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Macaroni Grill's Prosciutto Sandwich. Photo: Business Wire.
Macaroni Grill wants to entice the Ladies Who Lunch with their new health-conscious offerings.
The Italian-food chain is one of many quick-service restaurants to face a decline in sales in the aftermath of caloric-disclosure laws and unwelcome press about its belly-ballooning meals.
As a result, the chain is rolling out an entirely revamped 60-item menu -- refocusing on Italian-Mediterranean flavors and more healthful choices. The new midday offerings are the latest phase in the menu overhaul.
The menu-makeover, which started in September 2009, is expected to be completed in May 2010.
"Our guests have told us that our previous lunch offering was time consuming, heavy and expensive," said Brad Blum, chief executive of Romano's Macaroni Grill, in a release.
Grilled chicken and jumbo shrimp spiedini, pasta e fagioli soup and a prosciutto sandwich on toasted focaccia are among the 13 new menu items -- with about half coming in under 450 calories.
Golden Gate Capital purchased Macaroni Grill in 2008 from Brinker International, a restaurant company which owns Chili's Bar & Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy and On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.
Whether or not Macaroni Grill's new offerings will convert the loyal legions of Olive Garden's Soup, Salad and Breadsticks remains to be seen . . .
| Yes | |
|---|---|
| No - Tell us why in the comments | |
| Not sure - Tell us why in the comments |
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1-21-2010 @6:39AM Fred said... Why can't restaurants bring the sodium levels down to a more healthy level. Calories are important; however, sodium levels will add to your physical problems just as fast. Use more non-sodium spices and olive oil.
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1-21-2010 @10:47AM John F. C. Taylor said... Low sodium? If it were any lower, there'd be little or no salt in most foods offered. Of course, it's much worse for things like potato chips. Can't find a deecent tasting chip any more. Eliminating a lot of salt and changing the oil they're cooked in has basically ruined the taste of chips. I would welcome a restaurant that hasn't caved to the food nazis and still offers a menu that restores all the "bad" stuff that made eating out a real pleasure.
1-21-2010 @11:29AM Al Schrader said... I love grilled macaroni. I combine it with provolone cheese & grill the entire thing, then put it on grilled sour dough bread. Yum!
1-25-2010 @9:05AM Mike said... Over-priced menu items won't attract customers in a broken economy and no one should be that over charged for Macaroni's wonderful ambiance, because it aint there!
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1-22-2010 @12:36AM Suzanne said... We used to visit your restaurant quite often. Unfortunately, my spouse has celiac's disease which is a gluten intollerance that causes other health related issues. As much of the dishes on your menu include pasta, breads and other gluten laden products, we are forced to stop our visits to your establishment. This condition - although often misdiagnosed, is becoming more prominent among young men and woman in our society. If you truly want to boast a healthier menu that "all" can enjoy, try offering dishes that are made with gluten free pastas, gluten free breads and (yes) gluten free desserts.
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1-22-2010 @5:37PM Jamie said... I used to work for a Mac Grill and they have a booklet kept either at the Saluta (hostess) stand or in the manager's office. This booklet contains information on food allergies and can point you in the right direction of the menu offerings that avoid your allergy. If I remember correctly one of the pages focused on gluten. I would recommend that you call your local restaurant and see if it is available so that your husband may be able to enjoy a great meal with little worry.
1-21-2010 @7:03AM theresa said... I can't becuase there is not a location in the Jacksonville, area.
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1-21-2010 @2:13PM Matti said... None nearby, but I've eathen at them when traveling and enjoy.
1-21-2010 @7:03AM annettehansen said... Just last night I was saying that I would like to see restaurants offer healthier foods in small, med. & large sized portions! This is a great start! Thank you Macaroni Grill!
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1-21-2010 @7:12AM Jay said... I see that the fat levels are down, but I was thinking that the sodium levels are not being taken into account. I can make it better at home (and cheaper). These Ladies of Lunch are to smart not to see beyond the high prices that are sugar coated (in this case salt coated with sodium).
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1-21-2010 @7:21AM Becky said... I didn't see much on the menu around 400 calories, and still pretty high in fat and sodium. I think they can do better than this!
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1-21-2010 @7:43AM MJ said... I got food poisoning at my local Macaroni Grill and ended up with a trip to the emergency room a few years ago that cost $3,000. Additionally, I cannot stand the heavy smoked smell that comes from the ovens and/or grill. It is unpleasant and I find it more difficult to breathe. The food I had there the last time tasted greasy and there were spices in both the spaghetti and bread that I did not care for. There are many other places to eat in my area, so it isn't necessary to go there.
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1-21-2010 @7:42AM Renegade said... Never thought their food was any good or worth the price. Also, restaurants were often dingy and appeared to be not clean and service was surly and slow. Overall poor experiences on more than one occassion so we won't be back!
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1-21-2010 @7:59AM CC said... they have horrible customer service - no matter what you serve, that will bring you down.
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1-21-2010 @8:04AM bo said... I as well as others like to see the trend lean more towards vegetarian/vegan flavored foods without the use of animal meats or ingredients. This is healthier, ethical and environmentally a higher standard of which the youth of america should be taught these values of eating; not just take for grant it how, where and at what cost the food source begins.
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1-21-2010 @8:08AM Phil Bittle said... I don't patronize any business that underpays their employees. One of Macaroni's managers told me once that they pay their cooks ... as hard and fast as they work ... like $10/hr. Macaroni's is a cheap skate ouotfit ... plus they took their mussels off the menu which was the best thing they had.
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1-22-2010 @12:26PM Carla said... I've never been to a Macroni Grill, but we are diffinetly going to try the one in Fort Myers. The new menu items look fabulous.
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1-21-2010 @8:16AM Phil B said... I have stopped visiting this restaurant chain for several reasons. First their portion size has been drastically reduced but their prices have not changed. Second every time they move away from the core basic italian menu they miss the mark. My wife and I have tried their new mediterranean menu items and have found them poor both in taste and quality. The staff does not seem capable of delivering good quality food hot and fresh to the table. All they seem to be efficient at performing is to take food back to the kitchen and credit the bill. That is not how any establishment can survive.
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1-21-2010 @8:15AM Aaron said... Are you people serious? You won't delete a whole thread full of racist comments, but you'll sure as hell delete my link to the nutritional information? This link is to Brinker International, the company mentioned in your own article as the owner of Macaroni Grill. I'd love to hear why you deleted my first post.
Nutritional Information:
http://www.brinker.com/gr/Nutritional/Nutritional_Insert.pdf
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1-21-2010 @8:19AM Bob E said... No Macaroni Grills in our area, thus the negative vote.
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