Tyler’s Barbeque
2014 Paramount Blvd
(806) 331-2271
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 134 Reviews If we’re talking about good Texas eats (and we are), you know that barbecue is going to crack the list. And there’s a bunch of worthy Amarillo barbecue spots, but Tyler’s is tops. Nothing fancy here. Just ribs, pulled pork, brisket and all other things slow-smoked and tasty. Obviously, a platter full of assorted meats and sides is your best bet, but you might want to get there early, since Tyler closes up shop once he sells out.
Coyote Bluff Cafe
2417 S Grand St
(806) 373-4640
Yelp: 4 Stars - 103 Reviews From the outside, Coyote Bluff Cafe is a dilapidated shack—this isn’t pejorative, it’s just the honest truth. But if you’re smart enough to brush off the appearance and step inside, you’ll find the best craft burgers in town. On the menu, you’ll find “Prairie Patties” and “Other Stuff.” Do we really have to tell you which section to order from? The green chili cheese burger, or the hella spicy “burger from hell,” if you’re feeling frisky, are house favorites.
OHMS Cafe
619 S Tyler St
(806) 373-3233
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 42 Reviews Splitting the difference between fancy and Amarillo homey, OHMS’ menu brings local ingredients to the next level with dishes like beef with herb salsa verde, pork ribs paired with rice and seasonal veggies and elk with risotto. To start, chicken fried tenderloin sliders with jalapeño gravy is the kind of uniquely delicious dish that makes you wonder “How has no one else thought of that?” Dishes are on the slightly pricier end, however, so you’ll want to go in expecting to drop a few hard-earned bucks.
Ye Olde Pancake Station
2800 Virginia Cir
(806) 355-0211
Yelp: 4 Stars - 27 Reviews We’re game for anything restaurant that starts with the words “ye olde.” Add pancakes to the end, and we’re currently booking our reservations. Ye Olde Pancake Station is a completely unfancy dining hall with food that makes you forget the word “ambiance” is even in the dictionary. There are omelettes and country favorites like chicken fried steak, but you’re going to want to go right for their locally famous tasty, buttery cakes. Adding some peanut butter and chocolate chips couldn’t hurt either.
El Manantial Mexican Restaurant
3823 E Amarillo Blvd
(806) 383-1852
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 54 Reviews Completely unimpressive looking inside and out (a small running theme we currently have going on this list) El Manantial is another mostly unadorned spot you’d be silly to judge on appearance alone. To start, chips come with three kinds of salsa, which is a no-lose situation. The handmade corn tortillas are widely regarded as the best in Amarillo, so going with any of the authentic, soft-shelled Mexican tacos is a brilliant choice. And for dessert the sweet and moist tres leches cake is a no-brainer.
Blue Sky
4201 W Interstate 40
(806) 355-8100
Yelp: 4 Stars - 57 Reviews Is there room on the list for more burgers? If they’re as good as the ground chuck patties at Blue Sky, absolutely. Blue Sky’s lowkey-but-tasty burgers have been voted the best in the city by Amarillo residents every single year since the eatery opened up in 2003. The juicy patties are perfect topped with cheese and bacon, and pair great with onion rings, hand-cut fries, or fried jalapenos. A brew on the side can be nice, too.
575 Pizzeria
2803 Civic Cir
(806) 331-3627
Yelp: 4 Stars - 43 Reviews Every city needs a beloved pizza restaurant, right? In Amarillo, 575 is that spot, serving thin, brick oven pies that are at their best when topped off with fresh meats and vegetables. It’s a pizza oasis in city that’s a bit lacking on the pie front. Definitely go for pepperoni or sausage as toppers—they come out crunchy and spicy instead of covered in grease, like at lesser spots—and pair it with a little vino. It’s a classy joint, after all.
El Tejavan Authentic Mexican Cuisine
3420 I-40
(806) 354-2444
Yelp: 4 Stars - 71 Reviews “The one thing you will not find at either location is TexMex” say the owners of El Tejavan, cutting right to the point on their website. This means you won’t find nachos, yellow cheese, or much of anything containing wheat flour. What you will find at El Tejavan’s two I-40 locations are strictly Mexican meat and vegetable dishes like pollo adobado, carne asada, and pollo ranchero (pictured above). You’ll also find some solid traditionally-styled margaritas sans sour mix.
Calico County
2410 Paramount Blvd
(806) 358-7664
Yelp: 4 Stars - 41 Reviews Calico County is a microcosm of everything that’s crazy good (and crazy unhealthy) about Southern cooking. This means taking a perfectly good steak and making it even better by chicken frying it, and then slathering it in country gravy. Keep your pocket calorie counter at home, kids. The menu is vast, with everything from chicken and waffles to pork sandwiches to enchiladas making an appearance. But for the ultimate American comfort food experience, zero in on that chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes on the side.
Macaroni Joe’s
1619 S Kentucky St
(806) 358-8990
Yelp: 4 Stars - 24 Reviews On the more romantic end, the low-lit Italian restaurant Macaroni Joe’s makes for a nice change of pace on the Amarillo restaurant scene, and a near-perfect date spot. The menu is dotted with inspired takes on classic Italian dishes like lasagna and chicken florentine (pictured above), and Texan twists on dishes like green chili farfalle and chicken with queso. There’s also some hearty cuts of steak and a great wine list. As a bonus, Joe’s isn’t a bank breaker, since most of the entrees land well under twenty bucks.
Youngblood’s Stockyard Cafe
620 SW 16th Ave
(806) 342-9411
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 11 Reviews Another spot that may bring you up a pant size or two, Stockyard Cafe is all about butter, gravy and everything else that makes the heart slow down a tick. This is classic Texas stuff, like steak, baked potatoes, and burgers, and it comes pretty cheap. Don’t mistake the low prices for a lack in quality—head chef and owner Tim Youngblood got his culinary chops at the Culinary Institute of America, and then cooking at distinguished restaurants around New York City. For a taste of the ultimate amalgamation of Amarillo cuisine, we suggest ordering the green chile chicken fried steak. But really, you’d have a tough time going wrong with any of the steak and southern comfort food on the menu.
Solid Asian food is hard to come by in Amarillo, but for classic sushi and Thai favorites, Bangkok Tokyo more than has you covered. The much-loved Amarillo joint has a dish to satisfy nearly all curry, asian noodle, sushi, and soup cravings. Vegetarians can go for the Thai staple pad woon sen, with stir-fried glass noodles, bean sprouts, lots of vegetables, and fried tofu. As a bonus the restaurant is run and owned by a notoriously friendly local family. Bangkok Tokyo
2413 S Western St
(806) 353-4777
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 35 Reviews
The 806
2812 SW 6th Ave
(806) 322-1806
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 38 Reviews Locally thought of as a hipster joint—as hipster as things get in Amarillo, anyway—the 806 is a coffee shop, cafe, and lounge with vegetarian eats and caffeinated beverages that are every ounce as good as similar spots you’d find an eight hour drive south in Austin. The vegan chili and coffee get high marks from travellers and locals. But try to stop in over the weekend, when you can cure your hangover with decadent French toast and some hair-of-the-dog mimosas. Plus there’s comfy lounge seating, art, music, and a well-stocked library to boot.
Yellow City Street Food
909 S Madison
(806) 223-2882
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 21 Reviews Truly unique on the Amarillo food scene is Yellow City Street Food, a drive-up only food truck-style eatery. It’s essentially an all-in-one stop for foods that have become country-wide street food fixtures like specialty burgers, overloaded tacos, and vegetarian dishes like quinoa cakes. The grass-fed burgers, in particular, are a house favorite, featuring pepper jack, onions, pulled pork, and a spicy aioli. But for something a little bit harder to find in Amarillo, check out those perfect honey sesame shrimp buns above. Yum.
Napoli’s Italian
700 S Taylor St
(806) 220-2588
Yelp: 4 Stars - 39 Reviews Napoli’s, with a classy Italian atmosphere and huge outdoor patio area, is perfect for pre-Amarillo Civic Center event eating, considering it’s downtown location. On the massive menu you’ll find everything you’d expect from a straight ahead Italian restaurant: pastas, seafood, chicken veal, and some worthwhile pizza pies. Despite the huge menu, this is far from lowest-common-denominator Italian food so feel free to go for more upscale Italian dishes, like the chicken florentine in a madeira wine sauce, pictured above. It’s also a lively spot, with music out on the patio throughout the week. Featured Image Source: Coyote Bluff Cafe via Facebook What’s your go-to for great grub in Amarillo? Tell us in the comments below!
