Pack a Fork: Local Food Adventures for Your June Getaway
June, right around the corner, always feels like a giant exhale. The end-of-school chaos finally lets up, our calendars begin to clear, and suddenly we’re all looking around thinking, “Where can I go, and what can I eat when I get there?”
Whether you’re itching to get out of town or just craving a slower pace, this season is made for grabbing your people, rolling the windows down, and letting your appetite lead the way. Lucky for us, we’re sitting on a treasure trove of road-trip-worthy meals and small-town surprises within driving distance. No airport security, no lost luggage. Just you, the open road, and the promise of pie somewhere off Highway 287.
Some years, I plan big trips. Others, I just follow my gut. That’s led to some of the best meals and memories, often right here in the Panhandle. From dusty road stops with porch concerts to canyon-side picnics and lazy brunches with friends, this corner of Texas is full of flavor if you know where to look. And if you’re tired, stretched thin, or just don’t feel like packing a bag? Even better. Because sometimes the very best food adventures are the ones right in our backyards.
Start close with a picnic in Palo Duro Canyon during the golden hour. It doesn’t take much … just good bread, something soft and salty to spread on it, and then maybe a handful of marinated olives or a rotisserie chicken you shred with your hands like a heathen. Maybe buy an assortment of macarons or a few delicious cupcakes from Scratch Made Bakery if you have a sweet tooth to satisfy. Even a grocery store picnic feels elevated with those canyon walls lit up in hues of red and orange. It’s the spot that makes you want to slow down, ditch your phone for a bit, and just be, especially with someone who doesn’t mind a little dirt on the blanket. You’ll forget what time it is. Hell, you might even forget it’s Amarillo. That’s the magic of a meal eaten outside surrounded by rocks older than your relationship. And seriously, the views even make potato chips taste like something special.
Want to venture a bit further? Make your way to Hotel Turkey, where the chicken-fried steak is hot, the beer is cold, and the music on the back patio will make you grow roots. Then swing through Canadian or Panhandle for charming main streets, quiet cafes, and the kind of mom-and-pop magic you can’t find on Yelp.
But if I am being honest, some of my favorite food memories have happened right here in town. Amarillo has plenty of places that’ll make you feel like you’ve escaped without ever having to hit the highway. Start your morning slow at Girasol Café & Bakery, owned by my dearest gal pal, Jessica Higgins, who pours her whole heart into every pastry and plate. I’ve shared countless brunches there, snuck in some gossipy moments at the counter, and even picked up pastries just to brighten a Tuesday. Girasol is known for its out-of-this-world French toast, biscuits and gravy, and gloriously delicious blueberry scones. My pro tip is to dip a naked piece of French toast into the syrup cup with each bite rather than pour the syrup all over your plate. It just hits differently. The best part is indulging in a warm empanada while you wait for your meal. Whether I’m meeting a friend or stealing Jessica from work for a quick bite, Girasol always feels like a warm hug.
For dinner, my family is a big fan of Yellow City Street Food. My kids love it as much as I do. Whether we’re dining inside or picking up tacos to dig into at home, it’s always satisfying. Their food is bold, playful and bursting with heart, just like the rad crew behind it. We’ve ordered brunch gravy fries on an early Saturday afternoon and celebratory Dragon Tofu Tacos on a Thursday night. What keeps you going back for more is the daily specials shared each week on Instagram. Each post showcases the talents of Chefs Scott and Rin Buchanan and tantalizes your palate with new, innovative dishes when you’re craving something unique. A YCSF meal never disappoints.
And when we want to slow down and soak it all in? Cask & Cork is our spot. Once a month, the kids and I get dressed up just a little and go all in: apps, mains, dessert, the works. The Brussels salad topped with crispy shallots and a sweet chile dressing is fire. I’m a creature of habit and always order the chef’s filet. And you can bet that we will order dessert first. We sit, have drinks, talk about everything and nothing, and camp out. There’s never a rush. Good food, great company, and the kind of bonding you can’t schedule but somehow always find when you’re sharing a table. I’ve chased meals across the state, but moments like that, when you’re right here at home, win every time.
Wherever you wander this June, whether it’s to the canyon, the back roads of the Panhandle, or just across town, I hope you let the meals linger. Eat slowly. Laugh hard. Order enough for leftovers. You don’t have to go far to feel free.
Whether you’re road-tripping to Turkey (Texas, that is), lounging in Palo Duro Canyon with a sandwich and a view, or splitting dessert with your kids on a breezy Amarillo patio, this season is about savoring what’s already around you. No passport, no itinerary, just your people, your appetite, and the open sky above. Pack a fork and maybe an open mind for falling in love with what’s already in your own backyard.
