Jessica Simpson sure knows how to thrill. And give a good performance. Did anyone see the legendary Blonde Ambition? Straight to DVD is the way to go. No one knows how to do it up classy like Jessica. Which is why she met boyfriend Tony Romo’s parents at the swankiest joint in town: Olive Garden. Apparently free bread sticks lure even the fanciest of celebs.
Jessica Simpson, 27, met beau Tony Romo’s parents on June 27, when all of them had dinner at an Olive Garden in Janesville, Wisc. Romo, 28, who grew up in nearby Burlington, was home to play in a golf tournament.
But making a reservation at the Olive Garden surprised even the restaurant’s general manager. “We thought it was a big joke,” said Doug Belfanz. “Jessica Simpson’s not going to the Olive Garden in Janesville, Wisconsin!”
Yep, actually, she did. Simpson, wearing a casual blouse and blue jeans, walked in holding hands with Romo, who wore a T-shirt and baseball cap. Simpson had wine with her three-cheese ziti, but seemed more interested in Romo. “She scooted up next to him during the meal,” says Belfanz. “They were acting like a couple.”
After dinner, they posed for a photo with the staff and signed autographs. Sneaking out through the kitchen, Simpson complimented the chefs on the meal. “They were laughing,” Belfanz says. “It was just a big family being out.”
[From People]
When even the restaurant’s manager thinks you’re a moron for eating there, it’s probably a better idea to just go home and microwave some Hot Pockets for everyone. I’m sure that’d be equally impressive to the Romos.
I’m not certain who’s ahead in the competition between Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson. Nick is stuck in a relationship with the only woman on earth who seems more vapid and dull than Jessica. But Jessica is taking her potential future in-laws to Olive Garden. It’s kind of a six of one, half dozen of the other situation.
Here’s Jessica and Tony on their way to church in Dallas on June 8th. Images thanks to Splash.
is it wrong that i am still waiting for nick and jess to make up? they make sense to me. (and i think that two kinda talented people might make a actually talented person and the pappa joe would have actual talent to cashin on.)
pretty harsh comment. To me it implies that people who eat at olive garden are poor white trash. Kudos to jessica and tony for acting like regular people and not the stuck up snobs who eat at the Ivy and Mr Chows all the time.
UUUHHH Jaybird,,,look at the town they were in. When I go to Bay city Michigan to visit family guess what…there is no good place to go out and eat,,,Applebys? barf. These people weren’t always famous and the families they left behind still aren’t. Regular eateries make consumable food,,,maybe to be to your liking they should serve 85.00 a serving onion soup. get real.
Meh. I’m not going to hate on them for eating at The Olive Garden. The Garden puts out a good spread!
WTF, she’s wearing a HALTER top to church?
I feel like I have to chime in and defend you. The Olive Garden IS as lame as you’re making it out to be.
Like someone said, they didn’t come from big money so why act like a chain restaurant is anathema to them? It’s not the best for creative cuisine but gets the job done. That said, I do think 3 cheese ziti sounds gross; maybe that’s just b/c I think Olive Garden puts too much cheese on pretty much all of their dishes.
Brad Pitt’s family always liked to go to Red Lobster (per an old interview w/ him) so this is not too surprising.
Come now, can she do nothing right?! When Hillary Swank won the Oscars, where did she go to celebrate? Celebrities are people too, and if eating at one of these places is good for regular people, why are celebrities too good to eat there?
And has it ever occurred to you that Romo and/or his parents could have had some say in where they ate? They seem to be fairly simple and laid back people.
🙂 Take that nasty slur back, Elisha!
How do you know she was taking out the parents? Seems like she met them there. Maybe they were treating her. So stupid that nothing this girl does is right. If she went to Nobu you’d write about what a pretentious bitch she is. So what if she felt like eating at the Olive Garden. Give me a break.
the OG is probably as good as it gets in that town, and I have to say this makes me respect her a little more, for going with the flow and being unpretentious.
At least until some insider leaks that they feuded before, and Olive Garden was almost Jess’ breaking point! …and then I will proceed to call her a bitch. 😆
I don’t think its that big of a deal at all. I think its kinda cool, actually.
I don’t think SHE is cool, however…
Olive Garden – that’s hilarious, and taking a look at her body lately – probably a fairly common stop for her these days
I love Applebees and Olive Garden! You can go to any one of their stores in any city and know what you’re going to get, and generally the food, while not inspired, is pretty decent, especially at Applebees, which has a big, varied menu. Olive Garden not so much, but I love the soup, salad and breadstick special.
It’s probably one of the better places to eat in Janesville, WI. Give ’em a break!
You know, you just can’t win. If you only eat at the Ivy and Mr Chows, you an elitist attention whore. If you eat at Olive Garden, you’re white trash. It’s judgements and generalizations like this that make me question the intelligence of the author. Believe me, if you were in the town I grew up in, you’d be thrilled to eat at the Olive Garden. BTW I have been to all three restaurants, and…dred filled gasp Denny’s too!
It’s wisconsin, they dont have cut or Mr. Chows. Besides, whats wrong with the olive garden? Rich people still eat at Mcdonalds, is that illegal in wealthy land too?
Never take the name of Olive Garden in vain. That place is some good shit.
Screw anyone that doesn’t like the cheddar biscuits from Red Lobster. That shit’s tasty, but then again, I am an elitist attention whore.
To Ron, well I guess you put me in my place. That’s sexy….want to get together for some “Eggs over my hammy?”
Denny’s has, like, the best french fries.
And Applebee’s has a Chicken Ceasar salad I crave.
Man, is anyone else hungry?
In my hometown that was where everyone went before prom. That or Red Robin. Yeah, I guess we’re trash too
No problem with Olive Garden in my poor ass opinion. It may not be chi-chi enough as far as authentic Italian food goes, but it gets the job done in a pretty respectable fashion. Considering all the celebs who chow down at McD’s, for heaven’s sake, Olive Garden is 5-star in comparison.
While I don’t care for J-Simp, I actually like the fact she ate at Olive Garden and even complimented the “chefs” on the way out. For her next regular people excursion, may I suggest Cracker Barrel?
umm what the hell is the big deal, they ate at Olive Garden , just b.c they are celebrities does not mean they have to eat over priced meals all the time. They probably eat Mcdonalds sometimes too.
I should ‘fess up that I love me some Olive Garden… on occasion. The point is just that it’s kinda surprising for someone with Simpson’s money, especially when she’s out with her boyfriend’s parents. Everyone’s gotta eat.
Now – I’ve never been in an Olive Grove, so I can’t comment on it either way. Are we sure that there wasn’t more than just the parents there? The comment mentioned a large family – and four people is hardly a huge group?
But meh – I think you’ve been a bit harsh here Jaybird. I’m willing to bet that it was just a simple family meal, and possibly the “posh impress the parents meal” probably happened earlier in the relationship – at a less gossipy restaurant.
OMG those cheese biscuits at Red Lobster! I like Cracker Barrel too, especially that hash brown casserole and the cherry pancakes. And I think Longhorn puts out a pretty good steak, and you can’t beat the fish sandwiches from Mickey D. Once in awhile I go into WalMart. Finally, I realize what I am – trash – and I can learn to live with it.
As other people have said, what is wrong with Olive Garden? I love their food. I am also a native of Wisconsin (Green Bay), my maternal grandfather was from Janesville and several members of his family still live there – and – GASP! while I’m not aware of what they do every night for dinner, I think it is pretty safe to say that they have eaten at the very Olive Garden Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo ate at. Is the author of this implying I’m trash? I’m pretty poor (like most people) – trash no, thank you very much!
To Steph–I would love to! I am craving a French Slam Brekkie about now 🙂
In a small town, Olive Garden *is* the most high-end restaurant in town. I would kill for an Olive Garden in my sleepy hamlet!
Olive Garden-never,ever-never. I’d rather get a good hot dog at a small place. Good foor doesn’t have to be expensive….but damn-it’s gotta be edible.
I live in a small town in Central Texas… Jessica has family here (one of my old teachers is her aunt) and so one time she came to the movie theater I worked at. She did kind of sneak in the back door but hello, she would probably get attacked if she didn’t. So what I’m sayin is Jessica is down to earth, she will eat at places like Olive Garden. Who the hell cares. To me, OG is actually kinda expensive… 8 or 9 dollars for a salad? Shit, I eat at Jack in the Box – 4 tacos for 2 dollars. Now that’s poor for ya. 🙂
we don’t have a Olive Garden here either- in fact we just got a Montana’s- it’s the place to be right now, lol (not saying it’s the nicest place in town, but it’s the nicest one that’s not in a hotel)
I’m just saying, that I agree with everyone who’s said that it’s prolly the nicest place in town
Gotta say something for small local and ethnic eateries-they are out there-try and look for them!! They need your patronage.
she’s gotten chubbier but i think its REALLY stupid to say “look at her body” that its obvious its a normal stop. come on. she is INSANELY in shape… just cause she has like a normal body fat percentage right now doesn’t mean she’s a lard ass. JEEEZE people
…then I guess I’m more of a redneck than I thought.
People who eat at the Olive Garden don’t suffer under the impression that they’re eating somewhere “nice.” We all know what it is when we go there for dinner. It’s McDonalds for pasta. Sometimes…you just want it.
I’m guessing that a lot of you haven’t been to the state of Wisconsin. Unless you’re in Milwaukee or Madison, Olive Garden is THE Italian restaurant. A lot of people in the Midwest like basic American food, and have basic American incomes, and the OG does decent basic Americanized Italian at a good price. 🙂
I alway make fun of my bf and his “sensitive scandinavian taste buds” because that’s the sort of food he likes (we live in MN) and it’s always a big fight for something more exotic (like Korean).
Don’t get me wrong though, I’ll put away a bowl of the salad and six baskets of breadsticks at Olive Garden on my own.
sue mac, I do agree with you. I like the small ethnic places too. There’s an Australian cafe near me that makes the best shepherd’s pie, but they take about an hour to serve you. Sometimes it’s just easier to go to a chain place, something more than fast food but less then fine food. Beats a PB&J for a quick lunch.
hey man no knocking the yummy inexpensive italian food where you can bring your kids and not feel bad! Endless bowl of salad and breadsticks… if that’s trash honey call me Oscar park my garbage can outside and pass another stick of bread baby….
Personally I consider the fact that she’s wearing a tube-top, skintight jeans, and platform sandals TO CHURCH a muuuuuuch greater ‘crime’ than eating at Olive Garden.
all that money and olive garden is the best they can do?
cheap bastards, both.
Very harsh and insulting comment. While you see a lack of class, I see a young couple with plenty of money just keeping it real. My respect for Jessica just keeps going up. She appears to have matured with a humility we don’t often see with celebrities. You should try lightening up a little with this one.
I’m with those who find it more disturbing that she’s wearing a shoulder-less top to church over eating dinner at Olive Garden. Having grown up in Chicago and passing through Janesville, WI on the way to the Northwoods, I can tel you that OG is probably considered their most upscale eatery. There is simply nothing else around. As a prior poster said, just because TR has become famous, the family he left behind has not. It’s a normal, healthy, fun Friday night for them to eat at OG. I’d let this one go.
Wtf? I have been to olive garden plenty of times and seen nothing but respectable, well-manneqed people. No tie bibs, corn cob pipes or overalls. His family is italian- probably their fave hangout and wanted to get together for a nice, relaxing time- gasp! Do agree about the tacky halter top, though.
Chains just plain don’t serve tasty authentic food. The independant and local eatery is the way to go. I don’t really have an opinion on Simpson (never watched her reality show), but my guess is they chose the OG because she knew what kind of attention she would get. How did small town photographers even know where she was going to eat?
Romo actually has Mexican ancestry, but you know…
I think this article is ridiculous. I’ve read articles about Romo’s parents, and they seem to be very simple people so I don’t think they are above going to Olive Gardens.
And Anne,based on the article it appears that the manager (and possibly the workers) at that restaurant spilled the beans. They would probably have gotten the same kind of press if they had gone somewhere else.After all, it’s a small town.
As for the photo, I’m not sure it’s a tank cause really can’t tell from the photo, but it does look kind of trashy. I’m not one who believes you have to cover up to your nose to go to church, but a girl with Jessica’s boobs really shouldn’t wear tops like that:)
I don’t see why this is a big deal if a month ago Jessica was photographed with her family outside a Chili’s more than once and years ago filmed eating at Tony Roma’s on Newlyweds. Who cares that they eat at a chain? Celebs go all the time to mcdonalds and you dont trash them for being cheap when thats some pretty bad food. Maybe they should have polluted the Earth more and flied his entire family in to LA in a private plane to eat at a ritzy place.
@laura: I draw the line at Chili’s. That shit is ghetto. And “flied”…seriously?
I live in Japan and after 2 years here I am ready to go home ,July 9th!!
They have a Dennys here, but hell no ,not the same shit as back home. The Denny’s menu consists of fried squid and other shit I do not care to mention.
Can’t wait to hit the REAL Denny’s,Applebees and IHOP…rootie tootie breakfast!
in their defense… where else are you going to eat in janesville, wisconsin? there’s no mr. chow’s there
Who wears a strapless to church? Now I ahvn’t been to church since I was 12, but I’m sure people still frown at that kind of outift.
Who’s to say she didn’t wear a cardigan over the top while she was in church and then took it off before going to Olive Garden? And if a bride can get married in a church in a strapless dress, what’s the problem anyway?
For your information it’s 5 cheese ziti not 3 and it’s actually delicious…probabaly one of the best things OG has to offer (and that’s not a lot) hahaha
How do I know this? because I worked at an OG for over a year. I definitely wouldn’t call it trashy though I will say that many of the patrons don’t know how to tip. IT’S 20 % people unless your service was atrocious not 10% and certainly not 5% ugh hahah
Dude, I’ve been to Janesville. That’s pretty swank for Janesville.
ri23…didn’t notice that error at all! Oops, my mistake. :S
Ease up on the Janesville folks. Were just a friendly midwest city. By the way, I wonder why they didn’t jump all over the fact that she went shopping at the strip mall down the road, at Old Navy.
Respect to Ron and Syko! I am a fan of OG AND Denny’s. There are only two in New Zealand and whenever I get in the vicinity of one of them THAT is where we go to eat..
And JS looks FINE, my God people are incredibly judgemental.. nice to see her just being normal…
The pic does not jive w/the description of what JS was wearing to OG, so that’s out excuse-wise.
It’s not about boobage, but no-one should have bare shoulders at church (i guess brided accepted) it’s just not proper. Tube-tops are fundamentally casual/sexy. Houses of worship and clubbing neccessitate different wardrobes!
Seriously, I know this is a “celebitchy” site, but stop insulting my town. Janesville, WI is a great place to raise a family. It has good schools, tons of parks and safe neighborhoods. Unfortunately, we are a small, chain city, and things like Olive Garden are a nice restaurant here. And really, I guarantee every person reading this has eaten at OG – and liked it. Chow does not exist here, and that’s why we live here. We like to visit the glamorous places, but CHOOSE to LIVE here. Stop being petty, mocking Jessica or Tony for their size, where they choose to dine to visit THEIR family. There is an amazing life to be had outside of the Hollywood walls and seriously, OUR local papers barely mentioned the Romo/Simpson entrance.
I know, celebs take the right with their trade for us to watch their every move and are paid well for it. But really, YOU are a person, Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson ARE humans, people, and talented superstars at that. Be nice.
I think it’s unfair that the likes of Jessica Simpson can afford to fly into Sconnie on a whim, but I’ll be scrimping and saving for the better part of the year to go home for Christmas. If I can go home, at all.
I miss Wisconsin. 🙁
(PS – Romo is still a traitor!)
Hey, Olive Garden’s not that bad. Where I live(The MN Suburbs), it’s probably one of the only Italian places near me without going into the Twin Cities. I don’t see the big deal with Jessica eating there, normal people do it all the time.
I live about 20 minutes from that Olive Garden and kudos for them. They weren’t always rich or famous and they are just people. You don’t need to spend 600 dollars to have a good meal and a good atmosphere. Maybe they want to be different from every other celeb couple and just live some of the simple life. A life where you don’t need to go all out for a meal when you can get more and better food at a smaller chain.
Sorry to tell you but Jessica met Tony’s parent back in November for Thanksgiving dinner. They have also been to her home in California. Look at TMZ you will see them coming out of a resturant along with her mother. I don’t think the photog realized that they were Tony’s parents. Tony’s family likes Olive Garden.
Well, look at all the elitist people commenting because JS ate at the OG. Ha! If you had cameras following you 24/7, I’m sure people could comment about all the “white trash” places you eat at. I mean, do you really think that there is going to be a Spagos in the middle of Janesville, Wi? Geez, get a grip. Even Angelina Jolie went to an In And Out Burger after the Oscars, and that was in Hollywood.
Can I use leftover raisin bread? Any suggestions for seasonings?