---

In these crazy economic times with many families trying to save but also still dine out from time to time.

I love that Olive Garden still offers its $10.99 weekday lunch special.

---

“ITALIAN GENEROSITY IS ALWAYS ON THE TABLE “

“At Olive Garden, we know that life is better together and everyone is happiest when they’re
with family. From never ending servings of our freshly baked bread-sticks and iconic garden
salad, to our homemade soups and sauces, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

---

---

I recently hit up the Gateway Mall in Brooklyn to do a little shopping.

---

---

“The original mall (Gateway Center South), which opened in 2002, consists of a 640,000-square-foot (59,000 m²) complex, with a large parking lot and three separate structures to the south along Gateway Drive. It is anchored by several major stores, including Target, The Home Depot, Best Buy, and BJ’s Wholesale Club.”

---

---

And what better way to spend an afternoon then eating and doing a little retail therapy.

---

---

INDOOR DECOR

---

The Olive Garden location in the Gateway Mall in pretty spacious.

---

With a pretty nice bar area that is separated from their dining area.

---

---

NOW LETS TALK FOOD AND DRINKS.

---

Firstly I started with a lunch cocktail, I decided to go with their Peach Bellini.

---

---

PEACH BELLINI
Originating In Italy, a refreshing mix of sparkling Italian White Wine and Peach Puree.

---

---

I actually ended up returning my first Cocktail because it was super warm and flat! No Beuno!

The second one was much better tasting and enjoyable.

---

Following that the bread-sticks and salad arrived to my table.

---

WARM GARLIC BREADS-STICKS

---

---

My bread-sticks arrived nice and warm and they were really good.

---

House Salad
served with Olive Garden’s signature Italian dressing

---

---

I mean I could literally just go to Olive Garden for their Bread-Sticks and House Salad alone!

Especially when it arrives fresh and delicious like mines did. Oh and that Italian dressing that they use I am obsessed with it.

---

---

After that the entrees arrived, we went with their Chicken Parmigiana & their Shrimp Scampi.

---

Chicken Parmigiana
$12.99
A classic with our homemade marinara and a side of spaghetti.

---

---

This is my dads favorite lunch menu item,he absolutely loves it and orders it every time he comes to Olive Garden.

---

Shrimp Scampi
$12.99
Shrimp sautéed in a garlic sauce, tossed with asparagus, tomatoes, and angel hair pasta.
 

---

---

Admittedly I am still undecided on this Shrimp Scampi lunch special.

On the one hand I appreciate the healthier version of it.

But on the other hand this dish was definitely missing something.

---

Finally it was time for our delicious desserts.

---

Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping (V)
$9.99
Ricotta cheesecake with a shortbread cookie crust, topped with strawberry sauce.

---

---

Warm Italian Doughnuts (V)
$9.49
Fried doughnuts tossed in vanilla sugar. Served with raspberry or chocolate sauce.

---

---

Although I really enjoyed the Cheesecake the Warm donuts were my favorite of the two!

---

On the whole I really enjoyed my lunch special at Olive Garden.

We enjoyed a nice meal at an very affordable price.

---

Its no wonder Olive Garden is still doing pretty ok as a franchise.

---

” For fiscal 2025, Darden is forecasting that its same-store sales will grow just 1% to 2%. Shares of the company rose more than 1% in premarket trading.”

---

In conclusion if you haven’t stopped in for the lunch special I would highly recommend it.

---

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Olive Garden (@olivegarden)

---