Outback Steakhouse is giving away free Bloomin' Onions this week, following local onion controversy

Just days after sending a cease-and-desist letter to a local restaurant for offering a "Blooming Onion" during Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, national chain Outback Steakhouse is now saying it's giving away free Bloomin' Onions this week for National Onion Day.

The holiday, which is in fact very real and was formed in 1913 to "protect the interest of America’s onion growers," is celebrated annually on June 27.

So, from June 27-28, Outback will give away "one free Bloomin' Onion per table with the purchase of an adult entrée by mentioning 'National Onion Day' to their server," says a press release.

The promotion is available for dine-in, curbside takeout or delivery.

The local onion controversy came to light last week, when Outback's parent company, Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands, sent a cease-and-desist to St. Pete's Good Intentions for offering a three-course, $59.99, plant-based special that included a “Blooming Onion.”

“Your use of the term ‘Blooming Onion’ is in direct violation of the Company’s trademark rights, as it is confusingly similar in sight or sound with a registered mark, simply adding one letter. It has been widely held that similarity in sight of sound with a registered mark for a similar product constitutes trademark infringement.” read the letter.

In response, Good Intentions changed the name to “Onion Blossom," and responded to the letter via social media, writing “Wallaby darned! Our Restaurant Week special is so good and just right, the people right out-back took notice! Come and get it before it ceases and desists."

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