Olive Garden Las Vegas Strip: A Very Dramatic Birthday Dinner Above a Target

Katherine: I have one travel rule. Just one. And it’s very simple: no chain restaurants we can eat at back home.

Kelsi: So naturally, for my birthday weekend in Las Vegas, I chose… Olive Garden. On the Strip. Above a Target.

Yes, you read that right. This is the story of how a Midwestern comfort classic infiltrated our glitzy Vegas weekend, shattered travel protocol, and somehow became one of our favorite meals. Cue the dramatic zoom-in on a basket of breadsticks.

The Betrayal (Sort Of)

Let’s just set the scene. It’s early evening in Las Vegas. The Strip is buzzing. Neon lights everywhere. Street performers, tourists, the smell of waffle cones mixed with cigarette smoke. We have show tickets to Blue Man Group and a tight window for dinner.

Enter: Olive Garden Las Vegas Strip. Newly opened. Suspiciously busy. Located above a Target. And for reasons unknown to the travel gods, Kelsi’s heart is set on it.

Katherine: This is my Joker origin story.

But it’s Kelsi’s birthday weekend, and like any supportive travel partner (or hostage negotiator), Katherine relented.

We made our 5:00 PM reservation—yes, senior hour, because we had places to be and breadsticks to eat.

The Parking Lot Plot Twist

Let’s talk parking. Because this isn’t your suburban Olive Garden nestled next to a PetSmart and a tire center.

This one’s smack in the middle of The Strip, a.k.a. parking purgatory.

Your best bet? Park at Target (3767 Las Vegas Blvd S)—yes, the one this Olive Garden sits on top of. It’s surprisingly efficient.

The garage is accessible, affordable, and practically drops you off in the lobby next to a glowing neon sign that says “Never Ending Pasta Bowl.” What a time to be alive.

The Aesthetic (Yes, It Exists)

We walked in and were immediately seated—bless you, senior hour.

And you know what? It wasn’t not giving Vegas.

The usual Tuscan vibes were amped up to slightly gaudier Tuscan, with gold accents, dramatic lighting, and what we can only describe as “chaotic Italian renaissance meets casino foyer.”

Think framed art that looked like it was stolen from a Sopranos set and lighting that screamed “selfie station.”
The Menu That Needs No Introduction (But Here It Is Anyway)

Let’s be honest. If you’ve been to any Olive Garden in America, you know what you’re getting. But for those unfamiliar with the sacred text of carbs:

What We Ordered:

Fettuccine Alfredo – Creamy, comforting, and the reason Kelsi was glowing like she just met Harry Styles.

Baked Ziti – Equal parts marinara and cheese. A safe but deeply satisfying choice.

Unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks – Because we respect the classics.

Katherine: I’m not saying the breadsticks changed my mind, but I am saying I blacked out and ate five before the entrees arrived.

Kelsi: You said they were “culturally important.”

The Service (Surprisingly Impressive)

Our server was an absolute gem. Friendly, fast, and somehow unbothered by the existential war happening at our table over chain restaurants.

Drinks were refilled like clockwork. Breadsticks arrived hot and frequently.

We even got a birthday shoutout, complete with a candle in the middle of a mini tiramisu.

Vegas might be over-the-top, but this Olive Garden? Surprisingly wholesome.

The Blue Man Comedown

We wrapped up our meal by 6:30 PM—enough time for a dramatic hair toss, a quick reapplication of lip gloss, and a short trek to the Luxor for Blue Man Group.

Did our meal pair well with paint-splattered bald men and PVC pipe music? Surprisingly, yes.

And here’s the thing: after hours of sensory overload on The Strip, sitting in a familiar booth, sipping red wine, and absolutely annihilating a breadstick tower feels oddly grounding.

It’s the culinary equivalent of texting your mom just to say hi.

The Verdict: Worth It?

Katherine: I still stand by my rule. But…I’ll allow an exception for birthday girls and breadstick emergencies.

Kelsi: 10/10. No notes. Except maybe: bring your stretchy pants.

Key Takeaways: The Olive Garden in Las Vegas Strip Edition

Location: 3767 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV (Above the Target, because why not.)

Parking: Use the Target garage. Easy access, shockingly low chaos.

Menu Musts: Fettuccine Alfredo, Baked Ziti, Soup/Salad/Breadsticks (obviously).

Best Time to Go: Early evening—beat the crowds, make it to your 7 PM show.

Vibe: Slightly fancier Olive Garden with a sprinkle of Vegas flair.

Service: Surprisingly stellar. Our waiter deserves a raise and a breadstick bouquet.

FOMO Factor: High, especially if you’re the kind of person who finds joy in low-stakes nostalgia and high-stakes carb loading.

Final Thoughts: Olive Garden, But Make It Sin City

You can take the girl out of the Midwest, but you can’t take the Olive Garden out of her birthday plans.

This might not be a Michelin-starred hotspot, but it is a Vegas-level memory wrapped in Alfredo and dipped in breadstick butter.

Sin City has seen a lot of questionable decisions—and honestly, this isn’t one of them.