A diner in America’s most famous UFO town sells a burrito named after a washtub. It comes smothered in green chile sauce, and I think that name tells you plenty about how folks eat around here.
The same menu features Chicken Fried Bacon and an Alien Omelet topped with Roswell Sauce. Across town, another kitchen makes guacamole right at your table.
A burger shop down the road cooks its green chile cheeseburgers to order.
I like how this corner of New Mexico treats a plate as a serious commitment. Huge portions show up at diners, Chinese restaurants, and family Mexican kitchens alike.
Most of them keep the bill friendly, too.
I can see why travelers come for the flying saucers and leave talking about lunch. Picking where to eat first might be tougher than deciding what to do with all those leftovers.
1. Cowboy Cafe – New Mexican Country Diner
Any dish named after a washtub is making a bold promise about size. The Washtub Burrito here arrives smothered in green chile sauce, and the name feels like a friendly warning.
Portions at this rustic diner run huge, which fits its Western look. The decor leans kitschy and cowboy, so the room feels as playful as the plates.
Breakfast and lunch are the whole show here. Doors open at 7 AM daily and close at 2 PM, so late sleepers need a plan.
Comfort food classics fill the menu from top to bottom. You’ll find chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and burgers big enough to need both hands.
Feeling brave this morning? Chicken Fried Bacon is on the menu, and it sounds exactly as gloriously over the top as you’d guess.
The town’s alien fame sneaks onto your plate too. The Alien Omelet comes with ham, cheese, and green chile beneath Roswell Sauce, making it a fun order for curious travelers.
Another menu favorite is the Chicken Biscuit and Taters. It’s the kind of plate that could easily carry you right past dinner without a snack.
Save a little room if you possibly can. Homemade cakes wait at the end, and a slice makes a sweet souvenir from your New Mexico road trip.
Families will fit right in here. Kids get their own menu, high chairs are on hand, and outdoor seating gives you another option on nice days.
Weekend mornings tend to be the busiest stretch. Try a weekday visit if you’d like a quieter table and a faster start to your day of UFO hunting.
Address: 1120 E 2nd St, Roswell, NM 88201
2. Julie’s Place
Green chile cheeseburgers are practically a state sport in New Mexico. This little drive-thru plays the game with handmade patties cooked to order.
Size is the first thing to know. The burgers here are huge, and the generous portions make the prices feel like a steal.
Each burger gets made the old-fashioned way. That means no rushing a patty that’s been sitting around waiting for you.
Onion rings are the sidekick worth adding. They come out crispy and fresh, and they make a fine partner for a chile-topped burger.
Cheese fries are another tempting option. Order them if you plan to share, or if you simply refuse to share at all.
Timing matters a lot at this spot. It’s open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 4:30 PM, and weekends stay closed.
That schedule makes it a perfect weekday lunch stop. Swing through the drive-thru if you’re short on time, and pick up lunch without leaving the car.
The setup focuses on drive-thru service, which suits a quick burger stop. Kids have their own menu, so younger eaters won’t get stuck with grown-up sizes.
Don’t bother calling ahead for a table. Reservations aren’t part of the deal here, so just show up hungry and patient.
Desserts are on the menu too, if your stomach somehow has space left. Considering the burger size, that’s a big if.
Think of this place as a local snapshot of Roswell beyond the aliens. It’s simple, filling, and focused on doing one classic really well.
Address: 1704 S Union Ave, Roswell, NM 88203
3. Hop In Cafe
Breakfast at 6 AM and supper at 8 PM, every single day of the week. This south Main Street diner keeps long hours for anyone chasing a hearty plate.
Hearty breakfast classics are the main event. The look of the place is modest, but the portions are anything but small.
The French toast combo is a smart first order. It comes with a large pile of hash browns and hot, fluffy eggs on the side.
Prices stay reasonable for the amount of food you get. That math makes this a strong pick for road trippers watching their budget.
Need fuel before a long drive across New Mexico? Coffee is a highlight here, and it pairs nicely with a plate that could last until afternoon.
Lunch and dinner are on the menu too. Comfort food and small plates give you options when breakfast hours feel too early.
Groups are welcome, which helps if your car is packed with hungry relatives. Kids get their own menu, and high chairs are available.
Weekend mornings bring the biggest crowds. Weekday afternoons and evenings tend to be much quieter, so plan accordingly if you want calm.
Can’t sit down for a meal? Takeout and delivery are both options, so your hash browns can travel to your hotel room.
Parking is easy, with a free lot and street spaces nearby. That’s one less thing to worry about after a long morning drive.
Simple places like this often make the best road memories. Big plates, friendly service, and fair prices rarely go out of style.
Address: 2010 S Main St, Roswell, NM 88203
4. Martin’s Capitol Cafe
Since 1989, this downtown cafe has been feeding the city traditional New Mexican comfort food. That’s a long run built on red chile and big plates.
The setting is modest and historic, with a relaxed feel. It’s family-owned, and the menu sticks close to the classics.
Start with breakfast if you can. Burritos come topped with New Mexican red sauce and real cheese, and the portions lean toward dinner size.
Bottomless coffee helps the morning along. Quick scrambles are on the menu too, and they’re filling enough to keep you going for hours.
Lunch and dinner bring even more choices. Red chile enchiladas, green chile stew, tamale plates, and asado plates are all part of the lineup.
Curious about a local twist? The Mexican Chicken Fried Steak mixes Southwest flavor with diner comfort, and it’s a menu highlight.
Save room for the sopapillas, if that’s even possible. They come out huge, and they make a sweet finish after all that chile.
Vegetarian diners have options like quesadillas and a taco salad. Chips and salsa are an easy starter while you study the menu.
Early birds will love the schedule here. It opens at 6 AM Monday through Saturday and stays open until 8:30 PM.
Sundays are closed, so plan around that. Friday evenings and Saturday mornings tend to be the busiest times to visit.
Families fit in easily, with a kids’ menu and high chairs. Reservations are accepted if your group is on the larger side.
Address: 110 W 4th St, Roswell, NM 88201
5. Geli’s Mexican Restaurant
Chilaquiles for breakfast and enchiladas for dinner sounds like a solid daily plan. On the north end of Main Street, that plan comes with huge portions.
Green chile is a local favorite here. It shows up across a menu full of authentic Mexican dishes and family-friendly comfort food.
Morning plates are a big draw. Carne Asada and Eggs, Machaca, and Huevos Rancheros all appear among the menu highlights.
Breakfast burritos and chilaquiles get plenty of love too. Pair either one with the salsa, which earns praise of its own.
Later in the day, the chimichanga and quesadilla make easy choices. The Chicken Fajita Salad works if you want something a little lighter.
Plant-based eaters have options here. Vegetarian and vegan choices mean nobody at your table has to settle for just chips.
Bringing your pup along? Dogs are allowed outside, which is handy for travelers on a New Mexico road trip with a furry copilot.
Live music adds some fun to certain nights. Check ahead if you’d like your enchiladas served with a soundtrack.
Hours run from 7 AM Monday through Saturday. It closes at 9 PM most weeknights and 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sundays are closed, so don’t count on a Sunday brunch here. Friday evenings and Saturdays bring the biggest crowds.
Families have it easy, with high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Curbside pickup is also available if you’d rather eat on the go.
Address: 3601 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201
6. Beijing Restaurant
Orange chicken in UFO country might not be what you planned. Yet this Chinese spot on south Main Street is known for large portions at affordable prices.
The food arrives piping hot, and the plates come generously filled. Two people can often eat well without stretching the budget.
Classic favorites lead the menu. Orange chicken, General Tso’s chicken, lemon chicken, and kung pao chicken are all highlights.
Craving something crunchy? Egg rolls make an easy add-on, and the vegetarian version is a menu highlight too.
Seafood fans can look at the fried shrimp and fried fish. Chicken wings are another option for anyone who wants finger food.
Vegetarians have options like Veggie Delight to choose from. That’s a nice surprise for a place built around hearty comfort food.
Convenience is a big perk here. You can dine in, use the drive-through, grab takeout, or get delivery.
Hours are generous, running from 10 AM to 10 PM every day. That makes it a reliable stop after a long day of sightseeing.
Evenings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday tend to be busiest. Mornings and late nights are usually calmer if you want a quiet table.
The dining room is clean, casual, and quiet. Friendly service adds to the easygoing mood, and groups fit in well.
Leftovers are almost a sure thing with portions this size. Tomorrow’s lunch might already be packed before you leave the parking lot.
Address: 1800 S Main St, Roswell, NM 88203
7. Garibaldi Mexican Kitchen
Family packs are a standout at this newer kitchen. They bundle generous servings of rice, beans, fajitas, and enchiladas for the whole crew.
The menu offers both New Mexican and Mexican dishes. Large servings are the norm, and finishing a full plate can be a real challenge.
Not a fan of too much heat? Ask which dishes offer chile flavor without the extra kick.
Deluxe burritos are stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, rice, and beans. They come with sour cream and guacamole, so you won’t need to ask for extras.
Want something warming on a chilly day? Pozole is on the menu, and a hot bowl hits the spot.
Tuesday is the big night here. Taco Tuesdays draw the busiest crowds, so arrive early or plan for a short wait.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served. Hours run 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closing at 4 PM.
Short on time between stops? The drive-thru makes quick pickup easy, and curbside and delivery are options too.
Inside, the setting is casual and quiet, with a fireplace adding charm. Servers are attentive, and the place stays clean.
Vegetarian and vegan diners have options to explore. A private dining room can help if you’re planning a bigger get-together.
Families will feel at ease with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Free Wi-Fi is a bonus if someone needs to check directions.
Address: 2019 S Main St, Roswell, NM 88203
8. Los Cerritos Mexican Kitchen
Guacamole made right at your table is a fun way to start any meal. Here, it’s just the opening act before some seriously big burritos.
Traditional home-style Mexican comfort food is the focus. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, so any hour can be burrito hour.
Burritos here are huge, and the fajitas come in giant-sized portions. Enchiladas and taco salads are also popular orders.
Asado is a menu highlight worth trying. It’s spicy and tender, and it comes with fresh tortillas and rice.
Taco Tuesday is a local favorite. Beef tacos are advertised at just 99 cents each from 4 PM to 9 PM, making Tuesday evenings especially tempting.
Other choices include menudo, chile rellenos, flautas, and Alambre. Nachos Mi Tierra and a Stuffed Sopapilla round out the options.
Not in a chile mood? Burgers, salads, baskets, and combo plates give you plenty of backup plans.
Older diners can look for the Senior’s Taco Plate. It’s a thoughtful touch for grandparents along on the trip.
Dessert has a creative twist with cheesecake chimichangas. They’re a sweet way to end a meal that probably didn’t need an ending.
Hours run 7 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are shorter, so check before heading over.
It’s a fitting final stop on a New Mexico food tour built on big plates. Bring a friend, and maybe a few to-go boxes.
Address: 2103 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201