Bushra Griffith
While Olive Garden is known for its cheesy offerings, it is interesting to note that blue cheese is not one of them. The restaurant's menu features a variety of cheese-heavy dishes, including grilled chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses and the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. However, blue cheese is notably absent from these offerings. This may be due to a variety of reasons, such as the strong flavour of blue cheese, which may not appeal to all customers, or the fact that it is not traditionally used in Italian cuisine, which could be a factor in Olive Garden's menu choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese served at Olive Garden | Romano, a blend of Romano and Parmesan, or Parmesan |
| Reason for serving Romano | Cheaper than Parmesan |
| Customer experience | Customers are served as much cheese as they want |
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What You'll Learn
Olive Garden serves Romano cheese, not blue cheese
It is a common misconception that Olive Garden serves Parmesan cheese. While the cheese served at Olive Garden is indeed Italian-style cheese, it is actually Romano cheese, not blue cheese. This confusion may stem from the fact that both cheeses are aged Italian cheeses that are typically grated over pasta and have a similar appearance. However, they differ in taste and Romano cheese is often cheaper than Parmesan.
Romano cheese has a strong, salty, and tangy flavour that is often described as intense or robust. In comparison, Parmesan has a more nutty and fruity flavour profile with a hint of saltiness. It is slightly milder in taste than Romano. The use of Romano cheese allows Olive Garden to be more cost-effective without compromising on the quality and taste of the cheese.
There have been debates and discussions among customers and former employees of Olive Garden regarding the type of cheese served at the restaurant. Some customers assume that the cheese grated on their pasta is Parmesan, while others speculate that it could be a blend of Parmesan and Romano. However, according to a 2016 interview with Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, the company supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks specifically designed to fit in its cheese graters. This change was implemented after employees faced challenges in cutting up the larger Romano cheese wheels.
Additionally, Olive Garden has been transparent about the type of cheese it uses. Over the years, the restaurant has referred to the cheese as "grated Romano" on its social media accounts, including Facebook and Twitter posts. This disclosure clarifies that Olive Garden serves Romano cheese and not blue cheese.
While the focus is on Romano cheese, it is worth noting that Olive Garden is known for its generous portions of cheese. The restaurant's policy allows customers to receive as much freshly grated cheese as they desire, even if it means using multiple blocks of cheese at a time. This practice further emphasises the importance of cheese in the dining experience at Olive Garden, regardless of whether it is Romano or blue cheese.
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Romano is cheaper than blue cheese
While it is not explicitly stated that Olive Garden does not serve blue cheese, it is likely that the restaurant chain opts for Romano cheese over blue cheese due to cost considerations. Romano cheese is cheaper than blue cheese, and this price difference could be a significant factor in the chain's purchasing decisions.
Romano cheese, an Italian-style cheese, is known for its strong, salty, and tangy flavor. It is often described as having an intense or robust taste. While it is similar in appearance to Parmesan cheese, Romano is typically made from cow's milk, and sometimes sheep's milk, resulting in a fattier and saltier cheese. Parmesan, on the other hand, has a more nutty and fruity flavor profile with a hint of saltiness.
The cost of cheese can vary depending on several factors, including the type of milk used, the production process, and the aging time. In the case of Romano and blue cheese, the price difference may be influenced by the type of milk used and the production techniques employed. Romano cheese, made from cow's milk or a combination of cow's and sheep's milk, is generally more affordable than blue cheese, which often utilizes sheep's or goat's milk. The higher proportion of sheep's or goat's milk in blue cheese can drive up production costs, making it more expensive for restaurants like Olive Garden that aim to keep food costs down.
Additionally, the aging process plays a role in the final cost of the cheese. Both Romano and blue cheese are aged, but the length of aging can vary. Longer aging times contribute to increased production costs, as the cheese requires more time, space, and care during the aging process. Blue cheese, for example, is known for its distinctive veining, which is a result of the mold culture added during production. This additional step of introducing mold and creating the characteristic veining may contribute to a higher production cost for blue cheese compared to Romano cheese.
Furthermore, the demand and availability of the cheese can also impact pricing. Romano cheese is widely produced and readily available, which can help keep costs down. In contrast, blue cheese may have higher demand and face more competition among buyers, potentially driving up its market price.
In summary, the choice of Romano cheese over blue cheese at Olive Garden is likely influenced by the cost considerations of the restaurant chain. Romano cheese offers a strong, salty, and tangy flavor profile similar to Parmesan but at a more affordable price point. By opting for Romano cheese, Olive Garden can maintain its reputation for generous portions of freshly grated cheese without incurring the higher costs associated with blue cheese.
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Romano is an American equivalent of Pecorino Romano
While it is unclear whether Olive Garden serves blue cheese, it is known that they serve a blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese. Romano cheese is a term used in the United States and Canada for a class of hard and salty cheeses primarily used for grating. It is an imitation of Pecorino Romano, an Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. The name "Pecorino" means "ovine" or "of sheep" in Italian.
Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made from sheep's milk, often grated over pasta or other dishes. It is one of Italy's oldest cheeses, traditionally eaten by Roman families on May Day. It is produced exclusively from the milk of sheep raised on the plains of Lazio and Sardinia, with most of the cheese now produced on the island, particularly in the municipality of Macomer. The cheese is made with lamb rennet from animals raised in the same production area, making it unsuitable for vegetarians.
Romano cheese, on the other hand, can be made from a combination of cow, goat, and/or sheep's milk, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. It must contain less than 34% water and at least 38% milk fat. The milk used can be bleached with benzoyl peroxide or a mixture of benzoyl peroxide with other substances, but in this case, vitamin A must be added after treatment. Romano cheese is aged for at least five months and is often used grated over pasta dishes, soups, and salads.
While Pecorino Romano and Romano cheese share similar names and characteristics, it is important to distinguish between the two. Pecorino Romano is the original Italian cheese with a protected designation of origin, while Romano is an American imitation with different production standards and regulations.
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Olive Garden serves cheese-heavy entrées
While it is unclear why Olive Garden does not serve blue cheese, the restaurant is known for serving cheese-heavy entrées. In fact, one of the most well-known features of dining at Olive Garden is the never-ending supply of grated cheese that servers will sprinkle on top of your entrée until you say "stop". While many customers assume that this cheese is Parmesan, former employees have revealed that it is actually Romano cheese, which is an American equivalent of Pecorino Romano made from cow's milk. Romano cheese has a strong, salty, and tangy flavor that is often described as intense or robust. On the other hand, Parmesan has a more nutty and fruity flavor with a hint of saltiness, and is slightly milder in taste compared to Romano.
The lack of an official guideline from Olive Garden on how to handle a customer who never says "stop" to the cheese grating has led to some interesting stories from former servers. One former server on Quora shared that they would continue grinding the cheese until the grater was empty, but one grater full was usually the cutoff. Another server on Reddit shared that they would put a second block of cheese in their grater so they could grate through an entire double block of cheese in a few seconds. This server also mentioned that if they finished a block of cheese, they would offer to get more, but nobody ever took them up on the offer.
The topic of how to handle cheese-loving customers at Olive Garden has even sparked discussions in online forums, where self-proclaimed Olive Garden employees have shared their experiences and strategies. While there may be no official policy on how much cheese is too much, it seems that the servers are more than happy to keep the cheese coming as long as the customers are enjoying it. After all, as one former server said, any chance to bond with the customer creates a more pleasant dining experience.
While the never-ending cheese at Olive Garden may not be blue cheese, it is clear that the restaurant is generous with its cheese offerings and encourages its servers to create a fun and memorable experience for its customers. So, if you're a cheese lover, Olive Garden is definitely a place to consider for your next meal out.
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Customers can request as much cheese as they like
Olive Garden does not specify the type of grated cheese it uses on its menu or website, but the restaurant has referred to it as "grated Romano" on its Facebook and Twitter posts over the years. This was further confirmed by Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, who said that his company supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in its cheese graters. The use of Romano cheese instead of Parmesan is likely due to cost, as Romano is cheaper and Olive Garden would not be able to give away as much Parmesan for free.
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Frequently asked questions
Olive Garden is an Italian-American restaurant chain that serves a variety of pasta dishes. While they offer a range of cheeses, including Parmesan and Romano, there is no mention of blue cheese on their menu or website. The restaurant may choose not to serve blue cheese due to its stronger flavour profile, which may not appeal to a wide range of customers.
Olive Garden uses a blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese, grated over their pasta dishes. While some customers assume it is purely Parmesan, former employees have confirmed it is a blend or solely Romano.
Romano cheese is an aged Italian cheese, similar in appearance to Parmesan but with a stronger, saltier taste. It is often made with sheep's milk, making it fattier, and is generally cheaper than Parmesan. This cost factor may be why Olive Garden chooses to use Romano.
No, there is no indication that Olive Garden uses blue cheese in any of its dishes. They are known for their generous servings of Parmesan and Romano cheese, which are more commonly used in Italian-American cuisine.
While there is no official guideline, it is unlikely that Olive Garden will accommodate a request for blue cheese. They are known for their specific cheese offerings, and blue cheese is not typically used in the dishes they serve. It is always best to review their menu and available options before making a special request.
