Olive Garden, Anna -American Italian fast food

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant | Ann Arbor’s Casual Pasta Spot – Big Portions, Low Prices, Just “Meh” This Olive Garden is south of the U-M campus—your classic chain Italian spot where pasta takes center stage. Portions are huge, flavors are consistent (for a chain), prices are cheap, but it’s only a “so-so” recommendation. If you’re craving no-fuss pasta without splurging, it works—but don’t expect fancy Italian fare 🍝! 🥢 Apps: Fried Combo – Greasy, But Sauces Save It We got the fried combo (mix of seafood—mostly shrimp—and veggies). The downside? It’s way too greasy—you can tell the oil wasn’t filtered well, so every bite feels heavy. The upside? The two side sauces are pretty good—they add a little zing and help cut through the greasiness. Not amazing, but edible if you’re in the mood for fried food. 🥣 Complimentary Soup & Salad – Salad Steals the Show Olive Garden’s famous free soup and salad? Mixed results: Creamy Chicken Soup: Texture is “meh”—not thick enough (feels a little watery), but the seasoning is decent (subtle, savory). It’s fine, but nothing to get excited about. House Salad: Surprisingly good! It comes in a huge bowl—we were almost full from “grass” before the pasta even arrived 😂. The white wine vinegar dressing is bright and refreshing, and sprinkling extra Parmesan cheese makes it even better. A solid pre-meal pick. 🥩 Sirloin Steak – The Unexpected Win! Here’s the funny part: this is the best sirloin I’ve had at a non-steakhouse in Ann Arbor. I usually don’t trust sirloin at chain spots (they’re often dry and tough), but this one was cooked perfectly medium—juicy, tender, and packed with beef flavor. The side of creamy fettuccine is basic, but the steak itself is a nice surprise for a pasta-focused spot. 🍤 Seafood Alfredo – Big Portions, But Too Greasy The Seafood Alfredo is a classic chain pasta—huge portion, loaded with shrimp and small scallops. The seafood is fresh and juicy (shrimp have a nice bounce!), and they use wide, flat pasta (my favorite!). But the cream sauce is super oily—by the halfway mark, it feels heavy and (cloying). Great if you love rich, indulgent food, but prepare to feel stuffed (and a little gross) afterward. 📝 The Catch: Pre-Made Vibes & Basic Flavors You can tell a lot of their pastas are pre-prepared—flavors are pretty one-note and uniform. If you have high standards for Italian food (think fresh, homemade sauces, bold herb notes), this isn’t the spot for you. It’s “chain Italian” through and through—reliable, but not memorable. 💰 Final Verdict: $35 Per Person – Cheap, Filling, Nothing Fancy Olive Garden is for when you want to fill up on pasta without spending a lot. It’s not “good Italian food,” but it’s “good enough” for a casual meal. I’d go back if I’m craving a huge bowl of Alfredo or that unexpected sirloin—but if you’re after authentic, homemade Italian, skip it and head to a local spot instead. #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #AnnArbor #AnnArborFood #Pasta #MichiganEats #CasualDinin