4 North Carolina Steakhouse Chains That Charge Too Much For Too Little
I’ve always been a sucker for a good steak dinner, but lately my wallet’s been feeling the burn more than my taste buds.
North Carolina has no shortage of steakhouse chains promising the perfect cut, but some just don’t deliver bang for your buck.
After several disappointing nights out (and lighter bank accounts), I’ve rounded up four steakhouse chains across the Tar Heel State that left me questioning their price-to-portion ratio.
1. Outback Steakhouse: The Down Under Letdown
Remember when Outback was the go-to spot for a decent steak without breaking the bank? Those days have vanished faster than their complimentary bread. Last month, I forked over $28 for their Victoria’s Filet—a measly 6-ounce cut that looked lonely on the massive plate.
The quality has taken a nosedive too. My medium-rare request came out practically mooing, and when I finally got the properly cooked replacement, it was surprisingly bland. Even their famous Bloomin’ Onion seems to have shrunk while the price has ballooned to nearly $12!
The final straw? Those “signature” sides now cost extra, turning what should be a $30 meal into a $50 disappointment. For that price, I could buy premium cuts from the butcher and grill them perfectly at home.
2. LongHorn Steakhouse: Short On Value
Y’all won’t believe what happened during my anniversary dinner at LongHorn last spring. The Flo’s Filet I ordered for $27 could’ve been mistaken for an appetizer! My husband joked that we’d need to hit the drive-thru on our way home.
Their rustic cowboy decor might transport you to the Wild West, but their prices belong in Manhattan. The seasoning game was weak too—I had to practically beg for the salt and pepper. What really gets my goat is how they’ve mastered the art of the upsell: “Would you like to add three shrimp for just $9.99 more?”
Don’t get me started on their $7 baked potato that’s basically the same spud I can get at the grocery store for 75 cents. The free bread is their saving grace, but man cannot live on bread alone!
3. Logan’s Roadhouse: Highway Robbery Without The Road
Logan’s Roadhouse buckets of peanuts can’t distract from the highway robbery happening on your bill. My daughter’s graduation celebration turned sour when our family of four dropped over $200 for mediocre meat and microscopic sides.
Their 12oz Ribeye ($24.99) might sound substantial until it arrives swimming in butter to mask its lack of natural flavor. The waitress assured me it was “hand-cut daily,” but I’ve seen thicker deli meat! Those tiny side portions would make a toddler ask for seconds.
The kicker? Their “Roadhouse Combos” that supposedly offer value. Adding three butterfly shrimp to my steak cost an extra $8.99—for shrimp so small they must’ve been caught with a mosquito net! Save your money and your taste buds by firing up your own grill instead of falling for Logan’s larceny.
4. Texas Roadhouse: Highway Robbery On A Plate
Those famous rolls with cinnamon butter almost made me forget I was being robbed! Almost. Texas Roadhouse used to be my go-to for affordable steaks, but their 8oz Filet now runs $25.99 and somehow looks smaller every visit.
The loud country music and peanut shells on the floor create a fun atmosphere, I’ll give them that. But fun doesn’t fill my stomach when the $18 ribeye is more fat than meat. During my last visit in Raleigh, I counted more than a third of my steak as inedible gristle—yet they had the nerve to ask if I wanted to add a lobster tail for “just” $9.99 more.
Even their legendary free peanuts seem like a calculated distraction. Fill up on these shells, folks, because your wallet’s about to be as empty as your still-hungry stomach after that skimpy steak!