Olive Garden Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Pineville

We originally did not leave a bad review, but even after paying, we wish that we had not.

The food was good, the environment was fine, the service from our waitress, just went quickly downhill. If I describe the situation, she would probably know exactly who I was as this just happened not too long ago.

We had a reservation and a party of 6, all girls, mixed bag of personalities, but overall none of us see each other as rude or disrespectful.

We were seated and not too long after, our waitress approaches. Our waitresses name is Shadasia G. for reference. She asks us for drink, and we quickly new what we wanted (since they were just drinks), she took the drink order and walked away. Everything was good so far.

During the short wait for drinks, most of the girls left to go wash their hands before eating, and I stayed behind to watch over everyone's purses and phones (it only makes sense to). So, for this, I decided to swap seats with one of my friends to sit on the outside, rather than against the wall. During this time, Shadasia G. came back to the tables with drinks. All of the drinks were correct, but one of my friends asked for a tea, no ice (not a big deal, we did not even remind her about it, we just noted it and let it be). Everything was fine, she just set down the drinks where I now sat, and I place the drinks with a coaster to everyone's seat (all of the coasters were at the front of the table, rather than spread out, but no big deal). I guess that she just noticed my changing off seats and just wanted me to pass the drinks out rather than herself...

I try to be helpful and after we got our main dishes (we also had unlimited soups and some had unlimited salad) I wanted to order refills for everyone. Apparently, Shadasia G disliked that...either that or just me. Others would ask for something, but when I would ask for something (regardless of it was for me or someone else), she would say that she would have to charge me for it. To the point, when I ordered some soup for my friends and they never bothered to bring it out, I had to ask another server to get it for us because she just would not come back. She also brought me the unlimited large salad bowl, with a serving for 1 PERSON! It is unlimited salad, fill the large bowl! That is how olive garden has ALWAYS done it! I had ordered probably 10 servings of salad, and she was saying that she would have to charge me for it if I could not finish it and wish to take it home. My friends have been waiting for their food, and their to-go boxes and bowls, but when I asked, she would always bring up charging me. However, when my friends asked, she would give them to go containers and never give them a hard time.

I felt so targeted, and we never did anything to Shadasia G.

She was the worst service that I have ever had at this restaurant, if I had a recording of how she treated me, I wish that that would be enough to fire her because this is unacceptable customer server. We had a large party, we were all kind to her. We simply asked questions if we needed help and all of it was met with sassiness and rude tones.

If I ever decide to come back. I NEVER want her serving me or my friends ever again. She ruined our night more than it already was. Her quality just got worse the more we stayed in that restaurant.

She never told us when the kitchen was closing and we were trying to purchase more food, my friend was hungry and needed more food, but Shadasia G never bothered to ask us if we wanted to order anything else, by the time that we had to ask HER if we could, "No you cannot order, the kitchen's closed" We had 30 minutes left before they closed.... Why did she not tell us that beforehand?

After we paid, she grabbed and dropped a handful of chocolates on the table and never came back to us. No "thank you for coming", no "have a good night". It is like she did not want to work there or do her job. She is a server, the job is to serve.

I expect the bare minimum from servers, so when you do not treat us well... Why do you think we will...

Note: I spoke with management today and they are addressings issues below. I look forward to giving them a five star reveiw soon. Very pleased with their reaching out. Here is my earlier review. Expect an update soon. Arrived with child. Not too busy. Know I once did reviews professionally and for a national review star service and was a national TV chef. Review is for lunch. I ordered a cocktail to relax. Got it 25 minutes later (no exageration). Cocktail was not prepared properly as I ordered one specific request. No apologies from our server who literally dropped and ran. No complimentary cocktail for horrible service at bar. My problem is the buzzword for the meal. I left 3/4s of cocktail as a signal, and server could have cared less. Ordered one children's meal and it arrived first and timely. Nice job. Of course my cocktail and meal still 15 minutes away. Server said child's meal is ALWAYS served before others. Seems I had no choice in the matter so neither will you! Unacceptable. Unacceptable. Unacceptable. It us my choice, ask! So be forwarned. Normally the Garden is noted for tasty sauce. Not this time. Meatballs seemed cold in center and my spaghetti with marinara TOTALLY OVERCOOKED. GUMMY. The chef was sending out food without checking or it just didn't matter. Again, I left 3/4s as a signal something is wrong. They failed my test again. I take reviews seriously. This was a visit to review. I have given many 5 star reviews. No one asked me: "Was the meal not satisfactory?" Or "Let me correct it." Or even "Do you want something else?" When I asked for carry away box this was a great opportunity for a question. The server did not question it at all. Managment never came out for anyone in our section. Two positive notes: the salad was cold and great and Amy, another server, was aces on her tables; I observed her and she stopped by my table double that of my server and treated me properly. Ask for Amy if you come. I need to say that my server spoke to us as he was traveling down the aisle or serving others speaking across rables. Training and management issues.Did I mention ask for Amy? She was a pro. As a local tour guide, highly rated on many review platforms, I give this visit TWO STARS out of Five. This place is a no go for tourists and locals. Much better places for lunch. Cocktail at lunch over $8.00. My bill for spaghetti and meatballs and one child's meal was $40+. Children's menu is excellent in all regards. Normally a good place. I will re-check in September and post an update. I give management a fail. See your customers!! The Darden Company (owners) have very high standards and they would be vastly disappointed in this service and guest experience. Two stars overall and that's...

Update: spoke with the gm and he was very upset to hear our story. I know its tough to be responsible for things when you expect your staff to be on the ball. I am changing my review to 3 stars and will be coming back to try one more time. Everyone has a bad day and lets hope thats all it was.

TERRIBLE....1st let me say your prices have REALLY gone up and the portion sizes are actually smaller.. your sauces taste striaght out of a jar especially your alfredo.. butter, cream cheese, grated fresh parm and heavy cream and Italian seasoning..why does it taste like bertolli alfredo...

2nd there was about 30 of us and it litterally took 1.5 hrs after the orderd were take for the pasta to hit the table.. never even was offered an option of soup..

3rd my wife asked to sub your spicy shrimp for the gnocchi and was told no while another person at the table ordred alfredo with shrimp and ask to do that instead and was told yes..

4th My wifes food was last and so late that everyone was litterally done when she got hers which means it was missed and fired as a rush...

5th when it came out she got 6 pieces of shimp that looked striaght out of a food lion cocktail bag dropped in water and tossed on top of the sauce not even TOSSED to cover them... attached is a photo

6th I asked for a box as soon as the food it 27 min later still no box.. litterly timed it because I had to leave for work and needed to take it from a message I got the same time the food hit.

7th i had to go to the bar to get a water becuase the server took my drink order and never came back with one for me.

So does this food in the photo look worth $18 because that is the cost.. if your company is losing money don't raise the prices fix the problem.. your litterally labled the McD of itilian in the public eye.. HOW EMBARRASSING!!! I do not eat your food and my due to lack fo quality and service years ago but had a VERY special kid that is VERY sick and was being taken to the beach one last time.. if I was the host I would NOT be paying full prices for a dinner that took 2 hrs to get salads and pasta down LITTERALLY... I will be back tomorrow to speak to a manager because I was not going to ruin this special childs last trip... TERRIBLE look at this pasta that looks like was made in the kitchen of a freshmen in high school...