If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you probably know that we’re on a big cross-country roadtrip with our Bernedoodle, Sally. We’re two weeks in, and it’s been nothing short of a blast. Sure, we have our moments where we get really sick of driving, or where we ask ourselves “Why did we bring our dog again?” - but 98% of the time we’re loving it. ;)
Our first destination was Lubbock, Texas. Chances are you’ve heard about it before, but you probably don’t know much about it. If you’re like us, your first thought is that it’s “just another little town in Texas”, but we’re happy to report that Lubbock is indeed SO MUCH MORE. From an expanding culinary scene, to a lively and art-focused downtown, plenty of dog-friendly activities, a bustling nightlife… Lubbock is a town that needs to be on your radar. We’ll break it down for you:
THE FOOD SCENE IS TOP-NOTCH
If there’s one thing we learned from our time in Lubbock, is that you won’t leave hungry. (We honestly contemplated devoting this entire blog to what we ate!) This town is a foodie’s dream, and no matter what you’re craving, they’re making it and it’s good. We were blown away not only by the sheer amount of restaurants in Lubbock, but the quality of everything we enjoyed - and we never had to wait for a table, either! A few of our favorites were:
The Funky Door: Wine lovers, this is your place. With over 650 labels of wine, nightly live music and a diverse and decadent menu, The Funky Door is a must. Another must is the “Funky Door” Fondue and their homemade Squash Lasagna - Bobby’s still raving about it!
La Diosa Cellars: Eclectic, romantic, and cozy all in one, La Diosa Cellars is our pick for an intimate and unforgettable date night. Specializing in Spanish tapas and pitchers of mouth-watering sangria, their menu is every bit as eclectic as the decor. Be sure to try the “Sardinias”, broiled Spanish sardines “floating” in garlic butter. (This rec is coming from somebody (Alli) who hates sardines, and this dish won me over!)
Evie Mae’s Barbeque: Now, we’ve had our share of BBQ over the years, and we’re excited to report that Evie Mae’s is one of the best (if not THE best) we’ve ever had. Order the “#6”, which is a glorified sampler of every meat they serve and two sides. People come from all over to enjoy a delicious Evie Mae’s feast, so prepare to wait in line. But if you’re over 21, they have FREE beer for while you wait. No brainer…
La Sirena Cocina: Lubbock locals call it “Latin-Fusion”, we call it “Really-Delicious”. Head to La Sirena Cocina yourself, order the Fried Avocado Tostada, The Kale Salad, and the Stacked Enchilada, and let us know what YOU call it! We’d be there weekly if we lived in Lubbock!
Holly Hops Ice Cream Shop: Bring your poodle skirts, leather jackets, and your cameras! We’re pretty sure you can’t find a cuter 1950’s-style ice cream shop than Holly Hops, with its retro decor, drool-worthy menu, and picture-perfect presentation. It’s like stepping back in time!
THERE’S A LOT TO DO
“Ok, so there’s a lot of good dining options in Lubbock, but what do you do besides eat?”
We’re so glad you asked. Just like there’s a plethora of restaurants in town, Lubbock has a plethora of activities - and it’s rich in history, too. Whether you’re there for a weekend or a week, you most definitely won’t run out of things to do. Here’s some spots that shouldn’t be missed:
The Bruno Steel House: Robert R. Bruno Jr. was a famous inventor, artist, and businessman, who in the early 1970’s began construction on a whimsical steel house in Ransom Canyon - just about 20 minutes outside of Lubbock. He lived and worked on his home until he passed away in 2008, and while it remains unfinished, it’s an architectural masterpiece nonetheless.
The Range: If you’re like us, you enjoy hitting up your local driving range from time to time. Well, imagine a driving range that’s dog friendly, has a full bar, woodfired pizzas, and outdoor games! They have specials every day of the week, our favorite being $3 margaritas on Wednesdays! (Another local range is “4ore”, which is more like Top Golf - we’d definitely check this spot out next time too!)
Texas Tech University: At 1,839 acres, Texas Tech University is the nation’s second largest campus, and it’s absolutely beautiful. We spent an entire morning walking around the grounds of the campus, admiring the buildings and their wide array of public art sculptures. There’s even an app (called Art Trek) that acts as your tour guide as you wander past the various pieces. It tracks your location and can share about the 100+ pieces of art throughout the four campuses of the Texas Tech system. Such a fun way to see the school!
The Buddy Holly Center: You can’t go to Lubbock without visiting The Buddy Holly Center. This iconic musician, singer and songwriter who helped pioneer the 1950’s rock and roll movement was born and raised in Lubbock, and they have built an inspiring center in his honor. You can tour the museum filled with memorabilia (including the glasses he wore), visit his sculpture, and see the house where his band (The Crickets) recorded!
The National Ranching Heritage Center: A museum of ranching history, the National Ranching Heritage Center features fifty authentic ranch buildings dating from the late 18th to the mid-20th century. It’s absolutely fascinating and beautifully done, and one of the most intriguing museums we have been able to visit. (Plan on spending at least a couple of hours, it’s extensive and not something you’ll want to rush through!)
COFFEE, BEER, AND CHILTON’S - A PLENTY
If you like to drink, you’ll LOVE Lubbock. From their array of coffee shops and breweries to their eclectic cocktail bars and welcoming wineries - there’s something for everyone in this charming town! Due to our short visit we weren’t able to experience them all, but a few of the ones we did get to experience are:
Yellow House Coffee: This cute and cozy little coffee shop is as hip as it is delicious. We loved their coffee, and we also loved their avocado toast!
Gold Stripe Coffee Roasters: The two brothers behind Gold Stripe Coffee Roasters know what they’re doing - their coffee is strong and silky-smooth, and their cappuccino is just as tasty as it is pretty!
The Brewery LBK: Located right in the heart of downtown Lubbock, The Brewery LBK has a fun and intriguing variety of craft beers. They also have a full bar - where we experienced our first “Chilton” (Lubbock’s specialty cocktail), consisting of vodka, lemon juice, and club soda!
Two Docs Brewing Co: We’d quickly become regulars at Two Docs if we were Lubbock locals. Not only do they make some quality ales, their outdoor patio is a blast! It’s the perfect place to go unwind after a long day, play a few games of cornhole, and enjoy a fine selection of craft beer.
The Garden: A lively craft beer garden with games, live music, and some of the best weekly specials in town. It’s a great place to meet up with friends, or make friends! On Wednesdays they have $1.50 Domestics and Wells… we’re pretty sure that’s cheaper than water!
McPherson Cellars: What used to be a Coca Cola bottling plant in the 1930’s is now the industrial-chic winery and tasting room of McPherson Cellars. Whether you schedule a guided tour of the winery, or simply pop by for a tasting, you’ll instantly feel right at home... And you’re bound to leave with at least a bottle or two!
IT’S AN ARTIST’S TOWN
You can’t drive through Lubbock for more than five minutes without passing a colorful mural or spotting some intriguing street art. It’s everywhere! There are plenty of galleries and museums to meander through, but if your time in Lubbock is short, here’s a few murals that you’ll most likely spot in town:
IT’S AFFORDABLE
And you want to know what the BEST part of Lubbock is?! It’s affordability! Lubbock has almost everything that a bigger, more well-known city has, but at a much lower price point. From accomodations (we stayed at the Hyatt Place and loved it!), to restaurants and activities, you’ll spend a fraction of what you would in a metropolitan city.
Have we convinced you to visit Lubbock yet? We sure hope so. We can’t wait to return and see more of the sights, experience more of their growing culinary scene, and hug our friends that we made while we were there…. Road trip, anyone? ;)