If you’re driving down historic Route 66 in Texas, you’ll definitely want to seek out this larger-than-life rest stop.
Located off Route 66 in Amarillo, the Big Texan Steak Ranch is one rest stop that you won’t be able to resist. It’s been open since 1960 and generations of drivers have filled their bellies at this roadside steakhouse.
This place has been luring guests from the highway for years.
Facebook/The Big Texan Steak Ranch Though the establishment has been catering to visitors since the 1960s, this current building has only been around since 1977. A fire destroyed the original building, but the Big Texan came back bigger and better than ever.
If you’re really hungry, this place has a Texas-sized steak challenge!
Wikimedia Commons/Billy Hawthorn A large bull out front advertises this bold challenge. If you can finish their signature 72 oz. steak meal in under an hour, it’s free. If not, you’ll have to cough up $72. The meal also comes with a bread roll, baked potato, shrimp cocktail and a salad.
Though it may seem impossible, over 9,500 people out of about 59,000 have succeeded and earned their free, gut-busting dinner.
Facebook/The Big Texan Steak Ranch In fact, competitive eater Molly Schuyler finished the entire meal in an astonishing 4 minutes and 18 seconds in 2015, breaking her own previous record by 40 seconds.
If you can’t bear to leave (or you can’t bear to move after polishing off that 72 oz. steak), check into the onsite motel for a restful night’s sleep.
Facebook/The Big Texan Steak Ranch The motel is decorated to resemble a Main Street in an Old West town, with plenty of classic Texan flourishes and a Texas-shaped pool. There’s also a 20-stall stable out back.
This rest stop even makes its own beer.
Facebook/The Big Texan Steak Ranch The Big Texan Brewery started in 2011 and serves up Honey Blonde Ale, Palo Duro Ale, Texas Red Amber Ale, Pecan Porter, Rattlesnake IPA, 1836 Chocolate Bock Lager, FNW Limelite, Raspberry Wheat, and Whisky Barrel Stout.
The next time you find yourself driving through Amarillo, be sure to pull over at this incredible rest stop.
Facebook/The Big Texan Steak Ranch
You can find The Big Texan Steak Ranch at 7701 Interstate 40 Access Rd., Amarillo, TX 79118. Check out their website here.
Facebook/The Big Texan Steak Ranch
Though the establishment has been catering to visitors since the 1960s, this current building has only been around since 1977. A fire destroyed the original building, but the Big Texan came back bigger and better than ever.
Wikimedia Commons/Billy Hawthorn
A large bull out front advertises this bold challenge. If you can finish their signature 72 oz. steak meal in under an hour, it’s free. If not, you’ll have to cough up $72. The meal also comes with a bread roll, baked potato, shrimp cocktail and a salad.
In fact, competitive eater Molly Schuyler finished the entire meal in an astonishing 4 minutes and 18 seconds in 2015, breaking her own previous record by 40 seconds.
The motel is decorated to resemble a Main Street in an Old West town, with plenty of classic Texan flourishes and a Texas-shaped pool. There’s also a 20-stall stable out back.
The Big Texan Brewery started in 2011 and serves up Honey Blonde Ale, Palo Duro Ale, Texas Red Amber Ale, Pecan Porter, Rattlesnake IPA, 1836 Chocolate Bock Lager, FNW Limelite, Raspberry Wheat, and Whisky Barrel Stout.
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