Olive Garden Appetizers to Avoid, According to Chefs
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For diners seeking an affordable pasta experiance, Olive Garden remains a popular choice, especially when paired with its signature breadsticks and unlimited soup or salad. However, culinary professionals caution that not all appetizers on the menu deliver value or flavor. Recent insights from chefs reveal specific starters best avoided, citing concerns ranging from overly processed ingredients to lackluster execution.
Fried Lasagna: A Disappointing Start
The Fried Lasagna Fritta, featuring parmesan-breaded lasagna topped with parmesan cheese and meat sauce, may appear appealing on the menu. However, kyle Taylor, founder and chef at HE COOKS, strongly advises against ordering it. “I worked at Olive Garden in college,” Taylor stated.”Frankly, I would not suggest anything on the appetizer menu, but the Lasagna Fritta is one to steer clear of wholly. It comes straight from the freezer and up close it barely resembles food.” He further explained that the dish, once fried and covered in sauce and cheese, becomes a “dense, greasy block” that can be overly filling before the main course even arrives.
Did you No? The average American consumes approximately 15 pounds of pasta per year, making it a staple in many diets.Statista
Calamari: A Missed Opportunity
While calamari is a popular appetizer at many seafood restaurants, chef Kyle believes Olive Garden’s version falls short.”Nobody should be ordering that at olive Garden,” he asserts. “There’s no chance it’s fresh. What you get is a pile of chewy rings with thick, greasy breading that buries any actual flavor.” This suggests a lack of quality control and freshness in the preparation of this particular appetizer.
Spinach Artichoke Dip: Quality Concerns
The Spinach Artichoke Dip, while a classic appetizer, also receives criticism. Dennis Littley, Chef and Recipe Expert at Ask Chef Dennis, points to issues with consistency and freshness. “The problem isn’t the concept; it’s a classic appetizer but the execution in a large chain setting
