The vacant Joe's Crab Shack along I-35 is about to get a lot louder. North Texas sports bar brand Rowdy Cowboy is riding into Round Rock on March 13, opening its first Central Texas outpost with a wall-to-wall game-day setup, a deep tap list, and more TVs than some electronics stores.
As reported by Community Impact, Rowdy Cowboy will open on March 13 at 2401 S. I-35. The Round Rock address marks the brand's first Central Texas location, and a regional manager told the outlet the team is "incredibly excited" to join the local dining scene.
What the Round Rock outpost will offer
Rowdy Cowboy highlights 32 cold beers on tap and 64 "Texas-size" TVs for the Round Rock build, positioning the place as a sports-first bar where the screens and drinks do most of the talking. The menu is set to mirror the chain's Grapevine and The Colony locations, with burgers, wings, steaks, and pizzas anchoring the food lineup.
The brand leans into a loud, game-focused vibe, a broad drink program, and event nights tailored around big matchups. That formula is what owners are banking on to draw both casual weekday diners and full-on weekend crowds once the doors open.
Buildout and the space's past
State project filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation describe the Round Rock Rowdy Cowboy as a 7,790-square-foot restaurant remodel with an estimated price tag of $362,000 and a listed completion date of March 1, 2026. Community Impact previously noted that the building most recently housed Joe's Crab Shack, which closed its Round Rock location in September 2024.
Why it matters for local fans
Owner Kevin Richardson told What Now Austin that the Round Rock spot is meant to kick off a broader push into the Greater Austin market, with the goal of offering "a premier sports bar experience" for local crowds.
The timing also lines up neatly with the baseball calendar. The opening comes ahead of the Round Rock Express home opener on March 31, giving local baseball fans one more nearby option for pregame and postgame food and drinks, according to a release from the Round Rock Express.
