Lubbock has always been a tough town for restaurants. Concepts come and go, buildings change hands, and once-beloved dining rooms quietly turn into memories. For every place that makes it, dozens don’t. That’s what makes longevity in the Hub City such a big deal. When a restaurant survives decade after decade here, it’s not luck — it’s because the food, the people, and the connection to the community are real.
If you’re new to Lubbock, you may only hear whispers about places like Chez Suzette, The Great Wall, the original Stella’s, The Brittany, Stubb’s Barbeque, or Gardzki’s Loft. Those names live on in conversations and nostalgia, but they’re gone. The graveyard is full. Today, we’re saluting the legends that are still standing.
To get a pulse on this, I reached out to the crew at LBK Foodies, a group that never runs short on opinions. I asked one simple question: What restaurants do you consider legendary that are still in business? What follows is a sampling of the most consistent answers.
Orlando’s Italian Restaurant — A True Lubbock Institution
The clear-cut winner in terms of mentions was Orlando’s Italian Restaurant on Avenue Q. Orlando’s has been serving Lubbock since 1965, which alone earns legendary status. Beyond that, they were pioneers in blending traditional Italian dishes with local flavors like green chiles — something that now feels very “Lubbock,” but wasn’t common at the time. On a personal note, it’s where my wife and I had our first real date, so yes, it’s extra special to me.
Avenue Q’s Legendary Trio
It’s almost unbelievable that three legendary restaurants sit on the same street. Riversmith’s, established in 1976, received a ton of love for its chicken and fish staples. Right there with it is The Pancake House, which feels like it’s been around forever — and for many of us, it basically has. Avenue Q quietly carries a massive chunk of Lubbock’s food history.
Decades of Flavor Across Town
Jazz-A Louisiana Kitchen came up repeatedly. Over 30 years in Lubbock is no small feat, especially while maintaining quality and consistency. Also hitting the 30-year mark is Cagle’s Steaks, a classic name when steak conversations start. Speaking of steaks, Bryan’s was mentioned often for serving Lubbock diners for decades. Triple J’s also earned its place, even with its roots as the former Hub City Brewery before 2006.
A Salute to a Local Favorite
We’ll close with Joel’s Mexican Restaurant, a favorite here at the radio stations and a Lubbock staple for over 25 years. That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident…