Cadillac Ranch – The Big Texan Steak Ranch

(Amarillo, TX)  Hi 87 Lo 69 – Today was intended to be a down day so I could rest up for my steak dinner tonight at the famous Big Texan Steak Ranch. But it was  such a nice day that around noon we decided to drive about 10 miles west of Amarillo on I-40 to check out the Cadillac Ranch, sometimes called “Carhenge.” It’s a classic American roadside attraction from the old Route 66 days. In 1974 three members of an art group decided to bury 10 old Cadillacs nose down in the ground. You can see them from the interstate, but to get up close and personal we exited the highway and drove along the frontage road to a small parking area with an unlocked gate. The cars are out in an open field on private property, about 200 yards from the gate. (Click on photos to enlarge them.)






The cars are completely covered in graffiti.


The artists’ original intent was to create a serious art exhibit. They were not pleased with the increasing amount of graffiti, which they considered vandalism. But over the years the graffiti became part of the exhibit and is now encouraged. The ground around the cars is littered with hundreds of spray paint cans.


Some people were finding cans with paint left in them and adding their artistic touches.


And some people were trying some unique photo angles.


Every few years the owner of the property repaints all the cars a solid color so future “artists” can start new designs. As you can see, the cars are very colorful.




Here’s Dee admiring the artwork.


My “I was there” moment. :)


Although the Cadillac Ranch is on private property, this ironic sign was posted on the fence near the gate.


When we left we stopped by another nearby RV park and saw this homage to Cadillac Ranch on their property.


It was a fun little diversion and a real slice of Americana. On the way home we drove through downtown Amarillo to get a flavor of the city.


Our impression? Clean and kind of laid back. It’s an easy city to get around in, all the streets are laid out in a grid pattern. We’ll see more of it during the next few days.

One of the most famous places in Amarillo is the The Big Texan Steak Ranch, home of the “free” 72 oz. steak. It’s another Route 66 landmark.




For your steak to be free you have to eat all 72 oz. of meat, plus a salad, baked potato, 3 shrimp and a roll in under an hour. They make you pay for the meal ahead of time ($72.00!) and refund your money if you complete the challenge. We got there about 5:30 and the place was about half full so we got a table right away. Our table was right near the “stage” where four adventurous souls were in the middle of the 72 oz. challenge.


Now I love steak… but seeing 4 1/2 pounds of meat on a plate is a very intimidating sight! After we ordered our meals we entertained ourselves watching the four gluttons. None of them were successful in the challenge, and only one had as much as half their meal gone by the end of the hour. (We're not sure why the lady even tried it. She hardly made a dent in her pile of food.) As soon as they were done, another young, rather small guy started in on the challenge. He gave up about 40 minutes in, with his meal about half eaten. It’s hard to believe, but the record is held by a guy who ate the whole thing in a little under 9 minutes!

Meanwhile, back in the real world Dee ordered Texas Quesadillas, which she said was excellent.


And I, of course, ordered a steak. I got the 18 oz. sirloin, which is 1/4 the size of the challenge steak.


It was thick, juicy, and cooked just right (medium rare). In my opinion it was very good, but not quite great. It was a level above the steaks you get at most of the chain restaurants, but not as good as the “premium” steaks you get at Ruth’s Chris or Morton’s. (But not as expensive either.) Normally a 12-14 oz. steak fills me up, but I ate lightly all day and was really hungry, so I had no problem finishing off all 18 ounces.


What a way to cap off a fun day. Tomorrow we’re heading south a ways to see Palo Duro Canyon. The fun never stops!