Everything is bigger in Texas, so they say, right? That's the case with 72 oz. steak that can be found at The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery in Amarillo, Texas.
"In 1960, R. J. “Bob” Lee opened The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo Texas on Route 66, the “Mother Road”. It’s distinctive architecture soon became recognized across the Mother Road as a good stopping place for great steaks grilled over an open flame. The Big Texan is famous for the FREE 72oz steak challenge, which includes eating a salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail and 72 ounces of beef!" reads the website.
Everything about this place is larger than life. The decor, the personalities, the menu. It's a bit of a spectacle and quite entertaining if you've been driving across the endless Texas landscape for days. At this point, I certainl had a Big Texan appetite.
"The Big Texan feeds almost half a million people each year from all over the world. It has been featured in countless TV shows, movies, magazines, and newspapers throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Countless movies and sit-coms have featured or parodied the World Famous FREE 72-oz. steak dinner (if eaten in 1 hour)," reads the website.
I wasn't leaving this place without a steak of my own. Not a 72 oz. one, but a perfectly reasonable 10 oz. filet.
Actually, it was served as two 5-ounce filets, plus two sides, rolls and butter.
I opted for macaroni & cheese, as well as green chili cream corn.
Plus a fruit punch, because that is one of the ultimates in beverages.
The steak was really good. I asked for medium, and it was done perfectly. That might be a perk to making hundreds - thousands? - of steaks every day. Warm, pink center. Moist. Delicious. And, you know how folks always say - if it's a good enough steak, you don't need sauce. I am firmly sinking my heals in the fact that simply everythign is better with sauce. A really great steak? Even better with some A1.
The mac & cheese and green chili cream corn were both solid. Nothing too out-of-the-box here, but a good straightforward version. The cream corn did have a bit of a kick to it, which I enjoyed.
Would you put this on your roadtrip itinerary?
Grade: A
