Buca Di Beppo- Minneapolis

Buca has been doling out $10 off coupons lately like hotcakes, so me and my loyal Mr. C went out to experience this old Italian staple.

As many know, Buca serves family style. Meaning that you get a lot of food. You can order 2 sizes: small or large. Small feeds 2-3 people, and large 4-6. Buca offers a lot of chef boyardee type entrees (ravioli definitely has it's place amongst italian food, but don't tell that to Michale Chiarello) that seem pretty americanized. But that definitely does not stop it from tasting good.

I was somewhat surprised by the somewhat chain-ey look to the menus. Buca in Mineapolis has a great hodge podged/old fashioned feel to it, with old pictures occupying every inch of the walls and even old kitschy stuff in the bathrooms. Upon entering, you will be met with a cardboard Danny Devito. It's a cross between being annoyingly and generically italian and completely comfortable all at once. But I adore that they purposely serve mismatching dishes. Feels like home (a generic one with photos of Sly Stallone and Devito on the wall in the entry.)

Tomato Caprese Salad (10.95 for a small- we were hungry and ate like half of it before taking a pic. Sorry.)
This was overall pretty tasty, but a bit too salty. I especially appreciated the huge basil leaves- beautiful and herbacious. The tomatoes were firm and sweet, the cheese mild and buttery. A good appetizer overall.

For our entree: The Spicy Chicken Rigatoni (Awaken your taste buds with a new favorite - tender chicken breast sautéed with garlic and red pepper, tossed with peas, a spicy rosa sauce and imported Italian rigatoni pasta. $18.95 for the small.) REALLY sorry about the shitty pictures. But, y'know.


I was extremely surprised by not only how well balanced and amazing this was, but by how PERFECTLY the pasta was cooked. I'm not kidding. I've eaten at Rinata, and this pasta was cooked better. Nice and toothsome, with a creamy, smokey and spicy sauce. The chicken was perfect throughout, never chewy, dry or too sparse.

Overall, I need to go to Buca again ASAP. With an appetizer, entree, and 2 glasses of wine, Mr. C and my bill was under $40 (after the coupon.) Success!!

Greats
-Mismatching dishes
-The spicy chicken rigatoni
-The rigatoni was perfect and awesome
-The wine list isn't amazing, but it's not totally generic either, and is affordable.

Not so greats
-Chainey feel to the menus
-Our waitress wasnt memorable at all, but meh
-Parking can really suck in the area
-Salt level in the caprese salad

http://www.bucadibeppo.com/default.aspx