Hot times at the Olive Garden
June 16th, 2008, 2:15 pm · 1 Comment · posted by alamancefoodie
If you like sitting in the hot sun for 45 minutes during you “20 minute wait for a table,” the place for you is the Olive Garden.
This very popular chain is very busy from it’s 11:00 AM opening until it’s 10:00 PM closing every day. The big draw seems to be unlimited bread sticks–often served hot from the oven–and a bottomless salad bowl for $5.95. The pasta dishes are better than one would expect from a national chain. On a recent visit, the foodie had a nice, spicy linguine alla marinara ($9.75), while the foodie’s partner had spaghetti and meatballs ($11.95). The linguine was cooked a little damp, while the spaghetti was a nice, al dente. Most dinner entrees are in the $11.50 to $16.00 range.
We went to the Olive Garden at 4:45 in the afternoon. We were seated at 5:35. Although we got bread and drinks quickly, the rest of the service was slow. That in a nutshell is the problem with a too popular restaurant.
The round up:
Two rolaids.
Where: 1770 Glidewell Drive, Burlington
Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM; Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM
Telephone: 584-1171
Kids Menu: Yes. Small pizzas, spaghetti
Web Site: OliveGarden.com
Vegetarian Offerings: Yes. Linguini all Marinara; Eggplant Parmigiana, Capellini Pomodoro
Service: Table
Bar Service: Yes
Take out Service: Yes with Curb Side pick-up.
Health Ratings: 96 (3/28/2008)
July 31st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
The service is terrible, I agree. Some wait staff are great, but the majority are not. They seen to think that you will be back no matter how lousy the service. My husband and I usually go around 3:30 and the wait is minimual, usually walk right in and you are seated. I usually only get the salad and bread sticks and then I am stuffed.