Outback

[Ohiodislover]

I took my DD to Outback a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't looking forward to it, and had been hearing bad things, but it was her choice. The food was good, and the service decent, but the new prices on the menu were crazy high IMO, and my favorite salad was no longer on the menu. When we got home I sent an Email, saying just that, and in turn was sent a $25 gift certificate.

Fast forward to tonight. DH and I went on a date. Since we were going to a movie, we didn't want to spend a lot, so we thought we would use the certificate.

Tonight's dinner was a fiasco. From the get-go, the waitress seemed rushed. Took forever to get our bar drinks, and the food came really slow. I cut into my meat which was supposed to be rare, and it was well well done. We had noticed the manager going to a lot of tables, and had commented that it wasn't a good sign. The waitress finally came to our table, and I told her about the meat. I had eaten the vegies, and shrimp. She took off w/ my plate before I could say another word. Then the manager came to our table. We told him we really didn't have time to wait on the steak, and he apologized and comped the meal.

Our bill (without alcohol) only came to $17. The manager also comped the bloomin onion. I was too embarrassed to use the certificate we got from the last bad experience, so we just paid cash.

When the waitress brought our change, she also brought a $25 certificate Now I have $50 to eat at a restaurant, which I really have no desire to go back to anytime soon

Its a shame that Outback has gone that downhill--Used to be a family favorite.

 

[happygirl]

The ones here are okay. We don't go often. My sister works at one so she makes sure we get great service

 

[Disneylover79]

We like Outback and we go maybe 2 times a month... but we have noticed that the service and food have gone downhill.... I remember when Outback was the place to go to get steak... now when DBF and I want a good steak we go to Stonewood Grill and get a NY strip... they are great... granted it is a bit expensive but worth it....

 

[schmitty]

Ill take the gift certificates.

 

[Kimberly]

I've had mixed service there as well. Sometimes my steak will come charred or extremely red, and I like mine medium. They really do seem to have some on and off nights there...

They do seem to do much better with the curbside though, so you can always do that. The downside with me doing that is that the food is usually on the cooler side by the time I make it home.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We gave up on Outback after Valentine's Day. The last 2 times we have eaten in we have had horrible service with mediocre food. We had already given up on the "to go" service because we were getting low quality steaks but now we are officially done. Too bad since DH loves their tiger dill sauce.

My Dad had an upscale restaurant when I was growing up so I am a total steak snob. For the prices Outback charges you wouldn't expect a steak tougher than one at Golden Corral.

OP - glad you at least got a gift certificate. I emailed corporate twice - once about the takeout and once about the dine-in service and never got so much as a canned reply.

 

[MScott1851]

We just got home from eating at Outback for the first time in about two years. It was actually pretty good... DH had a sirloin, I had Alice Springs Chicken, and we got the 'sample' sized Chocolate Thunder from Down Under (which was big enough for both of us to share) for dessert.

I think our meal came to $34, mine was good and DH was quite pleased with his steak.

We used to avoid Outback for the same reasons you listed: expensive for what you get, and bad service. I'm glad we were pleasantly surprised tonight.

 

[LadyZolt]

At least we know it's not just us. We have found it sub-par the last two times we went, and we used to really enjoy eating there for special occasions. Not any more.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[Parkers_girl]

I've noticed that Outback is a hit or miss. Sometimes we go and it's phenomenal, great food and service. And then other times it's a complete waste of money, cold food or not cooked to order and really crappy service.

 

[frisco]

and we got the 'sample' sized Chocolate Thunder from Down Under (which was big enough for both of us to share) for dessert.

I agree. The Thunder has always been my favorite dessert. I decided to try the sampler a few weeks back and it was plenty big. No real difference between that and the regular size.

Outback used to be my favorite restaurant, but it really is hit or miss lately. Of all the chain steakhouses, when their bread is good, it's the best. However, more often than not, it's either overcooked or cold.

 

[kldmom2000]

Chiming in to agree about Outback going downhill.... we don't go to dinner very often at all, esp. without our kids.... that's a rare event. Anyhow....

Last October, DH and I went for our wedding anniversary w/o our kids. First, our server never remembered to bring our appetizer until our meal was ready.... so we ended up cancelling the app. My chicken was not cooked through and I had to send it back.... DH's steak was practically raw and he'd ordered it Medium Well That got sent back too. It took forever to get our meals back. The server knew it was our anniversary and felt bad that we'd had a horrible experience, so she said that dessert was on the house.... DH went to order one thing, and I ordered something else... she said "Oh no, just ONE dessert that you can share"... We got a slice of cheesecake to go...Oh, and the $$$ have gone up a lot!

We gave it another try @ a different Outback in February. DH's favorite drover's platter is no longer available, but the server checked to see if they could do it (Ribs and chicken). They could. It was brought out and the ribs were literally ICE cold. It was as though they'd taken them out of the freezer and forgot to cook them???? They got sent back. I felt odd eating my meal as DH just sat there....took at least 20 min. for his meal to arrive at which point, I was done and sat while he ate his

I have no desire to give it another attempt

 

[MushyMushy]

I see such a difference in Outbacks in different areas. There's one I wouldn't go to if you paid me, but another one that still has great service and food.

Now with us, we've been having bad luck at Longhorn. We love that place -- love their steaks, soups, sides, everything. But something is always wrong when we go. In just two years, we've gotten, on separate occasions, FOUR $30 gift cards from them. The last time it happened, we just gave the gift card to my son so he and his GF could have a decent evening out without having to do fast food. They loved it.

 

[mousey]

I couldn't believe they raised the price of the aussie cheese fries to 7.95 and give you a kiddie portion! My biggest problem is their call ahead seating. One time we called ahead and waited over an hour when we got there!!

 

[Christine]

I agree that it is very hit or miss there; however, I really haven't noticed the prices being sky high. The filet mignon was ALWAYS expensive. I stopped ordering the steaks their because they often have a "gamey" taste to me. I do better with the Alice Springs Chicken and the Grillers.

I will say that two years ago when we went to Disney, we went to an Outback offsite. It was the ONLY restaurant that did not have an long wait. Compared to the Outback I go to in Virginia, it was remarkably better.

 

[sunnyday123]

I love ours-I've never had a bad steak there. Guess it depends on the location??


I would sell my soul for the receipe to their ceaser salad dressing .

 

[irishbosoxfan]

We love Outback!

I get the sirloin with a loaded baked potato and the Blue Cheese Chopped salad(OMG this is so good!)

We don't go very often because we have a few kids(only 1 is still young enough for the Joey Menu) and it can be expensive so we save it for special occasions.

I also love the Alice Springs Chicken but don't like to order it because I'm going there for steak. Weird right!

 

[Anne34]

At least we know it's not just us. We have found it sub-par the last two times we went, and we used to really enjoy eating there for special occasions. Not any more.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

I have to agree -- the food and service at our Outback have gone really far downhill in the last year or so. We haven't been in over 6 months (and we go out to dinner every Sat. night) because it hasn't been very good lately & when you're paying $100 for a family of 5 -- you want good food and service!!

 

[LadyEMT]

Too bad since DH loves their tiger dill sauce.

Hey, Clarabelle, try this:

Outback Steakhouse Tiger Dill Sauce

1/4 C. Mayonnaise
3 tsp. Prepared Horseradish
3/4 tsp. Sugar
1/4 tsp Dill Weed

Found it on several website.

 

[pigletgirl]

Yeah I totally agree!

 

[IHeartTink04]

We love Outback, it is our favorite!

Our steak quality has been going down a little bit the last times.
We usually can eat there for less than $50.