Address: | 8315 Benson Dr, Columbia, MD 21045, USA |
Phone: | +1 410-290-0040 |
Site: | olivegarden.com |
Rating: | 3.7 |
Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–10PM |
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A Private User
The Olive Garden we went to earlier today is a far shadow from what they used to be. Expectations werent exactly high but some of the things I remember from them several years ago werent even be met. But we had a gift card we didnt want to go to waste so we went there anyway instead of a nicer nearby italian restaurant. To start the meal we ordered appetizers and the new advertised "lemonatas". To duplicate the lemonatas go to your nearest soda fountain, if you can find one, because its basic ingredients were syrup and carbonated water which is completely unexpected for something advertised as a fresh lemonade. To wash the taste out of our mouths we tried drinking the water which had a very strong and unpleasant aftertaste. Thinking the appetizers would be better are party of three ordered the Sampler Italian with the chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks. Safe bet, right? Well, we got exactly three of each and a single dipping sauce of ketchup brought out by the chef who seemed to be really proud of his work. Just ketchup. I can only imagine the microwaving being his shining moment while at his Culinary Arts school. One of the tables next to us complained about the appetizers and the manager came by and gave them more. I told my party not to worry about it and just get through this meal. The rest of our food came out in pieces. It seemed to be a trend as the people around us received their meals separately from those seated with them. My soup came about 6 minutes after the salad that everyone else with me ordered. It also came out later than the guy next to me who also ordered soup and was seated later than me. The waitress apologized but it was a downward spiral at this point. When i finally did get the soup, Zuppa Toscana, it was a watery and greasy mess. This was particularly saddening because it used to be a favorite with me and my co-workers. I saw two of them going back to the kitchen I didnt want to take a chance and told the waitress I didnt want another soup off their menu. The entrees werent bad. At this point they were shadowed by the rest of the meal and the Chicken Alfredo was more oily and greasy instead of garlicly and buttery but I was just glad that it wasnt making me queasy like the soup and water. I mean that is always a plus. I wouldnt recommend Olive Garden any time soon. There are much better options for lunch and some nicer local Italian restaurants.
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Anthoni Hamilton
Wow.... JUST SAY NO...Where do I start with this chain restaurant. My wife kicked a glass of water put on the floor by one of the employees and stumbled forward. My wife was left with sticky stuff all over her foot and clothing. We arrived at the restaurant at 8:50pm knowing that the restaurant closed at 10 p.m. We sat at the table for 13 minutes before someone came over and asked us if we wanted water or something to drink. He didnt say his name and I didnt see his name tag He didnt ask us if we wanted wine nor did he ask if we wanted appetizers. We had just landed at the airport and were just getting something quick that wasnt airport food. Wow!! 18 minutes later, another server came over and said he had to help the previous server and that he would take our order. No name, but he did take our order. I asked the server about salad and bread sticks and the server quipped that he was just going to put the order in first. About 9:35, we got up and left the restaurant...no water on table...no salad on table...no bread sticks on the the table...no food on the table. The front hostesses were sitting when we left saying bye. One hostesses did not bother to stand up and just sat with her feet out in the walkway. I give credit when and where it is due as much as criticism. DONT GO HERE in the evening. Management was obviously complicit or ignorant of what was clear to and my family. I would score this location no stars if allowed.
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A Private User
Heres the good and bad: Good part: Hostess was nice, sat down quickly for a weeknight and he politely pulled a chair out for me to sit. Bad part: the wheels fell off the chair. Good part: waitress came right out, was very nice, made suggestions on food when asked, brought the right food and drinks in a timely fashion, offered desert, didnt nag us about the check. Bad part: someone elses waiter was complaining about their table. Everytime this waiter walked by he was rolling his eyes, making derogatory remarks about how much more is the fat cow going to eat, how they better give him a good tip, they need to hurry up, why couldnt they tell him that earlier and so on.... Bad part: someone in the back started screaming at someone else "BECAUSE I SAID SO, ITS YOUR FLIPPN JOB!!!!!" And then there was a loud crash and some other mumbling of not so pleasant words. Good part: food was good and plenty of it. Price was good as well. Overall, the place could use some cleaning up and that goes for management. We were lucky and had a great waitress but apparently whom ever the manager is needs to go over whats appropriate and whats not. I could careless about a waiter complaining about their table but its a whole other thing to do it infront of customers. And whom ever was screaming in the back needs the same lesson.
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Stephen King
Went to OG on 7/9. Waited about 15 minutes for a table for three, which is the norm for most restaurants in Columbia on a Saturday evening around 5:00. Our waiter was very nice and was prompt with his attention throughout the meal. We ordered bruschetta for an appetizer - very good. The endless salad could have used a bit more dressing, but we didnt ask for more, although Im sure we would have received it. The entrees were good, nice portion sizes, but they were quite heavy on the pasta and less so on the meats and vegetables. When you consider the bread sticks, the bruschetta, the pasta, and the salad, you start wondering why youre paying $25-30 per person for mostly bread and lettuce. OGs are ALWAYS crowded, so you dont really get a peaceful meal as there is always some activity going on at the very close tables around you. Ill go back again, but it will probably only be a once or twice a year event, since there are so many great restaurants in and around Columbia.
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J G
Dined here with family during a non-peak hour and had a terrible experience. Serving staff was inconsiderate and extremely sluggish in taking and delivering orders (drinks, appetizers, entrees). Did not receive FIRST DRINK REFILL until AFTER we had finished eating our entrees. We were not the only table with this situation and managing staff were oblivious to the condition of their customers. Managers furthermore failed to adequately train serving staff in knowledge of the menu (including what types of pastas are mentioned on the menu or the drink options). A secondary server came to our table and intruded on our family dining time by trying to chit-chat and offered NO solid knowledge about the menu either. We will not be returning to this Olive Garden again.
KI
Kira Elbeyli
We went to Olive Garden around 1pm on Sunday. We were excited to get our favorites, and try the pumpkin cheesecake. When our waitress took our drink order, I asked for a spoon so that I could feed my infant son. She never brought one, even after asking three times. Our soup and salad were good, but we had to wait about 20-30 minutes for a refill of breadsticks. After waiting, our breadsticks came, but we were still waiting for our food. Our waitress kept telling us it was coming, but after waiting more than an hour, she said it is next in line, it wont be more than 5 minutes, I promise. 10 minutes after that, we got up and left. We were so disappointed. Worst time at an Olive Garden we have ever experienced.