Booths and tables for seating are seen at the Olive Garden in Auburn, which opens at 11 a.m. Monday, May 22. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Olive Garden is now officially open for business on Subaru Drive in Auburn. Earlier this month, we asked readers to take our poll and build their perfect Olive Garden meal for a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards. In about three weeks’ time, our contest received over 1,500 entries.

What were the most popular dishes, you ask? More than 50 percent of people said they would order salad when given the options between soup or salad (along with breadsticks). When it came to appetizers, the majority of respondents said they’d take spinach and artichoke dip over meatballs, breadsticks or Lasagna Fritta.

What about the entrees? Fettucine Alfredo was the big winner, closely followed by Chicken Parmigiana. As for dessert, most people said they would take the Sicilian Cheesecake with strawberry topping instead of Black Tie mousse cake, Tiramisu or the warm Italian doughnuts.

Now, it’s time to reveal our winners! Congratulations to Terry Thurlow, Sarah Bennett, Jennifer Marks and Elizabeth Cantral-Francoeur.

Winners will be contacted via email. Thanks to all who participated and keep an eye out for our future contests. Have a question or comment about our reader contests? Reach out to us at webdept@sunjournal.com.

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