Outback Steakhouse - Naperville, IL Review

I have discovered that some of the best seafood in the Fox Valley is ironically located at Outback which is ostensibly a steak house.  I go there when I need a lobster tail fix as they will either steam or grill your lobster and it is always fresh, tender and sweet.  The service is always prompt and courteous, although without a reservation, the wait can be excessive for a table, and even phoning ahead doesn't guarantee that you will be seated immediately.  On the flip side, being crowded and busy is a tribute to food quality and portions.  I adore their french onion soup, and the hot brown bread is exceptional.  I have an 8 year old who has learned to love french onion soup by eating at Outback-not a usual kids menu item.  Overall, the prices are a bit higher, but portions make you feel less put out.  And as far as the seafood is concerned the prices are more than competitive for the type of food offered and the portions.  I can get three tails made to my specifications for under $30 which is a good value for lobster.  Usually, because portions are all so generous, and everyone is pretty full from the meals, we can get by with ordering one dessert option and sharing among family members.  The restaurant is kid friendly, but does offer adult beverages.  A word of caution, the macaroni and cheese on the kid's menu is not what kids are expecting and as such is probably not going to be well received by younger diners.  It is penne pasta in a white cheese sauce and totally violates a kids perception of mac and cheese.  You do pay ala carte for things like salad and soup sides and that does increase the overall price of the meal.  I have found that with portions so generous, you don't really need the soup and salad courses to round it out.  The thing that I like the best is that you can get steamed veggies which are really fresh and of good quality.  There is no real problem avoiding the extra starches like bread, pasta, or rice, and in most cases, they are willing to sub the steamed veggies for the starchy sides.   When I want a treat, this is definitely on my list.  Way back when, the attraction was the blooming onion, but I have discovered a whole lot of other reasons to go to the Outback.  I can't even remember the last time I ordered the Blooming Onion-years I think....and I haven't missed it.  My husband enjoys the New Zealand lamb which is tender, and well prepared and not overly sauced.  The pork chop meal with the baked apples is also a favorite choice.  I think I have only ordered the beef selections one time, and really prefer the other choices much more.  Not that the beef isn't good, but just that anyone can do beef, but some of the other items are not commonplace or well done at other similar restaurant chains.  They certainly beat Red Lobster on the sea food selections and they aren't really any more costly.