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The Old Spaghetti Factory
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
15 reviews for The Old Spaghetti Factory
15 reviews in English
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Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
11/6/2009
Last night I just couldn't do it. You know, the whole dinner thang. So you'd better believe I jumped on the opportunity to pick dinner up as I was walking by the Old Spaghetti Factory on my way home from work.
When I first walked in, I was greeted warmly by Rob. I asked him for a couple of recommendations on meat dishes, and I also asked for a couple of recommendations on veggie dishes. He was AMAZINGLY helpful and honest. My experience at the Old Spaghetti Factory was off to a WONDERFUL start.
I then sat in the lounge and ordered with Greg. Greg was great! He quickly punched my order in and entertained me as he poured drinks for the customers in the lounge. He was completely on the ball and the second my food was ready, he went back to the kitchen and walked it right over to me. A total pro!!!
When I got home, I found the entrees I had ordered perfectly packed, and included was a warm loaf of bread, two kinds of butter, and take-out cutlery. The food was delicious and they had it ready for me within 10 minutes of me ordering it!
My experience of the Old Spaghetti Factor was excellent. I owe it all to Rob & Greg. The dream team I tell ya! If you've been unhappy with your experience here as of late, request these two gentlemen! They know their shiat! -
Review from Danelle W.
Calgary, AB
10/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
This review started out as a 4 star in my head at the beginning of my visit but ended up at 2.
We walked into the joint early on a Sunday evening, no lineup, got seated in the lounge (our request - they have comfy couches!) right away.
The meal deal is great - soup/salad + bread + meal + ice cream + coffee/tea? I'm sold!
Drink service was pretty quick off the draw, but the server ended up having to come back & ask me again what I ordered about 10 minutes later, which was a bit odd. The person I was with wasn't sure what he wanted right away, and had to flag someone down about 20 minutes later to (finally) order his drink.
After ordering our meals, we received our appetizers no problem. But in the middle of eating, our server came by and asked us (again!) what our meals had been?? Even odder. Why weren't these things written down or entered into the system right away?
I got the Red thai chicken curry. The sauce was amazing - if it had been served over rice, it would have been PERFECT. I loved it. And maybe a bit more kick but I can overlook that. Served with fettuccini, though, didn't do it justice. Even my dining partner agreed (as I'm not a pasta person so I needed a second opinion).
However, service degraded after this. We were left to our own devices for what felt like forever, and then finally our server directed someone else to pack up our meals. He asked if we wanted the bill before asking whether we wanted ice cream and coffee/tea. Brought 2 bills (both identical - we only paid 1!) There were no water refills throughout the entire meal.
After waiting 15 or 20 mins, I had to get up & stand next to the payment machine & flag down our server to actually pay (via credit card).
And, to finish off the evening, I had the pleasure of watching 2 servers (ours included) get into a fight about meals & who was busier that evening. Not exactly mature. Take your disagreements into the back, not right in front of your customers.
Doesn't really make me want to come back. The food was alright but the service turned me off. -
Review from Shannon M.
Calgary, AB
11/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
My sister and I stopped by The Old Spaghetti Factory just before the dinner rush one Sunday. Each time I've been to The Old Spaghetti Factory, the meal has been very good - hot and fresh, well cooked and tasty - and it's a great price for downtown Calgary dining.
Sadly, our cutlery was filthy, forcing us to request new, clean flatware - which we promptly received - and the service was average. After taking our order and dropping off the complimentary loaf of bread, we weren't approached until our order was received, at which point we didn't see our server again until we flagged her down for the bill.
The restaurant quickly fills up on an evening, so if you intend to go, be sure to arrive early, lest you spend an hour waiting. And if you have any sense for good wine at all, avoid the by-the-glass house wines and stick to cocktails or sparkling water. -
Review from Bob M.
Calgary, AB
7/28/2011
A group of nonprofit social media enthusiasts (12) booked a large table for lunch. The server provided just the right touch of attention and discretion. We talked loudly and passionately and the table majically was bussed and the next course arrived. Reasonably priced, tasty, simple fare. I had the manicotti and it was above average and the ice crean that comes with every meal was delicious.
Great space for a lunch meeting or gathering. We will be back. -
Review from Geoff B.
Strathmore, AB
12/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
There's nothing special about the Old Spaghetti Factory, but it can be counted on for tasty pasta at a very reasonable price. The OSF is great for groups or to get together for a meal that won't hurt the wallet. We recently went to the Spaghetti Factory in a group of 12, and they were able to quickly accommodate.
They always bring complimentary bread before the meal, which is warm and smells great. The garlic butter goes very well with it, although it comes in a stingy little metal cup and they never seem to bring more out. If I wanted regular butter, I'd be eating bread at home.
Oh, and there's ice cream with every meal afterwards, too -- always a nice treat. -
Review from Daryl D.
Calgary, AB
3/14/2011
I only went here once with a couple of friends on a Friday night, and boy was it ever crowded! I remember there's a staircase when you come in the front door and then we were all lined up on the stairs for quite awhile, while waiting for some tables to clear out.
After about 25 minutes we did get a table, which was nice, but due to the crowding, it was awkward too because the table was right in the center of the room with people all around and bumping into us on occasion.
It was a little loud, so my friends & I were having difficulty chatting at a normal decible level, but I must say I ordered some chicken strips to snack on and they were some of the best I've ever had :d
However, just as we were getting into the evening, we were suddenly asked to hurry up and leave since that same night, a stand-up comedian was to be on the stage soon, and I guess they sat us in reserved seats where someone had tickets for them.
I have never been there since, but perhaps if I ever go again, it will be during the day when it's much less busy, since they do make good food :) -
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
11/1/2009
I go to the Old Spaghetti factory on a yearly basis, because there is one single dish that I am addicted to. The spaghetti with browned butter and Mizithra cheese is to die for, and every so often I get a craving and drag someone down for a meal.
The staff are usually very friendly, and if you order one of the meals you get sourdough bread with garlic butter. They're very quick to keep giving it to you, which is great. The meal itself consists of coffee or tea, soup, the main, and ice cream for dessert. It's all in all not a bad meal, if you don't count the so-so food. And it's almost too much food!
But beside that one meal, I can't really recommend the Old Spaghetti Factory. The old, horrid decor and the so-so food do not make for a great dining experience. It's not the worst, but it is far from being the best either. -
Review from Joey N.
Calgary, AB
2/11/2011
This is a good place to go to if you want decent meal and service with reasonable price. I don't really have much to complain about this place except the restaurant can get a little loud coz whenever we go it's always packed! Weird enough we still get seated pretty quickly (under 2 minute wait) and service is good!
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Review from Moez T.
Calgary, AB
10/31/2009
Growing up, The Old Spaghetti Factory in Edmonton was a regular destination whenever we were in the city. We always enjoyed it and always had a great time. As I got older and became an adult, my visits all but disappeared. I'll be honest, I missed it. So when I moved to Calgary I jumped at the chance to go again.
Sadly, I've only been here a couple of times. Maybe it's because I'm not a kid anymore, or maybe it's because they were never that great, but both my visits here and an additional visit in Edmonton weren't very good. In all 3 cases, the service, food, and atmosphere were about average. Certainly not living up to my childhood memories, but also not really living up to what I would expect without those memories.
I've noticed that the food is fairly bland and unimaginative. They also never seem to get it right. The service is decent, but not great and certainly not worthy of my repeat business. The atmosphere is just terrible, although it probably hasn't changed much over the years.
But it's certainly family-friendly. Maybe when I have kids, I'll visit again and the experience will be different. But as a young adult, it just doesn't appeal to me anymore. But hey, at least I still have those memories! -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
9/25/2009 1 photo
Other than a friendly waitress, there was nothing good about my experience at the Old Spaghetti Factory.
I was surprised to see that the French onion soup I ordered was not baked in a ramekin, but was served to me in an ordinary bowl. The broth was too salty and there was a single piece of cheese placed on top, which hadn't even completely melted. Good thing I ordered more than just the soup or I would have left very unsatisfied.
Oh wait, I was still unsatisfied when I left! My main dish was a cheese tortellini with a tomato rose sauce. The pasta was extremely dry and there was not enough sauce to make it tasty. The sauce itself didn't have much flavour to it. I ended up taking almost the whole dish home so I could sauce it up myself. Even after that, the tortellini still wasn't that good.
The only nice experience I had was at the end of our meal when the waitress said we get complimentary ice cream. Well, the ice cream was only included in my meal, but the waitress said she'd bring some for the other person in my party. The ice cream was delicious.
Not a great experience at the Old Spaghetti Factory. I won't be making a return visit any time soon, or anytime in the future for that matter. -
Review from Eric B.
Calgary, AB
6/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been to a few OSF's and this is the best one so far. Food is good and predictable, and always an easy choice when no one feels adventurous.
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Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/15/2008
let me say this...and this only:
you should never microwave pasta!!!
period! -
Review from Koz T.
Calgary, AB
11/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
Food was fast and tasty today. Try the mussels! The service was prompt though the dining area was pretty quiet.
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Review from Princess T.
Calgary, AB
9/27/2011
i can honestly say i've never had a bad experience at this restaurant! my boyfriend and i come here at least once a month... it is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! price, quality, service... JUST EXCELLENT!
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Review from Mike R.
3/27/2009
We went to Old Spaghetti Factory on Wednesday night with a large group (35 people) for a work event. All I can say is it was mediocre at best, the service was middling and the food just satisfactory. I'd probably be willing to give them a second chance with a couple or a small group but for large group events I would definitely steer clear.
