Lovin' From the Oven

$100 Olive Garden Gift Card Giveaway & Review

by 221 Comments

I ventured out to Olive Garden to try their new $12.95 dinner special a couple of days ago. I say the word “venture” because the closest Olive Garden to me is 20 miles away.

When we got there we noticed people were overflowing outside of the main entrance, and the parking lot was completely full. The estimated wait time for us was an hour and a half. As incredibly crowded as it was, the hostess greeted us with a smile and let us know that we were welcome to sit in the bar area for a full-service menu since it was on a first come first served basis (meaning we wouldn’t have to wait as long for a table if we didn’t mind sitting at the bar). We gladly took a table in the bar area within a matter of seconds.

As I looked around, I saw families and people of all ages dining together. Friends were meeting up for drinks, kids were laughing while running around one another, and grandparents sat patiently waiting for a table. The bartender quickly approached us and was happy to serve us even though we weren’t planning on ordering any alcoholic beverages. I ordered the 3 Course Italian Dinner for $12.95 with the garden fresh salad, Creamy Parmesan Portobello Mushroom Fettuccine, and Dark Chocolate Cake for dessert–not to mention the never-ending breadsticks that come with your meal.

olivegarden

olivegarden-3

They have quite an extensive menu, so check out Olivegarden.com to check it out and find a restaurant near you.

olivegarden-2

My salad was enough for two and my entree was delicious and filling; I even had enough leftover to eat for lunch the next day! The waitress packed my leftovers in a microwavable container and put extra breadsticks to-go in an oven-heating bag. How easy can they make my life?

olivegarden-4

For dessert, the bartender gave me both the chocolate cake and strawberry cream cake for to try, even though I ordered just one. Now THAT’S what I call great service! The smaller portion was perfect after a huge meal.

olivegarden-6

olivegarden-5

Overall, the dinner special has plenty of options to choose from-whether you want soup or a salad, vegetables or meat, and chocolate or vanilla. It can be accommodated to everyone’s tastes. Want to see all the delicious options available with Olive Garden’s 3 Course Italian Dinner? Just visit Olivegarden.com/specials.

Not only is your meal customizable, but it’s affordable as well. At most other restaurants, the entree alone would cost you around $15. At Olive Garden, you get an appetizer, main meal, AND dessert for less!
Now, it’s your turn to go out and try Olive Garden’s $12.95 3 Course Italian Dinner special, it’s going on through 3/18! I’m going to be giving a $100 Olive Garden gift card to one lucky reader, courtesy of Olive Garden and BlogHer. To be entered for a chance to win, just leave me a comment telling me if you prefer the entree or the dessert!

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
This sweepstakes runs from 2/21/12 – 3/18/12.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment (see question above in bold)
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.

Also, visit the Olive Garden page on BlogHer.com to check out the other blogger reviews and more chances to win!

Comments

  6. Coco says

    I am a dessert girl, I can’t deny it! But, the entree actually looks fabulous too. I have been wondering if this deal is any good-thanks for the post!

    Reply

  7. audrey says

    Definitely the food, endless breadsticks and salad? Although desserts are always so tasty.. this is hard. I think I’m always too full of carbs by the time dessert comes around when I eat at Olive Garden.

    Reply

  8. Anne says

    I love desserts, but when it comes to the Olive Garden, I want that cheesy pasta goodness! The pasta is so good I don’t think I’ve ever had room for dessert at the OG. 🙂

    Reply

  40. rach. says

    really? you’re makin’ this one hard, huh? i’d say dessert, i guess, but the entree is amazing too! i absolutely love olive garden, it’s my boyfriend and i’s go-to spot for dates!

    this is a wonderful giveaway!

    if i win you can contact me here: rachg.423@gmail.com 🙂

    have a great day! 🙂

    Reply

  42. aitonainen says

    I prefer the entree…but would never turn down dessert 🙂 The Creamy Parmesan Portobello Mushroom Fettuccine you had looks soooo good…I need to make a date with my hubby to hit Olive Garden soon! We have 30 miles to get to our closest one, but so worth it!

    Reply

  67. Ginger Fritz says

    We finally have an Olive Garden in Alaska, and as cute as the desserts look, I’d have to pick the entree-there’s so many to choose from!

    Reply

  70. MaryAnn says

    Although I’m a huge dessert buff, in this case I will say the entree! I would eat most of the cheesy pasta goodness and save the rest for lunch for the next day 😉 This way I can cherish my dessert at the end of the meal!!!

    Reply

  76. Erin says

    I would have to say the entree — usually I am too full to get dessert, actually after the breadsticks and salad am too full to even eat the entree! If I win I would totally get dessert first…

    Reply

  136. amy says

    Totally prefer the desserts! 🙂 Don’t get me wrong, the entrees are great, but I LOVE dessert (which is why I love this blog!)

    Reply

  161. andrea marie says

    Well I prefer the dessert, but being diabetic makes that hard. Olive Garden is one of my favorite restaurants, but that could be partially due to the fact I have gone there every anniversary for the past four years with my boyfriend soon to be husband. 🙂

    Reply

  166. Amy says

    I definitely prefer desserts over the entree! I don’t mind if they bring on desserts first on the 3 course meal! 🙂

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply

  191. Anonymous says

    I do love me some dessert, but if I only ate dessert I’d have a horrible headache, so I’m voting for the entree on this one.

    Johanna

    Reply

  202. coriwestphal says

    I’m all about the entree. I love trying new things and I feel like I can always treat myself to something sweet, but a good luscious dinner is sometimes hard to come by!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

    Reply

  206. Meredith says

    Entree! Olive Garden is always good and the atmosphere is comfortable and interesting. Love the never ending salad and I always leave feeling like I ate something good for me instead of guilty!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories