What's the attraction/Olive Garden

Question

Attended a party at the Olive Garden in Peabody. the place had a 1/2hr wait at 12-why? The food is a "chain" quality, plates were hot because they are probably sitting under heat lites, bread tasted like flavored wonder bread, salad, is just salad, and I didn't think the prices were any bargin. glad I didn't have to pay. First and last time I'll be there

-----
Olive Garden
8 Allstate Rd, Dorchester, MA 02125

Answer

One of the reasons why Chowhound exists is because even if people can understand why this is, they will never be able to identify with it.

Answer

I have a number of friends who dine regularly at our local OG and absolutely love it. My best guess as to why is the predictability of the food and the large portions. As chris2269 noted, not everyone is a CH and what constitutes a great eating experience varies widely. I also think that one of the appeal of chains for people is that they know what they are getting from location to location. No surprises.

I occasionally get dragged along for lunch and it isn't awful, IMO, it just isn't my preference. The AYCE soup and salad is a good value and I can always find something to eat.

Answer

I have one rule about OG...never, ever wait for a table. (well, I feel that way about a lot of places, mostly cause when I'm hungry I can get cranky). I do like OG a bit. I've only been there twice in the last 10 years and I have to say, I enjoy it. The mushroom ravioli...and the lemon crunch cake...they're both pretty good. I think people like OG because it's predictable and reliable. Cheap, not so much but people take comfort in the familiar.

Answer

OG is a good alternative to Italian. 

They don't have much in common.

Answer

I grew up in Central Jersey, where there is A LOT of excellent Italian comfort food. My family and friends generally eschew this restaurant and go to great lengths to avoid it. However, I enjoyed going as a child with my family when it was "new" to the area. My high school friends and I would frequently eat there. Now, about once a year, my best friend and I will go just to get something sloppy and cheesy and carb-load up on the breadsticks. It's junk food, but sometimes it's fun. I don't actually consider it to be "Italian" food. (Maggiano's comes much closer imho)

Answer

Soup, Salad & Breadstick lunch is pretty good for the price!

Otherwise, I haven't eaten Olive Garden in years and probably wouldn't. But I would assume people like it because it's fairly cheap and the dishes seem to aim at "comfort food." Growing up, I think I went there a lot and probably thought it was pretty delicious. I guess it's just a slippery slope once you enter the realm of quality food. You just can't go back.

Answer

I haven't ate at a OG in a couple years, due to the hour+ wait at all of them near me. However, from what I remember the food is not that bad. A lot of people are never shown "good quality food" ... There is no comparision from OG to a homemade pasta and sauce. 

Nutmeg hit the nail on the head : I guess it's just a slippery slope once you enter the realm of quality food. You just can't go back.

As I get older and get to experience more items .. the more a dislike OG .. however at one point in my life .. I could NOT wait to go back for thier alfredo and chicken..

Answer

people go there because they don't know how to cook and think Stouffer's Lasagna is delicious. My coworker goes there for all of special occasions and it makes me nuts. *I* can make her better food! She also disliked the excellent Italian restaurant that I recommended to her because the bread was "too hard". Um... it was real semolina bread... not a stupid bread stick!

Answer

It seems that more and more people that I talk to seem to be very happy with mediocre food. More and more of the restaurants that I have gone to seem to serve mediocre food. If it's not really good food I would just as well stay home and eat my own. OG is, in my opinion, one of those restaurants.

Answer

When I was in college 20 years ago, OG was an exotic, expensive luxury. Obviously I grew up on a farm nowhere near any large towns and had never been in another Italian restaurant. Perspective!

Now I think it's an overpriced, butter-and-alfredo-drenched disappointment much of the time, but sometimes find something I like. 

My secret shame is that theirs is my favorite tiramisu of all.

Answer

I went recently as my two good friends love going there. I had the soup, salad combo which for the price wasn't bad. And my friend had a gift card (her husband hates OG) so it was okay. But in all honesty, we only go about once a year for lunch. My husband and I don't like the food.

Answer

For people who grew up on Chef-Boy-Ardee, Olive Garden is like dying and going to heaven stocked with an all you can eat buffet of "Italian" food.

Answer

their entrees are bad but the appetizers and desserts oh and the drinks are good for the price. I hate their bread-sticks. A lot of people I know like it too. Ugh. If you are doing a chain Italian place at least go to Buca's:)

Answer

I haven't been in about a decade. I used to love the lunch specials in college...I was poor and wanted more than Taco Bell on occasion. I remember the salad being pretty decent...and I loved the rolls. Would I like them today? Who knows? I try to avoid chains....not solely because of quality, but because I prefer to support a mom and pop business and I give them all the help I can. Running a restaurant is hard work.

Topics

Locations

Your post has been published!

What's the attraction/Olive Garden

Chowhound Recommends

Food Trends

All of Olive Garden's Soups, Ranked

More from Chowhound

Entertaining

The Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving

Food and Cooking

19 Great Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren't Pie

Food Trends

An Ode to 5 Thanksgiving Foods That Are Better from the Package

Shop

Better-Than-Homemade Goodies That Can Be Ordered Online

Trending Discussions

Help Me Recreate & Identify Components Of A White Chocolate Butterscotch Cake I Tried (Photos Included)

Is my biscuit supposed to look like this whole baking? (Oil coming out)

NOVEMBER 2021 Cookbook of the Month NOMINATIONS

Trader Joe's YAY/MEH/NAY - Fall 2021 - Winter 2022

What are you baking these days? October 2021 Edition

Quick Links

Latest Discussions

Cookbook of the Month

Dish of the Month

Weekly Menu Planning

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

11 Fall Slaw Recipes That Showcase Autumn Produce

Chowhound

Policies

Community

Editorial

Content