28-04-2025
Olive Garden diner disgusted by garnish that came with her drink
Diners were disgusted after seeing a nasty surprise served atop an Olive Garden customer's drink.
A visitor to the popular Italian-themed restaurant chain shared her stomach-churning find in a TikTok clip taken at an outpost in Arlington, Texas, on Easter.
The user, who goes by @ claimed her husband ordered an iced tea topped with a rotting strawberry featured in the video that's racked in over 7 million views.
'When your husband doesn't want to be the one complaining so he hands it you to do the talking,' the TikToker wrote in the post.
Servers brought out a new iced tea with a fresh strawberry but did not give them a discount on their meal, she said.
Viewers found the matter revolting, with some saying they would never eat at the restaurant again if it happened to them.
'I'd have got up and left, if something that obviously rotten gets put out imagine the less obvious stuff you're getting...' one commenter wrote.
'Not to be dramatic but I'd leave and never go back,' another replied.
Viewers also took aim at the employee who prepared the drink.
'Who in their right mind says oh it's moldy it's fine maybe they won't notice,' one commenter wrote.
'How did the person who made that not see that the strawberry is 83 percent mold,' another responded.
'Whoever put that on there should not be working anywhere near food,' a third added.
A few claiming to be former Olive Garden employees also lost their appetites at the sight, with some suggesting the diner contact a health inspector.
Moldy strawberries are typically not harmful enough to seriously harm those who consume them, according to the USDA.
However, someone who eats one could experience digestive issues like nausea or vomiting.
There are cases where diners could experience more serious symptoms, especially those allergic to various kinds of mold.
The diners contacted Olive Garden and heard back from guest relations about the matter, the TikToker said in a follow-up clip.
An email shown in the video stated that the restaurant's general manager and its team would work to prevent the situation from happening again.
The chain also offered a $25 gift card - an amount that caused the TikToker to scoff.
'Are you guys missing a zero over here?' she said in the clip.
She further explained that she decided to stay at the restaurant despite the experience because of her children.
'The reason why we didn't get up and leave... I have three little kids under 5 years old. They were hungry; I had to feed them right there because it was the only option,' she said.
'It sucks because, as parents in this economy, we worked so hard to go out and enjoy a meal, and this s*** happens.
Daily Mail reached out to the TikToker, Olive Garden, and its parent company for comment.
