Outback Steakhouse — Restaurant in West Virginia

Really ... Our celebratory Holiday Dinner ... We were shocked at the degree of inferior service and lack of freshness visually seen in the food served on Christmas Eve. I can only believe that the "second string", maybe third crew were running the show. Those delivering the meals, separate from the table server, were the only bright light of the evening. Our server, were she dead, would have been more lively, pleasant and attentive! We did notice, however, that she was very prompt at picking up her cash tips ... We are in the habit of leaving a fifty-dollar bill as a tip on Christmas Eve - have done this for years. Not so this evening ! Of course, we ordered the Bloomin' Onion - it tasted somewhat odd as if the grease were old - not what we have come to expect... Our drink order took over a half hour and when it arrived, we knew why. My boomerang flight of samplers had perspired and was a dripping mess. The 4 drinks ice was gone. The other drink, a "high end" cocktail drink with whipped cream, had gone flat and actually started developing a film. And the meal - Oh My God!!! I ALWAYS leave with an empty plate... never need a take home! That is, except for this meal - on Christmas Eve. We both unknowingly ordered "Hockey Puck" Chicken dinners! Dry and tough; good thing Outback uses sharp steak knives, but we were both done after a couple of bites (Chews). The mashed potato looked as if it had been sitting at the ready all day - a virtual formed mound with a hard surface! The vegetable medley was absolutely raw / uncooked - crunchy. And do you think our server, seeing virtually full plates would ask if everything was okay... Hell no! Might have caused her to work a little bit! So, after a waste of just under $100 (with a SMALL tip), we went home and made a Pizza from scratch. My dogs would not even eat the chicken dinners, which really made me wonder what was up with the food ... You guys blew it SO BAD that the Roadhouse, a few buildings away will now get our business. We will not be returning. It's sad because we've had good cheer with many friends at this location. Just not going to risk another disgusting meal, Holiday or not, at the Outback Steakhouse.

Silly side note... I'm from Adelaide, South...

My wife and I stopped on a Sunday afternoon while traveling. We were immediately seated, and a friendly waitress came to our table soon after. She took our orders, and brought us a small loaf of bread. We had begun eating the delicious bread when our fresh and crispy salads arrived. So far so good. A different person brought our cooked food. My wife had ordered chicken tenders with a baked potato. I had order a steak , to be cooked medium well, and a baked potato. When I cut into the steak, blood ran out all over the plate. The steak was nowhere near medium well done. I asked a nearby hostess about this, and she took the plate with my steak and baked potato back. Meanwhile, my wife started eating so her food would not get cold. She commented to me that her chicken tenders had a lot of breading and just a little chicken. A few minutes later, a man I took to be the manager brought my steak back, but failed to bring a baked potato back. He invited me to cut into the steak to see if it was acceptable, then left to get a baked potato without waiting to hear if the steak was ok. The steak was still only medium, as opposed to medium well, but my wife was almost finished eating and we needed to get on the road, so I ate it as brought. Meanwhile I overheard a customer at a neighboring table send her steak back twice because it was undercooked two different times. It is sad indeed when a steakhouse cannot cook steak properly! The atmosphere was ok, the salads fresh, and the baked potato delicious. Unfortunately, I cannot in good. Obvious recommend...

Alright, so, for this outback (I've never been to any other) everything is absolutely amazing. I don't know where to start, hm.. let's talk about service. You are greeted to a smile from the host or hostess and they happily help you get any table you'd prefer, you may have to wait though as this is a popular place (for good reason). The two times we went this week, we got the same server. John, he has blue hair and is literally the best server I've ever gotten. As friendly and helpful as can be, always checking his tables, if you go you have to ask for him. This man deserves every single penny of a tip he gets. The owner is an amazingly nice man who is always walking around to help as well, a family member of mine was upset about a visit from 6 months ago and he still compensated her for how bad it was (he is a new owner and has made the place amazing). Next the food, i got the shrimp and steak. Both times, no mess up. Steak perfect. Tastes amazing. The free bread was also baked fresh (I suggest honey butter with it). The wings are the best you can get around here. And the steakhouse Mac and cheese, best you'll ever get. I highly recommend this outback as I can't think of one complaint, but if I absolutely had to give some criticism, it'd be it can be a bit pricey. I wish I could give this place 10 stars, Shogun is no longer my favorite place to...