Olive Garden Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Greenville

It is not often that one finds a national chain restaurant capable of delivering not merely sustenance, but an experience that approaches culinary art and civil hospitality. Yet, the Olive Garden in Greenville, South Carolina, has achieved just that, offering an encounter that combines the comforts of familiarity with a meticulous attention to detail, reminiscent of the kind of establishment one might encounter on a sunlit piazza in Florence—if Florence had abundant parking and a devotion to breadsticks.

Our evening unfolded under the gracious attentions of Bautista, a server whose presence elevated the meal to something approaching an event. Personable without being intrusive, attentive without lapsing into obsequiousness, Bautista proved himself an exemplar of his profession, ensuring that our table was not merely served but thoughtfully cared for. His ability to anticipate needs—refilling beverages and replenishing breadsticks with an alacrity and charm that would shame many a maître d’—deserves particular commendation.

The culinary offerings, too, were of an impressive standard. Portions were generous to the point of magnanimity, yet they retained a balance and quality that betrayed a genuine respect for the art of Italian-inspired cuisine. The dishes were prepared with a surprising deftness, the flavors robust yet refined. One can scarcely overlook the salad, whose crispness and zestful dressing remind the diner why Olive Garden’s unlimited offering remains a hallmark of American dining.

The cleanliness of the establishment was another standout feature. The dining area gleamed with a welcoming polish, and the atmosphere was pleasantly convivial without lapsing into cacophony. The management clearly understands that a restaurant’s environment must complement its fare, and this Greenville location executes that understanding to perfection.

In an age when dining out too often feels like a utilitarian exercise or, worse, a lamentable descent into mediocrity, the Olive Garden in Greenville offers an experience that is both satisfying and strangely reassuring. It is proof that even in the sprawling world of chain restaurants, excellence is not an impossibility but an achievable reality. Bravo, Bautista, and bravo, Olive Garden. You have won a most...

The food was excellent. If I was only rating about the food I would have given it five stars. This is a rating about the entire experience. I ordered for pick up online and to have my order carried out to me. I get there 10 minutes early just in case and I signal that I’m there through the text. I’m waiting in my car and the time my food is supposed to be ready passes. I wait five minutes and I’m like “where’s my food?” Someone who pulled up beside me afterwards was looking back at the door to see if anyone was coming. Not a single person in sight. I see the person to the left of me in a pickup spot went inside to grab their food. Then the person to the right of me gets out and goes inside. I’m honestly annoyed because I didn’t dress up to go inside a restaurant, I dressed up to sit in my car and get my food and leave. So, now, I need to go inside to figure out what the heck is going on. Turns out some lady made an order of like 1000 dollars, literally, and so everyone was helping her. I get she was there first, and needs help, but she’s not the only customer. The person to the right of me was standing around waiting to talk to the person about grabbing their food because they were all focusing on one person. And by they all I mean four people. I know she needs help, and if I were in her position I would want help, she had boxes upon boxes of food. But, there are other customers as well who also want their food. And so don’t market it as if you’re going to have the food taken out to customers if you’re not actually going to do that. All four workers did not have to help her, they had more than enough people to deliver food to cars. I shouldn’t have to wait 15 minutes past the time my food was supposed to be ready to receive it. I think the managers need to come up with a plan or tactic so that all customers needs are met in situations like that. Because then you have customers like me who write reviews like this when situations aren’t handled adequately. Besides that though, I got the Ravioli Carbonara with a side of salad. The marketing of it was off. It was flatter, but it was still sooo delicious, and I would definitely order it again. The bread though was lackluster in comparison to how it had been...

It was a long wait to get seated. When we finally got seated the waiter immediately came to the table & took our drink orders. We looked over the menu while the waiter got our drinks. The waiter came back & gave us our drinks & took our orders. Then we waited again for our food & waited, the two tables seated after us got their food while we were still waiting. Finally after a long wait our food came. The waiter was polite but seemed to be in bad mood. The waiter left after giving us our food . We maybe ate two or three bites of our food when the waiter came back & brought the to go boxes while all of us were still eating, we hadn't requested them yet. We didn't say anything to the waiter about it but we felt very rushed. The waiter did keep our drinks refilled & the bread. The food was good but we were basically rushed to leave because we only ate two or three bites of food & were brought to go boxes before our food even had time to cool off completely. Then shortly after the waiter brought the check & asked if we wanted to the bread to go & drinks to go. I was still eating & my little girl was still eating & the others with us were irritated & said yes to the waiter for to go drinks & bread . The waiter left & got the items. My little girl & I were still eating, the waiter came back finally with everything. I asked for a refill on my drink because I was still eating. The waiter went to get it & several times other staff came to see if we had left yet. I finally gave up & packed the remainder of my food up & requested a bag to carry everything in. Before we left I went to the restroom & the trash was overflowing & in one of the stalls there an overflowing feminine care disposal & people had lain some of the used feminine care & wrappers on the hand bar on the wall. I chose the only clean looking stall. When I got back to our table we left the restaurant. I gave four stars because the food was good & the hostess that put our name on the waiting list & seated us was very nice & happy to talk to...