Southeastern New Mexico Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Southeastern New Mexico - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Big Daddy's Diner

    $

    You'll catch a whiff of Big Daddy's tasty food as you turn off U.S. 82 into Cloudcroft. There's something for everyone at this homey joint, where the staff seems to know darned near everyone by first name. Don't expect anything fancy—just solid American favorites like burgers and barbecue, and some Mexican staples, too, like enchiladas and huevos rancheros. Though the menu leans heavily on meat, these folks happily accommodate vegetarian requests.

    1705 James Canyon (U.S. 82), Cloudcroft, New Mexico, 88317, USA
    575-682–1224

    Known For

    • Fun, family-friendly atmosphere
    • Creative takes on classics
    • Local favorite

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 2. Outpost Bar & Grill

    $

    Rural restaurants in southern New Mexico have a long-standing rivalry over who makes the best green-chile hamburgers in the region. Many fans will tell you that the winner is right here—and many will tell you this is the best one found anywhere. Besides cooking awesome burgers and killer homemade fries, this bar and grill has a wacky hunting-lodge decor full of animal heads, snakeskins, and painted cow skulls. The massive antique wooden bar is the centerpiece of the establishment.

    415 Central Ave. S, Carrizozo, New Mexico, 88301, USA
    575-648–9994

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 3. Village Buttery

    $

    A long-time local favorite for lunch (they're only open from 10:30 until 2:30), the Buttery serves savory soups, creative sandwiches, daily-changing quiches, and delectable desserts. Soups, like the tomato basil or the chunky cream of broccoli, are main-course worthy—add a fresh salad and a slice of buttermilk pie, and you're good to go. If you can find a table, eat on the patio in warm weather.

    2107 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso, New Mexico, 88345, USA
    575-257–9251

    Known For

    • Closing early (at 2:30 pm)
    • Nice outdoor patio
    • Good pies

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner, Credit cards accepted
  • 4. Waffle and Pancake Shoppe

    $

    This bustling restaurant is on the short list of locals and visitors in the know for tasty, and big, breakfasts and early lunches (they close at 1). Aside from fluffy waffles and pancakes (which can come loaded with all sorts of toppings), they serve very good Mexican breakfasts and lunches—the chile verde plate for breakfast is great, as are the chicken enchiladas for lunch. Standard American fare, like eggs and bacon, and sandwiches round out the menu.

    950 S. White Sands Blvd., Alamogordo, New Mexico, 88310, USA
    575-437–0433

    Known For

    • Friendly down-home service
    • Huge portions
    • Strawberry French toast

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner, Credit cards accepted
  • 5. Cattle Baron

    $$

    This Portales steak house in the heart of cattle country was the founding establishment for the popular chain that now extends into Roswell, Ruidoso, and Las Cruces. Prime rib is the specialty, and the trademark salad bar doesn't disappoint with its fresh greens, crisp veggies, and homemade soups. The interior is decorated with plenty of wooden accents and skylights.

    1600 S. Ave. D, Portales, New Mexico, 88130, USA
    575-356–5587

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Cattle Baron

    $$

    You'll find the standard array of grilled meats and seafood at this centrally located restaurant, which is part of a regional chain. While the food and service is merely adequate, the extensive and fresh salad bar is a relief if you're hankering for a big plate of fresh veggies with lots of toppings and tasty dressings. The dark-wood furnishings here are offset by big windows and a skylight.

    1113 N. Main St., Roswell, New Mexico, 88201, USA
    575-622–2465

    Known For

    • Hearty fare, with an emphasis on beef
    • Reliable eatery with a long history in town
    • Good for families

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 7. Del's

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    The huge fiberglass bull perched on the sign makes this landmark easy to find. Del's has been serving Route 66 travelers since 1956 with American and Mexican food. Eggs, pancakes, and bacon fill the breakfast menu, and the spicy chiles rellenos and hand-cut steaks keep customers returning. This is good, reliable food and one of the only places open until relatively late. Windows all around make for great nighttime neon viewing.

    1202 E. Tucumcari Blvd. (Rte. 66), Tucumcari, New Mexico, 88401, USA
    575-461–1740.
  • 8. El Toro Bravo

    $

    Next to the International UFO Museum and Research Center, this Mexican restaurant achieves a kitschy flair with matador paintings, piñatas, and wrought-iron wall lamps. The kitchen uses family recipes in the preparation of ethnic favorites such as fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, and burritos. Cold beer and wine help cool the delicious fire of the spicy dishes.

    102 S. Main St., Roswell, New Mexico, 88203, USA
    575-622–9280

    Known For

    • Spicy red and green chile
    • Tasty Mexican combination plates
    • Hearty fare

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No dinner Sun.
  • 9. Lincoln County Grill

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    This little cabinlike place on a hill is known for quick service and good inexpensive food. Step up to the counter to order hearty Texas chili, old-fashioned hamburgers, or the local favorite green-chile chicken-fried steak. At breakfast you can grab eggs served with fluffy, homemade biscuits. New Mexican food, like huevos rancheros, and enchiladas, are also on the menu. Vinyl-covered tables are decorated with old coffee-, tea-, and tobacco-tin images. This is a great stop for families in a hurry and on a budget.

    2717 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso, New Mexico, 88345, USA
    575-257–7669

    Known For

    • Big cinnamon rolls
    • Tasty Mexican food
    • Big burgers

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 10. Mark's Restaurant & Catering

    $

    Tasty breakfast omelets, steaks, and sandwiches attract the hungry college crowd from nearby Eastern New Mexico University. Try the house specialty, a chicken-fried steak dinner. This diner-style hangout has a fun atmosphere. The tables are inlaid with tile, the chairs are covered with brightly colored vinyl, and there are a few exotic parrot decorations. Their house-made salsa is tasty!

    1126 W. 1st St., Portales, New Mexico, 88130, USA
    575-359–0857

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 11. Rubee's Diner

    $

    From breakfast to dinner, what you'll get at this friendly, bustling little joint is a good square meal. Huevos rancheros in the morning come with fresh green lettuce, tomatoes, and some of the tastiest panfried potatoes around. Eggs are cooked exactly the way you ask. The red chile is rich—loaded with beef—and not spicy. Burritos, burgers, and a basic BLT are also available. They close at 7 pm weekdays, and at 4 pm on Saturday.

    605 W. Tucumcari Blvd. (Rte. 66), Tucumcari, New Mexico, 88401, USA
    575-461–1463

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun, No credit cards
  • 12. Sacred Grounds Coffee & Tea House

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    Sacred Grounds Coffee & Tea House is a locally owned place with great organic coffee, an impressive variety of exotic teas, plus homemade pastries, muffins, and cookies, a variety of quiches (try the green-chile-chicken), and tasty sandwiches. The space is cozy, but the patio out front is a great spot to enjoy the mountain air. Enjoy free Wi-Fi while you rejuvenate.

    2825 Sudderth, Ruidoso, New Mexico, 88345, USA
    575-257–2273

    Known For

    • The best coffee
    • Fresh pastries
    • Free Wi-Fi

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
  • 13. Tinnie Silver Dollar

    $$$

    Just 2 miles east of the U.S. 70 turnoff to Ruidoso is the little town of Tinnie and this real find of a restaurant. With a menu of traditional favorites like chicken-fried steak, rib eye steaks, and salmon meuniere, the food at the Silver Dollar is more than worth the drive, and if you're in need of a place to stay, they have two well-appointed guest suites ($100 per night and up).

    28842 U.S.70, Lincoln, New Mexico, 88351, USA
    575-653–4425

    Known For

    • Historic ambience
    • Heart American fare
    • Slick guest suites

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No lunch (except for Sun. brunch)
  • 14. Western Bar & Cafe

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    Locals jokingly refer to the regular morning gatherings here as "the old men's club," where all the latest happenings in Cloudcroft are discussed at great length, and sometimes with great passion. Come in as you are (this place is casual personified) and get ready for great big helpings of local favorites such as chicken-fried steak. Don't expect pepper-encrusted ahi here: this is basic, rib-sticking Western food served in a simple, no-frills room where the wood tables and chairs and paneled walls may remind you of your grandparents' living room. The bar next door is great if you require more than water and sodas or one of the number of good microbrews.

    304 Burro Ave., Cloudcroft, New Mexico, 88317, USA
    575-682–2445

    Known For

    • Vintage decor
    • Hearty food
    • Store inside restaurant

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards

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