The steak poll, Trump edition

[Berkut]

I can understand an Aussie theme if that is where they are sourcing their beef.  But why would a US restaurant do that?  I suppose an Australian theme seems exotic or at least more exotic than Texas?

Pretty much.  There's no shortage of Texas-themed steakhouse chains.

Yeah, no kidding. In fact, all the middle tier chains that are NOT the Outback seem to be Texas themed...

As far as the Outback, it is just the theme. It doesn't really "mean" anything. Anymore than going to Johny Rockets means you are an 50s astronaut, or going to Planet Hollywood means you will get food from Hollywood. It just defines the theme.

[MadBurgerMaker]

Pretty much.  There's no shortage of Texas-themed steakhouse chains.

Yeah.  There is/was a Texas themed steakhouse in Guam (Texas Roadhouse maybe?) that got real weird when they had their servers come out all cowboy-ed up (hats, chaps, etc) to...like.....line dance.     I've never been to one here, but I'm assuming that's a thing with that particular chain vs a strange form of waitstaff abuse.

[alfred russel]

I can understand an Aussie theme if that is where they are sourcing their beef.  But why would a US restaurant do that?  I suppose an Australian theme seems exotic or at least more exotic than Texas?

the founder really liked crocodile dundee. i think that is really the answer.

[Admiral Yi]

I can't fully answer, but ever since Crocodile Dundee Americans have just loved that over the top kitschy faux-Australian theme.

Sure, but it's not like the waitrons dress up in bush hats, or they have Vietnamese you can curb stomp between courses.  No stuffed kangaroos and koalas. If they did like an Australian Hard Rock I could see it easier.  Australians throw shrimps on barbies and eat lamb.

The only thing I can see is Australia has an image of friendly informality.  So the hoi polloi can go eat a mid-priced steak and belch and scratch their nuts and no one will get snooty.

[MadBurgerMaker]

It's just a chain steakhouse with some Australian themed decor and names for menu items, man.

[Barrister]

I can't fully answer, but ever since Crocodile Dundee Americans have just loved that over the top kitschy faux-Australian theme.

Sure, but it's not like the waitrons dress up in bush hats, or they have Vietnamese you can curb stomp between courses.  No stuffed kangaroos and koalas. If they did like an Australian Hard Rock I could see it easier.  Australians throw shrimps on barbies and eat lamb.

The only thing I can see is Australia has an image of friendly informality.  So the hoi polloi can go eat a mid-priced steak and belch and scratch their nuts and no one will get snooty.

I googled it, and that's pretty much it.

All the partners needed was a theme that would give their restaurant concept a memorable identity. At the time, the 1986 movie Crocodile Dundee had recently been released and become a big hit. Despite the fact that none of the restaurant's founders had ever been to Australia, the trio decided to give their venture an Australian theme. In this way, they would be tapping into the traditional 'western' association with steak, but with a twist. 'Most Australians are fun-loving and gregarious people, and very casual people,' Basham later told F & B Magazine. 'We thought, `That's exactly the kind of friendliness and atmosphere we want to have in our restaurants.' Then it was just a matter of coming up with an Australian name that worked for us. The Outback was kind of the wild, wild west of Australia. So there you go for the western theme. But instead of United States western, it's Australian western.'

[garbon]

It's just a chain steakhouse with some Australian themed decor and names for menu items, man.

[Berkut]

I just don't understand though. Why Australia? What does that have to do with steak?

Do they only hire Australians to work there?

What does it all MEAN????

[derspiess]

Yi demands Aborigines playing didgeridoos in the waiting area.

[Admiral Yi]

Yi demands Aborigines playing didgeridoos in the waiting area.

The only thing I'm asking is that the American consumer ask himself what the fuck Australia has to do with steaks.  I would be saying the same thing if they opened up a Scottish Sushi chain or an Egyptian fried chicken chain.

[Barrister]

Yi demands Aborigines playing didgeridoos in the waiting area.

The only thing I'm asking is that the American consumer ask himself what the fuck Australia has to do with steaks.  I would be saying the same thing if they opened up a Scottish Sushi chain or an Egyptian fried chicken chain.

"steak" is associated with the wild west and ranching / cowboys.  The Outback is Australia's "wild west".  It's foreign enough to differentiate itself in a crowded market, but safe enough to not feel threatening.

[Berkut]

I wonder what Yi has against Australians.

[celedhring]

Texan/cowboy steakhouses are pretty rare around here. They are seen as too tacky and if one wants to open and American steakhouse they usually aim for a California/NE theme.

Most common steakhouse around here is the Argentinian steakhouse, though.

[Berkut]

I still have not gone to on of those....


But really, WTF does Argentina have to do with steak anyway?

[Admiral Yi]

Texan/cowboy steakhouses are pretty rare around here. They are seen as too tacky and if one wants to open and American steakhouse they usually aim for a California/NE theme.