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The local gem first opened on Feb. 13, 1930, and not much has changed since then

10 News talent heads to Texas Tavern for its 94th anniversary

10 News talent heads to Texas Tavern for its 94th anniversary

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‘A cultural icon’: Roanoke’s Texas Tavern serving up nothing but smiles for nearly a century

‘A cultural icon’: Roanoke’s Texas Tavern serving up nothing but smiles for nearly a century

ROANOKE, Va. – Walking into Texas Tavern is like stepping back in time.

As you step inside the local gem, the smell of sizzling burgers engulfs the room, 10 bright red stools line the stainless steel counter and lively chatter swarms around you as people from all walks of life dig in. Memorabilia showcasing the restaurant’s rich history adorns the walls; a bright red vintage 1950s machine with glass Coke bottles sits proudly, and a white and red menu spans across the bustling eatery, offering some of your favorite fixins.’

[RELATED: Know of a tasty spot in our area that you wanna see featured on WSLS 10? Nominate them here]

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For nearly a century, Texas Tavern has made quite the name for itself in the Roanoke community, serving up smiles with a side of nostalgia to the Star City and beyond. From its World-Famous Chili to its iconic Cheesy Western, you’ll be sure to find some classics that were also on its original 1930s menu.

“We haven’t changed a whole heck of a lot. It’s one of our strengths,” said Matt Bullington, the proud fourth-generation owner of the cultural icon. “When you sit at that counter and you order, I want it to be the same or better than [what] you had in 1930. I don’t want it to look a whole lot different.”

Matt said when it comes to the restaurant’s success, one thing is for certain: simplicity is key. It’s all about finding something the community loves and sticking with it. I mean, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

“If you do it right and you do it well, you don’t have to do a ton of different things,” said the Roanoke native. “We’ve always tried to keep it simple, and I think that simple allows you to be more consistent and do it well.”

Exactly 94 years ago Tuesday, Matt’s great-grandfather Isaac (Nick) N. Bullington opened the doors to Roanoke’s Texas Tavern for the first time. A true adventurer at heart, before its opening, he had been an advance man for the Ringling Brothers Circus and would often travel across the country to book shows. It was during a trip to San Antonio, Texas, that a small moment would significantly change his life forever.

One bowl of chili there was all it took - Nick loved the taste so much that he decided to bring it back home with him. He asked the chef for the recipe, tweaked it a bit to suit local tastebuds, and well, the rest is history.

“He was an interesting character. He was really entrepreneurial by nature ... He always thought something ‘Texas’ would have an allure to it - kind of have a mystique, the mentality of Americans. So, if you look at the front of the building, the arch looks like the front of the Alamo a little bit, and he did that on purpose to kind of pay homage to San Antonio because that’s where he found the chili recipe when he was staying a hotel down there.”

Now, decades later, you can still order a nice warm bowl of chili with the same timeless recipe that’s been used since 1930.

“I think that [Texas Tavern] weaves itself into a fabric of Americana. People crave those unique, authentic places that have just stood the test of time.”

As you may imagine, upholding a family legacy for four generations isn’t an easy feat, but it’s made possible with diligence and a hard-working demeanor, something that runs in the Bullington family.

“When I first started working for my dad, he said, ‘You need to do every single job in here better than everyone else, all the time.’ You don’t command respect, you earn respect, and so, I’m very much a believer that with any management, you lead by example,” said Matt.

And all great leaders must first become great servants, which is a value that the Tavern embodies 24 hours a day and 364 days a year.

“It’s just a real melting pot, kind of a temple of democracy,” Matt said. “That’s why we’ve always jokingly called it the Roanoke’s Millionaires Club. Whatever your status is, leave it outside, you come in and we treat you like a millionaire.”

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What to say about the news that Dr. Phil McGraw is moving the headquarters of his operation to Roanoke? Other than it seems the gift of DFW Airport has brought with it certain ills, too. “When we were in California, bringing in a guest from New Jersey or Orlando could be an all-day affair,” McGraw told the DMN. “Now, we’re not far from the gates of a truly international airport.”

Mmm, yes, indeed. Glenn Beck, with a studio in Irving, would probably echo that sentiment. One wonders when Tucker Carlson will realize that Maine is a tough travel destination.

And how do we feel about McGraw running his show out of our fair land? I’ll throw you to a BuzzFeed article from 2021, back when BuzzFeed felt like it might be a thing:

In mid-February, Dr. Phil aired an episode about a 56-year-old woman named JoLynn with an alcohol addiction. But unlike other shows—or even an old Oprah episode—she isn’t coiffed or remotely prepared for the interview. She’s very clearly intoxicated, disheveled, and isn’t wearing any shoes. She rambles and at one point, starts to walk away from her chair. When Phil McGraw (more commonly known as Dr. Phil) asks her repeatedly where she’s going, she looks like a lost child.

Which led the author to write:

A reconsideration of McGraw’s work has sort of begun, but his critics tend to get more attention when the targets of his “advice” are well known. In 2016, when The Shining star Shelley Duvall—who has been vocal about her mental health struggles—was featured on Dr. Phil, other celebrities spoke out about how obviously exploitative it was. “There shd [sic] be laws to protect mentally ill people from tv talk show predators like @DrPhil who is exploiting Shelly Duvall for his own gain,” tweeted Mia Farrow. Stanley Kubrick’s daughter called it “lurid entertainment,” asking for others to boycott the show.

I’ve seen tweets from people I know celebrating their new gigs at McGraw’s Roanoke studio. I’m happy for them, glad they’ve found a steady income. But I hope they buckle up. Clowns aren’t known for safe driving.

Located just 30 minutes north of Dallas-Fort Worth is a little town called Roanoke. Those living in Denton County town are few (the population was just over 10,000 in 2020) but their restaurant choices are surprisingly vast. Everything from great Vietnamese cuisine and Tex-Mex to steaks are on the menu — a quality that justifies Roanoke’s official slogan: “The Unique Dining Capital of Texas.” And now, two Los Angeles-based friends have teamed up with a top Dallas hospitality interior firm and local restaurateur Greg Katz to debut an upscale lounge in downtown Roanoke called The Rô on Oak.

The Inspiration Behind The Rô On Oak

Gabriel Miller and Jonathan Condos are childhood friends who work in commercial real estate. The investment prospects of the small Texas town and the fact that Miller had familial ties to DFW sparked the duo’s interest in Roanoke. After talking to the community, they saw a void in the town for a late-night neighborhood lounge.

“The community, almost unanimously, wished for a space they could go and make a night out of it,” Miller tells PaperCity. “We wanted to provide the city of Roanoke, which was incredibly supportive of us, with this kind of sophisticated, yet approachable environment. My grandparents were musicians in Fort Worth, and with music being such a heavy influence on The Rô On Oak, it acts as a nod to them as well.”

For guidance on the hospitality front, Miller and Condos brought on Greg Katz (owner of Beverley’s, Clifton Club, and Green Point) as part of the team’s advisory board.

“[Katz] has a wealth of knowledge regarding the local market, and his concepts, namely Clifton Club, are in line with the hip and trendy aesthetic that we wanted to achieve for The Rô,” Miller says. “He advised us in operations, accounting, chef staffing…the list goes on! He also connected us with vendors in the area which was a big help.”

The Design of The Rô On Oak

The friends also teamed up with Dallas interior design firm Foxcroft Studios (Anchor Bar, Mr. Winston’s) to craft the artsy atmosphere that awaits guests at The Rô on Oak. A wood-clad entryway with burnt copper and a moiré silk wall-covered ceiling is the first thing you’ll see, but The Rô’s true centerpiece is a violet marble-topped custom bar. Leaded glass panels from a historic Fort Worth home line the back bar, which is framed by antique sconces from a French Abbey in Los Angeles. Plush booths, warm lighting, and a grand fireplace (inspired by Gramercy Park Hotel’s Rose Bar) perfect the romantic ambiance.

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One of the coolest things is the curated artwork covering the walls of The Rô — Argentinian artist Julio Fierro’s “Bunny Boy From Texas” stands out, as well as framed love letters from around the world. Music is played on a hi-fi sound system built specifically for the space’s acoustics.

“The vision behind The Rô on Oak combines the swankiness of an Upper East Side NYC hotel with the cool collectiveness of a cozy Hollywood Hills home,” Miller says. “Creating this vibe in North Texas, the geographic middleman, brings the two coasts together in a way that hasn’t yet been achieved in the area.”

The Cocktails and Food

Inspired and named by iconic Rock n’ Roll hits, the cocktail program features Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On (a bourbon, Don Ciccio Amaro, lemon, and absinthe creation), an espresso martini called Start Me Up, the scotch-based Enter Sandman, and more. Two mocktails named after Nirvana and Willie Nelson songs are also available if you’re participating in Dry January.

As for food, The Rô on Oak offers an edited menu of small bites, charcuterie boards, and flatbreads. The goat cheese bruschetta, chili garlic shrimp, and PFB (prosciutto, fig jam, and brie cheese) flatbread sound most intriguing.

Based on the glowing Google and Yelp reviews, The Rô On Oak seems to be fulfilling its promise of a cool late-night spot in Roanoke.

The Rô on Oak is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Here are some eclipse-centric activities happening around town.

Northwest ISD Eclipse Watch

According to a district news release, Northwest ISD officials will provide students with the opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse shortly before it begins. The school district will provide more than 35,000 students and staff members with solar eclipse glasses that were donated by Northwest ISD Education Foundation and the Perot Museum. Prior to the day of the eclipse, students will learn more about the science of the eclipse in the classroom.

Fort WorthFort Worth Aviation Museum Eclipse Craft Event

Make and take a pinhole camera to view the solar eclipse.

Get Mooned at Truck Yard

Truck Yard is hosting a solar eclipse party featuring cosmic cocktails and other drinks that come with a free souvenir button, while supplies last. Live music performed by local musicians and food trucks will also be on-site. Free solar eclipse sunglasses will be available. Souvenir “I got mooned” T-shirts are available for preorder for $20-$26.

Fort Worth Aviation Museum Solar Eclipse Watch Party

Bring a blanket and watch the eclipse from the museum. Eclipse viewing glasses will be on sale for $3 in the gift shop.

BYOB Cowtown Cycle Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

Riders must be 21 or older. Solar eclipse viewing glasses are included with each ticket purchase.

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Tanger Outlets

Participants attending this event will receive a complimentary pair of solar eclipse glasses and space-themed snacks, while supplies last. The event will feature outdoor games, themed music and prizes. Guests can also enjoy free taffy and cosmic candy displays from Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop.

KellerKeller Library Eclipse Watching Event

The Keller Library will host a low-key watch party on the back patio. There will be eclipse viewing glasses to share, but none will be given away prior to or during the viewing.

Keller ISD eclipse viewing for students

Keller ISD will provide students with ISO-certified eclipse viewing glasses and will spend the days leading up to April 8 learning about the eclipse.

Worth the trip

SouthlakeCity of Southlake’s Celestial Extravaganza

The city of Southlake invites attendees to marvel at the wonders of the universe at a solar eclipse viewing party. This event will feature a live DJ, yard games, cosmic-themed painting for kids, interstellar cakewalk, space-inspired crafts, temporary tattoos and photo ops. Food trucks will be on-site. Customized solar eclipse glasses and solar eclipse enamel pins will be available while supplies last. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include additional information.

Feature reporter

Karen joined Community Impact as a full time features reporter in December 2023 after working as a freelance reporter since 2011. She covers Plano, Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Roanoke, Northeast Fort Worth, Lewisville, Coppell, Flower Mound, Highland Village and Argyle. When not working, she enjoys checking out local wineries with her husband and going on family vacations.

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Restaurant worker Randy Kraus feared the worst about the derailed train cars and told WFAA what engineers believe may have forced 4 cars off the track.

ROANOKE, Texas — Investigators are working to determine the cause of an overnight train derailment in Roanoke that shut down lanes along U.S. 377.

Randy Klaus couldn't help but notice the damage and emergency crews on his way to work at Mil Amores Mexican Restaurant across the street from the derailment.

"Kind of scary in one way," said Klaus.

He captured the clean-up on his cell phone Tuesday morning as engineers worked to get the engine to one of their trains back on track.

Union Pacific 5392 derailed in Roanoke near U.S. 377 and Denton Street at 3:30 a.m., according to a Union Pacific spokesperson.

Four train cars derailed including the engine. Three of the cars knocked off the track contained coal but there were no chemical releases.

"In addition to damages to the railroad, a power line has sustained damage due to impact from a repair excavator," the City of Roanoke said in a statement.

No injuries were reported and the Roanoke Fire Department responded to help navigate the traffic.

Klaus says the train tracks across from the restaurant are very busy, and after seeing the aftermath of the derailment he's grateful it is not much worse.

Randy told me what he’s learned so far about overnight train derailment in Roanoke calling it a close call on one of the areas busiest tracks near a restaurant he helps out the owners time to time. @wfaa @CityofRoanokeTX @UnionPacific pic.twitter.com/X280fzwfIh

— Scoop Jefferson (@scoopjefferson) January 2, 2024

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, Texas is in the top three states for train derailments along with Illinois and Pennsylvania. Nationwide there were 742 derailments this year, and in 2022 that number hit 1,259.

Although the exact cause has not been released, Klaus shared with WFAA what a railroad worker told him about the accident.

"He told me that one of the switchers on there from last night froze and when they switched it to change tracks, it didn't, it misfired, malfunctioned."

In a statement sent to WFAA, a spokesperson for the locomotive company said "We apologize to pedestrians and motorists for any inconvenience this may cause."

The cause of the derailment is under investigation. The City of Roanoke anticipates all repairs to be completed by Wednesday afternoon.