Milestone 20th anniversary hitting in 2016, Stubb’s filled the void left by the 1999 closing of Liberty Lunch, itself the local replacement for the Armadillo World Headquarters. Taking its name and recipes from legendary Lubbock cook Christopher “Stubb” Stubblefield, who established the first Stubb’s in his hometown in 1968, the dual-level venue and celebrated barbecue joint boasts indoor and outdoor stages, with the latter holding upward of 2,000 souls. Booked by C3 Presents co-founder Charles Attal and unsung ACL Fest talent doyenne Amy Corbin, both stages host names big (Bob Dylan) and bigger (Metallica).
Owner Bobby Cavo has barbecue deep in his DNA. His mom, Mopsie, still provides the meat through her catering kitchen, all of it kissed by heritage post oak smoke.
No-frills, award-winning, mesquite-smoked brisket, pork loin, sausage, chicken, and sandwiches have been served from the same smoke-redolent shack since 1943. Lunch only.
The Works retains its neighborly charm with modest prices and self-serve beer on ice in tin coolers. You can have the barbecue shipped to your house later if you'd like.