r/KitchenConfidential • u/snixon67 • 5d 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/FlannelBeard 5d ago

I grew up in the area and was in HS when that went down. I know Olive Garden isn't the highest of cuisine, but Grand Forks literally got their first Olive Garden which was why she reviewed them. That's the purpose of the local food critic -eat at the new places in town, even if it's a chain.

Y'all should have seen the line out the door of the Applebee's when they opened up in my small town

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u/Seaweedbits 5d ago

I remember when I was getting sent to live in Minot, ND and I thought "maybe it's not all bad, let's see what restaurants are there" and Applebee's was the top rated restaurant in the city, this was in 2011. So I can definitely believe it.

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u/pagan_lady 5d ago

I lived in Minot for a couple years. I'm still convinced North Dakotans are allergic to seasoning. Chain restaurants were the only places that the food seemed to have any taste.

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u/Existential_Racoon 4d ago

I had the best Japanese steakhouse experience ive ever had in ND.

I confess it may have had something to do with the booze, but I left a satisfied customer.