Photo by Insider Food

@insiderfood · September 21, 2026

Olive Garden pasta bowl. Headline reads: "I attempted Olive Garden's Never-Ending Pasta Bowl. It was a reminder of why chains can't quit bottomless deals."

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Why stop at seconds when you can go back for thirds, fourths — even fifths? Business Insider’s Erin McDowell recently visited Olive Garden's flagship Times Square restaurant for her first-ever meal at the chain. While McDowell couldn't wait to try its iconic breadsticks, there was one specific deal she was gunning for: Olive Garden's Never-Ending Pasta Bowl, which starts at $14.99, depending on location. The limited-time deal, first launched in 1995, is running nationwide from August 31 through November 22, 2026. Stomach empty and heart full, McDowell ate her way through the promo and came away thinking bottomless deals are great for both chains and customers, if they're done right. Read more about what it was like to attempt Olive Garden's Never-Ending Pasta Bowl promotion, why it makes sense for the chain, and if you should try it, too, at the link in our bio. Story by Erin McDowell (Credit: Erin McDowell/Business Insider) #olivegarden #foodchains #pasta