Olive Garden has revived two fan-favorite dishes after they disappeared from menus years ago.
The beloved Italian chain, with 900 locations, has reintroduced Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo and Stuffed Chicken Marsala after years of customers’ pleading.
Both items were removed during the pandemic when menus were simplified, leaving fans devastated.
Customers even banded together to sign a public petition to force the chain to bring back its Steak Gorgonzola.
‘I feel like I’ve lost a part of me knowing I’ll never able to taste it’s deliciousness ever again. When they told me they were no longer serving the Steak Gorgonzola, my heart shattered!’ the petition read.
Those fans will no longer have to face such a fate, as Olive Garden announced that as of this week the longtime dishes will return to restaurants nationwide.
They are also making a comeback with ‘higher-quality ingredients,’ Rick Cardenas, CEO of Olive Garden’s parent company Darden said back in September.
The Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo features six ounces of grilled sirloin steak tips with creamy fettuccine alfredo, blue cheese, and spinach topped with sun-dried tomatoes and a balsamic drizzle.
Olive Garden is bringing back two fan favorite menu items in a bid to please its customers
The Stuffed Chicken Marsala offers a grilled chicken breast stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and Italian cheese, served with a creamy masala sauce and mashed potatoes.
Both options come with endless breadsticks and unlimited soup or salad.
As well as bringing back fan favorite dishes Olive Garden is making other attempts to win back customers amid disappointing sales.
Earlier this year the chain finally relented and will soon offer its food via delivery services such as Uber Eats and DoorDash.
The chain had resisted joining its competitors in using delivery services – claiming it did not want a third-party coming between the brand and its guests.
Now, bosses have launched a two-year partnership with Uber, rolling it out to all 900 stores by May 2025.
Olive Garden angered its customers by hiking its prices earlier this summer despite lackluster sales.
Executives announced in June that prices would rise 2.5 to 3 percent at not just Olive Garden but across Darden’s massive portfolio of restaurants.
The Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo will return with higher quality ingredients
Stuffed Chicken Marsala will soon be back on the menu at Olive Garden
CEO Rick Cardenas also said the company would not be running deals to attract inflation-weary customers as rivals had.
He was referring to full-service rivals like Chili’s, which has an appetizer, entrée and drink deal for $11, and Applebee’s, which has two for $20 offers.
Fast food chains have also all rolled out deals. The likes of McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s have a $5 meal deal that comes with a burger, nuggets, fries and a drink.