Funny thing about Datil New Mexico is that we have gone through here twice last year and 4 times this year! Always just kinda blew through town, thinking a blink and it’s done! This is our 4th visit this year and finally we have the details on Datil! First of all, it is pronounced DA-TIL, rhymes with rattle! Like the big snakes they got around here. DATIL !
Well, seems we ran out of some milk, bread, cereal and eggs! We have been camping a few more days than originally planned. We asked the camp host here at Datil Well campground where we could find a store so we could resupply our cupboards. All we had ever noticed in the rush to get through Datil was the blinking light and the gas station in the middle crossroads of town.
Basically, this is what you glance at as you buzz through town without blinking! HOWEVER if you read that sign closely, it says: “Eagle Guest Ranch, Café, Grocery, Motel, RV Park, Gas.” and in the blue section with the yellow letters “RAIN BABY RAIN”! So it ain’t just a gas station, in case you blinked! This is the whole danged town on one corner!
Pretty cashiers and long shelves fully stocked with all kinds of food goodies, soda pops, beer, ice cream, deer heads and would you take a look at the rattle snake skin hanging on the wall to your left!!! It must have been 20 feet long and big around as your leg! Sheeeeeesh!
This grocery store has everything from Asprin, to Jack Daniels, spagetti sauce to snowshoes? Yep, that’s a snowshoe on the wall, and another view of that rattle snake skin!
Now off to the right of the grocery store is the first dining room. Yes, I said first because there are TWO dining rooms here!
The first dining room has a big, beautiful old rock fireplace to grab your attention, complete with a huge long horned steer over the mantle! If that doesn’t grab your attention, maybe the javelina on the left or the goat on the right will make your eyeballs perk up! Chuck and I ate 2 of the best ever ribeye steaks there on Friday night! HUGE! Probaby a good inch+ thick and it covered our plates! Chuck managed to finish his but 1/2 of mine came home with me! I even ordered a slice of the homemade very berry pie to go. Oh Man Oh Man Oh Yum, I actually managed to take a photo of it before I gobbled it all up! Before you ask: blueberrues, blackberries, raspberrys, cherrys!
There is also a full bar for your pleasure……. and home made ice tea……. to wet your whistle!
Chuck got his good ice cold beer just before dinner!
Look how frosty that beer glass is!
Last night when we were there, both dining rooms were packed! AND we got some good bluegrass music too!
The Lost Howlin’ Coyotes were in town to entertain and they were good! Lots of foot stomping and hand clapping going on in Datil NM last night, let me tell you!
Then we get home to The MotherShip and there’s that big old SUPERmoon coming up at the sunset. I handed Chuck the camera and he came up with the beautiful shots below!
We have really enjoyed our visit to Datil this time. Glad we took the time to explore this tiny town. Full of good, honest, hardworking, FRIENDLY folks! We sincerely hope you won’t blow through this town like we did the first few times. Datil is worth a second look! We didn’t realize until last night that there was a second RV park in town with 32 full hook up sites, conveniently located right next to that wonderful little café with the amazing home cooked meals! Datil is on Highway 60 west of Socorro and about 70 miles east of Arizona!
We hope you enjoyed your visit! Geri, Chuck, DoogieBowser and Radar reporting from The MotherShip!
Son and I ate there, when we made a trip to Pie Town for some pie. Pie Town cafe wasn't open so we drove here and had a good meal. I didn't realize all that was there either. Place to explore for me.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time. Stayed 2 days longer than planned, weather is great! 40's at night, mid 80's days!
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and engaging post with great photos! I felt like I was having a night out with Chuck and Geri. Such fun! Chuck looks happy with that mug of frosty beer!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun to discover places like that cafe? Especially when you find it when there's a live band! Thanks for an enjoyable read . . . Sue
They told us today that ;ast night was the first time they have had live music in a long time! We lucked out!
DeleteI hear tell the Datil BLM is nice, with wifi available if you go to the cabin. $5/night.
ReplyDeleteDatil Well BLM campground has free wifi in the cabin,yes! We have Verizon MiFi and we get 4 bars over here on the backside of the loop! MiFi is worth every penny! We have only not had a connection at 2 places in our travels! We are heading back to T or C in the morning! The campgound has been pretty much deserted all week, just us and one other person van camping!
ReplyDeleteThe restaurant and store had screaming fast wifi two years ago. Their green chili cheeseburgers are some of the best in the west.
ReplyDeleteoh wow.... maybe we should stay one more day and give the green chili burgers a try Barney!
DeleteGosh, what a awesome night you must have had! It looks like a very fun place to visit. Your posts are great, it makes us feel like we are there with you..........except.....it made me want a steak really bad! :( Have fun, stay safe, and keep up the posts!
ReplyDeletethat ribeye steak was awesome, seriously awesome!!!
DeleteIt's me Geri...Paulette. I didn't know how to post other than anonymous. :)
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DeleteWELCOME Paulette!
We've eaten at the restaurant for many years (we own some property about 25 miles south & west of town) & ALWAYS get the green chile cheeseburgers & chile cheese fries. Never even knew they had steak...we'll have to try that next time. Beautiful area of NM (which is why we have a little 10-acre piece of it)! We try our best to get back for a month or two in the fall to hear the elk bugling, & hopefully get my "snow" fix. Love the mountains. The RV park is a bit risky -- not good electrical hookups & few we can fit into (a heavy-duty truck & 40' 5th wheel). Glad you enjoyed our little area of NM!
ReplyDeleteRenee (from Datil)
We just got home to T or C to find it very smokey and we are ready to turn around and head back to Datil! We need to go back and check out some more of that cafe menu anyways.......
DeleteFunny how the littlest towns can really show a good time, and good eats too. The pie looks to die for. But maybe you should stay another day and try the chili cheeseburger.
ReplyDeleteWe would have stayed an extra few days to escape the heat and smoke, but Chuck ran out of an important prescription he needed refilled... so we came back. We will return though!
DeleteWhat an interesting place!! The snake skin on the wall would probably kill my appetite, but then again looking at the picture of the pie, maybe not. lol. That frosty cold beer looked pretty good too.
ReplyDeleteTurns out that the snake skin is over 100 years old and found in the Datil mountains! The food here was exceptionally good!
DeleteWill have to remember the place when I ever get out on the road.
ReplyDeleteWe have a little place near home called Peggy's. Nowhere near as comprehensive as this spot, but the sign out front says 'Seed Feed and Hardware'. I guess that's about all you need, right?
Stores like this one in Datil and Peggys are a dying breed! We all need to do our best to keep them alive and well! Denny's and McDonalds might be quick and easy but they ain't unique!
DeleteThanks for taking us along to Datil...whodathunk! You're still in New Mexico? Why did I think you were heading east! Enjoy wherever it is that you are...
ReplyDeleteYes, Chuck and I are still in NM. The lady who is buying our home here won't be coming from Kansas until Sept. When all the papers are signed sealed and delivered, we will head east again. We will be back out here for more visits, but right now, family is important.
DeleteAnd meat! An actual meat display.
ReplyDeleteHello again! Yep, Datil was so nice I stayed.
ReplyDeleteHello again! Yep, Datil was so nice I stayed.
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