Maybe it's because I haven't been there in a while, but I don't understand why the place is so hated. It's not lowest common denominator food like McDonalds and it is a sit-down rather than fast food even though people treat it like it is one.
Personally, I don't understand these chain restaurants. Olive Garden is more expensive than my local authentic Italian place that uses locally sourced ingredients. My understand is that Olive Garden is pretty mediocre, bland food. If you like really like bread, just buy some bread. Why do you want to buy $22 entree so have the privilege of wolfing down 40 cents worth of bread?
Most Americans don't live in hip places that have locally-sourced authentic Italian restaurants. Olive Garden is usually the only choice.
There's an Olive Garden in Jackson, but it's impossible to eat there, because there's already a line out the door every evening before 5 PM. If you get there at 6, it will be more than an hour wait.
