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March 9, 2012
AND THE EATBEAT GOES ON: Olive Garden Reviewer Marilyn Hagerty Takes America by Storm
“I told her I’m working on my Sunday column and I’m going to play bridge this afternoon, so I don’t have time to read all this crap,” she said. -- Marilyn Hagerty takes America by viral storm (VIDEO) via Grand Forks Herald
Posted by gerardvanderleun at March 9, 2012 8:42 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
I liked her review. I don't think I've ever eaten at Olive Garden, but I'm not a food snob. I get Sausage McMuffins from McDonald's almost every day on my way to work. If the food tastes good and keeps me from starving, it's done its job.
And, she noted, although chain restaurants, buffets and truck stops have been subjects of her reviews, she has eaten at The White House. Twice.
So there.
Posted by: rickl at March 9, 2012 6:14 PM
She. Is. AWESOME!
Posted by: RedCarolina at March 9, 2012 8:45 PM
When comes to people who get too snobby about the Olive Garden, James Lileks spoke for me ten years ago: http://blogrecord.blogspot.com/2002_02_24_archive.html#10230484#10230484
It's kind of like Thomas Kinkade: Not really my style, but I can't stand people who get all la-di-dah about it. I would never hang one in my house but I tend to like people who like Thomas Kinkade, and dislike people who are unhinged by contempt against those people who like Thomas Kinkade.
Same holds true for the Olive Garden. And Sarah Palin. Although I actually like her.
Posted by: See-Dubya at March 10, 2012 5:26 AM
Sheesh. Having lived in Grand Forks (in the same house as two GF Herald editors), I can say that the Olive Garden is a big deal. And I can say that Marilyn has been writing about all of the local restaurants for decades.
She's no one's fool, either, as this snarky City Pages writer discovered:http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2012/03/marilyn_hagerty_olive_garden_review.php
But yeah, if you're the kind of person who cares which bistro the local genius psychotic chef is running this week, then Marilyn is comedy gold!
Posted by: Gordon at March 10, 2012 7:41 AM
You can make good food badly; you cannot make bad food good.
Never eat in a place where you cannot see the kitchen.
Posted by: Peccable at March 10, 2012 8:46 AM
I wonder what she thinks of Old Country Barffet...
http://tastyinfidelicacies.blogspot.com/2008/08/old-country-barffet-being-targeted-by.html
Posted by: Jewel at March 10, 2012 9:40 AM
Yeesh, Jewel.
As far as chain restaurants go, I'm sure the quality and conditions vary from place to place, and a lot depends on the franchise owner and manager. Some have higher standards than others.
My own kitchen would never pass a health inspection, not in a million years. But then again I'm the only one who eats here, and I've probably developed an immunity to all the dust and cat hair.
Posted by: rickl at March 10, 2012 10:21 AM
Thanks, See-Dub - I'm revisiting the topic for my National Review column. Next issue.
Posted by: Lileks at March 12, 2012 7:34 PM