Outback vs. Texas Roadhouse: Which Chain Offers More for Your Money?

Two households steakhouses, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona America, where we lay our scene, from Bloomin’ Onions to free bread rolls comparison will reveal what people find most keen.

The butchering of Shakespeare aside, the great American steakhouse debate most often comes down to Outback Steakhouse vs. Texas Roadhouse.

For those who have somehow evaded dining at either, the Outback experience is like cosplaying as an Australian, while Roadhouse is cosplaying as a Texan. Despite that description, the two have very similar menus.

Delve into a side-by-side comparison to decide which restaurant will provide you with the dining experience you crave.

Outback introduced Click Thru Seating in 2014, allowing customers to see real-time data about the wait time for their local restaurant and add themselves to the list. Essentially, this is like a reservation, except “late” guests are kept on the list.

Texas Roadhouse offers call-ahead seating and an online waitlist signup, as well. Of course, customers can still walk in unplanned, but during peak dining hours, there can sometimes be a long wait. This can vary considerably based on time and location.

Winner: Outback Steakhouse

Despite location-based themes, neither dining establishment was founded in their namesake locations. From an authenticity perspective, Texas Roadhouse has an easier time of it because more people have been to Texas.

The Outback often receives criticism for its inauthentic portrayal of Australia, and many Australians view it as a comedy dining experience.

Those seeking quiet conversations in a family environment will likely prefer the Outback, which offers what most expect from a typical restaurant level of noise. 

Texas Roadhouse is louder and encourages more boisterous conversations, occasionally interrupted by the staff breaking into a line dancing routine.

Winner: Texas Roadhouse

Both dining experiences offer complimentary bread while customers wait for their meals to be prepared; however, there is a clear winner for public sentiment. Texas Roadhouse serves freshly baked rolls with honey cinnamon butter, while Outback serves dark wheat bread with whipped butter.

The Outback bread is perfectly acceptable and good even; however, it’s the Texas Roadhouse rolls and sweet butter that leave people craving more and buying extra to take home.

Winner: Texas Roadhouse

Those who prefer non-alcoholic “mocktails” will find a larger selection available at the Outback, with a few different lemonade choices and an “Aussie Palmer” variation that plays on the restaurant’s theme. Texas Roadhouse offers the standard selection of fountain drinks but has a larger cocktail menu that includes an entire section dedicated to margaritas.

Both restaurants have a nice selection of specialty alcoholic beverages that can draw in the Happy Hour crowd.

Winner: Texas Roadhouse

A Bloomin’ Onion by any other name tastes just as good, and while the Outback has a trademark on that name, the exact same dish can be purchased from Texas Roadhouse under the name “Cactus Blossom”. They both taste the exact same amount of delicious. The popular appetizer is usually credited as having originated in New Orleans.

If you love seafood, the Outback appetizers will offer a wider selection, with several shrimp options. Texas Roadhouse offers a wider variety, with eclectic options available, like fried pickles or “rattlesnake bites,” which are jalapeños and cheese rolled into balls and fried to crispy perfection.

Winner: Texas Roadhouse

In a blind taste test comparing the two restaurant chains, it’s unlikely there would be a noticeable difference in flavor between steaks. What sets Texas Roadhouse apart from Outback is the steak display where customers can pick exactly which slab of meat they want for their meal.

Winner: Texas Roadhouse

Outside of the steak options, both restaurants offer a solid variety of chicken, ribs, pork, and burgers focused on grill and barbecue options. Either menu is likely to have something to please everybody, although vegetarians will have to stick to the appetizers, sides, and salad options for both establishments.

Winner: Tied

Outback has twice as many sweet after-dinner treats as Texas Roadhouse, but what Texas Roadhouse lacks in variety they make up for by bringing excellence to the three desserts they do offer.

The salted caramel cookie skillet sets the Outback apart, though, so much so that it’s surprising their main competition hasn’t emulated it yet.

Winner: Outback Steakhouse

It’s important to remember that pricing can vary by location, but Texas Roadhouse often comes in at slightly lower pricing. For example, an eight-ounce sirloin is $16.49 from Texas Roadhouse, while a comparable cut from Outback is $20.79.

The price difference holds the same for appetizers, with a Cactus Blossom onion priced at $7.99 versus the Bloomin’ Onion for $10.99. The portion sizes are largely equal, so Texas Roadhouse is the better choice for getting the most bang (or, in this case, steak) for your buck.

Winner: Texas Roadhouse

Ultimately, which steakhouse is better is going to be subjective based on personal preferences. Texas Roadhouse comes out ahead in many aspects and generally seems to be the crowd favorite in social media commentary, but that’s not because Outback Steakhouse is disliked. 

If you enjoy the food at one, it’s a safe bet you’ll also enjoy the other.

However, cutting out or reducing one’s restaurant budget is often the first step when finances are tight, and avoiding wasteful spending becomes more important. Viewing a restaurant meal as a little treat changes the equation to emphasize other aspects of value.

Overall Winner: Texas Roadhouse