I went to Olive Garden, Carrabba’s, and Maggiano’s with a $50 budget. One chain had the best value, and another served the best food.

• I ordered the same menu items at each restaurant chain — fried calamari and chicken Parmesan.
• Olive Garden definitely offered the most value, but I thought Maggiano’s had the best food.

My first stop was at Olive Garden.

The house salad was pretty good, too.

The white tablecloths and jazz playing in the dining room immediately made the restaurant feel more like a special-occasion spot than a casual chain.

At Maggiano’s, I got complimentary rolls.

Instead of traditional Italian bread, Maggiano’s served warm, sweet buns topped with flaky sea salt and whipped butter that melted instantly into the fluffy center.

They weren’t what I typically expect to receive at an Italian restaurant, but they were delicious nonetheless.

The calamari was pricey but worth it.

The calamari ($20) from Maggiano’s was on the pricier side, but the portion was so large that it felt justified.

It was served with a lemon wedge and marinara sauce — no second dipping sauce like I received at the other two chains. There were plenty of tentacle pieces, which I loved, along with a good mix of rings.

The calamari was perfectly golden brown, tasted fresh, and was super crispy without being overly greasy. It had just the right amount of breading and was seasoned well with a nice salty finish. Taste-wise, this was my clear winner.

My entrée didn’t come with a salad, but the quality of the meal made up for it.

Unlike the other two restaurants, my entrée didn’t come with a side salad, which was a bit disappointing. So, I got right into the chicken Parmesan ($28.50).

Like the others, it came with two cutlets, but these were by far the thickest. Despite their size, they were incredibly fresh, juicy, and not tough at all.

The cheese had a nice broiled finish, and there was just the right amount of it. It wasn’t overwhelming, allowing the crispy coating and flavorful chicken to shine through. I also noticed fresh basil on top, which was a nice touch.

The spaghetti portion was easily the largest I received at any of the three restaurants. The marinara sauce was also my favorite — smooth and fresh-tasting, with just the right amount of sweet and tangy flavors.

In the end, this was an excellent chicken Parmesan. Although I personally prefer a thinner cutlet, this one completely won me over with how juicy it was and how crispy the edges stayed.

Before tax and tip, I spent $48.50 at Maggiano’s, so I didn’t have room in my budget for dessert.

This ended up being the most expensive meal of the three and offered the least variety since it didn’t include any extras. However, the portion sizes were generous, and I thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

Overall, Olive Garden offered the best value, but Maggiano’s food was my favorite.

In total, I spent $42.27 at Olive Garden (with dessert), $41.48 at Carrabba’s (without dessert), and $48.50 at Maggiano’s (without dessert or a salad).

If we’re talking strictly about value, Olive Garden is hard to beat. Between the unlimited breadsticks, never-ending soup or salad, generous portions, and enough room in the budget for dessert, this chain gave me the most food for my money.

If you’re dining with a large group, feeding a family, or trying to stay on budget, Olive Garden is an easy recommendation.

That said, the food from Maggiano’s was my favorite. The quality was noticeably higher, and the experience felt more elevated. Personally, I’d happily spend the extra few dollars to dine here again.

Business Insider reached out to Olive Garden, Carrabba’s, and Maggiano’s for comment.

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