Lubbock magazine - December 2021 by Lubbock Magazine

Contents

DECEMBER 2021

HUSK FOR THE HOLIDAYS Traditional Mexican fare has deep roots in Texas

Features

In every issue

’TIS THE SEASONING Spice up the holidays for better heart health

SOUTH PLAINS SCENE B.C. Gilbert

REBUILDING A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Lubbock’s Ashley Home Store delivers hope after ﬁ re

EAT DRINK Restaurant guide

TWO CENTS Sidney Hopper

806 INC Lubbock Chamber ribbon cuttings

Play

Outside

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Feature

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’Tis the

seasoning SPICE UP THE HOLIDAYS FOR BETTER HEART HEALTH

DECEMBER 2021 | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | Lubbock Magazine

Special to Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY NETWORK

he holidays aren’t typically when we focus on healthy eating, but making your traditional favorites healthier for your heart is much easier than you think. New research from a Texas Tech nutrition researcher shows that seasoning your food generously could improve your blood pressure by Christmas. Kristina Petersen, an assistant professor in Texas Tech’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, was co-principal investigator of the study. In a controlled-feeding study, Petersen and her colleague Penny Kris-Etherton found that seasoning foods with 6.5 grams, or about 1.3 teaspoons, of herbs and spices a day was linked with lower blood pressure after four weeks. “As nutritionists, we’re interested in new ways we can use diet to benefi t health, and cardiovascular health in particular,” Petersen said. “We were curious about how herbs and spices could aff ect heart health, since they are versatile and can be added to many diff erent types of food.” The fi ndings, published in the American

Journal of Clinical Nutrition, oﬀ er people a simple way to help improve their heart health. “Adding herbs and spices to your food is a great way to add ﬂ avor without adding extra sodium, sugar or saturated fat,” said Kris-Etherton, the Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn-

Lubbock Magazine | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | DECEMBER 2021

sylvania State University. “And, if you go a step further and add these seasonings to foods that are really good for you, like fruits and vegetables, you can potentially get even more health beneﬁ ts by consuming that extra produce.” According to the researchers, cardiometabolic diseases like heart disease, strokes and Type 2 diabetes continue to be among the leading causes of death in the United States. One of the ways health professionals aim to improve heart health is by monitoring and improving blood pressure. One way people can improve their blood pressure is by limiting their sodium intake, usually by adding less salt to their meals. Petersen said that while people have long been encouraged to season their food with

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herbs and spices instead of salt to boost fl avor without added sodium, less was known about whether herbs and spices have health benefi ts of their own. For the study, the researchers recruited 71 people with risk factors for heart disease. Every participant consumed every spice diet – one low, one moderate and one high in herbs and spices – in a random order for four weeks each, with a two-week break between each diet period. Blood samples were drawn from each participant at the beginning of the study as well as after each diet period. All three diets were based on an average American diet – refl ective of what a typical American consumes in a day – but with three diff erent doses of herbs and spices added. The low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose diets included approximately 0.5 grams, 3.2 grams and 6.5 grams of herbs and spices, respectively, a day. The doses included a blend of 24 diff erent herbs and spices, ranging from basil and thyme to cinnamon and turmeric, designed to simulate the way people use different herbs and spices throughout the day while cooking. The researchers found that after consuming the diet with a high dose of herbs and spices, participants had lower systolic blood pressure than after the diet with the medium dose. Participants also had lower diastolic blood pressure after the diet with a high dose of herbs and spices than after the diet with a low dose. Kris-Etherton said the results were especially exciting to her because the diets in the study were not designed to be specifi cally heart healthy and only diff ered from an average diet by the amount of herbs and spices added. “I think it’s really signifi cant that participants consumed an average American diet throughout the study and we still found these results,” Kris-Etherton said. “We didn’t decrease sodium, we didn’t increase fruits and vegetables, we just added herbs and spices. It begs the next question that if we did alter the diet in these ways, how much better would the results be?” The researchers said that, in the future, additional studies designed to incorporate herbs and spices into a healthy dietary pattern lower in salt, added sugars and solid fats could help guide future dietary recommendations. The McCormick Science Institute and National Institutes of Health helped support this research.e

Cover story

Traditional Mexican fare has deep roots in Texas Abigail Walker Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY NETWORK

Lubbock Magazine | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | DECEMBER 2021

Finished tamales ERIN BORMETT/ARGUS LEADER

ows of corn husk are lined up on the table as Monica Vasquez, an employee at The Tamale Lady in Wolff orth, Texas, scoops masa and spreads it onto the leaves. Vasquez has worked at The Tamale Lady for a year and her primary job is constructing tamales. Once the masa is on every corn husk, she then takes the tamale fi lling and layers it on top of the masa. Making sure to leave enough masa exposed on the edges so when she wraps the tamale the fi lling will be centered. This time she is making chipotle chicken tamales. As she rolls the tamales and wraps them in foil before eventually cooking them, Vasquez reminisces her time pre-COVID when her family would get together and make the dish before Christmas Eve. A common tradition for the Latin American community, which has now been adopted by many Texans. “We’d all get together, a bunch of relatives, sit around a big table and we’ll just roll tamales and talk about old stories or tell new memories,” Vasquez said. The chipotle chicken tamales that she is making is a recipe created by The Tamale Lady owner and chef, Jon Walter. Walter said before opening the restaurant he asked his grandmother to teach him how to make the dish. He then started selling his tamales at the Wolff orth farmers market and once the building he currently operates out of became available for rent, he opened The Tamale Lady.

Walter said The Tamale Lady accepts pre-orders for tamales around the holiday season for customers that want to enjoy the dish. “It’s something people can share, families can share that,” Walter said, “it’s a tradition within Mexican, Latin and Hispanic culture and we like to share that culture.” Tamales have been a part of the Latin American culture for thousands of years. Britannica reports that human artifacts have dated early settlers in Mexico to approximately 9000 B.C. where the inhabitants were hunters of large herd animals such as mammoths. Around approximately 7,500 B.C., following the glacial retreat of the last Wisconsin substage, inhabitants were forced to turn away from big-game hunting to smaller prey, and gathering. The origin of the tamale has also been traced to around this time period.

Steam rises from cooked tamales as they are placed on a table to cool in the kitchen. PHOTOS BY BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

Historians have a hard time agreeing on the exact time period tamales were invented, but it’s estimated the food fi rst appeared anywhere from 8000 B.C. to 5000 B.C. in Mesoamerica. The word tamale originates from the Nahuatle word ‘tamal’, one of the Aztec’s primary languages. Back then, modern day corn as we know it had not been developed. Early civilizations used corns ancestor, teocintle, as the basis for tamales. Tamales also had religious signifi cance in Mesoamerican cultures. Miguel Levario, associate professor of U.S. History at Texas Tech specializing in U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, said this is because corn is a vital and staple crop among the indigenous people of Mexico. “It represents a lot, it’s their main crop, but it also represented a lot of spiritual value,” Levario said, “some of the indigenous groups believe that humans came from corn. So, corn is very much a vital piece of indigenous culture in Mexico and in the pre-columbian period.” Research shows maize played a vital role in the lives of Mesoamericans starting from when they were born and the umbilical cord was cut over a maize cob, up until death when maize dough was put into the mouth of the deceased. The Aztecs would serve tamales as an off ering to their respective deities, as well as the Mayans, Olmecs and Toltecs. Each god had a diff erent type of tamale made for them as well. In post-Colonial modern history, 10

the tamale has been adopted by Christian and Catholic faiths. “When the Europeans came, Cortes was greeted with tamales, so it was a food that was there before, and they were exposed to it when they came to the America’s.” Levario said. One theory for why tamales are associated with Christmas is that because Mesoamerican’s prepared tamales for special occasions, Catholics and Christians did as well. Tamales can be seen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary carrying baby Jesus inside her. Levario also said that one of the values of the tradition, is that because it’s so labor intensive, the process of making tamales generally involves multiple people. Families get together during the holiday season and on Christmas Eve, will start making tamales early in the morning throughout the evening. In Mexican culture this kind of gathering is called a tamalada, or tamalemaking party. “It’s one of the biggest beneﬁ ts of this tradition,” Levario said, “that idea of family togetherness is very much prevalent and very much innate in this whole process of making tamales.” Eating tamales on Christmas Eve has extended from Latin American culture to the homes of many Texans. Owner of Pedro’s Tamales in Lubbock, Bryan Radney, said that it’s no surprise that many Texans have started participating in the tradition. “With the Hispanic inﬂ uence in Texas it’s naturally going to integrate, and other people are going to pick up on it.” Radney said.

Lubbock Magazine | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | DECEMBER 2021

“

That idea of family togetherness is very much prevalent and very much innate in this whole process of making tamales.” But for those that want to enjoy the dish during the holiday season that may not know how to make them, or don’t have a recipe passed down through generations, orders can be placed at local tamalerias. Popular tamale shops like the beforementioned, Pedro’s Tamales and The Tamale Lady are some of those places. Pete Hale, founder of Pedro’s Tamales, started making tamales in 1977 with his wife Sally Hale and sold them out of an auto parts store they owned. In 1981 they offi cially opened Pedro’s Tamales for business. The tamales became so popular that in 1993, Governor of Texas John T. Montford named Pedro’s Tamales the Offi cial Tamale of Texas. Radney, purchased the business in 2016 from Pete and Sally’s children, and like many families passing down a recipe from generation to generation, Radney said the tamales at Pedro’s Tamales are still made using Pete’s recipe. “When I bought it, we hired the plant manager that worked with Pete for 27 years and we hired him to come in and get the recipes back to the originals.” Radney said. Some families will not only share tamales among their family members, but friends as well. Levario recounts how his grandmother would not only make enough tamales for his family to eat through January, but sometimes for family friends as well. “If she made them for other people it was as a gift, maybe my mom would say ‘hey can we give a dozen to so-and-so,’” Levario said, “but it was usually for our family. So, if you celebrate the holiday seasons with the dish whether you make them with your family like Vasquez and Levario, or order them from places like The Tamale Lady and Pedro’s Tamales, try to take some time to appreciate not only their taste, but their historical and religious signifi cance in Latin American cultures. e

South Plains Scene

The Pink Cowboy is located along the southwest corner of the intersection of Avenue L and Marsha Sharp Freeway. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE LUBBOCK ARTS ALLIANCE

Say howdy to the

‘FRIENDLY COWBOYS’ Artist B.C. Gilbert’s sculptures greet Lubbock-area drivers Adam D. Young Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY NETWORK

he Lubbock Arts Alliance recently announced the addition of two new sculptures to its rotating public art collection, PDA (Public Display of Art) in Lubbock. The “Friendly Cowboys” are 13 feet tall and weight 750 pounds each. They’re sculptures by artist B.C. Gilbert. The Pink Cowboy is located at Marsha Sharp Freeway and Avenue L and the Blue Cowboy is at South Loop 289 and Spur 327 – just outside the Loop. Gilbert said the “Friendly Cowboys” series is infl uenced by miniature fi gures made from horseshoe nails that are often credited to regional folk artists. Each “Friendly Cowboy” depicts a different member of a Western Swing Band. They are painted in vibrant colors to draw attention to their placement against the fl at topography of Lubbock. The Blue Cowboy is the singer and the Pink Cowboy is the guitar player. Gilbert has a bachelor of fi ne arts from Cameron University and a master of fi ne arts from Texas Tech University. He resides in Wichita Falls, Texas and his work has been showcased in solo, juried, and group exhibitions.

PDA in Lubbock is the only project of its kind in the region, according to Elizabeth Grigsby, executive director of the Lubbock Arts Alliance. It takes existing pieces of public art and displays them for a period of two years. After that time, a new piece of art is selected to replace the current one – ensuring that there is always something new to view at various intersections. The collection currently displays work by Jeﬃ e Brewer and B.C. Gilbert. The project is a collaboration of Texas Department of Transportation, Tornado Industrial/Arts and Lubbock Arts Alliance. The Texas Department of Transportation provides the concrete pads for the artwork and Tornado Industrial/Arts coordinates the logistics including installation and removal of each piece. The Arts Alliance facilitates the selection of public art pieces, contracts with selected artist, pays the artist and shipping fees, seeks additional funding, and promotes the program to residents and visitors. The project is funded by the Sessions Family Foundation and the City of Lubbock/Civic Lubbock Cultural Grants Program. e

Artist B.C. Gilbert, who earned his master of ﬁ ne arts degree from Texas Tech, completed two “Friendly Cowboy” sculptures now greeting drivers on area roadways.

Where to ﬁ nd the art Jeffie Brewer, Artist Orange Fox – Loop 289 at Spur 327 (inside the Loop) Purple Unicorn – South Loop 289 Flyover at I-27 Red Bunny – South Loop 289 at Quaker Avenue Tiny’s Pink Flamingo – Marsha Sharp Freeway at 19th Street Red Bird – 1106 5th St. (CASP) Green Burd – 1500 Broadway (McDougal Companies) ARTmadillo – 4000 24th St. (Covenant Children’s) B.C. Gilbert, Artist Blue “Friendly Cowboy” – Loop 289 at Spur 327 (outside the Loop) Pink “Friendly Cowboy” – Marsha Sharp Freeway at Avenue L

DECEMBER 2021 | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | Lubbock Magazine

Feature

Ashley Home Store surprised Cassie Caudill and family with several pieces for their temporary home, a $5,000 Ashley Home Store shopping spree and two custom, hand-painted portraits of their two beloved dogs. PHOTOS BY SHAMBHAVI RIMAL/LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Lubbock Magazine | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | DECEMBER 2021

home Rebuilding a

for the holidays Lubbock’s Ashley Home Store delivers hope after ﬁ re

Shambhavi Rimal Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY NETWORK

he Caudill family’s 2021 was marked by the tragedy of a deadly fi re that took two beloved members of their family, but went into the holiday season with a message of hope. Lubbock’s Ashley Home Store surprised Cassie Caudill and her family with an assortment of gifts to help them rebuild their lives and remember two beloved pets they lost. Those gifts included several pieces of furniture for their temporary home, a $5,000 Ashley Home Store shopping spree and two custom, hand-painted portraits of their dogs who were lost in the blaze. The Tahoka-based family lost nearly all of their personal possessions when a fi re destroyed their home earlier this year. “I’m feeling very overwhelmed and thankful,” said Caudill during a presentation late last month. “I don’t have a whole lot of words, but we are just so thankful and I’m very excited for this opportunity, to be blessed with these things after such a hard time.” In a GoFundMe fundraising page, Caudill shared the suprise and grief her family experienced during the Sept. 21 fi re at their Tahoka home. “On Tuesday September 21, 2021 my little family walked out of our new home with the intention of going to dinner and returning home to our fur babies, like any other evening,” her message reads. “When we pulled

into our driveway we never expected to fi nd our home and everything we worked for in fl ames, with our four legged babies trapped inside. Despite our best eff orts and hardest prayers, it was burning out of control. We were helpless and we lost more than we could ever replace. Our dogs, our home, everything we owned including my car was lost. We thank God for His protection of our lives, but we truly have no idea where to begin rebuilding our lives.” During last month’s presentation, Caudill said she is very thankful to the members of Ashley Home store for the furniture and the portraits of their dogs, which she describes as the most meaningful part of the gift. “I think that was the best gift that I have probably ever received in my life, and I will cherish it forever,” Caudill said. “Those dogs are our babies, to have such a special memory of them like that is just amazing.” Bernard Kaplan of Ashley Home Store said after hearing about the family’s tragic loss, his company worked closely behind the scenes with Cassie’s mom, who helped them understand the family’s needs. Kaplan said he was hopeful that, coming right before the holidays, would be a perfect time to have a new dining room table, a new dresser and some new items for her child because furniture is what makes a house a home.

The Tahoka based family that lost everything, including their two beloved dogs, when a ﬁ re destroyed their home received a heart-touching surprise from Ashley Home store.

You can bring back furniture, but you can’t bring back your loved ones. Talking about the idea behind the portraits of the dogs, Kaplan said furniture is one of those functional necessities, but the portraits are something that heals your heart. He added, you can bring back furniture, but you can’t bring back your loved ones. “We know those were some tears of sadness, but probably some tears of happiness, too, and we hope they are having miles of smiles ahead,” Kaplan said.

DECEMBER 2021 | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | Lubbock Magazine

Eat Drink

SPREADING THE

‘DUTCH LUV’

A Dutch Bros. coffee shop. DUTCH BROS

Popular coffee shop opens third Lubbock location

Shambhavi Rimal Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY NETWORK

ubbockites have been getting extra perks lately. Dutch Bros Coff ee recently opened its third location in Lubbock at 11201 Quaker Ave. The drive-thru coff ee company known for its speed and qualDutch Bros ity continues to share the “Dutch luv” with the Lubbock community through outstanding customer service and good cofMore information fee, according to a statement from the Oregon-based chain. about Dutch Bros can “We’re so excited to open this new location and serve our be found at new neighbors,” said Maggie Bieber, operator of Dutch Bros dutchbros.com, and Lubbock. “We can’t wait to see everyone Wednesday.” Dutch Bros Coffee What else is on the Dutch. Bros menu? social media handles. Dutch Bros serves specialty coff ee, smoothies, freezes, teas, its exclusive Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drink and nitrogeninfused cold brew coff ee. In addition to the new location, the other two locations are at 5212 Slide Road and 8231 University Ave. e

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Eat Drink

RESTAURANT GUIDE

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.

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

MAIN EVENT ENTERTAINMENT Perfect for the whole family or a large group, the Main Event offers bowling, arcade games, mini golf and more. Feed the crew with made-to-order pizza or plenty of grill-style nibbles from the dining area. 6010 Marsha Sharp Fwy., 792.3333, mainevent.com $$ MAMA JOSIE’S KITCHEN A staggering amount of burritos for breakfast or lunch means making a decision will be difficult. Multiple locations help satisfy those pesky cravings for Tex-Mex. 5719 66th St., 741.0588/212 University Ave., 747.8546/318 N. University Ave., 744.6268 $ MAMARITA’S BORDER CAFE MamaRita’s fast casual Tex-Mex is a regular Best of Lubbock winner. In business since 1989, locals love the salsa bar, margarita’s, and affordable daily specials. 6602 Slide Road, 794.4778, mamaritaslubbock.com $ MANARA CAFE Family-owned and -operated, Manara serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Customers love the swarma and gyro sandwiches and saffron rice. 2623 34th St., 701.4190 $$ MAR Y TIERRA This cozy Tex-Mex restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect fresh-made food and plenty of choices as the menu is lengthy. 2531 82nd St.,784.2008/5702 19th St., 407.5009, marytierralubbock.com $ MASISO Cupbap, a popular Korean street food, is a rice bowl topped with Korean-style barbecue, a dumpling and noodles. Discover this simple meal at Masiso, along with a limited number of other Korean favorites. 4809 34th St., 368.5469, masisocupbap.com $

MCALISTER’S DELI McAlister’s is not just another deli. Its made-to-order menu is chock full of fresh sandwich and salad options that make for a quick and tasty lunch. 2415 19th St., 740.0022/4210 82nd St., Suite 212, 799.5200/6810 Milwaukee Ave., 577.4349, mcalistersdeli.com $ MESQUITES BAR & GRILL The busy bar serves a limited menu to enjoy while watching the big game. 2419 Broadway, 744.9277 $ MI TACO VILLAGE This humble eatery offers dine-in or carryout, with live music on weekends. In business since 1975, the family-owned restaurant serves fresh and delicious Tex-Mex. The chile rellenos are renowned. 220 Regis St., 747.9700 $ MISS ANN’S CLASSIC DINER A true Lubbock classic, Miss Ann’s serves burgers, hot dogs, boxed meals, and ice cream. (Save room for a malt!) 3218 34th St., 792.2729 $ MONTELONGO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Dine in, takeout, or catering – Montelongo’s has you covered. Locals love the enchiladas and carne asada. 3021 Clovis Road, 762.3068, montelongosrestaurant. com $ MOTOMEDI MEDITERRANEAN Quick and affordable bowl meals fill the menu at Motomedi. Make is vegetarian with falafel or choose your meat and add rice, spiced fries or arugula, sauce and toppings. Every bowl is full of beautiful color and flavor! 3204 W. Loop 289, Suite 300, 317.1053, motomedi.com $ THE NICOLETT With an outdoor dining opening set for fall, The Nicolett is making the best of the COVID crisis by offering The Nicolett At Home ahead of its official opening. The takeaway program will give locals the opportunity to sample a new menu each week, designed to serve two to four guests. 511 Broadway., nicolettrestaurant.com $$

NORA’S MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANT A simple menu filled with Tex-Mex food is also easy on your wallet. Grab a package of fresh tortillas to go. 4102 34th St., 771.2047 $ THE OFFICE GRILL AND SPORTS BAR Known for great live country music, The Office offers all-day Happy Hour and a simple menu with grill items like sandwiches and burgers. 5004 Frankford Ave., Suite 900, 687.6242 $ O’HANA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR Choose from hibachi service or fresh sushi when you dine at O’hana. Reservations are suggested for busy weekend evenings. 5510 Fourth St., Suite 100, 792.0144/ 5217 82nd St., 783.8298 $$ OLIVE GARDEN ITALIAN KITCHEN Olive Garden will tell you, “When you’re here, you’re family,” and that’s the truth. With endless salad and breadsticks, no matter the entree, you’ll leave satisfied. 5702 Slide Road, 791.3575, olivegarden. com $$ ON THE BORDER MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA On the Border’s made-to-order fajitas will knock your socks off. Of course, good Mexican food is even better with a cold beer. Go ahead, indulge. 6709 Slide Road, 686.1550, ontheborder.com $$ ONE GUY FROM ITALY Fresh, hot, cheesy calzones are the star at One Guy, but the pizza, pasta, and garlic bread are also noteworthy. You’ll find traditional Sicilian recipes and great conversation when you dine in. 4320 50th St., 791.1210, oneguyfromitaly.com/1101 University Ave., 747.1226 $ ORLANDO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Generous portions of Italian mainstays dominate Orlando’s menu, with a southwestern influence peppered throughout. Customers rave about the potato and green chile soup, burgers, and all-you-caneat spaghetti and meatballs. 6951 Indiana Ave., 797.8646/2402 Avenue Q, 747.5998, orlandos.com $$

DECEMBER 2021 | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | Lubbock Magazine

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE Let’s just start with the Bloomin’ Onion. We could actually end there and be completely satisfied, but what’s a trip to Outback without a Victoria’s Filet Mignon and Bacon Bourbon Salmon? Speaking of completely satisfied, leave room for the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under. 4015 S. Loop 289, 788.0035, outback.com $$ PANCAKE HOUSE This cozy diner fills up fast, so expect a wait time. Enjoy home-style breakfast until 2:30 p.m. daily, with lunch items available after 11 a.m. 510 Avenue Q, 765.8506 $ PANERA BREAD You can count on this beloved chain for seasonal entrees, hearty salads, and some of the best baked goods around. 3004 W. Loop 289, 797.0881/4407 98th St., 794.2222/6807 Milwaukee Ave., 698.8300, panerabread.com $$ THE PECAN GRILL Located inside the Overton Hotel & Conference Center, The Pecan Grill serves upscale breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’re fans of the Texas redfish and NY strip steak. 2322 Mac Davis Lane, 776.7010, overtonhotel.com $$$ PEI WEI Pei Wei is always busy, but it’s certainly worth the wait. Your visit isn’t complete without the lettuce wraps. From there, delight your taste buds with beef ginger broccoli. 4210 82nd St., Suite 230, 792.4896, peiwei.com $$ PEPE’S PIZZA & ICE CREAM Is there a better combination than pizza and ice cream? We don’t think so. Feast on hand-tossed pizza made to order, and ice cream loaded with your favorite mix-ins. 3704 98th St., Suite 900, 993.7373, pizzabypepes.com $$ PHO CALI Specializing in Vietnamese noodle soup, Pho Cali also offers barbecued pork chops, fried vermicelli, and coffee. 4636 50th St., 784.2882, phocalillc.com $ PICANTES Known for its family atmosphere and fast, affordable Mexican food, Picantes has been serving its straightforward food to hungry locals for years. You can’t go wrong with one of the daily specials. 3814 34th St., 793.8304 $$

PICOSO’S MEXICAN KITCHEN This much-anticipated restaurant was founded by members of the Leal’s family. The eatery serves rustic modern Mexican food with a focus on street-style tacos and classics like enchiladas, chile relleno, tacos and quesadillas. 7611 Milwaukee Ave., 445.9560, picososmexicankitchen.com $$ PINKIE’S BARBECUE In business since 1962, Pinkie’s specializes in brisket, pork ribs, ham, and sausage with all the fixings. 4704 Fourth St., 687.0795, pinkiesbarbecue.com $ PITA PIT Create your own pita sandwich at the Pita Pit. With a focus on healthy ingredients, you can dine guilt-free for lunch or dinner. 5707 Fourth St., Suite 4, 687.7482, pitapitusa.com $ THE PLAZA RESTAURANT Eat your fill of fresh chips and hot sauce and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Perfect for a family night out, the menu offers enough variety to suit the pickiest eaters. 5029 Milwaukee Ave., 687.3823, theplazarestaurant.com $$ POLIBERTO’S TACO SHOP Find your favorite Tex-Mex items at Poliberto’s. Tacos and burritos earn top ratings at this simple drive-thru only restaurant. 107 Beech Ave., 763.5555 $ POTBELLY SANDWICH SHOP Potbelly has it all – sandwiches (hot or cold), salads, macaroni-and-cheese, 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 $ QDOBA MEXICAN EATS Order customizable, build-your-own nachos, rice bowls, burritos and salads at this fast-casual chain. Each ingredient is prepared in-house with everything made fresh to order. 5017 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 300, 771.2411, qdoba.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, queenoftartslubbock.com $$

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RAIDER BURRITO Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Raider Burrito caters to those pesky Tex-Mex cravings. Locals love the street-style tacos and breakfast burritos. 2102 19th St., 771.1178 $ RAIN CAFE Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with brunch on weekends, Rain offers simple American cuisine that leans toward comfort food. 2708 50th St., 785.5800 $ RASPADOS COLIMAS The photos on Raspados’ Facebook page will instantly draw you in and make your mouth water. Huge fruit drinks, cheesy cups full of Mexican corn, and overflowing taco plates look particularly tempting. 2203 Clovis Road, 760.521.8574 $ RAZZOO’S CAJUN CAFE Open in Lubbock since August 2018, Razzoo’s serves Cajun specialties in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Unwind on Winey Wednesdays with half price wine all day. 4805 S. Loop 289, 783.3032, razzoos.com $$ RED LOBSTER Seafood is a real treat in the South Plains, and Red Lobster is an old stand-by when you have a hankering for shrimp. Our favorite? The scampi swimming in delicious garlic butter complemented by tasty garlic cheese biscuits. 5034 50th St., 792.4805, redlobster.com $$ RED ZONE CAFE This casual college football-themed eatery serves home-style fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 3602 Slide Road, 784.0010, redzonecafe.org $ RIVER SMITH’S CHICKEN & CATFISH A Lubbock mainstay, Rive Smith’s serves fried catfish and chicken battered to perfection. Chargrilled options, and oysters, shrimp and crab round out the menu. 406 Avenue Q, 765.8164, riversmiths.com $$ ROSA’S CAFÉ & TORTILLA FACTORY Perfect for take-out or a quick, satisfying meal, Rosa’s offers Tex-Mex favorites and a fun, upbeat atmosphere. You can’t beat the homemade tortillas, made fresh every day. 5103 82nd St., 794.2285/4407 Fourth St., 785.5334/5020 Milwaukee Ave., 792.0015/ 3115 50th St., 784.0100/13011 Indiana Ave., 451.5132, rosascafe.com $

ROYAL SEAFOOD SHACK/LEE’S CAFE The eatery houses two restaurants in one location. From traditional Cajun seafood boils, to fried or grilled fish, to sandwiches and gumbo, the Royal Seafood Shack’s menu is brimming with fresh seafood, paired with down-home comfort food sides like corn on the cobb, cornbread, french fries and coleslaw. Fans of Lee’s Café’s authentic Soul Food can still enjoy Southern food favorites made fresh daily. 7604 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 400, 368.8537, royalseafoodshack.com $$ RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE & BAR-B-Q Rudy’s serves up the same original recipes they’ve used since 1989: brisket, ribs, turkey, pork loin and sausage slow-smoked over an oak fire, seasoned with a secret dry-spice blend and topped with “Sause.” 4930 S. Loop 289, 797.1777, rudysbbq.com $$ SABROSO MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND BAR Traditional Tex-Mex is a staple in West Texas, and Sabroso does not disappoint. You can’t go wrong with a taco special, enchiladas, or the popular breakfast migas, offered at breakfast or brunch. 5812 34th St., 702.8959, sabrosomexicanrestaurant. com $ SAIGON CAFE An extensive variety of Vietnamese entrees fill the menu at Saigon Cafe. Photos of the food make it easier to choose something off the menu. 4515 50th St., 788.1367 $ SAKURA NOODLE HOUSE & SUSHI BAR Sakura’s extensive menu is offered all day, and includes rice or noodle bowls, sushi and hibachi. Affordable daily lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. make Sakura an excellent early dinner choice. 4520 50th St., 368.7046 $$ SALTGRASS STEAK HOUSE Saltgrass has plenty of steaks to choose from and you can pair it with juicy Gulf shrimp or lump crab meat. Take our advice: Save room for the Two-Fork Cheesecake. Rich and creamy, it melts in your mouth. 6026 Marsha Sharp Fwy., 792.1004, saltgrass.com $$ Samburgers A small dine-in space with a drive-thru, Samburgers offers old-fashioned burgers, onion rings, and fries made fresh to order. 4447 34th St., 799.1987 $

SANCTUARY BAR & CAFE Sanctuary offers specialty cocktails like its nitrogen-infused “NitroMargarita,” and classic bar food like burgers, dip and chips, and chicken wings. The eatery expects to release a full food menu in the coming months. 8209 Slide Road, Suite 900, 368.3867, sanctuarybarandcafe.com $$ SEOUL KOREAN CUISINE You’ll find authentic Korean food at Seoul. The simple menu includes kimchi, bulgogi and more traditional Korean entrees. 4620 50th St., 687.8835 $ SKOONERS GRILL & BAR Open since 1998, Skooners simple menu include wings, pressed sandwiches, soup and salad. 1617 University Ave., 749.7625, skoonerslubbock.com $ THE SILVER BULLET This smoky little dive’s main draw is karaoke and billiards, but there are a few appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and other pub grub offerings on the abbreviated menu. 5145 Aberdeen Ave., 795.4122, silverbulletlubbock.com $ SIMPLE SIMON’S PIZZA Simple Simon’s affordable menu is filled with sandwiches, calzones, pizza, salads and wings. 3410 I-27, 741.0007, simplesimonspizza.com $ SLIM CHICKENS From southern-style chicken wings and tenders to sandwiches and chicken and waffles, Slim Chickens will leave you full, satisfied and licking your fingers. 2405 19th St., 701.4535/5508 Fourth St., 780.6446/ 4509 98th St., 368.3723/7801 University Ave., 701.5055, slimchickens.com $ SMOKIN JOE’S Get your Tex-Mex fix at Smokin’ Joe’s. Inthe-know locals favor the flavorful cheeseburgers and fruit waters. Head through the convenient drive-thru for a refreshing snow cone. 2001 Clovis Road, 749.5637 $ SOUPER SALAD Pile your plate full of seasonal veggies, a loaded baked potato or a flatbread pizza at Souper Salad’s all-you-can-eat buffet. There’s something for everyone. 6703 Slide Road, 794.0997, soupersalad.com $ SPANKY’S SANDWICH SHOP This Tech hangout specializes in homestyle hamburgers, sandwiches and shareable pub grub. 811 University Ave, 744.5677, spankys.com $$

STACKED BREAKFAST & LUNCH Open early for breakfast and serving lunch daily, Stacked also caters and offers a convenient drive-up window for meals on the go. We’ve got our eye on the pancakes at Stacked, with four tempting flavors: original, chocolate chip, sweet potato, and bacon. 6015 82nd St., Suite 5, 317.1101, stackedlbk.com $ STELLA’S The perfect place to linger over an exquisite meal, Stella’s serves brunch, lunch and dinner in a warm and inviting atmosphere. 6015 82nd St., Suite 1, 831.2832, stellaslubbock.us $$-$$$ SUGARBAKERS CAFE & BAKERY Open for breakfast and lunch, Sugarbakers offers light lunch fare, and can accommodate showers, birthday parties, and large groups. Try the sawdust pie – you won’t regret it. 4601 S. Loop 289, Suite 1, 797.0794, sugarbakerscafe.com $ SUSAKI SUSHI STEAKHOUSE One thing is certain: You won’t run out of options at Susaki – although you might settle on a few favorite sushi rolls. If sushi’s not your thing, choose a traditional hibachi entree. 6301 82nd St., 794.8881 $$ TABLE 82 Table 82’s cuisine ranges from hearty Italian entrees to high-end steaks to an abundance of seafood to burgers and pizza. We’re impressed with the variety and outstanding ingredients. 4210 82nd St., Suite 240, 799.3408, table82.com $$-$$$ 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 $ TAQUERIA JALISCO A mainstay for authentic Mexican food in Lubbock, Taqueria Jalisco serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in its large dining areas painted to look like a hacienda. Top-notch, friendly service and quality food ensure a return visit. 2211 Avenue Q, 763.7605 $ TAQUERIA Y PANADERIA GUADALAJARA This modest eatery serves authentic fare with fresh baked goods. We love the street tacos and fresh-made chicarrón, crackling hot from the fryer. 1925 19th St., 765.8321 $

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TECH CAFE The Tech Cafe serves breakfast all day and offers plenty of Texas-style comfort food for hungry diners. With prices that are easy on your wallet, the ample menu has something for everyone. 4006 130th St., 701.5855/1524 50th St., 744.5990/11703 University Ave., 748.1999/2611 Slaton Road, 771.5048/4631 50th St., 701.5002 $ TEDDY JACKS HUB CITY GRILL Teddy Jacks promises a fun experience in its energetic dining area. The menu touches on a variety of American favorites, so there’s sure to be something for everyone at the table. 7205 Milwaukee Ave., 698.6997, teddyjacks.com $$ TEXAS BURRITO For breakfast on the go, Texas Burrito is the spot. Generous portions and affordable prices keep loyal diners going back for more. 2167 50th St., 744.7373 $ TEXAS ROADHOUSE Bread lovers will rejoice over the rolls and steak lovers will drool over the meat on display as soon as they walk through the door. Be ready for a wait, but the food’s worth it. 4810 S. Loop 289, 799.9900, texasroadhouse.com $$ THAI KITCHEN This hidden gem gets high marks for cleanliness, value and authentic Thai flavor. 2302 Texas Ave., 782.8689 $ THAI PEPPER THAI FOOD RESTAURANT This bustling but small restaurant is a local favorite. Solid traditional Thai offerings like pad thai and chicken larb can be made extra spicy for the adventurous diner. 3702 20th St., 795.7444 $ THAI THAI RESTAURANT Take in-the-know diners’ advice: Don’t request substitutions on menu items at Thai Thai – trust the owner for authentic flavor, even if some of the entrees are unfamiliar. 5018 50th St., 791.0024 $ THIRSTY DILLA Gourmet quesadillas for breakfast, lunch and dinner are the focus at the Thirsty Dilla. Choose a meat or create your own quesadilla from a variety of vegetables, meats and cheeses. Quench your thirst with fruit teas and slushes, boba teas, and classic Micheladas. 6301 82nd St., Suite 101, 701.4800 $

TIKKA SHACK INDIAN GRUB This modern chain caters to Indian food connoisseurs and beginners alike. The simple, build-your-own menu takes the confusion out of ordering. Create kabobs, wraps and bowls to your liking and try a traditional sweet to end your meal. 6620 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 100, 771.0960/2407 Ninth St., Suite 500, 701.4837, tikkashack.com $

TWIN PEAKS At Twin Peaks, expect traditional sports pub fare designed to curb those cravings. Choose items like steak, nachos, hot wings, burgers and too many more to list. 6012 Marsha Sharp Frwy., 793.1075, twinpeaksrestaurant.com $$

TOM & BINGO’S HICKORY PIT BAR-B-QUE In business since the 1950s, Tom & Bingo’s is a local staple. Feast on mesquite-smoked barbecue, sausage, burgers, and traditional sides. Grab a bottle of the famous barbecue sauce to go. 3006 34th St., 799.1514 $$

TWISTED ROOT BURGER CO. This trendy burger joint offers a gourmet twist to its generous half-pound burgers. Experiment with non-traditional 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 $

TOMMY’S FAMOUS BURGERS This family-run franchise promises the perfect fast food burgers, hot dogs and chili to end late-night cravings. Order a hot dog with the works – you won’t be disappointed. 117 University Ave., 763.5424, tommysfamousburgers.com $

UNCLE CHIEN’S CHINESE & THAI RESTAURANT This tiny drive-thru or dine-in restaurant serves affordable traditional Chinese and Thai food. Expect friendly service and standard fare. 3004 34th St., 795.1148, unclechiens.com $

TORCHY’S TACOS Start with the queso and a Happy Hour special and linger in Torchy’s hip atmosphere as the perfect end to a workday or for day-time weekend relaxation with friends. 2407 Ninth St., Suite 100, 368.8973/3204 W. Loop 289, 412.5220 torchystacos.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 $

TORO BURGER BAR Toro focuses on burgers and beer: 40 beers on tap and a staggering 26 burgers on the menu (there’s even fish and veggie burgers!). The Fiery Green Chile Cheeseburger and Buffalo Mac & Cheese Chicken Sandwich are certainly intriguing. 7706 Milwaukee Ave., 698.6283, toroburgerbar.com $ TOVA COFFEEHOUSE Enjoy coffee, tea, baked goods and breakfast items all day at TOVA. Your purchase helps the nonprofit coffeehouse as it donates its profits to local organizations working to alleviate poverty in Lubbock. 6023 82nd St., Suite 1, 368.7218, tovacoffeehouse.org $ 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 $$

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WALK-ON’S BISTREAUX & BAR Walk-On’s serves Louisiana-inspired cuisine like seafood, traditional Cajun favorites and bigger-than-average burgers. The like to call it “Game Day with a Taste of Louisiana.” We call it just plain tasty. 2630 W. Loop 289, 793.1845, walk-ons.com $$ THE WEST TABLE KITCHEN AND BAR The West family’s hip eatery inside the Pioneer Condos building downtown serves outstanding, creative food. The menu changes daily to accommodate seasonal foods, but we enjoyed the crab hushpuppy starter, hearty burger, and roasted beet salad on our last visit. 1204 Broadway, Suite 103, 993.9378, thewesttable.com $$ 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 $$ WING DADDY’S SAUCE HOUSE Available for dine or carryout, Wing Daddy’s serves cravable wings, bar-style appetizers burgers and more. Enjoy lunch spe-

cials weekdays, and weekly specials Monday through Thursday. 7706 Milwaukee Ave., 698.9464, wingdaddys.com $$ WINGSTOP Wingstop cooks up some of the best chicken wings around. There’s a flavor for every palate. And if you haven’t had sugared and salted french fries, you just haven’t lived. 5510 Fourth St., Suite 220, 788.1310/1803 Seventh St., Suite 501, 744.7675/6807 Slide Road, 798.3226, wingstop.com $ WOODY’S BRICK OVEN PIZZA & GRILL A family-owned and -operated establishment, Woody’s serves Chicago-style pizza, wings, calzones, burgers and sandwiches. Daily specials, especially at lunch, make this place a great value. 3135 34th St., 368.5263, woodysbrickovenpizzaandgrill. com $$ WORLD OF BEER World of Beer features more than 500 global beers, craft beer on tap, and tavernstyle food. Enjoy “Beerunch” on Sundays and lunch on lunch and dinner daily. 2910 W. Loop 289, 785.1386, worldofbeer.com $

YAMAGATA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SHABU SHABU Yamagata’s shabu shabu (hot pots) set it apart from other hibachi-style restaurants in town. Choose a variety of thinly sliced meats and vegetables to cook tableside. 5905 82nd St., Suite 104, 687.5620 $$ YAYA’S PLACE There’s Soul Food and then there’s “food for your soul,” which is what you’ll find at YaYa’s Place. Feast on old-fashion fried chicken, pork chops, catfish, loaded baked potatoes, collard greens, corn bread and more. Order ahead for takeout only. 1500 14th St., 317.8769 $ YELLOW HOUSE COFFEE On weekdays, Yellow House serves breakfast built on toast. Start your weekend with breakfast ingredients on fluffy buttermilk biscuits. And of course, there are plenty of specialty coffees to get that morning energy boost. 3017 34th St., 702.8997, yellowhousecoffee.com $ YUYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT Choose from the menu, hibachi-style

meals, or fresh sushi from the sushi bar. 5130 80th St., 368.7861, yuyorestaurant. com $$ 4ORE! GOLF 4ore!’s sprawling complex is also home to an upscale grill that serves lunch, dinner and Happy Hour daily. Expect standard American fare with a twist. 6909 Marsha Sharp Fwy., 368.8334, 4oregolf.com $ 50TH ST. CABOOSE Fuel up on Mexican-American food after hours of fun arcade fun. Daily lunch, appetizer, and kid’s discounts abound. 5027 50th St., 796.2240, cabooseonline.com $ ABUELO’S Time-tested Abuelo’s has plenty of options to please the entire family. Relax in the hacienda-style dining room with a refreshing margarita. 4401 82nd St., 794.1762, abuelos.com $$ ADOLPH’S GRILL & BAR Fill up on burgers and bar-bites before trying out your vocal skills during karaoke every evening. 5131 Aberdeen Ave.,

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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 $$ ALL AMERICAN EATERY & CATERING CO. Housed in the former Hwy. 87 Lunch Diner, All American offers sandwiches, salads, fresh pie, and a hot entree buffet special of the day. Our curiosity has been peaked by the bacon-wrapped brat on a pretzel bun and the homemade pimento cheese sandwich. 8901 Hwy. 87, 368.6304, allamericaneatery.com $

Aspen Creek’s Amarillo restaurant offers its signature made-from-scratch food in a family-friendly atmosphere. 3012 W. Loop 289, 553.7930, aspencreekgrill.com $$ ATOMIC LOUNGE & PIZZA KITCHEN Atomic specializes in fire roasted pizzas. Feast on favorites like The Roni, extra-large slices of pepperoni atop melted mozzarella and smoky tomato sauce. Atomic’s ovens cook a pizza in 2 1⁄ 2 minutes so your hunger pangs are quickly satisfied. 2420 Broadway, Suite A, 407.3221 $$ BACK 40 GRILL Back 40 covers all the bases: kid-friendly, great food, satisfying desserts, live music, and a patio area. 5214 98th St., 853.8715, theback40grill.com $$

ALOHA BBQ GRILL Loaded plates of sweet Hawaiian-style entrees and barbecue will ensure a to-go box. Be prepared to wait, as the food is made to order. 9810 Indiana Ave. Suite 800, 771.9405$

BAKED BLISS Baked Bliss offers a full lunch menu with salads, hot and cold sandwiches, daily specials, burgers and can’t miss dessert specials. 4005 34th St., 784.2004, lubbockbakedbliss.weebly.com $

AMIGOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT Stand-outs at this small, casual eatery are the all-you-can-eat menudo and barbacoa burritos. 5001 34th St., 795.9552 $

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 $

ANNA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT It’s Tex-Mex heaven inside Anna’s bright and cheerful dining room. Start with fresh guacamole and move on to a generously portioned combination plate. 6909 Indiana Ave., 771.8783 $ APPLE TREE CAFE & BAKERY This local favorite impresses with homestyle breakfasts, fresh sandwiches, and plenty of baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth. 3501 50th St., 799.7715, appletreelbk.com $ APPLEBEE’S GRILL + BAR We love 2 for $20 menu at Applebee’s; it’s the perfect way to share. Finish off your meal with a Dessert Shooter, the justenough dessert for every sweet tooth. 4025 S. Loop 289, 785.4025, applebees.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 $ ASPEN CREEK GRILL One of only nine locations nationwide, 22

BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S There’s something for every member of the family at Beef’s. Enjoy the game on multiple TVs while you eat. 5510 Fourth St., Suite 280, 792.3337, beefobradys.com/ lubbock $ BEIJING HOUSE RESTAURANT Specializing in Mongolian barbecue and Chinese fare, Beijing’s daily lunch specials and dinner entrees are easy on your wallet. 3605 50th St., 793.9593, beijinghouselubbock.com $ BIERHAUS LUBBOCK This patio bar on Broadway specializes in beer and pub grub. With plentiful outdoor seating on its pet-friendly patio it’s a casual place to enjoy good weather with man’s best friend. 2009 Broadway, 368.8324, bierhauslubbock.com $ BIG E’S BARBEQUE This late-night haunt in The Depot District serves take-and-eat barbecue, specifically meat burritos with pork, sausage, chicken or brisket, and your choice of condiments. 1802 Buddy Holly Ave., 441.6703 $

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BIGHAM’S SMOKEHOUSE Open for 40 years, Bigham’s serves its West Texas-style barbecue from two small, straightforward locations. 3312 82nd St., 797.9241/4302 19th St., 793.6880, bighamsbbq.net $ BJ’S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE This chain that originated in Southern California offers burgers, pizza and pub grub with an expansive list of craft brews. 4805 S. Loop 289, Suite 100, 783.8600, bjsrestaurants.com $$ BLUE SKY TEXAS Blue Sky’s burgers and homemade fries are the perfect companions to a Lone Star Beer or an Oreo shake. Be prepared to share the one-size-feeds-a-lot cheese fries. 4416 98th St., 368.7591/3216 Fourth St., 368.0750, blueskytexas.com $ BONUS BURGERS This cash-only eatery’s claim to fame is its classic soda fountain shop-style greasy burgers and fries. Save room for a thick and creamy shake. 2312 50th St., 795.7400 $ BRYAN’S STEAKS A traditional buffet-style steakhouse, Bryan’s offers steaks cooked to order with self-serve salads, sides and soft-serve ice cream. 1212 50th St., 744.5491$$ BUFFALO WILD WINGS You can’t go wrong with Buffalo’s hot wings, especially on a Tuesday night. Keep busy with the interactive games and every televised sport under the sun. 6320 19th St., 785.9464/7638 82nd St., 855.4992/ 8212 University Ave., 745.5525, buffalowildwings.com $$ BUNS OVER TEXAS If you’ve ever been to Buns, then you know “Your buns are up,” means dinner’s ready. The made-to-order burgers will fill you up fast. Pair one with some of the best cheese fries around, and wet your whistle with the refreshing ice tea. 3402 73rd St., 793.0012, bunsovertexas.com $ BURRITO TOWER Housed in a bright gold building, this small Mexican joint serves breakfast starting at 7 a.m. and lunch until 2 p.m. We’re hooked on the migas rancheros and gorditas. 3001 34th St., 791.5813 $ BURKLEE HILL BISTRO & TASTING ROOM Open for lunch and dinner service, the Burklee Hill Bistro serves as the Burklee Hill Vineyards’ Lubbock tasting room while also

offering a food menu and event room. Enjoy shareable small plates, hot panini sandwiches, salads, and 10-inch pizzettes. 1109 Broadway, 993.1195, burkleehillvineyards.com/Lubbock $$ CAFE J Enjoy elegant ambience surrounded by original artwork. Menus change with the seasons and each entree is carefully prepared with a wine pairing in mind. 2605 19th St., 743.5400, cafejlubbock.com $$$ 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 $$ CANCUN RESTAURANT & BAR This Lubbock mainstay has stood the test of time because of its reasonable prices, generous portions, customer service, and Happy Hour bargains. 7905 University Ave., 687.9048, cancunlubbock.com $-$$ CAPITAL PIZZA Don’t let Capitol’s nondescript storefront fool you. Quality ingredients, creative specialty pizzas, and hundreds of craft beers certainly impressed us. 2705 26th St., 368.3603/8211 Slide Road, 701.4062, capitalpizzalubbock.com $$ CAPROCK CAFE A Lubbock favorite, CapRock is the perfect place to hang out and watch the game – with a burger in one hand and an ice-cold beer in the other, of course! 3405 34th St., 784.0300/5217 82nd St., Space 109, 771.2233, caprockcafe.com $-$$ CASA MANILA This small eatery serves breakfast and lunch buffet-style, giving diners the opportunity to try a variety of authentic Filipino items. 6620 Milwaukee Ave., 993.1161 $ CASA OLÉ Enjoy casual dining with Tex-Mex favorites like nachos, enchiladas and tacos. 4413 S. Loop 289, 793.9351, casaole.com $ CAST IRON GRILL First, the pies. We don’t care what time of day; a meal just isn’t complete without a sweet slice. Move on to home-style breakfasts complete with biscuits and gravy, or hearty from-scratch burgers, chicken-fried steak and ribs. We can’t get enough. 620 19th Ave., 771.7690, castirongrilllubbock.

com $ THE CATCH This popular seafood franchise hales from South Texas and offers Cajun-style seafood. Choose from fried fish, shrimp, gator, oysters, tacos and a variety of boils. 5111 82nd St., 701.2900, thecatchhouston.com $$ CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN Cheddar’s offers American-style food at prices that won’t break your budget, which makes it the perfect place to bring the whole family. 4009 S. Loop 289, 791.1213, cheddars.com $-$$ 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 $$ CHICKEN RUN Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the cafe serves breakfast items, specialty juices, lunch combo deals and small plates for lighter appetites. 1910 Quaker Ave., 687.3447, chickenrun.cafe $$ CHILI’S GRILL & BAR There are countless go-to meals at Chili’s, namely the fajitas and Chicken Crispers. 5805 Slide Road, 796.1696/607 University Ave., 744.2025, chilis.com $$ CHIMY’S CERVECERIA If a margarita is in order, this is the spot. Plenty of Tex-Mex staples and margarita flavors and a lively outdoor patio make this a great place to spend an evening. 2417 Broadway, 763.7369 $ CHINA EXPRESS Choose from dine-in, take-out or delivery at China Express. Customer favorites include Szechuan, Hunan and curry dishes. 5510 Fourth St., Suite 250, 799.3133, chinaexpresslubbock.com $ CHINA WOK With more than 125 menu items, you might feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to ordering. But don’t despair – everything’s good. 6302 Frankford Ave., Suite 3, 783.8888, china-wok-lubbock.com $ CHINA TOWN RESTAURANT You’ll find an ample menu at China Town. Customers love the daily lunch specials and

authentic Chinese fare. 5217 82nd St., Suite 114, 794.9898 $ CHINESE KITCHEN This humble eatery is a local staple for Chinese food, especially on the go. 5308 Slide Road, 792.9142, eatchinesekitchen. com $ CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL What began as a small gourmet burrito shop in Denver in 1993 has grown into a chain with more than 500 locations. We’re crazy about the bowls – chock full of rice, black beans, corn, and your choice of meat – it’s a fast, filling and delicious lunch or dinner option. 2411 Glenna Goodacre Blvd., 744.4503/2912 W. Loop 289, 784.0083/ 8201 Quaker Ave., Suite 102, 783.0211, chipotle.com $ CHIPS SPORTS BAR The simple menu at Chips contains standard sports bar fare: pub-style appetizers, burgers and sandwiches. Fill up on your favorites while you watch the game or play a game of pool. 5166 69th St., 794.1944, chipssportsbar.com $ CHOOCHAI THAI CUISINE The small, unassuming building hides a treasure trove of authentic Thai offerings. Try the labb nau or pad see ew. “Spicy” means spicy here, so be warned. 2330 19th St., 747.1767, choochai.com $ CHOPPED & SLICED BBQ Chopped & Sliced has all the bases covered: premium barbecue and all the fixings, friendly service, delicious cobbler, catering and a food truck. We’re big fans. 3501 50th St., Suite 110, 317.1920, choppedandsliced.com $$ CHOP CHOP RICE CO. It’s all in the name: Chop Chop Rice Co. specializes in rice, but goes much further than that. With a menu full of meats and vegetables, you can dress up your rice any way your heart desires. Come hungry, because portion sizes are impressive. 5707 Fourth St., 478.1775/7320 Milwaukee Ave., 701.5400, chopchoprice.com $ CHRISTAKIS BURGERS When you’re craving a burger, this is your spot. A favorite among in-the-know locals, Christakis serves jumbo-sized and regular burgers with a variety of topping combinations. Try the namesake burger with pastrami and cheese for messy but delicious meal. 1111 34th St., 744.6833 $ e

DECEMBER 2021 | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | Lubbock Magazine

Two cents

Sidney Hopper

been very blessed here at United because we have tons of tenure in our company. Each year, we recognize 30- and 40-year team members. I’ve worked alongside a lot of these folks. I’ve been here for 38 years, split into two different stints, but a total of 38 years. It’s not just employees that I work with, it’s friends that I’ve built relationships with. I’ve watched their families grow and their kids grow. So, to me, that’s the most rewarding part of my job. And, honestly, the best days of my job are when I get to go out and be in stores and see what our team members are doing, see how they are engaging with our guests and taking care of our communities.”

What is the best advice you received when you were beginning your career? “I would have to say that probably the best advice I received was number one, always strive to do the right thing and always treat people the way you would like to be treated.” How do you use social media to grow your network?

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“Personally, I do use LinkedIn. That’s one I have used since I was in school. You know, I thought about that question from the standpoint of the company as well because obviously we use several different platforms to grow the network of United Supermarkets. We try and engage with different guest groups, different businesses and other partners across a variety of platforms.” How do you maintain balance? “So, number one, I think work/life balance is extremely important. I think that anyone in a leadership position…if you don’t take care of yourself and take care of your family, it makes it very difficult to take care of your team members who rely on you at work. For me, the way I do it is by scheduling it. I look ahead for opportunities where I know it will make sense for me to peel away to spend time with my family and I put it on my calendar. The biggest thing about work/life balance is that if you’re not intentional about it, you’ll always find a reason to not take time for yourself. When you’re in a leadership role, there’s always something that needs your attention. You just have to make sure you have that time off to recharge your batteries.” What has been your wisest investment? “I think anyone who is in a leadership role will say their best investment is always the investment they make in people. If you don’t surround yourself with talented people and build a strong team around you, you’re never truly going to be successful or be able to get everything done that you need to get done. You can invest in a lot of tools and we know that tools can be a valuable resource, but it really comes down to the people. If you don’t invest in people, you cannot be successful.”

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED FAMILY SUPERMARKETS

How has your past work experience shaped you into a leader? “For me, I think there a couple of things that have really had an impact on me as a leader. Number one, my father was a farmer and I grew up on the farm. At an early age, he instilled in me the importance of work ethic and leading by example. You never ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t be willing to do yourself. I think that is something I’ve always tried to live by and for a leader I think it is critical to live by that. I think leaders earn their stripes when their team members see them leading by example. Second, when I was younger, my dream was always to be a coach. I always loved athletics when I was a kid and I always have thought it was very interesting how a coach could take a group of people at all levels of athletic skill and mold them into a team. I know what I do today isn’t sports, but I still feel like it’s coaching. That’s one aspect of my job that I think I love the most.” What is the best part about your job? “I know I go back to this a lot, but the best part about my job is the people. We have

Lubbock Magazine | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | DECEMBER 2021

How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and private life? Which living person do you most admire and why? “Honestly, I don’t really look at any singular person as the person I admire the most. I had the good fortune of being raised by two great parents who modeled how one should lead their life, the different people I knew when I was in school, and the 38 years of being in the business, to pick up things from countless people. Some things I saw and I thought that’s exactly the way I want to lead someday. And, honestly, there were some things that I saw where I thought that’s not how I want to lead. That’s the benefit of being in the business as long as I have been and being exposed to lots of different opportunities and leadership styles. I think it is wise to never try and model yourself after one person. We are all unique and there are lots of people who bring different qualities to the table. I think it is important to draw on all of that knowledge and develop your own style.” Which over-used word or phrase makes you cringe? “’Take it to the next level.’ I think that phrase is so over-used…and I’m not even sure what that means! What level are you on today? For example, if you’re on the bottom level…well then, the next one up isn’t getting you that far or where you want to be. Just don’t really like that phrase. Another phrase that drives me nuts is ‘it’s done that way because that’s how we’ve always done. That phrase is probably

the exact thing that Sears said, Blockbuster said, and K-Mart said…there’s a whole graveyard of companies that probably said that at some point. You have to be ready to change if there is a better way to do things.” What is your business philosophy? “My philosophy starts with taking care of my team. You have to take care of your people in order to be successful. Then, I think you need to be able to challenge your team, but you have to do it in way that motivates them. You don’t want people to dread that aspect of work. It’s important to get your team to a point where they embrace the challenge and understand what the mission is. A lot of the time, I think leaders have in their mind where they want to go, what they want to do, but they may not always do the best job of laying that vision out so that everyone in the company understands what role they play in order to accomplish that mission. I also think you have to work hard at understanding what’s around the corner. Over the years, we’ve seen several examples of businesses that, for whatever reason, their model was successful early and even when things began to change around them…they still did what they had always done. They didn’t adapt and keep up. So, you always have to be ready to adapt and evolve as thing changes.” Which quality do you most value in an employee? “A great team member is a person who is engaged and is a person of high-integrity. They’re going to do the right thing no matter whether someone is watching or not and they are very focused on treating guests as if they were a guest in their own home. ”What personality trait has most helped you succeed?“ I think it’s empathy. You have to be people-centered and empathetic. You have to enjoy working with people and building relationships or I don’t think you’re ever going to succeed. If your sole focus is only on the business side of it and you don’t enjoy engaging and relating with people, I think success is going to be tough to come by,

especially in the grocery business. If you don’t enjoy that part of this business, I don’t think you’ll hang around for long. In addition to that, I think you need to have a drive. Each day when you wake up, you have to come to work wanting to make this day a better day than the one before.”

Texas Tech is doing with growing their student body and national profile. In addition to all of that, I think we need to embrace change. I think the city is changing at a rapid pace and we need to be ready to welcome in new people and new businesses while also maintaining our West Texas values.”

Who is your favorite author?

Most important tech tool:

“Right now, I’m reading a book by Simon Sinek called “Leaders Eat Last.” I like him a lot and I like reading leadership books in general. I enjoy seeing what other people have to say about leadership.”

“I think what we are doing with social and digital media is the most important tech tool we have right now. That is the best way for us to reach a rapidly changing guest base.”

What did you learn from your best boss? Your worst? “One thing I learned from a boss of mine early on that helped me grow a lot was he put me in positions where I was allowed to fail. Of course, he managed that…I couldn’t run the store off into the bar ditch. But, he routinely put me in areas where I was uncomfortable and where I had to make decisions and he let me fail so I could learn from my mistakes. I’ve tried to do that throughout my career as well…giving people an opportunity to make decisions. I think as a leader it’s easy to just give people an immediate answer or solution. But, it’s really important to give people the opportunity to learn by falling because that’s okay. We all fall and that’s how we learn. On the flip side, one of the worst bosses I had forced the people to work in silos due to his own insecurities. He wasn’t interested in team building. There was a fear there of feeling like he was going to be cut out of the equation. I saw first hand how detrimental that attitude can be to success.” How can Lubbock improve its business environment? “Personally, I think Lubbock is doing a great job right now at growing its business environment. I think you just have to look at how progressive we are with Lubbock Economic Development Group of trying to draw people to the city. You look at the growth of the medical industry and what that has done with all the new construction going on with that. You look at the tremendous job

Best time management tool: “I know it may sound simple, but being deliberate and working ahead to schedule things on my calendar. It gives me an opportunity to be deliberate with my time.” I cannot live without my: “Well, my wife could definitely answer this one for me…it’s probably my phone.” My favorite thing about Lubbock is: “It’s the people. I’ve lived in some other areas and when you come back home you realize what you were missing. People are friendly and they help each other. It’s not like that everywhere you go. It really isn’t. Honestly, that’s what makes Lubbock a really special place to be.” Most unusual job or task: “Probably the most unusual job I had was when I worked in the oil fields. I did that for about 3 years when I left United for a while. I was in oil exploration and I knew I didn’t want to do it forever. But, the best thing that happened to me was when oil dropped to $9 a barrel and the whole company shut down. It kind of forced my hand into making a decision. I came back to Lubbock and eventually got a call from a former colleague who told me United was opening up a new store in Amarillo and he asked if I wanted to come up for an assistant manager position. He knew my former employer had closed down. I drove up there on a Friday…came right back and packed up my car to move. The rest is history.” e

DECEMBER 2021 | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | Lubbock Magazine

806 inc.

Lubbock Chamber ribbon cuttings

The Putman Group , 2020 82nd St., Suite #102. Holding scissors is owner David Putman. Holding ribbon are Chamber Ambassadors Lindley Herring, left, and Kathy Timms. Others pictured are owner Kim Putman, staff, family, friends and other Lubbock Chamber Ambassadors.

Velvet Taco, 2401 Glenna Goodacre Blvd. Holding scissors is General Manager Harvey Turner. Holding ribbon are Chamber Ambassadors Rhett Dawson, left, and Kenzi Kinard. Others pictured are staff, family, friends and other Lubbock Chamber Ambassadors.

Raider Flooring, 4815 a 50th St. Holding scissors is owner Mike Anderson. Holding ribbon are Chamber Ambassadors Lindley Herring, left, and Lisa Fraze. Others pictured are staff, family, friends and other Lubbock Chamber Ambassadors.

Planet Beach, 4505 98th St., Ste. 160. Holding scissors are owners Shane and Genita Dove, Dawn Adams, and Jayme McCall. Holding ribbon are Chamber Ambassadors Tracy Polk, left, and Lora Homan. Others pictured are Assistant Spa Director Jourdan Vaden, Spa Director Stacey Jarrett, and other staff, family, friends and Lubbock Chamber Ambassadors.

Harmony Science Academy, 3701 W Loop 289. Holding scissors are Area Superintendent Dr. Kamil Yimaz and student Ryleigh Nobles. Holding Ribbon are Chamber Ambassadors Amy Franks, left, and Catherine Paulino. Others pictured are Harmony Science Academy students; architect, Frederic Dalbin; Principal Yunus Bicici; District Director of Public Relations Salomon Chavira; and other staff, family, friends and Lubbock Chamber Ambassadors.

Xplosive Kustomz , 405 19th St. Holding scissors is owner Manuel Delarosa. Holding ribbon are Chamber Ambassadors Mary Owen, left, and Jeremy Barbee. Others pictured are staff, family, friends and other Lubbock Chamber Ambassadors.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LUBBOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Lubbock Magazine | lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine | DECEMBER 2021

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