Texas Roadhouse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Texas Roadhouse is a chain restaurant that specializes in steaks and promotes a western theme. It is a publicly traded company NASDAQ: TXRH. As of January, 2007, there are approximately 250 locations in 43 U.S. states. Texas Roadhouse Corporation is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The first restaurant was opened in Clarksville, Indiana in 1993.

In 2002, Willie Nelson became an unofficial spokesperson to the Texas Roadhouse. Since then, Nelson has heavily promoted the chain, including on a special on Food Network. Meanwhile the Texas Roadhouse itself installed "Willie's Corner" at several locations, which is a section dedicated to Nelson and decked out with memorabilia of Nelson.

[edit] Cuisine

First Texas Roadhouse Location, at the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana.

With the exception of the steaks, the food is decidedly Southern, as opposed to Texan, including Country Fried Sirloin, Country Vegetable Plate, Country Fried Chicken, and center-cut pork chops wrapped in bacon. The steaks are seasoned, and are all fresh-cut on site by a staff butcher. Due to the on-site meat cutting practice "Fall off the bone" ribs are also a staple of Texas Roadhouse, ribs that are truly award-winning in many locales. Sides include green beans cooked in pork fat, real mashed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, Texas Red Chili, and other fresh made-from-scratch offerings. All patrons are served fresh baked bread with a honey cinnamon butter as well as buckets of peanuts. Like several other steakhouse chains, they are encouraged to discard the shells on the floor. The restaurant also features the "Real Bar", which touts special recipe margaritas such as the Jamaican Cowboy and Roadhouse Roadie and a top-shelf take on the Long Island Iced Tea, called the Texas Tea. Drinks may also be purchased in souvenir boot mugs, which may be kept by the customer. Another popular beverage at Texas Roadhouse is the fresh-brewed Sweet Iced Tea, which is another Southern-style offering.