Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Niles Township

I have to start by stating that I understand that most hospitality and retailers are hurting with staffing and maintaining staffing, however, this experience was certainly uncalled for. The food was the best part of the visit, the service was very poor and the management interaction was shocking as well. The manager's appearance and verbiage were unbelievable for a "manager". From poor attention to detail and even feeling unwelcomed we knew this was going to be a rough experience from even when we got sat. The server felt like we were bothering her from that initial moment. But last I checked, this is her role and responsibility.

But regardless of the lack of attention and when asked for a refill- when arrived tossing the straw to me across rather than laying it on the table was unacceptable. Whether new or upset, this is not the way to treat a client. Again throughout the entire meal, when she asked if we needed anything, we suppressed our requests as we felt like we were being a nuisance asking for the refills. We proceeded to end our meal and ask for the check. When we did, the server replied "No desserts then huh?" Nope. We were done! Quickly dropped off the check, but again took a while to come back, actually, she never did. I had to take the check to the host stand where the host looked lost and did not know what to do with it.

5 minutes later, she comes back "sorry I was with another table". I don't care, we are a table too that you neglected as we were near completion. I did leave a tip, which I should not have as tips are based on service experience. But I did regardless perhaps to make her feel better or maybe because I know how in need some people are.

But in closing, this is not ok. This is not acceptable. This needs to be addressed. Her next table does not deserve this experience as she is a reflection of Outback. I thank you for your time but we will not be back...

My disabled friend requested steak, and I had a gift card so... a no-brainer, right? Weather was abysmal but I drove several miles, ordering two six-ounce medium steak dinners with mashed potato, broccoli and mixed veggies. $34. Well it's a treat; gotta do that once in a while...

Got lucky and found parking,it's tough after six in West Ridge. Knew I'd have to warm things up, take-out rarely is edible when you return, so I prepped for that and preparing steak etc. such that my friend could enjoy it. No problemo, right?

...opening the (smaller than last time) containers I found..no au jus that I'd requested, two obviously burnt chunks of meat, two containers of mashed Baked? potato with skins, broccoli (ok) and "mixed veggies" consisting of badly sliced carrots and green and yellow some kind of veg... and a small loaf? of dark rye bread.

A disaster.

Medium steak, IIRC, is sposeta have a Pink center. Mashed potatoes should not be stiff little mounds of Baked Idaho and mixed veggies...different. Totally unacceptable. Way overcooked steak, tough. Time to tap redial. Done. Refund and apologies.

So I massaged the potatoes, Mom never made ' em like that; got out the Better Than Bullion Low Sodium, carved the steaks up into small pieces and put all that on a low flame; trimmed the broccoli to make florets and ignored the mixed whatever veggies.

Everything got eaten but it was absolutely disappointing. My advice: want steak? Visit Denny's instead. Less expensive, tastier and tender (last time we ate there) and really nice waitstaff.

Maybe Longhorn would've been better, what do you think? Nah...been there, too.

Bon appetit...

This was a special occasion dinner. We visited Friday 12/29. We arrived a little before the evening rush but it seemed our server was occupied or inexperienced because it was slow, everyone around us was getting food and drinks even though they came in after us, while we waited. Then once food did finally start to arrive it was mistake after mistake. We waited forever for our bloomin onion and when it did get to our table it was burnt. They ordered another one. Before that came food finally started arriving piece by piece and plates were all wrong. I got my shrimp but had to wait for my potatoes. My brother in law got his plate with a steak that was so burnt, no vegetables. .my sister got charred cold meatloaf, looked like dog food, with my potatoes on her plate. Our dinner was a horrible experience. I never write bad reviews but I dont feel bad. as we were leaving I asked to speak to the manager, he Basically told me I should have told him earlier and maybe then he would have done something and he was very rude with me, my sister heard and couldn't believe how he talked to me. I told him we were told several times he would be coming to our table but he never showed up..I told him I didn't want to make a big fuss in the dining. area. he did not handle this very well. Again so disappointed. We spent $120.00 plus a $25 tip.. yes too much for that service. Terrible experience, ruined our night out. Will never go back, do not recommend. There were a few younger servers who were fantastic, 1. Guy who brought our food it was his 2nd day. He felt so bad. He was great. Not his fault. The...