Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

The portion size, the taste, and the temperature of the food was all on point. The attendant was observant, timely, and friendly, appropriately conversational..The price is also reasonable, commensurate with quantity of food and quality of service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good Italian food.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

I try my best not to complain when it comes to the service industry. Why? Because I recognize that it's not easy dealing with people, food, etc. But.... I do believe that when you are spending your hard-earned money and you are patronizing a restaurant, on a regular basis, over the years there is a certain level of service that should be the norm.
Today we celebrated my mom's 76th birthday at the Melrose park, IL. Location & unfortunately it was the worse experience & service I have ever had. Items forgotten, food not properly prepared & then when I asked for replacement I was told that I may have to pay for the replacement, smh. My steak was pure pink but I asked for it to be cooked well. Why would I be charged? Then the waitress, who clearly was a little clueless, asked if I wanted to give it back and for them to put it back on the grill. 1st, the steak was served to me already sliced and chopped. So she wanted me to pick the steak pieces out of my pasta that was already mixed together. 2nd, isn't that unsanitary and against food regulations?
Of course I firmly told her no I want a new fresh steak or you can simply just take the meal off of my bill. She leaves and comes back about 5 minutes later with a bowl and asked me to put the medium rare pieces of meat in the bowl. I said wait I know you are not taking this back to put on the grill after I clearly asked for a fresh piece of steak; she said no they had already put me a new steak on the grill so I was unclear as to why she would ask me to remove the bad steak and put it in a bowl to give it to her I thought that was a little insulting. And I will add that when she did bring me out the replacement steak it was again already chopped up, had no seasoning & no taste. So my entire meal was a really a waste.
Also, Honestly, I had no intentions of eating the bad steak because I can't eat medium rare meat that's why I asked for it to be cooked well done but I just think it was tacky & insulting for her to ask me to put the meat in a bowl for her to take it away.
Anyway, from the wine that my mom never got after asking twice, the soups that 2 people in my party waited 30 minutes for, because she forgot and my sister originally asked for a frozen drink but the waitress said the restaurant did not make frozen drinks. So my sister politely went to the bar and ordered the drink that she knew the restaurant had because, again we patronize on a regular basis.
After all of these hiccups and issues no manager ever came over to apologize, ask if everything was okay, nothing!
Despite all the mishaps and bad service, I still left her a $40 tip.
But... I don't know about anyone else but I work too hard for my money to patronize a place of business and not receive the proper treatment. I understand that things will not always be perfect and that's okay but it's how you respond and handle the imperfections. One, you don't tell the customer that they have to pay for a replacement steak that was not cooked the way they requested.
I even placed a to-go order for my son who wasn't able to attend dinner with us. But I opted to place it online for fear of our waitress messing that up as well.

Have been here a handful of times and have always experienced great food and service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great time nice and friendly people.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Shrimp Alfredo Pasta, Absolutely

I came here to celebrate a loved one's birthday. The waiters were attentive and polite.

I gave 1 star because my spoon was filthy with old food on it. I let my waiter know, she apologized and gave me plastic utensils as requested. That really pissed me off and disgusted me. This is flu season and just to think that I almost ate off of that spoon makes me gag.

If that wasn't enough I ordered the soup with smoked sausage and potatoes in it...no lie or exaggerating...my soup was flimsy, watery and served in a shallow saucer plate, for $10! I felt like I was eating chicken broth. I will never be back again.

I was there yesterday. The girl who served us brought me a plate with some cilantro leaves, and despite that, she blew it in front of me and left it for me to use. I think it's a lack of hygiene and, above all, respect.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

2025 Update:

I have to say, the Alfredo is finally made with real cream. I went there the other day and it was actually delicious for the first time in a long time. Either the management noticed that they were cutting corners or someone decided to actually follow the recipes and make it more authentically Italian. Whatever they did, I think I might go back when I have the money to spend on a $5 portion that costs $18.

Zuppa Toscana is still by far the most delicious soup on their menu.

However, their concept of a salad is pathetic. It's literally black olives and lettuce with hot jalapenos, what the f*** is that?

2024 Review:

Olive Garden - what are you doing?

Your portions have shrunk, the flavors are gone, you refuse to provide more than 2 free breadsticks per person per meal, and the alfredo sauce? Why the hell is it made of mayonnaise?!

Italians should sue. Seriously, this is no more Italian than my granny's Texan Okra.

(2018 Review)
For some odd reason, they have added a heavy dose of basil and foul-tasting olive oil to every item that takes herbs or oil. Quality has fallen off a cliff at most of the Olive Garden restaurants.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 2

The food was a little too oily, but good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

You had a add on the table said 12.99 for a Fettuccine and manicotti diner and I pointed it out to him on the card the bill came and they charged me $22.99 each I told the waiter he said you have to reed the fine print he should of said something when I showed him what I ordered on the add card this is what you call bait and switch I won’t be back

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 2

Food bland and dishes dirty.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Not what it used to be

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chicken & Gnocchi, Zuppa Toscana

Under cooked chicken.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Isha was a great server for her 2nd day on the job.

However, the rest of the experience made me wonder why do I even bother giving this restaurant a chance. The marinara sauce is about the only vote I can give this place as a whole.

Getting charged for a different dipping sauce when told it's free. Being charged extra just because we shared a plate, yet the portions were beyond skimpy for the price. Not being given the full order because they plate was being shared...... some kinda tricky pressure placed on the waitress that had nothing to do with her........😐

Loved every minute of it. This place has the perfect cozy atmosphere with super friendly service and delicious food. Such a great spot.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ceasar Salad