Texas Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Texas Tavern |
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Texas Tavern from above on Church Ave
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | February 13, 1930 |
| Current owner(s) | James Matthew Bullington |
| Previous owner(s) | Issac N. Bullington James G. Bullington James N. Bullington |
| Food type | Fast food |
| Street address | 114 Church Ave SW |
| City | Roanoke |
| County | Roanoke County |
| State | Virginia |
| Postal/ZIP code | 24011 |
| Country | United States |
| Seating capacity | 10 stools |
| Nickname | Roanoke's Millionaire's Club |
The Texas Tavern is a very famous restaurant in Roanoke, Virginia, United States. It is known as a special place with a long history and unique atmosphere. Many people in Roanoke consider it a local treasure.
Contents
History of Texas Tavern
How it Started
The Texas Tavern first opened its doors on February 13, 1930. It was started by a man named Issac N. Bullington, who was also known as Nick. Before opening the restaurant, Nick worked for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. His job was to travel ahead of the circus and arrange their shows.
The Chili Inspiration
While Nick Bullington was working in San Antonio, Texas, he discovered a delicious chili recipe. This recipe gave him the idea to open his own restaurant. When he settled down in Roanoke, he decided to bring that tasty chili to the city.
Location and Family Ownership
Nick opened the Texas Tavern in the parking lot of the Thurman and Boone Furniture store on Church Avenue. Since then, the restaurant has stayed in the Bullington family. When Nick passed away in 1942, his son, James G. Bullington, took over. Later, James G. passed the restaurant to his son, James N. Bullington. In February 2005, James N. gave ownership to his son, James Matthew Bullington. Today, James Matthew still owns and runs the Texas Tavern, keeping the family tradition alive.
What's on the Menu?
Not much on the menu has changed since the restaurant first opened. Besides its famous chili, the Texas Tavern serves a variety of tasty hamburgers and hot dogs. They also have many breakfast items. You can get soft drinks there, but they do not serve any alcoholic beverages.
One of their most popular items is the "Cheesy Western." This is a cheeseburger with a fried egg, pickles, and sweet relish. In 2015, the website Thrillist named the "Cheesy Western" one of the 20 best burgers in Virginia!
Culture and Visitors
A Local Landmark
The Texas Tavern has been an important part of the Roanoke community for a long time. It is known for having many regular customers who visit often. The restaurant is sometimes called "Roanoke's Millionaires Club." This is a fun nickname, and it even has a sign that says, "We seat 1,000 people, 10 at a time." This means that even though it's a small place with only 10 stools, it's so popular that it feels like it could serve a thousand people!
Famous Guests
Many well-known people have visited the Texas Tavern over the years. Some of these famous guests include singer Harry Connick, Jr., actor Kevin Costner, and former Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence. When Mike Pence visited, some people shared strong opinions about him, which got attention in the news and made people talk about his public image.
