Outback?

I'm not a typical 'chain eater', but when I'm at my mom's, she tends to want to eat at the local chains (small town, not a lot of restaurants). We ate at Outback Sat. night, and were very disappointed. I know Outback isn't the best steakhouse, by any stretch, but you can usually count on a decent meal. We ordered our usual prime rib dinner w/baked potato, and the chopped salad. The salad came out with rusted lettuce - obviously not fresh. I've never had that issue with them before. The potato was much smaller, which wasn't a huge deal, cuz neither of us can finish the potato anyway. But the prime rib was nowhere near prime anything. It was tough, dry, and had very little flavor. We decided they had changed the meat they were purchasing. We asked our server, who asked the manager, and sure enough, they have changed where they're buying their meat. According to the manager, this is a corporate decision, not something unique to this location. I was just wondering if anyone else has come across any slip in quality at the Outbacks around here? I know times are tough, and restaurants/companies are cutting back where they can, but I'd accept a smaller portion as opposed to lower quality. We won't be back for while, I know that.

Lowering quality is a sure way to lose customers, especially in these hard economic times. People might understand a smaller portion what they will not under statement nor accept lower quality! If this continues at Outback or any other restaurants for that matter you can be assured their days are numbered.

I can't personally comment on the quality at the local Outback's since I haven't been to one in over 12 years!

[Robin Garr]

Speaking broadly and without any specific information, Kim, I'm surprised and disappointed to hear this. Outback, as a corporation, is perhaps the gold standard of family casual dining chains. It owns Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill, and also (not in Louisville) Fleming's Steakhouse and Roy's. Frankly, of that group, I've always found Outback the least interesting, almost as if they started with it and then learned by doing as they grew.

Point is, though, this is one chain that I've always praised for "getting it" and understanding that quality and customer service pay off in the long run ... a lesson that most restaurant corporate management doesn't get at all. That's why it would be particularly disappointing to see bad corner-cutting here.

I worked for Outback, 5 years, and know several people still in various stores.

Which particular Outback were you at on Saturday?

I worked for Outback, 5 years, and know several people still in various stores.

Which particular Outback were you at on Saturday?

Vienna, WV http://hosted.where2getit.com/outback/i ... line=26105

I've noticed that with a lot of chains. I think some of the menu changes Outback has made has had far less to do with staying fresh than with cutting costs. I mean, how do you get rid of that pork chop dinner? No way folks wanted that bland pork loin dish they offer now.

Another chain I used to frequent was Qdoba. Their ingredients got so bad that I have sworn them off until I hear a good review. Something tells me I won't be back for a long while.

Going to P-burg tomorrow - definitely will not go to Outback there. I do not believe we have gone there at all, we normally do not go to places we can go to at home when we are out of town. Besides, Baby Napolis and Mr. B's are calling.......

Going to P-burg tomorrow - definitely will not go to Outback there. I do not believe we have gone there at all, we normally do not go to places we can go to at home when we are out of town. Besides, Baby Napolis and Mr. B's are calling.......

I forgot your hubby was from there! I prefer to go to more local, no matter where I am, but my mom tends to stick with chains in that town. However, there is an Indian place there now, I believe it's called Star of India. I found it decent for the area at first, but the last time we ate there (Christmas-time), the flavor/spices seemed to have been 'dumbed down' for the general public. However, we've only eaten from the lunch buffet, so I'm guessing you could get more specific if you order from the menu. It's on the right before you get to the Traffic Circle, behind Red Lobster, just past the mall.

There's also a Lebanese restaurant downtown on 6th and Main. I haven't been there yet, but have read great reviews. Mom and I were going to go there when I was in a few weeks ago (been going back and forth a bit lately to help her with some stuff), but she wasn't feeling well, and we didn't make it. I was surprised I could talk her into it! We'll hit it on one of my trips later this summer. If you go, lemme know what you think!

And Fusion Japanese, which I'm sure you all know about - it's been there for a few years. They're pretty good (not as good as what you can get in Lou, but still...) I like the Wasabi Grilled Tuna (which is either extremely lightly grilled, or not at all, but it's good). I also like the Dragon something or other roll, I forget now. My dad would've been THRILLED to see both a Japanese AND an Indian restaurant in that town! (he was a big foodie, and they also spent 3 years in Japan)

Pizza Place - I love Pizza Place Pizza! I don't typically like thicker crust pizza, but I sure love theirs. Their pepperoni is awesome, although very greasy. We always get/got extra napkins to soak some of that grease up, but it was worth it. It's right across from the high school I went to (PHS), and we had open lunch, so it was a mainstay lunch for 3 years (our high school was sohpomore-senior), and is still a treat when I go 'home'.

Went to Ricky D's Italian in Vienna last weekend, which is right on the river, and has a great view. It's where the Colonade used to be, on Grand Central, before you get to Micky D's if you're coming from Vienna. Mom and I split the Italian sub, which was really good, and the Veggie Pizza, that has spinach-artichoke dip as the 'sauce'. It was ok. I heard the pasta dishes are ok, not great. But it's a nice change, and the atmosphere is great, and they just put in a dock. If you go there, say hi to Eric, the bar manager/tender. He was at Outback for years, and was always so fun and friendly. Recently moved to Ricky D's, cuz that Outback is slipping in a big way.

Mr. B's - used to LOVE them, but the owner is a close family friend, and I got burnt on them after they sent me back with a party box of the chips in college, and I ate about half of it in 2 days. Ugh!

There are a lot of nice places in Marietta, but I have a hard time getting Mom to go up there. It's such a small town, that more than a 10 min. ride, then it's too far in her mind. Our neighbors/one of my best friend's parents told me about some places, but I forget now. I can ask them if you'd like!

How long will you be there? We're going to WI this weekend for a few days to see my husband's family, and then we're having an impromptu family reunion of sorts next weekend. It would be fun to hook up, but I have a feeling your visit doesn't coincide with ours.

Sorry for the long post! I just get excited hearing from anyone around here with hometown connections! Regardless, have a safe trip, and I hope you all enjoy the reunion!

Going for a family reunion, will be back on Monday. We found a great Italian place in Williamstown, Da Vinci's, last year. We like Fusion, too (we are staying in the Wingate behind it). We will eating at the Reunion on sunday and probably will not be able to waddle out later. I will recommend Ricky D's to hubby, we missed the Colonade. WOW, Indian AND Lebanese? P-burg is growing up. I remember the lines when the Red lobster opened! We may end up making the pilgramage to Jimmy Columbo's, even though I find the food nothing special - it's the memories for Richard. Of course we will come home with Mr. B's and pepperoni rolls!

Going for a family reunion, will be back on Monday. We found a great Italian place in Williamstown, Da Vinci's, last year. We like Fusion, too (we are staying in the Wingate behind it). We will eating at the Reunion on sunday and probably will not be able to waddle out later. I will recommend Ricky D's to hubby, we missed the Colonade. WOW, Indian AND Lebanese? P-burg is growing up. I remember the lines when the Red lobster opened! We may end up making the pilgramage to Jimmy Columbo's, even though I find the food nothing special - it's the memories for Richard. Of course we will come home with Mr. B's and pepperoni rolls!

Yeah, Mom's friends take her up to Da Vinci's every now and then. I like it, she said it's not as good as it used to be, but I think that's my mom not wanting to venture out of her small radius (she's 77, getting set in her ways). Haven't been to Columbo's in yeeeeeeeeeeeeeears. We used to go there all the time when I was growing up, so I can relate to the memories. The original Jimmy used to give me gum or candy after our meal. Made me feel special. I ordered 3 dozen pep rolls for our little group for snacks. hope I have enough! Enjoy your visit, and have a safe trip!

i used to work for outback as a server. i admit that i was surprised during my training when i found out that most of their food is hand prepped or made from scratch. the veggies come in whole rather than pre-diced or sliced and frozen in bags. all of the salad dressings are made daily, on site, from scratch. the garlic mashed potatoes are made in small batches throughout the night, rather than sitting in one big batch all day. things are seasoned in the kitchen rather than dumped out of a bag ready to throw on a grill. they cut their own fries and make their own croutons (which are garlic-y and yummy!) we were only open for dinner, but prep began around 7 am so that everything could be made fresh daily.

the majority of the time, i choose to dine out in locally owned restaurants. i work for one and prefer to. i think it's important that small businesses can make it. i think it's what's best for the community in a lot of ways. my point is, i just assumed that being a chain, outback would use lower quality product and tons of shortcuts. in defense of outback, i just want to point out that they don't. i hope i don't sound contradictory.

I usually stick to dining at the local restaurants, however my younger brother was in town last weekend & he is a very picky eater. Outback is one of his favorite restaurants so thats where we went. I really have never had many "bad" dining experiences, so this was a first. First of all it took about 10-15 minutes once we were seated for a server to come by and get our drink orders. I think this is because I look a lot younger than I am and I was with my 17 year old brother, so I'm sure no one was in a hurry to serve a couple of "kids". Once he did come by, we didn't have a problem with service the rest of the night. The cheese fries appetizer & salads were not bad. However, our entree's truly sucked. I ordered the filet & stuffed shrimp and the beef was 1/2 fat and the shrimp were unrecognizable and very greasy. Even my brother who has dined at Outback numerous times and always gets the same Outback special meal said that the steak was covered in fat and not very tasty. Our server was pretty good but I noticed that the manager visited just about every table around us to handle complaints. It was a little sad because Outback was always my favorite chain restaurant growing up...but I am certain that I will avoid dining there again at all costs.

Which location?