Olive Garden Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Covington

Last night, 2/25/25 - We had a party of 12. We called ahead of time and tried to make a reservation, but they said that they didn't take reservations for that large of a party. One of our party members got there at 5:40 and told the hostess that a party of 12 was coming. The hostess told her that "You should have gotten here 2 hours earlier to put your name in." But, she failed to mention that our name wouldn't be put in until everyone from the party arrived. At such point, would be a 50 minute or so wait time. They were not reserving a table, but just wanted a heads up - EVEN THOUGH WE CALLED AND TOLD THEM MULTIPLE TIMES PRIOR. Keep in mind - the person in our party came straight from Macon, and was not able to come 2 hours in advance, because some people have to work. So, the OTHER hostess asked, "Where is the rest of your party?" My friend told them that people were just coming from 15-20 minutes away. The hostess said, "I'll put your name in", but was VERY hesitant about it and said, "It will be 30 minutes." Sure, no problem. My friend waited. All members of our party were there.. It turns out, the hostess NEVER put our name in. We had a large party who came in AFTER us, get seated before us. While we were questioning what in the world happened, the hostesses wouldn't look us in the face and would not take responsibility for their actions. After an hour and a half of waiting, they offered to split the party up. The manager "Cici or CeCe" nor the hostess' had ANY remorse. No apology or compensation of any kind. We had to finally ask for crackers or bread sticks because we had 4 kids who were melting down at that point. We didn't get seated until almost 7:30 pm. Keep in mind - if the hostesses would have put our name in when my friend originally got there, we would have been fine. We had servers, Lanie and Amaya and they were fantastic. They need raises for sure and were the ONLY positive experience about this place. They were very sweet and understanding of our frustration. As for the hostesses - ya'll need to have a staff meeting and get on the same page as far as rules and policy goes. It was absolutely uncalled for, inexcusable, and COMPLETELY avoidable. As someone who works in customer service - their faces and attitudes were rude, they lied to our party, and then acted like they didn't do anything wrong or wouldn't take accountability for their actions. Just put our gosh darn name in when we get there. It's simple. We should NOT have had to wait 2 hours to be seated. Especially when there were MULTIPLE empty tables around us when we were finally seated. Thanks hostesses for...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Dining Review: Olive Garden – Covington, GA Service that Outshines the Entrée

While dining at the Olive Garden in Covington, Georgia, one might expect the usual experience—warm breadsticks, crisp salad, and classic Italian-American comfort food. But what truly elevated this visit wasn’t just the food—it was our server, Desiree, whose hospitality turned a standard evening out into a memorable one.

Let’s be honest: not every dish comes out perfect. One of our entrées arrived with asparagus composed only of stems—no tender tips to be found. But what could’ve been a dining disappointment was swiftly resolved, thanks to Desiree’s professionalism and prompt attention. She handled the issue with grace, ensured a replacement was on the way, and never let it disturb the flow of our experience.

From the very start, Desiree impressed us with her attentiveness. She checked in frequently but never intrusively, topping off water glasses before we noticed they were low and offering fresh Parmesan with perfect timing. She ensured our salads and pasta were dressed just right—down to the perfect sprinkle of cheese. Her balance of warmth and professionalism is something you rarely find in the service industry today.

Desiree possesses a personality that makes guests feel genuinely welcomed—engaging without being overbearing, detailed without being robotic. She’s the kind of team member who not only sets a standard but is the standard. In fact, it would be a disservice not to recognize her potential to train others. Hospitality like hers should be replicated across the board.

In a chain restaurant where consistency can vary, it’s the human touch that makes all the difference—and on this night, Desiree was the star of the show.

Final Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars. If you’re dining at the Covington Olive Garden, ask for Desiree. You’ll be in...

My recent visit to the newly opened Olive Garden in Covington, GA, was a pleasant experience with a few minor hiccups that are understandable for a new restaurant.

Upon arrival, the hostess was warm and thorough in seating us. She not only ensured we were comfortable but also took the time to explain the rewards program and highlight popular menu items. Her attention to detail and customer service set a positive tone for the meal.

After being seated, we experienced a slight delay in initial service, but Naomi quickly stepped in to take our drink order, ensuring we didn’t have to wait any longer. This proactive approach was much appreciated. Our waitress, Promyse, was a delight. Despite only having two weeks of experience, she displayed professionalism, attentiveness, and a friendly demeanor that made our dining experience enjoyable. She checked on us frequently and ensured we had everything we needed.

The kitchen was a bit slow, which is understandable for a new location still getting into the rhythm of service. Our salads arrived later than expected, following the appetizers, but the staff quickly addressed this by ordering a fresh salad to minimize the wait. The entrées took about 30 minutes to arrive, which I noted on my phone timer. While the wait was longer than ideal, we remained patient, enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir while anticipating our meal. When our food did arrive, it was hot, correctly prepared, and delicious, which ultimately made up for the delay.

Overall, I would definitely visit this Olive Garden again. While the timing of food service needs improvement, I anticipate that with more experience, this location will become a well-oiled machine. The staff’s attentiveness, kindness, and commitment to making things right left a lasting impression. I look forward to seeing this Olive Garden flourish in the...