I ate at a new Olive Garden. First time in 15 years.

[Ilsa]

We have a new Olive Garden in town, opened two months ago. My husband and I finally got to eat there, so all of the kinks were worked out. Afterwards, my husband and I discussed the experience.

The service was good, and fast and friendly. You can get in and out in about 35 minutes at lunch time.

The salad was fine, but only two dressings were offered: ranch and italian, and those were provided on the side. (This prevents the waiters from having a chance to make a mistake.)

The breadsticks were bland. I could do better with a roll of Pillsbury breadsticks. I could get artisan bread from the freezer of my HEB.

The food was mass-produced. The only variation is whether you get parmesan cheese grated on it at the table. The food is so impersonal. There is nothing special you can request for your entree. The meat is cooked into a pasta or a soup or whatever (I don't eat meat though) so it isn't as if you get to request "rare, medium, or well-done".

The restaurant was clean and light, perhaps too lit up. It felt alot like a Luby's or Furr's cafeteria. Lots of people there, frequent table turnover.

We have no intention of going back.

[datasuspect]

1. golden corral is the way to go

we got a new off I-10 here and man, it is freaking awesome.

there's no way you could sample ALL of the many culinary masterpieces showcased there.

next time i go, i will definitely wear my "buffet" pants.

[Akoto]

2. Golden Corral is delicious!

We have one in my area. I don't go there often, because it's easy to pig out at the buffet, but I really enjoy it when I do.

All of the food tastes great, and fresh. I like that you see them bringing out fresh-cooked stuff throughout your time there.

[datasuspect]

6. for once, i'm not joking

golden corral is fucking awesome.

[Ilsa]

7. Do they have any non-meat items? nt

[Frank Cannon]

13. Oh, yeah.

They have giant hunks of steamed broccoli and various collections of vegetables like you wouldn't believe, and all quite fresh-tasting. Casseroles of various types, baked potatoes, pasta dishes--you name it. And a plethora of cobblers, puddings, pies, cakes, etc., for dessert.

And while you're reveling in this rich tableau of gluttony, friendly servers whisk to your table all the hot fresh-baked buttered rolls you can pack into your eager mouth.

Vegetarian or no, there is plenty to eat at Golden Corral. Believe me.

[Frank Cannon]

11. Another vote for Golden Corral

It's relatively pricey, but since it's all-you-can-eat, I guess it's worth it. I was surprised to see that they don't offer the usual cheapy "extender" food like a lot of the AYCE buffets. They actually have some GOOD stuff to eat, to the point where it's kind of overwhelming.

[MissB]

3. Yeah, but was anyone breastfeeding their baby?

[madinmaryland]

4. Uh-oh.

Here we go!!1!!

:popcorn:

[matcom]

5. Olive Garden - check. Bad Review - check.

doing a search in the Lounge for 'Olive Garden' and skipping writing your own dissapointing review?

Priceless.

[NashVegas]

12. Hey, I Was Traumatized at Olive Garden Once

My mom and I had just been seated and handed menus. I opened mine to look inside and the waitress asked, "would you like a few minutes?"

When someone's head is buried in a menu, isn't it kind of obvious?

[LostinVA]

8. Ilsa is my new BFF

[JCMach1]

9. Johnny Carino's arrived in UAE about one year back

Absolutely no need for Olive Garden. Their food is FABULOUS here!

[Ilsa]

10. We have a JC in town, and the food is MUCH better at JC, and

they act like a real restaurant: I ask for and get extra capers on my salad with the house dressing. My husband loves the salmon salad, but none of the honey pecan topping, and they oblige. The bar is good at JC also. I love the eggplant parmigiana at JC also.

Wow, you are in the UAE? My husband's boss goes there on business occasionally.

[JCMach1]

14. I saw you shopping at HEB in another thread

used to love that market when I lived in Midland, TX...

Buy yes, JC is really good... Any dish with their sun-dried tomatoes (extra) and lots of pepper! Really good!

BTW: Olive Garden was good MANY years ago... Started dropping off in the mid-90's

[Ilsa]

15. That fits with my time frame. I think the last time I went to

one was in 1992, and it was an excellent meal!

We have an HEB Plus here now, and they sell alot of Central Market items, which is closer to a Whole Foods diet.

I guess Olive Garden decided to go cheap on food and cooks.