Kevin H.
Yelp
All in all, it's a great environment, good service, and decent food. Definitely worth the stop for the experience!
This wasn't my first visit to The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, but it's my first time writing a review. All my previous visits were before I got involved with Yelp, but let me tell you, if you're traveling anywhere near Amarillo, this place absolutely needs to be on your bucket list. Everything here is done big--just like Texas itself!
There's a lot to enjoy beyond the food. The gift shop is fantastic, with a really unique variety of gifts that you won't find just anywhere. Hospitality is spot on, too. Whether you're grabbing a drink at the bar or watching the kids at the shooting arcade, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained. And don't forget to stop by the candy store for some fudge and other sweet treats. Visually, the whole place is a treat--there's so much to look at, it's well worth the stop even if you're just passing through.
Now, onto the meal. I ordered the Duke Cut Ribeye, a hearty 16-ounce steak, along with fried okra and creamed corn with green chili for my sides. They bring out complimentary dinner rolls with plenty of butter, which were absolutely delicious. Sweet tea was my drink of choice, and for an appetizer, I went with the mountain oysters.
The mountain oysters were just as good as I remember them from previous visits. I don't have a ton of experience with them outside of here, but I've ordered them more than once and they always hit the spot. The creamed corn with green chili had a fantastic flavor. They warn you it's spicy, but it's mild enough that even a two-year-old could handle it! The fried okra was slightly overcooked, but still decent. The sweet tea was perfect--just what I expected from Texas.
As for the ribeye, it wasn't the best I've had, but it wasn't bad either. It fell somewhere in the middle in terms of quality. There were a few chewy bits that I feel a good ribeye shouldn't have, but overall, it was fine. Maybe my expectations were a little high, but the steak wasn't a total letdown.
Here's the thing: you don't come to The Big Texan just for the food. The experience is what makes it special, kind of like going to Disneyland or a themed restaurant--the experience often outweighs the meal. That being said, the food is definitely decent, maybe even a little better than that, and still better than what you'd get at most themed spots like Disneyland. Everything was clean and tidy, the bathrooms were in good shape, and I got lucky by arriving right after they opened, so it wasn't packed yet.