Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Fayetteville

This was our first visit to Outback in many years. A new location opened up closer to us and my husband wanted to try it out for his birthday. I have mixed emotions about this visit. My husband had a coupon for a free blooming onion and it was amazing as usual. We had a blooming onion at another restaurant recently and it was not as good as Outbacks. We also tried the fried mac n cheese appetizer and it was super good. All 4 of us got the 3 course meal special they offer, 3 with steak and one with shrimp. My steak was a little over cooked. I ordered medium and it was medium well. I didn't tell the server or send it back because I didn't feel like waiting on a new one. The mashed potatoes were good. They have skin in them but even my picky daughter who doesn't like potato skins liked these potatoes. My daughter also got the mac n cheese and said she was a little disappointed. It wasn't as good as she was expecting, as good as another restaurant we ate at recently. The main issue i had with this visit was how long it took for everything. We went on a Saturday night so they were on a 45 minute wait which was expected. But there were many items we had to ask our server for, sometimes more than once. IDK if he was new or had too many tables or what the problem was. He was very friendly and got our drinks in a timely manner although I had to ask for a glass of ice because there were only like 5 tiny melted ice cubes in my tea. He never brought the ice and I had to send my tea back because there was something floating in it. He did a decent job keeping the drinks refilled. When they brought the 2 appetizers they didn't bring any small plates with them. Then they brought the salad and soup and still hadn't brought any bread until I was halfway done with my salad after we asked him about it again. The food took forever to come out as did the cheesecake, which was still partially frozen. After we finished eating I asked the server for 2 to go boxes. The next time I saw him walk by I asked him for a small to go bowl for the chili. I figured he'd bring the to go boxes at the same time since he hadn't brought them yet but he only brought the bowl and I had to ask him again for to go boxes. Despite those things we would give them another try...

My first visit to this restaurant was December 10 (2022), and my experience was AMAZING! The wait was 45 min but worth it! I had the Smoked Porterhouse steak and I typically have to have sauce for my steaks, but not this time! It was buttery delicious! My server was great! She convinced me to try the whole “Smoke” experience! HOWEVER, I went a second time December 24 (yes Christmas Eve) and I ordered the same steak (twice is nice sometimes), but unfortunately, my experience was not the same. Maybe because it was a holiday and the cook wanted to be at home! I ordered my steak medium but close to medium well but not over cooked and definitely not undercooked, I do not want to eat bloody, raw meat! My steak came out rare. My server got a lower level manager to come and “fix” it, she brought it back out and this time it was medium rare! I explained both times I wanted medium/medium well, same as I did on the 10th. I asked my server what did he think I should do. And I explained it’s not like there wasn’t a picture to go by and I did not order a rare steak! It took about 30 min for a real manager to come out and say he will comp my meal. But before this finally happened, I had to explain to my server the scenario of if I were someone who appeared to be important, someone with high status to which I said you all don’t know who I am. I should not have to be the President or a millionaire to receive excellent customer service. I hate complaining, but if I’m spending my money, I expect to not be treated as if it’s a privilege for me. I understand the managers may have been busy, but you should never be too busy to see about a customer’s complaint. This experience on the 24th does not mean I will never visit again, but I will say this, I will go once again just to see if my theory was correct, that it was the holiday. Because I feel like I’ve found my favorite spot to go and have steak. But, we shall see! Maybe I’ll put on my makeup and dress like I’m going to or coming from a business...

Most recent visit was not good. APP said no wait at 3:50. Arrived at 4:02 and it was packed. Then App said 40-50 minute wait. Wait was 35 minutes (not bad). A long wait after seated (about 15 min) when we were asked if a server had talked to us, we said no. She was very nice and not only took our drink order but also took our meal order. 1 hour and 20 minutes later our meal arrived. Everything was good except my meal. I ordered the Prime Rib (Medium), What I was servered was a piece of prime rib that had been murdered on a flat grill and had a ton of seasoning. It had been cooked like a steak. Unbelievable! I told the waitress it was wrong. Then I had to explain how it was wrong and told her to look at their menu picture.She took it away. Then a gentleman brought the same plate back to me. I explained again it was supposed to be prime rib not a rib eye grilled steak. They eventually brought out a piece of prime rib and asked if it was okay. It was but by this time everyone else (wife, son, daughter-in-law, and grandson) were done. I told them to box it to go. I paid, we left. Most disappointing Fathers Day meal I ever had. Such a different experience than all others at this location. I understand it was busy due to the holiday, but that is no excuse. I paid full price and got sub par service and food. And spent over two and a half hours there. Update - here again. I tried the wedge salad, and it was wonderful. Also had blackberry sangria - sweet and tasty. Always a pleasure. As usual the French Onion soup is superb. I have to stop ordering an appetizer. The soup is filling, and nothing else is needed for a...