Lubbock

(From September 2010) This is a chain? It feels, acts, and tastes like a hometown cafe run by the neighborhood’s favorite abuela. An extensive menu has something for everyone: shredded beef enchiladas smothered in rich red chile sauce, chiles rellenos bursting with queso fresco, overstuffed burritos, and spicy menudo. The shrimp burrito, with rice, coleslaw, and tangy sauce, is excellent, and the traditional tortas satisfy with a variety of fillings, our favorite being the tender carnitas. ¡Muy sabroso!

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(From May 2011)

The red-and-white tablecloths, murals of country scenes, and friendly servers at Apple Tree make for a cozy, farm-house atmosphere. The tortilla soup, brimming with vegetables and chicken, is light but filling, especially paired with half a sandwich. Apple Tree blends tangy mayonnaise, pickles, and pineapple into its chicken salad and serves it on thick-sliced fresh bread. There’s also an assortment of Mexican dishes, including an enormous burrito, stuffed with beef and beans and topped with creamy enchilada sauce. Breakfast is good too, particularly the baked goods: The pretty Bavarian cream turnover was our favorite—flaky and just rich enough.

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(From November 2010) We blinked and almost missed this tiny spot, where traditional Thai and Japanese hibachi offerings are generous and always tasty. They excel at soups here, like the tom yum, with its layers of tart lime, lemongrass, cooling mint, and fiery chiles, and noodle soups that mingle peanuts, bean sprouts, and cilantro. A humble mix of chicken and vegetables is elevated with coconut milk and a striking green curry. Thai iced coffee nicely complements the spicy fare.

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(From January 2011) Located next to a tattoo and piercing parlor, this burger joint is as hip as its neighbor. Just for fun, build your own burger: Pick a regular, wheat, or jalapeño-cheddar bun and then choose your toppings (all the usual ones, plus roasted pepper relish, cranberry-apple chutney, and “guaco mayo”). There are also salads and a variety of sandwiches, as well as onion rings and regular and sweet potato fries. Finish with the O-Pie, an Oreo crust with peanut butter crème and chocolate-velvet filling. (All of the artwork at Belly’s is for sale, for those who prefer it on the wall rather than the body.) Bar.

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(From March 2011) This hot spot near the university and medical districts offers quick service and heart-healthy food. From the Smart Mex menu, we like the Clucker taco, a whole-wheat tortilla stuffed with apple-sweetened chicken salad, and we love the decadent Mediterranean pizza overflowing with mozzarella, artichoke hearts, red onions, and tomato slices. The cold sandwiches pile on the turkey, roast beef, or dolphin-safe tuna, and they’ve even made the burger healthy with hearty buffalo, turkey, or veggie options. And don’t forget the yogurt bar, with fresh fruit and fat-free, guilt-free fudge!

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(From February 2012)

Lean metallic chairs and tables, blue neon lights, and a crown of flat-screen TVs atop the bar give this restaurant an uptown, urban air. We loved the leaning tower of a sandwich they call the BBQ Pork ’n’ Slaw. A great combination of flavors: tangy, creamy slaw; sweet barbecue; and spicy pepperjack. The Blackened Catfish Tacos also paired up some unique ingredients: Cajun catfish, lime slaw, and jalapeño mayonnaise. So original, so delish. The dishes with Mexican crema were too dry for us, but we went totally bananas over the Totally Bananas Monkey Skewers—decadent bites of fried cheesecake and caramelized bananas, skewered and drizzled with chocolate and caramel. Now, that’s the kind of dessert we daydream about. Bar.

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(From September 2010) A favorite Amarillo eatery makes its way south, to the delight of Lubbock burger fans. The roll of paper towels on our table comes in handy as we bite into juicy beef patties on soft, toasted buns; grilled chicken sandwiches dressed with olives and tangy Greek dressing; and thin, crispy onion rings. The Frito Pie Salad features crispy greens topped with meaty chili, corn chips, and queso, while the Pico Pasta Chicken Salad gets a kick from pico de gallo and a sweet-and-spicy salsa vinaigrette. A thick, creamy shake (banana is our favorite) completes the meal. Beer & wine.

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(From March 2011) Tucked inside the Godbold Center, an upscale art gallery with mysterious, winding hallways and cozy, romantic nooks, this hideaway offers varied selections for lunch and dinner and a brunch menu that will dress up any Sunday morning. Choices on the latter range from eggs Benedict (à la Pacific, on crab cakes) to a fried egg sandwich with a European spin (on ciabatta with creamy aioli and feta). As always, there are comforting local creations: a migas omelet, a breakfast relleno, and Southwestern crepes. Bar.

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(From June 2011) Tucked inside a teensy storefront, all white and glistening, is the heart of Lubbock’s trendiest shopping center. Gourmet cupcakes, nestled in beribboned boxes, come in a multitude of flavors, like Signature Chocolate (a sinful mix of chocolate chips and dark chocolate cake) and Lemon Blueberry (a perfect blend of sweet and tangy). Our favorite is the Diner (old-fashioned yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting). Or maybe the Apricot Amaretto. No, the Bridal White. No, Butterscotch! The options are endless.

Friday, June 3rd, 2011, 11:41 am
FamilyGuy says:
Always on the list of stops. To call them cupcakes is too common- Linda is an incredibly talented baker who’s background is in custom wedding cakes, etc. As a result, there is everything from "plain" chocolate, to red velvelt, to "the elvis" (topped with bacon). The presentation of the cupcakes and the detail that is put into them make them perfect for a quick treat, but elegant enough to be a unique offering for a shower, reception, party, etc. This really is an unduplicated experience.

Saturday, April 9th, 2011, 7:07 pm
linda says:
Thanks to Texas Monthly for the GREAT review of CAKE! Our correct hours and address: 806-698-6298 8201 Quaker #128 Kingsgate Center Tue-Sat 10:00-till all cupcakes are gone! Sun-Mon Closed

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(From February 2012)

We felt like royalty, ensconced in a cherrywood booth at this elegant Asian fusion spot. No more tacky buffets for us! The Golden Bridge Roll—a trestle of fried crab, mango, and avocado, ribboned with shrimp tempura and salmon roe—was almost too beautiful to eat, but that made it irresistible. Next up, classic General Tso’s chicken: the glaze was unexpectedly sweet, and, appropriately, the rice came sculpted in the shape of a heart. Don’t miss the crispy duck. We could eat here once a week for a year and not sample all the dishes. Beer & wine.

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