Dinner out – no special reason (thankfully).

Went to our local Outback steakhouse. Let me set the stage. We have not stopped at this restaurant for at least 10 years due to a bad experience the first time. But I thought, lets give it another chance - it always seems busy. It's a Tuesday night, what can go wrong?

No seats available so we wait at the bar. When the vibrator goes off to say we have a seat the bartender says very loudly from the other end of the bar – hold on, you have to pay me first! Ok, relax. I can appreciate just how tough it is to have a bill follow a customer to a table seat.... some challenge. Drinks were over priced but at least I was warned after being forced to cash out the first round.

Once seated, the bread was delivered without any silverware. Ok it happens. After pointing it out to the server and getting silverware, things didn't improve --- my fork was nasty dirty – I mean dirty – I could not scrap it off. Apology time. Ok.

Order our meals. Wife’s comes with an apology… Sorry I told them to wait, sorry. Hum, We are not even sure at first why the waiter is so apologetic at this point. But we wait, and wait, and still no meal for me; I am starting to get a clue.

The wait is broken when another waiter walking by tips a tray and splashes me with oil, butter, or whatever. Lots of apologies. No problem, shit happens.

Did I mention I found the seats really uncomfortable? Bread was not to my liking but my meal was actually pretty good – when it finally came. Hearts of Gold Mahi (don't you love PR people), a wood-fire grilled Mahi topped with stuff. The wife didn’t care much for her order, steak & shrimp, but then she had a long time to think about it since she was nearly done when mine finally arrived.

Upon leaving I show the manager my splattered sweater. Being a good sport he hands me a business card and says, If it doesn’t wash out, let me know and we can figure something out! Ok. Thanks sport.

Ok, then, heck I’ll see you folks in . . . maybe another 10 years – but don’t hold me to it.

 

I've never been a fan of Outback either. Had a good salad there once and too salty food the other time.

 

Remind me not to go to a restaurant with you!

Those places move so many people thru during a course of a night, I don't think they really care if they see you again......

 

Not a huge fan of Outback (because I always, always, fall for getting that stupid greasy blooming onion). Never have had the type of service you got and wouldn't go back if I did. The food I've gotten has always been okay but not memorable (except for that blooming onion.

 

Did they not offer to do anything with your bill, Dave? That's pretty bad service.

Not a real Outback fan myself. One in our area closed down. We also have the Longhorn Steak Houses here. We gave them two tries. They are now off the list. Rick ordered a rib eye steak that wasn't cheap and there was so much fat in it, I don't think he had a "burger's worth" of meat to eat.

One local chain steak house gave us much better service than what you got, Dave. My steak was overdone. They brought out another full plate of food, but of course Rick was done eating when my meal came. They offered us a drink but Rick told him he was fine. Not sure why he turned that down. After we were done, the manager came back over, told us we didn't come out to eat to eat separately, and he credited us for both meals. We'll go back.

This weekend we had a Chili's gift card to use. Not a big fan, but hey it was free, right?

I ordered a small steak and three shrimp. The steak was WAY overdone, and the garlic toast was served mother style. BURNT side down. I called their attention to the steak and they ordered another plate of food. This one was properly cooked, but by the time it came out, I could have settled for what I had already eaten.

The restaurant wasn't busy at all on a Saturday night. Won't surprise me if they are the next one to shut their doors.

 

I don't expect much from those places so I am rarely disappointed. But Dave's experience sounds like a horror show. Like you, Dave, I vote with my feet. i won't complain much, i just won't go back. I almost never send food back like Lainey does. I'm not eager to eat spit.

 

I know, I know. Rick tells me the same thing. I don't send it back, I get a new steak, but do wonder if there are any added ingredients on it when it's prepared.

 

I had a waitress at a chain restaurant dump a full glass of beer in my lap. The manager offered to pay the dry cleaning tab. I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Never went back.

 

I am not a fan of most corporate/factory restaurants. We are very lucky to have a large number of small locally owned restaurants, that care about whether you come back.
OSI which owns Outback, Carraba's, Bonefish...is IMHO a not terribly interested in service (having a friend that was a GM with them.)

 

Lainey, you're correct - they offered nothing for their poor service.

The wife tells me at least the sweater did wash out Ok. Thankfully, as I did not want to have any further dealings with the restaurant.