What's good at Olive Garden?

[stellablue]

We are planning to go to Olive Garden this week-my first time going there.

What dishes are good?

I'm in my first trimester of pregnancy, so I'm trying to avoid seafood, anything smoked, sausage, and bacon.

I love Italian food though!!

How's the pasta and marinara sauce in general? Is the meat sauce good? Lasagna? Meatballs? Chicken Parm?

Thanks!

 

[Art 1]

The salad is good. The food is very below average. While edible, it has very little in common with authentic Italian cuisine.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I love the Olive Garden, and I usually just get the unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks. The marinara sauce is a bit spicy for me. You can request plain TOMATO sauce to go on top your pasta. It isn't advertised, but all you have to do is ask. I often will get a $1.95 pint to go and cook pasta from home.

Does anyone else remember when they used to have the garlic mashed potatoes? Now that was delicious.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I agree with the PP.

Don't get it confused with true Italian, because I've been there.

I would say for sure it's American Italian.

That being said, I like the breadsticks all day long.

I get only either the chicken scampi or the steak gorgonzoila w/o the gorgonzoila, lol.

 

[pumba]

I always "got" the soup, salad and breadsticks..Unlimited...well I am a diabetic and wanted to count my carbs when I got home...figuring I did really good...well the salad may be the best around BUT it was full of carbs...the dressing probably did me in...so for the total meal of soup salad and ONE breadstick..I was 800 plus calories and 70 plus carbs...I am allowed 30 carbs per meal...I blew it but it sure was good..
Once in a while it is okey to splurge on food...I mean calories and carbs...

 

[kellyg403]

Usually I get the salad and breadsticks as well. I like Olive Garden overall, but my family really really loves it there.

My favorties are the Chicken Scampi and the stuffed chicken Marsalla. It does have a mushroom type sauce and comes with mashed potatos..very good.

I do think the desert donuts (can't think of the name) with chocolate sauce are great, but last time I got them and they were less than warm, and that made them less than good.

Kelly

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Oh yeah, I forgot to comment on the best part of the meal....dessert!

The black tie mousse cake really is one of the best desserts I have ever had.

 

[rapriebe]

We really enjoy going to OG. My DH always gets the soup and salad at lunch. I really like the pasta dishes like the Chicken Alfredo or the Shrimp/Scallop Alfredo.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I used to dislike Olive Garden. Then I found the chicken scampi. I get it every time we go.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

In the surrounding Disney area it matters which Olive Garden you select. The one on I Drive (near the old Race Rock, now Buster and Dave's) is the best.

It's decent, hot food. No one is expecting it to be Nonna's Italian dishes.

The prices are quite reasonable, and the service is usually good.

The worst OG in the area continues to be the newest one on 192 west. Everyone has different preferences and experiences, true but try to avoid that one at all costs.

 

[Planogirl]

If in a carb mood, I like to just get simple pasta with a light sauce. You can specify what you want. Otherwise I just get one of the salads. They are fine.

It's not 'authentic' Italian but it's OK. It's not like Chef Boy Ardee like some would have you think.

 

[stellablue]

In the surrounding Disney area it matters which Olive Garden you select. The one on I Drive (near the old Race Rock, now Buster and Dave's) is the best.

It's decent, hot food. No one is expecting it to be Nonna's Italian dishes.

The prices are quite reasonable, and the service is usually good.

The worst OG in the area continues to be the newest one on 192 west. Everyone has different preferences and experiences, true but try to avoid that one at all costs.

Non of them-I'm in Massachusetts and going to our local one

 

[Jennasis]

The exit.

Seriously, the food was so salty the couple of times I tried it. The place was so dirty too (several different locations). I'd sooner stay home and cook.

 

[mom2maggie]

I always "got" the soup, salad and breadsticks..Unlimited...well I am a diabetic and wanted to count my carbs when I got home...figuring I did really good...well the salad may be the best around BUT it was full of carbs...the dressing probably did me in...so for the total meal of soup salad and ONE breadstick..I was 800 plus calories and 70 plus carbs...I am allowed 30 carbs per meal...I blew it but it sure was good..
Once in a while it is okey to splurge on food...I mean calories and carbs...

Hey, just so you know, Olive Garden has a light version of their salad dressing. All you have to do is ask for it! It tastes identical to the regular dressing (to me) and is lower in calories and carbs.

http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyp...ive-garden/olive-garden-light-salad-dressing/

 

[emer95]

We like their Portabello ravioli, and the last time I was there I had the lasagna rollatini. Huge portions and tasty.

Great tip about the salad dressing!

 

[Bluestars]

I like the soup, salad, and breadsticks. I get the chicken and gnocchi soup. If I'm still hungry, I'll get one of their mini desserts.

I also like the Bruschetta appetizer.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

I love the three cheese ravioli- I get it just about every time we go.

 

[Minnesota!]

the salad and breadsticks are really good. i like their vegetarian dishes, too. It's good, cheap food. Not authentic by any means, but tasty.

 

[maelstrom]

My favourite dish is the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. And we like to get the Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta for an appetizer.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, we like to go to Olive Garden, because our choices here are limited, not because it is great authentic italian.. But, they do have a few things we love.

The baked pasta bowls (with lasagna pasta) that they had featured were GREAT!!! Olive Garden, please bring them back!

I haven't had the Lasagna Rollatini, but I am thinking it might be very good.

I also order the Steak Gorgonzola. Yes, it is small pieces of very mediocre quality steak. ( Olive Garden, PLEASE improve the quality of your steak, chicken, and seafood!!!!) I usually enjoy that.


The grilled skewers, the Mixed Grill, is good. We have ordered them 'all chicken', without the beef. (My husband likes chicken, as he thinks it is healthier than beef.)

My son is a simple pasta lover, and their Alfredo is actually good!!!

We have ordered the small side of alfredo to go with the bread-sticks.. and that is delish.

However, they do NOT have good bread. They are NOT fresh italian bread, AT ALL. This has got to be one of the very worst things... How can this Italian restaurant even serve this as bread. Honestly, it is like clheap, processed, storebought, hot-dog buns, that are just skinnier and unsliced. Seriously. No question. Now, they do have nice garlic on top. So, hey... But, Olive Garden should really consider their bread sticks to be an embarrassment.

Now, I know you are wanting to avoid processed meat, such as pepperoni and italian sausage.... But, just an FYI, my husband has ordered the pizza, and it has been very good at times! We get italian sausage, maybe pepperoni, mushrooms, fresh tomato. It sometimes needs cooked just one minute longer in a real, super-hot pizza oven. But it is very, very, good.