Next.js logo

OLIVE GARDEN

Last Updated: 16 days ago

Phone: (212) 333-3254

Address: 2 TIMES SQUARE 10036

TLDR

Times Sq Italian chain w/ legendary unlimited breadsticks & affordable drinks, polarizing for locals but a familiar fallback.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 70 Reddit comments)

19% Positive46% Neutral36% Negative

Tags

italian-american 37italian 22american 21pasta 15italian-american food 7italian-american 6View All

Neighborhoods

Theater District

Details

This Times Square establishment is a polarizing dining destination, often perceived by locals as a tourist trap to be avoided in favor of more authentic NYC eateries. However, it garners a surprising number of recommendations, with some appreciating its consistency and value, particularly for its famed unlimited breadsticks and affordable drinks. While many criticize the overall food quality, a few find specific dishes or the overall experience acceptable, especially for those with simpler palates or seeking a familiar chain experience in a bustling location.

Food Overview

The Italian-American cuisine is met with mixed reviews. While some users recommend it as a reliable option for familiar dishes like pasta, salad, and breadsticks, others find the food to be mediocre or even inedible, with one user specifically noting the breadsticks were too salty. The drinks, however, are frequently mentioned as being surprisingly affordable and a positive aspect.

Highlights / Recommended

"The unlimited salad and breadsticks are consistently highlighted as positive aspects. Drinks are also frequently mentioned as being surprisingly affordable."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • drinks(4)
  • pasta primavera(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customer feedback on this restaurant is highly polarized, with many criticizing it as a generic tourist trap and expressing a preference for local options, while a notable minority find it to be an acceptable, convenient, or even surprisingly good choice, particularly for specific items like drinks or unlimited breadsticks.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

A user highly recommends Olive Garden for its unlimited salad and breadsticks, highlighting these as key draws. Another commenter agrees, noting the drinks are surprisingly affordable but the rest of the food is inedible.
A local emphatically states this Olive Garden is a place to 'must-avoid', citing its long lines and a C health rating as reasons. Another comment sarcastically implies it's good, contrasting it with a different restaurant.
The restaurant is suggested for an 'unforgettable experience' with all-you-can-eat pasta and breadsticks, evoking 'last meal vibes.' Another user jokingly admits to trying it to understand what Olive Garden is like.
A user expresses bewilderment that tourists would choose this Olive Garden over local options. Another defends chains for their standardized taste, while a third found the drinks affordable but entrees inedible.
A user states this location is 'not worth it,' implying it's overrated. In contrast, another user found the restaurant's quality had noticeably improved.

Recent Mentions

From post: Best Steakhouse With Great Dry Aged Steak That

"The user suggests Olive Garden Times Square, specifically mentioning the steak & shrimp bucatini."

Positive
Aug 3, 2025View Comment →

From post: Its Your Last Day In The City No Matter The

"This commenter jokingly stated Times Square Olive Garden as their choice for a final meal."

Neutral
Jul 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Gazebo Eddie Huang Pop Up Was Terrible

"Sarcastically suggested going to Olive Garden Times Square as a better alternative to the reviewed restaurant."

Neutral
Jul 10, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Place For Birthday Dinner

"Responding to a recommendation for Olive Garden Times Square, the user expresses skepticism, assuming the suggestion is sarcastic and preferring to go to their usual spots."

Negative
Jun 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Place For Birthday Dinner

"The user recommends Olive Garden in Times Square as a practical choice for a large birthday dinner with vegetarians, clarifying it was not meant sarcastically and noting its capacity and options."

Positive
Jun 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Risotto In Nyc

"A user expresses affection for Olive Garden Times Square, calling it an 'underrated gem', likely in a sarcastic tone given the preceding comment."

Negative
Jun 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Dinner Location Recommendations Party Of 1011

"The user simply suggests Olive Garden in Times Square as a dinner location for the group."

Neutral
Jun 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Risotto In Nyc

"Olive Garden Times Square is sarcastically suggested as an Italian restaurant in response to a request for recommendations."

Negative
Jun 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Restaurant Recommendations For Dinner After

"Olive Garden was suggested as a restaurant option conveniently located right in Times Square."

Neutral
Jun 15, 2025View Comment →

From post: Dinner With Kids Unique But Casual Atmosphere

"The Times Square Olive Garden is mentioned as a dining option, with implied negative sentiment due to its low upvote count."

Negative
Jun 12, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Eat In Times Square And Why Youd Want To

"Olive Garden is again mentioned, with "Gourmet" added, likely as a continuation of the sarcastic recommendation."

Neutral
Jun 10, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Eat In Times Square And Why Youd Want To

"Olive Garden is mentioned as a dining option. Given the context of the subreddit and surrounding comments, this is likely a sarcastic or gag recommendation for Times Square."

Neutral
Jun 10, 2025View Comment →

From post: Garlic Bread

"The user ironically suggests Olive Garden, stating it's the subreddit's favorite 'no search' option, implying it's a sarcastic recommendation for when users don't research."

Negative
Jun 5, 2025View Comment →

From post: Garlic Bread

"The user suggests Olive Garden in response to the request for garlic bread near Midtown West."

Negative
Jun 5, 2025View Comment →

From post: Leaving Nyc In 2 Weeks Bucket List

"The original poster humorously responded to the Olive Garden Times Square suggestion, implying it sounds "exotic" in a sarcastic tone."

Neutral
Jun 2, 2025View Comment →

From post: Leaving Nyc In 2 Weeks Bucket List

"Olive Garden Times Square was sarcastically suggested as a unique bucket list meal before leaving NYC."

Neutral
Jun 2, 2025View Comment →

From post: Dress Code

"The Times Square Olive Garden is humorously stated to require only a shirt and shoes, mocking the concept of strict dress codes."

Neutral
May 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Bars With Reasonable Proceed Cocktails

"A commenter highlights that wait times at The Olive Garden in Times Square can be hours long, depending on the visit time."

Negative
May 28, 2025View Comment →

From post: Bars With Reasonable Proceed Cocktails

"A commenter questions whether visiting The Olive Garden in Times Square is worth the 'indignity' despite the cheap drinks."

Negative
May 28, 2025View Comment →

From post: Bars With Reasonable Proceed Cocktails

"The Olive Garden in Times Square offers cocktails for $7.50, which the commenter verified during a recent visit."

Neutral
May 28, 2025View Comment →