If you’re like me, Outback Steakhouse has been a go-to restaurant for decades.
Great steaks, fantastic appetizers, lots of options, fun atmosphere.
Plus – they’ve done a great job with some recent menu updates to really set the bar higher.
But the restaurant wars are on, and there are tons of competitors coming after Outback’s crown.
And let’s face facts:
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There are LOTS of great steaks out there.
Including plenty of restaurants whose fans would undoubtedly claim they’re better than Outback.
Are they correct?
Well, you decide.
Starting with…
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Where you’ll find them: Roughly 600 locations in 42 states – LongHorn’s only real gaps are in the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Alaska, Montana and Wyoming, and – weirdly – Minnesota.
All about the steak: Honestly, at LongHorn you’re gonna get a great steak at a fair price. Add on the shrimp or lobster tail for a great surf-n-turf, and if you’ve got a powerful hunger, tack on the Texas Tonion.
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Where you’ll find them: 37 states plus DC – Ruth’s Chris is just about everywhere!
All about the steak: Ruth’s Chris is an expensive option, no doubt – so save it for a special occasion. But it will sure make the occasion special! Their classic filet is my favorite steak I’ve ever gotten at a chain restaurant, and you’ll love their sweet potato casserole and grilled asparagus too.
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Where you’ll find them: Texas de Brazil is in 23 states, plus several locations in the UAE, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Aruba, Qatar, and Panama.
All about the steak: Texas de Brazil is kind of a different “take” on steak, because you don’t receive a full steak all at once. Instead, members of the staff walk around with skewers of steak (and other meats) and slice off a piece for you at the table. Their fixed-price menu also gives you full access to their salad bar. It’s expensive, but it’s all-you-can-eat, and everything is delicious. Again, a special occasion kind of place, but you won’t regret it.
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Where you’ll find them: Texas Roadhouse is in all 50 states and has over 650 locations. If you want one, there should be one pretty nearby.
All about the steak: Their Dallas filet is good – but what I’d really recommend is the bone-in ribeye. It’s a beautiful 20oz cut of steak, and pretty much guaranteed to fill anyone up. Also, their cactus blossom is the closest thing to a bloomin’ onion you’ll get outside going to Outback. (Try all their starters, they’re all delicious.)
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Where you’ll find them: Morton’s is in 22 states plus the District of Columbia. Generally, if you’d classify your state as “populous,” you’ve got at least one (except for Minnesota and Wisconsin, sorry guys).
All about the steak: Morton’s might be the priciest chain in existence – you’re not going to escape with a sub-$150 check. But the steak is amazing, the lobster ravioli is delicious, and trust me when I say that it’s worth springing for the whipped horseradish cream and the black truffle butter.
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Where you’ll find them: Capital Grille has about 70 locations in 30 states – you’ll find them wherever there are a bunch of people (think Chicago, Seattle, Phoenix, DC, Boston, Detroit, etc).
All about the steak: Capital Grille is pricey but worth it. Definitely a “special occasion” kind of place; the steaks are excellent, but my personal favorite dish is their fantastic creme brulee. You can also order steak grill boxes there so you can go grill their steaks at your own house. (And save a few bucks doing it, too.)
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Where you’ll find them: Logan’s is in 22 states, primarily in the South and Midwest.
All about the steak: Logan’s has all the traditional stuff, but I love some of the unique takes – like their coffee and cream New York Strip, featuring a coffee seasoning blend and a cream sauce. For a good appetizer, try the amped up shrimp. (The sweet and spicy sauce really makes it pop.)
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• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
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Where you’ll find them: Fogo de Chao is in 24 states plus DC, with large international presences in Mexico and – of course – Brazil.
All about the steak: Like Texas de Brazil, Fogo is a Brazilian steakhouse. As such, you won’t get your “own” steak, but you’ll get to try a bit of a ton of different stuff – from their bacon-wrapped steak to the wagyu porterhouse to filet mignon, and everything in between. Like Texas de Brazil, it’s pricey – and like Texas de Brazil, it’s worth it.
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Where you’ll find them: Chili’s is in every state, bar none.
All about the steak: I know Chili’s isn’t a steakhouse…and yet their steaks are pretty good, and at a better price point than Outback’s. So you’re getting a similar level of quality at a better value.
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Where you’ll find them: Chicago, two casinos (one in Connecticut, one in Washington State), and South Korea.
All about the steak: Obviously this isn’t a steakhouse for everyone. It’s exclusive and rare – and the steaks (and prices) reflect that. Get the Tomahawk ribeye if you’re really hungry, or try the steak flight for a nice series of steak options (filet, NY strip, dry-aged ribeye).
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I couldn’t leave without giving Outback Steakhouse its due. After all, it’s enormously popular for a reason!
Where you’ll find them: Outback is in every state aside from North Dakota.
All about the steak: I mean, it’s Outback! Great steaks, fantastic barbecue sauce, all the fixings. Try the bloomin’ onion and the coconut shrimp for traditional tastes, and the bloomin’ fried shrimp for something newer and more exciting.
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So there you have it – ten chains whose fans would absolutely claim have steaks better than Outback.
Right or wrong, they certainly make a powerful point!
But here’s the real question:
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What do YOU think?
Are they right?
Has Outback been dethroned?
Let us know in the comments!
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