Best of Taos 2021

2021 peoples’s choice awards

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BEST OF TAOS 2021

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A Mouth-Eye View of Medley

Ten For a 10 Out of 10: Ed Sandoval

10,000 Wags and Counting

Down the Draught Line: Taos Mesa Brewing

18 Ten For a 10 Out of 10: Christine Autumn

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Hanging at the Chop Shop with Jason Montaño

Ten For a 10 Out of 10: Michelle Mcintosh

poll results 06 food and drink 20 entertainment 3 1 shopping 44 services 54 we asked

photo: Arielle Christian

from the editor staff

At the end of January 2020, I set out west from my old Kentucky home with a hard need for newness, mountains and with a desire to reroot.

I didn’t land in Taos until May. A weird time to arrive, I realize – the pandemic’s clasp quietening the town, the normal buzz of summer music blank on the calendar, and me solo and knowing no one.

Luckily I entered into the comfort of community in the year of worldwide isolation, snagging jobs with Taos Farmers Market and at Farmhouse Cafe, and volunteering in the gardens at Taos Initiative for Living Together (TILT). Life despite death. Lots of growing, becoming and walks along the canyon rim.

Taos feels like home now, but still, it’s kinda funny to me to edit the Best of Taos issue, being a newbie and with most businesses shut down in my first year here.

I ate at Orlando’s several times (that chile sauce spiiiiiiicy for this tame Southern horse), and enjoyed Pizaño’s after my first date with Williams Lake (muy necesario), but never got to karaoke at the Alley Cantina or sit in the turned-up amplifier whomp at the Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership. I haven’t even been to the Pueblo, for Creator’s sake. My longing for these experiences is probably as strong as locals’ nostalgia of these experiences.

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And obviously so, as you Taoseños really showed up for the Best of Taos polls, which pulled in more than 3,000 voters. That’s 1,300 more participants than in 2020; more people than voted for mayor this year.

Robin Martin, owner Chris Baker, publisher Arielle Christian, magazine editor

Memory or present, y’all know what you love. Who you love. Where you love. How chocolate mousse from Chokolá melts in your mouth.

How Guadalajara Grill’s “Cameron A La Diabla” extra spicy shrimp plate actually melts your mouth. The way El Grupo Mezcal’s Spanish rhythms get caught in your ears and hips and feet. Which aisle in the Rio Grande ACE is gonna guarantee tarps or wood glue.

Karin Eberhardt, creative director Morgan Timms, photographer Virginia Clark, copy editor

Like glue, then, this love of place holding strong. Piecing together the heres and theres and who’s and news and the delicious beauty of the mountain that grants us the permission to be here, the walking history it holds. The sum of all these parts is what makes the Best of Taos the best of Taos. A collage, we are – adding to, widening, intertwined. Asymmetric and as colorful as ever.

Chris Wood, advertising director Sean Ratliff, production manager Paul Gutches, digtal editor

In peace, Arielle Christian Best of Taos editor

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u o Y k n a Th

Taos

Diane Enright Voted Best Real Estate Broker

Brandon Rose 575.779.9315

Diane Enright 575.758.5478

Cyndi Gonzalez 575.741.6534

Luisa Guercini 469.569.8753

THE DIANE ENRIGHT GROUP – EXPERIENCE, INTEGRITY, HARD WORK = RESULTS

BEST Office Manager EVER. We Couldn’t Do It Without Her. Office Manager Janet Dearing

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Best Red Chile

➊➊ Orlando’s New Mexican Café 1114 Don Juan Valdez Lane, El Prado, (575) 751-1450

Find on Facebook

Feeling hot, hot, hot? Orlando’s (pictured left) uses only Hatch chile from Hatch, NM, which united with enchiladas, burritos and relleños. Not for the faint of mouth. ➋➋ Ranchos Plaza Grill 6 St. Francis Court, Ranchos de Taos; (575) 758-5788

Find on Facebook

Best Green Chile ➊➊ Orlando’s New Mexican Café

Ditto above.

Is your mouth watering yet? ➋➋ Ranchos Plaza Grill 6 St. Francis Court, Ranchos de Taos; (575) 758-5788

Find on Facebook photo: Arielle Christian

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Dear TAOS

This past year has been like none other! Our TAOS community has seen many changes and challenges.

We are honored to have your trust through all of it, and to once again, be your #1 voted real estate office. We love you TAOS!

THANK YOU!

314A Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos NM 87571 • 575-758-1924 • bhhsTAOS.com © 2021 BHH Affiliates, LLC. Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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M o rga n T i m m s / Ta o s News

Best Restaurant

Best Patio

Best Breakfast

Best Breakfast Burrito

➊➊ medley.

➊➊ medley.

➊➊ Michael’s Kitchen

➊➊ Manté’s Chow Cart

100 State Road 150, El Prado (575) 776-8787

100 State Road 150, El Prado (575) 776-8787

304-C Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-4178

medleytaos.com

medleytaos.com

michaelskitchen.com

Location 1: 402 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-3632; Location 2: 1541 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 758-4855

We believe medley. boasts a cute little “.” after its name, because it’s the best of the best — period.

The restaurant serves up small plates, modern spins on classics (the NM shepherd’s pie with braised lamb, green chile, onion frizzles (FRIZZLES) and cojita cheese, anyone?) and more speciallycurated wine than you can handle. Put on your fancy pants and lounge the sunset away on the patio with a red in hand and your eyes on Taos Mountain.

You won’t regret it. ➋ ➋ Lambert’s of Taos 123 Bent Street, Taos (575) 758-1009

lambertsoftaos.com

From medley.’s patio (pictured above), you can have a staring contest with the Sangre de Cristo mountain range from spring through summer (when lawn games go down) and on into fall (when heaters warm chilly nights). And winter, too, if you really want, but bring a parka. ➋➋ Lambert’s of Taos 123 Bent Street, Taos (575) 758-1009

lambertsoftaos.com

Best Waitstaff ➊➊ medley.

100 State Road 150, El Prado (575) 776-8787

medleytaos.com

Are you kidding me?

Go here already.

Our mind while skimming a Michael’s menu: Pancakes.

Pancakes. We want pancakes. With strawberries! And bananas!

And pecans! No, wait, what’s this? Pork chop and eggs? We’ve only heard of steak and eggs. Bacon and eggs.

But pork chop and eggs? Tempting. But look here. A “moofy”?

What’s a moofy? Egg and ham, “dripping” (!!!) in cheese on a flaky croissant. Stop it.

STOP. IT. Last thing.

A “blintze”? Okay, our tummy is really expanding its vocabulary here. And this is only breakfast.

Find on Facebook

It’s 1973. Mante Chacon is in his bright orange bread truck turned “chow cart,” sizzling hamburgers and New Mexican staples. He flips the patty and the year flips to 2021, when Mr. Chacon is no longer with us (R.I.P.), but his famous breakfast burrito still is.

It’s as fat as your head with eggs, choice of meat (bacon, sausage, chorizo) all smothered in red, green or Christmas chile sauce.

Cheap and divine. En serio. ➋➋ Abe’s Cantina y Cocina 489 State Road 150, Arroyo Seco; (575) 776-8516

Find on Facebook

➋➋ Taos Diner North side: 908 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, (575) 758-2374; South side: 216 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 751-1989

taosdiner.com

➋➋ Lambert’s of Taos 123 Bent Street, Taos (575) 758-1009

lambertsoftaos.com

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Love.

Hope.

Success.

Family.

Security.

Some things we all have in common. There’s nobody like me to protect the things we all value.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ®

Wanda Lucero 575.737.5433 wanda@wandalucero.com

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Honored to be Taos’ Best Agency 11 Years Running

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Best Pizza

Best New Mexican Food ➊➊ Orlando‘s New Mexican Café 1114 Don Juan Valdez Lane, El Prado; (575) 751-1450

Best Place to Eat Vegetarian

➊➊ Pizaño’s 23 State Road 150, El Prado (575) 776-1050

➊➊ Cid’s Food Market

taospizza.com

Find on Facebook

Oh my word, we’re back again. We have a serious pull toward family-owned Orlando’s with its smothered shrimp burrito, blue corn beef enchiladas and the yummy posole that softly squishes with each chew. Voted Best of Taos since 2005, we know we ain’t the only ones.

Sip a Los Cabos Vino margarita on the string-lighted patio in front of the colorful restaurant and count down the seconds until your one true love — avocado pie — arrives to you.

Five … four … three … ➋ ➋ Ranchos Plaza Grill 6 St. Francis Court, Ranchos de Taos; (575) 758-5788 Find on Facebook

m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

Best Traditional Mexican Food ➊➊ Guadalajara Grill NORTH SIDE: 822 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, (575) 737-0816; SOUTH SIDE: 1384 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 751-0063

guadalajaragrilltaos.com

Guadalajara Grill is like a love song to traditional Mexican cuisine. Its calls to the old country are represented all over the menu: Grilled Chicken Monterey, Mazatlan Shrimp, Camaron (shrimp again) Veracruz, Azteca Quesadilla. We especially love the Campechana, a mixta of octopus, cuttle fish, squid, mussels and shrimp that’ll leave you feeling that like ctual, water-and-wild-filled ocean. And the tacos? Maybe we should write a love song to the Guad … ➋ ➋ Orlando’s New Mexican Café 1114 Don Juan Valdez Lane, El Prado; (575) 751-1450 Find on Facebook

At Pizaños (piezahn-yoz), all of the pizzas are just as creatively-crafted as their names: The Milky Way, Gratitude, Let it Grow, Fire Twirler, White Feather. Want to taste a Taoseño — (don’t make it weird) — with its layers of pepperoni or Italian sausage, mushrooms and green chile? Or perhaps you’re feeling fishy? Try the Up-Stream (garlic oil instead of marinara, smoked salmon, spinach, capers, fresh tomato, onion, mozzarella and smoked gouda).

The poeticallypronounced pie pairs perfectly with a salad and the restaurant’s beautiful mountain views. ➋➋ Taos Pizza Outback 712 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-3112

taospizzaoutback.com

623 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-1148

cidsfoodmarket.com

Walk through the sliding doors of this locally-owned grocery store, past the cash registers and cooler full of kombucha then Best Burger veer ever-so-slightly left into the marvels ➊➊ 5 Star Burgers of organic fruits 1032 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos and veggies. Look (575) 758-8484 right and you’re in 5starburgers.com in-house-preppedfood heaven: zesty Can we give 5 Star quinoa, kale salad, Burgers more potato salad. Look than five stars? left and there’s the Maybe instead, say, tall wall of bulk food like, a ba-ga-jillion items to keep any stars? Is that vegetarian nibbling allowed? Because for days. Plus all it’s deserved. Their the other aisles, Black Angus which include (but beef is all natural, are not limited to) antibiotic free local eggs, Wild and comes from Leaven bread and ethically-treated Tucumcari, NM, animals. The meat is ground daily then cheese. used in the popular Taos Burger (crispy ➋➋ Farmhouse Café and Bakery green chile, BBQ 1405 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, sauce and chedEl Prado; (575) 758-5683 dar cheese) or farmhousecafeandbakery.com the 5 Star Burger (gorgonzola cheese, applewood-smoked bacon), amongst others. They also have a solid vegetarian burger.

A beer and basket of fries seals the real deal. file photo

➋➋ The Burger Stand at Taos Ale House 401 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-5522

taosburgersandbeer.com

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Thank you, Taos!

For voting Michelle’s Best Woman’s Clothing Boutique

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Best Roadside Food Cart ➊➊ Mary Jane's Home Cooking 616 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 770-1171

maryjanes-homecooking.com

Good things come to those who wait.

Though Mary Jane's stays busy and you may have to linger 15 minutes for a chicharron or beef or vegetarian or what-haveyou burrito, la comida is well worth it. Reviews run the gamut: The green chile is nice and spicy. Not tourist spicy. But NM spicy. Another writes: "A good job of burrito-rolling is not to be underrated if you're going to eat it while driving that twisty road to Angel Fire." ➋➋ A La Carte World Street Food 625 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-7503

alacarttaos.com

Best Place for Sweet Treats ➊➊ Chokolá Bean to Bar

Margarita You’ve Missed Most During the Pandemic?

Bar You’ve Missed Most During the Pandemic?

➊➊ Adobe Bar at the Historic Taos Inn

➊➊ The Alley Cantina

125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; (575) 758-2233 taosinn.com

121 Teresina Lane, Taos; (575) 758-2121 alleycantina.com

➋➋ The Alley Cantina

➋ ➋ Adobe Bar at the Historic Taos Inn

121 Teresina Lane, Taos; (575) 758-2121 alleycantina.com

125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; (575) 758-2233 taosinn.com

Best Brewery

Best Coffee Shop

➊➊ Taos Mesa Brewing

➊➊ Coffee Apothecary

Best Baked Goods Made In-House

Best Place for Sweet Treats

20 ABC Mesa Road, El Prado; (575) 758-1900 taosmesabrewing.com

616 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 779-8706

➊➊ Michael’s Kitchen

➊➊ Chokolá Bean to Bar

304-C Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; (575) 758-4178

106-B Juan Largo Lane, Taos Plaza (575) 779-6163

michaelskitchen.com

chokolabeantobar.com

What do you get when you mix a cowboy and Buddha together? One helluva margarita. The “Cowboy Buddha” includes top-shelf Herradura Silver tequila, Cointreau and fresh-squeezed lime juice.

The fiesta in a glass is best served with the free live music (think: folk, flamenco, bluegrass) that “the living room of Taos” offers nightly. Sit back and sip back. (To be noted: The Adobe Bar has been winning first-place Best of Taos votes since 1999.

Holy cowboy buddha!)

FIRE AT THE MOTHERSHIP! Our beloved, musicbustling brewhouse with its 12 stateof-the-art-distilled house draughts is temporarily tapped out, but you can still enjoy the “TMB” vibe at the Taos Tap Room location (201 Paseo del Pueblo Sur). Sipping the Kachina Peak (a citrusy pale ale) and Wheeler Peak (American-style wheat) is a peak experience, especially when backed by a mountain of pizza.

An apothecary is a person who prepares and sells medicines, and, as such, the Coffee Apothecary combines craft and science to bring you one of humanity’s favorite medicinal drinks: coffee. The Coffee Apothecary roasts in small batches, on-site from sustainable and ethically sourced beans. Not into espresso? Go for the teas, pastries or house-made syrups.

➋ ➋ Red River Brewing Company

102-A Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; (575) 737-5299

217 W. Main Street, Red River (575) 754-4422

Find on Facebook

coffeeapothecarytaos.com

➋➋ World Cup Café

With music every night of the year, this bar in the northwest corner of the historic Taos Plaza has been sorely longed for over the past pandemic-quiet year. Now, you can sip a happy hour away with halfpriced drinks in the historic building, which was built by the Pueblo people and served as an outpost on the Chihuahua Trail. Hungry? Their burgers are almost as tall as Taos Mountain. With a pool table, shuffleboard and arcade games, The Alley is a local favorite.

We all voted and decided that if we were reborn, we’d like to reincarnate into Michael’s green chile-cheese bread. Equal parts yummylicious and scrumdiddlyumptious, Michael’s bread and pastry selection always keeps us coming back for more. ➋➋ KOKO 1033 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Suite H, Taos; (575) 758-9448

kokotaos.com

When Chokolá says bean to bar, they mean bean to bar.

Here, husband-andwife team Javi Abad and Debi Vincent clean, roast, crack and grind the cocoa beans, which are then used in drinking chocolates, mousse, bars, milkshakes and more.

The bonbons will melt in your mouth and make your heart melt. Trust. ➋ ➋ Baskin Robbins 717 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-0031

baskinrobbins.com

redriverbrewing.com

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Photographing Taos and Colfax for 16+ years...

WEDDINGS . ELOPEMENTS . ENGAGEMENTS MATERNITY . FAMILY . CHILDREN HIGHSCHOOL SENIORS . PROFESSIONAL PORTRAITS

575.779.0755 • poeticimagesbydeanna.com taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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story Jeans Pineda • photos Morgan Timms

A mouth-eye view of medley

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m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

ONE

of the first things you’ll see upon looking up bungalows in a search engine are gorgeous straw-hatched properties floating over semi-translucent turquoise waters. But not all bungalows need to be situated in Bora Bora. You can find several located on State Road 150 at medley., the best restaurant in El Prado.

With the help of his stepdad and an electrician, Wilks Medley, chef and part-owner of medley., worked through the snow constructing the structures, drilling the aluminum frames into concrete. The electrician mounted 20-amp circuits so the pods could be warm and full of glow.

In the winter cold, it seemed laughable that these clear-coated polycarbonate pods could be called bungalows. They were constructed last December offering one of the few reliable outdoor dining experiences in town.

A party of four broad-shouldered individuals can sit comfortably inside one of them. The pods are also equipped with a call button so you can get your waiter’s attention without snapping your fingers obstreperously. The servers wear fancy Fitbit-like

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Perhaps in a sentimental mood, the bungalows seemed to me like cute gingerbread houses without the molasses-tinged exterior.

watches that notify them of your distress.

Medley recommends eating inside — where there are soon-to-be not one, but two dining rooms and 165 seats total — for the warmer months. I took Wilks up on his advice one Wednesday evening. Normally this would mean sacrificing an epic view of Taos Mountain from medley.’s patio, but clouds heavy with moisture obscured it.

I sat in the bar area at a rustic table with two friends.

The ambient light fixtures reflected against the copper-lined bar. My chair had the turquoise vibrancy found on a Santa Fe jeweler’s wrist. The space feels like a mix of mid-century modern, art deco and Southwestern chic.

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Wilks and Colleen Medley opened medley. in 2015. The couple transplanted their culinary metropolitan mettle (think: NYC, D.C., L.A.) straight into the heart of Taos. The Medleys designed the menu to be a “broad offering of user-friendly dishes.” It’s diverse enough to choose your own around-the-world adventure – from the Spanish gazpacho to the Italian chicken piccata.

Two-bladed fans whirled languidly as the bartender took our appetizer orders, the mainstay tuna tartare ($16), as well as the New Zealand lamb chops ($16). The tartare’s tostada provides a solid crunch against the soft sushi-like mush of tuna. The chops are delicate umami bombs.

Servers continually walked the space with intention, ease and speed. It may be an imprecise unit of measurement for time, but plates of food arrived at the table at about the rate I could finish a glass of wine.

We’d ordered the one-half-liter of French rosé, which felt like driving a pink F-350 in the best way possible: racing rafters down the Río Grande and blasting “Highway to Hell.” (The proactive among us can order vino from the medley. wine shop and have it opened at the table for a corkage fee — one of the few restaurants that can in the state — so long as you reserve the deal in advance.)

Best Restaurant Best Patio Best Waitstaff MEDLEY.

The mains showed up: a rare filet mignon ($52) and chili-lime mussels ($18) in a delicious moat of coconut milk and sambal. The temperature on the filet was spot-on, a fact not to be overlooked. I got an onslaught of mushroom flavors between the compound butter and the puree.

The real star, though, was those mussels. They tasted as though there was a mollusk-lined coastal rock in the medley. parking lot waiting to be harvested. And that sambal.

“It’s a result of a couple of different kinds of chiles that get sweated overnight in salt and sugar, cooked down and pureed with raw garlic, then folded into the base of the mussels,” says Medley.

I don’t know who was drooling more – me, or the sky unleashing rain.

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IT’S SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE ALLEY CANTINA, AND BROOKLYN-BORN JAZZ SINGER CHRISTINE AUTUMN IS BEHIND THE MICROPHONE, her sultry voice filling the room. Autumn sings the songs she loves, the songs she’s loved since she was a girl – the cool soul of the ’40s and ’50s. Autumn has lived in Taos for over 20 years, and, besides the weekly gig at the Alley, is a middle school art teacher, and artist at large, focusing on ancient African symbolism and ancestry.

TEN FOR A 10 OUT OF 10

Christine Autumn Best Jazz Group or Performer m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

When you were young, what’d you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher, a star on Broadway, a singer, an artist.

Your most noticeable quirk?

I am shy. I have to work at being present and being myself. It takes a minute usually.

Greatest joy?

I love being creative. Creating clay, music, art. It makes me stay up all night to come down from the creative high.

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What’s on your nightstand?

I don’t have a nightstand. I do have a basket that I made out of willow. It is filled with cloths, books and old crochet projects.

If you could invite three people (alive or dead) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Maya Angelou, Louie Armstrong, and Thoth. I would ask Louie to play and sing. I would ask Maya Angelou about her book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”

Thoth — I want to know about the mystery schools.

What’s a song that really moves you?

“Every Time We Say Goodbye”

by Ella Fitzgerald. I love the mood of the song and I feel all the loss that I have had in this song.

Besides your current job, what’s the best job you’ve had?

Working freelance for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in the late ’80s.

Who’s doing big things in Taos under the radar?

A nonprofit called Heartline.

I am on the board and I have discovered that this is an important service to this community.

Editor’s note: Heartline provides services to foster kids and vulnerable youth in Taos.

Favorite walk in Taos?

My morning walk in Llano, because it is just outside my door and I don’t have to drive anywhere.

If you were mayor of Taos, what are some changes you’d implement?

More sidewalks, more affordable housing, and discovering how to keep our young people from moving away.

Also – more murals!

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THANK YOU TAOS for Voting Me Best Jazz Performer Special Thank You to the Alley Cantina — We can’t wait to get back to work!

Dan Lizdas and Larry Audette keeping the Bebop for all of you.

# #11

EEst st 2014 2014

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photo: Arielle Christian

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Most Interesting Place to Take Visitors

Best Place for Family Fun

➊➊ Taos Pueblo

➊➊ Gutters Bowling Alley

120 Veterans Highway, Taos; (575) 758-1028 taospueblo.com

The multistoried adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for approximately 1,000 years standing as a remarkable testament to the history, culture, art, faith and daily living of the Red Willow people. The Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. ➋➋ Río Grande Gorge Bridge U.S. Highway 64 West taos.org

Best Local Museum ➊➊ Millicent Rogers Museum 1504 Millicent Rogers Road, El Prado; (575) 758-2462 millicentrogers.org

Want to see a range of Southwestern artwork without exploring all of the Southwest? Visit the Millicent Rogers Museum, which boasts more than 7,000 objects in the collection, including Navajo, Zuni, Pueblo and Apache artwork. Pottery, weavings, paintings, Santos (folk art carvings) — it all lives here. ➋➋ Harwood Museum harwoodmuseum.org

238 Ledoux Street, Taos; (575) 758-9826

Best Hiking/Jogging Trail ➊➊ Williams Lake Trail (pictured opposite page) CARSON NATIONAL FOREST OFFICE: 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos (575) 758-6200 fs.usda.gov/carson

Want a hike that’ll take your breath away?

And I don’t just mean from the sometimessteep switchbacks, or the 700-feet-per-mile elevation gain. I’m talking the wide-open mouth of the lake, like a gem tucked into still-snowy peaks; the towering pines, bright columbines, boulder fields, and hidden waterfall. This Carson National Forest 4mile-roundtrip trail starts at the Village of Taos Ski Valley and works its way up to 11,040 feet. If you (and your doggo friend) are really feeling it, continue two miles more to Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest point. ➋➋ Devisadero Loop Trail

From Taos, follow U.S. Highway 64 approximately 3 miles east. Parking is along the highway at the El Nogal Picnic Area. fs.usda.gov

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520 Plaza Cañon Drive, Taos (575) 758-2695 taosbowling.com

It’s Friday night. The lights are low and the disco ball aglow at Gutters, the 12-lane bowling alley with state-of-the-art Brunswick machinery. You roll a gutter ball again (so sad), but all’s well because of the snacks from chef Ky Quintanilla’s new restaurant, Kyote Bites. (Brick oven pizzas and burgers, y'all.)

Not into cosmic bowling? Come for the live DJs, league nights, or other community events. ➋➋ Taos Ski Valley State Road 150; RESORT: (800) 776-1111; VILLAGE OF TAOS SKI VALLEY: (575) 776-1413 or (800) 517-9816 taosskivalley.com skitaos.com

Best Rafting Company ➊➊ Los Rios River Runners 4003 State Road 68, Ranchos de Taos; (575) 776-8854

Find on Facebook

For over 40 years, Los Rios River Runners has led the field in developing river rafting in Northern New Mexico. Rafting access to these spectacular river canyons is severely limited by the Bureau of Land Management in order to preserve the wilderness, and Los Rios has more access to more stretches of river than any other company. People trust themselves and their family to New Mexico’s oldest, largest and most experienced rafting company. ➋➋ Far Flung Adventures 15 State Road 522, El Prado (800) 359-2627 farflung.com

Best Ski and Snowboard Area

Best Weekend Getaway

➊➊ Taos Ski Valley

50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente (505) 583-2233 ojospa.com

➊➊ Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs & Resort Spa

Lithia. Iron. Arsenic.

Soda. These are the minerals in the With a vertical sacred springs you drop of 3,281 feet, can look forward 110 total trails, 14 to soaking in once lifts and a mix of Ojo — having been terrain, this alpine closed this year due ski haven in the to a fire — reopens Sangre de Cristo later this summer.

Mountains of the After, relax in southern Rockies a cabin before provides a fun and walking into the challenging winter peachy rocks and experience for all to the Pueblo ruins levels of skiers and resting behind the boarders. It’s soared property. Sealing to the top of the Best the night with a of Taos ski lift since drink from the bar, you’ll sleep sound, 1999 and has been thankful for the gliding forward a ancient healing winner ever since. properties the earth offers.

State Road 150, Taos Ski Valley (800) 776-1111 skitaos.com

➋➋ Sipapú Ski and Summer Resort

5224 State Road 514, Vadito (800) 587-2240 sipapunm.com

➋ ➋ Taos Ski Valley State Road 150; contact resort: (800) 776-1111’ Village of Taos Ski Valley; (575) 776-1413 or (800) 517-9816

taosskivalley.com skitaos.com

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Best Place to Hit the Jackpot ➊➊

Taos Mountain Casino

TAOS PUEBLO: Two entrances – past the Allsup’s Convenience Store and gas station and the other is off Hail Creek Road further north, both off Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Take either entrance and proceed north approximately 1 mile. (575) 737-0777

taosmountaincasino.com

Best Local Rock Group or Performer

The quaint, nonsmoking, 21+ Taos Mountain Casino is where bingo lovers and slot fans around here go most often to participate in the games of chance. The casino runs an array of daily promotions throughout the year, with thousands of dollars given away weekly. The Bison Rewards Card is the direct avenue to winning at Taos Mountain Casino, allowing players to accumulate points that lead to giveaways and prizes. I smell dolla dolla bills, y’all.

➊➊ Jimmy Stadler

➋➋ Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino

Find on Facebook

30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe; (877) 455-7775 buffalothunderresort.com

(575) 776-8234 jimmystadler.com

Jimmy!!!

➋ ➋ Katy P and The Business

Best Local Singer/ Songwriter

Best Jazz Group or Performer

Best Spanish Language Band or Performer

Best Local Country Band or Performer

Best Local Radio Personality

➊➊ Jimmy Stadler

➊➊ Christine Autumn

➊➊ El Grupo Mezcal

➊➊ Michael Hearne

➊➊ Paddy Mac KTAOS-FM 101.9

(575) 751-1885

Find on Facebook

(575) 776-8234 jimmystadler.com

Jimmy Stadler grew up with three pianos in the house and it almost feels as if he should have three hands the way his fingers fly across the keys as he pumps out his original, “What Makes Me Me” at parties, barn dances and other shows.

Stadler is more than a musician. He’s an enthusiastic entertainer, performing solo or with his band The Colliders.

His new album, A Different Light (2020), combines Stadler’s spacious acoustic sound with a-make-youget-up-and-dance bluesy-rock. ➋➋ Max Gomez maxgomezmusic.com

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christineautumn.com

Christine Autumn leans coolly against the piano as her soulful voice floats into the room, singing from her repertoire of 1930s through ’50s classic jazz and blues tunes. The sax slides in and one is transported through time. The singer (and writer, painter, potter and fiber artist) has won this category year after year and sings about catharsis, healing, love, the human race and more. ➋ ➋ Jimmy Stadler (575) 776-8234

jimmystadler.com

michaelhearne.com

It started as a low rumble someThe whole room where in Texas is up and dancing and rolled across once brothers the Southwest to Ernesto (Ernie), strike lightning in Antonio (Archie) Taos’s mountains. and Adonais (Níte) Sure enough, that Marquez and Rex voice — strong and Martinez take the crackling, backed stage. Hips swing by guitar pickin’ left and right, and a beat set to couples hug close two step — belongs in a partner dance. to Michael Hearne.

Mezcal are known His “Southwestern for their original Americana” can Spanish songs inspired by life aquí be heard in his band, South by en Taos. As one of their songs declares Southwest’s, music, and in the songs “Siento Muy Feliz” he’s written for the (I feel very happy) and we do – we can’t likes of countrystar, Jerry Jeff help it – when it’s Walker. Hearne Mezcal time. hosts the three-day Big Barn Dance ➋➋ Darren Córdova Music Festival at Find on Facebook Kit Carson Park in September.

9 State Road 150, El Prado (575) 758-5826

ktao.com

Morning-drive host Patrick McCarty, aka Paddy Mac, brings a personal feel to radio. His quickwitted humor and quintessential radio voice — low and smooth — keep the to-work commute ever-entertaining.

You’ll hear a mix of music when Paddy’s behind the ones and twos, as well as interviews with local community members. (P.S.: Hey, JaBooty!!!) ➋ ➋ Howie Roemer KNCE-FM 93.5

20 ABC Mesa Road, El Prado (575) 737-8326

truetaosradio.com

➋➋ The Rioters rifters.net BEST OF TAOS 2021

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Thank You All

so very much, I love where I live!

FIRST PLACE

Best Local Singer/Songwriter Best Local Rock Group or Performer SECOND PLACE

Best local Jazz Group or Performer

Please check out my new cd: JIMMYSTADLER.COM

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ED SANDOVAL IS SERIOUS ABOUT STORYTELLING, PAINTING — his prolific New Mexican landscapes a Taos and statewide staple — and he’s also serious about playfulness. Lots of it. “Life’s too short not to be full of laughter,” he says. You might see the artist cruising around Taos in his turquoise, five-window, 1951 Chevy truck,“Happy Go Lucky.”

When you were young, what’d you want to be when you grew up?

TEN FOR A 10 OUT OF 10

I always wanted to be an artist, but my dream was helped along by a car. When I was about 6, I was with my brother and cousin, laying on the side of a dirt road looking down at some water in a ditch. A car up the hill came out of park, rolled down the hill and hit us. I was at home in a body cast for about a year and had no way to entertain myself (no TV, etc.), so my dad — who worked in the labs at Los Alamos — scraped together some money and sent for an art correspondence course. For a year while I healed, I drew and painted. From that moment, I was hooked on art.

Fave perk of your job?

As a painter, I get to look at our beautiful Northern New Mexico landscapes while remembering and capturing the scenes of my boyhood on the canvas. I’m nostalgic about my past. I felt safe, loved and an overwhelming sense of belonging. Painting those memories erases time and I almost relive my boyhood.

If you could invite three people (alive or dead) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?

I’ve read so many artists’ biographies, and I’m fascinated by their lives. I’d have to say top guest would be Vincent Van Gogh, because I want to talk about his painting style and learn the truth about his death. I’d also invite Leonardo da Vinci, who I think had the most expansive, creative and insightful mind in history. And Paul Cezanne if he promised to take a bath first. (Brilliant painter but lacking in the hygiene department …)

Best book you’ve read in the past year? Tell us a little about why you liked it.

Best Artist

Ed Sandoval 24

m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

“Telluride Top of the World: A Novel” by Tom Tatum, who is a friend of mine. I really got into the main character, Cooper, as he tried to keep his ranch together and safe from greedy developers, bankers, challengers to his water rights, etc.

What’s a song that really moves you and why?

“Desperado.” Lynn Anderson sang that song at a horse show, and a prince from Saudi Arabia was so moved by her song that he gifted her a magnificent

brown Arabian, whose sire was THE Desperado. After a time, Lynn realized that she traveled too much to properly care for such a spirited horse, so she gave it to me. That’s how I came to own Patron, the brown Arabian you’ll see in my pasture to this day.

Taos dish you’ve eaten the most?

I’m particularly fond of menudo, which is made from tripe and I get at Guadalajara Grill quite a bit, and chicharron burritos.

I guess they remind me of my mom’s cooking.

Besides your current job, what’s the best job you’ve had?

For years and years and years, I had my own construction company and built adobe homes all over the Southwest and even in places like California and Florida. I love working with adobe, and to this day I create projects for myself so I can “keep my hand in” so to speak. I just finished building an adobe courtyard wall, and it’s beautiful.

Favorite thing to do when you’re stressed?

Take a gummy. LOL. No, I suppose relaxing in front of a fire with a good glass of wine. (Cabernet Two Buck Chuck is my everyday wine, but for special occasions I’ll take a good Malbec.)

Favorite walk in Taos?

Because … ?

I don’t really walk in Taos proper, but I love hiking up and down arroyos. There are several on our property, and I find something new and interesting (tree root structures, rocks, animal prints) every time I hike in them.

Something you’d like to see more of in Taos?

Our unique and historic pueblo architecture is truly remarkable, and I’m thankful that Taos has taken steps to ensure that new construction adheres to its style and spirit. Unfortunately, I don’t think there are the codes necessary to encourage if not enforce basic upkeep, especially with absentee landlords for the historic area. I’d like to see more repairs and refreshing of exteriors, and I would really like to see LESS of Indian Hills, which is the most horrible eyesore that has ever existed in Taos.

BEST OF TAOS 2021

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thank you for voting sipapu as one of

your favorite places for winter fun WWW.SIPAPU.SKI

THANK YOU TAOS for making us

Best Plumber, 2021!

We Value Your Support

Thanks, too, for partnering with us throughout this challenging season.

We couldn’t have done it without our terrific guests & staff.

“Serving Taos Since 1971”

758-3027 rmdraper@laplaza.org phoenixmechanical.net

Thanks to the community for voting for us...

Raton Bypass/Gusdorf Road License # 61030

Restaurant & Bakery

And a big thank you to our staff who make us #1 Best Place for Breakfast Best Baked Goods Made In-House Open for take out and dining in

304 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos ⋅ 3 Blocks north of the Plaza ⋅ (575) 758-4178 michaelskitchen.com taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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TO WALK INTO MICHELLE’S ON PASEO DEL PUEBLO NORTE is to step into a stylin’ dream. Michelle McIntosh will be quick to address you with a big smile and a casual “Hey, babe” and then help you with whatever you may be interested in – whether maxi dress or summer sandals or beaded earrings in peacock colors.

TEN FOR A 10 OUT OF 10

Michelle's in TaosBest Women's Clothing Boutique m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

In one sentence, what do you do all day in your job?

While waiting for customers, I clean and fold clothes. When they come in, I greet, visit and go shopping with them. So fun!

I get to shop all the time, too, and find cool stuff.

Your most noticeable quirk?

When I laugh hard, I snort. Snort!

Snort!

Favorite possession?

My turquoise bracelet my dad gave me when I was 9 years old.

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What’s on your nightstand?

The nightstand is a bit messy.

My readers, jewelry, melatonin, water glass, yesterday’s coffee cup. Eye cream. ;) If you could invite three people (alive or dead) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?

I’d invite my dad who died a year-and-a-half ago, ’cause I miss him. Grandma Dots who’s been gone a long time.

I wanna tell her everything that’s happened all the years she’s been gone. And my mama who’s still with us, thank goodness, ’cause it would make her happy.

Best book you’ve read in the past year?

“Bones of the Master: Journey to Secret Mongolia,” by George Crane. Love that it’s a true story. Exciting adventure, and inspiring. And love that it was one of my dad’s favorite books.

Taos dish you’ve eaten the most?

Brussel sprouts from medley.

My husband just laughed. My favorite pandemic takeout! (And Martyrs grapefruit margaritas are the best!!!)

What’s something people might not know about you?

That I grew up in an old Hollywood family. Grandma and grandpa were Academy Award-winning actors Jennifer Jones and Robert Walker, Senior. My dad was Robert Walker, Junior. You can see him in ”Easy Rider” as the head of the commune with mom and us kiddos running around. And people remember dad from Star Trek as “Charlie.”

Favorite walk in Taos?

I love to walk behind my house with my doggy. It’s a two-mile

hike on the mesa. There are no houses out there. I feel like I’m all alone. It’s my meditation.

If you were mayor of Taos, what are some changes you’d implement?

I’ve had so many people say “You’re like the mayor of Taos,” because I know a lotta peeps! I would figure out the recycling situation. A drive-in movie theatre would be cool; like they had in Taos when I lived here as a little girl. Also — more affordable housing and a bigger homeless shelter.

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Open Mon-Sat 10am - 7pm 623 B Paseo Del Pueblo Norte (Behind Cid’s Fod Market) 575.758.745

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BEST LIQUOR STORE 4 YEARS RUNNING, THANK YOU TAOS! BEST OF TAOS 2021

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Best Art Gallery ➊➊ Wilder Nightingale Fine Art 119 Kit Carson Road, Taos; (575) 758-3255 wnightingale.com

Landscapes — you want landscapes?

Or something black and white — film?

A sculpture — how ’bout a sculpture?

Bronze, or ceramic? Wilder Nighingale has it all. Featuring a wide selection of artists using different media, the gallery is a celebration of the New Mexican landscape, the natural world, ancestors, ritual, light, shadows, the close and the far away.

Tie for Second Place:

➋➋ Ennui Gallery 134 Bent Street Taos, (575) 758-4655 ennuigallery.com

➋➋ magpie 218 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, unit B, (781) 248-0166 magpietaos.com

Best Gift Shop ➊➊ FX 18 103 Bent Street, Taos; (575) 758-8590 Find on Facebook

“Color!!!” screams this little shop in the Bent Street Plaza. “Funk!!!” it hoots repeatedly. Head to FX 18 for the donut or animal or bicycle-printed socks, clutches, belts and tees, and stay for the endless amounts of earrings (leather and crystal and flowery, oh my!). Also: vintage garb galore, tarot cards, clever gift cards. ➋➋ Arroyo Seco Mercantile 488 State Road 150, Arroyo Seco; (575) 776-8806 secomerc.com photo: Arielle Christian

Best Farmers Market

Best Place to Read or Buy a Book

➊➊ Taos Farmers Market (pictured above)

➊➊ Taos Public Library

Taos Plaza, 400 Camino de la Placita; (575) 751-7575 taosfarmersmarket.org

402 Camino del la Placita, Taos; (575) 758-3063 taoslibrary.org

Do you know how to spell community? F-A-R-M-E-R-S M-A-RK-E-T. On grand display in the plaza every Saturday morning from mid-May till the end of November, is the hustle and bustle of local farmers selling fresh produce and other vendors slinging bread, flowers (see above), natural soaps, juices, prepped food, etc.

Buck brings a banjo, kids twirl in the grass. Such a beautiful way to start the weekend. We swear everyone here is smiling. ➋➋ Red Willow Farmers Market 885 Star Road, Taos Pueblo; (575) 770-8688 redwillowfarm.org

With its tall ceilings and wide-openness only interrupted by shelves and shelves of books, the Taos Public Library is a beautiful place to sit down and read (or pick up) a book. Need educational materials? Or free internet? To let your kid peruse the fully-stocked Children’s Section? To check out an e-book? This is your spot. Call for current hours. ➋➋ Op. Cit. Books

taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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BEST OF TAOS 2021

124 Bent St, Taos; (575) 751-1999 opcit.com

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Best Place to Buy Fresh Flowers ➊➊ Enchanted Florist 622-A Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-3030 taosflorist.com

Best Grocery Store ➊➊ Cid’s Food Market

623 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; (575) 758-1148 cidsfoodmarket.com

For 34 years, independently-owned Cid’s has been providing Northern New Mexico with organic, local and gourmet groceries. And that staff, though? One of the cashiers may even casually address you as “love.” Too sweet. Don’t forget to pick up your environmentally-friendly household products, natural pet foods, a wide variety of supplements, herbs, incense and body care products. Get you some.

The folks at Enchanted have a special eye for ➋ ➋ Albertson’s 710-A Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 758-1250 albertsons.com bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and combining Best Place Best Women’s Best Place together the likes of roses, dahlias and Clothing Boutique to Buy Floor Coverings to Buy a Mattress succulents to create a living rainbow for ➊➊ Dan’s Flooring ➊➊ Mattress Mary’s ➊➊ Michelle’s a wedding, dance Mountain in Taos 7237 State Road 518, Ranchos de or any special Lifestyle Taos 136 Paseo del Pueblo Norte #D, occasion.

(575) 758-2420 Taos ➋➋ Taos Farmers Market Taos Plaza – 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos; (575) 751-7575

taosfarmersmarket.org

Best Place to Buy Yarn ➊➊ Vortexyarns (Online store) vortexyarns.com

So, you need a new hobby. Something to calm the mind.

Crocheting or knitting or weaving, for example. Head to Vortexyarns’s online shop and find hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns and fibers by owner Merce Mitchell, or the multi-textured hand dyed yarns from Cat Mountain Fiber Arts (aka Kimberly Perkins).

danscarpetandfloors.com

You know what we like? A pro’s pro. At Dan’s, established in 1988, you get experts.

Professionals with courteous and reliable service that offer a large selection and reasonable prices. Sounds like a winner’s winner to me. ➋➋ Vargas Tile Company 4114 State Road 68 Ranchos de Taos (575) 758-5986

vargastile.com

815 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-7730 mattressmary.com

“Are you sleeping, are you sleeping / Brother John, Brother John? / Morning bells are ringing / Morning bells are dinging / Ding-dang-dong, ding-dang-dong.”

(We think that dreamy-eyed Brother John must be sleeping on a Mattress Mary’s mattress. Don’t blame him for snoozing the bells.) ➋➋ Mattress Mary’s Taos Lifestyle 710-C Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-0800 taoslifestyle.com

Best Men’s Clothing Store ➊➊ Taos Mountain Outfitters 113 N. Plaza, Taos (575) 758-9292

taosmountainoutfitters.com

Hey, fellas. Looking for a big weekend Find on Facebook and Instagram adventure in the (@michellesbeach) Carson National It’s too easy to fall Forest or a casual in love with every stroll along the single item on the Gorge rim? Go racks, shelves and prepped with the jewelry stands of this place. Whether right gear — all it be a flowing, fuch- accessible at TMO. Shoes, sandals, sia maxi dress, or boots. Sweata cactus-blooming wicking socks. tee, or some TaosA light jacket or made labradorite sweater. You’ll earrings, or stylin’ thank yourself slip on sneakers, when you’re halfthe curation at way up the mounMichelle’s is 1000 tain or halfway percent amaze. As down the canyon. the sign in front of the shop says: “Life ➋➋ Clarke & Co. isn’t perfect, but Menswear your outfit can be.”

120-E Bent Street (John Dunn Preach.

(575) 751-13450

➋➋ Steppin’ Out

House Shops), Taos (575) 758-2696

clarke-co-menswear.business.site

120 Bent Street, Taos (575) 758-4487

steppinout-taos.com

➋➋ Mooncat Fiber 120B Bent Street, Taos (575) 758-9341

mooncatfiber.com

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THANK YOU ARTISTS, COLLECTORS, FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS AND ALL

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS REPRESENTING TAOS AND REGIONAL ARTISTS 119 KIT CARSON ROAD 575-758-3255 WNIGHTINGALE.COM

Thank You For voting us the Best Pet Supply Store!

Pet & Livestock Feed & Supplies Dog Bath Suite And More!

Great Quality Great Service!

575.758.1841

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Best Local Jeweler

Best Local Rock Shop

➊➊ Larry Martinez Jewelers

➊➊ Taos Gems and Minerals

822 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-4169

637 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-3910

larrymartinezjeweler.com

taos-gems-minerals.business.site

With designs influenced by the Maya, Aztec and other emblems sacred to Native America and ancient cultures, Larry Martinez’s intricate jewelry work is a blend of turquoise, coral, jade, onyx, silver, gold and more.

Plumed serpent bracelets, longwinged pelican earrings and silver stag pendants are some of what you’ll find from the jeweler. Martinez – native to Taos – has work exhibited in museums around the country.

Taos Gems and Minerals (see page 44) — open for over 45 years — is the oldest store of its kind in town. The family-operated treasure trove offers beautiful minerals and related items – such as dishes carved from fossil-filled rocks – and a big selection of jewelrymaking supplies. ➋ ➋ Taos Rockers 229-A Camino del la Placita, Taos (575) 758-2326

taosrockers.com

Best Place to Ship a Package ➊➊ Taos Crating Co. 1103 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte #1, El Prado (575) 758-3587

taoscrating.com

Because at Taos Crating, they build custom crates for your favorite antique rocking chair, grandfather clock, artwork, what have you. Size doesn’t matter.

Place doesn’t matter, either – they ship far and worldwide. ➋➋ 9-5 Ship and Print 925 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 751-1313

9to5taos.com

Best Pet Supply Store

Best Local Artisan

➊➊ Blue Sky Pet & Feed Supply

➊➊ Ed Sandoval

214 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-1841

blueskypetandfeed.com

You know what’s almost more important than life itself? Fur babies.

(And barn babies.)

Need food, vaccinations, medical care, training, gear or grooming supplies for your doggo, kitty, bird, horse, etc.? And toys. Did we mention toys?

Lots of toys. ➋➋ Taos Tack and Pet Supplies 710 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 737-9798

taostackandpetsupply.com

By appointment. 119 Quesnel Street, Taos (575) 770-6360

edsandovalgallery.com

To see one of Ed Sandoval’s oil paintings is to step into the New Mexican sun and sage and Sangre de Cristos range that’ve followed Sandoval from boyhood (he grew up in Nambé) to now. Cottonwood trees surround weathered adobe casitas. El Viejito (the old man) — a consistent figure in Ed’s work —walks solitarily or with a companion down a winding pathway.

The pieces sing and breathe the land of enchantment. ➋➋ Sarah Hart

➋➋ Maria Samora

Work at Ennui Gallery, 134 Bent St. (575) 758-4655

824 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 751-7103

hartprintshop.com

mariasamora.com

Best Liquor Store

Best Resale Shop

➊➊ The Cellar

➊➊ CAV (Community Against Violence) Thrift Store

623 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (behind Cid’s Food Market; (575) 758-7445

thecellartaos.com

Racks on racks on racks, y’all. Red! White! Orange!

Wines like Miley Cyrus. Wines with hearts on the label that’ll make your heart go “lub-dub.” Wines that taste like dolphin rides. Funky fermented wines. Wines that are hard to find, and infinitely delicious. Plus all the beer – domestic classics, hard to find imports, and limited edition micro brews – you could ever pop open at a bonfire or barbecue. And many opportunities to get into the spirits. (Yes, Mezcal, I’m looking at you.)

1509 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 751-4824 taoscav.org

Want to pick up a new-old sweater (or French press, or computer cord, or pair of boots), or get rid of an old-old one? Head to the CAV, now at a big new location since May 2021! Donated items go to CAV clients or are sold to help fund CAV services for survivors of domestic/sexual violence. ➋➋ Re-Threads

302 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 751-9200 rethreadstaos.com

➋➋ Del Norte Liquors

1574 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Ranchos de Taos; (575) 758-8904 Find on Facebook

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Thank you, Taos!

Dr. Jeremy Edmonds and Dr. Lucas Schreiber, Best Doctors

magpie

wonderful things for your nest Get your COVID-19 Vaccine: save a life and get back to living yours.

630 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Suite 125 575-751-7430 • schreiberfamilymedicine.com

now located at 218 Paseo del Pueblo Norte MAGPIETAOS.COM 781.248.0166

Thank you toThank ouryou fans... to our

wonderful community for all of your support, we feel the love!

We look forward to hosting your friends, family and out of town visitors for years to come at our little oasis in Taos!

For voting us the Best Spanish Band 20 times in the last 21 years!

El Grupo Mezcal

Call Ernie Marquez 575.751.6070 to book your next event! taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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Thank you to our wonderful community for all of your support, we feel the love! We look forward to hosting your friends, family and out of town visitors for years to come at our little oasis in Taos!

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10,000 Wags and counting…

Best Place to Pamper Your Pets Sunshine Laier — part-owner of 10,000 Wags Pet Resort & Bow-Wow-Tique in El Prado — is quick to make clear that the ‘k’ word — “kennel” — is not a part of her everyday vernacular. “Cage” is a four-letter word she and her partner, Brian Carpenter, prefer not to use. “Home” is more like it.

Home away from home.

by Haven Lindsay

m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

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Thank You Taos!

Thank you Taos & surrounding communities!

For Voting Dan's Flooring number one place to buy floor coverings!

We appreciate all the support and are thrilled to continue to serve the community.

Come and see us today!

Dans Flooring & Window Coverings 7237 NM-518, Ranchos de Taos 758-2420 • Open: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm

Voted Best Local Rock Shop

Taos GemS and Minerals

637 Paseo del Pueblo Sur - Taos (575) 758-3910

Thank you Taos for your support and voting us the best.

We are very grateful.

The Millicent Rogers Museum thanks the Taos community for your ongoing, generous support.

We are YOUR museum.

millicentrogers.org

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1504 Millicent Rogers Rd

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10,000 WAGS PET RESORT

LAIER AND CARPENTER grew up with pets and understand the anxiety that can stem from leaving a pet behind. The knowledge that their pet may be anxious or unhappy can have a similar effect on the human. Which is why 10,000 Wags — open since 2002 — makes every effort to customize the experience for pets at their boarding facility.

“We realize that all pets have different personalities and needs while their people have different budgets and expectations, so we really try and work with it all,” says Laier.

Walks, supervised group plays, fetch and one-on-one “buddy time” are what keep tails a-waggin’ here. Every cat has a designated time to enjoy the larger space independently — to sit in the windowsills or sniff and explore.

The average stay is between three and five days, though there is no minimum stay and the resort boards pets every day of the year.

In addition to boarding and grooming services, 10,000 Wags offers a daycare service. Rather than leave a dog at home during a long workday or a day away from home, owners can drop their dog off for a half or full day. The exercise and stimulation can be better for a dog who would otherwise be left alone.

“At the end of the day, our goal is to create a place for safe, happy, and healthy pets,” said Laier. And that’s what it comes down to — 10,000 Wags makes sure the pets are happy, one wag at a time. After all, it’s a dog’s life. (Just don’t tell the cats.)

Best Place to Pamper Your Pets 10,000 Wags Pet Resort 24822 U.S. 64, EL PRADO; (575) 751-9247 • 10000WAGS.COM

38

morgan timms/taos news

Like a local know-it-all living in your back pocket.

DISCOVERTAOS.COM

WE L VE PAMPERING YOUR PETS! Just 2 Minutes West of the Old Blinking Light • 575-751-9247 • www.10000wags.com

SERVING NEW MEXICAN FAVORITES

WITH A SMILE FOR

29 YEARS!

VOTED BEST ROADSIDE FOOD STAND FOR 17 YEARS

575-770-1171

616 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Monday-Friday 7am-3pm || Closed Weekends

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Best Barber Shop

Hanging in the chop shop with Jason Montaño

by Arielle Christian

morgan timms/taos news

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A LITTLE BOY sits in the barber’s seat, a nervousness in his face.

“Last time we cut his hair short, he got kind of mad,” jokes Jason Montaño, who’s been the owner of the one-station barber shop at 1304 Paseo del Pueblo Norte for seven years. He’s wearing his leather barber apron a friend made for him, complete with stones and his name stamped in it. Montaño’s usually rocking a ball cap, but has his hair nice and gelled today.

The little boy’s dad, mom and big brother relax in the chairs along the window that spells Montaño’s Barber Shop in graffiti-like lettering.

The parents and Montaño went to school in Taos together back in the day. Big bro’ got a mullet here not long ago. He has goals to grow the “party in the back” out and get it permed, which might leave him looking like wrestler Razor Ramon, of whom a huge poster hangs on the wall. m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

continues page 42

Thank You You Taos Taos for for voting voting us us the the Thank You Taos for voting us the Thank 2021 Best of Taos 2021 Best of Taos Civic Civic Organization!

Organization!

2021 Best of Taos Civic Organization!

To learn more about Taos Milagro Rotary Club, join us at our To learn more about Taos Milagro Rotary join us at our weekly breakfast meetings, held everyClub, Wednesday. weekly meetings, every Wednesday.

For more breakfast details, please emailheld us: info@taosrotary.org For more details, please email us: info@taosrotary.org

Join us at our weekly breakfast meetings, held every Wednesday. For more details, please email us: info@taosrotary.org

Mission: We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through fellowship of to business, and community leaders.

Mission: We our provide service others, professional, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

MISSION: We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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MONTANO’S BARBER SHOP

THERE’S MEMORABILIA EVERYWHERE – Giants baseball photos and bobbleheads, a Cowboys football helmet, a Batman bat hanging from the ceiling, a life-size cutout of Mötley Crüe. An old cash register (complete with a lever and a “ding!”) sits beside shears and combs.

A Pac-Man arcade machine is covered up because of COVID. Beside it, a shelving unit full of softball trophies won by Montaño’s team, Los Amigos.

Montaño goes after the kid’s head with a razor, the clipper guard bright purple. The parents talk about an upcoming trip to Las Vegas (the big one) they’re taking. The kid is relaxed now, and talks about running and action figures. It’s like that. With the boys, Montaño converses about video games; the teens — sports, girls, school dances and graduation; the older guys – family and hunting.

Montaño’s dad is the one who suggested his son cut hair. “You’re good at it,” his dad encouraged. In high school, Montaño would shape up the guys on the football team, and, later in Las Cruces for a twoyear college stint, he’d buzz buddies’ hair in the dorms in exchange for food or beer. He ended up in a family-run barber school and, after, a busy shop in Las Cruces before returning to Taos, where his pops was his first customer in the shop.

“In a way, I’ve always been a part of this shop,” says Montaño, 32, who remembers coming into this same location as a kid, back when Albert Montoya ran the barber shop. Montaño went from a street fighter movie-inspired bowl cut in sixth grade to a fresh fade with the top swooped forward by ninth. Montaño and Montoya would talk about the Friday night football games, Montoya – a chain ganger for the team – giving a young Montaño pointers.

Now, Montaño has back-to-back appointments cutting people he grew up with, or their kids, or folks who travel down from Questa, and even one guy from the Denver-area. Pre-COVID, he’d have a line of walk-ins out the door and a two-hour wait on Saturday mornings.

“I’m going to put up a picture of myself that says ‘Employee of the Month.’ Seven years running and my boss still hasn’t given me a day off,” says Montaño. (The shop was closed for four months during the pandemic.) He preps for the long days with stretching, coffee and his comfortable KURU tennis shoes.

“They’re the only shoes I’ll wear to work, because I get hair all over everything,” he says. Even in his hands – the cut hairs like splinters.

“People ask me, ‘Why don’t you wear gloves?’ And I say, ‘I have to feel what I’m doing to make the cut look good,’” he says.

Best Barber Shop Montano’s Barber Shop 1304 PASEO DEL PUEBLO NORTE; SUITE A, EL PRADO; (575) 741-1064

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Cid’s Marketing Director, Josh Cunningham (right) is shown presenting a $500 Cid’s Grocery Gift Certificate to James Gladeau (left)

James Gladeau won the $500 Cid’s Grocery Giveaway for participating in the 2021 Best of Taos Contest!

A special thanks to the 3,329 folks who took the time to vote in this year’s Best of Taos contest — Over a 1,000 more people voted this year compared to 2020.

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Best Real Estate Agent ➊➊ Diane Enright 314-A Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-1924 taoshomes.com

With homes tucked into the lumbering trees of Arroyo Seco, or out in the wide open of the sagebrush, Diane Enright has a lovely abode waiting for you.

With over 25 years representing buyers and sellers homes in Taos, this Berkshire Hathaway agent means business. ➋➋ Joel Schantz 314 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-1924 JoelsTaosRealEstate.com

Best Real Estate Agency ➊➊ Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Taos Real Estate 314-A Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; (575) 758-1924, (800) 530-8899

bhhstaos.com

Hot damn the real estate business in Taos has skyrocketed this past pandemic year.

Folks from the big cities venturing into our small one. At the top of the game through all the crazy – and with over 30 years in the game – is Berkshire Hathaway, where brokers are regularly recognized for their knowledge, accessibility and professionalism. ➋➋ Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties 204 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-8673 cblotataos.com photo: Arielle Christian

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Best Place for Hair Styling

Best Place to Pamper Pets

➊➊ Salon Marjorie

➊➊ 10,000 Wags Pet Resort and Bow-wow-tique

237 Ledoux Street, Taos (575) 751-7246

salonmarjorie.com

In the salon chair, I looked my hairstylist Amber straight in the mirror and told her to, “Shag me, baby.” And that’s just what she and her sheers did. To my hair, of course.

She gave me that Farrah Fawcett hair that I wanted – down to the exact layer and feathery bang. “As artists, we celebrate the individual,” says owner Marjorie Olsen, who opened the salon in 1996.

“We find out what their desires are.”

And – whether haircut, coloring, facial or waxing – Salon Marjorie delivers.

(Even when it’s COVID and you’re in a mask and the salon is thoughtful enough to set up stations outside for customer comfortability.)

24822 U.S. Highway 64 west (575) 751-9247

10,000wags.com

It’s a chorus of howls for this boarding and grooming pet resort, ‘cause if pets could vote, they would too. If you’re going away Best Barber Shop for a week or month or more and must ➊➊ Jason leave your cuddle Montaño’s puddle of fur behind, Barber Shop take them to 10,000 Wags, where the 1304 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos staff takes great (575) 741-1064 pride in developing Find on Facebook relationships with “Seven years goes every pet and every by fast,” says Jason human.

Montaño, the owner of the one-man, ➋➋ Super Groomers one-barber-chair 1033 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Unit G, shop. Montaño Taos; (575) 613-2825 is a pro at fresh supergroomersoftaos.com fades, tapering and mullets, mullets and more mullets. “The quarantine haircut,” he says. People travel from Questa and even Colorado to get a hot seat at this north-end shop.

Best Day Spa/Massage ➊➊ Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa 50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente; (800) 222-9162

ojospa.com

Though closed at press time for repairs after an August 2020 building fire, folks know “Ojo” isn’t just fabulous springs and quintessential Northern New Mexico views. Accolades consistently pile up year after year for this legendary and popular oasis, which has an extensive array of therapeutic massage and body work choices such as deep tissue to hot stone.

And with add-on therapies that focus on everything from feet to hair, rejuvenation is certain. ➋➋ El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa 317 Kit Carson Road, Taos; (575) 758-3502

elmontesagrado.com

➋ ➋ Johnny’s Barber Shop

➋➋ Shank 109 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 737-0882

308A Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-4286

getshanked.com

Best Local Radio Personality taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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BEST OF TAOS 2021

➊➊ Paddy Mac KTAOS-FM 101.9

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Best Yoga Studio

Best Place to Play Golf

➊➊ Aura Fitness 1337-S Gusdorf Road, Taos; (575) 758-9733

aurafitnesstaos.com

Even though Aura Fitness is centered in the high desert, the studio (or, as they call it, sanctuary) is filled with bamboo – symbolic of the ability to grow and thrive.

That growth can take shape in a slow flow or qigong class, or in a relaxing gong bath or well-being workshop. The studio offers classes in-person and online. Let your aura shine, shine, shine. ➋ ➋ High Altitude Health & Fitness 1307 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, El Prado; (575) 751-1242

High-altitude-heatlh-fitness.business.site

Best Place to Get Fit

Best Place to Play Tennis

➊➊ Taos Spa and Tennis Club

➊➊ Taos Tennis at Quail Ridge

111 Doña Ana Drive, Taos (575) 758-1980

88 State Road 150, El Prado (575) 776-3447 taostennis.com

➊➊ Taos Country Club

54 Golf Course Drive, Ranchos de Taos; (575) 758-7300

taoscountryclub.com

Watch drives travel farther than ever before, thanks to a little help from the altitude. Taos Country Club sits at 7,000 feet in elevation and holes range from 5,336 to 7,300 in yardage.

This par-72 layout’s Bermuda fairways route their way through low sagebrush. Frequent sand traps guard the undulating bent grass greens. This favorite course, designed by Jep Wille, was awarded a four-star rating

by Golf Digest. The Terrace serves drinks, craft beers, snacks and gourmet dishes.

Because playing tennis is a racket.

The 10 courts at Quail Ridge – voted by the resort’s guests as one of the top 50 tennis resorts in the world ➋➋ Valle Escondido Golf Course – all offer sweeping Maybe you’re into mountain views.

28 Lodge Road, Taos plugging in your (575) 758-3475 taosgolf.org With high quality of headphones and solo spinning the morn- instruction, personalized match-ups, ing away, or you’re drop-in opportuniquick-stepping and ties and a variety Best Lodging for Visitors hip-swaying in a of programs for group Zumba class. ➊➊ El Monte Or maybe swimming players of various Sagrado Living levels, along with is more your speed.

Resort and Spa a swimming pool, Either way, at Taos you can’t go wrong Spa getting fit is legit.

317 Kit Carson Road, Taos at this family(575) 758-3502 friendly resort. (Did elmontesagrado.com ➋ ➋ High Altitude Health I mention those & Fitness El Monte Sagrado mountain views?)

1307 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, (the sacred mounEl Prado; (575) 751-1242 tain) features beau➋➋ Taos Spa Find on Facebook tifully appointed & Tennis Club themed rooms amid 111 Doña Ana Drive, Taos (575) 758-1980 taosspa.com inspiring views of taosspa.com

m o rga n t i m m s / t a o s n ews

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taos news file photo

Best Bed and Breakfast ➊➊ Casa Benavides Inn 137 Kit Carson Road, Taos; (575) 758-1772 casabenavides.com

An accommodation trifecta, Casa Benavides is consistently the reader’s choice in this category due the longstanding property’s close proximity to downtown Taos, the homemade breakfast and a choice of 37 distinctively styled rooms decorated with “artistic treasures.” After a morning of exploring Taos, guests can have afternoon tea complete with sweets.

Casa Benavides prides itself on its “killer” first meal of the day, seven days a week.

Loyal customers come back again and again from Colorado, Texas, Mexico and Albuquerque. “It’s a family business in the truest sense,” says owner Tom McCarthy, who started the inn with his late wife, Barbara Benavides McCarthy, in 1989. ➋ ➋ Dreamcatcher 416 La Lomita Road; (575) 758-0613 dreambb.com

Taos Mountain. And it’s just a few blocks from Taos Plaza. El Monte Sagrado also offers numerous services from spa treatments to meetings and weddings.

Visitors can expect a taste of the local, seasonal flavors that make the region unique at De la Tiera

restaurant, or dine al fresco in The Gardens. The Anaconda Bar offers a creative menu and signature margaritas. ➋➋ El Pueblo Lodge 412 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (575) 758-8700

elpueblolodge.com

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Thank You, Taos!

FIRST

FIRST PLACE PLACE

THANK YOU!

Join Our Drop-Ins, Clinics, and All Around Play.

We Now Have Pickleball!

FOR VOTING US #1 SHUTTLE SERVICE! We are proud to serve the people of Town of Taos, Taos County and all of north central New Mexico.

The Blue Bus is working hard to keep you safe!

88 STATE ROAD 150

With 27 of 29 routes fare-free, save money & enjoy the ride!

Reservations QUAILRIDGETAOS.COM 575-776-8833 TAOSTENNIS.COM 575-776-2585

RidetheBlueBus.com Toll Free: 866-206-0754

THANK YOU TAOS FOR VOTING US BEST PLACE FOR FAMILY FUN two years in a row!

CHECK OUT KYOTE BITES, A NEW RESTAURANT by Renowned Chef Ky Quintanilla!

$5/GAME per PERSON OR PLAY

BY THE HOUR!

575.758.2695

520 PLAZA CAÑON DR

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TUESDAY - SUNDAY STARTING AT NOON

TAOSBOWLING.COM 47

Best Insurance Company

Best Plumber

Best Chimney Sweep

➊➊ Wanda Lucero Insurance Agency State Farm

➊➊ Phoenix Mechanical

➊➊ Bailey’s Chimney Cleaning and Repair

211 Kit Carson Rd., Taos; (575) 737-5433 wandalucero.com

“Although I enjoy most aspects of owning a small business, I absolutely love my profession, my team, my clients, my associates and my community,” says Wanda Lucero, who’s run her agency for 18 years and won this award 11 times. ➋ ➋ Brown and Brown Insurance 627 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 758-2244 bbinsurance.com

1217 Gusdorf Road, Taos; (575) 758-3027

phoenixmechanical.net

Since 1971, Phoenix Mechanical has employed technicians licensed in natural gas, electrical, plumbing and sheet metal – all the mechanical systems that keep a building operating for its occupants. They also service hot tubs, septic tanks, radiant floor heating and sprinkler systems.

Flush your problems goodbye.

Best Bank

➋➋ A&W Mechanical Inc.

➊➊ Centinel Bank

awmechanical.com

MAIN BRANCH: 512 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 758-6700; MOTOR BANK DRIVE-THROUGH: 508 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 758-6788; NORTHSIDE MOTOR BANK DRIVE-THROUGH: 707 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, (575) 758-6790 centinelbank.com

Completely local. Underdog supporters.

Started by the Romero family over 40 years ago. This community lending institution operates on a kind of closed system, lending only to borrowers in area counties. ➋ ➋ Nusenda Federal Credit Union 640 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 776-2703 nusenda.org

1203 King Drive, Taos; (575) 758-1410

Best Auto Repair Shop ➊➊ Metric Motors 1314 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 613-4395 metricmotorstaos.com

Ooooh, those Taos potholes and that ever-turning mileage counter. Everyone dreads car trouble, but whether you drive a foreign or domestic-made vehicle, Metric Motors’ certified techs can fix it and fix it right.

They also work on diesels. It’s Taos’ only “green” auto repair shop. Holding the number one spot for 20 years and counting.

The staff at Bailey’s professionally handles interactions with insurance companies, creation of online slide shows and proposals, sales, service and installations.

Because of the knowledge required, the necessary physical abilities and the technological knowhow it takes, techs at Bailey’s are a special breed. ➋➋ The People’s Chimney Service (575) 425-3001 Find on Facebook

Best Shuttle ➊➊ North Central Regional Transit District (aka “The Blue Bus”) 1327 N. Riverside Drive, Española; (866) 206-0754

ncrtd.org

Were you called “love” by the cashier yet?

Based in Española, the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) has been in service for 11 years, providing fare-free and premium farebased bus transit connecting communities and pueblos throughout the counties of Los Alamos, Río Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos, as well as the pueblos of Pojoaque, Nambé, Tesuque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh. The signature RTD Blue Buses provide riders with connections to New Mexico Rail Runner, Santa Fe Trails, New Mexico Park and Ride, Los Alamos Atomic City Transit and Red River Miner’s Transit.

NCRTD also provides service throughout the town of Taos on the RTD Chile Line.

➋➋ Rio Grande Ace

➋➋ Taos Ski Valley Airport Shuttle

➋➋ Taos Offroad & Performance 1010 Dea Lane, Taos; (575) 758-7144

Best Customer Service ➊➊ Cid’s Food Market 623 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; (575) 758-1148

cidsfoodmarket.com

SOUTH: 1381 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 758-4268; NORTH: 223 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 751-2061 riograndeace.com

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1470 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Unit 2, El Prad (575) 770-7769 baileyschimney.com

(800) 776-1111

skitaos.com/discover-taos/airport-shuttle BEST OF TAOS 2021

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Thank you for voting CAV Thrift Store

The best is yet to come.

BEST RESALE SHOP Come visit our new location!

1509 PASEO DEL PUEBLO SUR

Open for shopping

TUES-SATURDAY 10AM-6PM

Thank You Taos for your continued support and votes.

I’m honored and humbled by the trust you’ve put in me the past seven years.

Accepting donations Tuesday/Thursday/ Saturday 10am-6pm

Thank you for voting CAV

BEST LOCAL NONPROFIT

As we emerge from the biggest challenges of our generation there’s so much potential for our future.

Let’s keep working together to make a better tomorrow for Taos.

PROVIDING FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES

U

NI

THANK YOU for voting us best bank!

Invested in Taos. Invested in YOU.

Centinel Bank is committed to remaining Taos’ independent community bank. Our independence allows us the ability to make strategic decisions based on our Taos County community, our customers’ and our employees’ needs and safety.

LE

M

24 Hour Hotline (575) 758-9888 Text (575) 770-2706

for survivors of sexual/domestic violence and child abuse

NC

COM

E

Your Mayor,

TY

Hablamos Español

A G AIN ST

VI

O

945 Salazar Road Office (575) 758-8082 TaosCAV.org

THANK YOU TAOS! For voting us the Best Automotive Repair Shop 21 Years in a row!

Let's Dream Together!

512 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571 (575) 758-670 | www.centinelbank.com taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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BEST OF TAOS 2021

1314 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571 • (575) 758-1658 • metricmotorstaos.com 49

Best Local Elected Official ➊➊ Town of Taos Mayor Dan Barrone

(575) 434-5784

evansfortaos.com

50

➊➊ Dr. Ted Schupbach Taos Veterinary Clinic

➊➊ Nathaniel Evans

taosvetclinic.com

taosgov.com

➋ ➋ Nathaniel Evans

Best Educator

41 N. Hwy 522 (575) 758-7310

City Hall: 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos; (575) 751-2000; dbarrone@ taosgov.com

“Dan, Dan, the lumberman” has won the hearts of Taos voters with his signature folksy and gregarious personality since taking office in 2014. Mayor Barrone is a leader within his religious community and is a visible politician who consistently attends all town proclamations.

Possibly his most favorite act among Taoseños started four years ago when he put together the New Year’s Eve free barbecue event on Taos Plaza. In 2016, Barrone – alongside family members – started a free pancake breakfast on the plaza for the Fourth of July as well. It’s all continued in his second term.

Best Veterinarian

Best Doctor

Best Dentist

➊➊ Lucas Schreiber, MD Schreiber Family Medicine

➊➊ Kellie Harris, DDS, FAGD Northern New Mexico Center for Cosmetic Dentistry

630 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Suite 125, Taos (575) 751-7430

schreiberfamilymedicine.com

Dr. Lucas Schreiber followed in his beloved late father’s footsteps (Dr. Larry, who won Best Doctor in the first Best of Taos poll and for many subsequent years).

He is committed to continuing his father’s legacy.

In his own right, Schreiber has cemented himself as one of Taos’ favorite physicians.

In 2018, he started his namesake practice, Schreiber Family Medicine, LLC. Schreiber is a born and bred Taoseño.

1337-A Gusdorf Road, Taos (575) 993-5911

kellieharrisdds.com

Full-mouth reconstruction is Dr. Kellie Harris’ passion, but general dentistry is what goes on day-in and day-out at the airy, well-appointed Gusdorf office. She and her associates (including daughter Kayci Harris, DMD) continue to expand upon a solid, 20-plus-year foundation of compassionate, professional dentistry. ➋➋ Dr. Mark Niemiec 1399 Weimer Road, #800 (575) 758-9777

markniemiecdds.com

After 35 years in practice it's clear that whether your dog has a cold or your horse a pain in his rear, that Ted Schupbach is the top choice to cure your fur baby's ailments and fears. ➋➋ Dr. Kim Sides Salazar Road Veterinary Clinic

(575) 751-2002 taosgov.com

One plus one equals a standing ovation for longtime math and science teacher, Nathaniel Evans, who was recently appointed to the Math and Science Advisory Council for the New Mexico Department of Education. He works closely with STEM professionals all across the state. ➋➋ Larry Torres Associate Professor Chair: Linguistics, Foreign and Sign Languages

1025 Salazar Road; (575) 758-9115

salazarroadvetclinic.com

University of New Mexico-Taos, Klauer Campus; (575) 737-6215; lartor@unm.edu

Best Financial Adviser

Best Building Contractor

➊➊ Billy Knight Knight Financial Limited

➊➊ Magee Build

115-D La Posta Road, Taos (575) 751-3388

knightfinanciallimited.com

A knight in shining broker armor, Billy Knight believes in socially responsible investing for longterm sustainable growth. ➋➋ Paul Sands 1103 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Suite 4A, El Prado (575) 737-5772

(575) 741-0456 mageebuild.com

Aaron Magee worked on his first full house at age 15 and hasn’t put down the construction wand since. Growing up in Taos with a family of builders and designers brings a wide knowledge of which resources to use, whether working with classic adobe, green building or a more contemporary style.

➋➋ Dr. Jeremy Edmonds, DO

➋➋ Magee Design

630 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Suite 125; (575) 751-7430

122 Dona Luz Street, Suite A, Taos (575) 741-0456 jedmagee.com BEST OF TAOS 2021

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Best Local Nonprofit

Best Civic Organization

➊➊ Community Against Violence

➊➊ Taos Milagro Rotary Club

945 Salazar Road, Taos; 24-Hour Hot Line: (575) 758-9888 (collect calls accepted) Office: (575) 758-8082; info@taoscav.org

info@taosrotary.org taosrotary.org

taoscav.org

Margarita You’ve Missed Most During the Pandemic? ➊➊ Adobe Bar at the Historic Taos Inn

Community Against Violence (CAV) has been providing services for children and families affected by domestic and sexual violence in Taos County since 1978.

CAV’s expansive array of services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence include advocacy and case management services; crisis intervention and safety planning; counseling and support groups; parenting classes; Batterer’s Intervention Programs; and prevention and educational programs for the community. In addition, counselors, attorneys, physicians and other professionals offer their services at no cost or reduced rates, and many businesses donate their services and goods to this important works organization. ➋➋ Stray Hearts Animal Shelter 1200 St. Francis Lane, Taos; (575) 758-2981 info@strayhearts.org strayhearts.org

“Service above self” is the motto of this many-timesawarded organization.

Literacy and education are a big part of Rotary International and the local club in Taos. With a common goal to make life better for those around them, 50 or so TMR members and other volunteers read to kindergarten through third-grade kids who are reading below their grade levels. TMR raises funds for four-year, unrestricted college scholarships to area Seniors; create and supply 15 free library boxes; distributes dictionaries to Taos thirdgraders, and contributes to international projects in underserved countries.

TMR donates prosthetics to Not Forgotten Outreach, and supports Heart of Taos and Big Brothers Big Sisters. ➋ ➋ Lions Club of Taos 54 Golf Course Rd., Ranchos de Taos President Mike Rollheiser; (708) 205-5845

lionscluboftaos.org

Best Local Website ➊➊ taosnews.com

Taos News, 226 Albright Street, Taos; (575) 758-2241

Is it wrong for us to toot our own horn – again? We still think not, because providing timely, accurate and newsworthy information is at the forefront of what we do as professional journalists. At taosnews.com, locals and visitors are just a click away from finding out everything Taos from breaking news to weather to nightly entertainment. All of our guides and magazines can be found online as well. If you live here, you get it.

And even if you don’t live here, you still get it. ➋➋ Live Taos livetaos.com taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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Best Radio Station

Best Ski/Snowboard Shop

Best Garden Center and Nursery

➊ KTAOS 101.9

➊ Cottam’s Ski & Outdoor Shop

➊ Petree Nursery and Greenhouse

TAOS: 207 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 758-2822 TAOS SKI VALLEY: 101 Sutton Place, (575) 776-8719 ANGEL FIRE: 40 North Angel Fire Road, (575) 377-3700; SANTA FE: 740 Hyde Park Road, (505) 982-0495

25 Petree Lane (off Blueberry Hill Road), Taos; (575) 758-3021

9 NM-150, Taos; (575) 758-5826

ktaos.com

Those voices on the local radio?

They are most likely the wacky hi-jinx of Morning Show host Paddy Mac on KTAOS 101.9. And if not him, then anyone of the amazing talents who help make KTAOS a jewel of the radio waves. ➋ KNCE 93.5 (575) 737-8326

truetaosradio.com

cottamsskishops.com

Northern New Mexico’s favorite ski shop has supplied ski gear rentals, equipment sales, outerwear, gear upkeep and repair service since 1976. Patrons point to Cottam’s customer service, the convenience of four locations, prices and wide selection as reasons they keep coming back snowfall after snowfall. ➋ Boot Doctors 103 Sutton Place, Taos Ski Valley; (575) 776-2489

bootdoctors.com

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petreenursery.com

It’s like stepping into another world at Petree, the greenery ever- and overflowing. Petree is Northern New Mexico’s largest and oldest nursery. Here you get all your perennials and annuals, all grown right here in Taos, plus low-priced soil amendments and other nutrients. Go get lost in the county’s greenhouse jungle. Just make sure you come back out! ➋ Rio Grande ACE SOUTH: 1381 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 758-4268; NORTH: 223 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 751-2061

riograndeace.com BEST OF TAOS 2021

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Best Hardware and Home Improvement Store

Best Home Furnishings

➊ Rio Grande ACE

➊ Mattress Mary’s Mountain Lifestyle

SOUTH: 1381 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 758-4268 NORTH: 223 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 751-2061

815 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) 758-7730

riograndeace.com

mattressmary.com

So, you’re not Tim “the Toolman” Taylor. But you are you, which is perfect. You’re you, and you have a big project coming up. Whether that be building a roof or a fence, or repainting the whole house, or tackling the landscaping, this retailer-owned cooperative has just about every hardware and home repair/improvement item known to man. Let the red-vested staff point you in the right direction and then get to cracking on your DIY goals.

Mary Domito (aka “Mattress Mary”, pictured above) has been in the home goods biz for almost 20 years with a mission to offer a good sleep and a cozy home.

With a furniture piece for every room in the casa, you can decorate to a stellar T, thanks to Mary. ➋ Mattress Mary’s Taos Lifestyle 710-C Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos; (575) 758-0800

taoslifestyle.com

➋ Randall Lumber and Hardware SOUTH: 315 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, (575) 758-2271; NORTH: Ranch and Feed, 14 State Road 150, El Prado, (575) 776-2556

randalltaos.com

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story Dena Miller Best Brewery

Down the draught line Taos Mesa Brewing

by Dena Miller

“WHAT WOULD YOU SAY to a Strawberry Margarita Gose?” asks Max Davis, the head brewer at Taos Mesa Brewing since 2017. He’s thinking about warmer months. Sour beers. Berries. Fruits.

Davis is a man who likes to have fun in the brewhouse with his creations. This requires keeping things fresh and often switching up the palate down the 20-spout draught line. It requires experimentation. “We have a small-barrel aging program where we are creating some really tasty aged beers, like our Spruce Wayne Winter Warmer that was aged in a Del Maguey Mezcal barrel for 14 months,” Davis says.

“We like to offer seasonal staples, such as barley wine in the winter and lagers in the summer,” says Jason Wylie, an original founder of TMB and the president/ director of brewing operations.

Wylie is an optimistic man who sees golden days on the horizon as clearly and brightly as a good golden ale goes down the throat. He’s positive, despite the continued closure of TMB’s Mothership location after a devastating fire in 2019 and managing the difficulties of the COVID year.

“Rebuilding during a pandemic has had its challenges,” he acknowledged.

“Nonetheless, we are confident that our new approach – which will include the manufacturing of spirits and cider in addition to beer – will set the Mothership up for success. We are working hard with our architects, engineers and contractors to re-open the Mothership late this year or early next year.”

Anyone familiar with the Mothership knows what that means: the return of great music, and a lot of it.

“We [definitely] look forward to bringing music back to our outdoor stage next year, along with offerings like a new menu and improved outdoor seating,” Wylie continued.

Until that day arrives, Taos Tap Room has kept things humming. Its own select, artisanal menu – featuring epic made-to-order, wood-fired pizzas – is yet another reason to stop by, grab a bite and enjoy a cold one.

Taos Mesa Brewing Taos Tap Room is located at 201 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. For further information, or to place a takeout order, please call 575-758-1900.

Taos Mesa Brewing 20 ABC MESA ROAD, EL PRADO; (575) 758-1900 TAOSMESABREWING.COM 52

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Serving Domestic & Import Beers • Wine • Margaritas

Taos’ BEST

2021

BEST NEW MEXICAN FOOD / BEST RED / BEST GREEN

Mexican Restaurant

1114 Don Juan Valdez Ln

751-1450

FIRST PLACE

CHOKOLA BEAN TO BAR

THANK YOU TAOS FOR VOTING US BEST PLACE FOR SWEET TREATS 2021 TUESDAY – SUNDAY 11AM – 6 PM 106 JUAN LARGO LANE NAMED ’ONE OF THE BEST CHOCOLATE SHOPS IN AMERICA’ BY MAGAZINE

2018

FIRST PLACE

NORTH SIDE 822 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte Taos 737-0816 SOUTH SIDE 1384 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur 751-0063 (across from Ace Hardware) SUMMER HOURS: Sun - Thurs, 10:30 am - 9 pm Fri - Sat 10:30 am - 9:30 pm

guadalajaragrilltaos.com

2021 BEST OF TAOS Best Burger

13 Years Running!

Thanks for your Vote and See You Soon!

575.758.8484 5starburgers.com 1032 Paseo del Pueblo Sur taosnews.com/magazines/best-of-taos

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Best Happy Hour 7 Years Running!

Craft Drafts - 3.00 • Wine - 3.50 • Burger and Pork Sliders - 1.65 Lobster Slider - 3.50 • Snacks - 1.25 to 3.50 53

Best new business?

This question elicited both the literal and the imagined.

Now for what’s being called in …

Some of y’all focused on the best new biz ventures to crop up within the past few years. Such as Stray Hearts’ thrift shop, Retails, where you can buy a new dining room set AND drink a free cup of coffee AND play with adoptable kitty kats until your very own adorable paws fall off!!!

“A legit donut shop,” someone wrote, because, yeah, where do you even find the holy rounds ’round here? (Bagels, too, while we’re at it.)

Though Taos Center for the Arts has done a good job curating drive-in films and concerts in response to COVID, Concerned for the environment, there were many some of you all would like to see a more permanent drivewrite-ins naming #1 to Conscious Recycling, a recycling in theatre in town. Who’s ready to bust out some Grease service that collects your plastic waste weekly. In the same Lightning?! And, our favorite: a bar called Your Mom’s vein, The Repurposing Plastic Project — which turns House. We can see it now. The bar counter like a kitchen your plastic into insulating bricks for homes and other counter laden with mama’s cooking goods. This might be structures — got several hits. The Hum Magazine buzzed, better than drinking at your actual mom’s house, but just as well. don’t go leaving your dirty martini socks around, okay?

Best place to people watch?

It’s Thursday afternoon. Three scruffy men hang in the gazebo talking about Tom Cruise going from Jerry Maguire to Scientology. Tourists bumble in and out of galleries, pop in the rock shop, buy kitschy rattlesnake mugs. In the square, a man spins rope to some Shpongle looking like a tailless cat gone mad. The next morning, a little crowd relaxes in front of Manzanita Market like they do most mornings, while the sun continues its slow pull to zenith.

From World Cup or Chokolá or the Gorge Bar and Grill patio, you’re sure to observe your fair share of entertainment.

And come Saturday at the Farmers Market — where little kids march around with toy recorders, and poets click-clack on-the-spot wisdoms from their typewriters, and buskers banjo — the people watching game is prime.

Name a category we missed: Best pothole

Calmest place

Worst of Taos! Let’s vote some people off the island!

Many possible categories for holistic health practitioners – massage, Reiki, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, etc.

Best Local Lunatic / crazy person

Best place to watch the sunrise None too many already Best bartender (Y’all still love Stephen Montoya)

photo: Arielle Christian

Your family is in for a visit —what’s the first thing you’re taking them to do?

Stand in the yard and look at them mountains! | Taos Pueblo | Hiking: Drive to Orilla Verde to spot Bighorns — rim trail — Williams lake — wheeler — down to hot springs | Gorge bridge | The plaza | EAT! Orlando’s , Margaritas and nachos at Alley Cantina and The AdobeBar | To the river in Pilar

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