Mayo Madness hits Richmond as Texas Inn dumps 50 pounds for charity

There are plenty of ways to raise money for a good cause. Dumping 50 pounds of mayonnaise on someone is one of the more creative ones.

That’s exactly what’s happening today at The Texas Inn’s Richmond location in the Museum District, where the longtime Virginia diner is hosting “Mayo Madness” to benefit Special Olympics Virginia. From noon to 2 p.m. at 2901 Park Ave., guests can watch (or help) as Jeff Katz and Sheriff Karl Leonard get buried under a small mountain of mayo.

The event builds on a partnership that started last year, when The Texas Inn renamed its all-beef Nathan’s hot dog the “Katz Dog” in honor of Katz. For every Katz Dog sold, 50 cents goes directly to Special Olympics Virginia.

“Special Olympics has an incredible way of bringing people together, and that’s something we believe in wholeheartedly at The Texas Inn,” said Dave Saunders, the restaurant’s managing partner and owner. He added that when good food meets good fun for a good cause, it just makes sense.

Representatives from Special Olympics Virginia will also be on hand at the event, which is open to anyone who wants to stop by and show support.

The Texas Inn, known to regulars as “The T Room,” has been a Virginia institution since 1935. The diner now operates four locations in Lynchburg, Cornerstone, Richmond, and Harrisonburg, and has served more than 9 million customers over its nearly nine decades in business.