Our First Experience with Olive Garden's Endless Pasta Deal

"Consider yourself family here."

Despite hearing about it famously, we had never been part of the Olive Garden family until our recent visit. We were lured by the prospect of seemingly bottomless pasta dishes, only to unearth the true price our stomachs would endure to join this culinary family.

The popular Never-Ending Pasta Bowl is back, running from August 25 through November. Starting at $13.99, patrons can mix their choice of pastas, sauces, and proteins, complemented by either a generous salad or soup, plus breadsticks. Remarkably, the price remains unchanged since 2022, despite rising costs elsewhere.

Beginning the Adventure in Times Square

New York City boasts an endless selection of food adventures. However, trekking over to the crowded streets of Times Square was necessary for our trip to Manhattan's lone Olive Garden location.

After an Epic Escalator Ride, We Settled In

Upon being seated, we glanced at the menu lacking any mention of the endless pasta promotion. A quick inquiry with our waitress resolved that, as she provided a special slip detailing the promotion.

The Price of Comfort in Tourist Town

Dining in tourist-heavy areas often comes with a price hike. At this location, the promotion required $19.99 per person along with an additional $5.99 for boundless protein options.

Our First Course: Breadsticks and Appetizers

The server promptly brought breadsticks. Sarah chose the Pasta e Fagioli soup, while Jordan began with the house salad.

Both portions were hefty, so we strategically held back to save room for more pasta.

Kickoff with Fettuccine Alfredo

Jordan's initial serving of fettuccine Alfredo crowned with chicken fritta felt majestic in size. Each bite was rich and creamy, promising that the crispy chicken would be a favored addition. This indulgence sparked concern for future course space.

Sarah's Spaghetti with Fiery Meat Sauce

Passionate about spice, Sarah couldn’t resist the zesty meat sauce with her spaghetti. Though initially contemplating angel hair pasta for its lighter qualities, she decided on the more classic choice. A simple recommendation from the waitress helped her land on having both a meatball and sausage.

Realizing the Challenge Was in Front of Us

The first plate turned out to be the biggest; subsequent servings were mercifully smaller. Sarah focused more on the sauce, avoiding pasta, but it left her with extra on the plate. Watching Jordan tackle her meal, concerns grew as they prepared to order more despite growing reservations.

Round Two: Rigatoni with Cheesy Marinara

Jordan’s choice of rigatoni smothered in five-cheese marinara was reminiscent of vodka sauce. Though the portion was smaller, it still proved difficult to finish.

Sarah’s Second Strike: Creamy Mushroom Sauce

The delectable mushroom sauce was enticing, drawing Sarah to reconsider her strategy. Despite eating more than she planned, the opportunity to try new combinations was too tempting.

Dealing with Full Stomachs

As round two concluded, fatigue set in. Jordan experienced outright exhaustion, even engaging humor about her state of discomfort. Both considered alternative wardrobes as they sought refreshment from their appetizers before proceeding.

Attempting to Maintain the Olive Garden Spirit

Despite fatigue, Jordan pressed on, whereas Sarah appeared rejuvenated, eager for more. A piece of news from the waitress revealed some diners tackle over six bowls, which seemed otherworldly to us.

Round Three: Gluten-Free Rotini

In an adventurous spirit, Jordan tried the gluten-free rotini, lacking protein in hopes of consuming more. However, it was a struggle. After scarcely finishing, she concluded more pasta was out of reach.

Sarah’s Continued Angel Hair Choice

Opting again for angel hair Alfredo with chicken, the lighter option was easier to handle. The saltiness of the chicken didn't overshadow the lighter pasta texture.

Different Outcomes by Round Four

While Jordan halted post three rounds, Sarah ventured into a fourth helping, drawn to the mushroom sauce. Entertainment punctuated the round with birthday songs and an unexpected fire alarm.

The Conclusion of Our Pasta Adventure

Our exploration was an experience in itself. With a grand total tallying over seven different bowls, we found the event worthwhile, yet taxing on both stomachs and wallets — totalling $73.45 before a generous service tip.

For fellow challengers, a few parting suggestions: Dress comfortably with elastic waistbands. Start with lighter, tomato-based sauces to pace yourself. Ultimately, challenge your limits wisely as the legendary ten-bowl mark isn't for the faint-hearted.