Buca di Beppo

Buca di Beppo Restaurant Review:

We thought of categorizing this national chain as a theme restaurant --- the theme being a style of rollicking, roll-up-your-sleeves-and-dig-in eatery introduced by Italian immigrants around the turn of the century. The interior, in fact, is an overstated caricaturization of a Little Italy ristorante. Forget delicate Tuscan or Milanese cuisine at this place. “Buca small” would qualify as a large portion anywhere else, while “Buca large” is intended for four or more. Bring a big party and share huge platters of familiar red-sauced specialties presented family-style. After appetizers like prosciutto- and cheese-stuffed mushrooms, Caesar salad or cheese bread with spinach, select from decent spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and chicken Parmigiana --- hearty but uninspired. Some more ambitious dishes like penne alla vodka and chicken carbonara are also available. For dessert, consider chocolate chip cannoli, tiramisu or cheesecake, or satisfy your group with a platter. Given the oversize portions, expect to bring home a shopping bag full of leftovers. A Cal-Italian wine list provides good value, and there’s usually a line outside the door. Other locations.