Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

VERY underwhelming experience.

Went here for Valentines day and the food was unbelievably mid for the price. VERY under seasoned and lacking in any sort of flavor.

Thankfully, I have 10 days worth of leftovers.. (That I probably could’ve just made myself for 1/4 of the price and 10 times the flavor ☹️)

I have to ask 🤨… is there even a single ounce of garlic or onion used in the kitchen at all? And, if so, why are we not utilizing them in day -to-day recipes? I know times are hard in 2025…. but this is concerning for a restaurant that prides itself in classic Italian-American food. (Yes, I know garlic is used sparingly in true Italy based recipes…. But we talking Italian-American here🙄)

Thankfully, the sauce was decent, but they supplied only a few spoonfuls for my dish… It’s interesting how the one redeeming quality comes in such low quantity… I immediately had to request more sauce for my spaghetti and meatballs…. No sauce…. for the classic dish that they have tons of celebrities eating posted all over the walls. What are we doing here🤨 🤌? Why do I have 1/4th a cup of sauce for 2 pounds of family style plated spaghetti??? Is it because I’m not Shaquille O’Neal🏀? Why are we shorting customers here on the sauce? I shouldn’t have to request more sauce in an Italian restaurant. That’s unacceptable. 🤗

Gigantic meatballs, but by far the worst meatball I have ever eaten. Go to your local Trader Joes and you’ll find more flavor in the frozen meatballs. I guess size doesn’t matter…because they were big, thanks… I guess?? But, incredibly unflavored. Just the equivalent to cooked ground meat with nothing else… No flavors of fennel, onion, garlic, parmesan, etc… As an Italian who has had countless family style meals with amazing seasoned food, this was a disgrace to Italian-American cuisine..

Honestly, I was joking to my girlfriend that I could probably out-cook chef that concocted this and I cook delicious food as a side hobby…. My experience is literally just Youtube and Food Network… Genuinely concerning. 🫠

If someone actually went to school for this and THAT was the end product… oh boy, do I have some feedback for you….🤣 Laughable effort. Might be time to go work a warehouse job, buddy… It also might be time to hang up that apron… because this ain’t flying in the big 2025 and beyond.

You might fool these other folks, but not me. I see every place you’re cutting costs and it shows in the food you serve.🙂‍↔️

Anyone that’s actually looking for good food should immediately skip this place and go to any handful of Columbus based Cameron Mitchell restaurants instead. 🥳

I am utterly shocked that this place is still open. I have a feeling that the people that keep coming back for more are..

1. Can’t cook to save their life, and love having a week’s worth of leftovers on hand. Or
2. Have lived in Columbus for 30 years, and are lying to themselves that food has stayed at the same standards since the 90s. Or
3. The location is perfect for unsuspecting groups of customers, that go to the countless sports events nearby when they are 10 beers deep, and just want a bite to eat.

Either way, skip this joint and find literally anywhere else.

I’m not even kidding, Olive Garden might actually beat this place in quality in flavor.

I plan to never eat at this establishment again, and I truly hope they find some new management/update their recipes SOON.

I assume this place will go under within the next 3 to 5 years at this rate. Just like the Worthington one.

Hopefully something better will take over and supply customers with some tasty food.