Carrabba’s Italian Grill

It’s the best affordable Italian food hailing from a chain that you’re going to get. There’s a fun selection of tapas and a few new desserts also… recently I had two scoops of hazelnut gelato topped with one scoop of raspberry sorbeto and it was a delight.
On my last visit to the a Islip restaurant, I brought a discerning Italian friend that was visiting from out-of-town…we had a few glasses of wine that were recommended by Lou, the welcoming and hilarious bartender. He was knowledgable of the food and drinks, and he shone great wisdom into our respective conflicts with a tinge of borderline inappropriate humor.
Carrabba’s is a quick, affordable, feel-​good win.

So if you have read my other reviews before, I can be kind of a snob about commercial chain restaurants because I love the small independent owned places with the personal touch… me give five stars to a chain restaurant? Almost never even if the food is perfect.
I save that for the food in small high end creative chefs/​places, so there is a reason on this one.
So me and my husband were starving yesterday and Carraba’s was there.
I have to tell you I was really shocked.
The food was REALLY good. Everything we ordered one after the other was fresh and delicious. Even the bread they put on the table–
We ordered: Fried calamari, mozzarella caprese, wood grilled Italian spicy chicken wings. The wings were a surprise. They were not fried and then drowning in hot sauce they were WOOD GRILLED with excellent spicy seasoning– maybe the best wings I have eaten in a long time– and probably a lot healthier than the average wing appetizer. awesome.
My husband got the Ciopino (a seafood stew-​) I got fettuccini with shrimp. At the end I got this brulee cheesecake (which was meh… it was cheesecake) — so all 3 full sized appetizers, 2 entrees, drinks (non alcoholic) and dessert came to about $ 75 so not bad at all.
Everything was brought out in exact time one after the other with less than a minute of waiting– all delicious so I was pleased. Really.
This is precisely why they really got 5 stars though:
THE WAITRESS.
We got lucky last night I guess, we got «Nicole» at the Islip location. She cant be a day over 20 years old so when she delivered precise, well timed, professional service I was in awe. That is so rare from a young inexperienced person in a chain restaurant. Let me put it to you like this; I took a huge gulp of my husbands soda and he looked at me and said «uhhhh…can you please order a soda? Your gonna drink all mine you always do!»
and POOF she had a new drink on the table as she whizzed past. In fact, as soon as he reached the ²⁄₃ point of his drinks she had a new one waiting to replace it already.
All we had to do was think of a thing and she was standing there handing it to us before we could say a word. Right up to the check. Did not even have to utter a word. We told her boss that she was great. She belongs in a high end place in NYC making the big bucks because she was one of the best servers ever. At Carraba’s go figure.
They have a new fan with me now. Great job Nicole.

Came here for lunch today. Most of the place smelled like a homeless person who had repeatedly urinated on themselves. Servers were good but we waited forever for the check, as they were busy talking to customers at another table. Food was good, though.

The food is overpriced. The waitress was extremely rude. And they have half the restaurant empty but insist on making people wait to be seated. However the food has good flavors.

First of all, when there are 10 tables visibly open from the waiting area, don’t make me wait 20 minutes for a table. At least explain why. I shouldn’t have to ask. Second, you tell me it’s happy hour with half price sangria. I get two glasses and then you charge me $ 8.50 twice saying they are double glasses? Not OK. We won’t be back. Poor job.

Good food good price. Good service and atmosphere. Easy access to hotel. It’s the best I can ask for.

It’s been a while since we’ve been here and we were pleasantly surprised by redecoration– light and modern, yet still rustic. Our waitress Adelyn was attentive on this midweek night, and manager Linda stopped by to make sure we were happy with our food (we were!) The bread is always warm, the salad cool and crisp. I had the sirloin with spicy butter sauce and my husband and the chicken parm and lasagna combo, always a winner. Yes, it’s a chain, but a very good one. Come as you are, and bring the family. It’s that kind of place and we like it!

I just went to Carrabbas. The construction is done and it looks AMAZING! What a difference! It’s like a new restaurant opened up only you still have the same friendly, familiar faces. The food and service are still amazing. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better…

My dinner companion and I arrived at Carabba’s at 7 pm on Friday night. Just as we gave our name to the hostess, a bus arrived with a table of 60 young, hungry soccer players from Virginia, for whom half the restaurant was reserved.
Not to fret, we were seated shortly thereafter and [oh my!] we were in the large section of the restaurant, sharing a waitress with said table for 65. And you know what? Our server Adele (sp?) handled everything they needed and still gave us all the attention we desired.
Delicious wines got us into the right mood and the food carried us the rest of the way to the heart of Tuscany. It was delicious, rigatoni al forno; mmmm! and the chicken Parmesan flatbread; nice portions, all cooked well and delivered hot. In spite of the 70 futbol fellas filling the kitchen with orders.
But the finale was a show stopper. I usually pass on dessert, but couldn’t forego the apple crostata and thank goodness we didn’t. Found out a little bit of what heaven is like when I sampled that sizzling caramel apple pastry with creamy vanilla on top.
The only reason for the 4 stars is that we battled a few tiny flies through appetizers… might be the result of the minor renovation going on.

Really Good place to eat every time we come here. Servers are always attentive and professional. Food has always been cooked accurately and tastes great.
Came here once a few years ago and the waiter overheard our groups conversation about a recent home break-​in. My nephews lost their game consoles, televisions, cartridges etc… They were pretty upset about losing their belongings to this burglary. The waiter came over at the end of our meal with the manager and offered to pay the entire meal for all ten of us because of the recent situation.
Needlessly to say we were extremely grateful!
Great restaurant to take the family!

Nothing to write home about. The calamari could have been cooked longer and the sauce lacked flavor. The sangria was ok just a bit on the sweet side for our liking. My husband had the scallops and he said it was ok nothing special and his mashed potatos were on the soupy side. I had the Cavatappi Martino and again nothing special. My cesar salad was drenched in salad dressing. My little guy had the fettuccine alfredo (he ate less than a ¼ of it) and it definitely was not very creamy (where’s the sauce?) he also had the minestrone soup which was ok but was not the traditional minestrone we were expecting. I will say the tiramisu was yummy and the panna cotta was again just ok. Would I go back? Highly doubt it as there are so many better Italian restaurants on Long Island.

This was our second time here, the first time was about a week ago with my girlfriend. We love Carabbas and usually its a mission to get there because the closest ones are in New Jersey or this one in Islip. We don’t mind the tolls or gas to get there because we both think its worth it. My girl was devasted when we arrived here at 1230 for lunch and they were closed !! The sign said they open at 4pm, not sure why but I hope they would change that.
The first time here we had the Ceasars salad which is different from the one in NJ, it taste great but has some more vegetables, my GF had the Fettuccine Weesie and I had the Fettuccine Carrabba, both meals were very satisfying and the portions were so big we barely finished a quarter of the meal and took the rest home. For dessert we had the chocolate dream in chocolate sauce which was delicious and also a very big piece of cake. We hope to visit again real soon and hopefully they adjust the hours.

The peach sangria is AMAZING! I ordered the mezzaluna ravioli and it was pretty good. They gave me so many that I had to bring some home. I ordered cannoli and it came with two. It was delicious! The staff was friendly and delivered fast service. I wish there was more of a menu selection

Monday night special is as good a deal as you will find.
A choice of appetizer, soup or salad, and main course with sides. All this at prices ranging from $ 13 to $ 19. Yes, the selections are somewhat limited but we are talking about an incredible value.
Food is better than at most other «commercial chains» and our servers have always been professional.
Avoid the weekend crowds but great for a weekday bargain.

Yummm, I really enjoy this place. I’m not really a fan of chain restaurants, but this one is my exception. Bread is always fresh, drinks well made, their Italian style menu is filled with different options, and their dessert is outrageous. I’ve come here for large parties and for dinner with another person, both times the staff have been more than accommodating and we have had delicious meals!

Was ok. Nothing worth going back to. Husband and I kinda had tummy issues a hour later. Not cheap, wine poured to exact. Can see why people go to bar ½ price items we ha no idea, wouldn’t of matterd anyway only went there because I wanted pizza and a nice Cabernet. Next time will order from our local pizza joint and grab a bottle on way home. Don’t mind paying if your getting what you want. Our bill was 65 with tip 80. Had a individual pizza, small salad, mussels and 2 glasses of wine and 2 sodas. Bartender was friendly and nice but a little slow on 2 drink and clean up of dishes. Been to others out of state, much better. Sorry to say won’t go back. Actually got very sick after eating here

Have about 6 tables empty and I’m still waiting. Watched 2 parties walk out after waiting too long. Wtf people? About ready to go to cheesecake factory.

As olive garden lovers, It was our first time trying this restaurant chain and it was a wonderful experience. Our server was really friendly and really helpful helping us decide what to get. The house wine was absolutely delicious and perfectly priced. And our food was cooked the way we asked for it and the side of pasta was really unique and me. Also the side salad and we both got Caesar salad really hit the spot.
We would definitely go here again.

Just ok. Appetizers were great but entrée was less than desired. They had a new listing on menu Lobster Mac & Cheese which was horrific and had to be sent back. Server was exceptional and very attentive and accommodating.

Carabba’s is consistently delicious wherever I’ve dined. This is a great back up if the one in Smithtown is packed.