I always wanted to know why the parking lot was full when I passed by on Saturdays on my way to the state park.. Last week I decided to find out why, and stopped in. I now know why: The customers simply died of old age, and no one towed the cars away. This place is screaming for an episode of "Restaurant Impossible". Somewhere in the back of this place is a sign that must read "If it's not broken, don't fix it" that was printed in 1750 by Ben Franklin. The food? I'm sure in 1950 it was fine. read more

awful, no really. it was awful the food was awful, the service was poor and the restaurant is old and tired. yuk! i love italian, reeeeaalll italian. this place was worse than a can of raviolio's. in fact, i think i may have had raviolio's at carbones. just kidding. the truth is carbone's has lost it's way. a long time ago i bet it was a cool place. the grandfather made it fresh. now it is like stale wonderbread. i had chicken parm, how bad could they mess that up. they did. my friend had a personal antipasta. it was a joke. canned tuna with a few onions and lettuce. stop it, really. pray they either hire a real chef or close down and start selling used cars. read more

I knew I was going to have trouble when I saw the only other people in the restaurant were 60+. This typically means basic food for cheap prices. As other reviews have mentioned, the restaurant has been in business for years. It would be nice if they updated the decor. My God, I've never seen so many booths with frosted glass dividers in my life. Likewise, the glassware was definitely from the 70s, tinted and held no more than 8 oz...it's like they raided a kindergarden lunchroom. After being seated I was assaulted with a plate of Ritz crackers and some sort of cheese spread in a plastic cup (think self service ketchup). I'm still shocked by this presentation. Is bread unacceptable? Have I missed a new Ritz cracker trend? Anyway, I ordered a meatball and pineapple pizza. No way to mess that up right? The meatball was shaved, dry and under/not-seasoned. My dining companion had the baked ziti which he assured me was quite tasty and filled with sausage. Oh I almost forgot about the salad!! Lettuce, a couple slices of onion, 1 plum tomato, and a cucumber slice. Take that as you will. The service was mia. Enough said. The price, however was great. $6 for individual pizzas and $10 for some entrees. read more

This place is great! It tends to get a bad rap because it is not, by any means, trendy. I have been eating at Carbone's for 50 years, since my parents took me there for my first pizza. If that makes me one of the oft-mentioned "older" clientele, so be it. But, we dine out quite a bit and we hit this place once every few months and are never disappointed. A recent Friday night dinner with friends could not have been better. There was no wait to sit in the main dining room. The service was as good as it gets. Our server was attentive but didn't want to repeatedly barge in to the conversation, so politely asked us to simply close our menus when we were ready to order. The specials were all tempting, and I opted for the appetizer "crock of chili". I know my chili, and this was a generous portion of some of the best I've had. Seasoned perfectly and loaded with beef and two different beans, topped with melted jack, and HOT (temp), which is something I insist on. I had my usual choice of the best chicken parm anywhere, while all three of my party had a special baked stuffed haddock which was in casserole, loaded with bay scallops and shrimp. All four plates were totally clean and everyone raved about the freshness and quality of the seafood. Dessert here is a highlight, with many homemade choices. I always go for the pecan pie which is outstanding, as is the lemon meringue. You shouldn't hesitate to go to Carbone's based on preconceived notions or reviews that downplay it's old-school family style atmosphere. If you do, you're missing a classic. read more

Entered and were essentially ignored for a few minutes. Then the hostess seemed to wake up and took us to a table. There was a small plate waiting for us with 8 Ritz Crackers and a small plastic container of barely seasoned cottage cheese. We waited, but no one waited on us. After about 12 minutes, we got up and left. Walked right past the older hostess who had seated us. She watched us go as she talked to someone, but never once asked why the people she had just sat were leaving. Never again. read more

We were pleasantly surprised! No - you aren't going to find a fig and goat cheese mesclun greens salad here - but that isn't what you are coming for. We had fantastic service from Sandra our server, checking in whenever we needed anything. I have a friend who comes here a lot and she recommended the Haddock so that is what I ordered - delicious. Also took her recommendation for the Italian roasted potatoes. We were also excited to hear they offered Start Line beer on tap - bonus! We split the giant chocolate cake and peanut butter pie for dessert and everyone was thrilled. Had a great time here with our kids and my parents - which is the definition of a family restaurant. (If only they had Rudi rolls instead of white bread that would be 5 stars!) read more

ok so there has to be something said about a restaurant which has stood for years and continues to provide low priced mediocre food in an atmosphere which resembles the dining room of many local nursing homes....decor as well as patrons. I guess it's with nostalgia that I go to Carbone's and recall earlier times eating out with my parents. I think George Washington may have eaten at Carbone's (not really). Do I expect anything more than mediocre food which tastes likes it comes right out of the microwave to our table The wait staff are cordial and the cheese spread for the Ritz crackers always tastes kinda like an ash tray (not that I make a habit of licking ashtrays). The food is warm and served in a timely manner. Maybe it's that so much changes and not a lot of restaurants or businesses continue to remain in business from when I was growing up that I have a fondness for this place. I imagine maybe that's why the parking lot is always full. That and reasonable prices and consistently mediocre food (and mediocre isn't always a bad thing) read more

Kim is great. Baked scrod with lobster sauce is definitely worth having. Keep coming back. An honest, enjoyable, reasonable family restaurant. Not putting on airs, just a reliable, friendly spot good for cultivating regulars. read more

After driving past Carbones for almost 10 years on my way to Hopkinton State Park, I thought it was time to finally give it a try and see why the parking lot was always full. When dinner was over, I found myself confused as to why and how this place had been open for so long. I had chicken parm. Hard to go wrong there, but my sauce was literally almost like water. And the cheese over the chicken was barely even melted. If they just slapped a square of uncooked cheese on the breaded chicken, it wouldn't have looked much different. My girlfriend's pasta was also horrible. Undercooked and the sauce was very watery. There were mostly older patrons there, so perhaps it's a staple of their generation, but I would never go back. Our waitress was friendly, so I'll give it one star for that, but that's the only good thing I can say about it. read more

One of the culinary treasures of Hopkinton! The atmosphere of Carbone's is unmatched. The people who go here are wonderful and contribute to the experience. Yes, going here is an experience and a wonderful one at that. The quality of the food is top notch and for the price is unmatched. Food always comes within a reasonable amount of time and while you wait you can always find someone interesting to talk to. read more

I'm surprised by the negative reviews. I'm a third generation patron of Carbones. My grandparents first discovered it, and it became a family tradition. It has a cute vintage feel, good food, and reasonable prices. Been going here since I was a baby. read more

Food is good, reasonably priced, and wait staff is very kind and helpful. It's a very nice quiet family restaurant. My family took me here a lot as a child and I see why my parents took me. It's a perfect family restaurant. I wish they made more like them. read more

It's been 35 years at least since I've visited carbone's and it's just as great as I remember. The veal park was fantastic. I hope it's not so long before I return. Ken Moran read more

Went to carbones for dinner this evening I had sirloin steak wife had fried whole clams waitress was great food was fantastic dont really remember the place being this good will be back !!!!!! read more

Wow, I have not been here in a few years. I have to tell you that I had the best piece of baked fish I have had in the three weeks I have been visiting here in ma. And I have been to many restaurants in my past three weeks, even the restaurants in Boston and the north end. The fish I had tonight beats all. My mother had the eggplant parm and she raved about it! She's a good cook and so very hard to please when it comes to food. The price was right too! read more

Walking into the place is like walking into a time warp. I'm no spring chicken but I felt like the youngest person in the establishment. It's old school Italian American fare that is essentially OK but nothing special. With this said, the clam chowder was good, the salad was fresh, and the chicken parm was tender and delicious. The sauce (gravy) was tasty too. But here's the kicker - the pasta was overcooked. I suspect the reason for that is to accommodate for the dental needs of the average patron here though :) read more

Excellent lunch size portion of chicken parm. Went with some office mates. This place doesn't disappoint. They are in business from the 1930s. Old fashioned Italian that doesn't disappoint. read more

Hands down my favorite restaurant from 10 years old to 24 still my favorite . It had been 5 years since I last had they're food went back 5 or so months ago it still tastes the same. and BELIEVE ME THAT'S A GOOD THING. Veal parm still superb, same atmosphere, same owners the way it should be. read more

Food was just okay. Service was gruff. Seems like more of a place for the older local townies, not so great stand alone for someone just happening to be in the area. read more

My husband and I really like it here and are definitely regulars. The previous reviewers are right in that the menu doesn't include any of the latest trends and the clientele is a bit older, but the food is good, consistent, and reasonably priced. The employees have been working there for a long time and are wonderful. They served me my favorite drink on my 2nd visit - they're just the type of people who remember what you like. read more

What a waste! The building is nice and clean, but the food is a joke. Ritz crackers and cottage cheese that has sat on the tables for god knows how long! The 10.95 special was a ripoff. Food is cafeteria food from the 50's. I wanted to scream at them to wake up and revamp the place. I guess you can stay in business if you have dwindling old timers who don't know quality and have owned the real estate forever so you don't have any overhead. I hadn't been there in 10 years and it will be another 10 before I am back. I am a little perturbed because I live very close, eat out often and I would be the type of prime customer they should be seeking! I wish I could justify going back, but I can't. I appreciate how bad the place is! read more

Always good food, and affordable. Never had a bad meal. This time we asked for separate checks, the Server said, we only give one check per table. What is WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT, never heard of that in my life ? Sounds to me, the old woman Server was just lazzzzy. read more

The wait staff were all very pleasant, however, the sirloin meals were bland, and the green beans had a hint of fish taste. Not a good choice. read more

Yikes! The MOST awful service I have ever endured. Went there on a Saturday evening, before the big 'rush' I've read about, around 4:30. The other diners were elderly, to say the least. Our server was the most crotchety old lady I've ever had the misfortune of meeting. She was rude, unhelpful, and quite frankly, made us feel completely unwelcome. The Spaghetti was bland, the salad was listless and quite pathetic. The whole place just feels pathetic. Unless you grew up your whole life choking down this gruel, and somehow feel nostalgic enough about it now to return, then I would suggest staying far FAR away. What a waste of time and money. read more

Average food with a nice atmosphere. It is a cheap time if you are looking to get a bite and not break your wallet.

Years ago I would not have set foot in here but the standard of cuisine has risen appreciably. The food is very good with two notable exceptions: 1. the bread, while free, is truly horrendous--stick to the roof of your mouth wonder bread style with a "crust" whose texture is no different from the bread itself. 2. The lettuce. Iceberg only. Ugh. Get with it already. But if you avoid the bread and the salad, everything else is great. Haddock Florentine on weeknights, all the fish, beef and veal dishes. The side order vegetables are great. Sometimes you can even get beets YUM. The wine pours are generous and a good selection is offered. Yes there is a full bar and a fun, older, bar scene. The service is super friendly, competent and personal in a way that can only exist when the owner is on the premises--which is always the case. We always enjoy ourselves here. The vibe is nice, the bathrooms are well-appointed and very clean, lots of parking, and a gracious gratitude that you've chosen to spend your dinner time there. Thumbs up from me. read more

Never again. This restaurant is conveniently located near Hopkinton State Park, but the pluses end there. This might've been the kind of place I would've gone to with my grandparents back in the day. Most of the patrons here are 65+, which is fine, I just wish the food had been better. Prior to your meal, the waiter brings you that throwback 1970s Cheez-Wiz-and-Ritz-crackers plate, and the main course ain't much better. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs, and the meatballs tasted like reheated leftovers, the pasta was overcooked/mushy, and the marinara sauce (if you want to call it that) was essentially red water. I nicknamed my dish "spaghetti soup." My dining companion ordered chicken parmesan and it was equally unsatisfactory; the cheese wasn't melted, chicken was tough, and his pasta was also like mush. As others have mentioned on here, I wonder how they stay in business. read more

I used to go to Carbone's with my parents every weekend when I was a kid...hadn't been there in years, but my husband and I are always looking for good places to eat, so we decided to give it a try. Well, when I stepped in, it was like I was in a time warp...I had been transported back to when I was 12. The place has not changed one bit...from the Ritz crackers with their "secret" recipe cheese spread, which I happen to like, but I do agree with another reviewer that the presentation is awful...the cheese spread is in a plastic cup on a bread plate with ritz crackers just kinda tossed on there. The salad is just salad..lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onion and cucumber. I have to admit that I do love their house dressing which is like an oil and vinegar, but the always get the mix right. Their veal parm is really good. Tonight I had the Baked Stuffed Haddock special...which was haddock and probably 2 tiny shrip and mini scallops...the cracker crumb topping was pretty good...Ritz crackers again. The waitress forgot to bring my butternut squash, and I choose the mashed potatoew...which are average. My husband got the Ravioli with sausage...the sauce was pretty good...but overall it was just average...Now, let me get to the service...all o the waitresses seem to have been there FOREVER....and they are either too old, or too bored to really give good service. They seemed more interested in talking with each other or regulars that have been coming there for years than actually being attentive. Slow service and god forbid you want something and try to find your waitress. I am not saying this is a bad place, but it's just average...and we had no wait on a Saturday night...what ???? This place used to be packed, but now it's just old. Restaurant Impossible...please help them !!!!! read more

A place we visit often. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name! Excellent food and service. Great variety on the menu to choose from with specials Monday thru Thursday. read more

when i am in metrowest area i gotta go to this place. italian kinda stuff. great. best calimari ever and i come from marthas vineyard where they have seafood. (most mv stuff is aweful). i digress. carbones has always delivered good stuff reasonable cost. read more

Not high end but some of the dishes are great. My favorite is the combined chicken and eggplant parmesan which is some of the best I've had.

Excellent food. Service was awesome. Party of 10 and all meals were perfectly prepared. Nobody was disappointed. Will definitely be back. Very reasonably priced and portions were huge. read more

A good meal at a great price. My wife and I each had the veal parmesan. The serving size was huge. The flavor authentic and the meal a hit. We enjoyed the service. The decor is definitely dated, but the value can not be beat. read more

Carbones is a classic old Italian restaurant, Red suaces and staples like veal/chicken parm. They have been in business for 81 years so they must be doing something right. Its been many years since we've dined there and on a whim, we decided to return. What a treat! The food is great, the proces are very reasonable ($50 for two with cannollis for dessert!) and you can actually have a coversation at this restaurant! The noise level is very low - probably due to the fact that they cater to an older crowd. Even so, I highly recommend, read more

My parents have been eating here for years as well as my grandparents, lately the food has not been good. I used to order the chicken wings and they were okay but what really disgusted me was if you let these sit overnight a clear layer of goo forms on the bottom of the container so I stopped ordering them. Just the other night we tried ordering takeout we ordered pizza, salad, chicken parm sandwich and chopped sirloin. First the pizza had globs of cheese throughout it and very little sauce, second I can't comment on the salad because I didn't eat it, third the chicken parm was good according to my boyfriend but he also mentioned that it wasn't even a chicken breast but a frozen store bought chicken patty, and lastly the chopped sirloin is what I got, I ordered this expecting an actual steak sliced into pieces because that's what I've previously ordered from other restaurants. What I received was a hamburger patty, I was so confused I called the restaurant and drove all the way back to switch it out for a junior steak (that only tasted okay) only to be confronted by the manager stating that "technically" that's what chopped sirloin is and the worst part is they made me pay for the steak $5.75 on top of my hamburger patty which they took back. I was so disappointed I expected a lot more from this place since my family knows the owner so well my parents were disappointed as well. Will not be surprised if we don't return. read more

I have live in this area for a while but had never tried Carbone as I heard it is bad. So I went anyway just to try it one time. It is the worst possible. My daughter is vegetarian and we told the server that and lo and behold she brought my daughter macaroni in mince meat sauce. She swopped it and the macaroni taste worse than what I will make out of a tin can of tomato sauce from walmart. My wife got the filet mignon and I have never seen any restaurant butchered a filet mignon like that. Instead of juicy, it's dry on the inside. The place is a dump as well and smells like mold. For what we got, the price is astronomical. A $5 rotisserie chicken from Walmart would have make my dinner way better than the $90 tab - and yes I tipped that server even though she brought my vegetarian daughter minced meat. There is a saying, this is my one and only time. For the vegetarian booboo, I felt I need to go FDA and complain about them. read more

The food here is delectable. You will not find a better value and variety in Italian American food anywhere. They have the most extensive list of specials of any Italian restaurant around. Walk in the door look at the white board and you will be amazed. There are early bird specials, cheap drinks, and an extensive list of deserts, and they use great Italian dressing for their house salads. Find a place that is cheaper, that fills your stomach as much, and is consistent and I will give you $100. read more

Honestly, it's an old "iconic" restaurant. If your looking for cutting edge food this is not the place. If your looking to get a great meal, at a clean place for an amazing price then come here. Came here Friday eve with the family and had actually really great service from a young waitress who claimed to be new. She was one of the best servers we ever had. Constant refills on waters, coctails and crackers. She was very attentive to my mother on law who is, well simply very difficult to deal with, and simply smiled and said no problem. The salad came out quickly, the food in a timely manner after. Food was hot and very tasty. The 3 of us left happy and full. I would recommend to family looking for food much tastier than the chains. read more

Like many others I thought I would try it because it was crowed many times when I drove by. Wow, talk about a way back machine! I though I was beck in the 60's or before. Food was ok. I thought...so this is what food tasted like in 1958!! I'm going to try it again........in 2033. read more

Yes this really was/is still a fun place with old time fun family memories as well as how my family and I enjoyed coming here every Sunday and maybe occasionally some weeknights but that was before they got to the point that they didn't start to serve pizza until 4:00pm. Because they wanted to make more money on single serving dishes.So That's how my late Father,Mother,2 brothers,6 Sisters and I got to start to drift away from there stating in 1980.The Late Mr.Eddie Carbone himself was very enlightening too whenever he showed up like one time when my Family and I were there and he popped out of a now no longer secret square door and my Dad even said to him "Hi Eddie!."He then asked us how we we doing and if we were enjoying our meals? and we said "We're fine and yes we're enjoying our meals. read more