Carino’s Italian Restaurant was founded in 1997 by Norman Abdallah and Creed Ford III in Austin, Texas. The company is Fired Up, Inc, but does business under the Carino’s name.
The company operates a chain of casual Italian restaurants. The original name was Johnny Carino’s, which was changed in 2006 to Carino’s Italian Grill, then simply Carino’s Italian in 2009.
At its peak the company had 170 locations, most of them franchised, in 30 states. However, after filing for bankruptcy in 2014 and again in 2016, many of the locations closed permanently. Today, there are approximately 55 locations that are still open.
In October 2020, Famous Dave’s agreed to co-brand with Carino’s, allowing Carino’s to serve as ghost kitchens.
In late 2017, the company was acquired by Bluestone Holdings Group, LLC. Headquarters are located in Austin, Texas. 
I placed an order at AUSTIN-PARMER, 12901 North I-35 Service Road, Austin, TX 78753 from the website. It was Order # 6238889996992521. The name on he order was: Rabbi Bam.
Payment Method: Google Pay Visa x-1067. Amount: $81.64, ORDER FOR PICKUP, Order ready at 6:29 PM, TODAY (FRIDAY, 12/10/2021). When I went to the store it was not in. It was not there. It was not delivered. So I ordered again and paid cash. The manager on Friday evening told me that if I got charged a second time to call on Saturday evening and they would take care of it. It turns out that my card was charged that second time, so I called the store. There was so much noise on the phone I could barely hear the manager and he could not hear me, asking me to repeat everything 2 or 3 times. I told him to go somewhere it was quieter, because the noise was on his side and I had to speak up and I was getting a headache. He told me not to yell, and hung up on me. I called back, and he hung up again.
A – Please remove the charge for that amount or reimburse it.
B – Censure your Saturday night manager and remind him not to be belligerent to customers or hang up on them. And let him know that he is personally responsible for the loss of an average $81.00 a week, Friday night customer. I will never again go to that restaurant, having made it a staple for the past 2 years.
DENIED PROMOTION 5 FOR 15. EVEN THOUGH COMMERCIAL AIRED THAT DAY. TOLD, NOBODY AT THIS TABLE GETS A DRINK, UNTIL ALL MEMBERS OF OUR PARTY ARE ID. Even spoke to Mgr. SHE said that she couldn’t do anything for us. Felt like we were on Wentworth. Very bad experience.
I should have saved the 100.00 I spent at the one in Alexandria LA today. I had a management meeting with my managers and bought from Carinos for their lunch. I was horrified with what was delivered. I should have bought frozen TV dinners they would have had much better taste and appearance. From the brown and rotted lettuce used in our salads’ to the lasagna that had no filling at all. Just noodles on top of noodles with one slice of cheese on top. The chicken parm was dry and hard and tasteless, What a waste of money. No one could eat this disgusting slug you call food. I had to make a whole new order at Outback in order to feed my people properly. I will be posting the disgusting pics of this poor excuse for food on social media so that no one else makes this mistake ever.
I want to talk to ur complaint dept.
We went on 1/4/20, my daughter had reserved the party room for 7pm, the gave it to another party without reservations, we got seated at 745pm, didn’t order till after830pm. It was dirty, the worker had poor people’s skills, and couldn’t see anybody in charge. They didn’t even give us an apology, this restaurant should be closed.
We had a party of 20 .
Corporate doesn’t care hence why restaurants are so mismanaged and managers sleep with their employees. I always wondered why they filed for bankruptcy twice (2014, 2016) but it makes sense now. They franchise their restaurants and wash their hands of any responsibility after that. My location has an assistant manager literally sleeping with his employee and cutting people’s hours when they call him out for it. When the company won’t even handle that, what makes you think they’ll handle “bad service” at a location lol
THIS CARINOS IS TOO NASTY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO SHUT IT DOWN ASAP ILL BE CALLING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SOON TOO MOLD ALL AROUND THE TOILETS NASTY RUSTY SPOONS AND FORKS ARE ALWAYS DIRTY AND STICKY FLOORS NASTY AND DIRTY RATS AND ROACHES GALORE ANIMALS IN THE BUILDING MANAGERS HAVING SEXUAL ACTIVITIES WITH THE SERVERS INSIDE THE RESTAURANT MANGERS GIVING AWAY OVER $40 WORTH OF FOOD TO THEIR LOVE ONES AND FAMILY MEMBERS BARTENDERS DRINKING BEER IN LIQUOR IN FRONT THE CUSTOMERS RATS ALL OVER THE RESTAURANT ALWAYS SMELLING LIKE MOLD IT NEVER SMELLS FRESH IN THIS RESTAURANT MOLD IS EVERYWHERE MANAGERS FOLLOWING GIRLS HOME & SEXUALLY HARASSING THEM TOUCHING AND FEELING ON THEM MANAGER MATTHEW IS THE MAIN ONE ALL HE DOES IS (ACT) GANGSTER AND YELLS ACROSS THE RESTAURANT AND TALKS UNPROFESSIONAL AND DISRESPECTFUL TO PEOPLE I EVEN ONCE SEEN HIM GRAB HIS PRIVATE AREA ONE DAY IN FRONT OF EMPLOYESS AND HE CURSES ALL DAY LONG AND YELLS HES NOT MANAGER MATERIAL AT ALL TOO GHETTO I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS PLACE AND THE OWNER OR CORPORATE OR WATEVER THIS IS RIDICULOUS MAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND TERMINATED FOR ALL THESE DISRESPECTFUL SEXUAL ACTIVITIES HES DOING AT THIS RESTAURANT
Baytown Texas carinos
Johnny Carino’s, Brownsville, Texas, used to be our favorite spot to unwind and have a great time with family. Everything changed when it was remodeled and the staff was replaced by inattentive and impolite employees that couldn’t care less if an unsatisfied customer walks out. We decided to give it another try (after numerous attempts). Unfortunately, like every other time, we were greatly disappointed. We were astonished by the bartender’s/server’s attitude and her willingness of letting us know that she was upset about our request to replace a drink that did not taste like previous drinks. We will no longer give Johnny Carino’s the benefit of the doubt. The changes you made to Johnny Carino’s, horrible bar, bar stool table and chairs, etc., are unappealing, but the waiters and waitresses are the worst. The person in charge of hiring really should have hired people that take pride in their job, place of work, and customer satisfaction. So disappointed. Fino a mai!! Olive Garden is down the road!
I just had a suggestion for a new location. Lakewood Shopping Mall in Lakewood, California. There is an empty restaurant building that used to house Mario’s Eastside, but has been empty for several months. Currently we are going to the Downey location.
I ate at the Alexandria, LA location June 24, 2019. The service was beyond subpar. The front of the house manager was more interested in flirting with everyone. It took 30 minutes to get our requested bottle of wine. It took over an hour to get our food, which was only one entree. I spoke to the front of the house manager about this. His words were…girl you have not been waiting for your food for an hour, at the most 45 minutes, I proceeded to tell him it was over and hour. He never offered an apology for our wait. He was very unprofessional, considering he was the manager. Very disappointing service. Sad this is what customer service has resulted in.
Baytown, Texas location. Visited Thursday, June 13, 2019.
I along with 2 friends had dinner and were in the restaurant over 3 hours. One word. CONTAMINATION!! We are disgusted! We will NEVER return to any Carinos location. The cooks on both side of the kitchen were glove less and touching food. They were also eating, using cell phone, wiping their clothes, wiping their sweaty faces, and touching lots of other random items and them TOUCHING FOOD!! Mostly picking up shredded cheese to put on salads, soups, and finished hot meals. This is absolutely disgusting and a major health concern. I will he reporting to the appropriate agencies and I suggest the general manager and/or owner be notified ASAP!! I informed our waitress who told the manager. Minutes later they had gloves on. With gloves on they were still contaminating food by touching their clothes and faces and eating behind the line. Do these employees not get a lunch break, or what. Completely unprofessional! Later on gloves were removed and food prep carried on. Thst is all I have to say to you. I hope this is taken seriously and fixed promptly.
on May 11th we had a graduation dinner for my g-daughter . party was booked weeks in advanced! when I went to see the area the party was suppose to be held walls old! floors looked ao dirty like dirt on dirt! I ask manager if floors could be clean for party he said he would not be there but he would let other manager know. i had to rent tablelinens cause none would be provided. on party night floors were not cleaned! floors were very sticky! My guest were seated waiting for drinks forever! I had to go get manager to bring a big tray of waters, cause when i finally got a waiter he was taking drink orders one by one after 20 mins. still no drinks ,manager stated that server had another party to attend too! i told him no excuse cause party had been booked weeks before you should of had enough staff to cover parties ! when food was brought out it was not on food warmers! the food was brought out on salad bowls it was so disappointing and embarrasing ! after all that a big roach flew on one of my guest shoulder! i was later informed by another guest that she saw 2 dead roaches on floor! what was suppose to be happy memories and an adult dinner celebrating such a big goal in my g-daughters life was such a disappointment! at this point i was in tears ! i send a text to corp. office and i have not had any respond from! never going back !
I have done a ton of work for the store in Eastvale CA and they used to be great at paying as soon as the job was completed. It has been over a year that I had completed my last job without getting paid. They keep giving me the run around saying I need to contact corporate and corporate tells me I need to contact the store. Guess I will just have to get an attorney to get my money. Funny how they want to make money but refuse to help out the small business owners that help them out.
last wed i got to the lake jackson, texas store at 915 pm and a server named josh locked the door
and there was 20 to 30 people on the patio;. i was back tonight as i am a regular patron . i asked him in front of 4 or 6 5 staff members who told him to lock it and he refused to tell me. a few months ago josh came up to the manager with a free entree coupon and when asked how many of those he had he said a stack. she verified\ it because he hadn’t gotten many tips that shift. i thought is was strange but to me he was openly stealing. when he was so rude to me tonight i told him if i was manager he would be fired. i love to go there and will continue but he needs to be gone. many of the servers are very good but even though he has never served me i find him to be disgusting ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 15;
PUT CHICKEN TIMBALO BACK ON THE MENU, please. With
Pronto Tuesday’s pasta special please include a salad.
Next— I cant open your emails. Missed out on last weekends pizza and beer. And today’s family meal 1/2 price with free cheesecake.
Carino’s was a favorite for our family but after numerous bad experiences we have not been back in over a year. We drive down the expressway and all the other restaurants are full and have a waiting list, yet Carino’s has maybe 10 cars on Sunday after church. The last three time we tried Carino’s we waited for a table over 30 minutes and the restaurant was 30% full.
We have not been back and today the same poor number for cars were there while all the other restaurants were full and overflowing.
I am a small businessman I have started 3 successful businesses over the last 40 years. I can’t understand how this business continues!
Hello I wanted to tell someone about our terrible experience last night. I dont know if I am supposed to tell you or call Fired up inc? I am 45 yrs old amd Never a complainer. I have Never at any restaurant been so put off or disappointed with the complete lack of service and disrespect that was going on Friday night. Me and my wife showed up Friday night to have dinner we had a 20-minute wait.. Even though the restaurant wasn’t even full. So we went and sat at the bar and waiting. The poor guy behind the bar say never been behind the bar before he’s used to working in the on the restaurant side so he had no idea how to make our drinks which were horrible. Not his fault. After waiting about 20 minutes I went nd check back in with another guy standing at the door he said he didn’t know who we were. I pointed I him out names on the list and he went oh okay it’ll be about 10 more minutes. At that point the restaurant was even less busy. I went and sat back down at bar. I told my wife let’s just go stand by the door and wait for our table. I went back and it was the original guy there and you said can I help you I say yeah we checked in 25 minutes ago remember he went oh and the other guy came up and showed us to our table. We waited for 10 minutes and never even got a menu, a glass of water or anyting at that point of being there for 45 minutes wondering what the hell’s going on we just got up and left. I have never seen anything like this at any restaurant I’ve ever been to before. I have been coming to Johnny Carino’s for so many years it’s the one that I have placed I love to go to and to see this happen and be treated this way was just unbelievable. 479-530-XXXX
My wife and I have had a tradition every Friday night we go to our local Johnny Carino’s as our date night. We started this just after they opened the restaurant in Columbus, IN. Several years back my wife was diagnosed with Celiac Disease which she must have total gluten free foods. The local chain had very much catered to her disease with gluten free bread (Pizza dough) and pasta for us to enjoy. Unfortunately recently the new management has decided to take away the gluten free pizzas and bread that my wife can only have. Tonight we were informed that management will no longer carry gluten free items. Needless to say, we will not be going back to this restaurant because we have a choice also. By the way, we did have many folks with food allergies we sent prior for meals that use to go to the same place. We did text some friends and family after our news tonight and know that they also are upset. We frequented the facility at least 2-3 times a week and even after church on Sundays. Sorry for your loss!
It would have been an excellent experience if my issue would have been solved. I told the server there was a gnat in my drink. He responded that the drinks are made in a clean area and all he could do is give me a shot. I could not enough my drink and I still had to pay for it. I am very upset the issue was brushed off. I’m even more upset he ignored that there is bugs in the restaurant. I took pictures of the drink.
My husband has severe food allergies to spices of ANY nature. The waitress was properly informed and his food still came out with red pepper flakes on it. The problem was that he couldn’t tell because it had been patted or rinsed off. When he had eaten a few bites, he stopped immediately. Because the service had taken OVER one hour to get to them..he didn’t ask for a new dish. When he came home, I heard about it and called Midland, Texas’s location. I talked with the manager ( Wastika???) and let her know he could have gotten severely ill. She promised 2 coupons would be mailed to our address. It has been a week and 2 days since her promise. We are only 45 minutes away, so the mail doesn’t take that long. I feel this Manager took advantage of the fact that I was calm and respectful to her on the phone..so she failed to respect me by acting on her promise. How many customers is she endangering with her careless approach? We want the coupons. We want this resolved!
At Christmas time 2017 I bought 2 $25 gift cards. I also was given 2 free cards for $10 each with this purchase. When we tried to use the $10 card we were then informed that we needed to spend $30 to use the card. 99% of the time we go to your restraurnt for lunch 2 or more times a month. The $10 card had to be used by the end o Feb 2018. The “gift” is no gift at all. We will use what remains on the $25 cards, get our earned 1 free lunch for the punch card and then not return to again to be set up with a bait and switch. This place is setting up to go out of business under new ownership.
indy55@ sbcglobal.net
I ordered gift cards this year and never received my free cards. They said the free ones would come with the others. No, they did not. Have called them and sent several emails with out any satisfaction.
I am disappointed to see no restaurants in Florida. I am a fan of your Nachos. So let me have your recipe for it,,,, prepared yourway
I have your Loyalty Card and I was gonna go to Grand Prairie and you CLOSED IT. I can see WHY. The food was always COLD and I went there and ordered it. I live 3 min’s away. Dane was a good BOSS and hated for him to LEAVE. I talked to a Brian in Hurst and said my card will NOT be credited- I’M SOL. That is pretty said when I spent a lot of MONEY there for FOOD. Card #600031083671XXXXX. Code # 55XXXXX. Give me a e-mail PLEASE! Happy New Year!
Terrible service at Joplin, Mo location. Had the ebirthday coupon for free entree. Ordered drinks and appetizers, then showed server my ebirthday coupon and ordered entrees. Before entrees even came ordered 2 more drinks, one drink never came because they didn’t have the Bellini mix frozen and apparently the machine doesn’t work well, I was told 3-4 times it would be ready shortly. We were seated in bar area (even though there were lots of other tables open) the bartender complaint to other workers the entire time, out of frozen margarita mix etc etc. So we finished entrees and paid then later realized we were charged for my entree which was to be free (ebday coupon) so we told our server, she corrects it and then days later there was 2 charges processing on the cc. I call the manager and he absolutely did not care, was very nonchalant, never ask our servers name. After several days and contacting the cc company it was finally removed. I also submitted an online complaint to Johnny Carinos and NEVER received any response at all…this chain simply does not care about overcharging and bad service. They have your money and that is all that matters.
The restaurant in Brownsville is horrible service ! Food is ok. I was having a drink with a friend and when I asked for the tab.. i was served another drink so I told the bartender that I didn’t ask for another one… he took it back but still charged my credit card and when I asked why hi did that he said … nothing ! I asked again and the kid came back with an unacceptable response and told me I need to calm down !!!! What ?!!?! Are you kidding me!!!!!!!! The worts place to visit …. please stay away ….
Food was VERY dry, after asking 2 times to get more sauce it was at that point my food was cold. The waitress was nice is the only good thing about it!
I was not able to see the waitress when she used my credit card to pay for our dinner, but I was told by my bank 2 days later my credit card number has been hacked.
I hardly use my credit card, so I am suspicious. If you go, walk with the waitress and watch her or him swipe your card and keep your receipt as my card number was used in a different state then where I live 2 days after. keep watch on your charges on your cards.
Im just thinking if I don’t have a response within 24 hours I’m going to go hire a lawyer to take care of my complaint because you almost killed my granddaughter and me at your restaurant in Texas. Your manager did not care that things happened I paid full price and left all the food. There is more to this story obviously
Special Fathers Day Lunch until we were served raw chicken! When we addressed Charles the manager in El Paso on Airways he did not know what to do. I have a picture of the raw meal and now my daughter is vomiting. Manager should have been concerned and was not.
Are you kidding me? Now i know I should be going to a lawyer because they don’t and aren’t concerned about their customers
I went into the Jordan Landing location in Utah. Stood there forever to be seated and no one else was even there and not many in the place anyways. I was informed there was no front desk person, no management, no one bussing tables and only 2 servers on a Saturday. The manager had not scheduled anyone. I was told the other manger quit because of him and her never seems to come in on weekends, that he always has a appointment of some kind. The tables had dishes everywhere. Took forever to get food and the server did nothing but complain to everyone instead of trying to make a bad situation ok for there customers.. Not our fault there is a bad manger running the place. I ordered a salad and asked 3 times for it to be brought out and never got it and was charged for it. She was telling people there salads and drinks would be free for the inconvenience and yet I was offered nothing. Our meals where not very good either and where cold and looked thrown together in a hurry..This used to be my favorite place to eat but has been going downhill for a long time. I believe this is the last time I will be going there.. Such a disappointment. You need a new manager there. Worst experience I’ve ever had at a restaurant.
Yelp is my review choice, but if this is the way to get my story out so be it. I will make a long story short. Top notch service, extremely knowledgeable regarding menu (Food / Drinks). We arrived just before closing, we never felt rushed in any way, David the server in the bar area never once hesitated in answering any of our questions. He was very efficient in bringing out drinks and food, all the while staying on task with his closing procedures. The Rancho Cucamonga restaurant is definitely an establishment we will visit again and again. Thank you again Johnny Carino’s Rancho Cucamonga, and a special thanks to David!!!
I ordered 2 gift cards from your website. I got no cards but charges to my credit card. Every time I call a restaurant they play dumb and say we don’t have gift cards on our website. Is this a scam? Was supposed to be a mothers day gift because she loves the Johnny Carino”s in Rogers Arkansas.
I would love a response please.
I’ll try this again. On May 1, 2017, I joined Carino’s Eclub. I was supposed to receive a $5.00 coupon within 24 hours and have not received it yet. What is the status of the coupon? Thanks, Patricia T.
I put a complaint in on the website several days ago. Still have not heard anything. My kids had an accident at one of their restaurants. So now I will call the County Health Deparment.
So went in the the meridian ID location and when we got there we got our drinks and then afterwards we waited for someone to come take our order and we literally waited for over 1 1/2 and finally we had to go get the manager and tell him what was going on he never even appologized or anything the only thing he offered us was an order of complimentary order of mozzarella sticks, but after over an hour and a half of waiting , plus the food was burnt and it was just a terrible overall experience,I dont think we should have even paid for our drinks or our meals. I will never be going back to that place worst customer service. Not even one apoloy.
OMG! Well we were served Brown lettuce the waitress was snotty rude she put cheese on my food when I told her I was allergic to it and there’s more to my story I’m just going to go to a lawyer I think
I put a complaint on the website in regards to the restaurant in San Marcos, Texas. Your manager, Scott Gasco, who informed me that he was the highest level regional manager that I would ever need to talk to, was extremely rude! I left my entire story on the website and I guess you guys could care less since I have not had one person reach out to me.