Copper Caboose, Lubbock's First Fajita Spot, Still Serving

Our radio station has always had a special relationship with the Caboose.

Let’s unpack this long-running love affair, because the Caboose isn’t just another Lubbock restaurant. It’s wrapped up in the history of FMX, Texas Tech football, countless rock shows and probably more than a few questionable Monday nights.

From Rock Shows To Monday Night Football

The original Copper Caboose opened in 1977 at 4th Street and Boston Avenue, right across from Jones—sometimes Galaxy—Stadium and in the shadow of the old Lubbock Municipal Coliseum and Auditorium. It was the perfect place to grab a drink before running across the street to see a rock show.

The Copper was also the original home of FMX Monday Night Football. That event eventually spent time at places including Stubb’s and Bleachers, but some of the earliest and best memories were made at the Caboose.

In August of 1990, the 50th Street Caboose opened at 50th Street and Slide Road. It had the same great food, but with a larger, more family-friendly atmosphere that included arcade games, sports viewing and plenty of space for parties.

The heart and soul of the original Copper eventually moved to 5609 Villa Drive in 2001, shortly after FMX radio bailed out of 5613 Villa Drive. For a while there, it seemed like everything good on Villa Drive was just moving a few doors down.

The Restaurant That Introduced Lubbock To Fajitas

You can certainly argue that the Caboose helped define Tex-Mex in Lubbock. The restaurant’s first Tex-Mex dishes came from Lupe Gonzales and his family recipes, and the Caboose is credited with serving Lubbock’s original beef and chicken fajitas.

Yes, the place where generations of Lubbock kids have held birthday parties also helped introduce an entire category of food to the Hub City.

That brings us to the 50th Street Caboose of today.

Inside is some of the best Tex-Mex and American food you can get anywhere. It’s important to point out that they do both equally well, because my table rocked some carne guisada and big, juicy burgers just a few days ago.

What is truly stunning is how they have not allowed the place to become dated.

I swear to you, the game room is more exciting than any casino floor I saw during my last trip to Las Vegas. We’re talking huge games with enormous screens, and everything is so clean and well maintained that it looks like it came off the truck yesterday.

The food is as perfect as ever, it comes out quickly, and the people there still seem happy to have you.

It’s incredibly rare for a place that has been around this long to remain this good. Restaurants sometimes coast on nostalgia, but 50th Street Caboose doesn’t have to. The memories may get you through the door, but the food, games and service are what keep you coming back.