The Big Texan Steak Ranch
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.
When anyone takes the big steak challenge, they are seated at the head of the main dining room, on a platform with a digital stopclock provided on the table. Buckets are provided on the floor next to each person, in the likely event their stomachs rebel, and they start the timer when the fork is picked up. Not only must brave souls consume the entire 72oz. steak, they must eat the entirety of the huge shrimp cocktail starter, baked potato and roll, and veggies provided,within the time-frame. Oh, and on top of that, one must tolerate the curious patrons standing and watching every bite they take, snapping flashes, and catcalling. This is not for the faint of heart.
What most people that have been to this Texan treasure know first-hand, is that the Big Texan serves up the best steaks you will ever come across. If you can get past the wait staff dressed in 19th century cowboy/girl best, it’s very entertaining to watch the nightly attempts to eat the free 72 ouncer, and hear the chef yell out across the dining room from the open grill when a steak is up. Any hour of the day you can find people from all walks of life cooing over the food, and perusing the gift shop. There’s a trio with a double bass and fiddle that travels around taking requests for “Amarillo by Morning”, and “Fulsom Prison” among other classics. Kids have their own menu and get their meals served in a straw cowboy hat that’s theirs to keep. On major holidays you’ll find the most amazing Blackened Cajun turkey breast with all the fixins while you listen to cowboy poetry. Also inside the restaurant is an old-fashioned saloon with a full bar and parlor games. Try one of the famous ‘laughing margaritas’ and see why ” the stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas”.
The Big Texan is not only a restaurant, as it also serves as an old fashioned motel, with a Texas shaped pool. Designed to resemble a main street in the old west, the Big Texan Motel is decorated in the style of the late 1800’s. It has a very wild west feel, and could be described as kitschy. They provide a limo service (the limos have horns on them) and have ‘Texas sized beds’ and jacuzzi tubs in some suites. If you happen to be a real-life cowboy or cowgirl, they also have a fully functional horse hotel for those travelling with equines. The horse facilities are equipped with attendants round the clock to feed, excercise, and care for the four-legged guests. You can even choose sand or dirt floors for their stalls. Too bad they have no staff to exercise over-zealous patrons who have forever associated themselves with fun lovin gluttony.
You may be driving down I-40 sometime this summer, tired from the road, and see the turnoff to the Big Texan Steak Ranch. Ignore it’s glaringly tourist-trappy feel on the outside, and make the stop. You’ll be glad you did. It will be one of the best meals of any kind you’ve had in your life. Nicer people, and better steaks cannot be found-in Texas or anywhere else.
