Los Ojos – Jemez Springs, New Mexico

Shortly after the Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman had the occasion to conduct an inspection trip of frontier outposts in the southwest.  He wasn’t impressed by what he saw in New Mexico, writing in a report that “We should have another war with Mexico and force them to take the Territory (New Mexico) back!”  As an unabashedly proud native New Mexican, it’s hard for me to comprehend that anyone couldn’t see the incomparable beauty of the Land of Enchantment which to me is obvious everywhere I turn.

Were I able to go back to General Sherman’s time, there are so many sights I would like to show him that would certainly change his unflattering perception.  Near the top of that list is New Mexico’s Route 4, the magnificent two-lane highway which forms the main artery of the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway.  Route 4 follows the braided, narrow path of the murky Jemez River which slices through lush wilderness, storied Spanish and Native American pueblos and colossal canyons reaching to the clear, cobalt skies.  The canyon walls are stratified in deep earthy hues while the color of the river changes from chocolate brown to a brilliant red found only in nature.

Route 4 bisects the resort town of Jemez Springs which in 1995 was selected by the National Civic League as an All American City in recognition of its citizens’ cooperative efforts to make their lives a higher quality. Cloistered within a verdant tree shaded valley dwarfed by towering canyon walls lie art galleries, restaurants and multiple lodgings opportunities, including several cozy bed and breakfasts.  Formerly known as Hot Springs, the village is renown for the salubrious qualities of the springs for which it was named.  The bubbling, sulfur-laden waters are said to have restorative properties.

Though humans have probably inhabited the Jemez Valley since 2500 B.C., recorded history of the area began when the Spaniards arrived in the area in 1540.  From then on, Jemez Springs has had an exciting and storied history steeped in sheep wars; disreputable vigilantes, desperadoes and outlaws and wild gaming enterprises.  In 1912, Moses Abousleman, a Lebanese immigrant, built a general store that would eventually become in 1947 Los Ojos Restaurant and Bar.  Los Ojos (the springs) retains the appearance of the old western saloon it is, both from its faded adobe facade and its interior which celebrates trophy hunting of local wildlife.  A painting on the west wall depicts cowboys standing around a bar, a site duplicated on a daily basis though today’s cowboys generally have more horsepower at their disposal than their old western counterparts.

Los Ojos has become a very popular biker bar, but it wouldn’t be uncommon to belly up to the bar next to a brainiac from the Los Alamos scientific community or a mover-shaker from Santa Fe.  The barstools around the wooden bar were carved by chainsaw out of logs harvested from the surrounding national forest, but any splinter remnants have long been smoothed down by decades of denim and leather chaps.

In its 2007 edition of the “Best Bars in America,” Esquire magazine listed Los Ojos among the three top New Mexico lairs of libation.  Though I don’t imbibe adult beverages, it’s easy to understand why it would be so highly regarded.  In a high-testosterone, taxidermist’s dream sort of way, it shouts “fun.”  Trophy animals–bobcats, bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, deer and elk–are mounted on the walls where they share space with antique rifles.  Wagon wheel lighting and vintage memorabilia abound.

Los Ojos was also profiled in the October, 2024 edition of New Mexico Magazine.  A feature titled “Old West Saloons” included a short history of the popular spot.  That article also shared an amusing anecdote about a man who brought a presumably killed bear cub to the saloon.  It turned out the bear wasn’t dead.  Bouncers and patrons had to chase the bear away.

One thing for which Los Ojos has not been well known is as a purveyor of high quality food. It’s a restaurant foodies might visit more as an experiential aside, not necessarily for the excellence of its entrees. That’s not to say there aren’t some things Los Ojos doesn’t do very well. In fact, historically there have been several items on the menu which might inspire return visits.   During our visit in July, 2025, we were handed a well-worn, wrinkled menu that could be mistaken for having been through a flood.   As of that visit the Los Ojos website indicated the menu was under construction.  Even on a Thursday, the restaurant tends to pack.

16 July 2025: A starter alternative for the tenderbellies who don’t necessarily want to have one of the piquant starters is the de rigueur plate of fried stuff: onion rings, zucchini and beer-battered mushrooms served with ranch dressing.  It’s all pretty standard stuff and hardly anything to get excited about.  The onion rings are the best of the fried threesome.  If heat is no problem for you, the nachos grande plate (mountain of chips, ground beef or chicken, green chile, Cheddar cheese, garnish (lettuce, tomato, olives) and (for a bit more) guacamole) is one option.  Be forewarned, however.  “Grande” is a bit of a misnomer here.  So is the descriptor “mountain” unless you’re talking “mountain” in a flat state like Nebraska.

Sadly, the “Famous Jemez Burger” was not on the menu during our July, 2025 visit.  Perhaps the most unique and legendary burger on the menu, it showcased a  a third-pound burger grilled to your exacting specifications and topped with Swiss cheese and black olives under six-inch sesame seed buns.  Yes, that’s black olives.  It’s not a topping you see very often in the Land of Enchantment.  The black olives lend a mild, softy taste to the burger, but neither improves nor detracts from the burger.  If you added green chile, you  would have found it rather tepid, but not bad.  The best part of the burger, as it should be, was the beef which is quite good.

16 July 2025: Much–if not most–of the menu showcases New Mexico’s sacrosanct red and green chile.  For diners who can’t take the heat, options are limited.  Among them–from the burger and sandwich menu–is a prime rib sandwich served with fries.  This sandwich is much like every prime rib sandwich we’ve ever had.  That means it’s made with shaved prime rib, thin slices of beef cut from a cooked prime rib roast. A very salty au jus is served on the side.  The canvas for this sandwich is lightly toasted white bread.  Grilled white onion strips lend a complementary sweetness to the savory beef and helps offset the saltiness of the au jus.  The seasoned fries are quite good.

16 July 2025: The menu offers a number of burger and sandwich options.  Catching my eye almost immediately (especially after detecting the absence of the Famous Jemez Burger was the Los Ojos Special (third-pound open-faced burger served on a bun surrounded by fries, topped with cheese, garnish (lettuce, tomatoes, black olives) and smothered in red or green chile (get both).  In three visits to Los Ojos, this has been my favorite entree.  Yes, it does bear some similarity to the aforementioned nachos, but where the nachos are a profound disappointment, this is a terrific dish.  French fries and chile will do that for any dish.  So will a burger prepared at medium well that still has a hint of pink and is seasoned nicely.  It wasn’t until reheating the leftover portion that I detected a pleasant piquancy to the red chile that was absent in the green.

16 July 2025:    A limited number of desserts is also available, but who needs a large menu when you’ve got pie.  Los Ojos offers apple pie, cherry pie, French silk pie and one called “fruit of the forest pie” that’s made with strawberries and other berries.  I don’t know if those berries actually come from the nearby forest, but do know that this is one delicious pie with both sweet and tart notes.  Ask for it to be heated and served a la mode for an even more delicious treat.  Without a doubt, however, the best aspect of this pie is the buttery, flaky crust.  Every pie should be baked on such a canvas.

General Sherman would undoubtedly have found the food at Los Ojos a tremendous improvement over the soldiers’ rations prepared at the frontier outposts.  He certainly would have been in awe at the splendor and beauty of the Jemez Springs area, maybe enough to recant his negative statement about my beloved Land of Enchantment and turn it into a resounding song of praise.

Los Ojos Restaurant Saloon
Highway 4
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
(575) 829-3547‎
Web Site
LATEST VISIT: 16 July 2025
# OF VISITS: 3
RATING: 18
COST: $$$
BEST BET:  Los Ojos Burger with Fries, Ham and Cheese Sandwich on Rye, Fruit of the Forest Pie