Arlington Steak House
A historic Arlington, Texas restaurant that began as the Triangle Inn and later operated as the Arlington Steak House.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Arlington Steak House was a historic restaurant in Arlington, Texas, with origins dating to 1931. The business was established as the Triangle Inn and developed a reputation for traditional American food, particularly chicken-fried steak, pit barbecue, and hot rolls. Over time, its menu expanded to include Mexican dishes and seafood, reflecting the broadening menu typical of an established American casual-dining restaurant. The property also had a connection to Arlington's Prohibition-era nightlife. Its second floor reportedly operated as a speakeasy and gambling venue during Prohibition. The restaurant stood near Top O' Hill Terrace, an illegal casino whose patrons sometimes continued their evenings at the Triangle Inn for meals and card games. This association became an important part of the site's historical identity. In 1953, the restaurant changed ownership and was renamed Arlington Steak House. The new name emphasized its steakhouse positioning while the business continued to serve a wider range of American and regional dishes. For decades, the restaurant remained a local institution and was recognized as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Arlington at the time of its preservation activities. Lynn and Dick Brink purchased the restaurant in 2012 and undertook restoration work on the building. In 2014, the Arlington Landmark Preservation Commission awarded the property a medallion, recognizing its historic significance. The designation reflected both the restaurant's longevity and its association with the city's early commercial and entertainment history. The restaurant's independent operation ended in 2015, when it was purchased by Jambo's BBQ and converted into another Jambo's location. Arlington Steak House is therefore best understood as a defunct local restaurant brand and historic property rather than a continuing multi-location steakhouse chain. Its legacy rests on its long operating history, preserved building, traditional menu, and ties to Arlington's Prohibition-era restaurant and gambling culture.
History
Arlington Steak House originated in 1931 as the Triangle Inn in Arlington, Texas. From its early years, the restaurant served substantial American food, including chicken-fried steak, pit barbecue, and hot rolls. The menu later broadened with Mexican dishes and seafood, giving the establishment a wider regional restaurant profile than its eventual steakhouse name alone suggests. The property acquired additional historical importance during the Prohibition era. Its second floor functioned as a speakeasy and gambling establishment, while the restaurant was located near Top O' Hill Terrace, an illegal casino. Customers from Top O' Hill Terrace reportedly visited the Triangle Inn afterward for food and card games. These associations connected the restaurant to Arlington's early entertainment economy and later became part of the site's heritage narrative. In 1953, new owners acquired the business and renamed it Arlington Steak House. The renamed restaurant continued as a long-running local dining establishment, retaining its links to traditional Texas and American cooking. Its longevity eventually made it a notable part of Arlington's local commercial history. Lynn and Dick Brink bought the restaurant in 2012 and restored the building. The restoration preserved a property with both architectural and social-history significance. In 2014, the Arlington Landmark Preservation Commission granted the restaurant a medallion. At that time, it was recognized as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Arlington. The restaurant's independent identity ended in 2015. Jambo's BBQ purchased the property and converted it into another Jambo's location. As a result, Arlington Steak House is now a defunct restaurant brand and former historic venue. Its documented importance comes from its continuous local presence over many decades, its Prohibition-era use as a speakeasy and gambling site, its traditional menu, and the preservation efforts undertaken before its conversion.
- 2015
Conversion into a Jambo's BBQ location
[1]Jambo's BBQ purchased the restaurant and converted the site into another Jambo's location.
- 2014
Historic recognition
[1]The Arlington Landmark Preservation Commission awarded the restaurant a medallion.
- 2012
Purchased and restored by Lynn and Dick Brink
[1]Lynn and Dick Brink acquired the restaurant and restored its historic building.
- 1953
Renamed Arlington Steak House
[1]New owners purchased the restaurant and changed its name from Triangle Inn to Arlington Steak House.
- 1931
Triangle Inn founded
[1]The restaurant opened in Arlington, Texas, under the name Triangle Inn.
Prohibition-era speakeasy and gambling operation
[1]The building's second floor operated as a speakeasy and gambling establishment during Prohibition, with reported connections to nearby Top O' Hill Terrace.
Products and positioning
A historic Texas casual-dining restaurant centered on steakhouse fare, barbecue, and traditional American cooking, with additional Mexican and seafood offerings.
American main course
Chicken-fried steak
Chicken-fried steak was one of the restaurant's best-known traditional American offerings and helped define its Texas-style casual-dining identity.
Barbecue
Pit barbecue
Pit barbecue formed another core part of the restaurant's menu, complementing its steakhouse and broader American comfort-food positioning.
Mexican-inspired restaurant fare
Mexican dishes
The restaurant later added Mexican dishes, expanding beyond its original American and barbecue offerings.
Seafood
Seafood
Seafood was added as part of the restaurant's broader menu, giving customers alternatives to steaks, chicken-fried steak, and barbecue.
Brand decisions
2015
Sale and conversion to Jambo's BBQM&ABackground
After decades as a local restaurant, Arlington Steak House was acquired by the barbecue operator Jambo's BBQ.
Action taken
Jambo's BBQ purchased the restaurant and converted the site into another Jambo's location.
Aftermath
The Arlington Steak House brand ceased operating as an independent restaurant.
2012
Historic restoration after acquisitionStrategyBackground
Lynn and Dick Brink acquired a long-running restaurant housed in a historically significant building.
Action taken
The Brinks restored the building while continuing the restaurant's historic identity.
Aftermath
The restoration supported later recognition by Arlington's landmark preservation authorities.
1953
Renaming from Triangle Inn to Arlington Steak HouseStrategyBackground
After a change in ownership, the long-running Triangle Inn adopted a name that more directly emphasized its steakhouse identity.
Action taken
The business was renamed Arlington Steak House.
Aftermath
The new name became the restaurant's principal identity for the remainder of its independent operation.
Sources1 sources
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