The Olive Garden has become something of a culinary punch line in recent years. As America has become more food-conscious and food-savvy, national casual dining chains have been widely maligned, but the Olive Garden has a special target on its back for its co-opting and repurposing of Italian cuisine in ridiculously American formats.
While on a date, a Twitter user learned that his companion was actually the former general manager of the Times Square Olive Garden, which, alongside Guy Fieri’s neighboring restaurant, might well serve as the nadir of American cuisine. I mean, it’s a place with a 45-day, all-you-can-eat option called a “Pasta Pass.” People are going to get judgmental.
Not content to let the former GM keep his experience to himself, the Twitter user, Joe Wadlington, began a thorough and engaging interrogation, all the while posting the GM’s responses on Twitter for the world to share.
Joe frames the encounter and revelations pretty perfectly in his Tweets, so kick back and enjoy.
It took all of three tweets until he touched on the chain’s famous—or possibly “infamous”—bottomless breadsticks.
It’s hard not to imagine a roomful of Times Square tourists just uttering “No,” over and over again when they learn they will be denied free bread.
Diners are left telling managers how things are done at Olive Garden. God help the staff the day they ran out of breadsticks.
Rent for a three-story building in Times Square isn’t cheap, so these diners were paying some top shelf prices to eat their familiar food.
And they would wait until 2 a.m. to get it, remarkably.
That’s a pretty American tour of Italy these diners are taking.
As you can imagine, it’s hard to have a conversation about the Times Square Olive Garden without drawing upon the stereotypes surrounding Americans in general, Middle American tourists, and the types of people who visit New York to eat a larger version of a restaurant that exists in every city in America.
“They are ‘family’ and would be allowed to eat” almost sounds like a passage from the Bible.
Even the sanitized, post-Giuliani version of Time Square sees some shit from time to time, as we quickly learn:
Was a multilevel knife fight worse than the time(s) they ran out of breadsticks?
No. It was not. When people get their expectations set on free greasy bread, there’s little that will distract them.
He didn’t really marry his date following this conversation.
But I think we all know where they should go for their next rendezvous.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.