It's been a good 10 years, but I don't recall a live tank in the lobby. I may be wrong, but I think lobster there is limited to frozen tails. I'm pretty sure the shell was red, though. I doubt that the majority of customers go there to eat lobster anyway. At the local branch, I would guess that some form of shrimp dish is the most frequently ordered.

They bake a cheesy, garlic biscuit that I recall was the best thing I was served there.

Corporate welfare is immoral. If Olive Garden is such a cash cow there's no possible justification for tax breaks. Sorry, but having more dining options in town is not sufficient reason.

Analise, I think I may not be clear in what I'm trying to say. I am a native NYer, having been born and raised in Manhattan, and in the low rent area. Although I don't live there now, I am in a close enough suburb that I get into the city often. I agree with all that you've said. I was replying to JS's post about snotty, overpriced Italian restaurants in NYC. As far as I can see from reading your posts, we're on the same page. Especially with your tag line! ;)

But, the citizenry wants Olive Garden. What difference does it make if we give them a tax break or take up a collection and mail them a check?

I realize it is anti-competitive and that does bother me, but OG isn't going to print special menus with lower prices for one restaurant that has a lower cost of doing business and they would have certain contractual obligations in exchange (like remaining open for a period without regard to profitability).
The government exists to serve the people. How better than to serve them dinner? :D

I fail to see the immorality.

Well that's different! Go Yankees!! I just had to wonder why certain people here assume that authentic italian cuisine has a direct correlation with expensive restaurant bills. Authentic doesn't mean more expensive.

I agree with you. If towns are willing to throw tax incentives at corporations to locate within their town limits, what company would say no to that? If companies demand them, if a town wants to pony up their residents tax dollars, don't blame the company. Blame the elected politicians. I don't see where morals come into play. Perhaps they see greater employment opportunities for their residents which in turn creates tax dollars. Perhaps they see tax revenues in the sales these restaurants make and thus money spent now will come back three-fold.

Haven't been in a long while, but I do know that in the mid-90's there was still a lobster tank at the Red Lobster in south Indianapolis.

It was yum indeed.

Red Lobsters I've been to in North Carolina all have lobster tanks as well.

And yes, the cheesy garlic biscuits alone are enough reason to go there. :D

I was in little Italy in Cleveland last week and we ate at a small family style restaurant "Maxi's" ? There were nine of us and we ordered 6 or 7 apps 2 salads and 3 small Pies. Food was incredible and we had a ton left over. The food bill was approx $100 and the bar bill... well that's another story.

Since RL once had its biscuit recipe posted on its website (I don't see it there now), a Google search will probably turn it up. And I think I have seen some RL's recently with a lobster tank.

Bamavol - Why don't you take the initiative (or put your money where your mouth wants to be) and open your own restaurant using your own "authentic italian" recipes? OR...if OG is so bad and there is no other option eat at home! If your "small town with a race track" happens to be Talledega, you could always drive the short distance to BHM to Leonardo's. It is the best in the state by far and reasonably priced. Most of us patrons are of an acceptible weight and would probably not ruin your dining experience.

1. The town is Oxford, AL. It's about 20 miles from 'dega. I live in an unincorporated part of Calhoun county.

2. Successful independent restaurants in the area serve barbeque. I've seen a lot of independents open and close in 4 years, in part because the owners didn't understand the market. The only way I can demonstrate that I'm any smarter than those guys is by not opening an independent restaurant that doesn't sell barbeque.

3. I can cook good italian food at home. I share it with a few friends. I travel to places where I can get a decent Italian restaurant meal. I even enjoy an occasional lunch at the nearest Olive Garden in Douglasville, GA. I'm satisfied. My fellow Calhounians are much more deprived and are clamoring much louder than I for their OG.

4. I already drive to BHM once a month to shop at a decent grocery store. I enjoy a glass or 2 of Chianti with my italian food. So does Mrs BamaVol. That is incompatible with the drive home from BHM.

5. I love my neighbors but, for whatever reason, the average weight here is well above the US norm. It is a statewide phenomenon, but seems to be less widespread (pun intended) in BHM than the more rural parts of the state. What I do notice in BHM, as I wander around the Summit, are all the thin middle aged blondes with their noses in the air and a pinched look on their faces as if they perpetually smell something bad. I'd rather dine with the chubbies in Oxford.

Some possible corroboration: Last fall I had lunch at an "Oriental Buffet" in Birmingham (which was unexpectedly decent!). Along with the things you'd expect there was also meatloaf, fried catfish, grits (for lunch?), and turnip greens.

Fine upscale cuisine it ain't, but as chains go Olive Garden ain't bad. I swear I never saw as many food snobs as I've seen on FT. :D

Again, what does "authentic" have to do with 'upscale'? The best Italian food you'll ever have outside of Italy will usually come from a Mom and Pop place in Bensonhurst, the North End or South Philly. Upscale, they're not. Authentic fine cooking with low down-to-earth prices is what they are known for.