Not Enough People Know That Outback Steakhouse Has A Seafood Sister Chain

Outback Steakhouse is where you can go to get a Bloomin' Onion (one of our favorite picks for under $20) or some juicy steaks, but sometimes we just crave a bit of lighter seafood. Fortunately for you, Outback has a sister restaurant under the umbrella of its parent company (aptly named Bloomin' Brands), which specializes in seafood dishes. It's called Bonefish Grill, and as the "fish" in its name implies, it's primarily about seafood. Bonefish Grill serves up grilled and fried seafood, and its dishes are slightly more upscale than, say, Red Lobster.

Its menu includes dishes like grilled Chilean sea bass, pan-seared blackened ahi tuna, and grilled oysters. But Bonefish Grill is most famous for its Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer, which is fried shrimp served with a spicy and creamy sauce. If you're with someone who's not a big fan of seafood, no reason to worry — Bonefish Grill also has a few land-based items, like bone-in pork chops, as well as a steak. 

In terms of general pricing, you can expect entrees to hover between $20 and $50 (for high-end items like lobster). It was founded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2000 by restaurateurs Tim Curci and Chris Parker. In 2001, Bloomin' Brands bought a majority stake, and it currently stands at over 100 locations across the country.

Bloomin' Brands oversees several chains, including Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar and Outback Steakhouse's sister chain, Carrabba's Italian Grill (you can use gift cards for any of its locations at a sister restaurant). Of all the chains, some users on Reddit prefer Bonefish Grill for a few key reasons. In a Reddit thread titled "Outback, Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill, or Fleming's — which is best?" a user asked which restaurant might be best for spending a $100 gift card.

Some commenters mention that the mid-tier price point at Bonefish Grill is a good reason to visit. "Bonefish is pretty solid for a chain, and 100 bucks will be enough there," remarked one user. "Bonefish is my favorite out of those 4 — it can be pricey, but the gift card will go further if you go for lunch instead of dinner!" wrote another. And a few commenters were also enthusiastic about the Bang Bang Shrimp (Bang Bang sauce is great on lobster, by the way): "Bonefish is the best purely for the Bang Bang Shrimp," wrote one, while another noted, "No lie I could put 50 down on some Bang Bang Shrimp and not feel too terrible about my decision." 

A few people found the food unremarkable, but that's a common sentiment when it comes to chain restaurants. Next time you're in the neighborhood of a Bonefish Grill (and happen to have an Outback gift card), it sounds like it'll scratch that seafood itch that steak never will.