Tomato Brothers — Restaurant in Howell Township

I hadn't been to this place since I moved away in the 90s, and couldn't wait to go back to this place where I have some great memories with my late grandpa and cousins. On Saturday I excitedly popped up to the bar to catch a bit of the Michigan game, grab a bite and a beer. I waited, and waited and waited - patiently - and finally the barmaid showed up. Only instead of waiting on me, she went straight to the couple who had just arrived, completely ignoring me. I was well-dressed, so I didn't quite get the slight, but I stayed cool. Then, finally, the barmaid realized (I think) that she had been ignoring me, approached me and said loudly and impolitely, "have you been waited on yet?". She didn't bother to apologize, smile or even greet me with a simple "hello". At this point, I was dumbfounded. Caught completely off-guard, I told her I needed a minute to think about it. While she probably thought I meant that I needed a minute to think about which beer to order, in fact I needed a minute to process what had just happened. And before I could collect me composure and order a beer, a second barmaid approached me, and the same exact thing: no smile, no hello - just "have you been waited on yet?". In the 25+ years I've been gone, Michigan has gone into the dumps. Nowadays, you here trashy people swearing everywhere (even women) - including within earshot of children, and dressing like they were ready for a NASCAR event. I couldn't believe it. Over the years, I had thought about this erstwhile special place and couldn't wait to go back, but then it turned out to be a nightmare - twice. Deeply shocked and disappointed. P. S. After the second rude barmaid in a row, I left without ordering a beer or food, and found a spot in downtown Howell, where the barmaid restored my faith in humanity, greeting me with a hello and a smile - something that the rest of the world takes...

I have been a customer of Tomato Bros for about a decade now. Never have I been impressed. Least so with their Carry Out. Dining in portions fair for the most part albeit over priced for simple pastas and other unoriginal Italian-American dishes. However if you choose Carry Out prepare to be Bamboozled, repetitively unto the point you write an article of a review to explain how much of a rip off this "Carry Out" really is.

Now I have ordered many time Like I have said but this being the latest will be my focus. We order two Grilled Chicken Alfredo dinners at a reasonable $21.95. Comes with Salad and we buy Bread sticks $6.95 and we pay for dip for the bread. Thats a $60+ order. You have to do literally nothing but make food for. No hostess/seating etc. For that what did we receive? A delicious meal fit for the price in which was paid? No we get two pounded our quarters of a chicken breast laid over dry cold pasta and raw breadsticks.

Now I would like to repeat that this is one of several many times "Tomato Bros" has failed to deliver any type of quality when we have carried out. Granted our dine in experience has also been overpriced and underwhelming. We usually make the attempt for Tomato Bros when were tired of cooking, pizza, and Chinese. Knowing full well were going to over pay for a botched attempt at quality Italian-American cuisine.

Their known for their Breadsticks, "Best in Town" everyone says, 77% of the time anymore their raw dough with a buttery outside.

Could be a great restaurant if they'd cut down on greed and put more money into portions and quality control.

Always a decent cook on the food but nothing extravagant enough to make this measly...

A business associate recommended we meet here at Tomato Brothers. I had never been here, but he had and loved the place.

I walked in and was greeted by a friendly hostess. I had asked for a booth, and it was a bit busy. She worked hard to get us in.

The gentleman waiter was PHENOMINAL. He was sooo patient with me... And every thing I ordered he got a grin on his face. I had no idea why. But I soon learned when he brought out my dish and it was ENORMOUS. I looked at him and asked "seriously?" And I quickly followed with, "did I order the Extra Large portion? He laughed and told me that is the normal portion. Fast forward to the end of the meal and he asked if we wanted dessert. I ordered the cheesecake... And the waiter grinned again. I could have never been prepared for the six inch high cheesecake they brought out. (No joke.) I about choked when I saw it and began laughing hysterically. It was par for the course from the main course. I should have known. 😂

Let's talk about the quality and taste of this food... It was delectable, delicious and marvelous. Starting at the garlic breadsticks that were the best I'd ever eaten... Moving to their house specialty (it started with an M and was an Italian word. I can't quite remember,) that was beyond superb... And moving into the cheesecake that was smooth and flavorful... It was a food extravaganza.

So listen, folks... I review food all around the country. This one is one you CANNOT MISS. You'll be glad you tried it. This one tops the Rikki Recommends scale. Go now. Try it. You'll be...