Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Lexington

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Outback Steakhouse, and I must say, the entire experience was nothing short of excellent. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm smile and seated promptly. The atmosphere was relaxed yet energetic, with a rustic Australian-inspired decor that strikes a nice balance between casual and slightly upscale. It’s the perfect place for anything from a family dinner to a date night or catching up with friends.

Service: The service was outstanding. Our server was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. She checked on us at just the right times—never hovering, but always available when we needed something. She offered great recommendations and made sure our drinks were refilled and everything came out to our liking. You could tell she genuinely cared about giving us a great experience, which makes such a difference.

Food: Now to the best part—the food! Outback is well-known for their steaks, and they absolutely lived up to the reputation. I ordered the Ribeye, medium rare, and it was cooked perfectly. Juicy, flavorful, and seared with that delicious Outback seasoning that makes every bite unforgettable. My dining partner had the Outback Special sirloin, and it was just as impressive—tender and full of flavor.

We started with the Bloomin' Onion, of course, and it was exactly as indulgent and crispy as we remembered—perfect for sharing. We also tried the Aussie Cheese Fries, and they were incredible—crispy fries smothered in cheese and bacon, served with ranch dressing for dipping. Not exactly diet food, but worth every calorie.

For sides, I highly recommend the baked potato and the seasonal veggies. The potato came loaded just the way we asked, and the veggies were fresh and perfectly steamed with just the right amount of seasoning.

We finished the meal with the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under, which is an absolute must if you love chocolate. It’s rich, decadent, and big enough to share (but you might not want to). It’s the perfect sweet ending to a hearty meal.

Value: Considering the quality of the food and service, the prices are very reasonable. Outback offers generous portion sizes, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. There’s also a great selection of cocktails, beers, and wines to round out the meal, and the happy hour specials are worth checking out if you arrive earlier in the evening.

Cleanliness & Ambiance: The restaurant was very clean, including the restrooms, which I always appreciate. Tables were cleared quickly, and the entire space felt well-kept and inviting. The lighting is warm, and the background music is upbeat but not too loud—just enough to add to the atmosphere without interfering with conversation.

Overall: Outback Steakhouse continues to impress with its consistent quality, friendly service, and cozy ambiance. It’s a great go-to spot when you’re craving a hearty, satisfying meal with great hospitality. Whether you’re in the mood for a perfectly grilled steak, a casual appetizer and a drink, or a full-course dinner, you really can’t go wrong here.

Highly recommended, and I’ll definitely...

My husband and I went for lunch on a Monday afternoon, and the dining room was fairly full, but no one was waiting. My husband ordered a coke and a water and the server brought the water, but not the coke. He asked if he could get his coke. When we ordered, I asked for the mixed vegetables, which was one of the sides specifically paired with the dish I ordered, but the server said they were out, so I took fries and ordered a salad as a side. After ordering it, I reiterated which one I wanted and that I wanted it as an extra side.

When the food came, the coke didn't come and neither did my salad. When I asked if it was coming, she asked if I wanted a garden salad and I said no--it was a different one--and reminded her of the order and she said she would "run back and grab it."

It was a good fifteen or twenty minutes before she returned--without the coke and with a garden salad. She put it down and started to walk away and I told her that was not what I ordered. By this point, we were finished with lunch and I didn't want it anymore. I told her to just take it off the order and instead of an apology, I got a pretty intense glare.

The coke never arrived, and my husband's water was not refilled until after she brought the check--after it had been empty for at least twenty minutes. She left the tap machine at our table so we could pay and we never saw her again. The host and hostess thanked us on the way out, which was nice.

As a gentlemen wrote in an earlier review, this is for the owner or manager because it would be nice for a restaurant in Lexington to be good and last. We had looked forward to having an Outback in town, but I'm not inclined to go back. I'm also not inclined to tip 18, 20, or 22% (which the check prefigured for me) when I don't even get what I ordered.

The food--or at least the part that I got--was good. The experience,...

My recent visit to Outback was about what I expected—reliable food but some frustrating service issues. While I appreciate the consistency of the restaurant, this particular experience had enough small problems to be disappointing.

The biggest issue was service. My waiter wasn’t attentive, especially with drinks. After asking another waitress for a refill, she just passed the request to my original waiter, which resulted in a 20-minute wait without a drink—making it impossible to eat in the meantime. What made it worse was that I saw my waiter bring out six or more drinks for other tables while completely forgetting mine. It really felt like our table wasn’t a priority. To top it off, he ignored our request to not bring more bread and did so anyway.

As for the food, the steak was fantastic, cooked perfectly, and the fries were solid. However, my salad came out with my steak instead of beforehand, so I ended up skipping it. The French onion soup had an odd mushy texture and tasted off, but I think it would have been good if it had been served earlier instead of sitting too long.

Another minor but distracting issue was one of the restaurant’s cleaners wandering around aimlessly like a lost puppy. It wasn’t a major problem, but it was odd to see them pacing back and forth with no clear task. It felt like they were trying to look busy without actually doing much.

Suggestions for Improvement:

Better attentiveness from servers, especially with drink refills, would make a huge difference. Additionally, improving the timing of food service—like ensuring salads and soups come out at the right time—would enhance the overall experience.

Overall, Outback remains a consistent choice, but this visit had too many small frustrations—especially with service—to be enjoyable. 3 out of 5 stars. I'd go back, but I’d hope for a better...