The Texas Roadhouse staff is excited about the new location in Northfield. Left to right: Bry Dunlap, Taylor Snyder, Brittany Nocera, Ruben Amador and managing partner Becca Anderson.

The restaurant artist paid tribute to Stapleton’s history in this painting of the old runway that ran over I-70 when it was Stapleton airport.

Texas Roadhouse, which opened on April 27 in Northfield, serves up country-Western-style fun along with its Texas-size helpings of comfort food.

“We want to be the friendliest place in town,” said Becca Anderson, managing partner. “We’re a fun, lively and casual place with country music on the jukebox. Our servers line dance through the restaurant every hour or so and sometimes diners join them—especially kids. We love our jobs.”

Northfield will be the restaurant’s 15th Colorado location. The new 7,200-square-foot space is east of  Bass Pro on the road that loops around Northfield.

Don’t look for health food here. “Our specialties are hand-cut steaks and fall-off-the-bone ribs,” said Anderson. “You can always taste the difference between Cryovac-wrapped steaks and steaks that are hand-cut that day.All our sides are made from scratch in-house each day, and fresh bread comes out of the oven every five minutes. People come in just for our fresh bread or cinnamon-butter rolls, or for a great margarita.

“Health food is not our focus but we offer options like chicken, seafood, salads, salmon and veggies. We offer a ‘gluten-friendly’ menu, however these items are not necessarily gluten free because our dishes are made from scratch and cross-contact with allergens can occur.”

Anderson started with Texas Roadhouse 10 years ago as a server, service manager and kitchen manager, before getting promoted to managing partner. “I’ve worked every position, from dishwashing to meat-cutting to bar-tending. I can help and support our people however they need,” she said.

Anderson said she likes working for Texas Roadhouse because the company cares about its employees and gets involved in the community. “Our culture is about treating staff like family and giving back to the community. Our team members volunteer for the Boys and Girls Clubs and Denver food banks. We conduct food drives and donate food to homeless shelters. We’ll have a ‘dress rehearsal’ before we open to the public, and donate all our food and beverage sales to the National MS Society and Young People in Recovery [helps with recovery from addictions].”

Although it’s part of a national chain, Northfield’s Texas Roadhouse reflects the Stapleton community, Anderson said. “The atmosphere is country-Western, with lots of wood, brick and cactuses. The murals are specific to Northfield, including photos of the old Stapleton Airport.”

The décor also includes peanut shells on the floor. “There’s a bucket of peanuts on every table and diners can throw the shells on the floor,” said Anderson.

Texas Roadhouse started in 1993 in Clarksville, Ind., and has 485 locations nationwide, including restaurants in Taiwan, Kuwait and Dubai. “Dubai is the busiest restaurant in the company,” Anderson said.

Texas Roadhouse, 8470 E. Northfield Blvd., will be open Mon. through Thurs., 4–10pm.; Fri., 4–11pm; Sat., 12–11pm and Sun., 11am–10pm. For more information, call 303.371.7427 or see www.texasroadhouse.com.