How Much Does It Weigh?

People are used to restaurants being vague about portion sizes. But when an Outback Steakhouse customer specifically orders a 6-ounce steak and it comes in at just under 4 ounces? That’s bound to spark complaints.

That’s what happened to one woman who decided to document her delivery meal from Outback Steakhouse—and brought a scale to back up her claims.

The Outback Steakhouse Steak Came Up Short

TikTok user Lena (@lenawinchester77) shared her Outback Steakhouse order in a recent video that got over 15,900 views.

“All right, Outback Steakhouse,” she says, “I have a bone to pick with you.”

She explains that she orders the same combo every month—Alice Springs Chicken with a side steak—because it’s her favorite. “I absolutely love your potatoes,” she adds.

But she says the Wichita location has been sending her “super tiny steaks” over and over again. “I have reported this directly to the store… probably three or four times,” she says.

To show what she means, Lena shows the packaging label: She ordered a 6-ounce sirloin and a 5-ounce Alice Springs Chicken. Then, she brings out a kitchen scale.

“This is the tiny little piece,” she says, placing the steak on the scale. “Not even 4 ounces.” The scale reads 3.58 ounces.

While the chicken was fine, she notes, the steak left her frustrated. “This is my last resort. You guys keep screwing up my meal,” she adds.

In her caption, she explained why it matters: “As I’m sure you’re aware, ordering your food to be delivered is expensive and I can only afford it once a month… it feels like they are stealing from me at this point.”

Could There Be A Reason Behind The Smaller Steak?

Most restaurant menus list meat by its pre-cooked weight.

While it’s hard to know whether Lena’s steak started off as 6 ounces, according to butchers, beef can shrink by 25% to 35% during cooking, depending on how well done it is, the cut of meat, the cooking method, and more.

That means a 6-ounce sirloin could reasonably weigh closer to 4 ounces once it’s fully cooked—especially if it’s more well done.

Other Customers Have Complained About Outback’s Portions

Lena isn’t alone. On Reddit and TripAdvisor, customers have shared similar complaints about portion sizes at Outback Steakhouse.

“Outback used to be my number one chain steakhouse,” one reviewer wrote. “Their smaller portions are just getting out of control, and their prices have gone up.”

A Redditor in r/shrinkflation shared a photo of their Outback meal and asked, “Pls tell me am I crazy or is this insane?”

Another user in a different forum wrote, “I just ordered barbecue chicken with french fries and got this tiny little plate of food.”

What Is Shrinkflation—And Is It Really Happening?

Shrinkflation is when companies reduce the size or quantity of a product without lowering the price. And yes, it’s happening everywhere—from groceries to restaurants.

Over the years, consumers have noticed food portion sizes have shrunk at many national chains, while menu prices have steadily increased. In restaurants, it’s harder to detect because there’s no packaging to compare.

Commenters Were Divided

Some people defended the restaurant, saying meat shrinkage is normal.

“Though not well known, the ‘6 ounce’ designation is pre-cooked, meaning that the more done your steak, the less it is going to be,” one person said.

Another added, “I would expect some loss from cooking but that seems significant.”

But others had the same complaint as Lena.

“That’s why I stopped going. Small portions,” one viewer wrote.

Another said, “My husband ordered the chicken tenders meal a few months back… he received 1.5 ounces of chicken.”

“Outback is barely one step above McDonald’s,” another person chimed in. “Why would you expect anything good lol.”

BroBible has reached out to Lena via TikTok direct messages and Outback Steakhouse via email.