Awesome Taos!
As Reported by Kevin Cassell
Planning on visiting or even moving toTaos, New Mexico? Then this page is for you. Here's a list of the most AWESOME places to drop by while you're there.
Click here for a list of specific things to do in Taos
Official and Semi-Official Taos Websites (The "Taos" Realtors Want You to See)
Taoslink.com. This excellent directory links you to hundreds of web sites related to Taos. A must-see.
TaosPlaza.com. This online magazine, by and about "lovers of Taos," will give you the insight into how the mythology of Taos, New Mexico, as a magical, spiritually uplifting place is perpetuated currently by its art-loving upscale Anglo population.
Unofficial Taos, by Joel Gottlieb. This is more of a personal representation of Taos by an individual who likes it than an interactive blog. It tends to contribute to the mythology of the Taos as a place of beauty and spirituality, so don't let the "unofficial" give you the impression you're gonna get into the seedy and dark side of the place, which certainly does exist. It does, though, provide snippets of Taos that usually go unnoticed by most people, including the vast majority of those living there. Some great pics on this site, which may take some time to download, so be patient.
Farr Feed, by John H. Farr. When Mr. Farr writes of his daily life, one gets a little insight into what Taos is like as a town. Most of the blog, though, is devoted to political and cultural issues. Some good writing here.
Taos Notes (Letter From Hardscrabble Creek), by Chas S. Clifton. This short blog gives a history of the Anglo influence in Taos, especially in the past couple decades.
Unofficial and Semi-Unofficial Taos Websites (The "Taos" Realtors Wouldn't Link Their Own Websites To)
Liftline Discussion on Taos's Banning on Snowboarding. Something you won't find on the "official" Taos sites.
Epinions on Taos. Some short, sage reflections how Taos struck some skiiers and other winter adventurers.
LaPlaza's Anyone Archives. You won't find a link to this page on any other Taos site! If you want insight into how many (mainly Anglo) residents of Taos think and feel, read it in their own words in this interactive forum. Republicans beware: Most Anglo residents of Taos HATE everything you stand for, and you will see this plainly in these discussion postings. Peace Activists will feel at home (mostly, but not always) in these forums. Discussions exist on more specific topics related to Taos. To subscribe free of charge and join them, go here.
Taos, New Mexico: The Myth and the Reality
Taos is a place where myth is
Awesome Places to Eat
Awesome Bagels
If three-seed, garlic, even chocolate chip bagels are your thang, then drop by The Magic Circle, the unassuming but vibrant breakfast nook in the Raley's shopping plaza. Their bagels are fresh and hearty. They also offer a number of flavored cream cheeses (try sun-dried tomato) and coffees (chocolate raspberry is great!). A sizable population of locals hang there every morning and keep the place buzzing with conversation. Three computers with Internet access are available to patrons for ten cents per minute.
Awesome Omelets
A Taos institution, Michael's, on Paseo del Pueblo Norte near the Taos Post Office, serves up awesome omelets (and pancakes, breakfast burritos, and donuts) at a reasonable price. The clientele are usually a mix of locals and visitors. The Main Street Bakery, one block down from Taos Plaza and across a parking lot, also has good food and a snug, very unpretentious environment.
Awesome Home Cooked Lunch
Patty, the head cook at Inspirations Cafe one block from the Plaza (next to the Main Street Bakery), can cook like no one else I've met. Check out her incredible salad bar inside the Zodiac room. Her sandwiches and hot plates are outta this world. Browse the books and other items for sale at this comfy consciousness-imbued establishment. Have your Tarot cards read. Get an on-the-spot massage from Jackie, an awesome massage therapist, whose adjacent "sanctuary" (for longer sessions by appointment) is one of the most serene spots in the state.
Awesome Mexican
The Guadalajara Grill (two sites, on both the north and south ends of town) is hands-down the most popular Mexican restaurant in town. Their chicken tacos are especially delicious. At lunch hour you may encounter a fairly long line, but it moves quickly and the food is well worth the wait.
Awesome New Mexican
For authentic regional cuisine, go the El Taoseno on the Paseo del Pueblo Norte, across from Raley's shopping plaza. This reasonably-priced restaurant is very popular with the local Hispanic population.
Awesome Italian
Outback Pizza, on the north side of town across the street from Cid's supermarket, has excellent pasta dishes. Their garlic bread is delicious--and their pizzas, which you can order by the slice, are superb. The interior resembles an old-west outpost with its dark wood tables and chairs and heat-pumping woodstove.
Awesome Israeli
The Sheva Cafe on Paseo del Pueblo Norte has healthy, delicious Israeli cuisine and an enchanting atmosphere. It is a great place just to hang, drink tea or coffee or beer, and chat with some of the friendliest, most eclectic folks in northern New Mexico.
Awesome Burgers
Believe it or not, the best burgers in Taos are to found at a gas-station/convenience store north of town (in El Prado) called Mountain View Groceries and Gas. These burgers really hit the spot. You can order them to go or sit inside at the newspaper-strewn tables next to the cash register. Shhh! This is a local secret that most tourists know nothing about.
Awesome Hangout Spots
Awesome Downtown Bar
The Alley Cantina, one block from Taos Plaza, is the most popular Cheers-like bar in town. You can always find something happening here any night of the week. On weekends there's live entertainment for which the cover price is generally $7.00. Wednesday night's Open Mic is one of my favorite times to go. They also offer good food and snacks, including an amazing cheese-filled pretzel.
Awesome Sports Bar
The Taos Yacht and Sports Club (behind the Subway sandwich shop) makes the best Bloody Marys in town. Membership is required to get in, although it's possible to get by this rule (I hear) during off-hours. In the evenings it's kind of a biker bar with an edge to it--definitely a party scene. A more conventional sports bar is upstairs at Ogelvies on Taos Plaza. They have good snacks and, best of all, an outside balcony overlooking the plaza proper.
Awesome Dancing
If you're into swinging your partner in the country-western style, then the Sagebrush Inn is just for you, especially weekends. Casual dancing to live dancing you can do at the Alley Cantina. Sometimes the Sports Club and Kachina Lodge have live music and/or DJs. If you're into rave, Taos has a small cadre of DJs who have great sound systems and play a mix of house, industrial, and trance. The DJs play at different venues, most famously at the Sheva Cafe one Saturday every month. The crowd is mostly young (20s) but mixed and, for the most part, attitude-free. It's a fun, high-energy, soulful experience. For more information check out the Lady DJs web site.
Awesome Outside Drinking/Eating Experience
If the balcony at Ogelvies is unavailable, go across the street to Eske's, which offers a fine outside drinking/dining experience. They also have great microbrewed beers. If you're feeling rad, try their green chili beer. It's, um, interesting. If that's full, walk up the street to the famous Taos Inn (great night spot with live music usually) or, beyond that, the Caffe Renato.
Awesome Inside Drinking/Eating Experience
The Western Sky Cafe, across from the Holy Cross Hospital south of town, offers tasty, professionally-prepared food and a comfortable environment. At night you can catch local performers on stage and check out the work of local artists that bedecks the walls. This is an exceptionally friendly place that caters to both locals and tourists.
Awesome Cybercafe
Located behind Raley's supermarket on the corner of La Posta and Felicidad, Wired offers great coffee, espresso, and bagels as well as a sunny, spacious environment. This clean, well-lighted place is suffused with positive energy.
Awesome Coffee Hangout Spots
Caffe Tazza, a very local cafe-type place one block from Taos Plaza on Kit Carson, has a cool patio area where you can sit, drink coffee, and chat or read or write or meditate or what-have-you. If you're new in town and want to meet folks and get the low-down on Taos, this is the place to go. Down the street is the World Cup. This is the only defiantly non-tourist establishment in downtown Taos, just at the entrance to the plaza. It's a total hang-out spot for the on-the-road transient-hippy struggling-artist "chill" crowd--the same folks you can find at the North Bean, about two miles up the main road going toward El Prado.
Essentials...
Awesome Info
The Tempo, a smart weekly detailing all the events and cultural activities going on in Taos, can be found inside The Taos News, which comes out every Thursday and can be accessed here. If that's not to be found, look for Tao's alternative newspaper The Horse Fly or click here.
Awesome Gorge Vistas
If you want a really breathtaking view of the Rio Grande gorge, drive about thirty minutes north, go through the town of Questa (a blinking light, a bar, a few small eateries), then take a left and head toward Wild River. This finely paved road will take you straight to public lands with unrivaled scenic overviews. You will need to park and descend to the edge of the gorge at one of the locations. Don't worry. A sturdy fence has been erected along the rim.
