One of Amarillo’s iconic places is The Big Texan. The Big Texan is home to the 72 oz Steak Challenge. It is also one of the most popular tourist stops in Amarillo.
The Big Texan story started in Amarillo in the former Underwoods restaurant on Route 66. It moved to its current location at 7701 I-40 in 1969. However, a piece of history that you might not know about The Big Texan is the history behind the wood used to build the original iconic building.
Big Texan’s POW Camp connection
Owner Bobby Lee shared that he and his father, R.J. Lee, the founder of The Big Texan, along with his brother Danny, went to a former POW camp located on the Amarillo Air Force Base and helped tear down the barracks. The wood from those barracks was used to build The Big Texan.
@bigtexansteakranch
Did you know the original Big Texan on I-40 was built out of wood from a POW camp?! In order to keep his restaurant alive, RJ Lee was in a scramble to move to the new interstate. With grit and determination, he was able to get the wood from a old POW camp that he would use to build the Big Texan. Hear the story told by Bob and Patrick Lee #steakchallenge#72ozsteak#amarillorestaurant#bigtexan#texas @Explore Amarillo…