Additional Coverage:
- 6 Items You Should Never Order at Olive Garden (momswhothink.com)
Navigating the Olive Garden Menu: Six to Skip, Six to Savor
For many American families, Olive Garden remains a go-to for Italian-inspired comfort food. While whispers of pre-made entrees persist, it’s worth noting their soups and sauces are crafted fresh daily.
However, not all menu items are created equal. We’ve delved into customer feedback and nutritional information to highlight six dishes you might want to bypass, alongside six consistently crowd-pleasing options.
Six Olive Garden Items to Potentially Avoid:
1. Chocolate Brownie Lasagna
- Calories: 910
- Price: $9.29
- The Scoop: While Olive Garden’s main dishes often boast a fresh touch, their desserts are generally sourced from outside vendors. The Chocolate Brownie Lasagna, specifically, has earned the unfortunate distinction of being ranked as the least favorite dessert in a Mashed survey.
Diners frequently describe it as “too much” – a rich, overwhelming combination of cream cheese, chocolate, and chocolate syrup.
2. Kids Cheese Ravioli
- Calories: 340
- Price: $6.99
- The Scoop: Olive Garden is a popular spot for families, but parents should be aware that not all kids’ options are nutritionally balanced. The Kids Cheese Ravioli, for instance, contains a hefty 980 mg of sodium.
This is significantly higher than other children’s choices like the Kid’s Alfredo Sauce with Pasta or the Kids Chicken Fingers.
3. Chicken Parmigiana
- Calories: 1,020
- Price: $19.49
- The Scoop: This classic dish proves to be a divisive one at Olive Garden. Reviewers on platforms like TripAdvisor have expressed disappointment, describing the chicken as “skinny pieces… with more breading than meat” or likening the quality to “mystery meat.”
For nearly twenty dollars, many diners expect a more substantial and higher-quality chicken offering.
4. Lasagna Fritta
- Calories: 1,130
- Price: $10.99
- The Scoop: As an appetizer, the Lasagna Fritta is a calorie behemoth, clocking in at 1,130 calories – equivalent to a full meal for many. This far surpasses other appetizer options like Fried Mozzarella or Toasted Ravioli.
While it has its dedicated fans, a common complaint centers on the surprisingly low proportion of ricotta cheese within.
5. Shrimp Alfredo
- Calories: 1,470
- Price: $20.49
- The Scoop: In a Mashed survey of Olive Garden diners, the Shrimp Alfredo was ranked as the second-worst dish. Online feedback often criticizes its perceived lack of value.
Many customers suggest that adding shrimp to a custom pasta dish offers a more cost-effective and satisfying experience.
6. Five Cheese Ziti
- Calories: 1,170
- Price: $17.49
- The Scoop: Taking the top spot as Olive Garden’s least favorite dish in a Mashed survey, the Five Cheese Ziti garnered criticism from 23% of diners. Specific complaints often arise when the dish is ordered for takeout, suggesting it doesn’t hold up well outside of the restaurant setting.
Six Olive Garden Items to Consistently Enjoy:
1. Tour of Italy
- Calories: 1,550
- Price: $20.49
- Why It’s a Winner: The Tour of Italy is an enduring Olive Garden favorite, offering a trio of popular dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo, Lasagna Classico, and Chicken Parmigiana. The beauty lies in the smaller portions, allowing you to sample multiple classics without committing to a full-sized entree of any one item.
2. Lasagna Classico
- Calories: 940
- Price: $17.79
- Why It’s a Winner: If you prefer a single, satisfying entree over a sampler, the Lasagna Classico is an excellent choice. It’s one of Olive Garden’s best-selling dishes and, at 940 calories, is a relatively lighter option compared to some others, especially when considering the complimentary breadsticks and soup or salad.
3. Ravioli Carbonara
- Calories: 1,390
- Price: $17.79
- Why It’s a Winner: While Olive Garden sometimes faces criticism for under-seasoned food, their sauces are often lauded. The Ravioli Carbonara features a rich, creamy sauce infused with bacon and cheese.
Yes, it’s indulgent and high in calories, but it also reheats exceptionally well, making it a great option for enjoying leftovers.
4. Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping
- Calories: 700
- Price: $8.99
- Why It’s a Winner: In contrast to the Chocolate Brownie Lasagna, the Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping was crowned the favorite dessert in Mashed’s diner poll. It’s a straightforward, well-executed cheesecake.
Keep an eye out for seasonal variations, such as Pumpkin Cheesecake during the fall.
5. Chicken And Gnocchi Soup
- Calories: 250
- Price: $7.99
- Why It’s a Winner: As mentioned, Olive Garden’s soups are made from scratch daily, and the quality shines through in the Chicken & Gnocchi soup. This hearty and flavorful option perfectly complements the popular Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks combo, offering a satisfying and comforting meal.
6. Breadsticks
- Calories: 140 (per breadstick)
- Price: $4.49 (two free with most entrees)
- Why It’s a Winner: Olive Garden’s legendary breadsticks are a must-have. Soft, coated with delicious butter and garlic salt, they are perfect for dipping into sauces or enjoying on their own.
If you’re going to indulge in one thing at Olive Garden, make it a basket (or two!) of these iconic breadsticks.
Read More About This Story:
- 6 Items You Should Never Order at Olive Garden (momswhothink.com)