The 50 best restaurants to try in Amarillo (2024)

It's definitely a tourist thing to do in Amarillo. We sat in the bar area, as it's open seating, and we didn't have to wait for main dining. We got the grilled chicken sandwich and the 8 oz sirloin. The steak was tough, and it was cooked too much. I ordered Medium, but it was Medium Well. Another table ordered Medium Rare, and it too was Medium Well. They brought them another steak, but it still was overcooked. I ate it, as I didn't think saying anything about it would change the outcome of another one. The sides of the mashed with gravy and sweet potato were just fine. One and done to say we've been there!

This was quite possibly my most memorable restaurant experience. We had the fried pickles as an app, and I had the 24oz Porterhouse and the wife had the 16oz Ribeye. Both were cooked perfectly and seasoned appropriately. The atmosphere was excellent. We really enjoyed the serenade from the guitar duo. 10/10, would do again. We also brought the 21 month old toddler in, and he enjoyed the experience as well. He was dancing in the booth to the music, and ate all of his steak that he shared with us.

The place boasts an impressive array of decorations that contribute to its charming ambiance. The staff was notably friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The music, particularly the live duo that performed, added to the overall enjoyment.As for the food, we ordered a total of six dishes, and each one was prepared impeccably. The quality of the meat stood out as one of the highlights. A standout feature is their inclusion of vegetables and excellent bread, which is not commonly found. The complimentary cake sample at the end was a delightful and perfect conclusion to the experience.I would highly recommend this place to anyone driving along Route 66 or Route 40.

I came here yesterday for the first time. This place is absolutely amazing! They have activities like a shooting game for the kids and more inside and then they have giant yard games outside. Indoor and outdoor seating. They have their own gift shop. They have wonderful decor and the vibes are amazing! They also have a meal challenge which includes a 72oz steak!! The employees were all super friendly. They had the best steak I've ever had!! I would definitely come back!!!

I recently dined at The Big Texan Steakhouse and had a remarkable experience. The atmosphere of the restaurant was excellent, with its captivating Western theme creating a delightful ambiance. From the moment I walked in, I was enthralled by the attention to detail in the decor, making me feel like I had stepped into a different era.The service at The Big Texan Steakhouse was truly outstanding. The staff members were incredibly friendly, making me feel welcome and ensuring that my dining experience was enjoyable. Their attentiveness and promptness in catering to my needs were commendable.Although the prices at The Big Texan Steakhouse were a little higher than average, I can confidently say that every cent was well worth it. The quality of the food surpassed my expectations. The steak I ordered was tender and cooked to perfection, bursting with an incredible depth of flavor. It was undoubtedly one of the best steaks I have ever had.In addition to the impeccable dining experience, The Big Texan Steakhouse also boasts a fabulous gift shop. The shop offers a wide range of unique items that beautifully capture the essence of Texas and Western culture. It was a pleasure to explore the shop, and I ended up purchasing a few memorable souvenirs to commemorate my visit.Overall, I highly recommend The Big Texan Steakhouse for its fantastic atmosphere, remarkable Western theming, friendly staff, delectable food, and an enticing gift shop. It's a dining experience that goes well beyond a simple meal and creates lasting memories.This was a very pleasant experience and I am so glad that I stopped.

We are currently staying at the Big Texan RV ranch just down the street from the restaurant. They offer a limousine service to take you to the restaurant and then when you're finished pick you up and bring you back to your RV site.If you have not experienced the big Texan restaurant you should go at least once in your lifetime. This place is huge. Lots of things to look at and some games to play in the back. We went inside and ordered our food and it came really quick I mean we just barely had time to finish our salads when the main course came.Everything was fresh and tasty and we were both filled up pretty well.Like I said at least once in a lifetime you should go.

Yes, it's a tourist trap. But the food is very good, steaks were great, and they brew their own beer. A tad busy in the post eclipse return traffic so longish wait, but no big deal.Designed for tourists, families, truckers, and interested or curious people.Would recommend going if you're passing through Amarillo.

This is listed as a place you have to stop to eat if you are near there. It did not disappoint! The steaks were big and delicious. The sides were also good, but the desserts are amazing. We took our 4 layer slices of carrot cake and chocolate cake to go. These pieces of cake are HUGE and very good. There is something for everyone - live music, ice cream, gift shop, brewery and games in addition to the restaurant. We enjoyed it very much!

Definitely the best steakhouse I’ve ever been to.🍞 The bread tastes so great!🥩 The steak, (oh my God I’m totally not the kind of person that loves steak) but the steak in big Texan is extremely delicious! The texture is amazing and the flavor is awesome. Except for the cool temperatures, it’s absolutely a perfect steak.There’s a man singing country music with guitar, which creates a great atmosphere.Next to the gift shop is a shooting game place which is really great, we have a good time there.It’s so sad that we didn’t meet a 72oz challenger, or it would be exciting.🔺The business is good, so remember to book a seat or arrive early.

One could write this place off as a tourist trap: but the food is great, the staff friendly and courteous, it is decorated western style and after a dozen stops through the area I have yet to get a bad steak.It is right off of I-40 and easy to get to. The menu is centered around beef, obviously, with a varied and well rounded offering of sides.Usually there are people walking about singing and playing the guitar but we arrived between lunch and dinner.Fun atmosphere and with a large souvenir shop attached.

Fun family stop for anyone visiting Amarillo, expect to be here 2-4 hours. Depending on wait times and if you like experiencing all the fun things they have to offer. They have outdoor games at the back patio with misters, live music, and a large bar. Inside you will find a dessert bar, large gift shop, and small shooting game.Food was good, unfortunately we ordered BBQ and ribs, definitely do not recommend these items.Do recommend the steak, in-house beer🍺, the appetizers, and the rolls are the best!Come for an early dinner for best seating times.

Food was average. I like longhorn better. Service was very slow. I feel bad for our waiter he was trying but I was almost half way my steak and he still hasnt brought the steak sauce. The sides were good but I feel like it was small serving. My husband ordered the salmon and it tasted better than my steak (duplex duo). Over all I would say go here once in your life for the experience. The atmosphere was unique.

The Big Texan is an experience. We visited this establishment on our way through Texas and it was more of an experience then we anticipated. Know that this place gets VERY busy with a 30min wait being short. Do not let this deter you, there is so much more. While you wait visit the ample gift shop or check out the amazing and unique bar area. Or, check out the games. There is an old school shooting range and plenty of other games that will take you back to your childhood or introduce them to your kids. They have many beautiful and well maintained games from the past. Seating is ample with floor and second level seating. In the center north center is the grill and an elevated table of those individuals attempting to take on the 72oz steak challenge, which is a spectacle on its own.The food is as expected, Big Like Texas. Do not order the full order of fried mushrooms unless you have a BIG group! Food is good, reasonably priced and unique in it's own right.I highly recommend trying this establishment out for the amazing experience and good food.

Wonderful stop over and great food! Famous for it's If You Eat A 72 oz Steak In One Hour It's Free. That's over 5lbs of beef plus fixings. During my visit a man took the challenge but failed. Adds to the excitement. Out server Christine was really good, knowledgeable and on top of things. Good was really really good. This place also has a separate bar, kids area and gift shop. In the dining room there was a strolling guitar player/singer was was great. Yep. 5 stars up and down the board.

Decent food. Very well decorated with lots of holiday cheer. Great photo ops. Clean bathroom. Great for big families and large groups. A good experience. Nice gift shop, candy shop, and bar. The steak sandwich was overdone and not juicy. The Prime Rib was excellent and nicely seasoned. Big portion on the chicken fried chicken. Cole slaw was good. The waiter could have checked in and been around more for refills. Watching people try to eat the steak was entertaining.

Excellent steak! And great value! Assuming you do not want to try the $72 steak challenge, the menu still has a ton to offer. I had the 36 ounce Houston cut Ribeye - it was 45 bucks. And was cooked correctly. Great deal.The atmosphere is great. There are typically people on the stage trying to do the 72oz challenge. Back in my day maybe, but no longer. Everyone cheers when someone is able to do it and/or gets started. Just a fun atmosphere.Service was excellent. Never had to wait for anything.Absolutely will go again if in Amarillo

What an awesome place. I have wanted to stop for years. I finally did it. It was so much better than I expected.It is a gaudy touristy place. I love it. They do a great job with the whole experience.The food was really good and reasonably priced. The staff was friendly and efficient. I would eat here anytime.

We visited this spot for two reasons. First, it seems to be the most known restaurant in Amarillo, and second, we wanted to try out the real texan cuisine. The wait times at this location are insane, so it is better to make reservation ahead of time if possible. The employees are not the friendliest we encountered, but they are super busy, so its understandable. The menu is nice-looking, better than most places we visited. When we came in we were obviously going to eat meat, but they were out of T-bone steak, which is very unusual for such restaurant. The dishes we ordered were pretty good and fresh, but preparation takes quite a while, since the place was full. And it might not worth waiting such a long time to eat here. There is a lot of beer options in this location, and they even have small tasting glasses available. Overall, we had a decent experience here, especially since we simply drove through Amarillo. One suggestion, though, before trying the fried oysters, make sure you know what that really is…

What more can I say about this place, that no one has? I know everyone loves their steak, but I enjoyed their soft sweet dinner rolls dipped in cowboy beans. I was also impressed by the diversity of their staff, how knowledgeable they are and how proud they are to work there. And if you do eat, till u can't move...well there's a hotel on the compound. Lol. I ended my eating adventure by taking home a humongous slice of chocolate cake topped with whipped cream and cherries...you know what they say....every thing is big in Texas baby!!!!

My mom and I stopped here on our 10 day road trip when we drove through Amarillo, TX.We read a TON of reviews and a lot of them said it is a "tourist trap", but honestly I am SO glad we ended up coming. There is a gift shop inside, as well as a separate bar, fun shooting range game, and taxidermy everywhere.The entire atmosphere is fun and inviting, and honestly, everything is bigger in Texas, even the giant cow outside of the restaurant.We were a little worried about how the food would be, especially after reading reviews about a "tourist trap", but those people are wrong. As someone who lived in TN for the majority of my life, I know a good steak when I see one, and man let me tell you, these cowboys know how to cook!The seating on the inside is cafeteria style, so you may sit next to another party, but it did not bother us at all. Everyone was friendly, the menu is expansive, and the decor is just what you expect.The rolls were got at the beginning were amazing, and that is coming from someone who typically does not like bread before a meal (I ate two!). My mom ordered the beef tips with mushrooms over horseradish mashed potatoes and I had the 8 oz top sirloin with a loaded potato and broccoli. Our dishes were SO good and my steak was cooked to perfection. Kudos to the grillmaster for cooking so many steaks throughout the night, but making sure they are all cooked to the perfect, ordered temperature.If you are driving past and you want the full Texas experience, stop here, it is worth it! The steak was amazing, and the two of us walked out of there with a $45 bill, the cheapest out of our ENTIRE 10 day trip, with easily one of the best meals.Amazing place, awesome steaks!

First-class steakhouse! I've never had a bad dinner here or bad service. Danni, our server was superb! She was quick to respond to requests, has a great attitude, and very informative about the Big Texan history. We were seated right away. The atmosphere is fun and there is something for everyone there. My utmost recommendation, if you're in Texas, go to Amarillo for a steak!!!

This was my second visit to The Big Texan. Unlike my first visit, I didn't eat the grilled pepper at the start of my meal, which had numbed my sense of taste. So this time I got to really taste my steak. And it was good. Not outstanding, but a solid good. It was reasonably priced for the size, and grilled as I ordered it. Alas, my sirloin was slightly bland, but a little butter and a dash of salt and sprinkle of pepper fixed that up nicely. My wife enjoyed her chicken fried chicken. The staff were friendly, helpful, and attentive. The atmosphere is awesome. If only we hadn't arrived right after a tour bus unloaded...

Yes, this is a touristy place. But, it's iconic. The food was very good, and there is a singing guitarist who serenades you while you dine, to add to the experience. Or at least there was when we used to go. There usually is someone who dares to attempt to eat the huge 72 oz. steak, with the diners cheering them on. A fun and unique dining experience.

This is a must-stop location if you’re traveling through town. The atmosphere is exactly the kind of kitsch that it’s built up to be.The 72 oz steak table is on a pedestal and you can walk up and watch. The steak chef is also visible and you can watch him cook.The steaks are good but seem to be quantity over quality. Not saying they’re bad, just that I’ve had better. They have a very smoky flavor, which I like.

There's a reason this place is famous! This is a one stop shop with AMAZING food, nice gift shop, games, a guitarist serenading you while you eat, fun and friendly staff, unique and fun places to stay, and a bunch of photo opportunities! The steaks are THE VERY BEST, tender, flavorful, melt in your mouth perfection at a reasonable price. The whole experience is amazing and fun for all ages! They even have a dog run that's adorable! Our fur baby loved it. 💙 Our waitress, Lexie, was so sweet and looked so adorable! She really made our meal so nice. We felt like we were at home talking with an old friend. Every staff member we met was so friendly and welcoming. We even got to sample a piece of fudge of our choice for free. It was yummy! You really have to stop in if you're in the area. You will be so happy you did! Oh, and they even have a horse hotel, so your horses will be well accommodated, too! 🤗

I took the bad reviews with a grain of salt and should have paid better attention. How does a steakhouse, one this famous, not know how to properly cook a steak to the temperature ordered? My husband got the Man v Food challenge and ordered his steak medium. The first one that came out was beyond well done. We returned it and after probably 10 minutes, his new steak comes out, basically rare. He just said it was fine and ate it to not have to wait another 10 minutes. Having the wait staff running up and down stairs for everything is insane. Our waitress was so out of breath and the place wasn't even half full. I ordered the steak quesadilla and it was delicious. The mac and cheese was gross, like the Kraft deluxe boxed stuff. The rolls were perfect. It was a fun little Route 66 stop for us, but we have no desire to ever come back. If you're a big steak eater, I'd look elsewhere. If you want the nostalgic silly feeling, sure, stop by.

Despite its touristy appearance, this steakhouse turned out to be a pleasant surprise on our road trip. The sheer size and the attached gift shop may give off tourist trap vibes, but the meals were surprisingly delicious. The steaks were cooked to perfection, and the dessert cakes were a highlight – simply amazing. It's an ideal stop for satisfying your appetite during a road trip, offering more than just a meal but a memorable dining experience.

Great fun and food at a one of a kind steakhouse! We have looked forward to eating here for some time and it didn't disappoint! From the 72 oz steak eating challenge to the cool decor, singing cowboy and great souvenir shop this was a very enjoyable experience!

Steaks are amazing, service is 5 stars. They offer a 72oz steak free if you can eat it all in one hour. Most don’t succeed but fun to try. We went for our Easter dinner since we are OTR truckers and there was no waiting and very fast service. Amazing desserts! Must must try! Lots of parking for cars, trucks, RVs, horse trailers, Big Rigs, so that’s always a plus.

We passed through the city of Amarillo on our way to Dallas and saw multiple billboard signs along interstate 40 and had to stop to see what the commotion is all about. Upon arrival, we were treated with an extremely busy indoor steakhouse! The vibe was like an amusem*nt park, almost, and understandable since this place is a tourist trap. A rather large gift shop occupies the interior and cowboy kiddie shoot 'em up games dot the inner perimeter of the Big Texan Steak Ranch, keeping you and your kiddos occupied while you wait to be seated. We ordered the Big Texan ribeye along with some waffle fries and fried okra. Our meal and sides were all a hit, all cooked to perfection, the service was great considering how many people they had to serve at any given time. My beer was also foamy and perfectly chilled. And the price did not burn a hole in our pockets. It was totally worth our pitstop to our surprise. I definitely did not expect this from a high throughput, bustling touristy restaurant! We'll stop by again if we happen to be in Amarillo in the future!PS - the atmosphere is pretty loud with a lot of moving parts, so children or adults that are sensitive to sensory input may want to enter with caution.

Stopped by for lunch. Easy to spot. Access to restaurant was easy. Parking at the time of our visit was ample. Just as we walked in we were greeted and led to our table located on the second level. We could look out over the main floor-this place has plenty of seating. Our waitress was friendly and thoughtful. We had our food within minutes of finishing our salad. The steaks were excellent. Did we do the 72 ouncer--nope! While at the table a person can download the list of people from all over the world that have successfully completed the 72 ounce challenge. Most impressive on the list is those who finished in less than 10 minutes! Overall: very happy we stopped to eat at the Big Texan.

Our waitress was fun and very professional! We need more ppl like her at these restaurants! Let's chat about the rolls and butter, superb!!! And the coconut cake was to die for, pricey for a slice(10 bucks) but it was huge and GOOD! Far as the steak, it had zero salt or any season for that matter but everything else was good 👍🏼