Best Italian Restaurant?????

[sgrizzle]

I bought something the other day that was single serving, as in there was no way you would make less than the whole package, and it came in a "resealable container."

[TheArtist]

I like Zios, especially for lunches.  For about the same as you would pay for a burger at other fast food joints you can sit down in a warm, pleasant atmosphere and get some very decent food.  I looove their pepperoni chicken.[]

One thing I wish they would do is get a Zios near the Utica Square/ downtown area.  I Think they would do well there.

[azbadpuppy]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

you just dont ****ing get it do you?  You would turn down perfectly good food at a "chain" just out of smug spitefulness and eat **** at a "local" joint.  

If the food is good, whether it be a chain or not, don't be afraid to admit it.  You just look like a total donkey when you go out of your way to avoid perfectly fine chain restaurants.

SO what happens when your favorite "local" joint decides to franchise?  Are they suddenly uncool?  I bet some of you smug ****ers would start saying the food is bad the next day.

Actually, there are some chains that are decent, but most, IMO are not as good as other smaller restaurants you can find as alternatives that usually happen to be independent, locally owned places. These smaller places often use fresh ingredients and make more of their food from scratch than do the big chains. Also, supporting Mom & Pops helps the local economy and keeps the city unique and different. These are all important to me. It has nothing to do with trying to be 'smug' or cool' which I couldn't give a **** about. Its more about making an informed and educated decision and actually caring about what you eat and what it tastes like. I personally think that Johnny Carino's is crap- not because its a chain but because its just really not that good. IMO there are far better places for Italian in Tulsa. But if you want the same blah food you are familiar with at you favorite chain establishment then by all means go there. Nobody is stopping you.

If one of my local fav's decided to franchise, I would be happy for their success, and hopeful that they would not lose any of their quality which so frequently happens when an establishment franchises.

And I believe the only person here looking like a total donkey is you with your constant hating, btw.

[NCTulsan]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

you just dont ****ing get it do you?  You would turn down perfectly good food at a "chain" just out of smug spitefulness and eat **** at a "local" joint.  

If the food is good, whether it be a chain or not, don't be afraid to admit it.  You just look like a total donkey when you go out of your way to avoid perfectly fine chain restaurants.

SO what happens when your favorite "local" joint decides to franchise?  Are they suddenly uncool?  I bet some of you smug ****ers would start saying the food is bad the next day.

Yea!  I got my first inteller rant aimed at me!  I feel so much more a part of this board now!

To be honest, aside from the bland atmosphere of chains, the service is usually at least 50% better at non-chain restaurants.  For me, that goes a long way.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by NCTulsan


Yea!  I got my first inteller rant aimed at me!  I feel so much more a part of this board now!

To be honest, aside from the bland atmosphere of chains, the service is usually at least 50% better at non-chain restaurants.  For me, that goes a long way.

I used to have that experience but recently I've had the opposite. The worst service I've had recently was at Los Cabos, Ted's and Mary's. I left all 3 paying the full tab. However at most chains now the managers are becoming more apt to give you stuff for free (I got free food from sonic of all places Sunday) and if the local store doesn't ante up, complain online and the head office will send you free dinner for two at most places.

[BKDotCom]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle
[snip]
However at most chains now the managers are becoming more apt to give you stuff for free (I got free food from sonic of all places Sunday) and if the local store doesn't ante up, complain online and the head office will send you free dinner for two at most places.

Free food?!  How, or why so?  Something not prepared right?  Or, are you just a snappy dresser?  Or, do you look like a hobo in need of a warm meal?  []

[azbadpuppy]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by NCTulsan


Yea!  I got my first inteller rant aimed at me!  I feel so much more a part of this board now!

To be honest, aside from the bland atmosphere of chains, the service is usually at least 50% better at non-chain restaurants.  For me, that goes a long way.

I used to have that experience but recently I've had the opposite. The worst service I've had recently was at Los Cabos, Ted's and Mary's. I left all 3 paying the full tab. However at most chains now the managers are becoming more apt to give you stuff for free (I got free food from sonic of all places Sunday) and if the local store doesn't ante up, complain online and the head office will send you free dinner for two at most places.

I guess if the service sucks, don't go there.

Also, just 'cause its free doesn't mean its good. I find many people mistake quantity for quality these days.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by azbadpuppy

If one of my local fav's decided to franchise, I would be happy for their success, and hopeful that they would not lose any of their quality which so frequently happens when an establishment franchises.

That concept worked well for Rib Crib through their first three or four restaurants, now I think their food is crap.  I loved the original one at 16th & Harvard for a long time, but that's even slipped now.  What's with their new concept of chopped beef that is the consistency of tabouli?  BBQ is a perfect example of a type of food that just does not lend itself to chains or franchises.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by BKDotCom

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle
[snip]
However at most chains now the managers are becoming more apt to give you stuff for free (I got free food from sonic of all places Sunday) and if the local store doesn't ante up, complain online and the head office will send you free dinner for two at most places.

Free food?!  How, or why so?  Something not prepared right?  Or, are you just a snappy dresser?  Or, do you look like a hobo in need of a warm meal?  []

If you have a reasonable complaint, they send you a coupon or gift card or something.

[unknown]

A great italian restaurant that isn't in Tulsa, but close by in Sapulpa off Dewey St is called Toscano[]

[Rowdy]

Nothing beats a couple of Quicktrip Breadsticks outside by the payphone to get that nostalgic taste of Italy.

[Conan71]

Okay, it's a chain, but it's pretty hard to beat the salad and bread sticks at Olive Garden though I can't say any of their other food is very memorable.

Here's The Kid From Brooklyn's take on the OG:

Warning: it's "R" rated

http://www.thekidfrombrooklyn.com/video_disp.asp?videoid=1055

[figbag]

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa

Biga is the only really good Italian....once there was Villa Venice which was gold.

[figbag]

I appreciated your comment.  The Villa Venice was my father's restaurant which we closed in the 70's.  Not many people remember it, but those that do generally remember it fondly.

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa

Biga is the only really good Italian....once there was Villa Venice which was gold.

[deinstein]

quote:Originally posted by Cubs

Mary's is very gay .... literally.

Well call me Bruce and hand the over the lube, because every date I've ever taken there has absolutely loved the atmosphere.

(The food is not that good at all.)