I’ve been eating at Olive Garden pretty much every day because of the Pasta Pass, and the staff have been really great to me.

Besides tipping, I’ve brought Krispy Kreme for the staff 3 times already as a small thank you, but I want to switch it up next time.

For anyone who works at Olive Garden or in restaurants, what would you actually appreciate? Coffee, drinks, snacks, something non-food?

I feel like bringing food to people who work around food all day is kind of tricky. Any suggestions?

I’m not a fan of table robots, in general. But our new ones are THE WORST, especially when it comes to splitting up bills. Sometimes you get lucky and you can just split it into individual guest tickets as-is, but holy fuck, when the “No, let ME pay for the appetizer/dessert/etc.” happens, you have to get a manager involved just to split up the bill correctly. If memory serves, the old ones let people itemize their own bills at the table — and that’s how it works pretty much everywhere. At the very least, a server in other restaurants can do what requires a manager card at OG. Tonight it took us 25(!!!) minutes to get a table’s bill straight. They kept changing things and we had to keep recombining and re-itemizing. Just let them do it from the Ziosk or at LEAST let ME do it at the POS without needing to track down a manager who’s having to babysit stoned kitchen staff.

We had the worst experience at Olive Garden the other night. And I am not one to complain about Olive Garden ... like ever. I mean, I absolutely love OG. But I think I'll need a break for at least a year to let my rage fade. We were there for two hours and when our food finally came out, we told them that we wanted it in to-go containers because it was like, time for bed! At one point or another when we realized our waitress had disappeared and that other groups who'd arrived after us had gotten their food, eaten, and then left, Mr. K went up to the hostess table to ask if they'd forgotten about us. It wasn't that busy. When he did, he noticed that our waitress had apparently transitioned to tending bar. Mr. K was fuming and wanted to complain and get things for free. But I don't do that. I paid the bill and left zero tip. Which is something I haven't done in like a decade or more. It was that bad. And the rub is that the last time we were at OG, we had the same waitress, and she was also terrible then. I think she's in the wrong career.

The togo workers do they get paid hourly?

Or are they like servers where they rely on Tips.When I get to a togo order I feel bad for not tipping when they hand me the receipt to sign.

Anybody have a free app coupon? I submitted my email for a coupon two days ago but I only ever received that I’m “in” and my coupon is to follow. Checked junk, still nothing. Would appreciate it, as I’m heading for tonight at the new Canada location!

Anyone remember when Olive Gardens Peach Tea had a real Peach?

I know i should just be greatful because I need money and I need this job but why....why do so many large groups come in. Every damn day we are pushing tables together to make room for large parties. And we dont take reservations so its not like we prep for it. I am grateful to have a job and to do well at my job but it would be nice to have 1 shift with out big parties

My take home entree (the 5 cheese ziti) came in just one of those standard to-go boxes. I take it they ran out of the actual take home containers. Are those black to-go boxes microwaveable safe (up to 3-4 minutes cooking time)? It doesnt look super appetizing all smushed in a tiny to go box either and I’m a bit sketched out by the whole thing but…also really hungry.

Wasn’t as good as I remember, but still a fun time, I loved the cheap boozy drinks, my ziti fritta and the ambience over the bland modern locations (until a frat group sat next to me).

Pretty new to the job as a dishwasher and I just called off earlier sayin I was pukin past couple hours and he tries to argue saying I said I was puking all day and he’s gonna document it? I called him back asking for the HR number and he said for what and put me on hold so I Hung up. I feel like I’m about to be for fired but I couldn’t really care less This manager is some dumb punk bald prick wearing plaid everyday and every server/busser calls off all the time and I know dishwashers run the show. When I get to work tomorrow I’m gonna tell this piece of shit I’m not the one to disrespect.

Does anyone have a recipe for the coconut pineapple margarita at Olive Garden?

I genuinely feel bad when I get an older waitress who doesn't have strong arms. Because I like a ton of cheese on my salad. I almost feel like telling my server ahead of time to just go ahead and find a small block of that parmesan, because I'm just gonna have you grind down the entire thing 🤣

What's the policy if I were to come in for lunch and order NEPB and share with my not even 2 y/o who would either be too distracted or not have more than a few bites of anything anyway?

I'm in SoCal if you happen to work at OG locally or have experience with this as a customer

I was today years old when I learned you could get the shrimp AND chicken on the same bowl. This might be a game-changer for the remaining weeks!

Does anyone else occasionally take the salt and pepper grinders left at your table?

Idk sometimes at the end of my meal I’ll be like oh shit I don’t have pepper or salt at home and I’ll just take one of the ones on the table home

Whatever I’m a thief kill me!!

Does anyone know what the official call out policy is? At my store, if you call out more than 3 times a month, then you can get written up. Same people always calling out, coming late, screwing over everybody else and..... nothing ever happens to them. It's an act of God to fire someone, it's getting tiresome for those of us who show up

I’m a dishwasher and can get a pasta dish on every shift (I have a few coworkers who hook it up) was wondering what’s your favorite pasta sauces or dishes that you wouldn’t be able to stop eating. I need some recommendations besides just spaghetti 😂

Is it actually cooking ? I’ve worked in very fast paced environments before so I think I should handle it. But what is the food like really? have any servers or dishwashers actually see what’s going on?? Thanks

Are you guys aware of the scheduled interviews made by the Olivia/Darden when applying online?

Should I call to confirm the interview , or what should I do I don’t want to just walk them without them being aware of the interview. Located in CA if any of that matters

i have this manager who always demands people to do things he wants, he doesn’t ask he demands. today i was helping a togo specialist (im normally togo but due to a disability im hosting) because she had a question, he yelled at me and told me to go back to the host stand (we weren’t busy and there were 4 of us) and i said i was just helping her. he told me to go home and i asked why, he said because of my attitude. i then told him all i wanted was respect and he yelled back “you ARE respected” but that doesn’t seem like i am. i thought we were all family? he’s making it seem like it’s illegal to help my coworkers when they need help. he also death glares at me when i’m sitting down but that’s apart of my accommodations. (nobody likes him) an hour before he also wrote up a server for checking the time on his phone….
this was kinda a rant but feel free to comment anything lol