Lubbock may not be known as a melting pot of cultures, but the city's culinary scene has certainly become one. The community can find more than 20 different nationalities and regions represented at local restaurants.
Some regional cuisines have been in Lubbock for several years, such as Vizo's African Bar and Restaurant, 3131 34th St. Vizo's was named in Forbes' Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. list for 2020. Lite Bite Mediterranean, 3624 50th St., recently celebrated its 30th year in business.
Last year, 15 local-owned restaurants with international ties opened. As of March 2024, nine international restaurants have opened or announced that they are coming to Lubbock.
"The addition of international cuisines to the Lubbock area enriches our community’s vibrancy,” said Kay McDowell, President and CEO of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. “These new offerings are an exciting result of our growth and provides residents and visitors the opportunity to not only savor new flavors but experience the stories and traditions of new cultures.”
One of the upcoming restaurants is Cyrus Kabob, which will introduce Persian cuisine to the area, and will be the only one within 300 miles. The restaurant will be at 421 Frankford Ave. and will be operated by a family who moved to Lubbock from Iran in 2020.
"The only reason (my father) moved here was (for) me and my sister, so we could have a better life," said Sayeh Malekaninejad, one of Cyrus Malekaninejad and Tina Javanbakht's daughters. "After, he was trying to find a way to start a business so we can all have a better future."
More: Family opening Persian restaurant in Lubbock, here's when, what it will serve
Another new cuisine comes from Lubbock Street Eats, a food truck owned by a Texas Tech graduate from Nepal. The truck serves Momos, a type of dumpling, and Keema noodles.
"I was born and raised in Nepal, and being Nepali we are used to using many different types of spices in our food," said Prabesh KC, owner. "But when I came to Lubbock to complete my undergrad in chemical engineering, I found there were a few Indian restaurants, but they were not any Nepali restaurants. So after I completed my undergrad I decided to stay back and try to introduce Lubbock to our spices and foods."
Global flavors have infused themselves into the Lubbock area, with more than 20 countries and regions represented by local owners and families. That includes:
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African.
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Asian.
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Australian.
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Brazilian, coming later this year.
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Caribbean.
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Chinese.
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Cuban.
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Filipeno.
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French.
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Greek.
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Indian.
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Italian.
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Japanese.
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Korean.
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Lebanese.
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Mediterranean.
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Mexican.
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Nepalese.
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Persian.
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Puerto Rican. Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory, but is on this list because it is not a state.
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Thai.
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Vietnamese.