Near UW and Wilfred Laurier, there's a lot of things to eat but very little that actually has a sit down focus. Seeing how it's all students running about to classes, it makes sense. This East Side Mario is old when you compare it to other restaurants. Actually, when you compare the restaurant to the froshes, they're practically the same age. Closest to UW and in the University plaza, this ESM has stood at the prime location for a long time. I guess it's feeding the students and it's families when they come for a visit to the campus. It's old and worn and the service feels the same. There's a lot of indifference. \n\nThis particular location gets a lot of traffic. You'll have families of all ages and a lot of young frosh with their parents here. With ESM being a very common chain restaurant, finding something you recognize is probably great for parents who travel 4+ hours to visit their kids. Each time I've been dragged here (tally of 3 so far), we've had to wait even with a reservation. It drives me nuts. The worst wait for 20 minutes even with a reservation! Once we're seated, you can feel the grime on the floor boards. The menu is the universal heavily sauced, cheese laden, and breaded American Italian. This place executes quickly on the mediocre dishes. It's one of the few things this place does well... it moves dishes very fast. Lasagna, grilled chicken salad, and bread was dropped off at our tables within 10 minutes of ordering. The food tasted like it was just re-warmed in the oven from being in the freezer. It's no better than McCain at the local grocery store. \n\nAs I mentioned, the service is subpar. Perhaps it's the cheap tipping by students or that it's a really tough job with such a high turn over of tables, but they really don't care. Refills are requested and forgotten. Forks are not given. Servers barely look at you and they mutter instead of speak clearly. There's not budda boom budda bing to their step. \n\nThere's a lot of great eating places in Waterloo and this isn't one of them. If you're a student, venture to any of the other restaurants at the plaza. The vegetarian and Taiwainese places are good starts. And if you're a parent visiting and shell shocked from having a kid in university, drive out to King St (north or south) and you'll find great options to feed your freshmen.
places reviews