How Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen Is Giving Back to Lubbock’s Service Industry

I am one of those people who thinks everyone should work a service industry job for at least a month. You get much more empathetic to those who make a career out of it. It’s challenging to provide excellent service when other factors are at play- a disaster in the kitchen, your own exhaustion, or a customer who refuses to have a good time no matter what you do.

That’s why I’m thrilled to see people in Lubbock provide resources for industry folks, like Harperfest, which raises funds to provide service industry folks with access to mental health services.

Read More: Why Everyone In Lubbock Needs To Know About HarperFest’s Mission

I’m also thrilled that a Lubbock restaurant is going above and beyond to give back to service workers- Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen (7611 Milwaukee Ave).

What Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen Is Doing for the Service Industry

Picoco’s Mexican Kitchen offers free GED preparation classes so service industry workers (from any restaurant) without a high school diploma can improve their chances of employment.

Our purpose at Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen is to empower people to reach their God given potential. We are dedicated to helping change the lives of our team members and other people who work in the restaurant industry. That is why we offer free GED classes at our restaurant for ANYONE who works in the restaurant industry.

Read More: Take A Tour: Some Of Lubbock’s Very Best Eats & Treats For 2025

Classes are held weekly on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. For more information, email garrettfreimelpicosos@gmail.com.

Picoso’s also offers help for service workers who are struggling with addiction. There is a support group that meets every week, Tuesdays 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. These satisfy potential probation/ parole requirements. Again, you can email garrettfreimelpicosos@gmail.com for more information.

Thank you to Picoso’s for improving the lives of the people who make our lives more enjoyable. It’s really hard work. Don’t believe me? Go mop up after a table with three toddlers and get back to me.

Craving Queso? Here Are The Cheesiest, Goey-ist Options In Lubbock Is there anything more addictive than a high-quality queso? Or, is anything more disappointing than a bad one? If you want to be sure you get a great cup of queso, here’s a look at some of Lubbock’s very best choices for melty, yummy Mexican cheese dip. Gallery Credit: Renee Raven Jimenez Tortilleria y TaqueriaJimenez Tortilleria y Taqueria (4606 34th Street)For an absolutely rich and decadent queso, Jimenez Tortilleria y Taqueria is the perfect choice. There’s a reason even Texas Monthly is obsessed with them. So is everyone at our studios. claraboyalbk.comClaraboya (505 Avenue Q, Inside Double Tree Hilton)Claraboya’s elevated queso is available with tostadas or chicharrones and is queso blanco with chile arbol, cilantro oil, and pico de gallo. courtesy of Mi Taco VillageMi Taco Village (220 Regis St)When people say “hidden gem” I can think of no better example in Lubbock than Mi Taco Village. Located in an unassuming building near…almost nothing, Mi Taco Village has amazing food, particularly their queso. This place is an oasis for locals in North Lubbock. Pro Tip: sub queso for ranchera sauce the next time you get their perfect Chili rellenos. chimys’comChimy’s (2417 Broadway St)Chimy’s may be most famous for their delicious margaritas that will get you L-I-T, however their queso is quite excellent too (and you should really eat something too) Kyle LeeMamarita’s Border Cafe (6602 Slide Rd # 1)Mamarita’s is a must-visit for me, as I can absolutely drink their amazing salsa bar selections. Their queso and chips are both fantastic, too. Pro tip: get the queso with flautas! Garcia’s on FacebookGarcia’s Mexican Restaurant (5604 Slide)Everybody raves about the queso at Garcia’s- especially the Hatch version. Looks awesome with a Taquito!
elcharrotexas.comEl Charro (5011 Interstate 27 )El Charro is a cozy hidden gem with great appetizers, including the chile con queso. https://www.50thstreetcaboose.com/50th Street Caboose/ Caboose on Ave Q 50th Street Caboose is a Lubbock icon- and where those of us who grew up here cashed in countless report cards. Their queso is on the nose perfect West Texas style. Paired with a strawberry blended daiquiri and I’m in Lubbock heaven. https://www.cancunlubbock.com/Cancun (7905 University Ave)You know the Mexican food is going to be lit when they have a menu that looks like this. Cancun has perfect queso, which you’ll need to help soak up those pitcher margaritas. Tiffany VasquezBubba’s 33Bubba’s 33 has a generous and delicious queso appetizer that you can have extra spicy if you like- just order it with extra jalapeno sauce. google mapsGround Zero (2522 Marsha Sharp)Ground Zero offers a green chili queso and a dip sampler where you can pick any three dips. So you could have your queso alongside quacamole, salsa, spinach artichoke, OR baba hanoush or hummus. Yum! https://sabrosomexicanrestaurant.com/Sabroso’s (2 Lubbock locations)Want queso options? Sabroso’s has them with chorizo (pictured), chilie con queso, queso supreme (with beef) and regular queso dip. https://www.invitedclubs.com/clubs/the-texas-tech-clubTexas Tech ClubWant to try the most exclusive queso in Lubbock? It’s at Texas Tech Club, but you have to be a member to dine there. I graduated from Tech, but I still have never been. Does anyone want to take me? https://torchystacos.com/Torchy’s Tacos (2 locations in Lubbock)If you are looking for a queso with a kick- and tons of flavor- it’s hard to beat Texas original Torchy’s Tacos queso. https://fuzzystacoshop.com/Fuzzy’s Taco Shop (2 Lubbock Locations) Fuzzy’s queso is a perfectly creamy, blancho-style queso, served with just a bit of pico and more cheese on top. It’s delicious, but even better with a dash of their butt-burning sauce mixed in (proceed with caution- it’s called butt-burning for a reason!) https://www.qdoba.com/Qdoba (2 Lubbock locations) Both of Qdoba’s quesos are excellent, I happen to prefer the spicy Diablo version. You wouldn’t think a fast causal queso could be on par with full-service queso, yet here we are. It’s especially good poured into a brisket burrito. Jamie Sue EllisAbeulo’s (4401 82nd St)Abeulo’s queso has a legendary status around these parts- with lifetime “free queso” balls going for big bucks at charity auctions. There’s good reason, too. It’s creamy and pairs perfectly with their range of delicious and unique table salsas. https://www.chuys.com/Chuy’s (4805 S Loop 289 Ste 300)Chuy’s queso is a “Blend of melted cheese, Green Chile & Ranchero Sauces,” with the option to “Add seasoned ground beef, gua­camole & pico de Gallo.” caprockcafe.comCaprock Cafe (2 Locations)Caprock Cafe is “where Texas plays” and a great place for queso. Doing keto? Order it with chicharrón/ pork skins Daryl Ann CansinoOrlando’s (2 locations in Lubbock)Orlando’s is “a little Italian and a lot of fun!” And their blend of Italian and Southwest flavors creates a truly unique and oh-so-Lubbock dining experience. The mafia queso is unlike any other queso and SO delicious, particularly with the garlic bread. courtsey of Picoso’sPicoso’s (7611 Milwaukee Ave)Want queso options? Picoso’s has a queso variety- including hatch and even fried queso! rustytaco.comRusty TacoThe first Rusty Taco began in Dallas, Texas, so you know the queso is done correctly and up to Texas standards. rosascafe.comRosa’s (multiple Lubbock locations)Mmm, ooey-gooey Rosa’s queso with a hot, fresh Rosa’s torilla- now that’s the taste of home. Alex KubiszTorchy’s Tacos (2 Lubbock locations)Torchy’s offers a queso that is pretty unique and almost impossible to duplicate at home. It is full of delicious green chilies, giving it a fresh and yummy kick of flavor. velvettaco.comVelvet Taco ( 2401 Glenna Goodacre Blvd)Velvet Taco offers both a queso blanco and a red curry queso, if you are feeling like a culinary fusion adventure. Kids Eat Free: Lubbock Restaurants That Offer Meals And Deals Looking for free (or heavily discounted) eats for the kids in Lubbock? We’ve got you covered Monday through Thursday and Sundays, too. Remember, promotions can change, so ask your server before ordering or call ahead if you want to be absolutely sure of the discount. Gallery Credit: Renee Raven google mapsTeddy Jack’s Hub City Grill (7205 Milwaukee)When: Mondays
The Deal:Kids eat free (1 Kids Meal Per Entree)
The Kids Menu:Chicken Strips & Fries Kids Cheeseburger Taco Plate & Rice Enchilada Plate & Rice Cheese Quesadillas (Add Chicken) Mac N Cheese Spaghetti Marinara google mapsOutback Steakhouse (4015 South Loop 289)When: Mondays
The Deal: Free Joey Meal with the purchase of an adult entree, mention “free joey meal” to the server. Use code JOEYFREE to redeem online.
Kids Meal:Chicken Fingers Grilled Cheese-a-roo (grilled cheese sandwich) Boomarang Cheeseburger Grilled Chicken on the Barbie Mac A Roo N Cheese Joey Sirloin
google mapsDenny’s (4718 Slide Road)When: Tuesdays 4p -11p
The Deal: Up to 2 free kids’ meals per adult entree
Kid’s Menu:Jr. Grand Slam Jr. Waffle Slam Jr. chocolate chip Pancakes Kid’s Birthday Pancakes Jr. Cheeseburger Mac N Cheese Jr. Premium Chicken Tenders google mapsMain Event (6010 Marsha Sharp)When: Tuesdays
The Deal: Kids under 12 eat FREE when you buy a menu item for $11.99 or more, all day long!
Kid’s Menu: Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Dippers Mac N Cheese Please Burger Jr. bonchanGator’s Bayou (5217 98th St)When: Tuesdays
The Deal: Kids Eat Free off the kid’s menu only
Kid’s Menu: not listed on website google mapsBig Chicken (7411 Milwaukee)When: Wednesdays, All Day
The Deal: One Free Kids Meal (Under 10) per adult combo
Kid’s Menu: Dunks 2 Tenders Mac N Cheese google mapsRed Robin (4805 South Loop 289)When: Wednesdays
The Deal:Kids eat 50% off (Dine in or use promo code KIDSMEAL50)
The Kids Menu:Donatos 7″ Pizza Mac It Yours (mac n cheese) Red’s Cheeseburger Corn Doggies Cluck-A-Doodles (chicken strips) Grilled Chicken Dip’ns google mapsCotton Patch Cafe (6810 Slide Road)When: Thursdays
The Deal: Kids 12 and under eat free (1 Kids Meal Per Entree, Dine-In Only, Adult Entree must be $10 or More)
The Kids Menu: Chicken Tenders Cheeseburger Mac n Cheese Veggie Plate Kids Pasta Corn Dog Steak Fingers google mapsThe Shack (2309 N Frankfort)When: Sundays all day
The Deal:Kids 12 and under eat free(1 Kids Meal Per Adult Meal)
The Kids Menu:1 meat with 1 side Meat sandwich with chips Frito Pie Chicken Nuggets with side google mapsBeef O’ Brady’s (5510 4th St Suite 280)When: Sundays
The Deal: Kids 12 and under eat free(1 Kids Meal Per Adult Entree, Dine-In Only)
The Kids Menu: Mini Corn Dogs Mac N Cheese Grilled Cheese Chicken Nuggets Cheeseburger Chicken Tenders