Kaw-Lija’s
So last time I had us in the town of Eagle Nest, and we were trying to find lunch. We soon discovered that that was easier said than done.
Nothing, or at least almost nothing, was open. Cafes, restaurants, stores...all were shut. There were people about, driving about, or taking walks in the Autumn sun, but shop doors were locked and eatery kitchens were cold.
We were beginning to wonder if we’d have to drive all the way back to Taos for lunch (not an attractive option. We were a mite peckish) when finally we saw one open restaurant, Kaw-Lija’s, on East Therma Street.(1) This was a small place, a classic diner, that seemed pleasant and warm.
About the photos: Three today. First, Emily and Bob at Kaw-Lija’s. Next, Martha and Emily out in front of the restaurant. And, finally, Martha at the Earth Oven restaurant -- probably our the best meal we had in Taos. Give it a try if you’re in town.
We entered. We discovered we weren’t the only ones in need of a meal. Plenty of other folks were there -- locals and visitors like ourselves. There would be, we realized, a bit of a wait but fortunately we were able to get a table.
Eventually, the waitress...as she rushed from one party to another...greeted us. She proved to be a charming extrovert, and we ended up having a couple of conversations with her, particularly later, when the lunch crowd had thinned out. Her name was “Emily,” she said, and when asked about the fact that everything in town was closed, she explained. “Oh, it’s the end of the season,” she said. “We’ll be closing too in a couple of days.”
I said I was surprised. I said that I thought that the “season” would be just starting up for them, what with skiers and all. “Oh, no,” she said, cheerfully. “We don’t get much of them.” The skiers, she explained, stayed in Taos or the ski towns, like Angel Fire. Here, it was camping and angling. There weren’t that many winter campers in an area as high and cold as Eagle Nest. “Oh, we do have *some* winter visitors,” she added. “But that’s for the ice fishing.”
It was then that I understood a little bit more of the area’s economy. I said it must be interesting for the local business folk, and people like herself. For big parts of the year, they were basically unemployed. “Oh, I don’t mind it,” she said. “I’m a nomad.” She was a musician and an artist, and come each winter, when the cafe shut down, she traveled and performed--usually in much warmer climes. She mentioned a tour on a cruise ship.
After a while, the food finally came. I had the burger. It wasn’t bad. Martha had the grilled cheese, but she didn’t much care for it. Still, we were glad to have eaten at all given the circumstances. And, afterwards, we had an ice cream.
Then we met the cook, who -- I think -- was Robert (Bob) Doviak--also, coincidentally, president of the board of directors of the Eagle Nest Chamber of Commerce, or at least that’s what he was at the time.(2) He was a pleasant chap who was doing his level best to keep up with the last minute crowd.
Then, we headed out. We toured the town a little more. It didn’t take long. Though, I think, I’d like to go back and give it a closer inspection. I feel like there was more hidden away than met the eye.
After that, we turned around and headed back to Taos. Again, the drive was glorious, though soon we were running out of light. We were glad to see the town materialize in front of us.
That night, we went out to dinner to “Earth Oven,” which offers excellent Lebanese food in a charming adobe building. Taos is nothing if not eclectic.(3)
And that was our day. But stay tuned. Because in the morning, we’ll go to...
The Pueblo.
More to come.
~
Footnotes:
1. Kaw-Lija’s website is here: https://kaw-lijas.com/
2. See the C of C’s webpage here: http://www.eaglenestchamber.org/
3. Earth Oven’s webpage is here: https://taosearthoven.com/. However, I have heard a distressing report that it may be closed. Let’s hope we see a grand reopening soon.
Copyright©2026 Michael Jay Tucker
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