Most people think they know how to order at Olive Garden, but they’re missing out on some serious savings and better dining experiences. Whether it’s filling up on breadsticks before the main course arrives or not knowing about the secret lunch deals, these common mistakes could be costing money and preventing the best possible meal at America’s favorite Italian chain restaurant.
Getting too full on breadsticks and salad first
Those warm, buttery breadsticks arrive at the table and suddenly nothing else matters. The unlimited salad gets loaded up with cheese and Italian dressing, and before anyone realizes it, there’s no room left for the actual dinner that was ordered. This happens to almost everyone on their first few visits because the appetizers are genuinely delicious and seem like a great deal.
The smart move is treating those breadsticks and salad as side dishes rather than the main event. Take one breadstick and a small portion of salad, then save room for the entree. The breadsticks will still be there after finishing the pasta, and the server will bring more if needed. This way, the full meal gets enjoyed instead of feeling stuffed halfway through dinner.
Not downloading the mobile app
Standing around waiting for a table at Olive Garden on a Friday night is nobody’s idea of fun. The restaurant always seems packed, and those little buzzer devices mean standing in a crowded lobby for what feels like forever. Most people don’t realize that Olive Garden’s mobile app can solve this problem entirely by allowing diners to add their name to the waitlist before even leaving home.
The app also handles takeout orders seamlessly, stores payment information, and keeps track of favorite dishes for faster ordering next time. It’s available for both iPhone and Android devices, and honestly works better than many other restaurant apps. The time savings alone make it worth the few minutes needed to download and set up an account.
Skipping the never ending pasta bowl promotion
Every few years, Olive Garden brings back their legendary Never Ending Pasta Bowl promotion, and somehow people still miss it. For around $14, diners can eat unlimited pasta dishes with different sauces and toppings, plus the usual salad and breadsticks. It’s basically an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet where the server brings each new combination fresh from the kitchen.
This promotion offers the perfect chance to try menu items that might seem too risky to order normally. Want to see what the five-cheese marinara tastes like? Order it as the second round. Curious about angel hair pasta instead of the usual fettuccine? That can be round three. The deal typically includes protein add-ons for a small extra charge, making it possible to try multiple complete meals for less than the cost of one regular entree.
Only going for dinner instead of lunch
Lunch at Olive Garden is like discovering a secret menu that costs significantly less money. The same chicken parmigiana, lasagna, and fettuccine alfredo are available during weekday afternoons, but in more reasonable portion sizes and at much better prices. The lunch menu runs from noon to 3 PM on weekdays and includes all the classics that made the restaurant famous.
The lunch portions are actually perfect for most people since the regular dinner sizes tend to be enormous anyway. Plus, lunch is the only time of day when the Never Ending Soup, Salad and Breadsticks meal is available as a standalone option. For people who work from home or have flexible schedules, lunch at Olive Garden offers the same quality food at a fraction of the dinner cost.
Not ordering family style for takeout
Ordering individual entrees for the whole family adds up quickly, especially when factoring in delivery fees and tips. Most people don’t know that Olive Garden offers family-style meals that serve four to six people for much less money than buying separate dishes. These aren’t leftovers or smaller portions – they’re full-sized family platters of popular items like chicken alfredo and five-cheese ziti.
A family meal of Lasagna Classico with salad and breadsticks costs around $67 and feeds six people, working out to about $11 per person. That’s half the price of ordering individual entrees, and there’s usually enough food left over for lunch the next day. The family meals work great for parties, office catering, or just feeding a hungry household without breaking the budget.
Forgetting about the create your own pasta option
The regular menu has plenty of pasta options, but picky eaters often struggle to find exactly what they want. Maybe the chicken alfredo sounds good but fettuccine noodles aren’t appealing, or the marinara sauce looks perfect but those particular toppings don’t work. Most diners don’t realize they can build their own pasta dish from scratch using Olive Garden’s components.
The customization options include five different pasta shapes, multiple sauce choices like marinara and creamy mushroom, and various proteins including meatballs and grilled chicken. There’s even a gluten-free pasta option available. This build-your-own approach works perfectly for families where everyone wants something different, or for people who have specific preferences about their pasta preparations.
Saying no to the cheese grater
When the server approaches with that giant cheese grater, some people wave them away thinking there’s already enough cheese on their dish. This is missing out on one of Olive Garden’s most famous touches – the seemingly endless stream of freshly grated Parmesan cheese that gets added tableside. The server will keep grating until told to stop, which can result in an impressive mountain of cheese.
That fresh Parmesan cheese adds a completely different taste and texture compared to the pre-shredded stuff that comes on most dishes. It’s saltier, more complex, and provides a nice contrast to rich, creamy sauces. Even dishes that already contain plenty of cheese benefit from the addition of fresh grated Parmesan. The key is knowing when to say stop – unless building a cheese mountain is the goal.
Not joining the eClub rewards program
Free birthday desserts, exclusive coupons, and advance notice about special promotions are all available through Olive Garden’s eClub, but most people never sign up. The registration process takes about two minutes and only requires basic information like an email address and zip code. In return, members get regular deals and offers that can save significant money over time.
The birthday dessert alone is worth around $10 and includes popular options like tiramisu and chocolate lasagna. The email newsletters also announce limited-time promotions before they become widely advertised, giving members first access to deals like discounted family meals or special menu items. For people who visit Olive Garden even a few times per year, the savings add up quickly.
Not planning for leftovers
Olive Garden portions are famously large, but many people try to finish everything on their plate anyway rather than taking food home. This leads to uncomfortable overeating and wastes money since those leftovers could easily become tomorrow’s lunch or dinner. The smart approach is asking for a takeout container as soon as the food arrives and immediately packing away half the meal.
Most Olive Garden dishes reheat well in the microwave and taste nearly as good the next day. The restaurant even offers $6 take-home entrees that can be purchased alongside a regular meal, providing ready-made dinners for later in the week. Planning to take food home transforms one restaurant visit into multiple meals, making the higher prices much more reasonable per serving.
Avoiding these common mistakes can transform any Olive Garden visit from an ordinary dinner into a strategic dining experience that saves money and delivers better satisfaction. The key is thinking beyond the obvious menu choices and taking advantage of the programs, timing, and options that most casual diners overlook completely.
