SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico’s rich culinary history will be showcased in an immersive exhibit at the New Mexico History Museum this summer.
The “Forks in the Road: Notable New Mexico Restaurants” exhibit will highlight iconic, notable, and historic eateries as well as lesser-known restaurants in the Land of Enchantment. To do this, the museum is asking residents and state visitors to share their memories about restaurants in the state. “New Mexico is so connected to our food heritage, and we want to know those stories firsthand,” said Catherine Trujillo, deputy director of the New Mexico History Museum.
People who want to share their memories of restaurants in New Mexico can do so by calling 623-335-2483 and leaving a recorded message. Some of those memories will then be placed on an interactive map in the exhibit where people will be able to touch it and listen to what people say.
“We got one call, just recently, from a woman who had a memory of Cuchillo Cafe in Cuchillo, New Mexico. She said she was dating her then-boyfriend, and they would go to that cafe in this rural part of New Mexico and have their early dates, and have enchiladas with eggs on top. And she says she associates that smell and that taste, and she went on to marry this man,” said Trujillo.
Two well-known restaurants with extensive histories that will be featured in the exhibit are La Posta, which serves us New Mexican food in Mesilla, and Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque House in Albuquerque, which recently announced its closure.
Front view of a La Posta traditional restaurant. (Credit: Adobe Stock)
Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque House Central Avenue location will close Oct. 1, 2023. Photo taken on Sept. 26, 2023. (Credit: KRQE)
New Mexico Chef Johnny Vee is a co-curator and is working to also incorporate the smell of food into the exhibit. “People are going to be able to smell biscochitos, or green chile, red chile, carne adovada, or, you know, it’s going to be fun,” said Vee.
He is also working to incorporate a retro diner space into the exhibit that will have a booth for people to sit in, a jukebox, and information about Fred Harvey, who built hotels, restaurants, and newsstands throughout the American Southwest, including New Mexico.
Vee would also like to host special events related to the exhibit. “Maybe we’ll do a dinner where we invite one of the chefs or restaurants we feature to come and do a dinner in the museum or somewhere. So, and guest speakers, there’ll be some guest speakers,” he explained.
The “Forks in the Road: Notable New Mexico Restaurants” exhibit is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024 inside the Palace of the Governors at the New Mexico History Museum.
