You Won’t Believe How Long These Amarillo Restaurants Have Lasted

It's great living in a city like Amarillo. New businesses and restaurants are always popping up. It’s fun trying new places. We also have the comfort of knowing that some of our favorites are still here.

We have seen a lot of good places come and go, unfortunately. That has been a fact of life we have had to face. Unfortunately, not everything lasts. Then we spend the rest of our time here reminiscing about the cheese rolls we used to get at Gardski's. Or the great times we spent during March Madness at Ruby Tequila's. Ahhh, the memories.

Read More: To Visit the Oldest Amarillo Restaurant Take a Trip Down Route 66 |

A Look Back at Amarillo’s Restaurant History

We have many places to eat around Amarillo. It is great to have so many choices. Some have been here for a few years, and some have been a staple of our city. We need to reflect and celebrate those restaurants that have been here for the long haul.

The Local Legends Still Serving Today

1. Golden Light - Opened in 1946 and is the oldest continuously running restaurant in Amarillo. They serve a great burger, so it is not a surprise that they have stood the test of time.
2. The Big Texan - They opened on Route 66 originally in 1960. They ended up moving to their current location in 1968 once I-40 came to town and it bypassed Route 66. This is the place many locals bring their families when they come to town. The parking lot is always full.
3. Pizza Planet - Their location on Paramount Street has been tossing pizzas since 1974. They have a killer chef salad, too. They have survived many floods on that street.
4. La Fiesta Grande -  A family‑run Tex‑Mex staple for over 40 years. They were opened in 1983. Another great staple to the Amarillo community.
5. Calico County - Calico County was added to Paramount in 1984. Ready for some great home cooking? Don't miss out on their complimentary rolls and cinnamon rolls. They do have a killer chicken fried steak.
6. Dyer's BBQ - You can't be in Texas and not have a BBQ restaurant. Dyer's has been open since 1984, but has been part of the Texas Panhandle-famous family brand since 1967.
7. Malcolm's - We almost lost this family favorite. Another long-standing restaurant on Paramount closed its doors for a short time in 2024, but before the end of the year, they were back. Those jalapeno chicken bites are to die for.

A Mix of New and Nostalgic in Amarillo

Amarillo is a great place to be. We have it all. We get the new places. We get the returning favorites like Long John Silver's. We are also home to some very nostalgic places to eat. Those places that stand the test of time.