Olive Garden: Duh!

[Portland Ute]

This doesn't explain my inlaws, unfortunately.

My wife played a joke on me and gave her parents a Xmas gift card to Olive Garden and sent it to them from me. I was embarrassed but the inlaws were so happy. They love that place and eat there at least twice a month.

I apologized to them later and explained the joke but my MIL said, "I don't get why you don't like that place. The food is really very good."

My grandmother lives in Sugar House. She enjoys going to the nearby OG to get the salad, breadsticks and soup.

We gave her a gift card for OG for Christmas.

I am so ashamed...

[TripletDaddy]

My grandmother lives in Sugar House. She enjoys going to the nearby OG to get the salad, breadsticks and soup.

We gave her a gift card for OG for Christmas.

I am so ashamed...

You shouldn't feel ashamed. I doubt you labor under high expectations.

[RobinFinderson]

I apologized to them later and explained the joke but my MIL said, "I don't get why you don't like that place. The food is really very good."

We ate at OG with my inlaws over the Xmas, and I was surprised by how much I didn't hate my meal. That salad isn't horrible. The bread sticks are terrible. The calamari was also terrible. The bruschetta was mostly bad/bland. The stuffed mushrooms were pretty yummy. I ordered the steak Gorgonzola Alfredo, medium. Of the five or so pieces of steak, probably three were actually cooked medium, and the rest was well done... not sure how they managed to do that, but the entree was quite delicious, with pasta cooked al dente, and decent flavor. Servings were all very large, so there was no room for desert, and everyone took home a box of leftovers, which we ate later that night.

OG seems like the kind of place one could learn to enjoy by figuring out what they do pretty well, and avoiding everything else. I would definitely order the steak Gorgonzola Alfredo again.

[TripletDaddy]

We ate at OG with my inlaws over the Xmas, and I was surprised by how much I didn't hate my meal. That salad isn't horrible. The bread sticks are terrible. The calamari was also terrible. The bruschetta was mostly bad/bland. The stuffed mushrooms were pretty yummy. I ordered the steak Gorgonzola Alfredo, medium. Of the five or so pieces of steak, probably three were actually cooked medium, and the rest was well done... not sure how they managed to do that, but the entree was quite delicious, with pasta cooked al dente, and decent flavor. Servings were all very large, so there was no room for desert, and everyone took home a box of leftovers, which we ate later that night.

OG seems like the kind of place one could learn to enjoy by figuring out what they do pretty well, and avoiding everything else. I would definitely order the steak Gorgonzola Alfredo again.

I just get salad and a bowl of soup. I've eaten at OG maybe 3 or 4 times in the past decade and always because my inlaws organize a family meal there....graduation, mission, etc. Each time it reconfirms my feeling about that place.

I agree with you...the breadsticks are awful. But I would venture that they are the most popular item at Olive Garden. I tried an eggplant dish there once. Once is the key word. You are probably right...find the one or two things they can cook and just stick with those.

[hostile]

When one is in the mood for a good chicken fried steak, where would one go?

The Blue Plate Diner.

:thumbsup: within walking distance, just down the street.

[il Padrino Ute]

What if you are in a crunch?

Would Cracker Barrel be acceptable?

I'm so ashamed right now...

Dunno. Never eaten at Cracker Barrel. Are there any of these places in Utah?

[RobinFinderson]

Dunno. Never eaten at Cracker Barrel. Are there any of these places in Utah?

Why yes, there is one in St. George. I have never eaten there.

[FN Phat]

I would much prefer the Cracker Barrel to the others mentioned in this thread...they serve breakfast!

[kccougar]

Dunno. Never eaten at Cracker Barrel. Are there any of these places in Utah?

I think there may also be one in Springville near that Tahitian Noni monstrosity.

[ERCougar]

We ate at OG with my inlaws over the Xmas, and I was surprised by how much I didn't hate my meal. That salad isn't horrible. The bread sticks are terrible. The calamari was also terrible. The bruschetta was mostly bad/bland. The stuffed mushrooms were pretty yummy. I ordered the steak Gorgonzola Alfredo, medium. Of the five or so pieces of steak, probably three were actually cooked medium, and the rest was well done... not sure how they managed to do that, but the entree was quite delicious, with pasta cooked al dente, and decent flavor. Servings were all very large, so there was no room for desert, and everyone took home a box of leftovers, which we ate later that night.

OG seems like the kind of place one could learn to enjoy by figuring out what they do pretty well, and avoiding everything else. I would definitely order the steak Gorgonzola Alfredo again.

Yeah, I get the Gorgonzola Alfredo there too!
I agree that it's not awful. The salad is pretty good. Never tried the calamari--chain store calamari, really? Never tried the bruschetta. Soups are pretty good usually. Overall, not a bad meal, but not a great one. It's just way overpriced for what it is.
i think a lot of OG hate is a reaction to so many around here thinking its the shiz.

[Uncle Ted]

Dunno. Never eaten at Cracker Barrel. Are there any of these places in Utah?

I use to work with a guy that would plan his road trips around the availability of cracker barrel's to stop at. If there wasn't a cracker barrel he would go out of his way to take a different route. He would use this handy trip planner:

http://maps.where2getit.com/cracker3/along1.html

As for their food it beats stopping at Mickey D's.

[marsupial]

combined?

personally, I don't know that I'd waste money at any of those three restaurants, but then I am not limited by what's available in a smaller sized town.

I will gladly eat at all three if someone else is paying and insists on those restaurants. Otherwise I prefer trying locally-owned restaurants and ethnic fare.

We don't have a lot to choose from here, but it's not so limited that it's
Olive garden or nothing.

[MarkGrace]

After a lengthy wait for Olive Garden to open in Grand Forks, the lines were long in February. The novelty is slowly wearing off, but the steady following attests the warm welcome.

My first visit to Olive Garden was during midafternoon, so I could be sure to get in. After a late breakfast, I figured a late lunch would be fashionable.

The place is impressive. It’s fashioned in Tuscan farmhouse style with a welcoming entryway. There is seating for those who are waiting.

My booth was near the kitchen, and I watched the waiters in white shirts, ties, black trousers and aprons adorned with gold-colored towels. They were busy at midday, punching in orders and carrying out bread and pasta.

It had been a few years since I ate at the older Olive Garden in Fargo, so I studied the two manageable menus offering appetizers, soups and salads, grilled sandwiches, pizza, classic dishes, chicken and seafood and filled pastas.

At length, I asked my server what she would recommend. She suggested chicken Alfredo, and I went with that. Instead of the raspberry lemonade she suggested, I drank water.

She first brought me the familiar Olive Garden salad bowl with crisp greens, peppers, onion rings and yes — several black olives. Along with it came a plate with two long, warm breadsticks.

The chicken Alfredo ($10.95) was warm and comforting on a cold day. The portion was generous. My server was ready with Parmesan cheese.

As I ate, I noticed the vases and planters with permanent flower displays on the ledges. There are several dining areas with arched doorways. And there is a fireplace that adds warmth to the decor.

Olive Garden has an attractive bar area to the right of the entryway. The restaurant has a full liquor license and a wine list offering a wide selection to complement Italian meals. Nonalcoholic beverages include coolers, specialty coffees and hot teas.

On a hot summer day, I will try the raspberry lemonade that was recommended.

There’s a homemade soup, salad and breadstick lunch available until 4 p.m. daily for $6.95.

An olive branch on menu items signified low-fat entrees. There is a Garden Fare Nutrition Guide available for customers seeking gluten-free food. And for those with food allergies, Olive Garden has an Allergen Information Guide.

All in all, it is the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks. It attracts visitors from out of town as well as people who live here.

Olive Garden is part of the Darden chain of restaurants that also operates Red Lobster. There are about 700 restaurants, including four Olive Gardens in North Dakota’s major cities.

Olive Garden has gained a following since 1982 with its ample portions and relaxed ambience. It’s known for its classic lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo and chicken Parmigiana.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/even...cle/id/231419/

[smokymountainrain]

http://www.grandforksherald.com/even...cle/id/231419/

That is outstanding. Did Gordon Hayward write it?

[dabrockster]

I'll admit. I LOVE their Chicken Gnocchi soup..