Road tripping from Colorado to Texas and stopped through Ratón for lunch. Wanted Mexican food and you know from Texas we have good taste. Wasn't packed midday on a Sunday but service was quick and our food came out quick as well. Food was warm and tasty, very flavorful. We got a chicken quesadilla, the burrito Colorado, and the tamale + taco platter. The environment was nice and pretty clean. I think the bad reviews here were dramatic because we had a good experience. Little tweaks here and there like more cheese on some dishes and itty bitty details but overall we had a great experience! read more

This spot is part of the motel/hotel. Spacious with friendly service. Sadly, I cannot say much about the food. We chose this place because it had green and red chile on the menu, but our items were flavorless. Sad to report, it was not a favorite. read more

See all

Our stay in Ratón included this restaurant. It reminds me more of a cantina by the way it is decorated. The food is really good and they serve traditional breakfasts, hearty biscuits and gravy and your New Mexican fare. We hung out in the evenings and got to know the wait staff. They were friendly welcoming and provided A+ service. We will return for another adventure! read more

We were driving between New Mexico and Colorado. The town is Raton (which should have been a clue since that translates to rat). My wife ordered a margarita, took one sip and told the server it was terrible. She said she would have to charge us because my wife tasted it. I said fine but not sure how you know something is bad without tasting it. Not only that but she acted as though my wife insulted her first born child. Not to belabor this, my suggestion is. ....... Set your speed control for 90 and drive right by. One suggestion for the record... if you are going to serve crappy food or drinks, at least be nice. read more

Pleasantly surprised. Good food, good atmosphere, excellent Margaritas and nice staff. read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Menu and drink list dated August 2025 - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

See all

This place used to be better. Around 20 years ago it was a different ethnic food but with new ownership, it became Mexican/ El Salvadoran / American food around 20 years ago. And the food is tasty and usually prepared right. i used to travel I-25 between Denver and ABQ so it was a perfect place for me to stop when going in either direction. In the last couple years its really gone downhill. I've been debating about saying anything because i met the owner he's a really pleasant and helpful guy. But the prices have gone WAY up, maybe 30 percent higher than the online menu's, and the meal size and quality have declined significantly, especially the portion size. A few months ago i ordered a meal to pick up at their drive up window and some of the condiments that come with the meal were left off and there were other problems as well. I'm very reluctant to eat there anymore but if i do it will be IN the restaurant so i can complain if things aren't right. read more

Sat down and waited 20 minutes and nobody even came to take drink orders. Mind that we were the only ones in the restaurant at 5 pm. We walked out and left a 5 on the table. Nobody even cared when we walked out. I just don't like that atmosphere read more

The worst chicken quesadilla I have ever eaten, the tortilla was hot but the chicken and cheese inside were cold. The salsa that comes with the chips is tasteless and no heat. I expected better from New Mexico. The service was okay but the bland food cannot be forgiven. read more

See all

The restaurant was clean. Service was prompt and attentive. The food was very good, especially the beans. The margarita (on the rocks) was very good. Not too sweet. read more

I'm unsure how and why this restaurant has decent reviews anywhere online. It's the best candidate for Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares that I've ever visited, hands down. The first thing we ate was the 'salsa' and chips. The chips were bland, dry, triangles of sadness. If I had to guess at how the 'salsa' was made, I'd say someone dumped a can of diced tomatoes in a bowl, then diced up some very old onions and tossed them in . Then ladled some of that into a small bowl and brought it to our table. And you know the onions I'm talking about - they've been in the walk-in for so long that you have to cut around the huge green sprouts that have grown out of them and they taste incredibly bitter and pungent. I ordered the carnitas, which was about a cup of very fatty, greasy meat, with a side of beans and rice, pico, lettuce, guacamole, and two tortillas. The beans were a travesty. Essentially, thick bean water with whole beans in it. Like they made it most of the way through the cooking process, and then the cook just gave up. The rice was really dry and had no taste. The guacamole had this oddly sweet taste, like avocados do when they've passed overripe and have started to rot. But the créme de la créme was the tortillas. It tasted like someone had coated them in olive oil and warmed them on a grill. The issue was the olive oil smelled and tasted rancid - like too much was ordered and it had been sitting around for a long time, and the tortillas were clearly stale. The restaurant was filled with flies, which indicates a cleanliness issue, backed up by the filthy menus and tables. We followed a couple billboards from at least an hour away to eat here in the middle of a long road trip, so this experience was very disappointing. Definitely don't recommend this restaurant whatsoever. read more

Well it was what was open on a Sunday passing through from Colorado. Server was friendly and swamped handling everything solo. Food was the blandest I've ever had in New Mexico. Will try to make it to Santa Fe next time. read more

Best Mexican food and service in Raton. The restaurant itself is like an old saloon and I can guarantee a return

Value-driven Mexican food in the lobby of a small hotel. Don't let the construction zone out front fool ya; this place has good food at fair prices. Wait to be seated, then enjoy chips and chunky salsa while perusing a menu that would appease any Tex-Mex fan. Drink choices include Margaritas and beer, including a selection of imports w the standard USA options. House Margarita is decent; large wiithout twangy flavors. Lunch specials looked good, and the "Two for $20" specials bring quality food in plenteous measure for your dollars! read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Fajitas on the 'Two for $20' special! - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

See all

Passing through Raton and stayed within walking distance of the restaurant. The restaurant was a pleasant surprise. The service was super friendly. They have Modelo Negra on draught and the homemade salsa is great. Portions are just right and spiced for those who like a little heat. I had the Colorado Plate which I would highly recommend. My wife had the Burrito Rancho that was fresh and authentic. Overall, if you're traveling through Raton, it's worth the stop. read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Chilli Colorado Plate with Slow cooked beef and chili sauce. - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

See all

Food was good. Nice selection of tequilas. Great service. Betting this should be a best of Raton. read more

Stopped here in the way to Colorado wanting some New Mexican food. Cute Mexican decor. Friendly staff. Had the steak fajitas and green chili fries. The fajitas were great but the fries had NO taste at all. Green chili very bland! Can't believe I paid $9 for them. Anyway, ok place but probably won't come back. read more

See all

We went in at 1pm for some food and to play pool. I love playing pool, the table is in the back of the restaurant. The food was delicious, the service was great. I am a local here in Raton. There's only a few restaurants here and I've been to them all. This restaurant has been the best I've been too. It has a homey local feel when you walk in, cozy you might say. Great ambiance for our area. The staff was polite for the middle of the day, the food was hot and so tasty. Definitely going to be my go too in my little piece of heaven in Raton. read more

We stopped in for a quick bite and were very pleased with everything! The chicken green chili quesadilla was fabulous. Also the junior burger & fries. We will definitely put this on our "return to..." list. read more

The food was discussing service, and the mediocre beer was cold kinda pricey for nachos

Service was great, food was delicious. Restaurant was immaculate. Overfall selection on menu. My husband and my breakfast was great. I would recommend this place. Cute decor to. read more

The service was good the food was good & beer was cold. They could improve on how they take the order. The booklet menu has no prices on it. You have to look at the iPad on the table to see what it looks like & price. Then the waitress had to reach over the entire table to put our order on the iPad. They need to update their booklet & get rid of the iPads. read more

One of the best burgers I have ever had! Good Mexican food too. Connected with the motel next door, the ambiance was ok, service fine, and the burger was a wonderful surprise! Excellent!! read more

Good food, good service. It was a cute place. I had the tamales and they were delicious.

The service is great and the food is absolutely delicious. My daughter ordered the nachos and I got the two item plate. Shredded beef taco and a chicken enchilada. Check this place out if your in this town. read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Nachos with steak - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

The queso was good. Cadillac Margarita was a bit too much mix. The Hulk Burger was amazing! read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Hulk Burger, Cadillac Margarita, Queso - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

Clean restaurant. Friendly service. For New Mexican, the food is extremely bland. The green chile is more like a tomatillo sauce, almost no chile flavor. The red chile has not even a hint of pepper heat. Rice, again, very bland. At this restaurant I recommend the fajitas instead of a New Mexican chile dish. Serving sizes are ok, as much food as I ~should~ eat, but it seems a bit high $ for what you get. The main item was small, the rice was one molded scoop with a spoon of tomato (?) sauce on top, and the rest of the plate space was filled by beans. It's a shame they aren't open for breakfast any more, but they are open later than other restaurants in that town. read more

Food was drab and cold. The service was good however. Server was friendly and our food came out without a wait.

My husband and I ate at Casa Lemus a couple of times during our 3 1/2 week say in Raton. The margaritas (though from a mix) are really good, the food is good (nothing special, but good), and the service is friendly. I would say it's probably the best mexican restaurant in Raton. We would definitely come here again. read more

Good menu for breakfast and my huevos rancheros were very good. The coffee is hot but that's about all it has going for it. Service was exceptional. I would come back. read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Dining and lobby areas. Recommended. - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

See all

WOW I can't say enough about frank and the entire experience he helped create at casa lemus. We were treated so nicely and he made sure we liked every little thing including the Chips and salsa. It's hard to find good workers these days and Frank is a star server! We will be back!! read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Front area - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

Food is just ok. Everything needs more spice and seasoning. Green chili is bland, no kick. Salsa is just watery tomatoes. Margarita is all mix, very little if any tequila. Carnitas was tender and flavorful. Service is friendly and prompt. Just need to upgrade the chef.. read more

We had a night at the hotel the restaurant is attached to. At first look the place is rustic and very culturally oriented. Walking in was very cool metal ramp. The front desk lady wasn't the nicest welcome possible but she did as walk us to our table and let us choose to sit next to the rest of our party. Our server is very soft spoken very pleasant lady. The food selection on the free breakfast menu for the hotel was a pretty good variety. Food looked and tasted great. Also the cinnamon rolls are huge and delicious. I had the vegetable skillet and the egg, bacon & hash brown. read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - Vegetable Skillet, cinnamon roll, eggs, bacon, hash brown. - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

I travel constantly so I am always looking for little gems along my travels. The food here was good. The staff was very friendly. The atmosphere was very hometown Mexican casual. The food portions were perfect. Wait staff consistently checked and my glass never ran empty. I plan on making this a regular stop on my cross country trips. read more

First it's in a hotel ... but it's a small town and we were hungry... the green chili sauce is nasty.. like a paste.. red chili no different.. old El Paso would be better. The prices and portions are what really kill it.. the chimichanga was child sized.. and cost 15! $5 for 3 small crappy sopapillias ... and $5 for a side of Xmas chili because they charge for both separate. But you won't know any of that as the menu does not have prices. Ugh the absolute worst food ever. I should have gone hungry. read more

This place is a true hidden gem in Raton! I accidentally stumbled on to it a month or so ago and it's now my go to restaurant when passing thru the area. Service is excellent, food is very authentic and presented well. They have a full bar and the outdoor seating area is a great way to enjoy the meal during cooler weather. read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - a plate of mexican food - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

See all

Delicious, real authentic food! Fast and friendly service! Just passing through town and glad we stopped to eat here!

Food was only okay. Not horrible but not great. Margaritas were not great either -- Cadillac margarita tasted like mixer from a bottle, no tequila but a shot of grand marnier. Service was fine. read more

Hungry but reluctant to try, because of the reviews.. The staff was friendly. They brought out chips and a salsa it had no flavor, I added salt,but to no avail it didn't help. The chips were good they seem to be fresh made as when we walked in it smelled of burnt oil. We ordered the steak tacos and shredded beef chimichanga , the portions were small for price. My husbands chimmi was covered in fake cheese sauce. Definitely came from a can... as I had said in the beginning hungry but reluctant, it filled the void but lessen learned, either stop at town before or after. Up date 2 hours later and we are both sick. ‼‼‼DO NOT ENTER‼‼‼ read more

Casa Lemus Restaurant - American Near Me - Raton, New Mexico

Highly disappointing! The food was prepared for the elderly in care homes! It lacked flavor and the quantity for some items were not worth the price! Don't put some Mexican decor up and call it a Mexican restaurant. Mexican food is cooked with passion and from the heart which gives it a great flare of flavors, when done properly of course! The beans, the rice, the fajitas all lacked any type of taste!! We ordered the chile Colorado plate. The meat looked like small bits of beef and when I say small I mean they were the size of dimes!!! Chile colorado should have chunks of beef!! There wasn't enough of it for the price either!! The only items that had flavor were the salsa and guacamole. You're told you have to place your order on the tablets. Not sure why when a waitress kept asking us if we needed assistance with ordering, which we did because the order wouldn't go through. It would've been faster if she'd just taken the order. Then we noted our drinks on the tablets and they both came out wrong. So again not sure what the purpose is of noting things on screen when it isn't even read. Our tortillas came out way after our meal was served. My first warning sign should've been the mix of food items spaghetti, chicken fried steak with Mexican food usually isn't a good combo! This just says we're reaching for any customers. The staff were nice but that was the extent of the visit. We were starving and left hungry as well as disappointed. read more

Do not eat here. I should have known it wasn't Mexican when the menu said "cheese dip". Believe the bad reviews. The rice tasted like minute rice. The margarita tasted like mixer, no tequila. The burrito was like a cardboard. Waste of money read more