<P> A blooming onion, onion bloom, onion blossom, onion flower, bloomin' onion, or onion' mum is a dish consisting of one large onion which is cut to resemble a flower, battered, and deep - fried . It is served as an appetizer at some restaurants . </P> <P> The owners of Scotty's Steak House in Springfield, New Jersey claim to have invented the dish in the 1970s . The dish was popularized in the United States when it appeared as "Bloomin' Onion", a charter feature of the Outback Steakhouse when that national chain opened in 1988 . It is usually served with a restaurant - specific signature dipping sauce . </P> <P> Despite the implied association with Australian cuisine due to Outback Steakhouse's branding, the dish is almost unknown in Australia (much like the Outback Steakhouse chain itself). </P> <P> The dish, under the name Awesome Blossom, was also a very popular part of the Chili's menu until it was removed in 2001 . </P>

When did chilis get rid of the awesome blossom