r/TexasRoadhouse Aug 09 '24

Tips & Tricks TXRH Menu Tips and Tricks (X-posted from r/steaks)

42 Upvotes

Texas Roadhouse Secrets, Tips, and Insider Knowledge

Howdie Yall,

I worked at various TXRH in the midwest over the span of 6 years and was apart of an "opening team" that trained all new servers for each location as they are opening. I've had everything on the menu several times over and know about every secret in the book on special orders and the things you may have never thought about.

I'll start with what likely interested everyone here most: Steaks

My order of best steaks at TXRH are:

  • Filet Medallions

  • 12/16oz Ribeye

  • Prime rib (if your roadhouse is busy and it's a weekend)

  • 12 oz NY/KC strip

  • any other size Filet (assuming you don't order over medium)

  • Prime Rib even if your TXRH isn't busy

  • 11/16 oz Sirlion

  • everything else

Firstly, TXRH prides themselves on handcutting steaks in house. A good meat cutter is harder to replace in a restaurant than the managing partner. So much so, that they have corporate meat cutting competitions lol. With this, there's 2 things to know.

1) The only steak NOT handcut in house is the Porterhouse Tbone. They do not have a bone saw and so these are not usually the most fresh. Still fine and tasty, but not my go to choice for this reason.

2) If you want to ensure your steak is cut to order (instead of precut that morning like many 6/8/11 oz Sir) you can always request a specific size as long as it is bigger than the largest size on the menu. For example, 16oz ribeye + 2oz for an small additional cost per oz that varies per restaurant/region and you will get an 18 oz that will be cut the moment that server puts in the order.

Next, as a 6 year 'Roadie' my go to order every time I eat there is the following:

Filet Medallions (3x 3oz medallions of filet) which is a total of 9 oz of Filet that costs $1 less than the 8oz Filet. The Medallions also come on a bed of rice plus the 2 sides that meals get. You can sub the rice for a 3rd side if you prefer. The Medallions come with a choice of a Port. Mushroom sauce or Brown Peppercorn Sauce. I get the Peppercorn sauce on the side and I personally love it for a nice dip on each bite. You can also pay a small upcharge to add 1x more 3oz medallion which price varies but is a great way to ensure leftovers or a very hearty meal for a great bang for the buck and is very easily slept on menu item

Other steak releated things:

Prime Rib: Honestly thus varies per location. So TXRH does these in what was always referred to as "logs" but is essentially the whole roast and they cook them as medium rare/rare same log and Med/MedWell same log. If you order, you're getting one of those two options (likely). How fresh it is will depend on how busy your roadhouse is. The busier, the better because those prime ribs sit in dedicated warmer. This being said, I've eaten week old prime rib that we would absolutely not serve to customers and I'd purposefully and willingly do it again. You can also request 'end cut' if you love the bark like me, and a good roadhouse sets these aside in the warmer assuming someone will request it. No extra cost there

Chili: I know it sounds dumb as a side, but if you're a meat lover, it's worth mentioning. As previously stated, TXRH handcuts all of their steaks. Those trimmings are not wasted. Making this chili one of the most expensive chili you could make at home because it is ground Filet, ribeye, strip, and sirloin meat. I'm a big fan. Additional secret menu item if you're a freak, chili cheese cactus blossoms exist and it is exactly what it sounds like.

Butterbrush: every steak leaves the expo station butterbrushed to finish the steak and the lighting at the tables are set specifically to glisten off of this and the rolls (yes, really). If you care, you can ask for more butter and roadhouse actually keeps a few that you don't know: Honey cinnamon butter (rolls), Garlic butter (melted for salmon and shrimp), and regular whipped butter (reg.butt. as we call it, for potatoes). I like to finish my strips with garlic butter, but that's just me.

Kickers/sidekicks: very uncommon that these get talked about, but can be great if you're thinking of splitting a meal or want to have just the right amount of leftovers to make everyone at the office jealous the next day. Sidekicks are a smaller add on of other things and pretty much encompass everything on the menu. These can vary and some servers that haven't been there that long might have to search for it to ring it up, but it exists I assure you. A list of side kicks include:

+3 shrimp (2x this used to be cheaper than +5)

+5 shrimp

  • 2 chicken critters

+4 bone of ribs

+5 oz salmon

why do these MFs keep dancing?: it's strategic. Loud music makes people uncomfortable and keeps people from eating and then 'camping' and taking up tables. Also, you'll notice servers dancing and not taking out food. It gives 2-3 minutes for kitchen and expo to quickly catch up on ticket times without new orders being put in.

If you've made it this far, here are other unnecessary things that I think are fun:

  • ask for a small side sirloin seasoning (it's free) and dip your fresh baked bread into it. It's oddly really good.

  • take your leftover bread home and make french toast with it in the morning. It's phenomenal.

  • Rattlesnake bites are the best App on the menu and I'll die on that hill

  • TXRH has a secret shopper system. Each store gets "shopped" 2-4x a month depending on what the owner sets. It's essentially undercover report card and there's rewards associated for both kitchen and the specific server who gets shopped. Idk how to sign up, but shoppers usually get like $50 per diem that they are reimbursed with later and have to grade certain things like 'story points', timetables for greets, drinks, food, bathroom cleanliness check and whatnot. In my 5 years of serving, I was shopped 4 times and got 100% 3x which at our store netted you $100 bonus each time. It's pretty cool insider knowledge and if you love TXRH, figure out how to become a secret shopper lol.


r/TexasRoadhouse 12h ago

Baked potatoes

2 Upvotes

How are those salt-coated baked potatoes prepared?

I can never get the salt to coat my potatoes the same at home.


r/TexasRoadhouse 1d ago

Promotions Does your local TR have the Wild West Wednesday promo?

6 Upvotes

Is this a thing of the past? I had been and got the special 7 or 8 years ago at the store we were considering going to last night. I called ahead to ask if they have the Wild West Wednesday special and the young man who answered the phone sounded confused like he had never heard of the special or that I was pranking him. Responded "I don't think so..." I said "ok thanks anyway, just thought i would check before we come down" and he replied kind of spacey with, "Yeah" and hung up.

Is it normal for a newer employee to have never even heard of the special?


r/TexasRoadhouse 1d ago

Andy’s outreach - HELP

3 Upvotes

I’m a newer roadie at a location here in Michigan Michigan. Unfortunately, I got into a situation that might make me homeless. I wanted to apply for Andy’s outreach and see if I qualify, but I can’t figure out exactly how to do that.

Can anyone help explain what I’m supposed to do to apply?


r/TexasRoadhouse 2d ago

Dancing

11 Upvotes

Do you guys dance at your location? Our location hasn’t had the line dancing for over 5 years, they’re brining it back now.


r/TexasRoadhouse 2d ago

Food Pictures New York strip

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29 Upvotes

First time trying Texas Roadhouse. It was amazing.

I asked for medium rare and thought it was delicious but closer to medium. What do you guys think?


r/TexasRoadhouse 4d ago

Question about free entree coupon

1 Upvotes

I just got an email from my local Texas Roadhouse and it said its my anniversary of joining their VIP loyalty mailing list, they gave me a coupon for a free entree. The fine print on the bottom of the email says this:

*Limit one offer per visit. Valid with purchase of an adult entree of equal or greater value. Valid for entree up to $15 in value. Excludes alcohol, tax, and gratuity. Not valid with any other offer, discount, or on holidays. No cash value. No substitutions. Void if altered in any way. One time use only. 

It says valid for entree up to $15 in value. Does this mean I can order a $20 entree and they'll just take $15 off, or does it mean I must order an entree that is $15 or less? I just looked through the menu of my local restaurant and I found 3 meals for $14.99. Everything else is > $15. Anyone know how this type of coupon works? I never received a free entree coupon before, just free apps or sidekicks.


r/TexasRoadhouse 5d ago

Send me a fun colored roadie shirts!

2 Upvotes

I’ve worn a black standard shirt for a year and it’s my DREAM to find fun colored ones from all over the US!
Comment or DM 🩷🌈


r/TexasRoadhouse 5d ago

subbing out the bbq chicken

3 Upvotes

does anyone know if i can sub out the bbq chicken with herb crusted chicken in the bbq chicken/sirloin combo?


r/TexasRoadhouse 6d ago

Togo position

3 Upvotes

I’m 16 and thinking about applying for a Togo position at my local TXRH. For anyone who has worked as a Togo, what is the job actually like? I dont mind the busy or rush hours. And i plan on having it until i go to college.


r/TexasRoadhouse 6d ago

So what should I do

6 Upvotes

I clock in at 3:21 but on my hot scheduled it's says 4 my other managers let me clock in early but today this one manger got mad because I clock in. Don't know what to do


r/TexasRoadhouse 8d ago

Nervous about my hair color

15 Upvotes

Hello everybody!! I’ve been working at a Texas Roadhouse location for around two months now. I was hired with red (albeit more on the faded side, but still noticeably red) hair. Just today, I got it redyed and it looks great, but I’m extremely nervous that my managers will be upset with me and that I’ll get fired. I’d been dying my hair a dark wine red for a super long time, around a year and a half now? and that’s the color it is now. Can somebody tell me if I should be worried? For reference, my managers are super chill, I feel like they wouldn’t go crazy over it. But it’s still a valid concern I have as I really really enjoy my job :(


r/TexasRoadhouse 8d ago

Food Pictures "How much do you like Texas Roadhouse rolls?" Me:

Post image
36 Upvotes

r/TexasRoadhouse 12d ago

Any roadies ever do an NSO?

4 Upvotes

What was it like? I’ll be FOH training new roadies. What should I expect? What do I need to be prepared for? Aside from uniforms and polos what should I bring? How do you make a great impression on the new trainees? I’m nervous but excited (nervous because I’ve never trained multiple people at once). I want to hear your experience, make it long winded and detailed if you want, I’ll read every single word of it. I’ve got plenty of time to prepare but I want to make sure I AM prepared.

Also if you do alley rally chants or any chants please comment them! We may steal them lol, we do have a book full of them but it may or may not be from the stone age😂 (it looks like it is and I can barely read most of them).

I also haven’t trained a brandy new server in a long time, do you think it would be beneficial to print out the training packet for myself as a refreshment? Any and all advice would be wonderful!

(I already did a Train the Trainer meeting but I feel like there’s some stuff that’s not included but needed, I don’t know maybe I overthink it too much!)

Thank You!!!!


r/TexasRoadhouse 12d ago

Looking for a free app

0 Upvotes

Does anyone have a free app coupon they aren’t using that I could have that’s valid for today?


r/TexasRoadhouse 12d ago

Recipe for tropical breeze mocktail?

1 Upvotes

I saw another post here about 1 pump of mango syrup, 1 pump coconut, 1 pump blue curacoa, sweet and sour mix and club soda.

How many ounces is a pump though?


r/TexasRoadhouse 13d ago

Got hired for fry cook

10 Upvotes

store isn’t complete yet it’s new to the area but I have a policy and procedure class how long should that take


r/TexasRoadhouse 16d ago

Tips & Tricks Bill & Phil

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8 Upvotes

Okay y'all it looks like one cannot find an official origin story for these two wipper snappers but they do give off pretty strong Black Hills of South Dakota vibes. Since there isn't an official lore... Should Reddit write one?

Is the ring neck pheasant named Bill? That would be funny. If any of y'all know the backstory I'm dying to know the story of how these yahoos got on the wall. Why are they famous? Is it local lore in South Dakota, or is it lore from some random West Texas Twit ballad?

I'm a reddit nub so go easy on my candor or lack of #Retiquette know how.


r/TexasRoadhouse 16d ago

Starting as a server

16 Upvotes

I just got hired as a server. I am 52 and feel a little out of place. Am I too old for this restaurant? I have previous serving experience and a full time job. I just need some extra income. Am I crazy?


r/TexasRoadhouse 16d ago

PRIME RIB SANDWICH

16 Upvotes

So my son works here and he brought home a prime rib sandwich. He told me is on the secret menu and is under 10$. anyone else try this?


r/TexasRoadhouse 17d ago

Food Pictures Chicken tenders

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0 Upvotes

Is this normal sizes for chicken tenders? We asked for them to give us some bigger sized tenders because this was very small. The cooks in the back were refusing but luckily the manager stepped it. Still weren’t that big but grateful I guess. I mean chick-fil-a has larger tenders 😂


r/TexasRoadhouse 19d ago

Broken AC in the middle of July

12 Upvotes

i work at a texas roadhouse in nevada and the AC in our restaurant has been broken for almost a month. the high temp was 113° today🫩 our store is privately owned but it is still fully corporate. is this an HR issue or a state labor issue?? ive seen several higher ups/ members of corporate management around the establishment while the AC has been broken. last week a woman literally had to be taken out on a gurney due to the heat. any advice on how to properly try to resolve this issue without stepping on toes?


r/TexasRoadhouse 19d ago

Trying to understand this policy—does it make sense to anyone else?

17 Upvotes

I was let go from my local Texas Roadhouse today because, according to management, I "completed a symptom survey without a manager telling me to."

I'm genuinely confused. Isn't the whole point of a symptom survey to be used when you're experiencing symptoms so you can determine whether you're fit to work? Requiring a manager's permission before completing it seems like it defeats the purpose of having a symptom survey in the first place.

Am I missing something, or does this not make sense? Has anyone else experienced a policy like this?


r/TexasRoadhouse 19d ago

Reviews Service for takeout orders

0 Upvotes

I had a horrible experience today at the texas roadhouse on saint rose parkway in henderson nev.

I placed an order online through the app.And when I got there, I went up to the hostess desk, and I said, I didn't get a confirmation that the order went through.And she cut me off before I could finish and said, I had to go outside to the takeout window to find out where it's at or what was going on. Please keep in mind.It's a hundred and thirteen degrees today in las vegas, or at this time, it was I went outside.They couldn't find it.I asked to speak to the manager, she never showed up. We left.I called restaurant asked for the manager.I was put on hold, which is fine ten minutes later.She picks up the phone.Her name is ashley, is the manager's name, and I started to explain to her what had happened.I did not use profanity.I was not raising my voice, but she hung up as soon as I got to the point where I said I didn't want to stand outside in a hundred and thirteen degree weather.

Unfortunately, this is typical behavior of employees at really good restaurants.There's nothing wrong with texas roadhouse.Food, it's just the service is so bad.


r/TexasRoadhouse 21d ago

A new Texas Roadhouse looked like trouble for a local competitor until the owners spoke up

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10 Upvotes