Restaurant Review: Cowboy Chicken in Lubbock

Cowboy Chicken has opened its doors in Lubbock. How does the chicken chain stack up in a foodie's dream city?

(Full disclosure: Cowboy Chicken in Lubbock had a media preview day and I was invited. Even though the event meant free food for those of us invited, for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review, I'm going unfiltered.)

Cowboy Chicken, which has origins dating back to 1981 in Dallas, Texas, prides itself on free range chicken on a spit (or rotisserie).

I tried their chicken enchiladas, which were served smothered in a tomatillo sauce. Now I've had great tomatillo and I've had horrible tomatillo. The trick is to make sure the sauce showcases the unique tang inherent to the tomato with just the right amount of kick to impress the die-hard picante fan -- all while not scaring off the guys like me, blessed with a hiatal hernia and prone to heartburn at a moment's notice.

Cowboy Chicken's tomatillo was probably the best I've ever tried. It was so good I sopped up the extra with a fresh baked roll that I had initially declined upon ordering.

To accompany the enchiladas, I had the ranchero beans and their famous twice baked potaters. Of course, I also had to try some of the fresh-off-the-rotisserie chicken, so two wings were also in order.

All the sides were on par with the main course; perfectly seasoned/rubbed and nicely cooked with fresh cilantro on the beans. There was great texture with the mashed potatoes due to their twice-baked nature.

Of course, no good Cowboy Chicken meal is complete without a healthy serving of cobbler. I opted for the blackberry variety, which was served hot with a sweet, chewy crust.

The staff was knowledgeable about all the offerings and incredibly courteous to both myself and all the patrons visiting the establishment for the first time. Operations partners Brent and Shannyn really have their act together at Cowboy Chicken, and I'm looking forward to returning soon to try one of their farm fresh salads or the cowboy chicken tacos many were raving about.

In summary: Excellent food, friendly staff and great value for the money. I'm giving Cowboy Chicken in Lubbock a solid A!

Cowboy Chicken in Lubbock is located at 4415 S Loop 289.