Outback Steakhouse in Costa Mesa/Newport Beach served delicious steak & seafood (Photos)

They do everything they can to convey the hospitality and casual dining one might expect in Australia’s outback. A hostess greeted us at the door and even held it open for us when we entered and when we left after eating.

We had a short wait of about ten or fifteen minutes as the restaurant was very busy. We expected that as we went on a Friday night. When the hostess seated us, we accepted a booth in the bar area. The great news is that it was spacious and so comfortable. We also got served promptly.

View slideshow: Costa Mesa/Newport Beach Outback Steakhouse feels like dining in the Australian outback

Fresh Brewed Iced Tea, $2.50

While we read our menus, I ordered my normal beverage, fresh brewed iced tea. On their specials menu, they had some items we hadn’t seen before so Dorothy ordered the 6 oz. Filet plus Lobster Mac, and we shared their Crab Stack for our appetizer. We rarely order seafood other than the shrimp Auzzie-tizers at Outback so we delighted to find these dishes.

Crab Stack, $8.99

Location: 1670 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA

33.635807037354 ; -117.92123413086

We both thought the new Crab Stack was excellent. The avocado was fresh. The crab was nice and sweet. Surprisingly, the Wasabi sauce was sweet rather than strongly spicy. Dorothy and I both enjoyed it. It added a nice flavor to the tomato salsa on top of the crab. We think the Costa Mesa Outback make their own corn tortilla chips. Eventually, we both gave up on trying to eat the crab and avocado stack with the chips and used our salad forks.

Chopped Salads

Dorothy ordered her chopped salad as it appears on the menu with bleu cheese crumbles and bleu cheese dressing. We think her salad actually came out with Tangy Tomato dressing though it had the bleu cheese crumbles.

I ordered my salad without the bleu cheese and even substituted Tangy Tomato dressing for the bleu cheese dressing. We both enjoyed our salads with a mix of fresh lettuce that seemed to include Spring Mix and romaine nicely chopped up.

6 oz. Filet plus Lobster Mac, $23.99

As she ordered it medium rare, Dorothy was satisfied with her fillet when it arrived medium rare to medium. Filets are her favorite steaks.

Her Lobster Mac was incredibly delicious thanks to the cheddar cheese sauce. The only recommendation we have on this dish is that it could definitely use more lobster. It was like a treasure hunt to find any pieces of lobster.

14 oz. Ribeye, $21.99

The server delivered my ribeye medium rare as I ordered it. It had a really good flavor though it wasn’t as well marbled as I expect with ribeyes.

Green Beans

Green beans were very good. However, they were not as sweet as we remember them being a few years ago so Dorothy applied half a packet of Splenda to each of our plates. They were then delicious. Outback serves their green beans al dente.

Coconut Shrimp with orange marmalade - Add 5 Coconut Shrimp $6.99

Outback serves my favorite coconut shrimp. The nicely toasted shredded coconut thickly covers the shrimp though it has a thin breading. The shrimp are jumbo and firm. This appetizer or add-on, which I ordered, is delightful and satisfying.

We had so much to eat that I ended up taking half of my steak home. Though we’ve enjoyed desserts at Outback in the past, we chose to forego any that night.

Service

Our server was pleasant but seemed distracted. Despite ordering fresh brewed iced tea without lemon, she brought it with lemon. I had to tell her I wanted a refill. On the other hand, later she asked Dorothy if she wanted more water. I also had to ask her for bread. Dorothy and I both noticed that her service and pleasantness warmed up a lot after I asked the floor manager, I think, or a hostess for more iced tea. I gave her a 15% tip which is what I tip for merely good service.

We really enjoyed our dinner at the Outback Steakhouse in Costa Mesa/Newport Beach. It has a relaxing casual dining feel. The special menu items were delicious, ones we hope to enjoy again, especially their Lobster Mac. Little things like the ribeye without marbling and the initially distracted service held my rating for this steak and seafood restaurant to a 4.

Additional Information

Outback Steakhouse in Costa Mesa/Newport Beach

1670 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA
(949) 631-8377

Outback Steakhouse website

Outback Steakhouse Menus

Gluten-Free Menu

Hours: