Lubbock Is Not As Foodie Friendly As You Might Think

Lubbock score surprisingly low on a new foodie survey. I blame a lack of variety.

I’ll be the first to admit—if you move away from Lubbock, you’ll miss the food. But I’ll also tell you the diversity here isn’t exactly something to brag about.

Let me start by apologizing for the Hub City. When it comes to restaurants, there’s a lot of sameness. Still, does it really matter if the food we do have is already great?

Take Italian restaurants for example. Lubbock has always struggled to keep them going. Our most famous Italian spot—while delicious—leans heavily on Texas versions of Italian food. That’s just one example of how the scene is narrow but flavorful.

What Lubbock Food Does Well

Where we shine is in Tex-Mex, barbeque, and fried chicken. Throw in a handful of solid Asian options, and you’ve got a lineup that satisfies plenty of local tastes. For many of us, that’s enough. But according to a new WalletHub survey, it doesn’t exactly impress outsiders.

The survey ranked Lubbock at #111 out of 182 cities in its “Best Foodie Cities in America” list. Here’s the breakdown:

• Affordability: Lubbock scored high, coming in at #24.

• Diversity, Accessibility, and Quality: Not so great—we landed way down at #130.

Read More: Why Is Texas Chili Hard To Find In Lubbock Restaurants?

So what went wrong? Honestly, I think the survey proves what many locals already know. We do well in our lane—Tex-Mex, BBQ, comfort food—but we don’t stray far. The good news? At least you don’t have to spend a fortune to eat well in the Hub City.