Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in Town of Hamburg

Went in today for lunch with my (adult) daughter. We were handed 3 menus each, filled with all kinds of pictures and descriptions. My daughter ordered the lunch sirloin filet and shrimp (approx $10.94), and I received the sirloin salad (... which I thought was $10.99), and 1 black coffee, 2 waters.

When the bill arrived: $49.99!

W-H-A-T?!?

My daughter’s sirloin and shrimp was $26.29 and my overly dressed salad with 5 strips of grilled steak was $15.69!

So I asked the waitress for clarification. I take 100% responsibility for ordering my salad and not realizing it was going to be $15+ for iceberg lettuce, 1.5 tablespoons of bleu cheese and 5 pieces of beef.

I asked for clarification and the waitress gave a very brief unsatisfactory answer. When I asked again (and yes, I work in customer service so I was nice!), she said “I’ll get the manager.” Great.

The manager came over with the menu at-hand and pointed out that although “filet” is listed on the description, the price below that we were looking at was for “sirloin” - - and my daughter said “filet.”

Why would you put one cut of meat terminology into the description and then a price underneath for a different cut terminology? My daughter POINTED to it on the menu when she ordered. Shouldn’t the waitress perhaps asked for clarification? (And by the way, the table adjacent to us admonished the waitress for walking by them 3x and taking our order before taking theirs even though they were seated first).

The manager offered NOTHING. Not “Let me take $5 off,” not “Can I give you a free dessert?”

Nothing. His attitude lead me to believe they spend A LOT of time clarifying checks because their menus are overly-confusing and poorly labeled. He did say that there are lunch items on one of the other menus and that probably would have clarified it, but yes, it is confusing on the specials menu.

How about Outback not have THREE different menus?!? Perhaps that could clear up some of the confusion.

I’m a business owner. At times you take a hit to make customers happy. That’s the way it works. He was very dismissive with the situation and offered no resolution. We left dissatisfied customers.

Sadly, this was our 3rd and final trip to Outback. I earned a 50% reward which I’ll be spending at Bonefish Grill.

I left a 10% tip. $55 for a mediocre lunch...

Our daughter and her boyfriend wanted to go there for Valentine's day dinner. We took them, and planned to have a nice dinner ourselves at a different place in the restaurant. They seated us at the table right next to them. They were served very quickly and were finished before we even received our main course. Their server brought their check, and her boyfriend payed the bill with cash. The server brought his change about the time our dinner finally arrived. Because they were there for Valentine's day, they did their gift exchange while we finished our dinner. After our dinner, as we were driving her boyfriend home, we received a call from our server who left a message that said that our daughter, and her boyfriend did not pay their bill, and the server and manager would like us to come back and settle the bill. Moments later, I received a text message with the same info. I called the restaurant back and asked to speak to a manager (Robert). He said the same thing. I informed him that I specifically saw the transactions take place between his server and my daughter's boyfriend, and that he needs to discuss with his server about what happened 😡. I also informed him that I didn't appreciate them accusing my daughter and her boyfriend of skipping out on the bill. He mentioned that he would need to investigate on his end. I told him again that I didn't appreciate the accusations, and that I expected a phone call back from him with the outcome of his investigation. No return call. Couldn't be more dissatisfied with the slow service we received, and the total lack of disrespect shown. Will not...

We have been eating at the Blasdell Outback for I believe close to or over 20 years ~ either as a couple, meeting another couple or couples, and for family get togethers. Throughout every visit, we have never been dissatisfied with the food or the staff! All have been wonderful!

Though others in our group love to order a variety of appetizers, food items, etc., I order my all time favorites: the potato soup, the 6oz grilled steak ~ after all (it is a steakhouse), along with a side of their wonderful grilled shrimp, two sides of veggies (I love their veggies as they are not mushy), a glass of or share a carafe or bottle of White Zinfandel wine, and of course their wonderful, warm and tasty bread with whipped butter.

By then I am fully sated and order a dessert to take home ~ lately their tasty, moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting as they sadly have discontinued their warm apple dessert. I truly wish they would bring the apple dessert back as I would take it home, warm it slightly in the microwave, add some more caramel sauce and pecans to eat as a late night snack or my morning breakfast treat.

Hopefully this week we will partake in their $12.99 soup/salad, steak and dessert special that was advertised on TV earlier this evening. Being senior citizens and great grandparents living on an ever tightening budget, we do wish the Outback would offer more specials, especially for us oldies, but goodies as we have been faithful to the Outback for...