Can You Draw on the Tables at Macaroni Grill

Courtesy Romano's Macaroni Grill

1. Mama Romano isn't a real person.

Though most of the restaurants feature Mama's favorite flowers, gladiolas, and the menu's classic dishes reference her several times, Mama Romano is just a fictional character. The idea endures to add to the family feel of the place—customers are meant to feel like they're dining in an Italian matriarch's kitchen—but don't expect her to check in on you during dinner.

Courtesy Romano's Macaroni Grill

2. But the chain has true Italian roots.

The chain was founded by Philip J. Romano, second-generation Italian-American from upstate New York, back in 1988. He had family and connections in Italy who he no doubt drew inspiration from for the trattoria-like restaurant and fare.

3. The founder was originally in the burger business.

Phil Romano is a Texas-based restaurateur who's started up several chains over the years. He was running Fuddruckers before he jumped ship to open the Italian chain.

4. It has ties to baseball.

Romano later sold the business to Dick Monfort, the owner of MLB's Colorado Rockies. Many joked that he paid for the chain with money from trading a top player.

5. It's more popular than Olive Garden.

In Nation's Restaurant News's 2016 Consumer Picks survey, Romano's ranked number 5 over all and took the top spot for Italian and pizza joints. That put them above Olive Garden, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Buca di Beppo.

6. You pay for your wine on the honor system.

At most locations (except where state laws forbid it), customers are welcomed with a bottle of the house chianti in the middle of their table. The vino is mean to be served as the Italians do—poured into plain old water glasses. Customers are told to keep track of how much they've sipped by marking the number of glasses on the table butcher paper with crayons.

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7. Italian traditions are alive and well.

Eating here means tearing into warm rosemary peasant bread with rosemary that's shared with the whole table and served with "Italian butter"—that's olive oil and cracked pepper. The paper placed over the tablecloth is also symbolic. Back in the day, if you had butcher paper in your home it was a sign of wealth, since it showed you could afford to go to the butcher.

8. You might be in for an opera performance.

In the first Romano's restaurant, there were strolling opera singers to entertain guests. Some servers still uphold the tradition by bringing their talents with them to work. Hopefully the singers during your visit have an easier time than this guy...

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9. You can whip up their famous pasta at home.

Macaroni Grill actually has it's own line of packaged food products based on restaurant dishes like Chicken Piccata, Chicken Alfredo with Linguine and Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken. If you're not near a Romano's location you could pop one of those babies in the microwave ... or avoid all the artificial ingredients and make your own homemade pasta!

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10. There are plenty of deals to take advantage of.

The chain's newest promotion allows kids ages 12 and under to eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays with purchase of a full-priced adult entrée. There are also stellar happy hour dealsand you get a free slice of Ghirardelli chocolate cake on your birthday.

Romano's Macaroni Grill

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Can You Draw on the Tables at Macaroni Grill

Source: https://www.delish.com/food-news/a49126/romanos-macaroni-grill-fun-facts/

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