Good Grub in The Hub

The reasoning behind this post about places to have some good grub in Lubbock is mainly to to me originally sending this as an e-mail to the author of the blog, "Lubbock Texas Lubbock Texas" in response to a post they made about restaurants in Lubbock and my push to see more local restaurants on their page... and I figured I'd make a blog post about it.

I will always dine at a local restaurant over a franchised, chain-restaurant (see Brinker Intl.) who still make great food... but you can get anywhere in the country. (Although I have to say, Brinker is based in my hometown of Dallas, TX and the CEO's son is a Texas Tech student)

If you're ever in Lubbock, I hope you check out these fantastic establishments over one you could eat at in your own hometown. I'll e

ven include my favorite dish at each one.

I will try and classify the different restaurants by their respective locations in town, and primarily will focus on places near campus... but remember... there are so many more that I haven't even touched on:

Depot/Downtown (I'm missing tons of small hole-in-the-walls that I've eaten at and either forgotten, or have yet to go to... there are dozens in the legal district near the Courthouse and City Hall)
- Triple J Chophouse & Brew Company - My absoulte favorite place in town; this place deserves a post all on it's own. Go there and just experience it... fantastic food,

atmosphere, and the most unique trait of Triple J is that they brew their own beer & sell it at prices ($2/pint) that kill Cricket's overpriced drafts, plus the staff is much friendlier... Start off with the Fried, Shrimp Stuffed Jalapenos and the Raider Red Draft. For your entrée, order the Ancho Grilled Filet Mignon and a pint of Otis' Oatmeal Stout (...however, the beer selection changes often, as they make it seasonally and fresh!)
- Ranch House - What a great place for break

fast; dirt cheap, old fashioned diner style, and all the staff and owner are the nicest people ever. Spent many early mornings here (they open at 6:00AM!) Get the S.O.S. and a bottomless cup o' joe... Hits the spot every time.

At 19th & Memphis (One of the best areas for good variation, price, & most importantly taste, called Oak Tree Village, located by Covenant... however those not "in-the-know" seem to drive by this place and miss out big-time):
- Jazz - A Louisiana Kitchen - Great cajun cooking, atmosphere, & live music. Order the Shrimp Czarina with a "Swamp Water" or a Chilton.
- Thai Pepper - Thai flavoring, fast & friendly service, good price, delicious & different, cramped atmosphere (which is strangely a nice change for Lubbock restaurants) Order the Panang Curry, or any of the curries.
- Bless Your Heart (site n/a) - healthy, but still very tasty. Get the Smothered Burrito, it's so good you won't believe that it's actually good for you, too! Top that off with a frozen yogurt with fresh fruit.

At 19th & University (mainly east of the intersection, but Cafe J is located West)
- Cafe J - Honestly, I haven't been here but a good friend of mine holds this as one of the best places in town, and I take her word... (will be sampling it when she returns from summer vacation)
- McAllister's - a franchised restaurant, but great the Sweet Tea, Potatoes, & Sandwiches make it impossible to ignore. Get The Spud Max, Memphian, or Open Face Roast Beef (which is colossal!!) ...and you've got to wash it all down with a big 'ol glass of Sweet Tea (reminds me of the tea in "Good Directions" by Billy Currington)
- Josie's (site n/a) - This is a great cheap-food place, open 24 hours a day at most locations, one of the main [local] places that students hang out after bars/parties late at night. You can usually be pretty entertained here on Thurs-Sat nights at 2:15-3:30AM. Get any of their burritos, I go for the either a queso-smothered Chorizo or Barbacoa & Potato.

34th & Indiana (Indiana Gardens, and Picante's is 5-6 blocks east, but close)
- Cap Rock Cafe - great place to eat a wide selection of distinctly different takes on familiar dishes.. also a fun atmosphere (they have a cropduster flying out of the wall!) Get the Green Chili Cheeseburger & Texas Toothpicks, which are fried strips of jalapenos and onions.
- Peace o' Cake - this place is getting big, solely by word of mouth! It's a very unique store specializing only in cupcakes... they bake them fresh every morning and stay open until they sell out, you can tell this if they have their flag flying outside... great place and the owners are great people. Mississippi Mud Cupcake = yum.
- Picante's (site n/a) - the best place for cheap but quality mexican food. They have extremely low prices and give you heaps of delicious food, friendly staff. Get one of their gigantic breakfast burritos for $2, eat half, get it to-go and you've got two meals for $1 each! (it may be more if you add to it)

Wow! Well there you go, I hope that is some use for someone.. I don't know who all reads my blog, but I think I am going to begin writing more about things.

If you read this, I would really appreciate any and all feedback!!

Thanks guys, and happy dining!

-MS

p.s. - I could only find protected photos of Triple J on Flickr, all credits for that fantastic picture go to Flickr user melmcree, thanks for a great shot of one of my favorite spots in Lubbock!