“Be glad you didn’t. The chicken was bitter, their marinara tasted like unseasoned Hunts tomato purée (it would have been 1000% better had they used their own jarred sauce) and the meatball was mid at best.”
H3
All 126 rated mentions, most helpful first
“Be glad you didn’t. The chicken was bitter, their marinara tasted like unseasoned Hunts tomato purée (it would have been 1000% better had they used their own jarred sauce) and the meatball was mid at best.”
H3
“Honestly, it’s super hyped and impossible to get in, but also they have the best meatballs I’ve had in my life. And I’ve had a fair share of good ones from my year living in Italy. Their “famous” lemon chicken however, was extremely dry”
H3
“It was great!! We are from Chicago, so we have access to awesome Italian food, and this was on par.”
H3
“There’s nothing special about it beyond being in a place where you need to know a guy.”
H2
“many famous restaurants bordering exclusive clubs more than places to dine (Rao's, Four Charles, Carbone, etc.)”
H2
“Worst meatballs ive ever had”
H2
“The ambiance, experience and service are excellent. The food is good, not great.”
H2
“Raos might be the single most overrated place of all time. I don’t get it. Very middle of the road pasta dishes, on par with any other basic Italian place in nyc.”
H2
“It’s an exclusive red sauce joint for Italian-American cafones who want to LARP as mafiosi. Like you said, and as is the case with most red sauce joints, the food is mediocre at best. Nothing you can’t make at home, and probably better at that.”
H2
“The jar sauce is 🔥”
H2
“Food was really good. Like someone’s family cooking it. Not high end Italian. Fantastic for what it is. Worth the trip if given the oppurtunity.”
H2
“Rao’s is entirely about the experience, which is pretty ineffable. Well worth going at least once.”
H2
“the food is not special. Good, but nothing crazy or worth all the trouble.”
H2
“The food was classic Italian, very good but not super memorable or better than other top spots.”
H2
“Rao’s and Carbone have top notch meatballs but you won’t get in to either of these.”
H2
“for now it still tastes better than the other options, IMO.”
H2
“it was pretty good (especially the meatballs), but you’re not missing anything that you can’t get anywhere else.”
H2
“Some of the best I’ve had, they were huge and very moist and flavorful.”
H2
“The meatballs are fantastic but I've cooked better Italian food.”
H2
“It was excellent. Best I've ever had? Not even close.”
H2
“I like their bottled marinara”
H2
“Rao’s is one of the better jarred sauces”
H2
“Raos is perfect that cause most quick red sauces take almost an hour to make.”
H2
“it’s really easy to walk in for drinks and enjoy the great atmosphere.”
H2
“It’s a beautiful experience and the food is as amazing as the service!”
H2
“I have much more respect for them then RAOs campbells Soup.”
H2
“The vegas and miami restaurants are hot garbage especially compared to the og one”
H2
“I enjoyed the ambiance and the food. The people I took still talk about it.”
H2
“Food was great, classic red sauce. Certainly a memorable night!”
H2
“I have used Rao’s as it is good and very convenient.”
H2
“Rao’s vodka sauce is the best jarred option out there IMO but there other sauces are forgettable.”
H2
“Went twice and TBH it was fun but food not worth the hype”
H2
“Is it worth it otherwise? No. Raos is simple food, in a simple room with a lot of history.”
H2
“I do like the meatball recipe in their cookbook.”
H2
“The meatballs are as good or better than Rao’s.”
H2
“Part of what makes Rao's awesome is its simplicity. They're similar but you can beat it at half the price for about as much effort as opening a can and simmering.”
H2
“Rao's spaghetti sauce is not THAT good!”
H2
“Super overhyped place!”
H2
“We left the city, came back and were able to wrangle a table from Frankie. We were shocked to be paying double for seriously bad overcooked food.”
H2
“the staff were awesome to us and someone who is the part of the ownership family came over and chatted with us for a while.”
H2
“Raols (love their fois gras).”
H2
“Shit, the Rao’s bottled sauce (now owned by Campbell’s) is far better.”
H2
“The meatballs are terrible. So much bread it’s more like a matzoh ball.”
H2
“their branded sauce is pretty great, IMO, as someone who has been trying and buying various premium jarred pasta sauces for long time.”
H2
“it's crappy compared to stuff found in the EU anyway.”
H2
“We know Rao is special, that's why he prices his sauce at like $9.”
H2
“Nothing better then Rao’s Penne Vodka 🔥🔥”
H2
“It was so bland that calling it mid is being so nice.”
H2
“Got the jarred sauce once it was fine”
H2
“Good list! Would also recommend adding Rao's, The Eighty Six, Sushi Sho, Tatiana's, Semma, The Four Horsemen. Theodora and Una Pizza Napoletana.”
H1