The Wild Story About Amarillo, Texas’ Big Texan 72oz Steak Challenge

Amarillo, Texas, is known for many things, like Cadillacs (and now VW Bugs and limos) buried in the ground. Also, George Strait sings about making it to Amarillo By Morning. But, one of the main things that Amarillo is known for is a giant steak, and the challenge to eat it along with a lot of other food in an hour or less.

Where in Amarillo, Texas Can You Eat a 72oz Steak

The Big Texan has become infamous for its steak challenge. Thousands of people have tried it over the years, and while most fail, many have accomplished this gluttony feat. It's fun to watch.

The Big Texan opened in March 1960 in the old Underwood's BBQ building on Route 66.

Where did The Big Texan 72oz Steak Challenge Start?

Not long after The Big Texan opened their doors, actual Texas Cowboys came to the restaurant for the big steaks on the menu.  These cowboys worked long, hard days at the feed and stockyards in town and when they got paid, they'd come in and eat and drink.  Texas cowboys have a fierce competitive edge, and one cowboy would try to outdo the other cowboy on how much and how fast they could eat these giant steaks.

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The original owner, Bob RJ Lee, saw the potential in this and decided to push some tables together in the middle of the dining room and let these cowboys duke it out by eating as many 1lb steaks in one hour.  He charged each cowboy $5 to compete, and the one who ate the most ate free and won the money he collected from each cowboy to compete.

The crowd loved watching these cowboys compete against each other.  In the end, while the winner was eating steaks, after the third steak he asked for a salad and shrimp cocktail, and after steak four, he wanted a baked potato and roll.  This cowboy was going to win this contest.  By the end, he had eaten 72 oz of steak, shrimp cocktail, a salad, baked potato, and a roll.  The Big Texan Steak Challenge was born!

Check Out this Video: Tale of How The Big Texan Steak Challenge was Born in Amarillo, Texas.

Since 1960 and at the time of the publishing of this article, 94,705 attempts have been made, and 10,413 have accomplished this feat of eating.

If you have never been to The Big Texan, it's time to make a trip to Amarillo and try to beat the 72oz Steak Challenge, but you might want to start practicing now.