Ancient Way Cafe, El Morro RV Park & Cabins

As a foodie who enjoys only the best of the best, Ancient Way Cafe exceeded my expectations. It serves quality food made with quality ingredients-- I'll go as far as to say that it's gourmet...very, very good gourmet. If you find yourself traveling on Rt. 53, stop and enjoy one of New Mexico's best restaurants, as remote as it is. Their Philly Cheesesteak is hands down delicious -- as good or better than what you'll find in the East Coast! Try a slice of homemade pie or cake to top your amazing meal. This place does not disappoint.

We spent a couple of days in El Morro and the Ancient Way Cafe was great. We had our own little cabin that fit our needs perfectly. The Cafe and Cafe staff were awesome, the food was great. We enjoyed the sculpture trail sunset walk we took. Beware that this is fairly remote and finding groceries or a gas station is challenging on a Sunday.

Cute little camping spot. We stayed in a 33 ft RV for one night. We would have stayed longer if didn't have a busy agenda ahead of us. The grounds are nice and quiet. You can't make reservations online for the campsite (only cabins, but those looked super cute and fully booked), but you can email and Feather is super accommodating and responsive. We arrived to our site kinda late and he had reserved a very nice large site for us with cones. Feather even greeted us and was super helpful throughout the entire stay. There is a nice little art walk/ trail behind the property, and you can tell someone has some talent with abstract art. My son and I loved it.

Drove by the Ancient Way Cafe last Sunday, on impulse, I stopped into the Cafe and had a wonderful lunch. Food was outstanding, service great, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. I would highly recommend everyone stop to enjoy this wonderful oasis in our high mountain desert.

Great price, beautiful scenery, and modern amenities! This is an RV and camping grounds but I think they have rooms as well. I only stayed here one night at a tent site. The host was very friendly and provided all the info I needed for a comfortable stay. They have clean restrooms and a shower for guests. They also had Wi-Fi which was great because I didn't have cell service. The scenery was amazing and so beautiful especially at dusk. If the restaurant is open, it's also a very great place for pizza and other delicious food. I definitely plan to go back with the family on a longer stay!

This is a nicely hidden gem in this area. The RV Park is small and is first come 1st serve, no reservations. It was a quiet and dark park. Their café, had great pizza and service top notch. If you are here for the National Monument in the area stop and enjoy the food and hospitality!

my partner and i, what more is there to be said? she's got to be the best as pushing my buttons, getting me outside of my comfort zone and into the world around me. this place was just a reminder of that. i'm a self-proclaimed ready-for-anything type and love being spontaneous, but it usually takes the when-push-comes-to-shove method to tell how i really feel. we stayed here on a road trip to the west coast of the country. while here, we were treated to one of our favorite past times - a good delight! there's a little trail that runs behind the cabins featuring an eclectic mix of sculptural vignettes. the weather was turning into a soft drizzle that kissed our cheeks in the moments between us exchanging tender, weightless kisses on the other's cheek. something in me always wants to push back from the opportunities out there. the chance to become open to what is out of your control. and this seemingly insignificant walk is exactly the kind of reminder of why is it we seek to feel human, both inside and out. the cleaner was there an hour early before checkout, we had been at the monument nearby. as luck would have it, she had yet to empty the mini fridge and i made small talk about cats while fetching our chilled juices.

For the place I needed to be, the location was excellent for me. The food at Ancient Way Cafe was fantastic, best Philly cheese steak ever. The cabin was cute and cozy . We had a great stay!!!

We live in Grants and after glowing recommendations, we decided to drive the 47 miles on a date might. We looked at the menu online and were excited about the pastrami reuben. When we arrived, I was informed​ by the host that they were now a pizzaria, and NONE of the advertised menu was available. He offered no reason for the menu change and handed us a pizza menu. Oh, they did offer a chicken-parmesan or meatball sandwich or burgers; but nothing close to their online 'gourmet' menu. We had a pizza that we could have gotten cheaper at Pizza9 back in Grants without driving al the way out there. When we asked about the online menu that was not available, the host brushed it off with, "Oh, I guess the girl/guy didn't change the website." Aside from the dog that tried to hump my leg when we came in, there wasn't much of an atmosphere or vibe to the place. In short, we were horribly disappointed and will most likely NOT return. Thete are much better places to dine in our area that don't have a "take it or leave it" attitude when their fare does not match their advertised menu.​

We had to get in some driving hours for my teen so went out for drive and lunch. Rachel sandwich is a must try and staff is so welcoming. Lots of homemade goods across the street. I also got an awesome iced chai latte. Will be back.

Hope to visit again next Fall on another trip to El Morrow. Always head to cafe when we go.

Mango Ginger Pie. What else is there to say to entice one to come try this place? Super vibes from the welcoming staff to the amazing local art that you can purchase and take home. We rented cabin#2 and it was perfectly cozy and comfortable. Great place to stay a while and take in the amazing scenery.

We, like many families, visited El Morro first thing in the morning. By the time we were done hiking around it was lunch time and we were starving. We stopped at ancient way and wow, we were blown away. We were offered seating inside or outside, our preference. Inside is small with maybe 8 tables, and is cozy and warm feeling. They had a daily specials, which my wife ordered the lasagna from the special. I went with my staple, a Rueben. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. The one drawback is the food took a bit to come out, but I noticed there was only one guy back there cooking so it made sense. My Ruben came out and I took a bite. I was instantly transported to flavor country. The pastrami was home made and smoked in house. It was amazing. The ranch dressing on my wife's salad was obviously made from scratch and was very tasty. This place could charge double for the food and it would still be a value, this food was cooking with a LOT of love. A must visit if you're in the area!

We never miss a chance to stop by this wonderful cafe. Newly redone bathrooms and fresh menu was a much enjoyed surprise. Food is good and perfect portions. Green chili on many menu options. Never skip dessert. The pies are always amazing.

We love El Morro! Deeply relaxing peace & quiet, friendly staff & local folks, the Ancient Way Cafe serves delicious food & fresh baked goods, and the sunsets & night sky are so beautiful. Don't miss out on the Sculpture trail, and the hiking & deep history at nearby El Morro National Monument are as good as it gets. The Old School Gallery across the highway is marvelous, and last night they hosted a well attended live music concert whose music floated through the air & made for an idyllic evening walk.

Great place to stay with the monument minutes away. Close to the wonderful ancient way restaurant open for breakfast and lunch. Cabins are nice and cozy and well equipment. Fabulous.

After spending a few hours at Bandera Volcano and the Ice Cave my boyfriend and I were hungry for lunch. The gentleman working the general store at the Ice Cave suggested taking the back roads and stopping at Ancient Way Cafe. The drive was beautiful and this out of the way cafe was the perfect stop for lunch. They had a few tables on the patio and since it was a sunny day decided to enjoy our lunch outside. The owner is also the cook and prepares everything himself. He prides himself on organic fresh ingredients made from scratch. I ordered a burrito wrap stuffed to the max with beef, beans, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. It was very tasty. The owner told us the brisket was slow cooked for over 16 hours. That sealed the deal for my boyfriend and he ordered the brisket sandwich. He was not disappointed as the meat was falling apart. We also tried the tomato basil soup. It was thick and flavorful. The owner makes all different kinds of desserts from fruit pies to brownies and cookies. We split a slice of the apple pie with hot green chilies and pine nuts in it. The flavor combination of the tart yet sweetened apples and the spiciness of the chilies was unlike anything I've ever tried. Can't say I'd order this every time but enjoyed the unique flavor.

Stopped by ancient way after visiting el Morro in January and it really hit the spot after my hike! The place is cozy and showcases some great jewelry pieces as well! Honestly I wanted to try everything but I opted for the brisket sandwich! The meat was well cooked and the sandwich as a whole was flavorful and packed a punch! I finished my meal off with a scone and some coffee! The scone was light and flaky and baked to perfection! I am glad that this spot was so conveniently located by the monument because I did not want to miss this place at all! The gentleman helping me was also very sweet and had great suggestions especially with the scone! I hope my next trip to NM brings me back here for sure!

This place was a great chill spot to relax after hiking El Morro. I had a veggie panini that was excellent & their signature pie - apple, pine nut, & green chile. Don't knock it, just eat it! It's really good! I took a cranberry, currant, lemon scone to go & it made a very yummy breakfast. The atmosphere was very relaxed & their patio was great for hanging out.

Came into town to visit Wolf Daddy at the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. We needed a place to eat so he took us to Ancient Way Cafe. I ordered the Breakfast Burrito and boy was it good ! Ive eaten many burritos being from Los Angeles and this one was up there ! 5 Stars from me. Amazing food as well as amazing service !

My boyfriend & I stayed in one of the cabins & it was absolutely beautiful! I tried to get one of the cabins on Airbnb but it was already taken, but Brandon went above & beyond to get us another cabin that hadn't been put on Airbnb yet. It was so nice & I wish we could've stayed there longer. Everyone on the campground was so nice & the atmosphere had such good vibes. The sculpture walk behind the campground was so peaceful & unique. I will definitely go back!

We were on our way from El Morro to El Malpais, looking for a place to stop and have a picnic lunch. Didn't have any cell service to consult Yelp, so we didn't know this gem existed. Stopped because of the friendly look to the place and the several cars parked there. Good choice! Funky, comfortable and friendly, and the food was delicious. I had a turkey panini, and they were very generous with the turkey. Potato salad was excellent. This isn't a fast food joint. It's a place to relax, contemplate the beauty of the valley, plan your next destination, and enjoy some great food.

High Priced Little Cafe On The Roadside We stopped in for a quick snack and changed our mind at $13 burritos and pretty much a really inflated price menu... Honestly it's a cool little spot if they didn't price gouge. I understand remote areas sometimes don't understand fair prices will get you more business instead of charging more to make up for less business... 3 stars is fair considering everything....

Cute little camping spot. We stayed in a 33 ft RV for one night. We would have stayed longer if didn't have a busy agenda ahead of us. The grounds are nice and quiet. You can't make reservations online for the campsite (only cabins, but those looked super cute and fully booked), but you can email and Feather is super accommodating and responsive. We arrived to our site kinda late and he had reserved a very nice large site for us with cones. Feather even greeted us and was super helpful throughout the entire stay. There is a nice little art walk/ trail behind the property, and you can tell someone has some talent with abstract art. My son and I loved it.

This place is out in the middle of no where but wow, what a find. The food was fresh, homemade, and so delicious. Our party had an omelette, huevos rancheros, and the Annie's sandwich. We ate so much becuase it was tasty. Will stop again next time we are out that direction.

This place is out of this world. Quite literally located in no-man's land, it is very unassuming on the outside, but go inside and you will be surprised by the quality of the food. Their effort to ensure local and organic foods are used when possible is admirable really elevates this place. Our menu for the morning: - Fresh-squeezed orange juice (probably among the best-tasting I've ever had) - Yummy fresh-made strawberry lemonade - Delicious pancakes with real maple syrup and strawberries - Fantastic smoked turkey panini with really thick slices of turkey mixed with yummy tomato, avocado and swiss cheese (get it with bacon!) - An incredible slice of strawberry, mango and ginger pie Everything was scrumptious. The service was great and everyone was extremely friendly. It's also a 5-minute ride from El Morro National Monument, which is a hidden gem.

We brought the whole family and I wouldn't recommend it for a family. It's not really a family environment. It would be a lot better if you're just there as a couple. It's really just a hippie dippie type of place. You know all this organic food and gluten free and all that. The service wasn't that great and the food is just ok. I liked the brisket sandwich but the burgers are just ok. All told, I wouldn't go back but I can see why some people like it.

Great food!! Great people. Just about a mile east of the El Morro National Monument, on Ice Caves road. And across the road are some great art galleries. And a small grocery store with healthy food. You can also rent cabins or camping spots. A definite stop and check it out place.

I stopped at this great cafe twice while visiting some friends at the nearby Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. It was amazing to find such good food basically an hour away from any city. For lunch I had their Reuben, which I have to say is the best I've had. It had a great balance of ingredients, and delicious homemade rye bread. The next day I had to come back for breakfast, and their spinach, feta, and bacon omelet was just as satisfying as the Reuben. If for some reason you end up in this area of New Mexico, perhaps visiting El Morro, the Ice Caves, or the wolf sanctuary, I would definitely recommend stopping here for a bite.

Beside being the most reliable wifi in the area, the food at Ancient Way is surprisingly delicious. Locals stream in for lunch and dinner is offered on Friday and Saturday nights. With so few offerings in the area, this place is a must. Very friendly staff and dessert is always excellent.

My husband and I highly recommend the Ancient Way! it is one of our regular stops as we travel back and forth between Zuni and Albuquerque. The people there are so kind, friendly and truly caring not only in the service they give but the food they serve. They cater to vegan, non vegan and gluten free. Everything they serve is organic, clean food. Great Coffee and espresso drinks. They make the best blueberry pancake's we've ever had and they are huge!! such a sweet stop with El Morro National Monument close by and just absolutely beautiful scenery. Ancient Way also provides cabin rentals.

The Ancient Way is an absolute treasure hidden away in Ramah a few minutes from El Morro national park. I ventured out here while I was working in the area and could not have been happier. It's definitely has more of a laid back vibe so I would not stop by if you are in a rush, but if you have the time I highly recommend the trip. All the food is incredibly fresh and the majority of it seems like it is made on premise. I had the reuben which was excellent. My buddies had some riff on huevos rancheros and the bison burger both of which looked delicious (also my friend who ordered the bison burger seemed a bit let down). The real kicker, though, is their outrageous homemade green chili apple pie. They have a bunch of pies on the menu, but if you have a soul you need to give this a try. Not sure if I'll ever find myself near Zuni again but, if I do, I'd certainly head back here for some more of that crazy good pie.

Ok-maybe it isn't quite 5 stars, it's not paved and perfectly level, but we had no issues and the people there are so nice. It is apparent that effort is being made to make your stay pleasant. There is a "sculpture walk" that I thought was delightful. Unusual, certainly unique, but it really made my morning. The cafe wasn't open (CoViD-ugh!). The camp is right next to El Morro. It's about an hour and 15 minutes to go see the La Ventana Arch and the Sandstone Bluff Overlooks at El Malpais. If you are in the area, both places are worth stopping at. Drive a couple miles away from the camp at night and the stars are amazing. I would absolutely stay here again.

Delicious food! Kids had the pb&j and the grilled chicken strips (a sliced chicken breast, not frozen!). Husband had brisket salad and I had the chicken pesto pasta. Cappuccinos and tea were also good. Friendly service, but as others have remarked, slow.

Funky and cute little cafe. Great brisket sandwich and their potato salad made of red skinned potatoes was very good. My two friends and i arrived a few minutes before closing and they stayed open to serve us. Not a lot of places to choose from out there, so I was glad that this Place was tasty. I hear the green chili and pinion apple pie is delicious but they were out when we were there.

After visiting our snowed in property in Ramah, we were hungry, and chose the Ancient Way Cafe, upon a recommendation of one of our neighbors. I had a buffalo burger, and my husband had the pinon apple pie, with a little jalepano pepper. It was yummy, and surprisingly different. The coffee was great! No french fries - they try to keep the food good for you too. The employees are warm and friendly. The atmosphere artsy, clever, and down-home. We will eat here again.

I'm an AWC fan for daaaays..... There. I said 'it.' The warm welcome and wonderful staff... and the FOOD. Lettt'me telll you.. Iiiiiiii MEAN. Delish for days!!... I always save room a large piece of their signature Apple-Green Chili-Pinon Nut Pie. Cheers!

We stopped after visiting El Morro. First off the scones are amazing and very pretty! You should get one for dessert or with your coffee. They are good no matter what time of day. Good vegetarian options and the apricot habanero sauce is very tasty. They make their own salsa and the beans are nice side. The brisket has a great smoke ring and flavorful. It is a small space when it is cold out, so be prepared to wait for a table. When it is nice out, there are outside tables.

Just wanted to compliment the Ruben sandwich. The meat was generous and delicious and the bread was hearty, but tasty. The flavor of the corned beef was some of the best I have ever eaten. If they smoked it themselves, great job! It was smokey, but not overwhelmingly so, and the meat had a milder but excellent flavor than most corned beef I have eaten. Servers need to check in a bit more often, but they were certainly pleasant when they were around.

We were camping at El Morro National Monument, taking our pop-up tent trailer on its maiden voyage, and we forgot matches to light the propane stove. Hubby went over to Ancient Way and brought back some delicious scones and a safety lighter the proprietor loaned us because they didn't have anything for sale at the Cafe's adjacent campground. That generosity saved our trip and the scones were amazing. When we returned the lighter we bought more scones, including some chocolate cinnamon ones. YUM! Next time we're in the El Morro Valley, one of our favorite places, we'll make a point to stop here.

The Ancient Way Café is great. If you want ample, delicious gourmet meals when you are in the El Morro, El Malpais, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, and Ice Caves area you really need to stop in. The staff is friendly. They make you feel like part of the family. It seems to attract the same sort of clientele. If you need a place to stay, they have clean and cozy cabins. If you like to bird watch they have tons of birds and are always willing to help you spot them. Aloha, Ciao, Shalom, and Cheers.

Unless you are a local in the area or are with a local, don't bother dining here. My son and I came for breakfast. We were greeted warmly and our order was taken promptly, and our beverages brought to us quickly, but after that we were ignored. Several other patrons came in after us, all locals as they were greeted by name. After waiting 45 minutes, a gentleman sitting behind us received his food, and he had sat down maybe 15 minutes before the food arrived. I asked if our food was coming soon and the server nodded worriedly. The ladies across the way then received their food - they had come in probably 20 minutes after we arrived. Finally, the server brought my food. When I mentioned that my son had food coming, again, he nodded worriedly. I touched my food and it was barely warm. I went to the register to pay for my beverages and it became clear that my son's food hadn't even been started. The only good thing I can say is that when I complained about the terrible service and told the cashier I just wanted to pay for my beverages and leave, he comped me for the drinks. I read a review on Yelp of a similar experience. It's really unfortunate that this establishment cares so little for patrons they don't know by name.

If you ever visit El Morro National Monument don't miss the Ancient Ways Cafe, a mile east of the entrance to El Morro. It's a small Cafe with a large menu and great not good, but great food at reasonable prices served in a down home atmosphere by the sweetest people you will ever meet. GUARANTEED!

After a hike at El Morro National Monument, we ate lunch at the Ancient Way Café. They use as much local and organic food as possible. I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich with a side of chicken noodle soup. My fiancé ordered the tuna melt with tomato. It was an open-faced sandwich with a large portion of tuna melt. Both sandwiches were delicious and the soup was very tasty. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had soy chai. I was instantly won over as I love chai and since I've moved to NM, I haven't found too many places that serve it. Definitely recommend this restaurant if you go to El Morro or Malpais.

New age place with inconsistent food and service. 45 minutes is an unacceptable wait for a sandwich. The only waitress took a smoke break in the middle of lunch rush. If for some reason you're needing a new age atmosphere this is the place for you. Otherwise keep driving.

We come through El Morro every year on our way to California. Nice folks, really good food...& so peaceful. Great views from the porch!

Small and cozy, with a bit of rural New Mexico flair ... Ancient Ways offers quality food and homemade deserts that are quite good. Offering a good selection of sandwiches, we decided on the Buffalo green chili burger with potato salad, and Max (something) Sandwich with chips and salsa. Both sandwiches are excellent, and the potato salad is really good! The chips and salsa seem to be the only thing that feels mass manufacture. Hand squeezed lemonade is excellent, and the scones ... well, enjoy them! Not much seating indoors, though the patio is nice when weather permits!

When I worked as an intern at nearby El Morro National Monument, I stopped by the Ancient Way frequently. Their food was always good, the service was friendly, and it was convenient to me since the next closest restaurant was several miles further. They offer free wifi internet access and also have payphones. It's nice to sit on the front porch and watch hummingbirds.

What a wonderful place full of great people and food is unbelievably good! I got some scones to go and almost turned around and drove back for more!!

AMAZING food. Our green Chile cheeseburgers were divine. Everything was fresh. Staff are very friendly. Definitely a little gem.

Good food, but it takes forever to get it. I had a brisket sandwich and my friends had a burger and Huevos Rancheros.....took an hour to get it. Don't get me wrong, the folks that work here are nice, but they definitely need better help, and more help during the lunch rush. If you are not on a time schedule, I recommend stopping...food wise you will not be disappointed...but service wise...not so good.

This place is super cute and lovely! The atmosphere is darling and relaxing - we sat outside which was great. I'm giving 4 stars because the food I ordered was average - I got a salad, which was overdressed but yummy, and I split nachos with buffalo meat with a friend. The nachos were stone cold when we got them, used store bought chips and had clearly been microwaved. Other friends were happy with their food, but when I ordered was definitely of average quality. Very nice place to stop on a road trip though - try their scones, they're amazing!

Great little place in the middle of nowhere. Great food, friendly staff, interesting decor. The place was very busy which meant service was slow, very slow as there was only two staff members, it was mid-week in October and it seemed there a few local regulars there and I think they might have been caught out by a sudden rush of visitors at the nearby El Morro National Park. We were not in a rush so it wasn't a big deal for us but I could understand that some people would get tired waiting. Overall it was a good experience though.

Organic, delicious and fast/friendly service!!! You literally cannot ask for more!!! If you find yourself out this way, definitely stop in and have a bite. The food was so good and everyone was so friendly!!!!

Delicious food, friendly staff, free wifi, cozy vibe. Especially loved hue of rancheros and the set menu dinner we had. Check it out if you're passing through!

The Ancient Way has great food, great service, and a fun vibe. If you are passing through it is certainly worth the stop. They feature one meal, which comes with a big salad. It is a lot of food, and you will have a nice full belly. They also sell great coffee there, so you can take a bag of it away with you as you go, and maybe some desserts for the road.

Love this place! Love the people that run and work at it! It's got really good food and the prices are very reasonable. It has a unique and genuine feel to it. The cabins are comfortable. The birding is good too. If you are in a hurry this is not the place for you. it's relaxed and pleasant.