• My family of four tried the "family pack" meal deal at Texas Roadhouse.
• For $55, we got four steaks, two sides, a dozen rolls, and a salad. It was all tasty.
• It felt like a great value, and I loved not having to eat inside a Texas Roadhouse to enjoy it.

As much as I love a good steakhouse chain like Outback and LongHorn, Texas Roadhouse has never really impressed me much.

I've always associated the chain with shell-your-own peanuts, loud music, and mediocre steak — and the few sit-down meals I've had there were just OK.

Recently, though, Texas Roadhouse's "family pack" menu caught my eye after I saw several Instagram reels from moms swearing by it. Several described the packs as a great dinnertime hack for feeding your family affordably and fast at home.

So, on a rare weekend night when my husband and two teenagers were all at home together, we picked up Texas Roadhouse's $55 sirloin-steak family pack.

Texas Roadhouse offers several different family packs for pickup or curbside orders.

There are several family packs on offer at the chain restaurant, from chicken-tender dinners to pulled-pork meals, all of which come with a salad, two shareable side dishes, and rolls with cinnamon butter.

Each is priced between $40 and $55, which seemed like a deal to me, considering the last time my party of four visited a Texas Roadhouse, a similar meal cost three times as much.

To place our order, I visited the Texas Roadhouse website on my phone, selected the meal I wanted, chose a pickup time, and paid.

Immediately after ordering, I started receiving text-message updates about the status of my order, including how to pick it up.

Later that evening, my husband got our food from Texas Roadhouse's curbside pickup. He texted his parking-space number to the restaurant and waited for our order to be brought out to his car.

The whole process was incredibly easy.

Our $55 meal came with four steaks, two sides, a salad, and rolls.

We chose the sirloin family pack for $55, which came with two 8-ounce and two 6-ounce steaks.

When I placed the order, the default cooking temperature was medium, with no option to change it. Luckily, that's how we prefer our steaks cooked anyway.

We also had to choose between a house or Caesar salad, then pick two sides from a list of mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, green beans, and seasoned rice.

Additionally, we could've paid extra to add drinks like a gallon of sweet tea or lemonade to our meal, but we stuck with the basics.

The sirloin steaks were moist and perfectly cooked.

Our four steaks were cooked perfectly with light-pink centers in line with a medium cook.

Out of curiosity, my husband checked each steak's temperature with an internal thermometer and found that each fell between the range that's considered medium, about 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

The steaks had beautiful grill marks and a perfect char-grilled flavor on the outside, while remaining moist and tender on the inside.

We all agreed these were the best steaks we've had from Texas Roadhouse.

There were plenty of side dishes to choose from.

As the mom of one picky eater and one kid who will try anything, I appreciated the number of side dishes there were to choose from, from green beans to seasoned rice.

I gladly let my kids pick since everything sounded good to me. Their choices were mashed potatoes with brown gravy and buttered corn, each was served in a huge 16-ounce portion.

Both sides were really delicious and simple. They made perfect accompaniments to our tasty steak, and we had plenty of leftovers afterward that my kids snacked on throughout the week.

My teens were thrilled by the rolls and cinnamon butter.

My kids fondly remember visits to Texas Roadhouse because of the chain's iconic cinnamon butter and golden-brown rolls.

With our family meal, we received a dozen warm rolls and a tub of cinnamon butter so large that we eventually threw half away.

My kids downed most of the rolls during our meal and loved having a few left over to warm in the microwave and slather with cinnamon butter later in the week.

The meal came with so much food that we saved the salad for the next night.

For our order, we chose the Caesar instead of the house salad since it's among my daughter's favorite foods.

It came in a 9-by-11-inch aluminum pan along with several containers of Caesar dressing. As I unpacked the meal, I suggested we use the salad for dinner the next day, since we had so much food to eat — my family agreed.

The following night, we paired it with grilled chicken I quickly whipped up to make it into a full dinner. It was a delicious meal, and I'm glad the salad kept well in the lidded aluminum tray.

The lettuce was still nice and crunchy, and the croutons were, too.

Overall, the tasty dinner fed us twice and seemed like a really great value.

When it comes to this Texas Roadhouse meal deal, I truly have no notes.

For the price, we received 32 ounces of well-cooked, sirloin steak, two pounds of side dishes, a dozen rolls, and a gigantic pan-full of salad.

The $55 price tag ($58 after tax) seemed well worth it to me. Plus, some of the other meals available, like pulled pork or pork chops, only cost $45.

I honestly enjoyed Texas Roadhouse's food way more in the privacy of my own home, away from its loud music and bustling bar scene.

I'd absolutely order this deal again to feed my family, and I'll also keep it in mind the next time I get a meal train sign-up email for someone in need.

It would be perfect for dropping off at a friend's or neighbor's house, especially since everything was packaged up so well with coordinating, air-tight lids.

The pack contained so much food that a small family could easily stretch it for a few days.

This story was originally published on September 1, 2025, and most recently updated on April 29, 2026.

• My 70-year-old grandmother has been one of my biggest fashion inspirations.
• At 23, I still draw on her lessons as I get dressed, whether I'm wearing something casual or formal.
• She's taught me that clothes should be comfortable, practical, and confidence-boosting.

In many ways, my grandmother raised me.

We spent countless days together, and her face is at the center of some of my fondest childhood memories. She's one of the greatest influences in my life, shaping everything from how I see the world to how I dress.

Even as a 23-year-old, I admire her sense of style. Throughout her life, she's built an elegant wardrobe that draws from trends without necessarily following them.

At 70 years old, she continues to inspire me. Whenever I open my wardrobe to choose an outfit, I carry one of her invaluable lessons with me.

One of her core beliefs is that accessories should add to an outfit, not overwhelm it

I love accessories, often throwing on chunky jewelry, layering bold pieces, and stacking belts on my hips. Although my grandmother appreciates outfit embellishments, she's taught me to approach them with intention. They should add to an outfit, not overpower it.

For example, she isn't afraid to incorporate a pop of color — as long as it matches her accessories, from her bag to her shoes to her belt.

She's also strategic about her jewelry, choosing pieces based on her neckline and hairstyle that day. Her go-to earrings? Versatile medium-sized hoops, which are big enough to be visible under a range of hairstyles without dominating a look.

Now, my favorite everyday earrings are silver hoops. Every time I put them on, I feel like they brighten me up.

Although I play around with maximalist, trend-forward pieces, I stick to my grandmother's rules when I want to look elegant and timeless.

She taught me that walking with confidence can upgrade an outfit

My grandmother has always told me that picking out beautiful pieces is just the first step in putting together a great outfit. The way I carry myself when I'm wearing it can make or break a look.

I have vivid memories of her instructing me to walk in a straight line with my shoulders back, stepping with one leg in front of the other. I felt like I was balancing books on my head.

Over the years, walking with confidence has become second nature, whether I'm wearing a dress and heels or a sweatsuit and sneakers. She was right: It does make my clothes look better.

Even when my grandmother has dealt with health issues that affect her movements, she's always followed her own advice, walking straight with her head held high and shoulders back.

Her wardrobe is built on staple pieces that are practical and make her feel good

My grandmother has never been one to experiment much with clothes. I'm hard-pressed to remember a time when she wasn't wearing simple garments like straight pants, sweaters, tight long-sleeve T-shirts, or loose short-sleeve T-shirts.

She found her practical, elegant style when she was in high school and stayed true to it through every stage of life.

She gravitates toward easy-to-wear pieces that move with her and fit her body well. To her, clothes are meant to be worn, so they have to look and make her feel good in order to secure a spot in her closet.

For the past five years, I've focused on emulating her wardrobe. Every item I buy has to look good, feel nice on my body, and be practical.

When she layers, she makes sure the pieces complement each other

My grandmother has taught me that layering well requires more than throwing on multiple garments and calling it a day. The pieces have to be harmonious.

She has a way of looking elegant even as she combines unlikely pieces. When she's cold, I see her drape a long wool coat over her shoulders, throw on a pair of leather gloves, and tie a silk scarf around her neck.

Her base is always simple and cohesive, creating the perfect foundation for a layered outfit.

I've never been a big fan of layering clothes, but I use the same approach when choosing accessories. I start with a plain base layer before adding small, complementary pieces. I put thought into each one and consider how it works with the overall look.

My grandmother knows that wrinkles can ruin even the most stylish outfit

Growing up, my mom often insisted that I iron my clothes — later, I learned that the advice stemmed from my grandmother, who often shared it with her when she was young.

After all, even the best outfit can look messy if it's wrinkled.

In my family, crisp lines and smooth sleeves symbolize self-respect and elegance. Now, I follow their advice and never leave the house without ironing my clothes.

• Before I had kids, I didn't put much thought or prep into my travel plans.
• A few encounters while abroad have made me change my ways now that I often have kids with me.
• I now travel with apostilled copies of their birth certificates and a letter from their father.

Before kids, I traveled the world alone with nothing more than a backpack and a worn guidebook. I rarely made plans in advance and enjoyed the spontaneity and surprises that were a part of globetrotting without much advance planning.

Once I started traveling with my children, that approach seemed irresponsible and, at times, downright dangerous. Now, I put a lot more care and thought into my trips before leaving home.

As someone who has taken my kids to 30 countries on six continents, I've found that a little advanced planning goes a long way. Here are the four steps I always take before traveling with my kids to help ensure that our trips go smoothly and that we all stay safe.

I always look up the emergency number for wherever we are.

Once, while driving in Canada with my kids, I got lost in a dark, industrial neighborhood at night. No one was around, and I started to feel uneasy, unsure if anyone was lurking in the shadows.

At home, I knew I could call 9-1-1 for assistance in an emergency. However, as my panic level started to rise, I realized I didn't know who to call for help in Canada. (I've since learned the number to dial is actually 9-1-1, but that's not the case for most other countries.)

Eventually, I found my way back to civilization, no worse for wear. However, now I always look up the emergency number to call when I land.

On a subsequent trip to Paris, an Uber began veering wildly off course. It turned out the driver had detoured due to construction, but I was glad I knew to dial 1-1-2 instead of 9-1-1 if I thought my kids were in danger.

I double-check that my health insurance covers us wherever we are going

When I was young and reckless, I assumed I would never get sick or injured, especially on a trip. In hindsight, I was remarkably lucky that I never caught more than a mild case of Montezuma's Revenge abroad.

After a health scare on a trip to Jamaica, I no longer take any chances. Midway through what was supposed to be a relaxing trip, my son developed a fever and started vomiting. The resort where we were staying called a doctor who suspected appendicitis. I panicked, wondering if our insurance would cover a pricey operation or medical evacuation.

Fortunately, my son recovered quickly with an antibiotic, but now I always double-check that our health insurance will cover us abroad, including to far-flung destinations like Antarctica. If not, I will look into buying travel insurance that will cover medical care and evacuation. Before travel, I also check that my children have all the recommended vaccines for our trip.

I always pack my children's birth certificates

My first trip abroad after becoming a mother was to a destination wedding in the Caribbean. I was allowed in easily with my infant son strapped to my chest. However, leaving was not so easy. When trying to return home, a border guard questioned me extensively, asking for proof that I was the baby's mother. I managed to convince the agent that I was indeed my son's mother, but the situation rattled me.

To avoid a similar issue, I now carry official copies of my children's birth certificates when we travel abroad. For good measure, I had the documents apostilled by the Secretary of State for Washington, DC, where they were born. An apostille is a type of verification similar to notarization, but it is recognized in more than 125 countries worldwide, making it a better choice for international travel.

Although this may seem like overkill, I have been asked for proof that my children are mine twice, once when entering the United States and once when entering the U.K. Although I likely could have proven my children are mine without these documents, I don't want to take any chances, and having them on hand made the process much easier and faster.

I get a notarized letter from my children's father stating that I have permission to travel with them

Although my husband and I are happily married, his demanding work schedule often leaves me traveling solo with our kids. On several occasions, immigration officials have asked me for proof that I had my husband's permission to take my children abroad.

Once, I was asked for the same documentation when returning to the United States. Now, I always carry a notarized letter of consent signed by my husband. I use a free template I found online and update it with the specific dates and location for every trip, then I take it to my bank to have it notarized for free before we go.

Although carrying additional documents can be a pain, I remind myself that additional paperwork is for my children's protection because it helps combat child trafficking and kidnapping.

• Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, is portraying the King of Pop in the new biopic "Michael."
• Jaafar is the son of Michael's brother, Jermaine Jackson, and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza.
• He had no dance training or acting experience before being cast in "Michael," but he did make music.

Jaafar Jackson is the buzziest new name from one of the most influential families in show business.

The 29-year-old Los Angeles native steps into the moonwalking shoes of his late uncle, Michael Jackson, in the new blockbuster biopic "Michael."

Directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day," "The Equalizer") and written by John Logan ("Gladiator," "Skyfall"), "Michael" follows Jackson's career from the Jackson 5 era in the '60s to the "Bad" era in the '80s.

The biopic has the support of the Jackson estate — but that's not the reason Michael Jackson's nephew was cast in the role.

"It wasn't about what he was saying or even his look. It was just a feeling of rightness that was so strong I couldn't ignore it," Graham King, who previously produced the Oscar-winning Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," said of meeting Jaafar during the casting process.

"I felt something a bit like it when Rami Malek walked into my office and said, 'I'd love to play Freddie Mercury,'" King told NME. "But this took it to a whole new level. There was something so spiritual about Jaafar that just talking with him about Michael got me emotional. We looked at nearly 200 actors around the globe, and no one could beat Jaafar."

Here's everything to know about Jaafar, his career, and his relationships with the Jacksons.

Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza.

Jaafar's father, Jermaine, was one of the original members of the Jackson 5, along with his brothers, Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Michael.

Jermaine was the group's second lead vocalist (Michael was first) until he left to pursue solo stardom in 1975. He was replaced by his youngest brother, Randy, and the group rebranded to The Jacksons.

Jaafar's mother, Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, was born in Colombia. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in fashion design and marketing, per her LinkedIn, and more recently launched Alejandra Jackson Designs.

Before Jermaine and Alejandra began dating, she was in a relationship with Jermaine's brother, Randy. Although they never married, Alejandra and Randy had two children together: a daughter, Genevieve, who was born in 1989, and a son, Randy Jr., born in 1992.

"Randy didn't treat me like I was the one," Alejandra told the New York Post's Stacy Brown. "I just thought that Jermaine was different, that he was more family-oriented."

Jermaine and Alejandra married on March 18, 1995, per People. They welcomed Jaafar on July 25, 1996, followed by his brother, Jermajesty, in 2000.

Jermaine filed for divorce from Alejandra in 2004. It was finalized in 2008 with Alejandra winning physical custody of Jaafar and Jermajesty, TMZ reported at the time.

Jaafar Jackson makes his acting debut portraying his famous uncle in "Michael."

"Michael" producer Graham King and casting director Kimberly Hardin conducted a worldwide search before offering the role to Jaafar, per NME.

One major snag? Jaafar had no formal dance training or acting credits before "Michael," save for one episode of "The Jacksons: Next Generation," a 2015 reality show that followed the lives of his cousins, Taj, Taryll, and TJ (then known as the R&B-pop trio 3T).

Jaafar has said he rehearsed for three years — two of which were part of the audition process — and worked with Michael's former choreographers, Rich and Tone Talauega, to learn his uncle's signature dance moves.

"We had to take that syllabus and then infuse it into Jaafar," Rich said on the KTLA 5 Morning News. "But let me tell you, man, he's a Jackson, you know, he has this talent deep down inside his DNA. It just took us some time, but we pulled it out of him, and the work that he put into it was exceptional."

Jaafar already shared his uncle's musical ambitions; he began playing the piano at age 12 and released his debut single, "Got Me Singing," in 2019. His website cites Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, and "his own family's rich musical heritage" as key influences.

Jaafar Jackson isn't actually singing in "Michael."

Bucking the recent biopic trend of actors singing live on set — like Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan and Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen — Jaafar did not rely on his own voice to carry the musical scenes in "Michael."

Instead, the hit songs featured in the movie are "gloriously remastered and superbly lip-synched," according to Deadline's chief film critic Pete Hammond.

When it came to dancing and choreography, Jaafar said his goal was not to impersonate his uncle, but rather to embody his performance style.

"That was a challenge," Jaafar told Entertainment Tonight. "Hitting every moment, every beat, but also having the energy and the showmanship behind the moves, too."

Jaafar named "Billie Jean" — specifically Michael's 1983 performance of the song on the TV special "Motown 25" — as the hardest sequence to nail while filming.

Jaafar's performance in "Michael" has the support of Michael's mom, brothers, and sons.

When Jaafar landed the lead role in "Michael," he received a vote of confidence from a core member of his family: Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson.

"Jaafar embodies my son," Katherine said in a press release. "It's so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers."

The movie's executive producers include Michael's eldest son, Prince Jackson, and three of his brothers: Jermaine, Jackie, and Marlon.

All four men attended the Los Angeles premiere of "Michael" at the Dolby Theatre, alongside Michael's middle sister, LaToya Jackson — a strong show of support from the Jackson family.

"It was a process that I really had to earn, and it really proved to the filmmakers and myself and my family that I can get to that point where I can pull it off," Jaafar told Today. "I honestly wouldn't be able to pull this off if I didn't have the support."

Michael's other three siblings — his eldest sister, Rebbie Jackson, his youngest sister, Janet Jackson, and his youngest brother, Randy — were not in attendance and will not be portrayed in the biopic. (Michael's father, Joe Jackson, played by Colman Domingo, died in 2018. Michael's brother Tito, played by Rhyan Hill, died in 2024.)

"I wish everybody was in the movie," LaToya told Variety on the red carpet. On Janet's absence specifically, LaToya added, "She was asked, and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes."

Meanwhile, Michael's daughter, Paris Jackson, has criticized the biopic as "sugar-coated" and clarified that she had "zero percent involvement" in the production.

Paris said she was asked to read one of the first drafts of the "Michael" script and gave notes about details that she felt were "dishonest," but she was told that her notes wouldn't be addressed.

"I just butted out and left it alone because it's not my project," Paris wrote on Instagram. "They're going to make whatever they're going to make. A big reason why I haven't said anything up until this point is because I know a lot of you guys are gonna be happy with it."

"A big section of the film panders to a very specific section of my dad's fandom that still lives in the fantasy," she added.

Neither Paris nor her younger brother, Bigi Jackson, joined Prince at the film's star-studded Los Angeles premiere — although Bigi did make a rare appearance to attend the "Michael" premiere in Berlin earlier in the month.

Paris is now involved in a complicated legal battle with the Jackson estate over the movie's financials. The estate has fired back that Paris has "a complete lack of understanding about how the motion picture industry works and the role of producers in it."