The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, is adding a 27-foot-tall dinosaur statue in front of the landmark restaurant, reported the Amarillo Globe-News and the Big Texan Brewery’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The dinosaur originally stood at a now-closed Planet Hollywood in Dallas. At the Big Texan, the big lizard will be decked out in more of a Lone Star State style. The newspaper quoted owner Bobby Lee:
When completed, the dinosaur will be sporting cowboy boots, a western hat and kerchief. A badge to be placed at his feet will encourage tourists to “Get your kicks on Route 66,” Lee said. […]
The ranch took delivery of the dinosaur last month.
“It came in on a flatbed (trailer),” Lee said. “We had it parked around back until the foundation was poured.” […]
“I was just tickled to get him,” Lee said. “A painter’s going to come out and repaint him and get him all fixed up, ready for, hopefully, spring break business.”
A good photo of the dinosaur at its old Planet Hollywood digs can be found at Matt Harvey’s 75 Central website.
The Big Texan Steak Ranch operated along Amarillo Boulevard (aka Route 66) during the 1960s. For survival’s sake, the eatery moved to the east side of town to Interstate 40 after the superhighway opened in the early ’70s. But the restaurant continues to acknowledge its Route 66 roots.
The Big Texan was one of the first restaurants in the Texas Panhandle to play up the region’s cowboy roots to attract travelers. But the restaurant’s biggest claim to fame remains its 72-ounce steak dinner, which is free if you can eat it in an hour.