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Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
5 reviews for Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
I went here a few weeks ago, and having grown up in Portland all my life, then leave for school and return; I was shocked that this place didn't change at all. It was rather scary.
Okay, aside from the staff change and some of the new items on the menu, everything is still as is. Can we say deja vu? Seriously, it's rather sad. Everything around the chain changed and or expanded, except this place. I remember it used to be booked solid, now a day, it's empty. I'm not sure why they even make you wait.
I would like to see them change the ambiance and update their colors; at least to match their menu. For the prices they want, I think it's not much to ask.
My walk down memory lane was not as bright and shiny as I remembered during my child-hood. Speaking of which, most of the kids there were less than 5 years old. I hope their parents didn't make them eat the food. It may turn into a nightmare we would all like to forget.
I do hope they change and soon.
Where everyone is family? Really? This is the kind of food you serve to your family? Maybe the Manson family did, although I think even their helter skeltered minds had higher food standards. I mean if the bad Italian (or eye-talian as older members of my family call it) food doled out by the Olive Garden was considered a good meal at my family's table; I think I would rather be an orphan.
As the Tall Leggy Baby Machine and I settle in to our new roles as expectant parents (expectant as in we are expecting this midget to support our butts when we get older) we decided to have an evening "in" watching movies while utilizing an Olive Garden gift certificate we received for Christmas.
I called in, placed our "to go" order, and on this ordinary Friday evening I was out the door and on my way within ten minutes.
Being the start of a new weekend, the OG still proves to be a popular destination for many. I slithered through the crowd of hungry lemmings, and within moments had paid, received my order and was quickly out the door, chuckling at those willing to wait 45 minutes just to sample what I was soon to discover as the Craptacular food that is served at the Olive Garden.
First off, the pasta fagioli was terrible. It had a dreadful flavor to it, kind of a combination of melted plastic, moth balls and an Italian hooker's taint. The "Tour of Italy" was equally poor, and should be renamed the "Tour of Duty" as it was a battle to consume the majority of the content, at least without calling for air support and a medic. The lasagna was bland, the fettuccine alfredo boring and the chicken parm average. Even the bread sticks, normally the one redeeming item, seemed stale and a little too greasy.
The TLBM's decided to try and go somewhat healthy and ordered whole wheat spaghetti and meatballs, which were pedestrian at best. The salad contained a few pieces of old and wilted lettuce. This is not the type of production food the Tim Burton esque baby factory residing in her tummy needs to keep the fantastical baby making fairies on task as they create our future little tax deduction to the tune of a Danny Elfman re-imagined Looney Tunes assembly line score playing in their minds.
What, that isn't how babies are made? Really?
The funny thing is that at one time, I really liked the OG. It was considered a "nice dinner" out. However, this is during the same time in my life where Top Ramen was a dietary staple, Henry Weinhards green death was my beer of choice and splurging really did involve the words "super sized". Yet as my palate has improved, my tastes expanded and my wallet has grown a little bigger, the Oliver Garden's appeal has diminished. Actually, it has completely disappeared.
So is it my Elite status that has created a food snob monster? Can I no longer enjoy an average meal with the common folks? Must everything I consume be considered "gourmet"? Nah, I still enjoy eating on the cheap, and consuming less then stellar foods. Just not the crap they dole out at the OG. This is one family that has some serious problems.
2.5
I haven't been here since I was a kid but I was craving their bread. Unfortunately the bread wasn't as good as I remembered, it was a little on the dry side. I had the Shrimp Primavera (Shrimp, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms in a bold arrabbiata sauce over penne) which was adequate and low in fat. My only complaint is that they didn't have enough pasta in the dish. It did the job and fulfilled my craving for some carbs.
It was quick, not too pricey, the server was attentive and friendly.... the food was adequate. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but it wouldn't mind eating here again.
Most guys try to stand far away from each other when using the little boys room. So I was already uncomfortable when the elder dude next to me commented on my slippers (flip-flops to all you non Hawaiians). "Sure is dangerous wearing those things in a public bathroom" Why would he say that? Was he planning to pee on my foot? I didn't hang around to find out.
After escaping back to my table we gorged ourselves on some cheap never ending chainess (breadsticks, soup, and salad for my better half, pasta for me).
The bread sticks dipped in soup are always good, the Asiago Garlic Alfredo over Orechiette good too. The salad flailed like a man overboard as it drowned in dressing and the mushy linguine covered with what's called meat sauce here would be cause for violent retribution in the Old Country.
While the service was good, and some dishes decent, I doubt I'll go back. Portland's got way too many great mom pop Italian hole walls for me to be wasting money here. I just needed to get it out of my system, Hawaii doesn't have an OG, just their brain washing "when you're here, you're family" commercials.
Even though I rarely eat at chain restaurants, I've always been surprised at how good the service usually is. This time at Olive Garden was no exception. The waiter was very attentive and not pushy at all.
Now, I haven't been to olive garden in at least ten years, and I've only been once before in my life. I didn't really remember it. But the food here is extremely overpriced and so bland.
The salad was pretty good, as was the minestrone soup. The husband and I were trying to eat a little lighter, so we split one of the pasta dishes. It was $12, and literally about a cup of pasta with a big spoon of tomato sauce. We both looked at it thinking "what the fuck? Is this it?" Well, maybe it has a lot of flavor, and it'll be enough. After the first bite, we realized that was not the case. Bland city, USA.
So, while I've had good experiences at a couple other chain restaurants, I realize now that Olive Garden isn't a place I will go back to. Kenda from that show "The Girls Next Door" is crazy for loving this place.
