Putting this post in context it arose from a lengthy discussion in twitter, which involved considerable joking and jesting, about foods in different countries and aspects of each others culture. These conversations are important for us gaining a better understand of each others culture as our impressions of each culture is based on what we read in the media or watch on TV.

So chill out on the Outback Steakhouse a little – in some ways it’s some nice, positive advertising for Australia – even if the food isn’t entirely Aussie!

I don’t think you are off base at all about BBQs — in fact when you pointed it out I thought yes that is probably the closest to what is dear to our hearts. Warmer months that is how we entertain each other. Most Aussies I know would never eat kangaroo meat = pet food (although some aussie I know really love it).

Yes we also call it Hawaiian pizza. We now also have gourmet pizza here with lots of amazing toppings but I can’t believe a true Aussie would ever put peanut butter on a pizza.

@gnoll110 Interesting. Well the Aussie burger they used to make at McDonald’s or was it Hungry Jack’s had beetroot on it however I don’t see many cafes in Perth making hamburgers with beetroot. Perhaps it is more common in the Eastern States? I had never realised that what many Americans called a BBQ is a slow cook and as you point out we call a grill using it indoors. We would still call the slow cooking a BBQ but probably say roasting meat on the BBQ.

@Dave The only steakhouses we have in Western Australia (to the best of my knowledge are American Steakhouses). Certainly not in my State are they are big thing — not sure about the other States of Australia. Happy for you to visit Australia. I think I need to list some more Australian movies for you to watch. Technically speaking I’m not sure we can really claim Crowded House since the group is a mixture of Aussies and New Zealanders.

@Kate The New Zealanders have been trying to claim the Pavlovas and to make matters worse my hubby agrees with them. Based on your information I have Googled the topic. According to the reliable source (Wikipedia) it was created to honour Anna Pavlova during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand. Apparently the two countries have been fighting about it for years. The article goes on to say serious research into the matter indicates New Zealand as source of today’s pavlova — I think this proves the article in Wikipedia was written by a New Zealander!!!!

If I thought of a dessert that is classical Australia (but maybe not created here) it would have to be
trifle. mmmm food

@Scott (woscholar) I’m thinking I need to visit to try out the menu. They do other stuff beside steak right? What is wrong with a serve of chips that is what Aussie like

@Christine The term “throw the shrimp on the barbie” became famous after Paul Hogan’s ads to get more tourists (Crocodile Dundee). My hubby actually wanted me to share links to Paul Hogan’s TV shows. Not sure about people in the Eastern States but we don’t call them shrimp we call them prawns. To us a shrimp is a really tiny prawn that you buy in tins. Our meat is some of the best in the World. During the Mad Cow scare people in the UK were selling kangaroo meat (LOL what we would feed to our pets). I wonder if we would really find a restaurant that reflects who we are here in Australia?

@Talia
1) No beetroot
2) Pavlova too rich for me
3) What the rest of the World doesn’t have pineapple on Pizza — it isn’t a pizza unless it has pineapple.
4) No fried onions I worked hard convincing Christine Aussies don’t eat lots of fried onions (what can I say those East Staters ruin the reputation of all Aussies )
5) Definitely must be your family
6) Me too give me lasagna any day and every day

@Marie Sounds like I need to visit you for the vegetarian BBQ

@Carla Now I am intrigued that the Outback stores serve different food. I’m in shock since MacDonalds seems to be the same anywhere. Would love to check out the menu from Brazil. Sure it represents Aussies better. Michael Coghlan is such a nice guy (he knows how much I love his voice).