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Step 1
Ask about the dish you like at the restaurant that serves it. If you come straight out and ask for the recipe, they probably will not give it to you. However, you can find out a lot by asking smaller questions. Start with a compliment and ask why or how the dish turns out so good. Asking something like, "This sauce is fantastic, what gives it that little kick?" may get you that secret ingredient that you are missing.
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Step 2
Visit a restaurant's website and look for recipes. Some restaurants, like Olive Garden, offer a select number of recipes on their website. You may not always find what you are looking for, but you can rest assured that these recipes are authentic.
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Step 3
Search using a general search engine. Typing in "Olive Garden recipes" or whatever restaurant you want to find recipes for can result in websites that have exact recipes or good estimations.
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Step 4
Check cooking forums and online communities. There are several other home chefs that are probably looking for the same recipe you are and maybe even a few that have figured it out. Forums and web communities are a great way to share recipes, but it is difficult to search for a specific recipe in these communities.
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Step 5
Try specialty websites and books. There are several sites that provide recipes that are exact or similar to recipes from many popular restaurant chains.
