Hang Your Hat in the Hub City

By: Addison Carlson

Are you planning on joining us for the 48^th National Golden Spur Award Honors? Make a weekend of it! From West Texas steaks and handcrafted cowboy boots to local wineries and ranching history, the Hub City has plenty to explore before and after the Honors.

Day 1: Welcome to Lubbock! Where the skies are endless and the horizon stretches on forever. No matter where you’re from, the people, places and culture make the Hub City feel like home. Speaking of home, there’s no better way to start the day than with a home-cooked breakfast. Chicken Run, located on 19^th and Quaker is just the place for all things wholesome, hearty, and homemade. Don’t be fooled by the name—Chicken Run meets all your breakfast needs like biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, and of course, chicken and

waffles. Try the Cambridge Skillet for a tasty fusion of ham, bacon, ranch potatoes, and eggs any style. After grabbing a bite, come visit us at the National Ranching Heritage Center for a midmorning stroll around the park. Forget a birthday or need some last-minute items you left at home? Check out Cogdell’s at the Ranch to shop for gifts, goodies and a collection of items that will accentuate any outfit. For lunch, make your way over to Caprock Café, a Lubbock staple heralded as having the coldest beer in West Texas. Keep the Western spirit of Golden Spur Weekend going with a stop at RC Custom Boots, where visitors can explore the craftsmanship behind a cowboy essential. Since 1962, RC has been handcrafting boots in Mexico for the American working cowboy. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Texas Tech alumnus and custom hatter, Jared Coffelt at Flint Boot & Hat Shop. For dinner, try Double Nickel or Cagle’s Steaks for a classic southwest steakhouse experience.

Day 2: Rise and shine! It’s Day 2 of Golden Spur Weekend and you have a busy day ahead. Start your day off right with a stack of pancakes from Lubbock’s very own Pancake House. Add the red velvet pancakes to your order for an extra dose of sweetness. Walk off breakfast at the Wolfforth Farmers Market. From homemade pickles to sourdough breads to fresh produce, the farmers market is your one-stop shop for all things Lubbock local. For lunch, there’s no better place for classic Texas barbecue than Evie Mae’s. Recognized as one of the top barbecue joints in the state, Evie Mae’s is the real deal when it comes to smoking meat and serving sides that feel straight out of grandma’s kitchen. Be sure to get in line early; Lubbock locals go hog-wild for their pulled pork and brisket, and at Evie Mae’s, once it’s gone, it’s gone. It's now time to kick off a Golden Spur afternoon with another look into our Western heritage. Experience agricultural history in an interactive way at the FiberMax Center for Discovery and the American Windmill Museum before heading over to the Lubbock Civic Center for the National Golden Spur Award Honors. End the day with a nightcap at Overton’s Pecan Grill or Cotton Court’s Midnight Shift Restaurant & Bar.

Day 3: See more of Lubbock before you head home. Begin the day with a bang at Cast Iron Grill for buttermilk biscuits, chicken fried steak, or world-famous sweets like banana pudding and coconut cream pie. Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast? It wouldn’t be a trip to Lubbock without dropping by Raiderville, so take a stroll around the Texas Tech campus and the Texas Tech Equestrian Center to experience the spirit of the scarlet and black. Once again, it’s time for lunch, and you can’t leave the Hub City without making a visit downtown to Dirk’s Signature Chicken and Bar. Whether you prefer rotisserie style, Korean fried, Nashville hot, or want to switch up your palette with some shrimp and grits, Dirks has the best chicken of the West. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with shopping at West End or have a glass or two at one of Lubbock’s many wineries such as Adelphos Cellars or Llano Estacado Winery. Dine at Stella’s Restaurant for authentic New York Italian cuisine and experience a vibrant culture at the restaurant’s bar and lounge area, patio seating, and live music on the weekends. Tucked behind Stella’s, you’ll find Manhatt9n, Lubbock’s only speakeasy. A password is required for entry, but don’t fret—the secret code is uploaded to their website and socials every Wednesday. If you're wanting your last taste of Lubbock to be extra sweet, head on over to J's Creamery for a scoop of award-winning, locally made frozen custard.

Where to Kick Off Your Boots:

The National Golden Spur Awards Honors will be held at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center and near the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas. This location offers multiple hotel options within a short distance, including the Overton Hotel and Hyatt Place Lubbock.

Whether you’re joining us from somewhere in the Lone Star State or across the country, we hope Golden Spur Weekend gives you a taste of the Western hospitality that makes Lubbock special. For other lodging, dining and entertainment options, see Visit Lubbock.