Romano's Macaroni Grill — Restaurant in California

UPDATE!:

Was in the shopping area and my mom and I wanted to give this place another chance as it's been two years since we originally tried it during COVID. We were seated quickly by the host. Who was also very kind. She was going to give us a table but we asked for a booth and she didn't hesitate. Our server was VERY busy but as attentive as she could be. I loved my food. My other is a little more picky than me but she still enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice, it was relaxing. I can honestly say my mom and I had a good time here.

Original:

My mom and I went for lunch today and because of Covid they had outdoor dining. It’s what actually drew us to them. But when we got there, there was only a handful of people eating and the rest of the tables were dirty. So we stood off to the side where the sign said to stand to wait to be seated and a older man (I didn’t get his name) came out to us and asked us what we needed. Told him we were waiting to be seated. I don’t know if he was upset because he knew all tables were dirty or if he was just having a bad day but he seemed irritated that we were there. He said it would take 15mins to sanitize the tables and get them ready. I didn’t have a problem with it. He then kept asking if we were going to wait outside or if we wanted to wait in our car. When I didn’t answer right away because I looked to my mom to see what she wanted to do he scoffed and said “Look just tell me what you want to do. I don’t care what it is.” Before I could answer he just walked away. A couple of mins later he walked out with a cart and began clearing off the dirty tables by reaching INTO dirty cups with his bare hands and moving so quickly that water was spilling out of them. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable when one of the waitresses (young girl and seemed very nice) then asked if there was anything we needed. I told her we were waiting for a table. She then told us to pick whatever table we wanted. My mom and I looked at each other because we knew none of the tables had been “sanitized” yet. Just cleared off of plates and cups. We walked where the tables were and they were all full of crumbs and water/drinks that spilled all over the table. We walked back to where we were originally standing and the girl looked confused at us and I told her all the tables were still dirty. The girl apologized and went inside and a couple of mins came out with just a rag and began wiping the tables. I was told they were going to “sanitize”, they didn’t. Nothing about this seemed sanitary during a pandemic. It was then that I told my mom I didn’t want to eat there anymore and we left. I gave it a two star because the waitress seemed kind and the people who were eating seemed like they were enjoying their food but I wouldn’t recommend going there if you’re worried about COVID. Maybe we’ll try it out once a...

On 3/6/22 we decided to go to macaroni grill since we remember it being a awesome place to eat in the past It wasn't busy, the waitress sat us down a party of 8 in 5 minutes. We all ordered and waited about 35 mins for the food to come out. No big deal we were talking and having a good time.... The issue started when the food was brought to the table. I ordered Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo add broccoli, my sister to the left of me ordered Milano (I think that's what it's called).. our food was hot as it should be... My nieces had the Fettuccine Alfredo split as soon as they went in for a bite all they could taste was cold food, my mom and sister ordered a different plate(tortellaci) to split which was also cold... my brother in law joined us later and ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. You guessed it .... Cold!!! Not just cold meatballs but partially frozen meatballs.... At first we thought that maybe the other food was out first and that's why it was cold ... but my brother in law arrived after we had already ordered so his meatballs should have been the hottest.!

The waitress who was nice and tried to help said she would give us two free deserts.

My sister went to speak with the manager and he basically said there's nothing he can do and what do we expect ...

After my sisters told him all that was wrong he finally said he would give everyone desserts which in hindsight was not smart. We should have for our money back and left.

They did remake my mom as sister plate which finally came out hot. My sister got food poisoning and was vomiting all night.

It's really sad, I understand getting good help is tough these days. But food coming out cold is just carelessness and for the manager to make it right and act like that's what we should expect was very unprofessional...

We paid $100 cash and the rest on card. Wayyyyy to much to get cold food and food...

We visited to try the new brunch menu. My husband ordered the Milanese Steak & Eggs; I ordered the Porchetta Hash; our son ordered the "Signature" Porchetta Sandwich. Our food tasted good, BUT...why did our son's "signature" sandwich not get to the table until 15 minutes after my and my husband's meals? How does a sandwich that is described as "signature" and includes slices of the same porchetta used in my hash, end up taking an additional 15 minutes to prepare?? Our waiter came by twice to say the sandwich was "coming out right now" - twice he said that! Then, when it was presented, it had pickled onions on it! My son doesn't like onions - and they were not listed as an ingredient on the sandwich, per the menu.

Next time the waiter came by, I told him about the pickled onions. He went back to the kitchen and I heard him ask the cook staff about the onions (we were seated near the kitchen). He came back to our table to tell us the sandwich would be "taken care of" on the bill and the manager would come speak with us. When the manager arrived, she simply apologized for the delay in getting the sandwich to us. Ok...that was good to hear...but when I mentioned that if onions are included on the sandwich they really should be listed as an ingredient, she replied: "Well, they're a garnish," and then she walked away.

Maybe it's me...but shouldn't onions always be listed as an ingredient if included? I mean, some people do not like onions - not to mention pickled onions!

We hadn't been to Macaroni Grill in years. As previously stated, the food tasted good...but it's obvious they need more work on their "signature" sandwich and the timing of brunch dishes leaving...