Here Are The Top 10 Places To Get Appetizers In Amarillo

With so many restaurants to choose from here in Amarillo, it can be tough to decide which one to go to on any given day or night.

Sometimes its based on the cuisine you're in the mood for, sometimes it's all about a daily deal they may have going on. Once you've decided though, you're excited to get moving.

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You walk in, get seated and give you a few minutes to peruse the menu. Your server arrives at the table and asks you what you'd like to drink, then they ask that loaded question that makes you think.

"Would you like to order an appetizer for the table?" 10 simple words strung together that put pressure on you. Not because you feel like you HAVE to order one, but because you aren't sure which one to order.

You quickly spit out a couple of items from the menu and don't even realize what you just did. Before you know it, these tasty meal teasers are sitting in front of you. One bite and now you can't stop.

In fact, you find yourself making sure those plates are cleaned off by the time your meal shows up, and now you aren't even really that hungry for the main course.

Now, some restaurants have better appetizers than others, and certain Amarillo restaurants have such good apps that you don't even know if you want to order off the main menu. Here are 10 of those types of places in Amarillo.

PONDASETA BREWING COMPANY

Ok, so this one is a LITTLE different, because it's a food truck they have outside the brewery, but reviews on Yelp for it are all positive. Yes, some of the reviews talk about the main courses, while most are about the beer, but many have mentioned the chips and queso and some of the best they've had.

I took a look at a menu posted by a user and I can tell you I'd probably be the guy stuffing his face with the cheese curds. If the queso is that good, I'd imagine the cheese curds are right there with it.

HOFFBRAU STEAK & GRILL HOUSE

I'll admit, I haven't been over to Hoffbrau yet, but they have one of the most interested appetizer menus around from what I've seen. Sure, they have all the basic appetizers available, but they put their own twist on them. Think Shiner Bock fried mushrooms.

However, it's the Brau Chips that seem to get the most mentions, and it might be the most basic appetizer I've ever seen. According to their menu, it's just thinly slice potato chips served up with ranch dressing. Sounds so basic, yet everyone raves about them. I need to go in just to try those.

LAZY GATOR

This isn't just the most expansive appetizer menu in Amarillo, it might be one of the most expansive appetizer menus I've see ANYWHERE. Lazy Gator offers up 18 different appetizers for you to choose from, making it a bit difficult to even think about wanting to order a meal.

They've got something for everyone on it, from Ahi Tuna to frog legs to wings. If you can't find something on this appetizer menu that'll whet your appetite, I'm not quite sure what will.

PUBLIC HOUSE

If you're looking for those more upscale appetizers, then Public House is for you. From items such as crab cakes and shrimp cocktail, down to some very different items such as steak egg rolls, there's something new for you to try here.

However, I can officially say I've never seen an appetizer come with a price of "market price" like the Lamb Lollipop Chops do here. Usually that kind of price is reserved for seafood places. You know that's gotta be a good one.

BUBBA'S 33

Here's a place pretty much everyone in Amarillo has been to, and most likely have ordered an appetizer from. They don't have all the fancy appetizers, in fact, they have some of the most popular and basic appetizers around.

The difference is, they do it right with these apps. The Crooked Fried Cheese is done to perfection, crispy on the outside, melty cheese on the inside. Can't forget about the Layered Cheese Fries either. These things are loaded up to the max and you should never get a fry with something not on it.

METROPOLITAN STEAK & SEAFOOD

Here's another appetizer menu that's for those with a fancier palate. Home of Michelin Star Chef Nori, there isn't anything on here that isn't flat out amazing. If you're looking for "basic" on this appetizer menu, I guess you'd say the Coconut Shrimp would be it, but it's far from basic.

On this appetizer you'll find a charcuterie board, hummus, and the Metro Crab Cakes that people have been raving over.

CRUSH WINE BAR & RESTAURANT

This to me is the perfect kind of place to just order up several appetizers, hang out on the rooftop bar and enjoy a few drinks. The appetizer menu isn't overly large, but man do they have some good stuff on there.

Any place that offers up fried cheese curds as well as spinach artichoke dip will win my heart, and Crush does it right with these. However, they've got some fancier options such as mussels and a tuna tartare that is to die for.

SIX CAR PUB & BREWERY

Another spot located on Polk St in Downtown Amarillo, and another spot with a rooftop bar. This is the kind of place I love to hang out at. Lively atmosphere, but nice and relaxed on the rooftop bar. Oh yeah, beer and some solid appetizers make it the perfect spot to be.

10 different items on the appetizer menu to choose from, but there are a couple of standouts. The Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel is divine, and the Beer Cheese Fries are an absolute must. If you've never had beer cheese, you're missing out in a major way.

SA*VOR TAPAS BAR

Well the name of the restaurant says it all, it's all about the appetizers here. When that happens, you know they put all their focus into making them the best they can be, and that's why they land at number two on the list.

They have three different menus for you to choose from, the brunch menu, dinner menu, and cocktail menu. In other words, it's tailored to what you're there for. It's also the only place I know of in Amarillo that serves up Beef Carpaccio. I haven't been personally, but I can promise you it's on my list to go and try, even if just for that.

CELLAR 55

One of Amarillo's newest restaurants has already vaulted to the top of the appetizer list according to Yelp. I can see why. Have you ever tried making a normal dish a bit fancier and have it come out to perfection?

That's exactly what Cellar 55 does here. Offering up things such as the Bacon Sampler, which is five different types of bacon, and Crispy Fried Langostino Lobster, it's a place that will send your mouth into a different dimension. I mean fried lobster? It's a must try.