Braving Big Bend: Ghost Town Grub

This is a tale of adventure, misadventure, and a whole lot of adrenaline-induced fun. I visited Texas for the first time in March 2017. Prepared with wildly incorrect stereotypes, a brand new camera, and a few key local phrases ("bless yer heart"), I ventured into the Lone Star State. In case you missed it: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3a

The second half of our third day was just as much fun as the first. After asking around, we decided to eat at the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, Texas. Terlingua began as a mining town when mercury-related minerals like cinnabar and teralinguaite were discovered in the late 1800's. It's population of 2,000 people fell drastically as mines were left behind after WWII due to the plunge in mineral prices and flooding of the area. Since 2010, around 60 people live in this desert ghost town famous for it's rambunctious Chili Cookoffs.

We laughed as people told us to arrive at the Starlight Theatre early because it attracted many tourists every day- there was no way that was possible; there was barely anyone around. Of course, we were proven wrong. A crowd was gathered outside the restaurant/saloon, waiting for it's doors to open.

Once inside, an old man's voice serenaded us, playing his guitar gently as our eyes adjusted to the sights. A large mural stretched across the far wall, showing the history of Terlingua under dim lights. Cattle skulls and Texan flags hung from the high rafters, adding to the cowboy feel of the unfinished walls.

With rumbling stomachs we eagerly ordered from the unique menu. I had the Texas antelope burger with roasted green chile and Swiss cheese. Daniel ate the chicken-fried wild boar with Terlingua gold beer gravy. Michael went for the Terlingua chili cheeseburger. I'm not saying Daniel and I didn't enjoy our meals, but man was Michael's chili cheeseburger good. When they say world-famous chili, they're not joking around. The Starlight Theatre's chili should be the definition of the word chili- comfort food at it's finest.

I traded my fries for Daniel's garlic mashed potatoes. The first creamy bite took me to a different place where all that existed were me and this amazing dish. I wish I could describe it better, but mostly I just remember feeling like my insides were being wrapped by a soft blanket of potatoes. Alright, so maybe I was a little biased having eaten mostly bread, peanut butter, oranges, and granola bars the last couple of days... exaggerated or not, I'll have a difficult time forgetting these mashed potatoes!

After a rejeuvenating meal, the three of us traversed the ghost town, exploring the crumbled skeletons of decrepit buildings weathered from the harsh climate. There's still beauty in the history and remains of this once lively town.