Macaroni Joe's
Tuscany Vibes, Texas Panhandle, Serious Wine
Amarillo · Amarillo · Italian, Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You don't expect to find Gaja Barbaresco and Antinori Tignanello on a wine list in Amarillo, Texas — and yet here we are. Macaroni Joe's opens with a wine list that punches well above its zip code, and the Tuscan-inflected room sets a tone that actually earns it. Wine Spectator has been handing them a Best of Award of Excellence since 2015, and one look at the list tells you why.
Selection Deep Dive
The list runs 200 to 400 bottles deep with a clear tilt toward California, France, and Italy — exactly what you want under a Tuscan roof. On the Italian side, Marchesi di Barolo Barolo and Gaja Barbaresco represent Piedmont seriously, while Antinori Tignanello anchors the Super Tuscan column. California is well-stocked with the expected heavy hitters — Caymus, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Jordan, Rombauer — all crowd-pleasing but properly sourced. Louis Jadot fills the French lane competently; it's not a deep Burgundy dive, but it keeps the Old World honest. The list won't surprise a seasoned drinker in New York or San Francisco, but for Amarillo it's legitimately impressive work.
By the Glass
Fifteen to twenty-five options by the glass is a respectable spread, and the $10–$18 range keeps things accessible without bottoming out on quality. Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and Meiomi Pinot Noir show up here as reliable crowd-pleasers, which is fine — just know the more interesting bottles are waiting on the full list. We'd love to see more rotation and a few curveballs in the glass pour program, but what's here does the job.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $35–$200 range
Jordan Alexander Valley Cab consistently retails around $55–$60 and often gets marked up mercilessly at restaurants. At Macaroni Joe's fair pricing structure, it's one of the list's better deals — polished, food-friendly, and a clear upgrade over the standard steakhouse pour without requiring a second mortgage.
Marchesi di Barolo Barolo
Most tables here are reaching for Caymus or Rombauer out of habit, which means the Barolo often gets overlooked. That's a mistake. Barolo next to a plate of handmade lasagna is a natural match, and Marchesi di Barolo is a reliable, traditional producer that over-delivers for what it costs.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita built its reputation decades ago and has been coasting ever since. It's fine, but at restaurant markup it's paying legacy-brand tax on a wine that a dozen better Pinot Grigios have lapped. Order something from the Italian reds section instead.
Antinori Tignanello + Handmade Lasagna
Tignanello — Sangiovese backbone with Cabernet structure — is practically designed for slow-cooked Italian beef and tomato. The lasagna's richness needs something with acidity and grip to cut through it, and Tignanello delivers both without overwhelming the dish. It's the kind of pairing that makes you understand why this list has a Wine Spectator award on the wall.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Macaroni Joe's is doing something genuinely unexpected in the Texas Panhandle — building and maintaining a wine list that would hold its own in most major cities. If you're passing through Amarillo and care about what's in your glass, this is where you stop.
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