Amarillo Restaurants

"Restaurants don't more American that this"

"Why are we going to McDonalds?"

"No, next stop is the Big Texan Steakhouse"

"Sounds ghastly"

"Yes it will be all leathers, bloody awful country music, 10 gallon hats, ridiculous accents. Being Texas they probably have live criminal execution as well"

"So why are we going ?"

"Because it is the done thing. And they serve a 72oz steack. If you eat it all you get it for free. I could of course manage it, but thinking we will be in the car all day tomorrow, I might well quiche"

"I think that would be A GOOD IDEA"

"Yes dear"

"Your not going to get on the hall of fame, then?"

"I have no need in life to prove what a pig I can be and join some nearly 5,000 other sad souls"

"You'r just chicken"

"Hey, where's the beef ?"

Next>>>

Favorite Dish: Taken from the bigtexan website, these are rules of the 72oz steak challenge :

"Rule # 1 is to have fun. We really want you to win! The $50 dinner consist of a baked potato, salad, shrimp cocktail, roll, and a 72-ounce top sirloin steak. You must sit at the designated table in our dining room. You may not leave the table for any reason once the contest starts. No one may assist you in any way (such as cutting up your meal). You must complete the dinner in 1 hour (if you can't do the meal in an hour, you ain't going get it done in 2 hours anyway). You may not share your meal even if you don't complete the dinner (like take it back to your table to be shared by any folks you may have invited to cheer you on). If you get sick (its been know to happen) the contest is over, period. You can order the steak cooked anyway you want. We will allow you a sample bite (small) prior to the start of the timer to make sure it is cooked to your satisfaction and the taste meets with your approval. Then we start the timer for one hour. You do not have to eat the fat or gristle (if you can find any), but we must judge this. Again, we want you to win but we do know our meats and will judge accordingly. "

This restaurant is located on the Amarillo International Airport. Large windows allow for a great view of the runway and ramp area. Good food, especially Breakfast. The link below describes this place very well.

http://www.swaviator.com/html/issueMJ03/Hamburger5603.html

Favorite Dish: Breakfast

This is one of those places that you would just drive by if someone hadn't told you about it. Not much to look at on the outside but the inside atmosphere is great though somewhat limited in space. Food portions are typically "Texan", more than enough. Get there before the lunch crowd or you will be standing in line.

Favorite Dish: This place has, by far, the best hamburgers in the State of Texas.

What ever else you do...do NOT miss the Big Texan Steak Ranch when visiting Amarillo. It's an institution and should be honoured as such.

Known, the world over, as the home of the 72oz Steak (that's 4 1/2 lbs to you and me) and it's FREE

Naturally, there's a catch involved. You have to eat the Steak AND the trimmings (and there's a lot of trimmings) in an hour. If you don't make it you have to pay $50 for it.

If you don't want to take the challenge (and although I'm a big eater, I know my limits) there is an extensive range of lesser sized steaks & other alternatives.

To drink they offer the usual PLUS :

The Big Boot Beer
(30oz and you keep the plastic Boot) OR
The Big Glass of Cheer (23oz and you keep the glass).

As you enjoy your food, your are treated to old time country music from a trio of strolling singers and they do take requests.

All in all, a rollicking good time.

More details & pictures in the Travelogue

Favorite Dish:

Steak...what else?

Steak prices range from $15 to $27 but it's very good steak.

So, pricewise, I'd have to say that a good meal will be over $40 (including drinks) but you could easily spend less and still eat well.

My favorite restaurant is Calico County. This is a 'home-cookin'' type restaurant. They serve wonderful smothered steak, chicken fried steak, and roast beef. The fish is also pretty good. The veggies, especially the squash casserole are very good. Before your meal you are served hot rolls and cinnamon rolls that will almost melt in your mouth. The atmosphere is from very casual to dressy...whatever makes you comfortable.

Favorite Dish: My personal favorite is probably the smothered steak with squash casserole, dinner salad, and several of the cinnamon rolls.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch is for tourists but some times I like to be a tourist. The food is good and you will definitely get more than enough to eat.
They have a shooting gallery inside. The place is decorated with wild game trophy heads and cowboy stuff.

Favorite Dish: If you go there you have to have a steak.

i love Bar-b-que and Cattle Call has some of the best ribs
i've ever tasted. But if you're into Italian, the Olive Garden is quite good and fairly inexpensive
Cattle Call offers a variety of items for sale to take home or give as gifts; such as sauce, seasonings, etc. They have a lot of memoribilla of western lore, photographs, paintings, which adds to the atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: Cattle Call offers a variety of dishes besides the ribs.
but the ribs (6) come with potatoe salad, beans, coleslaw and onion rings. Bring a hearty appetite, i usually have to get a doggie bag to take part of it home.

The best time to go is 4pm to 6pm Monday thru Friday because all appetizers (including quesadillas and the two items I listed as my favorites) are half- price! Can't beat that!

Favorite Dish: Anything on the menu is fabulous! But my personal fav is the tortilla soup and the campfire queso