Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Cheers for Outback Steakhouse
e-mail | 7-54-02 | unknown

Posted on 07/24/2002 8:14:55 PM PDT by joebuck

Maybe should have dinner at Outback tonight. For troops in Kandahar, comfort is an Outback meal delivered on a C-17. But for those traveling to prepare the meal, it's a nerve-wracking mission.

The rumor started about a month ago. It spread through the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan like a dust storm in Kandahar. Nobody really believed it, because it sounded too good to be true.

The Outback Steakhouse people were coming. And they were bringing food.

Members of the 101st Airborne, like all of the troops in Afghanistan, have been eating meals such as T-rations, food that is sealed in large tin containers. The entire container has to be boiled to heat the food. Powdered eggs the color of sand are a common T-ration breakfast entree.

The possibility of ribeye steaks, grilled shrimp and, best of all, a deep-fried Bloomin' Onion, had them understandably excited.

About 3 a.m. on June 18, a C-17 landed at the Kandahar Airport. On board were 15 men and women in white Outback T-Shirts. And a giant cooler. It contained 6,700 steaks, 30,000 shrimp and 3,000 giant onions.

"Enough to feed 6,700 troops," said Dave Ellis, Outback's director of research and development.

They also unloaded 13,400 cans of O'Douls, a nonalcoholic beer. Ellis wanted to bring Budweiser, but alcohol is forbidden on the base.

The idea of feeding the troops was born a few months ago, when Outback CEO Chris Sullivan was at a social event with U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks.

Sullivan "thought it would be neat to serve the troops a steak dinner and a Bloomin' Onion," Ellis said. Franks thought so, too.

Ellis worked with Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base to figure out how to transport the enormous dinner and get military clearance for 15 people and cook in a war zone in the middle of the desert. The employees came from Outbacks around the country; Ellis is based in the company's headquarters in Tampa.

Most of the food was donated to Outback by the restaurant's vendors; the rest was paid for by Outback. It took nearly three days to fly to Kandahar. The group stopped in Germany, then flew the eight hours to Afghanistan. Armed troops greeted the plane.

"Nerve wracking," Ellis said.

The Outback employees were in Kandahar for only three days. They were preparing food almost the entire time. That posed some special challenges in the 115-degree heat.

Ellis and the other employees wore water-filled backpacks called "camelbacks" so they could constantly rehydrate. In between their tent and the kitchen, they were told not to stray off the gravel path or risk being killed by a land mine.

And they were informed of the closest bunker to the kitchen, in case they were bombed.

Base officials also pointed out the area's infamous sights: where American Taliban member John Walker Lindh was held. Where a firefight happened a few weeks ago. Where Osama Bin Laden's troops had trained nearby.

"You could sense the evil," Ellis said. Watching the troops in action and seeing their Spartan lifestyle made Ellis realize the sacrifices they had made for the United States.

"It gave me a sense of pride," he said.

The sightseeing was limited. Almost immediately, the employees set to work preparing the meal. They used the military's industrial-sized appliances.

They served the thousands of troops in 70 minutes, Ellis said. After eating the ribeye steak, broccoli, grilled shrimp, rolls and Bloomin' Onions, they ended the meal with cheesecake for dessert.

"They were so appreciative," Ellis said. "Comfort is very hard to come by over there."

Since he has been back in the United States, Ellis has received dozens of e-mails from soldiers and their families thanking them for the meal.

"I just wanted to say thank you for supporting the soldiers over here," said Sgt. 1st Class Ryan D. Field. "You have no idea how much it means to get anything from the states, but to have someone ship both great food and great people to prepare the food is awesome."

One woman, a master corporal in the Canadian Forces who is serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, said it was the best meal she had all year.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-39 last
To: Johnny Gage
Thanks for the ping to this article, Johnny. Makes me want to go right out and support the Outback Steakhouse tonight. :)
21 posted on 07/25/2002 2:18:40 PM PDT by SassyMom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Johnny Gage
Kweellll
22 posted on 07/25/2002 2:20:22 PM PDT by exnavy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Johnny Gage; Jim Robinson; Mama_Bear; mtngrl@vrwc; gracie1; senorita; ladyinred; ...
Thanks for the ping!!!!
Hey ... Fresno Freepers .... what do you say to dinner at Outback tomorrow? If that is a yes, I'll call and let them know we will be there.

23 posted on 07/25/2002 2:36:25 PM PDT by JustAmy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: joebuck
Great story! Thanks for posting it. Now, if only someone would cook me an Outback cybersteak...............and lend me their false teeth for a couple of minutes........
24 posted on 07/25/2002 2:39:57 PM PDT by Eastbound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joebuck
Thanks for this good news!

I will try to find an Outback. We don't have any in this liberal part of Kalifornia.

However, from now on when I find one and it is even somewhat close to dinner or lunch, we will stop.
25 posted on 07/25/2002 3:33:40 PM PDT by Grampa Dave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Johnny Gage; joebuck
Excellent! Thanks for the post and ping!
26 posted on 07/25/2002 3:38:45 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Johnny Gage
Thanks for the ping. Nice to know that there still a few companies like this one around.

They had rather share their good luck with our troops instead of some rat politician like Da$$hole or the Clintoons!
27 posted on 07/25/2002 3:44:57 PM PDT by Grampa Dave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: occam's chainsaw
Only if you will return the honor should you come to Silicon Valley....
28 posted on 07/25/2002 3:47:35 PM PDT by null and void
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: JustAmy
I LOVE Outback Steakhouse! Especially now that I hear they have done this wonderful thing for our troops. Sounds great to me. I am not 100% sure we can come, but we are sure going to try. I will let you know tomorrow morning.
29 posted on 07/25/2002 4:54:52 PM PDT by Mama_Bear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: joebuck
I recommend their swordfish steak. Every time I think about it, it makes me drool.
30 posted on 07/25/2002 6:32:30 PM PDT by Commander8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JustAmy
One of our favorite places Amy! Chadsworth and I vote yes, yes, yes!
31 posted on 07/25/2002 6:41:35 PM PDT by ladyinred
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: grannie9; palo verde; andysandmikesmom; OneidaM
Ping for the good guys....eat some steak at Outback ;-)
32 posted on 07/25/2002 7:07:36 PM PDT by habs4ever
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: joebuck
Well I'm glad those soldiers are eating well!! Earlier it was Girl Scout Cookies sent from Bruce Willis's family, now it's Steaks and Bloomin Onions!! What a great thing for Outback to do! And did you notice they served the President's favorite non-alcoholic beer?
33 posted on 07/25/2002 7:22:01 PM PDT by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: habs4ever
Thanks for the heads up Habs....we are going to try it...
34 posted on 07/25/2002 7:27:06 PM PDT by andysandmikesmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: joebuck
Their Coconut Shrimp is out of this world!

I haven't been to an Outback in a month or two.

We're definitely going this weekend!

35 posted on 07/25/2002 7:31:36 PM PDT by katnip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JustAmy
I'll be there for the Freep, but will be unable to attend dinner. Sounds great though. The next time hubby wants to eat out, that will be the place. We haven't tried Outback yet, but have heard that it is good. I will be sampling a blooming onion when we go. His birthday is coming up Hmmmmm!
36 posted on 07/25/2002 8:42:34 PM PDT by notpoliticallycorewrecked
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Johnny Gage
Outback! No rules, just right!
37 posted on 07/25/2002 8:45:03 PM PDT by Valin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: joebuck
You migh want to drop them a note of thanks
http://www.outback.com/home.asp
38 posted on 07/25/2002 8:52:50 PM PDT by Valin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joebuck
Thank you joebuck-
i will be visiting and thanking my local outback.
someone in the know should see if we could make this happen again- wherever our troops are.
i'll kick in what i can.
Thanks.......
39 posted on 07/25/2002 9:00:43 PM PDT by herewego
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-39 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson