A FL Buca di Beppo Eatery Closed After 25 Years. Now The FL-Based Company To Close Over A Dozen More

Photo byInstagram Screenshot, bucadibeppo

Floridians who want an Italian meal that they don't have to cook themselves have plenty of options. One can try a fancy option like Donatello, a chain like Olive Garden (owned by Florida-based Darden), or fast food like Fazolis. However, Italian families often eat family-style and Florida-based Buca di Beppo delivers on this concept. Unfortunately, after shutting down one in Maitland, Florida location that had served for decades, the Orlando-based company is now shutting down 13 more.

About Buca di Beppo: This eatery strives to create an atmosphere like Little Italy in the 1950s. Diners are encouraged to share classics like chicken parmesan, lasagna, and spaghetti with giant meatballs.

The Recent Florida Closure: The Maitland location of Buca di Beppo closed in mid-June of 2024 after serving the community for 25 years. At that time, the restaurant reportedly said the closure was due to a lease expiration.

This store had mixed reviews on TripAdvisor, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars. While some enjoyed the food, others complained about wait times and incorrect orders. A reviewer named Rose wrote, in part:

"We used to enjoy eating here with our kids many years ago. The service was relaxed and pleasant, and it was a fun place to bring them. We went again last night and were dismayed by how run down the place is. Many of the booth seats were torn...were sticky, and (the carpet was) run down...The salads are sparser than in the past, and not great. (The) tomato sauce on pasta dishes is bland... No one ever came to refill water glasses so my husband got up and found the water pitcher himself..."

The Closure Of 13 More Stores: In late July of 2024, 13 more locations of Florida-based Buca di Beppo shuttered throughout the United States (which is 20% of the company's footprint.)

Parent company Earl Enterprises has said that underperforming locations in question could not recover from the pandemic and had other difficulties.

The author is not affiliated with Buca di Beppo or any other restaurants.