Restaurant Review: Olive Garden - State College, PA

You better bring your appetite for this one!

While on vacation in State College, I was starving, and was not in the mood to eat at 5 Guys. .  again.  Out of desperation I agreed to take my kids to the Olive Garden since I knew they had a gluten free menu. I was a little nervous after a bad experience at the Olive Garden in downtown Salt Lake City ( the server informed me that they cooked the gluten free chicken on the same surface as the gluten contaminated chicken! Yikes!) Therefore, I “grilled” my server thoroughly about how the food is prepared and cooked (bad pun, I know).

The guy didn’t bat an eye at my neurotic game of 20 questions about the gluten free menu, which helped me feel comfortable and, well, normal.  I agreed to start my meal with their salad sans croutons. Well, go figure, my salad arrived with a heaping serving of croutons. Not good. However, my server was extremely apologetic and mixed a new salad for me immediately. And oh was it yummy.

I ordered the Mixed Grill, which consisted of a skewer of chicken, a skewer of steak, a side of grilled vegetables and a heap of seasoned potatoes. I was shocked at how much food was on my plate! It is very filling and extremely flavorful.  And the best part- I didn’t get sick- wha hoo!!

Overall, my experience at the State College location was excellent, and it is nice to know that a national chain has a gluten free dining option I can turn to if I am on the go or in a new location.