Olive Garden is a casual Italian-American dining chain offering pasta, seafood, and entrees alongside unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks. This page aggregates customer ratings and reviews from RetailCoupons.com shoppers to help you understand what to expect from dining at Olive Garden locations.
Olive Garden Reviews
3.1
15 reviews
What Shoppers Say About Olive Garden
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
Olive Garden reviews are sharply divided, with 15 shoppers rating the restaurant at 3.1 out of 5. Positive reviewers praise the restaurant, though specific details of their compliments are limited in the available feedback. However, the majority of recent reviews highlight significant operational issues. Common complaints include poor service standards (long waits without acknowledgment, inattentive staff), cleanliness concerns, order accuracy problems, and management responsiveness. Several reviewers report feeling disrespected by staff, whether through perceived indifference or disputes over company policies.
Service quality appears inconsistent and unpredictable. Reviewers describe instances where restaurants were not busy yet still failed to provide basic table service like water or greetings. Some customers note that staff were visibly present but did not attend to tables, and management responses to complaints have been perceived as insufficient. One recurring theme involves frustration with corporate policies rather than individual staff members, suggesting systemic issues beyond the control of frontline workers. The lack of follow-up on formal complaints filed with corporate has also been noted as problematic.
Customer Reviews (15)
Sorted by: Most recentDavid C.Jan 7, 2026
The restaurant could use a thorough cleaning. My order was wrong, but I didn't complain since the waiter was nice even though he was clearly overworked. The food was acceptable, though I found a hair in my napkin.
Vincent K.Dec 15, 2025
Olive Garden desperately needs better management and customer service standards. The entire operation is poorly run. I filed a formal complaint with corporate but never heard back.
Robert W.Oct 11, 2025
I'm 77 and they demanded my ID for alcohol. They insisted this was required by law, which is completely false. The state law only applies to anyone who appears under 21, not seniors. This is purely a store policy and it's ridiculous. When I complained, management offered a free drink, but I refused and wouldn't provide my ID on my next visit either.
Arthur J.Oct 11, 2025
At 77 years old, I shouldn't need to show ID to order alcohol. The staff claimed it was the law, but that's wrong. State law requires checking ID for anyone who looks under 21, not for someone clearly in their late seventies. This is just a company rule, and it's a bad one. I complained and they offered a free drink, but when I came back, they still asked for my ID. I refused again. It's unreasonable.
William T.Aug 23, 2025
I've dined here plenty of times, but this visit was by far the absolute worst in terms of everything. The place wasn't even busy when we arrived and got our table right away, yet for the next 20 minutes we saw several employees walking around while we got no water, no greeting, nothing. I mentioned it to the host and got moved to another table, then we waited some more. We asked for two chicken parmesan dishes but got two plain grilled chicken breasts with zero breading. We each took one bite and couldn't eat anymore. I talked to the manager about it and both he and our server offered to make it again with complimentary dessert, but at that point I was done waiting around. I wasn't confident another order would be prepared correctly. We left without paying and I have no plans to return.
Rebecca S.Aug 23, 2025
I've been here many times, but this was absolutely the worst visit ever regarding service and food quality. It wasn't crowded, and we got seated quickly, but then nothing happened. After 20 minutes, I saw multiple staff members pass by yet nobody brought water, greeted us, or acknowledged us. I flagged down someone at the host stand and we were moved to a different table, where we waited some more. We ordered two chicken parmesan dishes and received two plain grilled chicken breasts with no coating at all. After just one bite each, we stopped eating. The manager and server both offered to remake the order and give us free dessert, but I was tired of waiting and didn't trust another order would be right. We left without paying and I won't be returning.
Susan P.Aug 22, 2025
Had a terrible time with the staff being rude and the service being poor. The food wasn't good either. I definitely wouldn't suggest this place to anyone.
Kevin M.Jun 3, 2025
The food quality was fantastic and I definitely enjoyed the breadsticks. Everything tasted great.
Patricia L.Dec 17, 2023
This visit definitely didn't start as a five star experience. About a month before, we visited and had the worst server. She seemed uninterested in helping and didn't come across as happy in her role. We also ordered something they said they no longer had. That whole visit was rough. So I called the restaurant and spoke with a manager named Daniel who was incredibly apologetic and gave me a coupon for my next visit. When I returned but couldn't locate the coupon, I called again and Daniel answered. He was so helpful and sweet about the whole thing, and when I came in, he greeted me personally. His kindness completely turned around what had been a bad experience. I'm really thankful for how he handled it.
Thomas B.Oct 18, 2022
After an expensive Disney vacation in Florida, we discovered an Olive Garden and it was fantastic. Our server Karen B. was exceptional and made us feel truly welcome while explaining menu options without hesitation. She was wonderful with our 8 month old baby. The food offered great value and was both tasty and satisfying, so we came back twice that week! Please continue offering your pasta and drink specials since tourists really appreciate the affordability. Thank you Karen B.!
Olive Garden Review FAQ
How is Olive Garden's rating calculated?
The 3.1 rating is an average of all customer reviews submitted to RetailCoupons.com. Each shopper rates their experience on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, and the resulting average reflects the collective feedback from 15 reviewers.
What do customers praise about Olive Garden?
While recent reviews are predominantly focused on service failures, some shoppers indicate they have had multiple visits to Olive Garden, suggesting that positive experiences do occur. However, specific details about what customers appreciate are limited in the available feedback.
What are the most common complaints?
Reviewers most frequently report poor service (long waits without staff acknowledgment, no water or greetings), cleanliness issues, incorrect orders, and perceived indifference from staff even when restaurants are not busy. Some customers also express dissatisfaction with management responsiveness to complaints and corporate follow-up.
Do customers recommend Olive Garden?
Reviews are mixed. While some customers mention returning multiple times, recent feedback suggests they encountered their worst experiences on recent visits. The divided rating distribution (47 percent five-star versus 40 percent one-star) indicates highly variable experiences between visits and locations.
How can I write a review of Olive Garden on RetailCoupons.com?
After dining at Olive Garden, visit RetailCoupons.com and submit your rating and review. Share specific details about your experience including service quality, food quality, cleanliness, and staff interactions. Your honest feedback helps other shoppers make informed decisions and provides valuable insights to the restaurant.
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