Olive Garden Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia

I've had mixed experiences at this particular Olive Garden, so even though my most recent experience was stellar, I can't quite justify a five star rating yet. If warranted, I'll change it after a few more visits...

This location is very convenient for those engaged in a day of errands and grocery shopping, with its close proximity and easy access to the Walmart Supercenter and Sam's Club. There are also several other restaurants nearby if you're with a finicky group who can't all agree on one place. The decor and layout are as you'd expect from any other Olive Garden, although the bar is on the opposite side from most other locations I've been to.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful when we arrived with one of our party in a wheelchair, and seated us very close to the front door rather than in the back, which was a welcome change from many other restaurants. Unfortunately, however, their handicapped parking is very far from the door. It's technically compliant with ADA regulations, but it doesn't seem logical to me that they'd make it so far away--what about people who can walk but not very far, or those who have to wheel themselves from their vehicles for whatever reason? This situation could easily be resolved with the addition of another curb access point in the front. That way, handicapped people who visit during slow times can choose to park in the closer non-accessible spaces if they prefer. A minor point, and one that doesn't play in to my rating, but definitely one to consider for those with limited mobility.

Finally, the food and service-- on my latest visit, the service was excellent and the food was great, although we only got soup, salad, and bread sticks. However, in the past, this location has consistently had mediocre food and extremely slow service (for example, taking over 90 minutes for lunch with only two people who both ordered soup, salad, and bread sticks)... Because it had been so long since our last visit, I am not sure if this was a fluke or if they've fixed their service problems. I'll update my rating as needed based on...

Very clean, at first we were very impressed, great service, very attentive and super quick with breadsticks and salads. This is where the glitter ends no longer all sparkly. My fettuccine alfredo was brought out so quick and the soups, I had a little person in my head saying that was too quick, no way my food is ready I ordered like 5 mins ago. The waitress brought the wrong soup on accident and when she swapped it out she mentioned all the food was already made on the line all she had to was grab it. Now this is where it gets interesting. Back story I had just fasted for 35 hours for a surgery and I was so hungry I could have ate anything at this point. I knew to slow down and chew my food, but dang I was having flashbacks to 1999 when Olive Garden was a once a week thing for all the ladies in the family while the kids were in school, bad I know, but hey they caught on quick and learned to be sick on OG days. Sooooo, I paced and did not over eat.

About an hour after we left I felt super gassy, and almost nausea like. I shook it off, when we got home five hours later, i was feeling much worse. Mind you hubby dipped his breadsticks in the Alfredo sauce as well. He woke me up saying he felt a little sick and pooped his guts all out, within 15 mins I was on the toilet and started shaking, felt the heat rise up and just like that I was puking everywhere.

It was food poisoning, all the signs and symptoms were there, hubby had fasted with me that morning. Replaying what she said I think all that food was prepped and sitting out & the alfredo sauce was bad.

Lesson do not eat here when they first open. Order something special.

Hubby says the sweet tea was good. Overall one star for service and second one for salad...

I visited this establishment yesterday Feb 1st from out of town. I can't remember our servers name but he's a young thin white guy with dark hair and black glasses. I just want to say he was awesome! I felt so bad for him though because some money another customer left for the bill & tip was stolen off of the table by some young high school girls in what looked like volleyball uniforms on their way to the bathroom. I did notice the money on the table but I didn't realize what had actually happened until after our server was looking all around the table and then asked us if we saw any money on the table. I said yes I did and told him what I had observed after the fact. When they were walking by they all huddled up really close to each other as they were walking by and took it. Had I realized what had happened I would have most definitely said something. I'm sorry I didn't notice. On top of that he was walking by with dishes to serve and almost bumped into his coworker as they passed. He apologized to her and she blatantly rolls her eyes in the back of her head annoyed. She was just passing through and she didn't even move over for him to get by while he was struggling trying to work. I know she saw him. That was rude!! He was already having a rough day! I felt awful for him. He was so nice and hard working and I hate all that happened. Food & service was...