Corporate Checkbox Masquerading as a Wine List
East Rapid City · Rapid City · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Outback Steakhouse – Rapid City’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at this East Rapid City Outback lands with all the surprise of a Bloomin' Onion at a chain steakhouse — which is to say, none. It's a laminated corporate document, identical to what you'd find in Boise, Baton Rouge, or Boca Raton. The only local touch is the zip code on the address.
We're looking at 20-35 wines pulled straight from the national Outback playbook: California mass-market stalwarts, one Argentine Malbec for the 'adventurous' crowd, and a lone Australian Shiraz to keep the theme alive. The hits are all here — Apothic Red Blend for the sweet-tooth crowd, La Crema and Mirassou flying the Pinot Noir flag, 14 Hands holding down the Merlot slot. There's a house private-label Cabernet called World's Edge, which tells you everything you need to know about the ambition level. No small producers, no regional surprises, no reason to deviate from what the corporate beverage team approved in 2019.
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass, priced $7–$15, which sounds reasonable until you realize these are bottles that retail for $10–$18 and you're paying restaurant markup on top of grocery-store wine. Rotation is nonexistent — this is a set-it-and-forget-it program with no seasonal updates, no specials, and no half-price night to soften the blow.
Alamos Malbec — $9
Alamos is a legitimate, solid Malbec from Mendoza that actually outperforms most of its list neighbors. If you're going to drink wine here, this is the least painful path — it has actual character and the varietal holds up to a steak better than anything else on offer.
Jacob's Creek Shiraz
Nobody orders Australian Shiraz at an Australian-themed restaurant, which is almost funny. Jacob's Creek is mass-market, sure, but it's at least thematically coherent and has enough dark fruit weight to stand up to the ribeye. Most tables walk right past it for Apothic.
World's Edge Cabernet Sauvignon
A house private-label Cabernet with no producer transparency, no vintage information, and all the mystery of a gas station shelf. You're paying restaurant markup on a wine that exists solely to have the highest margin on the list. Pass.
Alamos Malbec + Victoria's Filet Mignon
Malbec and filet is a legitimate combination — the wine's plum and dark cherry character softens alongside the lean, tender cut without overwhelming it. It's the one moment on this list where the food and wine program accidentally align.
❌ The Bottom Line
There is no version of this wine list that warrants a special trip or even a deliberate order — it's a functional corporate program designed to move bottles, not to impress. If you're at Outback for the steak, grab the Alamos Malbec and call it a night; if wine actually matters to you, this is a cocktail dinner.
North Rapid City · Rapid City · Hotel Lounge
Timbers Lounge is a place to have a drink after a long drive to Mount Rushmore, not a destination for wine. Order a cocktail or a beer and save your wine energy for somewhere that's put in the work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Central Rapid City · Rapid City · Mexican
Mi Mexico is not a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — order a margarita, enjoy your meal, and don't expect the wine list to surprise you. If you absolutely must have wine with your tacos, the Sangria is $6.25 and nobody will judge you.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Rapid City · Rapid City · Steakhouse
LongHorn Rapid City is exactly what it is — a reliable chain steakhouse with a wine list that was built by committee and hasn't changed much since. If you're here for the steak, you'll be fine; just aim for the Joel Gott and don't expect the staff to talk you through it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Rapid City · Rapid City · American
This is a wine list that exists purely because restaurants are expected to have one. Don't come to Applebee's for wine — but if you're already here and you need a glass, the Mondavi Cab won't embarrass you.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Rapid City · Rapid City · Seafood
Red Lobster Rapid City's wine list exists to check a box, not to enhance your meal. Order the Riesling if you must, but honestly, a cocktail or a cold draft will serve you better here.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Rapid City · Rapid City · Steakhouse
This is a corporate wine list in a corporate steakhouse, and it does exactly what it was built to do: keep wine on the menu without anyone having to think too hard. Come for the Dallas Filet and the bread — and if you must drink wine, hit it on a Wild West Wednesday when it's half off and the math actually makes sense.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Central Rapid City · Rapid City · Steakhouse
Sear is a perfectly competent steakhouse wine list in a market that probably doesn't demand more — it covers the California classics, marks them up accordingly, and calls it a night. Send a friend here if they want a reliable Cab with their steak; tell them to skip it if they're hoping for anything remotely adventurous.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
I-90 / North Rapid · Rapid City · Steakhouse
Dakotah Steakhouse is a competent neighborhood steakhouse wine list doing exactly what it was designed to do — keep the table happy without anyone having to think too hard. If you're chasing serious wine, drive past it; if you want a decent pour with your buffalo ribeye without drama, it'll get the job done.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Unknown · Bloomington · Steakhouse
LongHorn's wine list exists to check a box, not to elevate your meal. Stick to the Riesling or the Meiomi, enjoy your steak, and don't expect the wine program to be the reason you came.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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.