What's with the hate towards Battista's?

I see it everywhere, not just here. Haven't been there in all my visits to Vegasville, but considering it as something new for my next trip. The more I search, the more I see people hating on it, but I can't find a definitive reason why. (Is the food bad? Do they treat customers like inconveniences? Is it just slow? I can't figure it out.)

Can someone please explain. Unlimited wine is unlimited wine.

I know I get what I pay for. I'm not looking for a 5-star experience for a 2-star price.

 

I think you've already got a pretty good handle on what the place is about. The food ain't great. The wine is OK/drinkable...and unlimited! It's a kitschy fun time for those who understand what they're getting into and don't always need the 4 or 5 star experience.

 

It's a fun atmosphere with its old school charm, but the I had the alfredo there and it was just nasty. I'm not a good cook and I think I could have done better. And no amount of fermented grape juice can fix that.
https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?posts/2521063/

Maybe if I had chosen a more traditional pasta dish I would have liked it better, but I felt like they are just milking a reputation they once had and don't care about trying anymore.

 

Nothing to explain. If someone likes the place that's all that matters.

 

Let me qualify this be saying I haven't been there is quite a while, and it is no longer owned by the family I knew. But when I went, it was a basic red sauce place, and it was fine. I've been to Italy and Sicily multiple times, and I grew up learning how to make authentic Italian food. So based on when I was there, and if people at that time didn't like it, I'd say it's becuase most like Americanized Italian food, and don't really have their head around what every day Italian food is.

I've opined on here about it before. I can't say I've ever really had a lot of really great Italian food at restaurants at any price level. There are a couple of places in Las Vegas, but I'm not going out of my way for them.

This said, food is food, and consequently subject to personal tastes. I do read some reviews on here and just shake my head though. I also understand I have a different background, and possibly have had different travels than others, so it is what it is.

I've gotten to the point that I try to have food at restaurants that I can't make well at home. I have a freezer full of Wagyu, the best Italian and Sicilian inputs in the world including their waters, coffees and aperitifs, etc. What I can't do is I can't make good chicken, I can't make decent ribs, I can't make decent pizza. Some other stuff. This is what I try to get at restaurants. I still can't resist Australian and Japanese Wagyu when I'm someplace that has it, but I don't really need to have it.

Anyway, that's me. I don't see the need to besmirch a small business, or even a large business, unless the circumstances are extraordinary. I do know price and name doesn't always equal good, or not good.

 

I think it's because some people (many?) just don't get what they are expecting.

It's a very simple mostly pasta and red sauce joint, with a number of other dishes. Yes, you can get very silly on the AYCD house wine, but I'm sure it's bag-in-box and nothing a wine snob would approve of.

If you enjoy "Good old Jersey Soul Food", such as spaghetti and meatballs, with a few glasses of house wine, in an independent non-casino non-chain non-foodie vintage Vegas restaurant, you will probably like it.

If you're expecting "Italian inspired" or "Italian fusion" and the like (Hello? Giada?) then you will be disappointed.

 

It's not independent any more. They sold it quite a while ago. I still am in contact with the family.

 

Is it now owned by a casino? A so-called celebrity chef? A restaurant chain? If not, it sure sounds independent to me! I have yet to see a Battista's on a Restaurant Row in any other city.

 

They sold to Harrah's quite some time ago. Mid 2000's I believe. So yes, I guess it's technically owned by a casino. No celebrity chef, no chain, no other locations. But to me owned by Harrah's makes it no longer independent.

 

Oh really? I stand corrected on that part. They sure don't rub your face into it.

My guess might be that they want the property, or more likely the land. I also might speculate that as soon as the lease on that convenience shop runs out, then it and Battista's will be history. Too bad!

I can just see many years from now, on this board, everyone lamenting on what a fine restaurant it used to be.

 

I haven't been in years, but it always seemed to have a long wait. Other thoughts, in no particular order:

• I always thought the salad was the best part of the meal.
• I didn't find any of their entrees very palatable other than the chicken parm and the spaghetti and meatballs -- and how hard are those to do?
• The wine is borderline vinegar, and I'm not a wine connoisseur by any stretch.
• The "cappuccino" at the end reminded me of the old 7-11 cappuccinos, with enough sugar to give you diabetes, but for some reason it hit the spot after eating everything else.
• And the service was suuuuuper hit and miss. Sometimes, we got great service; other times we were treated like kids out for prom
• I'm pretty sure he's dead, but the old guy hustling for tips with the accordion was too pushy. My wife and I shooed him away, but he still stood there and played and then lingered, as if expecting a tip. Sorry boss, you're invading my personal time.

 

They treat customers well, food is decent....and next door to a cheap dive bar for before or after dinner drinks...

 

I was there in 2014 so my thoughts might be outdated. I happen to enjoy that type of old school "red sauce joint" atmosphere. The food was on par with what you would find in a typical small town reasonably priced Italian restaurant somewhere in the midwest or wherever. Like better than the Italian entrees on the buffet at a lower end Strip casino but not as good as a better chain place like Carrabbas. I drank probably almost a gallon of that "free" wine. Overall I thought it was a good deal for what it was, my GF at the time and I had a fun evening there and it was nice to check it off the Vegas bucket list.

 

I’ve only been a couple times and had the spaghetti both times. I think overall it’s kind of a fun experience and the servers have been very nice both visits.

 

Don't recall any haters, just a few pretty poor reviews. That happens everywhere. I've been twice. The first with a parody singing guitarist that was great. The food was fine, not great. Loved the look and atmosphere of the place. All that along with some good buddies made it a fun night.
The second was with a lot of friends for a b-day party. Food was a little sub par, but ok. Had the accordianist, which was fun. Once again with a lot of friends and that made it a good experience.
I think the key is just that. Go for the experience and I suggest you go with friends. Each component (food, wine, entertainment) alone won't bring you back. All together though, again with friends, it might be a fun experience.

 

The "chef boyardee from a can" reviews always scared me off. If we ever stay close by again where I can enjoy the wine without driving I may still be tempted to try them out.

 

if you can handle it, more power to you
unlimited wine doesn't appeal to me
some of my worst hangovers have been from drinking too much wine - usually cheap wine and also drinking other liquors

now i'd much prefer 2 maybe 3 glasses of something decent

 

Anytime someone posts a review (of any restaurant) and uses phrases like "Chef Boyardee from a can", it is clear the reviewer is trying to be cute and that's the best that their brain can muster and I disregard anything beyond that.

I have been to Battista's twice. Once on a poker trip (over 10 years ago) and for five guys there for cards, it hit us in just the right spot that it was a huge hit. They had a fish entrée that night that one guy still raves about. I had some version of macaroni and gravy and enjoyed it. I wouldn't know good wine from bad, so as long as it doesn't taste like transmission fluid, it works for me.

About five years ago, I took our bowling group, some wives and a bunch of college kids and although the food wasn't as good as I remember, again, with a group of people it was a hit. Reasonable cost, enough wine for the kids to start getting buzzed on and a great atmosphere.

 

I loved Battista's back in the day when I used to stay at Bourbon Street right across the street (now a parking lot). A couple of shots at the Stage Door and then some pasta. Food probably average, but the service was always good and being drunk anyway, was a good time despite the food.

 

I agree.