Olive Garden
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 459-0701
- Price:
- $
Editorial Review for Olive Garden – by Citysearch Staff
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.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkWhat's spaghetti and meatballs without a glass of wine? You'll find vintages here from Italy, Australia, California and Washington.
User Reviews for Olive Garden
12/08/2007 Posted by tkr224
It's not italian food. It's what someone from Wyoming would consider to be italian food. Being raised by and italian mother (with real italian food) I was completely insulted. The food is terrible and completely wrong. It's the Disneyfication of italian culture. You enter the restaurant and you experience a theme park view of an entire country. The service is always bad.
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Terrible food, just terrible
07/22/2007 Posted by lilyinatx
My boyfriend and I had a craving for Italian. So Olive Garden was the obvious choice. I mean the breadsticks are good. And that's about all they have going for them. The food was no less than generic. I mean, honestly, you really can get this in any freezer section of your local grocery store. It wasn't that it tasted bad, it was just very predictable. But like someone said, what did I expect? It's a chain. The most surprising thing was that service was horrible. While I appreciate prompt service, our waiter was basically pushing us out the door. I was literally not even done taking my third bite of food when he asked if he could box up my left overs. I checked the time, we had not been eating for more than 10 minutes when he brought out the boxes. He brought out our check a couple of minutes later and as soon as my boyfriend placed his card inside he yanked it off our table. Brought it back and as soon as the receipt was signed, yanked it off the table again. We agreed to never return. As a chain, I'd assume that at least they'd train the staff to be courteous. And while everyone was pleasant, it was very fake pleasantry and they all seemed annoyed with our presence. I do not recommend it to anyone. Unless you like crappy service and so-so food.
Pros: Prompt seating.
Cons: Everything else.
Users Like You Also Viewed
La Traviata
314 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701-4024
Vespaio Restaurant
1610 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704-3522
