Re: Why oh why?
 

I get the "I'm at target, which size lunchboxes should I get for the kids" calls all week long. How the hell should I know?

Re: Why oh why?
 

9 and 1/2 months after those calls do you often have another kid? because Penske claims so on tuckermax.com

Re: Towards A Virtual Williamsburg!
 

I like this Sebby best.

TM

Outback
 

Yes, I am Wonking.

I do not understand Outback's business model. I went to one in New York once and the steaks were $28. And the steak sucked. Why would I pay that kind of cash for a steak at outback when I could go to a very good french bistro and get a steak that is twice as good for the same price?

I understand that Outback is like the most successful restaurant franchise ever (by profits per restaurant, I think), but I just don't get it. Surely in the places where the steak prices are actually a good deal, there are other options for steak at the same price point. Or is it all about the bloomin' onion?

TM

Re: Outback
 

Yep. Steak frites at Les Halles: $21.

But you already knew that.

Re: Outback
 

What outback is useful for is a place near the Mall where everyone can find something they think is OK. The sale of uniform mediocrity fetches a premium in the 'burbs.

Of course, you also overpaid. Top prices for outback meals around here are $19.99

Re: Outback
 

this is the menu from my lower middle class home town. http://www.viewmenu.com/outback-stea...enu?ref=google only the largest steaks are that much. and the prices are several dollars cheaper than any real steakhouse.

I expect the Outback in Manhattan is frequented by people from the midwest who are comfortable with it. It is predictable, non-intimidating and seems like a decent steakhouse to people who grew up going to Bonanza for steak.

Re: Outback
 

I definitely overpaid. That was part of my complaint. I suppose I wouldn't have been as disappointed if I paid $20 for a steak (unless all steak prices within 5 miles were also $9 cheaper than in NYC).

So, is the other food there good? Because if I'm going to eat steak, I'd rather pay a few extra dollars and have a good one. How often do people go out for steak?

I know this will, once again, make me look like a New York snob but, why the hell do these awful restaurants make midwesterners and suburbanites comfortable? The food is terrible. And it's not even like fast food, where you're looking for a specific kind of crap. There are Dominos Pizza chains in the city when you can get better pizza on every single corner (outside the 99 cent slice places). There are Olive Gardens (although I think I've only seen them in Times Square) when there are better Italian restaurants everywhere you look. Is it the never-ending feature of their pasta bowls? And as a tourist, why the hell would you eat at a fucking restaurant that is exactly the same--other than the higher prices--as the restaurant you eat at at home? And why would you wait on line to do it? Please to explain.

TM

Re: Outback
 

I used to get carry-out stuff from there fairly frequently (location, location, location) and not sure I ever had steak. There was some chicken thing --very unhealthy-- that I loved.

Doubtless PWT of me.

Re: Outback
 

This is my issue with restaurants in that category. Steak should be a thing that is eaten relatively rarely, at least according to my tastes and beliefs about healthy eating. So if I'm going to do it, I want a really good one, which happens to mean an expensive one.

Because they don't know any better. Food at home was even worse, and there just aren't other options readily available.

Top 20
 

http://www.lawtalkers.com/forums/sho...postcount=1523

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http://www.lawtalkers.com/forums/sho...postcount=1526

TM

Re: Outback
 

I see. So you're saying that when they are tourists, they still don't know any better and reach for what's comfortable even though they're in a city of endless food options?

When I'm in Paris, I refuse to eat anything American. When I'm anywhere outside of the US (and often when traveling while still in it), I drink the local beers. What is so different about midwesterners that they need Olive Garden?

TM

Re: Outback
 

I can think of two reasons for eating at them at home. My practice never takes me to NYC. I'm always in like Arkadelphia Arkansas or Maxton NC. In some of those places the Olive Garden or Outback is better than the other choice, Jim-Bob's Bar and Grille.

The other thing is a bit of a guess, but i can remember my dad taking us into restaurants and shitting once he saw the prices. And I've taken him into restaurants where he was uncomfortable with what was on the menu or the too touchy feely service. Plus a lot of them fancy restaurants want you to drink wine, when all folk want is a Budweiser.

I bet a lot of people like the predictable and known. And the fear of the unknown is only worse when you are in TCOTU. Still, why bother to travel and not be adventurous to try something different? Fuck if i know.

I'll tell you this though, I'm glad all those people that go to the Times Square chains, because they're loud and ugly and I don't want them coming to where i eat. We found a great Cubam place by Columbia. Havana Central maybe? It was quiet and refined and delicious. One night after a show we needed to eat still. The playbill had an ad for a branch of HC right there. Perfect choice!!!

The place was horrid, the food the other customers the wait staff, all loud and confused.

Re: Outback
 

Sometimes you can't explain stupid. It just *is.*

Unlike most of us, the country is filled with people who don't particularly like to travel - and when they do, the local Olive Garden/Applebees/TGIF/Whatever is the metaphorical teddy bear to sleep with at night, to get them back home.

Re: Outback
 

When you're traveling you have to make dozens or hundreds of decisions. Which museum, is that taxi safe, should I take the bus, which broadway show, Sabrett or Nathan's cart. It gets tiring. It's one less decision to make and guide entry to consult.

I'm not saying this is where I scrimp on decision making energy, but I understand why some people do.