Texas Tech v. Iowa State | Away Game Hotspots

I have really enjoyed Stoney LaRue's music over the years, and I think he has one of the best voices in country music. His latest album, Aviator, is chock full of more great music from the Okie including Golden Shackles and First One to Know. But, my personal favorite is a cover of Natural High. This song was performed over the years by many of the all-time greats (Conway Twitty & George Jones, to name a few), but Stoney dedicates his performance to Merle Haggard's version. Check him out if you're in town.

Ames, Iowa

NormanUnderwood with WRNL dropped some food knowledge for us in my call to arms earlier this year.

Along with recommending some great BBQ joints (Smokey D's, Woody's, Battle's, and Jethro's), he had this to say about other places in the area:

Some more Ames info
Over at WRNL we put this together in 2011:
WRNL's Guide to Ames

Some of it has changed (the whole Campustown area is seeing major renovation, but most of the places listed still exist). Among the bars, Outlaws and Headliners are something different now. Among the food, there are a few new options that are getting crazy-good publicity, particularly Brick City Grill located in the Summerset neighborhood north of Campus. Torrent Brewing Company is opening up in downtown this fall, and the owners have torn up the Central Iowa homebrewing circuit for awhile now, so look to them to make good stuff.

A night in Des Moines is worthwhile too. Des Moines is one of the most underrated mid-sized cities in the country. The food scene is top notch, and any bar in the Full Court Press family is going to kick ass. El Bait Shop features the largest selection (150+ taps) of American craft beer on tap in the world. In the immediate Des Moines metro, there are three breweries that I would strongly recommend between Confluence (Des Moines proper), 515 (Clive), and Firetrucker (Ankeny).

Hope to see a few Raiders in Ames and at the WRNL tailgate in lot G7.

TTU Alumni Pregame Party

All Texas Tech fans traveling to Ames this weekend are invited to a pregame reception sponsored by the Texas Tech Alumni Association and the Red Raider Club. The event will start at 11:30 a.m. in the Iowa State Alumni Center, which is located just north of the stadium at 420 Beach Ave. Admission to the event is free, with hors d'oeuvres provided and a cash bar available.

Lubbock Events

Thursday, November 20th

Mean Woman Grill
Mike Pritchard

The Funky Door
Urban Blend

The Blue Light
Brett Hauser

Friday, November 21st

The Funky Door
Joy

Mean Woman Grill
Spivey

Backstage Lubbock
Unloco

The Office
Sam Riggs w/ Cameran Nelson

The Blue Light
Rob Baird

Jake's
Alternative Unknown

Wild West
Stoney Larue

Saturday, November 22nd

Mean Woman Grill
Joy Harris

The Funky Door
Hat Trick

Backstage Lubbock
Colao Band

Bash Riprock's
The Goners

The Office
Bob Schneider w/ Roger Box

The Blue Light
Red Shahan

Wild West
Roger Creager

RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK:

Lee's Cafe (1101 Main St.)

The good folks over at Visit Lubbock wrote about Lee's cafe back in May. Finally, we made it down there for lunch last Friday. My wife had the fried pork chop sandwich and I had the chicken strips. As an unexpected bonus, the chicken strips were served with gravy. Both of our meals came with fresh cut fries. I feel like we each made excellent choices, but I have to say, that pork chop sandwich was something else: a battered and fried boneless cut of pork on Texas toast with lettuce, mayo, and tomato. They also serve chicken and waffles... you should really click that link.

What say you, VTMers?