Unearthing the Unexpected: Amarillo's Big Texan Steak Ranch Built from POW Camp Wood

Amarillo, TX - The iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch, renowned for its 72oz steak challenge, boasts a surprisingly unique and historically significant origin story, as revealed by current owners Bob and Patrick Lee. The restaurant's original structure, built in the mid-20th century, was constructed using salvaged wood from a former Prisoner of War (POW) camp located in Amarillo. According to Bob and Patrick Lee, their grandfather, RJ Lee, faced a formidable challenge when the interstate system was rerouted, necessitating a move for his burgeoning restaurant. "You guys literally went out there and pulled apart the POW camp in Amarillo," Bob Lee recounted, detailing the arduous process. "He took that wood and the nails, and we're gonna build a restaurant with it." The family, along with contract laborers, worked tirelessly, dismantling the barracks piece by piece. Patrick Lee added, "We were feverishly out there with a bunch of homeless people getting paid contract labor daily and a free lunch to pull these barracks apart." The relocation and reconstruction were met with considerable skepticism from locals. "People that would go out to buy beer at the outpost kept seeing this lumber stacked up out there," Bob Lee explained. "We'd be out there pulling nails and stacking them, and they'd pull by and they'd go, 'What are y'all gonna do?' And we'd go, 'My dad's gonna build the Big Texan out here.' And they kind of scuffed off and laughed at us." Despite the doubts, RJ Lee's persistence and the collective effort of his family and workers brought his vision to life, creating a landmark that stands to this day.

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This Amarillo Landmark Has a Little-Known WWII Origin

Everyone knows the 72 oz steak challenge, but few know the real story. The Big Texan was constructed from a piece of Amarillo's history.