Oleg's Upscale Fast Food Tour And Reviews

[PenPho]

Apex reviews Wendy's.

I don't know how I missed this earlier, this is glorious.

[J. Walter Weatherman]

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/231419/

THE EATBEAT: Long-awaited Olive Garden receives warm welcome

All in all, Eatbeat columnist Marilyn Hagerty writes, the new Olive Garden "is the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks. It attracts visitors from out of town as well as people who live here."

By: Marilyn Hagerty, Grand Forks Herald

After a lengthy wait for Olive Garden to open in Grand Forks, the lines were long in February. The novelty is slowly wearing off, but the steady following attests the warm welcome.

My first visit to Olive Garden was during midafternoon, so I could be sure to get in. After a late breakfast, I figured a late lunch would be fashionable.

The place is impressive. It’s fashioned in Tuscan farmhouse style with a welcoming entryway. There is seating for those who are waiting.

My booth was near the kitchen, and I watched the waiters in white shirts, ties, black trousers and aprons adorned with gold-colored towels. They were busy at midday, punching in orders and carrying out bread and pasta.

It had been a few years since I ate at the older Olive Garden in Fargo, so I studied the two manageable menus offering appetizers, soups and salads, grilled sandwiches, pizza, classic dishes, chicken and seafood and filled pastas.

At length, I asked my server what she would recommend. She suggested chicken Alfredo, and I went with that. Instead of the raspberry lemonade she suggested, I drank water.

She first brought me the familiar Olive Garden salad bowl with crisp greens, peppers, onion rings and yes — several black olives. Along with it came a plate with two long, warm breadsticks.

The chicken Alfredo ($10.95) was warm and comforting on a cold day. The portion was generous. My server was ready with Parmesan cheese.

As I ate, I noticed the vases and planters with permanent flower displays on the ledges. There are several dining areas with arched doorways. And there is a fireplace that adds warmth to the decor.

Olive Garden has an attractive bar area to the right of the entryway. The restaurant has a full liquor license and a wine list offering a wide selection to complement Italian meals. Nonalcoholic beverages include coolers, specialty coffees and hot teas.

On a hot summer day, I will try the raspberry lemonade that was recommended.

There’s a homemade soup, salad and breadstick lunch available until 4 p.m. daily for $6.95.

An olive branch on menu items signified low-fat entrees. There is a Garden Fare Nutrition Guide available for customers seeking gluten-free food. And for those with food allergies, Olive Garden has an Allergen Information Guide.

All in all, it is the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks. It attracts visitors from out of town as well as people who live here.

Olive Garden is part of the Darden chain of restaurants that also operates Red Lobster. There are about 700 restaurants, including four Olive Gardens in North Dakota’s major cities.

Olive Garden has gained a following since 1982 with its ample portions and relaxed ambience. It’s known for its classic lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo and chicken Parmigiana.

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/gaf1i3

I asked a former Grand Forks Herald editor whether the Olive Garden review (http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/231419/) was real. His response:

"Oh, that's for real. Marilyn has been reviewing restaurants for the Herald for decades. She also writes a sort of celebrity column and has a sewage lift station named for her, as does Dave Barry.

By the way, her readers will recognize that as a fairly negative review since she spent a lot more time on the ambience than the food:

"The chicken Alfredo ($10.95) was warm and comforting on a cold day. The portion was generous. My server was ready with Parmesan cheese."

[Gilgamesh]

Taco Bell is debuting the Dorito Taco at locations throughout our fine Republic today.

So, there's that too.  However, nothing beats that Olive Garden review.

[Brownie]

Taco Bell is debuting the Dorito Taco at locations throughout our fine Republic today.

So, there's that too.  However, nothing beats that Olive Garden review.

How many times have you dined with Presidents, Gil?

And, she noted, although chain restaurants, buffets and truck stops have been subjects of her reviews, she has eaten at The White House. Twice.

Sign me up as a Marilyn Haggerty fan. While I'm sure she sucks for not reviewing Grant Achatz's latest restaurant in Grand Forks, her restaurant review did seem rather tepid for a place that had lines out the door.

[J. Walter Weatherman]

Taco Bell is debuting the Dorito Taco at locations throughout our fine Republic today.

So, there's that too.  However, nothing beats that Olive Garden review.

How many times have you dined with Presidents, Gil?

And, she noted, although chain restaurants, buffets and truck stops have been subjects of her reviews, she has eaten at The White House. Twice.

Sign me up as a Marilyn Haggerty fan. While I'm sure she sucks for not reviewing Grant Achatz's latest restaurant in Grand Forks, her restaurant review did seem rather tepid for a place that had lines out the door.

Honestly, to me the appeal was the utter genuineness of it.

[flannj]

Taco Bell is debuting the Dorito Taco at locations throughout our fine Republic today.

So, there's that too.  However, nothing beats that Olive Garden review.

How many times have you dined with Presidents, Gil?

And, she noted, although chain restaurants, buffets and truck stops have been subjects of her reviews, she has eaten at The White House. Twice.

Sign me up as a Marilyn Haggerty fan. While I'm sure she sucks for not reviewing Grant Achatz's latest restaurant in Grand Forks, her restaurant review did seem rather tepid for a place that had lines out the door.

Honestly, to me the appeal was the utter genuineness of it.

It's perfect.
I must have sent the link to a dozen people this morning.

[CT III]

4th fattest?  Keep keepin' on, Rockford.

http://www.newser.com/story/143086/americas-fattest-city-is.html

[PenPho]

4th fattest?  Keep keepin' on, Rockford.

http://www.newser.com/story/143086/americas-fattest-city-is.html

America is the fattest country in the world, and Mississippi the fattest state.

As I'm sitting here in a casino in Mississippi, I can confirm this to be 100% fact.