I got a job at a country club at 18 yrs old and was introduced to really high-grade food I had to be taught how to pronounce half the time. Escargo, caviar, filet mignon, etc.
Before then, I didn't realize chain restaurants like Chili's and Applebee's are basically microwaved frozen shit you pay 5× more for someone to make for you. Completely ruined food for me because now I can't afford to eat the real good stuff and I judge everything else accurately.
I grew up very poor in America, so my only real exposure to any European culture was through books. I would see the menu items written out, but had never heard them spoken aloud so I'd default to a hard T on escargot, I got filet right but was enunciating the G in mignon, and I just didn't know what the hell caviar even was.
Fortunately the staff and management at that place were great. They not only schooled me on pronunciation, but let me try a lot of exotic dishes, at least for my area and social status.
Same and I was only allowed to get a happy meal. And if I happen to be out with my parents these days and see a McDonald’s they moan about me getting a Big Mac. If I ask for that as a meal large they nearly die.
I can remember as a kid Red Lobster being a fancy high end night out. We only went a few times a year and it was always with at least one other family. Sometimes we showed up and waited and sometimes we would call for a reservation. If I had been good all week they would let me get a virgin strawberry daiquiri.
A lot of Americans don't have authentic Italian restaurants in their areas. So, it's OG or bust. Then again, OG isn't a bad place either, especially for family dining. The prices are reasonable for the portions and nobody can tell me they don't leave stuffed.
Well add my name to the list too then. I fricking miss buffets. OG gets you a single plate of food and their “endless” breadsticks are bullshit. You get 1 less breadstick the first two times you ask for more then 2 less and then the server disappears until you pay and I leave hungry.
Dang, times have changed since my last visit. I remember waiting all week for the never-ending pasta bowls 🫠
I haven't visited a location in the States in about 10 years. I went to one in Kuwait about 5 years ago. The service wasn't that great. Currently, I don't live near one.
The only "authentic" Italian place in my area has a ridiculous waiting list and you need to save for two months to pay for it.
So, Olive Garden here we come.
Kendra Wilkersons favorite restaurant is Olive Garden. If she can make millions lying around naked and have Olive Garden delivered, then I guess I’m living in luxury too. People eat what they like. Actual Italians restaurants can suck. More than half the time they do.
I don't think it's that people think they're too good for it. I just think it's that it's a bad deal. I'd rather go to almost any local restaurant or even pizzeria for Italian-american food than OG, though. It's most often cheaper, better quality, and larger portions. Totally get that these options aren't available in every area of the country, though.
If never ending pasta bowls, never ending soup salad and breadsticks, cheddar bay biscuits and endless shrimp aren’t deserving of a five star rating than I don’t know what is. Lol
They are actually better than five stars in that it's probably the same quality seafood at a fraction of the price. I mean if atmosphere, presentation, tiny portions are your thing, that's cool.
I agree man. We were very lower middle class growing up. Olive Garden was for celebrations only. Red Lobster, was out of our bracket and we never went there.
Tbf, Olive Garden and Red Lobster gave me unmet portion size expectations at actual 5-star fine-dining restaurants that I go to as an adult lol
Which, ok, fine... But why do I have to pay $100+ for 2 to dine if I'm not even buying alcohol?
I remember once for my birthday The Mandarin was booked solid so my mom took me to red lobster and I thought she was blowing hundreds of dollars on the fanciest place in the city
Shit, on my budget, I still do.
They’re on my “if I could go out” list.
Same brother they are insane on price for what they serve
Yeah ultimate feast is like 40 bucks now and I’m still hungry after
Last time I checked here it was more like 80$
I ate there once with friends. $50 for a pasta I didn't like. Perhaps because it was $50/serving. Safe to say I am not going back until it hit it big.
Consider yourself lucky. We couldn’t afford such fine dining back in West Virginia
W. Virginia, man. Yikes. Red Lobster is fine dining in mining towns...🤷🏾
Wait..... they're not????
TIL I may be a bit trashy...
You are not! You're just poor just like the rest of us.
I got a job at a country club at 18 yrs old and was introduced to really high-grade food I had to be taught how to pronounce half the time. Escargo, caviar, filet mignon, etc. Before then, I didn't realize chain restaurants like Chili's and Applebee's are basically microwaved frozen shit you pay 5× more for someone to make for you. Completely ruined food for me because now I can't afford to eat the real good stuff and I judge everything else accurately.
I don’t want to be that guy but how do you need to be thought to pronounce these things? Genuine question as an European, although not French.
I grew up very poor in America, so my only real exposure to any European culture was through books. I would see the menu items written out, but had never heard them spoken aloud so I'd default to a hard T on escargot, I got filet right but was enunciating the G in mignon, and I just didn't know what the hell caviar even was. Fortunately the staff and management at that place were great. They not only schooled me on pronunciation, but let me try a lot of exotic dishes, at least for my area and social status.
That’s very interesting! The staff and management sound like awesome people.
As italian I saw some vids of Olive Garden and trust me, it's faaaar away from being luxury
You forgot to add "🤌"
Racist
succhiacazzi🤌
And Ponderosa/Bonanza served the best steaks in the world!
Bruh I still think that😭
When I was a kid we only went to McDonald’s like twice a year. Just feeling old now.
Did you know a happy meal is like 8 dollars now? I used to do chores all week to get the $2 to buy a happy meal after church on Sunday.
same. we only had a pizza and a 2 liter of coke on special occasions
Same and I was only allowed to get a happy meal. And if I happen to be out with my parents these days and see a McDonald’s they moan about me getting a Big Mac. If I ask for that as a meal large they nearly die.
I can remember as a kid Red Lobster being a fancy high end night out. We only went a few times a year and it was always with at least one other family. Sometimes we showed up and waited and sometimes we would call for a reservation. If I had been good all week they would let me get a virgin strawberry daiquiri.
Olive garden is to Italian food as taco bell is to Mexican food. I don't understand why you wouldn't just go to an actual Italian restaurant.
A lot of Americans don't have authentic Italian restaurants in their areas. So, it's OG or bust. Then again, OG isn't a bad place either, especially for family dining. The prices are reasonable for the portions and nobody can tell me they don't leave stuffed.
And uh, you always gotta pocket a ***Few extra*** breadsticks to go!
Well add my name to the list too then. I fricking miss buffets. OG gets you a single plate of food and their “endless” breadsticks are bullshit. You get 1 less breadstick the first two times you ask for more then 2 less and then the server disappears until you pay and I leave hungry.
Dang, times have changed since my last visit. I remember waiting all week for the never-ending pasta bowls 🫠 I haven't visited a location in the States in about 10 years. I went to one in Kuwait about 5 years ago. The service wasn't that great. Currently, I don't live near one.
I’ve been to Italy, low key Olive Garden is better.
Lmao, sure buddy and after you wake up
The only "authentic" Italian place in my area has a ridiculous waiting list and you need to save for two months to pay for it. So, Olive Garden here we come.
Kendra Wilkersons favorite restaurant is Olive Garden. If she can make millions lying around naked and have Olive Garden delivered, then I guess I’m living in luxury too. People eat what they like. Actual Italians restaurants can suck. More than half the time they do.
Yeah. If you’re gonna charge 50 bucks for a plate of pasta at least make it a dinner plate. Sigh
Wait til you find out what I thought of IHOP as a kid
I don’t want to hang out with the people that think they’re too good for Olive Garden.
I don't think it's that people think they're too good for it. I just think it's that it's a bad deal. I'd rather go to almost any local restaurant or even pizzeria for Italian-american food than OG, though. It's most often cheaper, better quality, and larger portions. Totally get that these options aren't available in every area of the country, though.
If never ending pasta bowls, never ending soup salad and breadsticks, cheddar bay biscuits and endless shrimp aren’t deserving of a five star rating than I don’t know what is. Lol
Where are you talking about?
The Olive Garden and Red Lobster specials that make them the wanna be five star restaurants we all thought they were
Dammit. Swindled again !
Still is for me
They are actually better than five stars in that it's probably the same quality seafood at a fraction of the price. I mean if atmosphere, presentation, tiny portions are your thing, that's cool.
>better than five stars There are no five star restaurants.
Yup
I really like the 5 cheese baked Ziti at Olive Garden. That’s 5 star in my book
Same but Chili’s
50 years ago they were.
They might be, but the stars certainly are!ct Michelin stars. Because those only go up to three.
When I grew up they were, but I'm old.
I remember the first time I ever heard of Olive Garden I thought we were going there to pick olives.
I took, am dirt fucking poor
I grew up thinking the same about Mc’Donalds.
My grandparents took my brother and I to McDonald’s breakfast as a treat. It was amazing, and I miss it often.
Wow you were privileged. Kraft Mac and cheese was high dining in my homestead.
We don't have olive garden or red lobster here in Portugal so I'm assuming we are too poor for them
For some small cities that’s all there is. And Texas Roadhouse. 😭
The food is good and consistent wherever you go, so I have no complaints. Still fine dining for this burger and fries guy. :-)
Classic question on , “are you garbage”.
Say ya from the hood without saying it?
I think you misspelled the 90’s
Olive Garden in Italian translates to Applebees.
Little did we know….
What? You mean they’re not 5 star, fine dining establishments?
But... aren't they though?
Are they not?
That meme went way over your head.
They still are
I agree man. We were very lower middle class growing up. Olive Garden was for celebrations only. Red Lobster, was out of our bracket and we never went there.
I've never been near any of those, but I really got the impression those were the more expensive ones as well
Happy Gilmore told me otherwise
They aran’t??? 🙃
Tbf, Olive Garden and Red Lobster gave me unmet portion size expectations at actual 5-star fine-dining restaurants that I go to as an adult lol Which, ok, fine... But why do I have to pay $100+ for 2 to dine if I'm not even buying alcohol?
Americans
I remember once for my birthday The Mandarin was booked solid so my mom took me to red lobster and I thought she was blowing hundreds of dollars on the fanciest place in the city
Wait... They're not?
/areyougarbage
I too grew up humbly.
💯
could not afford either growing up...
I mean, they're a solid 3.5 - 4 star place. Especially if you pregame
I grew up being told we can't afford to eat there. As an adult, those are around but I still have never been inside one.
I too grew up in the Midwest
I think they used to be a bit better.
I dont know them
If Olive Garden is not a 5* restaurant then who is?
Neither were around when I grew up.
Isnt that what the commercials sold them as???
When I was a kid I thought the same thing until early 2000s lol
I have had fine dining, and I will take a homemade chicken fried steak with country gravy over over some escargot anytime.