Olive Garden
Reviews and Complaints

We were a party of 8 including one toddler. We were there to celebrate graduation. Entered the restaurant and staff said no table of eight is available waiting time 30-45 mins. Spoke to Manager he said he will give us a table in 10 mins. Kids were hungry so we sat on a bar height table. Ordered bread sticks and salad and also placed order for main course. 1 hour past. Our food arrived we said we want to eat that on normal table. The serving staff took our food back in kitchen . The manager was paged but he didn't come immediately. We raised the issue but whole staff no response. Manager came he said I never promised 10 minutes. Kids are super hungry now. But no consideration for kids, promises or solution. They wanted us to eat on the same table. We walked off that place and will never ever visit Olive Garden again

First issue: I ordered Soup and Salad. Gnocchi soup came out every single fine with nothing in the soup except thickened milk and shredded carrots. Our waiter had to take it back to be remade every. Single. Time. The bowls were only partially filled so it was easy to see there was nothing in the bowl. Waste of my tine and your server's, which also affects your other customers.

Second issue: I ordered the braised beef tortellini, which my husband orders on a weekly bases (we order to go quite often). When it came out, instead of the usual braised beef we receive that is pulled and tender, this was legitimate pieces of steak. Maybe the kitchen ran out? Server - who is customer service oriented had it taken off the bill and left it because it's going to be thrown away and well, customer service. Another bowl of soup came out with nothing in it - no chicken, gnocchi, now common place at our meal. I asked for a manager. The server manager, Chris Simmons, came to the table. He explained that we never receive pulled braised beef, it's always sliced and always tastes this way. Both the case, it has never tasted as if it had been charred in a pan/grill as steak would. Regardless he then apologized and took the item. When I expressed that due to inconvenience, it was taken off the bill and as a consulation were told to keep it. His response - if it's not on your bill, you shouldn't have it. I told him how this lack of customer service to some how keep your customer happy had just failed and he was either going to leave the item or give me a discount for the inconvenience AND the extra amount of time I have been at the restaurant during lunch on a week day. With attitude he agreed to take the item and give a $5 discount.
Why did I have to express how customer service works and that happy customers are the customers you should strive for, even if their experience was sub par? Why was it a fight and even a question once I had expressed what the server had said?
For the inconvenience and irritation this has caused, and lack of care on your manager's side - the person who should, foremost, care about service, my family will not be back to the Hampton, VA Olive Garden. And due to the type of managers hired, we will be hard pressed to come to an Olive Garden again.

Just went into Olive Garden in San Marcos, Texas. My daughter and I was of Africian American race and was greeted at the door pleasant. Guy took us to our table which was wayvin the back of Oliver Garden passing up many many many empty available tables. I ask why we were in the back and he stated because that were the server is. I stated we wanted another table with a laugh he said let me see if there is another server and quickly placed us at another table without even ask another server. All the time with a silly smile on his face. My daughter sat down and I slowly (didn't want to) sat down. I looked at my daughter and she said I don't feel comfortable here so we got up and walked out. This experience was very unpleasant. I haven't been to other location and this has never happened. We felt like we were treated unfair because of our skin color. I hope this is not a new normal for Olive Garden to make Africian American not feel welcome. This is very upsetting to both my daughter and I.

This will be the 3rd. time I have tried to reach you. On Dec.13 we took a dear friend out for dinner at Olive Garden for her 80th.birthday. Afterwards meeting friends for cake and coffee, presents. They were busy and the waitress asked if we needed anything else. We said no she reach picking up FULL glass of ice water and spilled it in my male friend lap! In her hast to get the dishes up that had water in them she took mine as well. I asked her to tell the manager I would like to speak with him. Since we had already paid the check of over $70. Worse of all we were over an hour late for her Birthday Party because he had to go back home to get dry clothes! Before we left I asked why the manager didn't come to talk to me and she told me that she got busy and forgot to tell him. They should have given our money back or more, when Ruth got in the car she started crying

We were visiting the Olive Garden 5/13/18 for dinner. We are used to waiting for a table since we eat their monthly but this time I noticed that people were calling ahead and at 6:17pm there was 5 names from the online call ahead list. Now when my sister called the restaurant to see if we could reserve a table she was told that there was no call ahead for that day.
So, after watching numerous people going into the restaurant and not coming out I started questioning the hostess. I noticed that on line a 6 top can call ahead and reserve a table. This was the reason we waited one hour and twenty minutes to be seated and our wait would have been longer if I had not asked to speak to the manager. I also need to point out we were the only people left outside.

The Assistant Manager Ronnie (whom had a nasty attitude) who finally came out to talk to me 30 minutes later blamed all the problems we were having with the on line call ahead on corporate and I needed to contact corporate. When I asked her about why it took her so long to come out and talk with me. Your Assistant manager proceeded to lie and blame it on the hostess. She was quickly informed that I was standing beside the hostess when she radioed Ronnie.

We waited for a 1 1/2 hours for our food. When it finally came it was cold, overcooked and 2 orders were completely wrong. The executive chef came out and informed and was shown the disgusting meal that was presented to us. Needless to say 4 out of the 8 people did not eat. Myself included.

Attached you will see a few photos...

What a Mother's Day nightmare.
Your assistant manager Ronnie needs to be reprimanded for lying and blaming her coworkers for her failure to be able to handle her job.

On 05/17/2018 We were eating dinner at Hammond Olive Garden a guy waitress came over asked my Pastor did she want a plate fir salad she said no thank you. He then went to the Manager Rob told him that my Pastor told him she didnt want him to serve her and not to come back to the table. Rib came to the table and said Pastor Jeanene you need to talk to me the got up went away from the table he told her that it was prejudice against the worker. The worker lied she never told him not to come back to the table she saud she didnt want a plate for salad. She tried to explain it to Rob that she could eat a salad. He didn't want to hear it. I think something should be done our church come to Olive garden all the time and soend alot of money their attitude was very bad. It should be handle. My name is Amanda Watson [protected]

I submitted an application today for Olive Garden because you guys preach how friendly the staff is and how nice it is to work for your business. I got an email around 5 pm asking to schedule an interview, so I called at 7 pm at the earliest time I was available to schedule one. Instead of someone merely telling me I'm sorry we are busy right now, do you mind calling back like anyone good at customer service would, I was redirected to the manager who asked if I worked in any other restaurants. Thinking this was part of my experience and resume, I told her I did for three years and she responded with, "oh, just asking because you should know not to call at this time." Great customer service Olive Garden. When she asked about the following Tuesday about an interview, I asked if there was any other availability she responded with "why, do you have another job or something." I felt like I was explaining myself to a teenage girl instead of a manager. Not impressed. I immediately told her I didn't want to work for a business with people like that because it makes the working conditions and environment awful.

We have been loyal and almost weekly customers at several locations for years! The music you have been playing for a while in your chain Olive Gardens is terrible, discusting and you only play it to make us hurry and eat faster and leave. Even the waters and waitresses rush us because of the irritating music! We use to be able to enjoy a nice relaxing sit down meal, with friends, business meetings, family celebrations, ect. Now, the discusting fast irritating music is so loud it is hard to talk and we can no longer relax! As it caused us to be irritated and we cannot enjoy a meal here at all! So, I guess you don't want our business any more! You want to be like K-Mart and Sears and go out of business. Everyone I take to Olive Garden notice it and they are irritated by it too!
Wayne & Monica Wilson, P.O. Box 142, Salt Lske City, Utah [protected]
[protected]

I ate at Olive Garden at 28th street, Grand Rapids location. I ordered the shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta and asparagus. This was one of the worst dishes I have ever almost ate. The dish was flavorless, the pasta was overcooked and not hot, the tasteless shrimp were of such cheap quality that I couldn't eat them. The asparagus stems that were thrown in did nothing to improve the dish. I returned it and got chicken parmesan which I would have returned except I had not eaten for 6 hours and was too hungry to try something else. The pasta served with the chicken was a tiny portion of again overcooked spaghetti with a chunky tomato sauce. The chicken tasted like a fried chicken sandwich at a fast food restaurant. I realize your prices are low but maybe you should raise them and serve better quality food that is cooked by trained cooks and chefs. On a positive note the wait person was excellent and accomodating. I am surprised that a manager did not reach out when I returned my first order.

I called and placed a fairly large order for a graduation party. I asked if the salad/breadsticks could be included at no cost. I know when I come in and order a meal, these are complimentary. The hostess on the phone was very rude. I did not feel what I was asking for was that big of a deal, even just the breaksticks, but she did not respond in a very courteous manner.

Very disappointingservice with one of my favorite restaurants.

We called to plan an event, son graduation and wanted the back area for celebration at 2-4 on a Sunday. Alina (who was the manager) flat out refused as "this is our busy time". Are you serious? I was stunned she turned away minimum of 40 to come in. I was wanting to have limited options for people or a buffet set up and pay per person plus tip generously. She told me area can hold 80, I told her well we would only need half and she still refused. We were planning to just have persons casually come and eat and congratulate my son, give their gift and eat cake and leave. No formal waiters running around. Side table with drinks like tea and coffee there and bar was cash bar. Tell me there would not be money made for them. Customer service is clearly not their goal. I called corporate and they said it is manager discretion, another disappointment of customer service. We are now planning all friends and family BOYCOTT

Had a problem with a very lazy server... Got a pic to show... Plz have someone call me...[protected]... I went not being able to go on mothers day.. I just got soup and salad and glass of chardonnay... My husband got the pizza bowl with salad and a beer.. Never offered water.. Disappeared for 15 min at a time... Had to go to management 3 times... We were in the bar area...2 other couples in the area not busy at all.. No reason for the horrible service... Was very very disappointed...

Dear Olive Garden,
To whom it may concern,
I am writing you to let you know of the horrible experience I had at you Arcadia restaurant at 430 E. Huntington Dr. Arcadia, CA
I feel so bad as I was the one who recommended that we celebrate my niece's graduation at Olive Garden.
We were a party of 12 people. We arrived at your store at approximately 8:00pm and it took so long to be seated. Well after we were seated and made our orders, it took so long to get our meals, that by the time they brought the food we all were so sleepy and tired we all took to go boxes.
We kept asking "what is taking so long? And no answers. On top of everything "the food was COLD! We left your restaurant at 10:30pm "Really? That is way too long for anyone to have to wait for food service! " Very, Very POOR customer service.

I went into your store and I had the worst service. I live in Ocala, fl and visited on 5/14/18 at 19:47 hrs, along with my daughter. We were first served by a young lady who assumed we did not want to sample the wine and immediately took the wine glasses away never offered us to sample it I asked her to have a sample of your wine and brought only one glass which I had to share with my daughter. I then ordered a pitcher of watermelon sangria and she brought over just two glasses when I advised her that I wanted a pitcher she grabbed the glass that my daughter was still sipping on and said that she would have to redo the order which I was okay with but she should have left both glasses which I would have paid for in addition to the pitcher. My daughter got up and grabbed the manager and ask to be moved and requested to have a new server. The new server Brenda was very nice. The manager complied but a see more annoyed than accommodating they went ahead and move me over provided me with the new server and never apologized for the terrible service that I received. I have been a long-time customer of Olive Garden and I've noticed that a different times the service is a lot better then others I just hope that in the future either have the manager teach the servers to maintain the level of quality of service from other times or at least apologize for the servers that are poorly trained. I was hoping to have a good meal with my daughter especially since we didn't get to celebrate Mother's Day I will not go to your restaurant in Ocala ever again.

I ordered a tray of lasagna and two salads with bread sticks for mother's day dinner. I requested a 5:10 pick up for my food on Wednesday May 9th for Sunday May 13th. Plenty of time to cook my tray of lasagna and make two salads. The pick up location was at the Washington PA location. I got there at 5 pm and checked in along with 15 other take out orders at that time. I did not get my food until 6 pm. All they did was apologize for the long wait. Something was not right. I heard a waitress tell the hostess that they were out of something but the hostess said I heard that wrong. WHY would it take an hour to get my food? The lasagna should have been put in the oven to come out at 5 and the salads are pre-made. What was the problem?

I had a dozen people waiting for their dinner and two of them were elderly and wanted my wife to just take them home. That is why I wanted a 5 pm pick up.

Please email and explain why me or anyone in my family should ever go back to Olive Garden.
dan.[protected]@gmail.com

Management not following rules meaning breaking rules and making there own as well as not being respectful to workers n threating to write them up and writing up people wrongfully and puting fear into workers so they dont repeat the same offense again . When equipment fails they dont repair it right away n sometimes dont do so at all to save money . Theres lots of things need repair n we tell management n they dont do nuthn about it until its fully messed up or not working at all. Where they store there pasta and other food and ingredients on the kitchen line need repair and are dirty aswell as no fans and oil dripping from the ceiling and other places etc.

When someone is wearing attire that doesnt suite your style there is no reason to degrade them. Especially as they are walking out of the building and are only 3 feet away from you. I dont understand why there is a society that requires you to wear a suite an tie. I didn't walk in shirtless as this one customer looked it like, but there is still no need to say what's on your mind while the customer you are upset about is only three feet away. I will no longer be spending my money at a place that has guests that want to degrade people based on their attire. Be careful what you wear to a restaurant nowadays. Someone might think that you're being inappropriate or inconsiderate.

My mother and I visited Olive Garden Clermont for lunch April 6. As we were seated I asked a question and as the waitress started speaking to me another waitress came over and interrupted and they left. My mother and I sat down and waited and waited started counting the minutes and waited Finally I flagged down a young girl who said oh you've not been waited on, let me get someone. So we waited and we waited, we had been there about 20 minutes and I flagged down someone very aggressively and asked when are we going to be waited on and she said just a minute and a few minutes later the manager came and apologized. The manager apologized and gave us a free dessert to share. My complaint is with how 2 people can be ignored, told someone will be right with you and no one came. It will be a long time for me to return to an Olive Garden, customer service is everything!

My husband and I went to eat at Olive Garden last night. The table we were seated at had a party of about 10 across from us. The waiter came and took their food order without even acknowledging we were there. The party was very lively, a.k.a. very noisy. After about 10 minutes of this we got up and asked to be moved to a quieter location. It took them a good 5 minutes to seat us at a different table after telling them repeatedly we didn't want to sit at the bar which is where they wanted to sit us. We finally got to a different table and waited about 5 minutes. Finally I ordered an appetizer at the kiosk. Then the same waiter from the other dining area came. I asked for the wine sample, said it was good and asked how much a glass was. The waiter couldn't tell me so after he looked in the menu and still couldn't tell me I told him to just forget it and bring me water. We got our drinks then someone different came out of the kitchen with the appetizer I had ordered on the kiosk. We had ordered a take 2 sampler, the fried ravioli and the lasagna fritta. She set it down and left. No plates. We pushed the button for the waiter. He never showed up. We flagged down a waitress and finally got our plates. The lasagna fritter was plain without the Alfredo sauce. We finish that, still no waiter. By this time we had been in the restaurant at a table for 45 minutes. No salad, no bread, nothing but water and the appetizer that was not like it was described. At this point I got up and asked to speak to a manager. He walks me back to the table as I describe what had transpired. He apologized and said he had been tied up with a drunk person at the bar for 20 minutes. We'd been there 45. I asked him about the lasagna fritter not having the Alfredo sauce. I was told that because it was a take 2 it didn't come with the sauce, only if it was ordered by itself. I asked him to show me where it said that. He said it didn't but that's the way it worked. So...okay...you have a description of an appetizer but you're not going to serve it like it's described. We told him at that point we were leaving. He said okay, not to worry about our bill. Our bill was water and an appetizer that I had to order myself and didn't come as described. So that was our "dinner date". Oh, and we had driven 30 miles for this.

I'm an employee at the vero beach olive garden. I want my name to remain confidential to prevent further conflict.

Rich Welsh is not a good manager. Very disrespectful and usually targets me out of all the employee's and gives me a hard time.

Tonight, I went to olive garden as a guest and ordered something to go. I spoke with my coworkers and Rich, who is my manager came to me and said in the loudest and most disrespectful way that I need to leave because I'm a distraction. I replied that I'm a guest at olive garden currently. He responded again in the loudest and most disrespectful way that he didn't care and told me to leave.

I again said that I was a guest and that he needs to stop, but again he persisted with telling me to leave and that the people I was speaking to were busy. And I responded that I am a guest here and that I wasn't distracting anyone and that it wasn't busy. And that guest have the right to speak to the employees/coworkers.

Now, when my coworkers come in as guest, rich will not complain about them or anything. He has something against me and it's going to lead me to quit working at Olive garden because it has become to stressful to work in or be around these conditions as a guest at the vero heach olive garden.