Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Shenandoah

It’s been a few years, unfortunately, since I’ve eaten at Outback, but my recent visit advanced it to the top of my list! In this post-Covid period, with its many lingering issues, Outback is a shining star and provides an exemplary dining experience. A friend and I went for dinner and to do some paperwork with the organization she directs. From the hostess and server through the delicious food to the restaurant’s ambience, everything was perfect. Our server Dani (not sure about the spelling) was stellar — the perfect combination of friendliness, observation, attentiveness, and sensitivity. Our meal promised to be a long one, and, from the beginning, she was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, supportive, and thoughtful in her interactions. We had long gaps between arriving, ordering an appetizer, enjoying them, ordering our entrees, and finishing our meal. Without “hovering,” she somehow managed to appear when we needed something, which is quite an unusual staff quality today. Even though we took a long time to order and our visit lasted several hours, neither she nor anyone else on the staff, including the manager, gave the slightest indication of impatience or annoyance at our lack of hurry or our lengthy stay. At so many restaurants today, the servers try to remove dishes while diners are still eating. We never felt rushed or had any feeling that the staff thought we should finish and leave. Not even once. As for the food, I can’t even describe how delicious everything was. The mushroom appetizer with its amazing sauce was such a generous portion that we left some on the dish so we’d have room for our meal! That never happens! We were able to choose our sides, even though the description specified particular accompaniments. The salads were extremely tasty, and mine had the best honey mustard dressing I’ve had in ages. We both ordered salmon, and I requested mine well done. Many restaurant chefs botch that request, either undercooking it so that it’s still slimy or overcooking it so that it’s papery dry. Not at this Outback! The salmon was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and I didn’t want to miss a sliver! My other side was broccoli, and I can’t even describe its perfection, which is an amazing feat for any restaurant - in taste and texture, it was better than anywhere else. My friend got the loaded baked potato and said it was wonderful, too. I wish I had taken photos so you could see the presentations. By the way, on the menu, I noticed the lunch specials, which made me even more determined to return! In addition to our server and food, the restaurant itself has such great ambience. Booths are plentiful, lighting is spot on, background music is the right style and volume, and tables are large enough to accommodate all the dishes — as well as paperwork, phones, and notebooks for a mini-work session. Even the restroom, in addition to its nice size, was pleasant, and spotlessly clean. If I could give this Outback Steakhouse more than five stars, I would. After last night’s meal, I knew it would definitely be at the top of my list for future outings. This Outback location showed itself to be everything a...

They were Sadly Unapologetic. While outback is usually one of my go tos for a quick lunch or snack for a nice smile. The nice smile was all that was good today and everything that could be wrong with bad service came with it.

Makena, our server is super sweet, outside of that, terrible service.

I ordered 2 waters for my kids and 2 waters. 3 drinks showed up. Not problem. They came and said, 1 kid water, I responded with I asked for 2 waters, there are 2 kids. Maybe that was a little rude of me, but being a server before, that was an easy headcount to know 1 drink was missing.

While this is not a service issue, the silverware was not at all polished, so I did a Karen thing and called for the manager from the phone since I have small kids and wasnt walking away. Every piece of the 4 rolls had spots, gross spots and stuff stuck to it.

I got over it, the manager kindly delivered 4 sets of very newly polished sets to us. Thank you.

I ordered a prime rib which was perfect to be delivered with a sweet potato with all toppings on the side. I love the sugar but it's always too much. I was sent a loaded baked potato which I thought was mixed with my sons. Nope...his was right, so they sent another sweet potato.. full loaded sweet potato. Which I sent back and asked not to send another since I already wasted one.

I know parsley is a great garnish but why would you load it onto a kids potato? Just curious. My little boy refused to touch it because of the green stuff. It did look pretty but it wasn't touch.

My son ordered a medium steak and it was served at a bouncy med rare. Yup, bloody, he's like.. mom, I'll deal with it.

I asked for a water refill and some bread at the end of the meal since we never got any. Bread never came and water was finally brought by someone else. I love the bread and the butter and always get 2. We got zero today.

The table was never prebussed even though I moved plates to the end and stacked them neatly.

I left a 15% tip because I know that's what servers work for however I rarely tip that low.

Maybe it was because I came in with kids wearing crocks, didn't have my hair pinned up and looked kinda bummy today. But I honestly have to say, this is by far the worse service I have received in a long time.

I typically avoid the bad reviews but at this point, I think our table was just going to be neglected.

We've gone to get dessert elsewhere. I would have loved to have a chocolate thunder from down under but with the way we're we being service, I'd have to eat that with my soup and salad bowl sitting on the table.

Great smile but it needs to go with better service. I'm extremely disappointed. Anyways, review here only because I probably wasn't going to be taken seriously today. The restaurant seems to be getting busier, hopefully you don't screw up more...

I've never felt so compelled to write a review about a chain restaurant in my life, especially for one as popular as Outback. I don't feel like people typically seek out reviews for restaurants like this because I just assume everyone has eaten at one at some point in their life. However, the service and experience at this location is incredible and deserves to be recognized.

First, I've never been to a restaurant where a host is so incredibly friendly and lets you know to come find them at the front should you need anything. That's exactly what Cash did for us and my entire table was impressed. He was so kind and genuine that I truly believe he would've helped us with whatever we needed. He also let us know that they have a free to join rewards program that allows you to accumulate points to eventually get money off your next bill. I appreciated that because I had no idea that they had their own program prior to coming in!

I seriously regret not remembering my waitresses first name and not asking again before we left (though I do know it started with a V). She checked on us consistently without being overbearing, was extremely friendly, and always made sure we had what we needed.

This is by far the best Outback location I've ever been to, and that's saying a lot considering I previously reviewed one in Las Vegas that I really loved.

The waitress let us know that she was also bartending that night so she'd be happy to make us a $7 cocktail if we were interested. Seven. Dollar. Cocktail. It wasn't even happy hour! It's just a part of their menu that you can order anytime and the selection is really great! I did order an Aussie Rum Punch and it was delicious. Our meal was super good as well. I'd like to highly recommend that whatever steak you order, you include the garlic butter. I wholeheartedly believe it's worth the additional charge.

Really, everything was great from restaurant cleanliness to the friendliness of the staff and the tastiness of the food. This is definitely going to be one of my go to dinner date restaurants in the area.

Well done Outback Shenandoah, I'm your new...