10 Reasons Sizzler Is So Much Better Than Outback Steakhouse

Popping "Sizzler Steakhouse" into an internet search engine is the closest we can get to traveling back in time, taking us back to the early 90s nostalgia of all-you-can-eat buffets and affordable steak dinners for the family.

The once-popular chain has been making changes that are winning back hungry customers who are ditching Outback Steakhouse and choosing Sizzler instead.

Learn why customers are switching back to Sizzler and how the change could stretch your restaurant budget while still filling your belly with delicious steak.

Craving a classic ribeye? Outback offers a 13-ounce steak with two sides for $28.99, but Sizzler gives a full additional ounce of steak and still comes in cheaper at only $25.99. 

There's only one side included at Sizzler, but that's because the real deal on sides is with the unlimited salad bar.

The unlimited salad bar is more like a buffet and includes a hot bar with tacos, wings, pasta, and more. It also includes a dessert section with soft-serve ice cream. It's an all-you-can-eat deal that costs about $17 per guest and actually accounts for 40% of Sizzler's sales.

While Outback offers an unlimited soup and salad deal as a lunch special from Monday through Friday starting at $9.99, it doesn't offer nearly as many options as Sizzler, making the latter the clear choice. 

Steak and shrimp is a classic combo, and Sizzler rolls in about $3 less than Outback. A six-ounce sirloin with grilled shrimp and two sides costs $24.79 from Outback.

Sizzler also offers a six-ounce sirloin and jumbo shrimp with one side for only $21.99. Although you get one side less than Outback, Sizzler's unlimited salad bar makes it all worth it. 

At its heart, Sizzler is a family restaurant, so they make it easy to order a full meal for four to take home. The Sliced Grilled Tri-Tip Family Meal includes their signature steak, two family-sized sides, and four slices of cheese toast—all for $59.99.

Outback offers a variety of "party platter" options, including their "sirloin party platter," which is $58.99 but doesn't include any sides or bread. 

Alternatively, you can get a "Bloomin Bundle" deal that feeds four people and includes a choice of protein, a salad, two sides, and two honey wheat breads. You can get their sirloin option for $55.00, but most people prefer the higher quality of Tri-Tip meat, making Sizzler's option the better deal. 

The only thing better than shrimp is endless shrimp. There are currently no "endless" shrimp options at Outback, and Sizzler keeps customers coming back with their Steak and Unlimited Crispy Shrimp deal for $22.49.

Restaurant cleanliness often varies by location, however, Redditors who have seen the inside of Sizzler's kitchens say they are extremely clean—fanatical levels of clean, in fact.

Although Redditors claim that Outback kitchens allegedly rely heavily on microwaves for several dishes while Outback states that its meals are made to order, the practice likely varies by location, and we can't say for certain. 

Sizzler serves up a healthy dose of nostalgia. Founded in 1958, it's a prominent feature of many fond childhood memories. Adults appreciated the family-friendly prices, but children often viewed the restaurant as the height of fancy.

The combination of high-end food with an unlimited salad bar for sides and dessert creates an ambiance of endless options that children appreciate.

In a franchise cost comparison, it is significantly cheaper to start up a Sizzler than an Outback. According to The Franchise Mall, it costs between $933,000 to $3,057,000 to start up a Sizzler.

Outback can be more than double that, ranging from $2,489,700 to $6,065,000 in initial investment costs.

Outback is now prioritizing online orders and delivery, while Sizzler is doubling down on its dine-in buffet experience. The decor is getting a modern update, but the unlimited salad bar remains the centerpiece.

Some locations are adapting for delivery pickups, but every remaining Sizzler is refreshing its signature salad bar.

"This brand is weirdly working backwards—it exists within the mind, but not necessarily in the world," says Mike Perry, founder and chief creative officer of Tavern, which worked on a major brand refresh for Sizzler.

He explained, "It's the most fun to take the brand that has been beaten up for decades and restore it." Sizzler only has about 74 locations remaining, and the rebrand is meant to help define the nostalgia image while the company tries to regain ground after the 2020 bankruptcy filing.

Sizzler used to be the go-to fast casual dining steakhouse for families, but the steakhouse market has seen significant competition in recent years from Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and other smaller chains.

The restaurant chain is still hoping they can swing a turnaround by focusing on providing affordable steaks and an epic all-you-can-eat salad bar that makes dining out worth it. Offering delicious food and a great way to save more money has more diners turning toward Sizzler when deciding on a restaurant.

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