Olive Garden

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JackieCD81

Joined 4 years ago

Commercialized Italian, But Good. This place can have very long lines sometimes, so it's best to go on any day other than a Fri/Sat night or a Sunday morning. The salad is good, soup is okay.

The best food on the menu is the dinner menu. Ask for it if you get there too early and they'll still let you order off of it. Lunch menu is all generic commercialized Italian dishes but the Dinner menu is the one that really shines. I love the Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo and both versions of the Chicken Marsala - stuffed and regular.

The desserts are always good but I'd stay away from any of the hot or need-to-prepare ones as they can take much longer to reach your table than the average desert.

If you go, expect to spend about minimum $20-30 for two people to make it worth your while, but don't forget to tip. Servers in NC only make $2.13 an hour. Give them 20%.

Ciao bella!

Doesn't Recommend

foodietillidie

Joined 8 years ago

Just don't go - seriously. Why would you go at around 4:30 to eat dinner like the last reviewer? - just to get good service I suppose. Because it does get busy around dinner time (as most restaurants do) but their service seriously suffers. My name was put on a list however I was never called. When I went to inquire, the previous hostess was gone and the new one did not find my name anywhere. There was an open table (who knows for how long) and I was seated. Only to have the server mis-order my entree. Food is ok, but competent people need to work there in order for a patron to have a satisfying experience.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Traditional dishes and all -you-can-eat salad, soup and bread sticks are the draw at this upscale-casual Italian restaurant.. In Short
Established in 1982, this chain gained a following for its laid-back atmosphere and generous portions. Patrons settle into comfortable booths and tables in dining rooms with plants, artwork and décor reminiscient of the villas in the Tuscan countryside. Starters include scampi, sausage or pepperoni pizza, and several soup choices, as well as a signature seafood dip (crab, shrimp, cheese and marinara). Entrees include classics like lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo and chicken parmigiana. There are also "Garden Fare" options, which promise 30 percent fewer calories.

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tficalor

Joined 5 years ago

Consistently great food; get there early. Excellent food each time we go; need to get there before 4:30 p.m. on a weekend of else there's a wait of 20-30 minutes.

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murrayustud

Joined 7 years ago

Best Italian food for the money!. This particular Olive Garden always has good, hot food but service is either really good or so-so. The main problem is that if you arrive between 4pm & 5pm they are in a "transition" period of staff so you end up waiting even though there are plenty of open tables. That said, I'd still give it a 10+ in the food category and a 8.5 to 9 in the service category. Gets way too crowded on weekend nights and holidays and there aren't any reservations.