scorecardLonghorn Steakhouse is part of the casual dining resurgence, and a visit to the chain shows why
BUSINESS
TECH
MARKETS
REVIEWS
AI
VIDEOS
  1. Home
  2. Retail
  3. news
  4. Longhorn Steakhouse is part of the casual dining resurgence, and a visit to the chain shows why

Longhorn Steakhouse is part of the casual dining resurgence, and a visit to the chain shows why

Mary Meisenzahl   

Longhorn Steakhouse is part of the casual dining resurgence, and a visit to the chain shows why
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
  • Longhorn Steakhouse and its parent company Darden Restaurants have seen booming sales recently.
  • I visited a location in Rochester, New York, to see why it's so successful.

Business is booming at Longhorn Steakhouse, a beneficiary of casual dining bouncing back. I visited the restaurant chain to see why it's seeing such huge success right now.

Business is booming at Longhorn Steakhouse, a beneficiary of casual dining bouncing back. I visited the restaurant chain to see why it
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Before even walking inside, I noticed a row of about six or seven parking spots dedicated to customers picking up to-go orders, which have been a major area of growth since 2020.

Before even walking inside, I noticed a row of about six or seven parking spots dedicated to customers picking up to-go orders, which have been a major area of growth since 2020.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

The parking lot was packed, but I was able to walk in and be seated right away.

The parking lot was packed, but I was able to walk in and be seated right away.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Immediately inside was the pickup area for takeout orders, more evidence that they've becoming important to the bottom lines of restaurant chains.

Immediately inside was the pickup area for takeout orders, more evidence that they
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The entryway was built to accommodate a large number of waiting customers in wood-paneled seats and benches.

The entryway was built to accommodate a large number of waiting customers in wood-paneled seats and benches.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The front of the restaurant has a sports bar feel to it, with TVs playing sports and high-top tables.

The front of the restaurant has a sports bar feel to it, with TVs playing sports and high-top tables.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A Texas Longhorn head, horns and all, was mounted right above the bar in an extremely on-brand decor choice.

A Texas Longhorn head, horns and all, was mounted right above the bar in an extremely on-brand decor choice.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It didn't take me long to realize that this chain takes the theme extremely seriously, from these framed belt buckles...

It didn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...to some kind of harnesses mounted on the wall above our table...

...to some kind of harnesses mounted on the wall above our table...
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

...to even more uses of horns, in this case adorning a mirror.

...to even more uses of horns, in this case adorning a mirror.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Even the chandeliers look like they're made of some kind of antlers.

Even the chandeliers look like they
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The hostess sat us at a corner table, right beneath a painting of yet another longhorn.

The hostess sat us at a corner table, right beneath a painting of yet another longhorn.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

With my fiance Joe for scale, this is how the harnesses, wood paneling, and cow paintings all came together to create the vibe.

With my fiance Joe for scale, this is how the harnesses, wood paneling, and cow paintings all came together to create the vibe.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

We were seated in the dining room area, which looked much more formal than the tables around the bar, almost to the point of looking like a different restaurant.

We were seated in the dining room area, which looked much more formal than the tables around the bar, almost to the point of looking like a different restaurant.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The dining room interior felt cozy, with dark woods and warm lighting.

The dining room interior felt cozy, with dark woods and warm lighting.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Every piece of decor hammered home the theme, with cowboy accessories and images alongside pretty pastoral paintings.

Every piece of decor hammered home the theme, with cowboy accessories and images alongside pretty pastoral paintings.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The ceilings have dark wood beams, almost reminiscent of a farm.

The ceilings have dark wood beams, almost reminiscent of a farm.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Most of the menu consists of different steaks, just as you'd expect. Of course that was the section my eyes went to first.

Most of the menu consists of different steaks, just as you
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Cooking steaks that make customers happy is key to a place like Longhorn, so the menu has specific descriptions of ways to order to make sure there are no misunderstandings.

Cooking steaks that make customers happy is key to a place like Longhorn, so the menu has specific descriptions of ways to order to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

We started with the Texas Tonion appetizer, which our server described as "like a Bloomin' Onion."

We started with the Texas Tonion appetizer, which our server described as "like a Bloomin
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

They were fried onion slices with a slightly zesty dipping sauce.

They were fried onion slices with a slightly zesty dipping sauce.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

They were hot and crunchy and salty. In other words, they were perfect.

They were hot and crunchy and salty. In other words, they were perfect.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

We finished the whole dish, which was clearly meant for a larger group than the two of us.

We finished the whole dish, which was clearly meant for a larger group than the two of us.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Next, the waitress brought us a loaf of bread and a little dish of butter.

Next, the waitress brought us a loaf of bread and a little dish of butter.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It was good, but nothing special. After all the onion, I didn't want to fill up on bread.

It was good, but nothing special. After all the onion, I didn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

We also ordered an Old Fashioned to sip on alongside the steak.

We also ordered an Old Fashioned to sip on alongside the steak.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Each entree came with two sides, and I chose a Caesar salad. I enjoyed it, but it was possibly the most heavily dressed salad I've ever had, and could've used a slightly lighter hand.

Each entree came with two sides, and I chose a Caesar salad. I enjoyed it, but it was possibly the most heavily dressed salad I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Next came our entrees. I got a sirloin and grilled shrimp over rice, with loaded mashed potatoes as my other side.

Next came our entrees. I got a sirloin and grilled shrimp over rice, with loaded mashed potatoes as my other side.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The mashed potatoes were excellent, with a smooth whipped texture topped with bacon, green onions, cheese, and a garlic butter.

The mashed potatoes were excellent, with a smooth whipped texture topped with bacon, green onions, cheese, and a garlic butter.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The shrimp was also delicious, grilled and covered in tomato butter.

The shrimp was also delicious, grilled and covered in tomato butter.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

My steak was exactly medium rare, just as I'd ordered. I'm not the biggest steak eater, but I enjoyed it.

My steak was exactly medium rare, just as I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Joe bravely took on the biggest steak on the menu, the 22-ounce porterhouse for $30.

Joe bravely took on the biggest steak on the menu, the 22-ounce porterhouse for $30.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

He's a much bigger steak fan than me, so his expertise was required to really judge this steakhouse.

He
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

He said it was perfect, and we happily brought home leftovers.

He said it was perfect, and we happily brought home leftovers.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

He got Brussels sprouts for one of his sides, which were nice and crispy. They were a a good break from the other salty, heavy dishes.

He got Brussels sprouts for one of his sides, which were nice and crispy. They were a a good break from the other salty, heavy dishes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

He also ordered mac and cheese, which had a delicious topping of breadcrumbs baked on.

He also ordered mac and cheese, which had a delicious topping of breadcrumbs baked on.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cheese pull shows just how decadent and loaded it was.

The cheese pull shows just how decadent and loaded it was.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

For two steak entrees, a drink, and an appetizer, our check came to about $100 with tip.

For two steak entrees, a drink, and an appetizer, our check came to about $100 with tip.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I wasn't sure what to expect from Longhorn Steakhouse, but it definitely blew me away.

I wasn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I'd worried that steaks would be the main focus, to the detriment of other dishes, but the opposite was actually true.

I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

In the midst of yet another pandemic winter, I completely get the appeal of a cozy, familiar restaurant where you can get hearty, comforting food.

In the midst of yet another pandemic winter, I completely get the appeal of a cozy, familiar restaurant where you can get hearty, comforting food.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

READ MORE ARTICLES ON

BI Home Icon

Next Story

Nordstrom Rack was once Nordstrom's greatest asset, now analysts say it's dra…

Popular Right Now

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Advertisement