Olive Garden
Reviews and Complaints

I had Desiree as a "server" today and it was not a pleasant experience, i had to ask her at least 3 times to bring what I needed and she still forgot. I even had to ask a server from the other side to bring what I needed. I asked for extra Alfredo' sauce 3x extra bread 2x and a water which I never received.She is the only bad server I've ever had here and I have been coming for years.

So, I am traveling for the last month or so in the south region of the country. I just went to your store @2695 Laurens rd. Greenville, SC. Obviously by myself and they had me sit in the bar area. So, I sat in the middle of the bar area and there were probably about 7-8 people dining their as well. I had two servers walk pass me several times w/o ever acknowledging me, until I grabbed the gentleman and asked if I could have a glass of water. He asked me if anyone had waited on me yet and I said no! I have been sitting here for 10 minutes. So another 10 minutes goes by and still no water and no one has come to my table. I ten asked another server if I could get a glass of water and she said sure. Never got it! Finally, your own customer that sat there and watched this all transpire said to the first gentleman, can you get this guy a glass of water? He has asked you guys several times! Then the girl comes back and asked me if I got my water? I said No. Instead of getting the water, she went up front to tell the 5 people standing at the podium(in which they all turned and looked at me). Finally, the GM came by(Jeremy) and apologized and asked if he could get me my dinner or dessert? I told him I wanted nothing but my water and to place and order. I finally got my food and again asked several times if he could take care of my food. ( I appreciate the gesture but when you are told several times NO, you should adhere to the customers request.) My point to him was, no one knew who I was. I could have been an executive from your company. I am an executive in the retail sector for over 300 stores in the SE region. I am in retail and my job is to make sure we are giving the beat customer service we can and where can things be better for the customer. The two servers should be fired! For complete disregard for the customer. I really hope this issue will be a lesson on how not to treat or serve a customer, because I know in my business I will using in several training sessions.

On 080317 approx. 12:12pm my co-workers and i went to the olive garden in san bernardino/hospitality lane(about 16 of us)first of all we were not allowed to call in the orders(knowing we had limited time for lunch)then when we arrived i ordered green apple moscato/3 choice appetizer (mushrooms/calamari/pork ravoli)there was a total of 4 appetizer platter ordered 3 mushroom/calamari/mozarella, well about 30 mins went by and the waiter brought the 3 appetizer with mozarella not mine with pork ravioli keep saying it was coming, still hadn't got my green apple moscato, so by this time it was very close to 1pm been there since 12:15pm still hadn't got my order, i told the head server i wanted to cancel everything he stated sorry the drink is coming from the bar cannot cancel very unprofessional and with no concern to the time i had waited. So at 1pm i left with no food and much attitude . Will never return to this restaurant again.

We took our grandkids out to lunch at Olive Garden to start of the school year and had great service. However, the kids meals had no protein, just carbs. My grandsons pasta didn't have any meatball or any kind of meat. There was only a spoonful of tomato sauce on his pasta. Then, they offer 3 items as a side with one being fries, of course kids will always pick the fries over veggie or fruit. The other kids meal was a panini with only cheese and it was burnt, so he only ate very little of that! Then, I look at the bill and kids drinks of chocolate milk had an extra charge. I have given them enough chances, never again!

On Sunday July 30, 2017 I visited the Olive Garden in Yakima Washington with friends who live there around 12:15 pm or so. Our visit started out ok, we were seated in a timely manner since our friend had called ahead (there were 10 in our group). They sent two servers over to wait the table and the guy (Chris) who seemed to be in charge or thought he was better than the other server, came over with an attitude problem to start with. He was rude in the way he addressed the customers sitting at the table with us. He was inattentive to the orders being placed and messed up two orders. My wife ordered Grilled Chicken Parmigiana and repeated it twice to Chris that she wanted grilled. When the lunch arrived Chris brought my wife a breaded Grill Chicken Parmigiana. She told him that she had requested a grilled on and his statement was "you did?" She asked for the correct dish and his next statement was "well it will take a while, are you sure you don't want this one?" This is where his attitude got really bad. She then told him to forget about the chicken parmigiana and she would just eat salad. Then we asked for another salad and he tried to give us one without any dressing on it. My wife once again asked for a salad with the dressing on it and he walked away mumbling something under his breath. He came back about 10 minutes later with a correct salad. He behavior was beyond rude and disrespectful. As we were leaving our friend was speaking to the manager on duty and Chris was standing about 20 feet away and laughing at her. My wife directed the managers attention to him and he went back to work. As we were walking out the front doors he then started mocking us by waving and laughing stating "bye, have a great day, bye." When the manager saw this she told him to stop and had to tell him at least twice. I got outside and decide that this issue need to be escalated to the manager since this employee is the face of Olive Garden when he is on the clock. There were other people in the lobby waiting to be seated that observed this behavior. I think one couple left because of it. The manager on duty was apologetic and refunded our money for the meal due to the poor service and the rude behavior of this one employee. She also offered and us a $50.00 gift card which I turned down but she pleaded for me to take it. I didn't go in to report this for a free meal or a gift card but because this was very rude behavior and has no business in a service industry. I know that not every employee at Olive Garden conducts themselves in this kind of behavior because my wife have been to Olive Gardens in different areas and this was a first. If Chris is going to be the face of Olive Garden when he comes to my table or any other table, he should be given more training in customer service, respect, and how to leave his attitude at home when he comes to work.

Last weekend my husband and I went to Greenville for a special nite out so we choose Olive Garden, that was the worst choice I've ever made! We wait for over 45 mins to be seated and then we ended up sitting in the bar area when our waiter acted like we were a problem the whole time. My food was over cooked and awful my husbands food was the same. I sent it back and they didn't even offer to redo it! Worst experience ever!

Last night my fiancé and I went to the Olive Garden on Pleasant Valley Road in Manchester and the waiter we had names was Justin and I understand he has other tables but most of the time we were there we seemed to be forgotten about. When we first sat down the woman that sit us order us drinks and gave us breadsticks. The waiter came and old brought salad and took our order. Our Apptirezer was messed up and had to be sent back. Then 20-35 mins went buy and we had finally gotten our food with out app. Not once did the waiter come back and check on us to see how the food was or if we needed refills on anything. I have been to this location many of time and we have never had a problem there before. Last night was one of the worst services I've ever had. My fiancé and I are disappointed and upset about everything that happened. Hopefully something gets take care. Typically I don't usually complain about a restaurant but last night was something diefferent. You guys have a commercial that says "when your hear you're family" well I can certainly tell you that neither my fiancé nor me felt like that last night.

We love Olive Garden and we are part of the point system. We go all over the country and have been told from ALL Olive Garden managers that we can take our receipts and add our points even though they don't have the set up. So I proceed to do so. Come to find out, I can't unless that location is on there list. So I think something should be straighten out on this. Either accept the points or train your managers what the hell they are doing. Very frustrating.
Teresa

I am trying to get a couple of sadly really disappointing experiences with Olive Garden resolved at least heard and hopefully addressed. I first want to make sure you know how much I love your restaurant and most of our family experiences with you have been wonderful! Unfortunately the last time at was at the Silverdale Wa and Tacoma Wa restaurant both were really unattended, short and unfriendly. My daughter and I had went about a month and a half ago and talked to the manager Chris at Silverdale and promised a gift card for 35.00 $ for the meal gave address never got it. Tacoma we spent almost 75.00 $ and they just seemed irritated. I was wondering why they would not want to make it easier for higher quality service even if busy or short staffed. I understand that staff can be overwhelmed by many situations usually though I don't know before this time never has shown. I hope this email helps you keep your eyes one maybe restaurantsome that might be struggling during certain times or staff thanks for letting me share our experience with you. Sincerely Sarah Stantion

I just got home from being at Olive Garden and it was the most irritating and ridiculous experience I've ever encountered. I order my food and the waitress comes by to check up on us 3 times. I waited a whole 1hr to get my food and I had to let another waiter know I've been waiting after I tell him the waitress comes and asks "oh I thought you had your food already". Like are you kidding me obviously I didn't get it if the waitress didn't bring it. The other waiter got me the food and when it got there it wasn't even hot and it didn't taste as good. You could just taste that it had been sitting there it was a waste of time. And when I was getting ready for the check she had the nerve to ask if I wanted any appetizers like is she serious...With the waitress it's like she wasn't focused as much as she was focused with everybody else that if I honestly were to walk out she wouldn't have notice, nobody would've. This was a complete waste of my time and money. She was clueless if everything and I didn't feel as much of a priority. I got the rest of my food to go got the check and left. Olive Garden is my facitufe place to eat but by the experience and the looks of it I don't think I'd be going back especially to the one I was today at Bay Plaza Mall.

Carolina was rude. She took our order without introducing herself & before we could say thank you she whispered under her breath "youre welcome by the way" as she walked away. She didn't bring our drinks until we asked another employee, did not check on us or give us a receipt/check. She snatched the kiosk because we asked for a receipt. As we left she rated herself highly on our customer survey.

The water in Merritt Island smells like poop and the report of the water is not good. Why would your restaurant serve unfiltered water. Please give people tap water but filter it. Horrible water here.

Even the ice tea had a funny taste - why does a good restaurant serve such bad water. Please let Olive Garden, Merritt Island and all other Darden Restaurants to filter the water before they make tea or serve as a glass of water to their customers

I went to the Washington Olive Garden at approximately 12:15 PM on July 25 I had a new waitress which was fine when she brought my breadsticks they were burnt I waited 15 minutes for her to come back after that I got my soup and there was no potatoes in my soup after waiting another 15 minutes I finally got new breadsticks and my husband had to go to work I talk to the manager Scott and ask him if there was a new Cooks and he said no they were just busy

I went to olive garden last night which I dreaded in the first place. I haven't been in years because I have gotten sick from their food. My girlfriend wanted to get salad so I figured I would give it a try because it has been almost 3 years. I ordered the salad along with the chicken parm. The food came and about halfway in a cut into the chicken and realized I cut a beetle in half that was embedded inside of the chicken. I immediately called management and showed them what I had found in my food. I was very disgusted and disappointed. Please see the attached photos and hopefully the video will upload.

We checked online and the site said there was no wait to be seated. When we arrived there was several people waiting in the lobby and outside. When my party of 2 walked in and spoke, the hostess Karen did not respond. She didnt even greet us until she had finished telling her joke. It was as if we weren't even there. To top it off, she said there was a 30-35 minute wait...for a party of 2. The customer service was terrible, which resulted in us leaving and going to a different restaurant with better service...and it was not an Olive Garden.😡

My husband, daughter, son-in law, 2 grandchildren and myself Sunday afternoon around 3 pm. Olive Garden on Broadway Tucson AZ. We went in
and no one was waiting for a table. They said 25 minute wait. 3 employees
were chatting at the hostess station. No one went to look to see if there was
a possibility. Restaurant seemed fairly slow. We said the children are small we do not need a large table. Sorry and they chatted between themselves. My daughter looked behind the hostess stand and said here is an empty table.
Well after a little discussion we were seated and everything else was great.
My husband and I own a small business in Benson AZ and realize employees do not always have the business best interest at heart. If this were my business I would want to know about these issues.
Thank you

Patricia Barrera

Didnt realize that was the card i had used at the i have bills set up on this account..ill be more than grateful if I could use another from of payment..as of now its pending purchase date was 07/21/17 payment amount was $16.24..the pending expires on 07/26/17.. Sandetria Derouen (cardholder)..last 4 of my card number is 5503 visa exp.date 07/20. If contact is needed please feel free to contact via, cell phone my number is [protected]) anytime is fine thanks in advance

I am a former Olive Garden employee and I have encountered several occasions where the current manager, Celeste, has provided unprofessional service. This past Wednesday I went into Olive Garden to eat with a friend who is currently employed. Since her shift was almost over, I decided to wait at the Bar top for her so we could eat together. I was walking towards the bathroom where I met with a previous coworker who is still a current employee who I was catching up with. Now we were not standing in the middle of the dining room, we were off to the side out of sight. Celeste then approached me and sarcastically said, "what are you doing?" So I said, I'm just standing here waiting on my friend and talking to this person. She then preceded to say, "Can you please go sit at the lobby" in a very smart tone. Thinking that was very rude, for lack of words, I made my way to the seats provided in the front. Since I was treated like dirt and not like a guest, I got my food Togo and left feeling unwelcomed. My friend was cut, but was unable to leave "incase the restaurant became busy" that's why I waited so long for her to clock out.

***Im choosing to leave the names of the employees out so no one gets into trouble or treated badly.

Since I'm already on the topic, I can also tell you of an occasion when I was still employed there. My family had come in for dinner and I was serving them at table 313 which is a bigger booth which seats up to 6 people, Celeste came to me and said, "can you rush your family and get them out of here quickly because we need that table for other guests." Which offended me a lot. With her being a new manager I feel like she handles matters very unprofessionally. I hope that you will these complaints into consideration. Thank you for your time.

Had the worst visit by far at the waxahachie tx location. Went with my family for a nice meal I'm 32 weeks pregnant with a 2 year old that is autistic. My husband goes in before we even get my son out to ask for a booth and a chair at the end of table because aka I'm pregnant and so my son can sit beside my husband and not try to run around. Seemed to be no problem well get inside waitress that isn't even our server or waiter helps us at first I order our food and say I needed my meat well done being it's the only way I can eat it and she said that would be no problem, she seemed nice, but at this time even after ordering i was still waiting for a chair. Our actual waiter comes with food i ask about a chair to be told i could not sit at end of table because it would be in the way. I check my meat it was not well done asked if he could take it back and fix it and he comes back 10 minutes later to tell me there is no way they can cook the meat well done, which makes no sense because they have before. So I ask for just the noodles with out the meat he comes back with it after another 10 minutes by this time I'm in pain because of the table putting a lot of pressure on the top of my stomach because the table and seats were way to close together. I start crying after I say something to the waiter and he makes the comment well I can clean you a seat at a different table so you can just sit and eat. I asked why would I want to come pay this much money to eat with my family and have to sit across the room away from them just to eat. Makes no since. Then he says well I can get you a to go box and you can just take it with you. I asked again why would I pay that much money to have to take my food home and eat it cold that isn't right. He had nothing to say and so I just told him by this time I'm crying and in pain and just want to leave for him to take it off of the bill because I couldn't eat it under the situation and just want a to go box for my sons left overs. He takes it and leaves after 20 minutes he brings the ticket with a tiny box not big enough for the left overs of my sons leaves again after another 5 to 10 minutes finally shows back up with a bigger box then leaves before even taking the money to pay for my husband and sons meals. After waiting another 10 minutes I had had enough took the money to the front and left was not even offered a receipt and Then cryed my way home because of the pain. This is no way to treat any customer and will not be returning unless some serious things change. No one should have to pay that much money for a meal and go threw this...

Also we ordered
Kids menu chicken(which was over cooked) and spaghetti with spiral noodles instead of spaghetti noodles with a tea
For my husband the creation your own spaghetti noodles with pesto sauce and raspberry lemonade
For me the create your own with spiral noodles with cheesy garlic Alfredo sauce and meatballs(well done) and sweet tea(which I didn't even get to try)
With salad on side and breadsticks that were dry and could tell they were not seasoned or even fresh.

Purchased food to take home, soon arriving at home found food to be burned as well as the breadstick that I ordered extra of were so hard that I could've played hockey with them. I called the restaurant located on route 85 in Waterford CT and asked to talk with the manager. When I was talking with the manager Andi she apologized however I was told that she couldn't do anything about it. That she didn't have enough authority and that the Gm was on vacation. Now I spent $50 on awful food and you can't do anything. I asked for the DM's info and she wouldn't give that to me either. I had to drive back to the restaurant located 2 towns over to get my money back. This is the kind of service found not only here but everywhere and this company needs to train there people to handle conflicts and get the orders right the first time.
I do expect to here back from the DM and meantime I have no desire to ever return to this location.