As I have written in previous articles, I grew up in Lima, Peru with two parents that were hard

workers and provided well for our family. However, work was not the only thing in their lives

because on a weekly basis after work, either at home or at a special restaurant, they liked to

celebrate life. I remember my mother saying in Spanish, “barriga llena, corazon contento”, which

in English can be translated to say, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. My four

brothers and I have inherited our parents’ philosophy of hard work and life celebration.

Twelve years ago, after my wife and I moved from Southwest Houston to far North Houston, one

of the restaurants that we began to go to on weekends and/or special occasions was Olive

Garden located on I-45. We enjoyed their food and service and became familiar with their

General Manager. Several years later, a new Olive Garden restaurant opened in a shopping

center next to Highway 99 which is closer to our home. Pleasantly we found out that the same

General Manager had been transferred to the new location. We changed our hitching post

immediately and have been faithful customers of the new Olive Garden location. Occasionally,

we take some guests along with us and even encourage some large groups to join us. I feel like

I’m eating at home with people I know and even looking at other customers who are strangers

and looking happy eating and enjoying the atmosphere there.

Their menu is full of many types of drinks and appetizers, salads, breadsticks, dozens of

entrees, desserts and two chocolate mints per person at the end. The menu includes classics

and new dishes. Usually, the portions are too big for us, so we end up taking the leftovers home

for our next meal that we call “Olive Garden 2”. Nothing goes to waste from our table.

The Dine-in and catering reception desks are friendly. The servers are well trained and pleased

to accommodate special requests such as boxing any leftovers, etc

Their family atmosphere includes a large bar and many sitting areas with different degrees of

privacy and good lighting. Also, we hear soft Italian music in the background. Their walls and

areas dividers are decorated with quality pictures and bottles of Italian wine.

Their location at 6955 N Grand Parkway West, Spring, TX is very convenient. They have easy

access from highways and a big parking area. Also, there is a private entrance for Catering

Orders to go. They can be contacted at 832-717-4119.

Olive Garden is a well-run business that surpasses my criteria for having very good food, very

good service, total cleanliness and fair price, not cheap but not too expensive either.

In conclusion, I’ll attest that Olive Garden has become one very special place for us to go where

our heart and soul can rejoice after a week’s work. Appropriately, the apostle Paul said,

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians

10:31)