5 Best Restaurants in Southeastern New Mexico, New Mexico

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.