GoRoute66.com, the Official Route 66 Centennial Caravan and Big Texan Steak Ranch have partnered to celebrate Route 66’s centennial, including bringing the Big Texan 72-ounce steak dinner challenge to 20 cities along the highway.
The core of the project is a 20-day caravan tour from the Santa Monica Pier to Chicago’s Navy Pier, traveling down the Mother Road with 15 official cars.
Each night in 20 towns is the marquee event, where teams of locals will try to eat a 72-ounce steak, a baked potato, three cocktail shrimp, a side salad, and a roll in less than an hour.
The nightly steak-eating event will be livestreamed on GoRoute66.com and its YouTube and Facebook pages.
Fans are invited to enter for a chance to compete when the road show comes to their city by posting a video or message on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok explaining why they’re a perfect candidate. Tag @thebigtexan and include the city as a hashtag for consideration.
“This is more than just a food challenge — it’s a celebration of Americana, tradition and the spirit of Route 66,” said Bobby Lee, co-owner of the Big Texan Steak Ranch. “We’re bringing the legend to the road that made America mobile.”
- June 4: Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier
- June 6: Pasadena, California, 41 S. Arroyo Parkway at Colorado Boulevard
- June 7: Barstow, California, Harvey House, 685 N. 1st Ave.
- June 8: Needles, California, Claypool Building / Street Festival at 725 W. Broadway
- June 9: Kingman, Arizona, The Powerhouse Visitor Center, 120 W. Andy Devine Ave.
- June 10: Flagstaff, Arizona, Best Western Pony Soldier, 3030 E. Route 66
- June 11: Gallup, New Mexico, McKinley County Courthouse, 215 W. Aztec Ave.
- June 12: Albuquerque, Original Microsoft Building, 115 California St. NE
- June 13: Santa Fe, New Mexico, Palace of the Governors, 105 W. Palace Ave.
- June 14: Santa Rosa, New Mexico, Blue Hole Conference Center, 1085 Blue Hole Road
- June 15: Amarillo, Texas, Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery, 7701 E. I-40 Frontage Road
- June 16: Shamrock, Texas, U-Drop Inn Café, 105 E. 12th St.
- June 17: Oklahoma City, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St.
- June 18: Tulsa, Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave.
- June 19: Joplin, Missouri, parking lot at 1717 W. 7th St.(home of 3D street art)
- June 20: Springfield, Missouri, Best Western Rail Haven, 203 S. Glenstone Ave.
- June 21: Rolla, Missouri, City Hall, 901 N. Elm St.
- June 22: Granite City, Illinois, neon sign park, 1300 19th St.
- June 23: Springfield, Illinois, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave.
- June 24: Joliet, Illinois, Old Joliet Prison, 1125 N. Collins St.
- June 25: Chicago, Navy Pier outside Harry Caray’s, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Each town on the caravan’s stopping points will host live music, food trucks, community partners and other events.
GoRoute66.com is sending two reporters on the tour to write daily stories and conduct interviews. A daily rundown can be found at route66caravan.com.
(Image of the 72-ounce steak dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas)