Olive Garden: Score 4 Entrees, 2 Soups/Salads, 4 Breadsticks AND 1 Kids’ Meal for Under $27
Take a break from cooking!
Through April 30th, head on over to OliveGarden.com where they are offering $5 off your $30 online To-Go Order when you use the promo code 5OFF30 at checkout! AND, they are still offering up their popular buy one entree, take one FREE promotion – NO coupon needed!
Combine the two offers for a *HOT* deal…
Consider snagging TWO classic entrees priced at $12.99 each (choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Cheese Ravioli with Marinara, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce OR Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno) and you’ll take TWO home for FREE! Your order will ALSO include a total of TWO salads/soups plus 4 breadsticks!
In addition, you may want to choose a Kids’ Meal (includes a side and drink) priced at $5.99 to get your total over the $30 mark to use the $5 off $30 promo code. After applying the code 5OFF30 at checkout, your total should come to around $26.97 plus tax for FOUR entrees, TWO salads or soups, ONE kids entree with side and drink… AND breadsticks! What a frugal way to feed the family!
Don’t forget to tip!
For takeout? Seriously?
I don’t tip for takeout either. If I was going to tip I might as well stay there and have someone serve me, eat off real dishes, use a metal fork, get free refills, unlimited salad and bread, I would not have to empty the trashcan after dinner, and my food would be hot, not warm when I got to eat it.
I agree. I tip for in restaurant service only. If it involves me hauling it home, possibly reheating it, cleaning up, and doing dishes and hauling dishes, nope. In restaurants, I believe in good hefty tipping though, when the service deems it.
I don’t tip for takeout. The vast majority of people do not, either. Usually, restaurants have employees specially designated to handle takeout orders. In other words, these people aren’t waiting on tables also.
I worked as a server many moons ago. My hourly wage was $2.14, and I was expected to be tipped on tables I waited on. In contrast, during the one time when I worked the takeout shift, I was paid $8.50 per hour, which was the going rate for the takeout shift at the time. I had maybe 20 takeout customers that night. Only ONE person tipped me. I was paid for my effort of packaging orders through my hourly rate of $8.50. If I received any tips, that was just a nice surprise.
I just don’t understand why we can’t pay servers an actual wage. The companies are making customers literally pay for the labor. Get rid of tips and pay your employees a wage they can live on!
Honestly I have never thought of that, great very valid point!!!
The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT establishes the waitstaff wage – PLUS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAXES the wait staff a percentage on their sales – whether rhey make that much in tips or not!
EXAMPLE: a famous fighter and his people – manager, etc came in and requested I wait on them – their bill was over $600.00! There was NO tip on their ticket and only ONE LADY LEFT A ONE DOLLAR TIP! Needless to say, I didn’t even get a check that week because they took so much taxes out for the tips I never received. They didn’t gave the room service staff any tips either!
Italy does that, it’s actually rude if you tip. We go there and have kids that live there so we are not in the tourist part either.
👍👍👍👍👍
I have said that all along. Only business that makes customers pay salaries an then make you look bad if you don’t pay well.
Have sons who depended on tips for collage so I do tip well but it is annoying.
I don’t tip for takeout either, I go inside to pickup my meal and take it home. I only tip for in restaurant trips.
It’s nice to throw in a couple of dollars. I work in a restaurant and we don’t have a specific person to handle take out so the servers handle the take out, therefore, we pay taxes on the take out sales. We make $3.27 an hour so a dollar or two on take out orders are appreciated!
You aren’t taxed on how much you sell; that makes no sense. You are an employee, so you are taxed on your income, which consists of: 1) your hourly rate of $3.27 and 2) whatever earned tips you report.
Depends on the state. In California you are taxed on how much you sell. It was tracked via credit card payments and at the end of the night the system would automatically calculate my taxes on tips even if it I didn’t make that much.
What??? That’s awful! I’ve had my share of Sunday dine-in customers who were the worst tippers ever! I had to tip the bus staff, food runners, and the bar based on how much I sold. So I often lost money on Sundays, LOL.
That said, sharing tips with the rest of the staff is one thing; however, the government shouldn’t tax you on income that you did not actually generate!! Geez! And thank you for educating me. 🙂
Yes when I waitressed the computer kept track of my total sales nightly and it automatically put a minimum amt in for my tips of 15% of my sales. I was required to put the full amount in if my tips were actually more if i didnt make that much the only way I could change it was by having a manager use a special code and they typically werent eager to do this. So yes if they dont have a manager handling togo’s the waitress can actually lose money on an order if they dont get a tip.
I always ask who had to ring up my order when i do take out now, if it was a manager I usually only put a few dollars down. If it was a waiter I do 15% still. Bugs me because i dont think its fair but dont want them shorted because of a silly computer thing that doesnt take into account people not tipping on togos.
Fyi: It was the same for coupons, i was required to claim 15% of my before coupon sales. So hopefully people remember to tip from the before coupon total 🙂
Waitstaff are taxed on their salary and a percentage of their sales plus their claimed tips. So, for example, if you have a 100 bill and do not tip, they pay taxes on money they did not make.
I normally tip a couple of dollars for take out especially if they are nice.
I wish everyone would work in the service industry for at least 1 week out of their life. Then maybe they would appreciate their servers and other folks more. Let me enlighten you on how exactly you hurt us when you don’t tip on takeout… BUT before you tell me to educate myself so I can have a better job, let me inform you I have a regular ol 9-5 as a case worker for our local children’s home and work at nights at a local cafe because I am a single mother and need the extra $$.
My job as a server is to tend to my tables as well as take your to-go order. This means while I have customers in the restaurant who ARE going to tip me… I have to take time out from them to take your order, ring it in, prepare the bags/boxes it will go into, get to-go silverware, all the sauces/condiments you may want, and make any side salads you might have ordered, and pack everything away for you. When you get there to pick up your order, I will read everything back to you while showing you I have placed everything you ordered into the bag so you don’t get home and get mad that someone forgot something. Then, I have to cash you out and give you change or have you sign the slip from your CC. Now you tell me…how is that any less work than when you actually sit down to eat? It’s not. Now you know.
Wow, you must be the only person ever to work in that industry I guess? Sorry but no. I have waited tables (and in a touristy hotel restaurant at that) & I still don’t always tip on takeout. You think breaking everything down step by step makes it sound more difficult than it is, but it’s still boatloads easier than tending to people eating in, so I was never that bothered by people who didn’t tip on those orders. And I get it’s not the easiest job, but it’s not the hardest either, and these rants from people get old.
Yes, for takeout. Olive garden has people that work takeout specifically and are paid just barely over minimum wage. They depend on their tips just like the servers.
The thing with takeout is that it’s actually harder to ensure your customers are happy because you have to get everything completely correct before they leave the restaurant. Your to go person is making your salads, portioning your soup, making sure you have dressing cheese croutons silverware, and that your order is correct, and they have less time to handle it than a server does. I’m not saying you should tip as if you dined in, but 10% is a pretty good amount.
Don’t get me started on catering orders.
I tip for take-out most of time. I’ve never done 15-20% for take-out but I will hand over a buck or 2. If my food is warm, correct and utensils are bagged and ready when I arrive I like to show a little gratitude; especially if it’s car hop. No judgement for those who do not tip. It’s definitely not the same rules as dine-in.
I tip as well. I’m grateful for them walking the meal to the car, double checking it, etc.
Right? I’m a little surprised that people don’t tip, since it still requires packaging all of the items, materials, bringing it all out-which something like this deal would be a lot of items to package. Maybe that’s because I used to be a server and also have to take to go orders. To each their own though. Not trying to say others have to but trying to say why I do.
Ok so when do teachers start getting tips? Let me not get into how much money we lose by spending for the classroom and students…how much extra time we work outside of the classroom to complete grading and planning and setting up class events, how much interaction we have with crazed parents, etc etc. Teaching is also a service industry…tipping would be appreciated…not necessarily in dollars, but in stickers, treats, treasure box trinkets, volunteering, etc
When doctors and nurses start getting tipped I’ll consider it lol.
Lolllllll
To be fair doctors and nurses don’t make the same as waiters, but I used to work in retail and no tips even tho I cleaned up, folded (Victoria secret) and reorganized after people who threw items around to find their right size and color. Hours after hours and I didn’t expect tips since I’ve always considered that minimum wage was part of the deal. (Thank goodness that was just a part time job during college years haha)
Oh and I’d like to add, not to mention other services like measuring and answering questions that they have. Plus grabbing a different side and color of items for the person in the fitting room. And then put them back after the person tries on.
For take out their is no tip. I used to work at a restaurant and I was a host and the weekends we had a takeout person and tips were NOT expected because you are not dinning in
I always tip a few dollars for takeout. I used to be a hostess and a server and I always hoped for a tip for takeout orders because I still had to spend time on the phone taking the order, inputting it in the system, packaging everything up, making sure all the utensils and condiments were there, etc. I believe in the golden rule so I like to tip a few bucks because I know when I was on the other side of the counter I really appreciated it and always tried to provide outstanding service, even on to-go orders, to earn a tip. It doesn’t have to be 20% obviously, but even leaving $2 on the order scenario collin outlined is a tiny additional amount considering what a great deal you are getting on FOUR meals! Each to their own, that’s my 2 cents. 🙂
I tip around 10% for take-out, minimum $2. Ditto for the pizza delivery person, minimum $2-$3 for the first box and $1 for each additional. Order with several pizzas and sides (think kid’s bday), $10-$15 flat.
I tip for take out also.
The lady that is at my Olive Garden take out counter is awesome, she always shows me each dish- puts in extra mints & salad dressings, etc. I tip her because she provides great service!
Yum thanks for sharing!! One question, I haven’t ever ordered take out – do they only give 2 breadsticks per entree when you do take out? Lol we always dine in and I end up eating at least 4 breadsticks on my own 😂
I ordered last night. One entree and one free entree and they gave me 9 bread sticks and a free peach sweet tea. I think it depends on your location. They’re very generous at my location.
I get the salad and soup combo for take out often and always get 2 breadsticks per soup/salad combo.
Thank you both for the info!
Hmm I may get this on Friday. Two meals for that night and kids meal for the kiddo (who may only eat half) then soups and breadsticks for lunch the next day for me and hubby, and then dinner again.
Got it last night for the family and we loved it! Thanks!
You’re welcome Lindsey! Happy you could grab the offer!
Thank you!
You’re welcome Laura!
I scored 2 entrees, 1 salad, 9 bread-sticks and 1 peach sweet tea all for $12.99 before taxes & tip. I have so much food that I am covered for lunch and dinner for the next 2 days. Thanks for providing us with such sweet deals. You guys rock!
That’s awesome Natalie! You are most welcome! Such a great score! 😉
I tried to order this deal on-line but it says that the buy one entree get one free deal is only available if you eat in at the restaurant (you eat in and then take one home). Were you able to get the deal with the order on-line to go option?
Yes, you should be able to click through and order this offer for take out. I am still finding it to work that way. Hope this helps!
If you go to specials on their website under menu it gives the option for carryout
Does anyone know how long these offers are going? We have Spring Break next week and this would be great.
The post says “Through April 30th”, so I think that means it lasts through April 30th.
Sorry I missed that as I was multi-tasking. I hope that you were not meaning to be snarky.
I took that to mean the promo code will work through April 30. Does anyone see a date that bogo ends?
I ❤️ their zuppa toscana soup! Thanks for the post, Collin. I’m ordering now for lunch.
Yum! You’re welcome Kirsten! Enjoy! 🙂
spot on copycat recipe. be aware that this fills a 6 qt slowcoojer slowcooker to the brim
https://www.momontimeout.com/2014/11/slow-cooker-olive-garden-zuppa-toscana-soup-copycat-recipe/
Do you just add two entrees and a kids meal and they just know to give you two extra entrees? Thanks!
No, you have to specify the 2 extras. Very simple to do though
Thank you this may be tonight dinner!
You’re so welcome!
I forgot to add the code at checkout picking up dinner tonight, do you think they will honor it when i pay at the restaurant?
Usually one entree is enough for me & my wife. During,dine-in, can i just order one entree for both of us &take one home?
Another tip – I ordered two entrees & added meatballs to one of the buy one & take one offers, so that totals just over $30 (no kids meal, but 4 meatballs heeeyyy!) – with the coupon, my pre-tax total is $25.96. I do think they should provide 4 breadsticks per meal, especially since I DO tip! 😉
Thanks for sharing Shelly!
Thanks! got dinner!
You’re very welcome!
I asked this last time but didn’t catch the response: is any of this freezable? Tons of food for a single mom of 2
I have seen other readers mention that they have taken them home to freeze before. Hope this helps!
Yes, we freeze them all the time. They taste just as good!
How do you get the free entrees? I added them in my cart, but it is still charging for 4 entrees. thanks
Hmm, did you go through the Buy One Take One offer page? I am still finding that to work for me as I click through. Hope this helps!
Yes, that worked. Thank you so much Collin!
Good! You’re welcome! 🙂
Great deal!! Know what I am getting the family for dinner tomorrow!!! Thanks!!!
YW!
Here’s what I ordered tonight:
Buy one, take one
Upgraded both main entrees to bring total over $30.
Shrimp scampi. Sausage stuffed rigatoni. Cheese ravioli. 5 cheese ziti. 2 salads. 4 breadsticks. At the end there is a ‘special request’ box- requested extra cheese packets. I’m sure you can request extra bread sticks. Used 5off30 code. Total after tax- $28.60. Paid with a GC!! Woohoo! Free dinner for entire family!
Does it automatically adjust to 2 extra meals? I am trying to go through the process and if I add 2 of the same one, it does not make the other one free…. COuld you explain how ordering works? TYA!
Hi there! Be sure to start from the Buy One Take One Page to select all options for both meals. If you want two deals ( 4 meals) you can change the quantity at the top of your order selection page. Hope this helps!
Can you get this whole order to go or do you have to eat two meals there and take 2 meals home????
When I attempted the order you suggested I cant figure out how you get the buy one get one free…. And the promo code didn’t work. I was attempting the St George Utah location. Thanks for your advice!
Does anyone know when the promotion for the “buy one take one home” ends?
Thank you so much! Just enjoyed it!
Got this deal last night. thanks!
I didn’t realize the free meals came cold, but there was enough hot food
for 3 adults and I have a lot of leftovers! They gave us 6 breadsticks.
I gave a $2 tip.
Anybody else tried this recently? I’m being told on the site that it’s no longer offered, but article says through 4/30.