The Bloomin' Onion Deserves Better Wine
Unknown · Billings · Steakhouse / Australian-themed · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 5, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Outback Steakhouse – Billings’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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 · Steakhouse
Jake's is doing exactly what a Billings steakhouse is supposed to do with wine — safe choices, name brands, and a Champagne section that lets people feel fancy. If you want adventure, you're in the wrong place; if you want a reliable glass of something Californian to go with your ribeye, you'll leave satisfied.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Billings · New American / Italian / French
Bistro Enzo is the kind of special-occasion spot that makes you glad Billings has it — the wine list is thoughtful enough to match the kitchen, and the overall experience justifies the reservation. We'd send a friend here for a date night without hesitation, though we'd tell them to lead with questions for the staff rather than assume they'll be guided unprompted.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Billings · Wine Bar, Bottle Shop, New American
City Vineyard is doing something genuinely unusual for Billings — a thoughtful, eclectic list priced with some fairness and available entirely by the glass. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, with the caveat that the white wine half of the list needs the same curatorial love the reds are getting.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Billings · Wine bar, small plates
Cellar 8 is the wine bar you don't expect to find in a casino in Billings, and that's exactly why it earns its Wild Card badge — 37 glasses, fair prices, and genuine effort make this worth a stop. Send a friend here and tell them to skip the Caymus.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Billings · New American
Walkers Grill is doing something genuinely rare — building a thoughtful, eclectic wine list in a market that would forgive them for not trying. If you're passing through Billings or happen to live there, this is worth your dinner reservation and your second glass.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Billings · Billings · American Steakhouse and Grill
Jaker's is a perfectly fine place to drink wine with a steak in Billings — it's not trying to be anything more than that, and mostly it succeeds. If you're expecting discovery or value, temper your expectations; if you just want a solid Cab with your prime rib, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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