Good burger at Longhorn Steakhouse

For complex reasons, we ended up going there for dinner last night. Additionally, it was earlier than I'm used to, so I wasn't all that hungry. Decided that all I wanted was their cheeseburger. It was a lot better than I anticipated!

First, they ask you how you want it cooked. Asked the waitress to define their "Medium" and she said that it will still have a lot of pink in it. That's the way I ordered it & that's the way it arrived.

Second, it's human sized. I would guess around 6 oz. before cooking. It was juicy & had good flavor.

Third, they throw a bunch of stuff on it (lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, ketchup, mayo, mustard), but are happy to hold off anything you don't want. My came exactly as I ordered it. I also opted for the extra charge bacon & got 2 thick, cripsy, pepper-coated slices.

This was way above anything I've had at Applebee's, Red Robin, etal. I wouldn't hesitate to go back for another, especially since there's not much in the way of a "killer burger" where we live. I'm surprised as anyone to be writing this post.

I totally agree. They make a very, very good burger.

Longhorn has been one of my reliable backups for a burger in Nashville. It's easily in the top four or five in middle Tennessee.

Longhorn is the best of the moderately-priced chain steakhouses in Evansville. Indiana. I am a big fan of the Outlaw Ribeye, an 18-oz. seasoned steak. It's far more than I should eat, but I can never stop once I start.

We have a Longhorn that opened up in Atlantic City last year, as part of "the Walk" outlet stores.
I've had good luck with their big porterhouse steak , as well... I realize they don't use prime meat or anything, but they have a certain way of spicing up and charbroiling that steak that give it lots of flavor, tenderness, and richness

Also, LOVE their hand breaded chicken fingers; they are only available thru the dinner menu, not as an appetizer. (not to be confused with their boneless chicken wings on their appetizer menu, which I did'tn like so much their version)

Service has always been very friendly. It's funny, cause this location is located right next to Ruths Chris steakhouse, and about 1/3 mile from Morton's, which is inside Caesars.
It's just so much more comfy inside the Longhorn.
At the Longhorn, I can get a tasty steak in an unpretentious atmosphere. (and at half the price of those other joints)

I take my Mom out to dinner about twice or three times a month and she always chooses Longhorn Steakhouse. We have one here just outside of Chicago in Norridge, IL. We always get either the 8oz or 12 oz steak with mashed potatoes and salad. They put a fantastic rub on their steaks that we order called "Prairie Dust". The steak is very tender and a perfect medium when ordered. But by far he mashed potatoes almost knocked me out of my chair. Very good. Now, this is not a high end restaurant along the likes of Gibsons, Mortons, or Weber Grill but I'll be damned that you can't find this quality for this price often.

Their Longhorn Salmon is also surprisingly good. It is always served properly cooked, rather than overcooked, and it is very nicely seasoned. If you order this with a baked sweet potato and a salad, you have one of the healthiest--and tastiest--meals that you could possibly eat in a chain restaurant.

I always brag about the Longhorn!Those Firecracker Chicken Wraps are awesome!

Thanks for the post, Cavandre. There is an area in town, I think it's south Doral (Galloway Road north of the Dolphin Expressway), that is like a slightly-upscale chain restaurant row, and there is a Longhorn there. I am in that area during the day on business once and a while, so it's good to know that a decent burger can be found there at lunchtime.

This thread makes me wonder if LongHorn has some practices that differ from those of other chain steakhouses. Better wages? A more thorough hiring process to get better people? Upper management with a very hands-on approach? Based on what's been written here it sounds like the company has a good plan.

Now Texas Roadhouse, OTOH, must be in cahoots with the BelTone people because I was stone deaf after eating at one once!

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by MiamiDon

Thanks for the post, Cavandre.

Like I said, I really didn't expect it...I thought I was walking in an Outback Wannabe!

Ellen..You do love your beef (medium) and those chicken fingers..Our little Pastrami Queen

I have always heard good things about Longhorn. I never had a bad meal there. Service always excellent and very, very friendly. Underrated...Like Pittsburgh

Hey hey..I've also had some good meals at Outback....Saved our butts in Blowing Rock, NC. But, not as consistant as Longhorn.

When I go there, I opt for the Steak Salad. In fact, its one of the reasons why I do go there.
Love it, and the bread!
Been about 3 years since I have been, and will do so now that I am back here.

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben

Service always excellent and very, very friendly.

AGREED! They seem to do a real good job of training their waitstaff, and hiring and maintaining workers with good attitudes.
Definitely good vibes going on in there. And this is even in Atlantic City, which often as a "rough" image. Everyone at Longhorn has been so nice and welcoming, from the hostess, all the way up to the manager.

If Longhorn corporate executives ever read this thread, they will be proud!!!

Interesting. This is a place I would never think about going to, but based on your opinions I will give it a try.

Lo and behold there are 3 of them within about 10 miles of my house (North Brunswick, Piscataway,Woodbridge) . I'm sure I've passed all of these at one time or another without even noticing.

Caution: Loud music upon opening main website (I hate that, but maybe opening this link instead will not bring on the music)

http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/locator/stateResults.asp?Abbreviation=NJ

Ditto,

So....it apparently wasn't just happenstance. Vacationing recently in Vermont I had a rather nice steak at the Longhorn in Williston. A big rib eye if I remember.

Everything was quite good. And it was all topped off by a superb waitress who managed excellent timing with just the right note of convivialty. I hope the Woodbridge, N.J., location assays similarly when I eventually visit.

The Bear

It's funny to see everyone raving about the service at Longhorn. I think they take it very seriously. I stumbled upon this website: http://www.focusonservice.com/ where you can sign up to be a secret diner at Longhorn and they reimburse you $40 for your dinner. They send you to a specific restaurant in your area during a busy time and you then have to fill out an extensive survey. I've been to the the Woodbridge and New Brunswick, NJ locations doing the secret diner thing and both times the service was exceptional. It also helps that the food there is consistantly good. I love their ribs and burgers, and go through several loaves of their bread.

I have only eaten from a longhorn once. Itt was at the one in Piscataway, NJ. I got a steak sandwich takeout from there and it was absolutely the worst steak sandwich I ever had. Now maybe I didn't get the right thing off the menu or didn't get the true experience because I got takeout, but I have read all these reviews and I can't believe it's the same place. has anyone tried the steak sandwich? Did I just eat at the lone crappy longhorn?

I have eaten @ Longhorn a few times and found their food quite acceptable. The burger thing; while I am sure it is above par has never been a focus of mine for a dinner time visit.

Longhorn steaks have always been OK,the times we've been there...but it would be hard for me to order a hamburger when I go to a steak restaurant...but I bet they're good!!!

quote:

Originally posted by fattybomatty

I have only eaten from a longhorn once. Itt was at the one in Piscataway, NJ. I got a steak sandwich takeout from there and it was absolutely the worst steak sandwich I ever had. Now maybe I didn't get the right thing off the menu or didn't get the true experience because I got takeout, but I have read all these reviews and I can't believe it's the same place. has anyone tried the steak sandwich? Did I just eat at the lone crappy longhorn?

My wife and I stopped at a Longhorn in South Georgia one afternoon for lunch and we both ordered the steak sandwich. My wife had eaten one at our local Longhorn and said how wonderful it was. Mine was great, I enjoyed every bite, hers on the other hand wasn't. The first half she ate was fine, the second tasted like it was cooked too close to the salmon, it had a fishy taste to it.

My wife and I have been eating at Longhorn since we moved to Georgia in 1992. One bad experience in all of those years wont keep us from going back.

Another thumbs up for Longhorn...

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/BIZ/80820018&sfad=1

Interesting article...but how many customers voted...how large a survey???

Never mind,reread the article and see it was "more than 3,100" Is that a fair sampling. I guess so??!!

I've always had a good experience at Longhorn. My only concern is the fact that Darden has now purchased Longhorn, and I wonder if quality will suffer. I hope it wont become the western Olive Garden!

Longhorn was part of RARE Hospitality, which actually owned several mid to high end steakhouse mini chains including Bugaboo Creek and Capital Grille. Darden acquired Longhorn and Capital and RARE sold off their other concepts - Bugaboo went to Charlie Brown's.

Whatis a Bugaboo???

LOL, Roadfood, and a chain topic, and everyone agrees it is pretty decent!

I agree; Longhorn makes a good honest effort to be the best at their niche, and by and large I think they do OK. I prefer them wholeheartedly to their main competitor, Outback.

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Whatis a Bugaboo???

http://www.bugaboocreek.com/

Mosca,

Actually, I disagreed. I'm the lone dissident.

quote:

Originally posted by cavandre

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Whatis a Bugaboo???

http://www.bugaboocreek.com/

Thanks for the info.!!!

Yep, sorry fbm; I missed that.