-
April 2024 by Mystr E
I used to think of Olive Garden similar to Red Lobster; a place I might go on special occasions, but not somewhere I would go on regular days, due to high prices. This changed recently when my father passed away and my mother suggested we go to the location in Bloomington. She introduced me to the NeverEnding Soup & Salad. For a very reasonable price near lunchtime they would serve exactly what it says… bowl after bowl of soups. You can ask for the same soup or try different ones, your choice. In addition they bring out a large salad made up of lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, red onions, olives, peppers…with cheese if you like. We would order the salad without olives or peppers and no added cheese. Soup on the other hand I would have them add cheese. They don’t stop adding it until you tell them to stop either!I remember stories about Olive Garden trying to push wine onto customers, and customers taking advantage of the endless breadsticks. I don’t drink and I’m not that big a fan of bread, but their breadsticks are amazing.Recently we went on a weekend, when the soup & salad is $2 more, and at a busy time of day. I joined a waitlist online and without realizing it had provided my email address and agreed to receive advertising from them. The very first email was for a free appetizer (or dessert) with an adult entree, not the soup & salad. I started to look at the menu for their other items. We had looked at the menu before and thought it was mostly pasta dishes and or seafood. which I wasn’t particularly interested in. But now I realized they offered a steak as well. My mouth began to water. I’m not one for desserts, and theirs are decadent, but a free appetizer intrigued me. I chose the Burnsville location as its closer to where I live, plus currently there’s construction on the road by the Bloomington one.I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the building looked very similar if not exactly the same as the other location, on the inside. I had viewed the menu online and pre-chosen what I would order. The least decadent appetizer was meatballs, and because too much cow meat didn’t appeal to me, decided on the chicken Alfredo for my entree. I was going by myself.I had a feeling that the dishes were large amounts of food, and I was right. I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat it all, because in addition to the entree you also got either a soup or salad, and breadsticks, but had learned I could take food home with me. I hadn’t ever done it before, but I needed to today.The server was very pleasant and helpful with my coupon. My meal would have been $33 plus tax but with the coupon came out to only $22 including tax; not really expensive when you take in the service, amount of food and ambience. Because I was getting something free, I decided to tip more than my usual 25%. I give less if the service isn’t good, but I received excellent service.I was surprised when the Chef (or what appeared to be the chef) came to check up on me. It may have been the manager, but he was in a chef’s outfit. This really made me feel special! I hadn’t seen anyone like this at the Bloomington location, and I’ve been there several times.I was very impressed!
-
April 2024 by Jenni Runyan
Mark was an awesome server, very polite and helpful. Food was great !
-
April 2024 by Jason Nelson
Food was good and they brought it out fast. Well packed with everything you need.
-
April 2024 by Alexandra Zavi
Excellent place, they made me feel at home and the food was delicious!I will definitely return with my family ?
-
March 2024 by Cassandra Rose
Never disappointed here. If you go before 3pm you can get the cheaper lunch special!!
-
March 2024 by Vladii St paul
The Food was good, typical olive garden. The service sucked. Like really, had to get my own napkins , got one bowl of soup and bread sticks ,,, then nothing for a long time, had to walk to front of restaurant to request bread sticks and soup. Place was clean. Oh yeah and you might want to learn to speak Spanish as the waiters barely speak English.
-
March 2024 by Miriam Blanco
Food so goodddddddddddd ????
-
March 2024 by Mary Bretzman
Never offered me more soup, I had soup salad and breadsticks.
-
March 2024 by Mary Davis
Service is fast and friendly. I love their soup and salad. My husband likes their spaghetti. Eat there pretty much when we go to Rochester.
-
March 2024 by Ann O'Brien
Great service. Great food. Happy campers!
-
March 2024 by Gollo
Staff was amazing.
-
March 2024 by Rowan22
Chicken scampi was delicious. It was very busy but service was fast.
-
March 2024 by Andy belasques Lopez
I went with my family to eat at this restaurant but what we didn't like is that one of the manayers walks among the waiters and workers of the place asking the tables if everything is okay, which is what the waiter is responsible for. Yesterday I think it's
-
February 2024 by Linda Feldmeier
Always amazing food. Our service was awesome.
-
February 2024 by Kelsey
Service was great, friendly and we never had to ask twice for anything. Good is subjective to the individual. Everything arrived to the table as ordered. Hard to go wrong with pasta and bread.
