Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in North Haven

I am an incredibly tolerant patron. However, last night's dinner was a nightmare. The only bright spot was that my husbands food was fine and our server Ryan, who truly felt bad about the whole situation.

My family and I went out to outback for dinner last night. We all ordered steaks and my daughter and I each ordered a Caesar salad. The salads were so overdressed they were soupy and the lettuce was so saturated it was mushy. It was inedible and we both sent them back and asked for them to be remade but To go as we didn't want to be behind when our dinner arrived. We probably should have eaten the remade ones given our steaks.

We both ordered our steaks medium rare which is a warm red center. My daughter's sirloin, when she cut into it was underdone and completely gristle. I ordered a ribeye which was so salty my eyes watered and my mouth burned. We sent those back. About 15 minutes later, we got new steaks and my daughters was blue (as in completely raw and dark on the inside). Mine was very very rare, although the manager tried to convince us both that they were medium, but finally conceded that they were underdone but took them back and cooked them a little longer. Honestly when they came back, mine was medium well and my daughters medium, but at that point, my husband was done eating and we just wanted to go home so we didn't send them back again. The manager dropped them off, said he would check back, and didn't until we were leaving.

I used to work at an outback and I have never had such a terrible experience, including barely no apology from the manager. Our server was beside himself. But I am surprised that no credit, compensation, etc. Was offered given having to send food back not once but twice. We did not ask for it as we genuinely thought it was common practice to comp something but I guess not. Sadly, we...

Went here with my Husband and Son. I ordered Prime Rib medium rare. It came out well done. The manager took the meal back but not before he tried to tell me the plate was hot and it contributed to it cooking it further- thus why it was well done. Not 30 seconds after the manager left the table my son cut into his well done Filet Mignon that was also ordered medium rare. I tried to flag a server for a couple of minutes - several walked right by and obviously heard me. I eventually went up to the hostess station and they sent our server over. They took his dinner back to make a new one. Now my son and I are watching my husband eat. Not fun- especially when you’re hungry. My new Prime Rib arrived in about 5 minutes- cooked approximately. However my son’s took 14 minutes- yes I was timing it and was upset at the delay. He was so hungry I shared some of my meal with him while he waited. The restaurant wasn’t busy so that wasn’t the problem. The Manager finally came back with my sons meal, again not apologetic but did ask if our meat was cooked appropriately. But after 2 meals cooked incorrectly causing all of us to eat at different times, flagging down servers and waiting at the hostess station for assistance , the process wasn’t at all relaxing , I would have expected some compensation. No offer from our server or manager for credit on our meal or free desserts. When you go to a restaurant and pay $25-$30 a meal you expect things to run smoothly, be relaxing and enjoyable. I left very disappointed. To be honest, this isn’t the first time I’ve had problems with this Outback. I haven’t been here in a couple of years because of this. I thought I’d give them another chance which ended up being a mistake. The Wallingford/North Haven area has far better restaurants that are comparably priced. Don’t...

Eating in, everything is great but anytime you order for a pickup / at the bar for togo, things go off the rails. Check my review history, I typically don't speak poorly but after about 6 months of trying to get things right, our orders (to-go) are wrong in one manner or another every time. Missing paid sides, steaks are undersized vs what you eat in store (tried it one day to eat in store and came back later for a to go to see if I was crazy), they tell you there aren't onions or chives on something - but often you find them at home once you unpack everything, etc. The bar tenders and servers are literal Rockstar and never had any issue there but the backend seems to get things mixed or are stuck in an assembly line mindset. To be fair, I've never called them out as we come just before or after lunch rush and I'm sure everyone is rugged out but I feel it's been long enough that something needs to be said after so many attempts. Thanks for the great chow but really fix the ability to double check orders, please. Some of the foods my wife wasn't able to be eaten and I would need to snag another meal for her the same night, though she is dead set on Outback! Edit was contacted and currently reaching out to see if they have any action plans for increasing service. Will update.

UPDATE For anyone who actually checks back in, since about a week after this post, things seemed to have gotten better. Orders are consistent, any special requests have been met, and the bartenders are actively checking over the order prior to handing it over. Well done! Adjusting the original 3,5,5 score to a straight 5 as it wasn't just for a week, it's been awhile. Great to see when a business listens to...