Lubbock Magazine | March 2019

thelubbockmagazine.com MARCH 2019

Sweet Relief INDULGE YOUR SWEET TOOTH

SIDE EFFECTS: THE BEST FRIES AND APPS TO PAIR WITH A BURGER

THE TRIPLE THREAT ......................

FROM HEFF'S BURGERS

Bring on the Burgers

$5.95 US LUBBOCK MAGAZINE

THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE HUB CITY’S BEST OPTIONS

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Contents

MARCH 2019

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On the Cover

BRING ON THE BURGERS

The inside scoop on the Hub city’s best options

By Jonathan Baker PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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A HOME FOR HOPE

Lubbock’s Buckner Family Hope Center opens its doors.

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Departments

STYLE

On blustery days when the wind comes screeching across the plains, hats can keep your look pulled together.

14 HOME

We browsed some of Lubbock’s gift shops and boutiques for a few of our favorite decorative candles.

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35 COOKING LESSONS

Deanna Hurt, the owner of The Ruffled Cup Cupcakery & Sweet Shoppe, shares her grandmother’s coconut cream pie recipe.

CONTRIBUTORS............................6 ONLINE........................................7 AROUND TOWN...........................8 STYLE..........................................12 HOME......................................... 14 COOKING LESSONS.................... 35 EAT DRINK..................................39 CALENDAR.................................47 AT WORK....................................50 YESTERYEAR..............................52

HOME GROWN. LOCALLY OWNED. INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN. WestMark agents are dedicated to being your resource for everything real estate.

It’s our passion. It’s our focus. It’s our business.

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806.794.6000

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From T H E Editor

Group Publisher Robert C. Granfeldt rgranfeldt@lubbockonline.com

Regional Director of Michele McAffrey Specialty Products/Editor 806.345.3256 mmcaffrey@lubbockonline.com

Regional Designer

Contributing Writers

Kayla Morris Jonathan Baker Jason Boyett Jennie Treadway-Miller

Contributing Sara Escobedo-Campbell Photographers Shannon Richardson

Contributing Designer

Creative Consultant

Advertising Director

Advertising Sales Manager

Darren Hendricks Lara Farren

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Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

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re you ready to discover your new favorite burger? Even though we sampled every burger we feature in our cover story, “Bring on the Burgers,” I could still go for another bite of the Triple Threat from Heff’s. It’s daunting but delicious.

We started our now-infamous Day of Burgers at Tommy’s Famous Burgers bright and early in the morning.

A little too early for burgers, fries, chili cheese tots, and a banana split, but that didn’t stop writer Jonathan Baker from doing a little “research.” You can’t quite tell from the photo on page 18, but Tommy’s Super Burger is humongous. The 10-ounce patty was too much for this girl, but Baker made quick work of it. We learned on our Day of Burgers that Baker takes his research seriously, and that he’s a dedicated guy.

He ate a portion of 11 burgers, too many sides for one human in one day, and six sweet treats. And lived to write about it. When we spoke on the day following our photo shoot, he didn’t even sound bad. Impressive.

Driving from one side of the city to the other, and circling back again, made for a long day. But we loved meeting the people behind the great food at the eateries we feature this month. Some are decades old, and others new players on the city’s restaurant scene, but each owner or manager went out of their way to host us, and made sure we were able to appreciate every juicy, meaty, salty, savory, sweet bite. Which is enjoyable, of course, but we spending time at each stop chatting with these burger specialists was the best. I was encouraged, once again, by the good hearts and passion of the people we met. Such a great group of people. Get out and support them!

We’re pleased to share Deanna Hurt’s (owner of The Ruffled Cup) coconut cream pie recipe.

It’s her grandmother’s and it’s scrumptious. We learned that vodka makes a pie crust extra flaky, and we got to eat the end result of our pie-making tutorial with Deanna.

Now that I’ve gone on and on about food for our March food-inspired issue, I sound like someone who might need to watch the calories a bit. But I have probably already moved on to the next “Cooking Lessons” feature, or will soon be spending time at our next featured restaurant of the month. So it’s not likely, and a pretty sweet job hazard.

Michele McAffrey | Editor

WRITER JONATHAN BAKER TACKLES THE SUPER BURGER.

WH ERE

B EGI N WH ERE

F U L L C A S I N O | L U X U RY R E S O R T | Z I P L I N E C H A M P I O N S H I P G O L F | F U L L S E RV I C E S PA InnoftheMountainGods.com

| 1-800-545-9011 | Mescalero, NM

A R E

M A D E

Contributors

JONATHAN BAKER

JASON BOYETT

Jonathan’s copywriting has appeared in Esquire, Men’s Journal, and Popular Mechanics, and he reports on the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles for High Plains Public Radio. In his spare time, he writes crime novels.

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.

SARA “CHARLIE” ESCOBEDO-CAMPBELL

DARREN HENDRICKS

Writer

Designer

Sara has been a photographer for more than 25 years, specializing in weddings, graduations, quinceañeras, family events, and portraits. Sara enjoys serving the community by capturing memories of events.

Darren is a graphic designer who has worked with newspaper, publication, website and advertising clients around the country for more than 20 years. He lives in McPherson, Kansas, with his family. See his work at dviso.com.

SHANNON RICHARDSON

JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER

Shannon has been photographing commercial/advertising work for more than 20 years. He has also published a photographic book about Route 66.

See Shannon’s work at shannonrichardson.com and route66americanicon.com.

Jennie is a writer, designer and photographer living in the foothills of Tennessee. Learn more at jenniecreates.com.

Photographer

Photographer

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Writer

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Writer

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MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Around Town

SIXTH ANNUAL ROBERT BURNS SUPPER The Sixth Annual Robert Burns Supper was held on Jan. 26 at the TTU Office of International Affairs. The evening honored Scottish poet Robert Burns, and included a prime rib dinner, whiskey tasting, poet readings, storytelling, and traditional Scottish music with performances by Ed Miller, Scooter Muse, and Jil Chambless.

PHOTOS BY SARA ESCOBEDO-CAMPBELL

Gail Cornwall, Bryan Sutton, and Beth and Tom Pressley

Ron and Cheryl Presley

Chris and Kristin Sellars

Simon Williams and Kendra Rumbaugh

Ximena Fuentes and Kelley Coleman

Joey McCord, Isaac Scott and Faraz McHarsini

Jordan Langehennig

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Jon and Aurelia Crider

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

Holly and Linda Ashley

Jordan and Debra Crosby

DAY THE MUSIC DIED 60TH ANNIVERSARY On Feb. 1-3, the Buddy Holly Center hosted a three-day celebration honoring the life of Buddy Holly. The event included trolley tours, J.I. Allison House showings, Buddy Holly documentary viewing, a special exhibition of “Buddy Holly: Life, Legend & Legacy,” and musical performances.

PHOTOS BY SARA ESCOBEDO-CAMPBELL

Erica, Kyla and Katelyn Castle, and David Fernandez

Mike Hubbard, Laura Hanson and Valerie Hubbard

Ruth Whitehead and Victor Mosqueda

Aaron and Trisha Nichols

Samara Babcock, Katherina Ojeda and Fran Arveniez

Marisa, Ellie, Israel and Cayden Maldonado

Mike Vinson and Ralph DeWitt

Ron Riley, Jerry Goolsby and Cary Banks

Paul and Lisa Kruger

Veronica Reyes, and Jodie and Bryan Carson MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Around Town

QUAIL FOREVER/ PHEASANTS FOREVER LLANO ESTACADO CHAPTER BANQUET AND LIVE AUCTION On Feb. 7, the Quail Forever/Pheasants Forever Llano Estacado Chapter Banquet and Live Auction was held at Cagle Steaks & BBQ. The auction raised funds to protect local hunting lands.

Jim Cove, Tom Larson, Barrett Blume and Clay Cash

PHOTOS BY SARA ESCOBEDO-CAMPBELL

Bret Ellis, and Michael and Shelly Lawson

Nedra and Skip Trammell

Steven Tisdale and Clint Gregg

Amanda and Joe Jimenez

Daniel Martinez, Kirk Bryant and Cameron Fish

Sherri Johnston and Renee Terry

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Branden Sagraves, Ryan Foster and Ryan Lopez

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

Blaine, Cooper and Allie McNabb

Todd McKee, Larry Allen, and Malissa and Clay Trotter

22ND ANNUAL WINE & CHOCOLATE FANTASIA The 22nd Annual Wine & Chocolate Fantasia was held on Feb. 9 at Llano Estacado Winery. The annual competition featured two dozen entrants who created chocolate sculptures, and included wine and chocolate samples. Partial proceeds benefited the Southwest Parkinson's Society.

PHOTOS BY SARA ESCOBEDO-CAMPBELL

Julianna Carpenter, Emily Wilkinson and Abby Hardt

Courtney and Nick Wargo

Susie and Marshall Allen

Lukas Rutter and Diane Knight

April and Albert Mock

Trevor Petty and Myrisa Rutter

Sheila Westbrook and Jeff Wilson

Alyssa York and Joseph Herrington

Julie and Chris Daniel

Ellen Bovkoon and Shelby Bennett MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Hat Tricks S

pringtime on the South Plains can temperamental. And then there’s the gusting winds that greet us in March. When those chilly winds blow, and you grow tired of just throwing your hair into a bun again, a well-chosen hat can pull double duty. These fashion accessories top off your look with style while also keeping everything in place. Prepare for those blustery days with a hat from one of city’s local boutiques.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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1. Lack of Color felt hat $99, Malouf’s 2. David and Young hat $26, Vibeage Boutique 3. Lack of Color felt hat $128, Hemline 4. Van Palma hat $195, Always, Melrose 5. My Only hat $26.20, Piper

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Style

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Wick Picks A

century ago, candles were tools. To a 19th century homeowner, using them to decorate would have made as much sense as, say, decorating with hammers. Things have changed. Today, decorative candles have become an industry unto themselves. Homeowners use candles to add personality to a room. They improve ambiance or fill a space with fragrance. With that in mind, we browsed some of Lubbock’s gift shops and boutiques for a few of our favorite decorative candles, with fresh fragrances for spring.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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1. Volcano “Rainbow Watercolor” candle $29.99, Barque 2. Mayme Candle Co. “Joy” hand-poured candle $20, J. Hoffman’s 3. “Lubbock, Texas” candle $16, Odds & Ends 4.

Himalayan “Grapefruit Pine” candle $26, Dayspring Designs 5. Michael Aram “Calla Lily” candle $69.99, Embellish Decor 6. Nest “Ocean Mist & Sea Salt” candle $44, Katy & Co.

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Home

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COVER STORY

THE TRIPLE THREAT HEFF'S BURGERS 16

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

Bring on the Burgers THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE HUB CITY’S BEST OPTIONS

By Jonathan Baker PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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here are plenty of reasons Lubbock should be a great burger city. After all, we’re a college town and an agricultural hub. But when we recently visited some of Lubbock’s burger landmarks – as well as a few rebellious upstarts – we gained an all-new appreciation for Lubbock’s burger game. From pastrami-topped delights and venison burgers to veggie burgers and American bacon-and-cheese classics, we’re here to deliver the inside scoop on need-to-try hamburgers in the Hub City. Along the way, we’ll have a look at some fries and sides that wowed us – and, of course, dessert. Because, as we all know, a hamburger experience isn’t complete without a cold, sweet treat.

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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For the Old Schooler THE SUPER BURGER AT TOMMY'S FAMOUS BURGERS

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t Tommy's Famous Burgers on University, the 10-ounce Super Burger packs a wallop.

Owner Terry Curl tells us the burger buns are delivered fresh daily from Lubbock’s Jimenez Bakery. The meat is also delivered fresh daily, and Curl personally chops the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions that adorn every burger. Each Super Burger comes with mustard, but diners can add mayonnaise, cheese, chili and jalapeños to their liking. The Jimenez bun has a hint of sweetness, which really completes this burger experience.

Curl says his biggest seller is the slightly smaller (8-ounce) Jumbo Burger. But he does have a number of customers who think the Super is, well, super. One man in particular, says Curl, “comes by on a bicycle and orders a Super Burger, a large fry, and a red Fanta. I'm surprised he doesn’t topple over when he rides away.”

Tommy’s celebrated its 40th year in 2018. The business was bought in 1978 by Curl’s fatherin-law, who hails from Greece and worked as a tailor at Malouf’s before hopping into the burger business. “My father-in-law’s name is Tony,” Curl confides, “but changing the name was too much of a pain. Plus, he didn’t want it to sound like an Italian place.” Greek immigrants have a long history of serving up some of the finest short-order fair in the country, and Tommy’s is no exception. 117 University Ave., 763.5424, tommysfamousburgers.com

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Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

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IT'S HUGE

For the Refined Palate THE BACON BLEU AT TRIPLE J CHOPHOUSE & BREW CO

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he Triple J Chophouse & Brew Co, in the heart of the Depot District, offers a good variety of burgers, including the Chophouse Burger, classic S’hroom Burger, Green Chile Burger, and Bacon Bleu Burger. Owner Tish Keller says the Green Chile Burger and the Mushroom Swiss are very popular. “For the hungry soul” in search of a true burger experience, you can’t do better than the Bubba Burger with cheese: two half-pound char-grilled patties topped with American cheese. This one will knock you for a loop.

On our visit, however, we were feeling the Bacon Bleu, with its half-pound patty topped with a plenitude of bacon crumbles, so you taste a bit of bacon in every bite. Add sharp bleu cheese, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion, and you’ve got a truly fantastic flavor profile. The freshly baked, fluffy buns on every Triple J burger are made in house, and Keller says the kitchen goes through at least 70 buns a day during the week – even more on the weekends. Burgers at the Triple J only appear on the lunch menu, but Keller tells us that customers are welcome to order burgers at any time of day. 1807 Buddy Holly Ave., 771.6555, triplejchophouseandbrewco.com

For the Traditionalist THE DOUBLE-PATTY BONUS BURGER AT BONUS BURGER

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own on 50th Street, Bonus Burger calls forth a bygone era, with its A-frame architecture and frontside tin-roof porch. Bonus’s workers claim they’ve got the best Jumbo Burger in Lubbock, and we aren’t inclined to disagree with them. Owner Lesa Geskos tells us, “If you want an oldfashioned toasted, greasy bun, come here.”

We fell in love with the double-patty Bonus Burger, consisting of two 6-ounce patties, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions, and served with french fries on the side.

The bun was toasted to perfection, and Geskos says the meat delivered from the Plains Meat Company is incredibly consistent. We certainly found it to be delicious.

Lesa and her husband, Christos Geskos, bought the storied A-frame building in 1998 and turned it into Bonus Burger.

Lisa says she used to eat in this same building as a girl, when it housed Hocus Pocus Burgers, back in 1971. “That’s back when the Greeks owned a lot of the burger joints,” Geskos explains. As we’ve mentioned, Greek immigrants are still involved in a few Lubbock holdouts – and the city is certainly better for it. 2312 50th St., 795.7400

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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For the Diehard West Texan THE GREEN CHILE BACON CHEESEBURGER AT CAPROCK CAFE

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ver since its original 34th Street location opened in 1997, Caprock Cafe has been a Lubbock institution. Caprock opened its second restaurant a decade ago, on 82nd and Slide, and this location was hopping when we visited on a Wednesday at lunchtime.

Caprock’s menu boasts a host of burger options, including a Queso Bacon Burger, which is incredibly popular. Our go-to, though, is the Green Chile Bacon Cheeseburger – another popular selection.

“Stacking patties is the best way to eat a burger,” Caprock owner David Cea says. “The heat from the patties steams everything and keeps the whole burger warm.”

The Green Chile Bacon Cheeseburger comes on a mouth-watering, toasted bun from Flowers Baking Co. in San Antonio. For those with a slightly more adventurous bent, try the sourdough jalapeño bun, made

by Sheila Partons, from Sweet Mesquite Bakery in Houston. Cea says Caprock makes a big effort to ensure that most everything they serve is made in Texas. One notable exception is the green chiles on our burger, which come from Hatch, New Mexico (as they should).

The burger is served with two quarter-pound patties – a filling half pound of beef – with cheese slices on each patty. It’s rounded off with sweet mesquite-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Our side of fries were seasoned by “a company in West Texas.”

Caprock also recommends its “The Works” burger, which is a Green Chile Bacon Cheeseburger, plus guacamole. Our bartender, Erica, gave us a tip: Try “The Works” with Swiss instead of traditional American cheese. 3405 34th St., 784.0300/5217 82nd St., Suite 109, 771.2233, caprockcafe.com

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Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

For the Connoisseur THE EGGCELLENT BURGER AT HEFF’S BURGERS

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he burgers at Heff’s Burgers have been voted the Best of Lubbock for two years running, and we can certainly see why.

We’re told the Bucket Burger is a customer favorite at the 82nd Street location, while the Eggcellent burger is the most popular at the Tech location. We can safely report that the Eggcellent burger is indeed, er, excellent. In fact, it knocked our collective socks off.

The burger itself is served well done, though Heff’s will cook your burger to your liking. (How many fast-food joints do that?)

You can even order your burger “sharing style,” which translates to a half-pound burger, cut in half, and served with two orders of fries and two drinks – all for less than 14 bucks. All of Heff’s burgers are cooked on a special griddle that perfectly times the cooking. “The only other griddle like ours in town is at the country club,” says franchise owner Alfred Harding with a smile. We covered our Eggcellent burger with Heff’s Sauce, a secret formulation which, Harding jokes, “cures all ailments.” We tasted hints of mayo, tomato, and cayenne in the sauce. Our burgers were served with sides of hand-cut fries, which are double-blanched, and then double-fried.

Heff’s also offers Hatch green chiles as an add-on and Harding, who previously lived in New Mexico, definitely knows his way around green chiles. At Heff’s, the chiles are slow roasted in a rolling tumbler Land of Enchantment-style.

Everything at Heff’s is done with the utmost care and attention. The meat is balled by hand daily, and the center-cut bacon is grilled to crispy perfection. “We're here to serve people who burn a lot of calories,” quips Harding, adding, “and college kids who are on a budget." Harding and his wife, Deanna, bought their two Heff’s franchises – the company began in Abilene – after their kids went off to college. “We decided we wanted to adopt some more kids,” says Harding, and so they did – by hiring 45 “kids” to work at their burger joints. It’s obvious that the Hardings take joy from treating their employees – and customers – with abundant grace and compassion. 5727 82nd St., 698.0900/2401 Glenna Goodacre Blvd., 589.5555, heffsburgers.net/lubbock

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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For the Bun Lover BACON CHEESEBURGER AT BLUE SKY TEXAS

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lue Sky Texas does straightforward burgers, and they do them well. We ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger and quickly decided that the soft, flavorful bun plays a big part in the Blue Sky burger’s success. Blue Sky has its buns delivered three times a week from Johnson’s Bread Company (formerly Snow White Bakery) in Amarillo, and there’s just something about that bread from up north that makes us happy.

The Blue Sky Bacon Cheeseburger itself is made from 100-percent 80/20 ground chuck, pressed fresh daily, and served with bacon (also cooked fresh daily). The patty is topped with American cheese, but you can substitute pepper jack and Swiss if that’s your bag. The Bacon Cheeseburger is rounded off with lettuce, tomato pickles, onions, and both mustard and mayo – an under-appreciated combination.

4416 98th St., 368.7591/3216 Fourth St., 368.0750, blueskytexas.com

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Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

For the Barbecue Fan THE BIG HICK AT BACK 40 GRILL

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ack 40 Grill is generally known for its chickenfried steaks, but we found that the restaurant is definitely no slouch in the burger department.

“Six months ago,” says Back 40 owner Troy Davidson, “our most popular burger would have been the Back 40 Burger,” a delicious hamburger topped with cream cheese and fresh jalapeño strips. “These days,” Davidson continues, “the most popular is the Queso Bacon Burger.” This mouth-watering creation began life as a chef's special, and became so instantly popular that Davidson added it to the permanent menu – and it’s since become the most requested burger at Back 40.

Never ones to be predictable, we decided to throw Davidson and crew a curveball and went for the Big Hick. The Back 40 gang was up to the challenge. The Big Hick consists of an 8-ounce Angus patty, slathered in Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce and served on a white, egg-washed bun. The burger is topped with cheddar jack cheese and grilled Canadian bacon, and served open face, topped with yellow onions, pickles, and a large beer-battered onion ring. The tang of the barbecue sauce proved a perfect counterpoint to the saltiness of the Canadian bacon. The Big Hick is served with a delicious, sizable portion of California-style, garlicseasoned shoestring fries. 5214 98th St., 853.8715, theback40grill.com

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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For Those Who Want a Little Something Extra THE CHRISTAKIS AT CHRISTAKIS BURGERS

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astrami and ham lovers will get their fix at the legendary Christakis Burgers, a longtime fixture on 34th Street. This momand-pop operation offers a variety of burger choices, but we recommend the classic Christakis: two all-beef patties topped with Swiss cheese and a heaping helping of bright pink, thinly shaved pastrami. The burger comes with plenty of mustard, along with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions.

Christakis serves burgers “the old-fashioned way,” says Mary Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been with Christakis since it opened 16 years ago. She says people come from as far away as California to sample the offerings at the small burger shack. Rodriguez shaves the pastrami and gyro meat herself, and if you order a chili cheese burger, you’ll be treating yourself to Rodriguez’s very own chili recipe, which she makes fresh every other day. “That's how fast it goes,” she says. Shrugging nonchalantly, Rodriguez tells us, “It’s the best chili in town,” muttering the words as if stating the obvious.

The other burgers at Christakis are named for special people in the lives of the owners and staff. There's the JoJo, a simple bacon cheeseburger, the Bob’s, a cheeseburger with ham and grilled onions atop the patty, the Demonte Hasie, which comes with cheese and jalapeño on a wheat bun, the Bubba Good, a double-meat cheeseburger with bacon, the Red Raider, a double-meat doublecheese burger, and the aforementioned chili cheeseburger, topped with Rodriguez’s homemade chili.

Photos of Bob Knight adorn the walls at Christakis, and Rodriguez tells us that the coach still comes around occasionally, though when he does he orders a salad. We can’t imagine eating a salad in a place that screams, order a burger! 1111 34th St., 744.6833

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Amarillo Lubbock Magazine • amarillomagonline.com thelubbockmagazine.com• JULY • MARCH 2017 2019

For the Adventurer THE VENISON BURGER AND VEGABOND AT TWISTED ROOT BURGER CO.

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or the vegetarian who’s still craving a burger experience, we highly recommend the Vegabond at Twisted Root Burger Co. The Vegabond’s patty is made in-house every day, and consists of chickpeas, black beans, brown rice and quinoa.

The chickpeas and black beans give the patty a deep, soulful flavor, while the quinoa adds some welcome crunch. The burger is topped with sliced avocados and drizzled with Sriracha sauce, and served on a wheat bun. The kick of the Sriracha and the coolness of the avocado were enough to make this one as good as any meat-based burger we tried – no additional condiments necessary. But if you like, you can add Twisted Root’s homemade horseradish Dijon, ancho-chipotle ketchup, or Quincy's Grandpa’s Secret BBQ Sauce. Twisted Root also offers a wealth of pickle flavors with which to adorn your burger, including atomic, sweet and spicy, bread and butter, ranch, and its classic Kind of a Big Dill flavor.

Twisted Root is also famous for its adventurous meat offerings. When we were in, they were offering a venison burger, which we ordered “Western Style,” meaning the burger is topped with bacon, fried onion strings, and jalapeños. The venison burger was delivered to us on a brioche bun, with pepper jack cheese, and we found the venison to be juicy and fresh, and not at all gamey. However, our crew was just as happy with the veggie burger as with the more daring venison choice. If you are hankering for meat, consider “taking your burger up a notch” (as the Twisted Root menu puts it) by adding free-range Texas wagyu or Texas Buffalo to any burger. Wagyu, by the way, is a Japanese breed of beef cattle, considered to give some of the finest beef in the world. 116 W. Loop 289, 797.0532, twistedrootburgerco.com

VEGABOND

VENISON BURGER

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Side Effects We didn’t stop at burgers in our culinary trek across the city. Here’s a look at some of our favorite appetizers and side dishes designed for pairing with a hot, juicy burger.

Everything at Blue Sky Texas is made to order, including its hand-battered onion rings, which will still be sizzling when you pick them up at the counter. Blue Sky doesn’t skimp on the batter, but when it’s this delicious, that’s a good thing. Blue Sky makes its fresh beer batter twice daily, and these onion rings are the perfect accompaniment to a burger and milkshake. You can’t visit Blue Sky and not order its indulgent cheese fries, topped with plenty of melted cheese and crispy bacon. It’s the ideal starter for when those greasy/salty/ cheesy cravings strike.

With a Twisted Root Vegabond burger, go for the eatery’s fried green beans and carrots, an alternative to traditional french fries. We gave ours an extra lift by dipping them in Twisted Root’s housemade chipotle-Ranch sauce.

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At Tommy’s Famous Burgers, try the chili cheese tots. The chili is delicious, and made in-house daily. Owner Terry Curl says he smells like Tommy’s chili everywhere he goes. “I don’t mind,” he shrugs. Serving good chili is worth it.

At the Triple J Chophouse & Brewpub, we sampled the Sidewinder jalapeño poppers, which are breaded with panko crumbs, salt, pepper and garlic, then shaken in Cajun seasoning. Each sidewinder is stuffed with a whole shrimp and cheese and served with a Ranch-style dip that’s made in-house daily. The sidewinder packs a punch, so order a pint of housemade ale to go alongside the poppers.

Caprock Cafe has mastered its appetizer game. Take a shot at the loaded Twisted Taters, a spiral-cut, deep-fried potato topped with melted cheddar-jack, sour cream, jalapeños and bacon. The Taters make for a feast on its own, and we had trouble imagining how one person could finish the whole thing, although we can’t blame anyone for trying. Each bite was a crunchy explosion of flavor. We moved on to the Bottle Caps – beer-battered green and red jalapeño rings served with spicy Ranch for dipping. Crispy on the outside, soft and spicy on the inside, and so good. Finally, we gave the chicharrónes a try. Pro tip: Pair these fried pork skins with a side of queso – but make sure to tear into them immediately – it’s a snack best enjoyed hot out of the fryer.

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Sweet Relief To truly do a burger up right, you’ve got to follow it with some sugar, preferably ice cream. We don’t make the rules; we just report ’em. Here are our recs for indulging your sweet tooth.

The milkshakes at Bonus Burger are blessedly simple. We ordered a chocolate milkshake, served to-go in a simple Styrofoam cup with a red striped straw and no other adornments. None were needed. This is as classic as it gets – thick and creamy and cold, and smooth as silk going down.

The custard shake options at Twisted Root, on the other hand, can veer into the realm of insanity. But if this is what crazy looks like, cart us away. We went especially mad for the S’mores Shake: creamy custard topped with chocolate syrup and crumbled graham cracker crust, whipped cream, and served with graham crackers and three marshmallows, toasted to a crisp with a butane torch.

We relished the on-point floats at Heff’s Burgers, hand-spun with Blue Bell ice cream. The folks at Heff’s aren’t trying to do anything fancy with these confections, but you can’t miss with a classic root beer and ice cream combo.

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Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

The extra-large banana splits at Tommy’s Famous Burgers are worth a special trip uptown. Vanilla ice cream and hot fudge top a banana sliced lengthwise, with tons of whipped cream, crushed peanuts, and a maraschino cherry. For less than five bucks, you won’t find a more delicious – or filling – postburger dessert in Lubbock.

When it comes to Sno-cones, Christakis keeps it simple. Available flavors are coconut, strawberry and cherry. And that's it. There’s no need for more, says Mary Rodriguez, because “those are the best flavors.” We tried the coconut and found it to be delightful, and we’re now leaning toward agreeing with Rodriguez. Who needs Bahama Mama or Blue Bubble Gum when you can slurp down a classic?

Blue Sky may be a sleeper contender for the “Best Milkshake in Town” award. These shakes pair perfectly with the saltiness of the burgers. We tried a specialty Thin Mint shake, which general manager Armando Perez tells us they will continue to serve “until we run out of Girl Scout cookies.” However, Perez says that Blue Sky does have plans in the works to start a shake-of-the-month program, perhaps as early as this month, with a newly featured Blue Bell ice cream flavor each month. L

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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RHONDA VANDERBURG 806.441.4596 rvanderburg@westmarkrealtors.com

“I have worked with Rhonda twice in the past year. In October 2017 Rhonda sold our home and in September 2018 Rhonda served as our family real estate expert to successfully market and sell our Father’s home. In both instances Rhonda sold the properties in less than 30 days. Her guidance, professionalism and work ethic is a testimony to her success. Rhonda goes above and beyond for her client(s) to assure that marketing their home is a pleasurable experience.”

My Specialty: Residential Sales Education or Designations: Graduate of Texas Tech University, GRI, ABR Memberships: National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, Lubbock Association of Realtors, West Texas Home Builders Association, Director for the Lubbock Association Board of Realtors Greatest Professional Achievement: The business I have created through investing time and energy into creating relationships with clients who have now become friends.

Why you chose a real estate career: I am a very driven person. I am also a people person. I had always considered becoming a REALTOR, but it was just 7 years ago that I dove right in and haven’t stopped since! I absolutely love my job. The relationships, the challenges, the excitement, the marketing, and the negotiating are just a few of the reasons I love what I do.

Approach to client service: Each experience with every client is unique. I make it a point to really get to know my clients so that a relationship is created. It is because of that relationship that I can fully invest myself into their needs. Whether that be buying or selling, I will serve my clients to the best of my ability to allow them to have a stress free experience throughout the process.

Communication is key and educating my clients is a top priority.

10705 Orlando Avenue | $718,000 2/3/3 | 3189 sqft | Orchard Park Contact Susan Shakespeare 806.778.4436

DANNY CLARK

806.787.6138 dclark@westmarkrealtors.com “We highly recommend Danny Clark. He is extremely knowledgeable about the market and did a fantastic job of showing us homes which met our needs and specifications. Danny responded quickly to any questions we had and was always available to work with us and our busy schedules. Danny did an excellent job of marketing our house when we were ready to list our home. We had a contract on our house within four days! Danny made the stressful process of buying a new home and selling our current home easy and enjoyable. There isn’t a better Realtor in Lubbock!”

4813 103rd Street | $425,000 5/3.5/3 | 4262 sqft | Southhaven Contact Jeff Gilliam 806.559.7384

Education and Designations: GRI, ABR Memberships: Lubbock Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors.

Why you chose a real estate career: I genuinely love helping people buy or sell homes.

Approach to client service: I believe my most important job as a Realtor is to answer my clients questions. Buying or selling a home can be a very complex and intimidating experience, and my job is to help them through that process and make it as enjoyable and fun as possible.

W E S T M A R K R E A LT O R S . C O M

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806.794.6000

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1416 8th Street, Shallowater | $324,900 3/2.5/3 | 3212 sqft | Johnson Contact Tim Paden 806.789.6959

4105 84th Street • Lubbock, TX

DEE PATRICK

806.787.2210 dpatrick@westmarkrealtors.com “Dee Patrick helped me find my first home once I completed college. She was there every step of the way and looked out for my best interest as a first time home buyer. The years went by and I got married and had a child so it was time for a bigger house. Due to the wonderful experience I had with Dee the first time I sought her assistance in buying my next home. As before she was there anytime of day or night to answer my questions. Buying a home is the biggest investment we make. Having a great Realtor helps take away from the stress that comes with real estate. Our family enjoyed Dee and are now loving our new home.�

304 Wildcat Street | $289,500 3/2+/3 | 2840 sqft | Frenship Mesa Contact Lauren Weems 806.759.9434

My Specialty: Single Family and Multifamily Residential Sales Education and Designations: Texas Tech University, South Plains College, Lubbock Christian University, CRS Greatest Professional Achievement: Having a 20 year career in this great field which allowed me to raise my family, continue learning, and develop great relationships with peers, clients, and friends. I received the Shining Star award from WestMark, Realtors in 2009. It was such an honor to be recognized by management and peers.

Why you chose a real estate career: I chose a career in real estate because I have always been interested in helping people. Real estate is challenging and always changing, so it keeps me on my toes. I love working with buyers and sellers, each with their special challenges and helping them reach their goals and understand the process.

Approach to client service: I am here for my clients 24/7 to answer questions, plan with them, help with finding lenders, builders, and just to ease their stress. I want the home buying/ selling experience to be memorable and wonderful for them.

5246 Marshall Street | $224,000 3/2/2 | 1803 sqft | North Pointe Contact Dix Densley 806.724.8373

2605 49th Street | $189,500 3/2/2 | 2118 sqft | Sunny Slope Contact Anah Menjares 806.241.4558

The WestMark Companies is a family of real estate professionals, offering the highest level of service which is the foundation of our success and our continued promise to you.

FEATURE

A Home for Hope LUBBOCK ’S BUCKNER FAMILY HOPE CENTER OPENS ITS DOORS

“I

t’s pretty amazing when these families find out that someone will come along and walk beside them.”

Kathy McGee, senior executive director for Buckner International in West Texas, leans forward in her overstuffed armchair, in the lobby of Lubbock’s new Buckner Family Hope Center on Lubbock’s south side. McGee’s cheerful demeanor belies a seriousness behind her eyes. Beside her, Angelina Rodriguez, the new center’s director, nods in agreement. Both women are motivating forces in a powerful new initiative in south Lubbock, a center aimed at learning what struggling families truly want – then giving them the tools and skills to get there.

“When they realize that it’s not about our goal, but their goal. That’s what’s so powerful about this,” says McGee. “That’s the most empowering thing.”

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By Jonathan Baker Kathy McGee says the idea for the Family Hope Center started overseas (Buckner went international almost 20 years ago, shortly after McGee joined the organization). In countries like Peru and Kenya, Buckner International first realized the true power of a teaching mission based around families – a way of showing parents how to get on their feet, how to apply for work and handle basic financial needs, while learning basic self-care techniques. Meanwhile, the children of those same parents were taught how to navigate the choppy waters of childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.

It wasn’t long before it occurred to the staff at Buckner: If this works for impoverished Peruvians, why shouldn’t it work with lowincome families in Lubbock? And so, the concept of Lubbock’s Family Hope Center was born. “I had always thought we would

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

benefit from having a Family Hope Center in Lubbock,” says McGee, who – like Rodriguez – was born and raised on the South Plains. “So, we kind of put that on our growth plan.” The idea remained just that – an idea – until former Lubbockite Maxine Steige made the dream a reality with a hefty gift to the Buckner Organization.

The new Family Hope Center, located where the Loop intersects Avenue P, will serve as, in the words of Buckner International, “a community-based place of hope, where families go to find strength and empowerment to reach their God-given potential.” What that means, in terms of Lubbock, is that families who enter the doors of the Family Hope Center will suddenly have a huge number of resources at their fingertips. The center employs a family coach, for example, whose job is to “walk beside” beleaguered

families and help them realize their dreams.

The Center will also host myriad courses, including parent education classes, jobskills training, financial seminars, emotional counseling, and spiritual enrichment.

HOW THOSE IN NEED FIND HELP

Many of the families who will eventually avail themselves of the Buckner Center will be referred through the schools, says McGee. “We’re also working with churches and with other agencies who might provide referrals to families we might be able to work with.”

“We kind of see it in three phases,” she adds.

“First we have to engage these families. So, we would do that through schools and community events, like a shoe drive or an Easter event.

“We’re not trying to duplicate services in other parts of the city,” says Rodriguez. “We’re really trying to just enhance this area. And we’re not shutting out any family that comes to us for help, of course. But this community really needs it.”

“And then, often, transportation is an issue,” adds McGee. “That’s another need we’re assessing.”

BELOW (FROM LEFT):KATHY MCGEE, SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BUCKNER WEST TEXAS; DENESE THETFORD, GIFT OFFICER, BUCKNER WEST TEXAS; DILLON HARRIS, ASSOCIATE PASTOR, REDEEMER CHURCH IN LUBBOCK; PAUL HARLAN, HILL & WILKINSON GENERAL CONTRACTORS; DR. ALBERT REYES, PRESIDENT AND CEO, BUCKNER INTERNATIONAL; AMY MARCOTTE, PARKHILL SMITH & COOPER; DEBRA CAMPBELL, ACT NOW OF THE LUBBOCK AREA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, SOUTHCREST BAPTIST CHURCH; RONNIE CHERRY, ADULT MINISTRIES PASTOR, HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH LUBBOCK; JAYNE GRIMES, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING, BUCKNER INTERNATIONAL

A SAFE PLACE FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES

The Family Hope Center will provide a haven for families in South Lubbock who might otherwise not know where to turn. The stunning new facility, built inside of a revitalized church, contains all manner of classrooms, children’s

“WE’RE NOT TRYING TO DUPLICATE SERVICES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY. WE’RE REALLY TRYING TO JUST ENHANCE THIS AREA. AND WE’RE NOT SHUTTING OUT ANY FAMILY THAT COMES TO US FOR HELP, OF COURSE. BUT THIS COMMUNITY REALLY NEEDS IT.”

Our goal is to really bring in families from the surrounding areas.”

Rodriguez nods in agreement. “It’s about community events, plugging in with schools.

It’s really about hooking their interest and capturing their attention. Then the second phase, equipping, is about putting families through whatever services we provide, lifeskills classes, programs for the youth to encourage academic success, leadership and character development.”

The third phase involves elevating families, which is where the personalized life coaching for families comes in. “The coach will work with families as a whole, or just with parents, just to become financially self-sustaining. It’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up. It’s about strengthening that core family dynamic.”

“And really,” interjects McGee, “On the elevate phase, it’s more like working with them about what their dream is for their family. What we call a transformation plan. We figure out what they want, and then we show them how they can get there.”

When asked how wide of a net the center will cast, Rodriguez jumps in. “Looking at it demographically, probably 50th Street up to the loop, maybe even up to 82nd Street. And then from University over to the Interstate.”

“It’s kind of a big square,” adds McGee.

areas, workstations, counseling rooms, rooms for youth activities, and a conference room.

The Center adjoins Buckner’s Family Pathways Facility, already in operation, a sort of dormitory for single parents who are attending school. The Pathways house contains many two- to four-bedroom apartments, where lowincome parents can live with their children at little cost while they pursue their degrees. But calling Family Pathways a “dormitory” actually does the facility a disservice; the Pathways home also provides financial assistance and case management services, including parenting education, budget training, life skills, and individual and group counseling.

The Family Hope Center and the Family Pathways home are both part of what has become a many-tentacled organic organization, dedicated to aiding families in almost any area where they might find themselves struggling.

Officially, Buckner has four main areas of focus.

The Family Pathways initiative and the Family Hope Centers are two of those focus areas.

The other two are foster care and retirement services. Currently, Lubbock has access to all of these programs except retirement services (the nearest Buckner retirement community is in San Angelo).

Lubbock’s Buckner Foster Care and Adoption operation is on the city’s northwest

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUCKNER

– ANGELINA RODRIGUEZ

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A Buckner Primer The first Buckner Orphans Home was founded in Dallas in the years following the Civil War, when Dr. Robert Cooke “Father” Buckner of Paris, Texas, recognized the needs of children who had been hurting and orphaned by the conflict. Buckner opened that initial children’s home with $27 he’d gathered from the community. During those Reconstruction years, Buckner Orphans Home was filled with children who’d been left parentless due to disease and hardship. Buckner’s blend of theology, with progressive social conscience, proved successful, and the home’s children thrived.

In the years since that first children’s home opened in 1879, the organization has grown into an international force for good.

Buckner International now boasts homes in several cities across Texas, serving as a private adoption agency licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In addition, Buckner International now maintains facilities and staff in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Kenya and the Dominican Republic.

But placing children in new homes comes second to Buckner Family Hope Centers’ primary mission of “keep[ing] families together by providing them with critical services, aid and coaching to keep them strong and decrease the likelihood of abuse, neglect and removal of children.” The organization is, above all, a faithbased enterprise, aimed at “sharing the Gospel through Christlike behavior.” Buckner is ever-focused on teaching independence to its children, while welcoming all newcomers with love and respect.

side, near where the Loop intersects Slide Road. The program offers training and resources to families looking to take a child into their home.

Families can choose to either become a foster family for a season, or a “forever home” through the adoption process. The majority of the children who come through the Buckner Foster Care system are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment – and are thus referred by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

When Lubbock’s foster kids begin to age out of the program, they can avail themselves of Buckner’s FYi Center, whose mission is “Fostering Youth Independence” by focusing loving attention on high school seniors and youth leaving foster care. The FYi Center’s goal is to “provide training, support and guidance” to kids who are graduating out of the foster care system – youths ranging from ages 16 to 21, by providing them with skills that will enable them to successfully transition into adulthood.

The FYi Center, Family Pathways Center, Family Hope Center … These multi-varied Buckner operations often return to a single central concept: education. McGee is careful to note that Buckner is in the business of helping people help themselves, no matter their age or gender – and no matter what skill they wish to learn, no matter how simple. “All of the centers we have across the state,” says McGee, “have the common core elements. But the classes and resources are based on the needs” of that particular community. Oftentimes, those needs are pretty basic. Self-care, financial well-being, emotional health, parenting skills. From there, the skills and learning can widen out into almost any commonly taught area.

Ultimately, the Buckner Family Hope Center will provide a welcome oasis for struggling families on the beleaguered south side of Lubbock, a place where single mothers, confused kids, and out-of-work dads can find a welcoming smile, an open heart, an ear to listen. And from there, as they learn to put themselves back on their feet, the road to success will open up before them. L

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Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

Spring Flavors

COOKING LESSONS

“I

t’s a crowd-pleaser,” says Deanna Hurt of her grandmother’s coconut cream pie recipe. The owner of The Ruffled Cup Cupcakery & Sweet Shoppe, a bakery and sweet shop at 82nd and Slide, Hurt says preparing coconut cream pie always puts her in the mood for spring. “That rich custard reminds me of Easter.

It’s a comfort food for sure.”

The highlight of any good pie, of course, is a flaky, made-from-scratch crust. Hurt’s recipe ensures success by employing a surprising secret ingredient: vodka. “The vodka

helps with flakiness,” she says. “It evaporates in the oven but keeps you from being able to overwork the dough.”

Overworked dough can melt the butter, and a perfectly flaky crust depends on the presence of solid pockets of butter and shortening before baking.

“The trick to a good pie crust is that everything has to be super cold,” suggests Hurt, who refrigerates the vodka, adds ice-cold water, and leaves shortening in the freezer before preparation. Plan ahead, follow these instructions, and she says you’ll find this recipe as foolproof as it is delicious.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON RECIPES COURTESY OF DEANNA HURT, THE RUFFLED CUP CUPCAKERY & SWEET SHOPPE

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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THE RECIPES FOOLPROOF PIE CRUST

COCONUT CREAM PIE

2 ½ cups (12 ½ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon table salt 2 tablespoons sugar 12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into ¼-inch slices ½ cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces ¼ cup cold vodka ¼ cup cold water

4 egg yolks 1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup milk 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted 2 tablespoons salted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon coconut extract

(FROM COOK’S ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE)

Process 1 ½ cups flour, salt and sugar in food processor until combined, about two 1-second pulses. 1) Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds 2) (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour). Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. 3) Add remaining 1 cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. 4) Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into a 4-inch disk. 5) Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days. 6) Roll out dough to fit pie pan of choice; 7) fold in half, 8) and then in half again. 9) Transfer to pan. 10) Fold rough edges of crust under. 11) Flute edges of crust. Line chilled crust with parchment paper or foil. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 to 16 minutes at 400 degrees until edges are beginning to brown. Remove from oven, remove paper and weights, and prick crust with fork. Return crust to oven. Bake for an additional 14 to 15 minutes. Cool completely before filling.

Makes 2 crusts

Blind bake your favorite pie crust. (See recipe for Foolproof Pie Crust.) To make filling, add egg yolks to medium-size bowl and gently beat together. Set aside. Add sugar, cornstarch, milk and cream to large saucepan and stir until smooth. Cook, stirring continuously, over medium-low heat until mixture begins to thicken and bubble. Allow to simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat. Add a little bit of milk mixture to egg yolks and whisk together; add egg mixture to milk mixture. (This process ensures that you don’t cook the egg yolks too quickly.) Place pan back on heat and bring to light boil. Allow to boil for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and add coconut flakes, butter, vanilla and coconut extract. Stir until smooth; pour hot mixture into pie crust. Cover with clear wrap that is pressed against top of filling and set in refrigerator to cool completely.

Makes 1 pie

VODKA IN THE CRUST RECIPE HELPS WITH FLAKINESS.

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MEET THE COOK: DEANNA HURT THE RUFFLED CUP CUPCAKERY & SWEET SHOPPE

A

decade ago, when Amarillo’s Deanna Hurt was looking to start a business, she happened to come across a TV episode of the short-lived “DC Cupcakes” on TLC. “I thought, ‘A cupcakes-only bakery? That’s crazy,’” she remembers. But the idea intrigued her, and a little web browsing revealed that cupcake shops were popping up in cities all over the country. But not in the Texas Panhandle.

Hurt was a long-time baker and lover of sweets – “I am the biggest sweets-eater you’ll ever meet,” she says – and began wondering if a cupcake shop might be the business opportunity she’d been hoping to find.

Before long, she had talked her parents into investing in the venture and, in 2011, opened The Ruffled Cup in a small, 1,200-square-foot space in west Amarillo. Offering an overwhelming variety of creative flavors, it was an immediate hit. More than two years later, the shop expanded into a new Amarillo location at 34th and Bell, rebranding as a “sweet shoppe” instead of a cupcakes-only bakery. “It allowed us to grow into cakes, brownies and pies,” she says.

Her customer base followed that growth. In 2016, Hurt decided to test whether the Lubbock community had a similar collective sweet tooth, and opened a sister Ruffled Cup location at 82nd and Slide. “We had so many people from Lubbock beg us to open a store,” says Hurt. The Lubbock sweet shop has been just as successful. Featuring longer hours, it saw cupcake sales influenced by the rhythms of the university crowd and Texas Tech’s athletics schedule.

“Summers are slow because the college kids are gone.

Anytime there’s a big football or basketball game, we have to watch the schedule and adjust our cupcake numbers,” she says. A night game means business will be slow in the evening. An afternoon game typically results in a crowd, as hungry Tech fans spill back out into the city. In terms of sales, the Lubbock location “is nipping on Amarillo’s heels more and more every year,” she says.

Earlier this year, Hurt moved her successful Amarillo location once again, expanding and rebranding her shop into a full cafe bakery with a sandwiches-and-salads lunch menu.

If the Lubbock market continues to grow, she may look at expanding the local Ruffled Cup location, as well. “This has definitely been a dream come true,” she says. L

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PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

Eat Drink

CANTINA LAREDO

S

tep into the sights, tastes and sounds of “Modern Mexico” at Cantina Laredo at Northside Square. This international chain offers tapas and traditional Mexican entrees in its elegant dining and bar area.

Visit early for Happy Hour Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m., and all day Saturday and Sunday. You’ll find a carefully curated tequila list and staggering number of top shelf margaritas, all made with fresh-squeezed juices and house-made simple syrups – no bottled mixes here.

Cantina Laredo plans to introduce a range of lunch and dinner specials in the coming months, like hearty barbacoa enchiladas or its popular carnitas bowl, which has layered ingredients made custom to order.

We recommend diving into the cantina’s Camaron Poblano Asada (shown), a stuffed poblano pepper wrapped with a fire-charred skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, atop a bed of charred street corn and cilantro lime rice. It pairs perfectly with a fresh Cabo Flip margarita.

114 W. Loop 289, Suite 200, 407.3355, cantinalaredo.com Open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-9 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.

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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RESTAURANT GUIDE ACUFF STEAK HOUSE Twenty minutes east of Lubbock, Acuff serves lunch only during the week, and dinner on Fridays. Feast on the chicken-fried steak and catfish buffet, which is full of all the sides, salad and dessert you can hold.

11620 E. FM 40, 842.3258 $ 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 $ 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 $$ 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 $ 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 $ 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 $ 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-feedsa-lot cheese fries. 4416 98th St., 368.7591/3216 Fourth St., 368.0750, blueskytexas.com $

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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. 8732 Fourth St., 795.3879, caglesteaks.com $$ CAPITAL PIZZA Don’t let Capitol’s nondescript storefront fool you. Quality ingredients, creative specialty pizzas, and hundreds of craft beers certainly impressed us. 2705 26th St., 368.3603, capitalpizzalubbock. com $$ 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 $-$$ THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY The national chain made its Lubbock debut in late 2018. The bountiful menu is full of a variety of starters, entrees, and sides, but we’re always up for an enormous slice of decadent cheesecake. Why not start with dessert instead? 6014 Slide Road, 785.8636, thecheesecakefactory. com $$ CHIPS SPORTS BAR & GRILL 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 $ 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.,

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

Suite 110, 317.1920, choppedandsliced.com $$ CHRISTAKIS BURGERS When you’re craving a burger, this is your spot. A favorite among in-theknow locals, Christakis serves jumbosized 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 $ 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 $$ CRUSTY’S WOOD FIRED PIZZA Started as a food truck in 2010, Crusty’s now also has a brick-andmortar location that serves the same mouth-watering pizza. Customers love the green chile chicken and margherita pizzas, but there are also build-your-options for picky eaters.

1636 13th St., 438.8887, crustyslbk.com $ 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 $ DURANGO’S RESTAURANT In business since 2002, family-owned Durango’s specializes in traditional Tex-Mex fare, with customer favorites like enchiladas, queso and breakfast burritos. 5004 Frankford Ave., Suite 100, 687.7926, durangoslubbock.com $ 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 $ EL SALVADOR RESTAURANT Promising “a taste of El Salvador in Lubbock,” this quaint eatery west of

the city certainly delivers. Pupusas, a thick, stuffed corn tortilla, are worth the drive. 9609 CR 6900, 885.2222, restaurantelsalvador.com $ FARM TO FORK GASTRO KITCHEN Serving farm fresh food, Farm to Fork’s creative presentation and gourmet offerings feature locally produced produce and meats. The seasonal menu changes often, with a variety of entrees, small plates and brunch on Sunday. The eatery is by reservation only, so plan accordingly.

8310 E. FM 3523, 829.2564, f2fgastrokitchen.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 $$-$$$ FUZZY'S TACO SHOP Options are endless at Fuzzy’s with everything from a variety of Bajastyle tacos to enchilada plates, oversized salads, tamales, and breakfast all day, every day. 10101 Slide Road, 797.8226/2102 Broadway Ave., 740.8226, fuzzystacoshop.com $ 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 $$ GATOR’S BAYOU CAJUN GRILL & BAR Gator’s Bayou’s fun atmosphere and extensive food and drink menus ensure that you’ll enjoy your experience. Fans of Gator’s enjoy the Sunday brunch and sheltered patio. 5217 98th St., 698.6900, gatersbayou.com $$ 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 family-style Chinese food on Saturday nights and brunch on Sundays. 2608 Salem Ave., 795.8791, gilbertslubbock.com $$

HEFF’S BURGERS A winner in the Best Burger category of Best of Lubbock since 2010, Heff’s serves nine different fresh, halfpound burgers, and sandwiches, home-style fries, and ice cream.

5727 82nd St., 698.0900/ 2401 Glenna Goodacre, 589.5555, heffsburgers.net $ 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 $ 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 mesquitesmoked 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 $$ JAZZ, A LOUISIANA KITCHEN A national chain, Jazz serves New Orleans-style classics and features nightly live music. 3703 19th St., 799.2124, jazzkitchen.com $$ 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 $ 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 $$$ LEE'S CAFE You’ll need to loosen your belt at Lee’s. Irresistible plates brimming with classic comfort food make choosing one item a challenge. We’re hooked on the meat loaf and pork chops. Finish your meal with a bowl of banana pudding. 1101 Main St., 368.8537/4919 34th St., 993.5337, leescafelubbock.com $$ LITE BITE MEDITERRANEAN CAFE This simple Mediterranean diner also has a specialty market and deli on site. Customer favorites include the fresh gyros, baklava, and hummus.

Order online for quick pick-up or delivery. 3624 50th St., 318.4533 $ 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., 797.3773 $$ 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., 687.8912/2422 19th St., 701.5351, lubbockbreakfasthouse.com $ MAMA JOSIE'S KITCHEN A staggering amount of burritos for breakfast or lunch means making a decision will be difficult.

Multiple locations help satisfy those pesky cravings for Tex-Mex. 5719 66th St., 741.0588/ 212 University Ave., 747.8546/ 318 N. University Ave., 744.6268 $ 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 $

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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RESTAURANT GUIDE MESQUITES BAR & GRILL The busy bar serves a limited menu to enjoy while watching the big game. 2419 Broadway St., 744.9277, mesquiteslubbock.com $ 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 $ NICK’S SPORTS GRILL & LOUNGE With two locations in town – one beside the Overton – Nick’s specializes in sports bar fare like burgers, nachos, wings and pizza.

Don’t miss the expansive Happy Hour during the week from 11 a.m.7 p.m. 9806 Quaker Ave., 794.6425/ 2323 Mac Davis Lane, 747.6425, nickssportsgrill.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, theofficegrillandsportsbar. com $ ONE GUY FROM ITALY PIZZA 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/ 1101 University Ave., 747.1226 $ 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

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the deconstructed lasagna and roasted quail. 2322 Mac Davis Lane, 776.7010, overtonhotel.com $$$ PITA PIT Create your own pita sandwich at the Pita Pit. With a focus on healthy ingredients, you can dine guilt-free for lunch or dinner. 5707 Fourth St., Suite 4, 687.7482, pitapitusa.com $ POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP Potbelly has it all – sandwiches (hot or cold), salads, macaroni-andcheese, soup, chips, cookies, shakes and smoothies – plenty of options to keep you going back for more.

2402 Ninth St., 747.5667/ 6616 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 900, 687.4635, potbelly.com $ 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 $$ 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, 474.4429 $ 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 INDIAN CUISINE Feast on authentic Indian cuisine in a clean but quirky atmosphere. With a buffet for lunch and table service at dinner, popular stand-outs are the tikki masala, lamb biryani, and buttery naan. 3806 50th St., Suite 226, 993.0041 $ SAMBURGERS A small dine-in space with a drive-thru, Samburgers offers oldfashioned burgers, onion rings,

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

and fries made fresh to order.

4447 34th St., 799.1987 $ 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/ 3331 34th St., 368.7394 / 3416 82nd St., 993.5487 $ TAQUERÍA AUTLÁN Part bakery, part taco shop, Taquería Autlán satisfies hungry patrons with its authentic street-style tacos, menudo and burritos. Save room for the huge tres leches cake, cheesecake or something from the bakery for dessert. 2722 50th St., 785.1717 $ 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 $ THE TIMELESS CAFE & COCKTAILS Hand-crafted cocktails that pair perfectly with the small plates and entrees at Timeless ensure a return visit. Ask the owner, Stephen, for tips to enhance your dining experience.

6015 82nd St., Suite 5, 784.2144, timelesscocktails.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 $$ TWISTED ROOT BURGER CO. This trendy burger joint offers a gourmet twist to its generous halfpound burgers. Experiment with nontraditional toppings like goat cheese, thyme caramelized onions, smashed fries and even a vegetarian option.

Chill out with a delicious spiked milk shake. 116 W. Loop 289, 797.0532, twistedrootburgerco.com $

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 $ WEST CRUST Exciting flavor profiles and craft drinks. What more could you ask for in an artisan pizza joint?

6012 82nd St., 771.9378, westcrust.com $$ THE WEST TABLE KITCHEN AND BAR The West family’s hip eatery inside the Pioneer Condos building downtown serves outstanding, creative food. The menu changes daily to accommodate seasonal foods, but we enjoyed the crab hushpuppy starter, hearty burger, and roasted beet salad on our last visit. 1204 Broadway St., Suite 103, 993.9378, thewesttable.com $$ 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 $$ THE WINE NEST Sit at the wine bar and enjoy a flight of hand-picked wines paired with tapas, or relax at a table to enjoy daily lunch specials during the workweek, brunch on Saturdays, or one of the Nest’s high-end RSVP-only private wine dinners. Retail bottles and snacks are available to take home or give as the perfect gift.

8209 Slide Road, Suite 900, 368.7964, thewinenest.com $$ WORLD OF BEER World of Beer features more than 500 global beers, craft beer on tap, and tavern-style food. Enjoy “Beerunch” on Sundays and lunch on lunch and dinner daily.

2910 W. Loop 289, 785.1386, worldofbeer.com $ YUYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT Choose from the menu, hibachistyle meals, or fresh sushi from the sushi bar. 5130 80th St., 368.7861, yuyorestaurant.com $$

S P E C I A L

A DV E R T I S I N G

S E C T I O N

TOP DENTISTS 2019

TOP DENTISTS

Double T Smiles, Roger Tipton, DDS Nadene Tipton, DDS Year established/Years in practice: 1994; 25 years Education: Roger graduated from Texas Tech University and Texas A&M College of Dentistry.

Nadene graduated from Texas Christian University and Texas A&M College of Dentistry.

Accreditations and certifications: Certified in the American Boards of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics; Roger also regularly trains in Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Nadene serves as a clinical faculty member in Orthodontics Texas A&M in Dallas, is a member of the Texas Orthodontic Study Club and serves as the group’s president.

Specialty: Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Staff size: 15 Memberships and clinical associations: American Association of Orthodontists (AAO); Texas Dental Association (TDA); American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Why did you choose your area of practice? We are passionate about caring for kids and their smiles in a safe and fun atmosphere.

How do you set your practice apart from others?

We create positive memories for kids while they receive the best dental care.

What do you find most rewarding about being a dentist? Giving our patients smiles that build confidence and inspire others.

How will your practice change in coming years?

Technology continues to improve care and make it an easier experience for the patient.

What is your most memorable moment in dentistry? Every day, kids bless us with their personalities and stories. We love caring for kids’ smiles!

Community involvement: We volunteer our expertise as members of Lubbock’s accredited Cleft Palate Team. We also support our troops by collecting and mailing hundreds of pounds of sweets after Halloween.

6102 82nd St., Suite 2 • 792.2288 double-t-smiles.com

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TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TOP DENTISTS

Robinson and Hamblen Dentistry, Kelly S. Hamblen Robinson, D.D.S. Years in practice: 26 Education: Texas Tech University, 1988; Baylor College of Dentistry, 1993 Accreditations and certifications: BaleDoneen Preceptorship; Texas certification for Dental Treatment of Sleep Disorders; Level 1 Dental Sedation certification; Texas Monthly Super Dentist (six years); Next Door Neighborhood Favorite (two years) Specialty: General Dentistry Staff size: 16 team members Memberships and clinical associations: American Dental Association; Texas Dental Association; South Plains District Dental Society; Academy of General Dentistry; Academy for Sports Dentistry; American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry; Seattle Study Club; Spear Study Club; Kois Study Club; BaleDoneen Preceptorship Why did you choose your area of practice? I am a third-generation dentist of general dentistry. Carrying on a family legacy is an honor to me, and I absolutely love what I do.

How do you set your practice apart from others? We focus on complete and comprehensive dental treatment, including education about the systemic links between oral health and complete health.

We offer full mouth reconstruction, dental appliances for sleep disorders, implant placement and restoration, and comprehensive denture therapy, along with full, comprehensive dental treatment for ages 3 to 103!

What do you find most rewarding about being a dentist? Serving my patients. I love the relationship with them. I love helping my patients become healthier, and I adore helping them have a beautiful smile with improved function – often a life-changing outcome.

How will your practice change in coming years? We will continue to grow our complete health dentistry by collaborating with physicians and other specialties to help bring complete health to patients, and to continue increasing technologically to further enhance patient care.

What is your most memorable moment in dentistry? Every day that I can work with my father is a memorable moment. He is my greatest mentor. Watching him serving others, serving his patients with expertise and compassion – every time – that makes each moment memorable.

Community involvement: Active member of First United Methodist Church; fundraising events for American Diabetes Association; participating in Give Kids a Smile and the annual Children’s Dental Health Fair; providing support to multiple school and community activities and events; presenting dental programs in schools.

4215 85th St. • 794.1131 robinsondds.com

TOP DENTISTS • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Calendar OF EVENTS

March 2019

THE

Miss er k c a r c Fire NTEST CO

“MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST”

L ARTWORK COURTESY OF LUBBOCK COMMUNITY THEATRE

ubbock Community Theatre will present “The Miss Firecracker Contest” at the end of this month. Written by Beth Henley, the play is set in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and is centered around the town’s annual beauty pageant.

The play will feature Christina Proper as Carnelle, Lindsay Little as Popeye, Tuti Huntsman as Elain, Trace Warner as Delmount, Jordan Greer as Tessy, and Sean Allen Jones as Mac Sam and is directed by John A. Packard.

The play runs March 29 through 31 and continues April 5-7 and 12-14.

Lubbock Community Theatre 4230 Boston Ave. 749.2416 lubbockcommunitytheatre.org

To have an event listed on the calendar, email details to mmcaffrey@lubbockonline.com.

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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MARCH 2019 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

March 1 First Friday Art Trail 6-9 p.m. Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Avenue K, 762.8606

March 1-2 Lubbock Community Theatre presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” 7:30 p.m. Lubbock Community Theatre, 4232 Boston Ave., Suite B, 749.2416

March 2 Metallica Worldwired Tour 7:30 p.m. United Supermarkets Arena, 1701 Indiana Ave., 775.2242 Will of the Wind Productions presents “To Kill a Mockingbird” 7:30 p.m. Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Avenue K, 241.7778

March 3 Will of the Wind Productions presents “To Kill a Mockingbird” 2 p.m. Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Avenue K, 241.7778 Lubbock Community Theatre presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” 2:30 p.m. Lubbock Community Theatre, 4232 Boston Ave., Suite B, 749.2416

March 4 Lubbock Men’s Choir 7 p.m.

The Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., 762.3233

March 8-9 Lubbock Community Theatre presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” 7:30 p.m. Lubbock Community Theatre, 4232 Boston Ave., Suite B, 749.2416 Will of the Wind Productions presents “To Kill a Mockingbird” 7:30 p.m. Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Avenue K, 241.7778

March 9 “Is There Life After Lubbock?” starring Jaston Williams and Kimmie Rhodes 7:30-9:30 p.m.

The Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., 762.3233

March 10 Will of the Wind Productions presents “To Kill a Mockingbird” 2 p.m. Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Avenue K, 241.7778 Lubbock Community Theatre presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” 2:30 p.m. Lubbock Community Theatre, 4232 Boston Ave., Suite B, 749.2416

March 15 Soul Dynasty Music Group 5:30 p.m. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 421.2022

March 29-30 Flatlands Dance Theatre presents “Delicious: An Evening of Dance and Dessert” 6:30 p.m. Firehouse Theatre at LHUCA, 511 Avenue K, 775.2242 Lubbock Community Theatre presents “The Miss Firecracker Contest” 7:30 p.m. Lubbock Community Theatre, 4232 Boston Ave., Suite B, 749.2416

March 30 Lubbock Symphony Orchestra presents “Broadway – Wicked Divas” 7:30 p.m. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 762.1688

March 30-31 C.A.T.S Playhouse presents “Crimes of the Heart” 7:30 p.m. C.A.T.S. Playhouse, 2257 34th St., 503.4036

March 31 Lubbock Community Theatre presents “The Miss Firecracker Contest” 2:30 p.m. Lubbock Community Theatre, 4232 Boston Ave., Suite B, 749.2416

March 5 2019 Mardi Gras 5:30-9 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit Lubbock Meals on Wheels. Music by Bo Garza.

Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Exhibit Hall, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 792.7971

March 7 16th Annual Unsung Heroes Award Recognition Ceremony 5:308:30 p.m. Prosperity Bank Conference Center, 1501 Ave. Q, 767.7000

March 16 Mad Hatter Tea Party and Easter Style Show 2-4 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Women’s Protective Services of Lubbock. The Lubbock Women’s Club, 2020 Broadway St., 763.6448

March 23 First Annual Bacon-Off 11 a.m.2:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Fraternal Order of Eagles #4271.

507 County Road 7300, 442.1080 The Lubbock Chorale presents the Annual Gala, “South Pacific” 6:30 p.m. McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center, 2521 17th St., 775.2242 An Evening with Scott Hamilton 6:30-9 p.m. Proceeds will benefit The Children’s Home of Lubbock.

Overton Hotel & Conference Center, 2322 Mac Davis Lane, 762.481, ext. 213 Purpose Medical Mission Anti-Gala 7-11 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Purpose Medical Mission. Museum of Texas Tech University, 2201 Fourth St., 742.2490

March 31

BENEFITS & FUNDRAISERS

Buckner Spring Tea 2-4 p.m.

Featuring guest speaker Lauren Green McAffee. Eberley Brooks Events, 8602 County Road 7000, 795.7151

March 1

MUSIC

30th Annual Mayor’s Beans & Cornbread Luncheon 11 a.m.1:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Hospice of Lubbock. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 795.2751

March 2 Lubbock Sportsman’s Club Chapter of Dallas Safari Club Hunter’s Banquet & Auction 5 p.m.

Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 789.2441

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When Women Soar 6-9 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit Lubbock NAACP 6198. Center Pointe Event Center, 4923 Marsha Sharp Fwy., 535.3845

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

March 1 John 5 & the Creatures with Jared Nichols James 7 p.m. Jake’s Sports Cafe and Backroom, 5025 50th St., Suite A, 687.5253 Parker McCollum with Mitchell Ferguson 7 p.m. Charley B’s, 5402 Fourth St., 781.0151

51 Junction 10 p.m. Texas Cafe and Bar: The Spoon, 3604 50th St., 792.8544 TexWestus 11 p.m. The Blue Light Live, 1806 Buddy Holly Ave., 762.1185

March 2 Jordan Robert Kirk and Andy Hedges 12-3 p.m. Cook’s Garage, 11002 Hwy 87, 893.2491 Tyler Carter 6:30 p.m. Jake’s Sports Cafe and Backroom, 5025 50th St., Suite A, 687.5253 19’ Takes Songwriter Social 7 p.m.

Texas Cafe and Bar: The Spoon, 3604 50th St., 792.8544 The ’80s Rock Mega-Hit Flashback 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., 762.3233

March 12 Stonecutters with Spitlife and The Dyson Mind 8 p.m. Jake’s Sports Cafe and Backroom, 5025 50th St., Suite A, 687.5253

March 19 Piñata Protest 7 p.m. Jake’s Sports Cafe and Backroom, 5025 50th St., Suite A, 687.5253

March 20 One Night of Queen 7:309:30 p.m. The Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., 762.3233

March 21 Led-Zeppelin 2 7 p.m. Jake’s Sports Cafe and Backroom, 5025 50th St., Suite A, 687.5253

March 22 Randall King with Jake Worthington 7 p.m. Charley B’s, 5402 Fourth St., 781.0151

March 24 Rhonda Vincent 7 p.m. The Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., 762.3233

March 28 Junior Brown 7:30 p.m. The Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave., 762.3233

March 30 Cody Johnson and Friends 5 p.m.

South Plains Fair Park Coliseum, 801 Avenue A, 763.2833 SPECIAL EVENTS

March 1-2 Lubbock Area Square and Round Dancers Federation Dance 7:15 p.m.

2305 120th St., 903.277.8681

Severe Weather Awareness Day 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Activities will include hands-on weather experiments for kids of all ages, live weather demonstrations with tornado and lightning simulators, information on severe weather preparedness, and door prizes. Science Spectrum, 2579 S. Loop 289, Suite 250, 745.2525

March 9 Spring Break-Out Wine Tour 1 p.m.

Visit English Newsom Cellars, Caprock Winery, Pheasant Ridge Winery, and Burklee Hill Vineyards at Levelland. The 6- to 7-hour tour includes a limo ride. Register at westtxwinetours.com. 543.7507

March 12-14 Spring Break Fest: A World of Pollinators 1-4 p.m. Lubbock Lake Landmark, 2401 Landmark Drive, 742.1116

March 13 Harlem Globetrotters 7 p.m.

United Supermarkets Arena, 1701 Indiana Ave., 742.7362

March 16 St. Patrick’s Day Wine and Brewery Tour 1 p.m. Visit Llano Estacado Winery, Plains Brewing Company, and Burklee Hill Vineyards at Levelland.

The 6- to 7-hour tour includes a limo ride. Register at westtxwinetours. com. 543.7507

March 22 TTU Presidential Lecture & Performance Series presents “BodyTraffic” 7 p.m. TTU Allen Theatre, 2625 15th St., 775.2242

March. 22-24 2019 West Texas Roundup All day.

Event will include a car show, swap meet, and mini-bike races. Cook’s Garage, 1002 Hwy. 87, 893.2491

March 23 Camp Bark & Brew 2-T2 8 a.m.

Family-friendly, dog-friendly, all-day event will be hosted by area Lions Clubs to promote awareness and funds for Texas Lions Camp and Leader Dogs for the Blind. Activities will include small dog and wiener dog races, food trucks, motorcycle poker run, educational presentations in Cactus Theater, pet adoptions, and kids' activities. Downtown Lubbock, 1822 Buddy Holly Ave., 763.4789 Landmark After Dark: Night Hike 8 a.m. Begin at the Interpretive Center and hike along the 3.5-mile

nature trail with a guide. Night hikes will begin at dusk, 30 minutes before sunset. This hike takes 75 to 90 minutes. Gates will open at 7 p.m., and hiking begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Wear comfortable, sturdy, closed-toed shoes, and bring sunscreen and bug spray. This event is free of charge and open to all ages.

Lubbock Lake Landmark, 2401 Landmark Drive, 742.1116

March 30 Food Truck Lollapalooza 11 a.m.7 p.m. 6501 University Ave., 203.4373 Growing Up Wild 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.

This program is designed to engage 3 and 4 year olds to the natural world by connecting them to nature through stories, take-home activities, and outdoor exploration.

Lubbock Lake Landmark, 2401 Landmark Drive, 742.1116 20th Annual César E. Chávez People's March and Celebration 1-3 p.m. March begins at North University Avenue and Cesar E. Chavez Drive, 544.6526 TRADE SHOWS

March 1-3 FPS 2019 Boat Show 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Family PowerSports Lubbock, 4202 W. Loop 289, 793.2551

March 7 Just Between Friends 2019 Spring Sale 6-10 p.m. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 787.0304

DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS REGARDING TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:

ERISA & FMLA? ERISA

March 8-9 Just Between Friends 2019 Spring Sale 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 787.0304

March 10 Just Between Friends 2019 Spring Sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 787.0304

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6TH, 2019 LOCATION

March 23 Lubbock Great Outdoors Expo 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 775.2242

March 24 Lubbock Great Outdoors Expo 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, 775.2242

SANFORD & TATUM 5241 98TH ST LUBBOCK, TX 79424

• WHAT IS AN ERISA PLAN? • WHO IS REQUIRED TO COMPLY? • THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF PLAN SPONSOR • DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS • PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE • DOL INVESTIGATIONS

FMLA

• WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE SUBJECT TO FMLA? • EMPLOYER LEGAL TIME: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM REQUIREMENTS/ SPEAKER: CAROLYN MCNAIRY, EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY TASC COMPLIANCE VICE-PRESIDENT • QUALIFYING EVENTS RSVP • TYPES OF LEAVES • CASE LAW STUDIES TAMARA CANNON, • FMLA INTERACTION WITH STEWARDSHIP LIAISON COBRA AND HIPAA CALL: 806-792-5564 X 311 • FMLA FINES AND OR EMAIL: CANNONT@SANFORDTATUM.COM PENALTIES FOR YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER ONLINE AT NON-COMPLIANCE WWW.SANFORDTATUM.COM

LB-SPAD0219103819

March 2

MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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At Work

WITH VANESSA DIRKS, REALTOR, PROPERTY MANAGER, HUB CITY RENTALS Degas Print I picked it up in New York at the Metropolitan Museum during a trip in high school. I danced for 17 years, so I was naturally drawn to the works of Degas. It never really found a place in my house.

When I became a realtor, it was the first thing I hung. I love purple and have always been a bit of a girly girl, so of course my office is going to reflect that. I'm a creative person. I love working in a space surrounded by things I love and that bring me joy.

Texas Dust Globe It is from Milburn-Price Culture Museum in Vega, Texas. Inside the globe is a T-Rex with a Route 66 sign and dust. The dust was found in the museum ceiling, and is believed to be mostly from the Dust Bowl Era of the 1930s.

Topo Chico I drink carbonated water all day, every day.

T-Rex Collection Weirdly enough, I've always loved dinosaurs. A few years ago, I made a comment about my arms resembling T-Rex arms. Well, it stuck, and some of my friends call now me V-Rex. I have a collection of T-Rex items that most 7-year-old boys would envy.

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

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Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

Bailey and Milton My fur babies. Bailey is a 10-year-old Goldendoodle and loves to hold hands. The fee we paid for her went toward the breeders adopting their third child. Milton is a 1 ½-year-old Goldendoodle, who has no idea what personal space is. He thinks his space should be in your space, so they can become one space.

YPN Award The Texas Realtors Young Professionals Network (YPN) named five Realtors to Watch award recipients in 2018. These Texas Realtors under the age of 40 demonstrate excellence in leadership and community involvement and are making their mark in the real estate industry.

Graduates of the Texas Realtors Leadership Program go through an eight-course program to receive this designation. This program helps participants learn more about their talents and how to best use them.

B

orn and raised in Lubbock, Vanessa Dirks spent her Saturday mornings visiting garage sales and open house listings with her mother. From her earliest memorable years, Dirks was memorizing the street grid system and learning about the neighborhoods in her hometown. Today, she’s the president of the Lubbock Association of Realtors and a property manager for Hub City Rentals.

“I actually got into real estate by chance,” she says.

“I took a part-time job after high school because I was tired of retail. The company did mostly commercial and apartment property management. I did reception, bookkeeping, and was eventually a site manager.”

Dirks next moved on to be a receptionist for a residential agency – Westmark Leasing – and it was there that a couple of real estate agents encouraged her to pursue her license. She ended up spending 13 years with the company, learning the ropes and gaining experience.

Then, Dirks decided it was time to start her own company.

“Another agent and I left to start Hub City Rentals. We manage about 500 doors in Lubbock, mostly single-family homes and a few complexes,” says Dirks.

In real estate, every day is different. The laws change consistently, and no situation or person is exactly the same. Dirks says working in real estate, particularly on the leasing side, is “part psychiatrist, part parent.”

“The people keep me on my toes,” she says, laughing.

“That’s what people don’t understand about property management. A real estate agent can have 15 properties they’re working on, so they have maybe 30 people they’re working for. Well, we have 500 properties, hundreds of tenants and vendors, so on a daily basis we’re working with 700 people.”

The staff at Hub City Rentals is small but mighty.

Dirks is one of three agents, alongside Lisa Pearce, with whom she started the company, and Crystal Sanchez, who’s currently learning the business. The support staff includes a maintenance manager, bookkeeper, and an administrative assistant, and, as a part of Re/Max, they’re able to utilize other agents to help show and lease properties.

As the company grows, Dirks maintains that there are two words businesspeople need to know: yes and no.

“When we learned to speak as a child, our first words were yes and no, and those are two words we need to know in business,” she says. “They’ll help you grow and succeed, but also give you boundaries to not be bogged down. It’s one of those things you have to know in your core – what works best for you and the path you want to be on. Only you and your God will open and close those doors for you. I put that in His hands every day. I know in my gut and heart that I’m saying the right words.”

In 2018, Dirks was chosen as one of the Top Five Realtors to Watch from the Texas Association of Realtors, as well as a Top 20 Under 40 award recipient from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. When she’s not working, she’s enjoying life with her husband, Philip, of 17 years and their two Goldendoodles, Bailey and Milton. L MARCH 2019 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Yesteryear

1931 MEAT SHOW

COURTESY OF TEXAS TECH’S SOUTHWEST COLLECTION/SPECIAL COLLECTION LIBRARY

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n 1931, the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and Fair Association teamed up with the Texas Extension Service to plan the city’s first annual Fat Calf, Fat Pig and Cured Meat Show. Promoting local agriculture and livestock, the show also featured submissions of home-cured meats including bacon, picnic 52

Lubbock Magazine • thelubbockmagazine.com • MARCH 2019

shoulders, sausage, scrapple, head cheese and even soap. More than a thousand dollars in prizes were awarded to participants and several thousand people were thought to have been in attendance. This historic photo shows Plainview’s Bert Weil at the show with his prize-winning junior calf. L