Where to eat and drink around Big Bend National Park
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A small metal scorpion souvenir comes with the margarita with scorpion venom bitters at the Starlight Theatre. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
We recently took a road trip to Big Bend National Park and discovered some good eats along the way.
Why it matters: West Texas is remote, so there aren't a ton of options for food and drink outside the park. When you find a good watering hole, you'll want to stick with it.
State of meals: On our first couple of nights, we cooked at our lodging. That led to some pasta with a pretty dreadful canned sauce.
- After that, we were ready for a night out on the town — the Terlingua Ghost Town, that is.
Dig in: We enjoyed dinner and drinks at the famed Starlight Theatre.
The vibe: A small-town front porch greets newcomers into the low-lit dining room full of energy and live music.
- Originally built in the 1930s as the Chisos Movie Theater, it offered entertainment to the mining community. But the town and theater were abandoned after the mines went bust in the '40s, per the restaurant's menu.
- The area and theater were both revived in the '60s, and the Starlight has been in its current restaurant form since a 1990 renovation that preserved the adobe walls.
What to eat: The salmon coated in a paprika soy glaze with rice and veggies ($19.95) is sure to fill you up after a long day of hiking.
- We also enjoyed a rib-eye steak with sauteed mushrooms, mashed potatoes and other veggies (market price).
What to drink: A Boquillas Serket margarita ($16) made with Desert Door sotol from the Hill Country and real scorpion venom in the bitters. It's just enough to numb your mouth.
- If that's not your speed, the Santa Elena margarita ($14) is the best simple drink around.
For a daytime pit stop outside the national park, head to Venga, a cafe with a beautiful porch view of the mountains at sunrise.
What to drink: Coffee, because you'll be tired of boiling non-potable water to make your own.
What to eat: Two crispy tostadas ($8) topped with avocado, sumac-spiced onions and feta.
- The meat eaters can try the Venga street tacos ($12) — classically made with barbacoa, onions and cilantro.
Bonus: On your drive home, stop at Pepe's Cafe in Ozona for the catfish tacos and a giant agua fresca.
The bottom line: You have dining options beyond the campsite or shared cantina.