American Tourist Leaves Waiter “Completely Disgusted” After Requesting Olive Garden Dish In Italy

An American tourist was served a rude awakening after asking for one of his favorite dishes in Italy.

While holidaying in the homeland of pasta and pizza, the Boston father asked for a dish that exists on almost every Italian restaurant menu in the US.

The waiter was left “disgusted” and “horrified” when the diner showed him pictures of the Olive Garden dish on his phone.

An American tourist was served a rude awakening when he asked for his favorite Olive Garden dish in Italy

Italian flag flying over historic cityscape as American tourist requests Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Image credits: Hongbin / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The viral encounter was shared on TikTok by the man’s daughter, Gabby Donahue, 26.

“My Boston Irish father trying to order a Google image of the Olive Garden chicken parm in Italy,” read the text on the video with more than 7 million views.

Olive Garden is a popular restaurant chain known for its casual dining experience and Italian-American cuisine.

Fresh pasta hanging to dry in an Italian kitchen with jars of ingredients, linked to American tourist and Olive Garden dish request.

Image credits: Eilis Garvey / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

In the video, Gabby’s father Bob was seated at a restaurant table in Italy when he asked the waiter for a chicken parmigiana.

His request left the waiter puzzled.

Bob then whipped out his phone and showed the waiter a picture of the Olive Garden dish, composed of breaded chicken served over pasta.

Gabby Donahue shared a video of the exchange her father had with a waiter during his Italian holiday

Outdoor Italian restaurant with empty tables and customers dining, related to American tourist request at Olive Garden.

Image credits: Efrem Efre / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The sight of the dish left the waiter flabbergasted.

“I don’t know what it is,” the waiter said, seemingly hiding his bewilderment over the strange dish.

“On the pasta? No, that’s horrible,” he said before quickly adding, “No, that looks good.”

Olive Garden sign with olive branch logo at Italian kitchen restaurant, related to American tourist request in Italy.

Image credits: olivegarden / TikTok (not the actual photo)

“I tell you what, I’m gonna mail you some. I’ll send it to you,” Bob said, making the staff member laugh.

The waiter said he would tell more Italians about Olive Garden and then walked away from the table.

“I tell you what, I’m gonna mail you some,” Bob said when the waiter was perplexed by a photo of Olive Garden’s chicken parmigiana

American tourist trying to order Olive Garden dish in Italy, leaving waiter looking confused and slightly disgusted outdoors at night.

Image credits: gabbydonahuee / TikTok

Netizens found the exchange hilarious, with many praising the “disgusted” waiter for staying calm.

“The waiter’s eyebrows trying to stay calm,” one said.

“‘No, that looks good’ while looking completely disgusted was the most Italian reaction ever,” read a second comment.

American tourist showing waiter a digital image of Olive Garden chicken parm in Italy, causing confusion and disgust.

Image credits: gabbydonahuee / TikTok

Young man making a confused face reacting to an American tourist requesting Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment mentioning Olive Garden chicken parm described as horrid, related to American tourist request in Italy.

“You know he was so excited to go to Italy to get Olive Garden cuisine from the motherland,” one said.

Another wrote, “This is why the world hates us…..among other things.”

“imagine my surprise when i went to italy and found out my FAVORITE ITALIAN FOOD chicken alfredo isn’t actually italian,” commented another.

“He looks horrified by the request,” one netizen commented online

@gabbydonahuee @Olive Garden ‘s biggest fan 😭😭😭😭 #italy#cultureshock#chickenparm#olivegarden♬ original sound – Gabby Donahue

Gabby said she didn’t predict the encounter to go viral after posting it on her TikTok.

“When he was told the waiter didn’t know what that was, he pulled up the Olive Garden dish as an example,” the daughter told Newsweek.

“I expected maybe it would get a good laugh out of some Boston peeps but did not expect it to go so viral,” she added.

Plate of Italian chicken parmesan with melted cheese and spaghetti topped with marinara sauce representing Olive Garden dish request by American tourist.

Image credits: Olive Garden (not the actual photo)

The incident reminded people of how international cuisines have undergone their own transformation in the US over several generations.

The flavors and recipes of Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and other cuisines have been Americanized to suit the local taste and ingredients available.

The incident was a reminder of how several cuisines have been Americanized over the years

Plate of fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken on a wooden table, related to American tourist in Italy story.

Image credits: Olive Garden (not the actual photo)

Comment on social media questioning why an American tourist would ask for Olive Garden food while dining in Italy.

Hence, dishes like chicken parmigiana, garlic bread, and fettuccine Alfredo are popularly available in Italian restaurants in the US.

But an American tourist would have to do some explaining when they ask for fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant in Florence.

Cozy Italian restaurant interior with wooden tables and chairs, highlighting American tourist dining experience in Italy.

Image credits: Harrison Keely / Wikipedia (not the actual photo)

One would also struggle to find spaghetti and meatballs served together in a restaurant in Italy.

Spaghetti and meatballs might feel like one of the most Italian dishes ever. But traditionally, they are not paired together in the European country.

It is believed that Italian immigrants, who moved to New York City decades back, began pairing their traditional meatballs with affordable American spaghetti and plenty of tomato sauce.

The dish became a crowd-pleaser, and eventually, spaghetti and meatballs became an Italian-American classic.

Olive Garden restaurant exterior with sign, highlighting American tourist request for Olive Garden dish in Italy controversy.

Image credits: Famartin / Wikipedia (not the actual photo)

The same goes for other cuisines as well.

Diners in the US may often order the orange chicken from Chinese restaurant menus. But the dish is not Chinese at all.

Orange chicken was invented by a Taiwanese-born, French-trained chef named Andy Kao while he was working for the iconic Chinese takeout chain Panda Express in the 1980s.

“Bro remembered halfway through his disgust that he’s at work,” one netizen commented on Gabby’s viral video

Comment from user annie about an American tourist stressing a waiter after requesting an Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment reading Did he say I’m gonna show more Italians with 85,072 likes related to American tourist requesting Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment on social media showing someone feeling disgusted at work, related to American tourist and Olive Garden dish request in Italy.

Comment from Elena expressing disgust at a tourist's Olive Garden dish request while in Italy on social media.

Comment on social media post reacting to American tourist request, highlighting waiter’s disgust in Italy Olive Garden dish incident.

Comment about American tourist requesting Olive Garden dish in Italy, leaving waiter completely disgusted.

Comment from user Em reacting humorously to an American tourist upsetting waiter after requesting Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Social media comment reading On the pasta with a large number of likes, related to American tourist and Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment from a user named Laura expressing strong disapproval related to American tourist and Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment from Italian waitress about American tourists requesting Olive Garden dishes while working in Italy, showing cultural clash.

Social media comment saying only in the states, reflecting reaction to American tourist request for Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment on social media expressing offense, related to American tourist requesting Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment on social media post mentioning American tourist disappointing waiter by requesting Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment on social media with a cartoon profile picture expressing polite disagreement about a food request, related to American tourist Olive Garden dish in Italy.

Comment about American tourist asking for Olive Garden breadsticks in Italy, leaving waiter completely disgusted.

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