Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Bloomington

I am not one to write reviews, but after the service my family and I received tonight, I guess one is due. What simply had amazed me tonight was that service occurred before even being seated. The two ladies responsible for seating tables at the front, Michelle and Seana, could have cared less about the service they were providing. My family had walked around 5:30 and had requested a table. We were told that it would be half an hour wait, so we sat down to wait for our table. Now, having been a college student who has worked in the food industry herself, I completely understand how some nights are busy and things can get hectic, creating a longer wait. However, I would explain what was going on to my customers and find a remedy to help resolve the issue. Upon waiting an hour, my family and I had went up stating our annoyance to Michelle and Seana. They then told us that there were five tables ahead of us. We were understanding and decided to wait a little longer. When we watched the older man seat 8 people for Michelle and Siena, we went back up expressing our concerns. We had also watched Michelle and Siena sit a family who had complained. This family has shown up at the restaurant a half hour after my family. When we asked them about it, they admitted to seating her first because they had mixed up the lists. They told us they had mixed up lists and then proceeded to tell us that they had lost the list. Michelle and Seana then told us that they had lost the list, a different story from the first. Michelle and Seana chose which dissatisfied customer they preferred deal with tonight versus try to resolve the issue. When a manager, a manager had failed to show up at all. The two ladies at the front failed to apologize and acted like they could care less, reflected on what can assumed to be poor management skills. The most disappointing thing was that I was looking forward to was having a nice sit down dinner with my visiting family before a show, but I was not able due to the lack of service, competence and professionalism this establishment had to offer. I write this review to recommend that as a potential customer, you are better off giving your business to one that cares and values...

Update-not our best visit - I love bringing my family here for lunch, but yesterday's outing was a little off-putting. My Mom and I came in at 1 p.m. for lunch. We got an appetizer, I got the bone-in ribeye, and she got a lunch special with soup, entree, and dessert. The food was good, but the service was a bit ridiculous. The server asked us if we knew what we wanted when we sat down. So...we ordered, and also ordered some to-go options for our husbands. The to-go options came out 20 minutes before our meal did. Once we got our food, we had two bites before the waiter came over to see if we needed anything else and to-go boxes. We had literally just started eating. The manager came by then and asked if our meal was good and if we needed anything and offered to go boxes. Then, 4 minutes after the waiter came again to see if we were finished and do we need to go boxes. I scanned the restaurant and at 1:40, there were 11 occupied tables, and one large party table. I'm not sure if they were expecting a sports team, or wedding party, but we were only there a little over an hour total. The couple sitting next to us had the same experience and commented that they guessed their time was up- and took the rest of their meal with them. The waiter stated that the rest of our meal was in the to-go meal bag. I should've checked because my Mom didn't get her dessert, which we were told was in the bag. Food was great, always is, but the rushing nature of the staff did not give a relaxing meal vibe. Its not like we hung out for 2+ hours or anything. We might rethink our next visit...

Waited over 7 minutes for someone to acknowledge we were dining. Took another couple who was dining to ask their server to figure out who our server was. While waiting my husband and I over heard a heated dispute between the staff by their computers and to say the least I feel bad for the person they were bashing, completely disrespectful to be using such rude and harsh language talking about another while at work. Food was good accept when we asked about the mask policy the server stated how they must wear masks but none of the kitchen staff wear them either….. needless to say we will not be back to dine here. Doesn’t make sense for servers to wear masks but the kitchen staff cooking the food and washing the dishes do not. I pray none of those employees contract or spread COVID amongst themselves or the guest who choose to dine there because at the end of the day, it’s a mask not a death sentence by wearing one and the guidelines are set in place to help stop the spread of the virus and keep us safe. Very selfish and very inconsiderate for the guest who choose to spend money and dine here. We did not know that the kitchen staff did not wear masks until we were informed but now that we a know what we didn’t know we will be in control on where we decide to risk our lives while...