Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Town of Brookhaven

My family (party of 4) experience in Outback of East Setuaket was HORRIBLE, From the STAFF DOWN TO THE FOOD! Our waitress didn’t want to assist our table and her neglect and lack of attention spoke more than she did! This young lady, would see empty salad bowls,entree plates and empty glasses and would look at us continue to walk right past our table. My daughter had to ask for our drinks multiple times as well as bread, it’s normally provided with the meals that usually ordered. This was a very big issue due to another patroness coming in behind us and received the basics well before our table did! My youngest daughter and I ordered what should’ve been well-done steaks. My daughter received medium Well and my steak was barely cooked with BLOOD on the plate! Even after recooking steaks still under cooked. For this reason they were removed from the bill. My oldest daughter and grand daughter ordered chicken both very bland with a poor cook. 3 out of 4 of us ordered mashed potatoes. We were served three day old mashed potatoes. They were gray and the staff was well aware of the mashed potato not being good. As soon as they looked at our plates, they knew what the complaint was. Along with everything else. Before I could even get anything out about the mashed potato. The Manager looked and said yeah the potatoes. I’ll get you new ones. The entire lunch was horrible horrible horrible horrible horrible!!!!!! The entire restaurant staff needs to be ashamed of themselves. My family and do not see ourselves returning! I honestly believe that would make this staff happy! My family nor their staff were verbally rude or disrespectful towards each other. However the food and service was highly disappointing. I would NOT RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT!

I forgot to mention I have been to this location a few times and had minor issues, however, nothing like this experience! I’m still highly upset! First two pictures are the first set of mash. Last two pictures is what was brought after the manager seen how hard it was to get the fork in it. Steaks not pictured because they hurried up and took them back to...

Had two visits here within a span of a 3 day weekend. Both times was dinner with a party of friends numbering over 10.

The first experience was very good and the second experience was only a smidge less so. Highly satisfied with the service and food and attention given by the staff. One or two minor issues that came up were quickly and satisfactory resolved. There are bound to be issues when dealing with large parties- you know how finicky some of YOUR friends are, don't you? 🙂 The manager and staff were on point and responsive. Kudos to this establishment.

3/9/22 and 4/23/22 update:

A third and fourth visit to this particular Outback and, yes, with large parties. A party of 14 in March and a party of 20 most recently in April. Again, I was quite pleased with the service by the wait staff and the attention by the manager on duty both nights. Look, I know that many of us can find our job a drag and particularly when you have to deal with a revolving cast of strangers each day for your shift as waiters and waitresses do... it can be tiresome and sap your energy and desire to be around people. Which is why I make an effort to point out establishments that to me go above the standard norm. This Outback and each of the wait staff that has served our table each time, has been remarkable. The waiter/waitress are more than personable; they make it feel like you have made their day by showing up and sitting in their section. They make you feel like their FRIENDS, not like a customer. And let me tell you- that goes a LONG way to a pleasant dining experience. Especially when you're dining with a group of various ages, genders, and temperments. And some who have driven over an hour for the occasion. Our visit in April saw us served by Deanna and she was on point and made the evening very pleasant. My compliments to her and to the night manager. And of course to the general manager. Someone has to know what they're doing to hire the right people for the job.

Oh yeah- and the food is pretty...

EDITED POST

Unfortunately, I have to rewrite this restaurant and give a few more comments about their supposedly gluten-free process.

After the assisted us, we started going to the South back at least once a week. The manager and staff are aware of our specific medical needs with the Celiac. Yet, we received bread in with our supposedly gluten-free food several times.

The last time this happened I talked to the manager, Tracy, and she said that the responsibility for adding the bread was the people who are packing the to-go orders. Well I don't expect the manager to be everyplace at one time I do expect her to ensure that everyone in establishment that sells gluten-free food be properly. That includes keeping all items that contain gluten or waiver from the gluten free food and not putting any of them in with the gluten-free food.

This outback steakhouse get a fail for gluten-free food. We have decided not to go back to it.

Other outback restaurants have done the same thing and put bread into the bag with the gluten-free food in the past. I believe this is a lack of support and training by corporate. I will be in contact with corporate to try to get them to roll out better training and ensure that the food truly is gluten-free.

ORIGINAL POST BELOW

Gluten free friendly. These guys are kind and understanding. I asked for the kitchen manager and the GM came out. Byron was incredibly understanding and took the time to listen to me. He oversaw the kitchen staff to ensure we had gluten free food. The staff and Byron took the time to listen to me and to understand. In return we got a wonderful dinner -- yummy Alice chicken, a tasty baked potato and cooked carrots for my daughter. I cannot recommend the Alice chicken enough, tasty, spicy, tender. Byron was so generous and gracious -- he gets five...