Welcome to Marfa
You wouldn’t expect to find an eclectic hub of art and culture in the middle of West Texas. And yet, Marfa.
Founded as a railroad town in the 1880s, Marfa’s emergence is tied to the arrival and efforts of minimalist artist Donald Judd in 1971. 50 years later the little town (population 1,981) has become an artistic epicenter, drawing in tens of thousands of visitors each year from around the world.
Sadly, our travels took us through Marfa on a Sunday and Monday in February when most of the galleries and restaurants were closed (some just for the day, others for the season), but the town has an undeniable charm that is well worth the trip.
We still had a blast exploring and found some great little bars and restaurants that you should definitely consider stopping by when you go.
The Sentinel
Home to the Big Bend Sentinel and strong margaritas, The Sentinel is a local favorite and came highly recommended. Inside is a small shop that gives off some serious “Rose Apothecary” vibes for all you Schitt’s creek fans out there . It also has a great outdoor seating area around back - the perfect place to get demolished at a game of cribbage on a Sunday afternoon. Pictured below on the left is the winner and on the right the guy who was about 4 hands away from complete and utter humiliation. But at least the drinks were strong and delicious.
Lost Horse Saloon
If you like dive bars that serve cold beer and good food, you’ll love Lost Horse Saloon. A few blocks off the main drag, it stands out in many ways. It feels like a place that was here long before Marfa became Marfa. No frills, but good food. The tacos were solid, and the bbq bacon burger paired very nicely with the Lone Star Beer. The star here, though. was the queso and chips, which my wife claims is one of the best she’s eaten. And for those who know Sondra, you know she doesn’t mess around when it comes to cheese.
Marfa Burritos
I think I heard about Marfa Burritos even before I knew there was a town called Marfa. That’s how excited our friends were for us to patronize this staple of Marfa cuisine. Marfa Burritos just feels like how a burrito joint should. It’s simple (cash only), welcoming, and gives you burritos roughly the size of a small child.
If you are hungry in Marfa, go here. You will no longer be hungry afterwards.
As you can see, we only barely scratched the surface of Marfa. Sunday is February was not Marfa at its best, but even half closed it still has a welcoming and eclectic vibe. Go at a proper time, see all the art, eat all the food, and tell us about all the wonderful things we missed.
What you need to know:
Eclectic artsy town in the middle of west Texas.
Go on a Friday or Saturday, preferably in peak seasons.
It’s quite a haul to get there, so pair it with a trip to Big Bend to take full advantage of the region. Make sure to give yourself 4-5 at least.
Cell reception was OK overall. It’s still West Texas, but you’ll get decent signal here.
There’s a great little laundromat attached to a coffee shop (Tumbleweed Laundry and Frama Coffee) where you can get free Wi-Fi (and do your laundry). Also has really good ice cream.