Texas Tavern

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Texas Tavern
TexasTavern.jpg
Texas Tavern from above on Church Ave.
Restaurant information
SloganServing 10,000 people, 10 at a time.
Established1930
Food typeFast food
Street address114 Church Ave SW
CityRoanoke
StateVirginia
Postal/ZIP Code24011
CountryUnited States
Seating capacity10 stools
NicknameRoanoke's Millionaire's Club
WebsiteOfficial website

Texas Tavern is a restaurant and cultural icon in Roanoke, Virginia.[1][2][3]

History[]

Interior of the restaurant in July, 2021

Opened in 1930 by Issac N. (Nick) Bullington, Bullington was the advance man for the Ringling Brothers Circus and traveled ahead of the circus to book shows. While in San Antonio, Texas, Bullington discovered a chile recipe that inspired his opening of the restaurant. Bullington settled down in Roanoke and opened the restaurant in the parking lot of Thurman and Boone Furniture store on Church Ave. The Bullingtons have passed ownership down through the family and when Nick Bullington passed in 1942, his son James G. became the owner. James G. passed ownership to his son James N, who passed ownership to his son, James Matthew Bullington, in February of 2005. The latter Bullington owns and operates the store today.[4][5]

Little on the menu has changed since the restaurant's foundation.[6] Besides chili, it features a variety of hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as a number of breakfast items. Soft drinks are served, but nothing alcoholic.[7]

The "Cheesy Western", a cheeseburger with fried egg, pickles, and sweet relish, was identified as one of the 20 best burgers in Virginia by Thrillist in 2015.[8]

Culture[]

Many famous individuals have visited Texas Tavern including Harry Connick, Jr., U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Kevin Costner, and many others.[9] Pence was heckled at Texas Tavern, creating media buzz about his likability.[10][better source needed] The restaurant has long been a fixture in the neighborhood, and is known for its regular customer base.[6]

The restaurant is sometimes referred to as "Roanoke's Millionaires Club".[11] It features a sign boasting, "We seat 1,000 people, 10 at a time."[4][5]

References[]

  1. ^ "Texas Tavern celebrating 89th birthday by selling 89¢ hamburgers, hot dogs". WSLS. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Texas Tavern – Roanoke Discovered". Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Texas Tavern Named One of the Coolest Vintage Restaurants by USA Today". www.visitroanokeva.com (in American English). 20 February 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b "History". Texas Tavern, Inc. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  5. ^ a b Adams, Duncan. "Tradition lives on at the Texas Tavern". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b "91-Year-Old Restaurant Keeps Chugging Despite All The Changes In Downtown Roanoke". WVPB. March 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "Menu". Texas Tavern, Inc.
  8. ^ "Cheesy Western Noted as One of Best Burgers in Virginia | Roanoke Regional Partnership".
  9. ^ Jones, Irisha (13 February 2018). "Texas Tavern celebrates 88th birthday". WSLS. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Mike Pence grabs a bite to eat at Texas Tavern". YouTube. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Texas Tavern | Roanoke, VA 24011". www.visitroanokeva.com.

External links[]

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