Outback Steakhouse in Fairfax does NOT want our money

[JD8]

FYI, Virginia has some of the best CCW laws in the U.S. And just where do you reside? I'm betting it's some bastion of freedom like the PRK, MA, NJ, IL, etc.

Maybe in your mind.... so this will HAVE to be your little secret. In my state you can carry concealed in a restaurant so long as it's not technically a bar, or rather more than 50% of it's sales not being alcohol. Open carry in a true bar would be beyond stupid to me. ASSuming where I live doesn't make you or your laws any look better.

Outback steakhouses here in central OK also do not want our business - they have up the "stupid signs" (no-gun signs, which demonstrate the owners are stupid). Interesting to know that this is controlled by the franchisee/proprietor, and not forced under the franchise contract from the corporate/franchisor. I encourage all fellow Okies to get their steaks elsewhere, and let Outback know why.

This is VERY interesting to me, since I know for a fact a majority of the stores in Oklahoma do NOT have these signs up.....in fact of the Edmond, 3 OKC stores and Norman I have no idea which one you are talking about, which Outback are you refering to? Quit spreading ignorance by punishing a vast majority by the actions of a few. If you know of an Outback that has that sign up then don't go there, but Outback leaves certain decisions up to it's proprietors. God forbid an individual owner has the right to run it as he pleases without corporate dictating what he does.

 

[HankB]

Interesting! In Texas, there is no legal minimum, meaning ANY alcohol in your blood can be argued against you even if you were defending your life.

Establishments that make 51% of their money by the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption are off-limits for licensed concealed carry, but ordinary restaurants that happen to serve liquor (like Outback) are OK. IIRC the TX concealed carry law prohibits licensed carry "while intoxicated" without actually defining what constitutes intoxication. The assumption among many is that the 0.08% blood alcohol limit for driving a motor vehicle would apply, but AFAIK this assumption has not been tested in court.

I can see that some DAs (particularly the party animal in Austin, who hates Texas' CHL law) would argue that the merest trace constitutes "intoxication."

However, I note that there is no "implied consent" law other than for driving a vehicle, so it would seem that providing proof of your intoxication in such an instance would be purely voluntary . . . and who in his right mind would volunteer?

 

[The Drew]

I can CCW all but a few select places here in PA, none of them include either restaurants or bars...

That being said, were you sitting in a booth or at a table? I assume you were seated before being asked to leave. So If that were the case why not sit in a booth with your gun facing to the inside? that way only the people who saw on the way in could see that you are carrying. Maybe this is something to take into consideration in the future as to avoid the scene of being asked to leave an establishment with unknown gun policies...

 

[GunGoBoom]

Well, JD8, I'm not spreading ignorance; I'm spreading truth, as every Outback I've been to (or attempted to go to) had the signs up, including the one at I240 and Penn, and the one at I40 and Merdian - that's what, 2/3rds of the Outbacks in the metro, or 1/2? In any event, a very significant number. (I'm not counting Norman as 'metro'). The proprietor can do whatever in the hell they feel like (not saying they can't), and we as CCW owners can too, by not patronizing those who disarm the law-abiding, while letting the criminals go about armed. You are just wrong if you're claiming that the signs aren't there - they are, but you just apparently haven't seen them - they are rather small, but they are on the entrance doors. I understand you have some love for the place - don't blame ya; it's fantastic food, but the fact is that the proprietors are mostly anti-gun, and if one gives 2 craps about putting their money where their mouth is, they'll get their food from one of the other 283579028 restaurants in the city - Outback and City Bites are about the ONLY restaurants left that persist in having the stupid signs up - they must be punished for that, in my view.

 

[JD8]

Well, JD8, I'm not spreading ignorance; I'm spreading truth, as every Outback I've been to (or attempted to go to) had the signs up, including the one at I240 and Penn, and the one at I40 and Merdian - that's what, 2/3rds of the Outbacks in the metro, or 1/2? In any event, a very significant number. (I'm not counting Norman as 'metro'). The proprietor can do whatever in the hell they feel like (not saying they can't), and we as CCW owners can too, by not patronizing those who disarm the law-abiding, while letting the criminals go about armed. You are just wrong if you're claiming that the signs aren't there - they are, but you just apparently haven't seen them - they are rather small, but they are on the entrance doors. I understand you have some love for the place - don't blame ya; it's fantastic food, but the fact is that the proprietors are mostly anti-gun, and if one gives 2 craps about putting their money where their mouth is, they'll get their food from one of the other 283579028 restaurants in the city - Outback and City Bites are about the ONLY restaurants left that persist in having the stupid signs up - they must be punished for that, in my view.

The Proprietors there aren't anti-gun so once again stop assuming and spreading ignorance...... I took one of them to H&H oh... about 3 weeks ago. Can't say much about the I-240 store.... haven't been there in a few months. Don't remember seeing the Meridian one but I'll take your word for it. Regardless that's 2 out of 7 stores in Central Ok and the other 3 Tulsa stores don't have them. You're exaggerating a point if you believe that these Outbacks and City Bites are the only restaurants in OKC that have these signs up. In fact.... I've seen 3 in the past week at other reataurants one of which is a "local" chain.

 

[ChickenHawk]

Originally posted by HankB
The assumption among many is that the 0.08% blood alcohol limit for driving a motor vehicle would apply, but AFAIK this assumption has not been tested in court.

Nice post, HankB! But, you are exactly correct that the driving blood alcohol limit is assumed to be the CHL limit by most. However, there is no codified limit. In court, that's what will likely count.

I only make the point because my last CHL renewal instructor (who is a sherrif and Leo handgun insrtructor as well) made this point very clearly to us. This guy was extremely pro-carry ("How many of you don't carry all the time ... well, WHY NOT??"), but he very clear on the no-alcohol point when carrying.

Doesn't seem worth the risk to me. I can drink at home.

Regards,
ChickenHawk

 

[roo_ster]

Outback Restaurants:
I have always enjoyed good food & good service. --Yum, yum!-- If a particular Outback does not support RKBA, treat it like a leper.

I must admit I don't frequent them much at home, as there are a bunch of good local staekhouses. I generally hit them when on the road & my company is paying.

Drinking:
It is the rare outing where I will have a drink, anymore. I still love a good beer*, but I'd rather have 100% of my wits about me when out on the town in DFW. I drink at home or at friends' homes.

* Life is too short to drink cheap beer, especially if you don't drink too much.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Someone convince me that the industrial strength tenderizers quit working when you bite into the steak!! Think about that one for a minute.

Okay.

First, it's been argued here that Outback doesn't use the stuff, but if they did...

Restaurant steak tenderizer is made with Papain, a naturally-occurring enzyme.

Papain, the proteolytic enzyme from the fruit of carica papaya, is a potent digestant of nonviable protein matter but is harmless to viable tissue.
- http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/papain_cp.htm

In fact, in its pharmacological form, it's used to treat wounds:
ACCUZYME is indicated for debridement of necrotic tissue and liquefication of slough in acute and chronic lesions such as pressure ulcers, varicose and diabetic ulcers, burns, postoperative wounds, pilonidal cyst wounds, carbuncles and miscellaneous traumatic or infected wounds.
- http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/papain_ids.htm

Gross, huh?

But it is safe for your tummy, assuming that there's any enzymatic action left after "treating" your steak.

(If you want to know way too much about meat tenderizers, visit http://www.enzymedevelopment.com/html/applications/protein.html)

 

[Andrew Rothman]

Quit spreading ignorance by punishing a vast majority by the actions of a few. If you know of an Outback that has that sign up then don't go there, but Outback leaves certain decisions up to it's proprietors.

JD8, you are new here, but you may notice that most folks proceed here in a mannerly way. Please try to fit in in that respect.

I think that it's perfectly appropriate to apply pressure to the national HQ for the foolish actions of their owned or franchised locations.

Voting with our voices and our dollars is a key component of free markets.

 

[JD8]

JD8, you are new here, but you may notice that most folks proceed here in a mannerly way. Please try to fit in in that respect.

Sorry but someone is making a blanket statement that is ignorant of the proprietor's disposition that I happen to know personally, whom just donated a good amount to Ted Nugent's Kamp for Kids is being called anti-gun. I see use for the term. Ignorant means by webster's definition "lacking knowledge of the thing specified, Unaware, Uninformed." I believe this fits. I know for a fact that one of these guys hunts and hits the range. Once again I can't speak for one of the seven stores but the original author called for a denouncing of all central Oklahoma stores. If you're going to spread information that involves someone else's livelihood then make sure it is specific, accurate and true.

Once again if someone sees a request sign on an Outback by all means.... walk away, but it is being touted as a vast majority here in Central Oklahoma which is not true.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Lets just do what the anti gun folks do. All Out Back Steak Houses are bad and need to be advoided by any gun owner. No matter its location. Their are many other places where we can spend our money. There, Problem solved.
I think their food is so-so and cost way to much anyway.

Why don't you 2 OK people meet up and visit all the Out Backs in OKC area and find what is what. . My self only place I ever ate at in OKC was the old 76 now TA truck stop. Food and service were terrible. But was a fuel stop and didn't want to stop twice.

 

[chopinbloc]

reply from outback to the letter i sent, seems a human actually read it. my letter is at the bottom. i took the liberty of referring to kony as "a good friend of mine" i hope he won't mind.

G'day Mr. Betts



Thank you for taking the time to contact Outback Steakhouse, Inc. We

appreciate you bringing to our attention the problems you have

encountered. Please know that you, as a guest, are our first priority.

As a company, we are committed to exceeding our guest’s expectations. Your

dining experience should be a great one.



We have forwarded your comments to the Regional Manager who oversees the

restaurant in which you dined. The Regional Manager will then contact

the restaurant and your comments will be addressed within a 24 hour period.



Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us. We value your patronage

and hope to maintain your confidence in our restaurants.



Your friends at Outback Steakhouse





Sherri Jones

Outback

2202 No. West Shore Blvd

Tampa, Florida 33607

813-282-1225

[email protected]









-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2005 12:28 AM
To: News Outback
Subject: Comment from the outback.com website



From: andrew betts, on 7/31/2005 12:28:06 AM



Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Day Phone:



Email: [email protected]



Comments:

A good friend recently informed me through an online forum that he had a

bad experience at one of your Fairfax, VA restaraunts. It seems that the

owner(?) "Joey" informed my friend that he could not bring a firearm into

the store. My friend is a law abiding citizen with a valid carry permit.

He decided to leave for another restaraunt where he had a more pleasant

experience. I understand that political views vary and in a corporation as

large as yours it is difficult to exert much control over some zealous

people, but I have decided not to patronize any of your restaraunts until

this situation is rectified and many others who heard of the incident have

decided the same. I just thought you should know that policies like that

can cause a loss of business. Thank you for your time.

 

[mmike87]

That being said, were you sitting in a booth or at a table? I assume you were seated before being asked to leave. So If that were the case why not sit in a booth with your gun facing to the inside? that way only the people who saw on the way in could see that you are carrying. Maybe this is something to take into consideration in the future as to avoid the scene of being asked to leave an establishment with unknown gun policies...

That's what I do. Openly carry - but sit "gun-in" in the booth. In all seriousness, sitting "gun in" is probably better for weapon retention, anyway.

I don't try and hide it, but I don't go out of my way to let everyone see it, either.

 

[pete f]

I have a simple question, what possible advantage or political purpose was served by requiring open carry in a bar or serving resturant?
this seems less to be a question of Outbacks error than the error of the enabling legislation.

 

[Smurfslayer]

I'm glad they responded...

MMike87: Remember the law (and court decisions interpreting it) say that you are concealing if you are "hiding from common observation". That's not all observation, but I'd bet money that eventually somebody is going to be charged for exactly this. Think about it, you know people can't see the gun if you sit gun in intentionally...

Pete f: The 'purpose' of the law? to suppress the "evil practice" of carrying concealed weapons, but for the privileged few. When you carry concealed in all but AK & VT, you are doing so on the privilege of a permit. When you open carry in Virginia (and other states with similar RKBA protections) you are carrying on the basis of your right to bear arms guaranteed in our constitution. They knew this when they debated it in '95. They've thrown it back in our faces every year since "These people can still open carry, there's no reason to allow concealed in <insert liberals favorite prohibited places here> .

 

[NineseveN]

Sorry but someone is making a blanket statement that is ignorant of the proprietor's disposition that I happen to know personally, whom just donated a good amount to Ted Nugent's Kamp for Kids is being called anti-gun. I know for a fact that one of these guys hunts and hits the range.

Not to start an argument, but you know that Diane Feinstein carries a gun, right? Just because people own guns, go to the range, hunt or send money to Ted Nugent doesn’t mean their anti-positions on gun and carry laws is any less contemptuous.

In fact, it makes it worse really. Again, this is just my opinion, but if that owner is so pro-gun and pro-2A rights, why would he put up a sign like that? Oh, I see, it's okay for him to carry, just not anyone else when they're in his store. Wow, sounds real pro 2A there.

Ted Kennedy's body guards carry guns I am sure.

Criminals carry guns and shoot at the range, but I bet they're mostly against concealed carry and gun ownership in general.

Not that your friend is anything like those people, but he is making an attempt to limit the rights of a private citizen by disarming them if they choose to come into his store. and that's fine, his choice, not a thing wrong with it, except it does not coincide with the actions of a strong 2A supporter.


Do us a favor, ask him why he has the sign up? I guess one of us could call and ask him, because I find it really disturbing that someone that donates to Ted Nugent would put up a sign like that. What kind of message does that send?

::Edit:: I may have misunderstood, read down a little before you freak please.

 

[misANTHrope]

Maybe I'm misinterpreting here, but I gathered that the proprietor JD8 mentioned did not have a sign on his store. Remember this all stemmed from someone saying that all the Outbacks he'd been to in his town had signs up, and he said that was probably 1/2-2/3 of the stores. There's a significant unknown area there. Now if the guy is a shooter and also has the signs up- then by all means, steer clear. But no one's made it clear that that is the case here.

As for me- well, in NC we can't carry in an establishment where alcohol is bopth sold and consumed, so it's a moot point. Ya either disarm or ya play the odds- or you could also play the odds with open carry and NC's vague "armed to the terror of the public" law.

 

[NineseveN]

Actually, misANTHrope, I think you might be right on the money. I think I misread that particular post. While it's not specifically clear, I think I see it now. That's what I get for trying to multi-task I suppose.

Sorry folks, Im just not perfect today.

 

[Smurfslayer]

Outback responds : Keep out

I just talked to both the regional, and restaurant managers. An unequivocal, unwavering no guns allowed, period. Not just this Outback, but all in northern Virginia.

 

[Ol' Badger]

Logans in Sterling has better stakes anyhow! I like to throw the peanut shells on the floor too.

Plus no one bothered my when I used my Delica to cut up my 20 once T-Bone.

 

[NineseveN]

I am assuming many of here are NRA members. If outback is indeed tied to the NRA through some business deal, a letter campaign to the NRA is in order, as well as to the corporate side of Outback.

 

[Smurfslayer]

I wasn't able to find mention of them on the NRA's website one way or the other.