I don't usually start my day, or anyone else's for that matter, like this; however, last night's experience at Outback Hunt Valley calls for some attention. We came as a party of ten to celebrate my husband's birthday. Although our group was accommodated and space was made for us, the evening went downhill rapidly. No one greeted us at the door for quite a while. It really wasn't overwhelmingly busy; plenty of tables were empty. Upon finally greeting us, the hostess told me she needed a minute to find a server who could "handle a group our size".... went to our table, no silverware, a few menus, and the wait began. The bartender claimed she was doing us a favor by serving us because so many people are flooding in (isn't that the point of restaurant work), and could we please order quickly. And, by the way, still not busy.
Orders for waters and tea were taken and another server brought some. We waited. Pressured to order apps we did so yet had to ask for silverware. Had to ask for a gluten-free menu three times. Asked several people, yet no one remembered long enough to provide one. Ordered dinner, had to ask for water refills, and after promising the gluten-free dinner would be flagged for the kitchen, it came out with fried onions. My daughter waited through a plethora of excuses and blame shifting, yet we were all finished eating when her dish was put on the table. Dirty dishes stacked up, empty glasses everywhere and yet another server did his best to make sure the birthday song was over-the-top. Too late. And no one else was offered dessert despite a few of us wanting something.
Icing on the cake, dead batteries in the card reader. Had to get up and walk around looking for help. No manager ever in sight or checking in ( I probably wouldn't at this location myself). Let's finish this by saying I have several years' experience in restaurant serving, and ALL of the basics are missing at Outback. Awful. There's no resolution here because we will not return. Last eyar, coincidentally, my sister and I tried to have lunch there and after being seated, waited TWENTY minutes before getting up and leaving. No server, no concern, no explanation. We gave it another chance, but never again. Can't imagine this place will last long.