Do you like wacky and whimsical kitschy vintage decor?
Do you like being surrounded by kids and tourists?
Do you like eating cafeteria food?
If so, you will love The Old Spaghetti Factory (which I had no idea was a chain until I came across their West Edmonton Mall location--guess that explains why they're so well-advertised). It is a great place for overpriced cafeteria style pasta. That is what I am calling their food.
I was expecting some decent comfort grub, not necessarily some high-end fancy Italian. Instead, the spaghetti is so bland that it reminds me well of the crap they serve in elementary school cafeterias. Maybe it's the tomato sauce they use, which taste like straight out of a can. I also remember ordering a lasagna that was burnt and heavy on the noodle layers.
My mother makes better spaghetti... and we're Asian! Heck, IKEA food is much better (and way cheaper) than this stuff!
The decor however cracks me up, including a dining room in the form of an old replica trolley. And judging from all the kids swarming the place, this family-friendly restaurant is one of the few that welcomes children with open arms--heck, they got more than enough dining space to accommodate multiple swarms of kids. And its proximity to most downtown Toronto tourist attractions makes the Factory a convenient eat-in spot for tourists.