Famous House Salad

The Famous House Salad is one of the most recognizable dishes in casual dining. Crisp iceberg and romaine lettuce tossed with ripe tomatoes, black olives, red onion rings, pepperoncini peppers, house-made croutons, and Olive Garden's signature Italian dressing. Included unlimited with dine-in entrees.

The house salad is the other half of the unlimited first course, and it is more considered than most chain salads. Iceberg and romaine with red onion, black olives, pepperoncini, croutons and tomato, tossed in a vinegary Italian dressing and finished with grated cheese at the table.

The dressing does the work. It is sharp and garlicky rather than creamy, which is exactly what you want ahead of a cream pasta, and it is the reason this salad functions as a palate opener rather than just a plate of leaves. Olive Garden sells it by the bottle, which tells you how much of the appeal sits in that one component.

Two things make a real difference to the bowl you get. Ask for the dressing on the side if you dislike heavily dressed salad, because the standard toss is generous. And ask for it undressed with dressing on request if you are sharing, since a dressed salad wilts fast once it sits.

What does Famous House Salad taste like?

Crisp and sharp, dominated by vinegar and garlic from the dressing, with the pepperoncini adding a mild pickled heat and the olives a salty note. The lettuce is there for crunch rather than flavour. It is a bright, acidic plate designed to wake the palate up before something heavy.

Who should order Famous House Salad?

Anyone ordering a rich entree, because the acidity genuinely helps. It is also the practical choice for anyone trying to keep the meal lighter, and the vegetarian-friendly half of the unlimited first course.

Is Famous House Salad worth $8.79?

Free and unlimited with a dine-in entree, so on value it is hard to argue with. As part of the Soup, Salad and Breadsticks deal it is the component that keeps the meal from being pure carbohydrate. Ordered to go it is priced like a standard side salad.

How to order Famous House Salad at Olive Garden

• Unlimited with a dine-in entree or the Soup, Salad and Breadsticks deal. Takeout is sold by the portion.
• Ask for dressing on the side if you are sharing, because a dressed salad does not hold well on the table.
• A dressed salad travels badly. If you are taking food home, this is not the thing to box up.
• The dressing is sold by the bottle in most locations if you want it at home.

Olive Garden Famous House Salad price in 2026

The Famous House Salad is listed at $8.79 on the Olive Garden menu we track. That figure is a guide rather than a guarantee: most italian chains let individual franchises set their own prices, so the same dish can cost noticeably more in high-rent city centres than in smaller markets, and airport or stadium locations sit higher again. Menu boards and the official app are always the final word for your specific restaurant. We re-check the full Olive Garden menu and refresh this page when prices move.