(KMDL-FM) If you consult Yelp! or TripAdvisor reviews for Italian Restaurants in Louisiana, you will find that in most cities, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport, Gonzales, Baton Rouge, and Hammond, Olive Garden is usually highly ranked. For a lot of Louisiana diners, the salad, breadsticks, and never-ending pasta are just what they are looking for when they want to go out for Italian.
Google Maps/Google Streetview
Google Maps/Google Streetview
At last count, there were just under 1,000 Olive Garden locations across the country. If you’re looking for an exact number, there was a discrepancy as to whether it was 950 or 949. I don’t think that one location will matter for our purposes.
Which State Has the Most Olive Gardens?
As far as Olive Garden locations go, Texas has the most of them with 117 stores, and the city of Houston earns the distinction of major metropolitan area with the most Olive Gardens. According to the Olive Garden website, there are ten locations in Louisiana. And each of those locations is going to be offering customers something different in the coming new year.
READ MORE: Want the Best Date Night in Louisiana? Eat Here
The changes that Olive Garden has announced are in response to changes in consumer tastes and behavior. As you know, the price of a lot of things is higher than it used to be; the same can be said for sit-down meals at restaurants.
Olive Garden Houma LA
Google Maps/Google Streetview
Olive Garden has taken note of some consumer reticence and is addressing the problem head-on. Many Olive Garden customers have expressed affordability concerns. Therefore, Olive Garden is changing its serving scheme to better address consumer concerns about price while maintaining a positive dining experience.
What Has Olive Garden Done Differently With Its Menu?
The chain has adopted a new Lighter Portions Menu. This allows consumers the opportunity to order a reduced-sized portion of their favorite classic entrees. These dishes would be more affordable for consumers. The average cost is expected to be $12.99 to $13.99, depending on menu choice.
The dishes that are being offered on the Lighter Portions Menu include Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, and Cheese Ravioli.
Karolina Kołodziejczak via Unsplash.com
Karolina Kołodziejczak via Unsplash.com
READ MORE: Fan Favorite Returns to Olive Garden Menu
In addition to saving money with lower costs, the chain believes the lighter portions will become popular with those Americans who are seeking smaller meal sizes because of the use of weight loss drugs such as GLP-1s.
Olive Garden has tested the new portions and new menu options at about 40% of its stores across the country. The full rollout nationwide should be completed by the end of January 2026.
9 Most Popular Favorites at Olive Garden You Need To Experience
These are arguably the most popular favs on Olive Garden’s menu and it’s not all dinner. Don’t take my word for it, Business Insider agrees too.
Gallery Credit: JB Love
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