Who Wants to Play Pin the Tail on the Kangaroo?
Written: Oct 04 '06
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Pros: Food quality, portions, service
Cons: Lines
The Bottom Line: If you want a good steak and potato type of meal, be sure to eat here.
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| toiletoctopus's Full Review: Outback Steakhouse |
I've never been to Australia, but its on my list of countries to visit, before I stay a stroll by the pool. It is known for its warm hospitality, Crocodiles, Kangaroos, Koala Bears, Boomerangs, history as a island for prisoners, Steve Irwin, Crocodile Dundee, and rednecks with accents. Sadly, Mr. Irwin passed away a couple of weeks ago, but his memory and goodwill for conservation will always be remembered. He was a true icon for the protection of the environment, and a true ambassador for this great country.
My first meeting with an Australian started off rather rough, as I was a boy scout at a weeklong camp. While surviving off of Spam and Tin foil dinners, I came down with a rather nasty infection. Eventually I passed out from exhaustion, and was brought to the camp's infirmary. When I woke up, I observed that there was a beautiful blonde nurse taking care of me, and this was pure Heaven for an adolescent. She spoke with a beautiful accent, and I told her that I "truly loved women from Great Britain." She happened to mention that she was from Australia, and she didn't seem to pleasant after that.
I'll admit that I was naive, and I now understand a little more about the love between Britons and Australians now. There's a old joke, where three Australians are drowning in the ocean, after their vessel capsized. A British naval boat sees them, and comes to their location. The British Captain sees these three men struggling for dear life in the water, and tells them that he will rescue each of them, as long as they can correctly answer a simple question. To the first one he asks, "What is the greatest maritime accident of all time?" The Australian guesses correctly the Titanic, and is welcomed aboard. The second man in the water is asked how many perished in that accident, and he correctly guesses around 1500. He is welcomed aboard, and is happy to have a towel to warm him up. The British captain asks the third one "to name the victims."
The Outback Steakhouse chain, is based off of a Australian concept, and I think its a little bit silly in this regard. Their commercials on the telly, with the exception of the ones involving Rachel Hunter, are boring in every sense of the word. Their radio commercials are obnoxious, and have a fake Australian announcer, who tells you to take your Mum to the restaurant for Mothers Day. I want to throw a boomerang at this fool, who I'm sure has a collection of shaved Koala bears.
Thankfully, at least their restaurants are pretty laid back when it comes to this Australian theme. Every location has been just a regular place, to get a steak with a cold beer.(Which is why I like them) There are plenty of Outback Steakhouses around, and since their founding in 1988, they have become an international business. In addition to sit down restaurants, they offer carryout and catering, and a few of their establishments have delivery options. If you are interested in learning more about these aspects of the business, or want to have your own shirt or knife, feel free to check out their website at www.outback.com.
Appetizers
There are a total of nine choices, and there are some really good starters here. My personal favorite is the Bloomin Onions, which cost $6.19. This is a great value, as the servings of these battered/fried onions are large, and the special sauce is addictive. If there was ever a category for pure, unadulterated cholesterol, this appetizer would be the winner. The onions are cut into small strips, similar to French Fries, and they are always nicely fried. If you have problems with onions making you cry, the frying process takes away all of the pain. They are always a little bit crunchy, and this is a good pick for three-four diners. In my humble opinion, this is the best appetizer I've ever had, and I usually go with this.
Another healthy choice, that will be sure to cause your physician to collapse, is the Aussie Cheese Fries. This costs $6.99, and the portions of these are huge. A family will be satisfied with these before the main course comes out, and these fries are generously topped with melted cheeses.(Monterey Jack/Cheddar)In addition to these cheeses were always perfectly fit on top of the fries, is bacon bits, and a side of Ranch Dressing. They have always been steaming hot, so you'll always need to fight the temptation for a few minutes after they arrive. The fries have a nice cut to them, and the layering presentation is beautiful on this product.
Do you like Shrimp? There are a few selections to pick from here, which is awesome considering this is just the appetizer section! The best one is the Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp, which rings in at $8.19. Yes, it is expensive, but you get what you pay for. It is 6 nuclear sized battered shrimp, which are rolled in Coconut, and served with special sauce. This is a great pick for seafood lovers, and this will fill you up. The other shrimp starter is the Grilled Shrmp on the Barbie, which is also above average. I don't like it as much as the coconut variety, but its still a wonderful choice, and it is priced at $8.19 as well. Most of the time it has been perfectly grilled, but on one trip there the shrimp was a little cold in the middle.
If you have kids who are fans of chicken, I'd recommend the Jassies Buffalo Chicken Strips. These large pieces of breaded chicken have a little bit of spice, but won't overwhelm anyone who's a bit sensitive to hot foods. The portions are quite good, and they are served with celery and Bleu Cheese. This appetizer costs $6.99, and is a crowd pleaser as it is a safe pick. Sadly, their Kookaburra Wings, aren't so good, and come in Mild, Medium, and Hot flavors. They cost $6.99, and I'd avoid them. They are little pieces of chicken, without a lot of flavor, even for the hottest blend. These are also unbelievably messy, and were overloaded with the sauce the last time we had these.
Rounding out the appetizers, are the Bushman Shrooms. They cost $6.99, and they are an average selection. It's possible that this is due to the fact that I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms. They've always been nicely fried, and the basket size is quite good. If you are a Crab fan, there are a couple of choices, neither of which I've sampled. There are the Darlig Point Crab Cakes, which cost $8.89. If you like Crab Dip, you can order the Coral Reef Crab Dip, which costs $7.79. It comes with Honey Wheat toast for dipping, and has cheese, corn, pepper, and spices mixed in with the Crabmeat. I'm going to try this on my next visit, and it does look quite appetizing on the menu picture.
Soups/Salads
I'm sorry, but as a member of the Meat and Potato Hall of Fame, this is not generally what I order when eating here. I have had one of their side salads with a meal, and I was impressed with the freshness of the ingredients, and how many different toppings there were. The presentation of just this "regular side salad" was excellent, and it made me even hungrier. The toppings were nicely added on, and the different colors of cheese on top were a nice touch. You can pick a lot of different salad dressings, but I went with the ever exciting Ranch.
The Clam Chowder is quite good, and reminds me of the stuff found at Boston Harbor. Not quite as good, but almost! There were plenty of clams in the batch I dined on, and the broth was thick in the way its supposed to be. It was also fresh, and didn't have the canned taste that plenty of restaurants formula has. A cup of this costs $3.99, and the bowl is a dollar extra. The Soup of the Day is a dollar cheaper, and usually it is Chicken Vegetable when I've been there. I'm not a fan of that flavor, so I usually just pass, or go to their Clam Chowder. They also give you lots of crackers to go with it as well, and a lot of restaurants are known to be stingy in this regard.
I've never had any of their house salads, but my friend did have the Steakhouse Salad on one visit. It's a bit pricey at $11.99, but I'll admit that it is huge. Plus, Outback doesn't try to cut corners by offering two little pieces of steak, and a lot of greens. There were at least ten nicely cut strips of steak on the salad, and the portions are unbelievable. I could almost eat healthy if each meal was like this, and the amount of cheeses, tomatoes, onions, and peppers is remarkable. If you like Caesar Salads, they offer their version for $9.00. It is served with either grilled shrimp or chicken, and is a healthier item than what's on a lot of their menu.
The one salad that will not win any awards from health fanatics, is the Queensland Salad. I cannot believe how huge this is, and a diner near me ordered this and ate the whole thing. This has got to be the biggest salad ever prepared, and considering the other salads fine ingriedients, I'm sure its quite tasty. It costs $10.99, and its main topping is spicy chicken. There are loads of mixed greens, cheeses, vegetables, etc. On the very top of it, is a large serving of bacon and eggs. This cannot be good for one's cholesterol, but I consider it to be the king of all salads! According to one of the waitstaff, its a very popular item.
Side Items
Outback Steakhouses could use a little more variety here, but considering their overall quality, I won't complain too much. My favorite sides are the French Fries, and the divine Sweet Potato. I consider these to be excellent choices with their steak entrees, and the fries are usually what I go with. They won't overwhelm your palate, but they are seasoned with something that suspiciously tastes like Old Bay Seasoning. These fries are quite crispy, and have always been perfectly cooked. You don't need Ketchup with them, as their flavor is above average. The Sweet Potato is great if you are in an adventurous mood, and the butter and cinammon mixed in is truly delicious. It's already split open for you when served, and is packed with flavor that goes well with any steak or chicken entree.
The Mashed Potatoes are always a good choice, but they aren't lumpy like the ones my favorite aunt used to make. They give you plenty of this item, and the Baked Potato is decent as well.(Albeit, a little boring, as that can be had at any time) You can always get the Broccoli, which is George W. Bush's favorite item. I like the Steamed Veggies, as they have plenty of flavor, while being the healthiest item on the menu. This is my way of compromise, and they are always served piping hot. The Side Salad is a wonderful selection as well, and with each of the steak entrees, you get to select two of these items with your meal. They can also be purchased seperately, with prices ranging from $1.99-$3.99 for each.
Drinks
I know I'm boring, but on most trips to Outback Steakhouse, I'm content with a glass of ice water. There water must be filtered, as it is really good, and they always give you lots of ice cubes. If you are underage, or don't consume alcoholic beverages, you can choose from sodas, juices, or coffee.(Don't drink it. This is worse than Taster's Choice.) This chain features a lot of beers and wines, and the waitstaff has been excellent in helping out to pick the perfect wine for a meal. Usually I like red wine with one of their heavier meals, and the prices are reasonable compared to a lot of their competitors. Please drink responsibly, and don't drink and drive.
The Steaks, What Outback is Known for.
You might laugh, but I sometimes like simplicity when eating out. I'm also cheap as well, and that is why I usually order the Outback Special. This is a 12 oz sirloin cut steak, which costs $14.99. This is a fantastic steak, and the seasoning and cut have always been spectacular. Many of my friends and colleagues agree with me now, that this is the most flavorful and moist steak that is on the menu. If the word succulent has to be used, then this is the item that should be associated with it. This is the steak of all steaks, and I love it cooked Medium Rare. Each time I've ordered it, the cooks have been right on the money, and this steak glistens pink when cut with a knife. No hard work is necessary in cutting it, and the seasoning on this beef is delicious. If you want a smaller size, you can order a 9 oz of this for $12.99. The 14 oz size is to be recommended, so you can guarantee you'll be full/satisfied when you pay the bill.
The Prime Minister's Prime Rib is another wonderful treat, and this comes in a variety of sizes and pricing options. Sometimes this can be found under one of their specials, and this is a great time to purchase one of these. The 8 oz size costs $15.99, 12 oz is $17.99, and the 16 oz goes for $19.99. You gotta go with the biggest size, and I also do this Medium Rare as well. My biggest complaint with Prime Rib, is that it usually has more fat content than actual select points of meat. This is the opposite here, as there's only a limited amount of fat with each serving. The meat is tender, pink, and delicious in every sense of the word. I've also had this once rare, and while good, I think it is a bit better one step up. The cut of this product has been done beautifully, and it looks great served with two of their side items.
The Melbourne is their "King of Steaks", and I've not had it. It's a 20 oz Porterhouse, and it costs $23.99. It is a beast, but I'm not a fan of Porterhouses generally. Their Rockhampton Ribeye is 14 ozs, and costs $18.99. I've had it once, but not had it since, due to it being average at best. The quality was really good, but I found it to be a bit loaded with fat, and it just lacked something I was looking for. The Ayers Rock Strip is a 14 oz New York Strip Steak, and it costs $18.99 as well. This is a much better value, and the cut of this steak is really good. This is a fairly tender steak as well, although not as much as the Sirloin is. I've had this a few times, and I usually have this cooked Medium, since it seems to be the ideal temperature for this steak.
I love the Outback Rack, which is 14 oz of New Zealand Lamb. It's a bit expensive, at $21.99, but it goes along well with the saying of "you get what you pay for." With this, you are getting a delicious product that will leave you hungry for more. It is really tender, and has a taste with a little bite to it. Nothing overwhelming, but just enough to wake up your taste buds. The Victoria's Crowned Filets I have not tried, but they are tenderloin steaks topped with Bleu Cheese or Horseradish Crumbs. I'm not sure about this, which is why I've steered(pardon the pun) towards their more conventional products. A 7 oz steak of this will cost you $18.99, and the 9 oz variety sells for $20.99. Whenever I get in a really adventurous mood, I might try this sometime.
Grilled on the Barbie Line
There are three items in this, and I'm pleased with all of them. My favorite is the Drover's Platter, which is smoked, barbecued ribs, with a grilled chicken breast. This mouthwatering meal is generously portioned, and will make most offensive linemen happy. The barbecue sauce used on this is really good, and much better than the stuff I use on my grill. It's sweet, without knocking you out, and has a little bit of smoky flavor influences as well. Its perfect, and I like how the ribs just pull apart without any effort. They are of the moist variety, and will leave you looking for plenty of napkins due to their messy texture. The chicken has never been dry, and it's obvious that it has been sitting in marinade long enough to capture the flavor throughout. It costs $16.99, and is served with Fries and Cinammon Apples.
The other two choices are the chicken or the ribs, and I like the combination that the Drovers Platter offers. The choice of chicken($11.99) comes with steamed vegetables, and its pretty good by itself. The Ribs still runs $16.99, is larger in size, and comes with French Fries and Cinammon Apples. As I stated earlier I like the Fries, and the Cinammon Apples are quite a tasty morsel. They have a nice texture and flavor, and really are a dessert item. These are quite addictive, and I've been known to get them as an extra side item.
Outback Grillers Line
I've had the Steak Griller, which is a slab of steak served over seasoned rice and grilled vegetables. It costs $14.99, and it is an average menu item. While the steak was quite good, as all of theirs are, I wasn't too thrilled with the rice. It lacked any flavor, and it tasted like that stuff that you microwave.(ie.boil in the bag rice, from Safeway Grocery Stores) It was also too starchy, and stuck to my fork. The vegetables were good, but I felt that this meal is overpriced at $14.99. At least the pineapple on top of the steak was a nice touch, and the side salad made sure that I was full for the meal. You can also choose Shrimp at $13.99, or Chicken at $12.99 for this line of meals.
Botany Bay Catches Line
I never thought I would go to an Outback Steakhouse, for anything but beef products. In fact, when they added a lot of seafood products to the menu, I asked the question, "Who would eat that?" Now, I'm happy to announce that I am, and I like their variety of seafood. While it won't compare to places such as Legal Seafoods, and McCormick and Schmick's, they have a good selection at reasonable prices.(Which is not easy to say at those other places, even though they have more to choose from) While I generally still stick to the steaks, as they are my favorite, I do like a lot of these products. Do look for specials here, as sometimes Outback will offer lower prices on some of these items, or as add-ons with entrees.
The Hearts of Gold Tilapia is a great value at $13.99, and is great for people who want something mild. Tilapia doesn't taste too "fishy", and this one is flaky and nicely cooked. The filet has artichokes on top of it, with tomatoes, onions, and lemon sauce. This is a really good item, and the portions on it are good enough for even the hungriest of consumers. This is fairly new to their menu, and I believe with its high quality, it must be a excellent seller. Try this with white wine, as it seems to go perfectly with this meal.
The Atlantic Salmon is good ,but its salmon after all. Its something you have on probably an almost weekly basis, and its a bit overpriced at $14.99. I would guess that its about a 3/4 lb size, and its grilled with steamed vegetables on the side. I had this once, and it was cooked right. However, I find Salmon a bit bland, so I haven't had it since. The Fish of the Day is at the same price, and expect the usual Sea Bass, Sea Trout, Mahi Mahi, Bluefish, etc. These are also served with the steamed vegetables, and a delicious dinner roll.
The other fish item that I like, also happens to be Tilapia. Their Royal Port Tilapia is an excellent choice, but ask for it without the mushrooms. The one time I had it with them on the fish, the mushrooms tasted like they just came out of a can. While I'm not huge on mushrooms, they lacked freshness, and did damage to the overall taste of the meal. Ask for this without them, and enjoy the Tilapia topped with Vegetables, Crawfish, and Shrimp. It is a wonderful meal, and while the fish itself is mild, the seasoning has a bit of spice to it. This is for someone a little more adventurous, but who doesn't want a risky meal proposition. It costs $14.99.
The Boomerang Shrimp runs $14.99, and I like how many shrimp you get with it. There must be at least twenty fried shrimp on the plate, and its served with French Fries for a 1-2 fried health punch. This is one of the best looking meals they have, as the shrimp are "standing up" on the plate when it comes out. There is that fancy garnish lettuce on the plate, and the sauce is in the middle, with tartar and cocktail to choose from. This is a really good meal, and while probably not the most healthy, it has plenty of flavor. A lot of restaurant's fried product lose their flavor, but not this item. Plus, the cocktail sauce is really good, and tastes as if it comes from a much more expensive restaurant.
I haven't had the Lobster Tails, but my brother has. Since I'm a true New Englander, I have to eat the whole thing. These are steamed or grilled, whatever you prefer. They cost $21.99, which is way overpriced in my opinion. My brother really enjoys these, and gets them steamed every time we go to the restaurant as a family. He does agree that these will not fill you up, and we are usually fighting over the appetizers. They are served with plenty of butter, and can also be an add-on for a lot of the entrees.
Desserts
Outback Steakhouse doesn't have a lot of choices(5), but what they have is really good. They have the usual cakes and pies, but I always go with their ice cream treats. My favorite is the Sydney's Sinful Sundae, which costs $3.99, and is probably the worst thing you can eat. It's a large portion of vanilla ice cream, rolled in coconut, and has a chocolate sauce. Whip Cream is on the top, and this is truly a dessert of champions. The mix of these different items leads to a unique taste, and this is one of the best desserts I've had at any restaurant. Two people could probably be happy with this, as there's nothing small about it.
Another interesting dessert offered by this chain, is the Cinammon Apple Oblivion. I just love the name of it, and its well worth its expensive price tag of $4.99. Its vanilla ice cream, topped with Cinnamon Apples and Pecans, and loaded down with a large layer of Caramel. Yes, its evil, but its so darn good. The portioning on this will also make two people happy, as I had a difficult undertaking in finishing this off.(I'm a big eater) The rest of their desserts are in the $3.00-$7.00, and these are my two standbys that I'm not changing from anytime soon.
Kids Menu, Joey
If you bring the rugrats with you, there are plenty of choices for them as well. The Joey Menu has the usual favorites of Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Burgers, Steaks, Hot Dogs, Chicken Fingers, etc. These meals cost between $4-$7, and all are served with a side and a beverage. I've had dinner here with a few little ones, and even the portions for them are quite large. I was impressed that they made that kind of effort, to guarantee that our kids had enough to eat without being hungry and grumpy later. They also have activities for the kids to do while waiting for the food. There are coloring books with crayons, involving themes of Australia, or the kids can play "Pin the Tail on the Kangaroo." The Crocodile Pit is interesting, just don't let your little ones get too close!
Lines, Lines, Lines
If you go here during peak periods of Friday and Saturday night, expect to wait in line for awhile. We've had the unfortunate experience of this a couple of times, and the wait time was well over a half hour. Ever since those two trips from Hell, I've decided to always go on a more laid back weeknight instead. I have to admit that during busy periods, even after waiting in line, I was impressed that the quality of service was still there. Obviously, they are smart enough to guarantee this, no matter what time you come to the restaurant.
Hosts/Hostess
Usually, when greeted at the front doors, I'm used to "What the Hell do you want?" I'm just kidding, that's only when I go to Denny's. Most of the time at a sit down restaurant, the host or hostess quickly determines your smoking preference, and sits you down. I like the hostess that is at our Outback Restaurant, as she is very friendly and helpful. She doesn't seem annoyed by guests,as she's been welcoming, polite, and eager to assist anyone with a question. During busy periods, I don't know how she's kept her sense of humor, but she does and has been able to keep angry guests reasonable.
Although its usually the same person, I've been impressed by the hosts/hostesses at each location. They actually SMILE, which makes a huge difference from the beginning of a dining experience. They have been able to score us a non smoking table without any complaints or issues, and have even taken the drink order on a few occasions. The last time, she actually brought our drinks out! They are really good about not double or triple seating the waitstaff as well, which has been a big problem with a lot of the chain restaurants in our area. All that does is lead to subpar service, and a tired service professional.
The Ambiance
The local Outback Steakhouses have a variety of music playing, and seem to favor a lineup of Bruce Springsteen, The Cars, and Aerosmith. I like these music selections, and I'm especially happy that they don't blast your ears out. The volume is at a reasonable level that guarantees you can talk/hear with guests at your table, and not have to yell your order out. These restaurants are a bit loud though, as they are usually almost always nearly filled to capacity. The soundproofing material in each does little to reduce the noise, but its not overwhelming enough to be a real disturbance.
Each of our Outback Steakhouses are very simple. There aren't any bright colors or large life size pictures of athletes. I kind of like this, as it is a welcome change from a lot of chain restaurants offerings. Ours have some simple paintings, a lot of finished wood on the walls and floors, and plenty of windows. The Smoking and Non-Smoking sections are far away from each other, which guarantees you won't have to choke over smoke while enjoying a steak. The layout is simple as well, and all places in the restaurant are labelled.
Service With a Smile
I've been very happy here, and my worst experience was quite positive. During one visit, the waiter would drop off items, and then disappear. The entree came out right after the appetizer was delivered, and the waiter never really checked on us until then. We didn't have the necessary sauces, and our drinks weren't refilled on a timely manner. I was going to become a bit upset, although not completely annoyed, when our waiter displayed enough intuition to know something was wrong. He brought his manager over, who explained that our waiter was new, and that we would be getting a discount on our bill. Our waiter didn't have to have the guts to admit he was new, or to get the manager involved, but he did. I admired the young man's courage, and I was quite happy.
Every other time, I have been amazed by the level of service. I would expect this kind of service in a much more expensive restaurant, and whatever training program they have, is a great one. I actually joke that the service is so good, that I might have a stalker that may have to be served with a restraining order. The wait staff is always timely in getting and bringing a drink order, and then starting you with an appetizer. Just before the appetizer is when the entree order is placed, and then the starter meal is out in usually about 10 minutes from sit down. Another 10-15 minutes the entree arrives, and this is just perfect sequencing of food items. This is probably the best in the business, and it should be a role model for other companies.
Most of the waitstaff is college aged, and I love the enthusiasm that these young people have. Obviously, most of them are very intelligent, and are knowlegeable of a large list of subjects. This allows a lot of them to have a sophisticated sense of humor, and our family has enjoyed the work of some of these individuals. In addition to their pleasant demeanor, they can tell you the pros and cons of each menu item, and what drink goes well with it. They remember each price without looking, and are well informed of the daily specials.
The level of service is consistent as well, and they are very good about checking up on you, after the food has been delivered. Drinks have generally been always refilled as soon as needed, and all of the sauces/sides have been delivered flawlessly. I like how the staff places the plates on their arms when being brought to you, as this is much more interesting than seeing your food on a tray. It's also led to a couple of broken plates, but this is kind of exciting! The kids appreciate this, and I've been pleased with how the waitstaff is attentive to their needs as well. Each time a child is sat at a table, either the host/hostess or server brings the kids stuff almost immediately. It almost makes me want to hire them, to help out at the house!
Seating Accomodations and the Bar
I like their seats, and I recommend getting a booth if possible.(Especially with a family) The cushions on the back are "just right", and allow for comfortable eating without hurting your back. They are also wide enough to allow a larger diner to sit in comfort as well, and the leg room is above average. There's no annoying center post to get in the way, and table has plenty of room for plates, glasses, silverware, etc. The regular chairs and tables are pretty good, but they aren't quite as comfortable. The legroom is about the same, and both places are fine for most diners.
The bar is a bit weak. While I've been happy with the service, I'm a bit disappointed with the strength of the beverages. I'm not sure if I can prove a direct conspiracy, but their mixed drinks don't seem to have that much of the "good stuff" in each of them. I'm not sure if they are truly skimming each beverage, but they don't have the knockdown power of a Long Island Ice Tea like you'd get at a TGI Friday's. Stick to beers here, as they do have a good selection of imports and drafts.(All nicely chilled, and served from the bottle or a frosted glass)
The bar scene is below average as well. If I were single, I wouldn't go here, as the only women sitting there are chain smoking versions of Laverne and Shirley. Its a generally a nice laid back crowd of mostly government workers, and you won't see a major fight scene at one of their locations.(Which is a plus, in my opinion) The bar has a few televisions, and its not a good place to catch a game. The audio is turned down almost to mute, and the screens are so small, that it is hard to see any kind of sports action.
Is it Clean?
YES! I'm thrilled about Outback Steakhouse in this regard, as they are one of the best I've seen. The dining room tables are constantly cleaned by a large staff, and the floors are clear from food and other debris. All of the silverware and glasses have been sparkling clean, and the bathrooms are spotless with all of the necessary essentials. The windows of the restaurant appear to be cleaned daily, and the exterior of each is free from any trash strewn about. If you know someone who's almost compulsive about cleaning, this is the place for them to eat dinner.
Hours are Strange
Each location can set its own hours, and the one near my house is a bit odd. Monday thru Thursday they are open from 4pm-10pm. On Fridays and Saturdays their hours are 2-11 pm, and on Sunday they have business between 12-10pm. All locations vary, but all of their locations have the longest hours on the weekend nights.
Odds and Ends
Do you like merchandise? If you want an Outback shirt or hat, go to their website.(www.outback.com. Its a bit expensive, and there are shipping charges, but you can find all of the restaurant apparel and stuff there.(Including signature steak knives) You can also purchase gift cards online, which are a nice present during the holidays, or a way to budget yourself from stopping here too often! They are available in any amount as well.
Final Thoughts
I really like Outback Steakhouse, and think its a great family restaurant. The same group that owns them, also is in charge of Carraba's and Bonefish Grill. They obviously have a lot of experience, and I like how they are so committed to providing high quality food for a reasonable price. I've been very satisfied with their wonderful menu and outstanding service, and I will continue to go to Outback for a great steak and potato type of meal. This chain gets the coveted Toiletoctopus Seal of Approval, and I will be going back to one later this week.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Go with the steaks, as they are the signature item. Also try to go during off-peak periods, because that''s when the service is incredibly good. Avoid the bar, and go to the general seating area. Its more comfortable, and be assured, your steak will be cooked how you order it.
Best Suited For: Romantic Evening
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