Is LongHorn or Outback Better? A One‑Stop Comparison

When steak‑lovers ask “ is longhorn or outback better?”, the answers vary depending on what matters most: flavor, value, atmosphere—or just who got the grill right that night.

Are LongHorn and Outback the Same Company?

No, LongHorn Steakhouse is part of Darden Restaurants, which also owns Olive Garden, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and more (→ TastingTable: how many restaurants Darden owns).
Meanwhile, Outback Steakhouse is under Bloomin’ Brands, Inc—an entirely different company (→ Bloomin’ Brands Wikipedia entry), and not associated with Darden.
Thus, the question “Is longhorn and Outback the same company?” has a clear answer: no—they are operated separately and have distinct menus, pricing shifts, quality, and regional footprints.

Is Outback or Longhorn better reddit?

r/steak and r/AskAnAmerican are full of strong opinions:

“I did food reviews… I went to Longhorn… I can’t believe they have the audacity to put the word steakhouse in their name… both about the same price!”
— Redditor in r/steak thread “Impressed by LongHorn Steakhouse, disgusted by Outback”

“LongHorn and Texas Roadhouse tied in the lead and then Outback is 1 000 000 000 steps below those two.”
— Comment from another popular thread (r/steak) opposing Outback

Even in the general consumer Q&A on Reddit:

“Outback has superior steaks… but Longhorn … best parmesan crusted chicken… but at the end of the day… I’d prefer Texas Roadhouse over both.”
— From an r/AskAnAmerican post comparing just Outback and LongHorn

So, when Redditors discuss “is outback or longhorn better”, LongHorn tends to come out ahead, especially in value-conscious discussions.

Is LongHorn or Outback Cheaper?

Multiple cost tests highlight that LongHorn typically runs a couple of dollars cheaper for basic sirloin dinners:

  • Mashed reports the 6‑oz Renegade Sirloin at LongHorn is about $14.99, while Outback’s 6‑oz Center‑Cut Sirloin is $16.79 in many markets (“Outback Steakhouse vs LongHorn Steakhouse: Which Is Better”)
    → Read the full Mashed comparison

  • Meanwhile, Business Insider did a blind lunch test (same sides, same cut) at LongHorn vs Outback vs Texas Roadhouse and concluded:

“LongHorn and Texas Roadhouse served solid meals… Outback Steakhouse blew me away by serving a great meal for under $25”—a smaller gap but still a noticeable trend
→ See the BI expense experiment

Bottom line: if your focus is “is LongHorn or Outback cheaper,” LongHorn generally wins by $1 to $3 per entrée in most locales.

Outback vs LongHorn vs Texas Roadhouse

When Redditors expand the field to include Texas Roadhouse, the hierarchies shift subtly:

Metric LongHorn Steakhouse Outback Steakhouse Texas Roadhouse
Value (from Reddit + BI) ★★½ — good steak at modest prices ★★ — slightly overpriced ★★★ — best bread + cheap sirloin lunch
Food Quality Seasoned well, parmesan‑crust good Meat quality hit or miss Consistent, huge rolls and cinnamon butter (which some call addictive)
Atmosphere Dim‑lit, ranch‑style, date‑friendly Sunny, “Barbie-on” Aussie theme Noisy, energetic, beer‑paired crowd
Menu variety Limited to core steak cuts, apps/desserts Broader menu, full Aussie/burger menu Focused on value and sides; less steak variety

In threads like “Texas Roadhouse vs Outback vs LongHorn reddit”, nearly every user ranked Texas Roadhouse first, LongHorn second, and Outback last—particularly due to price + roll/tater seasoning + speed.

“Out of major chains I think LongHorn does steak better than most…”
“For family style/affordable: Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn are about the same… leaps and bounds ahead of Outback.”
— Reddit (from several steak and Roadhouse comparison threads)

The takehome: Texas Roadhouse is often seen as the best value, especially for a relaxed, fast dinner—with LongHorn close behind, and Outback bringing bigger themes but increasingly inconsistent execution.

Which Is Better — LongHorn or Outback?

Is LongHorn or Outback cheaper?

→ LongHorn Steakhouse is consistently a bit cheaper for steaks and shares; by $2–$3 on average per plate.

Is LongHorn or Outback better steak?

→  Most consensus—Reddit included—says LongHorn offers improved seasoning and quality control vs Outback.

Is LongHorn or Outback better Reddit-style?

→  Reddit forums strongly favor LongHorn over Outback, frequently calling Outback over‑priced or under‑seasoned.

Should you choose Outback Steakhouse or LongHorn Steakhouse?

→ If you’re aiming for a relaxed, Australian‑styled vibe and occasionally novelty items like the Bloomin’ Onion—Outback makes sense.
→ However, if price, steak quality, and reasonable menu variety are top priorities, LongHorn Steakhouse generally pulls ahead.

Which is better: LongHorn or Texas Roadhouse?

When forced to choose between the two, many Redditors say:

“Texas Roadhouse is king of mid‑level chain steakhouses.”
— r/steak (several users ranked TRH above both LongHorn and Outback)

That said, LongHorn often takes the edge if you’re looking for more refined steak options (like parmesan‑crusted or Delmonico), whereas Texas Roadhouse offers unbeatable sides and speed.

Pro Tips If You’re Choosing Between the Three

  • Check menus online for regional pricing—some markets compress the typical $2 gap, and specials like weekday lunch sirloin deals can move Outback into value territory.

  • Timing matters—Reddit complaints about Outback tend to peak on weekends or during holiday rush; reviews often mention staff burnout affecting meal quality.

  • New vs old locations—some Reddit users note LongHorn locations built in the last 5 years tend to have more consistent quality than older ones managed on a tight budget.

  • Side dishes count—Texas Roadhouse’s cinnamon butter rolls are so beloved they set diners’ expectations even before the steak arrives.

  • Rewards & loyalty—Outback often offers a “Buy 4 visits, get up to $20 off” reward; LongHorn and TRH promote free appetizers or desserts for joining e‑clubs.

TL;DR Summary

  • LongHorn Steakhouse edges out Outback Steakhouse in both price and consistent steak quality.

  • Reddit threads (“is outback or longhorn better reddit” etc.) overwhelmingly favor LongHorn, with many users preferring it to Outback and sometimes even TRH.

  • Texas Roadhouse may beat LongHorn on pure value and sides, but LongHorn retains the flavor advantage for steak purists.

  • These are separate companies—LongHorn belongs to Darden Restaurants; Outback is run by Bloomin’ Brands. They’re not the same.

  • Ultimately, for a reliable mid‑range steak, LongHorn or Texas Roadhouse may serve you better—but Outback still thrives on experience and brand nostalgia.

Whether you’re choosing between Texas Roadhouse vs Outback vs LongHorn, or simply deciding which is better LongHorn or Texas Roadhouse, it comes down to your priorities:

  • Want cheaper steak, better seasoning, branded sides → LongHorn Steakhouse.

  • Want fast rolls, vibrant atmosphere, unbeatable sides → Texas Roadhouse.

  • Crave Australian‑theme, marquee Bloomin’ Onion, exotic wines/cocktails → Outback Steakhouse remains a contender.