30 Bizarre and Brilliant Stops Along America’s Route 66

15. The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Amarillo, Texas

If you're traveling through Amarillo, Texas, you can’t miss The Big Texan Steak Ranch—a wildly over-the-top Western-themed restaurant that has been a Route 66 legend since 1960. Known for its massive 72-ounce steak challenge, this roadside stop is as much a spectacle as it is a steakhouse, drawing in travelers with its bright yellow exterior, giant cowboy imagery, and a Texas-sized sense of humor. The Big Texan’s 72-ounce steak challenge is its claim to fame: if you can finish a full 72-ounce steak, shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, and roll in under an hour, your meal is free. Thousands have tried, but only a handful succeed. The challenge is even staged on a special dining platform in the restaurant so other guests can watch the contestants struggle to take down the giant meal. Beyond the steak, The Big Texan Steak Ranch is packed with Route 66 charm and Wild West fun. The saloon-style bar, quirky gift shop, and cowboy-themed hotel make it feel like stepping into an old Western movie. There’s even an indoor shooting gallery, live country music, and a fleet of vintage stretch limos with longhorns on the hood that shuttle guests from hotels to the restaurant.