- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Olive Garden
Posted on 8/27/23 at 7:16 am
Posted on 8/27/23 at 7:16 am
Lat night I went to Olive Garden for the first time in over 20 years. My kids saw a commercial and wanted it, in which their passion to eat there was very funny and the wife and I went through with it acting like we never ate there before, so they started making all these suggestions on dishes.
I felt like I had stepped into a time warp. The restaurant seemed like the company has kept the same style since 1990. Brightly lit with green carpet. The food was good for the situation, but there are a ton of mom and pop Italian restaurants with better food and similar prices. One thing I noticed was the 30 minute wait to get a table was non existent compared to 30 years ago. Only half the place was full on a Saturday evening.
I have to say I was fairly impressed with the wait staff. They were not perfect but they did present themselves like they gave a flip.
I felt like I had stepped into a time warp. The restaurant seemed like the company has kept the same style since 1990. Brightly lit with green carpet. The food was good for the situation, but there are a ton of mom and pop Italian restaurants with better food and similar prices. One thing I noticed was the 30 minute wait to get a table was non existent compared to 30 years ago. Only half the place was full on a Saturday evening.
I have to say I was fairly impressed with the wait staff. They were not perfect but they did present themselves like they gave a flip.
This post was edited on 8/27/23 at 7:18 am
23
Posted on 8/27/23 at 7:25 am to Mariner
I just told my wife yesterday as we passed one that we haven’t eaten there in like 15 years. I’ve got no problem with Olive Garden at all. I have a friend who knows their Togo business is booming
Posted on 8/27/23 at 7:53 am to Shingo
What’s funny is when I was kid (born in 86) restaurants like Applebees, chilis, Olive Garden, etc. were packed! Like ppl actually waited to eat there. I haven't been in one of these places in at least 15 years.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 8:10 am to Mariner
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Olive Garden. I always lol at people think they are too good to go somewhere like that
Is it fine dining Italian no but I still crush some Olive Garden from time to time it’s good stuff
Is it fine dining Italian no but I still crush some Olive Garden from time to time it’s good stuff
Posted on 8/27/23 at 8:13 am to AFistfulof$
quote:
What’s funny is when I was kid (born in 86) restaurants like Applebees, chilis, Olive Garden, etc. were packed! Like ppl actually waited to eat there. I haven't been in one of these places in at least 15 years.
Exactly!
I am trying to figure out why we have transitioned away from these places. Maybe the society classes have separated further and further. Maybe people now want originality and a local town feel (like a Walk On's or Canes). I don't know anyone in my social circle that would go to these places anymore.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 8:29 am to Mariner
I was telling my daughter about this old gem the other night. As a 17 year old that finally had a couple nickels to rub together, this place was a dream
Posted on 8/27/23 at 8:36 am to Mariner
Their salad and tiramisu are both great
Posted on 8/27/23 at 9:04 am to jamiegla1
Pasta garden!
On a similar note, they’re doing a Semolina dinner at ZZ soon using the original Semolina recipes
On a similar note, they’re doing a Semolina dinner at ZZ soon using the original Semolina recipes
Posted on 8/27/23 at 10:15 am to Mariner
Surprisingly, and although it isn't a complex dish to make, their chicken alfredo is very good.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 10:37 am to Mariner
Posted on 8/27/23 at 10:42 am to Mariner
I always feel embarrassed for the servers when they have to present the crappy wine in an attempt to upsell you but, the food and dining experience are not at all that bad.
Took the family to OG while on vacation a couple years back because I had a gift card for presenting at a conference. The kids loved it and I got full so overall it was a success.
Took the family to OG while on vacation a couple years back because I had a gift card for presenting at a conference. The kids loved it and I got full so overall it was a success.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 12:07 pm to Pelican fan99
quote:
Is it fine dining Italian no but I still crush some Olive Garden from time to time it’s good stuff
There's nothing even remotely Italian about olive garden. Slop for geriatrics and boomers.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 1:56 pm to Will Cover
I got the tour of Italy. Good. The endless salad brought back memories.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 2:08 pm to Mariner
Olive Garden is the best shitty restaurant in America.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 2:28 pm to Mariner
People who shite on chain restaurants are insufferable snobs
Posted on 8/27/23 at 2:40 pm to Mariner
quote:
Exactly! I am trying to figure out why we have transitioned away from these places. Maybe the society classes have separated further and further. Maybe people now want originality and a local town feel (like a Walk On's or Canes). I don't know anyone in my social circle that would go to these places anymore.
Their hay day was the mid 90’s when they were opening up locations across the country. It was ‘new and different’, and the AYCE salad and breadsticks was a hell of a draw. I think the past 5-10 years has seen a transition back to local restaurants and less chains- Shreveport/Bossier lost 2 out of 3 Applebee’s in the last few months, and it had been almost 10 years since anyone I know had gone to one, but they were THE shite when they first opened in the 90’s. Wife craved the OG salad and breadsticks when she was pregnant 12 years ago, and we’ve been once or twice since then, but we prefer Monjuni’s for Italian
Posted on 8/27/23 at 2:41 pm to Mariner
It’s my little girls favorite place to eat, so we go there a few times per year. It’s not my favorite, but I definitely enjoy the salad and breadsticks, so I just fill up on those and let my girl enjoy herself.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 5:14 pm to Pelican fan99
quote:
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Olive Garden
Well this is debatable
quote:
always lol at people think they are too good to go somewhere like that
Who said that
Posted on 8/27/23 at 7:27 pm to Pelican fan99
quote:how do you feel about people that simply choose to eat at better places than generic chain restaurants? I’m certainly not too good to eat at them but why should I when I don’t have to?
I always lol at people think they are too good to go somewhere like that
Posted on 8/27/23 at 7:39 pm to jamiegla1
Pasta Garden was local, I worked a block away. They had an angel hair shrimp dish that was fantastic!
I-12 and Sherwood.
I-12 and Sherwood.
This post was edited on 8/27/23 at 7:42 pm
Page 1 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News