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.

[stands2reason]

Call the Waahhh-mbulance!!

Seriously though, I've always thought those commercials were stupid.

[j.havenfarm]

And the food is wretched.

[breakem]

whine

[stands2reason]

Could you fix my spelling mistake? I don't want to mess up any searches with that "Garrden".

[mhking]

[jjm2111]

I live in NJ and I'm an Italian-American and I don't know a signle wop who frequents the Olive Garden. My friends who aren't Italian love to go there, but the food is so bland and mediocre it isn't funny.

[stands2reason]

I've never had the desire to eat there. I doubt their lasagna is any better than Prego's...

[nutmeg]

Seriously though, I've always thought those commercials were stupid.

I agree. Nothing I've had at Olive Garden remotely resembles the fine food I've enjoyed on past trips to Italy!

[SunStar]

I'd be mad too. Those commercials are insulting. Imagine any other restaurant chain claiming that they represent an entire ethnic group. It's ridiculous.

[jae471]

I'm Irish-German. Can I complain about Bennigans and Busch Gardens?

[nutmeg]

So... what you YOU think? :-)

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I kind of like Olive Garden for lunch except when the place is full of screaming kids. Its probably not as authentic as a real, family owned Italian restaurant but what do I know ?

[Fedupwithit]

Olive Garden and Red Lobster?

Why the heck would I go to either of these places? Next door to me is a lobster comapny who brings them in fresh every day, and if you want good Italian food, the North End in Boston takes all comers, hands down!

Man, NOW I'm hungry!! : )

[Fedupwithit]

I meant BEATS all comers!

[weikel]

I love Italians they never get behind the jerks who want to whine about the stereotypes they think their funny( as they always say nah Im not in the mob but my uncle on the other hand...).

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They are called "commercials." They are not meant to be true pictures of anything. They are produced and broadcast by advertisers for the sole purpose of getting consemers to buy their product. If the commercials fails, the advertiser stops making them. If the commercial succeeds, the advertiser makes more of them.

I guess Olive Garden's commercials must be succeeding in getting people to go to Olive Garden restaurants.

Maybe the Italians who are so offended by this should declare a fatwah or a jihad or something.

[stainlessbanner]

nonmacaroni sense, and cheesy décor

I think the author used an Olive Garden Menu to write his article.

[7thson]

I do not mind the commercials. I like The Olive Garden though my wife does not. I spent two years stationed in Naples, Italy. If the local cusine is the standard of all of Italy, then IMO, the food at OG is 100 times better.

When I was in the Navy and the ship pulled into a foreign port, I knew plenty of guys that would head off to the nearest McDonald's. I tried to sample some of the local cusine first. My worst meal overseas was in Spain. I ordered what was told to me to be a seafood platter. When the meal came, the fish still had the scales, head, and tail. The shrimp still had the head and eyes. I'm sorry, but I cannot eat food that is looking at me.

[SunStar]

I'm Irish-German. Can I complain about Bennigans and Busch Gardens?

Bennigans and Busch Gardens are not claiming to be the authority on Irish foods.