The Big Texan Steak House (A Cultural) Experience

Last we you saw, Dick was all dressed up to take me out to the The Big Texan Steak House.  The shuttle bus had arrived and we were ready to hit the road once more.

Remember how the exit to our campground was closed?  That meant we had to take a back road around our elbow any past our behind to get there.  And being in the van, that meant every bump in the road was felt and shimmied right up my already aching back.  I could only hope the evening would get better!  The Big Texan was opened in 1962, well, heck, let them tell the story.

"In 1960, R. J. “Bob” Lee opened The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo on Route 66, the “Mother Road. Its distinctive architecture soon became recognized across the Mother Road as a good stopping place for great steaks grilled over an open flame.

The towering sign of a long-legged cowboy that Bob erected next to the building became a major landmark on Route 66. From the beginning, the Big Texan welcomed weary travelers and migrating families whose roots spread all across America. The now World-famous FREE 72-oz. steak came to life not long after Bob opened the doors to the Big Texan Steak Ranch.

Beginning in the mid-1960s signs began cropping up along the Mother Road inviting travelers to come in for a 72-oz. steak dinner that was FREE if it could be eaten in one hour. Thousands of road-weary youngsters practiced their ciphering as they converted 72 ounces into four and one-half pounds. Those Big Texan signs became as much of the nation’s culture as the old Burma Shave signs. One company has long-since disappeared with the dust of the old road, but the other still flourishes. Big Texan Steak Ranch billboards can still be seen to the east and west of Amarillo along Interstate 40 and on major north-south routes that run through the Panhandle.

In the early 1970s, Interstate Highway 40 muscled its way across the country replacing Route 66 as the major traffic lane. Bob Lee purchased land along the route for the new highway.

He and his family built an new, bigger and better Big Texan Steak Ranch fron the ground up along I-40.

The giant cowboy, now an historical icon, was moved by helicopter from its original location on the Mother Road to its current home on Interstate 40."

"Excitement and prosperity turned briefly to despair in 1976 when a fire destroyed most of the restaurant. But the Lee family had learnedthrough adversity and they remained undaunted and determined. Everyone — family members, employees and friends — pitched in and the restaurant was only closed for one business day. The business continued to grow."

Out in the parking lot between the steak house and the hotel/motel, is a fiberglass (?) dinosaur.  There's a link on their website, that takes you to pictures of its installation, but offers no explanation as to why it's there, sorry.  I found Route 66 News blurb that offers a bit more detail, but still no reason for WHY he's there.  I guess just 'cuz he tickled the fancy of ole Bobby Lee.

Here's a little more info about the steer and the 72 oz challenge beginnings.

Click on the panoramic view below to enlarge it to a normal size, and you can see the whole front lot.

These are the rooms for people; there is a bona-fide HORSE motel (barn) around the corner, with 20 stalls inside. - Vicki Todd, you hear that??

When you walk in the door, you see an ice chest, with a sample 72 oz (4 lbs, for those of us that don't do math, and we all know who we are!) steak, 3 fried shrimp, salad and dinner roll.  All that, for only $72!  The price has remained the same ever since the inception of the challenge, way back in the 60's.  If you are successful, you get to add your name to the wall, a free T-shirt and a plastic souvenir mug.  Oh, yeah, and you get the dinner for free.  While we were there, we saw 3 people fail to consume it all, but a 4th was well into it within 15 minutes.  He looked like he'd been practicing for a while, so it's quite possible he finished in time.  The record for fastest time is currently held by a 120 lb young lady, who finished the meal in about 5 minutes.  !!!!  5 minutes!!!  120 pounds!!  More power to her!

As we walked toward the dining area, we passed a bench made from cowhide and horns.  Not exactly our coastal style, is it?  Notice the refrigerated case to the left --- filled with delicious looking cakes!  Keep Walking!!!

All the hostesses and servers look so cute in their cowboy hats.  The gent in the peach shirt is carrying what's left of his 72 oz steak dinner.  He about dropped it on his way out.  I guess he was rattled about the $72 he just dropped at the cashier's station.

Lots of eyeballs watching over us as we ate.

We split a 21 oz steak, salads, rolls and baked potatoes.  NOOOOO, neither of us was interested in attempting the challenge!

That, my friends, is 21 ounces of top sirloin, medium rare and two baked potatoes.

And THIS, my friends, is a Big Texan Margarita.  Notice the garnish!  It's a lime AND a jalapeno!

There was scratch-made fudge...and ice cream.  No, we didn't get any ice cream, and somehow, I forgot to take a picture of Dick window shopping.

Big Grizzly greets the diners up by the hostess station.

Bill Chesnut, this one's for you!  I think she'd look so cute in your new camper!

Pick your poison!  Various hot sauces packaged as cowboys.

More hot sauce varieties....

And lastly, POPCORN!  Carolina Reaper, Chili Lime, Ghost Pepper, Ass-Kickin' and Sriracha. 

Just what every pantry needs!

In the back, we found a friend, circling our feet as we admired the outdoor seating arrangement.

As they say, everything's bigger in Texas....I'd hate to see the foot that fits this boot!

And there's a rocking chair built for two...

We've eaten, been through all the rooms and gift shop, resisted the fudge and gelato counters and have gone back outside to pick up the limo back to "The Ranch."  I thought the newest addition for the motel was interesting in its own way.  The Horse Motel is back around behind this one.

Thankfully, the limo back was a real limo, not the shuttle bus.  The seats were soooo much cushier and more plush.  The ride back was Number 1, direct (no detours necessary) and Number 2, much more comfortable.  Good thing!  I just don't think my back would handle another ride in that van!

The whole evening would be what Charles would call "a real cultural experience."  It was a whole lot of fun, and the food (and drink) was REALLY good.  

Bailey was sure glad to see us when we got back.  She likes traveling, but I don't think she's crazy about us leaving her in the camper while we go off exploring.  I think our next adventure is going to be Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  

This is the cover photo from their website:

Pretty, yes?  They call it The Grand Canyon of Texas.  There's a musical dinner theater down in the Ampitheater so we'll probably check that out as well.  We'll have to sit through the singing and dancing, but they promise fireworks at the end!  Who can resist fireworks??

'Till next time....