No, We're Not That Family (Italian-Americans mad at Olive Garden)

Opnionjournal ^ | July 26, 2002 | Victorino Matus

[stands2reason]

Italian-Americans have a problem, and it's not "The Sopranos."

Italian-Americans are speaking out. They are complaining about a stereotype they just can't stand. One that they find inaccurate and misleading. One that is constantly shown on television, much to their disgust. They are unhappy. They are at their wit's end. They are fed up.

[Grig]

I've only been there once, but I like the food. I would think italians would be more upset about commercials for East Side Mario's, THOSE are stupid (and annoying) commercials.

[goodieD]

Olive Garden food is about as Italian as Taco Bell is Mexican.. there is even a corporate edict that prevents the chef from using too much garlic in their dishes... I do go to both those places...but not when I want "authentic" food.
Of course it's possible to have too much of a good thing. We live in a Hispanic saturated area (central valley of California), and I kid you not..there are 4 true authentic Mexican food places within one block...4.. all good, all authentic... I'd kill for a really good Jewish deli!!!

[lelio]

Our waitress, Nancy, couldn't have been more friendly.
That's the clincher: this place is as far from Italy as you can get.

[stands2reason]

The whole idea of a chain Italian restaurant is blasphemy to me. It's the mom-and-pops that are the real deal. Same with Chinese and barbeque.
The rule with barbeque is the worse the restaurant looks the better the barbeque. The best barbeque joint will be a shack in front of a giant pit, where you buy your meat by the pound on sheets of butcher paper with complimentary pices of thick sliced storebought white bread.

[mdittmar]

Now if Olive Garden used this with their motto,that would be funny.

>
"When you're here, you're family."

[My Favorite Headache]

I did a part time bartending gig for the Olive Garden. They are nazi's. Their turnover rate for employment is the highest of any chain rest.

Screw em

[BunnySlippers]

If I remember correctly, the Olive Garden is under the corporate umbrella of General Mills ... not exactly "Italian". In fact, the company runs a number of "theme" restaurants like "Tahitian Luau"-type and Mexican. None of which have any claim to authentic food.

[Tired of Taxes]

Too funny. I live in NJ, too, and I'm "Italian-American". I've never eaten at the Olive Garden, either. All my coworkers from South Philly used to joke about it. Still, I think those stereotypes on TV commercials and the Sopranos have a ring of truth to them... (But don't tell any other Italian that I said that).

[Remole]

And don't get me started on the Wine: the "house" wine, whether red, white or rose, is a diluted mixture of fruit juice, water and bitters. Horrible. What passes for Chianti would not be used for vinegar in the poorest sections of Rome. And believe me: I lived in Rome for 5 years.

[Sender]

My wife is Irish-German. She complains about all food, in the interest of diversity.

[southern rock]

Well, if these ethnic Italians don't like the "Americanization" of their culture, maybe they would be happy with a one-way ticket back to Italy.

Sheesh! Like many ethnic groups, a large number of Italians pay lip service to assimilation, but for some reason enjoy living in neighborhhods amongst large groups of their own kind, speaking their native language, and eating their "authentic" ethnic food. Get over it already!

[HIDEK6]

Maybe the Italians who are so offended by this should declare a fatwah or a jihad or something.

It's called, "Going to the mattresses."

[Billthedrill]

the "Tour of Italy," consisting of lasagna, chicken parmigiana and fettuccine alfredo--exactly not what you would have if you actually toured Italy.

Well, of course not. They have McDonald's in Italy!

Me, I'll opt for some of that genuine Eye-talian food...like pizza.

[BigBobber]

I've never been to Olive Garden, but what would people expect? It a restaurant chain that appeals to families. It's not a mom an, pop place. It's not a gourmet bistro. There are vast parts of this country with no authentic "Little Italys" and this place fills the void.

This article is anti-capitalist, anti-middle class, and anti-young-family-with-children. I bet the author is a sniffy liberal who buys overpriced coffee and scones every morning. Prolly doesn't like Disneyland, either. IMO

[kidd]

But how bad can it really be? I recently went to the Olive Garden in Toms River, N.J. The line to get in was out the door and around the corner

Yeah, nobody eats there...its too crowded.

The guy who wrote this is a snob. He spends 17 paragraphs describing what a menace the Olive Garden is. But in one paragraph he actually tried the food and didn't think it was half bad.

[stands2reason]

LOL!!!

[demnomo]

And the food is wretched.

I agree. I have been to the Olive Garden three times. Each time, I was disappointed by the poor qauality of food. My husband ate some dried out, crusty lasagna once. Ugh. I ordered a steak that tasted like shoe leather done in garlic butter. (Contrary to a popular belief, not everything tastes good cooked in garlic butter!) The salad served was drenched in oily dressing and the bread sticks were even worse than the ones served at Wendys. Grease city. (And not good grease!) Everytime I see those commercials and remember the fantastic meals that I have eaten in Italian homes, I am insulted. (And I'm not Italian!) The parking lot is always full. Go figure.

[stands2reason]

Maybe like "South of the Border"---decent food, but don't call in Mexican, 'cause it ain't.

[gilor]

When is this CRAP going to stop?

I'm an American that's it, no hyphens

Although my lineage goes back to Irish, German origins I will never use a hyphen.

I wish other felt the same way (I know most Freepers feel this way but I'm talking about the sheople). /Tirade off