Barbecue
Tom and Bingo's BBQ
3006 34th st., tom and bingo's has some of the best bbq sandwiches ever. make sure to stop by this great place during lunchtime as they close once all the meat has been served for the day.
Rudy's
Slide and the loop, delicious brisket, turkey, chicken sausage, and ribs - served with your choice of creamed corn, cole slaw, beans. fun atmosphere with shared picnic-style tables and self-serve condiments and beverages.
Mesquite's Barbecue and Steaks
2419 broadway, is known region-wide for its slow smoked briskets, pulled pork sandwiches, and top-notch steaks. the onion rings are also a local favorite. they also offer a wide variety of tex-mex favorites such as burritos and chimichangas.
Pizza
One Guy from Italy Pizza
With two lubbock locations 1019 university and 4902 34th st. #35 is an excellent restaurant known for its hand-tossed pies and large calzones. the original location has been a favorite of hungry tech students for more than two decades.
Giorgios Pizza
1018 broadway st, just east of the nts tower. this place has some of the best pizza and calzones in town. the food is terrific, and the service is great, as you will be greeted as "my friend" even though george has never met you. please note that this restaurant is only open from 10am-6pm on weekdays. it is home to the texas-sized pizza which is the largest pizza in the city.
Homestyle
Jumbo Joe's
Various locations. pretty good hamburgers. while there are many locations in town, the one at 1520 avenue q definitely has the best burgers and usually runs a $1.99 burger and fries special.
Spanky's
811 university. the best burgers in town, and most known for their famous "fried cheese". spanky's has two levels to handle the fairly busy lunch hour. even when busy, the service is quick and friendly.
Bash Riprocks
(http://www.bashriprocks.com/), 2419 main st, is a longtime mainstay of lubbock's night life, offering excellent old-fashioned burgers and fries as well as an extensive list of domestic and imported beers. live music is also featured on the weekends.
Gardski's
2009 broadway st. they have a spread like chili's, you can get chicken dishes, pasta, salads, etc. and the food is amazing and the service is awesome, very friendly.
Cotton Patch Cafe
6810 slide rd. this joint has the best battered chicken fried steak to be found.
Mexican/tex-mex
Mi Tio's
7412 university ave. the best place in town to get margaritas. the food is below par, but the drinks are out of this world. you should stop by here for margaritas, then head to ruby tequila's just down the road for dinner.
Ruby Tequila's
8601 university ave. some of the best tex-mex in town. the sunset fajitas are by far the best item on the menu.
Abuelo's
82nd and quaker - the original location of a hugely successful restaurant that serves delicious tex-mex. expect a wait for tables on most nights. great standard fare of enchiladas, tamales, tacos - but also some interesting and delicious gourmet specialties such as grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon, etc. also, highly recommended sangria swirl margaritas!
Rosa's
Various locations. a good place to go if you are in a hurry. rosa's is a fast food/sit down mexican food restaurant that is a favorite and frequented by many locals.
La Malinche
1105 2nd pl. open for breakfast and lunch on wednesday-monday. this mexican restaurant is the definition of "hole in the wall," but the food is delicious, cheap, and the locals love it especially the homemade tortilla chips.
Thai
Thai Pepper
19th near covenant hospital. another good thai restaurant. try the pad thai.
Choochai Thai
2330 19th street, just east of university. this is arguably the best thai food in the panhandle, but be warned-- if you like your food spicy, stick with the mild or medium varieties. ordering your meal "spicy" or "extra spicy" is not for the faint of heart or stomach. the cook is usually very good about making sure that you really want it the way you order it.
Thai Thai
5018 50th st. the restaurant has made a recent appearance in texas monthly, and serves up some tasty food. be sure to get a thai tea to wash it down.
Italian
Stella's Restaurant
4646 50th st. the city's best fine dining. the bread they give you before the meal is delectable, and they have many interesting italian concoctions.
Orlando's
6951 indiana ave. and 2402 avenue q . everything at orlando's is unique and exciting. their minestrone soup is out of this world, as well as so many more of their fantastic dishes.