Olive Garden chain restaurants in Italy

Popular Italian Spot Near Purdue: Olive Garden – Rich Cheese, Unlimited Refills, Love It or Hate It 🇮🇹🍝 Olive Garden, the famous Italian chain, is a total crowd-pleaser at its Lafayette location right off I-65. We arrived at 8 PM on a Friday and still faced a wait—join the waitlist on Google Maps beforehand to skip standing around outside! ✨ Key Highlights Great Ambiance & Service: The dining space is comfortable with cozy seating and a quiet atmosphere. Staff are friendly, making the experience smooth and enjoyable. Unbeatable Unlimited Refills: Order any entree and get "Never-Ending" free salad and soup. The salad only comes in one type, but you can switch soup flavors with each refill—amazing value for money. Huge Portions: Entrees are generously sized. Two people can easily share one entree plus an appetizer, with an average cost of around $20 per person. 🍴 Food Review: For Cheese Lovers Only Must-Try Picks Shrimp Frito Misto (Fried Shrimp Appetizer): The standout of the meal! Crispy fried shrimp served with onions and peppers, paired with a delicious dipping sauce—fresh and flavorful, no misses here. Any Soup: All soup options are solid. With unlimited refills, you can try different flavors to start your meal on a satisfying note. Skip These / Proceed With Caution Tour of Italy: A letdown, especially if you’re craving lasagna. The lasagna layers are too thick and the red sauce lacks depth. The Alfredo and Parmigiana sides are equally underwhelming—Alfredo is overly creamy (bordering on gloopy) and the Parmigiana is plain with tasteless red sauce. Chicken Shrimp Carbonara: Just okay. It’s packed with the chain’s signature heavy cheese and cream, which overpowers the flavor of the chicken and shrimp. The chicken is drier than advertised, while the shrimp is fresh but lost in the rich sauce. Critical Notes Core Flavor Profile: Dishes are extremely heavy on cheese and cream. Pasta is ultra-creamy, nothing like light seafood pasta—avoid if you dislike rich, thick textures. Portion Warning: Entrees are massive. Sharing one entree + one appetizer is the best way to avoid waste and get the most value. 📌 Practical Info 🏠 Name: Olive Garden (Lafayette Location, off I-65) Waitlist Hack: Join the waitlist on Google Maps in advance to skip in-person lines. Average Price: ~$20 per person, unbeatable for unlimited soup and salad. Who It’s For: Perfect for those who love traditional creamy, cheese-loaded Italian food. Steer clear if you prefer light, fresh flavors. #ItalianFood #OliveGarden #PurdueUniversityWestLafayette #FoodReview #AmericanItalian