Open Kitchen

Doesn't Recommend

Amanda N.

Joined 1 year ago

AWFUL.. Over priced food, would rather at a drive thru. The meat sauce was watery in texture and taste. over crowed and rude staff. When I called to make a reservation I was hung up on.

Recommends

TinaFoz

Joined 2 years ago

You'll love it for the experience, not the food. I have to be honest, I love the Open Kitchen. I go a few times a year and it's always a terrific experience. The place is cool, the people are interesting, and nice. It is the least Italian food you'll ever have - but if you're not a foodie, or know what real Italian food is supposed to taste like, you'll think it's fine - or great even. Honestly it's Americanized, cheesy, and not good home made stuff. However, it's not horrible, and the rest of the experience is what you're there for. The waitress may be grouchy some days, but think of it as a Mel's Diner kind of personality. It's a fun, kitchsy, entertaining evening, and food that will not kill you.

Doesn't Recommend

Dan in Charlotte

Joined 2 years ago

Worst Dining Experience in Charlotte. Decided to visit this "landmark" for first time, after 6 yrs. of many fine dining experiences in Charlotte. Will NEVER return. Food was awful. Riccotta cheese in manicotti not cooked properly - or perhaps old - either way could not be eaten. Tomato sauce out of a can. Veal like leather. Health Dept. should investigate this diirty eatery. Eggplant parm full of ground beef, little eggplant. Waitress abrupt and uncaring. Manager likewise. He complained at being handed a Visa credit card. I recommend Angela's at Idlewild and Margaret Wallace for great pasta in clean room, good service and price. Plus the owner even smiles and thanks you for your patronage. OK must get family and friends to write the few rave reviews you see.

Doesn't Recommend

Prettygirl 28

Joined 2 years ago

Open Kitchen-hmmm. This is the second and last time I or my family/friends will go to Open Kitchen! Both times I went the customer service was lacking and our waitress was very rude. The food was not that bad, but food was cold. The second time I was with my family and I am assuming according to our waitress, the owners daughter of the restuarant was talking loudly about her sex life with her boyfriend and about a couple familes were able to hear her ramble about her life! Not an appropriate place to talk about personal information.

Recommends

lhsdiversmom

Joined 3 years ago

BEST EVER AUTHENTIC CASUAL ITALIAN EVER!!!. This is the Oldest Restaurant in Charlotte, 1950, I think. It's "THE" Landmark for authentic FAMILY ITALIAN COMFORT FOOD. Granted, due to the FABULOUS Food, one may have a short wait, IT IS WORTH IT!!! Close to Panthers Stadium and Uptown Charlotte. I moved from Charlotte 10 years ago and am still craving the MANICOTTI SICILIANO, my personal celebratory/comfort food of choice!!! This is NOT Romantic High End Dining. It IS a casual ,unique FAMILY atmosphere w/SUPERIOR Food & Service!!! 5 STARS !!!!!!

Recommends

foodnwinelady

Joined 5 years ago

Casual/old fashioned = GOOD TO ME!. I have been going to The Open Kitchen since I was a child. To read some of these horrific reviews fills me with rage! You people must be crazy! The Open Kitchen one of Charlotte's landmarks for a reason! Yes, the atmosphere is casual, but does casual = bad food? DONT THINK SO! The pizza is hand made....no said "pizza kit" involved. The eggplant parmesan and crabmeat parm. are 2 of my absolute favorites. Several of the waitresses have been there as long as I can remember. The restaurant is over 50 years old and thriving....they are definltey doing something right.

Doesn't Recommend

jcard3352

Joined 6 years ago

Pure Posion. The food was terrible, the service was terrible, probably the worse food I had in a while. Plus it wasnt cheap

Recommends

anniebody

Joined 7 years ago

A Charlotte Treasure!. I remember going to the Open Kitchen as a small child, and until recently had not been back in almost 25 years. When I walked in it was like stepping back in time - NOTHING has changed - and that's a good thing! It feels like an old Italian eatery in Rome, and the food was still as incredible as I rembered it to be. With so much growth and change in Charlotte, it is nice to see that some of the best have survived. Instead of heading to the Olive Garden AGAIN give this place a try - you will be glad you did!

Doesn't Recommend

jcardone

Joined 8 years ago

Horrible. This place makes Olive Garden Look Good. It is the worst Italian I had in a while. To top it off it wasn't cheap. It is almost worth going to see how bad it is. A Joke.

Doesn't Recommend

seeya00

Joined 8 years ago

Will not go back!. I have been to the Open Kitchen several times against my own will. My in-laws have been dinning there for 20 years and insist on returning every once in a while. I have yet to actually enjoy the food. The spaghetti sauce is watered down and bland, so watered down that the plate looks like a pile of noodles with some red food coloring. The pizza is soggy Chef Boyardee cardboard! No exaggeration here, this is a pre-made pizza kit. A side salad consisting of iceberg lettuce and a few tomato slices is not worth $3.50. After wasting $90 for dinner for four, we stopped at McDonalds on the way home.