Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Lincoln

Where do I start, the waitress took our drink order and appetizer order in a timely and friendly fashion, but after that, it all went to he!!, She actually forgot to come to get our actual food order and simply stated it that way, the restaurant wasn't busy, she wasn't with other customers plain and simply forgot, then all 5 of us ran out of drinks in our glasses, and we almost had to flag down another waitress to get refills, then she went and refilled only 3 out of 5 drinks, and again no reason why, we waited over an hour for our food to arrive, I ordered a medium well-cooked steak, which was cooked correctly but was cool to eat as if it had been sitting awhile before being delivered to our table. We had come to eat for my son's birthday and had asked her to have them sing or announce his birthday as they do in other restaurants but she must have forgotten, and we were not going to dare remind her, as we didn't feel like sitting there for another hour, the same with dessert, my youngest had wanted dessert and I had ordered it with our meal, but again, didn't dare remind her. So unfortunately we had to ask for our check promptly, and you could tell she was ready for the 5 of us to leave, no excuses, no apologies, nothing. Now, my Husband is a very good tipper, and when with our drinks, appetizers, and meals being 35+$$ per person, and again 5 of us, he shortened her tip only $10, so he still left her a generous tip. Which she did not deserve. Now, we do not frequent this Steakhouse regularly, as others are closer to our house, but we decided to try, and we now know, why we do not. Sorry, just poor service all the way around for my family of 5. And no we didn't have young children, being loud and unruly, my youngest is 16, my 20-year-old, and his girlfriend, my husband and I, trying to have a nice meal out, for a golden birthday, 20...

I'm not sure how anyone rates this restaurant any more than two to three stars unless they have never been to another restaurant. I understand variation, but this makes no sense. I have been here a few times now only because my parents keep getting me a gift card for my birthday. It is just not good.

To start off, the staff seemed pretty nice. I don't think I'd go with attentive, but nice.

I ordered an old fashioned. I am convinced there was no alcohol in it, when it was supposed to have Maker's Mark. It was a $9 glass of tonic water. For those not in the know, tonic water is not even an ingredient in an old fashioned. An old fashioned is a very simple drink to make. It's the equivalent of ordering a rum and coke and getting a glass of orange juice. My glass was literally clear. This turned me off instantly (and more so when I saw I was still charged even after mentioning it). To her credit, the manager did come over later, but by that point I had already said something once and wanted to eat so I could leave. Yes, it's that bad. The significant other ordered some fruity drink with Malibu in it. I tasted coconut, I suppose.

I ordered seafood, and, for what it's worth, it was okay. If I didn't have a gift card and actually had to pay for it, I'd be disappointed. The shrimp were way over spiced and over sauced.

Significant other ordered a medium steak. It was closer to well done than medium. It was also seasoned to the point of mild spiciness.

While we were there, there were at least two other incidents, one where a couple was comped for something and one where they charged a man for an unordered item. I somewhat wonder if many of these oh-so glowing reviews are due to comped items rising from mistakes.

Last year, they overcooked my ribs and my steak.

I need to tell my parents to stop getting me Outback gift cards for...

Well, for anyone who follows my post, they know I rarely give anything below five stars, and if I do, there is a good reason. So here is what happened. I recently went to an outback in Louisville Kentucky. It was my first experience at an outback steakhouse and it was five stars all around. So when I got back to Lincoln I decided to go to the one here thinking it would be the same if not similar. Well first, they had a whole side full of open seating and they sat me right next to another Booth of folks who was sitting next to another Booth of folks. I thought that it was odd that they would have us all sitting so close and not space out. I waited well over 20 minutes before my server even showed up. I know that is not normal so I will give her the benefit of the doubt. She must have been busy with something. When she did arrive I had ordered the Victoria's barrel cut filet mignon, medium rare. I waited a good 15 to 20 minutes which is understandable. Once my meal arrived I noticed that my steak was thin and oddly shaped. I said something it was told that it was a different cut of filet mignon. I then cut into it and it was medium well. Normally I would just suck it up. But I just decided to speak with the manager and let her know the issues I had with my experience and that I would pay a discounted price for the side salad and two bites of the steak that I had. She was generous and come to my entire meal and thanked me for letting her know. She said they are still learning. I will give them a second shot at some point in hopes they have...