Mike and Judy McNamara, childhood sweethearts who have been in each other’s lives since the third grade, married in 1971. Having recently retired, the two have dedicated their lives to visiting every Texas Roadhouse in America, with their trusty dog Andy by their side.
A Roadhouse Romance
It all started when Mike and Judy McNamara decided to visit Judy’s brother in Knoxville, Tennessee. The year was 2003, and none of them knew what a delicious journey they’d just started. Their mission? To dine at every Texas Roadhouse across the U.S.
Retirement or a Green Light for Roadhouse Adventures
When Judy retired in 2017, the couple kicked their quest to visit every Roadhouse in the country into high gear. Not even the infamous 2020 pandemic could dampen their plans, as the two visited locations whenever possible. Hawaii is the only state they have yet to cross off their long list, as it doesn’t have a Texas Roadhouse there.
A Milestone Meal in South Lansing
440 is currently the number to beat for the couple. On July 12 in south Lansing, the two finally clocked their 440th meal at a Texas Roadhouse. Mike commented on the visit and said he and Judy “like the food. It’s more like home cooking for us.” The enthusiasm shines through his eyes as he speaks. “It’s consistent from one restaurant to another, so you know what you’re going to get,” he added. “We love the people, the ones that work at these roadhouses. It’s a good combination of all things.”
A Memorable Meal in Mansfield
Of course, the couple has a favorite trip out of the many they have taken. They named their trip to Mansfield, Ohio, as their most memorable. It marked their 400th Texas Roadhouse visit, and the CEO of the restaurant chain was there in person to wish them well. Now that’s some VIP treatment!
It’s Home
“As time has gone by, it’s not just the food,” Mike revealed. “It’s also the people who work at the restaurants. They are a very big family of employees.” But despite their extensive visits, the McNamaras have yet to try everything on the menu. “We rotate around because of being there so often. But there’s a few things that we have not asked to try,” Mike admitted.
No Plans to Slow Down
The McNamaras have yet to set a set number of Texas Roadhouses they aim to visit each year, but they usually dine at about 65 to 70 different locations annually. “I keep thinking we will slow down because of our age, and so far, it hasn’t happened,” Mike said with a chuckle.
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