Throwback: When Lubbock Had Its Own Big Texan Steakhouse

In a video recently posted by The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery, it was revealed that Lubbock was once home to its own Big Texan. The restaurant was open from 1974 to 1977.

I grew up in Lubbock and never knew this, as it closed before I was born. When it was open, my parents lived elsewhere (although I wouldn't call my New Deal Lion momma that far removed from the Hub City).

Why Lubbock’s Big Texan Didn’t Last

According to the video, the manager of the Lubbock location, "didn't know what side of the bar to be on," which is likely a polite euphemism meaning he drank at work too much. It was a different time, y'all.
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Because the orginal owner didn't want to split his time between the two locations, the decision to close Lubbock one was made.

What Was the Lubbock Location Like?

There's little other information about the Lubbock location on the short video, so I had to dig up some half-remembered memories of folks off the r/Lubbock Reddit thread.

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I have a memory of eating in a jail cell with my parents and being bummed we weren't seated in a teepee. I know the place was a steakhouse, and I want to say it was located on 50th street near WD Wilkins. My husband has no memory of this. If it wasn't Big Texan, what was it?? Help! 

That does sound like a weird fever dream, but other people in the comments back her memory up.

Yes, It was a Big Texan and it was in the same shopping center as WD Wilkins. I can remember the themed eating rooms and there was a cowboy greeter that would do magic tricks for kids as they came in.

Of course, the BIG question you likly have is: Was there a 72 ounce steak eating challenge? 

There was one here and I remember football players from my high-school trying to eat the 72 Oz steak. 

So there you have it, Lubbock once tasted legendary 72-ounce steak greatness. Even if the manager had been more competent, I'm not sure we'd still have a location, as the Amarillo one relies heavily on tourism from Route 66. But it is fun to dream of that alternate beef-filled reality.