A Tasty Birthday in Deming, NM

Our travels carried us southeast from Yuma, AZ, to Deming, NM a few days ago. Often when we’re taking this route, we stop over at the Escapees RV Park in Deming, just off I-10.  Even though we’ve stayed in this park several times in our travels we hadn’t taken time to explore the area fully.  So, we decided to stay a week or so to poke around the neighborhood.

The first afternoon in town we found a local, hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant downtown called Campos.  The atmosphere is vintage,  an old building with wood floors and philodendrons draping the windows. Their salsas are spicey and the food was fresh and well seasoned. We enjoyed the carnitas and enchiladas very much.  

A few days later was my birthday and Jerry says “you choose whatever you want to do.”   Well, I remembered that we hadn’t taken time to investigate the wineries that are very close by.  After reading favorable reviews and receiving feedback from our friends, Dee and Barb, about their good experiences, that sounded just right to me.  I chose wine tasting at the St. Clair Winery, just a few miles east of town.

We weren’t disappointed.  The staff, Terri and LJ, were very knowledgeable and friendly. Also, this winery provides two samples free. Then, if you choose to have more, the charge is $6.00 for six more.  We don’t have extensive experience, but having been to other wineries where the charges are much higher, this was a good note to start on.   

Terri (on the right in photo) made our tasting fun by explaining the wines in a friendly, relaxed way and sharing stories.   There was a long list of wines from which to choose, all from their grapes grown in New Mexico. We liked all eight of the dry reds we sampled. Of course, everyone has their own preferences.  But, our favorites were the Blue Teal Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.  And, we also liked their blended red table wine.  So, we bought some of each to continue to enjoy as we move along.  

After the wine tasting, we were ready for some lunch.  So, we fired up the Urban Spoon and Yelp apps to get an idea for another local eating establishment. Elisa’s House of Pies was well recommended and, after all, we needed something resembling desert to celebrate the day.  We had to search to find the place tucked away down an alley, but it didn’t take us long to decide it looked worth the try.  Elisa’s is in a tiny 100-year-old building with exposed brick walls.  She told us stories about this former horse stable, how she and her husband moved to New Mexico from Seattle and began the business by baking pies to sell in the local grocery.  Now, they are  working very hard to bring their own brand of meals to Deming.  The meat loaf sandwich was excellent. And Jerry says the collard greens are in the top five he’s ever had.  Of course, we had to top the meal off with a piece of their homemade pecan and key lime pie.  Yummy!

This was a very enjoyable birthday.  But we still have that museum to see, etc..… that sounds like another afternoon.

Thanks for visiting with us at Hurley Travels.  Stay safe.