Review: Old Spaghetti Factory
The Forks
(204) 957-1391
Like most people, Old Spaghetti Factory is a memory deeply embedded in my Winnipeg childhood. Somehow, it’s become synonymous with a family supper out, surviving the move from its historic location in the Exchange to the family-centric Forks. What most people don’t consciously think about is that Old Spaghetti Factory is a chain!
As training wrapped up for Katimavik project leaders in Calgary, we were taken out for a staff party at Old Spaghetti Factory. We had to pre-order because of the size of the group, and I decided to start with a side Caesar salad and popcorn shrimp and then have spicy chorizo penne al fresca. The shrimp was simple and tasty and made a trip around the table. The romaine in the salad was fresh, but the parmesan was not, and I’ve never been a fan of crumbled bacon in Caesar salad. I do like the slice of lemon, though. The pasta was on the smaller side of portions that I saw around the table, but it was passable if not as flavourful as I would have liked. Our group meal came with ice cream - pre-scooped and melting - but I also ordered a slice of chocolate cake to share.
It’s clear that Old Spaghetti Factory is a fast food restaurant disguised as slow food. It’s got everything to please a large group - non-descript food, fairly affordable prices, quick service. I’d skip it and go to Tomato Pie or Bombolino’s instead.
