Where to start? At the reservation! I called to make a reservation for eight. I was told they could only make a reservation for six. She also said that their round table could seat eight if some were kids. So I said let's reserve a round table for six. The young lady said, "But I know you have eight". Whereupon I said, " I have six children so they should fit?". Then she said, "Wait a minute." When she came back on the line she said she could make a reservation but it wouldn't be a hard reservation and that I might have to wait. She took my name and that was that.
An hour or so later we arrived (15 minutes before the scheduled reservation in case we had to wait) and asked about the reservation. The ladies up front said,"we'll check you in and see where we can seat you." Then a manager came up and they asked him how long to seat eight. Without blinking an Eye he said,"45 minutes." I looked at him and asked"that quick? Whereas he said, "Well I can make it an hour and a half!" So I said, "no you can't because we're leaving. Look for your write up in Yelp."
So normally I give more chances at improving customer service but in this case it really seemed like it wouldn't get better and I was just going to subject my family to more poor customer service by waiting to be seated etc.
I expect civility at worst and hold a grudge. So Olive Garden is off the list forever. I had an experience like this at Outback once and have not been back (14 years). So this is not written for an Olive Garden employee to call me and make nice. It isn't going to happen. This is a reminder for others out there like me to skip the irritation and just go to a better rated restaurant.