Olive Garden is often the subject of fierce debate regarding "authentic" Italian food. Whether you are a fan of the chain or not, the "Italian-style" restaurant is a popular lunch and dinner destination across America. The Garden is known for their pasta dishes and famous breadsticks. However, there are a few secrets behind that bowl of pasta that you may not know about. Former Olive Garden employees have revealed what you should never order from the restaurant.
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An Olive Garden hostess put on a Reddit AMA for OG lovers. The hostess warned against ordering non-traditional menu items. She commented, "The one thing I would never order would be the pot pies that we just added to the menu. It's like pasta and other things in a pie crust and something about that just really turns me off."
[Image: Olive Garden]
Another dish you should avoid? The Grilled Chicken Piadina. According to Olive Garden, "Piadinas are an authentic Italian street food. They've been loved by Italians for centuries because of their signature flaky crust, fresh ingredients and savory flavors." However, E! reviewed the dish, calling it "a quesadilla with an Italian identity crisis." It was so bad, E! urged readers to just go to Taco Bell instead.
[Image: Olive Garden]
If you are eating at Olive Garden, one former employee recommends sticking to the soup and pasta. They commented, "The food is mostly frozen. All of the desserts are. The soups, I can say proudly, are made in house, daily. Fresh as can be. The pasta is also made to order."
[Image: Olive Garden]
There's also news for breadstick lovers. Eat This, Not That approves of Olive Garden's soup, salad, and breakstick combo. Lisa Cimperman, MS, RDN, LD, told the site, "I would ask for a salad with low-fat dressing on the side, one or two un-buttered breadsticks and a bowl of minestrone soup." However, she warns, "Keep in mind that portions can quickly get out of control at these types of restaurants. Don’t be sucked in by never-ending portion promises and push away from the table before you’re tempted to go back for more.”
[Image: Facebook]
READ MORE: The One Thing You Should Never Order At Taco Bell
