Olive Garden is oft-maligned for serving up processed dishes masquerading as traditional Italian food, but that hasn’t stopped the sit-down restaurant chain from establishing a whopping 1,816 locations across the United States.

That’s a fairly remarkable feat, considering that the first Olive Garden was founded in Orlando, Florida in 1982 and only took two decades to become the nation’s leading franchise in the Italian casual dining space.

If there appears to be a “formulaic” approach to the spot’s offerings, it’s probably because the chain is owned by Darden Restaurants, which has created several other popular casual dining franchises like Longhorn Steakhouse, Eddie V’s, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, The Capital Grille, Red Lobster, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Given Olive Garden’s popularity and offerings of relatively low-cost sit-down menu options like unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks for $11.99 (with prices varying by location and time of day) it’s no wonder so many folks are posting about their Olive Garden experiences online, both sitting at and serving tables.

Woman dancing(l+r), olive garden sign(c)

‘And it’s the smallest dish you’ve ever seen’: Olive Garden server tries to convince customers to spend an extra $6 on alfredo sauce with breadsticks

'$6 for a scoop of sauce is crazy.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Brooke Sjoberg

Server shares why Olive Garden is the worst place to wait tables. And 4 other places to 'never' be one

‘Just take my word for it’: Server shares why Olive Garden is the worst place to wait tables. And 3 other places to ‘never’ serve at

'Any restaurant I’ve worked that has been corporate owned has SUCKED.'

On Mar 26, 2024 by Beau Paul

Olive Garden worker calls out customers who come in during their 30-minute lunch break

‘We would like the unlimited breadsticks, soups, and salads’: Olive Garden worker calls out customers who come in during their 30-minute lunch break

'Like, we need it now.'

On Feb 22, 2024 by Melody Heald

Olive garden sign(l), Man talking(c), Olive Garden servers(r)

‘Sir, are you being helped?’: Jobseeker says his Olive Garden job interview went ‘horribly wrong’

'After 45 minutes I'm leaving. Respect works both ways.'

On Feb 13, 2024 by Phil West

Olive Garden server slams tables who share salad after one person orders soup and salad deal

‘I always thought the salad was for the table‘: Olive Garden server slams tables who share salad after one person orders soup and salad deal

'If it's that serious send out a second salad.'

On Feb 2, 2024 by Vladimir Supica

Waiter(l+r), Olive Garden(c)

‘THIS AUDIO IS INSANE’: Olive Garden worker jokes about Black people’s tipping habits. It backfires

'Can't even get a bag of chips with this.'

On Jan 24, 2024 by Stacy Fernandez

Parent orders ‘budget’ Olive Garden Family Meal Deal

‘On a budget, but spent $80 on dinner’: Parent orders ‘budget’ Olive Garden Family Meal Deal. Viewers aren’t impressed

'I can’t help but think I can make spaghetti for 5$.'

On Jan 19, 2024 by Parks Kugle

Man talking(l+r), Olive Garden sign(c)

‘What kind of company penalizes the server?’: Olive Garden server says table skipped out on their $100 check—and it’ll come from her paycheck

‘What kind of company penalizes the server?’

On Dec 28, 2023 by Melody Heald

Are Olive Garden mints just Andes repackaged?

‘Just go to Dollar Tree or something and get them’: Are Olive Garden mints just Andes repackaged? Viral video leaves viewers divided

“Do they not sell them or do they not sell them to YOU?”

On Dec 26, 2023 by Tangie Mitchell

Woman with cheese grater(l), Olive Garden restaurant(c), Woman with italian food in car(r)

The sauciest Olive Garden stories of 2023: Cheese graters, never-ending pasta fails, and a $6.99 meal for 2 hack

Olive Garden has had quite the year.

On Dec 22, 2023 by Eilish O'Sullivan

Woman talking(l+r), Olive Garden exterior(c)

‘We didn’t get cheese once’: Olive Garden customer says restaurant was out of cheese graters after customers sold it out

'You gotta stop buying the Olive Garden cheese graters.'

On Dec 19, 2023 by Jack Alban

A screenshot of someone putting something into a bag. Next to it is an Olive Garden sign. In the bottom right corner is text that says 'Main Character of the Week' in the Daily Dot newsletter web_crawlr font.

Main Character of the Week: Olive Garden ziosk heist

Ziosks are particularly emblematic of America’s foundational cracks.

On Dec 16, 2023 by Ramon Ramirez

Man with cheese being grated onto pasta(l+r), Olive Garden(c)

‘The more cheese you put, the bigger your tip’s gonna be’: Olive Garden customer never tells worker ‘when’ while she’s grating cheese on his spaghetti

'Did the block run out yet or no?'

On Dec 12, 2023 by Melody Heald

Olive Garden customers put table Ziosk in to-go bag to sneak it home

‘Still gonna have to pay for the games once you’re home with it’: Olive Garden customers put table Ziosk in to-go bag to sneak it home

'Now what would you even do with that.'

On Dec 11, 2023 by Stacy Fernandez

Olive Garden customer praises soup meal hack for when you’re sick.

‘I love their soup’: Olive Garden customer praises soup meal hack for when you’re sick. Here’s what all she gets

'You can’t buy ingredients for that price!'

On Dec 9, 2023 by Jack Alban