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Texas Roadhouse

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By JEFF KORBELIK / GZO

Friday, Aug 01, 2008 - 12:58:25 am CDT

Trying to avoid the crush, I  dined at the new Texas Roadhouse on a Monday evening.

I should have known better.

The parking lot was full, and the wait was 30 to 40 minutes.

Story Photo
Wait staff Kaitlin Kelly, from left, Aaron Sherman and Maggie Hedlund perform a country line dance at the new Texas Roadhouse near 63rd and Nebraska Highway 2. (Heidi Hoffman)
Texas Roadhouse

6301 Apple’s Way

(63rd and Nebraska 2)

Atmosphere: Casual

Specialty: American grill and BBQ

Payment: Cash, major credit cards; no checks

Cost: Entrees, $9 to $20

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday

Phone: (402) 420-0155

Web site: texasroadhouse.com

Notes: Parking, alcohol, children’s menu, takeout, call-ahead seating

* * *

Food: 4 stars

Service: 4 stars

Atmosphere: 2½ stars

Vegetarian friendly: 1 star

The Last Bite: Texas Roadhouse makes an impressive debut, with a steak-and-rib menu that rivals any in Lincoln.

Rating system: Excellent 4 stars; Good 3 stars; Fair or uneven 2 stars; Poor 1 star

On a Monday. Go figure.

I don’t expect a letup anytime soon because the chain restaurant has a steak-and-rib menu that’s worth the wait.

As regular readers know, that’s tough for me to say because I’m not a fan of chain restaurants.

But the 11-ounce medium rare sirloin ($13.49) I ordered was one of the best steaks I’ve had at a restaurant.

Even better was the pulled pork and BBQ ribs ($12.99) my companion enjoyed. I found out later it takes three days for the ribs to cook.

Operated by Curt Magnus, Texas Roadhouse opened two weeks ago at 63rd Street and Nebraska 2, next to Lowe’s. The Lincoln location is among 300 in 44 states. It seats 270 people and features a country western theme — Willie Nelson is one of its biggest proponents.

The first Roadhouse, interestingly, was not in Texas but in Clarksville, Ind., opening in 1993.

According to the restaurant’s Web site, founder Kent Tayler had “a vision of great steaks, killer ribs and ice-cold beer at a price that families across America could afford.”

Characteristics of the eatery include free in-shell peanuts, all-you-can eat dinner rolls (served with a cinnamon butter) and an enthusiastic service crew, which breaks into line dances at the top of each hour. I kid you not. Warning: They also make a big show of guests celebrating birthdays.

With that said, don’t expect a quiet night out. The restaurant is loud and boisterous, even on Mondays.

The steak menu includes sirloins, ribeyes, T-bones, filets and prime rib. The steaks are hand-cut and can be smothered in mushrooms, onions and choice of brown gravy or jack cheese for $1.99 more. Steaks range from $9 to $20.

Pulled pork, chicken and ribs are among the BBQ entrees, costing between $11 and $19.

Texas Roadhouse also serves a variety of chicken entrees, country dinners and a handful of seafood options. It doesn’t, however, have much for vegetarians.

We started our meal with rattlesnake bites — battered and fried cheese balls with jalapenos — for $4.99. With the peanuts and rolls, an appetizer isn’t necessary, but we wanted to sample at least one of them.

My steak and my companion’s BBQ meal came with two sides. There are 12 options. Diners can load their baked, sweet or mashed potatoes with sour cream, bacon and cheese for 99 cents more.

Our food was outstanding. I can see (and taste) why Texas Roadhouse has become as popular as other steak chains, such as Outback and Lone Star, which also operate in Lincoln.

I highly recommend the new restaurant, but be sure to call ahead for seating because there will be a wait regardless of the night.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.  

 


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not impressed wrote on August 1, 2008 7:21 am:
" I ate there Monday night also and was not impressed. I had worked in the yard all day and was hot and thirsty. We beat the rush (it was not full and no waiting line) but it took 10 minutes for a waiter to show up. The food was alright, nothing to rave about. The music was way to loud and people had to yell to be heard. I had a glass of ice tea and wanted another but had to wait for my waitress to finish dancing (when she should have been tending her customers) and then some before she came to see if I needed anything. All in all I was not impressed. "

 hmmm steak wrote on August 1, 2008 8:18 am:
" Yes, a new chain restaraunt! I am so happy! Its not like any new restaraunts owned locally have opened in the past month. I guess Texas Roadhouse was more willing to buy big sections of advertising.

3 days to cook ribs? I call shennagins. Only if they count the thawing time does it take 3 days. after 3 days of cooking the bones would have broken down and be like rubber and the meat would be mush. Or if they smoke it that long it would be so overpowered by the smoke flavor that it would be unedible and dried out from the cooking in a dry heat. Sounds like a little bit of exageration on the part of the restaraunt.

I like that you are actually giving a bit more review in your review. Now besides saying the food was outstanding let us know WHY it was outstanding. Was the steak so tender you could cut it with a fork? Was is seasoned perfectly? Were the sides good? Mashed potatoes have lumps? You could add all sorts of description of the food if you cut out the 4 paragraph history lesson. "

 Outside the Box wrote on August 1, 2008 8:27 am:
" This is one of the best reviews this space has had in months. I have a very good idea of the food, atmosphere, and prices. Great job! "

 A wrote on August 1, 2008 8:50 am:
" I try to avoid chain restaurants as well, but my boyfriend from Arizona was excited to see this open because it's so popular there. I LOVED it. I had the pulled pork and ribs, and it was the most tender meat I've ever had- just as good as Rib Ranch. It's nice that you don't need an appetizer because of the free rolls and peanuts. The rolls were GREAT! Served piping hot with cinnamon butter!!

When I went (Friday night), the wait was about an hour, but we sat at the bar (it was amazing that we found seats) to have a drink and the bartender actually took our order and served us there immediately. Our original ticket number wasn't called until the end of our meal - an hour later! I'm sure glad they made such a large establishment or else nobody would ever get seated!

The food was hot and fresh, we were constantly being checked on, and all of the employees seemed eager to please. The manager even came out and offered the couple next to us at the bar some free ribs, which they shared with us. I had a great experience, despite the wait. If you have some extra patience and some good company to chat with while you wait, I recommend it!

I also liked that they had sweet potatoes on the menu too, which you can get "loaded" for $1 with syrup and gooey marshmallows. I also appreciate that they have healthier side options like steamed veggies or green beans, which came in a generous portion. "

 Mmmm ribs.... wrote on August 1, 2008 8:52 am:
" When they say their ribs "fall off the bone," they MEAN it! I got a 1/3 rack and I literally just slid the bones off and had a huge hunk of tender, juicy meat on my plate. Easily the best cooked ribs I've ever had. I was a little confused as to why there weren't any sauces on the table other than A1 for steaks...that's why I love BBQ...lots of sauce! "

 ALB wrote on August 1, 2008 9:37 am:
" It's part of their job to dance...quit complaining. "

 Fan wrote on August 1, 2008 10:10 am:
" The food at Texas Roadhouse is excellent. It is the BEST steak I have ever had, cooked to perfection and tender. "

 enjoy wrote on August 1, 2008 10:44 am:
" We used to go to Omaha to Texas Roadhouse as least once or twice a month because of the great food and reasonable prices. We have never had bad service or food. Give them a chance here in Lincoln, remember they've only been open two weeks. The steaks can be cut with a fork, I've never tasted anything like it! "

 Nina wrote on August 1, 2008 2:50 pm:
" We'll surely visit there soon, as our great-nephew, a high-school student, is working there. We've been to two other Roadhouses, one in Omaha and one in Denver, where our niece moonlights. She says the company is also good to work for, offering weekend incentives for wait staff (such as a prize for the most appetizers sold, etc.) Sounds like a nice addition to Lincoln, and it's right on the way home! "

 J wrote on August 1, 2008 4:22 pm:
" Nina, every restaurant does that to try and sell more high priced foods. If this is the best steak that you have ever had at a restaurant, Mr. Korbelik, I suggest that you open your horizons and try some top flight steakhouses that use dry aged beef. These steaks are the same that anyone can make at home. I understand the good family environment and entertainment, but don't try to sell this place as a five star steakhouse. It doesn't, why do you? "

 Mindless Robot wrote on August 1, 2008 4:43 pm:
" It's like living in Maine and going to Red Lobster. "

 Dave wrote on August 1, 2008 5:14 pm:
" The overly gushing comments on here make me suspect employees or others taking advantage of the free advertising. It's hard to believe that the place could be as wonderful as all the gushing on here-- they are a corporation after all, out solely to make money, not to be good citizens. "

 Seen it all Roger wrote on August 1, 2008 10:49 pm:
" " It's like living in Maine and going to Red Lobster. " The difference is that Maine has hundreds of top-notch lobster places. Lincoln has not a one slaughter house or associated restaurant that I know of. The tradition of Lincoln steakhouses can be boiled down to about Misty's and Steakhouse. This is a far cry from what you might expect from in a true steak town like Dallas, Kansas City, or Chicago. This is two stinking steak places! With no slaughter house nearby! Relatively anyone can come in and compete and make a better steak than Misty's without trying too hard.
From what I recall, Maine has quite a bit more built-in history as well as passed-on knowledge about lobsters. Red Lobster could never compete with that and Maine citizens reject them because of the inferior quality of their product.

Regardless of anything else, I think it says more about the quality of the restaurants than the people that frequent them if the eatery succeeds or not. A good, locally-owned restaurant specializing in regional dishes should never feel threatened at all by a national chain, as the national chain could never surpass the local experts' skill and attitude, and the local chain might actually see an uptick in popularity if they are doing things right and it looks like the chain is just copying.

Great for Lincoln if we can get a better steak at a better price. Competition is at the root of free market, and somehow, someway, I believe the experts will win. "

 Confused wrote on August 2, 2008 7:06 am:
" Dave, not sure about employees of the place writing on here, but I sense a few competitors trying to down play the new place in town! I ate there and the food was great and the staff actually was having fun, which certainly doesn't happen "at every restaurant" like J says. Why do people have to hate on everything? Give it a try before you complain! I'll be going back. Soon. "

 Im not an employee... wrote on August 3, 2008 4:29 pm:
" I love Texas Roadhouse. Their ribeye is unbelievably awesome. I've eaten at the one in Omaha and a couple in Texas and each time it was nearly the same. The rolls before dinner are to die for. I always get their steamed vegetables. If I could make them that good at home, I'd eat them every day.

I'm confused with the comment from Dave: "they are a corporation after all, out solely to make money, not to be good citizens." It is evident you've never worked at a restaurant. Being a good citizen starts with the server. Keep in mind, they pay their bills on the tips they make. If they aren't nice or prompt or efficient, they don't get good tips. OK, not all the time, sometimes cheap skates happen to be at their table, but I digres. They don't make minimum wage like others do. I just think that's a rude comment. I would like to know what you do for a living. I'm sure your boss would be happy to know that you aren't doing your job to be a good citizen or a good person. What an unhappy life you must live!!!! "

 If that was the best steak... wrote on August 4, 2008 9:34 am:
" you have ever had you need to get out more. Or learn how to cook. Im guessing you have never left Lincoln if you think that was the best steak you have ever had. Their food is good but best ever? No way. I am pretty picky with ribs but they are actually pretty good. "

 YUMMY wrote on August 4, 2008 10:08 pm:
" My husband and I ate there on a Wednesday. We were told our wait would be 20 minutes and we did not even wait 2 minutes. The service was great and the food was great as well.Yee Haw to the Birthdays that people celebrate there. LOL. We will go back again! "

 FYI wrote on August 5, 2008 3:56 pm:
" There are no Red Lobsters in Maine.
Just thought I would point that out.

I ate at a Texas Roadhouse in Austin, TX and it was pretty good.
I'm sure I'll give this one a try at somepoint. "

 Comm UnSense wrote on August 7, 2008 3:30 pm:
" Our favorites are the Road Kill and the Country Fried Chicken. Both reasonably priced and delicious. We'll be back often. Gotta try those ribs. "

 bl wrote on August 10, 2008 3:44 pm:
" ate there last night. Large enough portions that my wife and I shared an entrée. But the atmosphere and volume is that of a redneck frat party. Give us Skeeter Barnes or Rib Ranch anyday. "

 JennyO wrote on August 11, 2008 12:33 pm:
" Loved it. Eat at home all you negative people. "

 Lisa wrote on August 13, 2008 4:07 pm:
" My husband and I have eaten there at least twice if not three times. I can make a feast off the dinner rolls alone. I wasn't aware it was cinnamon butter until just the other day, but I really think that just makes it that much better.
I for one got a kick out of the line dancing but when we have been there our server has always kept serving us and not participated in the dancing,but there were always plenty of others doing the dancing and it seemed like the crowd enjoyed it.
I have to agree with some of the others who were commenting about the fact that I shop at Wal-Mart and Target therefore I am not really one to shy away from a franchise restaraunt either. As long as they have good food and a clean place to eat I will continue to go back. "

 P wrote on September 2, 2008 4:05 pm:
" Went here for the first time on a wednesday evening for my birthday and was very surprised at how busy they were. Luckily we were seated immediately. Loved the rolls in the beginning but it seemed odd to have a sweet butter with them, even though it was really good. We ordered the small onion flower and thought it was fantastic. Then we each had a salad as a side with our meal. Needless to say, after a couple rolls, fried onions and a delicious (and good sized) salad, I was less excited about my entree. I had to at least taste the chicken i ordered and it was good, but i was too full to really enjoy it. In the box it went to be re-heated the next day for lunch. Definitely wasn't as good the second day. Anyway, the moral of the story is... if you're going to get an appetizer and side salad, then it would be wise to share an entree with someone. I also agree that it was entirely too loud in there! I have a hard time communicating in a loud environment so this wasn't ideal for me! Oh well, the food was good. And my hubby liked his ribs. "

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