Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Lombard

This weekend we visited your location in Lombard, Illinois. It was our first time in a while due to multiple previous instances where we felt service was lacking. On one previous instance, the server seemed to feel the need to repeatedly harass me about what was “wrong” because I’m simply just a quiet person. He wouldn’t let go of it. It was our anniversary and all I wanted was a nice dinner to enjoy together but the server would not leave me alone. The second instance, we waited 10+ minutes for anyone to serve us. The person who served us didn’t seem to even know if they were to be our server, and we had just decided a moment before that we had waited long enough and wanted to leave. This most recent instance, we again waited 7 minutes before anyone came to us. The person who came wasn’t our server but offered to get our bread and drinks, and have our server come. When he came back instead of our server, we figured he was going to be our server now so we said we were ready to order. He shot back that he wasn’t. We asked if we should go tell the people at the front that our server never came and he responded with a confrontational tone and stance. We were ready to leave, he didn’t want us to but was not speaking in a professional manner at all. At one point he also said “you look upset” to me, which though I was annoyed, yes, I wasn’t “upset” - I am sick at the moment and my sinuses are making my eyes water. He looked at me as if I was going to cry or something, getting way too personal. We brought most of these concerns to the people at the front, explaining that we always seem to have some issue when we visit and that we like the food but can’t seem to get timely or friendly service. They asked at some point in the interaction if we had, had a reservation, as if that weighs on how long we were waiting at our table at all? The manager seemed to voice that the person who came to our table who wasn’t our server has had problems before, and it sounded like they have had issues with people not being tended to in a timely manner either. We explained we hadn’t even gotten our drinks yet and asked if we could sit in an area we seem to get better service in (a more open area where we don’t seem to get forgotten), it’s near the bar and he joked that it’s because it’s near the bar. Not humored. We asked if there would be anything they could compensate for our troubles and the manager had an extremely passive aggressive response stating “now see I was trying to see if this is where this was going. We will decide that after your meal.” Excuse me? No, we weren’t trying to pull something or even leading into voicing our frustrations with that in mind. They clearly need to know their service is sub-par if this has happened three times. He said he would give us his best server, but honestly, ALL servers should be able to provide a quality, timely experience. We left with a lack of desire to ever return again because everyone is always passive aggressive, getting too personal, or being outright rude. As we left, all the staff at the front said “have a great day!” In the most sarcastic manner. We will NOT be back, but thought you should know that these people don’t know how to run a restaurant. They had to look at the computer to know who our server was even supposed to be. So clearly no one told the server we were there at all. That is a problem and I don’t doubt we are the only ones who sit there forgotten for minutes at a time and basically get no sincere apology or understanding of our frustration.

I will say, that we do like their food. But we just want to enjoy our experience or it’s just not worth going. Our favorites are the manicotti and ravioli. I do wish they at least offered single salads, as not everyone in a group or couple is going to want salad or even the same salad. The only meal we did not enjoy was the spaghetti with meatballs. Not a very tasty dish, the meatballs tasted like unseasoned meatloaf.

Unfortunately their service does them in when it...

A Classic Italian Experience with Spaghetti and Meatballs

When it comes to Italian-American dining, Buca di Beppo promises a memorable experience rooted in comfort, tradition, and a touch of kitsch. Stepping into the warmly lit dining room, adorned with vintage Italian posters and red-checkered tablecloths, one is immediately transported to the family-style trattorias of yesteryears. But how does the food, specifically the quintessential spaghetti and meatballs, measure up to expectations?

The Ambiance

Buca di Beppo captures the essence of a neighborhood Italian restaurant with its lively atmosphere and eclectic decor. The warm, inviting setting is ideal for large gatherings, with communal tables and bustling servers weaving through the dining area. Each corner of the restaurant tells a story — from the black-and-white photographs on the walls to the cheerful chatter of patrons enjoying their meals.

The Dish: Spaghetti and Meatballs

The spaghetti and meatballs arrive at the table in a generous family-sized bowl, perfectly in line with Buca di Beppo's philosophy of "more is more." The portion is substantial, easily serving a small group or satisfying the appetite of even the most enthusiastic pasta lover.

The spaghetti is cooked al dente, with a satisfying bite that complements the rich, velvety tomato sauce. The sauce itself is a highlight — robust and hearty, with a deep tomato flavor and subtle hints of garlic, basil, and oregano. It strikes a balance between acidity and sweetness, achieving the comforting, home-cooked taste that so many Italian dishes aim for.

The meatballs, however, are the real stars of the show. These hefty spheres of ground beef and pork are seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices that add depth to their flavor profile. They are tender and moist on the inside, with a slight crust on the outside, providing a satisfying textural contrast. The savory notes of garlic and parmesan are evident in each bite, with a subtle hint of fennel seed that adds a unique twist.

While the meatballs are impressively substantial, they manage to maintain a lightness that speaks to the skill of the kitchen. Paired with the spaghetti, the dish becomes a comforting marriage of textures and flavors, from the chewiness of the pasta to the melt-in-the-mouth tenderness of the meatballs.

Service and Presentation

Service at Buca di Beppo is prompt and friendly, reflecting the restaurant's relaxed, family-style atmosphere. Jordan was attentive without being intrusive, always ready to offer suggestions or refill a glass. The presentation of the spaghetti and meatballs is simple and straightforward, served family-style in a large, rustic bowl. It is precisely this unpretentious presentation that enhances the meal, inviting guests to dig in and share.

Final Thoughts

Buca di Beppo’s spaghetti and meatballs are a satisfying tribute to the comforts of Italian-American cuisine. While the restaurant may not aim for haute cuisine, it delivers on its promise of hearty, well-executed dishes that transport diners to a simpler time. The balance of flavors, quality of ingredients, and welcoming ambiance make it a worthwhile destination for those seeking a genuine Italian-American dining experience.

For a comforting meal that embraces tradition and celebrates flavor, Buca di Beppo's spaghetti and meatballs certainly hold their own. It is a dish that reminds us of the joy of sharing good food with good company — and sometimes, that’s...

The reason this place even got two stars from me is because the staff was extremely friendly. However, they did a poor job of explaining the concept and walking us through our order. My wife and I received a gift card recently and decided to make a date out of it. We went early, around 5:30, because we were going to a movie after. Bad idea for a date. Their menu is "family style", which means a la carte and large portions. The "small" dishes, costing an average of $25 to $30, feed 2 to 3 people, which while we were informed of this before ordering, we were not informed of was that they don't all come with pasta. So when you order the chicken parmesan, you have to order that separately for an additional cost, which would have been nice to know before our food came out. We also ordered garlic bread and weren't told until after that their is complimentary bread. You are basically forced in to sharing a dish unless you want tons of left overs to take and don't mind paying for way more food than you need. The food itself was surprisingly overcooked and definitely no better than Olive Garden. The interior decor was very niche and clearly plays on all they typical American stereotypes of Italian dining. The walls are covered with photos of Italian people and Catholic figures, the place was dimly lit, and busts of the Pope are all over. When you enter, the host takes you through the kitchen where there is a booth built in to the wall for what I assume are for special dinners or staff. The seating areas seem to be broken up in to different rooms with lots of large booths and tables, so taking in to consideration the family style menu, I'm sure eating with a group is much better. In all, we were unimpressed by the food or the atmosphere, and good luck getting out of there spending less that $50 for two people. I would be okay with that if it was Superior to The Olive Garden,...