I just took my family to Texas Roadhouse restaurant (3910 W College Ave., Appleton, 920-738-7427). WOW! This is now my current choice for "Best Service and Best Buy for Steak" in the Fox Cities area.

After two experiences there, I have to say that I am really impressed with the food, the service, and the business model of this growing national chain. This restaurant is designed to feed people well and keep them happy. The meat was tender and delicious, and none of us felt any temptation to dump steak sauce on our food. And I don't know of a steakhouse with better prices. My wife, for example, had one of the least expensive items, a $6.99 6-ounce sirloin that included two side dishes (she chose chili and green beans) plus their rolls - and it was delightful and left her full. She got quite a bargain! Not including the tip, the bill for four of us was $42, and we carried some food home. My 16-year-old son and I shared a large 18-ounce T-bone steak for $18.99, and my other son had son enjoyed a $13.99 barbecue combo platter with steak and chicken. All tender and delicious, not overcooked. And we really enjoyed the side dishes as well. The chili, like all their side dishes, was made on site from fresh ingredients, not canned. The salad was fine, their green beans were wonderfully flavored, and the sweet potato was to die for - well maybe not die, but it's at least worth a mild stroke. The baked beans also impressed my youngest son - thick and well seasoned.

Since Texas Roadhouse is fun, delicious and inexpensive, the place is popular and often busy. If you're smart, you'll call before you get there to let them know you're coming. They'll put you on the wait list as if you had just walked in the door - you can do this for up to an hour before you arrive. On a Friday or Saturday, there might be 20 to 40 minutes wait, so it's good to call first. This worked out perfectly for us tonight. But if you do have to wait, don't worry. They have a waiting room where you can eat all the salted peanuts in shells that you want, and you can just throw the shells on the floor. I guess that's supposed to be Texas style, but we Midwestern folk seem to get the hand of that right away.

Also, while we were waiting, a girl came around with free samples of their delicious onion rings and dip for people to try. Free peanuts, a sample of food, friendly greeters at the door - I like this business model: they work hard to keep you happy. Part of their secret is having lots of energetic and friendly employees. Even though the place was packed, we received a lot of personal attention from several staff members. Amazing service. Shortly after we were seated, we were brought wonderfully delicious fresh-baked rolls. Yum! We ate them in a hurry, so they brought us more. We placed our orders and were served surprisingly quickly. Water was regularly replenished - with nice tall glasses that lasted longer than the water at most places. (One of many small details that shows their management has worked hard to optimize their system.)

My first time there, I had dinner there with a couple of patent lawyers early on a weeknight when it wasn't too busy (and still pretty new to Appleton). Perhaps it's a bit too rowdy for a business dinner, but it was mighty fun with excellent food at surprisingly low prices. My Dallas steak was outstanding and the homemade rolls were great, but my favorite part of the meal was a side dish, yes, their baked sweet potato that was covered with brown sugar and topped with half-melted marshmallows. They gave me some cinnamon at my request. It was huge, superb, and better than almost any dessert I've had - but I'm quite partial to sweet potatoes. (My years in the South may be to blame.)

Texas Roadhouse is next to Woodfield Suites on College Avenue, just east of Highway 41. 3910 W College Ave, Appleton. To get there from College Avenue, you need to go about 40 yards north on Blue Mound and turn left (west) into the parking area that leads to Woodfield Suites and also Appleby's. And be sure to call ahead to get your name on the wait list before you arrive: (920) 738-7427.

P.S. After seeing how popular they have become and learning more about this business, I looked into the stock (TXRH) as a potential investment and was impressed enough that I actually bought a few shares. Jim Cramer recommended it recently as a great investment, and their future growth prospects look bright. Plus my recent visits have shown me that management has implemented a tremendous business model that really pleases customers. If you're into stocks, check it out - or as I told my family, "stake out the stock, then stock up on steak." But in spite of my small recent financial interest in this company, I would be praising them anyway, as I was already doing on my Appleton page after my first visit there, before I had any idea that they were a publicly traded company.