Insider Pages Reviews for Outback Steakhouse

3 Stars: Crowded, Noisy, but Great Steaks (by jasonrussell)

jasonrussell — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Steaks here are excellent. The only thing I can say is that it is always burnt and I have to scrape off the black charred edges.

The salads and deserts are great too.

This is not the place to go for large groups, as the wait time is at least an hour as they don't take reservations and there aren't many large tables.

They increased their pricing last year, but it's still a good place to go to when you're hungry

3 Stars: When your in need of some "Average to Good Quality" Prime Rib (by sigsauer1)

sigsauer1 — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I've gone to Outback since they opened, yes, other reviewers have stated the "food servers" have a high turn over rate, YOU will get a TRAINEE&ALL that "WAITER LEARNING CURVE" Most recent was with my family, we all ordered prime rib, the salad fine, bread fine, main course looked great, BUT, here is comes: meat was tough, grainy&chewy, ie, you had to expel it out (too chewy) otherwise you'd choke. That was the expereince of my mom&wife. I on the other hand was use to the rough and tough meat, it didn't connect that I was paying for prime rib, I just dealed with it; the table next to me did complain and the waitress agreed and took it off the tab. Fast foward. I did complained online to OUTBACk, Manager who personally called me&mailed me a $25. certificate. My mom once burned vowed never to return (Old School), My wife&I did, we ordered the same menu, the extra large cut of prime rib. Both of us had the best god damn prime rib, I ever had!!! (waitress was good overall) Until you had an excellent cut of prime rib you totally forget what to expect. Third visit was opposite. Both ordered same large cut, but when we compared the meat, mine was half the size/amt of my wifes; She oredered med rare, it came out medium/well, tough&chewy. I ordered rare and it too was abit grainy&chewy. Inconsistancy in the quality of meat, the salad&bread is straight foward. I hate new waiters in training. Waiter didn't check on us, water&beverages neeed refilling, you have to find them, table not cleared. I just want to give a compliment to a young male waiter who always wore a safari hat and serviced the wall area (behind the kitchen wall) he was the best damn waiter, worked there nearly 4yrs but the last 2yrs he has since moved on. He was friendly, attentive, always checked on our table, quickly filled orders, always brought more bread, always refilled beverages w/out asking. OVERALL: "FAIR" PLACE TO EAT

3 Stars: Outback of Daly City (by Paul C.)

Paul C. — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:36:00 GMT

I love a decent steak, and I'm usually fairly happy with what I get at these chain steakhouses. The Outback in Daly City is fairly good -- all the Outback dishes you'd expect to be good are good, the complimentary bread, the Bloomin' Onion, garlic mashed potatoes...

The steaks I've had have been good in that they're tasty, but a few times I've gotten cuts of steak that are extremely fatty or gristly -- not the quality cuts I'd expect (and which I've gotten consistently at the Black Angus in Foster City -- probably the closest comparison chain).

The parking is sub-par, too; the lot is way too small for the amount of business they get (expect a wait if you go for dinner), and especially because next door is a Chinese restaurant that I've heard is very good. But there's a nearby shopping center where, in a pinch, you can almost always find a space, and just walk the block to the restaurant.

I wanted to give this place four stars, but I can only give it three because of the parking, crowds, and random quality of beef cuts.

PROS: Well-prepared steak at decent prices, good appetizers
CONS: Insufficient parking, steaks occasionally way too fatty

5 Stars: Order anything BUT Steak folks (by lovemycoffee)

lovemycoffee — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

This is the ultimate review from a picky girl who can cook, and loves good gourmet food with a grandfather that is a gourmet chef, so read up! I've read other reviews about Outback, and some of the dishes selected are all wrong folks! I know that it's a steackhouse, and one would assume their specialty is steak, however friends and I know that anything but steak is great. Prime Rib is easy to make people, it's always rare. My recommended dish are Alice Springs Chicken, be sure to get the honey mustard sauce that it comes with, and appitizer is the crab cakes be sure it comes with the diced tomatoes in cilantro as it adds flavor.

4 Stars: Great Food For A Chain (by lord_humongous)

lord_humongous — Mon, 04 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

There are three constants at this Outback Steackhouse; the food is always excellent, the waitstaff is always indifferent to the customers and the place is always packed at dinner. On the weekends you can wait for an hour for a table. Parking can also be a problem since they share the parking lot with the Chinese restaurant next door.

5 Stars: A good chain restaurant (by mable129)

mable129 — Sat, 03 Apr 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Get the prime rib and get it cooked one step higher than you would at any other restaurant. if you usually get rare them think about getting medium rare. also come eaerly just to park, they share a lot with a couple of other buisnesses. Also if you are going on a busy night, call ahead and get on their list, unless you want to wait an hour.

2 Stars: wrpp (by wrpp)

wrpp — Mon, 08 Mar 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Outback Steakhouse is to steaks as Olive Garden is to Italian fare.
This chain cannot be considered a steak house, just because they have steak on the menu...so does Denny's, TGIF's, Chili's, etc. And they all are below-average restaurants, including Outback.
Patrons of Outback probably enjoy gas-station-pre-made-sandwiches, as well.

4 Stars: Casual Eatery (by kern)

kern — Mon, 08 Mar 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Yes, it's a chain, yes, there is a high turn over of waiters so service is not consistent. But the food is consistent and good, price is average for the type of "meat" your looking for. Dark lighting, so if you have young infant kids, forget it, they'll "melt down" double quick.

5 Stars: and honest, unexaggerated opinion (by aaronchu)

aaronchu — Wed, 22 Oct 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I've been to Outback a number of times. I've always had above-average service with several different waitors/waitresses. It IS true that you can't make reservations, but most people do not take advantage of the CALL-AHEAD SEATING. Call them on the phone, tell them you're coming, and they'll tell you how long it'll take. Then you can just arive, wait 5 minutes, and you're seated.

The Prime Rib, while not up to house of prime rib standards, is still VERY good - go at around 7 or 8 to make sure they don't run out of it. And the Rockhampton Rib-Eye is available for those who like a lot of flavor in their steak. If you decide to get fish, chicken, or pasta, keep in mind that this is a steak house.

3 Stars: Not Worth it (by eta123)

eta123 — Mon, 04 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Outback Steakhouse is a bad steakhouse plain and simple. The steaks are so hard that they become inedible. The onion soup is tasteless and doesn't even seem baked. The prices are almost as high as House of Prime Rib too which is btw excellent.

2 Stars: Save your money! (by gruvngyrl)

gruvngyrl — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I went to the Outback in Daly City expecting something great. I ordered a prime rib that was dry and tasteless. I like a nice, carmelized, tender piece of meat, but what I got was a hard, tooth flossing chunk of I-don't-know-what. The hot wings were good, but I can get the same thing from Dominoes pizza. The service is lacking as well. I know it's casual dining, but I don't want my waitress sliding over into the booth to sit with me as she's taking my order. The quality of food is acceptable if you're paying $2.99 at a Vegas dive, but for a "top 10" restaurant? Forget it. I'll stick to Kincaids in Burlingame. The service there is horrible, but at least I can get a tremendous tasting piece of meat there.

1 Stars: you're kidding, right? (by elcajon)

elcajon — Thu, 15 May 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I want to know what heathens would vote
a two bit chain restaraunt into the top 10
steak houses in san francisco!?

that's just laughable.

I feel ashamed that what may as well
be a pepsi co. steak chain is what my city
chose to represent it in the top ten list.

especially above a classic such as ruth's.

5 Stars: Yadda, yadda (by lavalimpkin)

lavalimpkin — Tue, 04 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I have always gotten a good experience when going to Outback... It is very popular (no matter what day of the week) so you do wait a bit but that's ok. And the food is great (and now everyone is trying to duplicate the bloomin onion) ...and You don't walk out hungry!

2 Stars: Can you say "suck"? (by BARRYMANILOW)

BARRYMANILOW — Mon, 13 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

First of all, there isn't even an Outback in San Francisco. Secondly, Outback sucks. There's no other way of explaining it. It's like the "McDonald's" of the steak world. The food is second rate, poorly prepared, and lack-luster in presentation. San Francisco doesn't have room for places like Lyon's, Applebee's, Carrow's, Waffle House, Sizzler, Hungry Hunter, Black Angus, El Torito, or Outback. What ever happened to tradition? Have we forgotten about Original Joe's, John's Grill, Tadich Grill, Kuleto's, Houston's, and even The Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica?

2 Stars: Meat was tender but no taste (by madsen)

madsen — Mon, 13 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

My wife and I felt the need for a steak so we decide to try out Outback. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants, but I thought that a steak house would be able to serve a good tasty, tender steak, but was I wrong. Okay the steak was tender, but there was absolutely no taste in the meat. When that is said the bread and the blooming onion was excellent. For the money we paid for the meal Im rating it as really bad value for the money.

3 Stars: Everything great EXCEPT the steak! (by alasnik)

alasnik — Fri, 10 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

My experience tonight was great EXCEPT for the steak. Outback's "Bloomin' Onion" is the yardstick by which all similar fried onion concoctions should be done. Crispy, not-greasy, and with a delicious tangy sauce! Their creamy onion soup is similarly awesome. And I give a thumbs up to my garlic mashed potatoes. Even the service was quite pleasant and efficient. But the steaks? Solidly mediocre. If I were paying $8.99 at a Family Restaurant sort of place, I'd be smiling, but $12.99 and up? Unacceptable. I ordered the Outback Special 9 ounce steak. It was seasoned okay, though a bit salty, and the actual cut was a bit on the gristly side. What surprises me, though, is that despite my experience and the generally negative comments here, the place was still absolutely packed. We waited more than an hour to be seated! Surely there must be better restaurants in Daly City?!?

2 Stars: Blah... (by cricketgirl88)

cricketgirl88 — Fri, 03 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

In my opioion the Outback Steak House is...well, blah. It is not horrible, but not the best ever. I would choose Black Angus over The Outback anyday!

2 Stars: PuuhLease (by bwalan)

bwalan — Thu, 19 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

With all the great restaurants in San Francisco the Outback does not even rank. When I lived in the Midwest, sorry to offend anyone, it was near the top, but out here NO WAY.

5 Stars: The Best (by ImmaDuckMeow)

ImmaDuckMeow — Mon, 07 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Everytime I have eaten at outback, which is quite often, we have alot of family functions there, everything has been great. From the shrimp pasta, to the lobster, to the steak, to the hamburgers, to the salads, to the appetizers. I can't believe some of the low ratings it has gotten, the food is the delicious and the staff is charming and very attentive. Outback steak house is wonderful.

1 Stars: Not worth the wait. (by jag6220)

jag6220 — Mon, 07 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I could not wait to try Outback Steakhouse. I have heard of their reputation for a few years & one finally came to my area. The "wait" was over 2 hours all day long for the first few months. Some of my friends had tried it before I had the chance, & all were disappointed. I still ventured out one night for a dining steak experience that I would not forget. The service was slow & the food was awful. Considernig the hype following this restaurant, I did not allow the one dining experience to label the franchise. I was on vacation & chose another location. The same result came out of my dining experience. Both times I ordered high priced steaks & both were dry with no taste. I have never, ever had worse steaks at a restaurant that features steaks. Outback will be bankrupt within 10 years....bye, bye.

5 Stars: sizzlin steaks (by nubia007)

nubia007 — Wed, 14 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

the outback steakhouse is like a trip to heaven.i have not ordered anything that didn't make my taste buds do the twist down under brought it to the top..good eatin mate

3 Stars: Why was Outback in this list? (by originalamazed)

originalamazed — Fri, 12 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I don't get Outback in a 10 best list. They're not bad, but to put them up with Ruths Chris and Morton's is simply insane. If you've eaten at Outback, you know their beef is USDA choice at best. We're comparing them with restraunts who serve prime? Sorry, I don't get it.

Outback's market position is clear. They're going for mass quantities of food for a reasonable price. Hey, it works, otherwise they wouldn't be in business, but let's not confuse this concept with haute cuisine. Outback has been blasted for steaks that were underdone, or raw. I finally learned "the code" (to them) "rare" meant red and cold in the middle. I certainly go there and have for some time. Main advantage is I have figured out what order and expect. I wouldn't put them on any top ten list I could think of.