Texas Tavern

Texas Tavern is a restaurant and cultural icon in Roanoke, Virginia.
History.
Opened in 1930 by Issac N. (Nick) Bullington, Bullington was the advance man for the Ringling Brothers Circus and traveled ahead of the circus to book shows. While in San Antonio, Texas, Bullington discovered a chile recipe that inspired his opening of the restaurant. Bullington settled down in Roanoke and opened the restaurant in the parking lot of Thurman and Boone Furniture store on Church Ave. The Bullingtons have passed ownership down through the family and when Nick Bullington passed in 1942, his son James G. became the owner. James G. passed ownership to his son James N, who passed ownership to his son, James Matthew Bullington, in February of 2005. The later Bullington owns and operates the store today.
Culture.
Many famous individuals have visited Texas Tavern including Harry Connick, Jr., U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Kevin Costner, and many others. Pence was heckled at Texas Tavern, creating media buzz about his likability.