Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Pasadena

The place is overpriced, the food is mid, but my real problem comes with the service I received. Both my wife and I are very clear about what we order and always scrutinize over the price before ordering. We asked our server, Angel, many questions to confirm the price we were going to pay. During ordering, Angel asked us if we wanted a mix green or Caesar salad. Because of how casually this was asked, my wife and I figured these were included in the entrees. I said Caesar and my wife asked if she could do a soup instead. Later, I saw that these racked up about $9 more on the bill because they were considered additions. When I brought this up to Angel, it almost seemed like she was prepared and ready to respond. She stated that she has worked there for many years and delivers her request the same to all customers. Therefore, she knew that she asked if we wanted to ADD the salads. She went on to say she never asked my wife if she wanted a salad because she ordered a soup. This is at best, an extremely inaccurate memory on Angel's part. At worst, an outright lie. The only reason my wife got a soup was because she didn't want to order a salad when she was asked if she wanted a salad. I brought this all up to Angel and she was adamant that we were wrong. She talked to her manager and they removed the salad ($3) because "Angel did ask about that" but didn't remove the soup because "Angel didn't ask about that". I cannot stress enough, my wife and I completely obsess over how much we spend when ordering food. We are never surprised by the bill unless the server does something surprising. Angel, if you are reading this please just take accountability. Who knows how many people in the past have paid extra because of this. You said you've worked here for years, I can only imagine how many people have been scammed. At this point, I'm prepared and planning to go under cover to catch this practice happening in the act. To the owners, please take responsibility and train your staff to not do these practices. In the end it was $80 to go to lunch just to get mid food, scammed, and gaslit by the staff. What an awful and...

It pains me to give a negative review to what is arguably one of my favorite family establishments. Tonight was my mother’s 60th birthday and I was aiming for our evening to go smoothly as usual at Buca.

However, our service was met with much confusion from our server which impacted our ability to enjoy our evening. We did have a fairly large party, 10 people. Our server took our drink order in no particular order. Our drinks came out but one of them was for something none of us ordered. Our server then asserted someone ordered it when we didn’t, and corrected him what the actual drink was.

We then order our food, 2 of which was a Cesar salad and chicken stuffed prosciutto. Our Cesar never came, and instead of chicken stuffed prosciutto, they brought stuffed shells. I brought the discrepancy up to our server to only get the reply of “well, I have stuffed shells here” as he referred to his order pad. Three of us at our table then replied, “no, it was definitely chicken stuffed prosciutto.” He then lets us know he’ll put it in to correct it, but then disappears for the next half an hour. Doesn’t check in on us, doesn’t see if we need refills, nothing. He then comes by and I have to ask about the status on the food in which the server replies “it takes them a while to make.” Chicken? With stuffed prosciutto? I let them know that if the food isn’t ready to just cancel the order on that.

I’m not going to lie, this was arguably the worst experience I’ve had at Buca. I hate saying it. It’s always a win for family events and this one was supposed to be a landmark birthday for my mother.

The biggest frustration wasn’t that there was a mistake, but that there was little to no ownership of the issue from the server and then no communication following. Also, the disappearing act is what put me over edge most. The best thing I can say, the food we did order and receive was very good and to the standard we expect from our time at Buca.

It truly goes to show that depending on the server, the experience you can...

Been to other locations before; this location was just as good. Everything was outstanding. Arrived a few mins early, hostess seated us immediately. Our server was there within a couple mins, asked if we knew about portions, went over the draft selections (beverage list was out of date), took our drink and food order. She was personable but professional & very attentive. She returned with drinks & explained a large order was put in b4 ours so it could be 20-25 mins b4 our food was ready but she'd try to get it out sooner. Tru to her word, she checked on us maybe 7 mins later made sure we didn't need anything & 5 mins after that she returned with our food. She checked on us again a few mins later, helped with the discount the wheel on their website gave me when making reservation. She offered us dessert; which we declined & presented bill making it clear there was no rush & she stated what I had never had a server actually say: when you're ready for me to retrieve the bill just stand up the folder its in so I don't bother you til you are ready. I've done that for years but realized I'd never been told that. Again the food was served promptly, at the right tempurature & was delicious as always. In fact, I've never had a dish that was just okay. The portions arent as big as they were 25 yrs ago (1st visit) but they are still generous. The small can easily feed 2-4 people when paired with an appetizer or salad. If you've never been I highly...