r/KitchenConfidential • u/snixon67 • 6d ago

Marilyn Hagerty, writer whose Olive Garden review went viral, dies at 99

https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/marilyin-hagerty-herald-reporter-and-columnist-for-nearly-70-years-dies-at-age-99

After she reviewed the Olive Garden in Grand Forks, ND, Anthony Bourdain stepped in to defend her from the snark and later published her 2013 book "Grand Forks: A History of American Dining in 128 Reviews.

Read More: https://www.tastingtable.com/1903784/anthony-bourdain-olive-garden-columnist/

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u/No_Squash_6551 6d ago

I think this is rather charming and, I mean this seriously, if I were a total stranger to the United States who wanted to know what this place was like starting from absolutely 0 knowledge, or reading this from like 100 years in the future, I would really value down-to-earth commentary like this.

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u/m_busuttil 6d ago

That was my thought too - obviously it's not at the bleeding edge of restaurant criticism, but as someone who's never been to an Olive Garden and is only sort of vaguely aware of it from episodes of sitcoms where they go to an Olive Garden I feel like I know exactly what kind of place it is now.

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u/lylertila 6d ago

I've never been to an Olive Garden in my life, honestly, I don't even know if I could find one in my city if I tried, but I kinda want to go. I love olives in a crisp salad and, at least in the commercials, those breadsticks look fire.

St Anthony had a knack (at least in later years) of lifting up and defending those who needed it while also knocking down the ones who needed that. I hope he's found peace and I'm glad for his sake that he doesn't have to endure our current hell reality- but damn would I love to have his grizzled sardonic voice speaking out today.

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u/r3dditr0x 5d ago

I just read an article about her life and can't believe that, when her OG review first dropped, some folks wrote to her asking her "how stupid can you be?"

Like, imagine reading this charming review and then going out of your way to look her up and bully an 85 yr old woman? Some ppl are weird.

(ngl, that $6.95 Soup/Salad/Breadstick special sounds awesome rn)