Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eating
Good restaurants are scattered around town, although you won't go wrong basing yourself
in the Depot District and browsing. An organic
farmers market
(cnr Ave A & 19th St;
9am-5:30pm Mon-Sat Jun-Nov)
sells the best produce from the region.
AMERICAN
$
Ranch House Restaurant
( 806-762-3472; 1520 Buddy Holly Ave; mains from $5; 6am-4pm Mon-Sat)
Formica tables and
waiters who know what you want before your morning mouth can form the words help
make this huge old diner a classic. Eggs fuel the breakfast hordes, while lunchers vie for
pot roast and Red Top stew (beef, carrots and chiles).
Tom & Bingos Bar-B-Que
( 806-799-1514; 3006 34th St; mains from $6; 10:30am-4pm Mon-Sat)
Calling this place a shack is
an insult to decrepit buildings everywhere, but appearances are forgotten when you taste
the smoked ham and brisket sandwiches (have the latter chopped). Sides are few: use the
fries to mop up the tangy, sweet sauce. Open since 1952.
BARBECUE
$
Picantes
( 806-793-8304; 3814 34th St; mains $6-12; 9am-10pm)
In an otherwise nondescript old coffee
shop, this hugely popular Tex-Mex stalwart turns out excellent
chile rellenos
(pepper
stuffed with ground beef) and other standards. On weekends folks settle into the booths
for all-you-can-eat menudo, the suitably picante beef soup.
MEXICAN
$$
Crafthouse Gastropub
BISTRO
$$
( 806-687-1466;
www.crafthousepub.com
;
3131 34th St; mains $9-22; 11am-10pm Mon-Thu, 11am-midnight
Fri & Sat; )
Lubbock's most creative restaurant is the work of Jason and Kate Diehl.
From the pickled seasonal vegetables on the starter list to inventive seasonal fare, it has
something to catch your eye. Mindful of local budgets, it serves cheeseburgers, but what
burgers they are. The twice-fried fries are sublime. The beer and wine list is superb.
La Diosa Cellars
( 806-744-3600; 901 17th St; mains $5-20; 11am-10pm Tue-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat)
One of several
local wineries, La Diosa uncorks a range of Texas wines beyond its own label. There's in-
ventive Mediterranean-style snacks and meals as well as a coffee bar. On many nights
TAPAS
$$
