Lubbock, Not EVERY Restaurant Needs a Drive-Thru

Does anybody else think things are getting out of hand with drive-thrus?

Do we really need one for everything? Or are we just being lazy...

I understand fast food. You're in a hurry. You're wearing your jammies. You have 9 kids in the backseat. You don't have time to mess around.

But somewhere over the past 10 years, we all started acting like walking 30 feet from our parking spot to go inside a restaurant was an absolutely unreasonable burden.

It's wild to think about actually dining inside of a fast food joint in 2026, but in the 90s? It was a regular thing.

Now, we've got drive-thru everything.

white and blue labeled box

The pandemic really changed us.

It's like we do everything humanly possible to avoid interaction with other human beings.

Some of Lubbock's best restaurants are all about the experience of walking in and enjoying a meal. We are losing out on the charm of actually visiting the restaurant, talking to the wait staff, and grabbing a mint and toothpick on the way out the door.

I'm not saying we need to get rid of them. Hell, I use them too. I love remaining comfortably in the car like a little pajama goblin while I wait for my food to be passed through the window like a hostage transaction.

But maybe, if you think about it this week, actually go INSIDE a restaurant.

a woman standing behind a counter in a restaurant

Don't DoorDash.

Don't hit up the drive-thru.

Go into the actual building.

Scary.

I know.

But a lot of small businesses would love to see your face after you try their favorite dish.

Think of the waitstaff who lose out on the chance to earn a great tip for their service.

Sometimes, you should park the car, walk inside, and eat your food like a person.

I promise your legs still work.