12 Olive Garden Employee Insights to Enhance Your Visit

Walking into Olive Garden always feels like a warm hug, with the scent of garlic breadsticks and hearty pasta wafting through the air. But there’s so much more happening behind the scenes that can make your dining experience even better. From insider tips on getting the best deals to understanding what it’s like for the servers who make it all happen, here’s a peek into what Olive Garden employees wish you knew.

Unlimited Salad Refills Are Real

You can enjoy unlimited refills of Olive Garden’s famous salad. However, employees wish you knew this comes with some unspoken rules. If you plan to take advantage of the unlimited offer, be prepared to tip generously. Some customers take advantage of this promotion without considering the additional work it creates for servers. Remember, the more refills you get, the more labor-intensive it becomes for the staff. This is particularly important as you are occupying a table for a longer time, preventing other customers from being served.

The Never-Ending Pasta Bowl Is Exhausting for Servers

The Never-Ending Pasta Bowl is a popular promotion, but it can be very taxing for the staff. Servers often run back and forth to accommodate the numerous refills requested by customers. This promotion leads to increased workload and stress, especially if customers do not tip well. A customer once stayed for three hours and requested 20 refills without leaving a tip. Employees wish customers understood the effort involved and tipped accordingly.

There Is No Rewards Program

Unlike many other chains, Olive Garden does not have a rewards program. Some frequent diners are often surprised and disappointed by this. Instead, Olive Garden offers an eClub, which is essentially a newsletter. By signing up, you can receive a voucher for a free appetizer or dessert. However, there is no ongoing rewards system in place, much to the chagrin of regular patrons.

Many Dishes Can Be Made at Home

During the initial COVID-19 lockdowns, Olive Garden released many of its recipes online. This allowed fans to recreate their favorite dishes at home. Although these recipes have since been removed from the official site, they are still available on various online platforms. Popular dishes like vegetable lasagna and Alfredo sauce can be made at home, giving fans a taste of Olive Garden without leaving their kitchens.

The Kitchen Is Extremely Clean

Contrary to what some might expect, Olive Garden kitchens are known for their cleanliness. Employees have reported that the food prep areas are meticulously maintained. There are strict rules regarding food safety, including the use of colored bandages to prevent contamination. This ensures that customers receive food that is prepared in a clean and safe environment.

The Cooking School in Tuscany Is Not What It Seems

Olive Garden’s cooking school in Tuscany is more of a marketing strategy than a rigorous culinary training program. Employees revealed that it is more like a vacation for chefs, where they stay in a hotel and attend brief classes. These classes are often more about experiencing the culture than actual culinary training. Despite this, it remains a cherished perk for Olive Garden chefs.

Breadsticks Are Limited Per Basket

While the breadsticks at Olive Garden are famous for being unlimited, there is a set amount per basket. The initial basket includes one breadstick per person plus one extra. This helps manage inventory and ensures every table gets a fair share. If you want more breadsticks, you simply need to ask your server for additional baskets.

Complaints Lead to Different Types of Gift Cards

When customers complain and receive a gift card as compensation, it is often a special type of card. This card alerts other Olive Garden locations that the holder has previously lodged a complaint. This system helps staff identify potential problem customers and handle their issues more effectively. It also discourages customers from making frivolous complaints to get free food.

Seasonal Dishes Can Be Ordered Year-Round

Although the menu at Olive Garden changes with the seasons, you can still order your favorite seasonal dishes. If you know the ingredients of a dish that is no longer on the menu, you can ask the chef to recreate it. This flexibility allows regular customers to enjoy their preferred meals even when they are not officially offered.

Vegetarian Options Are Flexible

Vegetarians and vegans can enjoy a variety of dishes at Olive Garden by customizing their orders. For example, you can request extra vegetables instead of meat in your pasta dishes. The menu also includes naturally vegetarian options like the minestrone soup. Servers are usually accommodating and will help you modify dishes to suit your dietary preferences.

Servers Make the Salad

The famous Olive Garden salad is prepared by the servers themselves. They mix the pre-shredded lettuce with other toppings like olives and tomatoes. This is a labor-intensive task, and servers appreciate when customers are considerate and tip well. Knowing that your salad is freshly prepared by the staff adds to the overall dining experience.

Olive Garden Employees Want You to Have a Great Time

Ultimately, Olive Garden employees are there to ensure you have a pleasant dining experience. They appreciate when customers are polite, patient, and generous with their tips. By understanding the effort that goes into providing excellent service, you can help make their job easier and your dining experience more enjoyable.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout

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