The Douglasville location reviewed here has since closed.

Provino’s Italian Restaurant is a small, Georgia-based chain with eight locations in Georgia, and one in Chattanooga, TN. Founded 30 years ago, Provino’s exudes independent family restaurant feel, despite being a chain, albeit a small one. Between that atmosphere, the garlic rolls stacked in bowls with oil and garlic brushed all over them, and the offer of a free pasta meal on your birthday, I had the strangest feeling I was in Scalini’s Italian Restaurant in Marietta.

In fact, I believe a trip to Scalini’s is long overdue (it’s been over a decade since I have been) so as to further investigate the sense of deja vu I had at Provino’s. I am very interested in learning which restaurant came first – they seem to have been started around the same time – and if there is any connection. But back to my meal at Provino’s…

I dined at the Provino’s in Douglasville, and the location was pretty decent, despite the drop ceilings. The cozily dim interior has nice furniture, and very atmospheric interior design – wallpaper, wood details, chandeliers, etc.

Opting to split our meal as always, Adam and I got the veal parmigiana ($15.95) and the manicotti ($12.50). I also had a glass of their moscato wine ($6.75). The service was very nice, and was friendly and competent when explaining menu items, answering questions about wine, and agreeing to an irregular split for the check.

Both dishes were utterly average, americanized italian fare – exactly as described. We really can’t fault them for any one part of either dish, nor commend them for any part either.

Adam’s thoughts on Provino’s Italian Restaurant can be summed up as follows: “A slightly better Olive Garden… it’s fine but nothing really special, in my opinion.” I agree. My experience at Provino’s was in no way bad, but it left me wanting to visit Scalini’s to see if my nostalgia is making it seem better than it is. I’d sooner go to Provino’s than Olive Garden, but I’d sooner go most places than Olive Garden. The food was good and just what people craving basic italian would want to get, so it definitely has its place. I’d visit again with my Provino’s-loving family, but that’s probably the only reason I’d be back. 3 stars.

Provino’s Italian Restaurant
2911 Chapel Hill Road
Douglasville, GA 30135