10 Ways Olive Garden Outshines The Cheesecake Factory And Carrabba's

People have a lot of opinions about Olive Garden. It's a part of American dining culture at this point, causing people from around the world to wonder what it is about the chain that has such a grip on the country. Clearly, Olive Garden has influence, showing up across popular culture — who can forget the hilarious parody Olive Garden restaurant, Breadstix, from the television show "Glee?" Who hasn't laughed about the SNL skits about the Olive Garden dining experience or the stand-ups discussing how we all thought the restaurant was fancy as kids? Whether you eat at the restaurant regularly or a few times a year, we're all on the same page about it.

Olive Garden was founded in Orlando, Florida, in 1982. Since then, it's become famous for its unending breadsticks and bowls of salad and soup, Tuscan kitchen aesthetic, and family-friendly atmosphere. It's a crowd-pleaser that diners keep coming back to. So, I'd argue that it's an institution at this point. And that's not something I can say about other chain restaurants in the United States. For example, while The Cheesecake Factory's giant menu and Carrabba's wood-grilled meats are beloved, they're not as hype-worthy as Olive Garden (especially when it comes to the aforementioned bottomless trio). 

So The Cheesecake Factory can have its trendy appetizers and cheesecake lineup, and Carrabba's can keep its charred bread and quiet dining rooms. Here's what keeps me coming back to Olive Garden instead.

Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary based on location.

The unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks are probably the most obvious perk about dining at Olive Garden, but this feature makes the restaurant outshine other chain restaurants. Carrabba's and The Cheesecake Factory don't have an equivalent offer — but even if they did, they don't have the elite breadsticks, and their salads and soups don't compare (but more on that later).

This holy trinity of American chain restaurant dining could be a meal in itself. The carbs from the breadsticks, salad vegetables, and proteins included in the soups make for a super filling and heartwarming array of food that's as hearty as any entree. And, unlike what some popular Olive Garden myths might tell you, there's seriously no limit to how much soup, salad, and breadsticks you can ask for (make sure you're extra kind to your server and tip well). Keep them coming if you're hungry, and when you aren't, consider getting a batch to go and enjoying at home when your appetite comes back.

This has been a benefit that Olive Garden diners have enjoyed for years. As a result, it's something that many customers feel nostalgic about and attached to. But even aside from that, is there anything better than sopping up the ice-cold leftover salad dressing with a salty, warm breadstick? Absolutely not.

There's a certain nostalgia when it comes to Olive Garden that Carrabba's and The Cheesecake Factory don't have. And it's strange, because Carrabba's was founded back in 1986 and The Cheesecake Factory opened its doors for the first time in 1978 — that's plenty of history and dining memories to work with. But whether it's because there are just more Olive Garden locations than the other two competitors or because more people were simply eating there because they like it, Olive Garden has somehow become the most nostalgic for me of the three restaurants.

One search for "Olive Garden aesthetic" on Instagram or TikTok will send you down a rabbit hole of inviting dining rooms, warm colors, and other touches that feed right into the Tuscan kitchen aesthetic from the 1990s. That cozy atmosphere, dim lighting (in a good way), wooden interior touches, and the family-friendly dining room at Olive Garden restaurant locations keep me coming back and feeling right at home. And with little touches like the complementary Andes mints, I feel like the chain wants me to return. 

Without the warm yet low lighting of Olive Garden, Carrabba's and The Cheesecake Factory can't achieve that same dining room feel. In comparison, the atmospheres of the two competitors feel corporate with a surface-level welcoming. 

There are so many reasons to love the house salad at Olive Garden. First of all, there are so many little touches that make it great. Many diners appreciate the chilled plates that it's served on, which I think adds to the crispness and fresh taste of the vegetables. Then there's the parmesan that's grated fresh by the servers, who seem to add as much cheese as you want them to.

And even outside of the cold plate and the blizzards of parmesan on top, the house salad at Olive Garden is spectacular. It comes with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, and pepperoncinis. And the slightly creamy, extra-tangy, and herbaceous dressing it comes with brightens the up medley, rather than drowning it. It's simple, but consistently well done. And when ordered with a soup or breadsticks, it's filling enough to feel like a whole meal (and luckily, Tasting Table has determined the best soup to order with Olive Garden's salads).

Carrabba's version of a house salad is pretty good too — consisting of lettuce, carrots, red cabbage, pepperoncini peppers, and Kalamata olives bathed in a parmesan dressing. But it never tastes as fresh as Olive Garden's. And as for The Cheesecake Factory's? The house salad is super small with very few toppings. Neither even slightly compares.

Affordability is a major factor in deciding whether or not to dine at a chain restaurant. While local and artisan eateries may offer more gourmet, unique, and high-quality food (generally speaking), a chain restaurant provides convenience. From the consistent menus to the expected dishes, the offerings at these big-footprint institutions seem to revolve around accessibility and repeatability. And usually, this goes for the pricing as well.

While Carrabba's, The Cheesecake Factory, and Olive Garden are all technically chain restaurants, there's a pretty big difference in the prices. When comparing menus of Olive Garden and Carrabba's in Woodbridge, Virginia, Olive Garden tends to be cheaper. For example, a house salad at the more budget-friendly spot is about $9.29, while Carrabba's costs $15.49. In the same town, a Sicilian Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping at Olive Garden is $9.79, while The Cheesecake Factory's Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake is $12.50.

Olive Garden is more budget-friendly for diners not only because of the menu pricing, but also because of the great deals that it tends to roll out — this includes an iconic Olive Garden entree deal for under $20.

The more locations that a chain restaurant has, the more accessible it is. Carrabba's and The Cheesecake Factory have just over 200 restaurants each, which may seem like a lot. But considering how large the United States is, this means that the number of communities that can regularly visit these chains is not very high.

For some perspective, even if these two restaurant brands operated in 50 states, that would mean there are only about four locations in each state if they were divided up evenly. Even in the smallest states, like Rhode Island or Delaware, that still means that residents have to drive considerable distances to reach a Carrabba's or The Cheesecake Factory. With there likely not being a location in their town, that takes away the convenience element from these restaurant chains. And if you live someplace like Montana or Alaska, with considerably more area to cover, it's even rarer that you'd run into a Carrabba's or The Cheesecake Factory, let alone dine at one.

Then there's Olive Garden, which boasts over 950 locations. To compare using the hypothetical example of an equal number of restaurant locations in each state, there would be about 19 in every state. This is nearly five times that of The Cheesecake Factory or Carrabba's, meaning that Americans are, generally speaking, five times more likely to have access to an Olive Garden. When going by the numbers, this gives the brand a major leg up on the competition.

Olive Garden, The Cheesecake Factory, and Carrabba's all have their own versions of tiramisu on their menus. And they're all good if you're a fan of the treat that was America's most popular dessert in the 1980s. But the tiramisu at Olive Garden is better than the other two chains' renditions, despite being the simplest and most budget-friendly option out of the bunch.

We love that Olive Garden embraces a straightforward approach to the traditional Italian treat. You won't find the fancy chocolate shavings and drizzle that you'll see on the plate at Carrabba's. And you definitely won't see miniature towers of swirled whipped cream studding the dessert's corners like at The Cheesecake Factory. What you'll discover instead is a layer of cocoa-dusted custard atop a foundation of coffee-infused ladyfinger cookies. That's it. It's not gimmicky, and there's a confidence and tradition in that that I enjoy.

I've also found that the custard is fluffier (without sacrificing creaminess) than the custard at Carrabba's or The Cheesecake Factory. And the ladyfingers are crispier and less dense, making for a better texture that can hold up against the other elements of the treat. Plus, it's one of the Olive Garden desserts you can order as a full-size cake, so it's an awesome party favor for all.

Customization is key when building an effective menu at a chain restaurant — the appeal of these eateries compared to local ones is generally their consistency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. So as prices increase even at chain restaurants, it's pretty important to replace that last perk with another: crowd-pleasing menus. And the best way to make something tasty for all is to leave room for customization; let diners pick what they want and leave out what they don't. Olive Garden has been doing this for years.

Whether you're dining with a group, a picky friend, or you want some creative freedom, Olive Garden's Create Your Own Pasta option is ideal (and neither Carrabba's nor The Cheesecake Factory has it). It also makes dining at the chain a new experience every time, since you can consistently customize. It's impossible to get bored (if you like pasta). Pick from rigatoni, spaghetti, gluten-free rotini, angel hair, and bucatini for your noodle base before deciding if you want sauce. If you do, there is classic marinara, meat sauce, five cheese marinara, and creamy mushroom — we've ranked this last one as the best Olive Garden sauce. Then there are toppings to choose from (at an extra cost), such as meatballs, Italian sausages, grilled chicken, sauteed shrimp, and other options.

On top of all of this, the entree comes with two warm breadsticks and either a soup or a house salad. I like getting the salad because it's tasty to pile some of it onto my pasta concoctions for an even more decked-out entree.

I love the Italian starters at Carrabba's, which range from the usual suspects like calamari to mozzarella sticks. And who doesn't love the chaos that is The Cheesecake Factory's appetizer lineup, where sliders, potstickers, nachos, and Thai lettuce wraps all come together? And while Olive Garden doesn't have the high number of options that The Cheesecake Factory does, or the lighter options that Carrabba's has, it has an elite appetizer that can't be beat: the Lasagna Fritta.

This concoction is one of the absolute best dishes to order at Olive Garden. I love the crispy folds of fried lasagna noodles and how they complement the creamy Alfredo base and bright tomato sauce topper. It's a little crunchy, rich, and vibrant all at once. With the flavor notes and textures it involves, it's easy to enjoy this as an entree rather than merely an appetizer — in fact, we think it's one of the appetizer dishes that outshine the main courses at Olive Garden. Order it with the limitless soup, salad, and breadsticks, and it's easily a meal.

I've also found that it's really easy to get this starter vegetarian. Ask for it to be served with classic marinara on top rather than the standard sauce that generally comes with it, and you've got yourself a meat-free savory treat. 

Carrabba's and The Cheesecake Factory do versions of a soup-of-the-day model. As a result, they aren't really places you visit if you're in the mood for a hot bowl of brothy goodness. You don't know what will be available to you, and the options themselves are limited. But that's not a problem at Olive Garden (seriously, I've found that variety and choice are major strengths of the chain).

Olive Garden soups range from Pasta e Fagioli to Zuppa Toscana to Minestrone to, finally, Chicken & Gnocchi. And whichever you order, it comes with warm breadsticks. The first of this selection involves a salty broth packed with white and red beans, tomatoes, tubetti pasta, and ground beef for a super savory and hearty medley. And, coming in at No. 1 in our ranking of Olive Garden soups, Zuppa Toscana features hot Italian sausage, potatoes, and earthy kale amidst a creamy and lightly spicy broth. It's absolutely packed with flavor, and it's honestly hard to stop eating it (I will be licking the bowl if my breadsticks can't soak it all up). And while the other two soups are very straightforward (their ingredients are pretty much in their names), they're also satisfying when you're on the hunt for something classic and filling. 

The Strawberry Cream Cake at Olive Garden is one of the best desserts at any chain restaurant. The vanilla sponge cake is delicately sweet, decadently buttery, and fluffy without lacking substance. Meanwhile, the sweet vanilla cream frosting is velvety and irresistible, making it hard not to scoop it up and eat it on its own. But paired with the juicy strawberries and syrup, it's clear that all of this is meant to be eaten together. Between the vibrant and tangy fruit and the cream-slathered cake, it's a beautifully balanced treat. It's timeless too, and feels anything but gimmicky or fad-informed. It's simple and to the point, and it's perfect. 

I love to get this dessert with a cup of coffee or a cappuccino. The mix of decadent sponge cake and slightly bitter espresso is good any time of day, and keeps the sugary treat grounded. But if you get the cake to go, you can always brew some coffee at home for the same experience.

Carrabba's doesn't have anything like the Strawberry Cream Cake on its dessert menu (which leans very heavily in the chocolate direction). And despite its huge treat selection, The Cheesecake Factory doesn't have many cakes (unless you count cheesecake). The closest thing to Olive Garden's masterpiece is a strawberry shortcake with what I've found to be pretty dry, biscuit-like cakes and boring vanilla ice cream.