You better bring your appetite for this one!

While on vacation in State College, I was starving, and was not in the mood to eat at 5 Guys . .  again.  Out of desperation I agreed to take my kids to the Olive Garden since I knew they had a gluten free menu. I was a little nervous after a bad experience at the Olive Garden in downtown Salt Lake City ( the server informed me that they cooked the gluten free chicken on the same surface as the gluten contaminated chicken! Yikes!) Therefore, I “grilled” my server thoroughly about how the food is prepared and cooked (bad pun, I know).

The guy didn’t bat an eye at my neurotic game of 20 questions about the gluten free menu, which helped me feel comfortable and, well, normal.  I agreed to start my meal with their salad sans croutons. Well, go figure, my salad arrived with a heaping serving of croutons. Not good. However, my server was extremely apologetic and mixed a new salad for me immediately. And oh was it yummy.

I ordered the Mixed Grill, which consisted of a skewer of chicken, a skewer of steak, a side of grilled vegetables and a heap of seasoned potatoes. I was shocked at how much food was on my plate! It is very filling and extremely flavorful.  And the best part- I didn’t get sick- wha hoo!!

Overall, my experience at the State College location was excellent, and it is nice to know that a national chain has a gluten free dining option I can turn to if I am on the go or in a new location.

3 Responses to “Restaurant Review: Olive Garden – State College, PA”

1. GIGI
   July 28th, 2009 @ 5:03 pm

   So I went on adventure to an Olive Garden the other day – it was my first time… oh to be a virgin – well no longer… and I certainly could see myself going back! I got the salmon and asked for extra broccoli and made sure it was cooked in olive oil NOT butter – I also loaded up on the all you can eat salad (dressing & croutons on the side)… it was pretty darn good and really not too hard on my wallet either! I can see why these places stay in business! ha ha! Next time I think I’m going to try the skewer of chicken, it looks good!

2. Catherine
   July 29th, 2009 @ 5:02 pm

   This is my favorite meal at Olive Garden!

3. GF
   June 29th, 2010 @ 11:18 am

   I checked with corporate and both the potatoes and the sauce are not gluten free. Glad you didn’t get sick. I did, but I am pretty sensitive. I had the whole mouth ulcers and GI stuff for days now. The dish is supposed to come with broccoli not the potatoes. It must be a corp wide problem for them.

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