I agree that the entrees are just ok here (and some are gross). Like I said above, the appeal is generally the “before the meal” stuff - soup, salad and garlic bread (Italian wedding is a personal favourite - I can usually eat 4 bowls of it and then just pack up my entree for later as someone else mentioned). It’s also a decent place for kids (some nights they have a balloon person walking around, for example).
East Side Marios
Family PIZZA/PASTA deal for 4 - $36 (only valid for delivery or pickup)
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- jarfgames
- Deal Addict
- Nov 10, 2012
- 2960 posts
- 2337 upvotes
- Calgary
- Pisidan
- Member
- Apr 20, 2015
- 226 posts
- 229 upvotes
- Ottawa, ON
Im on Ottawa n wish they had a olive garden I find it much better the ESM. In quality n taste. Love olive gardens soups!! Just my Opiniontoguy wrote: ↑I realize it's a matter of personal taste, but this has got to be the worst restaurant franchise under the Cara (well, now Recipes Unlimited or whatever) umbrella. In fact, it may very well be the worst chain in Canada period. I have been to a few different locations over the years and each and every time I have been disappointed. I find the food to be *very* subpar and the portions to be fairly small, and the prices aren't exactly really cheap or anything...
- Terabithia
- Deal Addict
- Apr 1, 2015
- 1637 posts
- 929 upvotes
- NOYFB
ESM is bad both in taste and service Imo. Wonder how they are still in business
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- chris5555
- Sr. Member
- Jan 13, 2012
- 565 posts
- 617 upvotes
- Vancouver
- vkizzle
- Deal Expert
- Aug 22, 2011
- 41788 posts
- 30051 upvotes
- Center of Universe
- RaySmith
- Jr. Member
- Dec 26, 2018
- 199 posts
- 277 upvotes
Maybe because a lot of people don't live in Toronto? Man, I'm not even an hour west of you and I've never felt more of a kinship to Vancouverites than when I read your comment.LOLatyou wrote: ↑ I’m confused. For two meals? There’s dozens of legit Italian places that would throw a really good chicken Parm at you for similar pricing as ESM. Here’s a link to just one http://fusaros.com/ but I mean google local Italian takeout restaurant and you’ll find dozens more. Heck, even the old spaghetti factory.
Again, if you enjoy it that’s awesome... personal tastes and such. I just don’t get it in a place like Toronto with the Italian options we have.
- LOLatyou
- Jr. Member
- May 24, 2020
- 103 posts
- 208 upvotes
- RaySmith
- Jr. Member
- Dec 26, 2018
- 199 posts
- 277 upvotes
- ES_Revenge
- Deal Expert
- Mar 23, 2004
- 35606 posts
- 18999 upvotes
I dunno about the worst in Canada (there's definitely worse chains I think) but I agree that it's definitely the worst under Cara and not worth going to at all. The pasta is nothing great and overpriced. But the worst are the promos where they give you a "take home" meal when you buy a dine-in meal only the "take home" meal isn't even the same thing you get in-restaurant. It's something seemingly worse than frozen microwave food Why don't they just give you regular takeout? Oh right because that would cost them more, even though it's already just cheap overpriced pasta to begin with! Mind boggling.toguy wrote: ↑ I realize it's a matter of personal taste, but this has got to be the worst restaurant franchise under the Cara (well, now Recipes Unlimited or whatever) umbrella. In fact, it may very well be the worst chain in Canada period. I have been to a few different locations over the years and each and every time I have been disappointed. I find the food to be *very* subpar and the portions to be fairly small, and the prices aren't exactly really cheap or anything...
- topshot
- Member
- Jun 27, 2017
- 261 posts
- 348 upvotes
we go purely because the kids enjoy it and is not as fancy as some the Italian places we prefer to ESM.
- ChrisE45532
- Member
- Jul 15, 2019
- 222 posts
- 177 upvotes
- Vancouver, BC
All I can say from Vancouver is they had a heck of a commercial during the Canucks' 2011 playoff run. Never got to try the restaurant though, heard there was one an hour from where I live and I wasn't going to drive for that lol.