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    Portland Food and Drink

    Portland Food and Drink

    Restaurant News and Information For Portland Oregon Area Restaurants and Bars

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    This Review of Olive Garden is Turning Heads Nationwide

    By PDX Food Dude Last Update March 16, 2014 4 Comments

    For your afternoon break, some excerpts of a review penned by Marilyn Hagerty. It was written for the North Dakota Grand Forks Herald. [for some inexplicable reason, the link is now dead]

    My booth was near the kitchen, and I watched the waiters in white shirts, ties, black trousers and aprons adorned with gold-colored towels. They were busy at midday, punching in orders and carrying out bread and pasta.

    … At length, I asked my server what she would recommend. She suggested chicken Alfredo, and I went with that. Instead of the raspberry lemonade she suggested, I drank water.

    … The chicken Alfredo ($10.95) was warm and comforting on a cold day. The portion was generous. My server was ready with Parmesan cheese.

    As I ate, I noticed the vases and planters with permanent flower displays on the ledges. There are several dining areas with arched doorways. And there is a fireplace that adds warmth to the decor.

    … All in all, it is the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks. It attracts visitors from out of town as well as people who live here.

    Why is this review getting so much attention? Because it is of Olive Garden, which seems to be the biggest thing to happen to Grand Forks in years. However, what is hot news in one corner of our nation, receives snickers elsewhere, and her review has gone viral. “Because it’s only the fourth location in the state, people have been driving from throughout the region to get a taste of the branch’s pasta and unlimited breadsticks.”

    So much for my Olive Garden review for April Fools day. No really, that is what I was going to do. I can’t review Taco Bell and Gas Station Food every year! It should be noted that I am not making fun of Marilyn. I have friends who love Olive Garden, and have been there myself. Many, many years ago.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. John says

      March 8, 2012 at 4:51 pm

      Apparently that was a “negative review”. See http://www.twitlonger.com/show/gaf1i3

      Reply
      • Food Dude says

        March 8, 2012 at 4:59 pm

        Wow!

        Reply
    2. Morris says

      March 8, 2012 at 8:40 pm

      http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2012/03/olive_garden_review_marilyn_hegarty.php

      I like her.

      Reply
    3. L'epicier says

      March 8, 2012 at 9:28 pm

      I too went to Olive Garden 10 years ago to see what all the fuss was about. It was disappointing in every way, from the tasteless vinaigrette to the iceburg lettuce to the slick pasta. You can fool some of the people some of the time…

      Reply

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