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The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Name: The Big Texan Steak Ranch
Address: 7701 East Interstate Drive, Amarillo, TX, 79118, US
Telephone: +1 806-372-6000

Diner & restaurant
In Amarillo, Texas
1.8 mi from Route 66

Directions OpenStreetMap

The Big Texan Steak Ranch, in Amarillo, TX, is a large steakhouse with its own motel. It opened on Route 66 in 1960 and moved in 1970 to a frontage road along Interstate 40, about 2 miles off the old road. The bright yellow building and the big bull statue out front are hard to miss, and the place is widely known for its 72-ounce steak eating challenge.

What is The Big Texan Steak Ranch?

This is a steakhouse on a grand scale, paired with a motel, and it doubles as a roadside attraction built around competitive eating. The building is painted bright yellow with blue trim, and a large bull statue advertises the 72-ounce steak challenge to passing drivers.

History of The Big Texan Steak Ranch

The Big Texan opened in 1960 on Route 66 itself. When Interstate 40 took over the cross-country traffic, the business followed it, and in 1970 it moved to its present spot on an I-40 frontage road. That move mirrors what happened to many Route 66 businesses as the interstate replaced the old highway.

Visiting The Big Texan Steak Ranch: tips

It is an easy detour for a big dinner at the end of a day crossing the Texas Panhandle. Allow an hour or more, and with the motel on site, the night can be spent right there. The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame is about 3 miles away and the Texas Air & Space Museum about 3.4 miles.