Insider Pages Reviews for The Old Spaghetti Factory

4 Stars: Restaurant is decent, but the bar is a hidden gem (by John C.)

John C. — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:07:00 GMT

I have gone to virutally every restaurant in San Jose, and i would classify this restaurant as average. But what most people dont know is that the bar is a hidden gem. The drinks are the cheapest in the city, they have a huge selection of alcohol and has good drink specials. Bartenders are very good and they give out huge portions of liquor. If you are trying to have a night out and have drinks, check this place out. It gives you the most value for your money.

5 Stars: Fun place (by Grant K.)

Grant K. — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:45:00 GMT

We had reservations and didn't have any delays even on a Friday night.

This is a great family restaurant and a place to bring large parties, birthdays, etc. The ambiance and interior are really nice, but you will feel comfortable bringing children. It is not fine gourmet dining. And that is precisely why the kids love it!

2 Stars: Too bad, so sad (by Marcia P.)

Marcia P. — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:13:00 GMT

My friend and I had heard so many great things so we decided to go for lunch on a Saturday. We were sat immediately and the decor was very cool. Unfortunately, our appetizer - the calamari - was tough and chewy. Not at all what we had expected. Plus, the waiter never came back to ask us what we'd like to order next! We waited and waited...even tried to get his attention when he walked by. So, we decided to skip the entree, thinking that would take a year and went with dessert. We ordered the tiramisu. The best that I can say is that it was good cake. No rum taste and no espresso taste even though you could see the dusting on the top. All in all, very disappointing. I may go back someday with someone that loves it, maybe I will order something else. But, if it's up to me, I would choose another restaurant.

4 Stars: Classic Family Restaurant (by cheryl m.)

cheryl m. — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:34:00 GMT

Have been here many times over the years and loved the choices of pasta and the prices. A great place for families but just don't go at the really busy times. A very popular place with the tourists and the locals. Love the plate with the different types of sauces. Go go go, sphagetti lovers

3 Stars: The kids' favorite! (by Gail C.)

Gail C. — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:07:00 GMT

We tend to brave the wait at The Old Spaghetti Factory because it's a hit with the kids. Though it can be unbelievably crowded when there's an event at the Arena, this is one Italian restaurant that serves food bland enough to please a child's palate. It's also noisy enough that your children won't annoy the other diners as they impatiently wait for their spumoni at the end of the meal.

3 Stars: not what I remember, but still good (by Neal E.)

Neal E. — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:24:00 GMT

I started going to the San Jose Spaghetti Factory in 1973. When I lived out the area, I always missed it. I have to say tho, that it is not the same place it used to be. I have visited over 20 locations, and everyone was significantly different. It seems like they are trying to make them all as similar as possible. They have removed the uniqueness, by changing out the decor, reflooring and such. The menu's used to reflect the history of each of the restaurants, now those come off a copy machine. I'm sure they are struggling to keep up with the times, but that's not why I go. I want what I have always had there. It's a comfort place for me.

1 Stars: An absolute disaster (by thelawdog)

thelawdog — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Can I give 0 stars?

Before dinner, I was having a martini at the bar. The rim of the glass was broken and I cut my lip. I told the bartender and he moaned "I guess I have to make another one then..." He did not even apologize.

We sat down for dinner. I ordered Fettuccine Alfredo. The order was slow to arrive. When it did, I took a bite into what I thought was a piece of cheese melted on the top. Turned out to be plastic wrap melted into the noodles about the size of half a dollar bill.

I immediately called for the manager. At that point we had consumed our salad and about 1/2 a glass of wine each. I told the manager what happened in the dining room and the bar, that we intended to leave and I would not expect to pay for any of this.

He said "that's fine". Never apologized. Nothing. We left and will never return.

3 Stars: Cute place, so-so food (by dmenkes)

dmenkes — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My girlfriend introduced me to this place. I liked the atmosphere here but the food wasn't that great. We had spaghetti in white wine sauce and it was surprisingly dry. Our service could've been better. I'd come back if I had to,

3 Stars: nice atmosphere and decent pasta (by greymouse26)

greymouse26 — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This old spaghetti factory has bad service; my drink takes a long time to be filled; they run out of bread and their browned butter pasta is always dry. The atmosphere is pleasant and nice, but that doesn't make up for the food.

4 Stars: Good Pasta - Great location (by sjsue)

sjsue — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I recommend sticking with the pasta, the sauces are all good and they also offer whole wheat pasta as an alternative. We've tried the Marsala, and weren't too happy with that. It's a little spendy for Pasta, but the restaraunt is in a great spot downtown with free parking (after 6) across the street. The decor is casual and friendly, and if you don't get seat right away, there are comfortable old couches to lounge on while you wait for your table. Once you do get your table, the servers are very friendly and you get your food fast.

3 Stars: If not for the kids, I wouldn't eat here (by Rita M.)

Rita M. — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:24:00 GMT

Gone are the one- to two-hour waits at the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown San Jose, but the food is still the same old simple, so-so sort of what passes for Italian food. What's new: service is better (maybe because the crowds have thinned considerably) but prices have gone up in the two years since we've dined here. The kids like to eat here because they like the decor and the food (spaghetti) and so we reluctantly come when they request it. That's the only reason I would even come here.

5 Stars: Love it! (by full_throttle)

full_throttle — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I've been going here since I was little and it's great any location you enter! My fav is the potpourii because I love a little bit of everything!

4 Stars: Great Atmosphere, Nice choice of food, good taste, quality service. (by markhand58)

markhand58 — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I have gone here several times, always in the evening hours. I always have to wait for a table, but that is the sign of a busy place, right? And if it wasn't any good, people wouldn't be waiting. It's not the best in the world, but overall it offers choice, good taste, and quality service.

3 Stars: Pricey for Average Food but Decor is Cool (by Kimi d.)

Kimi d. — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 20:19:00 GMT

Kids will appreciate the decor with some booth seats made from cars and all the details around, on the walls, ceiling, etc. Also, kids generally like pasta, so if you want to take some visitors from out of town to eat somewhere fairly nice and have to take your kids along, maybe this would be a good place. Even if they finish eating, they may behave well because they're busy looking at all the stuff around. Food is not authentic Italian but is edible and not unpleasant.

4 Stars: Always a favorite... (by mholzworth)

mholzworth — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I have had slightly better food, but this place will always be special to me and I have not met a single dish of theirs yet that I have not liked. This is a place that I will always come back to not just for the food but for the ambience and the pleasant staff!

3 Stars: This restaurant is elegant, but pricey and has average food!!! (by Rachele E.)

Rachele E. — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 10:35:00 GMT

At first glance this restaurant appears to be a elegant and fancy restuarant, complete with bar in waiting area. The decor is old train cabooses and San Francisco type furnishings. The waiters are wuite helpful and friendly but, when we recieved our food I was quite dis-satisified with the quantity vs. price, also I was not very impressed with the over all flavor of the food. I found it to be quite bland, and lacking flavor. The prices are outragous for the quality that the food was.

5 Stars: Great for the whole family (by xx_latina_xx)

xx_latina_xx — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 09:00:00 GMT

i've been going to this restruant for many many years, its never been a bad experince yet. i love taking my kids, and they enjoy it as well. its great food , wonderful and stunning decor, friendly and fast sevice. It can be for family or a romantic night out with a loved one. Try it once and you'll be hooked.

5 Stars: Yum! (by fun2bme2)

fun2bme2 — Fri, 23 Apr 2004 09:00:00 GMT

It may not be "real" Italian food but it's still yummy! Service can be slow during busy times but what place isn't?

Staff is usually very friendly & chatty!

5 Stars: Definetly a surprise! (by partychick0501)

partychick0501 — Mon, 29 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Great food, great prices, great party atmosphere! What more could you want? I was surprised at the service and food....Great spices and tastes...Awesome appetizers! Great for families with kids...Has great serving sizes for price and the food was just as described...not good for a romantic date, but good for a first or second date if with party person. I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun time!

4 Stars: 8 stars for the Old Spaghetti Factory (by mlevinkron)

mlevinkron — Mon, 22 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I took my middle-aged dad here for a casual dinner and we had a lot of fun! The menu isn't huge and the food is plain, but the full-dinner style (each entree comes with salad, dessert, and bread) made it a great value. The service was prompt, friendly, and attentive. It's a silly place, wonderful for children, because of the Wild West theme, the train-car-open-kitchen, the oversized chairs, and the video games upstairs. Overall a fun place if you're looking for a very affordable, fun, loud time!