If you find yourself in the Terlingua Ghost Town, a meal at the Starlight Theater is an absolute…read morenon-negotiable. It is easily the heartbeat of the area, offering a dining experience that perfectly captures the eclectic, rugged, and friendly spirit of West Texas. Be prepared this place is popular for a reason. Wait times can easily reach the two-hour mark, but don't let that deter you. The trick is to put your name in first, then immediately pivot to "vacation mode." Grab a drink and an appetizer from the bar and head outside. The porch and the surrounding area become a lively social hub where locals and tourists mix seamlessly. The atmosphere is what truly sets Starlight apart. While we were waiting for our table, a couple of locals claimed the large bench right outside and broke into a spontaneous, spirited rendition of The Jungle Book theme songs! It was pure magic. My kids were completely enthralled by the performance, which turned a long wait into one of the highlights of our trip. It gave my husband and me the perfect window to relax with our drinks and soak in the desert air. The food lived up to the hype of the setting: Smoked Brisket Queso: This is an absolute must-order. It's rich, smoky, and the perfect fuel for a Ghost Town evening. Prickly Pear Margarita: Vibrant, delicious, and refreshing it's the quintessential West Texas cocktail. The Main Course: We ordered a variety of kid-friendly items and the Brisket Tacos. While everything we ate was delicious, be aware that their famous Texas Mesquite Smoked Brisket is in high demand they had unfortunately run out by the time we were seated, so get there early if that's your primary goal! The Starlight Theater isn't just a restaurant; it's an event. Between the incredible live local interactions, the "only-in-Terlingua" scenery, and the solid food and drink, it is a 5-star experience. Just remember: arrive early, bring your patience, and keep an ear out for the music!

We were lucky to go on a week night and got a table pretty quickly…read more The food was good. We had the BBQ Pork sandwich was was great! The BBQ sauce was delicious. We also tried the Antelope fingers (kind of like chicken fingers). We weren't a fan. They weren't gamey at all, but were pretty tough to chew. There was live music that night so that's a plus!

Great food and service but the view .... Fantastic ... best…read morein Terlingua . Has a marvelous time with our students

12 years later and The High Sierra ain't what she used to be. The lady friend and I came in for an…read moreearly dinner since The Starlight wasn't opening until 5, and we were starving from our full day in the park. I ordered a cup of chili and some Buffalo wings, and the lady friend ordered some chicken tacos. The chili was good, apparently they use the recipe from the award-winning cookout each year. The wings were weird; the flats were good and crispy but the drumettes were flimsy. The ladyfriend's tacos were horrible. They seemed to use the bagged Tyson precooked chicken breast strips that were all rubbery in texture. They gave here just a few pieces of cilantro and onion on top. These were not street tacos and needed some toppings to mask the crappy meat. I still gave them 3 stars because it's Terlingua, the beer was cold, the chili was good and the waiter was very nice.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from a place in a ghost town, but La Keva absolutely blew me…read moreaway. We stopped in after a long day at Big Bend, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our whole trip. Let's start with the beef nachos. I've had a lot of nachos in my life, but these are on another level. The beef was incredibly flavorful--seasoned perfectly and piled on generously. Each chip was individually loaded instead of just dumping toppings on top, so every single bite had that perfect balance of crispy chip, melty cheese, tender beef, and fresh toppings. Do not skip these. I'm still thinking about them days later. For my main, I went with the shredded beef sandwich, and wow. The beef was so tender it practically fell apart, slow-cooked to perfection and piled high on what I think was a fresh-baked bun. It came with these seasoned fries that were crispy and well-salted. My partner got the enchiladas (also great), but honestly I couldn't stop stealing bites of my own sandwich. The view from the patio is ridiculous--you're looking straight at the Chisos Mountains while eating some of the best food in West Texas. The cocktail menu is legit too; the mezcal margarita paired perfectly with everything. Service was friendly and laid-back, exactly the vibe you want in Terlingua. A heads-up: it gets busy around sunset, so either show up early or be prepared to wait a bit. Totally worth it though. If you're in the Big Bend area, do yourself a favor and eat here. Get the beef nachos. Get the shredded beef sandwich. Thank me later.

I wouldn't waste your time coming here. Staff was rude and food is bad. Margarita was awful and…read morejust tasted like straight up lime juice. Nothing was special about the side salad - Lacked dressing. Pizza had like one pepperoni on it per slice. Wasn't worth spending $80 here. Beef sandwich also wasn't anything special.

This was way better than ok. The beans were amazing. The Mac n cheese w peppers was delightful. The…read morebrisket was scrumptious. And the beer was just what was needed on this hot day. The wait staff was helpful, kind and patient. The environment was upbeat. We rushed to order as a bus of folks came in-bug not a problem. They faired well in the rush. A+ Brick Vault folks!

If you ever pass through Marathon, and you like barbecue, you must stop here for some excellent bbq…read moreand brewskis. (I didn't get any beers this time, but they have some good options on tap!) Prices are reasonable for the quality. The brisket was above average--not the best I've ever had, but the pork spare ribs are the star! The spare ribs are so tender and perfectly seasoned. I would probably just get those if I'm ever back again. Self-seating is available indoors and outside on the patio. Make sure you ask for bread, pickles, pickled jalapeños/onions, as they are complimentary. They also have water cups by the sauces (spicy or regular).

I am sure its great BBQ, but tasted liquid smoke the last time we went in and whatever is in that…read moremix tears my stomach up. Would be so much better without that in the sauce!

Meat was a 3.5 - very good but not excellent. No bark on the brisket but very tender and lean and…read moretasty. Excellent tangy bbq sauce. Sides were extremely bland. The bread was oddly really good. The staff were so freaking rude, notwithstanding the fact that we spent over $200. It was way, way too expensive for what it was. And cash only. And again, really really rude. Seems like this is a theme, from looking at other reviews. Disappointing.

My husband and I stayed in Alpine, TX on our way to Big Bend. During our stay, we stopped in at…read moreSpicewood Restaurant and it did not disappoint! First off- the vibes/ ambience as the sun sets is unreal! I loved the views from the restaurant and really gave the Texas vibes we were looking for. Service was pleasant and timely which is always appreciated. I got a glass of wine and my husband got a beer. Food wise, I got the steak bites and absolutely loved them! So good. My husband got the Spicewood Philly and some wings. He enjoyed his food, as well. If you're in the area, I'd definitely suggest you stop by for a meal!

The ambiance and decor of this place is beautiful! The groom and I both had food and drinks. This…read moreburger was FANTASTIC. My tenderloin sandwich was very good (though it had waaay too much horseradish on it). That said - we will gladly go back again the next time we are in the area!!

Absolutely the best meal we have ever had in Alpine.Wish we could eat there every day,but we live…read moreabout 700 miles from here,for were on vacation.We highly recommend this place.

Highly recommend! They have the best loaded brisket potatoes! Tacos are great and salads are…read morefresh.

Reata is a cute spot -- it's in a charming old house and has a cozy, historic feel. I ate in the…read morebar area and loved the log cabin vibe inside. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup and the smoked quail. The soup was served with the garnishes in the bowl and the broth poured from a kettle at the table, which was a fun presentation. The quail was also well plated and tasty. Overall, I enjoyed both the food and the presentation. If you're in Alpine or passing through (like I was on the way back from Big Bend NP), this is a great place to stop and grab a meal.

We went in for a table for 2 around 6pm, without a reservation, and were seated immediately. We…read morewere dressed casually, but you could also dress nicer if you wanted a nice date night. Our waiter Sebastian was friendly, attentive and answered all of our questions while providing his own recommendations. It was all SO good that we're planning to go back during our stay! The old fashioned is a must and the chicken was not oily at all. Sebastian recommended getting the sauce on the side, and I would recommend as well! We are also tough critics of grits, and these did not disappoint! Definitely go to Reata if you're in Alpine!