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Our Story

From its humble beginnings as a 10-seat diner known as the Texas Tavern in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Texas Inn has won numerous awards for our chili and hot dogs, as well as been featured on many TV shows.

Founded in 1935, we are best known for our secret chili recipe, delicious homemade relish, and our signature sandwich — the Western.

We now have three locations to serve you: 422 Main St. (Downtown Lynchburg), 110 Cornerstone St. (Lynchburg), & 95 S. Main St. (Downtown Harrisonburg).

Founded by Nick Bullington, a Ringling Brothers’ Circus advance man, the Texas Inn has been serving “1,500 people, 15 at a time,” since The Great Depression. Legend has it that Bullington paid a San Antonio, Texas chef a whopping $5 for the chili recipe in 1927. We still use that ORIGINAL recipe for our chili and our delicious golden relish.

Proudly owned by the Saunders family, including two JMU grads. #GoDukes

Thank you for your patronage! Y’all come back!


T-Room Fun Facts

We served almost 400,000 Cheesy Westerns in 2022.

We are the nation’s #1 seller of Jesse Jones’ Southern Style Hot Dogs.

We sold more than 30,000 quarts of relish in 2022.

We sold more than 100,000 gallons of chili in 2022.