## Olive Garden Menu: A Comprehensive Guide to Entrees and Sides
Olive Garden is a renowned restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine, offering a wide variety of menu options to satisfy every taste. While the restaurant is primarily known for its pasta dishes, salads, and breadsticks, it also serves a selection of meat-based entrees, including steak paired with delectable vegetable sides.
### Appetizers
Before diving into the main course, consider starting your meal with one of Olive Garden’s mouthwatering appetizers:
– Calamari Fritti: Crispy squid served with zesty marinara sauce.
– Bruschetta: Toasted bread topped with diced tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
– Antipasto: A platter of assorted Italian meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
– Soup: A daily soup selection, often featuring options like Chicken and Gnocchi or Zuppa Toscana.
– Fried Mozzarella: Breaded and fried mozzarella served with marinara sauce.
### Salads
Olive Garden offers a range of fresh and flavorful salads:
– Garden Fresh Salad: A mix of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and croutons, served with your choice of dressing.
– Chicken Caesar Salad: Romaine lettuce tossed with Caesar dressing, shredded Parmesan cheese, and croutons, topped with grilled chicken.
– Italian Salad: A blend of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and olives, served with Italian dressing.
– Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks Combo: A combination of any soup, salad, and unlimited breadsticks.
### Signature Pasta Dishes
Olive Garden is famous for its delectable pasta dishes, featuring a variety of sauces and ingredients:
– Chicken Alfredo: Fettuccine tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce with grilled chicken.
– Spaghetti and Meatballs: Spaghetti topped with a hearty meatball marinara sauce.
– Lasagna: Layers of pasta, cheese, meat sauce, and vegetables, baked to perfection.
– Tour of Italy: A trio of smaller portions of Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, and Spaghetti and Meatballs.
– Shrimp Scampi: Shrimp sautéed in a lemon-butter sauce over linguine.
### Entrees
Beyond pasta, Olive Garden offers a selection of entrees, including steak and other meat-based options:
Steak Entrees:
– Sirloin: A tender and flavorful 8-ounce charbroiled sirloin steak served with your choice of two sides.
– Filet Mignon: A premium cut of steak, grilled to perfection and served with your choice of two sides.
– Spaghetti and Meatballs with Steak: A combination of Olive Garden’s classic Spaghetti and Meatballs with a grilled sirloin steak.
Other Entrees:
– Grilled Salmon: A succulent salmon fillet grilled and glazed with a lemon-herb sauce.
– Chicken Parmigiana: Breaded and fried chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
– Eggplant Parmigiana: Breaded and fried eggplant slices topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
### Sides
Complement your entree with a delectable side dish:
– Unlimited Breadsticks: Warm, fluffy breadsticks served with garlic-herb dipping sauce.
– Soup: Any of Olive Garden’s daily soup selections.
– Salad: A side of your choice of salad, such as the Garden Fresh Salad or Italian Salad.
– Gnocchi: Soft and pillowy potato dumplings served with a creamy Alfredo sauce.
– Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy.
– Steamed Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets steamed to perfection.
– Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, zucchini, and mushrooms roasted with olive oil and herbs.
– Pasta Side: A small portion of your choice of pasta, such as Spaghetti or Fettuccine.
– Seasonal Vegetables: Varies depending on the time of year, often featuring options like Asparagus or Bell Peppers.
### Desserts
Indulge in a sweet treat to end your meal on a high note:
– Chocolate Lava Cake: A warm and gooey chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream.
– Cheesecake: A classic cheesecake topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream.
– Tiramisu: A coffee-infused dessert made with ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder.
– Apple Crostata: A baked apple pie topped with a flaky crust and served with vanilla ice cream.
– Seasonal Desserts: Varies depending on the time of year, often featuring options like Holiday Pie or Pumpkin Cheesecake.
### Menu Variations
Olive Garden offers a variety of seasonal menu items and regional specialties that may not be available in all locations. Always refer to the specific menu at your local Olive Garden for the most up-to-date options.
### Additional Information
– Kids Menu: Olive Garden has a dedicated kids menu with smaller portions and kid-friendly options.
– Gluten-Free Options: Olive Garden offers a range of gluten-free menu items, including gluten-free breadsticks, pasta, and desserts.
– Dietary Restrictions: Olive Garden staff is knowledgeable about dietary restrictions and can assist guests with finding suitable menu options.
– Allergen Information: Olive Garden provides comprehensive allergen information on its website and in-restaurant menus.
– Rewards Program: Olive Garden has a rewards program that offers exclusive discounts and promotions to members.