Lubbock Magazine | January 2021

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The Kindness Issue

A GETAWAY IN YOUR TRUE NATURE.

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JANUARY 2021

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On the Cover

KIND WORDS

We asked a few of Lubbock’s most thoughtful citizens to share their perspective regarding kindness.

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Features

14 BUDS FOREVER

Lubbock’s “Better Understanding of Down Syndrome” builds lasting friendships while raising awareness.

16 WHOLE HEALTH

Maybe 2021 should be the year when we don’t just extend more kindness to each other, but also to our bodies.

Sections

6 HOME

We browsed local retailers for some of the cleanest and greenest home products available.

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18 COOKING LESSONS Warming winter recipes

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CONTRIBUTORS............................3 EAT DRINK...................................21 806 INC......................................28 SOUTH PLAINS SCENE................30 TWO CENTS................................32

Contributors

JONATHAN BAKER Writer

Jonathan’s copywriting has appeared in Esquire, Men’s Journal, and Popular Mechanics. In his spare time, he writes crime novels.

JASON BOYETT Writer

Jason has written more than a dozen books and is the host and creator of “Hey Amarillo,” an interview podcast. Visit heyamarillo.com and jasonboyett.com.

THE KIRKPATRICKS RESIDENTIAL, RANCHES & FARMS

Tamara 806-441-9502

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806-790-6644 JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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From T H E Editor

Regional Director of Specialty Products/Editor Michele McAffrey 806.345.3256 mmcaffrey@lubbockonline.com Regional Designer Kayla Morris Contributing Writers Jonathan Baker Jason Boyett

GM/Regional Advertising Director Shoni Wiseman Advertising Sales Manager Robin Morse Multimedia Sales Representatives Larry Guerra Craig Martin Newsstand Sales Kevin Woelfel Subscriptions Victor Uriegas

l Brand Logos

To advertise in Lubbock Magazine or on thelubbockmagazine.com, contact Shoni Wiseman at 766.8631.

Regional Executive Editor Jill Nevels-Haun Regional Distribution Director David Morel 710 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401 806.762.8844 • thelubbockmagazine.com Lubbock Magazine is a monthly publication of AJ Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent.

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ell, we’ve made it to 2021. Raise your hand if you thought you might not be able to. My goodness, what a year. It’s been so hard for so many people – devastating in myriad ways – but I’ve seen so much good in Lubbock over the past year, too.

I think we can all agree that we need to be kinder to one another. I’ve seen that word tossed around repeatedly on Facebook lately. Which got me thinking. What does kindness mean to you? When you think about kindness, does it mean simply having good manners – opening the door for someone, being polite to others – or is it something deeper?

Demonstrating selflessness and sacrifice to others that might not share the same beliefs, perhaps? I think it’s the latter and that type of kindness takes courage and strength. It’s not natural for most of us.

We asked a few community members from diverse backgrounds to share what kindness means to them – how they’ve seen evidence of kindness in their own lives, whether it’s something they’ve witnessed, a way that they’ve shown kindness, or an instance that kindness was shown to them. These are people I respect tremendously and the essays they’ve written have been a tremendous encouragement to me, as I hope they are for you.

In keeping with the “kindness” theme of this issue, we also feature B.U.D.S. (Better Understanding of Down Syndrome), a local nonprofit which exists to support people with Down syndrome, their parents, and their family members. Our youngest son recently welcomed his firstborn, a boy, who has Down syndrome. So there’s a personal connection for me with this feature, and it’s also a necessary reminder to be kind to those who are different, those who especially need our love and care.

As I write this letter from my home office, I’m still a bit baffled as I look back over the past nine months. The isolation has been brutal, but the ability to continue to create Lubbock Magazine is an opportunity I treasure. It’s an honor to celebrate the city and its people.

With hope for better days in 2021,

Michele McAffrey | Editor

We’re everywhere!

Start at lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine.

The story continues on Facebook and Instagram!

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Home

Environmentally Clean

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t’s not easy being green. But more than ever, it seems necessary. Beyond the immediate public health threat we’ve faced over the past year, it’s become increasingly clear that our planet is suffering. From last summer’s regional drought to the hazy skies resulting from fires in the Mountain West, our future will be met with a number of environmental challenges.

As individuals, none of us can control the climate. But we can control the sustainability of our homes. With that in mind, we browsed local retailers for some of the cleanest and greenest home products available. From a biodegradable kids’ toothbrush to wool dryer balls, here are a few favorites to make your home a little more eco-friendly.

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1. Savanna Bee Company honey hand soap $14.99, Barque Gifts & Paper 2. Kyte BABY bamboo hair brush & comb set $25, Green Dazzle Baby 3. Wool dryer balls (set of six) $16.99, Barque Gifts & Paper 4. Stasher reusable silicone sandwich bags $11.99, Barque Gifts & Paper 5. Jack N’ Jill compostable and biodegradable toothbrush and rinse/ storage cup $14.99, Green Dazzle Baby 6. Planet Luxe glass cleaner $14; laundry liquid $18, CHROME 7. Olsen + Olsen beeswax food wrap $16.99, Barque Gifts & Paper

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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COVER STORY

kind·ness noun

Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. Being kind often requires courage and strength.

Kind T

Words

he past year will go down in the history books for plenty we won’t particularly want to remember. A deadly disease. Social media arguments. Institutional distrust. Election disputes. Toilet paper shortages.

But the year hasn’t been a total loss. Because as the poets have said, the darkness of the night sky makes it easier to see stars. One of the stars of 2020 has been that human quality we all long for: kindness.

Stalwart against months of uncertainty and anxiety, we’ve seen strangers buying coffee for customers behind them in the drive-thru. We’ve seen diners give enormous restaurant tips, unexpected gift cards show up uninvited, and thriving mutual aid groups on Facebook. This has been a year filled with needs, but it has also lifted up local residents who are happy to meet those needs.

With a (hopefully brighter) new year beginning, we wanted to celebrate these acts of kindness. We asked a few of Lubbock’s most thoughtful citizens to share their perspective. What does kindness mean to you? What does it look like? Why is it so necessary?

We hope it encourages you as we move forward. And more than that, we hope it inspires you to generate more kindness in your own life.

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Gentle Giant

by Christy Reeves, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity

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outh African leader Desmond Tutu once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Even though 2020 may go down in history as a time of darkness due to the global pandemic, for Lubbock Habitat for Humanity it was a year full of light and hope thanks in large part to one amazing volunteer.

Sometimes one person can change an organization completely. Lubbock Habitat for Humanity has been blessed by one of those rare individuals, whose acts of generosity, love and kindness are unending. I am talking about Mike Henthorn, who I will just refer to as Big Mike. I would like to share what this incredible man has done to completely transform this organization.

When I took over as Executive Director of Lubbock Habitat in 2018, the nonprofit affordable housing ministry had only been building about one house per year. Although things were turning around and more houses were underway, it was my challenge to ensure that we could consistently build affordable homes for four to six deserving families per year. Achieving this goal would take money to fund the builds and expertise to help our small staff, volunteers and homeowners with the construction.

Since Habitat is a Christian based organization, I prayed for God to send Habitat the right person to help us achieve everything. Almost immediately, Big Mike came to mind.

Decades earlier I had worked with this amazing man when I served as Executive Director of the American Cancer Society.

Big Mike was an incredible volunteer for me back then. Since that time, he has built a successful construction company and we have kept in touch somewhat over the years.

When I called and asked him to volunteer and help me form a construction committee, Big Mike said he had some health issues and needed a few days to pray about it before he could commit.

I was so excited. There was hope! I think I prayed harder than Big Mike because I knew if he said yes, he would commit fully, do everything he could to help transform Lubbock Habitat, and in turn provide affordable housing for so many families. When I got the call and Big Mike accepted the challenge, I could only imagine what he would bring to the organization. We were off and running.

Since 2018, there are no words to describe what an inspiration Big Mike has been to our staff and volunteers. I am referring to this great man as Big Mike because he is one of the tallest individuals I know. Mike has worked in construction for decades, so If you didn’t know him, his presence might initially

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be intimidating due to his size, his presence, his knowledge, and the way he commands a room or meeting. Once you start talking to Big MIke however, you realize he is one of the most humble, selfless, sweet, and generous individuals alive. Big Mike has a heart for God and a gentle kindness that is sometimes hard to find in our culture today.

Big Mike not only formed a construction committee for Habitat, he has helped transform our property into a true construction site. From updating house plans, to helping us work on our permitting, to mentoring our young construction manager, he helps us do whatever it takes to build four to six houses per year. When we started planning our 2020 Blitz Build with a dream to build two to three houses in 10 days, we had never heard of COVID-19.

Once the pandemic hit, Big Mike immediately had to isolate due to his underlying health conditions, and we were not sure we could even conduct the Blitz. Fortunately, Big Mike never stopped helping Habitat. Through the course of the event, Mike sent crews and employees to help our staff and Blitz committee, provided support for our construction manager, and because of his kindness and resources, we were able to get those houses up against all odds.

In addition, thanks to Big Mike and his incredible construction team, in November we cut the ribbon on our newly renovated building. Big Mike and his talented crew took a hair salon and beauty school, and turned it into an amazing space for our Habitat offices and ReStore, which is already helping us raise more money to fund the mission.

Throughout the pandemic and despite his own health concerns, Big Mike has continued to push Lubbock Habitat forward in ways nobody else could. The support, love and kindness shown by this gentle giant have been a guiding light to keep our staff and board of directors going. As a volunteer, donor and friend, this wonderful person freely gives any gift that might be needed without hesitation again and again, often before he is even asked.

Thanks to Big Mike and his choice to say yes and put the needs of others first, Lubbock Habitat will remember the year 2020 as one of many blessings.

Established in Lubbock in 1987, Habitat has built or repaired more than 150 homes for more than 500 adults and children.

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.

– Desmond Tutu JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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There are opportunities available to all of us to be kind to one another if we look for them.

Dr. Brenda Wilbanks, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT Founder and Executive Director of the Haven Animal Care Shelter

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

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his quote is evident in the ongoing effects of simple acts of kindness. We may not know the effects of our acts of kindness until years later, or we may never know for sure. However, the receiver will know and will pass this kindness on to others. The wonderful thing about acts of kindness is that they may go on even after we are gone.

Although I have witnessed many acts of kindness, whether in teaching in the public schools or working as a counselor in private practice, in my time at the Haven Animal Care Shelter, our no-kill, nonprofit animal sanctuary, the opportunities have been numerous to witness the best in people through their kindness to both people and animals.

There is the doctor who comes in the coldest of weather to put hay in the dog houses so that the animals can be warm.

There are the caring adults who bring groups of children, whether from schools, churches or organizations, to teach these children the importance of kindness to all of God’s creatures. Others come to adopt the deaf and blind ones, the ones with three legs, or the elderly that need to be saved. There are the volunteers who come faithfully every week to make sure that the work goes on.

Kindness is evident in those who bring us blankets, pet food and other items and in those who grieve with us when one of our precious animals passes away. All of these people and many others give us the courage to go on, even in the most difficult times.

Although most of these examples deal with kindness to animals, I have witnessed many acts of kindness from one person to another, even though many may be animal related. We frequently hear of people whose pets have been ill or injured, and they have no financial resources to access. They are often desperate, and they feel that they are losing their pet who may be their only companion. Lubbock has a large community of caring individuals and groups who will provide help to these people whom they have likely never met. This may be in the form of taking time to provide information, give emotional support, or to help with financial needs.

There are opportunities available to all of us to be kind to one another if we look for them. Only these few things are required of us: being aware of those around us and their needs, having empathy to feel what others are experiencing, and the willingness to demonstrate kindness.

Kindness can come back to you in ways you never imagined. “Remember, there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams Dr. Wilbanks founded the Haven Animal Care Shelter in 1977. The Haven is a nonprofit, no-kill sanctuary that is home to around 100 animals. She also has been a public-school teacher/counselor and is currently in private practice as a counselor in Lubbock, Texas.

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Dina Jeffries, CEO, South Plains Food Bank

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” – Jennifer Dukes Lee

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rowing up in West Texas has given me one of the biggest advantages in life. It has given me the gift of kindness and has shown me how to be intentional in showing kindness to others.

I believe many of us were taught to “be nice” as children, and we use “nice” and “kind” interchangeably when describing people. However, I am going to challenge you to understand the difference between being nice and being kind. We start out in life as being nice, but life is a journey, and the ultimate goal is to learn and become kind. Thankfully, West Texans have a long tradition of coming together and helping those in need.

According to the dictionary, nice is defined as pleasing; agreeable; delightful, while kind is defined as having, showing, or proceeding from compassion.

Being nice is when you are polite and treat people well. Being kind is when you care about people and show that you care. You cannot be taught to be kind. Being kind comes from caring enough for others that you want to do something for them. To me, the world needs more kindness – but in order to achieve that, we must be willing to dive deep into our own emotional intelligence and embrace our own vulnerability.

It requires that we let ourselves see ourselves in others and connect with them. Being kind requires action and being actively engaged in serving others. Being kind often requires courage and strength.

Whether working in the Emergency Department on a medical team or working in the nonprofit realm, I have had the opportunity to be invited into the personal space of a family when they were facing a time of crisis, tragedy or suffering. I never took this for granted, as I believe it is an honor to serve others.

Everyone reacts to times of crisis differently and my role, for the most part, is to help a family get to a point where they can begin thinking clearly and making solid choices for themselves. It is a process that usually involves a lot of listening and knowing what options are available to present for decision making. I always thought the trick was to engage on a level in which you can be caring and compassionate, but not become so involved that your own judgement would be clouded. It is only human to want to protect yourself from feeling the pain being endured by others – but when you fully engage and serve with your whole heart, a magical connection happens, and strong bonds are formed through kindness. There is nothing like it and no real words to describe it. But when it does happen, it is something you will carry with you for a lifetime.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to be of service to a family in dire need. Their 17-year-old son, Michael, was involved in a horrible car accident that resulted in Michael being burned over 77% of his body. The car accident occurred on Mother’s Day and in the blink of an eye, this family was faced with the unimaginable. My guard instantly went up to distance myself and protect myself from pain. At the time, I

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had a 17-year-old son. And just 15 months earlier, I had lost my oldest son in a tragic car accident. To make matters more complicated, when I formerly worked in a hospital setting, I purposely avoided the Burn Unit because I knew the patients were in great pain as a result of their wounds – and I just didn’t think I could handle it.

Michael was critical, and I continued to help this family from a distance – until the day Annette, Michael’s mother, came to me and told me that her work was demanding that she return to her duties within 48 hours. This was a very difficult decision for the family to make because it was Annette’s job that gave Michael the medical coverage and thus the care he needed. The family made the difficult decision to return to El Paso and visit Michael when they could – but Michael still had 21 surgeries to get through on his own.

I realized that I was being nice by helping the family from afar – but something deep down told me it was time that I started showing kindness. Just as people had shown me and my family deep kindness after the death of my son, Brian, it was time to be a vessel that carried hope and kindness to this family in need.

I gave Annette an iPad and told her that we would FaceTime every day so she could see Michael and his progress. We did this three to four times a day, whenever I could get to the hospital between Michael’s procedures and surgeries. With time, Michael began to improve and become more awake and aware. He always enjoyed FaceTiming his mom and hearing about his siblings and homelife. We would watch music videos and movies. We would talk and work on his mindset as he geared up for the next surgery. I felt gratitude from his mom and family – and most importantly, I felt gratitude from Michael as he thanked me for being there for him. I simply told him that I’d learned that life wasn’t meant to be experienced alone and that God shows His love through people.

Over the next several months, Michael improved enough to be released from the hospital and head home where he would have to endure intense physical therapy. I remember loading Michael onto the ambulance to be transported back to El Paso, and his family thanking me profusely and calling me an “earthly angel.” The funny thing is, I never felt like I was going above and beyond the call of duty. I was simply following my heart and relating to a mother and son who, at the time, needed an extension of kindness.

What I know is when faced with unimaginable tragedy and suffering, we can either respond with hatred and bitterness or we can respond with compassion and grace. A tremendous motivation to change the world for the better can arise out of compassion and a deliberate act of kindness.

To be totally honest, I feel I received more healing and gratitude from the experience than Michael and his mother did. By delivering kindness unconditionally, I was engaged in my own healing – which felt pretty damn good! And because I was slowly able to heal, I can now be there for other families that have lost a child and help them in their grieving process and personal journeys when called upon to do so.

I believe one of the hardest – yet most important – things we must learn to do is start being kind to everyone we can. We must begin to care more about others and seek to help them, not because we should or because it is how we want to be seen, but because being kind is the greatest gift we can give to the world.

A tremendous motivation to change the world for the better can arise out of compassion and a deliberate act of kindness.

The South Plains Food Bank employs more than 9,000 volunteers per year, and serves 20 counties in West Texas.

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Nick Harpster, Vice President, Lubbock PRIDE

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indness often comes in response to someone experiencing a difficult or tumultuous time. Kindness can come from places you do not expect and people you do not even know. Kindness can happen with quickness and intensity. This story is about one of those times.

It was Nov. 22 at 12:49 a.m. when I received a message on Facebook Messenger: “Hi, Nick!

I’m sorry to message so late, but I wanted to reach out as soon as possible …” It was a friend who knows what I do in the LGBTQIA+ community; I will call her B. The message was about a friend of her daughter who had just been kicked out with nothing but the clothes on their back. I will call them D. D is gay, and this was the main reason for the disruption in their living situation. B wanted to know if I had any suggestions or direction for her so that she could help D with necessities and clothes. The ultimate and initial act of kindness was B and her family opening their home, without hesitation, and giving D a place to live.

Unfortunately, it is common for a person to be kicked out of their home for being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. I asked for some specifics on what D needed, and I told B that I would get to work. I knew I could get help for this person in dire need of support.

At 4:28 a.m., I sent a message to the other board members of LubbockPRIDE, informing them of the situation and inquiring about how we could help. At 4:31 a.m., I also sent a similar message to a friend, I will call her M, in a relatively new local group that is also dedicated to helping the LGBTQIA+ community. I knew M would be more than willing to help, and likely knew others who would as well. As I expected, I got a return message from M at 7:24 a.m., asking if she could share the information with another group.

By 8:43 a.m., M shared with me that many supportive comments, love, kindness and donations had already started coming in. By 10:10 a.m., $665 had been raised to help D to get the items they so desperately needed. The day progressed with more kind donations from friends and the other officers of LubbockPRIDE. By 2 p.m. the next day, less than 48 hours after I received the first message from B asking for assistance, we had raised a total of $750, and collected everything D needed to start their life over with their new surrogate family. M and I were shocked by how much love, kindness and support we had been blessed with, and in such a short time. All these donations came from people who did not even know D, just the situation they had been forced into. This was a true act of kindness, coming from the hearts of people who have empathy for the plight of others, regardless of any direct association with the individual in need.

I was honored to present the donations to D later that afternoon. All day, as I hinted about the donations we were getting, B was beyond thankful for what we were able to do. When I contacted her about when we could meet, she said D was nervous about me coming, as they only had shorts and a T-shirt to wear, and nothing “nice” to put on. I assured her that D would not be judged for anything. When I arrived, D’s new family and I watched with wide smiles and holding back tears, as D looked at all of the donated items. D was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers and nearly speechless, trying to hold back tears with the rest of us.

D looked even more shocked as I pulled a bank envelope, with a mini PRIDE flag stuck in it, from my back pocket. D knew what it was but they were almost too emotional to open it.

They peeked at it, too humble to count it, and the tears became even harder to hold back. I let D know that the money came from moms who care.

Showing D’s drive and humbleness, the last thing they said was, “Now I just need to find a job.” I let both B and D know that they have new family now, whether they want us or not, and that we will always be there if they need us. Hugs were desired and warranted but due to the pandemic, they were put on hold.

Today, B reports that D is doing well. I cannot wait to stop by and visit them and our new extended family soon, and hopefully those hugs can happen shortly.

Sometimes you must go out of your way to make kindness happen, but when you surround yourself with the right people, that kindness is innate and intense.

Established in 2012, Lubbock PRIDE promotes equality and works to increase awareness around LGBTQIA+ issues, providing support to individuals and families.

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Sometimes you must go out of your way to make kindness happen, but when you surround yourself with the right people, that kindness is innate and intense.

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Matthew 7:12-14

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you …

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Jimmy Moore, President, Children’s Home of Lubbock

t was the summer of 2008 and I was the acting principal at Dunbar Math/Science Academy when Bobby called me. “Hey house dad, do you have room at your school for my son?”

Bobby was one of my former kids in Cottage 4 at the Children’s Home of Lubbock. He was looking for a place of stability for his 11-year-old son, Jeremy. Bobby was the quiet one of a sibling group of five when he lived at the Home in the early 1990s. As we talked on the phone, it brought back many memories of being his house dad and his basketball coach. You see, Bobby was a very humble athlete but had a way of luring young ladies with his infectious smile. So at a young age, Bobby had become a husband and father.

Of course, I answered yes to accepting Jeremy into my school, and went on to ask many questions during the phone call. My first question was about his wellbeing and his siblings. The question that made things awkward was about Bobby’s wife, who had quickly turned into his ex-wife. She had decided that she did not want to be married anymore and as a matter of fact, she did not want to be a mother to Jeremy anymore. My heart quickly sunk to my stomach as I tried to gather the words to offer Bobby encouragement. After a few minutes of talking about what had transpired over

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The Golden Rule

the years, we redirected back to Jeremy. We made the decision to have Jeremy come tour the school the next day, which would allow Bobby and I to catch up on the past 18 years.

Bobby had followed all the ingredients needed to live what we call the “American Dream.” Unfortunately, in 2008 he was fighting the very same thing that caused him and his siblings to grow up at the Home. Mistrust, depression, hurt, fear, and a broken family structure were causing him to seek refuge with someone he could trust. I asked Bobby, ‘Why Dunbar?’ He answered, “Because I know you will treat him just like you treated us.” I was quickly reminded of Matthew 7:12-14: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you …”

I thank God for people who have made it their mission to enter our children’s lives at the appropriate time and model for them to love and treat others the way they would want to be treated. Just imagine how different the world would be if everyone lived by the “Golden Rule.”

The Children’s Home of Lubbock has been serving the city since 1954. It has provided help to more than 6,000 children since its inception. L

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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BUDS Forever

Lubbock’s “Better Understanding of Down Syndrome” builds lasting friendships while raising awareness

By Jonathan Baker

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ach year, about 6,000 babies nationally are born with Down syndrome. Although the incidence is somewhat common, misperceptions remain about what Down syndrome is.

For parents who’ve just received a diagnosis that they’re going to birth a Down syndrome baby, the news can seem by turns scary and heartbreaking. And yet, parents of kids with Down syndrome say their lives have been enriched in countless ways. One local organization, Better Understanding of Down Syndrome, is on a mission to educate new parents, while building a strong and lasting community around their shared experience.

BUDS Rising Unofficially, Lubbock’s Down syndrome community got started back in the 1970s, when a group of moms who had children with Down syndrome began meeting a few times a month to talk about their kids and share the experiences they were going

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through. Officially, however, it wasn’t until October 2004 that an organization was started: Better Understanding of Down Syndrome (BUDS).

Leslie Myatt has been the president of BUDS for the past three years. She got involved with the organization in 2006 after her son, Noah, was born with Down syndrome. “I was fortunate enough to have a friend who also had a child with Down syndrome,” she recalls, “and she plugged me into the group.”

However, as Noah grew and life happened to the BUDS parents, Myatt noticed that the group had “just kind of fallen off.”

“The group wasn’t really active,” Myatt remembers. “They had maybe one event a year, but there really wasn’t an impact on our community. So me and my husband decided we would go to the current board and see what was going on, see how we could help, how we could be involved.” That was in 2017. Eventually, through that conversation, Myatt and her husband found themselves running the show. “We asked if we could step in and get it up and

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Snapshot: Leslie Myatt and Noah “My son’s name is Noah, he’s 14, an eighth grader. He definitely has changed perspectives on life, for me and his dad and my husband, and for our extended families. He reminds me to take joy in the little things. A lot of us get focused on the big picture, and while that’s important, it’s also important to take joy in the steps it takes to get to that big picture. Noah definitely has a way of helping people realize there are good things to be celebrated, that not everything has to be so heavy, that life is good in general. He’s been so great to help us understand that, to have the right focus on situations and on everyday life. [And] he’s so funny! He’s a dancer. He’ll break out and dance and laugh, and we all laugh in the family together. It’s been great. He’s just fantastic.”

going.” And Myatt became president.

Since that change, the group has become a prominent force in what you might call the Lubbock “kindness community,” expanding from four to seven board members, a move which has been helpful in launching events and fundraisers. In addition, BUDS has just published its first brochure for new Down syndrome parents, something Myatt “knew we needed in our hospitals, in our pediatrician offices, in our OB/GYN offices.

So that’s been pretty exciting.” Beyond these initiatives, BUDS hosted a Christmas event last year – a festivity it plans to repeat once COVID has receded – and the organization held its first ever “Films with Friends” showing “Sonic the Hedgehog” to an excited crew in February. The movie club, too, will be relaunched once the pandemic has passed. “We’re excited to get past all this,” says Myatt.

And hopefully, sooner than later, resume our normal activity.”

Perhaps most importantly, the group has expanded its hallmark “Buddy Walk” event. The previous Buddy Walk, in 2019 (before the advent of COVID-19), was the group’s most successful ever, drawing more than 300 people, including BUDS families and other members of the community.

The Buddy Walk Established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995, the Buddy Walk is now the major national event for people with Down syndrome, a yearly occurrence that helps to raise awareness. As Leslie Myatt explains, the walk “brings everybody together to celebrate all their victories, and the people they are, and all of the good things they have to offer.” As with most Down syndrome organizations across the country, the Buddy Walk hosted by Lubbock’s Better Understanding of Down Syndrome is the signature event for the local group, a sprawling affair where all of the local families come together to celebrate their lives. “We put on three or four hours of fun things,” says Myatt. Last year’s event, held at Lubbock-Cooper High School, occurred around Halloween time, “so we had a bunch of little games and things going on.”

When the games are finished, all of the families and friends gather at the Buddy Walk’s start line. “We walk with our friends with Down syndrome around the track once or twice,” explains Myatt, “however many laps they want to. Once they complete a lap, we give them a medal. And they just love that.”

Myatt sees the Buddy Walk as a huge opportunity for the Down syndrome community to network with other families and share experiences. “Lots of fellowship and conversation go on during that time,” she notes. “It’s also a time where our community gets to get behind our BUDS group and our kiddos and loved ones with Down syndrome, and we reach out to Lubbock businesses and offer sponsorships. It makes a huge impact, and it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year.” And that fundraising allows BUDS to do all of the other things they offer their families – movie nights and holiday parties, etc. – free of charge. And the Buddy Walk is free, too, of course. “We don’t charge any registration fees or entry fees or anything like that,” says Myatt.

Most importantly, the Buddy Walk serves as visible exercise in kindness, a way for parents who might be struggling with the challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome to find their “tribe,” and a way for South Plains residents with Down syndrome to … well, just to have a blast.

Advice for New Parents, and for the Community Aside from movie nights and fun and games, however, there’s a serious element to the work performed by Lubbock’s BUDS group.

When parents receive a Down syndrome diagnosis, the news can be accompanied by a great deal of worry, confusion, even anger. Myatt and her BUDS colleagues exist to alleviate those emotions.

As Myatt explains, “The first thing I would tell our new parents who just had a child or who have been given the diagnosis of expecting a child with Down syndrome is, we’re here for you. Congratulations, you’re going to have a new baby. That baby is going to need what every other typical child needs; they’re going to need love and support and all of the other things that go into having a new baby. Just because they have Down syndrome, it doesn’t mean it has to be a somber diagnosis.”

Certainly, notes Myatt, a Down syndrome diagnosis will mean there will be challenges ahead. But there will be wonderful times, too.

“Your kids are going to be able to do all the things you thought that they would be able to do, but in their time. They want to be loved and accepted just like everybody else.”

And when the going gets tough, parents will have BUDS to fall back on. “There will be some things you’ll probably have to keep an eye on, more so than you would a typical child, but that’s OK. We’re here to help you. We want you to be as involved as you want to be – and you can always call on us, text us, email us. We’re here for support, absolutely.”

As far as the wider Lubbock community is concerned, Myatt stresses kindness above all. “I think [from the perspective of] our broader community, who may not know anybody with Down syndrome or who doesn’t have a family member with Down syndrome, we just really want them to either teach their children to be kind or teach their children to be empathetic.” Beyond that, the BUDS crew welcomes engagement. “Ask questions! We would love to talk to you about our kids.”

And, of course, volunteering with BUDS is welcomed. “If your family is looking for a volunteer opportunity, if your high school or junior high kids are looking for volunteer opportunities, we would love to have them as part of our group! Obviously,” adds Myatt, “this pandemic is taking that opportunity away because we can’t have events – but we would love to have them get to know our kids and our families. There are so many things our community can do to help support not only our organization, but all of the other organizations that deal with specialneeds children. Community support is vital.”

In the end, says Myatt, it comes down to the simple things. “It just all goes back to showing kindness and standing up for those children who maybe can’t say what they need to say to those who aren’t being very nice to them. That all comes from good raising and teaching.” L JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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FEATURE

Feature

Whole Health

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By Jason Boyett

e’ve spent the past few months thinking about health more than perhaps any other time in our lives. Most Lubbock residents have been through the “Do I have COVID?” uncertainty drill: Are these allergies? Did I cough because my throat is dry? Is it just cold in here or this a fever?

Which is why we’ve also been looking forward to the arrival of a new year more than perhaps any other time in our lives. Since we’ve dedicated this issue to the topic of kindness, maybe 2021 should be the year when we don’t just extend more kindness to each other, but also to our bodies. Could this become our city’s healthiest year yet?

With that in mind, we turned to Hunter Wells, manager of Natural Health Market, which has been serving the city’s vitamin and supplement needs for the past two decades. Located in The Village Shopping Center on 82nd Street, Wells and her team oversee a vast inventory of products and resources.

Her most foundational advice for improving health is to eat clean. “I recommend a clean diet. That’s No. 1,” she says. That means focusing on whole foods – like produce and lean meats—while avoiding packaged and processed food products. “You want most of your grocery list to be produce, because you get a lot of your B vitamins and your minerals out of those,” says Wells. “I recommend eating all the colors of the rainbow. Make sure your grocery cart is full of colors.”

In other words, choose colorful fruits and vegetables rather than colorful boxes of sugary cereals or frozen pizzas. We live in a culture that tends to prioritize ready-to-eat meals – but those rarely provide the nutrients our bodies need. “A lot of it is obviously convenience, but even if you do buy packaged foods, look at the ingredients,” suggests Wells. “The shorter the list, the better. That means there are not as many fillers and funny ingredients that might be added.”

For a variety of reasons, however, most individuals’ diets regularly fall short of certain nutrients. That’s when healthy supplements can be helpful. “I recommend three supplements for everybody to fill in the gaps. These are things we’re just not getting in our standard American diet these days,” she says. Those supplements are a multivitamin, a probiotic and fish oil.

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Multivitamins: There are plenty of multivitamin options on the market, and these are targeted at everyone from men and women to children and older adults. But not all multivitamins are created equal. “Make sure it’s a whole food vitamin,” says Wells. “You’ll go into big-box stores and they’ll have several different multivitamins, but a lot of these are synthetic.” Whole food supplements are made from concentrated or dehydrated natural foods, but synthetic nutrients are produced industrially. These are chemically identical to those found in food, but the jury is still out on how efficiently the human body can process them.

Wells says some bodies don’t absorb synthetic nutrients as well as the natural ones, and may end up just eliminating the unfamiliar synthetic nutrients. “But your body absorbs whole food vitamins just like you’re eating those foods,” she says. Natural multivitamins will list the foods they use to source each nutrient.

Probiotics: A healthy body starts with a healthy gut, and probiotics are the live gut bacteria and yeasts that live in the human digestive system. This is the good kind of bacteria. “Back in the good old days, people would eat fermented foods and get a lot of good bacteria to replenish that gut flora,” Wells says. People eat less of those products today, and overuse of antibiotics can inhibit healthy gut bacteria.

“All disease begins in the gut, so I always recommend doing a probiotic supplement. These can come in capsules, liquids or powders.”

Of course, the best way to restore naturally occurring gut bacteria is to consume fermented foods like sauerkraut or yogurt and drinks such as kefir (fermented milk) or kombucha (fermented tea). But for those who can’t access these foods or don’t like the taste, supplemental probiotics can be effective.

Fish Oil: This supplement is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least one or two servings of fish every week. Omega-3 fatty acids have an incredible number of protective health benefits, but – again – most Americans don’t eat as much fish as they should. “Fish oil is essential for our entire bodies, but not enough people are eating an adequate amount of fish. It’s so important to get those omega-3s. The best way to do it is by taking a fish oil supplement of at least 1,000 milligrams for adults,” says Wells.

Wells and her staff at Natural Health Market also regularly work with customers who leave a medical checkup or lab test having discovered a vitamin deficiency. “We work with a lot of local doctors who will actually have people come in with full lists of items they’ve recommended,” she says. “We always recommend talking to your doctor before you take a supplement, depending on your health. But we work with everyone to make sure they’re getting the proper doses, depending on what they’re deficient in or their levels.” She says vitamin D and B-12 deficiencies tend to be the most common among local customers.

Beyond clean eating and supplemental nutrition, Wells says it’s important for everyone to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night, avoid stress, and drink plenty of water. “Shoot for half your body weight in ounces of water,” she says. In other words, a 120-pound woman should try to drink around 60 ounces of water a day.

Combine these recommendations with regular exercise and you may be on your way to a healthier 2021 – something we’re all ready to embrace. L

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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COOKING LESSONS

Warming Winter Recipes

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s winter drags on and we’re still stuck inside, these comforting dishes are guaranteed to warm you up from the inside. With seasonal vegetables for vitamins and vitality, color from tomatoes, and glutenfree, vegetarian and vegan options, these classic recipes help provide nutrition for the entire family.

Recipes courtesy of More Content Now

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STOCKPHOTO

Cottage Pie (gluten-free)

1 ½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered ½ stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated ½ cup whole milk, or more as needed 1 pound ground beef 1 small onion, diced 2 strips bacon, chopped 1 tablespoon gluten-free flour (almond, buckwheat, oat or rice) 1 ½ cups hot beef stock 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables, thawed and drained on paper towels Salt and pepper to taste Boil potatoes in water to cover, about 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Drain; return to pot. Mash with butter and milk. Stir in grated cheese. Season; set aside. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a deep-dish pie plate. Cook bacon in a skillet; leave bacon and a tablespoon of fat in pan. Add onions; cook on medium-low heat until softened. Sprinkle in flour; cook until lightly golden. Add beef. Cook until lightly browned. Stir in stock. Simmer, 5 to 8 minutes, until sauce forms. Transfer beef mixture to buttered pie dish, layer mixed vegetables and top with mashed potatoes, sculpting like piecrust. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until top is golden.

Makes 6 servings

Black Bean Orange Soup (vegetarian)

(To expand flavor, use a fresh orange, grating zest into soup with juice.)

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup chopped yellow onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons cumin powder Salt and cayenne pepper to taste 1 medium carrot, diced 1 medium bell pepper, diced 2 cans black beans, rinsed well and drained 1 ½ cups orange juice Sour cream, chopped cilantro, salsa, for topping (optional) Heat olive oil in skillet. Add onion, garlic, cumin, carrot and bell pepper; cook on medium heat until very tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to heavy stock pot; add beans. Simmer 15 minutes. Stir in orange juice, salt and cayenne. Puree 1/3 of soup in blender or food processor. Return to pot; simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes longer until heated through.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Classic Beef Stew 5 ½-pound chuck-eye roast, cut in 1-inch cubes, seasoned with salt and pepper 2 strips bacon, diced 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch rounds 1 ½ teaspoons chopped thyme leaves 2 to 3 tablespoons flour 3 cups beef stock Cook bacon in large ovenproof pot, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove; transfer to paper towels. Brown beef in batches on mediumhigh heat, 3 to 5 minutes; remove and set aside. Reduce heat to medium; add and heat oil. Add onions and thyme; cook, stirring, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in flour; cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add stock; turn up heat and stir any bits from bottom of pot.

Reduce heat to low. Add bacon, beef, carrots, and potatoes, if using. Cover and simmer until tender, 2 to 2 ½ hours.

Makes 8 servings

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Pasta al Cavolfiore (vegan without cheese)

1 head cauliflower 28-ounce can best-quality plum tomatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, peeled and lightly crushed 2/3 cup hot water Salt and pepper to taste 1 pound ziti or other large tubular pasta ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (skip for vegan recipe) 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat parsley Trim cauliflower; break into florets. Puree tomatoes in food processor or blender. Heat olive oil in large, heavy pot. Add garlic, pushing it around pan until lightly golden; remove and discard.

Add tomatoes; bring pot to a boil. Stir in cauliflower, hot water, salt and pepper. Cover; cook on low heat, 30 to 45 minutes until cauliflower is very tender. Cook and drain pasta; add it to pot of cauliflower-tomato sauce; toss to coat. Ladle into serving bowls; finish with Parmesan and parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.

Makes 4 hearty portions or 6 smaller

Welsh Rarebit 8 slices toast, crusts removed 1 pound cheddar cheese, grated 2 tablespoons flour ½ cup beer or ale 1 teaspoon Worcestershire ½ teaspoon dry mustard Pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste 2 egg yolks Heat oven to 400 degrees. In saucepan off heat, stir together cheese and flour. Add beer, butter, Worcestershire, mustard and cayenne. Place saucepan on top of double boiler on low heat. Cook on gentle heat, never boiling, stirring constantly. Whisk egg yolks in small bowl. Take cheese mixture off heat and slowly stir tablespoon of it into egg mixture, tempering it. Gradually stir remaining yolk mixture into cheese. Place toast in 6 baking dishes; pour cheese mixture over each. Transfer to oven for 1 to 2 minutes, until cheese bubbles.

Makes 6 servings

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PROVIDED PHOTOS

Eat Drink

F

HAYASHI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE

eaturing hibachi-style entrees, convenient bento box meals, traditional Japanese meals, and sushi, Hayashi is locally owned and operated. Visit for lunch or dinner seven days a week.

Experience the showmanship of a teppanyaki chef, or choose from a staggering array of sushi rolls and sashimi. Hayashi also features its 2 for $22 special every Tuesday and Thursday.

Enjoy the fresh offerings from Hayashi from the comfort of home with convenient online ordering and curbside takeout, or sip on a signature cocktail while you wait inside for your order.

4220 82nd St. 792.6868 hayashilubbock.com Open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

PRICING GUIDE $ most entrees less than $10 $$ most entrees $11 to $20 $$$ most entrees more than $21

NEW New to Eat Drink UPDATE

Updated entry

THE EAT DRINK RESTAURANT GUIDE IS A READER SERVICE COMPILED BY THE LUBBOCK MAGAZINE EDITORIAL STAFF. THE MAGAZINE DOES NOT ACCEPT ADVERTISING OR OTHER COMPENSATION IN EXCHANGE FOR A LISTING. THE GUIDE IS UPDATED REGULARLY. TO CORRECT A LISTING OR RECOMMEND A RESTAURANT FOR CONSIDERATION, CONTACT THE EDITOR AT MMCAFFREY@LUBBOCKONLINE.COM.

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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RESTAURANT GUIDE ADOLPH’S GRILL & BAR Fill up on burgers and bar-bites before trying out your vocal skills during karaoke every evening.

5131 Aberdeen Ave., 785.2030, adolphsgrillandbar.com $

BEIJING HOUSE RESTAURANT Specializing in Mongolian barbecue and Chinese fare, Beijing’s daily lunch specials and dinner entrees are easy on your wallet. 3605 50th St., 793.9593, beijinghouselubbock.com $

ALBARRAN’S MEXICAN BAR & GRILL There’s plenty of room to unwind in Albarran’s expansive indoor and outdoor dining areas. A cold margarita is the perfect complement to popular fish tacos or steaming fajitas. 7722 Milwaukee Ave., 771.2869, albarrans.com $$

BIG E’S BARBEQUE This late-night haunt in The Depot District serves take-and-eat barbecue, specifically meat burritos with pork, sausage, chicken or brisket, and your choice of condiments. 1802 Buddy Holly Ave., 441.6703 $

ALL AMERICAN EATERY & CATERING CO. Housed in the former Hwy. 87 Lunch Diner, All American offers sandwiches, salads, fresh pie, and a hot entree buffet special of the day. Our curiosity has been peaked by the bacon-wrapped brat on a pretzel bun and the homemade pimento cheese sandwich. 8901 Hwy. 87, 368.6304, allamericaneatery.com $ ANNA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT It’s Tex-Mex heaven inside Anna’s bright and cheerful dining room. Start with fresh guacamole and move on to a generously portioned combination plate. 6909 Indiana Ave., 771.8783 $ APPLE TREE CAFE & BAKERY This local favorite impresses with home-style breakfasts, fresh sandwiches, and plenty of baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth. 3501 50th St., 799.7715, appletreelbk.com $ ARANDAS TAQUERIA Specializing in Jalisco-style Mexican food, Arandas serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from an ample menu. Use the convenient drive-thru for tasty food on the go. 4001 34th St., 687.1939 $ ATOMIC LOUNGE & PIZZA KITCHEN Atomic specializes in fire roasted pizzas. Feast on favorites like The Roni, extra-large slices of pepperoni atop melted mozzarella and smoky tomato sauce. Atomic’s ovens cook a pizza in 2 ½ minutes so your hunger pangs are quickly satisfied. 2420 Broadway Ave. Suite A, 407.3221 $$ BACK 40 GRILL Back 40 covers all the bases: kid-friendly, great food, satisfying desserts, live music, and a patio area. 5214 98th St., 853.8715, theback40grill.com $$ BANGKOK THAI RESTAURANT This tiny hole-in-the-wall serves fresh Thai entrees and soup bowls. Customer favorites are the beef noodle soup, spicy chicken, and tom kha gai.

4624 34th St., 791.7787 $

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BIGHAM’S SMOKEHOUSE Open for 40 years, Bigham’s serves its West Texasstyle barbecue from two small, straightforward locations. 3312 82nd St., 797.9241/4302 19th St., 793.6880, bighamsbbq.net $ BLUE SKY TEXAS Blue Sky’s burgers and homemade fries are the perfect companions to a Lone Star Beer or an Oreo shake. Be prepared to share the one-size-feeds-a-lot cheese fries. 4416 98th St., 368.7591/ 3216 Fourth St., 368.0750, blueskytexas.com $ BONUS BURGERS This cash-only eatery’s claim to fame is its classic soda fountain shop-style greasy burgers and fries.

Save room for a thick and creamy shake.

2312 50th St., 795.7400 $ BRYAN’S STEAKS A traditional buffet-style steakhouse, Bryan’s offers steaks cooked to order with self-serve salads, sides and soft-serve ice cream. 1212 50th St., 744.5491 $$ BUNS OVER TEXAS If you’ve ever been to Buns, then you know “Your buns are up,” means dinner’s ready. The madeto-order burgers will fill you up fast. Pair one with some of the best cheese fries around, and wet your whistle with the refreshing ice tea.

3402 73rd St., 793.0012, bunsovertexas.com $ BURRITO TOWER Housed in a bright gold building, this small Mexican joint serves breakfast starting at 7 a.m. and lunch until 2 p.m. We’re hooked on the migas rancheros and gorditas. 3001 34th St., 791.5813 $ CAFE J Enjoy elegant ambience surrounded by original artwork. Menus change with the seasons and each entree is carefully prepared with a wine pairing in mind. 2605 19th St., 743.5400, cafejlubbock.com $$$ CAGLE STEAKS Step into a true West Texas experience at Cagle Steaks. After walking around the ranch, feast on hand-cut steaks with all the fixings.

Save room for fresh cobbler topped with ice cream.

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • JANUARY 2021

8732 Fourth St., 795.3879, caglesteaks.com $$ CANCUN RESTAURANT & BAR This Lubbock mainstay has stood the test of time because of its reasonable prices, generous portions, customer service, and Happy Hour bargains. 7905 University Ave., 687.9048 , cancunlubbock.com $-$$ CAPITAL PIZZA Don’t let Capitol’s nondescript storefront fool you.

Quality ingredients, creative specialty pizzas, and hundreds of craft beers certainly impressed us.

2705 26th St., 368.3603/8211 Slide Road, 701.4062, capitalpizzalubbock.com $$ CAPROCK CAFE A Lubbock favorite, CapRock is the perfect place to hang out and watch the game – with a burger in one hand and an ice-cold beer in the other, of course! 3405 34th St., 784.0300/5217 82nd St., Space 109, 771.2233, caprockcafe.com $-$$ CHICKEN RUN Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the cafe serves breakfast items, specialty juices, lunch combo deals and small plates for lighter appetites.

1910 Quaker Ave., 687.3447, chickenrun.cafe $$ CHIMY’S CERVECERIA If a margarita is in order, this is the spot. Plenty of Tex-Mex staples and margarita flavors and a lively outdoor patio make this a great place to spend an evening. 2417 Broadway St., 763.7369 $ CHINA EXPRESS Choose from dine-in, take-out or delivery at China Express. Customer favorites include Szechuan, Hunan and curry dishes. 5510 Fourth St., Suite 250, 799.3133, chinaexpresslubbock.com $ CHINA WOK With more than 125 menu items, you might feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to ordering. But don’t despair – everything’s good. 6302 Frankford Ave., Suite 3, 783.8888, china-wok-lubbock.com $ CHIPS SPORTS BAR The simple menu at Chips contains standard sports bar fare: pub-style appetizers, burgers and sandwiches. Fill up on your favorites while you watch the game or play a game of pool.

5166 69th St., 794.1944, chipssportsbar.com $ CHOOCHAI THAI CUISINE The small, unassuming building hides a treasure trove of authentic Thai offerings. Try the labb nau or pad see ew. “Spicy” means spicy here, so be warned. 2330 19th St., 747.1767, choochai.com $ CHOPPED & SLICED BBQ Chopped & Sliced has all the bases covered:

premium barbecue and all the fixings, friendly service, delicious cobbler, catering and a food truck. We’re big fans. 3501 50th St., Suite 110, 317.1920, choppedandsliced.com $$ CHOP CHOP RICE CO. It’s all in the name: Chop Chop Rice Co. specializes in rice, but goes much further than that. With a menu full of meats and vegetables, you can dress up your rice any way your heart desires. Come hungry, because portion sizes are impressive. 5707 Fourth St., 478.1775/7320 Milwaukee Ave., 701.5400, chopchoprice.com $ CHRISTAKIS BURGERS When you’re craving a burger, this is your spot. A favorite among in-the-know locals, Christakis serves jumbo-sized and regular burgers with a variety of topping combinations. Try the namesake burger with pastrami and cheese for messy but delicious meal. 1111 34th St., 744.6833 $ COCINA DE LA SIRENA Located in the historic Cactus Alley courtyard, La Sirena serves modern Latin American food in a cozy dining room. The menu changes regularly to accommodate local produce, but it’s a delight no matter the season.

2610 Salem Ave., 368.7960, lasirenacocina.com $$$ COOK’S GARAGE Tuck in to Texas-style comfort food surrounded by classic cars and memorabilia. You can’t miss with the wings, burgers or nachos.

11002 Highway 87, 893.2491, cooksgarage.com $$

fficial Brand Logos

THE CRAFTHOUSE GASTROPUB Experience quality eats at this casual pub. Choose something from the Bites, Small or Large menus depending on your appetite. We’re taken with the dumplin’s and house Canadian bacon. 3131 34th St., 687.1466, crafthousepub.com $$

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

CRAWDADDY’S SPORTS GRILL & BAR Cajun favorites, seafood, burgers, and fries round out the menu at Crawdaddy’s. Enjoy a drink from the bar while you dine. 5725 82nd St., 771.4455 $$ CRICKET’S DRAFT HOUSE + GRILL Cricket’s proximity to Tech, plenty of beers on tap, dinner and late-night menus, affordable prices, and pool and gaming tables make it a great handout spot. 2412 Broadway St., 744.4677, cricketsgrill.com $ DIMBA’S CHICKEN & SEAFOOD Can you ever have enough fried chicken or catfish? We don’t think so.

Especially when it’s fresh, cooked to order, and surrounded by french fries.

Good thing there’s an all-you-can-eat option for dine-in, and “mess-o-catfish” for drive-thru or carry-out. 5010 Quaker Ave., 799.0830/421 Frankford Ave., 281.1681 $ DION’S This Southwestern chain offers pizza, salads, and subway sandwiches in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. 2721 82nd St., 745.1010/6410 82nd St., 747.4800, dions.com $ E&J SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Nestled in Escondido Canyon, E&J is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Saturday. Dine on plenty of barbecue and Texas-style sides and desserts at this little oasis. 701 Regis St., 762.6201, ejsmokhouse.com $$-$$$

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EAST MOON ASIAN BISTRO East Moon specializes in Pan-Asian food, with a focus on Thai dishes, sushi, noodles and curries.

Regulars love the affordable lunch specials and quick delivery service. 5028 50th St., 712.8888, lubbockeastmoon.com $ EDDIE’S BBQ Eddie’s is true West Texas kitsch. The historic lunch-only eatery offers authentic Texas-style barbecue and some of the tastiest Frito pie around.

1324 E. 50th St., 747.3736 $$ EL CHARRO Open early for breakfast, El Charro serves traditional Tex-Mex favorites like burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Use the drive-thru for a hot breakfast to go. 5011 I-27, 747.5790, elcharrotexas.com $ EL PHOENIX TAQUERIA El Phoenix specializes in Oaxacan-style cuisine and “Mexican comfort food.” Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, El Phoenix also offers daily specials and Happy Hour. 10007 Slide Road, 993.5011 $ FLIPPERS TAVERN This colorful little hole-in-the-wall specializes in brats with all the fixings. Try the Pile Driver for a cheese and chili fix. 1406 Avenue Q, 701.5130 $ FORTUNE COOKIE CHINESE RESTAURANT Serving Cantonese-style food, Fortune Cookie is family-owned and -operated. Easy online ordering makes dine-in and takeout dining a breeze. 7006 University Ave., 745.2205, fortunecookietx.com $ THE FUNKY DOOR BISTRO & WINE ROOM With everything from mac ‘n cheese to fondue, lobster to steak, and more than 800 wine labels, The Funky Door is a divine place to linger.

6801 Milwaukee Ave., 687.0505, thefunkydoor.com $$-$$$ GARCIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Garcia’s is known for its affordable food and onpoint margaritas. Feast on the buffet for weekend brunch. 5604 Slide Road, Suite 100, 792.0097 $ THE GAS LIGHT Relax with a handcrafted cocktail and one of the shareable plates while you listen to live music in the lounge. 5212 57th St., Suite 100, 785.1720, thegaslight.net $$ GATOR’S BAYOU CAJUN GRILL & BAR Gator’s Bayou’s fun atmosphere and extensive food and drink menus ensure that you’ll enjoy your experience. Fans of Gator’s enjoy the Sunday brunch and sheltered patio. 5217 98th St., 698.6900, gatersbayou.com $$

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GEORGE’S RESTAURANT Comfort food and burgers round out the menu at George’s. Customers love the all-day breakfast and cozy diner-style environment. 6914 82nd St., Suite A, 783.8500, georges82nd.business.site $ GILBERT’S BAR & GRILL With its Tech-themed dining room and generous patio, Gilbert’s is the perfect place to hang out and enjoy a home-style meal. Enjoy familystyle Chinese food on Saturday nights and brunch on Sundays. 2608 Salem Ave., 795.8791, gilbertslubbock.com $$ GIORGIO’S PIZZA Giorgio’s longstanding downtown location offers counter service and some of the city’s most beloved pizza by the slice, calzones, pasta, and daily lunch specials. 1018 Broadway St., 765.9330 $ GOHAN JAPANESE FUSION A fast-casual eatery, Gohan serves hibachi-style build-a-bowl meals, specialty rice bowls, and bubble tea. 1003 University Ave., 368.8048 $$ HARRIGAN’S PRIME GRILL Remember Harrigan’s? Well, the beloved chain is back as Harrigan’s Prime Grill, and locals are thrilled. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu includes plenty of steaks to satisfy beef lovers, along with plenty of options for the entire family.

Don’t’ leave without indulging in a Black Magic Cake. 11814 Indiana Ave., 368.8008, harrigans.com $$-$$$ HAYASHI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Featuring hibachi-style entrees, Hayashi also offers sushi and sashimi, bento boxes and a sake bar. 4220 82nd St., 792.6868, hayashisteakhouse.com $$ HEFF’S BURGERS A winner in the Best Burger category of Best of Lubbock since 2010, Heff’s serves nine different fresh, half-pound burgers, and sandwiches, homestyle fries, and ice cream. 5727 82nd St., 698.0900, heffsburgers.net $ HILL BARBECUE Hill Barbecue originally opened its doors as Embers Barbecue in Levelland. After a move to downtown Lubbock’s Art District, Hill Barbecue serves its craft-smoked meats every Thursday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to sellout. Expect a line for this beloved barbecue joint, but it’s worth the wait.

1106 Fifth St., 632.3313, realtexasgrit.com $$ HOLLY HOP ICE CREAM SHOPPE This charming, old-fashion ice cream and soda shop also serves pizza, hot dogs and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. 3404 34th St., 792.2756 $ IKE’S WOODFIRE GRILLE Ike’s offers handcrafted steaks, seafood, woodfired pizzas, calzones, burgers and more. Save with Ike’s daily specials and enjoy daily Happy Hour

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Monday through Friday. 4414 82nd St., Suite 218, 368.8036, ikesgrill.com $$ INDIA PALACE RESTAURANT A little aging gem, you’ll find cooked-to-order Indian standbys like naan, samosas, masala and mango lassi. Be prepared to wait, but the food is worth every minute. 3021 34th St., Suite A, 799.6772 $ IT’S GREEK TO ME You’re in for a unique experience at this Greek and American food restaurant. You can’t go wrong with the falafel, gyro and sweet baklava. 7006 University Ave., 792.1949, itisgreektomelubbocktexas.com $ J & M BAR-B-Q For more than 25 years J&M has served its mouthwatering mesquite-smoked barbecue to the Lubbock area. Choose from sausage, ribs, brisket, turkey ham and more, with plenty of fresh sides and sweet cobbler. 7924 Slide Road, 798.2525/ 3605 34th St., 796.1164, jandmbbq.com $$ JAZZ, A LOUISIANA KITCHEN A national chain, Jazz serves New Orleans-style classics and features nightly live music. 3703 19th St., 799.2124, jazzkitchen.com $$ JIMENEZ BAKERY & RESTAURANT Jimenez has offered traditional Mexican baked goods to the Lubbock area since 1969. Breakfast items lean toward Texas-style comfort food, while lunch and dinner focus on more traditional items.

Don’t leave without trying something from the bakery. 1217 Crickets Ave., 744.2685 $ JOSIE’S AUTHENTIC MEXICAN KITCHEN Josie’s three Lubbock locations serve a variety of fresh, handmade burritos for walk-up, dine-in and drive-thru service. Breakfast burritos are the most popular, but the Big Mama is a sure bet any time of day. 3312 Avenue Q, 744.8075/5101 Aberdeen Ave., 793.7752/6606 19th St., 793.1921 $ JUMBO JOE’S A true burger joint, Joe’s offers dine-in, carry-out and a convenient drive-thru. Extra-large portions and affordable prices keep diners going back for more. 3310 Fourth St., 747.7900, jumbojoes.com $ KIN KOREAN BBQ & SUSHI LOUNGE Traditional Korean BBQ is designed for sharing. At Kin, choose your meat and cook it yourself at the table. Or choose sushi from Kin’s “Sushi Conveyor Revolution,” which features fresh-made sushi.

6810 Milwaukee Ave., 368.3830 $$ KING LOUIE’S SPORTS LOUNGE & BILLIARDS ROOM Kin Louie’s stretches “Happy Hour” into an eight-hour celebration. Enjoy drink specials and shareable plates from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every day,

while you watch the game or play a game of pool in the smoke-free pool hall. 7604 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 1400, 368.8200 $$

and hummus. Order online for quick pickup or delivery. 3624 50th St., 788.0215, litebitemediterraneancafe.com $

KING STREET PUB Nestled in a strip mall on Indiana, King Street Pub’s stark exterior holds a surprisingly charming Victorian English tea room meets traditional pub-themed restaurant. Inventive cuisine and a cozy atmosphere will keep you going back for more. 8004 Indiana Ave., Suite B18, 993.1010, kingstreetpub.com $$

LITTLE WOODROW’S Expect pub-style fare, including burgers, “Mile Wide” nachos, Tex-Mex food, sandwiches, wraps, salads and plenty of shareable for watching the big game. With indoor and outdoor areas to hang out with the gang, this just might be the Hub City’s new favorite game day spot. 6313 66th St., 698.6601, littlewoodrows.com $$

LA DIOSA CELLARS From the funky decor to the perfectly prepared tapas to the extensive wine list, La Diosa promises a top-notch experience. 901 17th St., 744.3600, ladiosacellars.com $$

LOCAL BAR AND GRILL Located close to the Texas Tech campus, Local’s bar menu includes pizza, burgers, street-style tacos, and shareable pub grub. Fill up on Big as Your Face nachos topped with white queso, chorizo, chili and jalapeños. 2420 Broadway St., 368.5127 $

THE LANTERN TAVERN A step above standard pub fare, The Lantern serves shareable appetizers, burgers and pizza in its casual dining room. Enjoy the dog-friendly patio and listen to live music on Friday nights.

3502 Slide Road, 785.2280, lanterntavern.net $$ LAS BRISAS SOUTHWEST STEAKHOUSE Elegant Southwestern-style fare awaits at Las Brisas. Feast on a 24-ounce bone-in rib-eye paired with the perfect craft cocktail or a selection from the wine list. 4701 112th St., 687.6050, las-brisas.com $$$ LEAL’S TAMALE FACTORY AND MORE Leal’s serves dishes that blend the traditional flavors of Mexico with a few twists that will delight you. 6205 19th St., 780.5325, lealstamalefactory.com $$ LILLIE’S PLACE Lillie’s affordable Mexican food and breakfast all day are made even better by great customer service and special attention for pups in the drivethru. 6313 19th St., 701.5206 $ LINDA’S CAFE Specializing in Filipino food, no-fail customer favorites include the special pancit and lomain. Be prepared for a wait as the food is made fresh to order. 1901 W. Loop 289, Suite 6, 791.0233 $ LISA WEST’S DOUBLE NICKEL STEAK HOUSE Voted one of the top 10 best steak houses in Texas, the Double Nickel specializes in traditional steakhouse fare. While beef rules the menu, you’ll find plenty of chicken, seafood and salads to delight the pickiest eater. 5405 Slide Road, 792.0055, doublenickelsteakhouse.com $$$ LITE BITE MEDITERRANEAN CAFE This simple Mediterranean diner also has a specialty market and deli on site. Customer favorites include the fresh gyros, baklava,

lunch and dinner. Expect fresh-made food and plenty of choices as the menu is lengthy.

2531 82nd St.,784.2008/5702 19th St., 407.5009, marytierralubbock.com $

LONE STAR OYSTER BAR A Lubbock staple for more than 30 years, Lone Star serves shrimp and oysters, and burgers and bar food. Listen to live music on the patio or watch the game on the big screens inside the restaurant.

5116 58th St., Suite C, 797.3773/3040 34th St., 796.0101 $$ LOS TACOS This hole-in-the-wall joint serves authentic Mexican food with a focus on tacos. Try a variety to find your new favorite. 3501 Avenue A, 771.0836 $ LUBBOCK’S BREAKFAST HOUSE & GRILL Serving breakfast daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Breakfast House also serves lunch, and dinner until 10 p.m. A huge menu means you can go back again and again to discover a new taste treat.

7006 University Ave., Suite 17, 687.8912/ 3515 50th St., 308.0010/2422 19th St., 701.5351, lubbockbreakfasthouse.com $ MAIN EVENT ENTERTAINMENT Perfect for the whole family or a large group, the Main Event offers bowling, arcade games, mini golf and more. Feed the crew with made-to-order pizza or plenty of grill-style nibbles from the dining area.

6010 Marsha Sharp Fwy., 792.3333, mainevent.com $$ MAMARITA’S BORDER CAFE MamaRita’s fast casual Tex-Mex is a regular Best of Lubbock winner. In business since 1989, locals love the salsa bar, margarita’s, and affordable daily specials. 6602 Slide Road, 794.4778, mamaritaslubbock.com $ MANARA CAFE Family-owned and -operated, Manara serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Customers love the swarma and gyro sandwiches and saffron rice.

2623 34th St., 701.4190 $$ MAR Y TIERRA This cozy Tex-Mex restaurant serves breakfast,

MASISO Cupbap, a popular Korean street food, is a rice bowl topped with Korean-style barbecue, a dumpling and noodles. Discover this simple meal at Masiso, along with a limited number of other Korean favorites. 4809 34th St., 368.5469, masisocupbap.com $ MESQUITES BAR & GRILL The busy bar serves a limited menu to enjoy while watching the big game. 2419 Broadway St., 744.9277 $ MI TACO VILLAGE This humble eatery offers dine-in or carry-out, with live music on weekends. In business since 1975, the family-owned restaurant serves fresh and delicious Tex-Mex. The chile rellenos are renowned.

220 Regis St., 747.9700 $ MISS ANN’S CLASSIC DINER A true Lubbock classic, Miss Ann’s serves burgers, hot dogs, boxed meals, and ice cream. (Save room for a malt!) 3218 34th St., 792.2729 $ MONTELONGO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Dine in, takeout, or catering – Montelongo’s has you covered. Locals love the enchiladas and carne asada. 3021 Clovis Road, 762.3068, montelongosrestaurant.com $ THE NICOLETT With an outdoor dining opening set for fall, The Nicolett is making the best of the COVID crisis by offering The Nicolett At Home ahead of its official opening. The takeaway program will give locals the opportunity to sample a new menu each week, designed to serve two to four guests.

511 Broadway St., nicolettrestaurant.com $$ NORA’S MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANT A simple menu filled with Tex-Mex food is also easy on your wallet. Grab a package of fresh tortillas to go. 4102 34th St., 771.2047 $ THE OFFICE GRILL AND SPORTS BAR Known for great live country music, The Office offers all-day Happy Hour and a simple menu with grill items like sandwiches and burgers.

5004 Frankford Ave., Suite 900, 687.6242 $ O’HANA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR Choose from hibachi service or fresh sushi when you dine at O’hana. Reservations are suggested for busy weekend evenings. 5510 Fourth St., Suite 100, 792.0144/ 5217 82nd St., 783.8298 $$

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ONE GUY FROM ITALY Fresh, hot, cheesy calzones are the star at One Guy, but the pizza, pasta, and garlic bread are also noteworthy. You’ll find traditional Sicilian recipes and great conversation when you dine in.

4320 50th St., 791.1210, oneguyfromitaly.com/ 1101 University Ave., 747.1226 $ ORLANDO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Generous portions of Italian mainstays dominate Orlando’s menu, with a southwestern influence peppered throughout. Customers rave about the potato and green chile soup, burgers, and all-youcan-eat spaghetti and meatballs. 6951 Indiana Ave., 797.8646/2402 Avenue Q, 747.5998, orlandos.com $$ PANCAKE HOUSE This cozy diner fills up fast, so expect a wait time.

Enjoy home-style breakfast until 2:30 p.m. daily, with lunch items available after 11 a.m.

510 Avenue Q, 765.8506 $ THE PECAN GRILL Located inside the Overton Hotel & Conference Center, The Pecan Grill serves upscale breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’re fans of the Texas redfish and NY strip steak. 2322 Mac Davis Lane, 776.7010, overtonhotel.com $$$ PEPE’S PIZZA & ICE CREAM Is there a better combination than pizza and ice cream? We don’t think so. Feast on hand-tossed pizza made to order, and ice cream loaded with your favorite mix-ins. 3704 98th St., Suite 900, 993.7373, pizzabypepes.com $$ PHO CALI Specializing in Vietnamese noodle soup, Pho Cali also offers barbecued pork chops, fried vermicelli, and coffee. 4636 50th St., 784.2882, phocalillc.com $ PICANTES Known for its family atmosphere and fast, affordable Mexican food, Picantes has been serving its straightforward food to hungry locals for years.

You can’t go wrong with one of the daily specials.

3814 34th St., 793.8304 $$ PICOSO’S MEXICAN KITCHEN This much-anticipated restaurant was founded by members of the Leal’s family. The eatery serves rustic modern Mexican food with a focus on street-style tacos and classics like enchiladas, chile relleno, tacos and quesadillas. 7611 Milwaukee Ave., 445.9560, picososmexicankitchen.com $$ PINKIE’S BARBECUE In business since 1962, Pinkie’s specializes in brisket, pork ribs, ham, and sausage with all the fixings. 4704 Fourth St., 687.0795, pinkiesbarbecue.com $

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PITA PIT Create your own pita sandwich at the Pita Pit. With a focus on healthy ingredients, you can dine guiltfree for lunch or dinner. 5707 Fourth St., Suite 4, 687.7482, pitapitusa.com $ POLIBERTO’S TACO SHOP Find your favorite Tex-Mex items at Poliberto’s.

Tacos and burritos earn top ratings at this simple drive-thru only restaurant. 107 Beech Ave., 763.5555 $ QUEEN OF TARTS BAKERY & CHEESE SHOP Handmade artisan baked goods are perfectly paired with a selection of gourmet cheeses. Put together a picnic basket-style takeaway for a romantic evening in. 8004 Indiana Ave., Suite B18, 993.1009, queenoftartslubbock.com $$ RAIDER BURRITO Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Raider Burrito caters to those pesky Tex-Mex cravings. Locals love the street-style tacos and breakfast burritos.

2102 19th St., 771.1178 $ RAIN CAFE Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with brunch on weekends, Rain offers simple American cuisine that leans toward comfort food.

2708 50th St., 785.5800 $ RASPADOS COLIMAS The photos on Raspados’ Facebook page will instantly draw you in and make your mouth water.

Huge fruit drinks, cheesy cups full of Mexican corn, and overflowing taco plates look particularly tempting. 2203 Clovis Road, 760.521.8574 $ RAZZOO’S CAJUN CAFE Open in Lubbock since August 2018, Razzoo’s serves Cajun specialties in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Unwind on Winey Wednesdays with half price wine all day. 4805 S. Loop 289, 783.3032, razzoos.com $$ RED ZONE CAFE This casual college football-themed eatery serves home-style fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

3602 Slide Road, 784.0010, redzonecafe.org $ RIVER SMITH’S CHICKEN & CATFISH A Lubbock mainstay, Rive Smith’s serves fried catfish and chicken battered to perfection.

Chargrilled options, and oysters, shrimp and crab round out the menu. 406 Avenue Q, 765.8164, riversmiths.com $$ ROYAL SEAFOOD SHACK From traditional Cajun seafood boils, to fried or grilled fish, to sandwiches and gumbo, the Royal Seafood Shack’s menu is brimming with fresh seafood, paired with down-home comfort food sides like corn on the cobb, cornbread, french

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fries and coleslaw. 6012 82nd St., 368.8537, royalseafoodshack.com $$ SABROSO MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND BAR Traditional Tex-Mex is a staple in West Texas, and Sabroso does not disappoint. You can’t go wrong with a taco special, enchiladas, or the popular breakfast migas, offered at breakfast or brunch.

5812 34th St., 702.8959, sabrosomexicanrestaurant.com $ SAIGON CAFE An extensive variety of Vietnamese entrees fill the menu at Saigon Cafe. Photos of the food make it easier to choose something off the menu.

4515 50th St., 788.1367 $ SAKURA NOODLE HOUSE & SUSHI BAR Sakura’s extensive menu is offered all day, and includes rice or noodle bowls, sushi and hibachi.

Affordable daily lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. make Sakura an excellent early dinner choice. 4520 50th St., 368.7046 $$ SAMBURGERS A small dine-in space with a drive-thru, Samburgers offers old-fashioned burgers, onion rings, and fries made fresh to order. 4447 34th St., 799.1987 $ SANCTUARY BAR & CAFE Sanctuary offers specialty cocktails like its nitrogeninfused “NitroMargarita,” and classic bar food like burgers, dip and chips, and chicken wings.

The eatery expects to release a full food menu in the coming months. 8209 Slide Road, Suite 900, 368.3867, sanctuarybarandcafe.com $$ SEOUL KOREAN CUISINE You’ll find authentic Korean food at Seoul. The simple menu includes kimchi, bulgogi and more traditional Korean entrees. 4620 50th St., 687.8835 $ SKOONERS GRILL & BAR Open since 1998, Skooners simple menu include wings, pressed sandwiches, soup and salad.

1617 University Ave., 749.7625, skoonerslubbock.com $ THE SILVER BULLET This smoky little dive’s main draw is karaoke and billiards, but there are a few appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and other pub grub offerings on the abbreviated menu. 5145 Aberdeen Ave., 795.4122, silverbulletlubbock.com $ SMOKIN JOE’S Get your Tex-Mex fix at Smokin’ Joe’s. In-the-know locals favor the flavorful cheeseburgers and fruit waters. Head through the convenient drive-thru for a refreshing snow cone. 2001 Clovis Road, 749.5637 $

STACKED BREAKFAST & LUNCH Open early for breakfast and serving lunch daily, Stacked also caters and offers a convenient driveup window for meals on the go. We’ve got our eye on the pancakes at Stacked, with four tempting flavors: original, chocolate chip, sweet potato, and bacon. 6015 82nd St., Suite 5, 317.1101, stackedlbk.com $ STELLA’S The perfect place to linger over an exquisite meal, Stella’s serves brunch, lunch and dinner in a warm and inviting atmosphere. 6015 82nd St., Suite 1, 831.2832, stellaslubbock.us $$-$$$ SUGARBAKERS CAFE & BAKERY Open for breakfast and lunch, Sugarbakers offers light lunch fare, and can accommodate showers, birthday parties, and large groups. Try the sawdust pie – you won’t regret it. 4601 S. Loop 289, Suite 1, 797.0794, sugarbakerscafe.com $ SUSAKI SUSHI STEAKHOUSE One thing is certain: You won’t run out of options at Susaki – although you might settle on a few favorite sushi rolls. If sushi’s not your thing, choose a traditional hibachi entree. 6301 82nd St., 794.8881 $$ TABLE 82 Table 82’s cuisine ranges from hearty Italian entrees to high-end steaks to an abundance of seafood to burgers and pizza. We’re impressed with the variety and outstanding ingredients.

4210 82nd St., Suite 240, 799.3408, table82.com $$-$$$ TAQUERIA Y PANADERIA GUADALAJARA This modest eatery serves authentic fare with fresh baked goods. We love the street tacos and freshmade chicarrón, crackling hot from the fryer.

1925 19th St., 765.8321 $ TECH CAFE The Tech Cafe serves breakfast all day and offers plenty of Texas-style comfort food for hungry diners. With prices that are easy on your wallet, the ample menu has something for everyone.

4006 130th St., 701.5855/1524 50th St., 744.5990/11703 University Ave., 748.1999/ 2611 Slaton Road, 771.5048/4631 50th St., 701.5002 $ TEXAS BURRITO For breakfast on the go, Texas Burrito is the spot.

Generous portions and affordable prices keep loyal diners going back for more. 2167 50th St., 744.7373 $ THAI KITCHEN This hidden gem gets high marks for cleanliness, value and authentic Thai flavor. 2302 Texas Ave., 782.8689 $

THAI PEPPER THAI FOOD RESTAURANT This bustling but small restaurant is a local favorite.

Solid traditional Thai offerings like pad thai and chicken larb can be made extra spicy for the adventurous diner. 3702 20th St., 795.7444 $

URBAN BRICKS PIZZA Fast, build-your-own pizzas from counter service enable guests to experiment with everything from the crust, sauce and drizzle to meat, cheese and vegetables. 7610 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 300, 993.7777, urbanbrickspizza.com $

THIRSTY DILLA Gourmet quesadillas for breakfast, lunch and dinner are the focus at the Thirsty Dilla. Choose a meat or create your own quesadilla from a variety of vegetables, meats and cheeses. Quench your thirst with fruit teas and slushes, boba teas, and classic Micheladas. 6301 82nd St., Suite 101, 701.4800 $

THE WEST TABLE KITCHEN AND BAR The West family’s hip eatery inside the Pioneer Condos building downtown serves outstanding, creative food. The menu changes daily to accommodate seasonal foods, but we enjoyed the crab hushpuppy starter, hearty burger, and roasted beet salad on our last visit. 1204 Broadway St., Suite 103, 993.9378, thewesttable.com $$

TIKKA SHACK INDIAN GRUB This modern chain caters to Indian food connoisseurs and beginners alike. The simple, build-your-own menu takes the confusion out of ordering. Create kabobs, wraps and bowls to your liking and try a traditional sweet to end your meal.

6620 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 100, 771.0960/ 2407 Ninth St., Suite 500, 701.4837, tikkashack.com $ TOM & BINGO’S HICKORY PIT BAR-B-QUE In business since the 1950s, Tom & Bingo’s is a local staple. Feast on mesquite-smoked barbecue, sausage, burgers, and traditional sides. Grab a bottle of the famous barbecue sauce to go.

3006 34th St., 799.1514 $$ TOMMY’S FAMOUS BURGERS This family-run franchise promises the perfect fast food burgers, hot dogs and chili to end late-night cravings. Order a hot dog with the works – you won’t be disappointed. 117 University Ave., 763.5424, tommysfamousburgers.com $ TORO BURGER BAR Toro focuses on burgers and beer: 40 beers on tap and a staggering 26 burgers on the menu (there’s even fish and veggie burgers!). The Fiery Green Chile Cheeseburger and Buffalo Mac & Cheese Chicken Sandwich are certainly intriguing.

7706 Milwaukee Ave., 698.6283, toroburgerbar.com $ THE TRIPLE J CHOPHOUSE & BREW CO. Owned and operated by the folks that started Bigham’s Bar-B-Q, Triple J serves lunch and dinner in its historic downtown location. Meat lovers will rejoice over the USDA Choice steak options. 1807 Buddy Holly Ave., 771.6555, triplejchophouseandbrewco.com $$ UNCLE CHIEN’S CHINESE & THAI RESTAURANT This tiny drive-thru or dine-in restaurant serves affordable traditional Chinese and Thai food.

Expect friendly service and standard fare.

3004 34th St., 795.1148, unclechiens.com $

WILEY’S BAR-B-QUE While it’s off the beaten path, Wiley’s is worth a visit. We’d go for just the ribs, but the brisket, sandwiches, and potato salad are also tasty options. 1805 Parkway Drive, 765.7818 $$ WING DADDY’S SAUCE HOUSE Available for dine or carryout, Wing Daddy’s serves cravable wings, bar-style appetizers burgers and more. Enjoy lunch specials weekdays, and weekly specials Monday through Thursday.

7706 Milwaukee Ave., 698.9464, wingdaddys.com $$ YAMAGATA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SHABU SHABU Yamagata’s shabu shabu (hot pots) set it apart from other hibachi-style restaurants in town. Choose a variety of thinly sliced meats and vegetables to cook tableside. 5905 82nd St., Suite 104, 687.5620 $$ YAYA’S PLACE There’s Soul Food and then there’s “food for your soul,” which is what you’ll find at YaYa’s Place.

Feast on old-fashion fried chicken, pork chops, catfish, loaded baked potatoes, collard greens, corn bread and more. Order ahead for takeout only. 1500 14th St., 317.8769 $ YELLOW HOUSE COFFEE On weekdays, Yellow House serves breakfast built on toast. Start your weekend with breakfast ingredients on fluffy buttermilk biscuits. And of course, there are plenty of specialty coffees to get that morning energy boost. 3017 34th St., 702.8997, yellowhousecoffee.com $ YUYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT Choose from the menu, hibachi-style meals, or fresh sushi from the sushi bar. 5130 80th St., 368.7861, yuyorestaurant.com $$

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806 Inc.

T

his month, we introduce a new section in Lubbock Magazine: “806 Inc.” You’ll find news related to Lubbock-area business, such as ribbon cuttings, Chamber news, promotions and new hires, upcoming business openings and other event coverage.

The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s incoming chair shares his experiences and expectations for the coming year in our first 806 Inc. section, and the Chamber updates local business owners on legislative priorities for 2021.

Do you have business news you’d like to see in 806 Inc.? Email mmcaffrey@lubbockonline.com with news and updates about your Lubbock-area business for consideration in an upcoming issue.

CITY OF LUBBOCK 2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES:

What You Need to Know Courtesy of the Lubbock Chamber

The Lubbock City Council approved its legislative priorities for the upcoming 87th Texas Legislature. While the list of priorities spans several state and federal issues, some are relevant to the Lubbock business community. Here are five of the main takeaways you need to know.

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1. Texas Tech funding Texas Tech secured funding for the School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo last session, which was a tremendous legislative accomplishment. However, there is still a little more funding that needs to be secured for the project, which is currently on time and on budget. The City also supports funding efforts for the Texas Tech University Mental Health Institute.

2. Loop 88 Loop 88 is a long-term transportation infrastructure project that will require multiple rounds of funding and several years for the construction of different segments. The project remains a top priority for the City in order to accommodate current and future growth in the Lubbock area.

3. ERCOT transition As Lubbock Power & Light continues its transition to ERCOT, the move remains one of the City of Lubbock’s top priorities during the session. The ultimate inclusion on the state’s power grid will allow for multiple providers to compete in Lubbock and will result in cost savings for Lubbock residents and businesses.

4. Online sales taxes A key piece of legislation to watch for is related to how the state Comptroller distributes sales tax revenue from online purchases.

Lubbock purchases more online goods than it exports outside the city, so it will advocate for those dollars to be allocated to the city that is the point of destination for an online transaction.

5. Broadband access A longtime need for rural Texas, COVID-19 further elevated the importance of broadband access for everyone. Whether it be students accessing the internet for school or businesses relying on the internet as a modern-day necessity, the City of Lubbock will support initiatives to improve broadband access in regions like ours.

Dave Marcinkowski

Partner, Madera Residential 2021 Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Tell us about your background: I have been in the apartment industry since I got out of college. I grew up just outside of Detroit, Michigan, and my first job was as a bookkeeper for a large family-run apartment company. I moved to Chicago when I was 26 and become the Director of Training for a mid-sized real estate company that specialized in upscale apartments. I worked my way up to Head of Operations over the next nine years.

My wife is from Lubbock, so we wanted to move back to Texas at some point. I was introduced to Paul Stell and Charlie Young, and they were gracious enough to allow me to come in as a partner for their real estate company in Lubbock. That was 2004. In 2007, Paul, who was focused on building Vintage Township, allowed Charlie and I to buy him out. We were focused on apartments, so we began our company, Madera Residential, with our third partner, Gary Hall. Alton Smith joined us in 2010, and we have been off to the races ever since.

What do you hope to accomplish during your tenure as the Chairman of the Board? I think the focus for 2021 will be dramatically impacted by COVID. This awful disease has had a profound effect on our business community and in turn, our Chamber.

I believe the focus will be on navigating these rough waters to fight for and support our business community any way we can.

How have mentors made a difference in your professional journey? I have been blessed with so many extraordinary mentors throughout my career. One of our core values at Madera is “CANEI,” which is an acronym for Constant and Never-Ending Improvement.

This came from one of my mentors, Rick Harb, who was the partner I reported to in Chicago. I love this value and lean into it every day. It means there is no room in my life for the status quo. My hope is for myself, our company, and anything we are doing to be better today than it was yesterday. This approach to life has served me well.

How has your past work experience shaped you into a leader?

My professional journey started at the bottom of the food chain for the apartment industry. I was a bookkeeper in charge of about 3,000 apartment units. The crazy thing is, I had to keep the books on paper, because we did not have any computers. I hated that job, but I look back now and think it was the best thing I could have ever done to start my career. I then became a trainer. I have trained leasing consultants on how to sell, maintenance staff on how to do their job, and managers on how to lead. I was a one-man shop that had to learn in detail how our business works from the inside out. This path and the doors God has opened for me have over time allowed me to develop into the leader I am today.

What is the key to your success? There is a current mindset that you should focus on one thing and become really good at it. Well, that is not me! I am someone who thrives when there are lots of irons in the fire. The key is to always focus on the who and not the how. A large portion of my time is spent seeking out champions for different initiatives, casting vision for them and then giving them the tools and resources to get it done. I have been blessed to be introduced to many incredible people throughout our journey at Madera. I could not be prouder of the team we have built and can’t wait to see all we achieve together.

What has been your greatest professional challenge? The very first apartment deal Charlie, Gary and I bought was called Baker Downs in Baytown, Texas. We changed the name to the Lakes at Madera (hence our name). We bought it in July 2008. In September 2008, Hurricane Ike hit Houston and in October of that year, the financial crisis decimated our economy. By no fault of our own, our entire game plan was thrown to the wind, and we had to fight like crazy to make our first-ever deal a success.

The next two years were flat out awful! That was the only deal we ever had to go back to our investors and ask for more money.

Fortunately, we were again blessed with a group of investors that continued to believe in us and gave us the resources we needed to be successful. I could write pages and pages of all the stories and lessons learned from that property. The beauty is we did get through it and gave our investors a return that far exceeded everyone’s expectations.

What has been your wisest investment? The Lakes at Madera.

Prior to that property, we had managed properties for other people and made them a lot of money. Finally, in 2008, we took the risk of doing a deal on our own. That was a critical step in the evolution of our company. Too many companies I come in contact with have everything necessary to take that big step forward, but due to fear, remain in the status quo. I am proud of my partners, as well as the investors we had on that deal, to be able to overcome our fears and do that first deal. We have been successful ever since!

How can Lubbock improve its business environment? That core Madera value (along with Christ and Community): CANEI – Constant and Never-Ending Improvement. We have a fantastic business environment in Lubbock. Most of our apartment deals are in other communities across Texas. I came from Chicago and Detroit, so I have seen the incredible challenges other communities place on businesses. We are so blessed to live in Lubbock. So when you ask what we can do to improve, it’s to foster and support what we already have as a community.

We are also blessed to have a supportive Chamber. Eddie and the staff are nothing short of excellent, which was on full display in 2020 during the pandemic. The list of things our Chamber did to help business in Lubbock is extraordinary. That story needs to be told, because I believe there are so many businesses across our community that do not realize what is available to them if they join the Chamber. Owning and operating a business is such an incredibly hard thing to do! The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce brings value well beyond the cost of membership. They are the partner you need during good times, but especially now with all the challenges we face. L JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT

South Plains Scene

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D

uring the pandemic, I spent more time photographing everyday scenes in and around Lubbock. I captured this image in August, just before sunset, east of Lubbock.

The solitary tree is a pretty commonly photographed subject in nature photography, but here on the South Plains its symbolism feels a little more palpable. It can be a symbol of loneliness, of space, of sparseness of many things, physical and metaphysical. It can symbolize strength in adversity, and survival in harsh conditions.

In this particular image it’s also juxtaposed with a field irrigation system. Combined with the dramatic dissipating rain clouds in the sky above, the photo is an expression of the complex balance of ecological systems at play on the South Plains that make living and thriving here possible. L

TIF HOLMES Tif is a fine art portrait and nature photographer currently based in Lubbock, Texas. Her nature work is a natural expression of her deep connection to wild places. Raised by a conservationist in the Loess Hills of rural Northwest Missouri, she spent most of her childhood outside. Her love for the mountains began with a family trip to Colorado in 1993. Since then, she has spent countless hours in the mountain wilderness, most recently backpacking the 500-mile Colorado Trail. Her images are often made during extended trips into the wilderness on foot, ascending and descending thousands of feet of elevation and sometimes enduring extreme weather. There is a story behind every image she makes.

The unifying spirit of Tif’s work, both portrait and nature, is connection. Her images do not simply document, rather they explore and express a more intimate relationship with the people and places she encounters.

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Two Cents

JAMES NESMITH How did your career at the Science Spectrum begin? Tell us about your background. After graduating from Texas Tech with an undergraduate degree in Animal Science, I was looking for an opportunity to stay in Lubbock, as I had been dating a hometown girl who was finishing a degree in Education. Initially, I was hired part time to paint part of the interior, and then after the staff discovered my childhood train hobby, I was asked to develop the Science Spectrum’s first model railroad exhibit.

Because of a background working with children and serving as a church youth-ministry intern, I was given the opportunity to use my science degree to develop and teach STEM classes and camps for the museum. Those experiences soon turned into an invitation to become a full-time employee and create some of our larger annual events, like CritterFest, the Spooky Science Carnival, and BubbleFest.

For the past 16 of my 24 years with the organization, I have served as the Administrative Manager, overseeing staff in all departments, marketing, fundraising, outside group rentals and visits, and STEM program development.

What projects and events are on the horizon at the Science Spectrum?

In the near future, we are fundraising and working with an exhibit design firm to redevelop a new permanent sports science exhibit gallery. We are also working to expand our FabLab digital design studio and Maker space, which uses CAD and other software along with hardware like laser cutters, 3D printers and robots to teach students engineering design concepts and hands-on fabrication. The museum has a custom van that can bring a mobile FabLab experience to any school, library, community center or organization.

Long range, conversion of the OMNI Theater from its current 15/70mm film projection system to a digital projection system is being researched. The cost to do so will be the major hurdle to overcome.

How have you found connection during the pandemic? Connection is a choice. Whether face to face, over the phone, a text, or through Zoom, we have to choose to make our time meaningful. Being able to pray for others even though I may not see them is a way I am still able to connect to, and invest in them.

What challenges have you faced during your time at the Science Spectrum? This past year has undoubtedly been the most financially challenging year the organization has ever been through.

I struggle when I don’t see staff succeed. When they make mistakes or choices that affect their job, I tend to take it personally, wondering how I could have perhaps been a more effective supervisor.

What sort of impact do you hope to have on Lubbock and its citizens?

Our mission is to further STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education for children and families in our region. While working toward this goal, we hope children find a love of learning and self-discovery, and families have a special place to bond over new experiences.

What personality trait has most helped you succeed? When interviewing candidates for any position, I always ask about their best and worst personality traits. I’m looking to see if this person is introspective, if they

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ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER, SCIENCE SPECTRUM

perceive themselves in context of how they fit in a group. This question is the hardest for most to answer honestly.

What’s funny is that my best personality trait is also my Achilles’ heel.

I’ve always been confident and independent. Whether in school, work, or as a volunteer, taking charge, seeing what needs to be done, being proactive, and motivating others comes naturally. But, if I’m not careful it’s also easy for me to not listen, not value others’ opinions, and become an island.

What are you reading right now? “Lessons Learned from the Bottom of the Stairs: A Story of Faith & Resilience” by Randy Milliken. I met Randy last year while on a mission trip and volunteering at Open Door Ministries, Denver. Randy has cerebral palsy. Every now and then you meet someone that inspires you. Randy is one of those people. Randy’s position gives him a unique perspective. How many of us can say that our limitations, our disabilities, are a gift? Recognizing this opens the door to relating to people as nothing else can.

What is your favorite thing about your job? My job is rarely boring; it’s usually busy. Over the years, I’ve gotten to meet scientists, astronauts, a governor, animal trainers, performers, filmmakers, directors, and authors. I’ve fed elephants, and been close to lions, tigers and bears. For all of us at the museum, our best days are when a child “gets it.” Hopefully they not only have a new understanding of a science concept, but this knowledge is a spark that leads them to ask new questions.

How does the Science Spectrum provide programs and services to those outside the city limits? For most of its history, the Science Spectrum has offered traveling, hands-on and demonstration style STEM programming as an outreach throughout West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Over the years, tens of thousands of students have experienced this programming. The furthest we have been asked to present was in Presidio.

Through a partnership with Region 17 Education Service Center, the museum has presented virtual programming and offered virtual school field trips for the past 10 years. More recently, we have begun to offer virtual programming to schools beyond our region, even having a virtual field trip with a school in central Texas.

Why do you think the Science Spectrum has remained so popular?

We strive to make learning fun. People never tire of learning new things if they are having fun while doing it! L