Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Bristol

A very rough start that ended nicely.

We put our name in on the online using the "Get on the List" feature. I added our name around 4pm for a 6pm arrival. We arrived about 10 minutes before 6pm and checked in with the host. We were told they were running a bit behind and would seat us in 10-15 minutes. This made sense as they weren't expecting us for that amount of time. We waited until about 10 min after 6p to check in again with the host. We were told that they were behind and it would be a little longer. When we asked how much longer, they explained that since the quoted time had passed it only showed elapsed time and no longer had an estimated wait time. We checked in with the host again at 6:30pm. They confirmed that we were looking for a table; I explained we didn't have a preference (apparently the online "Get on the List" default requests a table?). We were finally seated by 6:40pm.

We were greeted by our server Sarah B. She was quick to get us drinks and bread. We placed our order and received our food long before our surrounding tables. We were also cared for by several different "runners" from the back. If I had to guess, Sarah B is well liked by the staff in the back and they were more than happy to help her out on a busy night. Sarah B really saved what started as an unpleasant experience.

The "Get on the List" system really needs to be looked into. I gave the restaurant plenty of notice that I was coming. I checked in early, now confirming my intent to eat there, early and was willing to wait until my designated time. You have to do better. Furthermore, you need to be able to estimate wait times, even if the system your using no longer supplies an estimate after the original estimate is elapsed.

We'd like to return again, but we will be hesitant to do so on a night that could be busy. I'm just not confident this location is currently...

I want to start off by saying Outback is my most favorite Steakhouse in Bristol to eat at. Today however was truly the worst service and food I have ever received here. I ordered my steak medium rare with a loaded baked potato and a side of mac and cheese with a half and I have tea to drink. I waited alone at my table for 50 minutes to get my food at 4 in the afternoon. When my food came my steak was so burnt that when I cut into it it look like it was well done. When I asked the manager who was walking past me what exactly the steak look like he stated well done and I stated it's supposed to be medium rare he said he would look into it or cook me another one. I stated I have already waited 50 minutes for my food I'm not waiting another 50 minutes. He then returned to my table to inform me he was taking care of my tab and the waitress had accidendly entered the wrong type. After this the waitress walked past my table 3 times and ignored my request for drink. The couple with sitting beside me witnessed the whole thing and signaled another waitress to help me. She stated she would let my waitress know that I needed a refill. Shortly after this being manager can walking to my table to refill my drink stating the waitress felt as if she could not complete anything for me correctly and didn't want to wait on me any further. At that time I looked at the manager and was completely blown away and ask him so you're going to uphold your employee and bad behavior and do her job for her. At that time I was so angry I asked if I owed him anything at all he stated no and I got...

My neighbor treated me to dinner for feeding her cat while she was away. For drinks, she ordered a virgin lavender lemonade. The server either didn't know or didn't mention that the lavender was in the alcohol so my neighbor was brought a plain lemonade. I ordered the margarita flight & had to ask the server if they had alcohol as all I could taste were the sugary mixes. We ordered the cheese steak dip to start & our first bite resulted in stringy meat stuck in our teeth. When our server returned to the table, we requested additional cheese as the bowl was almost entirely stringy meat with barely any cheese. I ordered the Toowoomba salmon. Unfortunately, when my meal arrived, I received plain grilled salmon. At the same time, my neighbor was explaining to the runner that she was supposed to have loaded mashed potatoes & her mac & cheese was missing so I didn't bother sending mine back. The runner returned with the mac & cheese & a small plastic container of cold additions for the loaded mashed potatoes. We called over the server who appeared embarrassed with the runner's solution to the loaded mashed potatoes problem. She immediately took the plate & heated it & returned it. I was shocked she didn't just replace it with a correct order of loaded mashed potatoes. My salmon was tasty & flaky on top, but not so much under the surface. I took most of it home & it was there in adequate light that I could see the fish was still raw. I greatly appreciated my neighbor's intent, but I don't believe either of us will be returning to...