Texas
Texas Roadhouse is winning the steakhouse rodeo
Turns out it’s not always better in the Outback. Texas Roadhouse is handily beating Outback Steakhouse in the barrel race to win American hearts and dollars.
Restaurant sales at Texas Roadhouse — a steakhouse chain (perplexingly) based in Kentucky — rose 10% (pdf) in the fourth quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, they fell at Outback Steakhouse — the Australian-themed restaurant company (more perplexingly) headquartered in Florida.
Eating out has steadily gotten more expensive for Americans over the past two years as inflation surged — much more so than buying groceries to cook at home. Food inflation in the U.S. is disproportionately driven by “food away from home” prices (up 5% in January) compared to “food at home” prices (up 1.2%).
Another issue for steakhouses in particular: an ongoing cattle supply shortage, which has caused U.S. beef prices to soar.
But even so, Texas Roadhouse has continued to draw more customers, with foot traffic at its restaurants increasing year-over-year in every quarter of 2023. At the same time, customer visits to Outback Steakhouse have fallen.
Texas Roadhouse CFO Chris Monroe was gleeful about the chain’s nimble performance. “Our restaurants are the busiest they’ve ever been,” he said on a call with investors Feb. 15.
The customer favoritism is widening a gap in stock performance, too. While Texas Roadhouse shares have increased 25% from January to record prices around $150, shares of Outback’s parent company Bloomin’ Brands have stayed around $27.
But Bloomin’ Brands doesn’t see itself getting bucked out of the market. The company told investors Friday that it still sees Outback outperforming the restaurant industry as a whole. The company said it’s looking to ramp up marketing and offer better deals to bring back customers turned off by higher prices. “We’re also potentially looking at some high quality menu items that may be a little bit lower price that we would introduce on the menu to help offset some of the pricing perceptions at Outback,” said an executive.
AUSTIN, Texas — Looking for weekend plans?
From free concerts and cultural celebrations to shopping events and community festivals, here are six events happening across Central Texas this weekend.
Austin Swappin’ returns Saturday
- Ready to refresh your wardrobe without spending a fortune?
- Austin Swappin’, the city’s largest clothing and accessories swap, returns Saturday to Wanderlust Wine Co. in East Austin.
- For $10 and 10 gently used items, attendees can trade for new-to-them clothing, shoes, jewelry, books, and more. The event also features giveaways, a photo booth, food vendors, matcha drinks, and a fill-a-bag thrift sale benefiting local nonprofit Thrift-ish.
Music Under the Star kicks off Friday night
- Free live music is back at the Texas Capitol Mall.
- The Bullock Texas State History Museum’s “Music Under the Star” concert series begins Friday evening with performances by indie-folk acts The 44-11 and Elijah Delgado.
- The free event also includes food trucks, drinks, and views of Austin’s downtown skyline. Music begins at 7 p.m.
Waterloo Greenway opens The Confluence
- A major new public space is opening in downtown Austin.
- The newest phase of Waterloo Greenway, known as The Confluence, officially opens Saturday. The project transforms a once-flood-prone section of Waller Creek into a new gathering space that connects nature and downtown Austin.
- The free grand opening celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, food, family activities, and opportunities to explore the new trails and park features.
Jane Austen Improv celebrates three years
- The award-winning Jane Austen Improv troupe is celebrating its third anniversary with a special performance at the Long Center.
- Known for blending Regency-era romance with improvised comedy, the group will perform Saturday evening.
- The 6 p.m. show is nearly sold out, but tickets remain available for the 8:30 p.m. performance.
Round Rock Pride marks five years
- Round Rock Pride is celebrating a milestone anniversary this weekend.
- The festival marks its fifth year and is expected to bring thousands of people to downtown Round Rock for live entertainment, food, local vendors, and community celebration.
- The free event takes place Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Centennial Plaza.
Mexican American Cultural Center reopens
- After nearly three years of renovations and expansion, Austin’s Mexican American Cultural Center is reopening its doors.
- The grand reopening celebration, called “Juntos de Nuevo,” takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Visitors can enjoy live music, dance performances, art exhibits, hands-on workshops, food trucks, an artisan market, and tours of the newly renovated facility. The event is free and open to the public.
Know about a great weekend event?
Email details to jcestrada@cbsaustin.com or ammiller@cbsaustin.com for possible inclusion in a future Weekend Check segment on CBS Austin.
See wild rescue of trapped roller coaster riders
Eight people were rescued after the Iron Shark roller coaster stalled at Galveston Pleasure Pier, leaving riders stuck near the summit for hours.
While Texas Roadhouse is known for its signature steaks and rolls, the restaurant has changed its menu over the years.
Texas Roadhouse first opened in 1993 and has become known for favorites like its warm, freshly baked rolls served with honey cinnamon butter and its hand-cut steaks. While many signature items remain, some fan-favorite menu offerings have since been discontinued.
Recently, Tasting Table, which features recipes and news for food enthusiasts, looked back at some discontinued Texas Roadhouse menu items that some may remember fondly.
Here are some of the discontinued menu items at Texas Roadhouse.
Floor peanuts
While some Texas Roadhouse locations may still provide peanuts by request, the practice of throwing the shells on the floor ended with the pandemic, according to Tasting Table.
Users on Yelp also discussed whether peanut shells could be tossed on the floor.
“They still offer peanuts is sealed bags upon request. Just ask for peanuts and they’ll keep on bringing them,” one user said.
Baked beans
While the restaurant offers several side options, such as green beans, mashed potatoes, and seasoned corn, Texas Roadhouse no longer carries baked beans — which are common at steakhouses.
“Always enjoyed Texas Roadhouse but Broke my heart when they took those delicious baked beans off the menu,” a reddit user posted back in 2023, while searching for a recipe.
Original Chicken Critters
While there are Chicken Critters — chicken tenders that are golden-fried and lightly crispy — on the menu today, fans say the original recipe has changed.
Apparently, the tenders were crispier and lighter, according to Reddit users.
“My husband and I talk about the OG chicken critters all the time,” one Reddit user posted.
Sierra Chicken Pasta
The only pasta dish served at Texas Roadhouse has gone viral on TikTok, with many recreating it with their own recipes.
The Sierra Chicken Pasta was made with penne pasta, pieces of crispy bacon, and grilled chicken, all of which were tossed in an Asiago cheese sauce, according to The Takeout.
It doesn’t appear that Texas Roadhouse offers any type of pasta, according to its menu.
Oven-roasted half chicken
The discontinued item came in two styles — plain or barbecue — according to Tasting Table.
The restaurant still offers several chicken options, though, like smothered chicken (served with wide, made-from-scratch gravy) and grilled BBQ chicken.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
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