filling in the survey because someone should know what happened .Glad to say they responded promptly and at sometime may be back
(1)
Rachel R.
I'm slightly torn between 3 and 4 stars, but I'll give them the benifit of the doubt. If you're wanting that nice romantic candlelit italian place... this is not that. If you're looking to have a good time with a group of friends and gourge yourself on lots of good food, then this is more up your alley. Buca's is tacky. Striaght up in your face kitsch tackiness. They do not try to hide it... ever. I'm not really sure what color the walls are as there are crazy pictures of Italian celebrities and random junk (like bowling plaques) covering darn near every square inch. There's also crazy Italian music playing; think Musak in Italy. Its loud its big, you can seriously get lost. They have a kitchen table literally in the kitchen. They have no problem offering tours through said kitchen either. The alcohol selection is good and the food selection even better. Yes. It's pricey. You will pay for extras, like a side of marinara or extra sauce when the kitchen skimped on the sauce for the Fruitti de Mare to begin with, but the food is oh so delicious! And they offer tons of choices! from pork to beef to chicken to marina to alfredo to vinegar sauces. All family style, so go with at least 3 people unless you're planning expensive leftovers. If you're planning on going on a weekend, you should call ahead for a reservation. This place does take parties and lots of them. Even if you're coming with 4-6 people, it might be worth it. It's really hit or miss with getting a table honestly. You can always stroll around the mall too if it's going to be a wait.
(4)
Ashley H.
I went here recently to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She seemed to enjoy herself, which I was happy about, but personally, I wasn't that impressed. Two of the stars go to the terrific service we received, which really made the experience better than it could have been. The atmosphere was like any other chain restaurant (think Max & Erma's, Applebee's, etc.), and the entrees were kind of hit-or-miss. One other thing that bumped up the rating was the desserts. We got the assorted tray for our large group and it was AMAZING; cheesecake, tiramisu, the biggest piece of chocolate cake you've ever seen. I'd probably go back and just order that again.
(3)
Benjamin W.
There are definitely a few reviews that indicate bad experiences at Buca. I have been to this Buca many times, and I have never had experiences such as those described here. If you are new to Buca, I would still give them a chance, because it can be quite an enjoyable experience. The menu is laid out in family-style servings. This can be inconvenient if you are there as a couple, or an individual, but it works out well if you come as a group. Admittedly, I rarely go to Buca without a group. That's part of the appeal, frankly. My most recent visit was to celebrate my birthday. A group of about 15 of us met there, and we were seated in the Godfather room. Our server did a great job of getting our food out, all of our orders were correct, and we had a wonderful time. They even let us bring in our own cake, as long as it was store-bought. I have had slow service at this Buca before, though it is usually rare. As with any restaurant, you can have slow service on occasion, especially in a setting designed to attract larger groups. Most of the time though, the service is great, and the food is always tasty. I cannot deny though, there is some truth that the menu tends to be Americanized Italian, vs. more authentic recipies.
(4)
Seb R.
Buca is a great place to go with large groups of people. If you are looking for a more intimate Italian place (such as for a date) I would recommend Betta's. But if you are looking for a better Italian style meal that is good for groups of people 4+ (all the way up to 20-ish), then Buca is your place. Family style portions is what makes me pretty happy. Always something on the menu that sounds good. The linguine frutti de mare with shrimp and mussels are a huge hit with my family. The eggplant parmiggiana is also very tasty. But my favorite thing there is the tiramisu. I'm a fan of most things from Buca, but I would very much stay away from their pizza. Papa John's, Donatos and LaRosa's has them beat on that.
(4)
Reese M.
My wife and kids stopped in for dinner. We haven't ate at a Buca di Beppos' since we lived in Arizona a few years ago. So it's an establishment we've missed. Our service was definitely 5 star service. The waiter was patient, kept our drinks full, was polite. The food was pretty good, not as good as I remember it, but very good. We were seated quickly. Food came out quickly. Overall, not a bad experience. If your in the Norwood area, I recommend going here at least once.
(4)
Rick F.
I'm Italian I should not be eating at places like this. BUT I love it! the atmosphere, the kitschiness, the pope table, the table in the kitchen. The food actually pretty good for an americanized version. I love the salad amazing. The chicken limone was great, the fettuccini leaves a little bit to be desired! Bread should be warmed and butter should be soft. The pictures the bathroom all fun!
(4)
Heather L.
Went here for the first time at the request of a friend for his bday. I'm an Italian snob being from the north east so was Leary of a chain Italian place. I started with a raspberry Italian cream soda which was yummy. He had the spiked lemonade which was good and you keep the glass. The waitress didn't bring the bread out until right before the meal, which sucked since we were starving (&mind you this was not at a busy time of day). For dinner I ordered the gnocchi which had a nice creamy vodka sauce. Yes large portion, I understand the family dining concept, but ive been places with similar portions at half the price. He had the chicken Marsala, which he loved, but I tasted and to me it was meh. All in all to me it's a novelty dining experience and that's what you're paying higher prices for.
(3)
Allison B.
Buca is always a lot of fun with a large group of people. My husband and I swung by last week for a dinner for just the two of us. Of course, I had forgotten that the portions were so massive that we had to agree on a single dish, which was disappointing, however his selection of the cheese ravioli was delicious. I ordered the calamari appetizer which you can never go wrong with and it went great on the ravioli, too. Overall, a good time. Service was attentive and the food was yummy.
(4)
Alexander D.
The effort put into decorating this place is amazing. The waiter was very friendly and the food was great. This is also where my boyfriend took me to ask me out officially after a few dates. It will be a place I hold close for as long as possible.
(5)
J O.
The food is always good here. The reason I only give two stars is that we waited over half an hour for a table while we sat there looking at at least three empty, increased tables. They seemed unprepared and overwhelmed. And it's freezing in here!!! Uncomfortable and annoying to the point I want to leave!
(2)
Ryan M.
This family portions restaurant is an awesome place. The food has a good flavor. The portions are obviously huge. I really like the pizzas the most because I'm not much of a pasta guy but even their pastas are good. have never had a bad dish from here. The decor is real vintage and interesting. This place can get super packed so if you have a table over 4, I would make a reservation. The staff is very professional and handle the busy chaos like pros.
(4)
Joel L.
I celebrated my birthday here and it was fantastic. We sat in the kitchen table. The Italian Wedding Soup is fantastic. Buca discontinued it but guess they brought it back. The service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh and tasted great. I had a great bday dinner here.
(5)
Hollyann H.
My mother and her boy(man)friend are always raving about Buca di Beppo, so when they came down to Cincinnati they finally dragged me to it for dinner one night. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants so I was expecting total disappointment. From what my mother was telling me it just sounded like an Italian TGI Fridays. The restaurant was clean, interesting decorated walls, and a decent atmosphere. It wasn't too loud and obnoxious. The big family servings were pretty neat. I enjoyed that. The food wasn't anything that blew me away. However, the dessert that was a giant sundae was the best thing. But how can you go wrong with a giant sundae that's bigger than your head? You can't. I don't think I would go here anytime by myself or with my friends, but I feel like this is a really good place for family dinners.
(3)
Alicia B.
There is a major discrepancy of tastiness here. Some things are great and others aren't. The apple, cranberry, gorgonzola salad is pretty perfect. So is the eggplant parmesan. Many things are only so-so though.
(3)
Elisa O.
Me and my friends ate here to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a party of 12 and paid separately... I had a coupon that I was really excited to use for a free small. When it came time to pay the waitress told me that I couldn't use it because another couple at our table( who paid separately) used a $2 off coupon... I think this rule is ridiculous. It's something they should change. It's a rule that is going to change my mind about coming here in the future.
(2)
G K.
My fiance, daughter and I visited here tonight! We enjoyed it! Jessica was our server! She was GREAT! Kept our drinks filled and introduced me to a fabulous yet simple dip for our bread! Food was plentiful and good! We'll be back soon! Thanks for a great first visit!
(5)
Jeremy R.
My girlfriend had raved about Bucca's famous food so we decided to head there one night before a movie. When we arrived the service was okay from the stewardess; however, once we had our seats it took 30 minutes to get bread and our food came 45 minutes after ordering. The food here is excellent but I was really let down with the poor service by the waiters (waitresses).
(2)
Kaylee H.
I think 2 stars is generous. I would rate this a 1.5 star. I rounded up because the inside was clean. This place is a sad example of an Italian restaurant. I went with a big group (there were 10 of us) and the food was not very good. I would rank this place on par with a bad Olive Garden. The apple gorgonzola salad was completely overdressed, and there were rather large clumps of cinnamon in the dressing. The supremo italiano pizza was incredibly greasy, salty, and clumsily executed. It was so drenched in grease that the pizza dough lost all integrity and everybody at the table ended up eating it with a fork and knife since nobody could pick it up. The veal saltimboca tasted like it was was wrapped not in proscuitto as was advertised on the menu, but with something more like canadian ham. The platter had 5 very thin pieces of veal on the plate, which was disappointing. The chicken rigatoni was the only dish that we ordered that was decent. I think it was partly because this is a very hard dish to mess up. The pasta had nice chew to it, and was well cooked. The peas clearly came from a freezer, though, because they were more dried out than normal, and looked a little freezer-burnt. For dessert, we had a giant sundae with brownies. The brownies were disappointing. I think the batter was overmixed, because they were like little hockey pucks that had chocolate chips in them. Service was fine when we saw the waitress, but I think it was super understaffed beacause this poor woman was running around like a crazy person. We also didn't get any bread on the table until halfway into the meal, even though we asked for it early. The waitress told us that the kitchen had run out of bread. The decor is kitchy and fine, and it was entertaining to look at all the pictures in the frames. As I was walking around, I noticed that there was one table that looked like it was in a cathedral, and the walls of the whole room was covered by pictures of popes. In fact, there was a life sized bust of the pope sitting in the middle of the table. I was super glad that I wasn't sitting there, because it was just so weird. Imagine trying to eat while the pope is staring back at you. Overall, this was not a place that I would ever choose for an event (somebody else made the decision to go here today, I had no say in the matter).
(2)
Mary N.
The food is good, but I hate being dragged through their kitchen and being told the same story of the restaurant. Last time I asked if we could pass on it because we've been multiple times before and they refused. Quite rude.
(3)
Jim T.
Spoke with Amy the general manager and I could tell that she and Buca both really do care about customer experience. I applaud such efforts to maintain standards and treat each guest like a VIP. It's rare to find a restaurant or any business for that matter that is as concerned about customer experience. Bucas has always been a wonderful place and I'll continue to go and recommend them.
(5)
Magda C.
I think of this place as McDonald's for pasta/pizza, so my expectations were not high. The interior is rather kitch, so I prefered to take away. We had spicy Arrabiata pizza and a DiBeppio salad. Pizza was OK, very greasy and bit too hot, but it was fine. The salad was all about the quantity, not quality. Tons of onion, unpeeled hard cucumber, chunks of those flavourless tomatoes you can get in a supermarket all year long (the ones that taste like cold potatoes) topped with cheap wanna-be-Feta and cheap salami. Well....
(2)
William F.
Went on New Years Eve with the family (3 kids) and were seated right away with our reservation. Tiffany was our server and did a great job. We ordered a large Caesar salad. It was very large and tasted great. We also had the large chicken parm. Tasted good, but could have use a bit more cheese and sauce. We tried the garlic shrimp linguini. It was very good and the small version was enough for us all to try it. The kids said that they had a great time and enjoyed the food which is a win in my book.
(4)
Brandee B.
This was my first time ever at this restuarant and I brought my appetite! sshh, don't tell my diet... ;) As you walk in, they take you through the kitchen and show you around. They are very ecclectic with different memorabilia on the walls as well as a pope table that rotates. Its very kitsch or odd...however you choose to view it. We sat at a regular table and since it is family style you receive big portions of everything. The downside of that is if someone doesnt want to share or want what you want. Luckily, we were both easy, so we got the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, the stuffed chicken with mozzerella, and ham on a pesto cream sauce and the pasta sampler which included cannolli, manicotti, ravioli, and shells. It was divine..soooo much cheesy goodness! We barely had enough to take home. Next time I hope to try the dessert.
(3)
Andrew P.
When I go to an Italian Restaurant I am expecting a good value for my money. Comfort food at an affordable price. I received neither. We ordered the veal parm and chicken carbonara along with a salad. There were three of us. We also had an appetizer of meatballs. The veal was gristly. The spaghetti with the carbonara was over cooked and really bland. The lettuce with the salad was rusty. The meatballs were good but not great. We ordered no alcohol and there were three of us. It cost $90 before tip. WAY overpriced in my opinion. The service was pleasant prompt and friendly which is why I give it two stars but I would not go back.
(2)
Robin B.
Probably good for groups who don't care too much about the quality of the food. The atmosphere is kitchy and the hostess was great, but our server was not. She left us hanging for a while waiting for the check. We finally asked another guy, who turned out to be a manager from another location training there. He said he couldn't find her, but brought us our check. When he was running our cards, our server finally came back and asked if we wanted the check. Maybe she was taking a long break? The manager stayed talking while we were filling in the tip, probably to over compensate for his poor counterpart, but I didn't enjoy him standing over my shoulder.
(3)
Glenn W.
I've been to Buca di Beppo in Westlake, Ohio before - which truly IS in the buca (cellar), but I think Cincinnati/Norwood Buca has more "life" and charm. Very spacious with a winding path through the complex dining room layout. Lively and fun - great people-watching! Seems much larger and open than the other restaurant. Same reliable menu of authentic Italian dishes in family-size portions. Prosciutto stuffed chicken breasts and Penne San Remo were our choices this time. Super service, even on a busy Valentine's weekend. I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Melissa J.
My first time here. I really enjoyed it. The servings are HUGE. I ordered Fettuccini Alfredo in small and I'm fairly sure I could've fed a small village. They have Pepsi products (it doesn't say anywhere). Someone else ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs are HUGE and taste great! For dinner we were in there just a little over an hour. The rooms are so wonderfully kitchy decorated. Enjoyed walking through the kitchen on the way to the table as well. It was my birthday and they sang for me and brought me a candle. I would go back.
(4)
Doug S.
Alright, gave them one more chance. I'm going to make this short & sweet: Service - pretty solid, very friendly, but not the timeliest refills and check-ups Food - really just okay. nothing special. when you consider the price, below average Ambiance - i like the different areas and themes I would give it 3 stars as it's "alright", but at their price point, they are at the bottom of the list of places I'd choose when spending that money.
(2)
Chris S.
Overall the food was ok. They seemed to be understaffed both times I've been to this restaurant. It took over 40 minutes to receive my drink, I actually went to the bar myself to get my drink on my last visit. Not the best beer selection. Overall they are friendly but slow and the restaurant was clean.
(2)
Gretchen B.
My rating is really 3.5 stars. One of the few places that can accommodate a large group of people. Family style portions are fun. Food is good, not superb, but not bad either. Service was slow for our group of 3 but this is a huge place and they were busy so it was understandable. I would return, especially with a big group, for a fun evening. Reservations definitely recommended!
(3)
Mark K.
My 4th time at Buca and this was the best. The other three were just "ok". I find the menu is a little overwhelming and it's best to stick with simple dishes. We ordered the shrimp linguine with a side of marinara. It was awesome!
(3)
Lou Ann L.
This was our 2nd time here and it was just as delicious as the first time! Had plenty of leftovers to take home too! All of the staff were friendly, anytime any of them went past our table they ask if we needed anything. Loved the atmosphere & Decor!!!
(5)
Kimberly U.
Went here a few weeks ago. The place seems awesome, looks like a great place where you could have a lot of fun... it just didn't happen for us. Even though my boyfriend and I ordered about $60 worth of food, the waiter acted like he couldn't have been more ready to get us out of there. I was really excited, mentioned that it was a special occasion even, but no sympathy to it being my first experience. It looks like it has the potential to be great with a big party. You might get slighted if your party's less than 4, though.
(3)
Toree C.
Buca was a fun experience. Our server was friendly and helpful which made for a pleasant visit. The fact that they take reservations gives them high marks in my book. The portions and seating make it perfect for large groups and the atmosphere is conducive for it as well. The food tasted good, but it is overpriced. I would return for lunch or with a large group for a night out.
(3)
Julie H.
Buca is a good place for a big get together. I went during an off peak hour during a weekend with a long time friend. My friend and I ordered a small dish to share. We still had leftovers to take home. You get your bang for your buck here. I love the food...amazing and delish.
(4)
Andrew Y.
Family style servings = good. Prices = okay. Food = not so great. The service on both visits to the establishments was adequate, but not what I'd call good.
(3)
David M.
Buca is a go to for any group dinner. The servers really know how to handle large parties (10+). The food is amazing and you really can't go wrong with anything. The portions are family style so sharing is your best bet. My favorite is the spicy chicken rigatoni but I haven't had anything I didn't like. I usually try to avoid the pizza because it is so greasy... Make a reservation and go early to take advantage of very reasonable drink prices at the bar.
(5)
Benjamin W.
There are definitely a few reviews that indicate bad experiences at Buca. I have been to this Buca many times, and I have never had experiences such as those described here. If you are new to Buca, I would still give them a chance, because it can be quite an enjoyable experience. The menu is laid out in family-style servings. This can be inconvenient if you are there as a couple, or an individual, but it works out well if you come as a group. Admittedly, I rarely go to Buca without a group. That's part of the appeal, frankly. My most recent visit was to celebrate my birthday. A group of about 15 of us met there, and we were seated in the Godfather room. Our server did a great job of getting our food out, all of our orders were correct, and we had a wonderful time. They even let us bring in our own cake, as long as it was store-bought. I have had slow service at this Buca before, though it is usually rare. As with any restaurant, you can have slow service on occasion, especially in a setting designed to attract larger groups. Most of the time though, the service is great, and the food is always tasty. I cannot deny though, there is some truth that the menu tends to be Americanized Italian, vs. more authentic recipies.
(4)
Seb R.
Buca is a great place to go with large groups of people. If you are looking for a more intimate Italian place (such as for a date) I would recommend Betta's. But if you are looking for a better Italian style meal that is good for groups of people 4+ (all the way up to 20-ish), then Buca is your place. Family style portions is what makes me pretty happy. Always something on the menu that sounds good. The linguine frutti de mare with shrimp and mussels are a huge hit with my family. The eggplant parmiggiana is also very tasty. But my favorite thing there is the tiramisu. I'm a fan of most things from Buca, but I would very much stay away from their pizza. Papa John's, Donatos and LaRosa's has them beat on that.
(4)
Rob K.
Birthday bash and we were seated in the "Wine Room." What is that, you may ask? To start with we didn't know we were seated in the wine room until we heard a few hosts and hostesses walking past with their next patrons pointing our direction and saying, "And this is the wine room where we have over 300 bottles of wine." In the ceiling. What a funly (yes to those grammarians out there, I meant funly) obnoxious group we were. Pitty the staff when we realized the 300 "bottles of wine" were actually 300 "wine bottles." Empty! Check it out. And there are actually 319, I think. Fun staff having a fun time. They earned their tip, and we were happy to up it. Family style is good, and eating 'till the brink of internal organs exploding can be fun, too. Do the servers have access to a forklift, if needed? Don't forget the tentacles. Crunchy!
(4)
Kelly H.
Took a group of 16 for a birthday celebration. Had reservations at 4pm on a Saturday night with intention to avoid a crowd. It wasn't crowded but the service was terribly slow. Food was ok but I'd never take a large group again due to the service.
(3)
Amina D.
We went on World Pasta day. It was awesome. We got a free side of spaghetti with our pasta order and a pack of imported spaghetti to make at home. The wild raspberry Italian soda was insanely good. Cheese ravioli with Alfredo sauce was awesome. Would have gotten a 5, but the server was slow and messed up our check.
(4)
Jamie A.
I love Buca. My fiance loves Buca. My parents and sister love Buca. We all go together a few times a year - to celebrate birthdays or the fact that my mother has once again bought a million gift cards during Kroger's 4x fuel points. We went again last night to celebrate my dad's birthday. My fiance and I arrived about an hour early to have a drink at the bar. It's just our thing. We got there at 5 - and the place was actually pretty dead (on a Saturday night). There was no one at the bar but 2 bartenders working. They were super friendly and chatty and it was fun to joke around for them for a bit. I had a glass of Reisling and my fiance had a Long Beach Iced Tea. Both were excellent. Our reservation was at 6 and they seated us right away once the rest of our group arrived. The place was starting to fill up by then. We were led through the kitchen (per usual) and to one of the back rooms. Our waitress came right away to take our drink orders. I don't remember her name but she was excellent. Buca is family style - so the portions are huge and the large dishes are enough to feed about 4-6 people. Since my mother always has gift cards and coupons, we always order way too much and take home the leftovers! It IS a little pricey. Normally, for the 5 of us, we wind up with a bill around 100 bucks. We had the Caesar Salad (my favorite salad), Chicken Parmesan (my dad's favorite and it's delicious), Baked Rigatoni (it has spicy sausage and definitely has a little kick to it!), some meatballs (the size of softballs), and some cheesy garlic bread. I think that all of their food is really good. I've never had bad food or a bad experience. In the past, we've also had their ravioli, lasagna, and a few of the other chicken dishes. Everything is always delicious. I've never saved room for dessert. Buca is the kind of place where I eat until I hate myself and feel like I might die. But, it's so good and so worth it for an occasional splurge. Make sure you check out all of the crazy decor on the walls. There are some really interesting and bizarre things. Oh, and take a Zantac before you go.
(5)
Jim S.
I've only been here once, but my 2 star rating is based on the food, not the service. No complaints with the servers. They were all polite and prompt. The food however was disappointing. I went with family, 9 people ordering various dishes, so I feel I had a good sample of what they offer. I honestly did not find any of it good. Not even the iced tea. The food was bland, tea weak. There are good Italian restaurants in Cincinnati, this unfortunately isn't one of them.
(2)
Sandra F.
This is ideal for groups. The meals are for family sizes which you still have leftovers to take home. I really enjoy just the spaghetti and meatballs with bread. I am not too fond of the Tiramasu, the rum taste was overwhelming. I love the atmosphere which is a eclectic style of bohemian chic meets italian. Service is good and pricing is reasonable. I know this is a chain restaurant and wouldn't consider it 100% pure italian, but the food is great and really enjoy coming here with friends/family.
(4)
Jason B.
With some restaurants it's all about the food. And with others it's all about the dining experience. And with still others...well, they don't quite know what they're all about. I present to you Buca di Beppo. Oftentimes referred to as Buca's , this restaurant/circus sideshow/memorial to cheap, tacky taste is nestled in a corner of Rookwood Commons. I have absolutely no idea how to describe the interior. Pictures of all shapes and sizes from all sorts of time periods featuring all types of different scenes litter the walls. As do cheap decorations (most of which are difficult to describe) made of plastic, or glass, or wood, or a combination of all three. You've got Christmas lights, fake ivory leaves, and other borderline junk hanging on the walls. There are numerous places to sit; the bar, the main dining room, a couple of banquet rooms in the back, and even the kitchen. Yep, they've got a chef's table where you have the opportunity to sit in the kitchen and watch them fix the food. Though to be honest, I don't understand why anybody would want to do that. That's like having a front row seat to your own conception. Not very appealing. Seating ranges from booths, to rounds, to long banquet style tables with stiff, uncomfortable, wooden chairs. Then you got the food. Authentic Italian it is not. Disgusting swill it is not. Like a lot of self-described "genuine" Italian eateries, Buca's food is a watered-down, Americanized version of Italian fare. That's not to say the food is bad, because it really isn't. It's actually okay. Pretty tasty, but very heavy on grease and cheese. I mean I love cheese and all, but wow, a bit much sometimes. Servings are family-style, meaning that you don't order individual meals per person, but instead just one dish for the entire table (or maybe two dishes depending on the size of your party), and enough of that dish is brought to feed everybody. Of course this means the costs can be a bit crazy. But depending on what dish you order (I'd go with the Chopped Antipasta Salad, Lasagna, Baked Rigatoni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Shrimp Fra Diavolo) it can be worth it. Overall, this is a pretty decent place. Not overly great. But it certainly doesn't suck. I've always enjoyed it when I've visited. But that's because my expectations are never all that high. Quick note; I love the Pope Room. It's a little enclosed booth with a bust of John Paul encased in glass on a little round thingy that turns and gives the late Pontiff a 360-degree look to the table. You would think it would be creepy, but not so much. Mahalo, and enjoy.
(3)
Dave D.
Pretty good family style Italian. SamAdams on tap is a plus for the Noble Pils. Trying the kitchen booth next time. Looks fun.
(3)
Ashley H.
I went here recently to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She seemed to enjoy herself, which I was happy about, but personally, I wasn't that impressed. Two of the stars go to the terrific service we received, which really made the experience better than it could have been. The atmosphere was like any other chain restaurant (think Max & Erma's, Applebee's, etc.), and the entrees were kind of hit-or-miss. One other thing that bumped up the rating was the desserts. We got the assorted tray for our large group and it was AMAZING; cheesecake, tiramisu, the biggest piece of chocolate cake you've ever seen. I'd probably go back and just order that again.
(3)
Amanda A.
I have never been to Buca in Rookwood even though I live less than two minutes away. It had been a long day and I didnt feel like doing the normal PF Changs that we always resort to. Walked in as two huge groups were walking out. The hostess didnt greet us, in fact just stared at us. They closed at 10, it was 8:45. I asked for a table for two, she looked at me rolled her eyes, and sighed. She said she would check to see if they had a table, there was literally no one in the place. We followed her to the dining room, they had all sections closed but one and it had a dirty table. She looked at me said it would be at least ten minutes before she could clear the table. Basically saying she didnt feel like doing it. I said we would wait and she stormed off to clean. I walked right out and into PF Changs were I didnt wait for a table and had great service as always. I will never step foot into Buca again.
(1)
David C.
The food at Bucca has always been very prompt, tasty and cooked perfectly. I've been to this location twice, and have had good service both times. I've mostly eaten the pasta dishes - the bruschetta as an appetizer is a must. Great garlic-y taste! The 4-star review: the 3-hour party limit. With a large group, it would be great if you could reserve a longer time period. This option may be offered, but both times I've felt rushed to leave by the restaurant. I would reccommend this restaurant - great food, fun atmosphere - just be aware you might get the boot from Bucca.
(4)
Michael H.
I decided to have kind of a late night dinner by myself. I went to the bar 40 minutes prior to closing and the bartender was finishing his shift. He graciously got me my beer, but then told me he was leaving and someone else would place my order. I should've left at that point terrible service overpriced food for a single diner and the server who acted as a "" bartender Should not have been allowed to take over for the bar.
(2)
Christopher G.
I love me some Italian. For a lot of my life it was far and away my favorite, and although more exotic stuff has recently taken that top spot (looking at you, Thai), it remains one of those foods that, if anyone suggests it, I will always agree to, regardless of mood. That said, Buca is probably my favorite Italian place in Cincinnati. Don't listen to the other reviewers: I've been to this place maybe half a dozen times in the last year, and it has absolutely never disappointed. I force myself to try something new every time--though my old favorites, they call to me!--and every time is a joy. It's very good for dates or families, because honestly you will not finish your meal if you order alone, even if you get the small. Take it from the guy who can pack it away: these guys mean business when it comes to portions. You will split a meal and you'll still be full, especially since there is also bread. The atmosphere is, well, lively. If you're okay with that, you'll have a great time, but if you're looking for something quiet and intimate, dare I say... fuhget about it? The music is always Rat Pack or the like, which is cheesy, granted, but not intrusive. One of the walls actually has a small Sinatra shrine, which is hilarious. Actually, many of the walls are adorned with festive work that ranges from mildly to surprisingly inappropriate. Good conversation starters, all around. Overall, it's a place that seems to go out of its way to be loud and boisterous and in your face--you know, Italian. It's pricey, sure, but I mean, welcome to restaurants. If you want a better experience, you pay a higher premium (unless you're at Lavomatic, but don't even get me started on that place). And these people who would have you believe the food is so-so at best? Where do they do the majority of their dining? Manhattan? Sicily? The food is great, really, and there's lots of it. The service is uniformly good, even chummy. The seating is comfortable, the decorating, as I said, entertaining. I have very little bad to say about it, except perhaps that it can get quite loud and that the bread is the one exception to the fantastic menu. It's not bad, exactly, it's just... bread. And nothing else. But these are the extent of my complaints, so I'll let that speak for itself.
(5)
Nick A.
If you don't mind BED BUGS, by all means please go to this restaurant. We had one on our MENU plain as day. The manager CONFIRMED it was in fact a bed bug at our table. My fiance first told the bartender who asked to have the bug passed to him OVER THE LIQUOR AND ENTIRE BAR! They didn't even offer to move us to another table!! They clearly have a problem and are not telling their customers. We were completely disrespected when we called the "vice president" to complain. And he suggested WE MAY HAVE BROUGHT THEM IN!! The bugs came from the HOST STAND!! Do not go here unless you want to expose your family to bed bugs. The servers are rude and it sounded like a bar inside. STAY AWAY!!
(1)
Nigel C.
Mostly visit during quite afternoons off and enjoy a relaxing meal, but after a long weekend decided should treat myself. So a Sunday night I was thinking would be busy and things may take a little longer. Walking in the lobby was empty at 6 PM maybe others knew better than me. From beginning to end was the worst. Had to ask three time for our bread basket to start. Food took forever, I mean tables sat after us got served. Server seemed more intent on the larger tables. Other food runners seemed to be doing all her work. The shirts on the food runners were dirty. Had they been there all day? Every time we ask fro something it seemed like they were doing us a big favour. At the end we ordered cheese cake to go an that took 20 mins. We paid our tab and left on the way out wanted to speak to a manager but found a server hunched over the hostess stand I think asleep. So simply left.. Just seemed everyone was worn out. Lost count on how many plates I hear dropped. On a good note, I went to the bother of filling in the survey because someone should know what happened .Glad to say they responded promptly and at sometime may be back
(1)
Rachel R.
I'm slightly torn between 3 and 4 stars, but I'll give them the benifit of the doubt. If you're wanting that nice romantic candlelit italian place... this is not that. If you're looking to have a good time with a group of friends and gourge yourself on lots of good food, then this is more up your alley. Buca's is tacky. Striaght up in your face kitsch tackiness. They do not try to hide it... ever. I'm not really sure what color the walls are as there are crazy pictures of Italian celebrities and random junk (like bowling plaques) covering darn near every square inch. There's also crazy Italian music playing; think Musak in Italy. Its loud its big, you can seriously get lost. They have a kitchen table literally in the kitchen. They have no problem offering tours through said kitchen either. The alcohol selection is good and the food selection even better. Yes. It's pricey. You will pay for extras, like a side of marinara or extra sauce when the kitchen skimped on the sauce for the Fruitti de Mare to begin with, but the food is oh so delicious! And they offer tons of choices! from pork to beef to chicken to marina to alfredo to vinegar sauces. All family style, so go with at least 3 people unless you're planning expensive leftovers. If you're planning on going on a weekend, you should call ahead for a reservation. This place does take parties and lots of them. Even if you're coming with 4-6 people, it might be worth it. It's really hit or miss with getting a table honestly. You can always stroll around the mall too if it's going to be a wait.
(4)
Becky S.
Finally got around to checking this place out, and what a crazy experience! The ambience is fantastic - I really like the lighting and furniture. It's not crazy loud at all, so it would be a great place to take family/friends, coworkers; pretty much anyone! I will admit, the first impression was a little odd. When we arrived, we followed the server to be seated - I assumed in a general seating area. However, as we walked along, we began to realize we were headed right into the kitchen. Turns out they have a kitchen booth where you can sit and watch the cooks! Not sure how that experience is, however, as we opted to sit in a better lit room. The service we received was ... interesting, to say the least. Our waiter, Brady, was not a bad guy. However, one thing I've found is if the bartender is serving you, the service is a lot less prompt. Since he was bartending and apparently the only one serving as well, it took us over 5 minutes to get our drink order. Finally ordered our drinks, only to wait 10 more minutes. Normally I wouldn't mind, but I was parched so I was getting a bit irritated. The waiter was nice but made the mistake of taking our orders without writing it down - not a mistake, really, unless you forget things that were ordered. Which he did. So we had to finally mention after getting our entrees that we were curious where our appetizer was. Admittedly, after that our waiter was suddenly far more attentive and open to listening. He even attempted some jokes, which we appreciated. I gave him credit for turning around what was almost a very disappointing experience! The food itself was not bad - I got a penne dish with tomato and artichokes, which was pretty average as meals go. Their lunch portions are decent, but I was not impressed with the flavor. I'd eat there again, but not often. My friend got the fettucini supremo, which was fettucini alfredo with veggies. It was quite delicious! She was not a fan of the noodles, however. I would agree - I've had better italian, but I would definitely rank it higher up on the list than most. It IS rather pricey - most appetizers are around $9-10 and depending on the entrees, they usually are around $18-20. However the entrees that are not lunch portioned (for single person servings) are supposed to be huge, which would make up for the fact they are so expensive. Apparently they are there to feed many. Overall, I can't say it was an unpleasant experience; cheerful service, we were greeted both entering and exiting, and the ambiance was definitely spot on, with little noise to interfere with conversation. The food was pretty good. The only downs I had was the spotty service and the average food.
(3)
Halah A.
This is by far the BEST Italian restaurant in Cincinnati. It is absolutely my favorite go to place when I'm craving Italian! Their spicey chicken rigatoni is to die for! I also order their Baked Ziti occasionally and its so delicious. Their Cesar salad is also really good!!! The restaurant is absolute great for family and friends, everything they serve is HUGE and is great for sharing! Writing this review makes me crave their food and want to go back and eat there already lol
(5)
Reese M.
My wife and kids stopped in for dinner. We haven't ate at a Buca di Beppos' since we lived in Arizona a few years ago. So it's an establishment we've missed. Our service was definitely 5 star service. The waiter was patient, kept our drinks full, was polite. The food was pretty good, not as good as I remember it, but very good. We were seated quickly. Food came out quickly. Overall, not a bad experience. If your in the Norwood area, I recommend going here at least once.
(4)
Rick F.
I'm Italian I should not be eating at places like this. BUT I love it! the atmosphere, the kitschiness, the pope table, the table in the kitchen. The food actually pretty good for an americanized version. I love the salad amazing. The chicken limone was great, the fettuccini leaves a little bit to be desired! Bread should be warmed and butter should be soft. The pictures the bathroom all fun!
(4)
Danan R.
HUGE portions so bring a friend (or two!). A small pasta will easily feed 3. The food itself is surprisingly decent for a chain, and I was happy with the baked ziti, which is made with a creamy rosa sauce and finished with mozzarella and a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Yes, it's a chain but the ambiance and decor are unapologetically eclectic and tongue-in-cheek and the large portions are fun to share in that they are even larger than the Cheesecake Factory's. It's definitely not for the diet-conscious but then again, who doesn't love a filling Italian meal full of carb-loaded pasta and bread?
(3)
Heather L.
Went here for the first time at the request of a friend for his bday. I'm an Italian snob being from the north east so was Leary of a chain Italian place. I started with a raspberry Italian cream soda which was yummy. He had the spiked lemonade which was good and you keep the glass. The waitress didn't bring the bread out until right before the meal, which sucked since we were starving (&mind you this was not at a busy time of day). For dinner I ordered the gnocchi which had a nice creamy vodka sauce. Yes large portion, I understand the family dining concept, but ive been places with similar portions at half the price. He had the chicken Marsala, which he loved, but I tasted and to me it was meh. All in all to me it's a novelty dining experience and that's what you're paying higher prices for.
(3)
Jason M.
Very enjoyable meal. Awesome eclectic decor. 6 hungry college 19-20 year olds fed well. Pleasant enjoyable meal. Enjoyed the warm spinach and tomato salad. Huge! Meatballs. Lots of leftovers. Large serving of fettuccine chicken. Would have fed 5 easily
(4)
C S.
Excellent service, food and ambiance in general. Special thanks to one of the hostesses who went out of her way to help me find my phone!!! I can't remember her name, but I'll be calling the manager to tell him she is AMAZING! Love it!
(5)
Allison B.
Buca is always a lot of fun with a large group of people. My husband and I swung by last week for a dinner for just the two of us. Of course, I had forgotten that the portions were so massive that we had to agree on a single dish, which was disappointing, however his selection of the cheese ravioli was delicious. I ordered the calamari appetizer which you can never go wrong with and it went great on the ravioli, too. Overall, a good time. Service was attentive and the food was yummy.
(4)
Alexander D.
The effort put into decorating this place is amazing. The waiter was very friendly and the food was great. This is also where my boyfriend took me to ask me out officially after a few dates. It will be a place I hold close for as long as possible.
(5)
J O.
The food is always good here. The reason I only give two stars is that we waited over half an hour for a table while we sat there looking at at least three empty, increased tables. They seemed unprepared and overwhelmed. And it's freezing in here!!! Uncomfortable and annoying to the point I want to leave!
(2)
Ryan M.
This family portions restaurant is an awesome place. The food has a good flavor. The portions are obviously huge. I really like the pizzas the most because I'm not much of a pasta guy but even their pastas are good. have never had a bad dish from here. The decor is real vintage and interesting. This place can get super packed so if you have a table over 4, I would make a reservation. The staff is very professional and handle the busy chaos like pros.
(4)
Joel L.
I celebrated my birthday here and it was fantastic. We sat in the kitchen table. The Italian Wedding Soup is fantastic. Buca discontinued it but guess they brought it back. The service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh and tasted great. I had a great bday dinner here.
(5)
Hollyann H.
My mother and her boy(man)friend are always raving about Buca di Beppo, so when they came down to Cincinnati they finally dragged me to it for dinner one night. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants so I was expecting total disappointment. From what my mother was telling me it just sounded like an Italian TGI Fridays. The restaurant was clean, interesting decorated walls, and a decent atmosphere. It wasn't too loud and obnoxious. The big family servings were pretty neat. I enjoyed that. The food wasn't anything that blew me away. However, the dessert that was a giant sundae was the best thing. But how can you go wrong with a giant sundae that's bigger than your head? You can't. I don't think I would go here anytime by myself or with my friends, but I feel like this is a really good place for family dinners.
(3)
Alicia B.
There is a major discrepancy of tastiness here. Some things are great and others aren't. The apple, cranberry, gorgonzola salad is pretty perfect. So is the eggplant parmesan. Many things are only so-so though.
(3)
Elisa O.
Me and my friends ate here to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a party of 12 and paid separately... I had a coupon that I was really excited to use for a free small. When it came time to pay the waitress told me that I couldn't use it because another couple at our table( who paid separately) used a $2 off coupon... I think this rule is ridiculous. It's something they should change. It's a rule that is going to change my mind about coming here in the future.
(2)
Jeremy R.
My girlfriend had raved about Bucca's famous food so we decided to head there one night before a movie. When we arrived the service was okay from the stewardess; however, once we had our seats it took 30 minutes to get bread and our food came 45 minutes after ordering. The food here is excellent but I was really let down with the poor service by the waiters (waitresses).
(2)
G K.
My fiance, daughter and I visited here tonight! We enjoyed it! Jessica was our server! She was GREAT! Kept our drinks filled and introduced me to a fabulous yet simple dip for our bread! Food was plentiful and good! We'll be back soon! Thanks for a great first visit!
(5)
William F.
Went on New Years Eve with the family (3 kids) and were seated right away with our reservation. Tiffany was our server and did a great job. We ordered a large Caesar salad. It was very large and tasted great. We also had the large chicken parm. Tasted good, but could have use a bit more cheese and sauce. We tried the garlic shrimp linguini. It was very good and the small version was enough for us all to try it. The kids said that they had a great time and enjoyed the food which is a win in my book.
(4)
Kaylee H.
I think 2 stars is generous. I would rate this a 1.5 star. I rounded up because the inside was clean. This place is a sad example of an Italian restaurant. I went with a big group (there were 10 of us) and the food was not very good. I would rank this place on par with a bad Olive Garden. The apple gorgonzola salad was completely overdressed, and there were rather large clumps of cinnamon in the dressing. The supremo italiano pizza was incredibly greasy, salty, and clumsily executed. It was so drenched in grease that the pizza dough lost all integrity and everybody at the table ended up eating it with a fork and knife since nobody could pick it up. The veal saltimboca tasted like it was was wrapped not in proscuitto as was advertised on the menu, but with something more like canadian ham. The platter had 5 very thin pieces of veal on the plate, which was disappointing. The chicken rigatoni was the only dish that we ordered that was decent. I think it was partly because this is a very hard dish to mess up. The pasta had nice chew to it, and was well cooked. The peas clearly came from a freezer, though, because they were more dried out than normal, and looked a little freezer-burnt. For dessert, we had a giant sundae with brownies. The brownies were disappointing. I think the batter was overmixed, because they were like little hockey pucks that had chocolate chips in them. Service was fine when we saw the waitress, but I think it was super understaffed beacause this poor woman was running around like a crazy person. We also didn't get any bread on the table until halfway into the meal, even though we asked for it early. The waitress told us that the kitchen had run out of bread. The decor is kitchy and fine, and it was entertaining to look at all the pictures in the frames. As I was walking around, I noticed that there was one table that looked like it was in a cathedral, and the walls of the whole room was covered by pictures of popes. In fact, there was a life sized bust of the pope sitting in the middle of the table. I was super glad that I wasn't sitting there, because it was just so weird. Imagine trying to eat while the pope is staring back at you. Overall, this was not a place that I would ever choose for an event (somebody else made the decision to go here today, I had no say in the matter).
(2)
Mary N.
The food is good, but I hate being dragged through their kitchen and being told the same story of the restaurant. Last time I asked if we could pass on it because we've been multiple times before and they refused. Quite rude.
(3)
Jim T.
Spoke with Amy the general manager and I could tell that she and Buca both really do care about customer experience. I applaud such efforts to maintain standards and treat each guest like a VIP. It's rare to find a restaurant or any business for that matter that is as concerned about customer experience. Bucas has always been a wonderful place and I'll continue to go and recommend them.
(5)
Magda C.
I think of this place as McDonald's for pasta/pizza, so my expectations were not high. The interior is rather kitch, so I prefered to take away. We had spicy Arrabiata pizza and a DiBeppio salad. Pizza was OK, very greasy and bit too hot, but it was fine. The salad was all about the quantity, not quality. Tons of onion, unpeeled hard cucumber, chunks of those flavourless tomatoes you can get in a supermarket all year long (the ones that taste like cold potatoes) topped with cheap wanna-be-Feta and cheap salami. Well....
(2)
Brandee B.
This was my first time ever at this restuarant and I brought my appetite! sshh, don't tell my diet... ;) As you walk in, they take you through the kitchen and show you around. They are very ecclectic with different memorabilia on the walls as well as a pope table that rotates. Its very kitsch or odd...however you choose to view it. We sat at a regular table and since it is family style you receive big portions of everything. The downside of that is if someone doesnt want to share or want what you want. Luckily, we were both easy, so we got the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, the stuffed chicken with mozzerella, and ham on a pesto cream sauce and the pasta sampler which included cannolli, manicotti, ravioli, and shells. It was divine..soooo much cheesy goodness! We barely had enough to take home. Next time I hope to try the dessert.
(3)
Andrew P.
When I go to an Italian Restaurant I am expecting a good value for my money. Comfort food at an affordable price. I received neither. We ordered the veal parm and chicken carbonara along with a salad. There were three of us. We also had an appetizer of meatballs. The veal was gristly. The spaghetti with the carbonara was over cooked and really bland. The lettuce with the salad was rusty. The meatballs were good but not great. We ordered no alcohol and there were three of us. It cost $90 before tip. WAY overpriced in my opinion. The service was pleasant prompt and friendly which is why I give it two stars but I would not go back.
(2)
Robin B.
Probably good for groups who don't care too much about the quality of the food. The atmosphere is kitchy and the hostess was great, but our server was not. She left us hanging for a while waiting for the check. We finally asked another guy, who turned out to be a manager from another location training there. He said he couldn't find her, but brought us our check. When he was running our cards, our server finally came back and asked if we wanted the check. Maybe she was taking a long break? The manager stayed talking while we were filling in the tip, probably to over compensate for his poor counterpart, but I didn't enjoy him standing over my shoulder.
(3)
Glenn W.
I've been to Buca di Beppo in Westlake, Ohio before - which truly IS in the buca (cellar), but I think Cincinnati/Norwood Buca has more "life" and charm. Very spacious with a winding path through the complex dining room layout. Lively and fun - great people-watching! Seems much larger and open than the other restaurant. Same reliable menu of authentic Italian dishes in family-size portions. Prosciutto stuffed chicken breasts and Penne San Remo were our choices this time. Super service, even on a busy Valentine's weekend. I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Melissa J.
My first time here. I really enjoyed it. The servings are HUGE. I ordered Fettuccini Alfredo in small and I'm fairly sure I could've fed a small village. They have Pepsi products (it doesn't say anywhere). Someone else ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs are HUGE and taste great! For dinner we were in there just a little over an hour. The rooms are so wonderfully kitchy decorated. Enjoyed walking through the kitchen on the way to the table as well. It was my birthday and they sang for me and brought me a candle. I would go back.
(4)
Doug S.
Alright, gave them one more chance. I'm going to make this short & sweet: Service - pretty solid, very friendly, but not the timeliest refills and check-ups Food - really just okay. nothing special. when you consider the price, below average Ambiance - i like the different areas and themes I would give it 3 stars as it's "alright", but at their price point, they are at the bottom of the list of places I'd choose when spending that money.
(2)
Chris S.
Overall the food was ok. They seemed to be understaffed both times I've been to this restaurant. It took over 40 minutes to receive my drink, I actually went to the bar myself to get my drink on my last visit. Not the best beer selection. Overall they are friendly but slow and the restaurant was clean.
(2)
Gretchen B.
My rating is really 3.5 stars. One of the few places that can accommodate a large group of people. Family style portions are fun. Food is good, not superb, but not bad either. Service was slow for our group of 3 but this is a huge place and they were busy so it was understandable. I would return, especially with a big group, for a fun evening. Reservations definitely recommended!
(3)
Mark K.
My 4th time at Buca and this was the best. The other three were just "ok". I find the menu is a little overwhelming and it's best to stick with simple dishes. We ordered the shrimp linguine with a side of marinara. It was awesome!
(3)
Lou Ann L.
This was our 2nd time here and it was just as delicious as the first time! Had plenty of leftovers to take home too! All of the staff were friendly, anytime any of them went past our table they ask if we needed anything. Loved the atmosphere & Decor!!!
(5)
Kimberly U.
Went here a few weeks ago. The place seems awesome, looks like a great place where you could have a lot of fun... it just didn't happen for us. Even though my boyfriend and I ordered about $60 worth of food, the waiter acted like he couldn't have been more ready to get us out of there. I was really excited, mentioned that it was a special occasion even, but no sympathy to it being my first experience. It looks like it has the potential to be great with a big party. You might get slighted if your party's less than 4, though.
(3)
Toree C.
Buca was a fun experience. Our server was friendly and helpful which made for a pleasant visit. The fact that they take reservations gives them high marks in my book. The portions and seating make it perfect for large groups and the atmosphere is conducive for it as well. The food tasted good, but it is overpriced. I would return for lunch or with a large group for a night out.
(3)
Julie H.
Buca is a good place for a big get together. I went during an off peak hour during a weekend with a long time friend. My friend and I ordered a small dish to share. We still had leftovers to take home. You get your bang for your buck here. I love the food...amazing and delish.
(4)
Andrew Y.
Family style servings = good. Prices = okay. Food = not so great. The service on both visits to the establishments was adequate, but not what I'd call good.
(3)
David M.
Buca is a go to for any group dinner. The servers really know how to handle large parties (10+). The food is amazing and you really can't go wrong with anything. The portions are family style so sharing is your best bet. My favorite is the spicy chicken rigatoni but I haven't had anything I didn't like. I usually try to avoid the pizza because it is so greasy... Make a reservation and go early to take advantage of very reasonable drink prices at the bar.
(5)
Andrew H.
The food was fantastic, as it is every time I'm at this restaurant but the service was lacking just this last time I was there, otherwise would've been a 4, maybe even a 5, star review. I rarely ever tip less than 20% and typically give around 23-25% but whenever we needed anything our server was no where to be found, and I mean to order we had to wait another 15 minutes for him after he gave us our drinks, he gave us our bread and it was cold, once he gave us our food we didn't see him until we were done, not even to ask if our food was good(but of course if was good) and asked for a coffee which took another 15 minutes. Then once we had our coffee it took about a half hour before we saw him to get our check which if course took 10 more minutes. It was to the point where I was debating "should I just dine and dash?" And you may think oh this guy is just needy and was there on a busy night, but noooo, it was an extremely slow night. There wasn't even a wait for our table(which for a Buca is pretty amazing). I'll still chalk this up to just a server on a bad night though. But if it happens again I'm done with it.
(3)
Ann L.
The place looks really cool. I'm all about the images - and they really have some cool ones. I love the fact that they walk you through on a tour on your way to your seat. We went with a group and had a super time. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the food. Definitely get a Cannoli for dessert.
(4)
Rasha A.
OMG the portions.... Let me tell you about the portions. BIG. It really huge. It was our first time and decided to go after my sisters graduation. So our waitress was really sweet and I think her name was Amanda. She warned us ahead that the portions were really big but we were naive. So we ordered for each person am entree. There was four of us. We ordered the spicy pasta, chicken paramogenii, meatballs, another kind of pasta and lots of side cheese bread.we ordered all of them in larges. Ohhh my god the portions. We felt like kings eating. We had so much to take home, the food was great. Ten my brother asked the waitress to sing a happy graduation to my sister and she said okay and brought out so many othe waitress and try started singing for her and gve her the famous ice cream sundae (which mind you has 12 brownies in it) it was awesome. Finally the waitress came over and started to talk to is for a whole hour she was so personable an sweet. We enjoyed it and will be back
(4)
Scott N.
Lots of food... I think that sums it up. Service has always been very good, so that's a plus. Overall, there is nothing special about the food. It's not bad, it's not great... it's A-OK. The photos in the restaurant are great... so good for putting their ambience foot forward. We have meetings here often so I really don't need the kitchen tour anymore. We do end up at the godfather table, which is nice and isolated so it works well for meetings. I would never come here for a personal dinner or dinner with a small group. There are much better italian restaurants in the city. Carry out was not accurately delivered, so check it before you leave.
(3)
David G.
We went here once and after get a tour of the kitchen and restaurant I was excited. Unfortunately that was the best part of the meal. We were seated in a section by the bar where a loud and obnoxious employee was drinking after work. Our food came out overdone and hard. The pasta tasted as if it was made by a child.
(1)
Jenny B.
what a really fun place. I could spend a couple hours just smelling the food and looking at the photos on the wall. Make sure you sign up at their web page for the Buca celibate. You will get something good free. So many good food choices and the portions are big. Do not be afraid to split even the lunch size. Service was fast and friendly and waiters can by and checked on use just about the correct amount of times.
(4)
Alex S.
I've been here 3 times, and haven't had one bad experience! The help is enthusiastic and energetic, the food is flavorful and a fantastic value, and is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area, and is, in my opinion, even better than Maggiano's.
(5)
Erin K.
Tonight, Buca was out of meat and alfredo sauce, meatballs, sausage, and table bread at 8. Unfortunately, we didn't find out until after we ordered and had to settle for a dish that wasn't what we had hoped for. We waited more than five minutes for our table to be cleaned when numerous other tables were empty. Waiter served drinks immediately and then proceeded to ignore us and take an incredibly long time to take our order and bring us the bread we had ordered. Manager was very understanding and comped our dessert. Needless to say, other than the manager and comped apple crostada (which was very good), I was very disappointed. I've never had a bad experience with Buca in the past but it will be quite some time before I come back.
(1)
Christiaan T.
family style Italian food done well
(4)
Alexandra K.
This restaurant is just so cool. I love coming here with friends or family because you get SO much good food for your money. The place is decorated to the nines. On a non-busy night, the hostess will often take you through the entire restaurant and give you a tour of the kitchen, say hello to the cooks, and then seat you. The service and the decor really make you feel like you're in a kitschy restaurant in Italy. A single entree here can feed at least 2 people if not more. It lists on the menu how many. I recommend the garlic bread, but make sure everyone has some as you won't be able to stand each other after the meal. Everything I've had here has been good from regular spaghetti and meatballs to the fettuccine alfredo. You can't go wrong!
(4)
N M.
Mediocre Italian in a crazy environment.
(1)
Justine M.
There's really nothing on the menu that stands out as fantastic food worth the price. Honestly, I feel like I can make better dishes at home. But, this place IS good in a pinch for reservations of large parties on holidays at the last minute, which seems to be my family's MO. And the ridiculous portions do help when there are well over a dozen of us. The desserts are pretty good, but I think it takes a lot of effort to screw up a dessert. Also a plus is the kitschy decor. The major downside is that for whatever reason, this restaurant seems to attract the loudest and most obnoxious that the city has to offer. Every time I've gone there, there has inevitably been a nearby party that feels shouting is the best way to communicate while mere inches from each other. In some cases, it's actually improved the meal, as in the case of the two couples who randomly yelled out "Whoomp! There it is!" at various intervals between jokes. (And you thought awkward suburban folk were a myth!) This doesn't affect the rating, just be forewarned that you will be either highly amused or ready to sling oversized meatballs at people.
(2)
Lauren F.
Buca di Beppo is sort of like Larosa's on meth. It's almost too much of an atmosphere for me to take. I've been there several times with family and I would recommend calling in advance (several days) to reserve the booth located in the kitchen. The white noise of people talking can be slightly overwhelming if you are unable to tune it out but it's great if you're in the mood for a festive and friendly place. This is a chain, family style restaurant with really good food. the portions are preferably shared so bring a large group of friends and family. Bring a hefty appetite and plan on leftovers for a week if you go alone.
(4)
Amanda L.
This location is okay. Not the best. I always get the kitchen booth because of the interaction with staff and it's different. But here they didn't talk to us the waiter seemed put off by us. MENTAL NOTE TO WAIT STAFF: just because someone may not be dressed to the nines doesn't mean they don't have money. Judging someone like that gets you nothing but a bad tip and a bad YELP.
(3)
Linda M.
Dont bother going here if you DONT have reservations on a Sat nite! My hubby & I stopped in on 2/19/2011 around 4:30 for dinner. We were told it was an hr to 1 hr & 15 min wait. Ok, so we put our names on the list. Well after around 1 hr & 30 mins, my hubby went up to see how much longer. He was told "your'e next, in the next 5 mins".. well that 5 mins turned into OVER 20 mins.. so he went back up, again, a LAME ANSWER "oh your'e next, we are clearing a table for you now'.. so after A 2 HOUR WAIT we were seated.. then it took our server OVER 10 mins to come take our drink order. The food was great, as it usually is, but it seems they just dont care about you if you dont bring a large crowd in or have reservations. Now back on 2/12/19, the Sat before V day, I called to see if they were taking reservations for that nite, & I was told NO but I could come in and put my name on a 'waiting list' .. so which is it.. you DO or DONT take reservasations EVERY weekend & why would I drive there just to put my name on a waiting list??? I have emailed Buca regarding this and they have YET to reply, so that tells me they DONT care!!!!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Touristy Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : 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.
Jenny B.
what a really fun place. I could spend a couple hours just smelling the food and looking at the photos on the wall. Make sure you sign up at their web page for the Buca celibate. You will get something good free. So many good food choices and the portions are big. Do not be afraid to split even the lunch size. Service was fast and friendly and waiters can by and checked on use just about the correct amount of times.
(4)Erin K.
Tonight, Buca was out of meat and alfredo sauce, meatballs, sausage, and table bread at 8. Unfortunately, we didn't find out until after we ordered and had to settle for a dish that wasn't what we had hoped for. We waited more than five minutes for our table to be cleaned when numerous other tables were empty. Waiter served drinks immediately and then proceeded to ignore us and take an incredibly long time to take our order and bring us the bread we had ordered. Manager was very understanding and comped our dessert. Needless to say, other than the manager and comped apple crostada (which was very good), I was very disappointed. I've never had a bad experience with Buca in the past but it will be quite some time before I come back.
(1)Christiaan T.
family style Italian food done well
(4)Alexandra K.
This restaurant is just so cool. I love coming here with friends or family because you get SO much good food for your money. The place is decorated to the nines. On a non-busy night, the hostess will often take you through the entire restaurant and give you a tour of the kitchen, say hello to the cooks, and then seat you. The service and the decor really make you feel like you're in a kitschy restaurant in Italy. A single entree here can feed at least 2 people if not more. It lists on the menu how many. I recommend the garlic bread, but make sure everyone has some as you won't be able to stand each other after the meal. Everything I've had here has been good from regular spaghetti and meatballs to the fettuccine alfredo. You can't go wrong!
(4)Amanda A.
I have never been to Buca in Rookwood even though I live less than two minutes away. It had been a long day and I didnt feel like doing the normal PF Changs that we always resort to. Walked in as two huge groups were walking out. The hostess didnt greet us, in fact just stared at us. They closed at 10, it was 8:45. I asked for a table for two, she looked at me rolled her eyes, and sighed. She said she would check to see if they had a table, there was literally no one in the place. We followed her to the dining room, they had all sections closed but one and it had a dirty table. She looked at me said it would be at least ten minutes before she could clear the table. Basically saying she didnt feel like doing it. I said we would wait and she stormed off to clean. I walked right out and into PF Changs were I didnt wait for a table and had great service as always. I will never step foot into Buca again.
(1)Justine M.
There's really nothing on the menu that stands out as fantastic food worth the price. Honestly, I feel like I can make better dishes at home. But, this place IS good in a pinch for reservations of large parties on holidays at the last minute, which seems to be my family's MO. And the ridiculous portions do help when there are well over a dozen of us. The desserts are pretty good, but I think it takes a lot of effort to screw up a dessert. Also a plus is the kitschy decor. The major downside is that for whatever reason, this restaurant seems to attract the loudest and most obnoxious that the city has to offer. Every time I've gone there, there has inevitably been a nearby party that feels shouting is the best way to communicate while mere inches from each other. In some cases, it's actually improved the meal, as in the case of the two couples who randomly yelled out "Whoomp! There it is!" at various intervals between jokes. (And you thought awkward suburban folk were a myth!) This doesn't affect the rating, just be forewarned that you will be either highly amused or ready to sling oversized meatballs at people.
(2)Lauren F.
Buca di Beppo is sort of like Larosa's on meth. It's almost too much of an atmosphere for me to take. I've been there several times with family and I would recommend calling in advance (several days) to reserve the booth located in the kitchen. The white noise of people talking can be slightly overwhelming if you are unable to tune it out but it's great if you're in the mood for a festive and friendly place. This is a chain, family style restaurant with really good food. the portions are preferably shared so bring a large group of friends and family. Bring a hefty appetite and plan on leftovers for a week if you go alone.
(4)Linda M.
Dont bother going here if you DONT have reservations on a Sat nite! My hubby & I stopped in on 2/19/2011 around 4:30 for dinner. We were told it was an hr to 1 hr & 15 min wait. Ok, so we put our names on the list. Well after around 1 hr & 30 mins, my hubby went up to see how much longer. He was told "your'e next, in the next 5 mins".. well that 5 mins turned into OVER 20 mins.. so he went back up, again, a LAME ANSWER "oh your'e next, we are clearing a table for you now'.. so after A 2 HOUR WAIT we were seated.. then it took our server OVER 10 mins to come take our drink order. The food was great, as it usually is, but it seems they just dont care about you if you dont bring a large crowd in or have reservations. Now back on 2/12/19, the Sat before V day, I called to see if they were taking reservations for that nite, & I was told NO but I could come in and put my name on a 'waiting list' .. so which is it.. you DO or DONT take reservasations EVERY weekend & why would I drive there just to put my name on a waiting list??? I have emailed Buca regarding this and they have YET to reply, so that tells me they DONT care!!!!!
(2)Jason M.
Very enjoyable meal. Awesome eclectic decor. 6 hungry college 19-20 year olds fed well. Pleasant enjoyable meal. Enjoyed the warm spinach and tomato salad. Huge! Meatballs. Lots of leftovers. Large serving of fettuccine chicken. Would have fed 5 easily
(4)C S.
Excellent service, food and ambiance in general. Special thanks to one of the hostesses who went out of her way to help me find my phone!!! I can't remember her name, but I'll be calling the manager to tell him she is AMAZING! Love it!
(5)Andrew H.
The food was fantastic, as it is every time I'm at this restaurant but the service was lacking just this last time I was there, otherwise would've been a 4, maybe even a 5, star review. I rarely ever tip less than 20% and typically give around 23-25% but whenever we needed anything our server was no where to be found, and I mean to order we had to wait another 15 minutes for him after he gave us our drinks, he gave us our bread and it was cold, once he gave us our food we didn't see him until we were done, not even to ask if our food was good(but of course if was good) and asked for a coffee which took another 15 minutes. Then once we had our coffee it took about a half hour before we saw him to get our check which if course took 10 more minutes. It was to the point where I was debating "should I just dine and dash?" And you may think oh this guy is just needy and was there on a busy night, but noooo, it was an extremely slow night. There wasn't even a wait for our table(which for a Buca is pretty amazing). I'll still chalk this up to just a server on a bad night though. But if it happens again I'm done with it.
(3)Rob K.
Birthday bash and we were seated in the "Wine Room." What is that, you may ask? To start with we didn't know we were seated in the wine room until we heard a few hosts and hostesses walking past with their next patrons pointing our direction and saying, "And this is the wine room where we have over 300 bottles of wine." In the ceiling. What a funly (yes to those grammarians out there, I meant funly) obnoxious group we were. Pitty the staff when we realized the 300 "bottles of wine" were actually 300 "wine bottles." Empty! Check it out. And there are actually 319, I think. Fun staff having a fun time. They earned their tip, and we were happy to up it. Family style is good, and eating 'till the brink of internal organs exploding can be fun, too. Do the servers have access to a forklift, if needed? Don't forget the tentacles. Crunchy!
(4)Kelly H.
Took a group of 16 for a birthday celebration. Had reservations at 4pm on a Saturday night with intention to avoid a crowd. It wasn't crowded but the service was terribly slow. Food was ok but I'd never take a large group again due to the service.
(3)Amina D.
We went on World Pasta day. It was awesome. We got a free side of spaghetti with our pasta order and a pack of imported spaghetti to make at home. The wild raspberry Italian soda was insanely good. Cheese ravioli with Alfredo sauce was awesome. Would have gotten a 5, but the server was slow and messed up our check.
(4)Amanda L.
This location is okay. Not the best. I always get the kitchen booth because of the interaction with staff and it's different. But here they didn't talk to us the waiter seemed put off by us. MENTAL NOTE TO WAIT STAFF: just because someone may not be dressed to the nines doesn't mean they don't have money. Judging someone like that gets you nothing but a bad tip and a bad YELP.
(3)Ryan M.
This family portions restaurant is an awesome place. The food has a good flavor. The portions are obviously huge. I really like the pizzas the most because I'm not much of a pasta guy but even their pastas are good. have never had a bad dish from here. The decor is real vintage and interesting. This place can get super packed so if you have a table over 4, I would make a reservation. The staff is very professional and handle the busy chaos like pros.
(4)Joel L.
I celebrated my birthday here and it was fantastic. We sat in the kitchen table. The Italian Wedding Soup is fantastic. Buca discontinued it but guess they brought it back. The service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh and tasted great. I had a great bday dinner here.
(5)Alicia B.
There is a major discrepancy of tastiness here. Some things are great and others aren't. The apple, cranberry, gorgonzola salad is pretty perfect. So is the eggplant parmesan. Many things are only so-so though.
(3)Danan R.
HUGE portions so bring a friend (or two!). A small pasta will easily feed 3. The food itself is surprisingly decent for a chain, and I was happy with the baked ziti, which is made with a creamy rosa sauce and finished with mozzarella and a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Yes, it's a chain but the ambiance and decor are unapologetically eclectic and tongue-in-cheek and the large portions are fun to share in that they are even larger than the Cheesecake Factory's. It's definitely not for the diet-conscious but then again, who doesn't love a filling Italian meal full of carb-loaded pasta and bread?
(3)Reese M.
My wife and kids stopped in for dinner. We haven't ate at a Buca di Beppos' since we lived in Arizona a few years ago. So it's an establishment we've missed. Our service was definitely 5 star service. The waiter was patient, kept our drinks full, was polite. The food was pretty good, not as good as I remember it, but very good. We were seated quickly. Food came out quickly. Overall, not a bad experience. If your in the Norwood area, I recommend going here at least once.
(4)Becky S.
Finally got around to checking this place out, and what a crazy experience! The ambience is fantastic - I really like the lighting and furniture. It's not crazy loud at all, so it would be a great place to take family/friends, coworkers; pretty much anyone! I will admit, the first impression was a little odd. When we arrived, we followed the server to be seated - I assumed in a general seating area. However, as we walked along, we began to realize we were headed right into the kitchen. Turns out they have a kitchen booth where you can sit and watch the cooks! Not sure how that experience is, however, as we opted to sit in a better lit room. The service we received was ... interesting, to say the least. Our waiter, Brady, was not a bad guy. However, one thing I've found is if the bartender is serving you, the service is a lot less prompt. Since he was bartending and apparently the only one serving as well, it took us over 5 minutes to get our drink order. Finally ordered our drinks, only to wait 10 more minutes. Normally I wouldn't mind, but I was parched so I was getting a bit irritated. The waiter was nice but made the mistake of taking our orders without writing it down - not a mistake, really, unless you forget things that were ordered. Which he did. So we had to finally mention after getting our entrees that we were curious where our appetizer was. Admittedly, after that our waiter was suddenly far more attentive and open to listening. He even attempted some jokes, which we appreciated. I gave him credit for turning around what was almost a very disappointing experience! The food itself was not bad - I got a penne dish with tomato and artichokes, which was pretty average as meals go. Their lunch portions are decent, but I was not impressed with the flavor. I'd eat there again, but not often. My friend got the fettucini supremo, which was fettucini alfredo with veggies. It was quite delicious! She was not a fan of the noodles, however. I would agree - I've had better italian, but I would definitely rank it higher up on the list than most. It IS rather pricey - most appetizers are around $9-10 and depending on the entrees, they usually are around $18-20. However the entrees that are not lunch portioned (for single person servings) are supposed to be huge, which would make up for the fact they are so expensive. Apparently they are there to feed many. Overall, I can't say it was an unpleasant experience; cheerful service, we were greeted both entering and exiting, and the ambiance was definitely spot on, with little noise to interfere with conversation. The food was pretty good. The only downs I had was the spotty service and the average food.
(3)David G.
We went here once and after get a tour of the kitchen and restaurant I was excited. Unfortunately that was the best part of the meal. We were seated in a section by the bar where a loud and obnoxious employee was drinking after work. Our food came out overdone and hard. The pasta tasted as if it was made by a child.
(1)N M.
Mediocre Italian in a crazy environment.
(1)J O.
The food is always good here. The reason I only give two stars is that we waited over half an hour for a table while we sat there looking at at least three empty, increased tables. They seemed unprepared and overwhelmed. And it's freezing in here!!! Uncomfortable and annoying to the point I want to leave!
(2)Hollyann H.
My mother and her boy(man)friend are always raving about Buca di Beppo, so when they came down to Cincinnati they finally dragged me to it for dinner one night. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants so I was expecting total disappointment. From what my mother was telling me it just sounded like an Italian TGI Fridays. The restaurant was clean, interesting decorated walls, and a decent atmosphere. It wasn't too loud and obnoxious. The big family servings were pretty neat. I enjoyed that. The food wasn't anything that blew me away. However, the dessert that was a giant sundae was the best thing. But how can you go wrong with a giant sundae that's bigger than your head? You can't. I don't think I would go here anytime by myself or with my friends, but I feel like this is a really good place for family dinners.
(3)Christopher G.
I love me some Italian. For a lot of my life it was far and away my favorite, and although more exotic stuff has recently taken that top spot (looking at you, Thai), it remains one of those foods that, if anyone suggests it, I will always agree to, regardless of mood. That said, Buca is probably my favorite Italian place in Cincinnati. Don't listen to the other reviewers: I've been to this place maybe half a dozen times in the last year, and it has absolutely never disappointed. I force myself to try something new every time--though my old favorites, they call to me!--and every time is a joy. It's very good for dates or families, because honestly you will not finish your meal if you order alone, even if you get the small. Take it from the guy who can pack it away: these guys mean business when it comes to portions. You will split a meal and you'll still be full, especially since there is also bread. The atmosphere is, well, lively. If you're okay with that, you'll have a great time, but if you're looking for something quiet and intimate, dare I say... fuhget about it? The music is always Rat Pack or the like, which is cheesy, granted, but not intrusive. One of the walls actually has a small Sinatra shrine, which is hilarious. Actually, many of the walls are adorned with festive work that ranges from mildly to surprisingly inappropriate. Good conversation starters, all around. Overall, it's a place that seems to go out of its way to be loud and boisterous and in your face--you know, Italian. It's pricey, sure, but I mean, welcome to restaurants. If you want a better experience, you pay a higher premium (unless you're at Lavomatic, but don't even get me started on that place). And these people who would have you believe the food is so-so at best? Where do they do the majority of their dining? Manhattan? Sicily? The food is great, really, and there's lots of it. The service is uniformly good, even chummy. The seating is comfortable, the decorating, as I said, entertaining. I have very little bad to say about it, except perhaps that it can get quite loud and that the bread is the one exception to the fantastic menu. It's not bad, exactly, it's just... bread. And nothing else. But these are the extent of my complaints, so I'll let that speak for itself.
(5)Nick A.
If you don't mind BED BUGS, by all means please go to this restaurant. We had one on our MENU plain as day. The manager CONFIRMED it was in fact a bed bug at our table. My fiance first told the bartender who asked to have the bug passed to him OVER THE LIQUOR AND ENTIRE BAR! They didn't even offer to move us to another table!! They clearly have a problem and are not telling their customers. We were completely disrespected when we called the "vice president" to complain. And he suggested WE MAY HAVE BROUGHT THEM IN!! The bugs came from the HOST STAND!! Do not go here unless you want to expose your family to bed bugs. The servers are rude and it sounded like a bar inside. STAY AWAY!!
(1)Rick F.
I'm Italian I should not be eating at places like this. BUT I love it! the atmosphere, the kitschiness, the pope table, the table in the kitchen. The food actually pretty good for an americanized version. I love the salad amazing. The chicken limone was great, the fettuccini leaves a little bit to be desired! Bread should be warmed and butter should be soft. The pictures the bathroom all fun!
(4)Danan R.
HUGE portions so bring a friend (or two!). A small pasta will easily feed 3. The food itself is surprisingly decent for a chain, and I was happy with the baked ziti, which is made with a creamy rosa sauce and finished with mozzarella and a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Yes, it's a chain but the ambiance and decor are unapologetically eclectic and tongue-in-cheek and the large portions are fun to share in that they are even larger than the Cheesecake Factory's. It's definitely not for the diet-conscious but then again, who doesn't love a filling Italian meal full of carb-loaded pasta and bread?
(3)Heather L.
Went here for the first time at the request of a friend for his bday. I'm an Italian snob being from the north east so was Leary of a chain Italian place. I started with a raspberry Italian cream soda which was yummy. He had the spiked lemonade which was good and you keep the glass. The waitress didn't bring the bread out until right before the meal, which sucked since we were starving (&mind you this was not at a busy time of day). For dinner I ordered the gnocchi which had a nice creamy vodka sauce. Yes large portion, I understand the family dining concept, but ive been places with similar portions at half the price. He had the chicken Marsala, which he loved, but I tasted and to me it was meh. All in all to me it's a novelty dining experience and that's what you're paying higher prices for.
(3)Jason M.
Very enjoyable meal. Awesome eclectic decor. 6 hungry college 19-20 year olds fed well. Pleasant enjoyable meal. Enjoyed the warm spinach and tomato salad. Huge! Meatballs. Lots of leftovers. Large serving of fettuccine chicken. Would have fed 5 easily
(4)C S.
Excellent service, food and ambiance in general. Special thanks to one of the hostesses who went out of her way to help me find my phone!!! I can't remember her name, but I'll be calling the manager to tell him she is AMAZING! Love it!
(5)Allison B.
Buca is always a lot of fun with a large group of people. My husband and I swung by last week for a dinner for just the two of us. Of course, I had forgotten that the portions were so massive that we had to agree on a single dish, which was disappointing, however his selection of the cheese ravioli was delicious. I ordered the calamari appetizer which you can never go wrong with and it went great on the ravioli, too. Overall, a good time. Service was attentive and the food was yummy.
(4)Alexander D.
The effort put into decorating this place is amazing. The waiter was very friendly and the food was great. This is also where my boyfriend took me to ask me out officially after a few dates. It will be a place I hold close for as long as possible.
(5)Jason B.
With some restaurants it's all about the food. And with others it's all about the dining experience. And with still others...well, they don't quite know what they're all about. I present to you Buca di Beppo. Oftentimes referred to as Buca's , this restaurant/circus sideshow/memorial to cheap, tacky taste is nestled in a corner of Rookwood Commons. I have absolutely no idea how to describe the interior. Pictures of all shapes and sizes from all sorts of time periods featuring all types of different scenes litter the walls. As do cheap decorations (most of which are difficult to describe) made of plastic, or glass, or wood, or a combination of all three. You've got Christmas lights, fake ivory leaves, and other borderline junk hanging on the walls. There are numerous places to sit; the bar, the main dining room, a couple of banquet rooms in the back, and even the kitchen. Yep, they've got a chef's table where you have the opportunity to sit in the kitchen and watch them fix the food. Though to be honest, I don't understand why anybody would want to do that. That's like having a front row seat to your own conception. Not very appealing. Seating ranges from booths, to rounds, to long banquet style tables with stiff, uncomfortable, wooden chairs. Then you got the food. Authentic Italian it is not. Disgusting swill it is not. Like a lot of self-described "genuine" Italian eateries, Buca's food is a watered-down, Americanized version of Italian fare. That's not to say the food is bad, because it really isn't. It's actually okay. Pretty tasty, but very heavy on grease and cheese. I mean I love cheese and all, but wow, a bit much sometimes. Servings are family-style, meaning that you don't order individual meals per person, but instead just one dish for the entire table (or maybe two dishes depending on the size of your party), and enough of that dish is brought to feed everybody. Of course this means the costs can be a bit crazy. But depending on what dish you order (I'd go with the Chopped Antipasta Salad, Lasagna, Baked Rigatoni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Shrimp Fra Diavolo) it can be worth it. Overall, this is a pretty decent place. Not overly great. But it certainly doesn't suck. I've always enjoyed it when I've visited. But that's because my expectations are never all that high. Quick note; I love the Pope Room. It's a little enclosed booth with a bust of John Paul encased in glass on a little round thingy that turns and gives the late Pontiff a 360-degree look to the table. You would think it would be creepy, but not so much. Mahalo, and enjoy.
(3)Dave D.
Pretty good family style Italian. SamAdams on tap is a plus for the Noble Pils. Trying the kitchen booth next time. Looks fun.
(3)Alex S.
I've been here 3 times, and haven't had one bad experience! The help is enthusiastic and energetic, the food is flavorful and a fantastic value, and is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area, and is, in my opinion, even better than Maggiano's.
(5)Elisa O.
Me and my friends ate here to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a party of 12 and paid separately... I had a coupon that I was really excited to use for a free small. When it came time to pay the waitress told me that I couldn't use it because another couple at our table( who paid separately) used a $2 off coupon... I think this rule is ridiculous. It's something they should change. It's a rule that is going to change my mind about coming here in the future.
(2)G K.
My fiance, daughter and I visited here tonight! We enjoyed it! Jessica was our server! She was GREAT! Kept our drinks filled and introduced me to a fabulous yet simple dip for our bread! Food was plentiful and good! We'll be back soon! Thanks for a great first visit!
(5)Kaylee H.
I think 2 stars is generous. I would rate this a 1.5 star. I rounded up because the inside was clean. This place is a sad example of an Italian restaurant. I went with a big group (there were 10 of us) and the food was not very good. I would rank this place on par with a bad Olive Garden. The apple gorgonzola salad was completely overdressed, and there were rather large clumps of cinnamon in the dressing. The supremo italiano pizza was incredibly greasy, salty, and clumsily executed. It was so drenched in grease that the pizza dough lost all integrity and everybody at the table ended up eating it with a fork and knife since nobody could pick it up. The veal saltimboca tasted like it was was wrapped not in proscuitto as was advertised on the menu, but with something more like canadian ham. The platter had 5 very thin pieces of veal on the plate, which was disappointing. The chicken rigatoni was the only dish that we ordered that was decent. I think it was partly because this is a very hard dish to mess up. The pasta had nice chew to it, and was well cooked. The peas clearly came from a freezer, though, because they were more dried out than normal, and looked a little freezer-burnt. For dessert, we had a giant sundae with brownies. The brownies were disappointing. I think the batter was overmixed, because they were like little hockey pucks that had chocolate chips in them. Service was fine when we saw the waitress, but I think it was super understaffed beacause this poor woman was running around like a crazy person. We also didn't get any bread on the table until halfway into the meal, even though we asked for it early. The waitress told us that the kitchen had run out of bread. The decor is kitchy and fine, and it was entertaining to look at all the pictures in the frames. As I was walking around, I noticed that there was one table that looked like it was in a cathedral, and the walls of the whole room was covered by pictures of popes. In fact, there was a life sized bust of the pope sitting in the middle of the table. I was super glad that I wasn't sitting there, because it was just so weird. Imagine trying to eat while the pope is staring back at you. Overall, this was not a place that I would ever choose for an event (somebody else made the decision to go here today, I had no say in the matter).
(2)Mary N.
The food is good, but I hate being dragged through their kitchen and being told the same story of the restaurant. Last time I asked if we could pass on it because we've been multiple times before and they refused. Quite rude.
(3)Jim T.
Spoke with Amy the general manager and I could tell that she and Buca both really do care about customer experience. I applaud such efforts to maintain standards and treat each guest like a VIP. It's rare to find a restaurant or any business for that matter that is as concerned about customer experience. Bucas has always been a wonderful place and I'll continue to go and recommend them.
(5)Magda C.
I think of this place as McDonald's for pasta/pizza, so my expectations were not high. The interior is rather kitch, so I prefered to take away. We had spicy Arrabiata pizza and a DiBeppio salad. Pizza was OK, very greasy and bit too hot, but it was fine. The salad was all about the quantity, not quality. Tons of onion, unpeeled hard cucumber, chunks of those flavourless tomatoes you can get in a supermarket all year long (the ones that taste like cold potatoes) topped with cheap wanna-be-Feta and cheap salami. Well....
(2)Jeremy R.
My girlfriend had raved about Bucca's famous food so we decided to head there one night before a movie. When we arrived the service was okay from the stewardess; however, once we had our seats it took 30 minutes to get bread and our food came 45 minutes after ordering. The food here is excellent but I was really let down with the poor service by the waiters (waitresses).
(2)William F.
Went on New Years Eve with the family (3 kids) and were seated right away with our reservation. Tiffany was our server and did a great job. We ordered a large Caesar salad. It was very large and tasted great. We also had the large chicken parm. Tasted good, but could have use a bit more cheese and sauce. We tried the garlic shrimp linguini. It was very good and the small version was enough for us all to try it. The kids said that they had a great time and enjoyed the food which is a win in my book.
(4)Brandee B.
This was my first time ever at this restuarant and I brought my appetite! sshh, don't tell my diet... ;) As you walk in, they take you through the kitchen and show you around. They are very ecclectic with different memorabilia on the walls as well as a pope table that rotates. Its very kitsch or odd...however you choose to view it. We sat at a regular table and since it is family style you receive big portions of everything. The downside of that is if someone doesnt want to share or want what you want. Luckily, we were both easy, so we got the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, the stuffed chicken with mozzerella, and ham on a pesto cream sauce and the pasta sampler which included cannolli, manicotti, ravioli, and shells. It was divine..soooo much cheesy goodness! We barely had enough to take home. Next time I hope to try the dessert.
(3)Andrew P.
When I go to an Italian Restaurant I am expecting a good value for my money. Comfort food at an affordable price. I received neither. We ordered the veal parm and chicken carbonara along with a salad. There were three of us. We also had an appetizer of meatballs. The veal was gristly. The spaghetti with the carbonara was over cooked and really bland. The lettuce with the salad was rusty. The meatballs were good but not great. We ordered no alcohol and there were three of us. It cost $90 before tip. WAY overpriced in my opinion. The service was pleasant prompt and friendly which is why I give it two stars but I would not go back.
(2)Robin B.
Probably good for groups who don't care too much about the quality of the food. The atmosphere is kitchy and the hostess was great, but our server was not. She left us hanging for a while waiting for the check. We finally asked another guy, who turned out to be a manager from another location training there. He said he couldn't find her, but brought us our check. When he was running our cards, our server finally came back and asked if we wanted the check. Maybe she was taking a long break? The manager stayed talking while we were filling in the tip, probably to over compensate for his poor counterpart, but I didn't enjoy him standing over my shoulder.
(3)Glenn W.
I've been to Buca di Beppo in Westlake, Ohio before - which truly IS in the buca (cellar), but I think Cincinnati/Norwood Buca has more "life" and charm. Very spacious with a winding path through the complex dining room layout. Lively and fun - great people-watching! Seems much larger and open than the other restaurant. Same reliable menu of authentic Italian dishes in family-size portions. Prosciutto stuffed chicken breasts and Penne San Remo were our choices this time. Super service, even on a busy Valentine's weekend. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Melissa J.
My first time here. I really enjoyed it. The servings are HUGE. I ordered Fettuccini Alfredo in small and I'm fairly sure I could've fed a small village. They have Pepsi products (it doesn't say anywhere). Someone else ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs are HUGE and taste great! For dinner we were in there just a little over an hour. The rooms are so wonderfully kitchy decorated. Enjoyed walking through the kitchen on the way to the table as well. It was my birthday and they sang for me and brought me a candle. I would go back.
(4)Doug S.
Alright, gave them one more chance. I'm going to make this short & sweet: Service - pretty solid, very friendly, but not the timeliest refills and check-ups Food - really just okay. nothing special. when you consider the price, below average Ambiance - i like the different areas and themes I would give it 3 stars as it's "alright", but at their price point, they are at the bottom of the list of places I'd choose when spending that money.
(2)Chris S.
Overall the food was ok. They seemed to be understaffed both times I've been to this restaurant. It took over 40 minutes to receive my drink, I actually went to the bar myself to get my drink on my last visit. Not the best beer selection. Overall they are friendly but slow and the restaurant was clean.
(2)Gretchen B.
My rating is really 3.5 stars. One of the few places that can accommodate a large group of people. Family style portions are fun. Food is good, not superb, but not bad either. Service was slow for our group of 3 but this is a huge place and they were busy so it was understandable. I would return, especially with a big group, for a fun evening. Reservations definitely recommended!
(3)Mark K.
My 4th time at Buca and this was the best. The other three were just "ok". I find the menu is a little overwhelming and it's best to stick with simple dishes. We ordered the shrimp linguine with a side of marinara. It was awesome!
(3)Lou Ann L.
This was our 2nd time here and it was just as delicious as the first time! Had plenty of leftovers to take home too! All of the staff were friendly, anytime any of them went past our table they ask if we needed anything. Loved the atmosphere & Decor!!!
(5)Kimberly U.
Went here a few weeks ago. The place seems awesome, looks like a great place where you could have a lot of fun... it just didn't happen for us. Even though my boyfriend and I ordered about $60 worth of food, the waiter acted like he couldn't have been more ready to get us out of there. I was really excited, mentioned that it was a special occasion even, but no sympathy to it being my first experience. It looks like it has the potential to be great with a big party. You might get slighted if your party's less than 4, though.
(3)Toree C.
Buca was a fun experience. Our server was friendly and helpful which made for a pleasant visit. The fact that they take reservations gives them high marks in my book. The portions and seating make it perfect for large groups and the atmosphere is conducive for it as well. The food tasted good, but it is overpriced. I would return for lunch or with a large group for a night out.
(3)Julie H.
Buca is a good place for a big get together. I went during an off peak hour during a weekend with a long time friend. My friend and I ordered a small dish to share. We still had leftovers to take home. You get your bang for your buck here. I love the food...amazing and delish.
(4)Andrew Y.
Family style servings = good. Prices = okay. Food = not so great. The service on both visits to the establishments was adequate, but not what I'd call good.
(3)David M.
Buca is a go to for any group dinner. The servers really know how to handle large parties (10+). The food is amazing and you really can't go wrong with anything. The portions are family style so sharing is your best bet. My favorite is the spicy chicken rigatoni but I haven't had anything I didn't like. I usually try to avoid the pizza because it is so greasy... Make a reservation and go early to take advantage of very reasonable drink prices at the bar.
(5)Andrew H.
The food was fantastic, as it is every time I'm at this restaurant but the service was lacking just this last time I was there, otherwise would've been a 4, maybe even a 5, star review. I rarely ever tip less than 20% and typically give around 23-25% but whenever we needed anything our server was no where to be found, and I mean to order we had to wait another 15 minutes for him after he gave us our drinks, he gave us our bread and it was cold, once he gave us our food we didn't see him until we were done, not even to ask if our food was good(but of course if was good) and asked for a coffee which took another 15 minutes. Then once we had our coffee it took about a half hour before we saw him to get our check which if course took 10 more minutes. It was to the point where I was debating "should I just dine and dash?" And you may think oh this guy is just needy and was there on a busy night, but noooo, it was an extremely slow night. There wasn't even a wait for our table(which for a Buca is pretty amazing). I'll still chalk this up to just a server on a bad night though. But if it happens again I'm done with it.
(3)Ann L.
The place looks really cool. I'm all about the images - and they really have some cool ones. I love the fact that they walk you through on a tour on your way to your seat. We went with a group and had a super time. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the food. Definitely get a Cannoli for dessert.
(4)Rasha A.
OMG the portions.... Let me tell you about the portions. BIG. It really huge. It was our first time and decided to go after my sisters graduation. So our waitress was really sweet and I think her name was Amanda. She warned us ahead that the portions were really big but we were naive. So we ordered for each person am entree. There was four of us. We ordered the spicy pasta, chicken paramogenii, meatballs, another kind of pasta and lots of side cheese bread.we ordered all of them in larges. Ohhh my god the portions. We felt like kings eating. We had so much to take home, the food was great. Ten my brother asked the waitress to sing a happy graduation to my sister and she said okay and brought out so many othe waitress and try started singing for her and gve her the famous ice cream sundae (which mind you has 12 brownies in it) it was awesome. Finally the waitress came over and started to talk to is for a whole hour she was so personable an sweet. We enjoyed it and will be back
(4)Jamie A.
I love Buca. My fiance loves Buca. My parents and sister love Buca. We all go together a few times a year - to celebrate birthdays or the fact that my mother has once again bought a million gift cards during Kroger's 4x fuel points. We went again last night to celebrate my dad's birthday. My fiance and I arrived about an hour early to have a drink at the bar. It's just our thing. We got there at 5 - and the place was actually pretty dead (on a Saturday night). There was no one at the bar but 2 bartenders working. They were super friendly and chatty and it was fun to joke around for them for a bit. I had a glass of Reisling and my fiance had a Long Beach Iced Tea. Both were excellent. Our reservation was at 6 and they seated us right away once the rest of our group arrived. The place was starting to fill up by then. We were led through the kitchen (per usual) and to one of the back rooms. Our waitress came right away to take our drink orders. I don't remember her name but she was excellent. Buca is family style - so the portions are huge and the large dishes are enough to feed about 4-6 people. Since my mother always has gift cards and coupons, we always order way too much and take home the leftovers! It IS a little pricey. Normally, for the 5 of us, we wind up with a bill around 100 bucks. We had the Caesar Salad (my favorite salad), Chicken Parmesan (my dad's favorite and it's delicious), Baked Rigatoni (it has spicy sausage and definitely has a little kick to it!), some meatballs (the size of softballs), and some cheesy garlic bread. I think that all of their food is really good. I've never had bad food or a bad experience. In the past, we've also had their ravioli, lasagna, and a few of the other chicken dishes. Everything is always delicious. I've never saved room for dessert. Buca is the kind of place where I eat until I hate myself and feel like I might die. But, it's so good and so worth it for an occasional splurge. Make sure you check out all of the crazy decor on the walls. There are some really interesting and bizarre things. Oh, and take a Zantac before you go.
(5)Jim S.
I've only been here once, but my 2 star rating is based on the food, not the service. No complaints with the servers. They were all polite and prompt. The food however was disappointing. I went with family, 9 people ordering various dishes, so I feel I had a good sample of what they offer. I honestly did not find any of it good. Not even the iced tea. The food was bland, tea weak. There are good Italian restaurants in Cincinnati, this unfortunately isn't one of them.
(2)Sandra F.
This is ideal for groups. The meals are for family sizes which you still have leftovers to take home. I really enjoy just the spaghetti and meatballs with bread. I am not too fond of the Tiramasu, the rum taste was overwhelming. I love the atmosphere which is a eclectic style of bohemian chic meets italian. Service is good and pricing is reasonable. I know this is a chain restaurant and wouldn't consider it 100% pure italian, but the food is great and really enjoy coming here with friends/family.
(4)Scott N.
Lots of food... I think that sums it up. Service has always been very good, so that's a plus. Overall, there is nothing special about the food. It's not bad, it's not great... it's A-OK. The photos in the restaurant are great... so good for putting their ambience foot forward. We have meetings here often so I really don't need the kitchen tour anymore. We do end up at the godfather table, which is nice and isolated so it works well for meetings. I would never come here for a personal dinner or dinner with a small group. There are much better italian restaurants in the city. Carry out was not accurately delivered, so check it before you leave.
(3)David C.
The food at Bucca has always been very prompt, tasty and cooked perfectly. I've been to this location twice, and have had good service both times. I've mostly eaten the pasta dishes - the bruschetta as an appetizer is a must. Great garlic-y taste! The 4-star review: the 3-hour party limit. With a large group, it would be great if you could reserve a longer time period. This option may be offered, but both times I've felt rushed to leave by the restaurant. I would reccommend this restaurant - great food, fun atmosphere - just be aware you might get the boot from Bucca.
(4)Michael H.
I decided to have kind of a late night dinner by myself. I went to the bar 40 minutes prior to closing and the bartender was finishing his shift. He graciously got me my beer, but then told me he was leaving and someone else would place my order. I should've left at that point terrible service overpriced food for a single diner and the server who acted as a "" bartender Should not have been allowed to take over for the bar.
(2)Nigel C.
Mostly visit during quite afternoons off and enjoy a relaxing meal, but after a long weekend decided should treat myself. So a Sunday night I was thinking would be busy and things may take a little longer. Walking in the lobby was empty at 6 PM maybe others knew better than me. From beginning to end was the worst. Had to ask three time for our bread basket to start. Food took forever, I mean tables sat after us got served. Server seemed more intent on the larger tables. Other food runners seemed to be doing all her work. The shirts on the food runners were dirty. Had they been there all day? Every time we ask fro something it seemed like they were doing us a big favour. At the end we ordered cheese cake to go an that took 20 mins. We paid our tab and left on the way out wanted to speak to a manager but found a server hunched over the hostess stand I think asleep. So simply left.. Just seemed everyone was worn out. Lost count on how many plates I hear dropped. On a good note, I went to the bother of filling in the survey because someone should know what happened .Glad to say they responded promptly and at sometime may be back
(1)Rachel R.
I'm slightly torn between 3 and 4 stars, but I'll give them the benifit of the doubt. If you're wanting that nice romantic candlelit italian place... this is not that. If you're looking to have a good time with a group of friends and gourge yourself on lots of good food, then this is more up your alley. Buca's is tacky. Striaght up in your face kitsch tackiness. They do not try to hide it... ever. I'm not really sure what color the walls are as there are crazy pictures of Italian celebrities and random junk (like bowling plaques) covering darn near every square inch. There's also crazy Italian music playing; think Musak in Italy. Its loud its big, you can seriously get lost. They have a kitchen table literally in the kitchen. They have no problem offering tours through said kitchen either. The alcohol selection is good and the food selection even better. Yes. It's pricey. You will pay for extras, like a side of marinara or extra sauce when the kitchen skimped on the sauce for the Fruitti de Mare to begin with, but the food is oh so delicious! And they offer tons of choices! from pork to beef to chicken to marina to alfredo to vinegar sauces. All family style, so go with at least 3 people unless you're planning expensive leftovers. If you're planning on going on a weekend, you should call ahead for a reservation. This place does take parties and lots of them. Even if you're coming with 4-6 people, it might be worth it. It's really hit or miss with getting a table honestly. You can always stroll around the mall too if it's going to be a wait.
(4)Ashley H.
I went here recently to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She seemed to enjoy herself, which I was happy about, but personally, I wasn't that impressed. Two of the stars go to the terrific service we received, which really made the experience better than it could have been. The atmosphere was like any other chain restaurant (think Max & Erma's, Applebee's, etc.), and the entrees were kind of hit-or-miss. One other thing that bumped up the rating was the desserts. We got the assorted tray for our large group and it was AMAZING; cheesecake, tiramisu, the biggest piece of chocolate cake you've ever seen. I'd probably go back and just order that again.
(3)Benjamin W.
There are definitely a few reviews that indicate bad experiences at Buca. I have been to this Buca many times, and I have never had experiences such as those described here. If you are new to Buca, I would still give them a chance, because it can be quite an enjoyable experience. The menu is laid out in family-style servings. This can be inconvenient if you are there as a couple, or an individual, but it works out well if you come as a group. Admittedly, I rarely go to Buca without a group. That's part of the appeal, frankly. My most recent visit was to celebrate my birthday. A group of about 15 of us met there, and we were seated in the Godfather room. Our server did a great job of getting our food out, all of our orders were correct, and we had a wonderful time. They even let us bring in our own cake, as long as it was store-bought. I have had slow service at this Buca before, though it is usually rare. As with any restaurant, you can have slow service on occasion, especially in a setting designed to attract larger groups. Most of the time though, the service is great, and the food is always tasty. I cannot deny though, there is some truth that the menu tends to be Americanized Italian, vs. more authentic recipies.
(4)Seb R.
Buca is a great place to go with large groups of people. If you are looking for a more intimate Italian place (such as for a date) I would recommend Betta's. But if you are looking for a better Italian style meal that is good for groups of people 4+ (all the way up to 20-ish), then Buca is your place. Family style portions is what makes me pretty happy. Always something on the menu that sounds good. The linguine frutti de mare with shrimp and mussels are a huge hit with my family. The eggplant parmiggiana is also very tasty. But my favorite thing there is the tiramisu. I'm a fan of most things from Buca, but I would very much stay away from their pizza. Papa John's, Donatos and LaRosa's has them beat on that.
(4)Reese M.
My wife and kids stopped in for dinner. We haven't ate at a Buca di Beppos' since we lived in Arizona a few years ago. So it's an establishment we've missed. Our service was definitely 5 star service. The waiter was patient, kept our drinks full, was polite. The food was pretty good, not as good as I remember it, but very good. We were seated quickly. Food came out quickly. Overall, not a bad experience. If your in the Norwood area, I recommend going here at least once.
(4)Rick F.
I'm Italian I should not be eating at places like this. BUT I love it! the atmosphere, the kitschiness, the pope table, the table in the kitchen. The food actually pretty good for an americanized version. I love the salad amazing. The chicken limone was great, the fettuccini leaves a little bit to be desired! Bread should be warmed and butter should be soft. The pictures the bathroom all fun!
(4)Heather L.
Went here for the first time at the request of a friend for his bday. I'm an Italian snob being from the north east so was Leary of a chain Italian place. I started with a raspberry Italian cream soda which was yummy. He had the spiked lemonade which was good and you keep the glass. The waitress didn't bring the bread out until right before the meal, which sucked since we were starving (&mind you this was not at a busy time of day). For dinner I ordered the gnocchi which had a nice creamy vodka sauce. Yes large portion, I understand the family dining concept, but ive been places with similar portions at half the price. He had the chicken Marsala, which he loved, but I tasted and to me it was meh. All in all to me it's a novelty dining experience and that's what you're paying higher prices for.
(3)Allison B.
Buca is always a lot of fun with a large group of people. My husband and I swung by last week for a dinner for just the two of us. Of course, I had forgotten that the portions were so massive that we had to agree on a single dish, which was disappointing, however his selection of the cheese ravioli was delicious. I ordered the calamari appetizer which you can never go wrong with and it went great on the ravioli, too. Overall, a good time. Service was attentive and the food was yummy.
(4)Alexander D.
The effort put into decorating this place is amazing. The waiter was very friendly and the food was great. This is also where my boyfriend took me to ask me out officially after a few dates. It will be a place I hold close for as long as possible.
(5)J O.
The food is always good here. The reason I only give two stars is that we waited over half an hour for a table while we sat there looking at at least three empty, increased tables. They seemed unprepared and overwhelmed. And it's freezing in here!!! Uncomfortable and annoying to the point I want to leave!
(2)Ryan M.
This family portions restaurant is an awesome place. The food has a good flavor. The portions are obviously huge. I really like the pizzas the most because I'm not much of a pasta guy but even their pastas are good. have never had a bad dish from here. The decor is real vintage and interesting. This place can get super packed so if you have a table over 4, I would make a reservation. The staff is very professional and handle the busy chaos like pros.
(4)Joel L.
I celebrated my birthday here and it was fantastic. We sat in the kitchen table. The Italian Wedding Soup is fantastic. Buca discontinued it but guess they brought it back. The service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh and tasted great. I had a great bday dinner here.
(5)Hollyann H.
My mother and her boy(man)friend are always raving about Buca di Beppo, so when they came down to Cincinnati they finally dragged me to it for dinner one night. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants so I was expecting total disappointment. From what my mother was telling me it just sounded like an Italian TGI Fridays. The restaurant was clean, interesting decorated walls, and a decent atmosphere. It wasn't too loud and obnoxious. The big family servings were pretty neat. I enjoyed that. The food wasn't anything that blew me away. However, the dessert that was a giant sundae was the best thing. But how can you go wrong with a giant sundae that's bigger than your head? You can't. I don't think I would go here anytime by myself or with my friends, but I feel like this is a really good place for family dinners.
(3)Alicia B.
There is a major discrepancy of tastiness here. Some things are great and others aren't. The apple, cranberry, gorgonzola salad is pretty perfect. So is the eggplant parmesan. Many things are only so-so though.
(3)Elisa O.
Me and my friends ate here to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a party of 12 and paid separately... I had a coupon that I was really excited to use for a free small. When it came time to pay the waitress told me that I couldn't use it because another couple at our table( who paid separately) used a $2 off coupon... I think this rule is ridiculous. It's something they should change. It's a rule that is going to change my mind about coming here in the future.
(2)G K.
My fiance, daughter and I visited here tonight! We enjoyed it! Jessica was our server! She was GREAT! Kept our drinks filled and introduced me to a fabulous yet simple dip for our bread! Food was plentiful and good! We'll be back soon! Thanks for a great first visit!
(5)Jeremy R.
My girlfriend had raved about Bucca's famous food so we decided to head there one night before a movie. When we arrived the service was okay from the stewardess; however, once we had our seats it took 30 minutes to get bread and our food came 45 minutes after ordering. The food here is excellent but I was really let down with the poor service by the waiters (waitresses).
(2)Kaylee H.
I think 2 stars is generous. I would rate this a 1.5 star. I rounded up because the inside was clean. This place is a sad example of an Italian restaurant. I went with a big group (there were 10 of us) and the food was not very good. I would rank this place on par with a bad Olive Garden. The apple gorgonzola salad was completely overdressed, and there were rather large clumps of cinnamon in the dressing. The supremo italiano pizza was incredibly greasy, salty, and clumsily executed. It was so drenched in grease that the pizza dough lost all integrity and everybody at the table ended up eating it with a fork and knife since nobody could pick it up. The veal saltimboca tasted like it was was wrapped not in proscuitto as was advertised on the menu, but with something more like canadian ham. The platter had 5 very thin pieces of veal on the plate, which was disappointing. The chicken rigatoni was the only dish that we ordered that was decent. I think it was partly because this is a very hard dish to mess up. The pasta had nice chew to it, and was well cooked. The peas clearly came from a freezer, though, because they were more dried out than normal, and looked a little freezer-burnt. For dessert, we had a giant sundae with brownies. The brownies were disappointing. I think the batter was overmixed, because they were like little hockey pucks that had chocolate chips in them. Service was fine when we saw the waitress, but I think it was super understaffed beacause this poor woman was running around like a crazy person. We also didn't get any bread on the table until halfway into the meal, even though we asked for it early. The waitress told us that the kitchen had run out of bread. The decor is kitchy and fine, and it was entertaining to look at all the pictures in the frames. As I was walking around, I noticed that there was one table that looked like it was in a cathedral, and the walls of the whole room was covered by pictures of popes. In fact, there was a life sized bust of the pope sitting in the middle of the table. I was super glad that I wasn't sitting there, because it was just so weird. Imagine trying to eat while the pope is staring back at you. Overall, this was not a place that I would ever choose for an event (somebody else made the decision to go here today, I had no say in the matter).
(2)Mary N.
The food is good, but I hate being dragged through their kitchen and being told the same story of the restaurant. Last time I asked if we could pass on it because we've been multiple times before and they refused. Quite rude.
(3)Jim T.
Spoke with Amy the general manager and I could tell that she and Buca both really do care about customer experience. I applaud such efforts to maintain standards and treat each guest like a VIP. It's rare to find a restaurant or any business for that matter that is as concerned about customer experience. Bucas has always been a wonderful place and I'll continue to go and recommend them.
(5)Magda C.
I think of this place as McDonald's for pasta/pizza, so my expectations were not high. The interior is rather kitch, so I prefered to take away. We had spicy Arrabiata pizza and a DiBeppio salad. Pizza was OK, very greasy and bit too hot, but it was fine. The salad was all about the quantity, not quality. Tons of onion, unpeeled hard cucumber, chunks of those flavourless tomatoes you can get in a supermarket all year long (the ones that taste like cold potatoes) topped with cheap wanna-be-Feta and cheap salami. Well....
(2)William F.
Went on New Years Eve with the family (3 kids) and were seated right away with our reservation. Tiffany was our server and did a great job. We ordered a large Caesar salad. It was very large and tasted great. We also had the large chicken parm. Tasted good, but could have use a bit more cheese and sauce. We tried the garlic shrimp linguini. It was very good and the small version was enough for us all to try it. The kids said that they had a great time and enjoyed the food which is a win in my book.
(4)Brandee B.
This was my first time ever at this restuarant and I brought my appetite! sshh, don't tell my diet... ;) As you walk in, they take you through the kitchen and show you around. They are very ecclectic with different memorabilia on the walls as well as a pope table that rotates. Its very kitsch or odd...however you choose to view it. We sat at a regular table and since it is family style you receive big portions of everything. The downside of that is if someone doesnt want to share or want what you want. Luckily, we were both easy, so we got the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, the stuffed chicken with mozzerella, and ham on a pesto cream sauce and the pasta sampler which included cannolli, manicotti, ravioli, and shells. It was divine..soooo much cheesy goodness! We barely had enough to take home. Next time I hope to try the dessert.
(3)Andrew P.
When I go to an Italian Restaurant I am expecting a good value for my money. Comfort food at an affordable price. I received neither. We ordered the veal parm and chicken carbonara along with a salad. There were three of us. We also had an appetizer of meatballs. The veal was gristly. The spaghetti with the carbonara was over cooked and really bland. The lettuce with the salad was rusty. The meatballs were good but not great. We ordered no alcohol and there were three of us. It cost $90 before tip. WAY overpriced in my opinion. The service was pleasant prompt and friendly which is why I give it two stars but I would not go back.
(2)Robin B.
Probably good for groups who don't care too much about the quality of the food. The atmosphere is kitchy and the hostess was great, but our server was not. She left us hanging for a while waiting for the check. We finally asked another guy, who turned out to be a manager from another location training there. He said he couldn't find her, but brought us our check. When he was running our cards, our server finally came back and asked if we wanted the check. Maybe she was taking a long break? The manager stayed talking while we were filling in the tip, probably to over compensate for his poor counterpart, but I didn't enjoy him standing over my shoulder.
(3)Glenn W.
I've been to Buca di Beppo in Westlake, Ohio before - which truly IS in the buca (cellar), but I think Cincinnati/Norwood Buca has more "life" and charm. Very spacious with a winding path through the complex dining room layout. Lively and fun - great people-watching! Seems much larger and open than the other restaurant. Same reliable menu of authentic Italian dishes in family-size portions. Prosciutto stuffed chicken breasts and Penne San Remo were our choices this time. Super service, even on a busy Valentine's weekend. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Melissa J.
My first time here. I really enjoyed it. The servings are HUGE. I ordered Fettuccini Alfredo in small and I'm fairly sure I could've fed a small village. They have Pepsi products (it doesn't say anywhere). Someone else ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs are HUGE and taste great! For dinner we were in there just a little over an hour. The rooms are so wonderfully kitchy decorated. Enjoyed walking through the kitchen on the way to the table as well. It was my birthday and they sang for me and brought me a candle. I would go back.
(4)Doug S.
Alright, gave them one more chance. I'm going to make this short & sweet: Service - pretty solid, very friendly, but not the timeliest refills and check-ups Food - really just okay. nothing special. when you consider the price, below average Ambiance - i like the different areas and themes I would give it 3 stars as it's "alright", but at their price point, they are at the bottom of the list of places I'd choose when spending that money.
(2)Chris S.
Overall the food was ok. They seemed to be understaffed both times I've been to this restaurant. It took over 40 minutes to receive my drink, I actually went to the bar myself to get my drink on my last visit. Not the best beer selection. Overall they are friendly but slow and the restaurant was clean.
(2)Gretchen B.
My rating is really 3.5 stars. One of the few places that can accommodate a large group of people. Family style portions are fun. Food is good, not superb, but not bad either. Service was slow for our group of 3 but this is a huge place and they were busy so it was understandable. I would return, especially with a big group, for a fun evening. Reservations definitely recommended!
(3)Mark K.
My 4th time at Buca and this was the best. The other three were just "ok". I find the menu is a little overwhelming and it's best to stick with simple dishes. We ordered the shrimp linguine with a side of marinara. It was awesome!
(3)Lou Ann L.
This was our 2nd time here and it was just as delicious as the first time! Had plenty of leftovers to take home too! All of the staff were friendly, anytime any of them went past our table they ask if we needed anything. Loved the atmosphere & Decor!!!
(5)Kimberly U.
Went here a few weeks ago. The place seems awesome, looks like a great place where you could have a lot of fun... it just didn't happen for us. Even though my boyfriend and I ordered about $60 worth of food, the waiter acted like he couldn't have been more ready to get us out of there. I was really excited, mentioned that it was a special occasion even, but no sympathy to it being my first experience. It looks like it has the potential to be great with a big party. You might get slighted if your party's less than 4, though.
(3)Toree C.
Buca was a fun experience. Our server was friendly and helpful which made for a pleasant visit. The fact that they take reservations gives them high marks in my book. The portions and seating make it perfect for large groups and the atmosphere is conducive for it as well. The food tasted good, but it is overpriced. I would return for lunch or with a large group for a night out.
(3)Julie H.
Buca is a good place for a big get together. I went during an off peak hour during a weekend with a long time friend. My friend and I ordered a small dish to share. We still had leftovers to take home. You get your bang for your buck here. I love the food...amazing and delish.
(4)Andrew Y.
Family style servings = good. Prices = okay. Food = not so great. The service on both visits to the establishments was adequate, but not what I'd call good.
(3)David M.
Buca is a go to for any group dinner. The servers really know how to handle large parties (10+). The food is amazing and you really can't go wrong with anything. The portions are family style so sharing is your best bet. My favorite is the spicy chicken rigatoni but I haven't had anything I didn't like. I usually try to avoid the pizza because it is so greasy... Make a reservation and go early to take advantage of very reasonable drink prices at the bar.
(5)Benjamin W.
There are definitely a few reviews that indicate bad experiences at Buca. I have been to this Buca many times, and I have never had experiences such as those described here. If you are new to Buca, I would still give them a chance, because it can be quite an enjoyable experience. The menu is laid out in family-style servings. This can be inconvenient if you are there as a couple, or an individual, but it works out well if you come as a group. Admittedly, I rarely go to Buca without a group. That's part of the appeal, frankly. My most recent visit was to celebrate my birthday. A group of about 15 of us met there, and we were seated in the Godfather room. Our server did a great job of getting our food out, all of our orders were correct, and we had a wonderful time. They even let us bring in our own cake, as long as it was store-bought. I have had slow service at this Buca before, though it is usually rare. As with any restaurant, you can have slow service on occasion, especially in a setting designed to attract larger groups. Most of the time though, the service is great, and the food is always tasty. I cannot deny though, there is some truth that the menu tends to be Americanized Italian, vs. more authentic recipies.
(4)Seb R.
Buca is a great place to go with large groups of people. If you are looking for a more intimate Italian place (such as for a date) I would recommend Betta's. But if you are looking for a better Italian style meal that is good for groups of people 4+ (all the way up to 20-ish), then Buca is your place. Family style portions is what makes me pretty happy. Always something on the menu that sounds good. The linguine frutti de mare with shrimp and mussels are a huge hit with my family. The eggplant parmiggiana is also very tasty. But my favorite thing there is the tiramisu. I'm a fan of most things from Buca, but I would very much stay away from their pizza. Papa John's, Donatos and LaRosa's has them beat on that.
(4)Rob K.
Birthday bash and we were seated in the "Wine Room." What is that, you may ask? To start with we didn't know we were seated in the wine room until we heard a few hosts and hostesses walking past with their next patrons pointing our direction and saying, "And this is the wine room where we have over 300 bottles of wine." In the ceiling. What a funly (yes to those grammarians out there, I meant funly) obnoxious group we were. Pitty the staff when we realized the 300 "bottles of wine" were actually 300 "wine bottles." Empty! Check it out. And there are actually 319, I think. Fun staff having a fun time. They earned their tip, and we were happy to up it. Family style is good, and eating 'till the brink of internal organs exploding can be fun, too. Do the servers have access to a forklift, if needed? Don't forget the tentacles. Crunchy!
(4)Kelly H.
Took a group of 16 for a birthday celebration. Had reservations at 4pm on a Saturday night with intention to avoid a crowd. It wasn't crowded but the service was terribly slow. Food was ok but I'd never take a large group again due to the service.
(3)Amina D.
We went on World Pasta day. It was awesome. We got a free side of spaghetti with our pasta order and a pack of imported spaghetti to make at home. The wild raspberry Italian soda was insanely good. Cheese ravioli with Alfredo sauce was awesome. Would have gotten a 5, but the server was slow and messed up our check.
(4)Jamie A.
I love Buca. My fiance loves Buca. My parents and sister love Buca. We all go together a few times a year - to celebrate birthdays or the fact that my mother has once again bought a million gift cards during Kroger's 4x fuel points. We went again last night to celebrate my dad's birthday. My fiance and I arrived about an hour early to have a drink at the bar. It's just our thing. We got there at 5 - and the place was actually pretty dead (on a Saturday night). There was no one at the bar but 2 bartenders working. They were super friendly and chatty and it was fun to joke around for them for a bit. I had a glass of Reisling and my fiance had a Long Beach Iced Tea. Both were excellent. Our reservation was at 6 and they seated us right away once the rest of our group arrived. The place was starting to fill up by then. We were led through the kitchen (per usual) and to one of the back rooms. Our waitress came right away to take our drink orders. I don't remember her name but she was excellent. Buca is family style - so the portions are huge and the large dishes are enough to feed about 4-6 people. Since my mother always has gift cards and coupons, we always order way too much and take home the leftovers! It IS a little pricey. Normally, for the 5 of us, we wind up with a bill around 100 bucks. We had the Caesar Salad (my favorite salad), Chicken Parmesan (my dad's favorite and it's delicious), Baked Rigatoni (it has spicy sausage and definitely has a little kick to it!), some meatballs (the size of softballs), and some cheesy garlic bread. I think that all of their food is really good. I've never had bad food or a bad experience. In the past, we've also had their ravioli, lasagna, and a few of the other chicken dishes. Everything is always delicious. I've never saved room for dessert. Buca is the kind of place where I eat until I hate myself and feel like I might die. But, it's so good and so worth it for an occasional splurge. Make sure you check out all of the crazy decor on the walls. There are some really interesting and bizarre things. Oh, and take a Zantac before you go.
(5)Jim S.
I've only been here once, but my 2 star rating is based on the food, not the service. No complaints with the servers. They were all polite and prompt. The food however was disappointing. I went with family, 9 people ordering various dishes, so I feel I had a good sample of what they offer. I honestly did not find any of it good. Not even the iced tea. The food was bland, tea weak. There are good Italian restaurants in Cincinnati, this unfortunately isn't one of them.
(2)Sandra F.
This is ideal for groups. The meals are for family sizes which you still have leftovers to take home. I really enjoy just the spaghetti and meatballs with bread. I am not too fond of the Tiramasu, the rum taste was overwhelming. I love the atmosphere which is a eclectic style of bohemian chic meets italian. Service is good and pricing is reasonable. I know this is a chain restaurant and wouldn't consider it 100% pure italian, but the food is great and really enjoy coming here with friends/family.
(4)Jason B.
With some restaurants it's all about the food. And with others it's all about the dining experience. And with still others...well, they don't quite know what they're all about. I present to you Buca di Beppo. Oftentimes referred to as Buca's , this restaurant/circus sideshow/memorial to cheap, tacky taste is nestled in a corner of Rookwood Commons. I have absolutely no idea how to describe the interior. Pictures of all shapes and sizes from all sorts of time periods featuring all types of different scenes litter the walls. As do cheap decorations (most of which are difficult to describe) made of plastic, or glass, or wood, or a combination of all three. You've got Christmas lights, fake ivory leaves, and other borderline junk hanging on the walls. There are numerous places to sit; the bar, the main dining room, a couple of banquet rooms in the back, and even the kitchen. Yep, they've got a chef's table where you have the opportunity to sit in the kitchen and watch them fix the food. Though to be honest, I don't understand why anybody would want to do that. That's like having a front row seat to your own conception. Not very appealing. Seating ranges from booths, to rounds, to long banquet style tables with stiff, uncomfortable, wooden chairs. Then you got the food. Authentic Italian it is not. Disgusting swill it is not. Like a lot of self-described "genuine" Italian eateries, Buca's food is a watered-down, Americanized version of Italian fare. That's not to say the food is bad, because it really isn't. It's actually okay. Pretty tasty, but very heavy on grease and cheese. I mean I love cheese and all, but wow, a bit much sometimes. Servings are family-style, meaning that you don't order individual meals per person, but instead just one dish for the entire table (or maybe two dishes depending on the size of your party), and enough of that dish is brought to feed everybody. Of course this means the costs can be a bit crazy. But depending on what dish you order (I'd go with the Chopped Antipasta Salad, Lasagna, Baked Rigatoni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Shrimp Fra Diavolo) it can be worth it. Overall, this is a pretty decent place. Not overly great. But it certainly doesn't suck. I've always enjoyed it when I've visited. But that's because my expectations are never all that high. Quick note; I love the Pope Room. It's a little enclosed booth with a bust of John Paul encased in glass on a little round thingy that turns and gives the late Pontiff a 360-degree look to the table. You would think it would be creepy, but not so much. Mahalo, and enjoy.
(3)Dave D.
Pretty good family style Italian. SamAdams on tap is a plus for the Noble Pils. Trying the kitchen booth next time. Looks fun.
(3)Ashley H.
I went here recently to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She seemed to enjoy herself, which I was happy about, but personally, I wasn't that impressed. Two of the stars go to the terrific service we received, which really made the experience better than it could have been. The atmosphere was like any other chain restaurant (think Max & Erma's, Applebee's, etc.), and the entrees were kind of hit-or-miss. One other thing that bumped up the rating was the desserts. We got the assorted tray for our large group and it was AMAZING; cheesecake, tiramisu, the biggest piece of chocolate cake you've ever seen. I'd probably go back and just order that again.
(3)Amanda A.
I have never been to Buca in Rookwood even though I live less than two minutes away. It had been a long day and I didnt feel like doing the normal PF Changs that we always resort to. Walked in as two huge groups were walking out. The hostess didnt greet us, in fact just stared at us. They closed at 10, it was 8:45. I asked for a table for two, she looked at me rolled her eyes, and sighed. She said she would check to see if they had a table, there was literally no one in the place. We followed her to the dining room, they had all sections closed but one and it had a dirty table. She looked at me said it would be at least ten minutes before she could clear the table. Basically saying she didnt feel like doing it. I said we would wait and she stormed off to clean. I walked right out and into PF Changs were I didnt wait for a table and had great service as always. I will never step foot into Buca again.
(1)David C.
The food at Bucca has always been very prompt, tasty and cooked perfectly. I've been to this location twice, and have had good service both times. I've mostly eaten the pasta dishes - the bruschetta as an appetizer is a must. Great garlic-y taste! The 4-star review: the 3-hour party limit. With a large group, it would be great if you could reserve a longer time period. This option may be offered, but both times I've felt rushed to leave by the restaurant. I would reccommend this restaurant - great food, fun atmosphere - just be aware you might get the boot from Bucca.
(4)Michael H.
I decided to have kind of a late night dinner by myself. I went to the bar 40 minutes prior to closing and the bartender was finishing his shift. He graciously got me my beer, but then told me he was leaving and someone else would place my order. I should've left at that point terrible service overpriced food for a single diner and the server who acted as a "" bartender Should not have been allowed to take over for the bar.
(2)Christopher G.
I love me some Italian. For a lot of my life it was far and away my favorite, and although more exotic stuff has recently taken that top spot (looking at you, Thai), it remains one of those foods that, if anyone suggests it, I will always agree to, regardless of mood. That said, Buca is probably my favorite Italian place in Cincinnati. Don't listen to the other reviewers: I've been to this place maybe half a dozen times in the last year, and it has absolutely never disappointed. I force myself to try something new every time--though my old favorites, they call to me!--and every time is a joy. It's very good for dates or families, because honestly you will not finish your meal if you order alone, even if you get the small. Take it from the guy who can pack it away: these guys mean business when it comes to portions. You will split a meal and you'll still be full, especially since there is also bread. The atmosphere is, well, lively. If you're okay with that, you'll have a great time, but if you're looking for something quiet and intimate, dare I say... fuhget about it? The music is always Rat Pack or the like, which is cheesy, granted, but not intrusive. One of the walls actually has a small Sinatra shrine, which is hilarious. Actually, many of the walls are adorned with festive work that ranges from mildly to surprisingly inappropriate. Good conversation starters, all around. Overall, it's a place that seems to go out of its way to be loud and boisterous and in your face--you know, Italian. It's pricey, sure, but I mean, welcome to restaurants. If you want a better experience, you pay a higher premium (unless you're at Lavomatic, but don't even get me started on that place). And these people who would have you believe the food is so-so at best? Where do they do the majority of their dining? Manhattan? Sicily? The food is great, really, and there's lots of it. The service is uniformly good, even chummy. The seating is comfortable, the decorating, as I said, entertaining. I have very little bad to say about it, except perhaps that it can get quite loud and that the bread is the one exception to the fantastic menu. It's not bad, exactly, it's just... bread. And nothing else. But these are the extent of my complaints, so I'll let that speak for itself.
(5)Nick A.
If you don't mind BED BUGS, by all means please go to this restaurant. We had one on our MENU plain as day. The manager CONFIRMED it was in fact a bed bug at our table. My fiance first told the bartender who asked to have the bug passed to him OVER THE LIQUOR AND ENTIRE BAR! They didn't even offer to move us to another table!! They clearly have a problem and are not telling their customers. We were completely disrespected when we called the "vice president" to complain. And he suggested WE MAY HAVE BROUGHT THEM IN!! The bugs came from the HOST STAND!! Do not go here unless you want to expose your family to bed bugs. The servers are rude and it sounded like a bar inside. STAY AWAY!!
(1)Nigel C.
Mostly visit during quite afternoons off and enjoy a relaxing meal, but after a long weekend decided should treat myself. So a Sunday night I was thinking would be busy and things may take a little longer. Walking in the lobby was empty at 6 PM maybe others knew better than me. From beginning to end was the worst. Had to ask three time for our bread basket to start. Food took forever, I mean tables sat after us got served. Server seemed more intent on the larger tables. Other food runners seemed to be doing all her work. The shirts on the food runners were dirty. Had they been there all day? Every time we ask fro something it seemed like they were doing us a big favour. At the end we ordered cheese cake to go an that took 20 mins. We paid our tab and left on the way out wanted to speak to a manager but found a server hunched over the hostess stand I think asleep. So simply left.. Just seemed everyone was worn out. Lost count on how many plates I hear dropped. On a good note, I went to the bother of filling in the survey because someone should know what happened .Glad to say they responded promptly and at sometime may be back
(1)Rachel R.
I'm slightly torn between 3 and 4 stars, but I'll give them the benifit of the doubt. If you're wanting that nice romantic candlelit italian place... this is not that. If you're looking to have a good time with a group of friends and gourge yourself on lots of good food, then this is more up your alley. Buca's is tacky. Striaght up in your face kitsch tackiness. They do not try to hide it... ever. I'm not really sure what color the walls are as there are crazy pictures of Italian celebrities and random junk (like bowling plaques) covering darn near every square inch. There's also crazy Italian music playing; think Musak in Italy. Its loud its big, you can seriously get lost. They have a kitchen table literally in the kitchen. They have no problem offering tours through said kitchen either. The alcohol selection is good and the food selection even better. Yes. It's pricey. You will pay for extras, like a side of marinara or extra sauce when the kitchen skimped on the sauce for the Fruitti de Mare to begin with, but the food is oh so delicious! And they offer tons of choices! from pork to beef to chicken to marina to alfredo to vinegar sauces. All family style, so go with at least 3 people unless you're planning expensive leftovers. If you're planning on going on a weekend, you should call ahead for a reservation. This place does take parties and lots of them. Even if you're coming with 4-6 people, it might be worth it. It's really hit or miss with getting a table honestly. You can always stroll around the mall too if it's going to be a wait.
(4)Becky S.
Finally got around to checking this place out, and what a crazy experience! The ambience is fantastic - I really like the lighting and furniture. It's not crazy loud at all, so it would be a great place to take family/friends, coworkers; pretty much anyone! I will admit, the first impression was a little odd. When we arrived, we followed the server to be seated - I assumed in a general seating area. However, as we walked along, we began to realize we were headed right into the kitchen. Turns out they have a kitchen booth where you can sit and watch the cooks! Not sure how that experience is, however, as we opted to sit in a better lit room. The service we received was ... interesting, to say the least. Our waiter, Brady, was not a bad guy. However, one thing I've found is if the bartender is serving you, the service is a lot less prompt. Since he was bartending and apparently the only one serving as well, it took us over 5 minutes to get our drink order. Finally ordered our drinks, only to wait 10 more minutes. Normally I wouldn't mind, but I was parched so I was getting a bit irritated. The waiter was nice but made the mistake of taking our orders without writing it down - not a mistake, really, unless you forget things that were ordered. Which he did. So we had to finally mention after getting our entrees that we were curious where our appetizer was. Admittedly, after that our waiter was suddenly far more attentive and open to listening. He even attempted some jokes, which we appreciated. I gave him credit for turning around what was almost a very disappointing experience! The food itself was not bad - I got a penne dish with tomato and artichokes, which was pretty average as meals go. Their lunch portions are decent, but I was not impressed with the flavor. I'd eat there again, but not often. My friend got the fettucini supremo, which was fettucini alfredo with veggies. It was quite delicious! She was not a fan of the noodles, however. I would agree - I've had better italian, but I would definitely rank it higher up on the list than most. It IS rather pricey - most appetizers are around $9-10 and depending on the entrees, they usually are around $18-20. However the entrees that are not lunch portioned (for single person servings) are supposed to be huge, which would make up for the fact they are so expensive. Apparently they are there to feed many. Overall, I can't say it was an unpleasant experience; cheerful service, we were greeted both entering and exiting, and the ambiance was definitely spot on, with little noise to interfere with conversation. The food was pretty good. The only downs I had was the spotty service and the average food.
(3)Halah A.
This is by far the BEST Italian restaurant in Cincinnati. It is absolutely my favorite go to place when I'm craving Italian! Their spicey chicken rigatoni is to die for! I also order their Baked Ziti occasionally and its so delicious. Their Cesar salad is also really good!!! The restaurant is absolute great for family and friends, everything they serve is HUGE and is great for sharing! Writing this review makes me crave their food and want to go back and eat there already lol
(5)Reese M.
My wife and kids stopped in for dinner. We haven't ate at a Buca di Beppos' since we lived in Arizona a few years ago. So it's an establishment we've missed. Our service was definitely 5 star service. The waiter was patient, kept our drinks full, was polite. The food was pretty good, not as good as I remember it, but very good. We were seated quickly. Food came out quickly. Overall, not a bad experience. If your in the Norwood area, I recommend going here at least once.
(4)Rick F.
I'm Italian I should not be eating at places like this. BUT I love it! the atmosphere, the kitschiness, the pope table, the table in the kitchen. The food actually pretty good for an americanized version. I love the salad amazing. The chicken limone was great, the fettuccini leaves a little bit to be desired! Bread should be warmed and butter should be soft. The pictures the bathroom all fun!
(4)Danan R.
HUGE portions so bring a friend (or two!). A small pasta will easily feed 3. The food itself is surprisingly decent for a chain, and I was happy with the baked ziti, which is made with a creamy rosa sauce and finished with mozzarella and a few spoonfuls of ricotta. Yes, it's a chain but the ambiance and decor are unapologetically eclectic and tongue-in-cheek and the large portions are fun to share in that they are even larger than the Cheesecake Factory's. It's definitely not for the diet-conscious but then again, who doesn't love a filling Italian meal full of carb-loaded pasta and bread?
(3)Heather L.
Went here for the first time at the request of a friend for his bday. I'm an Italian snob being from the north east so was Leary of a chain Italian place. I started with a raspberry Italian cream soda which was yummy. He had the spiked lemonade which was good and you keep the glass. The waitress didn't bring the bread out until right before the meal, which sucked since we were starving (&mind you this was not at a busy time of day). For dinner I ordered the gnocchi which had a nice creamy vodka sauce. Yes large portion, I understand the family dining concept, but ive been places with similar portions at half the price. He had the chicken Marsala, which he loved, but I tasted and to me it was meh. All in all to me it's a novelty dining experience and that's what you're paying higher prices for.
(3)Jason M.
Very enjoyable meal. Awesome eclectic decor. 6 hungry college 19-20 year olds fed well. Pleasant enjoyable meal. Enjoyed the warm spinach and tomato salad. Huge! Meatballs. Lots of leftovers. Large serving of fettuccine chicken. Would have fed 5 easily
(4)C S.
Excellent service, food and ambiance in general. Special thanks to one of the hostesses who went out of her way to help me find my phone!!! I can't remember her name, but I'll be calling the manager to tell him she is AMAZING! Love it!
(5)Allison B.
Buca is always a lot of fun with a large group of people. My husband and I swung by last week for a dinner for just the two of us. Of course, I had forgotten that the portions were so massive that we had to agree on a single dish, which was disappointing, however his selection of the cheese ravioli was delicious. I ordered the calamari appetizer which you can never go wrong with and it went great on the ravioli, too. Overall, a good time. Service was attentive and the food was yummy.
(4)Alexander D.
The effort put into decorating this place is amazing. The waiter was very friendly and the food was great. This is also where my boyfriend took me to ask me out officially after a few dates. It will be a place I hold close for as long as possible.
(5)J O.
The food is always good here. The reason I only give two stars is that we waited over half an hour for a table while we sat there looking at at least three empty, increased tables. They seemed unprepared and overwhelmed. And it's freezing in here!!! Uncomfortable and annoying to the point I want to leave!
(2)Ryan M.
This family portions restaurant is an awesome place. The food has a good flavor. The portions are obviously huge. I really like the pizzas the most because I'm not much of a pasta guy but even their pastas are good. have never had a bad dish from here. The decor is real vintage and interesting. This place can get super packed so if you have a table over 4, I would make a reservation. The staff is very professional and handle the busy chaos like pros.
(4)Joel L.
I celebrated my birthday here and it was fantastic. We sat in the kitchen table. The Italian Wedding Soup is fantastic. Buca discontinued it but guess they brought it back. The service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh and tasted great. I had a great bday dinner here.
(5)Hollyann H.
My mother and her boy(man)friend are always raving about Buca di Beppo, so when they came down to Cincinnati they finally dragged me to it for dinner one night. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants so I was expecting total disappointment. From what my mother was telling me it just sounded like an Italian TGI Fridays. The restaurant was clean, interesting decorated walls, and a decent atmosphere. It wasn't too loud and obnoxious. The big family servings were pretty neat. I enjoyed that. The food wasn't anything that blew me away. However, the dessert that was a giant sundae was the best thing. But how can you go wrong with a giant sundae that's bigger than your head? You can't. I don't think I would go here anytime by myself or with my friends, but I feel like this is a really good place for family dinners.
(3)Alicia B.
There is a major discrepancy of tastiness here. Some things are great and others aren't. The apple, cranberry, gorgonzola salad is pretty perfect. So is the eggplant parmesan. Many things are only so-so though.
(3)Elisa O.
Me and my friends ate here to celebrate my friends birthday. We had a party of 12 and paid separately... I had a coupon that I was really excited to use for a free small. When it came time to pay the waitress told me that I couldn't use it because another couple at our table( who paid separately) used a $2 off coupon... I think this rule is ridiculous. It's something they should change. It's a rule that is going to change my mind about coming here in the future.
(2)Jeremy R.
My girlfriend had raved about Bucca's famous food so we decided to head there one night before a movie. When we arrived the service was okay from the stewardess; however, once we had our seats it took 30 minutes to get bread and our food came 45 minutes after ordering. The food here is excellent but I was really let down with the poor service by the waiters (waitresses).
(2)G K.
My fiance, daughter and I visited here tonight! We enjoyed it! Jessica was our server! She was GREAT! Kept our drinks filled and introduced me to a fabulous yet simple dip for our bread! Food was plentiful and good! We'll be back soon! Thanks for a great first visit!
(5)William F.
Went on New Years Eve with the family (3 kids) and were seated right away with our reservation. Tiffany was our server and did a great job. We ordered a large Caesar salad. It was very large and tasted great. We also had the large chicken parm. Tasted good, but could have use a bit more cheese and sauce. We tried the garlic shrimp linguini. It was very good and the small version was enough for us all to try it. The kids said that they had a great time and enjoyed the food which is a win in my book.
(4)Kaylee H.
I think 2 stars is generous. I would rate this a 1.5 star. I rounded up because the inside was clean. This place is a sad example of an Italian restaurant. I went with a big group (there were 10 of us) and the food was not very good. I would rank this place on par with a bad Olive Garden. The apple gorgonzola salad was completely overdressed, and there were rather large clumps of cinnamon in the dressing. The supremo italiano pizza was incredibly greasy, salty, and clumsily executed. It was so drenched in grease that the pizza dough lost all integrity and everybody at the table ended up eating it with a fork and knife since nobody could pick it up. The veal saltimboca tasted like it was was wrapped not in proscuitto as was advertised on the menu, but with something more like canadian ham. The platter had 5 very thin pieces of veal on the plate, which was disappointing. The chicken rigatoni was the only dish that we ordered that was decent. I think it was partly because this is a very hard dish to mess up. The pasta had nice chew to it, and was well cooked. The peas clearly came from a freezer, though, because they were more dried out than normal, and looked a little freezer-burnt. For dessert, we had a giant sundae with brownies. The brownies were disappointing. I think the batter was overmixed, because they were like little hockey pucks that had chocolate chips in them. Service was fine when we saw the waitress, but I think it was super understaffed beacause this poor woman was running around like a crazy person. We also didn't get any bread on the table until halfway into the meal, even though we asked for it early. The waitress told us that the kitchen had run out of bread. The decor is kitchy and fine, and it was entertaining to look at all the pictures in the frames. As I was walking around, I noticed that there was one table that looked like it was in a cathedral, and the walls of the whole room was covered by pictures of popes. In fact, there was a life sized bust of the pope sitting in the middle of the table. I was super glad that I wasn't sitting there, because it was just so weird. Imagine trying to eat while the pope is staring back at you. Overall, this was not a place that I would ever choose for an event (somebody else made the decision to go here today, I had no say in the matter).
(2)Mary N.
The food is good, but I hate being dragged through their kitchen and being told the same story of the restaurant. Last time I asked if we could pass on it because we've been multiple times before and they refused. Quite rude.
(3)Jim T.
Spoke with Amy the general manager and I could tell that she and Buca both really do care about customer experience. I applaud such efforts to maintain standards and treat each guest like a VIP. It's rare to find a restaurant or any business for that matter that is as concerned about customer experience. Bucas has always been a wonderful place and I'll continue to go and recommend them.
(5)Magda C.
I think of this place as McDonald's for pasta/pizza, so my expectations were not high. The interior is rather kitch, so I prefered to take away. We had spicy Arrabiata pizza and a DiBeppio salad. Pizza was OK, very greasy and bit too hot, but it was fine. The salad was all about the quantity, not quality. Tons of onion, unpeeled hard cucumber, chunks of those flavourless tomatoes you can get in a supermarket all year long (the ones that taste like cold potatoes) topped with cheap wanna-be-Feta and cheap salami. Well....
(2)Brandee B.
This was my first time ever at this restuarant and I brought my appetite! sshh, don't tell my diet... ;) As you walk in, they take you through the kitchen and show you around. They are very ecclectic with different memorabilia on the walls as well as a pope table that rotates. Its very kitsch or odd...however you choose to view it. We sat at a regular table and since it is family style you receive big portions of everything. The downside of that is if someone doesnt want to share or want what you want. Luckily, we were both easy, so we got the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, the stuffed chicken with mozzerella, and ham on a pesto cream sauce and the pasta sampler which included cannolli, manicotti, ravioli, and shells. It was divine..soooo much cheesy goodness! We barely had enough to take home. Next time I hope to try the dessert.
(3)Andrew P.
When I go to an Italian Restaurant I am expecting a good value for my money. Comfort food at an affordable price. I received neither. We ordered the veal parm and chicken carbonara along with a salad. There were three of us. We also had an appetizer of meatballs. The veal was gristly. The spaghetti with the carbonara was over cooked and really bland. The lettuce with the salad was rusty. The meatballs were good but not great. We ordered no alcohol and there were three of us. It cost $90 before tip. WAY overpriced in my opinion. The service was pleasant prompt and friendly which is why I give it two stars but I would not go back.
(2)Robin B.
Probably good for groups who don't care too much about the quality of the food. The atmosphere is kitchy and the hostess was great, but our server was not. She left us hanging for a while waiting for the check. We finally asked another guy, who turned out to be a manager from another location training there. He said he couldn't find her, but brought us our check. When he was running our cards, our server finally came back and asked if we wanted the check. Maybe she was taking a long break? The manager stayed talking while we were filling in the tip, probably to over compensate for his poor counterpart, but I didn't enjoy him standing over my shoulder.
(3)Glenn W.
I've been to Buca di Beppo in Westlake, Ohio before - which truly IS in the buca (cellar), but I think Cincinnati/Norwood Buca has more "life" and charm. Very spacious with a winding path through the complex dining room layout. Lively and fun - great people-watching! Seems much larger and open than the other restaurant. Same reliable menu of authentic Italian dishes in family-size portions. Prosciutto stuffed chicken breasts and Penne San Remo were our choices this time. Super service, even on a busy Valentine's weekend. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Melissa J.
My first time here. I really enjoyed it. The servings are HUGE. I ordered Fettuccini Alfredo in small and I'm fairly sure I could've fed a small village. They have Pepsi products (it doesn't say anywhere). Someone else ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs are HUGE and taste great! For dinner we were in there just a little over an hour. The rooms are so wonderfully kitchy decorated. Enjoyed walking through the kitchen on the way to the table as well. It was my birthday and they sang for me and brought me a candle. I would go back.
(4)Doug S.
Alright, gave them one more chance. I'm going to make this short & sweet: Service - pretty solid, very friendly, but not the timeliest refills and check-ups Food - really just okay. nothing special. when you consider the price, below average Ambiance - i like the different areas and themes I would give it 3 stars as it's "alright", but at their price point, they are at the bottom of the list of places I'd choose when spending that money.
(2)Chris S.
Overall the food was ok. They seemed to be understaffed both times I've been to this restaurant. It took over 40 minutes to receive my drink, I actually went to the bar myself to get my drink on my last visit. Not the best beer selection. Overall they are friendly but slow and the restaurant was clean.
(2)Gretchen B.
My rating is really 3.5 stars. One of the few places that can accommodate a large group of people. Family style portions are fun. Food is good, not superb, but not bad either. Service was slow for our group of 3 but this is a huge place and they were busy so it was understandable. I would return, especially with a big group, for a fun evening. Reservations definitely recommended!
(3)Mark K.
My 4th time at Buca and this was the best. The other three were just "ok". I find the menu is a little overwhelming and it's best to stick with simple dishes. We ordered the shrimp linguine with a side of marinara. It was awesome!
(3)Lou Ann L.
This was our 2nd time here and it was just as delicious as the first time! Had plenty of leftovers to take home too! All of the staff were friendly, anytime any of them went past our table they ask if we needed anything. Loved the atmosphere & Decor!!!
(5)Kimberly U.
Went here a few weeks ago. The place seems awesome, looks like a great place where you could have a lot of fun... it just didn't happen for us. Even though my boyfriend and I ordered about $60 worth of food, the waiter acted like he couldn't have been more ready to get us out of there. I was really excited, mentioned that it was a special occasion even, but no sympathy to it being my first experience. It looks like it has the potential to be great with a big party. You might get slighted if your party's less than 4, though.
(3)Toree C.
Buca was a fun experience. Our server was friendly and helpful which made for a pleasant visit. The fact that they take reservations gives them high marks in my book. The portions and seating make it perfect for large groups and the atmosphere is conducive for it as well. The food tasted good, but it is overpriced. I would return for lunch or with a large group for a night out.
(3)Julie H.
Buca is a good place for a big get together. I went during an off peak hour during a weekend with a long time friend. My friend and I ordered a small dish to share. We still had leftovers to take home. You get your bang for your buck here. I love the food...amazing and delish.
(4)Andrew Y.
Family style servings = good. Prices = okay. Food = not so great. The service on both visits to the establishments was adequate, but not what I'd call good.
(3)David M.
Buca is a go to for any group dinner. The servers really know how to handle large parties (10+). The food is amazing and you really can't go wrong with anything. The portions are family style so sharing is your best bet. My favorite is the spicy chicken rigatoni but I haven't had anything I didn't like. I usually try to avoid the pizza because it is so greasy... Make a reservation and go early to take advantage of very reasonable drink prices at the bar.
(5)Andrew H.
The food was fantastic, as it is every time I'm at this restaurant but the service was lacking just this last time I was there, otherwise would've been a 4, maybe even a 5, star review. I rarely ever tip less than 20% and typically give around 23-25% but whenever we needed anything our server was no where to be found, and I mean to order we had to wait another 15 minutes for him after he gave us our drinks, he gave us our bread and it was cold, once he gave us our food we didn't see him until we were done, not even to ask if our food was good(but of course if was good) and asked for a coffee which took another 15 minutes. Then once we had our coffee it took about a half hour before we saw him to get our check which if course took 10 more minutes. It was to the point where I was debating "should I just dine and dash?" And you may think oh this guy is just needy and was there on a busy night, but noooo, it was an extremely slow night. There wasn't even a wait for our table(which for a Buca is pretty amazing). I'll still chalk this up to just a server on a bad night though. But if it happens again I'm done with it.
(3)Ann L.
The place looks really cool. I'm all about the images - and they really have some cool ones. I love the fact that they walk you through on a tour on your way to your seat. We went with a group and had a super time. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the food. Definitely get a Cannoli for dessert.
(4)Rasha A.
OMG the portions.... Let me tell you about the portions. BIG. It really huge. It was our first time and decided to go after my sisters graduation. So our waitress was really sweet and I think her name was Amanda. She warned us ahead that the portions were really big but we were naive. So we ordered for each person am entree. There was four of us. We ordered the spicy pasta, chicken paramogenii, meatballs, another kind of pasta and lots of side cheese bread.we ordered all of them in larges. Ohhh my god the portions. We felt like kings eating. We had so much to take home, the food was great. Ten my brother asked the waitress to sing a happy graduation to my sister and she said okay and brought out so many othe waitress and try started singing for her and gve her the famous ice cream sundae (which mind you has 12 brownies in it) it was awesome. Finally the waitress came over and started to talk to is for a whole hour she was so personable an sweet. We enjoyed it and will be back
(4)Scott N.
Lots of food... I think that sums it up. Service has always been very good, so that's a plus. Overall, there is nothing special about the food. It's not bad, it's not great... it's A-OK. The photos in the restaurant are great... so good for putting their ambience foot forward. We have meetings here often so I really don't need the kitchen tour anymore. We do end up at the godfather table, which is nice and isolated so it works well for meetings. I would never come here for a personal dinner or dinner with a small group. There are much better italian restaurants in the city. Carry out was not accurately delivered, so check it before you leave.
(3)David G.
We went here once and after get a tour of the kitchen and restaurant I was excited. Unfortunately that was the best part of the meal. We were seated in a section by the bar where a loud and obnoxious employee was drinking after work. Our food came out overdone and hard. The pasta tasted as if it was made by a child.
(1)Jenny B.
what a really fun place. I could spend a couple hours just smelling the food and looking at the photos on the wall. Make sure you sign up at their web page for the Buca celibate. You will get something good free. So many good food choices and the portions are big. Do not be afraid to split even the lunch size. Service was fast and friendly and waiters can by and checked on use just about the correct amount of times.
(4)Alex S.
I've been here 3 times, and haven't had one bad experience! The help is enthusiastic and energetic, the food is flavorful and a fantastic value, and is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area, and is, in my opinion, even better than Maggiano's.
(5)Erin K.
Tonight, Buca was out of meat and alfredo sauce, meatballs, sausage, and table bread at 8. Unfortunately, we didn't find out until after we ordered and had to settle for a dish that wasn't what we had hoped for. We waited more than five minutes for our table to be cleaned when numerous other tables were empty. Waiter served drinks immediately and then proceeded to ignore us and take an incredibly long time to take our order and bring us the bread we had ordered. Manager was very understanding and comped our dessert. Needless to say, other than the manager and comped apple crostada (which was very good), I was very disappointed. I've never had a bad experience with Buca in the past but it will be quite some time before I come back.
(1)Christiaan T.
family style Italian food done well
(4)Alexandra K.
This restaurant is just so cool. I love coming here with friends or family because you get SO much good food for your money. The place is decorated to the nines. On a non-busy night, the hostess will often take you through the entire restaurant and give you a tour of the kitchen, say hello to the cooks, and then seat you. The service and the decor really make you feel like you're in a kitschy restaurant in Italy. A single entree here can feed at least 2 people if not more. It lists on the menu how many. I recommend the garlic bread, but make sure everyone has some as you won't be able to stand each other after the meal. Everything I've had here has been good from regular spaghetti and meatballs to the fettuccine alfredo. You can't go wrong!
(4)N M.
Mediocre Italian in a crazy environment.
(1)Justine M.
There's really nothing on the menu that stands out as fantastic food worth the price. Honestly, I feel like I can make better dishes at home. But, this place IS good in a pinch for reservations of large parties on holidays at the last minute, which seems to be my family's MO. And the ridiculous portions do help when there are well over a dozen of us. The desserts are pretty good, but I think it takes a lot of effort to screw up a dessert. Also a plus is the kitschy decor. The major downside is that for whatever reason, this restaurant seems to attract the loudest and most obnoxious that the city has to offer. Every time I've gone there, there has inevitably been a nearby party that feels shouting is the best way to communicate while mere inches from each other. In some cases, it's actually improved the meal, as in the case of the two couples who randomly yelled out "Whoomp! There it is!" at various intervals between jokes. (And you thought awkward suburban folk were a myth!) This doesn't affect the rating, just be forewarned that you will be either highly amused or ready to sling oversized meatballs at people.
(2)Lauren F.
Buca di Beppo is sort of like Larosa's on meth. It's almost too much of an atmosphere for me to take. I've been there several times with family and I would recommend calling in advance (several days) to reserve the booth located in the kitchen. The white noise of people talking can be slightly overwhelming if you are unable to tune it out but it's great if you're in the mood for a festive and friendly place. This is a chain, family style restaurant with really good food. the portions are preferably shared so bring a large group of friends and family. Bring a hefty appetite and plan on leftovers for a week if you go alone.
(4)Amanda L.
This location is okay. Not the best. I always get the kitchen booth because of the interaction with staff and it's different. But here they didn't talk to us the waiter seemed put off by us. MENTAL NOTE TO WAIT STAFF: just because someone may not be dressed to the nines doesn't mean they don't have money. Judging someone like that gets you nothing but a bad tip and a bad YELP.
(3)Linda M.
Dont bother going here if you DONT have reservations on a Sat nite! My hubby & I stopped in on 2/19/2011 around 4:30 for dinner. We were told it was an hr to 1 hr & 15 min wait. Ok, so we put our names on the list. Well after around 1 hr & 30 mins, my hubby went up to see how much longer. He was told "your'e next, in the next 5 mins".. well that 5 mins turned into OVER 20 mins.. so he went back up, again, a LAME ANSWER "oh your'e next, we are clearing a table for you now'.. so after A 2 HOUR WAIT we were seated.. then it took our server OVER 10 mins to come take our drink order. The food was great, as it usually is, but it seems they just dont care about you if you dont bring a large crowd in or have reservations. Now back on 2/12/19, the Sat before V day, I called to see if they were taking reservations for that nite, & I was told NO but I could come in and put my name on a 'waiting list' .. so which is it.. you DO or DONT take reservasations EVERY weekend & why would I drive there just to put my name on a waiting list??? I have emailed Buca regarding this and they have YET to reply, so that tells me they DONT care!!!!!
(2)