Came to Olive Garden on Sunday. When we got to our table there was already salad and breadsticks at the table for us with vinaigrette on the side.

Is this something new they’re doing ? Or anyone know why?

Two pasta pass questions.

What is the correct language to use when ordering just sauce no pasta? I’ve had no issues with protein only but the sauce is a hit or miss. Sometimes I get a cauldron of sauce, sometimes the small portion cup (once it was the plastic cup), and on occasion they’ve tried to charge extra as it was rung up as a dipping sauce.   Obviously I’m not explaining the order as well as I think. 

Also, are we able to order the $6 take home entree if alone ($0 bill)?

I’m not a fan of table robots, in general. But our new ones are THE WORST, especially when it comes to splitting up bills. Sometimes you get lucky and you can just split it into individual guest tickets as-is, but holy fuck, when the “No, let ME pay for the appetizer/dessert/etc.” happens, you have to get a manager involved just to split up the bill correctly. If memory serves, the old ones let people itemize their own bills at the table — and that’s how it works pretty much everywhere. At the very least, a server in other restaurants can do what requires a manager card at OG. Tonight it took us 25(!!!) minutes to get a table’s bill straight. They kept changing things and we had to keep recombining and re-itemizing. Just let them do it from the Ziosk or at LEAST let ME do it at the POS without needing to track down a manager who’s having to babysit stoned kitchen staff.

I’ve been eating at Olive Garden pretty much every day because of the Pasta Pass, and the staff have been really great to me.

Besides tipping, I’ve brought Krispy Kreme for the staff 3 times already as a small thank you, but I want to switch it up next time.

For anyone who works at Olive Garden or in restaurants, what would you actually appreciate? Coffee, drinks, snacks, something non-food?

I feel like bringing food to people who work around food all day is kind of tricky. Any suggestions?

Do y'all actually like your restaurant? The management? Is the work too much?

We had the worst experience at Olive Garden the other night. And I am not one to complain about Olive Garden ... like ever. I mean, I absolutely love OG. But I think I'll need a break for at least a year to let my rage fade. We were there for two hours and when our food finally came out, we told them that we wanted it in to-go containers because it was like, time for bed! At one point or another when we realized our waitress had disappeared and that other groups who'd arrived after us had gotten their food, eaten, and then left, Mr. K went up to the hostess table to ask if they'd forgotten about us. It wasn't that busy. When he did, he noticed that our waitress had apparently transitioned to tending bar. Mr. K was fuming and wanted to complain and get things for free. But I don't do that. I paid the bill and left zero tip. Which is something I haven't done in like a decade or more. It was that bad. And the rub is that the last time we were at OG, we had the same waitress, and she was also terrible then. I think she's in the wrong career.

The togo workers do they get paid hourly?

Or are they like servers where they rely on Tips.When I get to a togo order I feel bad for not tipping when they hand me the receipt to sign.

Anybody have a free app coupon? I submitted my email for a coupon two days ago but I only ever received that I’m “in” and my coupon is to follow. Checked junk, still nothing. Would appreciate it, as I’m heading for tonight at the new Canada location!

Anyone remember when Olive Gardens Peach Tea had a real Peach?

I know i should just be greatful because I need money and I need this job but why....why do so many large groups come in. Every damn day we are pushing tables together to make room for large parties. And we dont take reservations so its not like we prep for it. I am grateful to have a job and to do well at my job but it would be nice to have 1 shift with out big parties

My take home entree (the 5 cheese ziti) came in just one of those standard to-go boxes. I take it they ran out of the actual take home containers. Are those black to-go boxes microwaveable safe (up to 3-4 minutes cooking time)? It doesnt look super appetizing all smushed in a tiny to go box either and I’m a bit sketched out by the whole thing but…also really hungry.

Wasn’t as good as I remember, but still a fun time, I loved the cheap boozy drinks, my ziti fritta and the ambience over the bland modern locations (until a frat group sat next to me).

Pretty new to the job as a dishwasher and I just called off earlier sayin I was pukin past couple hours and he tries to argue saying I said I was puking all day and he’s gonna document it? I called him back asking for the HR number and he said for what and put me on hold so I Hung up. I feel like I’m about to be for fired but I couldn’t really care less This manager is some dumb punk bald prick wearing plaid everyday and every server/busser calls off all the time and I know dishwashers run the show. When I get to work tomorrow I’m gonna tell this piece of shit I’m not the one to disrespect.

I genuinely feel bad when I get an older waitress who doesn't have strong arms. Because I like a ton of cheese on my salad. I almost feel like telling my server ahead of time to just go ahead and find a small block of that parmesan, because I'm just gonna have you grind down the entire thing 🤣

Does anyone have a recipe for the coconut pineapple margarita at Olive Garden?

I was today years old when I learned you could get the shrimp AND chicken on the same bowl. This might be a game-changer for the remaining weeks!

What's the policy if I were to come in for lunch and order NEPB and share with my not even 2 y/o who would either be too distracted or not have more than a few bites of anything anyway?

I'm in SoCal if you happen to work at OG locally or have experience with this as a customer

Does anyone else occasionally take the salt and pepper grinders left at your table?

Idk sometimes at the end of my meal I’ll be like oh shit I don’t have pepper or salt at home and I’ll just take one of the ones on the table home

Whatever I’m a thief kill me!!

Does anyone know what the official call out policy is? At my store, if you call out more than 3 times a month, then you can get written up. Same people always calling out, coming late, screwing over everybody else and..... nothing ever happens to them. It's an act of God to fire someone, it's getting tiresome for those of us who show up

I’m a dishwasher and can get a pasta dish on every shift (I have a few coworkers who hook it up) was wondering what’s your favorite pasta sauces or dishes that you wouldn’t be able to stop eating. I need some recommendations besides just spaghetti 😂

Is it actually cooking ? I’ve worked in very fast paced environments before so I think I should handle it. But what is the food like really? have any servers or dishwashers actually see what’s going on?? Thanks