The story
Located on the historic Route 66 in Amarillo, The Big Texan Steak Ranch is a quintessential roadside destination that captures the spirit of the Lone Star State. With an atmosphere described by creator Giovanni Fois as "pure Texas" and filled with the "incredible" scent of barbecue, this landmark is a must-see for travelers navigating the Mother Road.
The restaurant is most famous for its legendary 72-ounce steak challenge, a feat that has gained national fame through appearances on *Man vs. Food*. While the massive steak is the main event, the experience offers a classic, over-the-top American dining tradition. Creator Bertra, who successfully completed the challenge to save $80, also highlighted the accompanying sides, including fried shrimp, baked potatoes, dinner rolls, and salad, making it a memorable stop for those looking to test their appetite in an iconic setting.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 6 dish mentions say about the food
The 72 oz steak challenge dominates the conversation, with reviewers calling it a wild, carnivorous spectacle. The overall vibe is hearty, unpretentious, and deeply satisfying for those craving a true Texas-sized feast.
“Bertrando is doing the 72 oz steak challenge — it's a huge steak, about 2 kg of meat, plus sides. He has to finish it in one hour. The steak comes in four sections, he's halfway through the second. It looks tough but doable. I'm watching from the side, I'm a bit jealous I'm not doing it myself — if I hadn't eaten that pizza yesterday I'd probably try it and finish it in record time. The atmosphere is very Texan, lots of people taking photos, it's a real show.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered The Big Texan Steak Ranch. Most active: Giovanni Fois, Bertra
The Big Texan Steak Ranch is an iconic roadside attraction on Route 66, famous for its 72 oz steak challenge featured on Man vs. Food — the vibe is pure Texas, the smell of barbecue is incredible, and it's a must-see for anyone driving the Mother Road.
Dishes mentioned
72 Oz Steak Challenge
Bertrando is doing the 72 oz steak challenge — it's a huge steak, about 2 kg of meat, plus sides. He has to finish it in one hour. The steak comes in four sections, he's halfway through the second. It looks tough but doable. I'm watching from the side, I'm a bit jealous I'm not doing it myself — if I hadn't eaten that pizza yesterday I'd probably try it and finish it in record time. The atmosphere is very Texan, lots of people taking photos, it's a real show.
The Big Texan is an iconic Texas steakhouse on Route 66, famous for its 72-ounce steak challenge — a fun, over-the-top American experience that I managed to beat, saving $80.
Dishes mentioned
72 Oz Steak
This is the 72-ounce steak, the centerpiece of the challenge. It's cooked perfectly, nice and tender, but it's thick and a bit chewy in parts. I found a huge tendon in one bite, which was tough. As I kept eating, it got more and more fibrous, like chewing on styrofoam. But overall, the flavor is good — Texas beef hasn't disappointed me.
Fried Shrimp
I don't like these fried shrimp. They make me want to throw up. I tried putting one in the dinner roll to mask the taste, but it's still a struggle. They're just not for me.
Baked Potato
The baked potato is huge and dry. It's really hard to get down, especially after all that steak. I tried dipping it in the steak sauce to make it go down easier, and that helped a bit. But it's still a struggle — I almost threw up trying to finish it.
Dinner Roll
I didn't know what a dinner roll was before this challenge. It's just a bread roll. I used it to try to mask the taste of the shrimp, but it's nothing special.
Salad
The salad is just there to cut through the grease. It's not great, but it helps clean the palate a bit.
