Lubbock Restaurant Closures That Hurt Like a Bad Breakup

Lubbock restaurants come and go at a surprising speed and regularity, and it's easy to miss the ones that are gone. However, some restaurants were so unique, so delicious, and had so much personality that losing them hurts like a breakup. Here's a look at some of the restaurants that Lubbockites pine over like a lost love.

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Home Plate Diner: Home Plate Diner! Home Plate Diner!

I'll never get the refrain of "Home Plate Diner! Home Plate Diner!" from their local commercials out of my head. Home Plate Diner was like a first kiss on the playground, and remains a cozy memory for many. Whether you went with your family or the whole pee wee baseball team, the chicken frys were to die for. Luckily, you can mosey up to Amarillo (5600 Bell St) and still have HPD!

Zookini’s: Long Gone But Not Forgotten By Lubbock

Zookini's feels like your first "serious" love that moved away in high school. Salad bars, a huge staple of the 90s, became less and less sustainable for owners over the years, and with Zookini's incredibly fresh veggies and generous to-go portions, it's no surprise this perfect angel of a restaurant is no more in Lubbock. However, we very luckily still have Souper Salad (6703 Slide Rd), which will nicely satisfy your craving for big, bountiful soups, salads, and more.

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Chinese Kitchen: Getting Serious With That Fried Rice

Chinese Kitchen hurts because it seemed like we would have it forever, and then one day it changed dramatically and then was gone forever. Many of us, myself included, are still trying to figure out how to make their neon-yellow fried rice and that incredible ginger sauce that came on the hibachi. If you are looking for a nearly identical delicious egg roll and some great hot and sour soup, try Beijing House (3605 50th St).

Crafthouse Gastropub: Sophisticated Yet Accessible

We should have put a ring on this one- elevated and elegant yet welcoming and cozy, Crafthouse had chef-curated dishes that were incredible, from Kobe beef corn dogs to the best and most creative donuts you've ever had in your life. The very good news is that you can still get those donuts on weekends directly from Chef Kate Diel.

There are far too many others to mention them all, but I do want to include Bless Your Heart, Bengalio's, Great Wall, Lone Wolf, and Moose Magoo's as well. They all deserve their own homage, and I imagine I'll write them all someday.