Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

I should know by now to avoid this place, but we gave them another shot last night. What can I say, I sometimes have a craving for salty, over processed “Italian” food. Upon walking in we were not greeted in a friendly manner. This has always been the case when we go to this restaurant. We always have to initiate conversation with the hostesses or they don’t speak at all. Isn’t it their job to at the very least say hello to guests who walk through their door? I politely asked the hostess for a table for two. Her reply to me was, “what if I said no?” I fired back “we don’t have to dine here.” Then there were snickers and surprised faces from the other two hostesses standing at the hostess station. I know the hostess is young, immature, and inexperienced, but they should be trained by their managers to always be courteous and welcoming to guests, especially when making a first impression. We should have turned around at that very moment and walked out the door. The experience only went down hill from there. Our server came around, took our drink order and food order. Our soup/salad came out first, but we still had no drinks. We waited 15 minutes and our drinks were finally brought over. The waitress took off and I realized the drinks were wrong. The bartender served us something different than what we had ordered. We waited another 20 minutes and a pleasant food runner delivered our entrees. I asked him if he could swap out the drinks. I was very polite and he said he would tell our server. She took her time. We were already done with dinner by the time the correct drinks were delivered to our table. She then asked me if we wanted dessert. I told her maybe and she walked away. I wanted to order dessert on the tablet at the table rather than give her another opportunity to mess up our order. She delivers our desserts and remarks, “cheesecake goes well with beer.” I almost lost it. Maybe I would ‘t be drinking beer and eating cheesecake had my drink been delivered an hour ago and not five minutes before ordering dessert!! We had nothing to drink the entire time we were having dinner. She never brought water even though she said she would. The only time she was ever concerned about us was when it was time to pay. She came over and started trying to give me a tutorial on how to use the little table tablet to pay. I think I can manage to figure it out since I’ve done it countless times before. At this point I was really over her. I basically told her to go away and that I had it covered. She scoffed, of course. But seriously, the entire time we were eating she was not concerned one bit, but now that it’s time for her tip she’s all about it? I am so over this place! There were only a few tables and most of the restaurant was empty. I’ll never go back again. Their service is the absolute worst. But then again, it is Olive Garden and the bar isn’t that high, I guess.

Olive garden is Olive garden but this one is very nice. The staff was super friendly. The tables and booths were actually cleaned not just wiped down with a dirty old rag. Food was good and quickly arrived. This location is actually a bit out of our way but my family and I make the drive for how pleasant out experiences have always been here.

3 stars due to the service. I will admit I went during lunch. 15 minute wait for a table was fine. Waiter was very attentive until I was ready to wrap things up. I paid with the kiosk at the table but no receipt would print. Waited around for a while but my server never came back. Unlimited soup and salad is the way to go for lunch. The chicken gnocchi soup is awesome! Also try the peach bellini tea, its always refreshing.

I went yesterday evening with my friends service was awful. I will not recommended to anyone to go to this Olive Garden in matteson. The lady who took care of us had an attitude. It Looked like we bother her. Her service sucks. Didn’t even bring us utensils to eat when we got our food like I had to ask her for them. The food was extra dry. It wasn’t worth paying what we pay. Maybe McDonald’s could of treat us better than this. Just awful period.

3 stars because my waitress didn't give me mints, nor did she keep my drink full. She only checked on is once (after we were finished with our meal). Food was delicious.