Business Focus: Texas Legends Steakhouse

Leah Lamp October 1, 2015

Photos by K2 Images

Whether it’s date night or dinner out with the family, you can’t beat Texas Legends Steakhouse for cozy dining with a Texas flair. The restaurant offers a casual, family-friendly dining experience. Located on the square in the heart of Madisonville, Texas Legends Steakhouse has a distinct small town flavor and is known as one of the best steakhouses around.

The name “Texas Legends” is perfect for this family-owned restaurant. Owner Ashley Hull is a Texas history buff and has decorated the dining room with items that bring to mind the rich history of our state, such as the many battle flags of Texas that hang on the walls. The menu is also uniquely Texan, featuring tender, wood-grilled steaks and country favorites including chicken fried steak, seafood, and burgers. Ashley manages the kitchen, while his wife Melissa manages the front of the restaurant. They have four boys (aged 5 to 15) who all chip in, making this a true family-operated business. Ashley says, “I always wanted a family business, with my kids and my wife working by my side.”

Ashley’s great-grandfather was an apprentice butcher in Germany. When he came to America as a young man, he worked in his community trading butchering jobs for meat for his family. That skill was then handed down from generation to generation. With that knowledge and over 20 years experience in the restaurant business, it was only natural that Ashley establish his own restaurant. He found the perfect location in downtown Madisonville and opened the doors to Texas Legends Steakhouse in 2010. When asked what makes his restaurant different, Ashley said, “We believe in great customer service, and we do our best to provide the highest quality of food. Everything here is fresh.”

Reminiscing on those early days, Ashley states, “We had a high school kid come in and write down my recipes as I cooked. It was to provide some consistency. I knew how to cook, but I had nothing on paper.” The boy spent many hours in the kitchen, watching and writing everything down as Ashley prepared the dishes served in the dining room. When asked about the most challenging part of the restaurant business, Ashley and Melissa both agree it’s the employees. “Our employees are like family. It’s the hardest part of the job, but the best part—they are our greatest asset. When you work with someone 70 to 80 hours a week, you become close.” The Hull’s 15 year-old son also works in the restaurant washing dishes.

One of the more interesting aspects of the steakhouse is its Texas grill. It was originally built in Mesquite, Texas (which is perfect, since they burn mesquite wood in it to give their meat the perfect flavor). Ashley found it in Illinois though, in a Mongolian BBQ restaurant, of all places. “Now, it’s back home in Texas where it belongs. It’s home and happy to be here,” he said. He regularly takes his boys out to help chop wood to use in the grill.

The restaurant website boasts, “Our steaks are so tender, we wonder how the cow ever walked!” While definitely known for their steaks, the menu offers up many other delicious options. There is a monthly rotation of special menu items offered, depending on what is fresh and available. July featured a “picnic” menu with a 50/50 burger (half bacon, half sirloin), complete with a homemade hamburger bun. There were also homemade hotdogs and fresh ground sausage. October is Mushroomfest and brings to the table crab-stuffed portabella, fried mushrooms, sizzling mushrooms, and more. “We go mushroom crazy,” says Ashley. November will feature oysters and seafood.

Not only does Texas Legends Steakhouse offer amazing food in a charming and down-home atmosphere, Ashley and Melissa also put a real emphasis on hospitality. From their family to yours, they try to treat each customer like one of their own. Stop in for a great meal, but be sure to bring a friend and a Texas-sized appetite.