Outback Steakhouse is renowned for its Australian-themed dishes and hearty portions, but not every item on the menu offers the best bang for your buck. While some dishes promise a tantalizing taste of the Outback, others leave much to be desired, whether in flavor, portion size, or overall value. Here, we’ve compiled a list of 12 menu items that might not be worth your hard-earned money. From appetizers to desserts, these selections may disappoint in more ways than one.
1. Tasmanian Chili
At first glance, a bowl of chili sounds like the perfect hearty starter. But Outback’s Tasmanian Chili often falls short of expectations. Instead of the thick, meaty, and flavorful chili you might crave, many diners report a thin, watery consistency with a lackluster flavor profile. It also lacks beans—making it more of a spicy meat soup than a traditional chili.
The spice level can be overwhelming for some, but the real issue is that it lacks the robust, slow-cooked depth of flavor that makes a great chili worth ordering. You’re better off skipping this and going for a different appetizer.
2. Grilled Shrimp On The Barbie
With a name like Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, you’d expect smoky, juicy, perfectly charred shrimp bursting with flavor. Unfortunately, this dish often disappoints with shrimp that taste more steamed than grilled, lacking the expected sear and smokiness. Many diners complain about a mushy texture, uneven seasoning, and an underwhelming portion size. For a steakhouse that prides itself on bold flavors, this appetizer feels like an afterthought. If you’re craving seafood, you might be better off looking elsewhere—this dish is unlikely to transport you to an Australian beachside grill.
3. Queensland Chicken and Shrimp Pasta
If you love rich, creamy pasta, this might seem like a tempting choice—but the Queensland Chicken and Shrimp Pasta can leave you feeling weighed down. It’s drenched in an ultra-heavy Alfredo-style sauce that often overshadows the chicken and shrimp, making the entire dish one-note. The pasta itself is nothing special, and the sauce tends to separate, leaving an unappetizing, oily consistency.
Not to mention, this dish is a calorie bomb, clocking in at over 1,200 calories per serving. Diners seeking a balanced meal may find this dish lacking, as the pasta can become soggy under the weight of the cream. For those looking for a satisfying pasta experience, other options might provide better value and taste, leaving this dish at a loss.
4. Aussie Cobb Salad
A Cobb salad should be a fresh, crisp, and protein-packed option for those looking for something lighter. Unfortunately, the Aussie Cobb Salad is anything but. Despite a generous mix of greens, the toppings are sparse, with minimal bacon and egg to add flavor. The dressing, while creamy, tends to overpower the fresh ingredients, masking rather than enhancing them. For the price, one might expect a more balanced and flavorful combination that truly satisfies. Salad enthusiasts looking for a robust dish might want to explore other options on the menu. This salad lacks the vibrant flavors and satisfying portion size desired.
5. Salted Caramel Cookie Skillet
A warm, gooey cookie topped with caramel and ice cream sounds like the perfect way to end a meal. But the Salted Caramel Cookie Skillet often falls into the trap of being too sweet and too heavy. Often arriving overbaked, the cookie lacks the gooey center that makes such desserts irresistible. The salted caramel flavor is too subtle, overshadowed by the sweetness of the ice cream.
While the dish looks tempting, the execution can fail to deliver the rich, decadent experience expected. For those with a sweet tooth, there are likely more satisfying options to explore. It’s a treat that doesn’t quite justify the indulgence or the price point.
6. Steakhouse Mac & Cheese
A side dish that doesn’t live up to its gourmet name is Steakhouse Mac & Cheese. The cheese sauce lacks depth, with a one-dimensional flavor that doesn’t satisfy the palette. A sparse sprinkle of breadcrumbs offers little textural contrast, leaving the dish feeling flat. The pasta is often overcooked, resulting in a mushy texture, and the portion size isn’t impressive for the price.
While it aims to be a comfort food staple, it falls short by not providing the creamy, cheesy goodness one expects. If you’re looking for a good side, the baked potato or grilled asparagus might be a better bet—this mac and cheese just doesn’t bring the comfort food magic you’d expect.
7. Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp
The Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp offers visual appeal but can be a letdown in flavor and texture. Often, the coconut coating is uneven, leading to inconsistencies in taste with each bite. The shrimp inside can be overcooked, lacking the juiciness that makes shrimp dishes delightful.
Accompanied by a sauce that fails to complement the shrimp’s sweetness, the dish doesn’t offer the harmony expected. Diners who enjoy coconut shrimp might find this version lacking the expected tropical flair. Given the price, other starters may provide a more satisfying experience.
8. French Onion Soup
A deep, savory broth with caramelized onions and a perfectly melted cap of cheese is what French onion soup should be. Sadly, Outback’s version of French Onion Soup often misses the mark. Many diners find the broth overly salty, making it nearly impossible to enjoy. The onions sometimes lack the slow-cooked sweetness that gives this dish its signature flavor, and the cheese topping can be rubbery instead of gooey and delicious. If you’re looking for a cozy soup to start your meal, this one might leave you reaching for your water glass more than your spoon.
9. Bloomin’ Onion
The Bloomin’ Onion is Outback’s most famous dish, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good choice. Sure, it’s crispy and fun to share, but it’s also one of the unhealthiest appetizers you can order. A single Bloomin’ Onion packs over 1,900 calories, 160 grams of fat, and 4,000 mg of sodium—that’s more than a day’s worth of salt in one dish.
Beyond the health factor, the onion is often greasy, with an inconsistent crunch. If you must indulge, consider sharing with the table, but be warned—it’s a guilty pleasure that could leave you feeling more sluggish than satisfied.
10. Kingsland Pasta
Another pasta dish that looks promising but tends to be underwhelming is Kingsland Pasta. Much like the Queensland Chicken & Shrimp Pasta, this dish suffers from a heavy, oily sauce that drowns out the other flavors. The steak and shrimp sound like an exciting combo, but they often arrive overcooked, making them tough and chewy. Additionally, the sheer amount of butter and cream in the sauce makes this dish excessively rich. If you’re craving pasta, you might be better off saving it for an Italian restaurant rather than ordering this calorie-laden disappointment.
11. 13-Ounce Ribeye
Ribeye is known for its marbling and juicy flavor, but Outback’s 13-Ounce Ribeye can be a gamble. Some diners report inconsistency in how it’s cooked, with steaks arriving too fatty, overdone, or lacking the expected juiciness. Given the price, you’d expect a top-tier steak, but Outback’s preparation can be hit-or-miss. If you want a great cut of steak, you might be better off going for the filet or sirloin, which tend to be more reliable. A good steak should be the highlight of your meal—not a disappointing plate of tough or underwhelming meat.
12. Aussie Cheese Fries
Cheese fries are a fun indulgence, but the Aussie Cheese Fries at Outback are a caloric nightmare. This dish comes loaded with over 2,000 calories, an excessive amount of cheese, and greasy bacon bits that can make the fries soggy instead of crispy.
The dipping sauce, while tasty, only adds to the richness, making this an appetizer that’s likely to leave you feeling weighed down. If you’re craving fries, you’re better off ordering a simple side portion rather than tackling this over-the-top platter that’s best reserved for sharing—and even then, with caution.
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