mine has to be Leo's in El Paso. just classic mexican food and so good so many times. i miss me some #4 enchiladas.

My favorite is Perini's in Buffalo Gap. The setting is wonderful, the beer is cold, the steaks tender and the bread pudding can not be touched.

Joe Allen's in Abilene

Perini's for sure. It's hard to beat Tom's steak, green chile hominy, cowboy potatoes, Zuchini Perini, sourdough bread, strawberry shortcake, and bread pudding.

Joe Allen's is a classic, and I ate an outstanding steak of his at the Texas Cowboy Reunion here in Stamford on Tuesday, but I've heard that his new restaurant is mediocre compared to the old shack.

His ex-wife, on the other hand, is going strong with Lytle Land & Cattle, which, outside of Perini's, is the best steak in the Abilene area. She also just opened up Sharon Allen's Barbecue & Catering, which was outstanding the other day when I was in there at lunch. It was as good, if not perhaps actually better than Joe's back in its heyday.

Zentner's or Twin Mtn in Angelo were my favorite steak houses when I still lived there. Supposedly Zentner's has gone down though. And whilst alot of folks like Zentner's Daughter, that sand flea owned and run place was a distant third.

leo's is a good choice - love the sopapillas!

The Original Lowake Inn as run by Phil Loefering
(sp)!

Dos Compadres Mexican food in Midland and Odessa.

Funny you should say that maestro1, I had Leo's #4 Enchiladas today for the first time in over 15 years.

I know of three in town. The original (I think) on Montana, Downtown (where I went today), and there is a big one on Mesa on the west side.

Crazy coincidence.

mellison- i am so jealous. it has been AT LEAST 15 yrs since my last order of #4's. i am very proud of you.

Jett's in Marfa! Best damn chicken fired steak in Texas.

Jett's? When was it around? Where was it?

Rosa's. Best fajitas, much less drive thru food anywhere. I grew up on it and bring back five pounds of it every time I go to the area (which is expanding to College Station soon).

[This message has been edited by Texpatriate_n_CO (edited 7/30/2006 6:25p).]

Kermit Drive In - Odessa.

Hamburgers big enough to serve 3.

Jetts has been around for about 4 or 5 years now. It's in the old Piasano Hotel. I might be biased because I worked there but I ate that steak every freaking night.

I have a special place in my heart for the Paisano Hotel and the restraunt there (Jett's?). I proposed to my wife at the McDonald Observatory last December. We stayed at the Paisano and had a great meal there before heading up to the Observatory. Great night! Not a soul there but us 2.

That sounds about right. There were a lot of nights that only two people came in. Thats when it was fun to be the bartender.

There was a place in Belmarea, that served the best chicken fried steak. I think it was called Chicken Charlies not sure but the CFS was great.

I was called Chicken Charlies. Not there any more, not with Charlie. Believe he ate a self inflicted bullet......

Best place in El Paso for food has to be Chico Tacos, cheap wonderful food. I had it this paast weekend when I went down for my friends wedding, always my first stop when i get to El Paso.

Alicia's - Alpine

When you eat at Alicias you better have a toilet close to you!

ooooo I hadn't thought about Alpine

The Riata in Alpine

We spent an excellent evening there one time. Really really good stuff.

and I now realize that I haven't thrown out a Mary's in Strawn suggestion. Chicken Fried steak . . . .I know her other stuff is probably just as good, but I can't get past ording the CFS.

Come over this way one Friday night, eat supper there and catch a 6 man football game in Strawn or Gordon. Well worth the trip.

I've heard about Mary's for years, just never have had the time or fortune to "pass through" Strawn.

The big question is, how does the Mary's CFS compare with the chicken fried steak and waffle fries at Jake & Dorothy's in Stephenville?

Taco Villa - Combo burrito and fries - can't be beat anywhere
Buddy's in Andrews - steak fingers - found a good substitute at Mel's Cafe in Tomball

Mary's CFS:
Steak comes in small medium or large
large is like 1 lb of steak - 3 large pieces
it is the pan fried steak rather than deep fried steak fingers all in one piece like most that you see. Fresh cut fries and salad and of course Texas toast and a bowl of gravy on the side. Cold beer. Excellent seasoning . . . man I gotta work a trip to Strawn into my schedule.

most places dip the steak in some batter and then deep fry it. Mary's and Zentner's daughter and Taylor's cafe in Lawn south of Abilene do it different, more like a home style fried steak.

Thats my preference. Everything else is a steak finger.

the Moran Coffee Shop. As greasy as they come. We lost her back in the 80's

strikes and gutters

Red River Steak House in McLean (about an hour east of Amarillo) on Route 66 (just of I-40). Pan fried CFS as good as Mary's in Strawn plus free dessert with each meal. Last time I was there, they had fresh homemade plum cobbler. Oh, man!

Leo's is great Mexican food in El Paso. It makes me sad that all of their restaurants are going downhill now.

As for steaks, Great American Land and Cattle Company (Steakburger) in El Paso can't be beat. They have the BEST t-bone I've ever had.

Cattle Man's...thats a real steak, Great American steaks can't compare...I sitll think Chicos is the best but for a good steak Cattleman's is were its at!

Cattle Man's...thats a real steak, Great American steaks can't compare...I sitll think Chicos is the best but for a good steak Cattleman's is were its at!

Cattleman's would always be ridiculously busy, and I never understood all the type. Great American has a small, loyal following, with good food to boot!

Mejor Que Nada in San Angelo.

Rosa's in Eldorado.

Keep the El Paso restaurants coming. I've only been here 2 months & I'm already sick of everywhere to eat. I need some insider tips!

I do like me some michacas at Kiki's though.