Outback Steakhouse

The food is always great, but at this location we have had terrible service: On a Tuesday evening, there was a 10-minute wait for a table so we opted to sit in the bar area. Our waitress carded both me and my husband (I'm 30, he's 31) and she kept looking back and forth from my license to me, as though I were trying to get away with something by ordering my small Sam Adams. My husband ordered the Soup & Salad, but the kitchen guy brought only the soup. My husband asked if the salad was to follow. Kitchen guy said, "oh yeah" and then never returned. Waitress never refilled his drink, and only returned to give us the bill when we were finished eating. He asked to have the nonexistent salad removed from our bill, she apologized that it never showed up. Returned with a bill that had only TWO DOLLARS removed. My husband protested, and the manager granted a larger discount. Waitress was not gracious. On returning with the bill a second time, she slapped it on the table and said bluntly, "HOW'S THAT." I don't think we will be back. Pros: Delicious food, good ambience, fun music, large portions Cons: Distressingly bad service more

Somehow we've managed to never make it to an Outback Steakhouse before, proximity and a slow night got us there this week. Really nice, comfortable and interesting decor, the waitstaff was very friendly and attentive, our waiter was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The draft beer was a little pricy at $5.00 for what appeared to be slightly less than a pint of Fosters, but cold and promptly delievered. We tried a "bloomin' onion" because of the hype, they're HUGE, easily an appetizer for four, and to our palate perhaps the oil was a little tired. Interesting blend of spices when hot, but given to a slightly unpleasant aftertaste part way in, I wouldn't order again, it's worth waiting for onion rings to be in season at Burgerville. The entrees is where this restaurant shines, my partner in crime had the petit filet, a wonderful piece of steak cooked perfectly and presented with some excellent sides, I had the "chopped steak" which was a large hand formed patty cooked to order and presented over garlic mashed potatoes with a wonderful mushroom/wine sauce. Very, very tasty. The "creamy onion" soup was very good also. Overall a little pricy for drinks and sides, it's worth putting up with the beer prices to get to the entrees. Don't get the "bloomin' onion" unless you've got a big appetite or lots of help. I'll go again for the chopped steak and to try some of the other interesting looking appetizers. Pros: Great entrees, interesting selection of menu items, good soup Cons: Beer prices are pretty high for Vancouver, bloomin' onion was a little over fried more