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I’m not talking about Lite beer. The Olive Garden announced new additions to its menu. Smaller portions for lower prices. The article didn’t say how soon the roll out would happen, nor did it say which stores would get the new additions.
This addresses my complaint that portions are too darned big at most restaurants. I don’t like dealing with doggy bags, and sadly, I am the kind of diner that always has room for those last few slices of pizza. Hopefully smaller entrees result in fewer calories consumed. I am not averse to splitting meals, but oftentimes Chrissy and I don’t want to eat the same thing.
It will be interesting how the move affects Olive Garden’s bottom line. On one hand, there’s a lot of markup on restaurant meals, so smaller portions could be a hit to earnings. On the other hand, hopefully the new options bring in more guests. I hope the latter comes to be.
And is Lite beer even sold in Great Britain? If not, consider yourselves lucky.
We ate at Olive Garden in Cleveland when we visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in late July and they already had the smaller portions on the menu. Chris
My wife Suzie has been to a few different places in the US, and her consistent comment is always about the ridiculous size of restaurant meal portions. And yeah, you can get a light beer, although it’s not really a big thing here.
Since I at most drink one beer a week my philosophy is to drink expensive full calorie imported beer.
I don’t eat at Olive Garden, but this is a welcome move. Hope it starts a trend.
You are so right. It’s rare we can finish a meal out, but I’m not ashamed to take home the leftovers. In fact, we have taken to asking for containers before we start eating and put half the meal in before we touch it.
I’m big on bringing home leftovers, and if I bring them home, I always eat them. The air fryer is a great innovation for reheating.
Sometimes we’ll do takeout burritos or sandwiches from local places, and I always cut them in half and put the other half away before I even sit down.
Great idea!
Asking for the container first, and then placing half inside, is a great way not to over eat.
Sort of like paying yourself first, diverting money from a paycheck into savings so you never see or touch it!
Two meals for the price of one.
I would appreciate a menu which provided smaller as well as “standard sized” portions. Particularly if we wish to have a salad or soup, or split an appetizer. Almost never have room for dessert.
I often will order a salad and an appetizer as my meal—the entrees are just too big/heavy for me sometimes. We only have dessert if we’re at a very nice place with a great pastry chef, and even then we usually split it.
Yes, that way you can have a multi course meal without later lying in bed with acid re-flux.