The Iconic Barrels Of Peanuts At Texas Roadhouse Are Now Relics Of The Past - But Here's How You Can Still Score Some - Tasting Table

"Texas Roadhouse may be most well known for their steaks, but for many diners, the fastest-growing steakhouse chain is also closely associated with peanuts - for decades (and pretty much since their origin in 1993), Texas Roadhouse offered free peanuts to its customers. Peanuts in the shell were available in giant barrels in restaurant waiting areas and in buckets on tables so diners would have something to snack on while waiting to be seated,"

"All good things must come to an end though: after a few lawsuits stemming from diners slipping on loose peanut shells and injuring themselves, the COVID-19 pandemic which highlighted the less-than-hygienic aspects of communal buckets of peanuts and tossing shells on the floor, and an increase in peanut allergies, free peanuts weren't a common sight at Texas Roadhouse anymore. However, things seem to be changing yet again."

"Based on conversations with several Texas Roadhouse restaurants around the country, the practice of offering free peanuts seem to be returning as a common one. Many Texas Roadhouse restaurants will offer free peanuts in buckets, baskets, or bags to diners automatically (and you actually have to request that they not be offered). If peanuts are not automatically offered, you can always request them from your server, and some will be brought out to you."

Texas Roadhouse historically offered free peanuts in-shell in barrels and buckets, with diners encouraged to crack shells and discard them on the floor. Lawsuits from slip injuries, the COVID-19 pandemic's hygiene concerns, and rising peanut allergies led to the removal of communal peanuts. Recently, many locations have reintroduced free peanuts, providing them in buckets, baskets, or bags automatically, or upon request, and some waiting-area barrels have returned. Some restaurants permit patrons to toss shells on the floor again. Availability varies by location, so diners may need to request peanuts if staff do not offer them automatically.

Read at Tasting Table