Olive Garden - Never ending pasta

[generalmeow]

So this morning I read an article that Olive Garden is going to be selling passes for all-you-can-eat pasta, salad, breadsticks, and Coke products, for 7 weeks. They cost $100. I probably spend $7-8 a day on lunch, and there's an Olive Garden just up the street from me, so I figured it would be a good deal, even in the worst case scenario that I only go like 10 times.

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/buy-olive-gardens-100-ending-pasta-pass/story?id=25351361

I got one of them! So I'm going to attempt to eat lunch there every day, and also order something and pick it up on the way home from work at the end of the day as well. I'll just give it to the kids or whatever.

Pretty crazy deal. I hope I can just order it all online or on the phone and come by and pick it up. It will be inconvenient to have to go there and sit to place the order (they probably know that, so maybe they make you do that).

[colorider]

I do believe you have to order and eat there. That is where they make their money. They are hoping that you bring other people to eat with you. I read an article on another site that went into this detail.

[generalmeow]

I do believe you have to order and eat there. That is where they make their money. They are hoping that you bring other people to eat with you. I read an article on another site that went into this detail.

I believe they'll expect that, but there wasn't anything about that in the rules. I play by the rules, but won't follow non-rules.

[Bailey Guns]

Damn...that's a good deal. Wish I'd heard about it sooner.

[RblDiver]

Guess you were one of the lucky 1000, grats!

[HoneyBadger]

I feel like this could backfire. 3 years ago I ate there about once a week for 3 or 4 months because it was super convenient for me (unlimited SSB!). I finally got sick of it and I haven't been back since.

[beast556]

Not a bad deal, There food is decent. Hope it works Out for you.

[generalmeow]

Guess you were one of the lucky 1000, grats!

Yeah, I should have mentioned that part. They only sold 1000 of them nationwide, so their website was blowing up at 1:00PM (that's when you could start buying). So I got pretty lucky (or unlucky as it may turn out).

I'm sure I'll get sick of it. But I'm damn sure going to get my money's worth. I'm going to go in there the first day and ask to speak to the manager, and say look "I'm eating here for lunch and dinner every day. I don't want seconds. I just want a regular portion, and I want to take it away. My lunch is short, and I'm on my way home for dinner. Can I just call it in?"

There's basically only one of these passholders per Olive Garden location, so hopefully they'll take care of me.

[Circuits]

I'm sure I'll get sick of it. But I'm damn sure going to get my money's worth. I'm going to go in there the first day and ask to speak to the manager, and say look "I'm eating here for lunch and dinner every day. I don't want seconds. I just want a regular portion, and I want to take it away. My lunch is short, and I'm on my way home for dinner. Can I just call it in?"
If there's a rule you gotta eat in, i doubt they'll break it for you. ESPECIALLY if you're just going in to eat solo and not dragging more business in with you.

But heck, even if you don't make your money back on lunches, it's only $100, not like you committed to $1000 for a year-long all-you-can-eat pass or something crazy like that. And if you do make out just on lunches - sweetness!

[generalmeow]

If there's a rule you gotta eat in, i doubt they'll break it for you. ESPECIALLY if you're just going in to eat solo and not dragging more business in with you.!

They will follow my rules, or I will be happy to hand my card off to the nearest homeless person. And I'll tell them that. And he'll love to eat in.

[newracer]

I am sure it is in eat only, tax and gratuity not included.

[Great-Kazoo]

Not bad, OG just had a $100 K infusion of cash. Nice business move

[rondog]

Better buy some bigger pants!

[Ah Pook]

Never ending pasta followed by never ending sheats. <shudder>

[sniper7]

$100 for 15lbs! Nice!

[RCCrawler]

They will follow my rules.

Haha, it's nice to have dreams.

Not it a bad price for shitty Italian food, though I doubt I could force myself to eat there enough to make it worthwhile.

[MrPrena]

Darden Restaurants were desperate, but I didn't know they were that desperate. LOL
My wife will most likely buy that pass. I would LOVE to do that, but I am on a less carbohydrates diet.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

That's awesome. All but the part you have to eat at the OG.

[ray1970]

What's with everyone hating on the olive garden? I actually like their food.

Haven't been there in a while though. They took one of my favorite dishes off the menu.

[newracer]

I think it is decent. Their eggplant Parmesan is pretty tasty and the salad is good.

[hurley842002]

What's with everyone hating on the olive garden? I actually like their food.

Haven't been there in a while though. They took one of my favorite dishes off the menu.
Seems like some expect it to be something it's not (authentic gourmet Italian food). It's a chain Italian restaurant, with chain Italian food. I don't eat there often, but enjoy the food and atmosphere when I do. To each their own I suppose.

[Great-Kazoo]

What's with everyone hating on the olive garden? I actually like their food.

Haven't been there in a while though. They took one of my favorite dishes off the menu.

What ever works for you. It's a chain , like subway from sea to shining sea, same meal .
We have a guy up here who believes The Rio has GREAT mexican food. Sure they do, it taste better after that 1st drink. He said well they're always busy. So's McDonalds, doesn't mean it's good.

[Bailey Guns]

I like OG. But I wouldn't call it really good Italian food. It's tasty and reasonably priced...but not authentic Italian. I would've been in that deal in a heartbeat. I could've easily got a 100 bucks worth.

[sniper7]

What ever works for you. It's a chain , like subway from sea to shining sea, same meal .
We have a guy up here who believes The Rio has GREAT mexican food. Sure they do, it taste better after that 1st drink. He said well they're always busy. So's McDonalds, doesn't mean it's good.


Thats why why they make their margaritas so strong! Makes the food taste better at the RIo

[Great-Kazoo]

Thats why why they make their margaritas so strong! Makes the food taste better at the RIo

Yeah, good game plan. I don't put mexican food and The Rio in the same sentence, when someone ask where to eat.

[Gman]

Been to The Rio for a couple of former co-worker send-offs. The bar vibe was creepy and the food sucked. Oh, and if you wanted a whisky, the only liquor they had is something you can put into a margarita.

I also haven't been to an Olive Garden in 15 years. If it trips your trigger, enjoy. You can put those lunch savings into range toys.

Darden got $2.1 Billion for selling off Red Lobster, so I doubt this was much of a fundraiser. It was some inexpensive marketing.

[blacklabel]

I wouldn't mind OG if their service wasn't always so darn shitty.

[Brian]

Great advertising. Federal should do this. All the ammo you can shoot for 7 weeks for $100. ;)

[ronaldrwl]

Nice score!


You could post your OG rating each week:
1 - How tired the manager is of seeing you (1-10)
2 - How sick you are of OG food (1-10)
3 - How much weight you have gained (lbs)
4 - How fast they seat you (minutes)
5 - How well you have memorized the OG sound track (1-10)

[generalmeow]

Haha, it's nice to have dreams.

I said they will follow my rules OR I will give the card to a homeless person. But there are no rules/terms attached to this card that say I can't order and pick up.

In any case, it seems like they would rather just let me pick it up than have a homeless person(s) come in 4-5 times a day and not tip anyways, and make full use of the bathroom facilities.

I don't want to sit there for 30 minutes to get my food because it's a waste of time, and I also will have to tip for the service I didn't need or want. If they want to make it inconvenient for me, I'll make it really inconvenient and uncomfortable for them.

[driver]

You could tell them a bunch of hillbillies from a local forum are looking for a place to hold an open carry meeting.
[emoji3]

[KestrelBike]

If there's a rule you gotta eat in, i doubt they'll break it for you. ESPECIALLY if you're just going in to eat solo and not dragging more business in with you.

But heck, even if you don't make your money back on lunches, it's only $100, not like you committed to $1000 for a year-long all-you-can-eat pass or something crazy like that. And if you do make out just on lunches - sweetness!

Shooot, it's just olive garden. They're still making a profit off it, no matter how much pasta (which let's face it, is cheap to make) you manage to cram in. In fact, their profit would be higher if they just let you take it home (assuming he's just going solo/alone, and isn't bringing other paying customers in with him) so you don't tie up a server.

I like OG, but it's too pricey for what they actually give you, imo. Lipstick on a pig & all.

[Irving]

Is the card transferable?

[generalmeow]

Is the card transferable?

I kind of doubt that it will have my name on it, as I could have purchased it as a gift for all they know. So I'm sure it's transferable before it starts getting used. But once it's used the first time, I don't know.

You thinking we should start a relay race with it to see how many times it can get used?

[RCCrawler]

Is the card transferable?

They're already selling them on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olive-Garden-Never-Ending-Pasta-Pass-Endless-Bowls-Pastapass-/141400442101?pt=US_Gift_Certificates&hash=item20ec1f84f5

[kawiracer14]

So what did the manager say???

[Lurch]

Sound like it's time for another Super Size Me documentary.

[generalmeow]

So what did the manager say???

It doesn't start until September 22, but I have a feeling he's going to tell me to go f myself because I just read that the card comes personalized with my name, so I'm the only person that can use it. It sounds like I will be playing by their rules, and without involving the homeless. Oh well. I'm still going to get my $100 worth.

[Ranger353]

This thread is making me hungry. I'm outta here for dinner.

[MrPrena]

I guess transfer of card is okay
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101985977

[generalmeow]

Good news! I found this on the Olive Garden Website:

"Can I order Never Ending Pasta Bowl ToGo and use my Pasta Pass?

Yes, you may order Never Ending Pasta Bowl ToGo over the phone or in our restaurant. You will receive one dinner portion with breadsticks and soup or salad. Refills are not available with ToGo orders because you're likely at home in your kitchen and not at Olive Garden's Italian Kitchen. Online ordering of Never Ending Pasta Bowl is not available."

OK, now this is a sweet deal. It's an amazing deal. I'm going to call in and order every day for lunch and dinner, even if it's not for me. Also, I don't have to tip at every meal and worry about my food getting spit in.

Also, I thought the nearest Olive Garden was about 8-10 minutes away from my work, in the opposite direction of home, but I was happy to discover the other day that it's probably only 3 minutes away. I probably couldn't have used it for dinner very often if it was that far away during rush hour, in addition to making me sit there to order.

So, basically, I'm going to be able to take full advantage of this pass. It sounds like a slam dunk.

[Circuits]

Yes, you may order Never Ending Pasta Bowl ToGo over the phone or in our restaurant.

Sweet score - glad it's working out the way you wanted.

[BigDee]

I read that they're probably going to do away with unlimited breadsticks :( Thats one of H&R main reasons I go there.

[RblDiver]

I read that they're probably going to do away with unlimited breadsticks :( Thats one of H&R main reasons I go there.

I thought it was more a change to how they deliver breadsticks. Haven't been in forever, but my understanding is they bring out a big heaping basket of 'em. Under new guidelines, they'll only bring out one per person plus one extra at a time, so that A) they'll waste fewer (that you don't eat), and B) so they're fresher each time (they say that after ~7 minutes they're not as tasty, which leads to A).

[generalmeow]

OK, first meal in. I called in the order and picked it up. They gave me an insane amount of food. I am stuffed. It tasted great.

I ordered spaghetti with spicy 3 meat sauce, and Italian sausage. The pasta portion is easily enough for 2 people. The main dish is about the diameter of a basketball, and 2 inches deep, and 2 Italian sausages. I ate half and I am stuffed. They gave me 3 breadsticks wrapped in a foil lined paper bag. The salad is ridiculously oversized. It is kind of prepackaged with the dressing on the side, and a package of croutons. The container is about the size of a loaf of bread (definitely not a single serving size).

The bag also included silverware, about 20 packets of cheese to sprinkle on the pasta/salad, and a couple of Andes mints. They seriously gave me a King Soopers paper bag sized bag 3/4 full of food.

They didn't know I had this pass until I showed up to pick it up. They were kind of excited that I had one as they weren't sure they were going to get anyone that had one.

[newracer]

And based on that you should take your whole family there at least once and pay full price for the other meals.

[generalmeow]

And based on that you should take your whole family there at least once and pay full price for the other meals.

Actually, you should take your family there and pay full price, as that's how Olive Garden is funding this. I already payed what they wanted me to pay.

[newracer]

No, it's a loss leader. They are hoping you enjoy it, become a regular customer, and buy more.

[generalmeow]

No, it's a loss leader. They are hoping you enjoy it, become a regular customer, and buy more.

You think they think I'm going to want more after 49 days of this shit?

It's gotta be just about the publicity. They have already received millions and millions of free advertising based on this stunt. How much food they give me is irrelevant. It would probably be going in the dumpster at the end of the night anyways. I'm one person. Every restaurant gets one person and they get a lot of food and have nice things to say, which brings even more attention to Olive Garden.

[newracer]

Yes they probably hope you will continue go back after the promotion. I am sure they also hope you bring other people with you during the promotion. The publicity is also a benefit. I am also sure there are a lot of people that go there all the time even without the promotion, the one here is packed all the time.

[colorider]

It was announced by Olive Garden weeks ago that the promo was done in order to stimulate sales after flat and declining numbers for the year. The purpose of the promo is for the cardholder to bring full price paying guests with them. It was also done to get publubicity which it is doing a great job of. Olive Garden is now being talked about when it was not before.

[Irving]

You think they think I'm going to want more after 49 days of this shit?

It's gotta be just about the publicity. They have already received millions and millions of free advertising based on this stunt. How much food they give me is irrelevant. It would probably be going in the dumpster at the end of the night anyways. I'm one person. Every restaurant gets one person and they get a lot of food and have nice things to say, which brings even more attention to Olive Garden.

Sometimes businesses take an action that is a loss for them, just to win your business. If you hated them so much to not even recognize that, you wouldn't eat there at all. You're not losing anything by a minor reciprocal action on your part; you'll still come out way ahead. Not required of course, but it is the same thing as voting with your wallet. Company does something you like, reward them; if not, don't, but don't expect anything from them ever again.

[CO Hugh]

They might not have flat sales if they had not teamed up with Muchelle Obama!!! They jumped on board right away about salt and such.

[sniper7]

Program still sounds like an undercover story for "the biggest gainer"

[RCCrawler]

How's all that crappy pasta treating you?

[Aloha_Shooter]

I'm glad he's enjoying it. For me, I couldn't care less for never-ending never-al dente mush.

[generalmeow]

How's all that crappy pasta treating you?

deal of a lifetime! I've been there exactly 37 times, and my average bill is around $15 (comped when I hand them my card). And I'm only half way through. I've personally eaten it probably 15 times myself, and surprisingly I'm not sick of it. Tastes great every time.

The people are really nice.

I give it away a lot, or split it with someone in the office for lunch because the portion sizes are huge.

I haven't gained any weight, which is kind of what I figured. I avoid the cream sauces when I'm planning on eating it, and I really don't eat that much of the portions anyways.

[Irving]

I'm glad he's enjoying it. For me, I couldn't care less for never-ending never-al dente mush.

Isn't that an oxymoron?

[kidicarus13]

deal of a lifetime! I've been there exactly 37 times, and my average bill is around $15 (comped when I hand them my card).

Leaving decent tips?

[HoneyBadger]

I never knew there were so many OG haters until I read this thread! [LOL]

Glad you're having a good time with it Gen. Meow

[sniper7]

thats cool it is working out well for you.

[generalmeow]

Leaving decent tips?

I only pick it up, but I always get the same two gals handing it over to me so I give them some cash every now and then when I have it. If I wasn't getting the same two gals every time I probably wouldn't tip at all. It's ridiculous to be expected to tip for pickup, and I really don't think they do expect it. That's like having to tip at McDonald's because someone handed you food over the counter. They turn around, grab you a bag, and hand it to you.

But they're nice, and their work adds up when I've been there 37 times.