Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Inverness

There were so many things that went wrong for our 1st anniversary dinner. It was supposed to be a "special" night out. I really don't know where to begin. We arrived just before 5 pm and there were plenty of open tables yet they told us there was a 10 minute wait which was surprising but not that big of a deal. We waited and after about 7-8 minutes we were seated. Our server was friendly but she seemed very distracted and all over the place. We got a couple beers and a bloomin' onion to start. I told her we had no salt on the table at that point to which she said she would grab some. She also said our bread would be out soon. The bloomin' onion was very greasy and salty. It was not like we remembered it in the past. Then we are brought salads which we didn't order. We told the waitress and she took them away. Our meals then came out. We both ordered the 6 oz sirloin and Alice springs chicken with loaded potato and asparagus. The steaks were so tiny and dry. It looked like a joke. We ordered them medium and they were pink inside but overcooked on the outside. The asparagus was tough and only the tips were edible. They were an upgrade item so we expected tender, delicious asparagus which was not the case. My husband barely got into eating his food when he found a piece of hair on his plate next to the steak. That was it for him. He has a real issue with dirty dining and dealing with things like that. He didn't eat his meal at all. Also our potatoes were not loaded. They forgot the toppings. I had to ask for it after they took my husband's plate away. I also mentioned at that point that we never got salt shaker on the table or our bread. They did minus his meal off the bill and finally brought the bread and salt. It was just one thing after another though. Very disorganized. Very loud atmosphere which wasn't necessarily the restaurant's fault. We had people near us with a small child who was fussy. It was far from the experience we wanted or expected. It really kind of ruined our night. I felt weird sitting there eating and my husband not wanting to touch anything there after he found hair on his plate. He literally felt nauseous over it all the way home. I was so stressed I ordered one of their platypus punch cocktails at the end and even that was complete crap. It was a tiny drink with hardly any alcohol for $8.99. What a ripoff. They did offer us a free dessert for the trouble, but the damage was already done. We do not plan on visiting an Outback ever again. The service was inadequate and the food was mediocre at best. The prices are way too high for what you get. It was very disappointing. We do...

A VERY pleasant surprise! Everything the way it should be! Thank you!

Right out of the box I'll admit that we've been staying away from Outback. We'd had multiple less-than-stellar experiences at our nearest Outback. We gave them opportunities to win us back, but after four attempts, we called it quits. So, it took a HUGE leap of faith, a different location AND a $50 birthday Gift Card to bring us back to the Bloomin' Brand.

Bathed in a twilight splash of colors, awash in a light drizzling rain, we hopscotched over puddles on the glossy black tarmac. Roof edge waterfalls cascaded down as we ducked in, to this Outback.

Leading my lady by the hand, Fab One & I chose to sit in a cozy booth. In the adult libation area. Some would call it the 'bar'. What a great choice and lucky us! For this was the service domain of the inimitable Sherry! She welcomed us with 'open arms'... We were soon to realize that our past down under frown blunder journeys were fading away, just as the lights that go down in the city at sunrise.

We were so impressed with the reprieve that Sherry was serving, I insisted on speaking with the manager. That would be Jennifer. In no time, we all had a high vibe, high five kind of feeling. And plenty of applause for Sherry. Awesome!

Am I leaving anything out? OH! The food! Fab One chose the 8 oz. Outback Sirloin, I believe these used to be called The Outback Special? For sides, she got the obligatory loaded baked potato and a chopped pecan salad. It was a pleasing relief to see her smiling eyes, as she dabbled in some mighty fine fork & knife feasting. (I know that look. Wink!)

I REALLY wanted to get a Bloomin' Onion. HOW can you NOT get a Bloomin' Onion? I just knew that I'd better leave room for my steak-craving plate that was to come! So, there was to be NO Bloomin' Onion in our future. Not tonight, anyhow.

I witnessed a virtual light bulb go off over Sherry's head, as she pointed out an item on the special 'Specials' menu. And there, in bold colors, was the answer to my Outback comeback! I could get a Steak 'N Mate Combo! I'd get my Outback Sirloin paired with Bloomin' Fried SHRIMP! Imagine the taste of a Bloomin' Onion but wrapped around succulent shrimp! Shrimp swimming in that spicy bloom sauce. AND this came with TWO sides! Craving completely satisfied! Pinch me! Naturally, I got a loaded Baked Potato and a take-me-back House Salad.

Ohhhhhhh, did we ever hit the jackpot! A raindrop falling, memory recalling, Sherry grand slamming, old hangout homecoming... It was a magical night. A great belated birthday present and a...

It started before we were seated. I told the hostess I wanted a table and there was a lot of empty ones in view. She tried to put us in a half booth/half table. Then when I said no, I was told I had to wait for her to talk to a manager. The manager came to the table and I told her I had food allergies and needed a server that would pay attention. He generally did but the food came out wrong with what I am allergic to on the plate. Then I was brought a steak without the side and was told they could not make my side. Once again, I spoke to the manager and she said it was no problem and recooked a third steak which was smaller and half a side. It was a little overcooked as I was very clear that I wanted a red center which should have been medium rare, it was more medium but since my wife was already finished eating and I was just getting mine, I ate it anyway. The manager then told me she was coming our meal. We got desert with our meal as we ordered the special. The cheese cake was cut so small that it was not worth it. A regular price was bigger than both pieces together that we were served. Then the waiter brought out a bill, she only comped 1 meal. I gave him my card and he said I had to do it my self. I told him that I did not work there and if I had to ring myself out, he would not get a tip. He still made me do it. As I was leaving, I had the opportunity to speak with the manager one more time. I told her about the checkout and she informed me that corporate prefers it that way but they can check me out if I request it. I told her that this was the worst experience I had ever had at a Outback Steakhouse. I told her that with everything that happened and the way I was treated, I should not have had to pay for anything and I will not come back in. The impression I got was that she did not care about her customers. I told the manager, the waiter and the server about my allergy and the still brought it to my table. Had I not questioned it, this post would have been coming from my hospital room. The manager and staff need to take these matters more seriously. I will try and reach the owner as well.

I should have sent both meals back so that we could have enjoyed our meals together. Our 25th anniversary dinner was ruined. I could never recommend this location. Now I understand why it was half empty on a Friday night at prime time.

Don't expect too much if you want...