A Route 66 Legend
Big Tex-Rex
The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened in 1960 on Route 66, ten years later Interstate 40 opened & Route 66 was bypassed. This created an immediate catastrophic drop in business, forcing founder Bob (RJ) Lee to move the Big Texan to I-40 or lose the Big Texan.
In March of 1970, The Big Texan said farewell to the Mother Road & opened it's present day location. Since that date, The Big Texan has been blessed with continuous prosperity & has grown into an international icon.
Sons of the late Founder, Bobby & Danny Lee, have always held a deep appreciation for Route 66, without it there wouldn't be a Big Texan today. They proudly dedicate "BIG TEX-REX" to the Spirit of the Mother Road.
WHY A COWBOY-DRESSED, GREEN DINOSAUR? Both brothers share special memories of a family vacation, that took them way-out west on Route 66 to a roadside attraction that featured giant dinosaur statues.
Their memories & the other millions of memories from anyone who was ever lucky enough to "get their kicks" on Route 66 are what immortalized the road.
From the Lee Brothers-to the future generations of Road Trip travelers: "enjoy the ride & remember, it's not always about the destination, it's about the journey getting there."
That's what the real magic of The Big Texan & Route 66 is all about. Besides, they didn't have a dinosaur....Enjoy!
Topics and series.
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Location. 35° 11.612′ N, 101° 45.297′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. It is on I-40 East, on the left when traveling east. Amarillo has frontage roads that follow the I-40. If you miss an exit, you can always turn around under the overpasses to get to the other side of the I-40. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7701 I-40 East, Amarillo TX 79118, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle. It is also on the American Great Plains, specifically on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
Another marker is no longer nearby. Amarillo (was approx. 3½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 2,017 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 2. submitted on October 16, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 8. submitted on August 28, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
