The Mad Italian - Chamblee

This restaurant is truly a hidden gem and has been a family favorite for years. The cheese steaks are fantastic, but the Italian hoagie stands out among its competitors (tip: be sure to ask for the Italian dressing to accompany it). My family and I have always had positive experiences here, and the service is always warm and friendly.

I wouldn’t recommend ordering the shrimp appetizer. Our server was good, and although the hostesses were quite young, they managed well. However, it became obvious with our main course that the restaurant is focused on maximizing profits. The portions were small, and the food was unremarkable—just enough to satisfy without inviting too many complaints.

This restaurant seems to cater primarily to an older white clientele who may not be familiar with Latin or Italian cuisine. The lasagna I had tasted like it was frozen, lacking sauce and made with subpar cheese. The service was disappointing as well; the waiter approached without any introduction, and I had to ask for his name—Jack. I can't imagine returning here unless it were during a zombie apocalypse. The music was also quite bland, and the only thing that felt Italian about the place was the name. The photo of the lasagna I ordered really highlights the absence of sauce.

The chicken cheese steak to me was a little plain, over chopped chicken with limited spices on a run of the mill bun paired with the most standard chips. For consistency this should be achieved easily which I appreciate. The restaurant is an awesome place, a lot to take in and the staff from the hostess to the bar tender were great.

It has years since I have eaten at the Mad Italian. Why did I wait so long? Had a craving for a Philly cheese steak sandwich. My wife and I each had one.... Wow they were delicious. Just the perfect amount of meat and cheese. The bread was fresh and was the perfect match for the sandwich. I opted for fries and my wife had tots Both were good fries were a little better. Service was very good. Friendly and efficient. Definitely will return again.