The Bloomin' Onion Deserves Better Wine
Unknown · Billings · Steakhouse / Australian-themed · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 5, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here reads like a greatest hits album from the grocery store aisle — Josh Cab, Meiomi Pinot, Kim Crawford, La Marca. You've seen all of these before, probably at a better price somewhere else. There's nothing offensive, but there's nothing exciting either.
The list skews toward California and Australia, which at least makes thematic sense for an Aussie-themed steakhouse. You get Penfolds Koonunga Hill and Banrock Station waving the Australian flag, while the rest of the list is dominated by mass-market California brands built for brand recognition, not discovery. No real depth in Old World options, no surprises, no interesting producers tucked in anywhere. This is a list assembled by a corporate purchasing team, not anyone who actually cares about what's in the glass.
Eight to fourteen pours by the glass at $8–$15 sounds reasonable on paper until you realize these same bottles are $12–$18 at your local wine shop. The rotation appears static — this is not a program where you'll find something different on your third visit. What you see is what you get, every time.
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet — $10
It's the most honest bottle on the list — a proper Australian producer with actual winemaking behind it, not just a label. If you're eating a ribeye, this is the move.
Banrock Station Shiraz
Easy to dismiss as a throwaway Aussie supermarket wine, but it's got enough dark fruit and pepper to actually hold its own against the bold flavors on this menu. Most people reach for the Josh Cab out of habit — this is the smarter pour.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
At restaurant markup, you're paying a significant premium for a wine that retails for around $15 and leans so sweet it barely qualifies as Pinot. The residual sugar and brand recognition are doing all the work here.
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet + Outback Special Sirloin
The Shiraz Cab's dark fruit and firm tannins are built for red meat. It's not a complex pairing — it's just the right call.
❌ The Bottom Line
Outback's wine list is corporate on purpose — it's designed to be inoffensive, not interesting. Order the Koonunga Hill with your steak, and save your real wine curiosity for a restaurant that returns the favor.
Billings · Billings · Seafood
The prices are shockingly low, and credit where it's due — but a steal on mediocre wine is still mediocre wine. Come for the Cheddar Bay Biscuits, skip the wine list, and save your real bottle for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Billings · Italian-American
Olive Garden's wine list is exactly what it is — a corporate-approved selection designed to sell bottles, not spark conversation. If you're here for the pasta and the breadsticks, fine; just don't expect the wine to be part of the story.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Billings · American Steakhouse
Texas Roadhouse Billings is not a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — but the gap between the quality of the food and the quality of the wine list is real. Order the Chateau Ste. Michelle, eat the rolls, and save your serious wine curiosity for somewhere that reciprocates it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Billings · Steakhouse
Bull Mountain Grille is a trustworthy place to drink decent American red wine with a big steak in Billings — just don't come expecting discovery. If the list had fairer pricing and a shred of adventurousness, this could be something; instead it's exactly what it is, no more.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Billings · American / Wine Bar
Bin 119 is the best wine answer Billings has, and that patio earns its reputation on atmosphere alone. The list could push harder on value and discovery, but as a reliable spot to drink well above your zip code's expectations, it absolutely delivers.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West End · Billings · Bar / Steakhouse
The Windmill Bar is a neighborhood bar that happens to have wine on the menu — and that's the extent of the relationship. Come for the Montana bar atmosphere and the cold drinks; leave the wine expectations at the door.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.