For decades, Texas Roadhouse was known for buckets of free roasted peanuts at the door and shells all over the floor. Many restaurants still offer peanuts, but the tradition has changed.
Why Texas Roadhouse Has Peanuts
Free peanuts fit the chain's Texas roadhouse theme: something salty to snack on while you wait for a table or your food. Tossing the shells on the floor was part of the fun and the "roadhouse" feel.
Can You Still Throw Peanut Shells on the Floor?
At most restaurants, no. Around 2020 many locations moved from open buckets to individually bagged peanuts handed out on request, and throwing shells on the floor is discouraged. Texas Roadhouse has not published a single official reason, but reporters point to:
- Food safety: open shared buckets were replaced during the pandemic.
- Slips and falls: shells on the floor led to lawsuits from guests who slipped.
- Allergies: shelling peanuts spreads peanut dust in the air.
Practices still vary by restaurant, some keep buckets, others only bags on request.
Peanut Allergy? Read This First
Peanuts may be present in the dining room even if you do not see a bucket. If you or your child has a severe peanut allergy:
- Call the restaurant before you go and ask how it serves peanuts.
- Tell your server about the allergy when you sit down.
- Ask about cross-contact for anything fried or made with sauces.
On every menu item page (for example the Ft. Worth Ribeye) we list "Peanuts: not an ingredient, peanuts are in the dining room" in the allergen table. See the full Texas Roadhouse allergen guide.
Are the Peanuts Free?
Yes. Where offered, peanuts are free for dine-in guests, just ask your server or the host.
Other Free Things at Texas Roadhouse
The rolls with honey cinnamon butter are free and refilled when you dine in. Each roll has about 200 calories. More in what to know before going to Texas Roadhouse.
