Connie D.
Yelp
OG Buca does it again!
I don't usually go to Italian restaurants because I'm the person that's always like "if I can make pasta at home, why would I got out and pay more money for someone else to make it for me?!" Well... I am wrong. The pasta at Buca is the epitome of delicious comfort food! The portion sizes are unbelievable! Bring your friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, someone you met off the street- come one, come all, the more the merrier! Everything is served family style and there is plenty to go around. A small portion serves 3 (or more) and a large portion serves 5 (or more). I'm sure there will also be plenty of leftovers to take home.
On my last visit, I went with two of my cousins. We ordered a large garlic bread (yes, we love bread, and yes, it was a mistake because we got an overwhelmingly large portion.) But are we complaining? No way! We also ordered the Shrimp Fra Diavolo and Chicken Carbonara. Wow wow wow this is for sure better than any pasta I can make at home. The aromas were mouth watering, I couldn't wait to dig in!
The Shrimp Fra Diavolo consisted of garlic shrimp with penne, crushed red pepper all mixed with a spicy rosa sauce. Everything about this was SO GOOD! It is on the spicy side, so for those who can't handle spice, beware. It was also very garlicky, which I LOVE, so this was 5/5 for me. I normally cook with 5x the garlic a recipe calls for, but Buca definitely one-upped me in their garlic game. The Chicken Carbonara was also delicious. I normally stay away from white sauces (personal preference), but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this. It was so creamy and savory and delicious! I am also ashamed to admit that this is the first time I've ever had Chicken Carbonara, but I am happy this is my baseline!
The staff here are oh so friendly and happily packed our leftovers for us. I am hesitant to say that my leftovers of the Shrimp Fra Diavolo may have been better than the fresh dish, but it was SO fragrant with garlic aromas when I reheated it, I was in pasta heaven! It wasn't dry like leftovers can get, it was still PERFECT 2 days later. Can't get enough of Buca's pasta and I cannot wait to be back!