If you ask people in Lubbock to name their favorite steak restaurant the answer is most likely to be Cagle's (this statement is from an unscientific survey of about a dozen people). Part of the charm of this place is the setting. Located out in the country, it is set up as a western town with gift shops and activities for the kids so you can "make an evening of it" (which is sometimes necessary considering the waiting time that usually exists for a table).

This is the kind of place the Big Texan in Amarillo tries to be, but with Cagle's located off any main highway and frequented by locals rather than tourists (the Big Texan is right on I-40 and is the biggest "tourist trap" in the Panhandle), it is about as authentic as you are going to find. I thought the Cattleman's Steak House in Oklahoma City was about as "down to earth" as you could get, but Cagle's does not even try to imitate a nice steak place-- it is simply rows of tables with waiters giving you no-nonsense service (you pick up your own side dishes and rolls from a buffet).

What was most surprising, though, was that the only type of steak available is Rib Eye. This is usually one of the most flavorful cuts, though, and it was pretty good (it is hard not to find good steak in west Texas). Even though I just had a sample I can recommend the rib eye.

I ordered a Barbecue Turkey Sandwich-- not the best I've ever had by a long shot.

Side dishes were OK-- nothing memorable.

To get to Cagle's take 4th Street west of town several miles.