Two Restaurants Compare
and Contrast Essay
Is it Olive Garden’s friendly and hospitable service
or is it the appetizing and blazing hot entrees of Johnny Carino’s that remind
me of my Italian heritage? Before deciding which restaurant leaves my mouth
watering for more, a comparison and contrast between taste, service and cost must be considered. For me,
choosing which restaurant to recommend to family members is as hard as cutting
the perfect pink rose for a floral arrangement.
The whole world would be a better place if you could
choose a restaurant that always had food that tasted wonderful. At Johnny Carino’s, I feel like a chef in Italy
has just prepared my meal. Their pasta melts in your mouth and is always
accompanied by hearty and rich sauces. My eyes pop out of my head when I see
their delectable dessert tray. They both carry a wide selection of freshly
prepared desserts like creamy tiramisu. On the contrary, at Olive Garden, your
dinner always comes with all you can eat salad and piping hot breadsticks. Yet,
at Johnny Carino’s you must order a salad separate from your entrée. On the
other hand, Johnny Carino’s offers its customers their staple sourdough bread served
with olive oil and balsamic vinegar spiced with herbs. Similarly, the salad at
both restaurants is always fresh and is dressed in a tangy and light
vinaigrette. In the same way, both restaurants offer their ravished customers a
wide selection of sodas, teas and coffees to wet their whistles. Delicious,
freshly prepared food is a must when I am spending a night out with friends or
family.
Service
is something that I value highly when spending my hard earned money on a night out.
The service at Olive Garden is a snail trying to win a race. However, when I
arrive at Johnny Carino’s I am seated almost immediately, whereas at Olive
Garden, I have to sign a waiting list and they hand me a flashing disk. The
servers at Olive Garden, in contrast, seem sometimes annoyed when I ask for
something like more water or another plate to share an item. Equally, both
restaurants bring my meal in a timely manner. They both give me service with a
smile like a sun shining in the morning sky. Similarly, both places of business
are more than willing to trade my order if it is not to my satisfaction. If I
am not going to receive the service I deserve, I might as well walk right out
of the establishment and not look back.
Do you like throwing your money down the drain? If
not, then maybe Johnny Carino’s is not the most cost effective restaurant for you. I often feel that money is
flying out of my wallet the minute I sit down at my table. On the other hand,
Johnny Carino’s does offer more food for the price. An average bill at Olive
Garden is about forty dollars, whereas at Johnny Carino’s the final bill can
range from fifty to one hundred dollars based on your choices of entrees,
appetizers, drinks and desserts. Unlike Johnny Carino’s, Olive Garden does
offer specials on certain dishes at specific times of the year. In the same
way, both restaurants offer drinks that are similar in price and that price
includes refills. Also, Olive Garden and Johnny Carino’s both have appetizers
that are around the same price for the same generous helping. Value is a huge
factor in deciding which restaurant I would choose to refer to a friend or
family member.
As a conclusion, both restaurants have a great taste,
service and efficiency cost. Yes, Olive Garden offers more food for the money,
but the aroma and taste of Johnny Carino’s entrees are by far superior, not to
mention they provide better service for the customer. Based on my evaluation of
the two restaurants, I would have to choose Johnny Carino’s. Next time you are in
the mood for Italian cuisine, try Olive Garden and Johnny Carino’s, and then
make the choice for yourself.
