You may not know this, but I’m pretty close to BF’s family – especially his dad, whom I affectionately refer to as “Pop” or “PopPop”. I love the man dearly, though his taste in food is about as limited as possible, and at his behest, the family gathered recently for dinner at Outback in Queens Place. I decided to take pictures because… well, why not?
My argument over chain restaurants has been stated, restated, and continues to stand. Since I seem to have some new-ish readers to the blog, though, I’ll toss it out again: I don’t detest chain restaurants. They serve a very specific purpose, and some of them do a very good job fulfilling that need. It’s relatively inexpensive food at a family/kid-friendly establishment where you know what you’re getting 99% of the time (mostly because it’s frozen and shipped from a main facility in many cases). The food is familiar, and in general, it is mediocre to decent, sometimes good. Chain restaurants in NYC bother me somewhat insomuch as well, let’s take this particular occasion. We didn’t have any children with us (at 30, I was the youngest at the table), and instead of going to Outback, we could easily have crossed Queens Boulevard and hit up Mi Tio, an excellent Argentinian steakhouse with food good and cheap, sure to please.
But honestly, for the most part, chain restaurants serve a purpose and suit a need, and I have no problem with that. I don’t tend to seek them out (especially those available in NYC – admittedly, I do seek out some that I can’t get in NYC or that I actually enjoy, like Cracker Barrel), but when I do go, I’m not all “omfg I’m at a chain, losing foodie cred wahhh.”
My one exception is Applebee’s. I hate Applebee’s with the passion of a thousand suns. They had one dish that was good and they took it off the menu, and the last time I went (again, at someone else’s request), they messed up my salad. How do you mess up a salad that badly? It was gross, and horrid, and my friends’ cooked food was bad, too.
Crapplebee’s is not allowed. But other chain restaurants, I appreciate what they do and the needs they serve, and do not take offense at them.
Frosted mug for our root beers, which were pretty tasty (though artificial).
Someone said “How can you go to Outback and not order a bloomin’ onion?” but this was one of maybe two times I’ve ever had this. Not bad, and a slight kick to the dipping sauce. Some of the onions were less cooked than others, probably due to the varying widths of each piece, but I liked how crunchy some pieces were. Like a huge onion ring that never ends. Crunchy, oily, fried food.
BF gave me some of his Caesar salad, which was a bit overdressed on this occasion. But there wasn’t a big puddle of water underneath, and the greens were fresh. No complaints.
Per usual, he ordered a medium rare prime rib and mashed. He said he likes this cut a lot here; I tried a bite of the ‘crust’ (the tender, fatty part that rings the roast), and found it very soft and tasty. It’s steak, which I imagine means it’s prepared to order (well, in this case, roasted then sliced to order) more than at other chain places. Not bad.
I wanted something a bit different, so I tried to order a fish dish – tilapia topped with jumbo lump crab something or other. The served informed me regretfully that they didn’t have any tilapia left, but could instead put the same topping on salmon. I hesitated before agreeing, but asked if they could cook the salmon medium rare. I detest overcooked salmon. To my surprise, when my salmon came, the topping was horrid – completely fishy, barely any crab aside from the few pieces you see in the picture above, and just… disgusting. Pushing it all off my salmon, though, I discovered a wonderfully seasoned, properly cooked piece of salmon with a crust from searing, a moist interior that was gently cooked, still juicy, and I needed no salt to make it taste perfect. I was really happy with the salmon – not so much with the crab topping – and can now comfortably order this again. Probably next year for PopPop’s birthday.
Yvo says: Yes, I’m reviewing an Outback. The service was as expected – competent without fuss – and the food was solid, what was expected, nothing more but most importantly, nothing less. Everyone was happy with their food (I didn’t photograph the other steaks and the fish appetizers). We had a good time sitting, chatting, eating, and that’s what was desired on this evening. Some time soon, I’m going to drag PopPop to Mi Tio and show him an alternative to Outback that’s really nearby…
everything is as expected
TT says
Do chain restaurants serve a purpose?
😉
CheeeeEEEEse says
Bloomin’ Onion Stats: 2,210 calories and 134 grams of fat.
Why oh why does it have to be so bad for you? It’s oh so good…*cry*
Hungry says
Because it’s fried in lard.
Feisty Foodie says
I hate both of you for telling me.
kim says
When I used to go to Outback, my favorite part was the free bread. So yeasty and soft.
Feisty Foodie says
Yes! Boulder Creek has the white version. I think Santa Fe Steakhouse (near Austin St) has one that’s a combination of hte two – I’ve only been once, many years ago – and it was awesome too 🙂
T.C. says
My friends and I always stir clear of that Outback. Onyl eaten at the Red Lobster downstairs.
I think I rather eat at Applebee’s than Outback. I used to enjoy dinners in college at Applebee’s. Being a poor college student, it sorta was a luxury to do so though.
Outback has horrible strip steak for the price they charge you. Mi Tio is definitely a much better value.
CheeeeEEEEse says
This whole write-up was lost on you. 😛
T.C. says
Not at all. Just expressing my preference.
I don’t hate on chains (not this McDonalds-Papa John’s-Domino’s customer) nor eat at Applebee’s anymore (don’t really do the chain family restaurants anyway) but would totally choose it over Outback if they were my only options. HAHA.
Go choke down more blommin onions, Cheese.
Feisty Foodie says
That was over 10 years ago, when I was going to TGI Friday’s every week or more. Try going to Applebee’s now, and see how you like it, because I’ve been “dragged” in more recent years and it’s been consistently awful, while the other chains are infinitely more tolerable. Of course, it could just be personal preference, but I know for sure I liked Applebee’s fine back 10 years, and now they are just gross.
aimee says
It’s ok Yvo, we still love you. But the steak looked RARE.
Feisty Foodie says
You are correct, but I know he ordered it medium rare and that he didn’t seem to think it was undercooked. I figured prime rib roasts were different from regular steak in terms of color/doneness since they’re roasts…? /shrug
Carol says
just a question on neighborhood places….have you tried Wafa just off Metro Ave in Forest Hills? the best lebanese food ever! I just had their falafel and am munching on their homemade baklava..yummm
Feisty Foodie says
Ooh, no! I’ll have to look that up. I’m still just starting to explore Metropolitan Ave shamefully – where exactly is it off Metro? Thanks!
Feisty Foodie says
Just found it – prices look really reasonable, too! If I didn’t have a fridge full of leftovers right now, I’d totally hit it up right now 🙂 Thanks Carol!!!
Carol says
Hope you try them soon! The lady-owner and her son are super nice and helpful explaining the dishes. Make sure you ask about the specials! Tiny place, some seating, not for big group. Looking forward to your review of Wafa.
BlindBakerNYC says
I agree with you about chain restaurants and I especially share your hatred of Crapplebees and their craptastic food; I don’t know how they manage to stay in business. Because we live in a city that’s bursting with fabulous restaurants, I personally find it difficult to justify going to a chain eatery unless everyone in my group said they wanted to go.
As to Outback, it’s hard to say no to a giant fried onion.
skippymom says
I have been to Applebee’s twice in my life [I live in chain restaurant nirvana unfortunately – bah!] and once was over 13 years ago – and the menu was underwhelming – I have avoided it [with the exception one “drag alone”] since. Yuck.
I think Outback is too overpriced for what it offers – especially the service and the Sysco type food [side dishes, apps].
I would also happily go anytime my lovely inlaws asked – because their company is so,so,so much better than an overpriced steak and poor service.