Olive Garden: American flag display would disrupt dining experience

CBS 12 News (Alabama) ^ | 10/12/2011 | CBS LOCAL

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

ANNISTON, Ala. -- Officials with the parent company of Olive Garden restaurants say they're sorry if a decision regarding an Alabama Kiwanis club's desire to display the American flag caused any concern.

The comments come after 80-year-old Marti Warren of Anniston said she wasn't allowed to bring an American flag into an Olive Garden for a planned Kiwanis Club banquet in the east Alabama town of Oxford.

[jakerobins]

I would rather NOT eat at a restaurant that colludes with the Obama administration!! Give me a Chick-fil-A any day....

[PLOM...NOT!]

And their reason is: “to avoid disrupting the experience of other guests.”

Well, those screaming kids and people with piercings all over their bodies disrupt my dining experience...are they gonna have a blanket policy for that????

[RoseofTexas]

The muslim professor in my college who would be the first one to complain...FOLKS I really believe we are in the last days of the existence of our nation...I GRIEF for our ONCE mighty Under God and patriotic nation...WE ARE DONE! No sense in arguing with me...CAUSE you sense it too! And the feeling is strong!! :(

[Trillian]

I know something that would disrupt their dining service even more. Their horrible, horrible food. Never again.

[arrdon]

Who the hell are they pandering to? Only black and white Americans eat there! Who the hell are they pandering to?

I hate it. Another damned good restaurant needlessly headed for the crapper in a bad economy due solely to PC. S**t!

[rlmorel]

My wife and I went to one when they first opened, and thought it was not bad. We went to one a second time, and the food was so overseasoned it was nearly inedible, and we have never gone back.

The fact that they needed someone (the government) to tell them to add less salt speaks volumes.

I do enjoy Longhorn, and will find out their policy before I go back.

[Charles Martel]

Then Olive Garden should have told Kiwanis they do not allow group functions.

Betcha they'd book a luncheon for a local union in a heartbeat, AFL-CIO banner and all.

[Cowman]

And their reason is: “to avoid disrupting the experience of other guests.”

Someone should open a flag wrapped roach coach across the street.

[WOBBLY BOB]

try Buca

http://www.bucadibeppo.com/

[chris_bdba]

That’s funny because they allow Happy Birthday banners to be hung.....

[TribalPrincess2U]

What kind of person would object to an American flag?

Right, this IS America. We are regular weekly OG customers. So much so they don't even ask for a name. NOT ANY MORE! Spaghetti Warehouse here we come. Too noisy, but better bread.

[AnglePark]

If this is because of some kind of blanket ban on displaying banners, then your policy should be changed or amended.

I stopped eating at the Olive Garden when they agreed to Michelle Obama's dietary nonsense, and because they support Zero.

But, in this case, I don't have a problem with their decision. Once you open that door, it has to be open to everyone.

I certainly wouldn't want to be eating at the Olive Garden while a group I wholeheartedly disagree with is flying their flag next to my family. Islamic terrorist banquet? Check! Gay and lesbian banquet? Check! Atheist banquet? Check! Communist Party banquet? Check!

[wideawake]

The CEO of Darden, Olive Garden's parent, is Clarence Otis.

Otis is a huge Obama booster, bundler and apologist.

This policy is unsurprising.

Luckily, all the food is overpriced garbage and is very easy to avoid.

Olive Garden seems less like like a restaurant chain and more like a really elaborate practical joke to insult Italian people.

[NormsRevenge]

I ate their once long ago, and never again after this..

[muir_redwoods]

Like I needed another reason not to eat at this dump

[JakeS]

Olive Garden is a Darden Restaurants brand. Their other brands to avoid:
Red Lobster
Longhorn Steakhouse
The Captal Grille
Bahama Breeze
Seasons 52

Thank you.

[Sequoyah101]

Not on my diet. The CEO is also Ahole buddies with moochie and obastard.

Olive Garden is a Darden Restaurants brand. Their other brands to avoid:

Red Lobster

Longhorn Steakhouse

The Captal Grille

Bahama Breeze

Seasons 52

[Liberty Valance]

Yea maybe. But we aint going down without a fight.

[Focault's Pendulum]

I’M DOOMED! I just sent them a rather evil e mail.

[greene66]

We treat this as an anomaly, but incidents like this are really piling up. A few years back and such things would be inconceivable beyond words. It’s really representing what a pathetic shell the country is becoming, as we keep descending into bizarro-world. But in some ways it’s hardly a surprise, when a Marxist ‘community organizer,’ of all things, has been elected to the Oval Office.