Such a fun pitstop if you're driving through or stopping in Amarillo. It gets crowded but there are plenty of things in the building to keep you busy while you wait for your table. The service is the main star here. It's seriously a 12/10. The waitress we had was so sweet and brought out our food like it was clock work. Steaks were cooked the way we ordered them and we got a nice view of the brave souls attempting the Big Steak challenge! I'd go back just for the dessert specifically, because it was Texas-sized and really good! Honestly, this is a spot that's more about the experience and atmosphere vs. the food. However, it's still worth the stop to enjoy at least once!

A Texas tradition we had to stop when going through the area. We arrived mid Saturday afternoon without a reservation. We were informed that it would be about 40 minutes, however, we were able to go right into the bar and get a hightop table immediately. An extensive meat lovers menu at really great prices. We intentionally ordered the larger steak because of the price and knowing that we would have leftovers for another day. The steaks were incredibly tender and seasoned perfectly. The prime rib was done exactly as requested. Multiple sides all very generous in portions made for an exceptionally filling meal. Our server was great. She kept checking on us and made sure that we wanted for nothing. One of the traditions at the steakhouse is the steak challenge that's offered in the main dining room where you can try to beat the clock and finish threebreaded shrimp, a roll, a salad, and a 72 ounce steak within an hour ; if you can succeed in meeting their challenge, it's free! We peaked in before we headed out however there was no one trying the challenge that day. This has been a stop for many a Food Network show, including man versus food who was able to beat the challenge! Plenty of Texan ambience to give you that ranch feel while you're enjoying your big steak. Big Tex has now added their own line of beers that are pleasant and refreshing with any meal. You must stop when you're in the area. Know ahead of time, it is quite the touristy place to go but it is truly an experience.

Updated: My husband I went on a whim. We planned on going on a Friday night and we called about 2 hours before we planned to eat there and they were out of reservations, but we could come in and join the waitlist. Okay, no big deal. We got there and the line is from the hostess stand to the front door, but it's moving quickly. The hostess tells us it's going to be a 45 minute wait, but we were prepared for something like that, so we stayed. We wandered around the property, tried out our aim at the play gun range, browsed the gift shop, and within 10 minutes our table was ready. We were able to sit upstairs which had a nice view of the whole dining area and competition table. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful with the menu and got us our drinks and rolls to the table right away. I got the filet with mashed potatoes and a side garden salad. My husband got the porterhouse with potato salad and French fries (he's on a gluten free diet, so options are limited for him). The food was all very good. The steaks needed some finishing salt or a garlic butter or something on top, but the sides were all delicious. Waited 20 minutes Filet, kids steak, fried catfish, quesadilla, ribeye, cheese potatoes, Mac n cheese, frie

Fun stop and good steak. Originally located on Rt. 66, when the new interstate highway was opened, they moved to this location to stay in business. Having seen many towns along historic rt. 66, I understand this to be a savvy business move. Hard to miss this bright yellow building. Out front is a limo with long horn hood ornament and a giant heffer. Good photo ops. Big parking lot! On the front porch are many places to sit a spell. Maybe to wait for a table to be available? Once inside a gift shop is to your left. If you walk past this you'll find Zoltar waiting to tell your fortune. Further on is a shooting gallery where you can sit in a saddle and practice your aim. Just past that is a bar area. On your right as you enter is the hostess stand for restaurant access. All members of your party need to be present to be sat. We were given a choice of booth (downstairs only) or table, and was upstairs OK? Great views from upstairs. Just past the hostess area is a bakery shop with a number of sweet treats. Other shops along this wall were closed during our visit. Restrooms are down this hall as well. The restaurant is a large open room with booth seating along the walls and communal tables in the middle. When busy, parties are sat together at communal tables, so be prepared to meet new people. A couple of men were wandering the dining area serenading some of the tables. The kitchen is open to the dining room and a stage right in front of the kitchen is where you sit when taking on the 72oz steak dinner challenge. You are in full view of everyone in the dining area, a waste bucket by your feet just in case. A 60 minute timer overhead keeps track of your time. The upper level is a balcony which runs along the outer walls and over looks the dining room, stage and kitchen below. Tables of four are closely lined up along the balcony edge. A small room is in the back corner. Our waitress was kept quite busy and was doing a great job. When she had a minute we had a nice conversation. Food runners deliver meals. Drinks were brought by our waitress. Everyone we came in contact with was very nice. Our steaks were well cooked and tender. Heavily seasoned, they are a tasty meal. There are many sides to choose from and if steak is not your jam, they have other options. Our side salads were fresh, dressing is 'on the side'. They offer about 5 dressing choices. The loaded baked potato comes undressed with a container of sour cream and another with bacon and cheese so you can dress them as you like. Salt, pepper and butter are on the table. A basket of bread was delivered to the table before we ordered. Although a bigger size, the taste reminds me of Kings Hawaiian rolls. My SO ordered one of their house made beers. I tried their house Old Fashioned with walnut bitters. Both were well received. Our waters came in a plastic cups to keep as a souvinir. Prices are reasonable and the food quality good. They offer a lunch menu with an 8oz prime rib if their dinner sized 10 oz it too big. They also have kids and dessert menus.

This is not my first visit. In my first go I took on that 72 oz challenge and tapped out at 40 oz but it was worth every penny. This time around we enjoyed a casual late night steak perfectly cooked and so massive we couldn't finish it. Even at 9pm it was still bustling! It's not a gimmick the food is good and it's worth a pit stop. It's a real Texas experience.

First time here. Big Texan It's very unique and fun and has delicious steaks There's a place In the Los Angeles County area called Pinnacle Peak that is similar just like here you can watch them cook and they have this novelty thing of cutting off ties and hanging them on the wall. Big Texan is a lot bigger. No surprise right? After all it is Texas! It's quite the tourist attraction for sure. I had a bone-in ribeye with a delicious Caesar salad and cowboy beans and I think they gave me a whole jalapeno pepper. I had flavored iced tea that was sugar free which was nice and there are refills so I tried the strawberry peach and then the mango and they also have raspberry passion fruit and plain. The service is very friendly. You can bring in your pets (I'm assuming mostly dogs) but you can't feed them anything. That is a little bit torturous considering it's a steak restaurant. That is the one thing that I wish would change like they would have some kind of outdoor patio and maybe a dog bowl or leftover steak bones for the pets. There's a place up in Folsom California called "University of Beer" They have an amazing dog bowl but they give it for free if you buy a drink, with chicken in an egg and rice and vegetables. That would rock here. We want our dogs to be happy too. If you're traveling off the 40 is where it is and it's definitely worth coming and having a meal. There's a great gift shop as well.