Headed there tomorrow for a week. I haven't been there in a few years, and the choices used to not be great.

EDIT: The person doing the choosing last time for a crowd of 10 chose poorly.

Still not many great places. Probably best to just go to In of the Mountain Gods and hit up the buffet. Check the specials - last time we went they had all you can eat crab legs. Most tables were piled high with buckets of crab legs and nothing else.

There was also a burger place that was decent, but can't remember the name.

You'll have to check the current capacities. We went over New Years and they weren't doing dine in yet. My favorite place was the Hidden Tap. My wife was really impressed with the food at Ruidoso Sushi

Probably you're aware from your previous visit, but if notThe Texas Club is pretty decent.

US Hwy 70 East

The Casa Blanca isn't bad Mexican food, considering it's outside of Texas. I've had worse in Fort Worth.

Win At Life said:

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The Casa Blanca isn't bad Mexican food, considering it's outside of Texas. I've had worse in Fort Worth.

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There's a lot of Mexican dishes in NM that I much prefer to TexMex. Their chili rellenos with Anaheim chilies beat the hell out of poblanos, and I love their red chili sauces.

Try not going to Ruidoso

Plenty of good food at the track this time of year.

Haven't been in years but always liked the pizza at Cafe Rio.

It's a great state. Truly the land of enchantment.

mic suede said:

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It's a great state. Truly the land of enchantment.

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Some of the prettiest and ugliest sights in the world there.

Mexican: jorges, casa Blanca
Steak, chicken fry, etc: Texas Club
Breakfast: log Cabin, Tina's, Pena's
Burgers: Lincoln county, Anaheim jacks

Broken arrow at the inn is good for casual. Steak house out there is good, can't remember name

Village buttery has great soups, sandwiches, quiches

Cree meadows has all you can eat catfish, etc on Friday nights

Hidden Tap has an AMAZING elk bratwurst, and some really good beverages. Neat atmosphere too. Also, this game there is a blast


And there is always K-Bob's

We were there 2 weeks ago. Everything is open at full capacity.

Last time I was there was 20 years ago. You're better off in Cloudcroft.

Ghost of Bizbee said:

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Last time I was there was 20 years ago. You're better off in Cloudcroft.

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How would you know, if the last time you were there was 20 years ago? It has changed considerably in 20 years

We get it, rainman, you went there recently.

Cornerstone Bakery was good for breakfast
Anaheim Jack's had good burgers and appetizers

Do not, repeat, do not bother with BBQ. Even if you get there late on a Sunday and it's the only thing open. Just starve for one night or go to Walmart and get something for the microwave.

haydland said:

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Mexican: jorges, casa Blanca
Steak, chicken fry, etc: Texas Club
Breakfast: log Cabin, Tina's, Pena's
Burgers: Lincoln county, Anaheim jacks

Broken arrow at the inn is good for casual. Steak house out there is good, can't remember name

Village buttery has great soups, sandwiches, quiches

Cree meadows has all you can eat catfish, etc on Friday nights

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This dude knows. Casa Blanca, Anaheim jacks, and breakfast at the log cabin are great. Sacred grounds is pretty good for food and coffee.

Win At Life said:

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The Casa Blanca isn't bad Mexican food, considering it's outside of Texas. I've had worse in Fort Worth.

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New Mexican food is better than Tex Mex. it's closer to authentic Mexican than the cheese and gravy dishes you find throughout most of our state.

Lincoln county grill is pretty great for breakfast. I haven't been in 10 years or so but remember liking the Texas club.

I hear the Chili's is pretty nice

I'm here now. El Camino Nuevo is terrible. Grill Caliente is ok but only beer and wine. U have to make a reservation. Racetrack grub up in the turf club was ok. Wait times for breakfast/lunch can be super long. Ended up eating instead in Capitan on the way to Lincoln for Billy the Kid days and the Smokey bear restaraunt was the best there was out here (cheap as hell and waitstaff/clientele were all characters).

Farleys is horrible offspring of a rogue chili's. Never went but locals say the Alto Cafe is the best but was always packed. Yelp picks Michael j's and the rio grande taproom as the top rated but wait time scared me off.

I honestly was surprised at the amount of mediocre places given most of the rest of New Mexico puts on an exhibition of good culinary treats.

I'd bring your own food and cook if you can.

roycoy82 said:

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I'm here now. El Camino Nuevo is terrible. Grill Caliente is ok but only beer and wine. U have to make a reservation. Racetrack grub up in the turf club was ok. Wait times for breakfast/lunch can be super long. Ended up eating instead in Capitan on the way to Lincoln for Billy the Kid days and the Smokey bear restaraunt was the best there was out here (cheap as hell and waitstaff/clientele were all characters).

Farleys is horrible offspring of a rogue chili's. Never went but locals say the Alto Cafe is the best but was always packed. Yelp picks Michael j's and the rio grande taproom as the top rated but wait time scared me off.

I honestly was surprised at the amount of mediocre places given most of the rest of New Mexico puts on an exhibition of good culinary treats.

I'd bring your own food and cook if you can.

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This sounds about how I remember it 20 years ago

We just got back from 4 days there and we're pretty impressed. Some of the waiting times were long because of being very short staffed.

Michael j's was very good for upscale Italian, the butter cake with roasted peaches might be the best desert I ever had. Tinas cafe had a green Chile cream sauce that was great, and cornerstone bakery was very good as well.

The bartender at the distillery was a true professional and incredible mixologist, some of the best cocktails I've ever had.

We always liked the Cornerstone Bakery Cafe for breakfast and pastries.

Also, head out of town (North on Mechem/48/Billy The Kid Trail) just 5 mins to Alto Cafe. Breakfast served all day still, I think.

A few years ago we were having breakfast at one of their outdoor tables and spotted a bear walking amongst the trees just across the road. Pretty cool. I think they don't have outdoor seating any longer (they enclosed it). Gets pretty crowded. Easiest to seat groups of 4-6.



https://www.menupix.com/menudirectory/menu.php?id=3100894

Caesar4 said:

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Also, head out of town (North on Mechem/48/Billy The Kid Trail) just 5 mins to Alto Cafe. Breakfast served all day still, I think.

A few years ago we were having breakfast at one of their outdoor tables and spotted a bear walking amongst the trees just across the road. Pretty cool. I think they don't have outdoor seating any longer (they enclosed it after the bear attack). Gets pretty crowded. Easiest to seat groups of 4-6.



https://www.menupix.com/menudirectory/menu.php?id=3100894

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FIFY

+1 for Texas Club

Obligatory best food in Ruidoso is in my backyard.

I expect this week to be better given many Texas and NM schools are starting up, but getting in anywhere for dinner has been a nightmare all summer. Best bet is to go early or late. If you don't mind showing up at 5 you should be able to get in places without too much hassle. 5:30-7 might as well stay home.

Breakfast/lunch:. Tina's, cornerstone bakery, Alto cafe, log cabin
Dinner: Rio Grande, Texas Club, Ranchers, Michael J's
Casual: Hidden Tap, Farley's, Anaheim Jacks

Few places that I know take reservations (and will probably turn you away if you don't have them) are Texas Club, Rancher's, Grill Caliente

If you have olds and/or young kids in your party the Flying J can be a good option (western dinner show). Get tickets in advance on their web page.

Flying J is really fun!

haydland said:

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Mexican: jorges, casa Blanca
Steak, chicken fry, etc: Texas Club
Breakfast: log Cabin, Tina's, Pena's
Burgers: Lincoln county, Anaheim jacks

Broken arrow at the inn is good for casual. Steak house out there is good, can't remember name

Village buttery has great soups, sandwiches, quiches

Cree meadows has all you can eat catfish, etc on Friday nights

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This is all good. Lincoln County Grill is good for lunch also. Good burgers. Cree Meadows food is pretty good now. Also have live music at least Thursday-Saturday.