831West King St.
Boone (828) 264-5220
Outback Kate’s closed late 2005.
We ate lunch at Outback Kate’s one day in late August, 2004.
Ray: I had the chicken burrito (chicken chunks, beans, rice, and veggies all in a large tortilla, with sour cream on the side, $8.00). This burrito was great! Large, tasty, plenty of each ingredient, and a very good balance of tastes between the ingredients. I couldn’t have asked for more in a burrito. I washed this tasty meal down with a glass of tea ($1.25) which was a bit weak, but this might have been an anomaly, as on other occasions the tea I had here was fine.
Tom: I had the lunch salad with pieces of fried gator. The various greens were fresh and tasty, with pieces of red onion, feta cheese and vinaigrette dressing served on the side. There was not enough dressing for the generous size salad, but more was brought on request.
Ray: And how did you find the gator?
Tom: Well, I did not have to hunt for it. There was a generous amount and it was very nice–not at all greasy even though battered.
Ray: Ok, I have to ask: did it taste like chicken?
Tom: Not really–I would put it close in taste and texture to scallops. It has a unique taste but is not gamy or too strong. And, thanks for your pickled okra.
Ray: No problem. I liked the nice platters and bowls, a step above the average stuff in town. The flatwear, however, is the typical stamped stainless chinese junk.
Tom: I liked the little chef figurines on each table, made in an indeterminate ethnic look. But the tea was not sweet enough for me (as usual), and served in rather flimsy plastic cups like you get at a kegger.
Ray: The atmosphere here is fairly understated, with earthtone walls, a few burlap produce bags, and an alligator painting/sculpture. The tables and chairs are nice and comfy. A nice touch was the copper-top salt and pepper shakers. Light blues played in the background, at the proper volume to still allow conversation.
Tom: Yeah, but all the hard finish surfaces makes for a bit of noise.
Ray: The service here was very fast and cheerful, with our meals arriving only minutes after our orders were taken, despite us dining (for once) during the mid-day rush hour. As a nice touch, the owner often comes out and circulates among the customers, making sure that everything is in order.
Tom: Yeah–you order at the counter and they bring it out to you. There is a table or two outside for nice days, too.
Ray: This is a great place for a big, tasty lunch. At first the prices seem high, but the quantity and quality of the food are worth it. The service is fast and cheerful, the atmosphere is relaxing, and anyway, where else can you go in Boone for alligator? One final big point in their favor is that the first time I dined here, the waitress brought me a bottle of hot sauce with my even asking. Perfection!
Tom: You live on that stuff! Yep–this is definitely a place to come back to again.
GPS Coordinates
Lat: 36° 13.196′
Lon: 81° 41.208′
Menu (prices may change)
(they were out — will post later)
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