Planning an event for a crowd often boils down to finding food that satisfies everyone without requiring hours in the kitchen. When you want hearty comfort food, Texas Roadhouse is a popular choice for group gatherings, corporate lunches, and family celebrations. While the brand is famous for its legendary steaks and warm rolls served in-house, ordering food for a group takes a bit of preparation since catering availability and packages vary by location.
Most Texas Roadhouse locations offer catering options tailored for groups, though the exact setup depends on your local restaurant. Instead of a rigid, nationwide catering menu, you'll typically find flexible party packs, bulk trays of signature sides, and hand-cut steaks prepared to feed groups of ten or more. Knowing how the ordering process works, what items travel well, and what to expect on the pricing side will help you pull off a successful event.
Understanding Texas Roadhouse Catering Options
When you contact your local Texas Roadhouse to feed a group, you won't usually find a standard pre-packaged box lunch menu. Instead, the restaurant relies on bulk packaging and customized family packs designed to serve groups efficiently.
The core offerings generally fall into three categories:
- Entree Platters: Bulk orders of grilled chicken, pulled pork, ribs, or sirloin steaks cooked and packaged for groups.
- Family Packs: Complete meal bundles that include a main protein, large portions of signature sides, house salad, and fresh-baked rolls with honey cinnamon butter.
- A La Carte Sides and Starters: Gallon-sized salads, bulk pans of mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, and party-sized appetizers like fried pickles or cactus blossom petals.
Because steaks require precise temperature control and lose quality quickly during transit, many locations restrict steak options for large catered drops unless you arrange for on-site grilling or limited party sizes. Chicken, ribs, and pulled pork are much more common for standard delivery or pickup catering.
Popular Menu Choices and What to Expect
When building a menu for your gathering, focusing on items that hold their heat and texture during transport makes all the difference.
Proteins and Mains
- Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs: Slow-cooked pork ribs smothered in barbecue sauce are a crowd favorite and travel remarkably well in sealed containers.
- Grilled BBQ Chicken: Chicken breasts glazed with barbecue sauce remain tender and juicy when ordered in bulk pans.
- Pulled Pork: Served by the pound with buns on the side, pulled pork is one of the easiest options for casual backyard parties or office lunches.
- Hand-Cut Steaks: Available at select locations for smaller catered gatherings or banquet rooms, but always confirm whether your local store can transport steaks safely for your guest count.
Legendary Sides
No Texas Roadhouse meal is complete without the side dishes. Bulk catering pans typically feed 10 to 15 people per pan.
- Mashed Potatoes or Seasoned Rice: Creamy mashed potatoes served with rich gravy on the side.
- Green Beans: Traditional Southern-style green beans cooked with bacon and onions.
- Macaroni and Cheese: A creamy, cheesy favorite that appeals to guests of all ages.
- Fresh-Baked Rolls: Every catering order should include extra batches of their famous yeast rolls paired with the signature honey cinnamon butter.
Pricing and Cost Breakdown
Texas Roadhouse catering pricing varies depending on your geographic region, local tax rates, and the specific mix of proteins you choose. However, you can estimate your budget using general industry averages for casual dining bulk orders.
- Family Packs: Typically range from $45 to $90, designed to feed families of four to six people with generous portions.
- Bulk Proteins (per pound or platter): Pulled pork and grilled chicken generally cost less per head compared to ribs or steak platters. Expect to spend roughly $12 to $25 per person for a standard meal including a protein, two sides, salad, and rolls.
- Appetizers and Extras: Bulk starters like fried pickles or extra dozens of rolls range from $15 to $35 per platter.
Always ask about gratuity and service fees if you're requesting delivery or large setup assistance, as these are typically added to group orders.
How to Place a Catering Order Successfully
Ordering bulk food for a crowd requires coordination to ensure everything arrives hot and on time. Follow these practical steps to streamline the process:
- Call Your Local Restaurant Directly: Don't rely solely on online delivery apps for large catering orders. Speak directly with a manager or designated catering coordinator at your nearest Texas Roadhouse location.
- Book at Least 48 Hours in Advance: For orders feeding 20 or more people, giving the kitchen a few days' notice ensures they have sufficient inventory of fresh, never-frozen meats and ingredients.
- Confirm Packaging and Utensils: Verify whether your order includes plates, napkins, serving utensils, and eating silverware, or if you need to supply your own disposables.
- Plan for Transport: Ensure you have enough vehicle space (and flat surfaces) to transport large foil pans of hot food safely without spills.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering Steaks for 50+ People: Transporting dozens of medium-rare steaks for a large outdoor event leads to overcooked meat as it steams in transit. Stick to ribs, chicken, or pulled pork for large crowds.
- Forgetting Dietary Restrictions: While the menu leans heavily toward meat and dairy, you can request vegetarian sides like corn, house salads without meat, or applesauce to accommodate diverse preferences.
- Underestimating Roll Consumption: People love the yeast rolls. Always order at least 30% more rolls than you think your headcount requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas Roadhouse deliver catering orders?
Delivery availability depends entirely on the specific franchise location. Some stores partner with local catering couriers, while others require you to pick up the order in person using foil pans and thermal boxes.
Can I customize the side dishes in a family pack?
Yes. Most locations allow you to swap standard sides like mashed potatoes for alternatives such as steak fries, seasoned rice, or green beans upon request.
Are plates and utensils included with bulk orders?
Plates, napkins, and plastic cutlery are generally provided upon request for catering orders, but it's best to confirm this detail when finalizing your payment with the manager.
How are the hot foods packaged for pickup?
Food is packed in heavy-duty aluminum catering pans with secure cardboard or plastic lids designed to retain heat during a short drive.
