BRIAR GROVE, WI — Ruth Vanderhoff, 82, has been banned from all 41 Olive Garden locations in her state after an incident involving what staff described as “an industrial quantity” of breadsticks.
Police say Vanderhoff requested 14 consecutive breadstick refills during a two-hour dinner, consuming and collecting an estimated 90 breadsticks. Staff allege she packed the extras into a rolling suitcase she had brought into the restaurant and parked beside her booth.
According to employees, Vanderhoff:
- Requested 14 consecutive breadstick refills.
- Packed dozens of breadsticks into a rolling suitcase.
- Quoted the word “unlimited” from the menu 11 separate times to three different employees.
- Refused to leave after the manager stopped bringing additional breadsticks.
- Declared she was “taking a stand for every customer here.”
Witnesses said a nearby table of four applauded, while a woman seated two booths away asked to take a photo. Vanderhoff reportedly remained at her table with the suitcase zipped shut and her hands folded until police arrived.
“She wanted the definition of ‘unlimited’ entered into the record,” said Sgt. Anne Kowalczyk of the Briar Grove Police Department, an 18-year veteran. “She was extremely calm about it.”
Vanderhoff was issued a trespass notice barring her from all 41 Olive Garden locations in the state. She was, however, allowed to keep the breadsticks packed inside her suitcase.
The menu said unlimited.
The ban said otherwise.
