Olive Garden

6 ratings
$$ • Italian Restaurant
Reported to have a gluten-free menu
Reported gluten-free menu items: Pasta

Warning

This is a chain, which typically means a high risk of cross-contact. It may not be possible to dine safely at this establishment.

Safety Rating
2 ratings

As rated by the community

1884 Marron Rd
Carlsbad, CA 92008

Most Recent Reviews


4 years ago
Asymptomatic Celiac
5 years ago

The manager told me that they precook all of their pasta and they flash recook it when ordered and dip it into the same reused water used with all of the pasta. Sadly major cross contamination.

Safety
6 years ago

Staff was nice about it but the menu pretty much allows you to eat only one thing in the menu: gf pasta and marinara. Forget everything else. The pasta was pretty bad too.

Important

This establishment is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with celiac disease. Please contact the establishment directly to inquire about safety precautions.
Information contained in this listing is based on reports by the community. Please verify all information directly with the establishment.

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More Reviews


10 years ago

Has a GF menu with house salad 2 pasta options and a herb crusted salmon and steak with asparagus. I went with the house salad and asked for grilled chicken on the side (chicken was disgusting but they were nice enough to take it off our bill) and a side of asparagus since I didn't get the steak (came our dry with nothing on it which was a disappointment so I asked for olive oil and Parmesan). Not a place id go for date night/on purpose again but if a group of friends were going id be able to eat something.

Safety
12 years ago

My kids loved the GF pasta. I had salmon and it was really good. I thought the options were ok. I wish there was a GF soup...love soup and salad! The manager was awesome!!

12 years ago

Yay, glad they have some GF options. But should an Italian restaurant really serve *microwaved* GF pasta?! That just grosses me out. :-( But yay for at least some GF options, if you're stuck having to eat here. I'm still giving only 1 star (for their lack of GF wonderfulness) b/c it's just depressing to eat here. I went with a large group who had pre-ordered appetizers. None of them were safe for me, and the servers were WAY too busy to even give me the time of day (plus the kitchen was taking FOREVER - so even if I would've made a big deal of it, my friends would've been done by the time I'd gotten my food).

Reviews of this Chain

Celiac
6 days ago

Mixed feelings…. After we ordered manager came to table explained the process on how they ensure the safety of the allergen risk/cross contamination. They take it seriously from training in the kitchen, New bag of salad just for us, new gloves and cleaned areas before cooking etc. The manager said she would hand deliver it separately to ensure it was done safely and correctly. I was impressed at first…..Until 5 Min later a different server tried to give us bread sticks which we declined, then when it came time for food coming out it all came out together, manager never came back to table like promised and my husband who also ordered a GF meal was served breaded verse grilled chicken. I feel It was a fake waste of the managers time to come give us this amazing spiel and then it never happened.

Safety
Taste
Variety
GF Menu Items
  • — Salad, Grilled Chicken, Pasta
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Separate gluten-free menu
Symptomatic Celiac
1 week ago

Gave me gluten noodles TWICE! I ordered online and got gluten free pasta and stated it was for an allergy. I took it to my hotel and began eating, found shells mixed in the pasta. I called over- they said only gf pasta is rotini and that the shells were gluten. They made me a new order and assured me it was gluten free. I picked it up and looked through it before I ate. Good thing I did because there were 5+ more gluten shells in the pasta. I called again, got a refund but they wanted to make me another one. I said no, clearly I do not trust them. I am celiac with severe symptoms, I hope I don’t have a reaction tonight.

Safety
GF Menu Items
  • — Pasta
Symptomatic Celiac
1 week ago

I appreciate effort made here. I find Olive Garden to be one of the better chains at dealing with gluten free. After ordering the waitress notified the manager that we had an “allergy” at the table. He came over and reviewed everything with me. Salad was made in a clean bowl and to go dressing was served on the side because they worry about croutons falling in the dressing. The manager then followed up with us to make sure everything was satisfactory. I didn’t have pasta but the first time he came over he did assure me they take every possible precaution to prevent gluten contamination if I wanted to try the pasta. Rotini is the only GF pasta they serve and it is only used for GF so there is no confusion along with separate pits for boiling, etc.

I would give it 5 stars but it is just average Italian food at best. I appreciate all they do as it is not the first time I have been treated so well at this or any other Olive Garden.

Safety
Taste
Variety
GF Menu Items
  • — Salad, Pasta
Symptomatic Celiac
1 week ago

Very limited options for gluten free, but do have gluten free pasta that tastes great and hasn’t made me sick. Limited options for sides as well especially if you have a concurrent dairy allergy.

Taste
Variety
GF Menu Items
  • — Pasta
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Other
  • — Good for dairy-free
Gluten Sensitive
1 week ago

I went to Olive Garden and was very pleased with the 7 options (plus 3 options for kids) on the gluten sensitive menu. They told me the precautions they were taking and even gave me my own salad bowl without croutons so there would be no cross contamination. I would definitely go back.

Safety
Taste
Variety
GF Menu Items
  • — Salad, Pasta
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Separate gluten-free menu

More Info