Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Orlando

Dear Outback Steakhouse, Orlando Airport Location,

My wife and I ate at your restaurant on our way back to Toronto after a long and arduous convention in Orlando. Not only was it a long day but we had flight problems, transportation problems, and any other problem you can think that travelers might have. All I wanted was to get to Outback, sit at my favourite table, order a beer and a steak dinner and get past the stress of the day.

Just my luck, the area where my favourite table is was closed (par for the day). We then sat at the bar and the bartender, who was super nice, got us a couple of cold beers which immediately helped as we pondered whether to eat at the bar or wait for a table. After only a few minutes we did get a table and I tried hard to unwind and cool off after the day from hell.

And then, 'the straw that broke the camel's back', happened when the waitress dropped off PLASTIC cutlery for my steak dinner. Well, I snapped and immediately lost my appetite. I could not think of anything worse than eating my long awaited steak dinner with a plastic fork and knife (especially when I absolutely HATE single use plastics). So I immediately became everyone's WORST customer of the day/year and when the steak came, I sent it back (something that I have never done before). The manager came up to us and explained that it was not their choosing that the airport rules forced them to use the plastic cutlery, which my wife also tried to explain, but I didn't care.

As all this happened very quickly I also started to realize how nice everyone had been to us since we arrived, and how the bartender tried to make our stressful day better, and I then decided to 'run' after the manager, who had taken my food away.

I thankfully got to him before he got to the kitchen and asked him if I could take the meal back to our table, which he did for me. He further explained that they have no choice in serving plastic cutlery. I finally started to 'get it' and then also started feeling really bad that I had snapped on such a great group of people just trying to make my day better.

The steak dinner, BTW, was outstanding! The steak was cooked perfectly, and the baked potato will never leave my memory.

I will leave this story by simply offering an apology to the staff that day who had to deal with my negative energy, and did so in such a positive manner. Hats off to you all!

Please accept my apology and thanks for making my day so much better. I will always eat at Outback Orlando Airport when I travel there, if you will have me!

James

P.S. Get the Airport to use 'Bio-degradable'...

So ventured through security (Outback4), and went to ask about the wait time for a table of 6 people. Was politely advised that this would be 20 mins, which was fine. I also added that we had a disabled person, in a wheelchair, in our party as I thought that this may add to the wait time. Nope, I was told this was not be a problem! Twenty mins arrived and we were shown to our tables... Yes tables... a family of six was shown to a table of four and two??? I advised that we booked for 6 and was told that this was all that was available. I then suggested that they put two tables together only to be told that both tables fell under different servers. I stated that “why as a customer was this my concern? The “so-called” manager (Catherine) came over and shouted at me, told me I was being “RUDE”, that I was not giving her an opportunity to explain that the two tables fell under two servers. 1. I am a very bright and intelligent woman who booked a table for six people despite being told by Catherine that I had booked for a 2 and a 4, is she just stupid? 2. I have waited four weeks to post a review in the hope that my frustrations would subside but the lack of cooperation and management skills (if that is what you can call them) were clearly evident. 3. Was this discrimination against a disabled person/family? Unsure as to why this insignificant individual is allowed to be in such a position when she clearly has no customer service skill set or leadership portfolio. Nor is it fair to add an 18% service charge when the manager is well below par. How can the team be expected to follow such a poor role model. I would have sacked my managers for less!!! Catherine also asked us to leave, I believe that she did this as she could not substantiate her position as she was clearly wrong and showed a lack of respect to her customers. As a lawyer I am now looking to sue The Company and gain compensation from Catherine for her lack of respect and competency, and from the Outback for discrimination against a disabled person....

My family and I decided to eat here since we arrived at the airport a few hours early. Our waiter was a bit uncomfortable serving our table; well that's at least what he showed in regard to how he handled us compared to customers of different races. We ordered our food and everyone around us seem to get their food quicker which we didn't mind since we were mainly there to let time go by. What I have a problem with is the waiter was trying to be "sneaky" and had on gratuity to our check. We are a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 little ones) we leave a tip regardless of the amount however it is based on the service rendered. The first check was in the amount of $105.28 with an 18 % service charge. I respectfully ask the waiter if he was going to apply the military discount he said: "to pay for it and he would do it after, If I have to print a new receipt I would have to get my manager". I told him that was fine we will wait. He was persistent in just paying the check as is. I already knew he was doing this so that I wouldn't ask the manager about the 18 percent "service" charge. Long story short the manager; Rebecca came to our table. I ask her about the military discount and the service charge fee which she agreed shouldn't have been added to our check. She then came up with a lie that the machine was glitching and must have added it itself lol. Anyways Im writing this review for you all to be aware of and check your checks. They have added their own gratuity and on top of what you were going to leave as a tip anyway equals a bonus payout for the servers. It's just a practice to be sneaky and downright wrong and it's STEALING!!! Which is a CRIME. (See pictures down below. I tried to take a picture of the first check but the waiter whose name is listed made it his business to hurry and snatch the receipt out of my hand). SHAME ON...