Kamil Perry
Olive Garden's cheese grater has become a sensation among its patrons, with many customers asking to purchase the grater from the restaurant. The grater is manufactured by Zyliss and features a steel drum for holding blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires minimal pressure. While many assume that the cheese inside the grater is Parmesan, there is evidence to suggest that it is actually Romano cheese. This was confirmed by Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, who supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in the grater.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Parmesan, Romano, or a blend of both |
| Cheese brand | Lotito Romano Cheese |
| Cheese grater brand | Zyliss |
| Cheese grater price | $14.74 to $23 |
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What You'll Learn
Olive Garden uses Romano cheese
It is a common misconception that the cheese used in the grater at Olive Garden is Parmesan. However, it has been revealed by multiple sources that the restaurant uses Romano cheese. This was confirmed by Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, which supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in its cheese graters.
The reason for the switch from cheese wheels to cheese blocks was due to the difficulty employees faced when cutting up the 50-pound Romano cheese wheels. While some customers have claimed that the cheese grated at their table was Parmesan, this is not the case. Olive Garden employees have been trained to provide customers with as much cheese as they desire, even if it means using several blocks of cheese at a time. This would be significantly more expensive if the restaurant used Parmesan instead of Romano.
Takeout orders from Olive Garden also include complimentary cheese packets, allowing customers to add extra Romano cheese to their meals. The cheese in these packets is supplied by the Sugar Foods Corporation and is made from cow's milk. Romano cheese, which can contain sheep's milk, is often fattier and saltier than Parmesan. It is also cheaper, which may be a factor in Olive Garden's choice of cheese.
The famous Olive Garden cheese grater, a Zyliss branded product, has become so popular that the restaurant began selling it to customers. The grater features a steel drum for holding blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires minimal pressure, making it easy to use and clean. The grater can be purchased at Olive Garden locations or online through Amazon and eBay.
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Parmesan is used for dine-in
While it is commonly assumed that Olive Garden uses Parmesan cheese in its grater, this is not necessarily the case. In reality, the cheese used is Romano, or a blend of Romano and Parmesan, according to various sources, including self-identified Olive Garden employees on Reddit. Romano cheese is a cheaper alternative to Parmesan, and it is supplied to Olive Garden by Lotito Foods in blocks designed to fit in their cheese graters. This change was made to address the challenge of cutting up large Romano cheese wheels.
When dining in at Olive Garden, customers are often given the option to have their pasta dishes topped with as much freshly grated cheese as they desire. While the cheese used is predominantly Romano, it is possible that some locations may offer a blend or use Parmesan for dine-in customers upon request. However, when ordering takeout or delivery from Olive Garden, the complimentary cheese packets included with each order contain grated Romano cheese.
The confusion over the type of cheese used in Olive Garden's graters may be due to the similar appearance and flavour profiles of Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Both are aged Italian cheeses commonly grated over pasta, but Romano can contain sheep's milk, making it fattier and saltier than Parmesan. Nonetheless, the assumption that the cheese is Parmesan is so widespread that the company now sells its famous cheese graters, allowing customers to recreate the experience at home.
The Zyliss-branded cheese grater, known for its ease of use and ability to quickly distribute cheese, has become a sought-after item among Olive Garden patrons. The grater features a steel drum for holding blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires minimal pressure to operate. Its popularity has led to it being sold not only at Olive Garden restaurants but also on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, attracting positive reviews from thousands of shoppers.
In conclusion, while Olive Garden's use of Parmesan cheese in their graters cannot be confirmed, the company's dine-in experience centres around the generous offering of freshly grated cheese, whether it be Romano, a blend, or Parmesan upon request. The assumption that the cheese is Parmesan contributes to the allure of the Olive Garden brand, and the availability of their cheese graters for purchase allows customers to emulate this dining experience in their own homes.
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Romano is cheaper than Parmesan
While it is widely assumed that Olive Garden uses Parmesan cheese in its grater, this is not the case. The cheese used is actually Romano, or a blend of Parmesan and Romano. This was confirmed by Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, which supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in its graters. Romano cheese is cheaper than Parmesan, which is why it is used in Olive Garden's graters.
The reason Romano cheese is cheaper than Parmesan is that it can be made with sheep's milk, which is more economical than cow's milk. Parmesan cheese, on the other hand, is traditionally made with cow's milk, which is more expensive. In addition, Parmesan cheese is aged for a longer period of time, which increases its cost.
Romano cheese has a strong, salty flavour that is similar to Parmesan. This makes it a good substitute for Parmesan in many dishes. While Olive Garden could use a blend of the two cheeses, as they have similar flavours and textures, the chain likely uses mostly Romano to keep costs down.
Olive Garden is known for its generous portions of grated cheese on pasta dishes. The chain has even started selling its famous cheese graters in-store and online, allowing customers to recreate the experience at home. The grater, manufactured by Zyliss, has a steel drum for holding blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires minimal pressure to operate.
While some may be disappointed to learn that Olive Garden uses Romano cheese instead of Parmesan, it is important to note that both are aged Italian cheeses commonly used in pasta dishes. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference, as both have their own unique flavour and texture profiles.
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Olive Garden sells its cheese graters
Olive Garden's cheese graters have become so iconic that the restaurant has started selling them to customers. The hand-cranked graters are available for purchase at select Olive Garden locations, with prices ranging from $14.99 to $16.43. The graters can also be purchased online from Amazon for around $23.
The graters have become a sensation on TikTok, with users celebrating their ability to distribute cheese quickly and efficiently. The Zyliss grater features a steel drum that holds blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires minimal pressure to operate. Its ease of use and cleaning has made it a favourite among Olive Garden patrons, earning the moniker, "the Ferrari of cheese graters."
The availability of the graters for sale at Olive Garden restaurants varies by location and availability. While some customers have reported successfully purchasing the grater in-store, others have turned to Amazon to get their hands on this coveted item.
In addition to the grater, Olive Garden also provides customers with a block of cheese to test it out. This cheese is not the same as the one used in the restaurants, as Olive Garden uses a blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese, or Romano cheese alone, depending on the source. However, the flavour is said to be identical.
So, if you're an Olive Garden enthusiast and want to recreate the experience at home, you can now purchase the famous cheese grater, along with a block of cheese, from select Olive Garden locations or online.
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The grater is easy to clean
The grater used by Olive Garden is manufactured by Zyliss and is made of steel. It features a steel drum for holding blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires minimal pressure for ease of use. The grater is available for purchase at Olive Garden outlets and online on Amazon and eBay.
The Zyliss grater is also easy to clean. The steel drum can be popped out and is dishwasher-safe, ensuring no residue is left behind. This feature has been well-received by Amazon shoppers, with one commenting that the grater is "easy to use and easy to clean".
While the exact type of cheese used in the grater is not publicly disclosed by Olive Garden, it is believed to be a blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese. The cheese is supplied by Lotito Foods, a New Jersey-based company that provides Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in the Zyliss grater.
Some customers have expressed their love for the generous portions of freshly grated cheese that Olive Garden offers, with servers instructed to provide as much cheese as the customer requests. This has led to some lighthearted stories of customers receiving multiple blocks of cheese during their visits.
The Zyliss grater, with its ease of use, cleaning, and ability to quickly distribute cheese, has become a beloved aspect of the Olive Garden dining experience for many patrons.
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Frequently asked questions
Olive Garden uses a blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese in their grater. However, some sources claim that they use only Romano cheese.
Yes, you can buy the Olive Garden cheese grater from their restaurants or online. It is manufactured by Zyliss and is also available on Amazon.
The Zyliss cheese grater is priced at $22 on Amazon Prime and Olive Garden's website. It was previously sold for $14.99 at Olive Garden restaurants.
The cheese that Olive Garden uses in their grater is similar to Parmesan cheese. Romano cheese is often considered a good alternative to Parmesan as it falls in the same ballpark, flavour-wise.
