Italian Garden Restaurant — Restaurant in South Carolina

We've been to this place a few times. December 8, 2022, at about 1:30 pm for lunch. The place was very busy and we were seated next to a large, fun loving group of ladies that were celebrating the holidays there. We really enjoyed this group especially during their gift exchange where you could take someone else's gift out, pick from the pile. These are the times I missed working outside the home... The celebration with friends and co- workers. Hubby had his usual calzone with a side of garlic butter. I had their baked ziti. Both meals were really good and definitely worth ordering again.

The last time we went was on a Sunday, September 17, 2023 and our receipt says it was rung up at 3:48 pm. Basically, our usual time for eating out for better service and between lunch and dinner service.

This time the hubby ordered the pepperoni calzone and I ordered their 10" veggie pizza along with two side salads. The calzone was stuffed and full of flavor. Never a disappointment. This was the first time I've ordered pizza as I like pizza but usually it's on a craving of some sort. The pizza was full of fresh veggies and coming right out of the oven, the cheese gooey and the entire thing was flavorful, even the leftovers at home.

The reason for the 4 stars: Our server that day was Tijuana. I cannot stress how professional she remained after we watched what transpired as we were seated and several minutes later. Apparently, the lunch menus were still on most of the tables in the main dining area. Tijuana asked one of the other servers if she would please remove those from the tables. From there, things escalated. Not sure who the other server was or maybe she was related to management/owner, we were not sure. This server was almost screaming back to Tijuana stating she didn't have to do that or take orders from her. We heard Tijuana say something like (not quoting), calm down, maybe take off to calm down. Again, not certain of the chain of command, really didn't care but very glad this girl was not our server. Tijuana was extremely calm considering she got blasted by this immature girl who, once she knew the manager/owner pulled in the parking lot, ran out to talk to him and we assumed tell him her side of what happened. Immature individuals are a bad representation for a business. We have not yet returned but will eventually. Hopefully we won't experience the same scenario from the girl who cannot get along...

With over 15/years experience in the hotel, restaurant, and hospitality industry, intend to be somewhat demanding when it comes to quality service and a quality product. The first time I visit Italian garden the service was impeccable and the food was great I returned 3 days in a row for lunch! However after those first three times I have been greatly disappointed over and over. The service is very inconsistent I observed while some people were offered punch cards and some people were not I left my punch card sitting on my table to be stamped three times without a waitress ever picking it up or asking me about it at all, so I never mentioned it I'm not looking to get something free anyway I happen to work next door and if it is raining it is one of the only places I can go to eat otherwise I never would have returned after my first negative experience. Today I watched three waitresses struggle while serving only 6 two tops. I know there are many facets that contribute to quality food and quality service so I will not lay the blame on the waitresses alone but I think it's a little bit ridiculous. My other issue with Italian garden is consistency I usually order the gyro sandwich and have enjoyed it more than half a dozen times yet today it only had four very small slices of meat in it and was basically a salad on a piece of bread. My greatest disappointment was ordering their Greek salad being a Greek Italian restaurant you would think they take pride in something like a Greek salad yet it cost $9 and was served on a very small oval plate and was not much more than a handful of food. There are at least a half a dozen Greek restaurants in Greenville that service $7 Greek salad that is 3 times the size and loaded with feta cheese olives and cucumbers. I think my rating is a very good example of how when you satisfy a customer you don't necessarily hear positive reviews but when you upset a customer you get multiple negative reviews and they tell at least 5 people. The last time I ate there I watch the woman next to me wait 30 minutes before she was served. I think there might be hope for this restaurant but to all new patrons I sat RUN! IF THIS RESTAURANT IS BUSY YOU WILL REGRET IT. GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN. I have found that if I would like to enjoy my meal and get good quality service I would have to go when there are no cars in...

We are regulars and really good customers here. We generally LOVE this place. We live within a mile, so it's very convenient. We love most of the dishes we've had here and would recommend to anyone to give this place a try.

Unfortunately, the chef needs to grow a pair. I ordered the lasagna and it was extremely soupy when it arrived bubbling hot at the table. I fished around for the lasagna noodles and there was perhaps the equivalent of one half of a single lasagna noodle, cut into 3/4 inch strips interspersed throughout the dish.

The sauce was a meaty marinara with ricotta and some cheese melted on top. The flavor was great, but the lack of any consistency was the problem. I politely asked the server if she could bring me a small portion of pasta because I had a dish full of sauce.

The waitstaff is wonderful and attentive, friendly and efficient. Apparently the chef in back was highly offended that anyone would not be fawning over this creation because he proceeded to grumble and gripe over my request for a little pasta. We were seated at the extreme opposite side from where he was griping, but could clearly hear his exchange with the table server.

I was brought out a dish of spaghetti noodles with yet more sauce to go with my already abundance of noodle-less sauce. By that time, having heard the chef B*TCHING about my request had soured me on EVER GOING BACK. We left the rest of the food on the table. Paid the bill, left a generous tip for the server, and left.

It's a shame because we do love this place but customer service is very important in the food service industry and as customers it is very important to us. So, Chef-Whoever-You-Are, grow up! At the very least, learn that there is a time and a place and the front of your restaurant in earshot of customers is...