WHO CARES IF OLIVE GARDEN IS "ITALIAN" FOOD OR NOT?!?!?

[bbernardini]

Seriously, people, who gives a crap? If somebody likes it, who cares if it doesn't meet your stringent standards about what qualifies as "Italian" food?

Jesus.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. We do.

We're very superficial here in the lounge.

[liberaldemocrat7]

82. Olive Garden gives money to the GOP, so I don't go there.

Companies like these keep the GOP in power and also the minimum wage too low.

[Left Is Write]

2. I couldn't care less.

[Maine-ah]

3. anyone?

:popcorn:

[Karenca]

4. I care. eom

[mainegreen]

5. I believe you're looking for GD.

It's here

[Critters2]

6. I thought this, too.

And then I thought, "But I have no Italian blood at all. So, what do I know?"

But then, that's basically my personal motto..."But then, what do I know?"

Critters
who hasn't been to an Olive Garden in a couple years
but used to like it

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Because that's what they advertise themselves to be - it's a lie.

Just like Taco Bell should not say it's "Mexican food".

They both have good enough food (I have a weakness for Taco Bell, I have to admit), but they shouldn't lie to the American public, who are already a dumbed down clueless mass of fucking assbags to begin with.

[Midlodemocrat]

9. Wait! Taco Bell isn't Mexican Food???

:cry:

[LostinVA]

16. And Cracker Barrel doesn't make food from barrels

[Midlodemocrat]

19. OMG!! All my restaurant illusions are being destroyed in one thread.

:rofl:

:hi:

[LostinVA]

22. I won't even mention Subway...

[AlCzervik]

24. my bil is an italian food importer, he warned us off subway years ago.

[Midlodemocrat]

26. Don't tell me. There's no actual transportation?

I have to go lie down.

[LostinVA]

27. BINGO

[Rabrrrrrr]

140. I hung out at a Subway for almost 2 hours once before someone told me

that there was no actual transport available there.

:grr:

[Sequoia]

147. Well that's too bad because a bus comes by the Subway in my town.

[Rabrrrrrr]

80. Next you're gonna tell me that Garfield's doesn't serve cat.

:eyes:

I don't believe you.

[LostinVA]

95. Can you keep a secret?

(it does)

[Xipe Totec]

31. You misspelled Taco Hell

[pokerfan]

37. Taco Time >>> Taco Bell

I like their crispy burritos. Had one last Saturday. And I don't care that it's not authentic.

[Xipe Totec]

42. Well, I hope your local establishment

changes their cooking oil more often than the one's I've visited.

Because that's my primary objection to Taco Hell; the acrid smell of overused cooking oil.

[pokerfan]

49. That sounds disgusting

Yeah the crispy burrito is deep fried but it is yummy. I've had two in the past year.

Taco Time is all over the west. But nothing east of Colorado.

I like the San Francisco style burritos best of all. Rice, beans, meat (or not) and veggies wrapped up inside a steamed tortilla. Quite healthy for fast food. Taco Del Mar is the big chain out here.

[Debi]

128. You have a Taco Time? where are you at?

There is a Taco Time in my old home town, Bozeman Montana. I eat there every time I go home :P Yummy!!!

[pokerfan]

133. Washington State

I've been to Bozeman to hike the Absaroka-Beartooth. And my nephews went to college there.

Taco Time is great.
http://www.tacotime.com/

[Debi]

143. It's a great place (both Taco Time and Bozeman)

with great outdoor fun! Bridger Bowl, Hylite Campground, only 39 miles to Big Sky, Museum of the Rockies *sigh* I'm getting homesick!! And you are correct, the fried burritos are #1 (and the hot sauce is good too!!)

My brother lives in Seattle, so I've been out to Washington. It's a very pretty place as well. You're lucky :hi:


On edit:

OMG - I just checked the link you gave me and there is a Taco Time in Ames (and hour and 1/2 away from me) and one opening in Cedar Rapids (45 minutes away!!) :bounce: I CAN'T WAIT!!!

[Karenca]

13. That's it --

The dumbing-down of America, even
down to the lies about the fake food the masses are ingesting.

[Redstone]

36. And what fucking difference does that make, and in what way? I don't get it.

So some people THINK that Taco Bell is "real Mexican food?"

That's skin off your ass in what way, exactly?

[Rabrrrrrr]

139. It makes a difference because it's a lie.

To me, that's important. I don't like lies. They should advertise as "Americanized Italian" or something.

And yes, some people DO think that Taco Bell is real Mexican food. I've known people who've gone to Mexico and come back disappointed that their food was "weird" and not like Taco Bell or Chi-Chis, etc. I took my sister out for real Italian food and real Chinese food when she visited me in NYC and her response in both places was "Hmm... this is weird." To her credit she ate it, and she learned some good lessons, but I cannot imagine that she is unique in America.

I don't mind if people LIKE Olive Garden - I eat at one a few times a year because near the theater I like, Olive Garden is the closest thing to a real restaurant. While the food is never exceptional, and I know it's not "authentic", I've never had a bad meal there. I've always left satisfied and full and happy. Not as happy from a non-chain restaurant that actually cooks its food on premises as opposed to having it shipped in frozen from the Big Factory, but happy enough that I am happy to go back from time to time without resentment and have a good-enough Americanized safe and over-salted version of Italian food.

But I *do* resent the lying.

[LostinVA]

144. Good post

[lildreamer316]

8. Oh boy. *NOTE ON END*

are we gonna start this again?

Look; I'm a bad liberal. I go there. I know there is better; and when I can afford it and get a reservation; I go.
(I *do* live in NC. Shit happens.)
However; some of my friends like it; and I'm just not that much of an ass to insist we go somewhere else. I can usually find something palatable; or eat the salad; which they really can't fuck up.

And I like thier house wine to use at home with my basic meals--it is a good table wine. Really.

I don't care what anyone here thinks about me going there either. That's not important in my life. Life's too short to get uptight about shit like this.


NOTE
I hope this isn't an excuse to start a war with someone else here---I am not willing to be involved in that.
This is just a personal opinon on exactly what the OP stated; THAT'S ALL.

[LostinVA]

18. *gasp* HOSPITALIANO!!!

Hey -- where's that Celtic clip art you promised me???

:cry:

[lildreamer316]

25. Ooopsie.

I got distracted.
Hmmm.
I will get back to you later this evening or early tommorow...but it's gonna involve large amounts of files.

[LostinVA]

28. Do you have an eternity knot?

We'd like that on the invites.

[lildreamer316]

30. I will take a look.

Give me a litte bit; I'm on the laptop and I have to fire up the desktop to get those.

[LostinVA]

34. Take your time -- no worries

[Redstone]

38. You ACTUALLY EAT THERE, AND LIKE IT? Well, let me tell you THIS:

Fine with me.

Redstone

[lildreamer316]

56. LOL

Love ya lots.
:hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

10. Hey, they made the claim.

http://www.olivegarden.com/company/

From their own web page:

Who WE ARE
Olive Garden is a family of local restaurants focused on delighting every guest with a genuine Italian dining experience. We are proud to serve fresh, simple, delicious Italian food, complemented by a great glass of wine, served in a comfortable, home-like Italian setting where everyone is welcomed as family and friends. Our purpose is Hospitaliano!, our passion for 100% guest delight.

[smtpgirl]

135. I won't go to a restaurant that serves the equivalent of a

gravy boat of dressing in their salads, sheesh, want some salad with your dressing.

Carabbas is more authentic than Olive Garden

I am not a fan of chain restaurants, but Red, Hot & Blue, Bonefish Grill & Dogfish Head restaurants are pretty good.

[matcom]

11. GLOBAL WARMING MAKES YOU GAY!!!!11

that is what *I* care about!




































:hide:

[ZombieNixon]

12. At least someone has his priorities straight.

:rofl: :patriot:

[Midlodemocrat]

15. Douchebag.

:rofl:

[LostinVA]

96. I know, I love it -- it saves me time on recruiting straight people

And, more time for HOSPITALIANO!!!

[LostinVA]

14. HOSPITALIANO!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE the OG -- fresh-cooked food and garlic makes me spew.

MANGIA!

[seemunkee]

17. Continual decline of quality over quanity

Generic foods that have no character. Slap some tomato sauce on it and call it Italian.

You could be replaced by a beat box and a generic synth line, no one would care. People would still dance and they could play the same thing night after night at every club and casino from AC to Reno.

[LostinVA]

20. ooooo snap

[SPKrazy]

21. I ate there last night

there, I said it....

and it was GOOD!

:shrug:

[bicentennial_baby]

23. I bet they gave you teh E Coli!

:o

[GoneOffShore]

29. It comes down to your sig line -

“You’re doing just fine. You don’t even have to chop an onion--you can buy it already chopped. Aspire to nothing…Just sit there. Have another Triscuit…Sleep….sleep….”

And that's why Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chili's, TGIF, Arby's, Kentucky Fried, McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Bob's Big Boy and every other franchise purveyor of mass market, factory produced CRAP are evil bastards!!!

[Redstone]

40. Hey, just BACK OFF Arby's, OK? You'll get my Arby's when you pry it from my cold, dead hand.

Furthermore, those places may be evil bastards as you claim, but they seem to be evils bastards that a lot of people like.

I think I'll have another Triscuit now.

Redstone

[Midlodemocrat]

41. Arby's Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich is a gift from God.

[Redstone]

44. Never tried it; sadly enough, there have been no Arby's around here for years.

Redstone

[Midlodemocrat]

57. Seriously? I didn't realize that.

I remember the first time I ate in one and was very dismayed to find they only served Roast Beef, not one of my favorites at the time.

[Redstone]

60. I don't even LIKE roast beef. But I do like Arby's artificial version of it. Go figure.

Maybe it's the Magic of Arby's Sauce? Or the silicone-paste-like molten cheddar?

Who knows? Who cares? I don't even resent the half an hour it takes me to get the cheese residue out of my mustache.

I've always liked Arby's.

Redstone

[lost-in-nj]

59. I make a mean

chicken Cordon Bleau.....
If you are ever in my neck of the woods
call me and I will make it for you!!!!
Or I have a heart stopping (literally, I buy butter by the pound, lots of butter) Chicken Kiev that my family and friends crave..
I can make that to..... :)


lost

[Midlodemocrat]

62. I love Chicken Cordon Bleu.

But I usually am relegated to buying the pre-made stuff from Costco.

My kids like it too, so that's a bonus.

[Redstone]

64. Chicken Kiev, no thanks, but the Cordon Bleu? You're on. One of my very favorite dishes.

Let me guess: You serve it with fettucine or tagliatele, with pan drippings for the pasta?

Tell me you do, and I'll be there tomorrow.

PS: How about my other fave, Beef Stroganoff? How do you do with that one? I know that's one of those dishes that got corrupted by popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, but done right, it's still sublime.

Redstone

[Midlodemocrat]

65. Stroganoff is a staple in the Midlo household during the cold months.

I bought some Le Creuset cookware a few years ago and that stuff is pure heaven to cook with. Got it at the outlet here and for slow cooking, can't be beat.

Bonus: MidloKidlos love it.

[Redstone]

68. So I'll be there in, shall we say, November?

Redstone

[Midlodemocrat]

71. You, kind sir, are welcome any time.

:hug:

[lost-in-nj]

74. Ditto this Midlo

he and his family and his beagle are welcome here also....
cats not so much, my beagles don't know what a cat is !!

:)

lost

[Redstone]

78. You're a sweetheart, as is Midlo. You guys are always wecome here, as well. We have a big house

and like to have visitors.

Hey, you guys could have a "cook-off" with Mrs R, and take bets as to how long it would be before I'd end up on the couch, groaning in extacy and the size of a Goodyear blimp?

But I'd die happy, anyway.

Redstone

[lost-in-nj]

69. Yup

I got a GREAT recipe for Beef Stroganoff...
and Swedish Meatballs
and All day pot roast...
When you come to NJ take your pick and I will cook it....
Oh yeah.... noodles, noodles, noodles!!!!!

lost

[TommyO]

115. Post them, pretty please with a dollop of sour cream on top!

I'm a sucker for good Beef Stroganoff, my mom makes an OK one, but I haven't found a recipe that has knocked me off my feet.

I found an excellent pot roast recipe at Wegmans - Pot Roast Provencal. I've made it for my ex and myself, just myself, friends, and family, and they've all loved it. I've also made it as a stew. Here's the link, Pot Roast Provencal

[LostinVA]

98. I love Chicken Kiev, too -- YUMMO!!!

[lost-in-nj]

54. .....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Arby,s does Roast Beef like no one else...


lost

[LostinVA]

97. I am off Triscuits until Rachael Ray's face is gone from Nabisco boxes

[smtpgirl]

136. I'll agree to that & I love Triscuits low fat version

Triscuits & Chikn-in-a-Biskit are my favorites

[LostinVA]

145. My grandmother always gave us Chikn-n-a-Biskit after Mass

[SPKrazy]

55. Hadn't Felt Quite Right Today

mebbe that were it?

e coli hurts

:hi:

[BarenakedLady]

32. Uhmmmm

Ok.

:popcorn:

[bigwillq]

33. Italians care.

Stop making a joke out of our food. :mad:


Personally, I don't care if people go there or even like it but it is fake Italian food, imo.
It's god awful. I will never go back. Once was enough for me.

[Redstone]

45. Easy, son, easy. Do you see any Chinese people here getting angry at La Choy?

Their canned "chow mein" ain't hardly authentic, either. but who cares?

Redstone

[bigwillq]

47. I've never had it

so I can't be a judge on that one.

:) Sorry, us Italians are protective of our food and culture.

[LostinVA]

99. You said it, Paesano!

[lost-in-nj]

75. La Choy

makes Chinese food
Swing American!!!!!!!!!!



LOL!!!!!!!!!!


lost

[Redstone]

87. Remember the little can of crispy noodles on top of the big can of "chow mein?"

I'm tempted to buy some just to bring back some childhood memories.

Redstone

[Dastard Stepchild]

94. I don't care....

But I don't eat there, either. :)

Please, my mother and husband both make such an excellent sauce, I don't need to leave home ever! My mother's sauce.... it could make a person weep.

[Phentex]

111. I prefer my own sauce....

passed down from my Sicilian grandmother. My mother insists hers is best, but I think I've mastered it. :)

I have friends who want to eat at the Olive Garden and I really don't care. My only gripe is there are four of us, and they are only allowed to put 3 olives in the salad bowl. Can you believe it? You have to ask for more olives on the side AT THE *OLIVE* GARDEN. This is at one location so others may vary.

[petronius]

137. LOL! That's a travesty

If they can give you unlimited breadsticks, there's no reason why there can't be all-you-can-eat olives. Of course, olives are more expensive than breadsticks, but they should have thought of that when they named the place...

[bigwillq]

113. So could my Nonni's sauce.

:)

[Redstone]

35. Not me, cool. Anybody can eat anywhere they want to, doesn't matter to me. Want to eat

at McDonalds? Fine with me. Want to buy your food at a Super Wal-Mart? Be my guest.

None of the above is any of my business.

Redstone

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

39. Yup. If you like it, eat it. If not, don't go there.

I know it's fake Italian, but I like their breadsticks.

[Redstone]

43. And Taco Bell is fake Mexican, but I eat their Gorditas twice a year, and I like them.

Redstone

[Skittles]

46. it mystifies me too, bb

smacks of snobbery

[sniffa]

48. what does this have to do with gLobaL warming?

[LostinVA]

100. Whatever, Hitler

[PVnRT]

50. omgz teh evil

If you don't fly out to Italy and buy your food from a family-run restaurant in a countryside town miles away from where tourists go, then YOU ARE PERPETUATING TEH EVIL CORPORATIZM sux0r

[Zomby Woof]

51. I have never eaten at Olive Garden

So I officially have no opinion.

I do know that I never give anyone grief about where they eat - as long as they don't bring unruly kids! :hide: :popcorn:

[LostinVA]

101. Or smoke or breastfeed

[lost-in-nj]

52. I HAVE NEVER

eaten in an Olive Garden...
only Macaroni Grill

:P :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

lost

[johnnie]

53. Italian food?

All they do is pour sauce over different shaped noodles, how "authentic" can it be? Oh, and veal.

[kwassa]

58. Italian, Schmitalian, whatever ..... the food sucked.

The issue wasn't authenticity, the issue was that everything was DROWNED in olive oil. And I like olive oil.

Made it one more greasy spoon.

[salin]

61. because it became an easy whipping post to whip a DUer with

why it continues - eons after the original thread was posted - to cause snickers and sneers and discussions - is beyond me.

[LostinVA]

102. Because it's a Lounge joke

Like Robb is a Dingbat, breastfeeding, Fresca/douchebag, etc.

[salin]

138. except Robb

started that one... this one started as a group attack on a Duer making a comment on a thread. The difference of poking fun at oneself vs finding glee at reliving a pileon of another duer. Though I think that many now, think of it as an innocuous joke. didn't start that way - and some who refer back to it, seem to exhibit the same glee as in the original pile on. :-(

[Radical Activist]

63. Because I support locally owned businesses

including real Italian restaurants that don't serve crap with a big advertising budget.

[Redstone]

66. So go ahead and support locally owned businesses. We do too, but we don't insist that others

do the same. Anybody wants to eat at any restaurant for any reason, it's not our business.

Redstone

[Radical Activist]

119. I think I simply stated

what I do without insisting that others do it. But, letting others know about the political choices you make and why they're important is part of being an activist and I make no apologies for that. Since the choices others make affects my world then maybe it is my business.

[GoneOffShore]

76. And because, to quote Alice Waters,

"Eating is a political act."

It's surprising how many people don't realize the truth of that simple statement.

[Redstone]

79. Nah, eating is NOT a political act, Saint Alice Waters to the contrary. Catchy phrase,

and it sure helped promote her restaurant (I know her history), but pure nonsense in any sense of reality.

Eating is a so-you-won't-be-hungry-anymore act, is what it is.

Redstone

[GoneOffShore]

83. Sorry to disagree

Every time one choses manufactured junk "food" over something that is grown locally one is making a political decision.

It comes down to whether one is willing to actually look where food is coming from, how it is produced, and if it is propping up some corporation.

I suggest that you read Michael Pollan's book "The Omnivores Dilemma" before you dismiss the quote out of hand.

[Redstone]

84. Some people do actually have a small part or two of their lives that's not consumed by politics.

Redstone

[GoneOffShore]

88. I'll agree with you there

But we all have our specialities.

Mine is food politics.

You have a different focus.

[Radical Activist]

118. Your eating choices are still political

whether you choose to recognize that or not. You've made a decision by not making a decision.

[Maine-ah]

114. no, it's not.

if the choice is to spend $80 or $20, well, then, most of the time it's going to be $20. I'm poor. On special occasions, I'll spend the $80. I work for a large chain. The food is well, mediocre, but it's affordable, actually, some of it it pretty good. AND, there are plenty of healthy choices on the menu.

[LostinVA]

103. You -- and Chef Waters -- are tres correct

I do occasionally eat at Cracker Barrel, and always feel guilty.

[PVnRT]

108. Wow, you're a much better liberal than me

Please teach me to be like You, that I might be perfect as well.

[Radical Activist]

121. Sure, as long as

you can teach me about being a sarcastic smartass.

Oh nevermind, I'm already pretty good at that too.

[PVnRT]

122. OH SNAP YOU SHOWED ME

Uptight people who think about nothing but politics are boring. You should try actually having fun for once in your life instead of just tut-tutting everyone who does things differently than you.

[Radical Activist]

124. um...yeah

goodness knows everyone who makes conscious decisions about where they eat must have no fun in life at all! :eyes:

[pstokely]

67. Microwave frozen food is better and cheaper

[mike_c]

70. this is a serious issue and you should not trivialize it....

The Olive Garden is an abomination. People who eat there are idiots at best, and more likely subhuman. Get thee behind me, satan!

[Radio_Lady]

72. Oh, God -- please don't subject me to THAT again... I have a root canal treatment tomorrow morning.

Seriously. 7:15 AM. Good vibes needed...

Good night and good luck.

[Midlodemocrat]

73. Good vibes headed your way, Radio_Lady.

:hug:

[LostinVA]

104. HOSPITALIANO! Good luck -- I hate dental work

[Book Lover]

131. Oh goodness! I hope

it goes as well as can be expected for you. :hug:

[Hissyspit]

142. I'M not posting in this thread!

So sorry about the root canal, Radio Lady. Good luck!

[Tektonik]

77. only heathens eat at the Olive Garden

Us rich liberal types scoff at your chain restaurants :P

[crim son]

81. I can't get worked up about it

though I'm not a huge fan of the place. I've eaten Italian in NYC, Boston, LA and ITALY. When I find myself at the OG I don't expect to find the same quality as I would at a fine restaurant. It's edible. Whatever.

[Fran Kubelik]

85. Oh cool!

I get to experience a legendary flamewar revival!

:popcorn:

[LostinVA]

105. It is! It's tres exciting, isn't it???

Radio Lady should be proud she started something which has turned into a legendary Lounge joke. Seriously -- no snarking.

[leftofthedial]

86. I'm not sure it's actually "food"

of any genre

[BluePatriot]

89. Mediocre dining, great flamewars :)

[hyphenate]

90. It's almost 1:00 a.m.

and you bastards are making me hungry!!!! Even if I have my mouth already filled with the goddamned pistachios, I want Olive Garden!! It's too late to get delivery, I don't have a car right now, and there are no clean pots to make pasta at 1 in the morning. THANKS ALOT, everyone!

:cry:








:rofl:


(Ah well--going to bed real soon anyhow. I guess I'll just have to wait until Friday when I get my birthday gift from a friend, when I get a movie and Olive Garden dinner. :))

[chknltl]

91. I Do I Do and:

It is EQUALLY important to me to know what kinds sex everyone is having behind closed doors.

(Don't tell me what y'all are doin behind closed doors...I'm a Progressive: Eat whatever the hell y'all want with whoever the hell y'all want and if y'all want to watch American Idol then that's just skippy with me! That said, I like watching American Idol and I don't mind Olive Garden...although if they actually DO support the bfee well....I might reconsider eatin there and should Simon say somthin nice about rush limbaugh I may reconsider A.I as well)

[The_Casual_Observer]

92. Olive Garlic. I like their bread sticks!

[Dastard Stepchild]

93. I ALWAYS get grief for really loving Chipotle :)

Especially since I live in an urban area with truly superb Mexican restaurants. What so few people seem to give me credit for is that Chipots does not use any lard or animal product in their beans, and that is nearly impossible to find in the traditional Mexican restaurants. Plus, they really do serve a tasty guacamole. So, yeah, insult away... I'll be at the Chipots enjoying my beans and rice. :)

[LostinVA]

106. Chipotle is pretty good -- no flames from me

And, they market themselves more as a "fresh" restaurant than as an authentic Mexican restaurant. I eat at alot of local Mexican places, too.

[Bridget Burke]

107. I have no problems with Chipotle.

Houston has numerous places to buy tacos & other Mex-Mex, Tex-Mex or Upscale Mex. But there's a Chipotle location near work, so they occasionally get my business.

Chipotle has a limited menu & they can cook their food fresh. Not like some chains where frozen meals are delivered for nuking.

For us non-vegetarians, Chipotle uses naturally raised meat & poultry. Which means it's probably melamine-free.
www.chipotle.com/#flash/fwi_fare

(And the only time I ever ate at Olive Garden, I tasted garlic powder!)

[LostinVA]

109. I also like Qdoba

Not quite as good as Chipotle, but pretty good.


on edit: Panera is decent, too. Good French Onion soup (although a beef base). Not salty like most "corporate" soup is.

[TommyO]

116. No flames here either

though I just wish the one near my office served margaritas, like some of the others that I've been to!

[bullwinkle428]

130. Check out Panchero's if you have the opportunity -

excellent quality as far as "Mexican fast food" goes...even this blogger-dude agrees with me!

http://www.burritoblog.com/multi_state_chains/pancheros/

[MrSlayer]

110. Well, those of us who are Italian resent bullshit food being sold off as "authentic".

If they didn't play up the angle so much we wouldn't care. But to compare Olive Garden's fare to my mother's gravy is an insult.

[Little Wing]

112. Who cares about Italian food? It's all red stuff and dried up egg

:hide:

[TommyO]

117. I just wish I could find a good Polish restaurant!

There ain't no such thing in the Lehigh Valley (PA).

[Cruzan]

120. I believe for Olive Garden the proper pronounciation is EYE-talian.

[LostinVA]

146. giggle

[unpossibles]

123. eh, I don't care that it's not Italian as much as I care that it's overpriced for the quality

is that good enough? I can eat crappy food and enjoy it, but it better be cheap.

[LostinVA]

125. That's my main problem with it, too

If it was $4-5, who cares? But, when you're talking $13-20+. It should be good.

[Dukkha]

126. when the house wine is Riunite that's a sign of trouble

Riunite on ice ...that's nice.

NOT!

I can tolerate most cheap wines but nothing that isn't corked!

[Debi]

127. Were you bored or something? n/t

[pdx_prog]

129. I have a co-worker who is Italian and comes over here 2-3 times a year...

He rather enjoys the Olive Garden. Saying their food isn't Italian is like saying MacDonalds is good but it's not really American food. I agree.....who gives a crap. I love their soups and their salads are always nice and fresh. It's always noisy in there but other than that it's ok...

[datasuspect]

132. kick, because can the olive garden ever lose its humor?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

134. How could it not be Italian.

They use lots of Italian words like "scampi" (Italian for "chicken) and they pipe in Frank Sinatra music. How could that not be considered Italian?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

141. I'm allergic to tomatoes. I don't eat there.

Apparently the waiter was incapable of understanding the command "No tomatoes".

Fuck 'em.

There's got to be good Italian food that is not centered around tomatoes, but I'll be damned if I know where it is.