I originally posted this review of Outback at 6201 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale on Yelp before my blog was started. I hope you enjoy it.

Management Sucks

This review deals ONLY with the management. The food was fine and the service by Christina was excellent which is why I’m typing this review.

So, a group of us from work go here on 11/24/15 at 1130 am for a Thanksgiving Luncheon. There was about 11 of us and Christina is busting her ass serving all of us. She has a great personality and seems very pleasant. In this space and time, Christina is representing this Outback in a very positive light. She knows we all want separate checks which is a nightmare for a server…She handles that with ease and doesn’t complain one bit. I have to say I’m impressed with this young lady. I asked her if I can speak to the manager to say what a wonderful job she did for our group. I think she said the manager’s name was Lisa. Christina says “ok” and goes to get the manager. She comes back and said the manager is working the line and CAN’T come out. WTF!? Are you kidding me! Mind you, I wasn’t making a complaint…I wanted to throw Kudos to her staff. It had me thinking…what if I wanted to complain? Would Lisa the manager put down her spatula and meet me or would she blow me off too? I would bet money there is a corporate policy that this manager violated. Shouldn’t there be two managers if another one is working “the line” in case the customers want to speak to someone in charge? I don’t know, but something is screwed up here.

Verdict

I’ve been a manager for over 19 years and what Lisa the manager is doing here is wrong. I felt horrible for Christina because she deserved at least 1 minute of her manager’s time so I could praise her work ethic and professionalism. Christina suggested I fill out a comment card to say she did a great job. Well here is my comment card, Christina, for all the world to see. Stay Hungry!

Update: I was told on 12/7/15, by a friend, that the manager read my review and apologized to Christina. I trust my friend and I’m glad this happened. It’s hard to apologize and admit you were wrong. So I’m glad Lisa didn’t blow off my review as non-sense because I’m about as real and legit as you can get. On Yelp, I gave this place 1 star. For this review on my blog (and to show that I’m not a prick), I’ll give this place 3 beers.

Four beers = Outstanding
Three beers = Good
Two beers = OK
One beers = Needs work
Zero beers= Sucks (No beer is never a good thing.)

Outback Restaurant
6201 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Update to the update (LOL): So, I post this review (12/09/15) and my wife and son want to go to Outback in Coral Springs. Interesting back story is I’ve been a regular at the Coral Springs Outback for over a decade. I’m a HUGE fan of Outback.

So we show up, sit at the bar and see Jesse who is bartending. He proceeds to tell me they have a new managing partner here, Vanessa Wagner. Jesse says he is going introduce us to her. I’m like $hit, I can’t be a fraud and pretend I didn’t just tear up the manager at the 62nd Street Outback location in a review. Vanessa comes over, unsolicited by me, and introduces herself. Damn if she isn’t super nice and a professional person. I tell her about my negative experience with the manager at the 62nd Street Outback and how I just posted the review prior to coming here. Vanessa was so positive and stuck up for the managing partner for that location and said he is a good guy. She continued to say how important customers are and how she tries to make them feel special. Mind you, on 12/08/15 Vanessa hosted a party for the regulars at her store. I wasn’t invited…so Vanessa wasn’t kissing my ass, she was just doing her job by saying hello and introducing herself to me and my family.

Verdict 2.0
Vanessa is my hero! I love the Coral Springs Outback and always have. Looks like this location is in great hands with her and I’m glad she is in our community.
4 Overflowing Beers for the Coral Springs Outback!

Outback Steakhouse
650 Riverside Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33071

My son, Managing Partner Vanessa, and my wife