I’ve abandoned the Olive Garden for Carrabba’s. Completely.

It’s not easy finding places for a family of 6 to eat, especially FAMILY places. We don’t eat out often, but when we do… I love to go to places where kids are welcome and the food is good. It’s pretty simple for me.

In Rhode Island, in my neck of the woods, we have an Olive Garden and a Carrabba’s across the street from each other. We always, always used to choose the Olive Garden. In all honesty, I had never eaten at a Carrabba’s before, so I had nothing to go by… the Olive Garden was easy for us. All you can eat salad and bread, could it get any better?

Apparently, so. 🙂

About 3 weeks ago the Olive Garden had a 45 minute wait. Oh, please… there’s no way my boys will wait (patiently) for 45 minutes. It’s almost laughable. My husband and I looked at each other (because we were CRAVING Italian) and said, “Let’s try Carrabba’s.” And off across the street we went.

Well, let me just say… I’m kicking myself for not introducing my family to it sooner.

Here are 5 Reasons Why I Love Carrabba’s for a Family Dinner:

1. The DOUGH! They give the kids dough to play with, it’s a fabulous and wonderful distraction. All my sons have a blast with it, and now every time we head in… they personally ask the waitress for it. What a simple, but incredible idea for kids!

2. The boys actually finish their meals. As a mom, enough said.

3. The spaghetti sauce tastes JUST LIKE my Nana’s. I don’t know what they do or how they make it, but the first time I took a bite, I almost started to cry. My husband was like, “What’s wrong?” And all I could say was, “This tastes just like Nana’s.” It’s something I could never perfect, but my sons get to try a taste of what my Nana’s famous spaghetti sauce tasted like!

4. They don’t just have dough… they also have coloring books. And when I saw BOOK, I mean, BOOK. We’re not taking a little sheet to draw on, there’s games and things to read and places to draw. I absolutely love how they really make sure it’s family-friendly.

5. Um. Hello! I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio and the waitress responded, “Would you like a glass or the glass and a half?” LOVE this idea! I had a little sidecar with additional Pinot! Perfection and I loved having the option.

You’ve hooked me Carrabba’s… 🙂