Lubbock

(From May 2012)

Started by Daniel Brackeen, a Texas Tech alumnus and the man behind TCBY, Cowamongus is a campus mainstay, beloved as much for its cowhide chairs and cowboy clientele as its food. Start with the creamy tomato basil soup, but plan on sampling the juicy burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches too; the beef and poultry are processed right in the building, so they can’t get any fresher. Whatever you do, indulge in the ice cream, which just happens to be whipped up in the TTU dairy. Our favorite flavors: sweet cream (a cross between custard and vanilla frosting) and chocolate-covered cherry (with legit cherry chunks). The best part? Student-friendly prices!

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(From March 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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(From January 2011) This is a family diner, and customers are treated like kin: Our waitress kindly stacked our purses in a chair because, according to her, handbags on the floor bring bad luck. To start, chips, guacamole, and hot sauce (a smoky recipe), followed by the hearty caldo de res aswim with beef, cabbage, potatoes, and a little ear of corn. Traditional Mexican entrées get a twist here: A spicy red sauce topped the meat enchiladas; shredded beef, a tender alternative, filled the tacos and burritos; and creamy queso, not grated cheddar, smothered the cheese enchiladas. For dessert, try the sugary sopaipilla. Beer.

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(From May 2011) Cross the porch and enter Espuela, where saddles, tack, feed bags, and album covers (Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, Glenn Campbell) decorate the walls. Friday nights, it’s an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, but we’re partial to Saturday supper and Sunday lunch. The steaks are famous (hesitate and your feisty waitress will tell you how to order it), and the catfish and chicken-fried steaks are equally good (both coated in a kicky black-pepper batter). On the side: a crisp salad, a baked potato that will warm your heart (and is about the same size), and buttery rolls. The slices of chocolate meringue pie, creamy as sweetened condensed milk, are so huge you should share—but you won’t. BYOB.

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(From June 2011) Inside, the dining nooks have parson chairs and elegant tables, some near the live music and others secluded and très seductive. We started with shrimp wrapped in delicate prosciutto and fire-grilled, then moved on to chicken escalope topped with a slice of tomato, creamy Swiss, and a subtle lemon sauce. Ravioli came pin-striped (with squid ink), stuffed with ricotta and lobster, and sauced with a vodka marinara. We had the most fun, though, with the fondue (share a savory version, like the Italian cheese with spinach and artichoke or the smoked-gouda and caraway, or a chocolate one for dessert) and the Eno-matic wine dispenser: Pay two bucks for a microchip card, load it with any dollar amount, and sample some of the 48 wines on tap. Bar.

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(From July 2011)

Stashed inside an unassuming strip mall, Galvan’s has an at-home atmosphere that says family owned: folksy four-tops, clean wood floors, and the friendliest service we’ve encountered all year. This is the cafe where you become a regular. The food is simple and delicious: rice and beans done right, no fancy ingredients added; enchiladas served piping hot and stuffed with melted cheese, chicken, or beef; and chiles rellenos with a unique corn dog breading. The carne guisada, our favorite, is tender beef tips in a robust stew, served with fresh tortillas. Top it off with a sopaipilla—fluffy, sugary melt-in-your mouth bliss—served as fast and hot as everything else. 

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(From January 2012)

Giorgio’s is downtown lunch at its best. We’re enamored of the Italian awning, the no-frills tables and chairs, the old-fashioned red-and-white-checkered floor, and, of course, the food. Hearty meat, gooey cheese, and tomato sauce are tucked into the flaky, homemade crusts of the calzones as well piled on the pizzas, which you can get by the slice or the pie (New York–style, with a crust so delicate it folds right up in your hand). Lunch specials are a good bet, like a slice, a salad, and a drink for only $5.50 or lasagne, garlic toast, and a drink for $6.25. And with prices so low and food so beloved, you can expect a line out the door. Thank goodness it moves fast!

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(From March 2012)

While not of the franchise with a similar name, this place does sell spiral-sliced hams and smoked turkey. But what is widely overlooked about this country shop is that it operates a fine soup and sandwich kitchen. We created our own sandwiches from a selection of meats, vegetables, dressings, and fresh-baked breads and had them warmed on the grill. The Texas minestrone served on Wednesdays and Saturdays is a must, as are the luscious oatmeal-cranberry cookies.

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(From August 2011)

This A-frame boasts a blue-and-white-striped roof and is run by a boisterous Greek family serving up authentic dishes. We started with the scrumptious hummus, punched up with garlic and lemon and so plentiful we could have eaten nothing else and left satisfied. But then we would have missed the pastitsio, Greek “lasagne” with macaroni and creamy béchamel, and the moussaka, with its decadent layers of ground beef, eggplant, and potatoes. Don’t pass up the baklava! 

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(From March 2012)

Clean and sleek, Healthy Essentials looks like a trendy spa. Sure, it carries several lines of supplements and vitamins, as well as healthy snacks, but it serves lunch too. We loved the chicken tortilla soup, the ladle full of fresh-tasting chicken, corn, and beans, with just the right kick to the broth. Ditto for the Harvest salad, featuring mixed greens, whole-grain rice, chicken, raisins, and a light vinaigrette. Our favorite was the tomato-and-mozzarella sandwich, dressed up with a tangy pesto. The variety of smoothies, coffees, and teas (and add-ons) will make your head spin.

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