County of wheels: Franklin County
Location of wheels: Aroy Dr., N. of MO-100, near Wal*Mart, Colton's Restaurant, Washington
Phone: (636) 432-0006
Since the main motif is a western atmosphere, they also serve a mean Mexican menu. Kids eat free every Monday...and the steaks are outstanding.
"In 1996, a group of entrepreneurs and restaurateurs put together their combined total of over sixty years of successful restaurant and real estate experience to develop a concept that later became Colton's Steak House & Grill. Their vision was to open a steak house anyone could walk into and feel at home, have fun, relax, eat delicious food, and enjoy excellent service in an atmosphere with the feel of the "American West."
"Once the concept was completed, they formed what would eventually become Colton's Restaurant Group Inc. (CRG), the franchisor of the concept. In August 1996, the first location opened its doors in Conway, Arkansas.
"It wasn't long before the second restaurant opened in Searcy, AR. As the sixth Colton's opened, a new corporate operating partner came on the scene: Hand Cut Steaks, Inc. (HCS). During HCS's primary expansion period, the President, CEO and cofounder of CRG was President, CEO and cofounder of HCS. HCS currently operates seven of the thirty-seven Colton's.
"Today, all CSHG restaurants operate as franchises, with locations in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The current owners of CRG also own an interest in over half of the Colton's now in operation.
"With a broad menu offering exceptional food and service, with a casual Western atmosphere, the group accomplished what they set out to do, and they continue to build and grow the Colton's concept." ~ Conton's web page ~ About Us
The Legend of J.T. Colton:
"J.T. Colton was a Texas Ranger in the late 1800's with a passion for big steaks and playing poker. J.T. was a friend, fellow lawman and gambling buddy of Sheriff Matthew Dillon. Matt owned a steakhouse and gambling hall in Dodge City, Kansas, called Dillon's Tin Star Saloon. When J.T. wasn't chasing desperados in Texas, he spent most of his time in Dodge City, playing cards at Dillon's and trying to tell Matt how to run things.
"Legend has it that J.T. proceeded to win the Tin Star Saloon from Matt in a four-day poker game that took place in a back room at Dillon's between J.T., Matt, a guy named Holiday and several other gamblers of questionable character. There was speculation that Matt lost on purpose because he was tired of J.T. telling him how to run his business.
"J.T. promptly gave up being a lawman, changed the name of Dillon's Tin Star Saloon to Coltons Steak House and Grill, and spent the rest of his days cooking up the best steaks east of the Rockies. In his later years, he returned to Texas where he opened a Colton's in his hometown of Moose River. J.T.'s legend lives on to this day, as well as his secret to cooking the juiciest, most tender steaks around." ~ Conton's Steak House