Posted on 07/07/2019 12:10:07 PM PDT by 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.
The one in my college town lasted about a year, and that was years ago.
So that doesn’t sound too good.
“Anyone Here Ever Eat at Romano’s Macaroni Grill?”
No, but I ate at Ima’s Burger Bar.
Pretty decent, olive garden type of Americanized Italian food.
I used to eat at one in Ventura, CA. I recommend the Penne Rustica. As with most restaurant chains, you’re mileage may vary.
From what I recall, there isn’t inherently anything wrong with the chain, just that it hasn’t had a major refresh recently and it mostly ends up with an older crowd. There are several around here but I haven’t considered going to one in a couple years because (no offense, people) while I don’t like eating in places with screaming children, I also don’t want to be surrounded by people falling asleep and face planting into their food.
Check out YELP and read the reviews that should give you a pretty good idea!!!
Oh, also, their marketing department is run by idiots and they don’t seem to know how to market on the Internet.
I suggest you check reviews for your local grill on Yelp, Google, Travel Advisor. I’ve found Yelp to be particularly helpful.
I don’t want my macaroni grilled.
It’s a chain Italian restaurant that is a step above a place like Olive Garden. There is nothing “wrong” with it, but it’s a chain and comes with the usual pros and cons that chains have. I see the gift cards on sale at Costco a lot, so I’m not surprised they are running sales at other places.
could be that they are closing a lot of macaroni grills?
eg: if you live in Little Rock, Ar where they closed their macaroni grill, you would have to drive to Dallas TX to find the closest Mac & be able to use your Romano’s Macaroni Grill card.
hence, big discount???
My wife, who prides herself on her Italian cooking, also enjoys the food at Macaroni Grill (as she does at Olive Garden ... though she doesn't care for OG's breadsticks -- which just means more for me!)
Liked the nones in Kentucky, Oceanside, CA and Rancho Cucamonga. Good hot bread. caesar salad, penne with various sauces. Lentil soup one day a week. Op-era singer on Friday nights in RC 10 years ago.
I like them. I consider them somewhat similar, but better, then Olive Garden.
One store may vary from another - I’ve only gone to the one location, but have gone back a few times.
One of the waiters once broke out in song - a trained and aspiring Opera singer. That was really nice, and unique.
I checked out YELP and saw the reviews were mostly absolutely fantastic or absolutely horrible. So I didn’t learn much there plus the reviews might be suspect.
I used to eat there quite a bit and still do every now and then. It has always been a decent meal . Not great but not bad. I always do the “build your own” pasta. You can choose everything in it from the sauce to the meats and vegetables.
I used to go, once in awhile years ago.
I liked the Scaloppine di Pollo (angel hair pasta with chicken and a butter sauce).
Though I went for broccoli instead of cauliflower.
I found a copycat recipe years ago and made my own. I didn’t bread the chicken though (didn’t want to put that much effort into it at that time).
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