Texas Tavern

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

Texas Tavern
Texas Tavern from above on Church Ave
Restaurant information
EstablishedFebruary 13, 1930 (1930-02-13)
Owner(s)James Matthew Bullington
Previous owner(s)Issac N. Bullington
James G. Bullington
James N. Bullington
Food typeFast food
Street address114 Church Ave SW
CityRoanoke
CountyRoanoke County
StateVirginia
Postal/ZIP Code24011
CountryUnited States
Seating capacity10 stools
NicknameRoanoke's Millionaire's Club
Websitetexastavern-inc.com

History
Interior of the restaurant in July, 2021

Issac N. (Nick) Bullington, an advance man for the Ringling Brothers Circus, opened the Texas Tavern in 1930. As part of his job for the circus, he traveled ahead of the circus booking shows. While on business in San Antonio, Texas, Bullington discovered a chile recipe that inspired his opening of the restaurant. Later, when Bullington settled in Roanoke, he opened the restaurant in the Thurman and Boone Furniture store parking lot on Church Ave. The Bullington family has passed ownership down generations. 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 still 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 many 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., Mike Pence, Kevin Costner, and many others.[9] Pence was heckled at Texas Tavern, creating media buzz about his likability.[10] The restaurant has long been a fixture in the neighborhood, 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. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  4. "History". Texas Tavern, Inc. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  5. Adams, Duncan. "Tradition lives on at the Texas Tavern". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  6. "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". 22 July 2015.
  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.
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