Outback Steakhouse Wildwood
 

We had dinner there last Saturday evening around 7:30. It was a terrible experience. I ordered an 18 ounce bone-in ribeye ($32). The steak I received had a bone of no more than 2 inches and at least a third of the steak was a big blob of fat. When I asked for the manager, I was told "ok, we will get you another one." No apology. The replacement steak that I received looked like a bone-in ribeye but was only about 1/2 thick and also had a huge blob of fat - almost 4 inches in diameter. And the steak had little flavor. It was worse than a cheap breakfast steak you get at a low quality diner. And then the service. It too was terrible. We ordered drinks from our waiter. Three of the 4 drinks arrived via another server. We told him one of the drinks was omitted. About 10 minutes later, I summoned a bus boy and asked for our waiter because we were missing a drink. The drink arrived about 10 minutes later, just before our meals were served. Then we never saw our waiter again until he brought the check. I am forgiving on challenged service when a restaurant is real busy, I can excuse substandard service. But the place was only about 3/4 full. Overall an unacceptable experience and a "never return."

We've eaten there a couple of times, once by ourselves and another time with some visitors and had great service and food both times. Sorry you had a bad experience.

The service and food was next to not being able to be eaten or tolerated service when it was on 441. I won't go back to any Outback except for one down a ways from the Villages and the other was in Hawaii.

My SO found it very salty. She says never again

On Par
 

Sounds like it is on par with The Chop House

We won a $100 gift card to Outback. Trust me, Chop House even with all its warts is fine cuisine compared to Outback. We went there with low expectations and weren’t disappointed. lol

They OVER SEASON all their meats. Even if you specifically say "NO SEASONING". It comes out too salty.

A shame.

Skip

usually includes ingredients like kosher salt, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, coriander, and turmeric

They don’t understand it only needs salt and pepper. Showed them My steak could not be cut with the large knife. Management was indifferent. Won’t be back.

That’s a shame I had hoped this new Outback would be better than the one on 441 in TV. We had one in CT and it was good not great but consistently good and service was excellent, no big issues.
I read the comments here on TOTV but, maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ll have to try this Wildwood Outback before I pass judgement myself.
Who knows maybe their manager reads TOTV and will make things right before I get there….lol

We liked it. We will be back.

Went to the previous location in Lady Lake once a year the past three years. Giving it a chance; hoping it would be different - improved.

Waiting til the thrill rubs off and the crowds go home to try the new one. Maybe I'll wait a little longer and get back on my once-a-year schedule.

Stuff on steak: Yeah, I don't even want salt and pepper from the kitchen.
Why, is there something wrong with my steak (or fish) that it needs seasoning or goo on it ?

Do you want steak sauce? Why, do I need it?

Salt: I can add my own salt to my taste and needs. And it is not possible to take-off; unless you want to run in the kitchen and rinse it. Aaaaaargh.

Steakhouses are fine, but just don't order a steak. I buy USDA Prime steaks at Publix and cook them myself. The only restaurant nearby where I would order a steak is at Ruth Chris near Orlando. All of the other restaurants are trying to sell low quality beef and pass it off as a good steak. That is why they add salt and other seasonings.

Prime ribeye is about $22 a pound at Sam’s Club. Take it home and grill it. It will save you money and the steak will be very high quality.

As far as I know, Outback does not serve Prime ribeye. They serve Choice ribeye. No restaurant should charge (and no customer should pay) $32 for a Choice ribeye. The quality is not there.

USDA Prime? I've yet to see prime cuts at Publix. They have only been USDA Choice.

This brings up a question I've had since moving here a couple of years ago. With all the cattle raised in and around the Villages, why are there no actual butcher shops to be found? Closest thing to a butcher shop is Fresh Market but nothing else.

Sometimes they have it. Sometimes they don't.

Beginning 15 years ago we'd go often- always a GREAT meal. We stopped going for a while, and when we began to go again 5 years ago the food was awful- like what you'd expect from a Chain that figured out how to maximize profit and minimize quality. I'm not at all surprised that people are reporting underwhelming food there.

I buy USDA Prime filet mignons at Publix. I shop at the Colony Plaza store often, and when they have them (usually 2-3 times per week), I buy them and freeze them. I never run out.

I have checked all of the high end restaurant menus in the area, and none of them sell a USDA Prime filet mignon, except Ruth Chris. This includes Chophouse, Mark's, and Prime 3.

To butcher what, Florida beef? I wouldn't waste my time, personally, it's just not the same quality.

Amongst the big chain Steak Houses, I think Ruth Chris and Capital grill are equally good. But they are 35 miles+ away. A prime bone-in ribeye costs about $89 ala carte. You might then add a salad and some sides and a drink.

The villages is a working class retirement community. Putting aside occasions, people mostly go to dinner where the prices are cheap. I know I do. Restaurants sell the lowest possible quality steaks, and season them so you can't taste the meat anyway. They operate with minimal staff. But they sell steaks for only $32. So we go.

Once in a while a pleasant surprise happens and the meal is great, not usually.

What do you expect--it's Outback. No one who demands a good piece of meat and attentive service would eat there.

This is probably what happened in the kitchen.

https://youtu.be/SKi1-e8R9RA?si=wuMWX40Ku--BpS77

Grilling your own will generally always deliver far superior results to what you get in most restaurants. (And will be much more economical ). I will rarely order a steak when dining out.

Ribeye
 

Ribeye ALWAYS is a fatty cut…

Beef
 

We purchase all of our quality beef at HM Cattle in Webster. Order online and pick up Saturday at Brownwood. Delicious!

Charley’s does a nice job. Berns, if you’re up for scheduling 2 mos out

Outback is ixnay. Way too spicy and salty. A fine steak should never taste that way.

We have eaten there twice and had a good meal and service. One bad experience should never preclude you from going back but that is your choice.

Generally will agree but every once in awhile a restaurant out does itself in making me a former customer.

So I need to know this why?

Wife an I went @ 3pm and sat at bar. Ordered a medium sized strip with baked potato. Not bad. Barkeep knew how to make a great perfect gin martini served up with olives. Not crowded and service was good. We try never to go to a dinner during regular hours in the crazy snowbird season.

Everyone has different standards?:laugh:

I always liked the statement, "We raised our standards, now up yours..." LOL.

Hmm it is called a restaurant review, take it seriously or not your choice

There is Best Meats in Wildwood.

Best Meats was a good place 5-6 years ago but went downhill after the original owner, I met, left. I believe he said his name was Al from Australia.
Just recently I saw a sign on window saying under new management so I’m going to have to go back and look it over again.
When you stated Best Meats in Wildwood was that a recent visit by you?

I loved my meal there! The steak was juicy, service was great—maybe it depends on the day or location? Hope you give it another try!✨

Had lunch there once. It was fair. Dinner once which was not good, we had to leave. We saw flies inside the restaurant at our table. Also, they are cooking steaks differently now. You need to request wood fire grill, if you want the steak with grill marks, otherwise they cook on a flat top. Next time, we will order our meals for takeout instead. Not impressed with the service at this location.

You make it sound like those who complain here are making something up. Gaslighting them.

Outback
 

I enjoyed their 3 for $14.99 meal deal honestly....chilout

Lunch
 

Went to Outback for lunch yesterday and me and friend had the $13.99 sirloin. Get some warm bread and my side was potato soup which was very good. Steaks were done just as ordered and server checked on us frequently.