The Grated Cheese Of Olive Garden: Unveiling The Secret

Olive Garden is known for its generous offering of freshly grated cheese at the table. While many assume it is Parmesan, it has been revealed by multiple sources, including former employees, that the cheese is actually Romano. This was confirmed by Olive Garden on social media, where they referred to it as grated Romano. Romano cheese is made from sheep's milk, giving it a stronger flavour and saltier taste than Parmesan. The chain likely uses Romano because it is cheaper than Parmesan, and its milder flavour means customers can add large amounts to their dishes without overpowering the taste of the food.

Olive Garden uses Romano cheese

While the cheese in the grater is real Italian-style cheese, multiple self-identified Olive Garden employees have alleged that the restaurant chain uses Romano, not Parmesan. One employee claimed it was a blend of both Romano and Parmesan. Olive Garden doesn't specify the type of grated cheese it uses on its menu or website. However, the company has referred to it as "grated Romano" on social media.

Olive Garden's use of Romano cheese is further supported by a 2016 interview with Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods. Lotito shared that his company supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in its cheese graters. This change was made after employees struggled to cut up the 50-pound Romano cheese wheels previously used.

Romano cheese is a popular alternative to Parmesan due to its similar flavour and lower cost. It is often favoured by large chain restaurants like Olive Garden to keep food costs down. Additionally, employees are trained to give customers as much cheese as they ask for, making the cheaper Romano a more economical choice.

Olive Garden also provides complimentary cheese packets with takeout orders, allowing customers to add extra Romano cheese to their meals. According to the packet labels, this grated cheese is made from cow's milk but is still Romano cheese.

Romano is made from sheep's milk

It's a common misconception that the cheese grated at Olive Garden is Parmesan. In fact, the cheese is Romano, which is made from sheep's milk. While Parmesan is derived from cow's milk, Romano is made from sheep's milk, giving it a stronger flavour and saltier taste. This is why it is often used as a cheaper alternative to Parmesan, as it has a similar flavour profile but is more affordable.

Romano cheese is a popular choice for pasta dishes, as it pairs well with a variety of sauces and ingredients. It has a milder, less complex flavour than Parmesan, which is known for its fruity, nutty taste. When grated onto pasta, Romano adds a salty, savoury note that enhances the overall flavour of the dish.

The use of Romano cheese at Olive Garden is not a recent change. In fact, the restaurant has been using this type of cheese for several years. This information has been disclosed by Olive Garden on their social media accounts, where they have referred to the cheese as "grated Romano" on multiple occasions. Additionally, in a 2016 interview, Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, confirmed that his company supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks specifically designed to fit in their cheese graters.

The decision to use Romano cheese instead of Parmesan may be due to cost considerations. As mentioned earlier, Romano cheese is typically cheaper than Parmesan. This allows Olive Garden to offer generous portions of grated cheese to its customers without incurring high costs. In fact, employees at Olive Garden are trained to give customers as much grated cheese as they request, even if it means using up several blocks of cheese at a time.

The use of Romano cheese at Olive Garden has sparked mixed reactions from customers. While some appreciate the salty, savoury flavour it adds to their dishes, others have expressed feelings of betrayal upon learning that the cheese is not Parmesan. However, it's important to note that Olive Garden has never advertised their grated cheese as Parmesan and has always been transparent about the type of cheese they use.

It's cheaper than Parmesan

It's no secret that Olive Garden is generous with its cheese servings. Diners can opt to have as much freshly grated cheese as they like on their pasta dishes, and the restaurant is known for its offer of "let me know when to stop". But is it authentic Parmesan cheese?

Well, no. It turns out that the cheese grated at the table in Olive Garden is actually Romano cheese. Romano is similar to Parmesan, but it is made from sheep's milk, which makes it stronger in flavour and saltier. It also has a softer texture and is milder than Parmesan, which has a fruity, nutty complexity.

So why does Olive Garden use Romano instead of Parmesan? One reason could be the price. Romano is much cheaper than Parmesan, and when you're giving away as much cheese as Olive Garden does, that makes a big difference! In a Reddit thread, former employees revealed that staff are trained to give customers as much cheese as they want, even if it means using several blocks at a time. This would be much more costly if they were using Parmesan.

So, if you want to recreate the Olive Garden experience at home, it's best to load up on Romano rather than Parmesan.

The cheese is grated tableside

Now, you might be wondering, what kind of cheese is it? Well, it's not Parmesan, despite what many people assume. It's actually Romano cheese. It has a milder flavour than Parmesan, a bit more salty, and a softer texture. This swap makes sense as Romano is much cheaper and still has a similar flavour to Parmesan. So, when that server asks if you want cheese (and you definitely will), remember to say "cheese", not "Parmesan"!

If you want to recreate this cheesy delight at home, you're in luck. Olive Garden sells its iconic cheese graters, and they're not just a fun souvenir. These graters are highly functional, able to grate cheese, chocolate, or nuts with ease. You can buy them at any Olive Garden location or online, and some customers have even received a container of cheese to go with it! So, if you want to bring a bit of that Olive Garden magic home, now you know how.

So, the next time you're at Olive Garden, get ready for a tableside cheese grating experience like no other. Indulge in the cheesy goodness, and don't hold back—after all, the server will keep grating until you say when!

You can buy the grater from Olive Garden

The ability to purchase the cheese grater varies by restaurant and availability, so it might not be available at every location. However, if you're lucky enough to find one at your local Olive Garden, it's definitely worth picking up. The grater is a handy tool to have in your kitchen, and it's perfect for grating hard cheeses like Parmesan and Romano.

In fact, the type of cheese grated at Olive Garden has been a topic of discussion among customers. While some assume it's Parmesan, others have speculated that it's a different type of cheese. It turns out that the cheese grated at Olive Garden is indeed Romano cheese, which has a milder, saltier taste than Parmesan. So, if you want to recreate the Olive Garden experience at home, be sure to grab some Romano cheese to go with your new grater!

The Olive Garden cheese grater has become somewhat of a cult item, with people raving about its functionality and ease of cleaning. It's a sturdy yet lightweight tool that can quickly turn a block of cheese into a delicious deluge of grated goodness. And the best part? It's quite affordable, with prices ranging from $14.99 to $16.43 at different locations.

So, if you're an Olive Garden fan or simply looking for a great cheese grater, head to your nearest Olive Garden and ask about purchasing their iconic cheese grater. It might just be the game-changer your kitchen needs!

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