Olive Garden- Springfield, PA, Wednesday, July 9, 2008

After a month of anticipation, my nibbler husband and I took the kids and set out to try the newest addition to the chain-restaurant family in Springfield, PA. We decided to go early enough to avoid the 75 minute wait time we were told about the week before (on a Monday night, no less...). So, at 4:35 p.m., I used the call ahead seating feature only to be asked, "when will you arriving?" This got me thinking...do they place your name on the list according to where you are located? Nahhhh...
I was told there was a 20 minute wait.

Wait time: We arrived 15 minutes after I called and waited in the lobby for another 20 minutes. We then were led to a table near the front of the restaurant only to be moved upon arrival to the back of the restaurant...could it be the 5 month old and 3 year old we had in tow?

Our order: Tour of Italy, Eggplant Parm, salad, breadsticks, 2 unsweetened iced teas, one chocolate milk

Quality of Food:Taste was ok, cheese was skimpy all around, from left over shavings from the grater that were dumped on our salad to the sparse parmagiana melt. Salad was fine, breadsticks came out warm.

Service: Slower than average speed--and we had 3 different wait staff, friendly... to the point of hanging out at our table and telling us her daughter speaks 3 languages - (Lady, is that going to make our food come out faster?)

Facilities/Ambiance: Comforting, warm decor. Nice lighting. Noise levels were through the roof! I couldn't hear our conversation across the table, but could hear everyone else's. The bathrooms are located way behind the bar, across a VERY slippery tile floor that is downright dangerous when wearing sneakers (!) and carrying a 3 year old to the potty. The grease needs to be addressed, otherwise there will be an accident. Bathrooms were kept clean and no excess water/paper towel pile ups.

Overall: It's the Olive Garden, folks... but for a new franchise, we expected much more. On a scale of 1-5 nibbles, with 5 being the best, I'd give it 2 nibbles.

Maybe they can get it together for next time we need a quick OG trip...