Olive Garden
$$ • Italian Restaurant
Most Recent Reviews
They have a gluten sensitive menu and were able to make accommodations but I received my refill salad and it had a crouton so I immediately stopped eating. Cross contamination is a big risk.
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Service -The first time we visited this restaurant our server was very friendly and seemed quite knowledgeable. He seemed happy to cater to our gluten-free, dairy-free needs. With our second visit to Olive Garden (a couple of months later) we had a new server. Again, this server was friendly and happy to cater to our gluten-free/dairy-free needs.
Knowledge - The first server seemed to have a great deal of knowledge about food sensitivities and was able to tell us about the processes that the restaurant has in place to keep the food safe. We did have questions about marinades and salad dressing and when he wasn’t positive about the ingredients he checked with the cooks.
The second server that we had actually asked us what Celiac Disease was (we were, of course, happy to educate him). He also suggested a sauce to me to go with the gluten-free pasta dish that I had ordered, and then came back a few minutes later to let me know that the sauce he had recommended wasn’t actually gluten-free. When I asked what steps the chefs/cooks take to ensure that gluten doesn’t end up in our meals, the server was quite vague and assured us that they are very careful to make sure that our meals don’t contain gluten, however he wasn’t able to tell us how the chefs/cooks would be keeping our meals gluten-free.
Safety of food - With our initial visit, we felt comfortable eating here and the food did appear to be gluten-free. We spoke with the manger after enjoying our meal and she further discussed the ways in which the restaurant works to ensure the safety of the food.
On the second visit, I felt a little less comfortable about the safety of the food but was glad that the server double checked the ingredients of the sauce that he recommended to me prior to serving it. I do wonder how many other gluten-free customers he has offered that sauce to in the past as I believe only checked on it after we told him just how serious a gluten sensitivity/celiac disease actually is.
Taste and cost/serving size - We were very happy with both the price and the amount of food that we were given. My wife even had to ask for a “to go” box which never happens with her!
The second visit was a different story. My wife ordered a chicken breast with a side of veggies and received a very meager portion of each (see picture above). In addition, my serving of pasta and chicken was also quite small, and while we did get our money’s worth with the amount of salad that we both ate, we were both ready to eat again by the time we got home a little while later.
Overall experience - The overall experience was definitely better with our first visit than with our second. The service was good with each visit and it does appear that the restaurant has a system in place to ensure meals are gluten-free. However, I wasn’t impressed by the education/knowledge that our second server seemed to have when it comes to gluten and I feel a more thorough staff training/education program would be beneficial. In addition, the number of choices on the g-free menu was quite limited; it would be great to have a few more options available. It was really great to see a gluten-free menu, however it didn’t offer any appetizers or soups or even display prices for that matter.
Based on the inconsistency of server education, lack of gluten-free menu prices, and the fact that gluten-free pasta is made-to-order, just like the regular pasta, I still see a large concern for error in meal preparation. I give Olive Garden 3 out of 5 stars.
Visited Bend location and was told that the Gluten Free menu could be cross-contaminated. When I received my dish, they had gluten-based pasta mixed into my GF dish. When I mentioned it to server, he shrugged his shoulders and said we shouldn't eat there in the future if that's an issue.
We've dined here several times with no issues whatsoever. GF menu is pretty limited, but it's good & safe.
I've tried the gluten free pasta with marinara and it was awesome! I was super excited to have great Italian food again... I highly recommend! Ask for the gluten free menu. There are actually quite a few choices!
Reviews of this Chain
They have gluten free pasta that cook and prepare separately and the marinara is gluten free
The front desk told us that, although there is no separate GF menu, GF menu items marked on the regular menu and that we can always ask our server. True enough, bubut we were very impressed that when the server came to our table, she already knew we are GF and showed us the separate GF menu on the tabletop monitor. She was very knowledgeable about GF items. The manager then came over and explained that he would personally handle our order to ensure no other items in the kitchen cross-contaminated our order. Rotini is the oonly GF pasta (made with brown rice flour), but a variety of sauces and toppings aare available. I had the rotini with meat sauce and Italian sausage, as well as their salad minus the croutons. Very impressed with this staff and we'll definitely visit again.
Definitely would not recommend. I went here at the request of some older family members while visiting from out of town. I ordered the grilled chicken Parmesan, two managers came out to talk to me to insure my meal would be gluten free. It came out with Fried chicken. After telling management, they lied and said it was "just how it's prepared, but definitely gluten free." Needless to say, my body has assured me otherwise and I will spend who knows how long paying for it.
I had a wonderful experience dining at Olive Garden. I told the server I have celiac disease and asked what gluten-free options were available; she pulled up a gluten-free menu on the table kiosk. Two minutes later, the manager, Kayne, came to the table to assure me they take celiac very seriously and told me they guard against cross contamination. My salad was served without croutons, and I was given a sealed single serving of Italian dressing. Both the server and the manager were incredibly nice and I will definitely return.
When I asked my waitress about what precautions they take for a celiac disease order she brought out the manager who explained everything step-by-step, and all the precautions they take, the menu definitely has expanded so there are more options. My food was delicious. I did not get sick. Everyone was very kind and patient and knew, what to do with celiac order!
