Texas Roadhouse Cactus Blossom Vs Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' Onion: Which Has The Better Value?

Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion appetizer is as iconic as it is delicious. Launched in 1988 by the chain's founder, the starter keeps fans coming back time and time again. But Outback isn't the only chain serving this monkey bread-like masterpiece of fried onions, as competitor Texas Roadhouse has the similar Cactus Blossom on its menu. But which offers the best value?

Mashed compared the Texas Roadhouse Cactus Blossom and Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion side by side and deemed Texas Roadhouse's offering the clear winner in terms of taste. "Our Bloomin' Onion was fried very inconsistently all-around, with bites of pure batter, and others of pure grease, though the good bites were wonderfully, complexly spiced." Compare that to how we described the Cactus Blossom: "Each petal was evenly coated, perfectly crisp, and lightly seasoned in a way that let the delightfully sweet, tender onion flavor, well, blossom." 

Prices vary by location, but at the time of our review, Outback's app was $4 more, a price increase proportional to the size of the appetizer, which was visibly bigger than Texas Roadhouse's equivalent. Given the Outback appetizer serves four, it boils down to $3 per person at Outback versus Texas Roadhouse's $2. Even so, the latter is also more calorically dense (according to the available nutrition info), so you get more sustenance per dollar versus Outback, despite its smaller size. 

Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion is hand-carved into 200 pieces, breaded, and deep-fried. The 1-pound behemoth comes with tangy, slightly spicy Bloom sauce. Texas Roadhouse's Cactus Blossom is lighter and comes with Cajun horseradish sauce. Outback's onion has light, spiced batter, while Texas Roadhouse has heavier breading and thicker petals. Depending on your preference, either could be deemed more valuable.

Fans are divided. "There's only one place with a proper Bloomin Onion... and that's the ole Outback," one Redditor asserts. "I personally think texas roadhouse does it better. Outbacks is mega mega salty and not as crispy," writes another Reddit user. "Outback popularized the bloomin onion in the US but has really plummeted in quality over the years," adds a third Redditor, noting that they much prefer the Cactus Blossom at Roadhouse. "I LIVE for Outback Bloomin' Onions," claims a fourth, who adds, "the seasoning, the sauce, and the grease all go together perfectly."

Texas Roadhouse is still the better deal on paper, but whichever one you prefer, make sure you get the best bang for your buck. Order a pulled pork Cactus Blossom, a Texas Roadhouse secret menu item that's a true meal. At Outback, request the same cheese and bacon from Aussie Cheese Fries on the Bloomin' Onion to revive a former limited-time appetizer. You can also score a free Bloomin' Onion by signing up for Outback Rewards, plus other perks like a free birthday dessert and points on every dollar. Texas Roadhouse offers a free appetizer for joining its VIP Club too. The cheapest route? Make Outback's Bloomin' Onion at home, or try a copycat Texas Roadhouse Cactus Blossom recipe.