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It’s easy to confuse Texas Roadhouse with Logan’s Roadhouse. Beyond their similar names, these two casual-style restaurant chains have a lot of other things in common, too. Step inside either roadhouse, and you’ll be greeted with several of the same elements: rustic, wood-paneled interiors. Lively, family-friendly atmospheres. Plenty of steak, ribs, and other Southern favorites. The list goes on.
That being said, these restaurant chains aren’t identical. For one, Texas Roadhouse has a larger presence and only continues to grow, earning the title of the fastest-growing restaurant brand back in March. Plus, it’s racked up multiple accolades this year, most recently being crowned America’s most beloved restaurant brand.
Logan’s Roadhouse, on the other hand, has had a different experience over the past few years. After the chain exited a 2016 bankruptcy, its former parent company, CraftWorks Holdings, declared another bankruptcy in 2020. Logan’s was then purchased by Nashville-based SPB Hospitality, which has guided the business to bounce back in recent years.
If you find yourself unsure of which restaurant to visit, there are a few distinctions to keep in mind before visiting either spot. Here are five differences between the roadhouse chains.
Your geographic location could be a contributing factor to deciding which steakhouse chain you might swing by. Texas Roadhouse currently operates 661 restaurant locations across the world, having a presence in 49 states. Outside the United States, the chain has restaurants in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Mexico, China, and South Korea. Meanwhile, Logan’s Roadhouse serves customers in over 135 locations across 22 states, with no international presence.
When you dine at either roadhouse, you can expect a basket of rolls to be placed on your table. However, these complimentary items aren’t exactly the same. Texas Roadhouse customers receive fresh baked rolls with a side of sweet honey cinnamon butter—a spread so popular that the restaurant chain turned it into a candle scent in 2022. Meanwhile, Logan’s Roadhouse serves its famous house-made yeast rolls with regular whipped butter.
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Another difference between the two chains? Logan’s Roadhouse customers can buy take-and-bake versions of the chain’s rolls in six- or 12-count orders. Texas Roadhouse doesn’t offer this to-go option with its signature rolls.
From steak and ribs to boneless wings and fried pickles, there’s a significant amount of overlap between both chains’ menus. However, each one has some offerings that the other one doesn’t. Take a trip to Texas Roadhouse, and you can score the chain’s exclusive spin on jalapeño poppers called “Rattlesnake Bites” and entrées like portobello mushroom chicken or smothered chicken.
Likewise, Logan’s has some dishes that its competitor doesn’t. Some examples include the hand-battered Roadhouse ‘Shrooms with horseradish sauce, as well as crispy crab cakes, shrimp stacked salmon, and teriyaki glazed chicken. Plus, Logan’s serves three pasta options: shrimp scampi, chicken parmesan with penne, and cajun chicken and sausage Alfredo with penne. Texas Roadhouse doesn’t serve pasta.
Skim either chain’s drink menu, and you’ll encounter the usual suspects: beer, wine, and classic cocktails. But look a bit more closely, and you’ll notice some variances. For instance, each chain’s menu includes some margarita flavors that its competitor doesn’t. At Logan’s, a couple of options include watermelon and prickly pear. Likewise, Texas Roadhouse sells mango, raspberry, strawberry, and sangria margaritas, to name a few.
The chains also have their own unique cocktails that are only available at their locations. For example, Texas Roadhouse has its Texas Peach Fuzz, which is made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps, along with cranberry and orange juices. At Logan’s, one beverage category you’ll come across is the “Groupie,” a frozen drink available in three flavors: Tropical AF Hurricane, Blueberry Blues, and Rockin’ Strawberry. The Tropical AF Hurricane Groupie features Blue Chair Bay Spiced Coconut Rum, Monin Passion Fruit, topped with frozen lemonade.
The time you’d like to dine can also dictate which restaurant is best for you. If you’re looking to eat lunch, Logan’s Roadhouse is the better option, as Texas Roadhouse is a “dinner-only concept” during the week, according to a company fact sheet. This applies to most locations. The company notes that this is designed to give managers “a better lifestyle” and lessen real estate costs, with the chain not needing to be in “high-traffic business districts.”
Conversely, lunch is usually offered at Logan’s Roadhouse. Customers can get their afternoon meal at the chain during the week, with the exception of a few locations.
