The Aussie-themed restaurant chain accused of being 'a bit racist' with its menu
An Australian-themed restaurant chain has been taken to task for an item on its US menu that some customers say is "racist" and insulting.
A number of disgruntled customers have taken to social media to post images of the menu which includes a "Bloomin' Onion" appetizer of deep-fried onion wedges with a sauce that is referred to as an "Outback Ab-original".
The Outback Steakhouse has eight branches in Australia and restaurants in the US. The phrase occurs several times on the US menu, although it is not used in the chain's Australian marketing or menu descriptions.
The "Ab-Original" reference has some social media users upset, claiming that it makes fun of Aboriginal people and is "a bit racist".
One Twitter user posted a picture of the US menu with the caption: "Really @Outback ? Ab-original? Quite an example of tone deaf marketing..."
While another wrote: "@Outback as an Australian at your restaurant, I'm just letting you know calling your blooming onion an outback ab-original is so offensive."
While others took the pun less seriously, one observer noted: "I can't imagine a large company being that tone deaf in the age of social media."
A spokesman for Outback Steakhouse in Australia told News Corp that the term was not used in Australian outlets.
However, the Australian menu does use an Aboriginal reference with its "Walkabout Wednesday" meal deals.
The Outback Steakhouse plugs dishes like "Alice Springs chicken" and "Kookaburra wings", but it is not actually an Australian company - it is American, with company headquarters based in Florida.
The company describes Outback Steakhouses as "made with an Australian flair, born under the Tampa sun."
