A Review: Outback Steakhouse - South

Mr. Wonderful celebrated his birthday a week ago (god, was it only a week ago??? I feel like it was a million years ago!)

Anyway, I told him for his birthday that I would take him out and make him a cake. While the cake turned out awesomely (Thanks Duncan Hines!), the birthday dinner was disappointing.

He narrowed down his choices to BBQ and steak. I opted for steak since I never get steak (we just don't eat it but we should) and we could try a nicer restaurant for his special day. I read reviews, looked at menus, tried to find prices, and I wanted to take him to a uniquely Austin restaurant that didn't break the bank. After I got off work, I called him up and presented his options. He said "How about Outback?"

I said "sure" and off I went to battle downtown, 5:00 traffic.

Apparently Austin has two Outbacks: one south on Lamar and Ben White and the other up north...maybe Arboreteum area?? Whatevs, we live south east so we opted for south.

I have been to Outback numerous times and I've never really been disappointed. Good beer bread, good steak*, good sides, etc. That was not the case this go-around.

I can't speak for Mr. Wonderful but I did not enjoy my experience. First: beer bread was too hard. Second: a table of "business guys" sat next to us and the one guy in direct line with my ear did not SHUT UP, the ENTIRE meal. I'm pretty sure he talked while he ate. And it wasn't even interesting. Third: we both got Caear salads and they were both too salty. Fourth: my potato was too dry. When I tried to get Worcestershire sauce, Mr. Wonderful had to physically get up and find a waiter, despite the fact that they were corralled behind our booth having a gabfest. Our waitress was good at first but after our food was delivered, she disappeared. Fifth: Mr. Wonderful had to flag someone down for a refill. My steak was good but.....

I was very disappointed. Not only was this his birthday meal but we were throwing $50 towards it. I've never had a disappointing time at Outback..at least, not to my memory. In hindsight, we should have gone with an Austin original. Next time, we will know. Until then, stay away from the Outback in South Austin!!!

*I have never really had lots of bad steaks and I'm certainly no steak connoisseur.