Popular Olive Garden Menu Items, Ranked Worst To Best

Since 1982, Olive Garden has been taking classic Italian cooking and making it accessible to the average American family. With their never ending pasta bowls, bottomless soup, salad, and breadsticks, and “When you’re here, you’re family” mentality, Olive Garden has grown to become one of the biggest casual dining restaurant chains in the country.
With a menu that spans from Chicken Parmigiana to Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo, there’s no shortage of things to choose from if you’re heading to Olive Garden for dinner. But which of the restaurant chain’s dishes are the best? We found out. These are the most popular Olive Garden menu items, ranked worst to best.
#OliveGarden #Italian #Restaurant
Shrimp Alfredo | 0:00
Lasagna Fritta | 1:25
Chicken Parmigiana | 2:20
Tour of Italy | 3:18
Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno | 4:25
Italian Margarita | 5:12
Tiramisu | 6:03
Chicken Marsala | 6:59
Sicilian Cheesecake | 7:38
House Salad | 8:29
Chicken & Gnocchi Soup | 9:41
Breadsticks | 10:38
Read Full Article: www.mashed.com/422429/popular...

[@MashedFood]

What do you think are the best and worst menu items at Olive Garden?

[@katr7969]

Best: salad. Worst: everything else. Those breadsticks are horrible. how did they get the best spot?

[@Acez-f5x]

@@katr7969 They barely have no flavor you literally have to ask for extra butter and garlic to get fresh breadsticks so you can't get heated lamp breadsticks

[@sandraschofield9520]

@@Acez-f5x I work at OG! Those breadsticks are made fresh constantly

[@geofjones9]

The salad is always nice and fresh, and not drowned in dressing. The Toscana soup is my #1 next is pasta fagioli. It's downhill from there.

[@sandraschofield9520]

@@geofjones9 wrong

[@bentleymilnes1977]

My grandma took me to my first Olive garden when I was on summer vacation it was yummy when I was a teenager I love you and miss you Grandma rest in peace

[@sandraschofield9520]

I work at OG and though some dishes are not my taste, the majority of the dishes are very good! You said the fettuccine was bad and the chicken one too but they are our most sold! And Tour of Italy.. same thing. Maybe the OG you visited wasn’t the best one but all I know is they along with other Darden restaurants are worth billions!!!!

[@jedsteelwell2354]

Last time I got chicken Alfredo at olive garden underneath the pasta and sauce was a puddle of water

[@juliancisthebest]

The sheer amount of snark in this video…I love it 😂

[@loriursin8193]

Luvd it!! Very helpful 👌

[@codyblattel9903]

It's nice to see realistic reviews and not focusing just on the negatives

[@ryanmoore3876]

Worked at OG from 89 to '96 , everything was made from scratch till about early '95 then everything started coming in frozen!! Only had 2 soups in '95 , fagoli and Minestrone....my favorite sauce was the Bechamel!!

[@ED80s]

I loved the Fagioli soup and unlimited soup salad and breadsticks

[@TheShark447]

I work there currently. OG used to be much better for sure, but in recent years they've sort of embraced their role as the fast food Italian restaurant. I can respect it though, because they treat employees pretty well and they know what direction they want the restaurant to go in and follow that pursuit. Many restaurants I've worked out try to emphasize quality, quantity and speed, while also continuously adding fancier and more complicated dishes to the menu, and it becomes a detriment. If you want true fine dining, go to a more expensive Italian restaurant, OG is only best if you're in a hurry and on somewhat of a budget

[@summerskysky4269]

Now, I know what's for dinner tonight. Stuffed chicken and spinach with alfordo sauce 😋 I have the salad dressing also. Garlic bread sticks 😋. Homemade. GRAZIE 🙏

[@colleens1878]

Looks like the restaurant you went to had a bad or new kitchen staff That tour of Italy looked sad and nothing like what they normally offer

[@TheChampy2012]

I agree.

[@placeholder8247]

Same, my chicken parm did not look that brown, and they have good customer service so they’re generous with substitutions.

[@kristinwright6632]

The only time you catch me in an Olive Garden is when my project manager has decided yet again that it is the place for the entire team to go to lunch. The only thing I will ever get there is the soup and salad which is wonderful. Zuppa Toscana I love so well I learned to make it at home.

[@paulking962]

Yes, the Tuscano soup is very good. I learned to make it too.

[@thewaywardwind548]

I get you don't like Olive Garden and won't go there. I think that's wonderful. MORE FOR ME.

[@jessicabeliveau6058]

The Ravioli Di Portabello was the absolute BEST dish and I was so heartbroken when they discontinued it. They need to bring it back!!!!

[@haroldjohnson2041]

the shrimp appetizer with garlic butter was very good, but they took it off the menu, they used to have a seafood in broth that was really good, I use to go there...

[@drakirolopez7859]

I work at olive garden... It's in the "instruction booklet" not to mix sauce into pasta while still on the pan. You have to plate pasta, place shrimp, and pour two scoops of alfredo on top, no mixing. Same for any other sauce. It's official.

[@LK-em2ly]

Why

[@Hanculka13]

@@LK-em2ly Because its served like that in Italy and Europe.

[@accelerate5464]

@@Hanculka13 no it's not

[@Hanculka13]

@@accelerate5464 I literally live here, in middle of Europe but if you think that you are much much smarter then go on :)

[@accelerate5464]

@@Hanculka13 I live in Italy and nobody puts sauce on pasta like that, without mixing it

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

These days, I always go for the unlimited soup and salad. Very satisfying.

[@donb782]

I get a kick out of folks saying Such and Such is not real Italian or any other region. What is real American food? Your mom made things differently than my mom and every other mom. My grandparents were from northern Italy and the food my grandmother made tastes nothing like southern Italy. Food in Rome is even different than food in Naples. Just enjoy the food for what it is and not compare it to some” Ideal” that doesn’t exist.

[@Vincent-qq2st]

Someone’s mad

[@PCAPro]

How did the sopa Toscana not make the list

[@29Fiorello]

Their Zuppa Toscana is absolutely delicious. The quantities of every ingredient are, IMO, just perfect. I always order either the soup[&salad with Zuppa toscana or their Shrimp Scampi. Both, to me, are wonderful. I just wish, tho, that they used other than head lettuce in their salads.

[@djbigpean]

See I like the make your own pasta, I get to choose and pick what sauce what meat and what pasta to go with my meal.

[@lavi1218]

I like the fettuccine alfredo. I've tried to make it at home using the copycat recipes but it never tastes the same ☹️

[@angeliaclanton1484]

I think the restaurant you visited must have a careless or new staff. My city's Olive Garden is great.

[@RyanS32]

Finding pasta fagioli in Texas is hard, but thankfully Olive Garden has it and it's actually pretty good!

[@edkeaton]

I absolutely love OG's chicken and gnocchi soup! It's that good! I can't seem to get enough of it! 😋♥️🍗

[@GrinderCB]

We haven't been to OG since before the pandemic, so I really miss it. Somewhat worried as to what they might've done to stay afloat. Reductions in portion sizes, higher prices, less expensive lower quality ingredients, etc?

[@TheShark447]

We reduced the menu substantially. It was bloated as it was anyways so covid provided a good opportunity to reduce menu size. They did have times where they had to use lesser products due to shortages, but they've tried to maintain everything to the usual standards. With the recovery it's done exceedingly well now, outperforming basically all over restaurants by a wide margin

[@jjustin5177]

thanks good job

[@widget8181]

Olive Garden just isn't what it used to be. Sometimes its best to just stick to the soup salad and breadsticks

[@paulking962]

I totally agree with you 👍 💯. Just skip the meal and go to their Bar and get a Cadillac Marg.😋YUM

[@boohere2]

I LOVE the Zuppa soup which is the sausage/potato soup (surprised that was not on this video) as the best and of course the bread sticks.

[@Appaddict01]

It’s the workers.

[@steveshattah]

Some years ago I tried the lasagna at Olive Garden. Hopefully they've updated and upgraded the recipe because it was really weak. By the way if you think Olive Garden is really terrible then you've never tried a place called The Italian Oven.

[@mikeoxmaul837]

Zuppa Toscana anyone?

[@RaunchyProfits]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion some say its trash others like it. Myself I enjoy it but I also go in knowing im not going for real italian food. Just as I go to taco bell knowing im not getting real mexican sometimes you just want something different nothing wrong with that.

[@joeyroebuck8465]

Zuppa Toscana is the best soup at Olive Garden. It is too bad that the Olive Garden entrees cannot compete with the soup and salad.

[@princesslunar9091]

Pfft idk what Olive Garden you guys go to but where I am the shrimp Alfredo is always popping.

[@krisfrederick5001]

All depends on who's working in the kitchen that day...

[@GypsyWolfMagic]

Just for reference, the cheese that they grate is not Parmesan (or Parmigiano-Reggiano), but Pecorino Romano.

[@loobsterbisque]

Y’all tripping bashing the Lasagna Fritta.

[@amberlopez7477]

The fried eggplant is very good there.

[@darcygraham2430]

Love Olive Garden and always order chicken parm, it never disappoints.

[@Mariofans-gn1lu]

i want this restaurant in the Mario bros games and show and movie

[@brenspin]

I think the Chicken Gnocci soup tastes more like flour than chicken soup. Zuppa Toscana is by far my favorite.

[@lisettes.9598]

I really miss the blended alcoholic milkshakes they used to have. Their mudslides were delicious.

[@lisettes.9598]

@@microtasker no, are they good?

[@loobsterbisque]

Frozen Tiramisu drink is also delicious!

[@lisettes.9598]

@@loobsterbisque sounds delicious! Thanks for the recommendations guys. I will check it out.

[@candyjustcandy]

My favorite is the chicken and shrimp carbonara. Their soups are good the salad and breadsticks are worth the trip alone. I've tried the chicken marsala it's okay small portions not worth it to me. I love the chicken alfredo but I think they put too much sauce not healthy. Next time I think I will try the ziti.

[@lauragwillim1055]

That’s my go to dish! And zuppa toscana soup.

[@ganjabongmaster4204]

saying the alfredo sauce is made in house is a stretch…. pretty sure it comes in a bag

[@shiftypharaoh6083]

Nah it’s made in house :3

[@C4Explore]

Gotta agree with Shifty...one of the few things that are made from scratch in house.

[@sandmanfightingsysfem2907]

Idk what Olive Garden y'all went to but mine is f'king awesome. It's my baby daddy.

[@robertlow7344]

I’m getting it today

[@DraGnFly007]

I would be over the moon and shaped like it too, if there was a Cheesecake Factory in my state!😝

[@glazedonut7104]

My order from olive garden for the past 12 years has not changed at all. Breadsticks, house salad, chicken marsala, dr pepper

[@kimbergeron9720]

On the commercial they say, We're all Family here. We'll when I go to my family for dinner I don't have to pay. 😮

[@rijosigns]

og is a step up from fast food all good here good service and not so bad food at all.

[@brettepruitt8960]

If a Brit says some of these dishes are bad, they're bad. The narrator has a wonderful voice and accent.

[@bimmer4755]

I ❤️ the lasagna fritta. It’s delicious to me . The only thing about it that’s breaks my heart is it’s frozen and not made fresh.

[@kenfox22]

I send a dish back if it's not up to expectations. Had to do this 3x at Texas Roadhouse. Steak literally had blood gushing out. I'm not a bloody Vampire

[@chrisbooth3417]

Really wish they would bring back the chicken florentine soup.

[@J_GoTTi]

I would kill for their Zuppa Toscana.

[@aldofromsf]

Olive Garden is to Italian food what Taco Bell is to Mexican food. Run!

[@kraftthisile9113]

Real Italian food is good, but very plain imo. The grilled oil veggies are my favorite thing to get at a real Italian restaurant.

[@lonewolffullmoon]

I asked for fresh chopped garlic there was none to be found I swore of Corporate restaurants after that

[@benwilliams868]

This video was actually an underhanded insult tossed right at the face of Olive garden.

[@camcroney7965]

STUFFED MUSHROOMS! thank you.

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

I used to like Olive Garden a long time ago. But I live in Houston Texas. And Carrabba's Italian Restaurant blows Olive Garden away. A little more expensive, but much better food all around....

[@janetdaniels5955]

Hi I went to Olive Garden today I was not happy with three cheese bake ziti it lacks the cheese on plate it could been more cheesy

[@paulking962]

What happened to this chain? Olive Garden used to be my go to place to eat . Some of the worst crap I've had lately 😕 Cadillac margaritas are good 👍

[@sunsetpeach2029]

Olive Garden is my favorite fast food place 😏

[@conniecrawford5231]

The breadsticks are the best!

[@Shari466]

You're lucky if you find 2 olives and 4 pieces of tomato in the salad and the bread sticks are way too salty. Plus you'll always need extra dressing. Used to enjoy olive garden but they've gone down hill in our area over the past 4 yrs.

[@jxnighaa]

they train us to put 2 of each toppings per salad and one oz of onions…trust me us workers know that two tomatoes aren’t enough😂 just ask for extra olives

[@Deerych]

My wife & I love Olive Garden. But for some reason everyone bashes them into the ground. I will say...their salads are trash. Iceberg lettuce should be banned.

[@lynnjacu9076]

It use to be made with romaine or you could pay extra for it. I’m not sure what they do now. The salad definitely went down hill with the iceberg lettuce.

[@C4Explore]

From what I've seen when I worked there, the salads come in prepacked bags...they cut up some of the veggies in store, but for the most part, it's prepped and/or reheated food. When I hear the word 'chef' used in relation to OG, it makes me 🙄

[@jameshouston5017]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Iceberg lettuce! Romaine lettuce should be banned!

[@jedsteelwell2354]

Last time I got chicken Alfredo underneath the noodles and sauce was a puddle of water. Obviously they didn't drain the noodles enough after cooking and was probably rushing. Won't be going back

[@bs1820]

The salad and soup are their best items 🤷‍♂️

[@fquezada15]

Why does everyone think that they grate parmesan when it's Romano Cheese at every single one I've been to ?

[@stoopiddipnut1473]

why is this channel so obbsesed with olive garden

[@richardt1792]

Went once, maybe 20 years ago because my boss invited me. Never went back again.

[@brahmabkitty03]

I mean… do y’all pick a location with the worst ratings???? The one in Winston-Salem, NC is awesome

[@C4Explore]

I've heard the High Point OG is good too, but the one in Greensboro is crap. No offense to actual crap.

[@MJC_227]

I used to LOVE Olive Garden but they've gotten rid of almost all my favorite dishes: Braised Beef and Tortellini gone, Pasta chips gone, appetizer sampler gone, meatball bowl gone, breadstick sandwiches gone.

[@jimpern]

Sorry, but I disagree completely with the Breadsticks. I find they are highly variable from visit to visit, often lacking flavor or being overbaked. A chain called Fazoli's makes VASTLY superior breadsticks. I have also found the Chicken Marsala to be too bland, and I prefer Carrabba's rendition. But you are right about the salad and soups, though my favorite is the Pasta e Fagioli.

[@AlexTenThousand]

I have absolutely no idea where you've read original Tiramisu uses rum - the Olive Garden recipe is identical to the 1960s original.

[@nathanos42]

I'm in ND and Olive Garden is the only Italian food that isn't pizza in the state

[@barbaragreene7500]

Pasta over cooked, best thing at OG, is their big salad !!

[@Mariofans-gn1lu]

ma mia!! nobody cares if u dont like the pasta🤌

[@NikkiScatch84]

I like the spaghetti or lasagna

[@edgydreamy681]

We all knew the breadsticks were gonna be number 1

[@pooky-changaming4089]

I strongly disagree with the Shrimp Alfredo’s placement on this list-along with the Breadsticks, it’s the absolute tastiest thing on Olive Garden’s menu!

[@Titanicwillneverbeforgotten]

I feel like i would love the tour of italy but i dont like ricotta

[@scotmcdonald2364]

Nothing at Olive Garden is made "in house". Maybe thawed and microwaved in house. Soup comes in bags, the pasta is precooked every morning and the salad dressing is made by Wishbone. Come on Mashed, love the channel but this video really missed the mark.

[@C4Explore]

You aren't wrong...the sauces are about the most legitimate "from scratch" things they serve. The rest is mainly prepping and reheating. Breadsticks are prepackaged already cooked; salad comes in bags, and has some veg that is sliced up in the kitchen. Chicken breasts are frozen, prebreaded patties. The food is okay, but really only 2 steps up from the freezer/cooler section at Walmart.

[@CaLemLiza]

9:20 You can.

[@mikewrasman5103]

What's wrong with Olive Garden's fettuccine alfredo?!?

[@brenspin]

Their breadsticks are decent but overrated in my opinion. The breadsticks are dense and chewy to the point that they seem a bit stale, and I don't think Olive Garden is consistent with how much garlic butter they are brushed with. I am always wanting more flavor. Fast food Italian chain Fazoli's breadsticks are softer and more flavorful.

[@ginnyjoyner1511]

Lunch hrs

[@redroseman6444]

I stopped going after they discontinued the chicken marsla

[@timothyguan]

They serve it, wdym. I hate it tho

[@philackey]

Affordable?? Dinner for 4 $250. They take out the scallops, shrunk the shrimp and the service sucks. $4.95 for a coke. what the hell.

[@quintadouglass8017]

I WENT TO OLIVE GARDEN THAT WAS BEST FOOD , I ATE THAT GOOD FOODS I WHAT TO GO BACK THEY , SOME MORE , THAT BREAD WAS SO GOOD ,

[@Mariofans-gn1lu]

i want this restaurant in the Mario bros games and show and movie

[@Klingonmastr]

The Never-Ending Pasta Bowl is a real joke when they only have four sauces to chose from. Olive Garden is overly generic and the food is incredibly salty too.

[@victorrivera660]

I just ate st olive garden I did not enjoy bake ziti with three cheese did not have enough cheese for my liking

[@joshuafajardo5697]

🍝

[@WaXambe]

That thumbnail is not from Olive Garden, no way do they serve shrimp that pretty.

[@sonicfan4147]

Do you not know those are not don’t look like that they just look like that sometimes because they’re hurrying up to serve your food

[@skf6456]

Have not been to “Olive Garden” in years, 15-20. The only really good item at this restaurant is their soup, nothing more. Salad is drowning in dressing, sorry, there are better “free bead options at other restaurants that have more than just soup that is good. Most of the chain restaurants make a “C- grade”. There are so many cocking schools now. “Mom and Pop” restaurants are becoming more “fresh”.

[@daniel.d.roberts6850]

I've been there when I was young.

[@m3vt2seffn]

Let me tell you this going to Olive garden is almost like going to Taco Bell it's the same stuff I don't know why people go to this restaurant even as I'm watching your video the food looks like crap but yet they want to charge 20 bucks like you said I don't think so

[@johniii8147]

Not a fan of the breadsticks. They taste too yeasty.

[@Mariofans-gn1lu]

good for u but olive garden is mario foods

[@renegadetwinkie3832]

I used to be a waitress for YEARS at the OG. The lasagna fritta and the ziti fritta (newer) are CRAZY good. This video is so wrong.

[@jedsteelwell2354]

Last time i ate at olive garden there was a puddle of water underneath my pasta. Never eat there again.

[@themaestro3034]

The alfredo is the best thing there, wtf are you smoking?

[@C4Explore]

It's also one of the few things there that are actually made fresh from scratch.

[@load714]

The best thing is the little mints that they give you at the end of the disgusting meal they just served you. Washed down with the overpriced nasty wine.

[@1cryogen]

When I watch MASHED food reviews, I feel dirty.

[@zeusathena26]

Do you want better food, cheaper price, & better bread sticks? Go to Fazoli's.

[@DraGnFly007]

The Italian dressing is too salty. I love their ranch!