How Outback Steakhouse went from down under, all the way to the top (2001) | Hacker News Reader

How Outback Steakhouse went from down under, all the way to the top (2001)

entrepreneurship.org

13 pointsthunderbong15 comments

Despite the catchy article title, Outback Steakhouse did not in fact go "from Down Under", as it was founded by 4 people in Florida who had never been to Australia, and it has zero connection with (or operation within [edit: I stand corrected on this point below] ) Australia, aside from the marketing-minded cultural references it's words and imagery are based around.

And that's kinda the point of the (2001-dated, we note) article.

Conversely, Australia and other countries have (or had) a "Lone Star" branded restaurant chain, which operate under a very similar methodology : brand yourself as a sort of "food embassy" for a popular foreign culture. In that case, a heavy Texas USA styling.

The quality of the food dishes is rarely detailed, for fair reason.

>zero connection with (or operation within) Australia

https://outbacksteakhouse.com.au/locations/

I always wonder why Australians would frequent a place like this. I imagine it's like African American rappers listening to Vanilla Ice - amusing at best and insulting at worst.

I went to one in Japan and loved it. I didn't care that it was cringey faux-Australiana. They had like 20 different types of grilled meat - I was in heaven!

Sure but total focus on the amusing side of it, the perceived insult does not register. Australians in general don't feel at all bad about whatever australian culture comprises as compared with European or American. Stupid caricature is no more than stupid and reflects on something else than australia. There used to be a strong chip on the shoulder 60 odd years ago, "you're all convicts" etc but it doesn't hit anymore at all. It seems like Ireland is following a similar path in the past few of decades as they've become stronger economically.

Being successful and strong enough to ignore and laugh at perceived prejudice is a good thing. May every decent culture get to that and then improve from there.

Outback Steakhouse :: Vanilla Ice

Bloomin Onion :: Ninja Rap

don’t toss the baby out with the bath water.

post-Yothu Yindi :: post-BritPop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr3iI8gg2fo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKNxeF4KMsY

Baby's on fire :-)

As an Australian, the first time I ever heard of Outback Steakhouse was in Japan.

I've never seen one, or heard anyone talk about Outback Steakhouse in Australia. The locations you linked are nearly all in one state - New South Wales, and two in Queensland. And I suspect they're relatively new (last 10 years or so?).

It's fair to say most Australians have never heard of Outback Steakhouse.

(On the other hand, most Australians know Grill'd!)

Don't forget Hogs Breath Cafe, similar in style - the food is also edible.

Came and went in our town, like a flash in the pan.

Was great while it was here! My friend likes a particular soft drink. They didn't have it. A few minutes later he saw the manager put his coat on and leave, returning a few minutes later with a 2-litre bottle! That's service I haven't seen elsewhere.

Sarsaparilla?

Until 2019, when they started to tank and the brand was sold.

That tracks.

I had fond memories of going there in my 20s for a nice Alice Springs chicken, blooming onion, and of course a drafts Fosters which you wouldn't find anywhere else.

Decided to try it again this year for an occasion, and it was all so bad. Everything smaller, drier, and overpriced.

*2001

Added. Thanks!

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