Is Olive Garden Still Worth It? A Family Reunion Review

After nearly two decades, a father revisited Olive Garden with his son at a bustling Long Island location and discovered both familiar comfort and surprise new highlights. Here's a full breakdown of their Italian-American dining experience:

🍝 Unlimited Breadsticks & Salad: Reliable but Not Memorable

The never-ending breadsticks are unmistakably plentiful, though not particularly unforgettable. The signature salad, while enjoyable, felt overdressed and heavy on lettuce. In contrast, the croutons offered a pleasantly crisp counterpoint.

🥣 Soups Shine Brighter Than Expected

Both soups exceeded expectations. The chicken-and-gnocchi variety featured creamy, well-balanced ingredients gnocchi, chicken, and spinach that impressed the diner. The pasta e fagioli stood out as the richer, more savory favorite, proving that Olive Garden can excel in its comfort food offerings.

🍅 Sauces: A Mixed Bag

• Marinara & Meat Sauce: Both felt underwhelming bland, too salty, and reminiscent of canned sauce therapy. Even with extra seasoning, neither impressed enough to order again.

• Creamy Mushroom Sauce: Thankfully, this dish brought redemption. Its Alfredo-like richness and depth surprised even those who usually avoid mushrooms.

🧀 Five‑Cheese Ziti al Forno: The Star of the Meal

Clocking in at $19.30, this baked pasta masterpiece stole the show. Heavily cheesy yet not cloying, with a subtle herbal lift from parsley, it hit all the right notes. It’s a dish so satisfying that it's no wonder few leftovers made it home.

✅ The Verdict: Casual, Filling, and Worth It

This father-son outing confirmed that Olive Garden does exactly what it promises: filling, family-friendly meals at reasonable prices. It's not gourmet fare, but for a cozy sit-down dinner with no surprises, it ticks every box.

As the diner put it:

“If you go expecting a Michelin experience, you’ll be disappointed. But for hearty, satisfying comfort food, it’s a reliable win.”