Outback Steakhouse?

I saw something on that (many restaurants) on the "Today Show", I think yesterday. They showed 2 plates comparing "then + now" portions (alot less meat, many more veggies, for "illusion"). It's basically a sneaky way to "raise" prices, to combat the high gas + other costs......

** Edit: more info:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/...

I haven't noticed anything at the Outback I work at...and I'm there six days a week so I think I would notice. The carafes are actually there so people can see that they get the same amount of wine each time...some bartenders pour differently and we got new wine glasses so this was supposed to make sure that everyone got the same amount of wine each time they came into the restaurant. The wine glasses are bigger than the old ones so that is why it looks like you are getting less. The chicken and pork chops are not cut smaller...they are delivered cut that way and they are still the same amount bc we have not changed our vendors. It's still 2 8oz chops and the chicken breast is 8 ounces. If prices have risen it is only bc everything is rising as well...gas is much more expensive so food cost EVERY where has gone up.

And if you have noticed that the crowds are smaller...it is because of the season. Our busy season starts once it starts getting colder outside and as soon as it is spring, people start coming in less bc a lot of people cook out during the warm weather. Also because of the economy slump, I think a lot more people are staying home simply bc they can not afford it.

Restaurant margins are very thin, and in the past few months wholesale prices have skyrocketed. Wheat is up from the last few years. Beef is getting horribly expensive. Sales per square foot are down in most restaurants, and the economy is hurting most Casual Chains like Outback, TGIF, Bennigan's, etc... It's hard to pass costs on to customers who are on a tight budget, so usually portions are just trimmed. Most of the time customers wont notice the difference in portions, unless it's being done carelessly. One trick is to fill your plate with a cheaper substitute as filler for a more expensive item that has to be trimmed. That is why most national chains serve "FRESH" french fries, macaroni, or mashed potatoes as sides with everything on their menu. Fries are dirt cheap, and there are rarely any quality complaints about a deep fried potato. As far as alcohol goes, i'm not sure. Alcohol prices haven't gone up, except for a few cents, nothing that'll break the bank though. There's supposed to be a barley shortage this year though, so we'll see how expensive beer can get. IMHO, We can thank corn and soy hungry ethanol manufacturers for these carzy price increases in some of our foods.

Its a old sales ploy the best thing is to stop going there for now and write/email the Corprate Office the mgmnt inhouse will do nothing for you so let Corp. know you and youre family were very disappointed with this and you will no longer be eating here and add that you will be letting everyone know about the error in judgement I mean heck just from what was posted here I will never go there.

It is typical for a restaurant to cut portions in an effort to maintain prices. Food prices have increased across the board due to the increase in oil prices. All restaurants are making adjustements.

a lot of restaurant do that its a choice of cut the portion and remain the cost or not cut the portion and up the price. gas, ingridient, wages, etc. is going up they need to cut there looses

i went for a meal there while i was on holiday in orlando and it was the worst ever it took 45 minutes until i got served then another hour for my meal to arrive and it was raw then they tried to charge me 15% service charge because i was from england.NEVER AGAIN WILL I GO IN A OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

alot of places are doing that, and yes I have noticed

lots of places are doing that

i really hate that too! complain to the manager/store owner.