When To Go To Texas Roadhouse To Avoid Wait Times

If you're craving honey cinnamon butter and rolls or a Smokehouse Burger, then you may have Texas Roadhouse on the brain. And if you saved your appetite for dinner, then it's likely you want to avoid a long wait time. A 2022 survey from ORACLE found that diners are becoming less patient when it comes to waiting for their food. The survey reports that 33% of people said they will wait just five minutes for a server to come to their table at a restaurant before getting agitated. Similarly, more than half of the participants said they will give servers at a fast-casual restaurant or drive-thru only five minutes to ask for their order before becoming impatient. The report suggests that in the age of "instant gratification," people want their food stat.

When it comes to getting your Steak Kabob, Filet Medallions, or other go-to meal pronto, you may wonder whether there are better times than others to head to Texas Roadhouse and avoid a long wait time.

Per a Reddit thread, one Texas Roadhouse employee recommends that if you want to avoid a wait, you should head to the steakhouse at the start of the week, as on Monday or Tuesday, and notes that there isn't usually a large crowd on Sundays. On Thursdays, there may be more customers lining up to dig into their steaks or burgers, but it's still a decent option.

So what are the busiest days at Texas Roadhouse? According to the employee, you're definitely in for a wait on Fridays and Saturdays, as weekends are prime time for dining out. On a Tripadvisor thread, one Texas Roadhouse customer writes that "weekdays are the best as weekends tend to be overcrowded and crazy." However, the Texas Roadhouse employee on the Reddit thread writes that Wednesdays are always crowded because of the WildWest Wednesday special. Delish reports that the $9.99 deal has been known to include a sirloin steak with two sides. Prices may vary, so you may want to confirm how much the deal will cost at your nearest Texas Roadhouse location. 

If you're set on a weekend meal, some patrons weighed in on the best times to go on a Saturday to skip long wait times. The general consensus is that there is a large lunch crowd at noon, and the dinner crowd starts as early as 4:15 p.m., so your best bet is to arrive between 1 and 2 p.m. (per Tripadvisor). 

Specials and deals always bring in more of a crowd, and there are some good ones that Texas Roadhouse entices its customers with. While the exact price depends on what Texas Roadhouse location you're visiting, the restaurant's "Early Dine" special lowers the cost of certain menu items to as cheap as $10.99 — if you arrive before the dinner crowd (per slickdeals). The deal is usually offered Mondays through Thursdays between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and on Fridays or Saturdays in some areas. Typically, there are 11 menu options that you can select, ranging from the Country Fried Sirloin to the Chicken Critter Salad.

According to Jeffrey Owens, a manager at the Texas Roadhouse in North Plainfield, New Jersey, their "Early Dine" special costs $11.99 and runs from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. He tells The Daily Meal that other deals include "Military Mondays" and "Thank You Thursdays." On these days, retired or active military members, as well as those who work in public service, such as teachers and law enforcement, can get 20% off their meals.

While it seems the chain has discontinued the "Dinner for Two" deal and the $5 lunch special, we advise checking with your nearby Texas Roadhouse to see if you can still take advantage of these offers. Generally, it appears you're in for a quick wait time for your Cactus Blossom, Rattlesnake Bites, or whatever else you're craving if you visit Texas Roadhouse on a Monday or Tuesday during the mid-afternoon.