Sunday, June 30, 2013

Vegetarian Food at Steakhouse Restaurants- Logan's, Longhorn, Outback & More



Most Steakhouses offer multiple selections of fresh vegetables

So your friends want to go to a steakhouse for dinner.  What the heck are you supposed to eat, if you’re hoping to eat vegetarian?!  Well prepare to be pleasantly surprised!  Most steakhouse chains now have an impressive selection of side dishes, vegetarian appetizer options, and a nice variety of salads.  You might say potatoes and salads constitute “the usual suspects”.  Many steak restaurants not only have fries, mashed potatoes, and baked potatoes, but now have baked sweet potatoes and sweet potato fries.  Also look for lots of fresh vegetables like green beans, steamed broccoli, and asparagus.  If all else fails, rationalize yourself a great dessert. 

Preview your vegetarian food options below for Logan’s Roadhouse, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Longhorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, Salt Grass Steakhouse, Texas Land & Cattle, and Texas Roadhouse.  Please note that selections may vary by season and location. 


Logan’s Roadhouse

Logan’s is one of several restaurants that bring “parched” or dry roasted peanuts in the shell to your table at no charge, and invite you to throw the shells on the floor.  You can also expect fresh baked yeast rolls brought to your table. 


Mozzarella Cheese Sticks from Logan's Steakhouse (Personal Photo)

Appetizers: 
Roadhouse ‘Shrooms- Battered and fried mushrooms, served with horseradish sauce. 
Enormous Nachos- Ask to hold the chili, and enjoy corn tortilla chips smothered in melted cheese and topped with tomatoes, sour cream and jalapeno peppers. 

Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks- Served with marinara sauce. 
Loaded Potato Skins- Ask to hold the bacon, and enjoy potatoes with shredded cheese.  Ask for other toppings like sour cream and salsa. 

Rockin’ Onion Petals- Fried onion petals served in a bucket with Texan petal sauce. 
Loaded Baked Potato Soup- Ask to hold the bacon, and enjoy potato soup topped with cheese. 

Salads: 

Kickin’ Logan’s [Chickin’] Salad- Ask to hold the chicken and enjoy a romaine lettuce salad with tomatoes, roasted corn, shredded cheese, and black bean salsa.  Served with spicy ranch dressing and topped with crispy tortilla strips. 
Mesquite Wood-Grilled [Chicken] Salad- Ask to hold the chicken and bacon.  Salad is made with romaine and iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and hard-boiled egg. 

Anything & Everything Salad- Ask to hold the chicken.  This salad is made with romaine lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, bleu cheese crumbles, tomatoes, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts.  Served with balsamic vinaigrette. 
Caesar Salad- Romaine, croutons, parmesan, and Caesar dressing. 

Sides:  Baked sweet potato, loaded sweet potato (caramel sauce and marshmallows), baked potato, loaded baked potato (butter, sour cream and shredded cheese), mashed potatoes, overloaded mashed potatoes (with shredded cheese), French fries, home-style potato chips, sweet potato fries, rice pilaf, brewski onions (braised in Michelob AmberBock), sautéed mushrooms, rockin onion petals, cinnamon apples, coleslaw, seasonal vegetables, macaroni & cheese, grilled vegetable skewer, grilled mushroom skewer, house salad, Caesar salad. 

 Mashed redskin potatoes with gravy, and grilled vegetable skewer from Logan's. 
Very good! (Personal Photo)

Desserts:  Big & Chewy Hot Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Brownie, New York Style Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Nutter Butter Fudgeslide. 


 Hot, fresh baked bread is complimentary at most all steakhouse restaurants

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon
Lone Star restaurants are Texas-themed steakhouses, with 152 locations, ironically with none in Texas! 


Appetizers: 
Steakhouse Cheese Fries- Steak fries topped with cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese and green onion (hold the bacon).  Served with Texas Ranch dressing. 
Spinach & Artichoke Dip- With a Texas twist, this dip has sliced jalapeno peppers and pico de gallo.  Served with fresh tortilla chips.  

Texas Rose- This is their version of blooming onion.  Onion is separated into onion bloom, battered and fried, and served with Texas Rose sauce. 
Lone Star Skins- Potato wedges with cheddar and Jack cheese, sour cream, and green onion (hold bacon). 

Fried Green Beans- Green beans breaded and fried, served with Texas Ranch sauce. 


Soup & Salads: 
Wedge Salad- Lettuce wedge, crumbled bleu cheese, tomato, red onion, and blue cheese dressing (hold the bacon). 

Tostada Salad- Fresh greens, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro, mixed cheese, and tortilla strips. 
Caesar Salad- Romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. 

Steakhouse Salad- Fresh greens, crumbled bleu cheese, tomato, crispy onion strings, and bleu cheese dressing (hold the beef). 
French Onion Soup- Onion soup topped with garlic toast and Swiss cheese, with green onion and parsley garnish. 

Loaded Baked Potato Soup- Potato soup topped with cheddar cheese and green onion (hold the bacon). 

Sides:  Garlic mashed potatoes, baked potato, steak fries, baked sweet potato, Texas rice, green beans, steamed broccoli, steamed spinach, garden salad, wedge salad, side Caesar salad, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, and sautéed mushrooms & onions. 

Burgers:  Lone Star offers a vegetarian gardenburger patty!  Add on the usual suspects- lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion.  I’d guess you could ask for any additional fixins on the menu, such as cheddar, Jack or Swiss cheese, BBQ sauce, avocado, pico de gallo, sautéed onions, or sautéed mushrooms.  Served with steak fries. 

Desserts:  Triple Chocolate Miracle Cake, New York-Style Cheesecake, Big Brownie Blast, and Peach Bread Pudding. 


 Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip is a steakhouse favorite

Longhorn Steakhouse

The first Longhorn restaurant opened in Atlanta, Georgia in 1981.  There are now over 400 locations. 

Starters: 
Western Cheese Fries- Hold the chili and bacon.  Fries topped with melted Monterrey Jack and cheddar cheese and jalapenos. 

Spinach Dip- Cheesy dip served with fresh warm tortillas. 
Parmesan Crusted Asparagus- Crisp battered and fried asparagus spears served with red chili ranch sauce. 

Homemade Chips & Dip- Fresh, hot chips seasoned with sea salt and black pepper, served with creamy BBQ sauce. 
Grilled White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms- Grilled mushroom caps stuffed with cheddar cheese and herbs, over a creamy four-cheese blend. 

Texas Tonion- Fried onion petals topped with sour cream drizzle, and served with zesty dipping sauce. 

Salads & Soups: 

Salad with Strawberries- (Hold the grilled chicken) Mixed field greens, strawberries, grapes, mandarin oranges, candied pecans, red onion, feta cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. 
Caesar Salad- Romaine with croutons, parmesan and Caesar dressing. 

Loaded Baked Potato Soup- Hold the bacon. 
Roasted Tomato Basil Soup- Served with cheddar cheese and croutons. 


Loaded Baked Potato (no bacon), Fire Grilled Corn on the Cob, 

Steamed Broccoli, and Homestyle Mashed Potatoes 

Sides:  Loaded baked potato, mashed potatoes, sweet potato with cinnamon & butter, fresh vegetable medley, seasoned fries, green beans, rice pilaf, fire-grilled corn on the cob, steamed asparagus, mac & cheese, mixed green salad, Caesar salad, strawberry & pecan salad, ranch house cobb salad (hold the bacon), roasted merlot mushrooms, grilled onions, and sautéed sliced mushrooms & onions. 


Desserts:  Chocolate Stampede, Bananas Foster Cheesecake, Caramel Apple Goldrush, Key Lime Pie, Very Berry Grilled Pound Cake, Molten Lava Cake, Mountain Top Cheesecake, Ultimate Brownie Sundae, and LongHorn Dessert Sampler. 

 Longhorn's Caramel Apple Goldrush dessert

Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouses are Australian-themed steakhouses.  Founded in Florida in 1988, restaurants now number almost 1000. 


Appetizers: 
Bloomin’ Onion- Hand cut onion, fried until golden.  Enjoy with spicy bloom sauce. 
Aussie Cheese Fries- Topped with melted cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheeses (hold the bacon).  Served with spicy ranch dressing. 

Spinach Artichoke Dip- Served with white corn tortilla chips. 

Outback's Bloomin Onion.  Most steakhouse have some variation of this.   
Soups & Salad: 

French Onion Soup- Topped with melted Provolone cheese. 
Aussie [Chicken] Cobb Salad- Hold the chicken and bacon.  Mixed greens, hardboiled eggs, tomatoes, shredded cheddar, shredded Monterey Jack, and fresh made croutons. 

California [Chicken] Salad- Hold the chicken.  Mixed greens, feta, baby spinach, roasted walnuts, diced green apples, and vinaigrette dressing.  
Steakhouse Salad- Hold the steak.  Mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions, Aussie Crunch, cinnamon pecans, and Danish blue cheese vinaigrette. 

Caesar Salad- Romaine, fresh croutons, and Caesar dressing. 

Sides:  Garlic mashed potatoes, Aussie fries, baked potato, sweet potato with honey butter & brown sugar, sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli, green beans, seasonal mixed vegetables, seasoned rice, grilled asparagus, house salad, Caesar salad, wedge salad, and blue cheese pecan chopped salad. 

Desserts:  Classic Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Sydney’s Sinful Sundae, Chocolate Thunder from Down Under, and Sweet Adventure Sampler Trio. 



Chocolate Thunder from Down Under


Salt Grass Steak House

The first Saltgrass Steakhouse opened in 1952 in Houston, Texas.  There are now over 30 restaurants in Texas, and several which have opened in neighboring states. 


Appetizers: 
French Fried Onions- Thinly sliced fried onion with border sauce. 

Fried Mushrooms- Served with ranch dressing or border sauce. 
Artichoke & Spinach Dip- Cheesy dip serve with tostada chips and salsa. 

Chuck Wagon Cheese Fries- Hold the bacon.  Fries with melted cheddar, melted Jack cheese, sour cream, and chives. 
Lemon Pepper Zucchini- Zucchini spears marinated in buttermilk, seasoned with lemon pepper, and fried.  Served with ranch dressing. 

Soups & Salads: 

Baked Potato Soup- Hold the bacon. 
Hill Country Salad- Hold the chicken and bacon.  Salad greens, eggs, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and croutons. 

Caesar Salad- Romaine lettuce, croutons, and Caesar dressing. 
[Tenderloin] Cobb Salad- Hold the beef and bacon.  Salad greens, chopped eggs, bleu cheese crumbles, diced tomatoes, black olives, and sliced avocados. 

Steak Salad- Hold the steak.  Salad greens, red potatoes, green beans, black olives, onions, tomatoes, bleu cheese crumbles, and balsamic vinaigrette. 

 Caesar Salad and French Onion Soup

Sides:  French fries, steak fries, garlic mashed potatoes, baked potato, sweet potato fries, baked sweet potatoes, French fried onions, scampi rice, seasonal vegetables, macaroni & cheese, asparagus, side salad, spinach salad, and wedge salad.  Or try a baked potato with one of Salt Grass’ steak toppings, such as Smothered Topping (herbed butter, sautéed mushrooms & caramelized onions).  Enjoy also complimentary Shiner Bock Beer bread. 


Most Steakhouses now offer baked sweet potatoes and sweet potato fries


Texas Land & Cattle
There are over 30 Texas Land & Cattle restaurants, located mostly in Texas. 


Appetizers: 

Spinach & Artichoke Dip- With a hint of jalapeno, topped with cheese, and served with tortilla chips. 
Nachos- Smoked Sirloin Nachos, hold the sirloin.  Refried beans, jalapeno, pico de gallo, melted cheddar, melted Monterrey Jack cheese, and sour cream. 

Fried Pickles- Six breaded and fried pickle spears, served with white BBQ sauce. 
Crispy Onion Strings- Battered and fried onions, served with white BBQ sauce. 

Soups & Salads: 

Classic French Onion Soup- Onion soup with garlic toast, and melted Swiss cheese. 

[Chicken] Tostada Salad- Salad greens, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro, shredded cheese, tortilla strips. 
House Salad

Classic or Spicy Caesar Salad
Signature Lettuce Wedge- Iceberg lettuce wedge with crumbled blue cheese, grape tomatoes, red onion, and bleu cheese dressing.  Served with crouton toast.  Hold the bacon. 

Steakhouse Salad- Mixed greens, grape tomatoes, red onion, crumbled bleu cheese, and tortilla strips.  Hold the beef. 
Classic Cobb Salad- Mixed greens, crumbled bleu cheese, boiled egg, grape tomatoes, and avocado.  Hold the chicken. 


Sides:  Crispy shoestring fries, steak fries, loaded baked potato, garlic mashed potatoes, Southwest rice, sautéed onions & mushrooms, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, steamed spinach, steamed broccoli, fresh asparagus, baked sweet potato with cinnamon butter, onion strings. 

Desserts:  Triple Chocolate Miracle Cake, Chisholm Trail Cheesecake, Seasonal Bread Pudding, Chocolate Chunk Brownie, Bourbon Pecan Pie. 


 Texas Land & Cattle Strawberry Cheesecake

Texas Roadhouse
The first Texas Roadhouse opened in 1991.  There are now over 300 restaurants in 46 states.  Enjoy a complimentary bucket of roasted in the shell peanuts at your table. 


Appetizers: 
Fried Pickles- Battered and fried pickle chips, served with ranch or Cajun horseradish sauce. 

Cactus Blossom- Golden fried onion blossom, with Cajun horseradish sauce. 
Rattlesnake Bites- Diced jalapeno peppers and Monterrey Jack cheese, battered and fried, served with Cajun horseradish sauce. 

Tater Skins- Topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream.  Hold the bacon. 
Cheese Fries- Steak fries topped with melted cheddar cheese.  Hold the bacon and chili. 

Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles 

Salads: 
House Salad- Salad greens, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, boiled eggs, and homemade croutons. 

Caesar Salad- Romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. 

Sides:  Buttered corn, seasoned rice, green beans, fresh vegetables, steak fries, mashed potatoes, baked potato, sweet potato, house salad, Caesar salad, and apple sauce. 

Desserts:  Granny’s Apple Classic, Strawberry Cheesecake, Big Ol’ Brownie.