Going to Olive Garden for the first time

[AnthroAndStargate]

I am going to the Olive Garden tonight for the first time before I see Sunshine.

Any advice on what is good there for people who have been?

And yes I know Olive Garden is an abomination to Italian food so people don't have to tell me. I am going because I want to eat cheap, mass produced, low quality Americanized food, sometimes we have a cravign for sodium and preservatives, ya know? If I wanted real Italian food I'd go to Italy.

 

[cherrytwist]

They treat you like family there.

Ask "mom".

 

[BigJ]

Never-ending pasta bowl! If they still have it.

It's not great, but it allows you to try all sorts of decent stuff.

 

[Mo0o]

Salad and breadsticks FTW. Most of their pasta is edible, a lot of the times the meat is overcooked though

 

[FoBoT]

its all good, the endless salad bowl and breadsticks is the main reason we go, so whatever we order, we only eat half and take the rest home for later

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
its all good, the endless salad bowl and breadsticks is the main reason we go, so whatever we order, we only eat half and take the rest home for later

Is it free with the order of a main portion?

 

[pstylesss]

I love the stuffed chicken marsala. Almost everything is good... Olive Garden is fake italian, but not filled with preservatives or anything like that... The mashed potatoes come from real potatoes... at least thats what my hostess friend tells me.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: AnthroAndStargate

Originally posted by: FoBoT
its all good, the endless salad bowl and breadsticks is the main reason we go, so whatever we order, we only eat half and take the rest home for later

Is it free with the order of a main portion?

Yes.



edit: idiot...

 

[jjones]

Pack a lunch.

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
Yes.

Wow thats awesome! This is why I <3 the industrial food system!

 

[mugs]

Free breadsticks. Order the marinara sauce to go with them. :thumbsup:

 

[Daishiki]

If you like soup, Zuppa Toscana is great. Unlimited refills, too.

If you want a sampler of their pastas, you might try the Tour of Italy (I think that's what it's called)

 

[IceBergSLiM]

fake italian FTL!

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: Daishiki
If you like soup, Zuppa Toscana is great. Unlimited refills, too.

If you want a sampler of their pastas, you might try the Tour of Italy (I think that's what it's called)

If you're just moderately hungry, get the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks. Their breaksticks are amazing and the Zuppa Toscana is very good. I like to sop up the soup with my breadsticks.

 

[jagec]

Infinite breadsticks.

 

[pontifex]

i didn't think it was cheap though. i mean, its not like $300 a plate, but its more than than a general restaurant isn't it?

 

[Whisper]

Actually, in my opinion, Olive Garden gets a bad rap...and this is coming from an Italian who grew up eating hand-rolled gnocchi and ravioli, among other wonderful things. It's cheaper than places like Maggiano's, and for the most part tastes better as well.

As for what to get, the breadsticks and salad have always been favorites. Their zuppa toscana (couldn't think of the name, thanks joshsquall) isn't half bad, and most of their pasta that I've tried is at least decent. I'd personally stay away from the lasagna, but that's just because I'm spoiled by the homemade variety.

 

[Yreka]

Eat in the restaurant, but park in the "Take Out Only" spot.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Daishiki
If you like soup, Zuppa Toscana is great. Unlimited refills, too.

If you want a sampler of their pastas, you might try the Tour of Italy (I think that's what it's called)

Yep, I've only been there once, but that soup was pretty tasty. The lasagna was pretty good too.

 

[aldamon]

I've never had a good experience at Olive Garden. When you order the "endless" salad and breadsticks, the wait staff disappears.

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

Originally posted by: Yreka
Eat in the restaurant, but park in the "Take Out Only" spot.

LOL

 

[Gillbot]

Tour of Italy is a good "sample" plate.

 

[Nik]

I usually go there and order beer, spinach & artichoke dip, and then fill up on salad and breadsticks. Their salad and breadsticks are AMAZINGLY awesome and the spinach & artichoke dip is great!

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: jjones
Pack a lunch.

No kidding! Good Italian restaurants abound, so why waste your $ at Olive Garden?

(Related rant--I was strolling through Times Square and I see Olive Garden, Applebee's, and Red Lobster . . . wtf? I guess if foreigners want to sample "American food," they'd go to those places.)

edit: Oops--I didn't read OP's disclaimer . . .

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: AnthroAndStargate

Originally posted by: Yreka
Eat in the restaurant, but park in the "Take Out Only" spot.

LOL

:laugh: