"In another, slightly goofier timeline, Cowgirl could have become a kitschy chain restaurant in malls across the country. Instead, it just has the one West Village location, with a beachier sister restaurant, Cowgirl Seahorse, in South Street Seaport. You should know that, aside from the Frito pie with cubes of tender brisket, the food is merely serviceable. But the place has been around since 1989, so it gets bonus points for nostalgia and longevity. Sure, the gravy on the chicken fried steak is on the plasticky side, but it’s tough to have a bad time in a room with antler chandeliers, gingham tablecloths, and more Wild West tchotchkes than a gift shop in Tombstone." - Bryan Kim