Olive Garden Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Madison

This Olive garden has really stepped up their game for customer experience. From the front staff to the wait staff, super nice and they LISTENED. The food has changed a lot though, for the worse. My veal parmesan was so overcooked it was crunchy. The salad for our table had two rotten pieces in it. As much salad as they go through, I found it unusual. The prices have gone up significantly since the last time we dined here, and I estimate about 40% in five years. 15 years ago this was a great place with very good food and reasonable family friendly prices. Today I can't say that at all. Personally I don't see the value. Maybe they are trying to compete with Maggiano's, but they are falling far short in the facility and food quality.

!!! Update!!! I was critical of this Olive Garden during my first review, and must tell all of you they have redeemed themselves in the most professional manner possible. I highly recommend the East Madison Olive Garden for a great night out, good food and a dining experience worth every penny. Now please continue reading why you should go.

OG customer service responded to my initial review and discussed my experiences with their restaurant during a phone call. They also sent me a gift certificate and asked I call this location before I arrive to use it. Being retired military, I know what happens when a unit is given advance warning a visitor is coming. They try extra hard to make a good showing. I didn't think this would be a fair assessment to see if anything has changed, so we went unannounced.

First, as I stated in my initial review the staff at this OG are very good, hard working, friendly and always make us feel welcome. I only had an issue with the food last time. The facility hasn't significantly changed yet the prices increased more than I expected. No real issue with it though.

This second trip turned out to be quite a pleasant experience! We went on a night when the local schools had prom, so the place was very busy. Still, we didn't have to wait longer than I would have expected. Again, the staff have their act together and make the front run very smoothly. I was hopeful the kitchen was going to have a good night.

A fair assessment would have been a reorder of the same meals, but our tastes vary based on external factors. So we ordered different meals, with soups and salads. Let me be very clear when I say the kitchen was clicking this night. The soup and salads were fresh and very classic Olive Garden. Very good, and we asked for more.

Our entrees arrived shortly after we finished our first courses, and they did not disappoint. The food had the traditional flavors we have come to expect and enjoy, the presentations were spot on and not disorganized on our plates. We all thoroughly enjoyed this meal from start to finish.

This Olive Garden redeemed itself, and I think the entire organization did as well. The response from customer service to my first review, the useful conversation during which they took the opportunity to listen to my experiences and never once offered a reason or excuse. The awesome staff at Olive Garden, the spot on chefs who nailed the classic flavors of Olive Garden, and the relaxing experience in this restaurant, all excellent.

I was critical of this Olive Garden during my first review, and must tell all of you they have redeemed themselves in the most professional manner possible. I highly recommend the East Madison Olive Garden for a great night out, good food and a dining experience worth...

Not much to review since I didn’t even get seated. So we have tried to eat here several times in recent months and are meant with long wait times and ridiculous amounts of people sitting around waiting for a table. Yesterday we were heading to town for a concert and decided to try again to have a meal at Olive Garden. When I went online to find out about reservations I found the join wait list option. I was thrilled how easy can this be! We started heading to Madison I checked it said wait time was 20-25 minutes. I joined the wait list and was anticipating no problems we will arrive and be seated promptly or almost promptly. Disappointed to say that was not the fact! We arrived in right around the 20 minute wait time and knew things were not going to go as planned. The whole lobby was full of people! I gave our name confident that all these poor people waiting did not know about the online option of being added to the wait list. We were told it would be an hour and 30 minutes!!! I’m like how can that be when it said a 20-25 minute wait and I was loke 10 on the list 10 minutes ago. Someone else checks the lists and says oh no it will probably be like 40 minutes!!’ Still not the time I was given. We had to leave and go else where. The couple in front of us at the other restaurant had the same problem we did. We had no problems find a seat and getting served promptly down the road! I understand things happen but we have never had such problems or waits before. Is it staffing are we still going every other table? You have 30 people in the lobby area would it not be better...

I absolutely loved how Management and our waiter Tony turned a challenging opportunity to a learning lesson for all of us. I was going to write a 1 star review about the outrageous service I got from the high strung bartender but instead management came and had to apologize for his unnecessary behavior. I eat there or get to go at least once a month and every time I have been there the waiters are amazing, especially Tony! He's always quick with our food and super friendly. We love him! I'm so happy the manager and our NEW assigned amazing waiter Tony RE made up my celebration night by accommodating us in a different section of the restaurant. This particular night meant a lot to us and our family because it was the first time in 11 months I was returning to work but I was also returning to work to work in a higher position. The entire altercation was about the Bartender speaking to me abruptly and telling me very straight forward and rude I couldn't share my salad with another person. He was so insistent about it that he refused to write down our order and tell us we were wrong and he was right. I refused to be rude back because I was in high school long a go. I want the Manager and TONY to know they did an ASTONISHING job at accommodating us and not letting the bartender ruin our special night. THANK YOU GREATLY for going above and beyond that night because I really needed it, after that altercation with...