we are looking for anything good!

Perini's in Buffalo Gap if you are looking for a Friday or Saturday night and can make reservations.

If you're just passing through, I highly recommend Sharon Allen's Lytle Land & Cattle Co. for a steak, at the corner of Judge Ely and South 11th, and just down the road from the Taylor County Expo Center; if you're more in the mood for barbecue, I recommend Sharon Allen's Barbecue on Highway 80.

[This message has been edited by WestTxAg06 (edited 7/13/2006 1:01p).]

Beehive in Albany - or more correctly the Albany Mercantile is its official name.

ditto Sharon Allens Lytle or bbq

ditto Perini's (Perini's is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and only open for supper on Wed and Thursday - but

if you are driving through on I-20 its not really Abilene, but Mary's in Strawn (about an hour east of Abilene) has really really good chicken fried steak.

Cracker Barrel just opened up on I20 I believe. Doesn't have local flare, but it's always good when traveling.

There was a little Italian place on South 1st near the Ford dealership. It was pretty good, but then that isn't local fare either.

Perrini's
Lytle Land & Cattle and Sharon Allen's New BBQ joint
Mary's in Strawn

These are all good recommendations. You might also consider Joe Allen's (old staple, but has taken a hit in rep lately), Harold's BBQ is awesome, and try Cahoot's if it is still up and running.

It's been a few years back, but I used to go the West Texas State Fair in Abilene and always paid a visit to Joe Allen's... solid.

I've never been to Tom Perini's in Buffalo Gap, but know his story and his rep... he's cooked at the Whitehouse for W. and in Japan for the Texas Beef Council... it's the kind of steak joint that'll make ya slap yo momma.



"They're Better When They Hurry"... T. Lasater

I just had lunch at the Lowake Steak house.

Not really "around" Abilene,(about an hour+ south, near Ballinger) but it is a local institution. Its been several years since I'd been. It was good but not great. The onion rings were worth the trip alone, the chicken fried steak was just pretty good.

That particular Lowake changed owners a year or so ago. Been 2-3 years since I have been there. The Original Lowake that used to be down the road was better, but has been closed for years.

I think the whole reason for either restuarant was that they could sell beer. Selling food evolved from that. If you were going to drive from Angelo for beer you needed to eat as well!

I always liked the Shed near Wingate. Good BBQ, but really good steaks. We ate there a few weeks before they closed. Good family run deal.

The Shed was great.

and the old Lowake place is not just closed, its gone. Nothing but a cement slab there now.

I was just looking at the rewards program for my American Express. One of the packages is a dinner at Perini's. That says alot. Pretty cool

The Homeplace on Hwy 83 between the 83-84 "Y" and Tuscola. Approx 15 miles south of Abilene. As tender a chicken fried steak as you've ever eaten. Great family runs it.

Perini's in Buffalo Gap is a legend.

Do yourself a favor and eat at one for lunch and the other for dinner. And wear your "stretchy" Wranglers.

harolds bbq. Might be the best in the state.

If driving down I 20 stop in Sweetwater at Big Boy's Bar B Q. It is just south of I20. It is some of the best I have ever had.

We still go to Miss Allen's in Sweetwater. And when we do, I tend to overeat.

Love Perinis in Buffalo Gap. We used to have a family reunion in Buffalo gap every summer and would go to Perinis or the catfish restaurant.

Mrs. Allens is very good also.

I found a nice little place in downtown Abilene...Cypress Street Station. Great Restaurant...of course, Perini's is the best steak house you will find in the area...Sharon Allen's steak house is very good too...

Harolds BBQ is my favorite. But Sharon's BBQ is the closest we have in Abilene to the BBQ pits you find in Llano, Brady or Mason. I LOVE that kind of brisket.

For Tex-Mex, there's a pretty good 'burrito war' going on over on S 14th and Barrow. La Popular and Alfredo's. Both make great stuff, but the breakfast burritos and tacos are good at both places. My fav is the chorizo burrito at Alfredos....its as big as a rolled up Sunday paper.

If you get through Coleman, check out the Coldwater Cattle Company. Great KCs. My old National Guard Unit used to eat there regularly.

If you ever find yourself in Haskell, make your way to Rodriquez. Good Tex-Mex.

TechTard, why do you have to go and make me hungry for Rod's? There's no telling how many Burrito Deluxe plates I've devoured in there.

The catfish at Deutchlanders Garden...yeah thats the real name...just called the catfish place at Buffalo Gap by most people...is still the best fried catfish in the state.