By Jeanni Ritchie
If you’ve lived in Central Louisiana long enough, you know better than to show up anywhere new on opening day. Day one belongs to the brave, the patient, and those willing to take on a wait list that rivals a concert line.
My mom and I are none of those people.
So we waited until Day Two and headed in for a late lunch around 1:45 p.m. We joined the waitlist while on the road and were seated in about ten minutes — perfect for a new restaurant.
Olive Garden offers several lunch-sized favorites in the $10.99–$11.99 range, including cheese ravioli, five cheese ziti al forno, and shrimp scampi. But after some back-and-forth, we decided to share the Tour of Italy — a classic trio of Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, and Fettuccine Alfredo that solves the problem of choosing just one.
Unlimited breadsticks arrived hot and fresh, and I couldn’t help but think of my dad. While Baptists don’t observe Lent, he often challenges himself with a bread fast — and there’s simply no way he’d survive an Olive Garden meal during one of those!
We opted for the house salad, dividing it the way only family can. I picked out the croutons; my mom enjoyed the rest — minus the onions, of course.
Had we not split an entree, I’d have chosen the soup option. Olive Garden’s homemade soups are made fresh daily, with options like Pasta e Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana, Minestrone, and Chicken & Gnocchi. The never-ending soup, salad, and breadsticks course remain a favorite for good reason.
Another perk worth noting is the take-home entrée option. With the purchase of any entrée, guests can bring home a freshly prepared and chilled classic for $6. Choices include spaghetti with meat sauce, fettuccine alfredo, and five cheese ziti al forno. We picked up two spaghetti and meat sauce meals to go — one for my dad and one for my daughter Kelsey, who were both working and couldn’t join us.
The menu also features limited-time fan favorites and a create-your-own pasta option. If I were building my ideal bowl, it would be angel hair pasta with five cheese marinara and sautéed shrimp — a combination that never disappoints.
I discovered my mom is the best dining companion for restaurant reviews. When I debated between skipping or indulging in dessert, she insisted that a proper review required one. I like the way she thinks.
We shared the Black Tie Mousse Cake — layers of chocolate cake, dark chocolate cheesecake, and creamy custard — and finished it with two forks and zero regrets.
From the food to the service, Olive Garden delivered a comfortable, welcoming dining experience that already feels right at home in Cenla. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, bringing dinner home, or lingering over dessert, it’s easy to see why this newest addition is drawing a steady crowd.
Olive Garden is located at 3213 S. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria. Take-out orders can be placed at 318-782-4715.
They are open from 11 AM-10 PM Sunday-Thursday and 11 AM-11 PM Friday-Saturday. Lunch items are served Monday-Friday 11 AM-3 PM.
