ComplaintsforDarden Restaurants, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  11/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I witnessed the Bartender Brea and ** ******* ***** taking shots of alcohol together, celebrating something. I think that is very unprofessional especially the ** of the restaurant, her name is on the door. Brea, the current bartender doesnt even look 21 so ******* is allowing underage drinking in her restaurant to employees! Is she allowing underage drinking to minors at the bar too?

  Business response

  11/04/2024

  We are very concerned to hear this and would like the opportunity to connect further with you.  Our Director of Operations has attempted to reach you by phone and left his call back number in the voicemail.

• Initial Complaint

  10/30/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  September 28, 2024 i and my girlfriend went on a date to Olive Garden late night before they closed. Ordered the food and got it barely was able to eat it there because it was bothering my stomach. Then I went home and had started vomiting real bad. My friend she had called the next morning to let them know And the store manager said she was going to give us a refund do to the inconvenience which was sept 29. Ten plus days went pass and I still havent received the refund I called back and she said they accidentally sent to the wrong debit card and she was correcting it and it should take only 7-10 business well its been 30 days in counting and nothing. I called again October 30 ***************************************************************************************************************** the other manager names therefore I can note it but I am here to get this issue resolved.

  Business response

  10/31/2024

  Dear Damatae,
  
  Thank you for sharing your feedback with the Better Business Bureau.
  
  The information we received from the BBB did not include the restaurant you visited. Please also let us know the specific location (city and state) so we can further address your concerns.
  
  Please also provide your receipt number from your check. If that's not available, what are the last four digits of the card used for payment.
  
  Thank you again for your time. I hope to hear back from you soon!

• Initial Complaint

  10/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Longhorn in ******************* has refused to refund/replace then worst meal ever received from an establishment. Ordered 4 meals and 2 appetizers, Steaks were to be medium well but came with blood throughout. I am autoimmune andnhave special.dietary conditions. Request made for appetizer to be low on salt butvit was even saltier than prior orders. Asked for extra dressing for 4 salads but none came. The side of seasoned rice pilaf for one meal.never came even though order tajee was told repeat order. Steaks were 2 porterhouse. Each meal comes with 2 sides and l made sure to inquire about additional charges. Never told l would be charged for any of the sides Bread is provided when one entree is purchased. This was an order with 4 Entrees and one stale bread arrived. Everything packed on top of each other in one bag and containers busted and leaked. This is beyond egregious. My bill was $154!!!!!!

  Business response

  10/21/2024

  Given the substantial check amount and numerous interactions associated with this visit, our Guest Relations team has coordinated with the operations leadership to follow up with the guest within the next 72 hours.

  Customer response

  10/21/2024

   
  Complaint: 22447007
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  I am not playing games with this establishment.  I filed this complaint AS MY CTEDIT CARD AND PAYMENT WAS USED.  MY HUSBAND CONTACTED THEM BRCSUSE HE PLACED THE ORDER.  DOCUMENTS PROVIDED INCLUDING CHECK NUMBER.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ******

  Business response

  10/23/2024

  The restaurant's Managing Partner addressed the guest's concerns and found a solution.

• Initial Complaint

  10/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Had a horrific experience at the ******************************* location 08/30. Called about order was was promised gift card via ****. Never received. Tried following up to no avail. Total $70.47 not including tip. Card ending in 2424.

  Business response

  10/22/2024

  We're concerned to hear this and would like to connect further regarding your disappointment.  We've emailed you directly via the email address provided with this complaint.  We hope to connect personally with you soon so this can be cleared up.

• Initial Complaint

  10/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My family and I visited Longhorn October 16, 2024 and were highly dissatisfied with the customer service that we received. I ordered salmon with double rice and a side ****** salad. When I received my order there was hair on my plate. I immediately alerted the waitress of this issue and she removed tlmy dish from the table. I placed a drink order while I wait on my fresh order of salmon and rice. 30 minutes passed and still no fresh order of salmon nor had I received the drink that I ordered. I requested to speak with the manager about the issues that occurred at the restaurant during my visit. I informed him about the hair in my food and the drink that I still hadn't received. The manager on duty that evening asked who was my waitress and proceeded to leave the table. Not once did he apologize about the inconvenience or ask if there was anything he could do to make the visit more pleasant. He didn't do anything at all except tell the waitress that I'm missing my drink which she brought immediately. I did not get an opportunity to eat dinner with my family because I had to wait for a new dish that didn't contain hair and by the time I received my meal, my family was finished eating. I am a frequent customer of ********************** and have never received this level of lack in customer service. The expectaitions should not be for one to dine-out with family and endure hair in my food. This is how I was left to feel by a lack of an applogy from the waitress or "manager".

  Business response

  11/01/2024

  Our Guest Relations will follow up with the guest within the next 72hrs.

• Initial Complaint

  10/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Ordered a porterhouse steak to go with Brussels sprouts and Mac and cheese and Added grilled shrimp to my meal for 8$ .. when I checked food when I got home they put 3 shrimp with my order which is supposed to be 6 my steak was actually the renegade sirloin which is way smaller then what I ordered and paid for. Called and person who picked up phone put me on hold and never came back to phone last four of the card I used ends in 7878

  Business response

  11/04/2024

  Our Guest Relations will follow up with the guest within the next 48hrs.

• Initial Complaint

  09/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Went to Olive Garden ******************************************* on 9/21/2024z was sat down around 7:35pm. My waitress took awhile to do things. She had what I call a ****** ****** haircut. She was nice but she to bring me my food. I was left with just salad. So its time for me to go, she apologies and said she would give me my soup to go, she places everything in a bag for me, I get home and its the wrong soup. She forgot what I ordered, I told her again and she still brought the wrong item out. So not only did you forget to bring my food you brought me the wrong food. It was horrible and I should have told the manager but didnt realize it was wrong until I got home because I was ******* to leave so to an event I had to bring my kids to.

  Business response

  09/23/2024

  We are sorry to learn of this guest's experience. She contacted the restaurant managers in **********. They extended their apologies and provided a gift card.

• Initial Complaint

  09/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 08/31/2024 my kids and I went to Olive Garden on ****************************************************************************************************. The total meal was $72.21. I applied a $25.00 gift card making the new total &*****. I was charged $61.21 on my card. I did not authorize a tip as I was unable to. I was only able to afford this meal due to the gift card. My server, ******************, stole a $14.00 tip from me. Due to this theft my account was put in the negative. I have gone back to the resturant twice to get this issue resolved with no results. When I went to the establishment the first time to correct the issue the manager, *****************, was very rude. He lied to my face, saying that my bank will overcharge my card to account for a tip. My account does not do that and I have never heard of any banks doing that. The only way I could have been over charged is if the waitress decided to commit credit card fraud and charge an unauthorized tip. The manager, *****************, then tried to shut me up with gift card once I caught him lying to me. I waited five business days to see if the issue was resolved and it wasn't. I returned a second time to Olive Garden to get the matter fixed. I talked to a stand in manager, as ***************** was not present, who said she would fix the issue. It has been a week since the second visit with no results. I would like the stolen tip returned to me and these people held accountable for credit card fraud and stealing money from me.

  Business response

  09/13/2024

  We're sorry to hear of this experience.  This consumer reached out to us directly and a refund is in progress. We've refunded the amount charged to the credit card in full ($47.21). This will take several business days to appear on their account.

  Business response

  09/13/2024

  After this update, we've heard from our Accounting team that the bank refund was rejected.  It appears that account has since been closed.  Refund will be sent in the form of a gift card.

  Customer response

  09/13/2024

   
  Complaint: 22280396
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The amount charged to my card was not $47.21 it was $61.21. The amount of $61.21 was over charged because ****************** stole a $14 tip off my card. ****************** stole a $14 tip off of the $47.21 bill. If you want to refund the whole amount charged, the correct amount would be $61.21 as shown on my card statement. I was also emailed by Guest Relations claiming that a refund was attempted but where unable to. Guest Relations claims that the reason for this is possibly due to my account being closed. There is nothing wrong with my card or the account associated with it. I am tired of every Olive Garden employee blaming the customer and not trying to make good on mistakes. Guest Relations decided that a $50 e gift card would suffice. This is unacceptable, I don't ever want to eat at Olive Garden again so what makes you think a gift card would be a satisfactory resolution? I do not trust the Olive Garden franchise and would like my money back. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  09/17/2024

  We submitted a refund to the credit card used for payment. The bank declined that credit, which typically means the account has been closed. In place of the credit card refund, we sent the guest a $50 gift card as reimbursement for the $14 in question. We apologize for the concern and appreciate the opportunity to address this feedback.

  Customer response

  09/18/2024

   
  Complaint: 22280396
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  There is nothing wrong with my account and I do not want to eat at another one of your locations. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  09/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We come to the Olive Garden In gurnee ******** quite often.. most of the time all is good. This time it was issue after issue.. I feel like staff can benefit from some training . Upon arriving Sunday night around 7:05. I was ignored af the front door and lady who arrived after me by stood close to the host was served first . Its fine but they told her its a 10 min wait for a table for 4. I was told its a 30 min wait for table for 2 plus a baby in high chair. We get called to our table which is a booth across the bar , hostess tells us she will get a booster seat. I told her we have a 1 year old so booster seat will not work as I originally specified I need a high chair upon checking in. She loooked confused and left. Manager showed up apologized and found a different seat for us about 5 min later. Seats us and leaves (no water drinks menu ) for over 25 min. They were not busy that night . We waited for over 20 min and then my husband decided to just order things through the computer you have on each table. Drink menu was blocked from ordering and we were only able to order dipping marinara. I told my husband to order it so hopefully it will bring some attention to our table . After ordering that a waiter shows up and asks if we ordered it by mistake. I say we have been sitting here for over 30 min and thats the only way we figured we would get ur attention and yes we do not need it . He apologizes stated all the college kids went back to schoool so they are short on staff. Its poor planning and hiring practices quite honestly and should not be used as an excuse. We brush it off and order anyway. (Looking for another place with a toddler at 8pm is exhausting plus we do love Olive Garden food) we order 2 Italian margaritas to start and endless soup and salad . waiter brought out my husbands pasta soup without any pasta in it and acted defensiveI AM ATTACHING the rest of the complaint /issue via attachments below along with receipt.Thank you

  Business response

  09/16/2024

  We appreciate the opportunity to address these concerns and apologize for the disappointing experience. Our restaurant manager has been in touch and sent a complimentary gift card.

• Initial Complaint

  09/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am writing to report I had called in a To-Go order and spoke initially with ****** at the LongHorn Steakhouse in *********, **. I requested ****** to place the order instead of placing it for the customer I was bounced around to another agent "just" to place a simple To-Go order. I could not understand why **************** is no longer 1st priority. This is unsatisfactory. Then, after finally placing the order and after picking up the garden salad with fried chicken and honey mustard dressing. As I prepared to take a couple bites, I discovered a long strand black hair follicle in my salad which went into my mouth is how I discovered there was other than food in my entree. This is absolutely unacceptable, unsettling, and disgusting. I had to through the entire entree away. (See attachment)Attempted to email ******************************************* with this compliant, to no avail businesses have undisclosable emails to avoid customer complaints.

  Business response

  09/09/2024

  Our leadership team has reached out to the Guest to address the issue.

  Customer response

  09/10/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me after speaking with ********************************* with an apology for a pathway the business will see to it assure they do not have a reoccurrence of similar issue in the future. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩