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View Full Version : Anybody ever eaten at one of these joints?



Okla-homey
8/16/2006, 10:56 AM
Heard on the radio today that the next edition of "Consumer Reports" evaluated 150 "casual dining" chains across the fruited plain and rated Johnny Carino's numba one overall for value, price, quality of fare and overall dining experience. Apparently they polled bazillions of folks all over the country too as part of their evaluation.

I've never set foot in one.

Thoughts?

proud gonzo
8/16/2006, 10:58 AM
I love the place--owned by the same people as Macaroni Grill but it's more moderately priced, a little more casual.

yermom
8/16/2006, 10:59 AM
seemed a tad pricey, but it was really good

NormanPride
8/16/2006, 10:59 AM
Great stuff, and not too bad price-wise. The furniture was a pain to my overweight ***, though. ;)

Boomer.....
8/16/2006, 11:00 AM
Their bread soup is the jam. It isn't what you think, it has chicken in it.

Okla-homey
8/16/2006, 11:00 AM
I love the place--owned by the same people as Macaroni Grill but it's more moderately priced, a little more casual.

That would be a big 10-4 from the precocious, svelte, red-headed bird lover girl;)

IB4OU2
8/16/2006, 11:02 AM
Being a teenager and growing up in the 60's caused me to misread the title of this thread......

Sooner Born Sooner Bred
8/16/2006, 11:03 AM
I really like it. In fact, I have a $25 gift certificate I need to use.

Xstnlsooner
8/16/2006, 11:04 AM
Carrabbas Italien Grill is my favorite. Their chicken marsala is the best!

mrowl
8/16/2006, 11:06 AM
I love the place--owned by the same people as Macaroni Grill but it's more moderately priced, a little more casual.

FYI, Carinos has nothing to do with Mac Grill (Brinker Intl)

proud gonzo
8/16/2006, 11:12 AM
FYI, Carinos has nothing to do with Mac Grill (Brinker Intl)
really? i heard they were they were :confused:

mrowl
8/16/2006, 11:13 AM
really? i heard they were they were :confused:

They are owned and Managed by Fired Up, Inc.

A restaurant frachise company, that owns little of the actual restaurants

Boarder
8/16/2006, 11:18 AM
As a whole, I hate Carino's. The only thing I like there are the Italian Nachos. They're good, I'll give them that. I've tried about 5 other pasta dishes and didn't like any of them. And I'm not what you'd call a picky eater (see gut as reference).

colleyvillesooner
8/16/2006, 11:21 AM
The Chicken Caesar Panini is awexome.

proud gonzo
8/16/2006, 11:28 AM
I love their chicken balsamico

sooneron
8/16/2006, 11:28 AM
I would term the food there as fair to good. I've eaten at 3 different locations. I would say their strongpoint is hosting fairly large groups. I think we had more than 6-8 two of the times. It's not real italian, but it's decent middle 'merica eyetalian.

StoopTroup
8/16/2006, 11:43 AM
Jalepeno Tilapia...

Mmmmmmm...


Jalapeño Garlic Tilapia
Quickly becoming a Carino's Classic! Fillet of tilapia pan-sautéed with fresh garlic, roma tomatoes, jalapeños & spinach in a lemon butter cream sauce over angel hair pasta

Chef's recommended wine: Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay

Sooner_Bob
8/16/2006, 11:47 AM
I've eaten at Johnny Carino's once or twice . . . it was ok.

My wife on the other hand loves their food.

Okla-homey
8/16/2006, 11:48 AM
My wife on the other hand loves their food.

Which means of course, as a husband who adores his wife, you eat there a lot. I usually let Mrs Homey pick the eating joint. Its just easier that way.

Hamhock
8/16/2006, 11:50 AM
I ate there last night.

Italian nachos and bowtie festival.

mmmm...

BeetDigger
8/16/2006, 12:12 PM
really? i heard they were they were :confused:


It was started by two former Brinkers guys.

TopDaugIn2000
8/16/2006, 12:40 PM
I really like it. Haven't tried anything there that was bad, IMO.

Jimminy Crimson
8/16/2006, 12:41 PM
Its good. You'd enjoy, Homes.

As previously stated, the italian nachos and chicken balsamico are good stuff.

Better than the OG. Only thing worthwhile there is the salad and sticks. The food is actually good at Carino's. And their fresh bread with oil and garlic dip chit makes up for the 'setup' at OG.

Rhino
8/16/2006, 12:41 PM
It's good. A tad greasy, but good.

Italian Nachos, Chicken Balsalmico and Johnny's Skilletini are all good picks.

ousoonerfan
8/16/2006, 01:21 PM
Italian Creme Sodas are awesome there.

crawfish
8/16/2006, 01:24 PM
I love Carino's. Their Veal/Chicken Parmesian is the best I've had at a chain restaraunt.

The Italian nachos rock, too.

bri
8/16/2006, 01:28 PM
I loves me some Johnny Chimpo's. Italian Nachos are teh RULE.

Partial Qualifier
8/16/2006, 01:29 PM
As a whole, I hate Carino's. The only thing I like there are the Italian Nachos. They're good, I'll give them that. I've tried about 5 other pasta dishes and didn't like any of them. And I'm not what you'd call a picky eater (see gut as reference).

I thought it was awesome at first, the skilletinis, fish positano, etc. good appetizers but the last few times I ate there I was very unimpressed. I got the worst veal cut I've ever seen in my life, and that's saying something. It was nasty. Another time the fish was like 1/2 cooked.. bleh. The times it was 'good' weren't good enough to make me want to go back.

BoogercountySooner
8/16/2006, 02:09 PM
Italian MArgarita's are good!

TopDaugIn2000
8/16/2006, 02:26 PM
their peach belini RMFFO. we get them by the pitcher. mmmmmmmm

Oldnslo
8/16/2006, 02:30 PM
The wife unit isn't so much on the joint in question. However, I like the skilletini and the ever-popular meatball sammy. There are 2 convenient locations in Tulsa, Holmes. The one at 96th and Riverside is the less busy of the pair.

Boomer.....
8/16/2006, 02:47 PM
I can't believe no one has mentioned their homemade lasagna. It is pure greatness.

King Crimson
8/16/2006, 02:47 PM
pre-boiled pasta is a crime.

every person on this board can make better, far less expensive pasta dishes at home with a little practice than you get at casual dining joints.

TopDaugIn2000
8/16/2006, 02:49 PM
of course I can, but it's nice to go out occasionally and have someone else do it.

King Crimson
8/16/2006, 02:53 PM
i agree. i just don't order a 15$ plate of pre-boiled pasta in those situations.

PrideTrombone
8/16/2006, 03:42 PM
I love their chicken balsamico

Word. I actually pour extra balsamic vinegar over it.

TopDaugIn2000
8/16/2006, 03:47 PM
i agree. i just don't order a 15$ plate of pre-boiled pasta in those situations.
neither do I. I order something a little more complicated, that would take me a lot of time and effort to cook myself.

BeetDigger
8/16/2006, 04:01 PM
pre-boiled pasta is a crime.

every person on this board can make better, far less expensive pasta dishes at home with a little practice than you get at casual dining joints.


I used to make my own pasta. I bought one of those pasta rollers/cutters. I really enjoy it although I haven't done it in a long time. It's about the cheapest thing you can make: 3/4 cup of flour, 1 egg, a little bit of olive oil and you have enough pasta for one person. That's probably about 15-20 cents worth of ingredients.

Taxman71
8/16/2006, 04:12 PM
I don't go to Carino's for traditional italian or pasta dishes as there are many quality ones out there. Instead, Carino's has some dishes not normally found at italian places that are good.
- Skilletini
- Meat loaf
- Timballo (the best)
All entrees come with unlimited soup and salad and, yes, their bread soup rawks.

Jimminy Crimson
8/16/2006, 04:18 PM
Their meatloaf is top notch.

Not as good as RRCG/TK'sILTB&G, but still good

sooneron
8/16/2006, 04:19 PM
I have always thought that Carino's and Carrabba's had very salty food. I think it's on purpose.

Jimminy Crimson
8/16/2006, 04:20 PM
I have always thought that Carino's and Carrabba's had very salty food. I think it's on purpose.

:les:WHY DO YOU HATE SODIUM?!?!?!?

walkoffsooner
8/16/2006, 04:27 PM
Jalepeno Tilapia...

Mmmmmmm... Known as hot fish.

whatsername
8/16/2006, 04:30 PM
My friend LOVES Carino's. I've gone once and I wasn't impressed at all. Slow service and so-so food. I figured they had a bad night since all I've heard were rave reviews about the place.