It’s the dish that madeOutback Steakhousefamous: thenotorious Bloomin' Onion.
At least seven other items currently include some nod to the famous fried app.
Some are fellow starters.
Photos: Outback Steakhouse, Chris Shott. Design: Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
Others are full-blown entrees.
The starter cost me $15.79.
The look: Golden brown, speckled with spice, and splattered with sauce.
Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
The fried shrimp did not look out of place upon the famed onion’s usual serving tray.
I counted a plentiful 30 pieces arranged around a ramekin of the chain’s signature tangy dipping sauce.
The taste: Spicy and surprisingly juicy, but salty as the sea.
Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
That was the pleasant part.
The more of these that you eat, however, the more you notice how heavily salted they are.
I love fried shrimp, but I couldn’t bear to finish even half of these.
Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
So, I fully expected Outback to easily succeed with this Bloomin'-battered bird on a bun.
The look:Darkly fried and smaller than I expected.
The light-weight cutlet teetered atop a substantial pile of veggies underneath.
Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
The taste:Overcooked.
I’ve enjoyed far better-tasting chicken sandwiches at fast-food joints for a lot less money.
Thankfully, the fries were still good.
Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
It costs $14.79.
The look:Very inviting.
The taste:Rich and juicy but where’s the crunch?
Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
The burger itself was truly tasty.
The onions, meanwhile, were barely detectable, which is a big problem.
Of all the disappointments thus far, the burger is probably the most surprising.
Chris Shott for Eat This, Not That!
It’s only ranked higher because the beef itself is so good.
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The fried chicken came spattered with sauce and sprinkled with herbs.
The taste:Astonishingly good.
It also paired marvelously with Outback’s creamy mashed potatoes.
Hot Honey Shrimp
Nutrition information unavailable.
The souped-up starter cost me $14.99.
The look: Festive and fun!
The taste:Remarkably more balanced.
It’s a more complete and complex assortment of flavors than the regular version.
Served with two sides, the dish cost me $30.49.
The look: Totally smothered but interesting!
The veggies are sliced thin, julienne-style, then seasoned and deep-fried, onion-style.
The taste: Weirdly appealing.
The meat came pink and juicy inside.
The cheese added some tang.
The mushrooms and gravy gave it richness and lubrication.
I could see Outback adding this topping to other dishes, like salads.
Plus, you get a slab of steak and two sides to boot.
Paired with a six-ounce sirloin, this chicken dish cost me $25.99.
(you might also upgrade to an eight-ounce steak for two bucks more.)
The look: Colorfully garnished and glistening from all the hot honey.
The golden-fried chicken really pops against the backdrop of charred beef and herb-sprinkled mash upon that stark white plate.
The taste:Sweet, spicy, savory, and simply delicious.
Texture-wise, flavor-wise, there’s a lot going on here.
That beautiful bird is good enough on its own.
