Outback Steakhouse

Personally, I tkink it's the best chain in the Country. Opinions?

I've been a few times.  First one I ever ate at was in Daytona.  I had no idea it was a chain because I'd never heard of it prior to that.
 
I really like the pork chops with the apricot/horseradish sauce.  At least that's what I think the sauce is.  It might be that Outback is the only place I've found that serves pork chops.
 
I tried the prime rib at Outback once.  What was I thinking?
 
As far as chains go, I really like a local chain here in the Los Angeles area.  It's called Woodranch.   However I think that I like their sides better than I like their main dishes.  Maybe it's just their drinks.

Who in the world would ever go to a, God forgive me for saying the word, chain?

Aretha Franklin?

What, or who, is that?

 

I do like the steaks at Outback and the barbq at Woodranch.

I have been to Outback many many times and never had anything to complain about. We just got a gift card as a present today so I guess we'll be going back soon.

Outback is OK for what it is. If you ever get a chance at a step up at the same chain owned restaurants, try Flemings.
They have the Chop you are looking for also. Outback is for family and Flemings is above that.
But the best Steak chain in the nation is Doe's Eat.
My opinion only.

 
Not a big fan of Outback.  They seem extremely over-seasoned.....and I'm a fan  of a good dose of seasoning. 
 
Glenn
 
 

When I traveled a lot and before I knew of Roadfood they were one place i knew I could get a decent meal and not ptomaine.  My first was in West Virginia and I could not imagine what the bloomin' onion was they were serving the next table.  I cut off the Martini's right there and then. 
 
Their headquarters is here in Tampa so there is an Outback on every other corner, the other corner has a Carrabbas. 
 

I have always been a fan of Outback but a few years ago, they did something different with their steak and it now seems that it is crispy out on the outside and highly seasoned.
 
Even though they are a steak place, everytime they have the halibut, I always get it.  I am not sure how they cook it but it is delicious.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

the ancient mariner

Their headquarters is here in Tampa so there is an Outback on every other corner, the other corner has a Carrabbas. 

 
Could be because they have the same corporate parent.  Once you do the market research on an area once, why not use it twice?

mar52

I've been a few times.  First one I ever ate at was in Daytona.  I had no idea it was a chain because I'd never heard of it prior to that.

 
At one time, and I don't know if this is still true, the Daytona store was the highest grossing Outback in the entire chain.  
 
I have an ex who was on the corporate track at Outback a few years back.  Got decent inside poop on the corporate side of things.   While my feelings on most chains are no secret, Outback does a pretty good job - for what they do.  I was pretty happy when she switched from Cracker Barrell to Outback.  They perks were much better at Outback.

I like Outback.  I find the steaks are equal to Longhorn,Logans, etc.  Very good for a chain. 
But, I go to Outback for the sides.  Love the blooming onion, salad- great croutons, baked potatoe-tasted baked not steamed in foil, the warm loaves of brown bread.

I went to Outback once because a frugal couple asked us to join them there.  It struck me as a ketchup-on-the-table, formica low-end joint.  "Denny's does steakhouse", with a Crocodile Dundee inspired shtick.  I will say that I had never encountered what they called a Bloomin' Onion elsewhere, and liked the concept, although the dip was insipid.  There is one five minutes from my house, but I cannot think of reason why I would go, unless it was again some sort of social obligation.
 
Best chain in the country?  I'd much rather go to BLT Steak, Shula's, Ruth's Chris or Grill on the Alley.   I'm sure there are others, but those come easily to mind.  Not to mention Morton's of Chicago or Smith & Wollensky.

Although the steaks at Outback are very good, the best one I've had was at Texas Roadhouse.

I'm afraid the only chain steak places I've ever been to are Morton's and Ruth's Chris. There's a Smith & Wollensky here that my grandson has touted, but I've never gotten around to going.
 
Here in the Columbus area I favor The Top -- an old-fashioned steakhouse that has been around for ages.
http://www.thetopsteakhouse.com/
 

Miami---I'm afraid Ruth Crist---Morton's----Shula's etc.
are out of my price range.  Outback stretchs it a little.
And so I have my steaks righr here on my faithful old backyard grill.
 
Hamburgers are easier to chew anyhow. 

the ancient mariner


Miami---I'm afraid Ruth Crist---Morton's----Shula's etc.
are out of my price range.  Outback stretchs it a little.
And so I have my steaks right here on my faithful old backyard grill.

Hamburgers are easier to chew anyhow. 

Hey ancient one, I hear you.  I grill a mean steak too, at home, so I want better with great service, etc, if I am going out for one.  It's not something I do even once per year, these days.  When I do go expensive, I usually want it to be something I don't do at home.
 

The main reason we like Outback is the Rack of Lamb that is on their menu, but not at many of the other chain steakhouses. For about $18 you get a good salad or French Onion Soup (my choice), the full rack of Ribs done to order, Potato and the black bread loaves. We usually add a couple of 24 oz Foster's with our dinner so we get out of the place for about $50 plus tip for the two of us.
Since a frozen rack of Lamb Ribs is about $13.00 at Costco, getting the dinner for less than $20 is a bargain, and the ribs are really quite good.
  I used to get the Ribeye there, but the lamb is something not available most places and we like it a lot.
Score a Positive point for the Fake Aussies from the Mayor.

Years ago there was a place in Columbus called the Garden Gallery. They served a wonderful rack of lamb, and even better, they served a great artichoke appetizer with a couple of wonderful dipping sauces. They went out of business after about two years.

the ancient mariner


Their headquarters is here in Tampa so there is an Outback on every other corner, the other corner has a Carrabbas. 

 
I think Carrabbas is the best mid priced chain around.  I love the chicken bryan and I like the little shot glass desserts which give you a good sweet taste for a couple of bucks.  I hate ordering $5 to $7 desserts when all I want is a couple of bites.

Thunder Down Under!
 
Never had it.  I like the name.

Chicken Bryan? At what is supposed to be an Italian restaurant? Do they have a Beef Zelda, too?

Italians can't eat something other than red sauce????...Italian isn't simply Neoplolitan!!!!Many Italian restaurants expand and explore.....asks the question:What is Italian?...I think Americans and Italians have different opinions!

Hatteras----I agree---Carrabba is the best.  As far as the menu goes---not everyone likes Italian food---so for the discriminating diner Carrabba offers something a little less Italian as well as the regular run of the mill stuff.  Why go to a restaurant and order meatballs and spagetti ?  You can make that at home easy, and a lot cheaper.
 
They also have buy-one-get-one-free cocktails.  Hic !
 
Mamma Mia---them is some spicy meat-a-balls.  Please pass the Alka-Seltzer.
 
 

Michael Hoffman


Chicken Bryan? At what is supposed to be an Italian restaurant? Do they have a Beef Zelda, too?

It is chicken topped with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes and a basil lemon butter sauce.  Don't know where it is from and don't care.  It tastes good.

I'm sure it's good. But for Pete's sake, name it chicken something other than Waspy Bryan.

Michael Hoffman


I'm sure it's good. But for Pete's sake, name it chicken something other than Waspy Bryan.

 
Use to eat at Carrabba's all the time in TAMPA. Ever since they first opened their doors they have always had a dish named after a family member.There Pollo Rosa Maria I believe was the first after their mother.

Bryan could be an Irish guy who is a cook in one of the Tampa locations
and came up with the concoction.  Better Bryan than O'Leary's Chicken.
Or, maybe the Irish son-in-law.   Still have 2-fer Martini's,  Cop with
breath-a-lizer sits outside.