I really honestly don’t understand all the hate for Olive Garden.
Are they a good Italian restaurant? Nope. But I have come to the sad conclusion that the average person, if confronted with a good Italian restaurant, would have absolutely no idea and complain because it didn’t taste like Ragu and Spaghetti.
By Fake Italian Restaurant Standards, they are… fairly good. Their food is fairly good. Their service is fairly good. Their pricing is fairly good. Their atmosphere is fairly good. Not exceptional, but average across the entire country. In terms of national chain restaurants - what, are you going to say Buca di Beppo? Fazoli’s? Pizza looks disappointedly over glasses Hut? Really?
Yes, there are tons of lovely, independent Italian restaurants out there that make your heart and stomach sing for joy. I have had art on a plate at this type of place. Once you eat at a place like this, it is hard to accept lesser restaurants. But finding them is hard, and so often when you ask around about Italian restaurants you find a Ragu on Bertolli place because that is what people want and expect from their Italian dining experience. And sadly, when you do find one, often it is a long way from home.
(And yes, I can cook much better Italian at home than Olive Garden serves. Sometimes it is worth $15 a plate to let someone else make it and bring it to you.)
