Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 27, 2011	Sep. 28, 2010	Sep. 27, 2011	Sep. 28, 2010
Antidilutive securities
Anti-dilutive securities (in shares)	842,303	2,183,165	309,301	2,190,582
Earnings per share
Net income attributable to Texas Roadhouse, Inc. and subsidiaries	$ 15,798	$ 13,952	$ 51,667	$ 48,229
Basic EPS:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	70,800,000	71,660,000	71,370,000	71,273,000
Basic EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.72	$ 0.68
Diluted EPS:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	70,800,000	71,660,000	71,370,000	71,273,000
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock (in shares)	1,386,000	1,342,000	1,533,000	1,454,000
Shares - diluted	72,186,000	73,002,000	72,903,000	72,727,000
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.71	$ 0.66
Options
Antidilutive securities
Anti-dilutive securities (in shares)	842,303	2,175,208	309,254	2,188,869
Nonvested stock
Antidilutive securities
Anti-dilutive securities (in shares)		7,957	47	1,713

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