Amarillo Steak Championship
Sizzling Showdown of Texas' Best Grill Masters
The Amarillo Steak Championship is a testament to the city's rich tradition in steak culture, drawing competitors and spectators to Amarillo, Texas. Held annually, participants convene to showcase their grilling expertise, vying for the title and recognition in one of the most competitive steak cook-offs. The event is part of a larger narrative, tying into the history of steak-eating challenges that have become a part of Amarillo's identity, particularly the famous 72-ounce Steak Challenge hosted by the Big Texan Steak Ranch.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch, an iconic restaurant located on Historic Route 66, is synonymous with the 72-ounce Steak Challenge, a food contest that has attracted competitive eaters from across the country since the 1960s. This challenge involves consuming a 72-ounce steak, shrimp cocktail, (What wine goes well with shrimp?) bread roll with butter, baked potato, and salad within an hour. Molly Schuyler, an accomplished competitive eater, notably earned a spot in the history of this challenge by consuming not just one, but two of these steak meals in record-breaking times, solidifying her reputation in the competitive eating community.
Beyond the championships and challenges, the Big Texan Steak Ranch offers an experience rich with steak history, including a gift shop with a wide selection of merchandise for visitors. The establishment's role extends past hosting contests—it stands as an emblem of Texan culture, where patrons can enjoy a variety of steak dinners, handcrafted beers, and an authentic Texas atmosphere, resonating the spirit of both Route 66 and the Lone Star State.
History of Amarillo Steak Championship
The Amarillo Steak Championship is encapsulated in the storied contest at The Big Texan Steak Ranch, which challenges participants to consume a colossal 72-ounce steak meal within an hour. This competition is not only a test of appetite but also a notable tradition on historic Route 66 in Texas.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch Origins
Established in 1960, The Big Texan Steak Ranch quickly became a landmark in Amarillo and a famed attraction on historic Route 66. It's here that the legendary 72-ounce Steak Challenge was born, a contest that calls for devouring a giant steak alongside shrimp cocktail, a bread roll with butter, a baked potato, a salad, and a choice of beverage.
Notable Achievements:
Molly Schuyler, a famed competitive eater, set a record by completing the challenge in a near-record time, emphasizing the contest's place in competitive eating history.
Since its inception, the challenge has seen over 10,000 successful attempts, reflecting its enduring popularity and the restaurant's role as a staple competitive eating venue.
Key Component of the Meal:
Steak: 72 ounces
Sides: Shrimp cocktail, salad, baked potato, and a roll with butter.
The challenge is not only a matter of eating the steak but consuming the entire meal within the given period of time. Those who rise to the occasion are rewarded with the meal for free, while those who fall short are obliged to pay for their steak dinner (What wine goes well with dinner?).
The Big Texan Steak Ranch also houses a gift shop that boasts the widest selection of memorabilia along Route 66, cementing its status as a Texan icon where steak history continues to be made. This restaurant serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of food challenges and the sub-culture of competitive eating in the United States.
Main Events and Structure
The Amarillo Steak Championship is an occasion where steak lovers and competitive eaters converge to participate in one of the most well-known steak challenges in the United States. Hosted at the Big Texan Steak Ranch on historic Route 66 in Texas, it features a high-stakes eating contest that has become a cultural phenomenon.
Annual Steak Eating Challenges
Every year, the Big Texan Steak Ranch holds its notorious 72-ounce Steak Challenge, where participants must consume a steak dinner that includes a 72-ounce steak, a shrimp cocktail, a salad, a bread roll with butter, and a baked potato. This challenge not only tests the endurance and capacity of the participants but also their speed, as the entire meal must be finished within one hour to win the contest.
Notable Champions
Among the many who have attempted the challenge, a few have stood out for their staggering ability to consume immense amounts of food rapidly. Molly Schuyler, a well-known competitive eater, has set multiple records at the Big Texan, securing her reputation as a formidable champion in the sport. Her astonishing feats include consuming three 72-ounce steak meals in a near-record time, each time stamping her authority as a premier contestant in the world of competitive eating. Schuyler's performances are a testament to the level of competition and spectacle presented at these annual challenges.
The Challenge Experience
The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, offers a notorious food challenge that has attracted attention worldwide. Participants take on an enormous steak meal under specific rules to achieve fame and possibly log a record-breaking time.
The 72-Ounce Steak Challenge
Every contestant faces the same daunting task: consume a 72-ounce steak within one hour. This food challenge is not merely about the steak—it’s an entire meal that needs to be finished within the given period of time. Molly Schuyler, a competitive eater, set an astonishing record by eating not just one, but two of these steak meals in near-record time.
Contest Rules:
Steak: Finish a 72-ounce or approximately 4.5 pounds of steak
Time Limit: Complete the challenge within 1 hour
No Leaving: Contestants must remain at the table for the duration of the challenge
Steak History: The 72-ounce steak challenge has its roots along the historic Route 66 and has become a staple experience at the steak ranch.
Record Times:
Fastest time (first steak): Molly Schuyler – Just under 5 minutes
Fastest time (second steak): 20 minutes
Steak Ranch Location: The Big Texan Steak Ranch sits at the heart of Texas, near the iconic Route 66.
Side Dishes Showdown
In addition to the steak itself, participants must also tackle the side dishes that are part of the steak dinner challenge includes. This is not just a test of one's ability to eat steak but to finish the full spectrum of an American steakhouse meal.
Included Side Dishes:
Shrimp Cocktail: Begin with a refreshing seafood appetizer
Salad: The meal includes a light and crisp salad
Baked Potato: A hearty baked potato accompanies the steak
Bread Roll with Butter: Complete with a warm bread roll and butter
Competitive Eating: Completing the challenge is not only about consuming large quantities of meat but also the capacity to clear the full array of side offerings within the strict time stamp.
Venue Highlights
The venue of the Amarillo Steak Championship offers visitors a range of experiences beyond the sizzle of the grill, from unique shopping opportunities to the richness of locally brewed beers.
Gift Shop Exploration
The Gift Shop at The Big Texan Steak Ranch provides a treasure trove for visitors looking to take home a piece of Amarillo. It boasts one of the widest selections of memorabilia, encapsulating the spirit of Route 66 & Texas. Shoppers can find everything from custom apparel to quirky souvenirs that are perfect for commemorating the experience of this iconic steak challenge location.
Brewery Tour
Adjacent to the steak-ranch is an on-site brewery that offers guests a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the beer-making process. Patrons can indulge in a brewery tour and taste a selection of craft beers, each telling its own story of steak history and regional flavor. The brewery entices not only with its diverse range of beers but also with the lore of Amarillo's local brewing traditions.
Dining Hall Ambiance
The ambiance of the dining hall at The Big Texan adds a level of anticipation and excitement to the steak dinner challenge. Intentionally designed for spectating, the hall's atmosphere buzzes with the energy of competitors tackling the infamous 72-ounce steak challenge. Competitive eater legends, including Molly Schuyler with her second-fastest time, have conquered steaks here amid onlooking diners, contributing to an electric dining experience that one can find only in Amarillo.
Visitor Information
In the heart of Amarillo, Texas, the Big Texan Steak Ranch hosts the celebrated 72-ounce Steak Challenge, a notable event for visitors seeking a taste of competitive eating combined with traditional Texan hospitality. The contest not only presents a significant eating endeavor but also ties into the rich steak history along historic Route 66.
How to Participate
To take part in the iconic steak challenge, contestants must consume the entire meal, including a 72-ounce steak, shrimp cocktail, salad, a bread roll with butter, and a baked potato, within an hour. Molly Schuyler, a well-known competitive eater, holds the record for the fastest time, turning the steak into plenty of bragging rights. Participation rules are available on the Big Texan's website, where individuals can also find acceptable approval to enter the contest. Prospective participants are encouraged to check the website for any updates before their visit.
Accommodations and Directions
Visitors to the Big Texan Steak Ranch have various accommodations nearby, fitting a range of budgets and preferences. Here is a brief guide to help you plan:
Accommodations: Several hotels and motels are conveniently located along historic Route 66 and within short driving distance of the steak ranch. Options range from budget-friendly lodgings to more upscale choices.
Directions: The steak ranch is situated on Route 66, easy to access and well-signposted for those traveling by car. For visitors flying in, the closest airport is in Amarillo, with the restaurant a short drive away.
While at the steak ranch, guests can explore the gift shop, which boasts the widest selection of souvenirs commemorating both the steak challenge and Route 66. The ranch also features its brewery, offering a list of handcrafted beers to pair with steak meals or to enjoy separately.
