Restaurants and bars always seem to be big news in Midland. This year, Midland became home to some new chain restaurants, but locals also created unique spaces.
—Lo. St. Books created a spot in the Micro Market downtown. The wine bar, eatery and bookstore might be the perfect place to enjoy a charcuterie board, glass of wine and dessert.
—Harvest Neighborhood Kitchen has healthy meals for everyone with a breakfast platter that can feed the whole family, cauliflower pizzas, smoothie bowls and more.
—Seance isn’t a restaurant, but these seven-course dinners are a must try. The fine dining pop-up creates chef-driven menus that highlight seasonal ingredients with each experience being different.
–Flair Taverna might be in Odessa, but it’s worth the drive to experience handmade pasta dishes. The restaurant also offers steaks, lamb and pizzas. Don’t forget to try them for brunch either.
—Fat Birds Wing Bar ups the game in regards to wings in town. Choose from 13 flavors with bone-in or boneless options and don’t forget the fat fries.
—Sumo Sushi and Hibachi have multiple tables where customers can watch a hibachi chef prepare their meal. Hibachi meals are served with onion soup, garden salad, two shrimp appetizers, vegetable and fried rice.
—The Tailgate brings family entertainment, food trucks and a second Murray’s Deli location together in one place. The venue is known for football game viewings, movie nights and more.
—FC Coffee opened up downtown, and the coffee shop also acts as the bakery for Flourchild Bakedgoods, which specializes in biscotti.
—Black Rifle Coffee Co. has an extended drive-through lane, so vehicles won’t back up onto Big Spring Street. The patio area has a firepit and TV with outdoor seating, which will be dog friendly once fenced in. The shop is also partnering with local bakeries, including Flourchild Bakedgoods for biscotti and Bite at the Vineyard for breakfast pastries, including a jalapeno popper quiche, veggie frittata, sausage biscuit, double barrel kolache and muffins.
—Fair to Midland is a place for adults to experience fair games in a fun sports bar and outdoor experience.
—Sip Haus has brought martini flights to town. The cocktail lounge features classic, signature cocktails with a twist. There will also be charcuterie and breakfast options coming in the future.
—The Mule Barn Cantina brought back a popular concert venue and bar, but this time with Moscow mules and tacos as the specialty at 7400 W. County Road 116.
–La Mission moved locations to 1119 Tradewinds Blvd., the previous Tilted Kilt location.
–Toro’s Cafe moved into Librardo. Fans of the two eateries don’t have to choose between locations anymore and can get the best of both restaurants at one.
—The Half Acre moved to North Midland at 1101 Washita providing another food option north of the loop. The Midland Meat Co. brisket egg roll is a must-try.
Chains
–Blue Sky Burger is known for its hamburgers and cheeseburgers but also offers protein plates and salads along with amazing fries. The restaurant serves 99-cent kids meals on Tuesdays.
–A seafood boil spot finally came to town. The Crab Station Oyster Bar opened for seafood lovers to indulge in oysters, crab legs, crawfish and more.
—Kung Fu Tea opened its first location in West Texas. The bubble tea chain has more than 250 locations across the US.
—Crumbl Cookie swept Midland in a cookie frenzie. The chain bakery makes specialty cookies every week with the staples of sugar cookies and milk chocolate chip cookies remaining on the menu.
—Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt offers more than 100 rotating frozen yogurt flavors with more than 70 rotating toppings.
–Shipley Do-Nuts opened. Some might think Midland has enough donut shops in town already; however, Shipley Do-Nuts is different and it’s an experience from the kolaches to the hot-glazed donuts, an owner said.
Eateries to look forward to
–Mister Chip’s Kitchen will be a new restaurant by Opal’s Table and The Basement owner and chef Chip Hight. The restaurant is set to open in early 2022 in the old Basin Burger location.
–Rusty Taco will bring handmade specialty tacos, breakfast tacos, margaritas and more to Midland next year at San Miguel Square.
–Waystone Board Game Cafe and Nanobrewery will be coming to the Plaza Oaks shopping area. The establishment will sell beer, homemade root beer, coffee and other drinks. A food truck will also be available outside the business.
–Shipley Do-Nut’s second location will open in early 2022 at 2201 W. Wall St.
–Black Rifle Coffee Co.’s second location will be across from Murray’s Deli.
–Chuy’s Tex-Mex will be coming to town in 2022 bringing recipes from south Texas, New Mexico and Mexican border towns made from the freshest ingredients.