So I Went to Fazoli's for the First Time

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Where/When I Went

I went to the location on Dial Drive in Council Bluffs, IA (a mecca of Italian food) on the afternoon of July 11th, 2021.

What Brought Me There

As mentioned in the title, I had never been to Fazoli's before today. I had driven by this particular location several times, but never really felt the desire to look further into a restaurant like Fazoli's because Olive Garden usually fills the Italian-food void for me. However, my wife came home from working one day last week and relayed that one of her coworkers frequents Fazoli's regularly, and I had to ask why that might be.

0.4 seconds after hearing the words "unlimited breadsticks", I knew I needed to check this place out.

What was Good

One of the primary selling points of Fazoli's is its relative affordability for an Italian restaurant. A typical pasta dish costs about $7 plus or minus 2 dollars depending on the size and toppings included. Each entree purchased at the store includes the unlimited breadsticks, which were indeed unlimited.

My wife and I were served four initially, and when I returned to the front, I was served a plate of no less than eight breadsticks. While we could have pushed the limits, a dozen breadsticks between two people is as close to unlimited as I want to get. I found the breadsticks to be a smidge too salty and buttery, but not enough to make them unenjoyable. I would slot them below their Olive Garden counterparts if I were ranking them, but the gap is by no means expansive.

We were surprised to find out that Fazoli's does have multiple lunch specials if you arrive before 4 p.m. The limited-time special they are currently having allowed me to try a lunch portion of the fettuccine alfredo and the lasagna with meat sauce, respectively in addition to a drink and breadsticks for $6. There is also a $5 lunch menu that allows you to have a small pasta dish, breadsticks, and a drink.

For a fast-food restaurant, I did find the staff at this location to be very helpful and friendly whenever we needed anything. Props to them for this!

What was good, succinctly: The Value, The Breadsticks, Staff Friendliness

What was Less-Than-Good

For a restaurant that emphasizes speed-of-service, I was a little underwhelmed in that category. We weren't waiting an outrageous amount of time, but it wasn't rapid service either. The ambience at our location was similar to a McDonald's that hasn't been renovated recently. It was not unclean, just somewhat tacky.

Food-wise, the fettuccine was a little disappointing. The sauce was vaguely alfredo: thin and not overly flavorful. The noodles and sauce were a little cool, which really detracted from the experience. My lasagna was better, but nothing to write home about. The sauce had a good consistency, but the flavor was average at best. The portion sizes were adequate, but not eye-opening.

What was Less-Than Good, Succinctly: Pasta Flavor/Temperature, Restaurant Atmosphere, Speed of Service

Buy or Not: Menu Items

Essentially, would I recommend this dish to someone going to Fazoli's?

• Fettuccine Alfredo: Not

• Lasagna: Buy

• Spicy Tomato (my wife's): Buy

• Breadsticks: Buy

Best Dish: Honestly, the Spicy Tomato Pasta was the best dish that I tried

Final Verdict/Would I Go Again?

I wouldn't say I was wowed by my first trip to Fazoli's, but great value gives restaurants a very long leash for me. The breadsticks alone carry the value of whatever you might pay for your entree, and there are solid if unspectacular options for pasta to round out your meal. I got enough out of the trip to warrant a return, but I wouldn't expect a meal that rivals anything close to gourmet. Fazoli's is all about the affordability, and for some, that'll be enough. I happen to be one of those people, and perhaps something else on the menu will settle in as a go-to option in the future.

Verdict: Go if you want cheap, acceptable Italian food with ample breadsticks to fill up on. It's a pretty ideal option for families with kids, honestly. Just maybe not for an upscale date or meeting.