Macaroni Grill

The popular chain translates mom-and-pop Italian into a slick production. With the open kitchen, Italian flag color scheme and strings of lightbulbs illuminating the lively scene, it's a place where noisy tots, or adults for that matter, blend right into the atmosphere. Sturdy pastas, thin-crusted pizzas and veal, shrimp and chicken dishes come to tables on which jugs of wine are part of the settings. A winning concept that emanates from San Antonio.