Carrabba's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Daytona Beach

UPDATED 18 JULY 2019 WELL...weve decided to give up on this location of Carabbas, and probably all locations from now on. Prices continue to rise and at this location in Daytona, the restaurant doesn't seem to be managed well. It seems like it's "new employee training day" whenever we visit here now. It was NOT like this several yrs ago when we first moved to the area.

As with my original below review a number of months ago, we visited on a mid week low volume night. You'd think that service would be quick and efficient. Nope. Our server was inept. Took 20+ minutes to get the one and only refill we were able to get during our 1.5 hr visit (our drinks weren't complicated... Diet coke and iced tea...) . Took a while to get our meal too... The food was OK... My wife's dish (chicken Pollo Rosa Maria) was hot, mine (chicken parm) was only luke warm and the cheese was over cooked. Strange that the cheese was overcooked and it was cooler than my wife's dish. See pics below... Clearly an empty place... Only approx 7 tables of people were occupied. Management is not paying attention. Or doesn't care... Or both. I'll be giving my business to Olive Garden from now on when I feel the need to eat Italian at a chain. Better value... Better soup and salad (all you can eat, by the way and a variety or salad dressing available!) and in my experience, better service. Sorry Carabbas... I'm not family any more.

P.S.... Used the mobile app for the first time ever to pay our bill as quick as possible. App was slow. Clunky design. Didn't confirm whether or not our payment was accepted. I absolutely hate the review that I have to provide, given that Carrabbas is probably the best chain Italian restaurant we frequent. I've been eating at Carrabbas since my teen years (late 1980s) back in Tampa. Been to many up and down the east coast and a few in the Midwest over the years. I have to say that we were extremely underwhelmed (first time ever) when we walked into the Carrabbas in Dayton Beach (which is closest to home for us) across from the Daytona Speedway on Sun June 3rd 2018. Normally the place is spotless. First thing we noticed upon entering was the untidy waiting area. There were no customers there, but there were scraps of paper all over the floor and into the bar area. OK... Then as we were led to our table by the hostess, who seemed to also be acting as a server that nite, we noticed a number of tables that were unbussed/full of used plates, glasses and utensils from prior guests. The restaurant certainly wasn't full like on a Fri or Sat night. OK... So we were seated and our server (who was very good) took our drink orders, and returned with those and our bread/oil and some butter as requested. After she left we realized there were no napkin/utensil sets on our table. Looking around we noticed there were a number of tables like that. I got up and found a table full of place settings and snagged a couple for our use. OK... I then proceeded to the men's room to wash my hands.... Unlike ever before, it was not up to par. It was untidy and had the distinct stench of old urine you'd expect from a cheap low budget establishment. A dead bug or two sat on the urinal... OK... At this point, hesitantly, we ordered our food. Thankfully, Carrabbas delivered on their usual satisfying meals. But the presentation of the restaurant left us concerned that this location may be heading downhill. I hope not, but I suppose time will tell. If management is reading this, it would serve you well to figure out what happened that night. Was there a large number of staff who called in sick that nite? A lot of new people in training that nite? (we did notice at least one new waitress shadowing another). At any rate, management should pay closer attention to the details like this, particularly if there were issues or trainings in progress. We will try again, but if there is no improvement, we'll have to call it quits. For this price and because of past history, we expect better and know Carrabbas is quite...

UPDATE 8/23: 1st thanks again to our server Stephanie for the great service she provided.

The manager, Scott phoned me today, and I must say he was a delight to talk to. After careful consideration I've decided to raise my rating and return to this restaurant for another meal. I told Scott that I wasn't looking for a "freebie" (he did offer a free/replacement meal) nor did I want him to fire the hostess.

-sidebar- I'm a retired police supervisor (Lieutenant) and have experience w/employees having bad days &/or the need to have a talking too w/additional training. I've also dealt w/general public at their worst. I think this young lady had something going on that was bad at home & brought it to work

2nd I think (just my opinion) due to COVID this restaurant (as well as others) are having trouble retaining qualified employees. I've also worked in the restaurant industry & sometimes you get distracted and forget or miss something (like cleaning our booth).

My rating may have been a little harsh, and as stated after talking to Scott, my wife & I will be stopping in again. I do these Google ratings to help people decide if they want to patronize a business, so like I told Scott, I'm not looking for a free meal even though he insisted. I may take him up on a beer and a handshake instead.

Please consider dining here if you're visiting Daytona Beach

Well for starters the Host & the Hostess (the people that seat you) were arguing in full view & hearing range of diners; it was a little uncomfortable. The restaurant wasn't the cleanest. Originally our hostess sat us near the bar & kitchen, but there was a large fan (commercial) in view in the hallway. I don't know if it was drying something or helping to keep staff cool, but it was very loud. We asked to be seated somewhere else. The table we were sat at had been cleaned haphazardly (a little gross.) All that being said, our Server (Stephanie) was awesome & the food was very tasty. We just couldn't get over the unprofessional conduct of the Host & Hostess. I'm not quite sure if I'll dine at this particular location again. The Manager (who usually at Blooming brand restaurants comes around to check on the service) was no where in sight. If they had I would have tactfully pointed out these discrepancies. Too sad b/c we really enjoy the food there but this location has being going south each time...

Over the last year we’ve seen changes that are disheartening and driven us elsewhere. The employees are always awesome. However, you have to guess or I’ll call to find out if they have lentil soup. That’s what a quier is and taptus. Not sure what the reasoning is, but if it’s about the expense of creating one more soup for a total of three, I feel like very silly because most of my friends have stopped coming to Carrabba‘s for that also. Originally the lunch special they had soup and salad pasta discontinued according to the girl working today. In a bowl of soup which is actually a bowl but they call it a cup was half full. When the waitresses asked, I’ll come half a bowl which is actually a cup. Her response was it’s 1 Ladle. I said okay. As many people in business now, competition doesn’t drive as out of business. It’s self-inflicted harm by doing the wrong things. Additionally, people don’t care who you are what you stand for until they fresh know how much you care. Not sure what’s going on with Carabbas which used to be one of our favorite places, but it’s not a good thing. Again the way to staff is always pleasant. But it appears that local policies and corporate policies are negatively impacting perception. We don’t know what the numbers look like. They can always play with numbers to make it be with a one. Wake up Carabbas! We and all the Pickle Ball folks that used to come here mess for things that got us...