Does Texas Actually Have The Most Texas Roadhouse Locations?
You know what they say: Everything is bigger in Texas. From its ranking as the second-largest state in the U.S. to larger-than-life attractions, Texas has not shied away from highlighting its massive presence. Take Big Tex, a 52-foot cowboy statue designed to welcome visitors to the State Fair of Texas, the biggest one in the U.S. Texans also enjoy most things in mass quantities. Think "The Beer Can House" in Houston, which is made out of nearly 50,000 cans of beer. Another Texas-themed joint that aims to offer customers Texas-sized meals is — you guessed it — Texas Roadhouse. If you enjoy steak, Killer Ribs, or Texas Red Chili, you may be a Texas Roadhouse fan. And if you've frequented the chain, you may have wondered whether the steakhouse was actually born in Texas.
While the restaurant's name points to Texas, the first Texas Roadhouse opened its doors in 1993 in Indiana. And its headquarters is in Kentucky. The steakhouse now has locations in 49 states and at least nine foreign countries. Although Kentucky and Indiana took away some of the restaurant's superlatives from Texas, you may be curious whether Texas wins the award for having the largest number of Texas Roadhouse locations.
Which state has the most Texas Roadhouse locations?
If you've frequented Texas Roadhouse, then you know that many of its meals are named after The Lone Star State. Between the name, its Texas Size Combos, and the ginormous Cactus Blossom appetizer, if you don't leave the restaurant thinking of Texas at least once, then you may have had too many margaritas. After all, in addition to providing customers with 300,000 dishes per day, the steakhouse is known for offering the most extensive margarita menu out of every U.S. chain.
Texas does win the prize for having the most significant number of Texas Roadhouse locations. As of February 2023, it has 619 locations, and Texas is home to 70 of them, accounting for 11% of all locations. While diners generally have mixed feelings about chain or theme-based restaurants, its growing market in Texas suggests that some Texans or visitors to the Jumbo State appreciate some Country Fried Chicken, Chicken Critters and Ribs, or a Filet & Ribs. On a Dallas-based Reddit thread, one user said, "Texas Roadhouse is great if you're looking to eat your weight in Prime Rib and cheese fries and still pay your bills," while another user joked that should be the restaurant's new motto.
Does Texas Roadhouse aim to be authentically Texan?
In 2018, Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor told FSR Magazine that he knew Texans could be selective when it comes to beef and wanting a restaurant to feel authentic. In addition to trying to ensure the food was cost-effective and up to customer standards, he resolved the latter challenge by setting up a PO box in Dallas to use a Texas address on every calling card. "I have no idea why I did that," he said, laughing. "I could make some stuff up but I don't remember. It worked."
Taylor continued developing ties to Texas throughout his life. One larger-than-life Texan linked to the chain is singer and songwriter Willie Nelson. In a Facebook post, the chain shared that each location has a "Willie's Corner," dedicated to Nelson. Taylor and Nelson met at a Farm Aid charity concert, where they struck up a friendship. But the Texan singer also has his own Texas Roadhouse in South Austin, Texas.
While Texas Roadhouse is flourishing in the state Taylor envisioned when creating the concept, it's also doing well in other locations. Florida has the second largest number of Texas Roadhouse locations, with 41 restaurants, while Ohio has 35 locations. Although Texas wasn't the restaurant's first rodeo in terms of origin sites, it's likely that after an All-American Cheeseburger or Big Ol' Brownie, you'll leave with something as massive as the state: a food coma.