This place never fails me...its always delicious. Mike at the pizza station has the best 4 way, as he calls it, cheeses and dried tomatoes....very good. Every dish I have had in here have been delicious....
(5)
Julia H.
We had a very good experience overall, but it was a rough start! We got a seat on the patio rather quickly for a Friday night and the server was out to greet us with a smile. Good Happy hour special, on a Friday, which is hard to find in Knoxville and the drinks were cold. The bread was very warm and the dip was tasty. Our appetizer was brought to us but was cooked incorrectly. This was remedied quickly but then the food came. My husbands was dry and way over cooked. Again, quickly remedied and removed from the check, but it was just difficult with a party of four. It's one of those things where everyone feels like they need to wait to eat and their food gets cold by waiting for the recooked dinner. We will go again, but maybe on a less busy night so it's not such a stressful event. The food was very good once it was delivered correctly.
(3)
Dena W.
Our Sunday after church standby for years. Best bread anywhere and always outstanding service. We have gone through a series of favorites as the menu has changed, but the pastas, fish, salads and soups are consistently good. The Chocolate Dream is absolutely one of the best desserts anywhere.
(5)
Steven F.
The service wasn't add I thought it should be, the waiter seemed like he was trying to Rush us thru our meal. The salad I had really didn't taste add good as I had how for $13 this is the second time that I thought the service want up to par, so I will Not be returning.
(2)
Charles W.
The best Italian that you will find outside of a mom and pop which just don't exist around here. Great professional service all around, wide selection of great food to please everyone. I have tried three quarters of the menu and nothing disappoints
(5)
Alex A.
I can not express the bad experience we had. From the moment we walked in the staff was joking around and made us wait until they were done talking. Then we finally get seated and the waiter is ok at best. He gets the drink order all wrong. Then stands literally 3 feet behind the table talking about what his weekend was gonna bring. Finally we order and it comes out in about 13 minutes which just blew our minds until we bit into it. Both of our orders tasted like cardboard. After struggling through it and not having a salad brought over as part of the order he immeditaely brought the check. We were in and out in 45 minutes at most and agreed as we walked out to never come back. And we were no where near close, so no reason to be pushed. Sorry guys...may have just been a weak night.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Knoxville. The calamari is what all others aspire to be. I'm in love with the cavatappi. And I thought there was nothing better than Sirloin Marsala until I tried the Prosciutto Wrapped Tenderloin. Never had a meal here that wasn't great.
(5)
April L.
Food was so good and the service was amazing! Would go back again! Kids loved it! Huge portion brought most back with us!
(5)
Steve Q.
This is the best italian chain restaurant in Knoxville. Everything a notch above and flavorful, starting with the olive tepanade dip and warm crusty bread. BUT I DON'T GO THERE ANYMORE. WHY ? Before remodeling, they have community table surrounded by dark wood booths, very classy and intimate yet still open to the action. Love the ambience. Then corporate sent in some brain dead 20 something designers and they decided to "Open her up", by dismantling the classy dark wood panels, and redo the walls to make it open and bright. What I now got is prosaic diner experience. They duplicatd the exact feel and look of SHONEY ! To be honest theres nothing wrong with Shoney. I go there too but with a different mindset when I want grids and ham and pancake or country fry speak. I do not expect this when we go to an upscale italian dinner restaurant. The remodelling destroyed it utterly. I WANT TO CRY whenever I think about the injustice. So I don't go - why would I want to upset myself ? Write to corporate management if you feel the same way. Feel free to copy my lines.
(4)
Nikole B.
Wonderful. ..they used to have an off the menu, 3 style chicken that is lovely, not sure if they still offer. .staff always friendly and knowledgeable. Be aware they are packed on University home game weekends. Worth the wait but younger kids may not do well, . Great advice on pairings.
(4)
Courtney C.
It might be a chain, but they still know how to do good Italian food. Food always tastes fresh and flavorful. The salad is a must have, and their house dressing is my all-time favorite dressing. It's one of my favorite go-to spots in Knoxville. Service is great too!
(5)
Cub F.
My wife and I went to dinner last night at Carrabba's last night for the first time. Hunter was our server. He did an excellent job and was spot on with menu suggestions. I had the Sirloin Marsalis and my wife had lasagna. Both were excellent. My wife particularly liked the peach sangria. The rest of the staff was helpful even though we were not seated in their station. We'll be back.
(5)
Anthony F.
This was my first time eating at Carrabbas. I arrived with 7 coworkers and was quickly seated even after being told there would be a 30 minute wait. We were greeted with a very friendly staff and drink orders taken. I chose to order a 3 Entree sampler which consisted of a Grilled Chicken dish, Lasagna and Fettuccini Alfredo. I was terribly disappointed. I have always thought that this particular restaurant would be the cream of the crop. Instead, I discovered that the food I ordered was sorely lacking in every way. Yes- the grilled chicken was tasty, but the white mayonnaise like sauce totally overpowered it and made me quite sick to my stomach. The sauce that covered the lasagna was very sour and distasteful. Lastly, the Alfredo was poorly seasoned and disappointing. I was planning to bring my wife and son here but will not after the troublesome menu items.
(2)
Susan H.
Food was very good, but quite expensive and the portions were small. Server did give us a refill on the bread and spices. Yelp says there is a $10 off coupon but when you click on it it says the offer is expired. The server said the last special ended 2 days ago.
(4)
Adra M.
OMG.........FAVOLOSO (Fabulous in Italian)....The food was amazing. The service was wonderful. My mother ordered The Johnny-which was Chicken Bryan & Sirloin Marsala. The Chicken Bryan was a party in your mouth. It tasted like perfection, seriously. My sister ordered the Mezzaluna-chicken, ricotta, romano, and spinach. She enjoyed her dish too, but couldn't stop eating Mother's Chicken Bryan, lol. I ordered the baked ravioli parmesan, which I loved. We ordered an app as well, the mozzarella marinara-which was yummy. Our entree's came with a soup or salad. We all chose soup. And then tried each other's. They were all good, I really didn't have a favorite, they were all great. Our server was hands down one of the best server's I've had in my life. He sang to us in Italian, walked us out, hugged us, laid down pretend roses for us to walk on, and then sealed our meal with kisses on each of our cheeks! He was simply to die for. We love Carrabba's and can't wait to go back. If you've nev eaten here, please do yourself a favor and go. It was worth every single penny.
(5)
Alesa G.
For our mother's birthday celebration last night we needed a place whose menu could accommodate two out of four people on very restricted diets. We've had good meals at Carrabba's before and thought it would be a safe bet. Our meal was flat out bad. The side salads were wilted and tasteless. There was barely any creamy parmesan garlic dressing on them. They looked bad and should never have been served in the first place. We sent them back and received the same poor quality again. The waitress did give us extra salad dressing on the side, which was a nice gesture, but the lettuce was really inedible. Nobody ate their salads. The entrees weren't any better. Several us of had garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli. The vegetables had no seasoning, so we had to use lots of salt and pepper to make them edible. My mother's filet was cooked way below the done-ness she had requested (it looked raw) and was full of gristle, as had been her same steak the previous time she ate here. I had the shrimp and scallop entree with crumb topping and lemon cream sauce. Same story. Totally lacking in taste. The presentation was as bland and uninspired as the flavor. The only saving graces of this meal were the Prosecco that two of our party had and the ice cream and chocolate desserts. Total check for 4 people, including tip, was $134. I don't see us returning. This was the second disappointing meal in a row there for three of us. We used to be able to rely on Carrabba's for a good meal, but not anymore.
(1)
Bo D.
Great. I enjoyed the low-lit setting, and the pasta I ordered was delicious. It isn't that pricy but it's not cheap either.
(4)
Lauren B.
If you are trying to decide between somewhere like Olive Garden or Carraba's... always pick Carraba's. This is the best chain Italian food there is. At the beginning of the meal you are presented with a fresh loaf of bread and olive oil with spices. It's addictive. The caesar salad or the sicilian chicken soup make great starters. I usually order the Pasta Carraba or the wood grilled chicken with asparagus. Z says ordering a pizza is the way to go, He got sausage and it looked amazing. Even my picky parents love this place which is saying something. :)
(4)
Mike D.
I have to say, this last visit I made to this Carrabba's location on 8/14/2015 was probably the most memorable meal I ever had at a chain restaurant. The food was out of this world. I had Pollo Rosa Maria. It was amazing. My friend had Chicken Bryan pizza(?) That was probably the best pizza I ever tasted. I had some kind of pasta for a side dish, that I am embarrassed to say, I cannot pronounce. It was fantastic. The service was as good as the food. I will definitely be back.
(5)
William M.
Big fan. Great food and ambiance, as usual. Server- McKenzie. Very efficient, VERY abrupt. Good Grief!
(5)
George W.
We went to carraba's for our anniversary and it was a very good experience. Our server Emerald was good very good. The combo I ordered has steak with pepper butter and chicken Bryan.i substituted the steak for the marsala and it was excellent. The pepper butter had just the right amount of heat and the steak was excellently cooked the chicken was very tasty and my wife said the shrimp and scallops she ordered were great. The only thing that kept this review from being a five is that I tried ordering lasagna first but they were out of it.
(4)
Nancy Y.
If you haven't met Downtown Mike Brown you've not been to Carrabbas! He runs the pizza oven and he's great Never fails to make sure you're well cared for! His complimentary cheese bread...Yum!! The caprese salad is terrific. Their soups are great too. This is one of my favorite chain restaurants.
(4)
Casey F.
I don't like to review national chains much, because, yeah, everyone knows about them, but I feel the need to evangelize for a moment: Their Italian house salad is the most delicious house salad I have ever tasted. Other house salads have a poster of this house salad on their bedroom ceiling. It's got carrots and celery and olives and. . .man, okay, I can't remember what all it has on it, just know that it is delicious, and it is covered in some sort of amazing vinaigrette that you will be thinking seriously about licking out of the bowl until a waiter comes by and gives you a funny look. I mean, everything else I've had there is good too, the Chicken Bryan, the Pollo Rosa Maria, definitely. . .but dang! That salad! Get it and put it in your mouth as soon as possible.
(4)
Tanner Tanning R.
Always delicious. Just wish there was another location closer to downtown Knoxville cuz traffic out west is nuts! I know many people don't like calamari, but if ever there was calamari to love it's the calamari at Carrabbas. It's tender and flavorful, not the rubbery blandness most chains churn out. But try not to fill up on calamari and the amazing bread, you'll want to save room for your entree! There are so many entrees I genuinely love that I have a hard time deciding... Sirloin Marsala, Chicken Bryan, Seafood Cannelloni (the seafood here is surprisingly fresher than I've had at Carrabbas locations on the coast)... And there's always a tempting entree on the specials menu. Tonight I had one of the specials, Champagne Shrimp and Scallops which was good. The scallops were the small bay scallops and although I was expecting sea scallops the flavor of the bay scallops was quite good. And there was enough to take home for a meal the next day. The servers here are also very good. Prompt and friendly. And I appreciate that our drinks were replenished without having to ask. I know that's small and petty but you'd be amazed how infrequently that actually happens.
(5)
Rachel C.
First time at any Carrabbas. Had the Salmon and grilled veggies... Very good. The mini deserts were just right size and taste great.
(4)
Sheryl P.
Love Carrabas! My husband and I love eating here and come here quite often. Service is good and the food is even better. We've never ordered appetizers only because the bread and olive oil they serve is filling enough. My husband always orders the Chicken Bryan and it is both our favorite. The saltiness from the goat cheese with the chicken is a perfect marriage. I like to change things up and order different things from time to time and I've never been disappointed. Among my favorites are the Seafood Cannelloni and the Pollo Rose Maria. I've been wanting to try their pizzas but just can't tear myself away from the Chicken Bryan. With the exception of The Cheesecake Factory and Claim Jumpers we're not prone to ordering dessert. But during one visit I looked over at our neighbor's table and something caught my eye- it was the Sogno Di Cioccoalata "Chocolate Dream". We both thought it looked delicious and even though we were stuffed we decided to go for it. Omg. DELICIOUS!! From then on we've always ordered this dessert and I think it's my favorite thing on the menu! Despite all of the chocolate on the plate you don't feel weighed down and you don't feel like you've just eaten a ton of calories- even though you know you did! One of our favorite restaurants! Have eaten here numerous times and will continue to come back!
(5)
Jennie B.
I've eaten at Carrabbas a LOT in the past 3 years. My fiance and I hold workshops at this restaurant, and the food and service is consistently excellent. I've had several items but I must say that the Chicken Marsala is truly delectable. Tender, juicy chicken breast cooked just right. Marsala wine sauce with a fair amount of butter to give it a richness that rivals Authentic Italian Restaurants in Italy. The sauce is different than other Marsala's I've had. It's not as "gravy" like, but more buttery and wine-like. If that makes sense to you, and you are beginning to close your eyes and imagine how flavorful this is, just pick yourself up and go get it. The sauteed mushrooms are so tasty, as is the bread with fresh olive oil and spice dip. Servers are very attentive and on top of their game.
(4)
Jen L.
Like an Olive Garden, but slightly fancier. I'm an ex-fatty, so I love this kind of place in my head, but my stomach can no longer handle it. I like the soup and pizza. Skip the pasta if you're smart - a chain will never have delicious sauce in my opinion. They have kids meals and a huge kid's activity pamphlet keeps the little one busy for longer than a few minutes.
(3)
Mark R.
I'm not a chain restaurant guy, and Carrabbas still gets my highest rating. Miles above Olive Garden and the like. Every meal starts with amazing hot bread you dip in fresh herbs and e.v. olive oil and it only gets tastier from there. Their wood fired grill is evident in tastes throughout. Try the 'Chicken Bryan', so amazing, I found the recipe online and make it at home. Juicy chicken breast with a medallion of goat cheese, sun dried tomato and butter garlic sauce. Amazing. I recently asked a fellow foodie if they liked Carrabbas and after looking at me with a glance of, "are you kidding me yes", we both simultaneously said, "Chicken Bryan". I've been to locations mostly in South Florida, but here as well, and have never had a bad meal. All other menu items were equally delicious, but I seem to stick with my favorite.
(5)
CH C.
I was staying at a motel across the parking lot and was interested in a light supper before getting a good night's sleep, so i wandered into Carraba's. My server, Dylan, was superb. It was late, so we ended up having a great conversation. I ordered the Insalata Fiorucci, which was a vegetarian entree with grilled vegetables and goat cheese. It was excellent. Although it was a chain that I'd never seen before, it was a memorable meal with a very friendly ambience.
(4)
Christina D.
The best chain restaurant Ive been to. The salad and bread alone is more than enough. Their pizzas are so good and they are very open to adding what u like to any order. There nightly specials are usually very delicious. When I did eat meat I would be drooling for their chicken Marsala, now I usually go for their delicious salmon!
(5)
Tracy W.
Ok, I absolutely love cannelloni. It is by far, my favorite Italian dish, and I looked up Carrabba's Menu before going there, to ensure that they serve it. So, I was undoubtedly biased before entering the restaurant. We went on a Friday night, and had to wait about 25 minutes to get a table for 5, which is not bad in my opinion. The chicken and spinach cannelloni was savory and rich and amazing. If it wasn't so filling, I could have definitely eaten two servings. Also, the chicken bryan with goat cheese was supreme. I never would have guessed this was a chain restaurant, because the service was great and the menu was original.
(5)
Sophia Q.
I'm not sure how this place gets good reviews. I've dined at Carrabas 4-5 times - never by choice. The food is cooked in an overabundance of butter and has little other taste to it. I've ordered the chicken bryan, , grilled chicken, lobster ravioli, chicken and spinach canelloni.....they've all had the same taste! Really unimpressed with this restaurant and would rate it as the worst in Knoxville. I'm being generous by giving it one star.
(1)
Green D.
Absolutely one of the BEST chain restaurants I've ever been to. From service to quality to value and selection it's all exceptional here!! If they could change the "chain" atmosphere it could definitely be a lower level fine dining establishment!!
(4)
Ben U.
Holy crap. Brian's Chicken. Get it. Eat it. Love it. Goat cheese and chicken belong together like chocolate and peanut butter.
(5)
john j.
5 Stars for a chain. I get the Chicken Trio. It has 3 pieces of chicken on it with pasta.....chicken bryan, rosa maria, and another one. You also get salad (I get the Caesar-it's perfect) and bread with dipping oil......awesome. After the bread and salad if you can finish the entire trio you are a better man than I. I take some home and have it for lunch/dinner the next day. The woodfired grill (they use pecan wood I'm told) gives the chicken such a great flavor I can barely describe it. They also tend to use alot of garlic in their sauces which I like. This place is waaaaaay above olive garden in terms of food and service. There is no comparison.
(5)
Chuck C.
Another place that is good and I recommend going, but that I just can't get into. The food is kind of boring to me and I find myself constantly passing it by when narrowing down my choices. And I never feel satisfied. Full, but not satisfied, does that make sense? But I do recommend going.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes 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.
Lori W.
This place never fails me...its always delicious. Mike at the pizza station has the best 4 way, as he calls it, cheeses and dried tomatoes....very good. Every dish I have had in here have been delicious....
(5)Julia H.
We had a very good experience overall, but it was a rough start! We got a seat on the patio rather quickly for a Friday night and the server was out to greet us with a smile. Good Happy hour special, on a Friday, which is hard to find in Knoxville and the drinks were cold. The bread was very warm and the dip was tasty. Our appetizer was brought to us but was cooked incorrectly. This was remedied quickly but then the food came. My husbands was dry and way over cooked. Again, quickly remedied and removed from the check, but it was just difficult with a party of four. It's one of those things where everyone feels like they need to wait to eat and their food gets cold by waiting for the recooked dinner. We will go again, but maybe on a less busy night so it's not such a stressful event. The food was very good once it was delivered correctly.
(3)Dena W.
Our Sunday after church standby for years. Best bread anywhere and always outstanding service. We have gone through a series of favorites as the menu has changed, but the pastas, fish, salads and soups are consistently good. The Chocolate Dream is absolutely one of the best desserts anywhere.
(5)Steven F.
The service wasn't add I thought it should be, the waiter seemed like he was trying to Rush us thru our meal. The salad I had really didn't taste add good as I had how for $13 this is the second time that I thought the service want up to par, so I will Not be returning.
(2)Charles W.
The best Italian that you will find outside of a mom and pop which just don't exist around here. Great professional service all around, wide selection of great food to please everyone. I have tried three quarters of the menu and nothing disappoints
(5)Alex A.
I can not express the bad experience we had. From the moment we walked in the staff was joking around and made us wait until they were done talking. Then we finally get seated and the waiter is ok at best. He gets the drink order all wrong. Then stands literally 3 feet behind the table talking about what his weekend was gonna bring. Finally we order and it comes out in about 13 minutes which just blew our minds until we bit into it. Both of our orders tasted like cardboard. After struggling through it and not having a salad brought over as part of the order he immeditaely brought the check. We were in and out in 45 minutes at most and agreed as we walked out to never come back. And we were no where near close, so no reason to be pushed. Sorry guys...may have just been a weak night.
(2)Kyle B.
The fiancée and I were trying to decide on someplace good for lunch, so we stopped in here. It was already a busy Sunday lunch, but we only had to wait a couple of minutes before being seated. Carrabba's currently has a three course special, which I decided to try. We shared the fried mozzarella as an appetizer, then I had a Caesar salad and the chicken almost parmigiana. It's breaded like chicken parm, but none of the sauce or mozzarella on it. It came with a unique dipping sauce that was good and I ordered spaghetti and meat sauce on the side. The fiancée had spaghetti. We both enjoyed our meals very much! Hot food was hot, cold food was cold and everything tasted just right. I even took home the leftovers and ate them for lunch the next day. Our server was friendly and very attentive. He kept our drinks full and the meal was well paced. He actually apologized for a delay in our entrees. We hadn't even noticed a delay. This place is definitely better than most chain Italian places around. If you're in the area and you're hungry for some good Italian food, you can't go wrong here.
(4)Tara G.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Knoxville. The calamari is what all others aspire to be. I'm in love with the cavatappi. And I thought there was nothing better than Sirloin Marsala until I tried the Prosciutto Wrapped Tenderloin. Never had a meal here that wasn't great.
(5)April L.
Food was so good and the service was amazing! Would go back again! Kids loved it! Huge portion brought most back with us!
(5)Steve Q.
This is the best italian chain restaurant in Knoxville. Everything a notch above and flavorful, starting with the olive tepanade dip and warm crusty bread. BUT I DON'T GO THERE ANYMORE. WHY ? Before remodeling, they have community table surrounded by dark wood booths, very classy and intimate yet still open to the action. Love the ambience. Then corporate sent in some brain dead 20 something designers and they decided to "Open her up", by dismantling the classy dark wood panels, and redo the walls to make it open and bright. What I now got is prosaic diner experience. They duplicatd the exact feel and look of SHONEY ! To be honest theres nothing wrong with Shoney. I go there too but with a different mindset when I want grids and ham and pancake or country fry speak. I do not expect this when we go to an upscale italian dinner restaurant. The remodelling destroyed it utterly. I WANT TO CRY whenever I think about the injustice. So I don't go - why would I want to upset myself ? Write to corporate management if you feel the same way. Feel free to copy my lines.
(4)Nikole B.
Wonderful. ..they used to have an off the menu, 3 style chicken that is lovely, not sure if they still offer. .staff always friendly and knowledgeable. Be aware they are packed on University home game weekends. Worth the wait but younger kids may not do well, . Great advice on pairings.
(4)Courtney C.
It might be a chain, but they still know how to do good Italian food. Food always tastes fresh and flavorful. The salad is a must have, and their house dressing is my all-time favorite dressing. It's one of my favorite go-to spots in Knoxville. Service is great too!
(5)Cub F.
My wife and I went to dinner last night at Carrabba's last night for the first time. Hunter was our server. He did an excellent job and was spot on with menu suggestions. I had the Sirloin Marsalis and my wife had lasagna. Both were excellent. My wife particularly liked the peach sangria. The rest of the staff was helpful even though we were not seated in their station. We'll be back.
(5)Anthony F.
This was my first time eating at Carrabbas. I arrived with 7 coworkers and was quickly seated even after being told there would be a 30 minute wait. We were greeted with a very friendly staff and drink orders taken. I chose to order a 3 Entree sampler which consisted of a Grilled Chicken dish, Lasagna and Fettuccini Alfredo. I was terribly disappointed. I have always thought that this particular restaurant would be the cream of the crop. Instead, I discovered that the food I ordered was sorely lacking in every way. Yes- the grilled chicken was tasty, but the white mayonnaise like sauce totally overpowered it and made me quite sick to my stomach. The sauce that covered the lasagna was very sour and distasteful. Lastly, the Alfredo was poorly seasoned and disappointing. I was planning to bring my wife and son here but will not after the troublesome menu items.
(2)Susan H.
Food was very good, but quite expensive and the portions were small. Server did give us a refill on the bread and spices. Yelp says there is a $10 off coupon but when you click on it it says the offer is expired. The server said the last special ended 2 days ago.
(4)Adra M.
OMG.........FAVOLOSO (Fabulous in Italian)....The food was amazing. The service was wonderful. My mother ordered The Johnny-which was Chicken Bryan & Sirloin Marsala. The Chicken Bryan was a party in your mouth. It tasted like perfection, seriously. My sister ordered the Mezzaluna-chicken, ricotta, romano, and spinach. She enjoyed her dish too, but couldn't stop eating Mother's Chicken Bryan, lol. I ordered the baked ravioli parmesan, which I loved. We ordered an app as well, the mozzarella marinara-which was yummy. Our entree's came with a soup or salad. We all chose soup. And then tried each other's. They were all good, I really didn't have a favorite, they were all great. Our server was hands down one of the best server's I've had in my life. He sang to us in Italian, walked us out, hugged us, laid down pretend roses for us to walk on, and then sealed our meal with kisses on each of our cheeks! He was simply to die for. We love Carrabba's and can't wait to go back. If you've nev eaten here, please do yourself a favor and go. It was worth every single penny.
(5)Alesa G.
For our mother's birthday celebration last night we needed a place whose menu could accommodate two out of four people on very restricted diets. We've had good meals at Carrabba's before and thought it would be a safe bet. Our meal was flat out bad. The side salads were wilted and tasteless. There was barely any creamy parmesan garlic dressing on them. They looked bad and should never have been served in the first place. We sent them back and received the same poor quality again. The waitress did give us extra salad dressing on the side, which was a nice gesture, but the lettuce was really inedible. Nobody ate their salads. The entrees weren't any better. Several us of had garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli. The vegetables had no seasoning, so we had to use lots of salt and pepper to make them edible. My mother's filet was cooked way below the done-ness she had requested (it looked raw) and was full of gristle, as had been her same steak the previous time she ate here. I had the shrimp and scallop entree with crumb topping and lemon cream sauce. Same story. Totally lacking in taste. The presentation was as bland and uninspired as the flavor. The only saving graces of this meal were the Prosecco that two of our party had and the ice cream and chocolate desserts. Total check for 4 people, including tip, was $134. I don't see us returning. This was the second disappointing meal in a row there for three of us. We used to be able to rely on Carrabba's for a good meal, but not anymore.
(1)Bo D.
Great. I enjoyed the low-lit setting, and the pasta I ordered was delicious. It isn't that pricy but it's not cheap either.
(4)Lauren B.
If you are trying to decide between somewhere like Olive Garden or Carraba's... always pick Carraba's. This is the best chain Italian food there is. At the beginning of the meal you are presented with a fresh loaf of bread and olive oil with spices. It's addictive. The caesar salad or the sicilian chicken soup make great starters. I usually order the Pasta Carraba or the wood grilled chicken with asparagus. Z says ordering a pizza is the way to go, He got sausage and it looked amazing. Even my picky parents love this place which is saying something. :)
(4)Mike D.
I have to say, this last visit I made to this Carrabba's location on 8/14/2015 was probably the most memorable meal I ever had at a chain restaurant. The food was out of this world. I had Pollo Rosa Maria. It was amazing. My friend had Chicken Bryan pizza(?) That was probably the best pizza I ever tasted. I had some kind of pasta for a side dish, that I am embarrassed to say, I cannot pronounce. It was fantastic. The service was as good as the food. I will definitely be back.
(5)William M.
Big fan. Great food and ambiance, as usual. Server- McKenzie. Very efficient, VERY abrupt. Good Grief!
(5)George W.
We went to carraba's for our anniversary and it was a very good experience. Our server Emerald was good very good. The combo I ordered has steak with pepper butter and chicken Bryan.i substituted the steak for the marsala and it was excellent. The pepper butter had just the right amount of heat and the steak was excellently cooked the chicken was very tasty and my wife said the shrimp and scallops she ordered were great. The only thing that kept this review from being a five is that I tried ordering lasagna first but they were out of it.
(4)Nancy Y.
If you haven't met Downtown Mike Brown you've not been to Carrabbas! He runs the pizza oven and he's great Never fails to make sure you're well cared for! His complimentary cheese bread...Yum!! The caprese salad is terrific. Their soups are great too. This is one of my favorite chain restaurants.
(4)Casey F.
I don't like to review national chains much, because, yeah, everyone knows about them, but I feel the need to evangelize for a moment: Their Italian house salad is the most delicious house salad I have ever tasted. Other house salads have a poster of this house salad on their bedroom ceiling. It's got carrots and celery and olives and. . .man, okay, I can't remember what all it has on it, just know that it is delicious, and it is covered in some sort of amazing vinaigrette that you will be thinking seriously about licking out of the bowl until a waiter comes by and gives you a funny look. I mean, everything else I've had there is good too, the Chicken Bryan, the Pollo Rosa Maria, definitely. . .but dang! That salad! Get it and put it in your mouth as soon as possible.
(4)Tanner Tanning R.
Always delicious. Just wish there was another location closer to downtown Knoxville cuz traffic out west is nuts! I know many people don't like calamari, but if ever there was calamari to love it's the calamari at Carrabbas. It's tender and flavorful, not the rubbery blandness most chains churn out. But try not to fill up on calamari and the amazing bread, you'll want to save room for your entree! There are so many entrees I genuinely love that I have a hard time deciding... Sirloin Marsala, Chicken Bryan, Seafood Cannelloni (the seafood here is surprisingly fresher than I've had at Carrabbas locations on the coast)... And there's always a tempting entree on the specials menu. Tonight I had one of the specials, Champagne Shrimp and Scallops which was good. The scallops were the small bay scallops and although I was expecting sea scallops the flavor of the bay scallops was quite good. And there was enough to take home for a meal the next day. The servers here are also very good. Prompt and friendly. And I appreciate that our drinks were replenished without having to ask. I know that's small and petty but you'd be amazed how infrequently that actually happens.
(5)Rachel C.
First time at any Carrabbas. Had the Salmon and grilled veggies... Very good. The mini deserts were just right size and taste great.
(4)Sheryl P.
Love Carrabas! My husband and I love eating here and come here quite often. Service is good and the food is even better. We've never ordered appetizers only because the bread and olive oil they serve is filling enough. My husband always orders the Chicken Bryan and it is both our favorite. The saltiness from the goat cheese with the chicken is a perfect marriage. I like to change things up and order different things from time to time and I've never been disappointed. Among my favorites are the Seafood Cannelloni and the Pollo Rose Maria. I've been wanting to try their pizzas but just can't tear myself away from the Chicken Bryan. With the exception of The Cheesecake Factory and Claim Jumpers we're not prone to ordering dessert. But during one visit I looked over at our neighbor's table and something caught my eye- it was the Sogno Di Cioccoalata "Chocolate Dream". We both thought it looked delicious and even though we were stuffed we decided to go for it. Omg. DELICIOUS!! From then on we've always ordered this dessert and I think it's my favorite thing on the menu! Despite all of the chocolate on the plate you don't feel weighed down and you don't feel like you've just eaten a ton of calories- even though you know you did! One of our favorite restaurants! Have eaten here numerous times and will continue to come back!
(5)Jennie B.
I've eaten at Carrabbas a LOT in the past 3 years. My fiance and I hold workshops at this restaurant, and the food and service is consistently excellent. I've had several items but I must say that the Chicken Marsala is truly delectable. Tender, juicy chicken breast cooked just right. Marsala wine sauce with a fair amount of butter to give it a richness that rivals Authentic Italian Restaurants in Italy. The sauce is different than other Marsala's I've had. It's not as "gravy" like, but more buttery and wine-like. If that makes sense to you, and you are beginning to close your eyes and imagine how flavorful this is, just pick yourself up and go get it. The sauteed mushrooms are so tasty, as is the bread with fresh olive oil and spice dip. Servers are very attentive and on top of their game.
(4)Jen L.
Like an Olive Garden, but slightly fancier. I'm an ex-fatty, so I love this kind of place in my head, but my stomach can no longer handle it. I like the soup and pizza. Skip the pasta if you're smart - a chain will never have delicious sauce in my opinion. They have kids meals and a huge kid's activity pamphlet keeps the little one busy for longer than a few minutes.
(3)Mark R.
I'm not a chain restaurant guy, and Carrabbas still gets my highest rating. Miles above Olive Garden and the like. Every meal starts with amazing hot bread you dip in fresh herbs and e.v. olive oil and it only gets tastier from there. Their wood fired grill is evident in tastes throughout. Try the 'Chicken Bryan', so amazing, I found the recipe online and make it at home. Juicy chicken breast with a medallion of goat cheese, sun dried tomato and butter garlic sauce. Amazing. I recently asked a fellow foodie if they liked Carrabbas and after looking at me with a glance of, "are you kidding me yes", we both simultaneously said, "Chicken Bryan". I've been to locations mostly in South Florida, but here as well, and have never had a bad meal. All other menu items were equally delicious, but I seem to stick with my favorite.
(5)CH C.
I was staying at a motel across the parking lot and was interested in a light supper before getting a good night's sleep, so i wandered into Carraba's. My server, Dylan, was superb. It was late, so we ended up having a great conversation. I ordered the Insalata Fiorucci, which was a vegetarian entree with grilled vegetables and goat cheese. It was excellent. Although it was a chain that I'd never seen before, it was a memorable meal with a very friendly ambience.
(4)Christina D.
The best chain restaurant Ive been to. The salad and bread alone is more than enough. Their pizzas are so good and they are very open to adding what u like to any order. There nightly specials are usually very delicious. When I did eat meat I would be drooling for their chicken Marsala, now I usually go for their delicious salmon!
(5)Tracy W.
Ok, I absolutely love cannelloni. It is by far, my favorite Italian dish, and I looked up Carrabba's Menu before going there, to ensure that they serve it. So, I was undoubtedly biased before entering the restaurant. We went on a Friday night, and had to wait about 25 minutes to get a table for 5, which is not bad in my opinion. The chicken and spinach cannelloni was savory and rich and amazing. If it wasn't so filling, I could have definitely eaten two servings. Also, the chicken bryan with goat cheese was supreme. I never would have guessed this was a chain restaurant, because the service was great and the menu was original.
(5)Sophia Q.
I'm not sure how this place gets good reviews. I've dined at Carrabas 4-5 times - never by choice. The food is cooked in an overabundance of butter and has little other taste to it. I've ordered the chicken bryan, , grilled chicken, lobster ravioli, chicken and spinach canelloni.....they've all had the same taste! Really unimpressed with this restaurant and would rate it as the worst in Knoxville. I'm being generous by giving it one star.
(1)Green D.
Absolutely one of the BEST chain restaurants I've ever been to. From service to quality to value and selection it's all exceptional here!! If they could change the "chain" atmosphere it could definitely be a lower level fine dining establishment!!
(4)Ben U.
Holy crap. Brian's Chicken. Get it. Eat it. Love it. Goat cheese and chicken belong together like chocolate and peanut butter.
(5)john j.
5 Stars for a chain. I get the Chicken Trio. It has 3 pieces of chicken on it with pasta.....chicken bryan, rosa maria, and another one. You also get salad (I get the Caesar-it's perfect) and bread with dipping oil......awesome. After the bread and salad if you can finish the entire trio you are a better man than I. I take some home and have it for lunch/dinner the next day. The woodfired grill (they use pecan wood I'm told) gives the chicken such a great flavor I can barely describe it. They also tend to use alot of garlic in their sauces which I like. This place is waaaaaay above olive garden in terms of food and service. There is no comparison.
(5)Chuck C.
Another place that is good and I recommend going, but that I just can't get into. The food is kind of boring to me and I find myself constantly passing it by when narrowing down my choices. And I never feel satisfied. Full, but not satisfied, does that make sense? But I do recommend going.
(4)