The Converted House In New Mexico That's Now A Quirky Restaurant In The Middle Of Nowhere
By E Jamar|Published June 21, 2019
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E Jamar
Author
E Jamar is a published writer based in Milwaukee, WI. Despite being a Midwesterner at heart, you can often find them trekking throughout the states and discovering new hidden gems. When they're not traveling, you can find them discussing disability issues, cuddling their pug puppy, and checking out new local spots.
While there are tons of family-owned Mexican restaurants in the Land of Enchantment, not many have the history that this converted house restaurant does. Not only has this kitschy spot been around for decades, it even landed its own spot on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a rarity for restaurants. If you’re from the sweet town of La Mesa, you probably have fond memories of stopping into this little cafe or their bar next door, or if you live across the state you may have even traveled to this gem in the middle of nowhere. Whether you’re a newfound fan or an old friend, this quaint and quirky mom and pop shop in La Mesa is one of the best in all of New Mexico.
Welcome to Chope's Town Bar & Cafe in the small town of La Mesa!
If you take the backroads to Highway 28 in this quaint town, you'll come across a converted house from long ago. Don't worry, we promise this trip is worth the drive.
Chope's has been family-owned since 1915, and has been beloved by locals ever since.
A mother, Longina Benavides, opened a small dining area in her home to nearby friends and neighbors. There, she served up food so delicious to truly make an impact. From then on the restaurant got passed down and eventually, her son who went by "Chope" took over and built a bar next door. Today, the bar serves up the same food as the restaurant.
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This town cafe goes back so far that it even earned its own spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
This designation is truly rare for a restaurant, but Chope's is one of the few family-run restaurants that has stayed in business and kept its original style for so long. In 2017, after over 100 years, the cafe was listed on the register.
Chope and the rest of his family were all born in the home, and after a visit, you'll feel like one of the family. Locals don't like that people say it's a long drive to "the middle of nowhere" as it's truly only 20 minutes from Las Cruces—and so worth it!
The main reason Chope's has stayed in business so long, besides the wonderful people, is the food.
Chope's Cafe truly serves up some of the best New Mexican food in the state. Whether it be Christmas style enchiladas, tacos, or a combination plate to try them all, it doesn't get better than this little spot with humble beginnings.
The chile relleno is an especially delicious dish.
One of the main draws of this cafe is the chile rellenos. We all know that this dish is a New Mexican delicacy, but Chope's does it better than the rest. Unlike most restaurants, Chope's doesn't use the normal Poblano pepper, but rather they scoop out a big chile pepper. The pepper is then filled with cheese, battered, and fried. Chope's doesn't top their chile relleno in chile sauce, because these peppers speak for themselves. However, you can still get a side of their salsa which is flavorful and spicy as ever.
Whether you're an avid eater of New Mexican food, or love restaurants with a sweet past, this little hidden gem in La Mesa is full of rich history and even more memorable food.
Address: 16145 NM-28, La Mesa, NM, 88044
Phone: (575) 233-3420
Have you ever been to Chope’s Town Bar & Cafe in La Mesa? Have you tried the chile relleno? We’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments!
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