Outback Steakhouse

Great service, can't remember his name, he waited on us because the waitress was on lunch. Seems a lot pricier than the last time we were here, good food but homemade pickles are not that good and the special sauce either.

Great service, can't remember his name, he waited on us because the waitress was on lunch. Seems a lot pricier than the last time we were here, good food but homemade pickles are not that good and the special sauce either.

Outback Steakhouse – Rochester, MN We rolled in for an early bird dinner around 5 PM on a Tuesday. The place was practically empty—so far, so good. We were asked, “Table or booth?” We chose a table, only to be seated at the closest one to the door on a 30-below-zero Minnesota winter evening. Every time someone entered or exited, we got a refreshing arctic blast. Given that the entire section was empty, a trained host should have known better. After our impromptu ice bath, we asked to move. We started with the Bloomin’ Onion, which arrived quickly—great! But then we took a bite. It tasted like someone had upended an entire bag of salt into the fryer oil. Maybe they were going for a “salt-cured” effect? Hard to say. For the main course, we were intrigued by the $17.95 Prime Rib Steak Sandwich. We asked the server if it was actual prime rib, and they confirmed it was—served on a hoagie-style bun. We figured it would be day-old prime rib, maybe the smaller end pieces that don’t make it onto the $27.99 or $31.99 plated dinners. That seemed fair. What we got, however, was a tragic pile of random, tough, overcooked “ribeye” scraps that tasted like they had been microwaved into submission. The sandwich had precisely four tiny mushroom pieces (we counted) and was served on bread that didn’t look or taste fresh—either previously frozen and thawed or just very old. Look, we get it—ordering a steak sandwich instead of actual prime rib at a steakhouse was a rookie move. But the menu description made it sound spectacular: grilled mushrooms, onions, provolone cheese, Bloomin’ Onion sauce, horseradish cream, and au jus. In reality? Not so much. To make things worse, the $6.99 upgrade to a wedge salad meant this sad sandwich ended up costing as much as the 12 oz prime rib dinner with two sides. Lesson learned. Unfortunately, this experience sealed the deal—we won’t be giving the Rochester Outback another shot. Management doesn’t seem too concerned with quality checks, and the staff could use better training (starting with “don’t seat people in a wind tunnel when the restaurant is empty”). We’ve dined at the Inver Grove Heights location and had great food and service, so we know Outback can get it right. Just… not here.

Outback Steakhouse – Rochester, MN We rolled in for an early bird dinner around 5 PM on a Tuesday. The place was practically empty—so far, so good. We were asked, “Table or booth?” We chose a table, only to be seated at the closest one to the door on a 30-below-zero Minnesota winter evening. Every time someone entered or exited, we got a refreshing arctic blast. Given that the entire section was empty, a trained host should have known better. After our impromptu ice bath, we asked to move. We started with the Bloomin’ Onion, which arrived quickly—great! But then we took a bite. It tasted like someone had upended an entire bag of salt into the fryer oil. Maybe they were going for a “salt-cured” effect? Hard to say. For the main course, we were intrigued by the $17.95 Prime Rib Steak Sandwich. We asked the server if it was actual prime rib, and they confirmed it was—served on a hoagie-style bun. We figured it would be day-old prime rib, maybe the smaller end pieces that don’t make it onto the $27.99 or $31.99 plated dinners. That seemed fair. What we got, however, was a tragic pile of random, tough, overcooked “ribeye” scraps that tasted like they had been microwaved into submission. The sandwich had precisely four tiny mushroom pieces (we counted) and was served on bread that didn’t look or taste fresh—either previously frozen and thawed or just very old. Look, we get it—ordering a steak sandwich instead of actual prime rib at a steakhouse was a rookie move. But the menu description made it sound spectacular: grilled mushrooms, onions, provolone cheese, Bloomin’ Onion sauce, horseradish cream, and au jus. In reality? Not so much. To make things worse, the $6.99 upgrade to a wedge salad meant this sad sandwich ended up costing as much as the 12 oz prime rib dinner with two sides. Lesson learned. Unfortunately, this experience sealed the deal—we won’t be giving the Rochester Outback another shot. Management doesn’t seem too concerned with quality checks, and the staff could use better training (starting with “don’t seat people in a wind tunnel when the restaurant is empty”). We’ve dined at the Inver Grove Heights location and had great food and service, so we know Outback can get it right. Just… not here.

Disappointed to say the least. My first 6 oz steak was super spicy and covered in a spicy sauce. I had to send it back then both mine and my friends med. rare second try at the steak was cooked raw. We politely asked the waitress for a to go box and said we would finish cooking it at home and her response was basically nonexistent. Not even an offer of a discount. And the $14.99 3 course meal as advertised was $18.99. They didn't even have a $14.99 option. Sorry Outback but I'm done.

Disappointed to say the least. My first 6 oz steak was super spicy and covered in a spicy sauce. I had to send it back then both mine and my friends med. rare second try at the steak was cooked raw. We politely asked the waitress for a to go box and said we would finish cooking it at home and her response was basically nonexistent. Not even an offer of a discount. And the $14.99 3 course meal as advertised was $18.99. They didn't even have a $14.99 option. Sorry Outback but I'm done.

Update, 8-1-2024. Cowboy jacks has closed dislocation. I think it's been taken over by outback steakhouse. UPDATE 1-25-2020. FUNNY, no response at all from Cowboy Jacks. You would think they would at least respond, sorry for the inconveniences, but no. I guess they really don't care. First I want to make it clear, I'm not a complainer I'm just sharing exactly how our experience was this evening. If you're thinking, well they were busy, that's no excuse as there was plenty of wait staff on the floor. Ordered Steak (9oz Sirloin) & all you can eat shrimp. It took awhile for the waiter to bring the beverage and the bread. My dinner salad was served before the bread ever arrived. One of my forks was sticky, i.e. nasty, unclean, unwashed. Yikes. Both of our steaks were seasoned with pepper, which was never specified by us, and it wasn't in the menu as well . There was so much pepper, it was uneatable. I love pepper and spicy too, but this was not good. I brought this up to the waiter, instead of addressing it, he said "well they're kind of going for that peppery flavor". I said that I understood that but this was not eatable. The battered and fried shrimp was way over cooked. You know the cheap Banquet shrimp you get in the grocery store, that's exactly what it was like. The garlic herb shrimp was okay. But the garlic wasn't prevalent at all as a matter of fact it seemed as if they had muddled the sauce with a lot of other things like thyme, savory Etc. It was a little pastey in texture. We had to ask a couple times for more shrimp and bread. As a matter of fact, the couple next to our table asked for bread as well, and I heard the waiter say "yeah, I'll get you in line with everyone else". Really??? I used to really enjoy Out back Steak House, not so much anymore. They have really lost their touch. Note: The manager came by our table and asked about our concerns address them and discounted the steak from our bill. He was very nice and extremely professional. And we did tip our waiter the proper amount because he did look like he was trying.

Update, 8-1-2024. Cowboy jacks has closed dislocation. I think it's been taken over by outback steakhouse. UPDATE 1-25-2020. FUNNY, no response at all from Cowboy Jacks. You would think they would at least respond, sorry for the inconveniences, but no. I guess they really don't care. First I want to make it clear, I'm not a complainer I'm just sharing exactly how our experience was this evening. If you're thinking, well they were busy, that's no excuse as there was plenty of wait staff on the floor. Ordered Steak (9oz Sirloin) & all you can eat shrimp. It took awhile for the waiter to bring the beverage and the bread. My dinner salad was served before the bread ever arrived. One of my forks was sticky, i.e. nasty, unclean, unwashed. Yikes. Both of our steaks were seasoned with pepper, which was never specified by us, and it wasn't in the menu as well . There was so much pepper, it was uneatable. I love pepper and spicy too, but this was not good. I brought this up to the waiter, instead of addressing it, he said "well they're kind of going for that peppery flavor". I said that I understood that but this was not eatable. The battered and fried shrimp was way over cooked. You know the cheap Banquet shrimp you get in the grocery store, that's exactly what it was like. The garlic herb shrimp was okay. But the garlic wasn't prevalent at all as a matter of fact it seemed as if they had muddled the sauce with a lot of other things like thyme, savory Etc. It was a little pastey in texture. We had to ask a couple times for more shrimp and bread. As a matter of fact, the couple next to our table asked for bread as well, and I heard the waiter say "yeah, I'll get you in line with everyone else". Really??? I used to really enjoy Out back Steak House, not so much anymore. They have really lost their touch. Note: The manager came by our table and asked about our concerns address them and discounted the steak from our bill. He was very nice and extremely professional. And we did tip our waiter the proper amount because he did look like he was trying.

After the last two times we went there I told myself we wouldn’t be back. That being said we received a gift card from family for Christmas so we thought we’d give it another shot.. unfortunately it was just as bad as the last two times. The initial seating was fast as there wasn’t many people in the restaurant. It took about 15 minutes for our server to even come over and ask for our drink order and another 5 minutes for them to bring out the bread and butter. The food came out quick but as the last couple of times we had been in the steak had zero flavor which is very unfortunate when dining at a ”steak house” and paying their prices. Overall dissatisfied and won’t be back again. (At least not this location)

After the last two times we went there I told myself we wouldn’t be back. That being said we received a gift card from family for Christmas so we thought we’d give it another shot.. unfortunately it was just as bad as the last two times. The initial seating was fast as there wasn’t many people in the restaurant. It took about 15 minutes for our server to even come over and ask for our drink order and another 5 minutes for them to bring out the bread and butter. The food came out quick but as the last couple of times we had been in the steak had zero flavor which is very unfortunate when dining at a ”steak house” and paying their prices. Overall dissatisfied and won’t be back again. (At least not this location)

Food was good. Steaks had low gristle/fat content. Ribs were amazing. The wait wasn't too long for the food. Portions were big. Waitress was efficient and friendly. Tables were too close together. We were in a booth, and a short distance away, a group of four older people were playing videos at max volume. But that's not their fault, just rude customers. Would return. Very expensive, though.

Food was good. Steaks had low gristle/fat content. Ribs were amazing. The wait wasn't too long for the food. Portions were big. Waitress was efficient and friendly. Tables were too close together. We were in a booth, and a short distance away, a group of four older people were playing videos at max volume. But that's not their fault, just rude customers. Would return. Very expensive, though.

Saw the waitress twice and she had someone else bring the food out. The steaks were cooked wrong and almost all fat and gristle. The only thing good was the potato. We will not be going back and wouldn't recommend it!! Go to Texas Roadhouse for a great dinner!!

Saw the waitress twice and she had someone else bring the food out. The steaks were cooked wrong and almost all fat and gristle. The only thing good was the potato. We will not be going back and wouldn't recommend it!! Go to Texas Roadhouse for a great dinner!!

I can't remember our server's name but he was very nice and attentive to us he even sat down with us to take our order which me and the hubby thought was a very personal touch to the experience, overall the atmosphere was very nice was decently packed but was pretty quite and relaxed only gripe about the atmosphere is the lighting it was a bit too dark service was again top notch and food was also amazing portions were very generous and the garlic butter was to die for 5/5 stars would recommend and will definitely eat again

I can't remember our server's name but he was very nice and attentive to us he even sat down with us to take our order which me and the hubby thought was a very personal touch to the experience, overall the atmosphere was very nice was decently packed but was pretty quite and relaxed only gripe about the atmosphere is the lighting it was a bit too dark service was again top notch and food was also amazing portions were very generous and the garlic butter was to die for 5/5 stars would recommend and will definitely eat again