Columnist amused at attention over Olive Garden review

Olive Garden is now serving up food for residents of Grand Forks, North Dakota. (Image: Olive Garden)

An earnest restaurant review of an Olive
Garden in North Dakota has taken the internet by
storm, but author Marilyn Hagerty, 85, said she’s too busy
to take much notice.

“I really didn’t care because I was busy working on my
Sunday column and I wanted to get it done so I could go
and play Bridge,” said Hagerty speaking to 97.3 KIRO FM’s Ross and Burbank Show from
Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Listen to
Marilyn Hagerty on Ross and Burbank

Hagerty has been writing the EatBeat column for the Grand
Forks Herald for around 30 years, but her Olive Garden
review, now with over 300,000 views, is likely her biggest
hit.

She’s received calls from Good Morning America and several
other national news shows. “I can’t keep track of all the
calls I’ve had.”

“I usually don’t get that much attention,” said Hagerty.
“It puzzles me. It amuses me.”

The Olive Garden is new to Grand Forks, and Hagerty said
with its capacity at 200, it’s the biggest restaurant she
can think of in town.

During her visit, Hagerty had the chicken Alfredo for
$10.95, which she described as “warm and comforting on a
cold day,” and concluded, “All in all, it is the largest
and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand
Forks.”

If given the opportunity to review any restaurant anywhere
in the world, Hagerty said she’d choose one of her
hometown favorites.

“I’d probably go to Sanders downtown in Grand Forks,” said
Hagerty. “It’s a very fine dining place. It’s locally
owned and operated.”

As for Seattle restaurants, she said, “I hope the Space
Needle is still standing, I’ve eaten there.”

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor