OLIVE GARDEN: BRUNSWICK, GA

SHE SAID:

I have always been a fan of Olive Garden, especially their never-ending Soup and Salad. Tuscano Zuppa is my favorite soup. However, our last trip and the two trips prior were less than satisfying. Don’t get me wrong. The food is good. At least my usual order of soup and salad is good.  I don’t know if it is the location, the chefs, the wait staff, the atmosphere, yes, the atmosphere.

It is pretty stinky. They must shampoo the carpet. It looks clean but something is very wrong. I have noticed this in other places that shampoo their carpet. The end result is the scent of dog. Wet, dirty dog. Is it the shampoo they use? Is it the water source? Is it that they don’t clean and sanitize the shampooer when they’re done? I do not know but the air in the place is a bit off putting.

The scents of oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil, maybe bay leaves and sage, too, permeate the surroundings but not enough to cover the pungent smell that accosts one when they enter the establishment. If anyone knows why the Brunswick, GA location of Olive Garden is so smelly, please let me know. Better yet, let the owners know. Hopefully they can fix it, otherwise, I will stick to my own Italian fare cooked at home.

Like I said, the combo of soup and salad is great when they don’t drown the salad in their fabulous dressing. I like the dressing but not by a quart at one sitting. On our last visit I asked for the dressing on the side but it still came already lightly dressed. That light dressing was just enough though. We saved the side dressing for dipping our breadsticks.

And you all know that the servers are always handy with the Parmesan cheese grater. Our server had to be asked for the cheese. And when she begrudgingly accommodated us, she did not ask us to say when. She just sprinkled some on and started to leave. We had to call her back for a bit more. Don’t get me wrong, some of the servers are fabulous! Friendly, intelligent, thoughtful, and are organized with common sense and courtesy. Some? Maybe they just aren’t quite seasoned. Which brings me to the food.

Steve had the spaghetti and sauce with meatballs option. I tasted the sauce and the meatballs. I was disappointed in the lack of aroma and overpowering aftertaste of fillers in the meatball. The tomato sauce was bland. There was nothing emotional about the flavor. I guess it was mimicking the blandness of tradition Italian food that is not as herbed up as the American version.

The difference, though, in the traditional “bland” Italian cuisine and the “blah” Olive Garden offerings is that Traditional Italian Cuisine uses fresh, ripe ingredients bursting with their own flavors. Tomatoes, garlic, oregano, peppers. All fresh. All ripe with their own flavors distinguishable in the dish. The food at Olive Garden gave the taste of canned food.

Olive Garden is an American Company. Being such, I expected a bit more flavor in the form of fresh herbs and spices. American Italian foods tend to be heavier on spices and herbs. It is neither. I would label Olive Garden as a “Fast-Food” restaurant.

Ciao!

Flo

P.S. Further research on Olive Garden revealed a Redbook (magazine) article about behind the scenes at Olive Garden. I was right. The food is prepared and frozen before being shipped to the restaurant, except for the soups! Many of the appetizers are also prepared fresh but from previously frozen ingredients. If you want to read the article yourself, go to https://www.redbookmag.com/food-recipes/g26768009/things-olive-garden-employees-want-you-to-know/

He Said.

In General, Some Waiters,  are better than others,  anticipating needed Napkins or Drinks. Some even let us know they did not like our meal as prepared and have asked kitchen to correct, before bringing it to us for us to have it returned.  In General,  Order salad dressing on the side, so salad isn’t soggy with dressing. Don’t expect a meal like you would prepare at home.  Nothing special here,  prepare for mediocre.  If out to impress,  find small family owned restaurant that you have vetted yourself.

(The photo in this article is not of an Olive Garden dish, as far as I know.)