No, We're Not That Family (Italian-Americans mad at Olive Garden)

Opnionjournal ^ | July 26, 2002 | Victorino Matus

[stands2reason]

Italian-Americans have a problem, and it's not "The Sopranos."

Italian-Americans are speaking out. They are complaining about a stereotype they just can't stand. One that they find inaccurate and misleading. One that is constantly shown on television, much to their disgust. They are unhappy. They are at their wit's end. They are fed up.

[jmax]

Obviously I've less than half a brain. Love good Italian food, but also love Olive Garden. And, I'm not the only one that likes it, as there are always lines waiting to get in. : )

[Bella_Bru]

I'm sorry. I ate their once. With friends who swore by Ragu. I decided the Pasta e Fagioli would be the safest bet. How could anyone screw up something so simple. Damn....there was shit in there that should not have been there. I just gnawed on a breadstick and gulped down the wine (I must add that my papa and nana's homemade wine was much better). :-)

[Sir_Ed]

That dog was one of the best commercials I've ever seen! I especially liked the one where he was running past an apartment building, and someone inside was watching "Jeapordy" and the Chihuahua answered the question that Alex Trebec was asking!

Wonderful commercials, just the opposite of those DISGUSTUNG Carl's Jr. Slob Commercials. Ever since I saw the first one, I refused to step foot in that place until they're taken off the air.

Ed

[rdb3]

Olive Garden? It's okay, I guess. But if I want real Italian food, at home I head on over to the Heights to a real mom-and-pop Italian eatery.

Yeah, baby!

IMHO, no cuisine is better than authentic Italian.

[condolinda]

I'll try that. And I'm guessing you don't seed or skin the tomatoes? By the way, my friend tells me to never, ever add oregano to pasta sauces... He says basil's great in pasta sauces, but to reserve oregano for pizza. He also says to 'keep it simple'.

[ELS]

I live in NJ and I'm an Italian-American and I don't know a single wop who frequents the Olive Garden.

As another New Jerseyan of Italian origin, Amen! Not to mention that there are countless restaurants in NJ which prepare outstanding authentic Italian cuisine.

[rdb3]

So, do the older members in your family slice the garlic cloves really thin? I've always wanted to do that when I try an authentic Italian recipe, but I just can't slice garlic like that.

I can filet the heck out of a chicken breast or a fish, but this escapes me. How do they do it?

[TJFLSTRAT]

This is soooo true, my Grandparents were from Italy, and they showed us authentic Italian cusine, like a flat bread with tomato sauce {Real pizza}, and Tripe {lungs}. NOW THAT'S ITALIAN!!!! yum yum

[southern rock]

This is soooo true, my Grandparents were from Italy, and they showed us authentic Italian cusine, like a flat bread with tomato sauce {Real pizza},

Actually, I always thought that pizza was invented by Italian immigrants in the U.S., and that they have no idea what it is in Italy. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Rebelbase]

If you are using fresh Italian tomatoes, you'll need to skin them first. I've never used fresh ones so I'm guessing just cook them them, mash them up in the same pot, seeds and all. Make sure you are using a non-reactive pot.

[Mannaggia l'America]

He says basil's great in pasta sauces

Especially fresh basil. I remember my grandmother used to send me out to the garden to pick the basil ("basilico") - I was terrified because there were always huge bees hanging around there.

She also would put a whole onion in the pot - not chopped - she just peeled off the first layer and put the whole thing in.

But then after it was done, you would be fishing around in the pot and you would think you discovered a nice huge meatball and it turned out to be the onion.

[ELS]

I don't know if this is true of most Italian families, but in my family, the older Italians rarely even go to restaurants. I can't remember my grandmother and grandfather ever going to a restaurant of any kind. Eating was a family affair, to be done at home.

My grandparents, may they all rest in peace, were the same way. I think it may have been because the ones that came from Italy (in my case, greatgrandparents) came from abject poverty and their children experienced the Depression.

[driftless]

I've eaten there once, and the chow was pretty good. And it wasn't the first time I've eaten Italian. I love Italian.

[stands2reason]

Didn't know you could get the real deal in Dallas. I thought the closest place to me to get decent Italian was New Orleans.

[driftless]

You know I used to think that the idea of Jewish food was a joke until I ate at a deli in Milwaukee a few years back. That was the first time I ever sampled Jewish cuisine. The food was outstanding, and the Jewish rye was the best bread I've ever tasted.

[peteram]

I wonder how many people actually believed that "Hospitaliano" was a real Italian word!

PS - My Dad - a native from Sicily - would NEVER go near the place.

[driftless]

I love Fazoli's.

[geege]

It's no Molto Mario....and dosen't come close to my cooking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[untenured]

Rube.

Make sure and keep that pinky extended when you sip. Otherwise, whatever will the Duchess think?

:)

[rdb3]

I misspoke. What I meant by "home" was Cleveland, not Dallas. My bad.

I haven't had the real deal here. I've been living here for 9 years, too. That oughtta tell you something.