Anyone Here Ever Eat at Romano's Macaroni Grill?

Self | July 7, 2019 | PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

I often check out Gift Card Granny for the latest discounted gift card deals, especially for restaurants. For the past few weeks I have noticed gift cards for Romano's Macaroni Grill selling for a whopping 56% discount.

Okay the question is WHY? I am tempted to purchase such a gift card but is there something about that restaurant that makes that gift card sell for such a low price? If it were a restaurant I was familiar with and liked, I would buy it for sure but since i am unfamiliar with the Macaroni Grill perhaps someone out there can fill me in about it.

[Sacajaweau]

My daughter and hubby go there. They love it in every way.

[nd76]

Romano’s Macaroni Grill is part of the Brinker International restaurant group (Chili’s).

I used to eat in their restaurant near the Annapolis Mall in Maryland, and it used to be quite good; we would go there for a dish that contained angel hair pasta, lightly breaded chicken breast pieces, minced pancetta, mushrooms and chopped artichoke hearts in a light white wine sauce. It went for something like $14.95; perhaps the best dining experience for that price going. Their dining room featured jug wines sold by the honor system; you told the waiter after the meal how many glasses you had. They had a distinctive Italian bread which was baked in a hearth on the premises, and was worth going to the restaurant for that alone.

Over time, their costs increased and the quality of their food slipped. The competition in this segment of the “casual dining” market is tough, with names such as Carrabbas, Bertuccis, Pizzeria Uno, Johnny Carinos, etc. I’ve noticed that they have closed a number of their locations.

Often times, the closest restaurant to a closed location is 100 miles or more; that is why the gift cards are going at such a discount.

[mac_truck]

Sounds like the restaurant chain may have a serious cash flow problem.

If you buy one of their gift cards, my advice would be to use it immediately because they may be going out of business.

[SaveFerris]

Yes, I was about to say “pancetta” too

[we would go there for a dish that contained angel hair pasta, lightly breaded chicken breast pieces, minced pancetta, mushrooms and chopped artichoke hearts in a light white wine sauce]

Yep, butter and white wine sauce, with capers.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3762225/posts?page=20#20

[BluH2o]

Although Romano's Macaroni Grill was founded in Colorado, the four restaurants in CO are all located on the front range ... we live in western CO. However, we visit Colorado Springs fairly frequently and eat at their restaurant. Our dining experience has always been good. I like Italian and their dishes are excellent.

[SoCal Pubbie]

I think they’re much better than Olive Garden.

[Yardstick]

I had a couple of business lunches there and was impressed. They lasted in my town for about six years, then disappeared. To me there was a disconnect between the whimsical name and the slightly upclass dining experience.

[PJ-Comix]

I also see they have Kids Eat Free on Mondays and Tuesdays so taking advantage of that plus the discounted gift cards....

[humblegunner]

I think it is an exclusive discount for vanity posters who screw up three words out of eighteen.

Illiterates really shouldn't be rewarded.

[sloanrb]

They Lie!

They don’t serve Grilled Macaroni! In fact the only macaroni is on the kids menu.

Total false advertising if you ask me.

[PJ-Comix]

How are the prices?

[SuperLuminal]

Walked into one in Annapolis many, many years ago and turned around and walked back out... Place was to flthy to eat in...

[Libloather]

I don’t want my macaroni grilled.

Try using skewers. It's a whole lot easier.

[Fiji Hill]

Many years agok I ate at the one in Irvine, Calif. Not only was the food very good, but so was the service. It was my mother's birthday and a waitress surprised us by coming to our table and singing one of my mother's favorite songs, "O Mio Babbino Caro" (oh, my dear father) from Giacomo Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi (1918).

[Cowboy Bob]

There was one in Houston on Westheimer near the Galleria. Went there quite often years ago, when I lived in the city. They has a chicken and artichoke dish that was fantastic! There was always a line out the door.

When I went back to Houston 2 years ago, I saw that the y had closed. The building is still there...but unoccupied.

Nearby, there is a Beck's Prime burger cafe. Great burgers - and a huge Live Oak tree that you can sit under when you eat. Having a burger there is heaven!

[ChuckHam]

Bargain gift cards appears to be shady from the reviews I’ve read. I wouldn’t buy from them.

Granny points to their website.

[Hot Tabasco]

You seem to be obsessed with food..........seek help.

[GOPJ]

I ate there once - the food was mediocre. The service was bad, and the prices were too much for what was offered (since the prices were moderate that tells a story) - and the portions sizes were off...

Every place should have one or two ‘stand out’ dishes - one the waiters will tell you about - and this one didn’t have that... Never went back.

[DannyTN]

I have eaten at one many times. It’s usually pretty good. Our’s closed down. I can remember one bad meal out of maybe 50. And they brought me a replacement.

[MayflowerMadam]

When we lived in SoCal, we ate there often at various locations, and we loved it. We left in 2010, so I don’t know if they’re still there.