7 Olive Garden Ordering Mistakes To Avoid And 7 Genius Hacks You Need To Try Instead

Who doesn’t love those endless breadsticks and cozy Italian-inspired dishes at Olive Garden?

As someone who’s practically lived on their Tour of Italy for years, I’ve learned the ins and outs of maximizing every visit.

Whether you’re a regular like me or an occasional diner, knowing what mistakes to avoid and which clever hacks to try can transform your experience from good to spectacular.

1. Skipping the Olive Garden App

Skipping the Olive Garden App
© Taste of Home

Last month I showed up without a reservation on Friday night and waited nearly two hours for a table! Never again. The Olive Garden app has completely changed my dining strategy.

With the app, I can now join the waitlist before leaving home, track my wait time in real-time, and even order ahead. Plus, it remembers my favorite dishes, making reordering a breeze.

My friends were shocked when we waltzed past the crowded lobby straight to our table. That smug feeling alone is worth the 30 seconds it takes to download!

2. Not Signing Up for eClub or Birthday Perks

Not Signing Up for eClub or Birthday Perks
© Stacker

My sister couldn’t stop laughing when I admitted I’d been eating at Olive Garden for years without joining their eClub. “You’re literally throwing away free food!” she exclaimed.

She wasn’t wrong. Their birthday freebie alone is worth about $10 – that’s a free dessert just for being born! Beyond birthdays, the eClub sends exclusive coupons and promotions throughout the year.

The sign-up takes maybe 30 seconds, and I’ve already saved over $50 this year from the special offers they’ve emailed me.

3. Overlooking Lunch Specials

Overlooking Lunch Specials
© Olive Garden Happy Hour

I used to be a dinner-only Olive Garden patron until my wallet staged an intervention. The lunch menu completely transformed my budget!

Their famous soup, salad, and breadsticks combo runs about $8-9 during lunch hours – practically half what you’d pay for a dinner entrée. Many people don’t realize these lunch specials run until 3pm on weekdays, making them perfect for late lunches or early dinners.

My coworkers and I now have a standing Friday lunch date. We get the same unlimited breadsticks and salad but save enough money to justify dessert!

4. Ignoring Take-Home Entrées

Ignoring Take-Home Entrées
© Yelp

My jaw dropped when the server mentioned their $6 take-home entrées. “You’re telling me I can get an entire second meal for six bucks?” I asked in disbelief.

These chilled entrées are one of Olive Garden’s best-kept secrets. After enjoying your meal, you can purchase additional pasta dishes to take home at a fraction of the regular price.

I now routinely grab a Five Cheese Ziti to enjoy the next day. It heats up perfectly and saves me from ordering expensive delivery when I’m too tired to cook. Talk about planning ahead!

5. Not Ordering Family-Style Trays

Not Ordering Family-Style Trays
© Eater Nashville

When my extended family visited last summer, I nearly ordered eight separate entrées before our server saved us. “Have you considered our family-style options?” she asked with a knowing smile.

Family trays serve 4-6 people and cost significantly less per person than individual dishes. The portions are generous, and everyone gets to enjoy the same delicious meals without the premium price tag.

Our table of hungry relatives demolished a giant tray of Chicken Parmigiana and saved nearly $40 compared to ordering separately. Plus, fewer dishes meant more room for those bottomless breadsticks!

6. Eating It All in One Sitting

Eating It All in One Sitting
© ezCater

My pants used to hate me after every Olive Garden visit. Their portions are famously enormous, yet I stubbornly tried to clean my plate every time.

A wise server changed my approach forever when she brought a to-go box at the beginning of the meal. “Save half for tomorrow,” she suggested. “Most regulars do this.” This simple hack essentially gives you two meals for the price of one.

Now I immediately set aside half my Fettuccine Alfredo before I even start eating. My wallet and waistline both appreciate this strategy, and somehow the leftovers taste even better the next day!

7. Skipping Gift Card Promos

Skipping Gift Card Promos
© NerdWallet

My friend calls me the “Olive Garden Gift Card Queen” because I’ve mastered their promotional offers. During holiday seasons, they typically offer a $10 bonus card when you purchase $50 in gift cards.

Here’s my sneaky strategy: I buy the gift cards for myself! This instantly creates a 20% discount on future meals. The bonus cards usually expire within a few months, but that’s just motivation to schedule my next pasta night.

Last December, I purchased $200 in gift cards and received $40 in bonus cards. That funded four fantastic meals where everything tasted even better because it was partially free!

8. Swap Sauces to Customize Your Pasta

Swap Sauces to Customize Your Pasta
© Visit Augusta

For years I silently wished Olive Garden would combine their creamy Alfredo with their hearty meat sauce. Then a chatty server revealed the game-changing truth: “You can mix and match any sauce with any pasta or protein!”

This customization option doesn’t cost extra but completely transforms your meal. Want Shrimp Alfredo but with spicy arrabbiata sauce? Just ask! Craving chicken with half marinara, half five cheese? They’ll make it happen.

My current obsession is Chicken Marsala with a side of Alfredo for dipping. The menu suddenly feels infinite when you realize every sauce can pair with every protein and pasta.

9. Order Creamy Minestrone

Order Creamy Minestrone
© Food Republic

I accidentally discovered this hack when I couldn’t decide between soups. “Can I try both?” I asked, expecting a polite rejection. Instead, the server winked and said, “How about half and half?”

Requesting half Minestrone and half Zuppa Toscana creates a magical hybrid soup that isn’t on any menu. The hearty vegetables and beans from the Minestrone blend perfectly with the creamy, potato-rich Zuppa Toscana.

My dining companions always give me envious looks when this custom creation arrives at the table. It’s like getting two distinct flavor experiences in one unlimited bowl – perfect for the indecisive soup lover!

10. Sampler Italiano Appetizer

Sampler Italiano Appetizer
© Fifteen Spatulas

My family used to bicker endlessly over which appetizer to order until our server suggested the secret menu Sampler Italiano. Our table went silent – none of us had spotted this option!

This customizable platter lets you select any three appetizers in smaller portions on one plate. It’s perfect for sharing and costs less than ordering three separate apps.

We now always start with a combination of the calamari, stuffed mushrooms, and fried mozzarella. Everyone gets to try everything without committing to full portions. Plus, it leaves more room for those unlimited breadsticks that keep appearing at our table!

11. Kid’s Meal Takeout Hack

Kid's Meal Takeout Hack
© Yelp

My wallet did a happy dance when I stumbled upon this brilliant budget strategy! A kids’ meal at Olive Garden runs about $7 and includes pasta, sauce, breadsticks, and a drink – plenty for a light adult meal.

Combine this with the $6 chilled entrée hack, and you’ve scored two complete meals for just $13. That’s less than most single entrées on the regular menu!

I’ve used this trick countless times when traveling for work. I enjoy the kids’ portion for dinner in my hotel room, then save the take-home entrée for lunch the next day. The front desk staff always looks jealous when I microwave my Olive Garden leftovers!

12. Sub Broccoli for Pasta in Chicken Margherita

Sub Broccoli for Pasta in Chicken Margherita
© HelloFresh

I stumbled across this Reddit gem when searching for lower-carb options at Olive Garden. A brilliant user suggested: “Order the Chicken Margherita but substitute the broccoli for any pasta type.”

Essentially, this hack lets you replace the standard side of broccoli with an entire portion of pasta – any pasta you want! It’s like getting a bonus carb serving at no extra cost.

My server didn’t even blink when I requested this swap. Now my go-to order is Chicken Margherita with a side of fettuccine instead of broccoli. It’s like getting two entrées in one, and I never leave hungry!

13. Ditch the Soup—Get Salad and Soup Together

Ditch the Soup—Get Salad and Soup Together
© For the Love of Cooking

For years, I thought I had to choose between soup OR salad with my entrée. My world changed when a friendly server said, “You know you can have both, right?”

For a small upcharge (usually around $1-2), you can enjoy unlimited refills of BOTH soup AND salad with your meal. This is especially valuable if you’re dining with someone who prefers soup while you love salad – no more compromise needed!

I now start with salad to get my veggies in, then switch to warming soup as my meal progresses. The variety makes the unlimited refills even more enjoyable, and I always leave feeling I’ve gotten incredible value.

14. Breadstick Upgrade: Sweet Dipping Options

Breadstick Upgrade: Sweet Dipping Options
© Tasting Table

One rainy evening, my server caught me dipping my breadstick into my friend’s tiramisu. Instead of judging, she leaned in and whispered, “Want to try something even better?”

She returned with butter and salt for my breadsticks, plus small sides of raspberry and chocolate sauce. The combination of warm, buttery bread with sweet dipping options was absolutely mind-blowing!

Now I always request this sweet-savory combination. Sometimes I even ask for a mint chocolate to crush into the chocolate sauce. The servers are usually happy to accommodate, and it transforms those famous breadsticks into a dessert-appetizer hybrid that’s utterly addictive!