A planned Texas Roadhouse in Montgomery has kicked up a storm on local social media, but the owners of nearby Ransom's Steakhouse & Saloon say the project has been in the cards for years and is no betrayal. The dispute centers on a parcel just up the road from the homegrown steakhouse and has locals arguing over growth, tax revenue and whether chains will crowd out independent spots. In a detailed Facebook post, Ransom's tried to cool down the comments section and called for neighbors to lean into cooperation as the area fills in.
Ransom's Pushes Back
In its Facebook statement, Ransom's explained that it sold the land along with the developers of Buffalo Springs "knowing Texas Roadhouse was highly likely several years ago" and that the owners chose not to block that possibility, according to the Houston Chronicle. The owners emphasized that tax revenue from "a business like Texas Roadhouse" could translate into what they called "amazing opportunities" for a city the size of Montgomery, signaling that they see the tradeoff as part of responsible growth, not a sellout.
State Records Outline Timeline
Public filings on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation site list a planned Texas Roadhouse at 20360 Eva St. in Montgomery. The project entry shows a May 17, 2027 start and an October 29, 2027 completion for a 7,926-square-foot building. Records name BCS Montgomery LLC as the owner, GreenbergFarrow as the design firm and put the estimated construction cost at $1.5 million, details that suggest the project is moving into the formal permitting phase.
Owners See Opportunity, Not Annihilation
Ransom's owners told customers they expect the market to sort itself out. Some diners will likely commit to Texas Roadhouse, others will stick with Ransom's, and many will rotate between the two, a split they argue should expand rather than hollow out Montgomery's dining choices, per the Houston Chronicle. They also pointed to a wave of new rooftops on the horizon, saying that "within the next two years, 1000's of single family homes are coming to Montgomery," and urged residents to pull together as that growth reshapes the neighborhood.
How This Fits The Big Picture
The Montgomery build slots into a larger Texas Roadhouse expansion run. On its first quarter earnings call, the chain told investors it expects roughly 35 company-owned openings in 2026, as reported by Motley Fool. Recent projects from Georgetown and other suburbs show the brand moving into high-growth retail corridors, a pattern highlighted in a steak stampede on I-35.
Next Steps
With the state registration in place, site preparation and local permitting are likely next, and the TDLR timeline points to visible construction activity starting in 2027. For now, Ransom's says it plans to keep grilling for its regulars while Montgomery residents and local officials work through what the next phase of development will look like along Eva Street.
