Outback Steakhouse is opening its new location in downtown Silver Spring at 4 p.m. Tuesday, spokesperson Caroline McDaniel said in an email statement this week.
Located at the Ellsworth Place mall, the restaurant at 8661 Colesville Road will hold its grand opening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to McDaniel. The celebration will include giveaways such as free restaurant merchandise and the opportunity to win free Outback Steakhouse food for a year by signing up for the Dine Rewards loyalty program.
On Friday, a sign outside the eatery at the corner of Colesville Road and Spring Street said training was in progress.
The first-floor eatery measures 6,000 square feet with a large bar in the center, inspired by the Greater Barrier Reef, and a large dining room that will seat around 187 customers, McDaniel said.
It is decorated with a variety of artwork, including a mural of an Aussie koala surrounded by cherry blossom flowers and with the Maryland flag in the reflection of its sunglasses. The mural, painted by artist Lindsey Jenneman, ties together the Aussie spirit of Outback with Maryland pride, McDaniel said.
“The reimagined interior reflects the Outback spirit in an exciting, new way,” McDaniel said. “Instagram-able artwork adorns the restaurant.”
As part of the restaurant’s community partnership program, it will donate up to $5,000 of its proceeds from opening day sales to The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, which is “making a significant difference in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” according to the website.
“The new restaurant created over 100 job opportunities in the Silver Spring community and continues to accept applications for various positions,” McDaniel said.
The eatery will be the second Outback location in Silver Spring, with the other location at 13703 Georgia Ave. in the Aspen Hill area.