Olive GardenSure we all have that place in our heart for Olive Garden, but how much do we really know about the chain? If you've ever had a question about breadsticks, Andes mint chocolates, or anything in between, you're in luck. One fabulous Olive Garden hostess put on a Reddit AMA for OG enthusiasts, and we're forever grateful. She answered tons of questions we've always pondered, but never could ask. Find out if the go-to dish you've been ordering is the one she would never eat! Discover a simple way to beat those crazy wait times! Find out how to score even more breadsticks! We rounded up the best of her AMA into a list of must-read tips and tricks for living your best life at Olive Garden. You're welcome.
1. There is a way to avoid those crazy wait times. You know how it goes. You're hungry AF, but as soon as you roll into the entrance, 9 million people are ahead of you. The waiting area booths are packed with crying babies, and pouty teenagers forced into family dinner with their parents. The hostess says the wait is 45 minutes long, and you begin to debate whether you're better off grabbing an old corn dog from the 7-11 across the street. Don't freak. You don't need to slip the hostess a $100 bill to get ahead of the line. Instead, she says, "Just be a decent human being and I'll make sure you get seated right away!" It's that easy, people.
2. If you order these recommended dishes, you will live your best life. One Redditor asked if the hostess actually ate the restaurants grub. "I always eat the food! I have three favorite menu items: Chicken Parm, Chicken Alfredo, and Chicken Gnocchi soup. If I can only get one of those three, it would always be the soup!" Soup over pasta!? Who knew? She went on to say, "I had it for lunch the other day and I just wanted to quit my job, change my name, and move to Alaska to start a romantic life with my soup. It's so amazing." The hostess has spoken.
3. Don't touch these dishes with a ten-foot breadstick. We warned you about their Italian-quesadilla hybrid fail, but it turns out there are more menu items that should never go near your mouth. "The one thing I would never order would be the pot pies that we just added to the menu. It's like pasta and other things in a pie crust and something about that just really turns me off." Is anyone else wondering what those "other things" in the pie crust might be? We don't need to know. She went on to say, "We also have (had??) mushroom ravioli and I'm not about that life." Fair enough!
4. Love those Andes mint chocolates? Read on. For many, next to breadsticks, these after-dinner mints are one of the best things to come out of the Olive Garden. How can you score as many as possible? "If your server is super nice they might give you more." You mean, this whole time all we had to do was ask!? She went on to say, if your server can't hook you up, the host or hostess typically has chocolates at their station. Never, ever forget this vital information.
5. They're not judging you if you can't pronounce the food. One Redditor asked what we've all wondered at one point or another; "Do you judge me when I can't pronounce menu items?" Luckily the hostess had the best answer ever. "I can't even pronounce the menu items!" From this day forward we'll never be ashamed to say "Zuppa Toscana" out loud again.
6. This is how to score as many breadsticks as possible. These butter logs of love are every OG lovers favorite menu item. First things first, stuffing them into your purse is not unheard of. In fact, the hostess has seen it happen. In order to capitalize on that whole "unlimited breadsticks" thing, might we suggest trying this out next time you're there? Let us know how it goes. Fun fact: If you ever decide to take up a job at OG, it seems like you'll get free breadsticks as a member of their team. Getting a second job at your local Olive Garden may or may not be worth this perk alone. She also mentions that despite their unlimited-ness, they have been known to run out of the coveted carbohydrate. "We always have breadsticks....until we run out...which is like all the time." Help us all. Could you imagine if that happened while you were there? More reasons to use these insider tips!
Do you have any tips and tricks for making the most out of a visit to your favorite restaurant? Share them in the comments below!