Certainly, one could argue the merits of the pricing related to our promotion, as we are all feeling the pressures of rising costs these days. However, your comment about mass-produced chain food warrants a response. At Buca, we take freshness and quality very very seriously. In marketing, we often debate about how much our messages should focus on this and are coming to realize that our customers and potential customers really don’t know how much passion we put into our menu. Here are just a few examples of how we feel we overachieve versus many of our competitors in the casual dining industry...

-all of our sauces are made from scratch, and most daily-our dressings are our own recipe -most of the filled pastas are our own recipe -our pizza dough is hand-made -cooking oils are trans fat free -we use only fresh, whole peeled garlic -bruschetta mix is hand chopped with fresh roma tomatoes -we use whole milk mozzerella cheese on several pizzas as well as the garlic bread -we use 11-month aged provolone -tiramisu and cheescake-totally from scratch -homemade limoncello

Lee, when was the last time you dined with us? I would like to invite you to visit us again soon. I think you'll find that mass-produced chain food is not an accurate descriptor for our restaurants, and am confident you will agree following your next visit.

Regards,
Jim Macchitelli
Vice President of Marketing
Buca di Beppo

I'm curious to know if the poster of this has ever eaten at Buca's....

The post does seem a bit fishy. This is a great place and the portions feed way more than 2 or 3. Their spaghetti's feed 5-6 and I am a huge pasta fan.

Jim,
My post was really meant to mock the exaggerated PR boast about turning back the clock -- it really isn't that much of a bargain. Having never eaten at Buca, my aim wasn't to critique the food -- I used the term "mass produced chain food" because Buca is a chain that produces food for 89 outlets -- that's pretty massive. What I meant is that it is casual dining, not anything particularly upscale. Still, I apologize for the negative implication, and will come try Buca one day. Just the fact that you took time out to respond in a kindly, articulate manner shows me that you do care, which is always a good sign.

And Jack H -- according to the menu, the large spaghetti feeds 5-6; the small, for which I was quoting prices, claims to feed 2-3.

Our doors are always open and you can email me personally for a reservation.

Jim

thats one way to get free food.

Don't worry Bobo, ain't gonna happen. When I go I'll do so anonymously and pick up the tab.

Maybe you should have done that before you bitched out the place, dummy. Then you wouldn't be stuck eating crow now. Sucker.

Fuck you, Lou.

Wow, the F-bomb. Awesome response. Very intelligent. Just remember to not use that language when you go dine. Buca is family friendly and there may be children around. Or you could just try their Buca to go. That way only the server would hear you swearing about the prices. If you want cheap, I hear Mcdonalds has a dollar menu.

Craig
Fan of Buca

Lee,

All I can say is if you are going to write something about a company or anything for that matter - do your friggin homework. You never mentioned once in your writeup that you were talking about a small and the same goes for their deserts. They are huge and I think very well worth it. I have gone to this restaurant and eaten for less than $200 with 15 people. Come on - where can you do that? Plus the atmosphere is (granted loud) but a ton of fun.

I would suggest before you write articles like this, you actually do your research. Go ahead and blindly comment on the prices but not the food or what is included in the price because you have no idea.

Just so the record is straight - I don't work for BDB. I am a share holder though and I hate seeing articles like this that scare investors away without the author even knowing what he is talking about.

Ok, I have said my peace...

Bottom line Buca sucks!!! I am waiting for it to go out of business for good.

Wow Jim! Way to know your product! wonderful! I'm so impressed I'm going to visit my neighborhood Buca TONIGHT! I came on to read about the stock -- If the food and location are good, I will spread the word. Thanks for keeping it positive!

I've worked at buca.
Fresh food my ass!
Work company to work for ever.
They simply do not have there employess in mind at all

I've worked at buca.
Fresh food my ass!
Work company to work for ever.
They simply do not have there employess in mind at all