Olive Garden Italian Kitchen - Stockton

I first visited Olive Garden in the 90s and wasn't impressed. Recently, I decided to give it another try, and the food was significantly better, but they really skimped on the sauce. There’s also an electronic game at each table, along with a wine and beer list, desserts, and games. However, there's nothing indicating that the games cost $3.99 each. I tried a few games, and when the bill came, I was shocked. I had planned to leave a 20% tip as I usually do unless the service is terrible. I mentioned to the waitress that there were no signs about the game fees. She replied, "That's just how it is," so I thanked her for the games since they would come out of her tip. I felt a bit guilty, but there really should be signs indicating that the games are NOT free.

My dad ordered the steak, and I tried a bite; it was way too salty. The waitress didn't come by to clear our plates until we had to signal her to come over, and even then, she only took one plate from the table where three of us were seated. When it was time to pay, my parents weren't comfortable using the tablet, so she just took their card without presenting the bill first.

Luisa was our attentive and helpful server at Olive Garden in Stockton, California. Both the minestrone and fagioli soups were delicious, as were the herb garden salmon and the spaghetti with meatballs. The manager also stopped by to address a previous issue, and he handled it very professionally.

The food was good, and the portions were quite generous. However, the service felt rushed and impatient. It seemed like the staff just wanted to get our order without taking the time to engage with us. I don't understand why customers would be treated this way—especially since not everyone is a regular and may need a moment to decide what to order. It was my first visit, and one staff member completely ignored us as we walked in, despite heading in our direction (she had just come out of the hostess area, and we thought she would seat us). It was around noon to 1 PM; perhaps it was a busy time, but we're paying customers and should receive better treatment, especially since we were planning to leave a tip.

The food is outstanding, the service is amazing, and the ambiance is delightful. I don't go there frequently, but every time I do, I have a wonderful experience.