Kaw-Lija’s Restaurant

Relatively empty restaurant and many employees. Still took 15 minutes for someone to ask for our order leading to a 45 minute wait for our overcooked burgers.

We really wanted to like this place. It has a cool, country feel and is locally run and who else has their menu on a vinyl record? This place has character and at lunchtime, during the week, might be the only place in Eagle Nest open, as it was when we were in town fishing the Cimarron River. However, the food didn’t match the décor, not by a long shot.
I’m going to start with the positive. The burgers are decent. Not bad. In fact, if you come here, you better order it, or you’ll be sorry. And, the salad bar, might be the best thing going for them. While nothing seemed local fresh there was a ton to choose from. If I ever return, I’d probably just eat that.
Our server was a little odd, to be kind. He seem very uncomfortable and hovered over us within seconds of handing us the menu asking if we were ready to order. Mind you, our third buddy was in the restroom and he knew this.
The special of the day was hickory smoked ribs, smoked beans and cole slaw. Let me ask you all a question. Have you ever been served warm cole slaw and cold beans? Because that’s how they came here. And, the ribs? I’ve never had meat splinters in my mouth before. It was like chewing on a rubber sole of a boot. Terrible.
I ordered the green chili chicken quesadilla and I’m still trying to figure out what I was served. It tasted like mush in a tortilla and that’s being kind. Don’t get it.
Not full, because we didn’t eat much of our meals, we asked about dessert. Our server, still a little seemingly nervous, didn’t have a clue about any of the desserts. I asked him if the cherry cobbler was sweet. He said, «I don’t know I’ve never had it. Let me go see if I can ask someone if they’ve ever tried it.» He came back without a clue and told me I should just ordered it and try it. Ya, ok. It was terrible. Tasted like cheap grocery store bought ingredients and the crust was like a wet Pop Tart (or what I’d imagine a wet one to taste like).
When he brought the bill and the credit card receipt to be signed, he stood over me staring at me (I’m talking a foot away) until I put the tip on there and signed it. By the way, did I mention he left the table full of dirty plates while he asked if we wanted dessert?
On a positive note, there’s an ice cream parlor in the back that people seemed to love. Eat there, instead. Our bill cost us more than $ 75 for some of the worst food I’ve had outside of fast food.

Here for breakfast Great Service. Several in here this morning. All seem to enjoy the food and atmosphere. They have expresso and a varied menu. I am having the smothered burrito and my son, the chicken fry with biscuits and gravy. Excellent. Great heat in the green chile.