The Old Spaghetti Factory (New Westminster) — Restaurant in Downtown

Tasting an Old noodle…

In the area so decided to give this old noodle a revisit. I think the last time I been here or any OSF was more than 6 years ago?

This place is conveniently located right below the New West skytrain station. There are pay parking on the streets and the skytrain complex parkade. Inside is just like what its name said, “old” 90s vibe and atmosphere. I actually enjoy that cause it’s more laid back especially when I am doing some lonesome dining (now it seems like I need to dial 1800-rent-a-friend now lol).

Secretly this is the 2nd time I am back here within 2 weeks, this time around I got seated on a one person chair and table in almost a no man’s land (maybe I was wearing my rags again lol).

Here were the food I ordered the 1st time;

It came with its famous complimentary bread and butter but I opted out on it cause I would’ve been too stuffed. (When I said its “famous”, I meant it’s their signature thing?) French onion soup. It came steaming lot with a good layer of melted cheese on top, the broth was rich and tasty. Simple to the point but good! Calamari. I find it a bit dry and crispy without the calamari flavour. Maybe I am spoiled by the juicy and tender ones at some of the Greek places. Steamed mussels. The broth; the tomato and white wine ratio is wasn’t well balanced, giving it that bitter taste plus the broth being so watery it didn’t help either. It almost reminded me one of those prepackaged ones you buy at the market and just reheated to eat. New York steak. Surprisingly the steak was perfectly done (MR), the spaghetti texture was perfectly cooked (lived up to its name), but I wish the sauce wasn’t so plain. If the sauce had a little bit more elements to it, it would’ve been a perfect dish.

Here’s the 2nd time around;

Clam chowder (New England style). It came hot and with a decent amount of ingredients. And it was smooth and creamy, basic but was good. Steamed mussels. Yes tried it again, just to see if it was the same as the previous time. And it was (sigh). Seafood fettuccine Alfredo. I changed the fettuccine to penne cause I personally like my pastas to hold the sauce more. A subtle light Alfredo taste, I would prefer it a stronger and richer in flavour. There were an okay amount of shrimps and scallops, perhaps more chunks of pan fried mushrooms would be nicer instead of a few thinly sliced mushrooms that were almost insignificant? (I don’t know what it is, there’s just something missing in this dish, it’s just toooo plain visually and taste wise).

The both times I went was during happy hours (2pm-5pm) which wasn’t really my intention, I just wanted to dine peacefully without waiting in line especially when dining alone lmao.

The service was a yes and no the first time? (Kinda forgotten about me here and there? And offered me ice cream and I said yes and didn’t get a glimpse of it? lol, maybe I was wearing my hoodie with a bit of rips? Lol HEY don’t judge a book by its cover lol). Second time around the service was more attentive but I got isolated in a detention one man table (I was okay with that, I prefer my private space anyways lmao).

The foods were generally okay especially for the price nowadays, you get even more value for your buck during happy hours. Yeah I see myself coming back to take another bite of this OLD...

It’s been awhile since the last time at this place and we certainly did not enjoy our experience for our weekend dinner.

Place was busy but welcoming but because of that lobby with small waiting area, it got very crowded quickly.

Now this person (named Datina if I remember) helped us to get the sit. Place we were about to sit was not prepared but had that big tray on the table. She casually removed but utensils got messed up and papers sheets got wet. I asked “Is that clean?” She replied “yeah it’s clean but i can get you different sets.”

First picture shows how they use those tray. They put it on the used dirty tables and it was on our table that we were just about to sit

We didn’t like it already but decided to sit there. She brings new set of utensils and started putting them but on the half way she asks “would you like me to leave these ones for you?”

Now I have been to many restaurants and no other restaurants gave me this kind of service. If she started doing it, she should have finished it professionally but since I got disappointed, I told her just leave it.

I see the menu emphasizing how it comes with the complete meal - salad, main, dessert as ice cream & Tea, Coffee. I can appreciate it if the quality is good but from what I tasted, I can probably have nicer experience with better food at the other place. Took all pictures when it arrived and we were speechless.

How hard is it go prep a plate of salad like that. You could have put extra 3 seconds to make it pretty?

That french onion soup....well I let you decided from the picture I take. You can’t call that french onion soup....and yes it was very salty (I know it should be salty but not like that salty)

Calamari - the way they treated those deep-fried calamaris is a bit rushed from the look of it.

Spaghetti (no pic) ordered two different kinds but one was salty but acceptable

Servers seemed too busy taking care of groups but not for smaller tables. Your server was too busy to think what conversation we were having. He asked me how the food was and I said “it’s ok” then he replied “that’s great”

Now I understand it was Friday night evening but if you are planning to go there for smaller group size (2-4), this place would be the last place I would choose. We used our giftcard that we won but I’m not so sure if this was giftcard or messupcard.

Sorry but only thing that I would like about this place would be your general manager’s gentleness, and your...

Just had a horrific experience. your front staff are awful. When people ask for a specific table in an empty restaurant and theres a screaming baby and young people blabbing you can't let me sit in a quiet booth? food is fantastic but it's way too noisy. You refused me an empty table because it is for 6. But area you sat me was open and loud near young people really loud Restaurant is nearly empty (although loud for under 10 people)and wouldn't let me sit in an accesiible quiet booth I grew up with kevin here. Where did he go. Why can't you tell your staff to treat customers with respect and dignity. You cannot tell someone no to a table thats not in use. You said you don't reserve specific tables. so clearly that table was not reserved. you are losing a lifetime cistomer from a mouthy manager and an aloof hostess. alan chose to be sarcastic on the phone with me. After I specifically asked for quiet table. like why not the bar booth? I will now call ahead and let you know I'm a table of 6 every time and you will have no choice but to give me a damn booth. in an empty restaurant! Unreal.

Old review, leaving it up so you see how easy it is to please me. Alan you really screwed up. Refused to just taking responsibility and say yes have the table and we will reprimand and retrain the hostess. One minute saying the tables were reserved not expecting me to wait and check and come bac re iset the alan saying specific tables are not reserved. Hostess had said no. Still empty booths over an hour later. Still refuse to Tell me why i couldn't sit here. empty still almost 7 pm.

Old review i rescind. Awful service tonightWhy can't everywhere be Like the spaghetti factory. You get what you ordered. It looks and tastes as good as last time. Salad was a great size, the 1000 dressing is the best, ever. French onion soup was great. My seafood marinara was amazing. I would order it again. The staff are pros, the place is cozy and familiar. But don't think I didn't notice you changed the dishes. I miss the old granny dishes! These new ones seemed a little fancier shape wise and a bit bigger. Just shocked I didn't get the memo and found out like all surprise style. Don't move anything. Don't change anything. Don't change any recipes. Lougheed mall wouldn't listen to me and look how empty they are now. Keep the retro/antique/vintage motif! It's my time travel safe space. Lol! Gen X needs to eat...