At the end of last year, Texas Steakhouse launched our first Letters to the Troops campaign, and thanks to you it was a huge success. With the help of a wonderful organization called A Million Thanks, we delivered nearly 2,500 letters of support and appreciation to troops all over the world, just in time for Christmas.

Now, I’m happy to announce our new Letters to the Troops initiative, which will kick off this Saturday as part of our Armed Forces Day celebration. This time around, we plan to deliver all of the letters in time to wish our troops a happy Fourth of July – and we need your help to beat last year’s total.

You can post your message to our Facebook page, or leave it with your server when you dine at any Texas Steakhouse. We even have crayons and an eagle for the kids (and adults) to color and create their own message.

Without a doubt, Letters to the Troops is a very rewarding project for all of us here at Texas. We’re very proud to be a part of this effort, and because many of us have family or friends who’ve served, we understand how important it is to recognize the sacrifices they make.

So please join us this Saturday as we celebrate Armed Forces Day, and help us send a Texas-sized “Thank You” to the brave men and women who serve and protect our country.

Sincerely,

John Madren, District Manager

Texas Steakhouse

The next time you enjoy a meal at Texas Steakhouse, visit SteakhouseSurvey.com and enter the survey code printed at the bottom of your receipt. You’ll be asked three short questions about your visit, and then you’ll be automatically entered into our random monthly drawing to win a $500 Gas Card*. If your name is chosen, we’ll also give your server a Gas Card worth $250.

Unlike comment cards or other feedback methods, our online survey, powered by Qore Analytics, allows us to review and reply to every guest right then and there, so if there’s a service issue we can address it and correct it immediately.

Each of our stores receives their own guest satisfaction score based on your feedback, and raising the “Qore Score” has become a point of friendly competition among our team members. Most importantly, Qore gives us a very detailed picture of how we can improve our guest experience – and the more responses we get, the clearer it is.

So the next time you enjoy a meal at Texas Steakhouse, please take a few minutes to tell us how we’re doing. You’ll be entered to win a $500 Gas Card while helping us serve you even better.

We look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!

Sincerely,

George Crane, Chief Operations Officer

Texas Steakhouse

*No purchase necessary. See complete rules and details at www.SteakhouseSurvey.com.

I’m a general contractor, and my crew stops by Texas Steakhouse for lunch about once or twice a week. They like to give me a hard time because I always order the same thing. The Ribeye Sandwich. In fact, I get it so often, the server doesn’t even have to take my order anymore. She just smiles and asks if I’m getting “the usual.”

One time, one of the guys asked me why I always order the Ribeye Sandwich. I told him it’s because it’s the next best thing to a steak dinner. The sandwich itself is huge, and with a side of Red Bliss Mashed Potatoes, there’s plenty enough food to tide me over until suppertime.

At any rate, on behalf of our whole crew, I’d like to say thanks for everything you do. We love stopping by Texas Steakhouse for lunch because you all always treat us right. We really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

Big Dave

New Bern, NC

Like a lot of folks, I come to Texas Steakhouse for one thing: steak. Mostly I order the New York Strip or the Marshal Dillon Ribeye, but now and then I’ll get the Filet Mignon.

Anyway, my wife and I visited your Beckley restaurant last night, and as soon as we sat down, a server carried a sizzling Iron Skillet past our booth. It looked (and sounded) so good, we didn’t even look at the menu. We both had to try it.

My wife got the grilled chicken skillet, and I ordered the Texas Skillet with the sirloin, grilled chicken and blackened shrimp. Both were great. The meat was seasoned and prepared perfectly, and the vegetables were sautéed just right. Not soggy or overcooked.

Long story short, we might have a new favorite!

I never send these types of emails, but I just wanted to say thanks for doing such a great job. You all really know how to bring the flavor. Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Dallas K.

The patty alone weighs in at ten ounces, and once we add two slices of melted American Cheese and smother it in our spicy Texas Chili, you can’t even get your hands around it. It’s so big, we serve it open face, and you need a knife and a fork to eat it!

I always get a kick out of watching guests’ eyes get big when they see it coming. It really is a hungry man’s dream, and a lot of ladies love it, too.

So if you love great burgers and great chili (and who doesn’t), come on down and try our Texas Chili Burger. Just make sure to you bring your appetite.

Sincerely,

Stephen Powell, General Manager

Texas Steakhouse &Saloon, Staunton, VA

Our Homemade Baked Mac n’ Cheese was just introduced in December, but it’s already become one of our top most-ordered Side Kicks. That’s no ordinary accomplishment for a new dish, but then again, this isn’t any ordinary macaroni and cheese.

Our Homemade Baked Mac n’ Cheese is made with the best ingredients and then slow baked for a rich, cheesy flavor that beats the boxed stuff any day. The kids love it, and I’ve heard more than one guest say that they crave it! Needless to say, we couldn’t be happier with all of the positive responses.

If you’re used to the “fast” macaroni, I’d like to invite you to step outside the box and try our new Homemade Baked Mac n’ Cheese tonight.

Sincerely,

Dave Kitzmiller, General Manager

Texas Steakhouse & Saloon, Winchester, VA

It’s hard to believe Christmas is here again, but it seems to come sooner every year. Still, as we enjoy this special season and wind down another year, we’re given a great opportunity to look back on the past while looking forward to the year ahead. With that, I’m happy to say that Texas Steakhouse had a great 2011, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Throughout 2011, the Texas team spent a lot of time looking for ways create value and enhance your overall guest experience. We introduced several delicious new dishes like the Texas Chili Burger, Chicken Tender Salad and Texas Chuck Roast. We also launched the Texas Steakhouse mobile app and Digital Spurs program, which allows guests to enjoy all of the perks of Gold Spurs’ membership right from their smartphone.

2011 also proved a great year for Texas Steakhouse’s efforts to support America’s men and women in uniform, as we surpassed $35,000 in total donations for the Wounded Warrior Project. And our first-ever Letters to the Troops campaign exceeded our expectations, collecting more than 2,850 cards, emails and messages of support for our heroes at home and abroad.

There’s so much more I could mention, but I’ll just close by saying that, thanks to you, 2011 has been one of the best yet for Texas Steakhouse. On behalf of our entire Texas family, I want to offer my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. We look forward to serving you in 2012!

Sincerely,

Terry Smith. President

Texas Steakhouse

To assist Hannah’s Place, our Roanoke Rapids’ Texas Steakhouse is selling $1.00 Holiday donation cards. The money raised will then be used to purchase toys for the children of Hannah’s Place. On Saturday, December 17th, the families will visit Texas Steakhouse to unwrap their toys and enjoy some delicious baked goods.

Our goal is to raise $1,000 to support this wonderful organization. We also hope that the fundraiser will raise awareness of domestic violence and spotlight organizations like Hannah’s Place. So if you live in our around our Roanoke Rapids location, please stop in before December 17th and donate one dollar to support this important cause.

Read more about the collection in this story from RRSPIN, Roanoke Rapids news.

With your help we collected nearly 2,500 letters to ship to the troops through the A Million Thanks program. It has been incredible for everyone here at Texas Steakhouse &Saloon to get to work on this project. Thank you so much.

Here are a few images from along the way and a few of our favorites letters:

Dear Soldier,
This week I am training for my black belt and my mind is whirling around what I have to do on the physical part of my test. But it doesn’t compare to the physical things you all do on a daily basis. I realized that this morning when I sat down to rest, you guys don’t get that chance. I admire every one of you and pray for you where ever you all end up. It’s an amazing thing you have given me and my family, the ability to train and do what every extra curricular activity we so chose. Thank you for all you have done and will do in the future.
God Bless,
Christina Rogers Phillips

Thank you so much for the sacrifices you are making to ensure that America remains a free and protected country. I thank God for my freedom and know that it is not to be taken for granted. You and your families are so generous in giving to serve the greatest country of all. We have our problems and things sometimes are too focused on the negatives, but I try to step back daily and realize that my freedom is being ensured and watched over by America’s finest.
Thank you for the job you do. May god bless and protect you and your families.
Karen Jordan

Ways for you send your thanks:

1. Post your message of encouragement to our Texas Steakhouse & Saloon Facebook wall by December 5th.

2. Email us your letter to TXletters@gmail.com by December 5th.

We’ll print out your Facebook messages and emails and make sure they are delivered for distribution to our troops.

3. Deliver a written letter or card to your nearest Texas Steakhouse. All cards and letters must be delivered to our restaurants by December 1st in order for them to be delivered in time.

Click to enlarge letters

Thank you for your help, we look forward to sharing your words of support and encouragement with the service men and women who dedicate their lives to serving us!