If you haven’t ordered meat from Texas Roadhouse, you haven’t tasted real meat. There is nothing like sitting in a loud Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, devouring a sizzling saucy steak with country music blaring in the back.
Well, did you know that each location has its own butcher? It’s true!
Of the many things that make this restaurant chain incredible, its home-style atmosphere is the most beloved. Laid-back, economical, and serves humongous high-quality meat portions— these are just a few reasons you should make a trip to the Texas Roadhouse for the steak of your life.
And it’s not just about the beef; so many things make this food chain so special to locals and foreigners alike. Read about 18 surprising things about your favorite meat restaurant chain.
What is Texas Roadhouse?
Texas Roadhouse is a national chain of restaurants. They serve mainly steak and hearty sides, with a cowboy/Texas branding and theme. Their motto is “Legendary Food, Legendary Service®.” So, they always try to serve the highest-quality food and spend extra care and attention to training staff to give the best service.
This is a family-friendly steakhouse. When you go, you might even see the staff line dancing! Most locations are often extremely busy, so it’s best to make a reservation ahead of time or plan on having a bit of a wait before you are seated, especially at peak hours.
So, what makes this restaurant chain so beloved? Here are 18 facts that might surprise you.
18 Surprising Facts about Texas Roadhouse
There’s a reason we love this restaurant so much! The staff is extra friendly, and the food is always cooked perfectly. I compiled 18 interesting facts about this fun cowboy-themed restaurant. Read on and see which ones shock you!
1. The first Texas Roadhouse wasn’t in Texas
Even when Texas Roadhouse carries the state in its very name, Texas was not where it first popped up.
Not many people know this, but the very first Texas Roadhouse restaurant was actually located in Indiana. After its initial opening in Clarksville, Indiana, in February of 1993, subsequent restaurant chains began opening throughout the USA.
The main headquarters of Texas Roadhouse isn’t in Texas, either! Nope, it’s located in central Louisville, Kentucky. Now, they have restaurants in 49 US states, and the largest is located in the beautiful state of Texas.
Texas Roadhouse may have begun as a small diner in some corner of Indiana, but we all know Texas is its real representative.
2. They spend more than $1 billion dollars on meat alone 
Everyone knows people living in the South are meat lovers—anything from steaks, sausages, and thick patty burgers. And no one can refuse a crispy, gorgeously seasoned fillet when it comes to steak.
A meat-lover can easily tell when the flesh of a fillet mignon or rib-eye steak is of poor quality. Texas Roadhouse, therefore, spends millions of dollars on the one thing that has truly made them famous – meat.
They could spend a quarter of this money to spruce up the traditional look of their restaurants. But there’s a reason why people flock from all over the country only to this particular restaurant.
3. Texas has the most Texas Roadhouse restaurants
Quite fittingly, Texas is the US state with the most number of Texas Roadhouse restaurants. Even when this wasn’t the place where it really started, everyone knows Texas is the real home of this steak giant.
Texas officially has the largest concentration of the Roadhouse, with more than 50 restaurants across the entire state.
This shows how much the people of Texas love meat and this restaurant in particular. After all, the whopping pounds of meat are Texas-sized and hence, rightfully named in its honor.
4. The only restaurant to have quickly attained national acclaim
Texas Roadhouse is the only food chain in Southern US that has attained unbelievable national acclaim. What’s surprising is how quickly it transformed from an average meat shack to one of America’s most popular high-quality meat places.
They are nationally and internationally recognized for their top-class customer service and food preparation. In fact, they were recognized as one of the top 10 restaurant chains with the highest quality of food, coming in at spot number 2 on the list!
And, despite challenges common to all eateries, such as a decline in eating at restaurants, higher prices, and supply chain issues, Texas Roadhouse has boasted ten consecutive years of positive growth.
According to the VP of Communications, the secret lies in consistency and value, saying, “…we’re never going to commoditize our experience. There is pride in baking our own bread and chopping vegetables, and making potatoes each day. We’re serious when we say we need to earn every customer.”
5. They’re a growing international food chain
If going national wasn’t enough, Texas Roadhouse is officially one of the most recognized international food chains in the world.
Rivaling the international presence of powerful food chains like Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Burger King, Texas Roadhouse now has 29 international locations in multiple countries, including:
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- The United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Phillippines
- Mexico
- Taiwan
The future of this wonderful food chain is yet to see its best years. Many food critics who have gotten a chance to taste their fine meat claim that even the dining isn’t all that high-brow, but the meat is out of this world.
I guess you could say a good steak has international appeal. 😉
6. They offer an extensive margarita menu
Texas Roadhouse clearly rules the margarita market, offering one of the largest margarita menus for a US chain restaurant. Texas Roadhouse may be old-styled and laid back, but when it comes to delicious margaritas, no one can top them.
So, what kind of margaritas will you find? Pretty much anything you can imagine! They have an endless variety of colorful margaritas, and they taste absolutely divine. They have raving customer reviews all over the internet, showering praises on the perfectly tangy yet sweet margaritas.
These guys also sell tea vodka, the bluest coconut rum, and the prettiest-looking hurricane margaritas! Texas Roadhouse offers over a dozen options, making it the perfect place to go if you are celebrating something.
Want to take the party home? The margaritas from Texas Roadhouse are so popular that you can purchase margarita mixes to enjoy in your own kitchen. All you need to add is tequila and ice, then sip and enjoy.
7. They have the coolest draft beer (literally!)
The draft beers served in Texas Roadhouse are possibly the coldest. Drinking frothy chilled beer right from the keg has a unique feel and taste of its own. It instantly quenches your thirst after a meaty round.
The staff at Texas Roadhouse is extremely particular about serving beer only when it has been chilled to the right temperature. You won’t be getting your beer unless it sends shivers down your back.
The beer is normally kept at a cold temperature of around 36 degrees or below. However, you can get a colder beer on special demand. And this is just one more thing Texas Roadhouse does with absolute perfection.
The service at Texas Roadhouse truly hits the nail on the head when it comes to satisfying customers.
8. They make their sides from scratch
Usually, when a restaurant chain starts growing and expanding into different regions, they start focusing more on its main courses. The main courses are prepared with house sauces and secret ingredients. On the other hand, in most chain restaurants, side dishes are made with pre-cut, frozen ingredients.
This is because as they expand, restaurants tend to focus on their main item to maintain quality. Side dishes are not considered that important and can be easily replaced. But that isn’t the case with Texas Roadhouse.
Even after going international, they still make all of their side dishes from scratch instead of taking shortcuts. From baked potatoes to steamed rice and crispy vegetables, everything is house-made. This just goes to show that fame didn’t change the traditional culture of Texas Roadhouse.
9. Authentic homemade food
Not just side dishes, Texas Roadhouse also prepares all of its steaks and other meat items from scratch. They are the real deal when it comes to home-quality food.
Fresh ingredients are used for every single dish they make, including the salad dressings, bacon bits, and croutons, so you can feel good about truly enjoying a made-from-scratch meal.
The fact that Texas Roadhouse takes the time and effort to infuse its dishes with their unique flavors, even when they have the option of pre-packaged ingredients, really sets the bar.
10. They are dinner-only during the week, but on weekends have the best exclusive lunch menu
Texas Roadhouse usually opens at night and only two days a week for lunch. But, it’s well worth the wait for those weekend days to roll around. Not only will you enjoy the same quality of fresh food prepared for dinners, but you can get it at a lower price point—the average meal is about $10-12.
So why not lunch every day? The idea of serving lunch for only two days is to allow their staff and managers to balance work and life, which is quite admirable.
Lunch is served every Saturday and Sunday to help you kick off your weekend on a pleasant note. It’s absolutely worth the wait. 😉
Really feel like enjoying Texas Roadhouse for lunch on a weekday? If you can hold off and take a late lunch (or early dinner) at 3 pm, you can take advantage of the chain’s Early Dine specials which are available from 3-6 on Monday through Thursday.
11. They serve free and delicious pre-meal snacks
At Texas Roadhouse, every guest gets free food. The moment you find a seat, you are served a delicious bucket of peanuts to munch on. It’s all-you-can-eat and absolutely free.
You also get a free basket of freshly baked, warm bread. The warm bread is also endless, so don’t be afraid to ask for refills.
I particularly urge you to take advantage of the butter on your warm roll. The chain is famous for the butter; it’s sweet and mixed with cinnamon. It’s delicious!
12. They serve a whopping number of daily meals
It’s understood that large food chains make millions every day serving meals. However, the number of daily meals Texas Roadhouse serves will blow your mind. The statistics show that they serve more than 5,000 guests weekly per restaurant.
And, while each restaurant caters to more than 300 guests, you can only imagine what happens in the kitchen. Every single day, Texas Roadhouse prepares more than 300,000 meals for its beloved guests.
13. Each restaurant chain has their own butcher
Since steaks are the main item on their menu, Texas Roadhouse ensures they get it right every time. And their little secret is that they have a separate butcher for each restaurant.
Instead of getting packaged meat from the same place, each meat house has its own butcher to prepare it.
Each steak, rib, and chop is made to suit the style and taste of the area. The meat is preserved in coolers maintained at a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit.
Texas Roadhouse may be picky about what they serve their guests, but every time they do, they set the bar.
14. There is also an in-house baker
Speaking of setting the bar…remember those hot, delicious, unlimited rolls? There’s a reason they are so addictively good—they are made fresh daily by a dedicated baker who works in each restaurant.
15. The employees get special training
You’ll notice the amazing customer service when you go to Texas Roadhouse. This is because every single staff member at Texas Roadhouse goes through a stringent training period.
The management thoroughly trains them in efforts to upsell the restaurant meals. They’re taught effective strategies that truly speak to the psychology of the customer. Don’t be surprised if you end up ordering a dessert without even realizing it.
The dessert tastes so good that you won’t regret it either.
16. Each restaurant reflects unique traits of the local community
If you’re lucky enough to stop at multiple Texas Roadhouse restaurants, you’ll notice that every single one of them has a unique ambiance. No two restaurants are the same. With a dozen different themes, Texas Roadhouse displays aesthetics and murals that are specific to the local community in which they are located.
Along with fine dining, they are also cultural experts. The murals are approved personally by the founder of the chain, Kent Taylor.
17. There are twice as many steak options as anything else on the menu
Texas Roadhouse serves a huge variety of home-style comfort foods. However, their biggest, best-selling item is the steak. They have a bigger variety of meat than any other food item on the menu.
If you compare how many steaks are on the menu to other choices, you’ll realize there are twice as many options for steaks. So indulge and order a tasty steak.
18. There is a meat hierarchy
Texas Roadhouse takes the quality of its meat very seriously. They clearly don’t believe in wasting meat or chucking away the leftovers. The finest meat chunks are used for steaks, while the leftovers are trimmed off and used for their famous kebabs and Dillo bites.
FAQs
Does Texas Roadhouse Take Apple Pay?
Yes, Texas Roadhouse accepts Apple Pay at most of its locations.
What Does Texas Roadhouse Do For Birthdays?
Texas Roadhouse offers a complimentary birthday gift for guests. Simply join their VIP Club before your birthday to receive a special email with your birthday gift offer. Be sure to check with your local Texas Roadhouse for specific birthday promotions and offers.
Are Texas Roadhouse Rolls Vegan?
Unfortunately, Texas Roadhouse rolls are not vegan, as they contain both milk and eggs.
What specials and promotions are they known for?
Texas Roadhouse is known for its daily specials and promotions, such as:
- Early Dine: Available at select locations, enjoy a discounted menu from Monday to Thursday, typically from 3 PM to 6 PM.
- Wild West Wednesdays: At participating locations, you may find a special discounted offer on an 8 oz sirloin steak dinner on Wednesdays.
- Kids Night: Usually held on Tuesdays, this promotion offers a discounted kid’s meal and fun activities for the whole family.
Don’t forget to check with your local Texas Roadhouse for specific deals and promotions.