Midweek steak night an 11th Street staple

Hump Day, or Wednesday, is a very important time for the legendary 11th Street Cowboy Bar, said owner James McGroarty.

“We have had this midweek steak and meat grill event for more than 17 years, and it just grows with people coming from all over the world just to grill their meat and have a good time,” he said

For the evening’s festivities, customers bring their own steaks or other meats and toss it on to one of the giant grills while visiting with other people at the grill.

“When people cook around a fire or grill with hot coals, they connect and it creates friendship,” McGroarty said.

The bar offers additional food like baked potato for $8.00.

Spices and cooking utensils are available free of charge.

“We will have about 300 people tonight at the grilling area, and in March we will get up to 850 people at this event, mostly snow bird seniors,” the 11th Street Cowboy Bar owner said on Wednesday, July 21.

McGroarty credits the mid-week steak nights for helping the bar grow to the size it is.

He explained that about 17 years ago, small potluck events started on Wednesdays at the bar.

As potlucks grew and people wanted more ambiance 11th Street Cowboy Bar provided something akin to a campfire to improve the atmosphere.

Over time, that “atmosphere” fire evolved into the current coal fires in the giant grills.

McGroarty said the steak and meat grill event has been so popular “it helped us develop from a backstreet bar to an event center.”

Among the hundreds of people at the steak and meat grill event last Wednesday, mostly seniors, were the Leaky Roadrunners.

The senior couples group said Wednesday’s event is one of their favorite, and they also make new friends every time they come.

The Roadrunners included John and Sandi Patrick, Chip and Cheryl Rhodes, David and Tamela Weber, Johnnie and Debbie Jackson, and Ed and Carol Mack.

For more information about the 11th Street Cowboy Bar Wednesday event call 830-796-4849 or go to 11thstreetcowboybar.com.