Kamil Perry
It is a well-known fact that Olive Garden's servers offer to grate cheese onto customers' pasta dishes. However, what happens if a customer never says stop to the server grating their cheese? While there doesn't seem to be an official Olive Garden guideline on this, former servers have shared their experiences online, revealing that they would continue grating until the cheese block was finished or use their judgment to determine when to stop. This has sparked discussions about the type of cheese Olive Garden uses, with some servers confirming it is Romano, a cheaper alternative to Parmesan with a similar flavor profile. The Olive Garden cheese grater has also gained popularity, with fans excited to learn that they can purchase it in-store or online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese offered by Olive Garden | Romano or a blend of Romano and Parmesan |
| Cheese grater | Zyliss cheese grater |
| Cost of the cheese grater | $23 |
| Viral story | Kyle and Mickey |
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What You'll Learn
- Olive Garden servers offer to grate cheese until customers say stop
- The cheese is Romano or a Romano-Parmesan blend, not pure Parmesan
- Servers may offer extra cheese as a friendly gesture or to flirt
- Customers can purchase the iconic Olive Garden cheese grater
- Former servers say they'd offer more cheese if asked, but rarely were
Olive Garden servers offer to grate cheese until customers say stop
It's a well-known fact that Olive Garden servers offer to grate cheese onto customers' dishes, but what happens if a customer never says "stop"? This intriguing conundrum has sparked curiosity and online discussions, with some wondering if servers would continue grating until the customer and table are buried under a mountain of cheese. While there doesn't seem to be an official Olive Garden guideline, it appears to be left to the server's discretion.
Former Olive Garden employees have shared their experiences on online forums. One server recounted that if a customer didn't say "stop," they would continue grating until the grater was empty, with one full grater being the cutoff. Another former waitress embraced the opportunity to enhance her customer service skills. She advised continuing to grate until the cheese block was gone, adding a friendly comment and perhaps bonding with the customer over a shared love of cheese.
A similar incident involving a generous amount of grated cheese at an Olive Garden in Pittsburgh gained online attention. A diner named Kyle shared his experience on Reddit, recounting how his server, Mickey, kept offering to grate more cheese onto his ravioli carbonara. The result was a comical cheese cascade, and Kyle's story garnered over 9,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments. Some speculated that Mickey was flirting with Kyle, and the story even led to discussions about the type of cheese used at Olive Garden.
The cheese in question is Romano, a sheep's milk cheese similar to Parmesan, or a blend of the two. This revelation sparked surprise among cheese aficionados, as Romano tends to have a stronger flavour and saltier taste. The cheese graters themselves have also become sought-after items, with Olive Garden selling them in stores and online enthusiasts revealing how to purchase them.
So, while Olive Garden servers may not literally grate cheese indefinitely, they are happy to oblige cheese enthusiasts until a polite "stop" is indicated. The servers' approach to this situation showcases their dedication to customer satisfaction, ensuring that each dining experience is enjoyable and memorable, even leading to online fame and lighthearted speculation.
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The cheese is Romano or a Romano-Parmesan blend, not pure Parmesan
The cheese used at Olive Garden is a topic that has sparked interest and even confusion among customers. Many assume that the cheese grated on their entrees is Parmesan. However, it has been revealed that the cheese is, in fact, Romano or a blend of Romano and Parmesan. This distinction is important for cheese connoisseurs, as Romano cheese is made from sheep's milk and has a stronger, saltier flavour compared to cow's milk-derived Parmesan.
While the cheese is not purely Parmesan, that does not detract from its popularity among Olive Garden patrons. The restaurant's famous cheese grater, a Zyliss, is beloved for its ability to distribute cheese quickly and efficiently. The grater features a steel drum that holds blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires minimal effort to turn. This design not only enhances the dining experience but also facilitates easy cleaning, as the steel drum is removable and dishwasher-safe.
The Olive Garden's policy on cheese grating has also been a subject of curiosity. While there doesn't seem to be an official guideline, a Facebook post from the brand hints at "Never-Ending Cheese." In practice, it appears that servers use their discretion to determine when to stop grating. Some former employees have shared their experiences, stating that they would continue grating until the customer said "stop" or until the cheese grater was empty.
The amount of cheese grated may also depend on the server's judgment and their desire to create a pleasant dining experience. In some cases, servers have offered to get more cheese if they finished a block, although this offer was rarely taken up. The abundance of cheese at Olive Garden is further emphasised by the viral story of a customer who received four blocks of cheese to go after not stopping the server from grating.
The cheese offered at Olive Garden, whether Romano or a blend, contributes to the overall dining experience. The combination of flavourful cheese, efficient grating, and the potential for lighthearted interactions around the never-ending supply adds to the unique charm of the restaurant.
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Servers may offer extra cheese as a friendly gesture or to flirt
It is not uncommon for servers at Olive Garden to offer extra cheese to customers. While some servers do it as a friendly gesture, others might do it to flirt with customers.
For instance, in a recent incident, a customer named Kyle shared his experience on Reddit's r/mildlyinteresting subreddit, which received significant attention, with over 9,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments. Kyle and his friend had visited an Olive Garden in Pittsburgh, where their server, Mickey, offered to grate some cheese on Kyle's ravioli carbonara. Kyle accepted the offer, and what followed was a comical cheese cascade as Mickey liberally sprinkled the cheese onto his dish. Upon receiving the bill, Mickey surprised Kyle with an extra container filled with four blocks of cheese. Reddit users speculated that Mickey was flirting with Kyle.
In another instance, a former Olive Garden server shared on Quora that they would continue grating cheese until the customer asked them to stop. However, if the customer did not say stop, they would continue until the grater was empty, and then offer to get more cheese. Another former waitress shared a similar experience, encouraging others to use the situation to bond with the customer and create a more pleasant dining experience.
While there doesn't seem to be an official Olive Garden guideline on how long to grate cheese for a customer, it is generally left to the server's judgment to determine when to stop. Some servers might offer extra cheese as a friendly gesture or to create a pleasant dining experience, while others might use it as an opportunity to flirt with customers.
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Customers can purchase the iconic Olive Garden cheese grater
The Zyliss grater features a steel drum for holding blocks of parmesan and a hand crank that requires minimal pressure. It is easy to clean, as the steel drum is dishwasher-safe.
TikTok comments from Olive Garden employees suggest that almost everything at the chain is for sale if you offer the right price. One TikTok user, @jordan_the_stallion8, shared their experience purchasing the grater in-store. They asked a manager to purchase a cheese grater, and she obliged. The TikToker was even given a container of cheese to try out.
The Olive Garden cheese grater has become a coveted item, with fans of the restaurant excited to purchase the grater and recreate the iconic cheese-grating experience at home.
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Former servers say they'd offer more cheese if asked, but rarely were
While there is no official Olive Garden guideline on what to do if a customer doesn't say "stop" while their server is grating cheese, former servers have shared their experiences online. One former server revealed that they would continue grating until the entire block of cheese was finished, and only then would they offer to get more. However, they noted that nobody ever took them up on this offer. Another ex-employee shared a similar account, stating that they would continue grating until the little block was gone and then politely inform the customer that they could get more if desired.
These anecdotes suggest that Olive Garden servers are willing to offer more cheese if asked but rarely need to because customers are usually satisfied with the initial amount provided. In one notable exception, a customer named Kyle shared a story on Reddit about how his server, Mickey, kept grating cheese onto his ravioli carbonara without stopping. Rather than asking her to stop, Kyle nonchalantly sipped his water as the cheese continued to cascade onto his dish. Impressed by Mickey's friendly service, he later shared his experience online, sparking speculation that she was flirting with him.
In addition to these stories, some Olive Garden customers have taken to online forums to discuss their own experiences with the chain's cheese grating service. One Reddit user who claimed to work at Olive Garden mentioned that they would offer to get more cheese if they finished a block, but no one ever took them up on the offer. This aligns with the experiences of former servers, indicating that customers rarely request additional cheese beyond what is initially provided.
While the servers at Olive Garden are apparently happy to provide extra cheese if asked, it seems that the standard portion is usually sufficient for most diners. The absence of requests for additional cheese suggests that customers are content with the initial offering, and the servers' willingness to provide more if needed ensures a pleasant dining experience for cheese enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence to suggest that Olive Garden servers hate grating cheese. In fact, some servers have shared stories of their experiences with customers who never asked them to stop grating cheese. One former server shared on Quora, "I worked at Olive Garden for about 15 years and this happened to me twice. If they don't say stop, you continue grinding until the grater is empty but one grater full is the cut-off."
The cheese grated by Olive Garden servers is Romano cheese, a sheep's milk cheese similar to cow's milk-derived Parmesan.
Yes, the famous Olive Garden cheese grater can be purchased at the restaurant or online. It is also available on Amazon for a reasonable price.
There doesn't seem to be an official guideline from Olive Garden on this topic. However, it appears that servers will continue grating until the customer asks them to stop or until the cheese grater is empty.
