Texas: Land of Yeehaw, Steakhouses, and...Neverending Pasta Bowls?
You might think of Texas and visions of wide-open plains, ten-gallon hats, and sizzling ribeyes come to mind. But there's another culinary force quietly taking over the Lone Star State: Olive Garden. That's right, folks, the land of endless breadsticks and bottomless soup has a surprising love affair with Italian-American comfort food.
How Deep Does the Olive Garden Love Run in Texas?
Here's the jaw-dropping statistic: Texas boasts a whopping 110 Olive Garden locations! Yes, you read that right. That's more Olive Gardens than any other state in the union. California, the land of avocado toast and kale smoothies, comes in a distant second with a measly 79 locations.
Do the math: That means there's roughly one Olive Garden for every 263,600 Texans. Now, I'm no mathematician, but that seems like a heck of a lot of fettuccine alfredo for a state known for its barbecue prowess.
Why the Heck So Many Olive Gardens in Texas?
This is where things get interesting. Here are some theories floating around:
- Texans secretly have a soft spot for cheesy breadsticks: Maybe those ten-gallon hats aren't hiding a love of all things carby after all.
- Everything's bigger in Texas, including the portions: Those endless pasta bowls are a perfect fit for Texan appetites.
- Olive Garden's marketing strategy is on point: Maybe they've mastered the art of convincing folks in Stetson hats that unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks are the new Tex-Mex.
Whatever the reason, one thing's for sure: Texas has a serious case of Olive Garden fever.
So, Next Time You're in Texas...
Don't be surprised to see a pick-up truck with a bed full of empty breadstick wrappers parked next to a longhorn steer. Texas may be known for its rugged individualism, but when it comes to endless pasta bowls, they seem to be all about sharing.
Just remember, folks, there's always room for a good steakhouse and a plate of authentic Tex-Mex alongside your neverending pasta bowl. Texas is big enough for all three (and maybe even a Whataburger for good measure).
