I spent $100 on dinner for 2 at LongHorn Steakhouse. I now understand why the chain is so successful.

I spent $100 on dinner for 2 at LongHorn Steakhouse. I now understand why the chain is so successful. LongHorn Steakhouse is outpacing many other casual-dining chains. After visiting for the first time, I can see why. Erin McDowell/Business Insider LongHorn Steakhouse is having a moment.While many casual-dining chains continue to struggle, LongHorn has posted some of the strongest sales growth in Darden Restaurants' portfolio.In the fiscal first quarter, which ended August 30, LongHorn same-store sales rose 6.2% from a year earlier, outpacing sister chain Olive Garden, whose same-store sales rose 1.1%. LongHorn's overall sales across all locations increased by nearly 11% to $861 million, making it Darden's fastest-growing major chain that quarter.During the company's earnings call, CFO Raj Vennam said LongHorn's first-quarter sales growth reflected both stronger sales at existing restaurants and the expansion of its footprint. LongHorn grew from 595 to 624 restaurants over the past year.LongHorn's success is not a recent comeback, but rather a steady rise to the top. In the preceding quarter, which ended May 31, LongHorn's same-store sales rose 9.5%, while total sales increased nearly 22% to more than $1 billion. Darden credited a record-breaking Mother's Day weekend and strong lamb-chop sales for the results.The chain has now posted positive same-store sales for 22 consecutive quarters, and its sales at existing restaurants have climbed 17% over the past three years.Still, it's a tough time for casual dining.Applebee's same-store sales fell 1.8% year-over-year in its most recent quarter, while Cracker Barrel's sales at existing locations fell 2.1% and its total revenue declined 2.2%.In an environment where chain restaurants are constantly competing for customers, I wanted to find out what about the Texas-inspired steakhouse chain was drawing people in.I visited LongHorn for the first time and was surprised by the quality of the food, generous portions, and overall value for the price. I tried LongHorn Steakhouse for the first time to see what the hype was about. I visited LongHorn Steakhouse in Queens, New York. Erin McDowell/Business Insider LongHorn Steakhouse has quietly become one of casual dining’s biggest success stories, and recently outpaced its sister brand, Olive Garden, in same-store sales growth.I’d never been before, so I brought a friend along to our nearest location in Queens, New York, to see whether the food, atmosphere, and value lived up to the hype. The restaurant felt much warmer and more polished than I expected. The decor was rustic and warm. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I expected a fairly standard chain-restaurant experience, but the entryway felt inviting right away.The stone accents, dark wood, and low lighting gave it a cozy, classic steakhouse atmosphere. It was casual, but it did not feel cheap. I could see why it would potentially work for both casual weeknight dinners and slightly more special celebrations.Despite visiting on a Friday night during the dinner rush, we were seated quickly in a booth at the busy shopping center location. The dining room was busy, but it still felt comfortable and relaxed. The restaurant was busy but not overly crowded or noisy. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The restaurant had plenty of tables, yet it did not feel overly crowded or chaotic. The warm lighting made the large dining room feel more intimate. It was definitely family-friendly, but couples and groups of friends were also dining there.About halfway through our meal, one of the tables next to us broke into a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for a guest.I also thought the vibe was much more polished than a typical casual chain. It was more on par with chains like Red Lobster than slightly more casual ones like Chili's or Applebee's. The menu had a surprisingly broad selection beyond just steak and sides. The menu had a mix of steaks, sandwiches, salads, and more. Erin McDowell/Business Insider LongHorn’s menu is centered on steak, but there were plenty of chicken, seafood, salad, burger, and sandwich options, too.Even though I went in wanting to understand the chain’s steakhouse appeal, there were enough tempting appetizers and sides that narrowing down our order was harder than I expected. My friend and I started off with a round of cocktails. We ordered a margarita and the Texas tea. Erin McDowell/Business Insider A steakhouse dinner calls for a drink, and the classic "Perfect" margarita ($11.49) was a refreshing — and surprisingly inexpensive — way to start the meal.It was ice-cold and citrusy, served in a generously sized glass with an extra shaker on the side. My friend ordered the Texas tea ($10.99), LongHorn's version of a Long Island iced tea, which she said was sweet and not too strong.We were both impressed by the price and serving size of our drinks — they were on par with what we'd spend at a dive bar in Brooklyn, but with much better service and flavor. The complimentary bread was a nice start to the meal. The complimentary bread was a welcome start to the meal. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The bread arrived warm with a side of butter before our appetizers hit the table. It had a slightly sweet, honey-wheat flavor and a tender texture.It was simple, and probably could have had a better crust — but it was free. The stuffed mushrooms were one of the meal’s first real surprises. The stuffed mushrooms were super flavorful and cheesy. Erin McDowell/Business Insider We ordered the white cheddar stuffed mushrooms ($12.29) as an appetizer, and they arrived bubbling hot in a rich, creamy four-cheese sauce that reminded us slightly of Alfredo pasta sauce. The mushroom caps were tender without becoming soggy and had a slightly salty flavor. We both enjoyed the flavor of the salty mushrooms. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The cheesy filling gave them a savory, indulgent flavor that made them feel like a true steakhouse starter.It was the kind of appetizer that disappeared quickly, and one I'd definitely order again. I had to remind myself to save room for the rest of our food. Around the same time as our appetizer, our server brought out my salad course. The Caesar salad hit all the right notes, but it wasn't the best thing we ate. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The lettuce was crisp, the generous helping of croutons added good crunch, and the dressing had plenty of flavor. It was a classic steakhouse Caesar; it did exactly what it needed to do, but it wasn't anything mind-blowing.It was also more than big enough to share with another person as a way to add something fresh before our richer entrées. The ribeye steak and loaded baked potato made for a filling, indulgent entrée without an over-the-top price tag. I ordered the ribeye and loaded baked potato for my main course. Erin McDowell/Business Insider For my entrée, I ordered the ribeye steak ($30.79), which came with the aforementioned Caesar salad and one side. I chose the loaded baked potato, which came topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, bacon, and green onions.The steak arrived with a flavorful sear and a side that felt like a meal in itself. Together, the plate felt hearty and indulgent without being unnecessarily over-the-top. It was easy to see how a diner could leave feeling like they got their money’s worth. The loaded baked potato was fluffy inside and piled high with toppings. The loaded baked potato was piled high with delicious toppings. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The potato was rich and comforting, with a soft, fluffy center, while the potato's outer shell was perfectly crispy.I appreciated that LongHorn did not skimp on the toppings. It helped make the entrée feel more complete and substantial, without having to upgrade to a premium side. The steak was surprisingly tender and well-seasoned. The steak had good char and was easy to cut. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The steak had a savory, well-seasoned crust that added a lot of peppery flavor, but the true magic lay within.Inside the tender ribeye, the meat was buttery and unbelievably juicy. It was not trying to be a high-end steakhouse steak, but it was extremely satisfying for the price. I ordered the steak medium-rare, and it came out at the right temperature.This was the dish that made LongHorn’s popularity click for me. Instead of ordering a main entrée, my friend ordered a side of roasted Brussels sprouts and the mac and cheese. The Brussels sprouts were roasted perfectly. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The crispy Brussels sprouts ($6.49) were roasted just enough to caramelize while still holding their shape and flavor. The mac and cheese was a standout part of our meal. The mac and cheese had a rich, creamy sauce. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The steakhouse mac and cheese ($6.49) had a rich, creamy sauce and a browned topping that added texture, while bacon bits added even more savory, smoky flavor. It was exactly the kind of comforting side I want with a steakhouse meal. I would go back to LongHorn just for the mac and cheese. Erin McDowell/Business Insider If you weren't ordering it as a main dish, the portion was also plenty large enough to share, especially alongside everything else we ordered.I preferred this chain-restaurant mac and cheese to others I've tried. By the end of dinner, I understood completely why LongHorn is winning over value-conscious diners. I was impressed by the value of our meal. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The food was more polished than I expected, the portions were generous, and the experience felt like a real sit-down dinner rather than a quick chain-restaurant meal after a day at the mall.We ordered two drinks, an appetizer, a salad, a steak, and multiple hearty sides, yet our bill for two still came in under $100 before tip. With the tip, we paid $103.83.By the time we left, I could see exactly why LongHorn has become a go-to for diners who want a steakhouse meal without steakhouse prices — and I'll definitely be back for more. Read next Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Erin McDowell is a senior reporter on Business Insider's editorial partnerships team. She covers food, lifestyle, and entertainment for Business Insider and its partner sites, including MSN, Apple News, and Yahoo.She graduated from Elon University in January 2019, where she studied strategic communications and digital art. She has written for V Magazine, Milk.XYZ, OUT.com, Brides Magazine, and more. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.