The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Darn Good Eatin' Off Old Route 66

Nearly fifty years ago, the Big Texan Steak Ranch opened it's doors in Amarillo, Texas, alongside old Route 66. The legend of the free 72oz. steak dinner started one evening when a hungry cowboy ventured in and stated that he was so hungry that he could "eat the whole, darned cow." Big Texan founder, Bob Lee started cooking him steaks. When the cowboy finally yelled surrender, he had eaten 4 1/2 pounds of tasty Texas beef. Mr. Lee said from that day on the dinner would be served at no charge to anyone who could consume it in one hour. 

As the famous steak's reputation grew, so did the price. The meal was originally priced at $9.95. By 1996 the price increased to $39.50. The popularity of the Texas beef drove the price of the meal to $50.00 just before the millennium. Cattle market prices last year drove the price to an all-time high of $72.00. If you come in to test your stomach's ability to tolerate over 4 lbs. of beef, don't be offended when they require payment before you begin eating. If you can put away the meal, they return your money. 

More than 40,000 people have attempted to consume the behemoth dinner since 1960. About 7,000 have succeeded. People from all over the world continue to try their luck at finishing it and getting their free t-shirt, boot shaped mug, and certificate. They can add their comments to the winners on the "Wall of Fame" next to the lobby display, and their photos are added to a recent winners board inside the lobby, and of course all the names are kept in a permanent list of champions.