Welcome to Amarillo! My name is Peyton Bivins and I will be covering the 2015 Adequan Select World Championship Show for GoHorseShow. As an Amarillo native, I would like to kick off my coverage with a dining guide to the best eats and drinks in town. Amarillo is an incredible place, and I aim to help you have the most wonderful experience during your stay.
To begin, although we do have many of the usual chain restaurants (Texas Roadhouse, Saltgrass, Olive Garden) and that one big tourist place known for the “free” 72 oz. steak, my goal is to let you in on the amazing selection of locally owned restaurants and bars our city has to offer.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Peyton’s Top Five Restaurants in Amarillo
- BL Bistro | 2203 S. Austin Street | 806-355-7838
From the daily specials like Prime Rib Thursday to the permanent menu items such as the Double Pork Chop or Pecan Salmon, BL is honestly my favorite restaurant in town. Open for Lunch, Dinner, and Sunday brunch, steaks and seafood are their specialty in a casual, yet upscale environment. An Amarillo favorite for the past 15 years, BL’s food is fresh and obviously prepared with a great amount of care and commitment. During the show they are offering a complimentary appetizer if you order two entrees and if you mention GoHorseShow you get a complimentary dessert! Highly recommend!
- Crush Wine Bar & Deli | 701 S. Polk St. | 806-418-2011
Staying downtown? Crush Wine Bar is a fun, delicious option for lunch, dinner or just drinks. While it is convenient for those of you staying at the Courtyard Marriott, the selections that Crush has to offer make it worth a visit (or two), no matter where you are staying! Don’t let the name fool you, Crush is a full service restaurant as well as a wine shop and a wine bar. There’s a lively patio with a great wine selection that offers over 50 wines by the glass and 14 beers on tap.
- Coyote Bluff Café | 2417 Grand St. | 806-373-4640
The definition of Amarillo authenticity in the city best known for its beef, Coyote Bluff will satisfy your beer and burger cravings upon your first sips and bites. It’s a must-stop for many attending the show and don’t be surprised to find a newly crowned World Champion celebrating with a crowd at the table next to you. The bathtubs full of beer and small burger-joint environment will definitely have you coming back for more (stay hungry my friends…)
- Embers Steakhouse | 2721 Virginia Circle | 806-350-3303
While in the heart of the panhandle, I highly encourage for you all, as visitors, to have at least one meal with delicious, high quality beef. If you’re looking for the real deal, I must urge you to try Embers. With a warm, old-fashion steakhouse vibe, Embers is a unique dinner spot for those of you craving beef, after all, “it’s what’s for dinner!”
- El Bracero | Multiple locations
One word: Quail. For those of you who are feeling hesitant, trust me when I say that El Bracero has the best selection of grilled meats that come fresh on a hot grill straight to your table. The quail is incredible but El Bracero excels in all areas of Mexican cuisine. From nachos and fajitas to classic special combinations this my number one pick for Mexican food in town.
Making a “Top Five” list out of Amarillo restaurants is honestly quite difficult, so here are five more honorable mentions that I can recommend: OHMS Cafe, Leals, Public House, Tacos Garcia, Kabuki and Hummer’s.
I know that horse show hours often demand quick meals for dining in or picking up. The following are a few of my favorite quick eats around town:
Dine and Dash: Peyton’s Top Five Quick Eats for Horse Show Hours
- Tyler’s BBQ | 2014 Paramount Blvd. | 806-331-2271
For BBQ, Tyler’s is definitely my family’s number one favorite. With excellent meat and perfect sides and sauces, Tyler’s would be a great place for grabbing a quick bite for lunch.
- Sharky’s Burrito Company | 1612 S. Georgia St. | 806-359-7330
This recommendation comes with a warning! Avoid Sharky’s during high school lunch hours. I know this from personal experience because I basically lived here during my high school lunch career. Being our local version of Chipotle or Q Doba, Sharky’s has been a favorite to Amarillo natives for many years. With the option of going through the line or calling in your order, Sharky’s would be an excellent choice when in need of a quick lunch or dinner.
- Eat Rite | Wolflin Square, 2425 I-40 Frontage Rd. | 806-353-7476
I could not write this list without including Eat Rite (Healthy food for the mind, body and soul!) In order to perform at your best during the show, I would definitely recommend grabbing lunch at Eat Rite. Serving as both a restaurant and small grocery store, Eat Rite gives you healthy, delicious options for both meals and snacks throughout your day.
- Jiggle Berry Juice Bar | 3801 Olsen Blvd. | 806-367-8602
For a delicious breakfast splurge, I would definitely recommend breakfast at the Donut Stop, however, in order to feel great and compete great, I must mention Jiggle Berry, our local smoothie and juice bar. Always my first stop when returning home, Jiggle Berry has incredible smoothie and juice options that are both refreshing and filling.
- The Bagel Place | 3301 Bell St. | 806-353-5985
From salads, sandwiches, homemade desserts and obviously delicious bagels, The Bagel Place is basically everyone’s favorite. With a drive-thru pick up window, The Bagel Place would be a great option for a quick breakfast, lunch or early dinner!
I hope y’all enjoy your stay in Amarillo! Good luck to everyone who will be competing this week at the Select World Championship show and I look forward to seeing you at the show grounds. Please don’t blame me if you can’t get your chaps zipped!
