Recommended Restaurants

Recommended Restaurants

HAMBURGERS & SANDWICHES

Abilene Coffee Company 421 Pine

This downtown deli is a great place for lunch or a casual date atmosphere. The food is always good, as is the coffee. Open for lunch or a late afternoon snack everyday except Sunday.

Becker’s Loft 244 Pine

Located on the second story of the Under One Roof store, this deli has a unique ambiance. Drinks are served in mason jars and everyone gets a taste of dessert with their order. Favorites here are the chicken salad and the Italian beef sandwiches.

Rick & Carolyn’s Burger and Fries 549 Ambler

2801 S. 1^st

4458 Buffalo Gap Rd

This is Abilene chain serves their hamburgers with purple onions. The local ownership’s concern for cleanliness and customer service is evident. Be forewarned, however, the terms “smoking section” and “non-smoking section” are used loosely. A combo with the big burger, large fries, and drink with cost you $5.49 + tax. Open everyday from 10:30 am until 9 pm.

MEXICAN

Abuelo’s 4782 S. 14^th

This is widely regarded as the nicest Mexican food restaurant in town and is also one of the most expensive. A popular place for dates and college birthday parties, they have a great, upscale Mexican atmosphere. My favorite dish is the Mejores de la Casa (“Best of the House”) plate. Colorful murals on the walls depict important events in Mexico’s history. Open every day.

Enrique’s 4358 Sayles

This is a huge restaurant near the mall. They offer a dinner special every night (usually $1 off the regular dish price) and $1 drink specials all day Wednesday (Margaritas) and Thursday (Bellinnis). Lots of birthdays are held here for people of all ages. The ambiance includes Mexican music in the background, amusing cartoon murals, and a hopping bar/smoking section on Wednesday nights. If you don’t like cheese, stay away from the chicken quesadillas—they’re loaded with enough to make a cow blush! Enrique’s is open Sunday until 10 pm, closed Monday.

El Fenix / Burro Alley 3241 S 1^st

A landmark restaurant to locals, El Fenix memorializes Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Poncho Villa with its décor. I go for the back patio, which offers one of the most scenic dining environments in town, complete with a large fountain and lots of Mexican flair. (No, this is not the El Fenix you may be familiar with from Dallas.) Closed Mondays.

La Popular 1533 Pine

3102 S. 14^th

This is a great place for cheap Mexican food. The corn tortillas here are so good some people stop in just to buy a couple dozen on their way home for dinner. “La Pop” also has amazing salsa! While they offer a dozen different plate options ($4.50 - $6) and pan dulce (Mexican sweet breads), most people come here for the burritos. A few can cost $1.60 each, though most are just $1.45, and sell for $1 on Mondays and Wednesdays (when the line is often out the door). I recommend the barbacoa (BBQ) burrito!

ORIENTAL

China Star 3601 S. 1^st

This is one of Abilene’s best Chinese food buffets. Many items and lots of seating mean you’re sure to have a wonderful dining experience. It is rated among the top three for Oriental food in the newspaper’s Reader’s Choice Awards every year. The wait staff is excellent. Open daily.

Little Panda 1035 N. Judge Ely

This is a very popular place for ACU students and offers free delivery. A few of my friends think it’s the best thing going. While I am not a huge fan, I do agree they have some of the best fried rice you can buy, and they give you two huge scoops with your meal. Generally open from 11 am until 10 pm.

Szechwuan Chinese 3309 S. 1^st

This little restaurant is also regularly rated as one of the best Oriental restaurants in town. A large window from the dining area into the kitchen allows you to watch your meal being prepared. Each plate comes with a bowl of soup and an egg roll for a very reasonable price. Tables are often hard to find at this busy place, but take out orders are common. Closed Sunday.

BARBEQUE

Harlow’s Smokehouse 2002 N Clack

Harlow’s is the marriage of a restaurant and an aviation museum. There is a BBQ buffet line (not all you eat) as you walk in where they serve brisket, sausage, ham, and ribs. If you want barbeque, stand in this line. If you want to see a menu, seat yourself anywhere and a waitress will bring you one. If you don’t see an empty table in the first room, keep walking further on back—it’s a long building. You’ll know you’ve reached the end of the line when you enter a dining room dedicated to Chuck Yeager. They have daily lunch specials for $4.95 featuring a great chicken fried steak, fried chicken, steak fingers, chicken fingers, and grilled chicken. Lunch specials include baked potato/French fries, salad, and hot rolls. You won’t leave hungry. This is the only spot in Abilene I’ve found serving up fried green tomatoes—a Southern delicacy. Closed Sunday.

Harold’s Pit Bar-B-Q 1305 E.N. 13^th @ Walnut

Harold’s is an Abilene institution; it’s also the best smelling shop in town. If you like your BBQ with a smoky flavor, this is the place. If you like it smoky and sweet, be sure to get some of the world-famous sauce too. Harold’s hours can be quirky, but enough students and bankers alike find a way keep up with them that you will always have to wait in a line.

Sharon Allen’s Lytle Land & Cattle 1701 Judge Ely @ E.S. 11^th

You will pay a lot more for a steak here than at Joe Allen’s, but the ambiance may make it worth your while. This is the “nicest” steak house within the city limits, but shorts and jeans fit right in. The bar is walled off from the main dining areas, and offers $1 Margaritas on Monday nights. The Schnitzel (fried pork steak, $8) is very good, and the Chocolate Fantasy dessert is amazing! Open for lunch and dinner every day.

ITALIAN

Spano’s Italian Restaurant 4534 Buffalo Gap Rd

Think “Italian food” in Abilene and the Spano family immediately comes to mind. The first of the two local restaurants with “Spano’s” in its name, this family owned restaurant offers an elegant atmosphere, live piano player to accompany your weekend meals, and delicious food. Don’t be turned off by the strip-mall exterior, more prom dates come here than anywhere else in town. Texas Monthly even came out and did a review for their October 2003 issue—it’s that good. Very little here is priced above $15, and most dishes are $10 or less. Uniquely, this fine Italian restaurant does not sell wine. (The liquor store next door does, however, and you’re welcome to bring a bottle to the table with you. Glasses will be provided.) Serving lunch and dinner until 9 pm, closed Sunday.

Spano’s Trattoria 216 Pine

Opened by the next generation of Spano, the Trattoria is different in every way, save the quality of your meal. Located downtown, this restaurant offers bi-level dining, a full bar (non-smoking), an extensive wine selection, Frank Sinatra for background music, live jazz on Thursday nights (starting at 7:30), and hearty portions of top-tier food. One of the proudest traditions passed along to this second generation is amazing desserts. Also great for dates, this restaurant has a hipper, more laid back atmosphere than the other Spano’s. Very few items on the menu cost more than $12. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday and for dinner Thursday thru Saturday.

Spaghetti Warehouse 4310 Buffalo Gap

This chain has restaurants in nine states, and offers student discounts as hearty as their portions—20% with your ID! The Warehouse also offers an all you can eat feast for $6 from 11 am – 3 pm Monday-Wednesday. Expect to pay just over $11 per plate at full menu price. Open everyday.


Recommended Restaurants
HAMBURGERS & SANDWICHES Abilene Coffee Company 421 Pine This downtown deli is a great place for lunch or a casual date atmosphere. The food is always good, as is the coffee. Open for lunch or a late afternoon snack everyday except Sunday. Becker’s Loft 244 Pine Located on the second story of the Under One Roof store, this deli has a unique ambiance. Drinks are served in mason jars and everyone gets a taste of dessert with their order. Favorites here are the chicken salad and the Italian beef sandwiches. Rick & Carolyn’s Burger and Fries 549 Ambler 2801 S. 1^st 4458 Buffalo Gap Rd This is Abilene chain serves their hamburgers with purple onions. The local ownership’s concern for cleanliness and customer service is evident. Be forewarned, however, the terms “smoking section” and “non-smoking section” are used loosely. A combo with the big burger, large fries, and drink with cost you $5.49 + tax. Open everyday from 10:30 am until 9 pm. MEXICAN Abuelo’s 4782 S. 14^th This is widely regarded as the nicest Mexican food restaurant in town and is also one of the most expensive. A popular place for dates and college birthday parties, they have a great, upscale Mexican atmosphere. My favorite dish is the Mejores de la Casa (“Best of the House”) plate. Colorful murals on the walls depict important events in Mexico’s history. Open every day. Enrique’s 4358 Sayles This is a huge restaurant near the mall. They offer a dinner special every night (usually $1 off the regular dish price) and $1 drink specials all day Wednesday (Margaritas) and Thursday (Bellinnis). Lots of birthdays are held here for people of all ages. The ambiance includes Mexican music in the background, amusing cartoon murals, and a hopping bar/smoking section on Wednesday nights. If you don’t like cheese, stay away from the chicken quesadillas—they’re loaded with enough to make a cow blush! Enrique’s is open Sunday until 10 pm, closed Monday. El Fenix / Burro Alley 3241 S 1^st A landmark restaurant to locals, El Fenix memorializes Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Poncho Villa with its décor. I go for the back patio, which offers one of the most scenic dining environments in town, complete with a large fountain and lots of Mexican flair. (No, this is not the El Fenix you may be familiar with from Dallas.) Closed Mondays. La Popular 1533 Pine 3102 S. 14^th This is a great place for cheap Mexican food. The corn tortillas here are so good some people stop in just to buy a couple dozen on their way home for dinner. “La Pop” also has amazing salsa! While they offer a dozen different plate options ($4.50 - $6) and pan dulce (Mexican sweet breads), most people come here for the burritos. A few can cost $1.60 each, though most are just $1.45, and sell for $1 on Mondays and Wednesdays (when the line is often out the door). I recommend the barbacoa (BBQ) burrito! ORIENTAL China Star 3601 S. 1^st This is one of Abilene’s best Chinese food buffets. Many items and lots of seating mean you’re sure to have a wonderful dining experience. It is rated among the top three for Oriental food in the newspaper’s Reader’s Choice Awards every year. The wait staff is excellent. Open daily. Little Panda 1035 N. Judge Ely This is a very popular place for ACU students and offers free delivery. A few of my friends think it’s the best thing going. While I am not a huge fan, I do agree they have some of the best fried rice you can buy, and they give you two huge scoops with your meal. Generally open from 11 am until 10 pm. Szechwuan Chinese 3309 S. 1^st This little restaurant is also regularly rated as one of the best Oriental restaurants in town. A large window from the dining area into the kitchen allows you to watch your meal being prepared. Each plate comes with a bowl of soup and an egg roll for a very reasonable price. Tables are often hard to find at this busy place, but take out orders are common. Closed Sunday. BARBEQUE Harlow’s Smokehouse 2002 N Clack Harlow’s is the marriage of a restaurant and an aviation museum. There is a BBQ buffet line (not all you eat) as you walk in where they serve brisket, sausage, ham, and ribs. If you want barbeque, stand in this line. If you want to see a menu, seat yourself anywhere and a waitress will bring you one. If you don’t see an empty table in the first room, keep walking further on back—it’s a long building. You’ll know you’ve reached the end of the line when you enter a dining room dedicated to Chuck Yeager. They have daily lunch specials for $4.95 featuring a great chicken fried steak, fried chicken, steak fingers, chicken fingers, and grilled chicken. Lunch specials include baked potato/French fries, salad, and hot rolls. You won’t leave hungry. This is the only spot in Abilene I’ve found serving up fried green tomatoes—a Southern delicacy. Closed Sunday. Harold’s Pit Bar-B-Q 1305 E.N. 13^th @ Walnut Harold’s is an Abilene institution; it’s also the best smelling shop in town. If you like your BBQ with a smoky flavor, this is the place. If you like it smoky and sweet, be sure to get some of the world-famous sauce too. Harold’s hours can be quirky, but enough students and bankers alike find a way keep up with them that you will always have to wait in a line. Sharon Allen’s Lytle Land & Cattle 1701 Judge Ely @ E.S. 11^th You will pay a lot more for a steak here than at Joe Allen’s, but the ambiance may make it worth your while. This is the “nicest” steak house within the city limits, but shorts and jeans fit right in. The bar is walled off from the main dining areas, and offers $1 Margaritas on Monday nights. The Schnitzel (fried pork steak, $8) is very good, and the Chocolate Fantasy dessert is amazing! Open for lunch and dinner every day. ITALIAN Spano’s Italian Restaurant 4534 Buffalo Gap Rd Think “Italian food” in Abilene and the Spano family immediately comes to mind. The first of the two local restaurants with “Spano’s” in its name, this family owned restaurant offers an elegant atmosphere, live piano player to accompany your weekend meals, and delicious food. Don’t be turned off by the strip-mall exterior, more prom dates come here than anywhere else in town. Texas Monthly even came out and did a review for their October 2003 issue—it’s that good. Very little here is priced above $15, and most dishes are $10 or less. Uniquely, this fine Italian restaurant does not sell wine. (The liquor store next door does, however, and you’re welcome to bring a bottle to the table with you. Glasses will be provided.) Serving lunch and dinner until 9 pm, closed Sunday. Spano’s Trattoria 216 Pine Opened by the next generation of Spano, the Trattoria is different in every way, save the quality of your meal. Located downtown, this restaurant offers bi-level dining, a full bar (non-smoking), an extensive wine selection, Frank Sinatra for background music, live jazz on Thursday nights (starting at 7:30), and hearty portions of top-tier food. One of the proudest traditions passed along to this second generation is amazing desserts. Also great for dates, this restaurant has a hipper, more laid back atmosphere than the other Spano’s. Very few items on the menu cost more than $12. Open for lunch Monday thru Friday and for dinner Thursday thru Saturday. Spaghetti Warehouse 4310 Buffalo Gap This chain has restaurants in nine states, and offers student discounts as hearty as their portions—20% with your ID! The Warehouse also offers an all you can eat feast for $6 from 11 am – 3 pm Monday-Wednesday. Expect to pay just over $11 per plate at full menu price. Open everyday.