Johnny Carinos Italian Grill, OHHHHH MY!

[QueBert]

Anyone eaten here? seems like everybody I talk to has never heard of it. Absolutely some of the best Italian food I've eaten.

I had the Italian Nachos, this is how their site describes them

Crispy pasta chips baked with ground Italian sausage and/or sliced grilled chicken, pepperoncini peppers, black olives, roma tomatoes and jalapenos. Topped with creamy alfredo sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese

Maybe not authentic Italian but every time I eat these I almost die, best appetizer I've ever had anywhere. The Sausage is freaking delicious. I would eat these once a week if I could.

main course I had

Bowtie Festival, which is
Sliced grilled chicken sautéed with bacon, fresh garlic, red onions and roma tomatoes, tossed with bowtie pasta in a creamy asiago cheese sauce.

JESUS this was good! the chicken was beyond tender, the bacon wasn't too crunchy but not too soft either, very flavorful. garlic was potent but not overpowering, the cheese sauce was killer, didn't taste anything like Alfredo. Now I love Alfredo but this was something different.

add in a salad and bread sticks, I was FULL. Maybe I just don't know enough people but I can't believe nobody I know goes to this place. I've been maybe 7 times and it's always delicious. Anyone else love this place? I can't be the only one

 

[nonameo]

>_< I thought it said italian girl.

 

[xSauronx]

i went to one in Wichita last year, it was good, nothing to write home about. i cant even remember what i had, maybe ravioli?

 

[BRObedoza]

it's not bad. i had the sausage skilletini. good stuff.

 

[aphex]

are you serious?? Johnny Carinos SUCKS

In fact, all the ones around here closed up because most everyone tried it once or twice and never went back....

 

[mrSHEiK124]

There was one in town here, it only lasted as long as the "OMG LETS GO EAT AT THAT NEW PLACE" craze left it afloat. Carraba's (sp?) is better

 

[Jesta]

Originally posted by: mrSHEiK124
There was one in town here, it only lasted as long as the "OMG LETS GO EAT AT THAT NEW PLACE" craze left it afloat. Carraba's (sp?) is better

Same here, ours went out of business about 6 months ago.

 

[homercles337]

Crap chain. Not even worth mentioning.

Hey, i went to applebe's and had an *amazing* meal the other night! :roll:

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: homercles337
Crap chain. Not even worth mentioning.

Hey, i went to applebe's and had an *amazing* meal the other night! :roll:

my parents adore outback steakhouse, so did my ex. meh to chains. theyre not bad...but worth getting excited over? i think not.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: homercles337
Crap chain. Not even worth mentioning.

Hey, i went to applebe's and had an *amazing* meal the other night! :roll:

haha you're comparing them to Applebee's? oh wow. Applebees the lady and I can eat for like 25 bucks, Carino's our bill's usually around 95. The only thing the 2 have in common is they're both nation wide chains. I guess some locations might be better than others? The one out here (Chula Vista CA) there's almost always a wait of 30-45 minutes.

and to xSauronx I don't typically get exited over chains, but the Italian Nachos are seriously the best thing I've eaten and my meals there are always good. The Lasagna is great.

I guess some of y'all have very high tastes? I eat at places like Kobe Shogun, Dovans By The Bay & Ruth Chris and I like Carino's, it's not the best food I've ever had. But I think it's great Italian food, especially for a chain.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Just from looking at the menu it looks to be a couple of steps below Olive Garden.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Just from looking at the menu it looks to be a couple of steps below Olive Garden.

It's better than Olive Garden, but really, nothing to get excited about.

 

[mrkun]

The food is mediocre and overpriced.

 

[BoomerD]

The one we have here is mediocre at best. Certainly NOT what I'd call good Italian food...however, since the Olive Garden here has been possibly the worst restaurant I've ever been to on the two occasions I've tried it...Johnny Carino's beats them by a long way.

 

[OdiN]

There is one within walking distance from here. But...there is a Texas Roadhouse pretty much right by it. Roadhouse FTW!

If I go to a chain Italian place, I'll go to Maggiano's Little Italy.

 

[Anonemous]

Originally posted by: OdiN
There is one within walking distance from here. But...there is a Texas Roadhouse pretty much right by it. Roadhouse FTW!

If I go to a chain Italian place, I'll go to Maggiano's Little Italy.

Maggiano's FTW

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: homercles337
Crap chain. Not even worth mentioning.

Hey, i went to applebe's and had an *amazing* meal the other night! :roll:

haha you're comparing them to Applebee's? oh wow. Applebees the lady and I can eat for like 25 bucks, Carino's our bill's usually around 95. The only thing the 2 have in common is they're both nation wide chains. I guess some locations might be better than others? The one out here (Chula Vista CA) there's almost always a wait of 30-45 minutes.

and to xSauronx I don't typically get exited over chains, but the Italian Nachos are seriously the best thing I've eaten and my meals there are always good. The Lasagna is great.

I guess some of y'all have very high tastes? I eat at places like Kobe Shogun, Dovans By The Bay & Ruth Chris and I like Carino's, it's not the best food I've ever had. But I think it's great Italian food, especially for a chain.

you spend 95 bucks there for 2? i went with a party of 4 and it didnt clear 100 bucks.

are you loading up on booze or something there?

hell, the WEBSITE shows dinner for 2 for 20 bucks. if youre going to spend that much cash on dinner, do yourself a favor, go somewhere local with a good reputation instead of overpaying for americanized italian food.

 

[Whisper]

I've had it, and was less than impressed. I don't normally eat meatballs other than the homemade variety, but I tried some of theirs, and they were probably the worst I've yet had at a restaurant.

Personally, I think Maggiano's is better...and I'm not even a very big fan of Maggiano's.

Edit: Just as a basis of comparison, this is probably my favorite Italian restaurant. It even beats some of my mother's cooking, although I'd never admit that to her.

 

[Captante]

Plenty of real Italian restaurants here in Connecticut ... no need to eat in a mediocre (at best) chain place.

 

[anxi80]

you're in san diego? go to sardina's on morena blvd by mission bay. its a little, quaint italian restaurant with good food and a homely atmosphere. if you travel up to north county; carmella's in san marcos off the 76 is a similiar atmosphere but a bit more pricey but with great food.

ive been to johnny carino's once. it was decent. considering i havent gone back in a while im guessing it didnt really "wow" me. but then again based off my recommendations i prefer more mom and pop-like places where i expect good service and good food because they rely on repeat business and good word of mouth.

 

[bignateyk]

better than olive garden, but still doesnt deserve to be called italian food.

 

[Sphexi]

Sbarros > *

 

[NuclearNed]

I've never liked Carinos. I actually like Olive Garden better, and I like Carabba's a whole lot better. I've never had anything at Johnny Carinos that just blew me away.

 

[Nitemare]

Better than the Olive Garden...but that is not saying much


Carrabas, Macaroni Grill and Maggiani's are 100x better than Sucky Carinos

 

[K1052]

Visit a city with real food, you won't be that excited about it anymore.