John H.
Yelp
After much urging from Friends decided to try the Pushcart in Saugus, situated in what was formerly the home of another Italian restaurant -La Vita Mia which has moved to Hamilton Street in Saugus, just entering invoked old memories of great Italian food and specialty dishes, to say I was enthusiastic was appropriate. The waitress arrived very quickly said hello and immediately started telling us about that day's specials which she reeled off fairly quickly and then asked if we would like to order a beverage, I asked for a wine list, she seemed a bit put off but returned with the list and again immediately asked if we would like a beverage, I asked if we could have a minute and she scurried off. At this point my radar was up because even though the restaurant was 80% empty they seated us with a party directly behind us and another directly in front of us, how about a bit of spacing?? 2 Minutes later she was back for our food order!. the entire ordering process was WAY too rushed.
We ordered an appetizer of a Caprese Salad and our entrees. The caprese salad was not great, but not horrible either, and definitely OVERPRICED.As for the main Courses, the Pork chops were large and juicy, but were seriously lacking in any flavor at all, in my hurried state to order, I had not noticed that the Italian pork chops with oven roasted potatoes, Peppers and Onion, did not have ONIONS,I realize I missed that - but who serves them like that??,They instead used Mushrooms which added a piquant flavor of eating a mouthfull of rubbery soil to the plate, the entire dish was tasteless and a disappointment
-My wife ordered the Eggplant, suffice it to say that the tomato sauce tasted canned and was on the Cold side, which was frankly a sad depiction of an Italian Classic peasant dish, as it was a small, thin portion with the bad, cold tomato sauce and a rumor of mozzarella cheese, VERY DISAPPOINTING and REALLY, you screw up EGGPLANT??
We never were asked if we wanted another drink, My server gave us our check, and returned a full 17 minutes later - although she did have a lively 10-12 minute chat with the people in the booth to our right, I hope she enjoys her upcoming cruise, I heard ALL about it.- yes they fill the room from front to back as more guests arrived -8 full tables up front the remainder of the rectangular dining room? EMPTY. We left with the firm knowledge that we will return to traveling to Hamilton Street to get great Italian food again- Danny- I will have the Pork shank please!!
I chose 1 star because you can't go lower and we saw no vermin
