Aesthetically, Crush would do well in any big city. It has a decidedly Austin-hipster vibe with a tasteful industrial interior carefully perched on a downtown Amarillo corner. Crush has the requisite mixology; however, the food menus are less adventuresome (but when you are in the middle of the High Plains, you can’t drift too far from local expectations). I’ve been to Crush three or four times now, a couple associated with local water events, once for pleasure, and most recently as a guest of a local television station (before being interviewed the next day). Crush is the place locals-in-the-know take their big city guests to show off what Amarillo can do.
A few years back (keep that in mind on the quoted prices), The Bride and I did the Full Monte with drinks, entrees, and dessert. She ordered a Lavender Daydreams (Western Son Cucumber Vodka, gin, Creme de Violette, lemon juice, simple syrup; $10) while I partook of the Chicago Typewriter (Bulleit Rye, grapefruit, sage simple syrup, citrus bitters, and egg-white froth; $12), a drink that sounded ominously like a Columbian Necktie. Both drinks were gorgeous and good. We both stayed on the healthy side of the menu with straight-up salmon ($24) and Pesto Penne ($16) with salmon added ($8), both delicious. Although we didn’t need it, we ordered the Guinness Bread Pudding ($9.5). I like Guinness, I like bread pudding, I like Guinness Bread Pudding.
On my recent trip, I ordered the Double Smash Burger (local Wagyu beef, maple bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, dijonaise, and hand-cut fries; $18 + green chile; $2). The green chile was as expected (but I had to order it): mispelled (chili) and a wallflower (no flavor, no heat, no dancing). But a dang good burger, regardless. My hosts ordered Spinach & Artichoke Dip ($12) for the table as an appetizer, and it was rich, creamy, and worth ordering again. The small bowl of puffy chips that accompanied the dip did not seem to be nearly enough, but they somehow were.
All in all, Crush is a worthy stop for hip, risk-free dining in the middle of a downtown striving for relevancy.
Crush; 627 south polk street, amarillo, texas; (806) 418-2011
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