I’m a newly diagnosed celiac, and I was really upset about not being able to eat at Olive Garden. A friend of mine who is also celiac suggested going anyway since they do have gluten free pasta and a gluten free soup! I went today, and the experience was so great. I notified my server who actually has a direct family member with celiac disease. He was very helpful. The manager even came out to see me and assure me they would help. The manager personally brought out my food separately from the rest of my party’s and explained that it was made with brand new ingredients and utensils. Overall, it was so great, and I want to make sure any gluten free people will know this restaurant was great!
I was hesitant to try Olive Garden because there hadn’t been any reviews on the app for over two years. My daughter really wanted it (and to be honest, I did too since I hadn’t eaten at Olive Garden since going gluten free in mid-2023). Everything was delicious and I had no reaction! Their menu is labeled with the GF items but I think they had a separate GF menu but they didn’t offer it and I had already seen it online and knew what I was getting. I had the Zuppa Toscana soup and then for my entree, I had rotini pasta (GF) with meat sauce (also GF). No bread or dessert, except the mint (GF) but I’m happy to have another place to eat! I would definitely go back!
This Olive Garden was very accommodating and knowledgeable. I called ahead by a couple of days and talked to the manager on duty, Kayla. When I asked about their gluten allergy protocols, she not only told me all the things I needed to know without my having to ask and she even let me know that standard protocol was that a manager would come to your table to go over things as soon as you let them know about an allergy or request a GF menu. When I was there, Donna was the manager on duty and she did come straight over to communicate with me and put server. She also let me know that you can have confidence that your pasta is the GF pasta if it comes mixed with the sauce (regular pasta comes with the sauce on top) because the GF pasta is cooked with the sauce. I also ordered a drink and when it came with fruit (I didn't realize this), the bartender was quick to ackythatbshe might have touched bread in her duties and make me a fresh drink without the fruit. The manager even sent me home with an extra GF soup on the house.
Addicted. The gf pasta with sausage is so good. And lots of salad too? Win-win.