Hays House
112 W. Main. Built by Seth Hays, this restaurant was opened circa 1857. Santa Fe Trail travelers appreciated the accommodations then, and today’s travelers are happy to find its doors are still open. You’ll feel a sense of the past inside the rustic dining room, which features large wooden beams and a grand stone fireplace. But the cuisine is far better than you could have rustled up on the trail. The chicken-fried steak is made the Explorer Way, and the skillet-fried chicken ranks high as another house specialty. The most popular lunch item is the Crunchy Chicken Salad. In season, the strawberry and peach pies are the best—and there is always homemade ice cream! Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.