Being single on Valentine’s Day can range from overwhelmingly depressing to mildly annoying — that is, if you don’t find a way to have fun with it. That’s precisely what one man did this week (assuming he is indeed single) when he got the idea to go to an Outback Steakhouse and pretend to be stood up by his date in an attempt to get a free steak out of the deal.
Twitter user @baconflavoring, otherwise known as Steven, asked his followers on Thursday, “If I went to Outback Steakhouse by myself tonight and asked for a table for 2, then got progressively sadder as the night went on alone, do you think they’d give me my steak for free?”
if I went to Outback Steakhouse by myself tonight and asked for a table for 2, then got progressively sadder as the night went on alone, do you think they’d give me my steak for free?
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 14, 2019
What followed was an evening of self-derogation and public humiliation … but all in the name of good fun? After deciding that he was, indeed, going to go through with the ruse, Steven prepared for his date accordingly by making a reservation (as to avoid a 45 minute long wait for a table) and dressing to the nines.
I just got here. there is a 45 minute wait for a table for 2.
GOOD THING I CALLED AHEAD!
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
got my table pic.twitter.com/8KdypncH31
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
in case you were wondering whether I’m taking this seriously…
y’all. i wore a suit jacket. pic.twitter.com/Xlae1xXQxi
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
Then he started laying the groundwork for the prank, ordering a chardonnay for the lady, and making quick work of the complimentary loaf of bread. He even brought a gift!
“well I remember she said she loves chardonnay so why don’t we start with a glass of that” pic.twitter.com/JthgEouLqS
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
finished the first loaf of bread pic.twitter.com/2BnCMMm2I4
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
“Happy Valentine’s Day, my love” pic.twitter.com/juSnmtXNmn
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
Why yes, he did say “first” loaf of bread up there.
the second log of bread came. didn’t cut it. took it to the face and finished it in less than 60 seconds. pic.twitter.com/SChl6Rfw4w
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
It was perhaps then, that Steven “realized” that his date may not be showing up.
“hello darkness my old friend” pic.twitter.com/2i6rQS260j
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
i ordered my steak. this dude is walking on EGGSHELLS around me. i’ve never seen someone scoop glassware as smoothly as he took the untouched glass and empty decanter from the table
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
And then things started getting really uncomfortable.
audio of a fake voicemail I just left in earshot of anyone still at the bar pic.twitter.com/LfIttzT3u6
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
Katherine is a consultant at Deloitte. She lives in Arlington, that’s why I chose this spot.
We met at the grocery store. We both went for the same bag of shredded cheese.
She seemed so excited for our Valentine’s Day date.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
i have started crying.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
10 minutes have gone by. haven’t touched the steak. the restaurant closed 25 minutes ago pic.twitter.com/rA2Ni6kaQt
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
And then, something magical happened — it worked! His meal was comped not by Outback however, but by a sympathetic couple sitting at the bar.
UPDATE: a couple at the bar paid for my meal for me.
this mission?
SUCCESSFUL.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
Lest anyone think Steven is kind of a jerk for pulling one over on the unsuspecting couple, he donated the cost of his meal to the ACLU.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
Katherine may have just missed out on her future husband.
thanks for following along y’all – glad I could entertain.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
As an even happier ending, after his story went viral, Outback Steakhouse reached out to Steven on Twitter and offered him a meal on the house if he brings a real date next time.
How about you bring in a real date and the meal’s on us? The love connection is up to you though. ♥️ Send us a DM so we can make it happen.
— Outback Steakhouse (@Outback) February 15, 2019
Your loss, Katherine.
