Texas Roadhouse vs. Outback Steakhouse: 6 Big Differences

There’s a lot to like steakhouse chain. Aside from the juicy steaks, this makes a meal at these restaurants particularly indulgent freshly baked breaddelicious side dishes and decadent desserts. While everyone is looking for something different in their dining experience, there are two steakhouse chains that are customer favorites: Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse.

Except leading the pack in annual turnoverso are the two steakhouse chains continue to increase their presence throughout the country. When you step into these restaurants, you will discover even more similarities. Most notably, they are both named after places where they were not founded. Plus, they each serve their own version of a flower-shaped fried onion appetizer. Despite these similarities, each steakhouse chain still delivers a distinctly unique experience.

If you’re craving a steakhouse meal but aren’t sure which restaurant to visit, we compared the two largest steakhouse chains in the United States. Here are some of the key differences between Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse.

The atmosphere

An important part of both steakhouse chains are their characteristic themes. True to its name, Outback is an Australian-inspired steakhouse with a casual atmosphere says the company makes you feel “like you’re in the middle of the Australian Outback.” One way the restaurant does this is through display works of art depicting, yes, the Australian Outback, as well as one of the country’s most striking symbols: the kangaroo.

While Outback aims to transport customers to another country, Texas Roadhouse takes them straight back to the US by highlighting elements associated with the Lone Star State. The restaurant’s rustic interior features cowboy artwork, line dancing servers and a jukebox playing country music.

6 reasons why Texas Roadhouse’s ‘legendary’ steaks are so cheap

The menus

Although these restaurant chains overlap in their menu offerings, they differentiate themselves from each other by offering items that convey their distinctive themes. At Texas Roadhouseyou’ll find Southern favorites like pulled pork, fried catfish, and country fried prime rib. There are also creatively named menu items like the Dallas Filet, Chicken Critters, or chicken tenders, and Rattlesnake Bites, which are fried jalapeño and jack cheese balls.

At Outback, on the other hand, customers will see menu items that pay tribute to Australia. Some examples include the Tasmanian Chili, named after the Australian island of Tasmania, and the Kookaburra Wings, which refer to an Australian bird. Most of all, it’s hard to forget the Outback’s iconic Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie.

Outback Steakhouse plans major menu cuts, says CEO

The steak appears

At Texas Roadhouse, customers don’t just order their favorite steak. The southwestern-inspired chain makes that possible select it by hand from a meat display with different cuts of steak. This way you can assess the marbling of your meat before it is served on the plate. Outback offers no such visual treat.

8 steakhouse chains with the best quality meat in America

The free items

While it’s common for restaurants to give their guests complimentary items to munch on before their meal, these two steakhouses have a slightly different offering. Outback serves its famous honey wheat bread and whipped butter, while Texas Roadhouse gives customers freshly baked rolls with honey cinnamon butter. The chain even released a honey cinnamon butter scented candle last Septemberwhich retails for $15 online. In addition to the bread, Texas Roadhouse is also known for its free peanuts, along with the shells scattered throughout the restaurant floors.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

The steak prices

In addition to their steaks with a choice of two sides, Outback and Texas Roadhouse have many of the same cuts of steak. However, a key difference between the two is their price: Texas Roadhouse is generally cheaper than Outback Steakhouse. Take the fillet for example. At a New Jersey-based Texas Roadhouse, the 6-ounce Dallas Filet costs two sides $23.49. Meanwhile, Victoria’s two-sided 6-ounce Filet Mignon is at a New Jersey-based Outback $31.99. If you’re looking for an even bigger cut of steak, the same Texas Roadhouse location offers a 16-ounce New York strip for $27.99while Outback sells the same steak $29.99.

The hours

The choice between Texas Roadhouse and Outback may depend on the meal you want to eat. Unlike Outback, Texas Roadhouse is a “weekday dinner-only concept,” according to one company information sheet. While the restaurants are open for lunch on weekends, the company writes that its “diner-only philosophy” gives its managers a better lifestyle and lowers real estate costs “since (they don’t have to) be located in a busy business district.” districts.” However, there are some Texas Roadhouse locations that also serve lunch on Fridays.

While the steakhouse chain typically opens at 3 or 4 p.m., many Outback locations seem to open at 11 a.m. and close at 10 or 11 p.m., with some restaurants closing at 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Brianna Ruback