The Old Spaghetti Factory

06/22/09

slow, poor service

by passengercreek2 at Citysearch

worst service I've received in recent memory. Slow. Impolite. Food mediocre. Spent over 20 minutes waiting for desert, and at least that much waiting to order, and then waiting for the entree. Very disappointed. No apologies from server.

• Pros: building is nice
• Cons: service slow, poor

11/25/09

Below average food, service and someone stole my glasses

by oink1 at Citysearch

After a birthday dinner in a cramped trolley booth, I left my eye glasses on the back of the table. The next day, no glasses. I truly believe a busser or other staff member stole them once they saw they were designer glasses. I had heard it was not such a great place and I will never return or recommend to anyone. Apparently a staff of young managers also didn't help matters.

10/06/09

Chef Boyardee is better

by Want2BNLakeTahoe at Citysearch

Server placed his finger in my glass, brought the wrong drink order, forgot the meatballs, never checked back with us except to bring food, and the sauce was bland. I have had better spaghetti from a can. We have visited many other locations of this chain and never been disappointed. This restaurant was an embarrassment to the name.

• Pros: bread
• Cons: taste was pitiful

05/28/09

Really bad pasta

by cliosf at Citysearch

First off, I remember the original, beatnik North Beach Old Spaghetti Factory in San Francisco. This place is not by any stretch of the imagination anything close to the original. Second, I AM from San Francisco, so probably several strikes against my opinion from the get-go. But I do recognize good food and I do recognize poor service.

I told my server first thing that I needed to be out of the restaurant by such-and-such time. He assured me "No Problem!" I waited and waited and waited for the pasta to arrive. I was thinking, "Well, if they're preparing to order, it's worth it." Silly me. What I got was a bowl of mushy noodles, over dressed with gloppy, canned-tasting sauce.

Even though I was hungry, I just COULD NOT EAT IT!

Then I waited and waited to catch my server's eye, then ANYONE's eye, so I could pay my bill and get back to work on time. I came thisclose to just walking out.

It is not my practice to write bad things about restaurants. I usually can find something good - but this place sucked on so many levels. If your idea of good food is stuff you find in the food court at the mall, you might like this place.

• Pros: cute decor, lots of iced tea
• Cons: mushy pasta, slow service

Kitschy Italian restaurant churns out heaping plates of pasta that won't break the bank.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Whimsical antiques and decorative items--velvet armchairs, vintage-looking fringed lamps and booths made from iron bedsteads--fill the dining room. The OSF Classics menu offers spaghetti with a choice of mushroom sauce, rich meat sauce, browned butter and feta-like mizithra cheese sauce, and more. Other popular favorites are the baked lasagna--layers of noodles, tomato sauce and four kinds of cheese--and the fettuccine Alfredo. Meals include a green salad, fresh-baked bread and ice cream.

06/27/08

Alot of food for a good price.

by gun816 at Citysearch

I was amazed at how much food we got for the amount of money spent. Usually good italian restaurants cost you an arm and a leg, and you only get salad and an entree. The atomsphere was great and parking was convient for it being downtown.

• Pros: Alot of food for resonable price
• Cons: Long wait if you dont have reservations

04/25/07

Wallows in Mediocrity

by laureneingram at Citysearch

The Old Spaghetti Factory is a chain restaurant that tries to play itself off as something unique and quirky. It's good for what it is--a place to take a big group or a family out for a moderately price meal. The service is attentive, and the food is tasty, although nothing special. Very child friendly and also has a full bar. All in all, not bad, but not "good" either.

• Pros: Family friendly, decently priced
• Cons: Parking

10/26/06

Great Value

by stephdeputy at Citysearch

You get a lot for your money at the Spaghetti Factory. Meals include bread, soup or salad, entree, ice cream, and coffee, tea, or milk. The Spaghetti with Browned Butter and Mizithra Cheese is always my favorite. You can't beat their Spumoni ice cream - although most people aren't very open to the idea of trying it. It will be noisy and you will have to wait, but the old factory setting does have character.

02/25/04

Unique Place to Eat

by buecha at Citysearch

I've been there only a few times and when I've been there it hasn't been very busy and would get a seat right away. I like the mixed-matched old chairs though some could be retired. The meals are good when getting a salad, pasta, and then ice cream for dessert. I enjoy going there.

• Pros: Unique Atmosphere, Food, Building

02/13/03

You're kidding me, right?

by PRman at Citysearch

The Spag Factory for lovers? NO! The Spaghetti Factory is a place to take 10-20 screaming children to feed them cheaply. The ederly also frequent the establishment because it's cheap.

If you're looking for a nice quiet get-a-way with your loved one, forget The Spaghetti Factory.

• Pros: trolley car
• Cons: screaming children