Outback Steakhouse in Orlando, FL (International Drive)

I was invited to a menu tasting at the new Outback Steakhouse that recently opened on International Drive. This Outback is located in the I-Drive 360 complex, anchored by the currently half built Orlando Eye ferris wheel.

I attended one of their lunch tasting events. These menu tasting events were used to train Outback's staff in exchange for free food. The meal started with Signature Baked Potato Soup - Creamy potato soup topped with melted cheese, bacon, and green onions.

I had the Baby Back Ribs - Smoked, wood-fire grilled and brushed with a tangy BBQ sauce. Served with Aussie Fries.

Sirloin and Grilled Shrimp. Served with a baked potato and asparagus as sides.

I had their homemade watermelon soda made from ginger ale, watermelon, and lime for my drink.

Sangria:

Outback Steakhouse was fun. This new Outback Steakhouse was pretty much exactly what I was expecting. Like most chains, the food here was pretty much equivalent to what can be had at any other Outback. Still, I think Outback Steakhouse should fully embrace their Australian theme and start serving kangaroo meat. I'd totally try kangaroo if it started being served at Outback. It could be a place for people on kangatarian diets to go eat!

The Tuck Shop in Chelsea, NY

While in NY, I was looking for a late breakfast and ended up at the Chelsea Market. I had been here before and tried The Lobster Place. On this visit, I quickly forgot breakfast foods and decided to try an Australian meat pie from a place called The Tuck Shop.

I guess what I ordered was more Australian fusion. I had the Thai Curry Chicken pie. It was filled with chicken, kafir lime leaves, galangal, coconut milk, thai basil and chilis. The crust was nice and flaky, similar to a typical pot pie. The fillings were creamy and tasty, although the chilis were very intense. I normally have a high tolerance for spicy foods, but I was tearing up every time I bit into a piece of pepper. Interesting how I ordered something denoted as spicy at a Thai restaurant the night before and there was hardly any spice, but this Australian-Thai pie with no warning about the heat was one of the spiciest foods I've eaten in recent memory. I really have no clue if pot pies like this are really a prevalent food in Australia, but I'm assuming this is more Australian than Outback Steakhouse is Australian...

Outback Steakhouse in Altamonte Springs

I ate at the Outback Steakhouse in Altamonte Springs, FL. It's been years since my last visit to an Outback so I really didn't know what to expect. The dining experience started out with a wait. I had called ahead to make reservations, and Outback said the wait time would be cut in half. We got there and were given a buzzer. After about a half hour of waiting, it turned out that our buzzer never went off, so we had to wait even longer. They said we were probably out of range, but if that's the case, then Outback needs a new system because we were right outside of the front door, probably twenty feet from the receiver. We finally sat down, and I wasn't impressed with the menu. I don't really like steak, and the non-steak choices are very limited at Outback.

I ended up ordering the Shrimp en Fuego. After a long wait, the food finally was served and I wasn't exactly pleased with my shrimp. They were deep fried, and the way the menu and the waitress described the dish put a different image of the shrimp in my head. Once I got over the deep fried part, the shrimp weren't all that bad. They were covered in a spicy buffalo wing type sauce, and served in a cheese covered potato skin of all things. A side of green beans were served on the side.

Outback is supposed to serve Australian food, but I'm assuming actual traditional Australian food is way different, and most likely way better. I think a Watch Me Eat field trip should be arranged to sample real Australian food...