Outback Steakhouse – Sweetwater, Florida

So lately I’ve had a love/hate relationship (mostly hate) with Outback Steakhouse. In the early ’90s years this place was it for me. I loved the Aussie Cheese Fries (fresh cut fries topped with Cheese & Bacon and served with a side of ranch), the Bloomin’ Onion (deep fried Onions Petals with a side of a spicy-ish sauce), Alice Springs Chicken (grilled breast of Chicken topped with Bacon and Cheese), No Rules Pasta and occasionally their burgers.

Bloomin' Onion

Aussie Cheese Fries

Alice Springs Chicken w/ Honey Mustard Sauce & loaded Baked Potato

No Rules Parmesan Pasta

I also happen to think that their fountain Coke is probably one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Over the course of the few years, I noticed the customer service was just not there anymore and the quality/quantity of food declined while the prices steadily rose. Worst of all the fries are now frozen which was my main reason for eating here.

I had not eaten there in probably a good 6 to 8 months, when I used to go there once a week. So, I ordered a burger to go over the weekend and it seemed that the magic was back. Everything was like I remembered it, great friendly service with great tasting food. I wanted to actually eat there, so I tricked my wife Marcela into going with me, well tricked is a relative term, we were shopping for Halloween decorations which just happen to be near the Outback Steakhouse. She was hesitant to eat there and it did take a little convincing. They added the Alice Springs Chicken Quesadilla to the menu. It comes in a full or half portion and it tastes just like an Alice Springs Chicken in quesadilla form, hence the name, pretty nifty huh?

Alice Springs Chicken Quesadilla

Let’s get to the burger talk, I ordered their Bloomin’ Burger: “A fresh 1/2 pound USDA “Choice” ground steak burger topped with Outback’s own Bloomin’ Onion® petals, American cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and the famous Bloomin’ Onion sauce”. Served with Aussie Chips ( info lifted straight from their website).

Well, the burger is pretty good as usual, but I don’t know about this combo with onion petals and sauce. I don’t really think it added anything to the burger in terms of flavor. You are better off ordering their No Rules Burger, which allows you to add your choice of toppings. It’s been removed from the menu.

I forgot to mention the delicious bread served to you (at no cost) when you’re seated but that doesn’t make up for everything else unfortunately.

Delicious bread with Sweet Cream Butter

Outback Steakhouse
8255 W. Flagler Street, Miami, Fl
305-262-9766