After ordering almost the same meal at Texas Roadhouse (left) and Outback Steakhouse (right), I had a few thoughts.
Savannah Born
I, like many others, spent many years assuming Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse were basically the same thing: a mid-grade American steakhouse commonly located off a freeway exit.In actuality, the chains are more different than I realized. For one, Texas Roadhouse has been leading the casual-dining industry by sales in recent years, beating out steakhouses like Outback and even popular chains like Chili's and Olive Garden.Big-picture numbers and broad scale popularity aside, I was curious which chain truly offered the best bites and overall value.To find out, I went to each chain in one Friday evening, visiting locations in a small Chicago suburb near my parents' house. Conveniently, they were right across the street from each other.I ordered the most comparable menu items: mozzarella sticks as an appetizer; 6-ounce sirloin steak as a main dish; mac and cheese and mashed potatoes as sides; and a brownie for dessert.Here's how the chains measured up across taste, price, value, and experience.
Texas Roadhouse was already lively at 4:30 p.m. on a Friday.
