Outback Steakhouse   

Any place theres an Outback, theres sure to be a line. Happily, they keep things hopping right along here, and the reward for joining the hungry masses is some of the best price-for-quality steak meals around. Outback puts its best Australian foot forward, and the theme gets carried away with Down Under memorabilia and one-liners (Fair dinkum, mate!). It all adds to the laid-back vibe that welcomes tables of friends as much as it does families. The restaurants ever-popular Bloomin Onion appetizer further revolutionized the vegetable by turning it into a melt-in-your-mouth battered and fried taste sensation that you dip in a savory sauce. Other starters include coconut shrimp and buffalo wings. Carnivores opt for the restaurants legendary steak options, but apart from the names, theres nothing Australian about them theyre all tender, aged cuts of USDA choice beef. Macho men like to challenge the Melbourne, a 20-oz. Porterhouse that doesnt compromise quantity for quality. Victorias center cut filet, available in 7-oz. And 8-oz. cuts, is perfect for folks who arent hungry enough to eat a house but still want a solid feed. Lamb with cabernet sauce is done well, and seafood selections include salmon and breaded shrimp. For lunch, go lighter with a salad, chicken sandwich or burger. Its all bonzer, mate.