When I moved to Amarillo some months ago, I had no idea what I was walking into. We knew a couple people who had lived here, but it seemed to be many moons ago.

My family and I came in blind, no clue what to expect. The other day, I was just scrolling articles about Amarillo on the interwebs. I came across this article on Movoto.com entitled "22 Things You Need To Know About Amarillo Before You Move There". Would've been nice to have this BEFORE we came here, but I digress.

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Now that I'm here, I looked at this article from a different perspective. So I've decided that as a recent implant to the city, I'd answer their 22 things in MY words and experience. Feel free to reference back to their article to see how the answers differ. Away we go.

1. STEAK IS BIG IN TEXAS, BUT IN AMARILLO IT’S AN INDUSTRY

Ok, I can actually say that this is the truth. Having a Caviness Beef Packers right up the street in Hereford tells me just how real the beef and steak industry is here. I swear, any restaurant we've gone into has steak available on their menu. I can safely say that not every place in Austin had steak on their menu.

credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
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2. TYLER’S BARBEQUE IS ALMOST ALWAYS SOLD OUT, SO GET THERE EARLY

I've heard a LOT about Tyler's Barbeque...but that's it. I haven't had the pleasure of trying it yet so I can't answer to this. However, if this is true, it reminds me a lot of Franklin BBQ in Austin. Same concept, get there early or be out of luck.

3. BUT BEEF ISN'T THE ONLY THING FOR DINNER

This is something I agree with. I have noticed there are a LOT of different cuisines available in the 806. Asian/Thai places seem to be a fan favorite across the city, as are those local types of restaurants. Cafe in the title of a restaurant name here is a real thing. All in all, I feel the city is well represented for the most part when it comes to cuisine selection.

4. STILL, AMARILLO IS UNDENIABLY COWBOY COUNTRY

Is it though? I noticed a lot of livestock in random places, but it definitely feels like it's on the outskirts of the city. I don't know that I'd personally call it cowboy country, but there's definitely more of that culture here than in Austin.

New Zealanders Enjoy 2018 Methven Rodeo
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5. WHEN SOMEONE SAYS, “THIS AIN'T MY FIRST RODEO,” THEY MEAN IT

Ok this is 100% true. The Tri-State County Fair & Rodeo really opened my eyes to that statement. it came off as the biggest event of the year here in Amarillo and something almost everyone in the city goes to. It all wraps up with the rodeo, and I swear it's bigger than the fair itself. If you've lived in this city longer than 2 years, you can accurately use this statement.

6. WANT TO COWBOY UP? OLIVER SADDLE SHOP'S THE PLACE

I've heard of the place and it's reputation, but I've never been personally. Mainly because I don't have a need to cowboy up, but I do need to go check it out. I've heard it's amazing.

7. AND SPEAKING OF SADDLES, AMARILLO HAS THE ARTSIEST HORSES AROUND

Oh Amarillo does have that for sure. Thanks to it being the home of quarter horses and the Hall of Fame being here, horses are indeed a BIG part of Amarillo culture. I mean I saw a couple of horses being ridden down the sidewalk on Coulter one day. That kind of threw me for a loop.

8. "AMARILLO" IS PRONOUNCED LIKE THIS LITTLE GUY, BY THE WAY

So I'm not really sure what they mean by this. Is there a certain way people in the city pronounce the name of it? Because if there is, I'm either not catching it or I'm not hearing anyone say the name of the city. I guess I'll have to listen a bit closer from here on out.

Japanese PM Abe Inspects Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) At Annual Review
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9. AMARILLO'S OFFICIAL BIRD IS THE OSPREY

I knew there was a Bell Helicopter plant here, but had no idea THAT is what they produced there. I gotta say that's pretty cool and now I have to keep my eyes peeled to the sky and see if I can catch one.

10. WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING HERE

Oh the wind here. I thought Austin had a tendency to get a little blowy at times. Never have I experienced living in a wind tunnel though. Not sure why Chicago is named the Windy City. I bet it has nothing on this place. However, to reference the other part of what they mention in their article about winds of change, the city is growing for sure.

11. THE JOB MARKET IN AMARILLO IS THE BOMB

Prior to moving here, I didn't know why Amarillo had been dubbed Bomb City. Truthfully, I didn't do my research when I heard it called that. Once I heard why, I was like huh, ok then. I didn't realize just how many people worked at Pantex though. It reminds me a lot of where my parents grew up in Iowa. It seemed at least half the city was employed by the same plant.

12. EVERYTHING IN AMARILLO TASTES BETTER SPICY

I have noticed that anywhere you go, you can order your food normal or spicy. Even the gas stations offer "spicy" everything when it comes to their hot food options. I don't know the history of Tascosa Hot Sauce as I'm not really a hot sauce kinda guy. Maybe I'll employ my wife to that one.

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13. SHARKY'S IS THE ONLY PLACE IN AMARILLO FOR TEX-MEX

Is it bad that I've been here for months and haven't had Sharky's yet? The more I think about it, I don't think we've even had Tex-Mex since we got here. I'm gonna have to fix that. Oh, that aside...Chuy's is here, and that's not a bad option for Tex-Mex either. That's coming from a guy who hasn't tried Sharky's yet though, so take it with a grain of salt.

14. THE AMARILLO VENOM SURE PACKS A BITE

So this is kind of appealing to me, because I've never been to a soccer match in my life. When I lived in Colorado, they had an MLS team called the Rapids. Never seen a game, but went to the stadium several times for a concert. Just as I was leaving Austin, they got their own MLS team so I never got to see them. I need to get to a Venom game.

15. PEOPLE FROM AMARILLO LOVE BULLS HOCKEY MORE THAN ICE CREAM ON A HOT SUMMER DAY

Is this real? I haven't been here when the Bulls are playing, but is it really a hotter ticket than ice cream in the summer? Guess I'll be able to answer that question in a few months time. I'll report back on this one. Good to be able to get one of these in some kind of advance notice.

16. NO AMARILLO MORNING IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A CUP OF COFFEE FROM THE 806

Prior to coming here, I would've thought there was just a bunch of coffee place in Amarillo since 806 is the area code. Then I realized there's actually a coffee shop called The 806. Someone smack me, but I haven't been yet. I'm starting to feel like I haven't toured Amarillo properly based on how many things I haven't done. I may need to employ a tour guide.

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17. THINK YOU CAN TAKE ON 24 HOURS IN THE CANYON?

I had done my homework on Palo Duro Canyon before getting here, so I knew it existed. However, I didn't realize there was an actual 24 hour event in the canyon. Based on how many workout places I see in the city, it makes sense that this is a thing. What is it about fitness here anyway? Why is it SUCH a big deal where there's fitness centers on nearly every block like it's a Starbucks?

18. ENTERTAINMENT IN AMARILLO CAN BE A REAL DRAG

You know, I have noticed there's a lot of motor events here in the city. From moto-cross events to drag racing, this is a very real thing here. The family and I went to the endurocross event when it came to town and we were SUPPOSED to go to the drag races that were just in town, but a sick kid prevented that from happening. However, I get the feeling it won't be my last chance to do that.

19. YOU DONT NEED A BODY OF WATER TO HAVE A LIGHTHOUSE

Ok, I'll be real with you here. I just learned about this reading the article on Movoto.com, so I'm not even going to say anything else other than now I have something else cool to go check out.

20. NOT EVERYTHING IS BIG IN TEXAS, LIKE THE AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE

Here's ANOTHER thing I didn't know about. Now I feel like I'm failing at the Amarillo resident test. Please, someone save me from getting more questions wrong on this quiz.

21. THE AMARILLO SYMPHONY OFFERS A LOOK AT THE TOWN'S SOPHISTICATED SIDE

Ok so this is legit. Not everywhere has a symphony, so when I heard Amarillo had one I was super impressed. Then they did the event at HODGETOWN and I was like, ok this is a big thing here in the city. I saw pictures of it and how well it was attended. I think it's about time I check it out. Next event they do, I'll be in the house.

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22. DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS, REALLY REALLY DON'T MESS WITH AMARILLO

Of course I'd miss the last thing on this test. I knew there was a big wrestling history in the Panhandle thanks to a co-worker. I didn't know there was such a rich history in boxing here. I love boxing. I need to dig deeper into this.

Ok, I'm leaving now before I look even more uneducated about the city I moved to. I need to get out to the classroom. Yes...out, because that's where the classroom is here.

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