Multi-Million Dollar Olive Garden Is Headed to the Strip

Further proof the casual- and quick-service dining scenes will be the first to recover in Las Vegas, the eighth local expansion for Olive Garden has filed paperwork to take over a prime position on the Las Vegas Strip.

A local punchline, following years of Las Vegas Review-Journal readers voting the ubiquitous chain the “Best Italian Restaurant” in the region, Olive Garden is headed into space 300 at the Showcase Mall, sitting above the recently launched Target store at 3767 Las Vegas Boulevard S. The site stands on the original home of the Smith & Wollensky steakhouse.

Yet to be announced by mall owners Gindi Capital, or the restaurant brand, an estimated construction budget of $3,750,000 has already been allocated to build out the vacant, third-floor space.

Created in 1982 and expanded to almost 900 global outposts, Olive Garden current owner Darden Restaurants also operates fellow Strip restaurants The Capital Grille at Fashion Show mall and Yard House on the Linq Promenade, plus Bahama Breeze at the Hughes Center.

Further details have not been revealed, but a debut is not expected this year.

All seven Olive Garden restaurants in the valley continue to offer takeout and delivery, or full service in their limited capacity dining rooms, serving a very popular menu of unlimited soup, salads, and breadsticks, parmigiana and alfredo dishes, “Tour of Italy” plates and seasonal specials including the “Never Ending Pasta Bowl” meal deal.

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