Spread out over 104 square miles, Lubbock, Texas, the Hub City of the High Plains, is known for its sunshine, year-round sports, mild climate and fun. Whether a relaxed driving tour of the wineries that dot the surrounding plains or a Friday night package run to “The Strip,” where the bright lights of the drive-up liquor stores along the county line make you think of Las Vegas, folks here know how to have a good time. The city may be ‘dry,’ but its people are not.
If you’re looking to party, try these to start. Bash Riprock’s (2419 Main) isn’t big but was ranked by Playboy in the top 100 college bars in the U.S. Around the corner on Broadway, you’ll find Chimy’s, where folks start their evening with chimichangas or beer-battered catfish tacos and a margarita. Cricket’s Grill and Draft House has 78 beers on tap, plus pool, shuffleboard, and food that is a cut above the norm. Rocky LaRues is a sports bar with live music and good specials.
In the Depot District, on Buddy Holly Avenue, on the same block, there’s Hub City Brewery, a reconverted restaurant-brewery (they take reservations on game days, which is a plus). Try the ‘stout’ fajitas marinated in their own brew or their noted ‘potted’ chicken pie served in a clay pot. The Blue Light Live and Tom’s Daiquiri are adjoining dives, decor free, some live music. Bleachers has monster TV, good wings, live music & buckets of beer.
Just a few blocks over is the Lower Depot, where dancing rules in warehouse-sized venues. Heaven Night Club has Game Day specials (Did I hear 25 cent draws and $1 wells?). Daquiri Lounge has salsa nights, open jams, DJ nights, from Top 40 to hip-hop and alternative rock. Places in the Lower Depot tend to not open until 8-9 p.m.
On the south end of town, check out Graham’s Central Station (6302 Iola) with four clubs for one cover: karaoke, retro, country and Top 40. Jake’s Sports Cafe (5025 50th) has food up front and Jake’s Backroom for music, with a big screen on game days and variety of live music.
For those who prefer a good meal and quieter evening, a casually upscale bistro is Cafe J (2605 19th, 806-743-5400). Continental menu, elegant southwest decor, exceptional food, adjoining bar & lounge, live music : and this in the reconverted hospital where Buddy Holly was born. Gardski’s (2009 Broadway), a Lubbock staple for over 30 years, has a varied menu, cozy ambiance & lots of returning alums. Firewater Cafe (4701 112th St., 806-687-6050) is a new addition to the Lubbock scene. Their spacious patio and dining room overlook a waterfall and lake, and they serve everything from fancy seafood to chicken fried steak.
Lawrence resident Susan Kraus is author of “A Game Day Guide to Towns of the Big 12.” The book is available in bookstores, Amazon.com and at a discount at www.gamedayguide.com. The Journal-World will feature an excerpt on the Big 12 city the Kansas University football team will play for its four conference road games.
This week, KU will travel to Lubbock, Texas, for a 6 p.m. game against the high-flying Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Jayhawks (3-0) are hoping to stop the hugely successful offense of the Red Raiders (3-0). For more on the matchup, see page 1C, and check out the special GameDay section in Saturday’s Journal-World.
Speaking of steak, drive on out to Cagle Steaks (4.5 miles west of Loop 289 on 4th St., 806-795-3879) where meals come with all-u-can-eat sides. They also have BBQ, fajitas and sandwiches. A cavernous, barnlike place, they make the ‘wait’ fun with music and a ‘general store’ to browse. The 50 Yard Line Steakhouse (2549 S. Loop 289. 806-745-3991) serves steaks, seafood and chicken. You’ll get a relish tray and French onion soup with every meal, and the cheese rolls are yummy.
Tex-Mex is everywhere, but some good choices are Durango’s (4001 19th and 1601 Main) and Lujan’s (7006 University.) Durango’s has breakfast six days a week, a Saturday night gordita special and fine chile rellenos. Lujan’s, tucked away by University and Loop 289, features pork chops rancheros, carne guisada and hand-cut steaks. Josie’s Authentic Mexican has multiple locations around town, some open 24 hours for drive-up burritos. You may drive-through but this is not ‘fast-food.’ Abuelo’s (4401 82nd St., 806-794-1762) features traditional Mexican with a gourmet flair and continental overtones.
For breakfast, the sweet potato pancakes at the Pancake House (510 Ave. Q) are a treat.
Practically an institution, One Guy From Italy (and he is) has run his pizza place across from campus (1019 University) for over 30 years. Grab a slice, calzone, stuffed pasta or a pie.
If you hang around long enough to shop, stop by Uncommon Graphics (3302 Quaker) where you’ll find a splendid array of unusual home accent pieces, Hollyhocks (3521 34th) is a boutique shop but what makes it unique are the Lynn Haney Santas. Generally sold in the most upscale stores, this is where they started and where Haney lives. (I’m not into Santas at all, but these are something special. Trust me.)
More ‘cute’ shops are clustered around 82nd & Quaker, 34th & Quaker and 66th & Indiana.
Tailgating at TTU is just a tad complicated right now because a new road being built cuts through what used to be primo lots. Donor lots by the stadium are all sold out, but there is a huge commuter lot (off Indiana between 19th and Brownfield Hwy.) where tailgating is OK.
No specific regulation of alcohol, so just use common sense and play well with others. More info at www.texastech.com: look for a banner on Game Day Parking. The good news is that there are shuttles from the commuter lot to the stadium.
Raider Alley is Texas Tech’s alternative to tailgating. Starting about three hours before the game, on the south side of the stadium, it’s a body-to-body party of fans surrounded by live music, games, food and concessions.
There’s plenty more but this should be enough to get you started when you hit the road for Lubbock.
