10 Mistakes Pennsylvanians Make When Dining at the Olive Garden
The Olive Garden is one of those nostalgic restaurants that feels like a warm hug—endless breadsticks, creamy pasta, and a cozy vibe.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just drop in when you’re craving something cheesy, there are a few mistakes that a lot of customers make when dining at the Olive Garden. And let’s be real—nobody wants to miss out on free perks, great deals, or the best way to enjoy a meal.
So before you grab that fork, check out these common Olive Garden slip-ups and how to avoid them.
Only Eating the Breadsticks Plain
We all love Olive Garden’s breadsticks, but did you know they’re even better with dipping sauces? A lot of people don’t think to order them, but you can get Alfredo, marinara, or five-cheese marinara sauce on the side.
Once you try dipping your breadsticks, you’ll never go back to eating them plain.
These sauces are also great for sharing, so if you’re with a group, get a side to pass around.
Plus, since the breadsticks keep coming, you can experiment with different combos throughout the meal.
Not Signing Up for the Olive Garden eClub
If you eat at Olive Garden even semi-regularly and haven’t signed up for their eClub, you’re leaving free food on the table—literally. It’s totally free to join, and they send out discounts, special deals, and even birthday perks.
Imagine getting a free appetizer or dessert just for clicking a few buttons. Worth it, right?
Another cool thing? You get early access to promos. Ever heard of the Never Ending Pasta Bowl? It’s a fan favorite, but it’s not always available.
eClub members usually get the inside scoop, so you’ll know when to rush in for unlimited pasta before everyone else.
Skipping the Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks Combo
This is one of Olive Garden’s best deals, yet so many customers overlook it. The unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks combo is filling, delicious, and honestly, sometimes all you need.
Why pay for a massive entrée when you can feast on fresh salad, warm breadsticks, and cozy bowls of soup for one price?
Plus, you can switch up your soups! Start with Zuppa Toscana, then try the Chicken & Gnocchi or Minestrone.
It’s basically like a buffet, but without the pressure of standing in line behind a guy piling his plate with questionable combinations.
Ignoring the Buy One, Take One Deal
Listen, if you’re not taking advantage of the Buy One, Take One deal, you’re missing out on an easy way to stretch your money at the Olive Garden. You get one pasta dish to eat in the restaurant and another to take home—no extra charge.
That’s two meals for the price of one! Perfect for lunch tomorrow or a midnight snack when those Alfredo cravings hit.
The Take One meals come pre-packaged and ready to go, so there’s no need to box up your leftovers.
Naysayers complain that some of the Buy One, Take One options are simple. But seriously—who can talk badly about free Fettuccine Alfredo or Spaghetti with Meat Sauce?
Ordering an Entrée Without Checking the Lunch Menu
If you’re at Olive Garden during lunch hours and ordering off the dinner menu, you might be throwing away extra cash. The lunch menu has a lot of the same dishes but in smaller portions (which, let’s be real, are still pretty big) and at a lower price.
Why pay more when you don’t have to?
You still get unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks with many of these meals, so you’re not skimping on the full experience.
Plus, you won’t leave feeling like you need a two-hour nap afterward.
Forgetting to Ask for Customizations
A lot of diners don’t realize that Olive Garden is pretty flexible when it comes to tweaking orders. Want extra sauce? Ask for it. Prefer a different type of pasta? No problem.
You can even mix and match sauces—half Alfredo, half marinara? Totally doable.
Another little-known hack: adding protein to your pasta. Love Fettuccine Alfredo but want to make it more filling? Add grilled chicken or shrimp.
It’s a simple upgrade that takes your meal to the next level.
Ignoring Seasonal and Limited-Time Menu Items
Olive Garden rolls out special dishes all the time, but a lot of people stick to their usuals and miss out. Limited-time dishes can be some of the best things on the menu.
Ever tried their Pumpkin Cheesecake in the fall? It’s next-level.
These seasonal items don’t always come back, so if something looks good, don’t wait too long to try it. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck hoping and praying it makes a return next year.
Overpaying for Drinks
Drinks are one of the sneakiest ways your Olive Garden bill can creep up on you. If you’re not careful, a couple of soft drinks or cocktails can add an unnecessary chunk of change to your total.
The good news? Olive Garden offers free refills on a lot of non-alcoholic drinks, so you don’t need to keep ordering new ones.
If you’re feeling fancy and want some wine, check out their house selections or special promotions. Sometimes, they even offer wine samples, so you can try before you commit to a full glass.
It saves you from ordering something you end up not liking, which we can all appreciate.
Not Using the To-Go App
If you’re still calling in your takeout orders like it’s 2005, it’s time to upgrade. Olive Garden’s app and online ordering system make the whole process way easier.
You can browse the menu, apply discounts, and even customize your order without having to talk to anyone (which, let’s be honest, is a win).
Another bonus? You can join the waitlist before you even leave your house. If the restaurant is busy, you can check in online and cut down on your wait time.
No more standing around hungry, staring at the lobby fish tank.
Not Splitting Large Portions
The Olive Garden doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion sizes. Some dishes, like the Tour of Italy, are massive and can easily feed two people.
Instead of each person ordering a separate meal, consider sharing something big and splitting the cost. More money for dessert, right?
If you’re not into sharing, another trick is to ask for a to-go box at the start of your meal. Pack up half right away, and boom—you’ve got leftovers for tomorrow.
It’s a win-win: you don’t overeat, and you get two meals for the price of one.
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