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Outback Steakhouse – Another Review

Written By: Braden - Mar• 24•12

After having a disappointing experience at the Outback Steakhouse location in Washington, PA, my wife and I thought we’d give it another shot. This time, we went to a place we both have gone to and enjoyed before, this being the Bethel Park location.

We called the establishment in the late afternoon to make seating arrangements for 7:15 PM. We arrived at 6:45 PM and we were seated promptly at 7:00 PM. Cool!

My wife ended up getting the Outback Special w/ scallops as a side. I ended up getting the 16 ounce prime rib requested medium rare. We both had the blue cheese wedge salad as our starters.

My wife’s steak was like something of a piece of shoe leather. In fact, it was so difficult to chew it reminded me of what old, stale chewing gum must be like. Seriously, this steak was gross. The scallops were good, though. Upon calling our waiter over to complain about the steak, he informed us that he would have another steak put on the grill for my wife.


Some nice shoe leather for my wife’s enjoyment.

About 10-15 minutes later, my wife’s replacement steak arrived. Upon cutting into her steak, it was absolutely COLD in the center. Seriously? A RAW steak? That’s enough for me.


Raw meat!  The second time around.

My prime rib although cooked to my specifications, was absolutely tough and fibrous as it was filled with lots of gristle.


Like tough, chewy prime rib?  Outback is your place!

Outback used to have good steaks and prime rib. What happened?I requested the manager over again, and this time told him that I would be willing to go back into the kitchen to show his incompetent staff how to cook a steak properly. I also indicated to him this was our second negative in a row at an Outback Steakhouse location and that we are NEVER coming back again.

The only plus to the entire thing? The manager did comp the entire meal. Big deal. I wouldn’t pay for the garbage anyway, not at what Outback charges. Yep, I can honestly say I am never, ever going to Outback Steakhouse again for any reason whatsoever, and I will be telling all of my friends about our past experiences, too.

Seriously, folks.  Don’t waste your money.  Go elsewhere.

Outback Steakhouse on Urbanspoon

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: iPhone 4
  • Taken: 16 March, 2012
  • Focal length: 3.85mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/15s

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6 Comments

  1. Dan O says:

    I rarely (no pun intended) order steak when out. I have such good luck with grilling them at home that I doubt I could buy one, that someone else cooked, that could beat it. And we’re not talking top cuts. Bottom sirloins and rounds. Oh I do an occasional filet, but no matter, I haven’t f*#ked up a steak on the grill in years. Save the bucks for good draft beer. Mmmm…beeeerrr.

    • Braden says:

      It’s funny you bring that up, actually. I prepared steaks on the grill just this week and mentioned to my wife how incredible they were. Also, I cannot think of a time I’ve screwed up a steak on the grill, which leads me to believe I shouldn’t go anywhere else for one. You’re very much correct on both counts. Good beer, eh? In that case, I’ll either opt for a New Castle Brown Ale, or a good Sam Adams Dark Lager.

  2. Jay says:

    From the tone of this review and your comments, it sounds as though you have never worked in a restaurant. The “incompetent” kitchen staff is preparing your steak, as well as many others. Sure, it’s easy to cook a steak on the grill when you aren’t preparing steaks for an entire dining room. The kitchen staff prepares the cuts of steak that they are given. Unfortunately, not every cut of steak is perfect, and this can’t be determined until it is cut into. This “incompetent” staff usually includes normal people having been trained to cook that are just trying to make a living and do the best they can. If you want a master chef, you are going to have to spend a little more $$$. As far as the food goes.. the outback special or 9.99 sirloin may very well taste like shoe leather, because it is a steak that cost $9.99. You get what you pay for. Prime rib is known to have fat or gristle because that is what gives the meat it’s flavor. I would recommend trying Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Pittsburgh Steak Company if you are looking for something better.

    • Braden says:

      So, in other words Jay, you’re making excuses for the kitchen staff who cannot cook a steak. Something tells me you work in the restaurant industry; which is all fine and dandy. Ruth’s Chris? You want to pay for it for me? I’ll make you a deal: You pay for my meal at Ruth’s Chris, and I’ll write a review on my experience there accordingly. Sounds fair, no?

  3. Don says:

    It’s because of people like you that people in the restaurants don’t care as much when they are preparing food. And of course you feel the need to call people incompetant. Really??? Does someone go to your job and call you incompetant? Maybe your type should do everyone a favor and just stay home. You are probably one of those people who dine everywhere and then go and post reviews on those restaurants saying how terrible it was, bet out of 10 reviews you would be lucky to say 1 maybe 2 good reviews. You need to take a look at yourself buddy!!!

    • Braden says:

      Well, Don, if people actually did their jobs properly then people like me wouldn’t have to say how terrible our experience was, huh? But no, people like -you- will make excuses for those who don’t give a rat’s ass about their job and it shows when it comes to how they do it. That’s right Don, let’s just allow people like me to cough up the $50-$60 bucks it costs to eat at Outback and just not say a word. In fact, why don’t I just walk in, plunk my money down, and then leave all without eating. How’s that? You fucking asshat you. Quit making excuses for these people. If you don’t like what I have to say, then you can piss off. Oh yeah, Mr. smarty-pants, it’s spelled “incompetent.” Get your shit right before you come on here and make a complete ass out of yourself. Oh, and one more thing, you definitely are from the restaurant industry. Why do I say that? Because it explains everything you just said. Oh yeah, Don, how’s the weather in Avella?

      IP: 208.71.100.224
      Hostname: 208.71.100.224
      ISP: HTC Communications
      Organization: HTC Communications
      Services: None detected
      Type: Corporate
      Assignment: Static IP

      Geolocation Information

      Country: United States
      State/Region: Pennsylvania
      City: Avella
      Latitude: 40.2489 (40° 14′ 56.04″ N)
      Longitude: -80.4374 (80° 26′ 14.64″ W)
      Area Code: 724
      Postal Code: 15312

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