Texas Roadhouse Steak Restaurant Plans to Open at Former Macaroni Grill Location

The Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain is planning to open a brand new steakhouse on Route 35 in Holmdel in July, according to company spokesman Travis Doster. 

The restaurant known for its sirloin steaks, ribs and 15 varieties of Margaritas has acquired a liquor license but has not yet come before the Holmdel Planning Board for approval to tear down an existing restaurant at 2105 Route 35 so that they can build their own 7,000 square foot eatery to seat 250 guests. That address is the site of the long-vacant Asahi Japanese restaurant -- and before that, Romano's Macaroni Grill. It is located next to Chili's Mexican Restaurant. 

"We are just an energetic, great place," said Doster, who said the Roadhouse is "proud to be loud." The jukebox plays upbeat country music, the waiters may break into impromptu line dancing, and someone celebrating a birthday may take a turn on the mechanical horse saddle. Everyone gets all-you-can-eat hot baked bread with honey-cinnamon butter and the free buckets of peanuts. It's okay to toss the shells on the ground. 

Texas Roadhouse restaurants are distinctive because they are only open for dinner on the weekdays, from 4 to 10 p.m. "So that employees can spend time with their families during the day," said Doster.  On the weekends, the restaurant opens at noon for lunch and dinner service. It typically closes at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night.  

There are 410 Texas Roadhouse restaurants in the US, and the Kentucky-based company opens around 25 more each year. The nearest one opened three years ago and is located in the Gateway Shopping Center in Old Bridge at 1000 Route 9 and Ernston Road, at the site of the Old Country Buffet. Other restaurant locations are in Turnersville and Hamilton. 

Employment opportunities will likely be advertised 8 weeks before opening on the company website, Doster said. He estimated that there would be a need to hire 200 staff members, about 60 percent of whom would be part-time, and 40 percent full time management. 

In addition to the expected positions for hosts, waiters, and kitchen cooks will be opportunities for butchers, as the restaurant hand-cuts its meat to order. They will also be hiring bakers, because fresh bread is produced every 15 minutes.