Bloomin’ Onion (Outback Steakhouse)

There are appetizers, and then there’s an entire fried onion arriving at the table looking like a centerpiece. The Bloomin’ Onion has spectacle on its side: crispy petals to pull apart, dipping sauce in the middle, and absolutely no chance of eating it neatly. That makes it an early heavyweight in this league, but the competition attacks from every direction. Does it beat the endless simplicity of Olive Garden Breadsticks? Is it more craveable than Cheddar Bay Biscuits? Would you actually choose it over Texas Roadhouse Rolls and cinnamon butter? The Bloomin’ Onion makes a massive first impression. Now it has to survive head-to-head voting.