Northern New Mexico - American Southwest - page 283

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La Quinta The challenge in Gallup is to find a quiet place to sleep. With busy train
tracks running right through town, most accommodations stay noisy through the night.
Sitting east of town, this is one of the quietest places I've found, but you'll have to reserve
carefully. The trick here is to ask for a room on the side of the hotel that faces away from
the tracks and you'll get a good night's sleep. Rooms are medium size, with high ceilings
and the calming green decor for which this chain is known. The rooms are new and have
comfortable beds and fairly spacious bathrooms. A hot breakfast adds to the appeal.
675 Scott Ave., Gallup, NM 87401. & 800/531-5900 or 505/327-4706. Fax [phone]. www.laquinta.
com. 66 units. $102 double; $138 suite. Rates include hot breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities:
Jacuzzi; outdoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, Internet.

Camping
As in the rest of the state, the Gallup area offers plenty of places to pitch a tent or hook
up your RV. USA RV Park ( & 505/863-5021; www.usarvpark.com) has 145 sites, 50
full hookups, and cabins, as well as grocery and laundry facilities. Recreation facilities
include arcade games, a seasonal heated swimming pool, and a playground. An outdoor
breakfast and dinner are served at an extra cost. Sites range from $21 for tents to $28 for
full hookups (cable TV costs extra). Cabins are $37. To reach the campground, take I-40
to the US 66/Business I-40 junction (exit 16); go 1 mile east on US 66/Business I-40.
Red Rock Park campground ( & 505/722-3839 ) has 106 sites—50 with no hookups
and 56 with water and electricity. Tent sites are available. Sites range from $20 for tents
to $25 for full hookups. The sites are right against the buttes, though in the spring they
will surely be dusty because of little protection from the wind. Also accessible are a con-
venience store, picnic tables, and grills.
WHERE TO DINE IN GALLUP
Earl's Kids AMERICAN/NEW MEXICAN This is where the locals come to eat,
particularly on weekends, en route to and from trading in Gallup. The place fills up with
a variety of clientele, from college students to Navajo grandmothers. A Denny's-style
diner, with comfortable booths and chairs, the restaurant allows Native Americans to sell
their wares to you while you eat; however, you have the option of putting up a sign ask-
ing not to be disturbed. Often on weekends, vendors set up tables out front, so the entire
place takes on a bustling bazaar atmosphere. And the food is good. I recommend the
New Mexican dishes such as huevos rancheros, the enchilada plate, or the smothered
grande burrito. Earl's offers a kids' menu and half-portion items for smaller appetites, as
well as some salads and a “baked potato meal.” Open since 1947, Earl's continues to
please.
1400 E. 66 Ave. & 505/863-4201. Reservations accepted except Fri-Sat. Most menu items under $10.
AE, MC, V. Mon-Sat 6am-9pm; Sun 7am-9pm.

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El Rancho Moments Kids AMERICAN/NEW MEXICAN Set in the historic El
Rancho Hotel (see above), this restaurant has fans all across the Southwest. They come
to experience the Old West decor—with well-spaced, heavy wooden furniture and movie
memorabilia on the walls—and the sense of the many movie stars who once ate here. The
food is fine-diner style, with dishes such as steak and eggs or hot cakes for breakfast, as
well as regional delights, such as atole (hot blue-corn cereal) or a breakfast taco. At lunch
you can always count on a good burger here or select from a cast of sandwiches, such as
the Doris Day (sirloin steak on French bread), or salads. At dinner, steaks are a big hit,
as is the grilled salmon, both served with soup or salad, vegetable, and your choice of