Olive Garden Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Brighton

The entire experience was unnecessarily lengthy. The restaurant was empty and it till took us about 10 mins to be seated even though there was no party ahead. We were a table of 5 and were seated at a table for 4, even though the room was full of bigger tables. We got our soups and breadsticks after 20 mins and were not asked for refills on our drinks or soups until the very end. We just sat with empty plates in front of us for what seemed like a very long time. Our main course was brought out and the waitress was attempting to place the dishes on our already full table, since our empty plates were never removed (Remember this was a table for 4, so we were already crammed for space). I had to ask if she could remove the empty plates first since there was no room. The waitress explained that one of the dishes was not out yet and we asked if that person could get another soup while they wait. It would have been nice to be asked for refills on soup or drinks since we had such a long wait between plates. I got a dish which had shrimp and steak and while the rest of the dish was freshly cooked, the steak was cold. We finished our meal with no drink refills at all. The waitress came after to ask if we wanted to go boxes and we said yes as well as drink refills for everyone. It took another long wait to get refills and to go boxes. I was very confused as why service was so sparce and slow when there were plenty of staff roaming around aimlessly and standing around talking. (The cleaning staff was working very hard). I usually would chalk it up to the place being understaffed, but the restaurant was empty when it came to guests. (We were one of about 5 tables at this point). There was plenty of staff roaming around and chitchatting with friends, as well as the 5 or 6 hostesses just standing idle around. If the issue is that they are lacking staff behind the scenes, that is an issue that needs to be resolved by removing some of the front staff and bringing in more cooks or behind the scene staff which would easily make service faster. The amount of time we spent here was unbearably long. The service our waitress gave was good but there is no reason it should take an hour and a half to finish our visit when we were surrounded by empty tables. A 45 min meal took an hour a half at least. Staff also should be more attentive. Refills while waiting is a great way to make sure the guests dont realize how long the wait is taking. If we at least got our refills it would make the...

We used to have to drive to the Olive Garden on 120th & Washington, so we were thrilled that Brighton was getting one. Parking was packed but that’s just how the area is, which we’re familiar with. We did call ahead and checked in when we arrived. Originally told 25 minute wait, ended up being 45 minutes. We checked in with the host around 35 minute wait, and host told us we were 2nd in line. 8 other groups got sat before us, so not sure where that “2nd in line” comment came from. We got sat and could tell our server was ready for her shift to be over, even heard her mention to one of the bussers that “she was out of there soon.” 4 of us orders the soup, salad, breadsticks and my grandfather got the lighter portion of the spaghetti, plus we ordered a Calamari appetizer, and dipping sauce for the breadsticks - Alfredo and Marinara. We never got those and just decided to have them cancel those. Calamari was good, first round of salads were half full and little to no dressing. Not sure how the spaghetti was, my grandfather didn’t comment on it. Our server brought out the soups at the same time so by the time we got to our soups after eating salad they were barely luke warm/basically cold. Usually at the other Olive Garden they would bring them out 10 minutes after the salad. Zuppa tasted watered down and quite disappointing. 2nd round of salads were better/more full but still needed to ask for more dressing. A manager came by to ask how everything was and seemed like he was just checking off his list rather than genuinely curious how our meal was. We asked for refills on our drinks and soups. Our server brought them by 5-7 minutes later which was fine. Honestly the whole experience was just a bit disappointing. Probably will stick to going to the 120th location or Texas Roadhouse across the street. I really wanted it to be a good experience and like I mentioned we were so excited Brighton was getting an Olive Garden but this first experience was lack luster and...

Writing this review in hopes it would help in the training of their staff. We're no strangers to ordering take-out from Olive Garden, so we were thrilled to find out they were opening this location after moving out to Brighton. We ordered (2 entrees, 2 sides and 1 dessert) on 5/14/25, this location's 3rd operating day, and after placing an "ASAP" order at about 5PM (ready within 20-25 minutes after ordering), we got a courtesy message from the manager saying they were working at limited capacity for orders and that our pickup time was now 6:15PM, so well over an hour. No big deal, I get it. They're still ironing out all the kinks and I appreciate the call, no problem. We pick up the order and then get home to find out we did not receive any breadsticks. I called the restaurant and reached the person who prepared our order and just kindly let her know that in the future just to double check orders before the customer arrives to pick up.

I think the concept of customers having to "check inside the bag to make sure everything is there" at the time of pick-up is such a "fast food" thing to do and nothing anyone should have to worry about at Olive Garden. Also it's Olive Garden, aren't you guys known for your breadsticks?

As a learning opportunity for this Olive Garden, just make sure to train your staff to double/triple check orders before they're handed off to customers.

As a learning opportunity for future customers of this Olive Garden, make sure to "check inside the bag to make sure everything is there" before you leave the parking lot. I sure as heck wasn't driving back to the restaurant after getting home to pick up breadsticks while my food continues to get cold.

On that note, the food is always great and the staff was nice and friendly. Thank you for being...