If you’re a meat lover, chances are you’ve heard of Texas Roadhouse.
This popular chain steakhouse is known for its hand-cut, never frozen steaks and fall-off-the-bone ribs.
But have you ever wondered where they get their beef from?
In this article, we’ll explore the sources of Texas Roadhouse’s meat and how they ensure the quality of their cuts.
From their in-house meat cutters to their Butcher Shop website, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Texas Roadhouse’s beef so delicious.
So saddle up and get ready to learn more about the meaty goodness that is Texas Roadhouse.
Where Does Texas Roadhouse Get Their Beef?
Texas Roadhouse takes great pride in the quality of their beef, and for good reason. All of their beef is imported from the United States and is USDA certified. The meat is also grain finished for 120 days, which helps to enhance the flavor and tenderness of the meat.
But where exactly does Texas Roadhouse source their beef from? The chain does not disclose specific suppliers, but they do have their own butcher who cuts steaks by hand at each location. This means that every restaurant has its own supply chain for beef, ensuring that the meat is fresh and of high quality.
In addition to their in-house butchers, Texas Roadhouse also has a Butcher Shop website where customers can order ready-to-grill, hand-cut steaks for home delivery. The website offers a variety of cuts, including ribeyes, New York strips, filets, and more. Each package comes with specific cooking instructions and a container of Texas Roadhouse’s famous Steak Seasoning.
The Importance Of Sourcing Quality Beef
The quality of the beef that Texas Roadhouse serves is of utmost importance to the chain. They spend over $1 billion annually on meat, and beef makes up a significant portion of their cost-of-goods-sold. This is why they only serve USDA Choice beef, which has been graded by the USDA using a subjective characteristic assessment process and electronic instruments to measure meat characteristics.
Texas Roadhouse’s beef is high quality and has less marbling than Prime. However, Choice roasts and steaks from the loin and rib are very tender, juicy, and flavorful and are suited for dry-heat cooking. The chain’s commitment to serving sustainable beef is also noteworthy. They work with suppliers who are leaders in sustainable beef production practices, which means that the cows raised for their meat are done so responsibly.
Sourcing quality beef is not only important for the taste and tenderness of the meat, but it also has environmental, social, and economic impacts. Sustainable beef production practices balance efficient production with these impacts, making it an important consideration for Texas Roadhouse and its customers. By choosing to eat at Texas Roadhouse, customers can support sustainable beef production practices while enjoying a delicious steak.
Texas Roadhouse’s In-House Meat Cutters
Texas Roadhouse takes their meat seriously, and that’s why they have their own in-house meat cutters at every location. These professionals are responsible for hand-cutting every steak served at the restaurant, ensuring that each piece of meat is of the highest quality.
The meat cutters at Texas Roadhouse are experts in their field, and they take great pride in their work. They use only USDA Choice beef, which is known for its marbling and tenderness. The beef is also aged for a certain period of time to enhance its flavor and texture.
Texas Roadhouse holds an annual meat cutting competition to recognize the hard work and dedication of their in-house butchers. The competition is judged based on quality, yield, and speed, with the winner advancing to the semifinals and national contest with a chance to win $20,000.
The meat cutters spend seven to eight hours a day cutting meat in a 35-degree walk-in cooler, ensuring that the beef stays fresh and at the right temperature. In an average year, they cut about $1 million worth of meat, showcasing their commitment to providing high-quality beef to customers.
The Butcher Shop: Texas Roadhouse’s Online Meat Market
Texas Roadhouse’s Butcher Shop is a convenient option for customers who want to enjoy the chain’s high-quality beef from the comfort of their own homes. The website offers a variety of cuts of steak, all of which are hand-cut by their in-house butchers. Customers can choose from ribeyes, bone-in ribeyes, New York strips, filets, filet medallions, and filet tips. Each package comes with either four or eight steaks, depending on the cut.
One of the unique features of the Butcher Shop is that customers can also subscribe to have Roadhouse meats delivered every month, every other month, or every quarter. This is a great option for those who want to ensure they always have a supply of fresh, high-quality beef on hand.
While buying meat online may not necessarily be cheaper than buying it in-store or at a butcher, it is certainly more convenient. The Butcher Shop allows customers to get their hands on Texas Roadhouse’s famous beef without having to leave their homes. Plus, the website offers a wider variety of cuts than most local butchers or grocery stores.
It’s important to note that Texas Roadhouse takes great care in ensuring the quality of their beef. All of their meat is USDA certified and grain finished for 120 days, which enhances its flavor and tenderness. This attention to detail extends to the Butcher Shop as well, where customers can trust that they are getting the same high-quality beef that Texas Roadhouse is known for.
The Rancher’s Filet: A Unique Cut Of Beef
One unique cut of beef that Texas Roadhouse offers is the Rancher’s Filet. This cut is a favorite among ranchers and is often referred to as the “best kept secret” in steaks. The filet is taken from the tenderloin, which is a muscle that doesn’t get much exercise, resulting in a very tender cut of meat.
What makes the Rancher’s Filet so unique is that it is lean and has very little marbling, yet it still manages to be full of flavor. This is due to the fact that it is grain finished with good marbling, which adds both flavor and juiciness to the meat. It’s also a relatively small cut, making it perfect for those who prefer smaller portions.
At Texas Roadhouse, the Rancher’s Filet is hand-cut by their in-house butchers and served with a choice of sides. It can be ordered cooked to preference, whether it be rare, medium rare, or well done. Customers can also order the Rancher’s Filet from the Butcher Shop website to cook at home.
Texas Roadhouse’s Commitment To Animal Welfare And Sustainability
While Texas Roadhouse takes great care in sourcing high-quality beef for their restaurants, it is important to note that they have not made animal welfare and sustainability a top priority. According to a report by Moving the Menu, many of the largest restaurant chains in the country are failing to invest in humane and sustainable food systems, and Texas Roadhouse is no exception.
The report highlights the importance of reducing animal products for protecting our climate, public health, and billions of animals. However, Texas Roadhouse has not made any public commitments to reducing their reliance on animal products or investing in sustainable food systems.
It is worth noting that Texas Roadhouse does offer a few vegetarian options on their menu, including a salad and a vegetable plate. However, these options are limited and do not reflect a concerted effort to reduce the chain’s environmental impact.
From Farm To Table: The Journey Of Texas Roadhouse’s Beef
The journey of Texas Roadhouse’s beef begins at various farms across the United States. Each farm raises their cattle differently depending on their ethics and budget. Some pastures allow their cows to roam free on the farm while others keep their livestock inside constrained areas. However, Texas Roadhouse only sources meat from farms that are certified by the USDA, ensuring that the animals are raised in humane conditions.
Once the cattle are ready for processing, they are sent to a USDA-inspected facility where they are slaughtered and processed. After processing, the meat is sent to a distribution center where it is sorted and shipped to individual Texas Roadhouse locations.
At each location, the meat is kept in a giant meat cooler at a temperature of 34 degrees. The restaurant has its own butcher who cuts steaks by hand, ensuring that each cut is of high quality and freshness. Texas Roadhouse also uses a commodity hedging strategy to manage beef prices, allowing them to offer affordable prices without sacrificing quality.
