Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

I've been going to Olive Garden for literally 30 years The restaurant and food has changed a lot over the years, especially since COVID Food quality and portion size have decreased noticeably. This is by design, not a coincidence. Prices are reasonable but again, quality and portion size has gone down. This restaurant used to be somewhat "fancy" and higher end, they used to serve wine and have white Tablecloth and food was made by chefs.... Now it's been reduced to a "fast food" Italian restaurant where food is made by high school kids and it's very noticeable. The clientele has been reduced to lower middle class and middle class. Used to be upper middle class years ago. About the only thing still worth going there for is the unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks.

Where to start....It was pretty dead, and we waited quite awhile to be greeted at our table. Once drinks were ordered, the soup salad and breadsticks came out before the two bar drinks ordered. My 3 year old was given a scolding hot plate, which typically means it sat under a heat lamp, and no thought or consideration went into providing a plate that the kid could touch their kids meal with. My alfredo was cold and the pasta tasted old. Then to top it off, we didn't even get the little chocolates to finish the night. I figured they stopped that since shrinkflation got to everyone, except I saw them at the servers spot on our way out. Save your money, make it at home.

Noemi C truly goes above and beyond! She constantly checks on us, even when it’s clear how busy she is, and she always makes us feel incredibly welcomed and valued. My family had an amazing experience and will definitely be back at this Olive Garden location— we wouldn’t mind waiting at all just to be served by Noemi C again. Such a wonderful and memorable dining experience!

It sucks when so many tables are open, and they stick everyone close together and kids able to run all over the place screaming. The only thing I like is the meatballs, but it was cold in the middle and a hot mess. The wine came after the meal because they had no one who could open the bottle. I would have opened it, but it's not allowed. Pictures of the second set of meatballs were made right. Nice and hot with the crumbs and cheese. Also, it actually had the sauce, unlike the 1st order.

I have avoided this chain for over 20 yrs. I always heard and assumed that it was tv dinner quality. I went for lunch today and I was blown away. My go-to dish at any Italian restaurant is the chicken parm. I had it here, and it was better than any other Italian restaurant that I had it at in the last 20 yrs. The prices, also, weren't crazy high. Just a great experience.