The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened on Route 66 in 1960, but when Interstate 40 opened ten years later and bypassed Route 66, business dropped catastrophically, forcing founder Bob (RJ) Lee to move the Big Texan to Interstate 40 or lose it. In March 1970, the Big Texan left the Mother Road and opened at its present location, where it has enjoyed continuous prosperity and grown into an international icon. The late founder’s sons, Bobby and Danny Lee, have long held a deep appreciation for Route 66 because without it there would not be a Big Texan today, and they dedicated Big Tex-Rex to the spirit of the Mother Road. The cowboy-dressed green dinosaur also reflects the brothers’ memories of a family vacation far west on Route 66 to a roadside attraction with giant dinosaur statues, as well as the millions of memories tied to getting their kicks on the road and the enduring idea that the journey matters as much as the destination.
