Categories: Food & Wine

Ten Best Restaurants in Amarillo, TX

The Big Texan.
This novelty steakhouse is complete with a live rattlesnake in the gift shop aquarium, a giant stuffed bear in the lobby, and coin-operated shooting gallery between the lobby and the bar. Occasionally a continuous live piano performance occurs in the lobby, and don’t forget their 72oz. steak challenge: If you finish the steak and all of the side dishes and liquid before an hour is up, you get the whole thing for free. However, if you don’t, you have to pay $50 for the meal. Which isn’t bad, considering you could take the meal home to a family of six to divide up and then the price isn’t very much.

Macaroni Joe’s.
Though the name speaks casual dining, this is one of the best sites at which to “pop the question” to your bride-to-be. Low lighting, romantic atmosphere, exquisite cuisine and top-notch service make this place the “date” restaurant to patron.

Arnold Burgers.
Though the family-owned business is in a tiny little diner, this dine-in/take-out burger joint hosts some of the Texas Panhandle’s best burgers. I have tried many a time to get the recipe from the owner, but, as always with a fine, family-owned recipe, they won’t budge.

Carolina’s. This fine dining restaurant boasts some of the area’s best dishes in an exclusive, cozy atmosphere with a somewhat expensive menu. I recommend a personal gourmet pizza, with handmade, flaky crust and gourmet toppings and seasoning.

Saffron’s.
This Persian/Mediterranean cuisine is one of the finest I have ever tasted. I am a huge fan of Saffrons and urge every visitor to Amarillo and every Amarilloan to eat there on a regular basis. Their kabobs, falafel, and fish are all extremely well cooked and prepared, but the highlight is in the chef’s special ice cream. It is green, with pistachios and rose water, and it tastes just like roses. The meat cuisine and this lovely ice cream at Saffrons always make me leave feeling warm, light and healthy. Truly the food there will regulate your body and make you feel really good!

Thai Orchid.
This delicious Thai cuisine presented in a lovely patio table style setting is one I to which I keep returning. Though I am a big fan of the Chicken Pad Thai, I heartily recommend the Pineapple Salmon. It is truly a treat for your mouth and stomach, and the fish is so well prepared I can almost feel the healthy B-vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids soaking into me as I eat it. I love this medium-priced cuisine.

Texas Roadhouse.
This is the famous “drop your peanut shells on the floor” steakhouse. There is a huge variety of steaks, cuts and preparations and I always order as much food as I possibly can, because there have never been better steaks or potatoes than in this medium to high priced steakhouse.

Lincoln’s.
Lincoln’s is a high priced establishment, top-notch steak and chicken entrees set in a low-light, intimate environment. The wide variety of food, as well as the large portions and high quality make this a favorite of mine when I have a few bucks to spare.

Malcolm’s.
This is an ice cream and sandwich joint with some of the best sandwiches in town, along with the widest variety of ice cream dishes. Though I love the Tuna Melt and several other sandwiches, I strongly recommend a Patty Melt, followed by a Blueberry Smoothie.

La Campana.
This is a little Mexican restaurant on the access road going south on I-27 after getting off of I-40. It is difficult to find, but it is worth finding, trust me on this. They make their own tortillas and their food is off-the-wall delicious. I run inside for a Brisket Burrito or a Chile Relleno Burrito just about every day, and their burritos are priced at $2.50. They are cheaply priced and high-quality and a favorite among the locals here in Amarillo. Remember: they are closed on Mondays.