Maggiano’s Little Italy is a casual dining restaurant chain that serves Italian cuisine throughout the United States. The restaurant serves large portions of both classic and contemporary Italian dishes and provides family-styled dining. The idea behind Maggiano’s is to make customers feel as if they are extended family enjoying Sunday dinner cooking at an Italian grandmother’s house. The establishment’s recipes are actually inspired by Italian grandmothers, mothers, and aunts, and modified through trial and error to create the restaurant’s wonderful signature dishes.

The establishment aims to make each and every customer feel comfortable and at home. The restaurant provides for special occasions, large family gatherings, and intimate dinners. The establishment provides full-service dining in a festive and high energy environment. The dining rooms and banquet halls are inspired by pre-war Italy. The food consists of delicious, authentic Italian-American cuisine and the ambiance is made up of a warm family friendly atmosphere with excellent service. The restaurant has established a reputation over the years as one of the country’s best Italian-American restaurants.

History

The first Maggiano’s restaurant was opened in Chicago, Illinois on November 11, 1991. Mr. Richard Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. (LEYE) opened this first location to expand the Italian division of LEYE. LEYE had the vision of “re-creating the classic pre-World War II dinner house featuring family size portions.” This first restaurant was located at the corner of Clark Street and Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, and was successful from its opening. As a result of the success of the first location, a second restaurant was opened in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Two years later, a third location was opened in Skokie, Illinois. However, in 1994, the company decided to branch out outside the state of Illinois. That year, a fourth location was opened in McLean, Virginia at Tyson’s Corner Galleria II. This location took off and was very successful. This achievement proved that the establishment had the potential for great success at a national level. For this reason, in 1995, Brinker International, Inc. purchased the establishment from Mr. Richard Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. There are three locations, however, that still continue to be included under the LEYE frequent diner and gift card programs.

Brinker International, Inc. has since expanded the restaurant from just the initial four locations to numerous locations throughout the United States. The establishment currently around 50 locations in various states throughout the entire country. Examples of such states include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The establishment is still highly successful and has become even more popular over the years.

The establishment strives to provide an authentic Italian-American dining experience for its guests. Upon entering the restaurant, customers are greeted with the sounds of Frank Sinatra songs; fresh gladiolas are placed in the restaurants every day; great Italian food is prepared and served; and an extensive wine list is provided to complement the food. On May 30, 2007, Maggiano’s and Make a Wish Foundation entered into a partnership to assist children with life-threatening medical conditions. On November 11, 2011, the restaurant celebrated its 20^th anniversary at its first location at the corner of Clark Street and Grand Avenue in Chicago.

Review

Maggiano’s makes its food fresh each day. The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner. The establishment is generally open Sundays through Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. The hours of operation may vary according to location. The chain also has separate carryout and delivery menus. The restaurant is the perfect venue for special occasions, either for business or pleasure. Dining halls and Banquet halls are available for bookings so guests are able to host weddings, bar mitzvahs, or corporate events at the restaurant. There is a separate banquet menu that caters to such special events.

Guests can select from either the regular or shared family style menu. The family style menu is larger than the regular menu. However, both menus provide generous portions with enough left over to take home. The lunch menu consists of appetizers, flatbreads, soups and salads, sandwiches, lunch combinations, Marco’s mean for Two, pastas, the Standards, and Classic Pastas. The dinner menu is similar to the lunch menu, with the addition of Chef’s Favorites, chicken, seafood, steak and veal, and specialty pasta sections. The establishment also provides a full-service bar, which serves cocktails, beer, and wines. Coffee and tea are also served.

The appetizers and flatbreads are priced between $9 and $13. The salads are priced between $11 and $15 for regular sized salads and $5 and $7 for side salads. Soups are priced from $3 to $5 depending on the size. The Sandwiches are $12 to $16. Marco’s Meals for Two are between $40 and $42. The Standards range from $15 to $21 and include the Chicken Parmesan, Grilled Salmon Lemon and Herb, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, and Chicken Caprese. On The House Classic Pastas are priced between $12 and $15, and include Mom’s Lasagna, Lighter Take Baked Ziti, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Fettuccine Alfredo. Specialty Pastas are priced between $16 and $27, and include the Famous Rigatoni D, Chef KB’s Lobster Carbonara, and Linguine di Mare.

The food is excellent and the service is outstanding. The restaurants are also very clean. Servers are friendly, fast and attentive. The restaurant is usually crowded, so reservations are highly recommended. Favorites include the Famous Rigatoni D, Eggplant Parmesan, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, and the Four-Cheese Ravioli. The Calamari, Beef Tenderloin Medallions and the Grilled Salmon are all highly recommended. The establishment is a great place for the family to spend time and share a meal together. Customers definitely enjoy the wonderful Italian-American cuisine and the entire dining experience.