Outback Steakhouse 3 with Joe Wengert

"Outback Steakhouse 3 with Joe Wengert" is Episode 295 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Outback Steakhouse 3 with Joe Wengert" was released on April 8, 2021.

## Synopsis

Joe Wengert (*Big Mouth*, *New Girl*) joins the 'boys to talk sandwiches, Pennsylvania eats and Outback Steakhouse. Plus, an Australian Outback edition of Slop Quiz.

## Nick's intro

* Just Wings, aka Chili's.
* Pasqually's Pizza, aka Chuck E. Cheese.
* Bad Mutha Clucka, aka Dog Haus.

With dining rooms in stasis during quarantine, many staid chain restaurants chose to launch ghost kitchens to recoup lost revenue, often as entirely new brands that had no clear ties to their parent companies; though the name of one such ghost kitchen, Aussie Kitchen, is a dead giveaway.

Managed by Bloomin' Brands, owner of their flagship Australian-themed steakhouse chain, along with Carrabba's Pasta, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's, Aussie Kitchen opened during the pandemic alongside tendies-concept Tender Shack, offering more casual fare to delivery patrons perhaps reticent to order a to-go Bloomin' Onion and Melbourne Porterhouse.

The success of these dual ghost brands, especially Tender Shack, has led Bloomin' Brands CEO Dave Deno to take the concept nationwide in 2021, according to *Restaurant Business* reporter, Jonathan Mays.

But while that may be welcome news for stay-at-home eaters, it's worrisome for workers.

While ghosts are inherently scary, what's really scary about the rise of ghost kitchens, is further entrenching the app economy that undercompensates and abuses freelancers, while enriching tech-bro shitheads like Uber and CloudKitchens' founder, Travis Kalanick.

It remains unclear whether the model of abandoning physical storefronts for shared industrial kitchens that serve as hubs for delivery drivers is sustainable past quarantine; though even pre-pandemic, growth in online ordering and delivery was outpacing food sector growth at large. But we'll soon see if Aussie Grill and Tender Shack can endure alongside the one-time dine-in juggernaut that berthed them.

This week on *Doughboys*, we return once again to Outback Steakhouse.

## Fork rating

The Doughboys have reviewed Outback Steakhouse twice before this episode. The first time was way back in episode 4, during which Nick gave it 4 forks and Mitch rated it 3.5. Three years later in 2018, they returned for episode 171, when both Nick and Mitch rated it 2.5 forks.

	+ no Bacon
	+ Oil & Balsamic
* Aussie Cheese Fries
	+ no Bacon
* Steakhouse Mac & Cheese
* Baked Potato Soup
 Mike Mitchell
* Kookaburra Wings
* Ribeye Signature Steak
	+ Dressed Baked Potato
	+ Homestyle Mashed Potatoes
* House Salad
	+ Ranch
* Steakhouse Mac & Cheese
* Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp
* Baked Potato Soup
* Chocolate Thunder from Down Under
* Sirloin & Shrimp on the Barbie Steak Combo [Mrs. Mitchell's order]
	+ add Sauteed Mushrooms
 Joe Wengert
* Sirloin & Aussie Twisted Ribs Steak Combo
	+ Dressed Baked Potato
* Butter Cake
* Salted Caramel Cookie Skillet
* Victoria's Filet Mignon [Holly Prazoff's order]

## Slop Quiz

In Slop Quiz, Nick presents a food-related exam (pop quiz) and Mitch and the guest compete for superiority.

Today's quiz is Aussie-themed, with the choice being either an Outback Steakhouse location vs. an actual location in the Australian Outback.

Joe Wengert is the winner!

## Quotes

**Nick**: I disagree. I find it whimsical! It's like out of a *Zelda* game.

## The Feedbag

As someone who's not a breakfast fan, what's your opinion on fast food chains helping out us non-breakfast lovers and serving an all-day dinner?
Any tips to spice up breakfast foods at the big chains when I'm out of options?

## Photos

Brown Bread and ButterBaked Potato SoupSteakhouse Mac & CheeseAussie Cheese FriesAussie Cobb SaladBloomin' OnionHouse Salad with RanchBaked Potato SoupKookaburra WingsRibeye Steak and Dressed Baked PotatoSirloin Steak & Shrimp On The Barbie ComboGold Coast Coconut ShrimpChocolate Thunder from Down Under