This Texas Roadhouse Loaded Side Dish Outshines The Steak And Ribs

With over 700 locations as of June 2026, it's fair to say that Texas Roadhouse has enjoyed considerable success. Given this success, one could assume that the best thing on this steak restaurant's menu would be, y'know, the steak. Failing that, you may guess it was the franchise's signature fall-off-the-bone ribs. Surprisingly, both of these were outshined by a Texas Roadhouse side dish that is anything but flashy — the loaded baked potato.

In Tasting Table's ranking of 12 popular Texas Roadhouse menu items, the loaded baked potato ascended to the number-three spot, leaving the sirloin steak at number six and the ribs languishing at number nine. Our critic urged readers not to dismiss this baked potato as boring, before ticking off its plentiful virtues. "The exterior of the spud is rubbed with oil and salt before it enters the oven, making the skin more than just a fibrous afterthought," our correspondent wrote. The interior was equally pleasing, being fluffy in texture and well seasoned in taste. 

"Even plain, this would be the best potato side dish at Texas Roadhouse by a country mile, but the toppings make it truly special," our critic went on. While acknowledging that the toppings featured were pretty standard fare for a loaded baked potato — mild cheddar, bacon bits, and sour cream — Tasting Table's tester argued: "Food clichés become set in stone because they work, and this loaded baked potato hits all the right notes."

This loaded baked potato doesn't just stand out when poised against Texas Roadhouse menu items. Tasting Table recognized it for delivering "consistency at a budget price" in our best-to-worst ranking of steakhouse chain baked potatoes, in which it took the number-six spot. The Texas Roadhouse tuber also won a place on our list of the 10 best steakhouse chain potato side dishes, thanks to the abundant praise it has received from customers online. Responding to an Instagram post from the official Texas Roadhouse account, saying "It's hard to believe our Loaded Baked Potato is just a side," one Instagram user replied simply, "Lord I'm in love."

If you're unable to visit one of the restaurants yourself, but would still like to tuck into the next best thing, the good news is that the Texas Roadhouse loaded baked potato can be recreated at home with only four ingredients. It probably won't come as a surprise to learn that these are butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon (though, it doesn't hurt to have a potato). If you're feeling more adventurous, however, the sky is the limit when it comes to additional loaded baked potato toppings. These can include everything from pastrami to jalapeños and chili — the latter being an ideal opportunity to cook up our bean-free West Texas chili recipe if you want to keep your potato Lone Star style.