The thing about Buca is... it's NOT overwhelmingly incredible food. It's good - but not great. It's more about the experience of sitting at a booth in the kitchen, or around the round table with a bust of the Pope in the middle. The best thing about Buca, is the portions. If you have a large party - the family style portions accomplish the goal of full tummy's without emptying the wallet.
The checkered table cloths, chianti and plethora of pasta makes Buca di Beppo a popular restaurant any night of the week.

I've been here twice, enjoyed the food both times (but dang, these portions are huge...and I'm trying to diet).

The Mira Mesa location has weird pictures around the bathroom walls, that show various kids urinating. One photo like that would be cute. But 25 is just kind of creepy.

The atmosphere is great, the food is good. The portions are large, I always have a lot left over on my plate by the time I am done. However it tends to get crowded on the weekend during dinner time, f-sun. My birthday last year landed on a Friday, went out for diner and had to wait about an hour after ordering before my food got served, and that was not even counting the wait to get seated. It is a good restaurant but I suggest you make a reservation ahead of time if you are going during dinner time on the weekend, since it is a really popular time for people to go and eat there.

I think the pasta dishes are just ok, but the pizza and the apple gorgonzola salad are great! Like everyone else mentioned, the portions are very generous if you're dining with a group. If you sign up for their email newsletter they will send you lots of coupons.