7 Foodie-Recommended Restaurants to Visit in Abilene, TX
“I have always loved restaurants and eating out, but for most of my life, it had been boring,” says Becky Brown, who lived in northern Colorado for many years before moving to Abilene, TX, in 2021 to be closer to her husband’s family.
“Greeley, CO, which is about the size of Abilene, had mostly chain restaurants,” she says. “When I moved to Abilene, I was chomping at the bit like a kid in a candy store.”
Brown undertook the project of getting to know the city’s many independent eateries and their owners and launched an Instagram page, @abileneeats, to document her discoveries.
She hasn’t been let down: “I had no idea how amazing and diverse the food would be,” she says of her new hometown. “It’s been so fun.”
We asked Brown to compile a list of her favorite restaurants to grab a bite in Abilene, TX, and her responses reflect the variety of delicious dishes to try in the city. We’re betting you won’t be disappointed either.
In This Article
1. 2 Profs Ice Cream in Abilene, TX
“It’s really good, really affordable ice cream,” says Brown, who mentions that with two children, “we can go there often because it’s so affordable.”
Her all-time favorite scoop is Oreo cheesecake, which has a delicious slight tanginess thanks to the cream cheese.
“They flip out the flavors a lot, so it’s always a bit disappointing when they don’t have it,” she says. But Brown is never left wanting – key lime, pumpkin pie, white chocolate peppermint and blackberry are just a few flavors that scratch her 2 Profs itch.
2. Belle’s Chicken Dinner House in Abilene, TX
“The first time I went, I had such low expectations,” says Brown of the restaurant she credits with the best fried chicken in Abilene, TX. “The building itself has a huge chicken face on the side” – the 3D beak and comb jut off the exterior wall into the parking lot – “the dining room is dark and a little dingy, and the waitress set me up next to a creepy mannequin named Lloyd.”
But the eclectic space is offset by incredibly friendly staff and family-style entrees served with sides like creamed corn, fresh rolls and mashed potatoes and gravy.
“Every bite is home-cooked comfort food to the max,” Brown says.
3. Front Porch Coffee Co. & Bakery in Abilene, TX
Brown’s pick for sitting a spell, whether she’s meeting a friend or getting some work done, is this modern, yet cozy coffee shop equipped with comfy couches and a fireplace. Come autumn, the shop busts out her favorite seasonal drink: The Fireside Latte, with elements of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
“If you could bottle the best parts of fall, that is what the Fireside Latte tastes like,” Brown says.
She pairs her joe with the Sweet and Southern, a housemade biscuit split and topped with butter and raspberry jam on one side and sausage gravy and an egg on the other.
4. Galveston Seafood Co. in Abilene, TX
“When I think of Abilene, I don’t think of seafood,” Brown says. “But I have never had a bite (at Galveston Seafood) I didn’t like.”
She singles out the Cajun fries as a particular favorite.
“They are phenomenal. It’s so full of all different kinds of meats – shrimp, sausage, Cajun sauce and tomatoes. This is full-on loaded nachos, Cajun seafood-style. The fries are battered, so they are extra crunchy. It’s the perfect texture and flavor in every bite.”
5. Rockin Rollerz Craft Burger Co. in Abilene, TX
This burger joint has “the most over-the-top, unexpected burgers you can’t find anywhere else,” Brown says.
Menu offerings range from the Old Schooler (a basic burger with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions) to the Poppin Johnny (cream cheese, jalapeños – both roasted and spicing up Ranch dressing – bacon and fried onions) to the outlandish Nutty Professor (peanut butter, potato chips, bacon and strawberry chutney).
6. Hawaii Ramen Noodle & Poke Bowl in Abilene, TX
“Think about a Subway but upscale and with fresh flavors,” says Brown of this fast-casual Asian-fusion restaurant in Abilene, TX. As its name suggests, the kitchen does turn out bowls of ramen, but the real draw is the build-your-own poke bowls.
Brown loves the coconut-and-green-tea infused rice as a base, which she can top with proteins, like raw tuna, salmon, grilled chicken or tofu, and flavorful add-ons, like roasted corn or pickled radishes. And she also loves the vibe of the spot.
“There is a huge Hawaiian mural when you walk in. Everything is fresh, clean, bright and beautiful,” she says.
7. The Shed in Abilene, TX
“You can’t talk about Abilene food without mentioning barbecue,” Brown says.
This lunch-only ’cue counter sells out every day, so it’s worth a bit of planning to get your hands on the “amazing” brisket and “smoky and phenomenal” ribs. Diners can order those plus turkey, pulled pork, two kinds of sausage, ham, chicken, tri-tip pastrami and burnt ends by the plate or pound. Brown’s pick is the Herc sandwich, a massive pile of jalapeño sausage, brisket, pulled pork and mac and cheese on a bun.
This article was sponsored by the Abilene Regional Growth Alliance, a division of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. The Abilene Chamber is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian organization that advocates for pro-business policies that create jobs and grow our economy.
