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| - Odd food experience with this place. I tend to avoid chains in general and follow the Yelp reviews but was out with my parents (who are in the senior citizen category of life, and they wanted to go because you got a free blooming onion when you ordered an entree (or maybe two, I don't know), and my mother had a coupon for $4 off when you order two entrees. So, we went, and not a fun eating experience, and here is why.
First, the blooming onion, and I realize it was free, was half cooked. About half of it was not edible. I haven't had one before but my mother noted that they were usually much better. I was like 'it's free, who cares?" - but it was indicative of other events in the dining experience.
Second, parents wanted to split an entree and salad and were specific on the salad (no croutons, extra cucumber), ended up getting a split salad with croutons and without the cucumber addition - the waiter came over and even noted that they seemed to have gotten the wrong salad (who knows, maybe someone else split a salad)? Then the entrees we ordered came out later than at least one other table, even though they had come in at least 10 to 15 minutes later. I had a steak salad and my parents split a cheeseburger so not sure why the orders ended up, well, out of order.
Finally, even though my parents had noted they were doing the blooming onion and the coupon, when the waiter (Brian) brought the bill, he said the manager would not allow my parents to do both the free blooming onion and the coupon for $4 off. Now, I understand the idea but my parents had been quite open in their intentions before ordering. I ended up speaking to the manager (Lorenzo), who initially said he could not put both in the system and I had to point out that my parents had openly noted they were doing both and that would have been the time to explain how things work, not when the meal was over.
Okay, I don't want to paint a broad brush on Outback, I've eaten at other locations in the past and have been more than fine with the experience, and they look like, as others have pointed out, that they do make some great drinks. In addition, my steak salad was quite good. I would happily have it again. Hey, I'd even go back and eat at the bar. I'm just saying that this specific experience was not a good one. Who knows, I may find myself at the bar, having one of those interesting cocktails and end with a much better review.
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