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Chicago's First Olive Garden Opens in Avondale Monday

By Darryl Holliday | September 23, 2014 3:43pm
 The first Olive Garden in Chicago proper opens Monday at 3555 W. Addison St., the company announced Tuesday.
The first Olive Garden in Chicago proper opens Monday at 3555 W. Addison St., the company announced Tuesday.
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Olive Garden

AVONDALE — Starting next week, Chicago will officially have an Olive Garden.

The first Olive Garden in Chicago proper opens Monday at 3555 W. Addison St., the company announced Tuesday.

The 7,780-square-foot casual Italian restaurant will create 170 new jobs, the company said. It also will feature a new logo and an updated interior.

Think you're an Italian food snob? Jen Sabella has a mostaccioli tattoo. And even she's excited:

The $1.2 million restaurant was supposed to open in the summer of 2013, but the zoning and permit process put it behind schedule.

"People have been regularly asking me, 'When is Olive Garden opening?' There is a legitimate demand for family friendly dining experiences," said Ald. Rey Colon (35th). "I have never seen such enthusiasm around the opening of a restaurant before. I am proud to have Chicago's first and only Olive Garden ... and appreciate the local hiring that [store operators] made before opening for business."

Colon said he plans to attend Monday's grand opening.

If you plan on heading to the new spot Monday, come hungry: they'll offer their "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" for $9.99 for a limited time.

Though there are 10 Olive Garden restaurants in nearby suburbs, this will be the first one in the city.

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