It’s easy to think you have Texas cuisine pinned down, with its famous BBQ pits and cheesy Tex-Mex. But, underneath that veil of queso sauce and slabs of meat you’ll find culturally diverse communities filled with people proudly bringing their homeland cuisine to their new home in the Lone Star State. There’s no better example of how much strength an open community can bring to a city than the crown of the Texas panhandle, Amarillo.
This city’s food scene has come a long way since you visited back when you were smooshed in the back seat on your family’s road trip, and it continues to blossom into a must-visit foodie destination. In bigger cities you get pockets of cultural diversity, but it’s often harder to find in smaller towns. However, in a mid-sized city like Amarillo, diversity isn’t just woven into the fabric of the overall community, it’s celebrated.
The smell of spices fills the air at It’s a Punjabi Affair. While their menu features traditional Indian cuisine, it’s their American fusion specialities that elevate Punjabi Affairs to a whole new level of flavor. Big, bold flavor continues in the African cuisine focused restaurants of Marhaba and African Safari, serving Ethiopian and Somalian food respectively. These two establishments don’t only serve Amarillo as a restaurant, but as a cultural center where everyone is welcome to gather as one community.
After a few days of eating delicious barbecue, and the richest of Tex Mex you’ll find yourself in need of something light and refreshing. Serving up the best of south Asian cuisine, Saigon and Asian Bistro are two local go-tos for delicious Pho, hard to find Lao cuisine and fresh noodle dishes. It’s not hard to find something delicious being served up at the Sushi House, where Japanese dishes and sushi are served alongside delicious Thai food. Because what more could you want than expertly cut nigiri and a plate of Pad Thai?
Now, you can’t talk about Texas without talking about Mexican food. While the state is best known for pouring queso on everything, there are amazing establishments serving authentic Latin American cuisine. If you’ve ever wondered how non-Tex-Mexed Mexican food tastes, visit El Tejavan. This place is the real deal, and their menu, which is filled with classic dishes, proves it. As great as a full menu with tons of options can be —and it is great— there’s something special about a place that plants its flag with just a few items, and that’s exactly what Sinaloa Pollos Asados & Hotdogs has done with–you guessed it– Mexican style rotisserie chicken and hot dogs. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you smell that delicious smoke from their mesquite wood fire grills.
Looking to mix it up? Head over to Flamingo’s Latin Bar and Grill where you’ll find your new favorite tacos, a delicious selection of seafood, and what feels like a curated “Best Hits of Latin American Cuisine.” Speaking of the best of Latin America, you’ll want to add El Carbonero’s Salvadorian restaurant to your list. Hailing from the effortlessly green and mountainous coastal country of El Salvador, this cuisine is unique unto itself. Come ready for rich flavors, fluffier tortillas, and tons of amazing seafood. For a full list of restaurants, check out Visit Amarillo’s website.
Amarillo is full of personality and shared stories that have bonded its community together. You can feel it, and taste it, when you’re here. Every era and peoples added a unique layer of character that has expanded Amarillo’s already endless horizons. So, come experience the heart of the New West in a city filled with Old West spirit.
