Out in Roswell where the stories lean extraterrestrial and expectations can get a little... out…read morethere you find yourself at Portofino Italian Restaurant, chasing something far more grounded: a proper Italian meal. And this place delivers with a quiet kind of confidence. The pizza? A well-balanced composition crust with just the right snap, sauce that doesn't overreach, and toppings that know their role. The pasta leans into comfort, rich without being overbearing, the kind of dish that doesn't need reinvention to win you over. It's familiar but executed with care. Inside, the space is clean, composed, and inviting. Nothing flashy, nothing forced just a setting that lets the food do the talking. Service follows that same rhythm: attentive, smooth, and effortless. In a town known for the unusual, this is a reminder that sometimes the best experiences are the ones that don't try too hard. A solid pick. A refined pause. And when you're in Roswell, that's more than enough.

I wanted so badly to love Portofino Italian Restaurant in Roswell, NM, but it fell short for me for…read morefour main reasons. My oldest daughter and I were quickly seated on April 16, 2026, for lunch before her doctor's appointment. 1) the wait staff was short-handed and did NOT work efficiently. They took a long while to get requested items to us. 2) the food lacked flavor particularly with my eggplant parmigiana ($9.95 on lunch specials!). 3) the tea was exceedingly cloudy and did not taste good. 4) we were there for nearly an hour before our check was brought and did not get to try dessert! But this was an affordable restaurant that serves beer and wine. They offered excellent table bread - my daughter wouldn't stop pigging out on it. Lol. The lunch specials were a good deal. I liked their pasta e fagioli soup. Not my favorite since the pasta was so incredibly mushy, but still good. There are other places I want to dine at before trying this place out again, but I will return someday.

Food was very good. Service was on point and the ambiance hmmmm could be better…read more We came for the first time because we were visiting. If we go back we will visit again.

We always order pick up and it's always hot and delicious. It's ready quickly too! They can get…read morebusy at times and it's hard to call the order in but I know they are busy and there aren't many people to answer the phone so I just call back and order.

Nice establishment across the street from the Fairfield where we were staying. The food was superb…read moreand the service excellent. Interesting indoor ambiance will transport you from Roswell to Italy. We ate appetizers and took a pizza to go. My wife had the Ahi Tuna, and I tasted it - really good. I had the Steamed Little Neck Clams and they were also excellent. The pizza was a little bland which surprised me. We enjoyed seeing all the young people dressed up for prom night and the cowboys (not sure if they were real of just dressed as one) with huge, brimmed hats. Good place to enjoy good Italian food in the desert. Recommended.

Two Foodies from Houston on a Roswell, New Mexico winter break road trip…read more On our first night, we decided to explore Italian food so we picked Pasta Cafe located near our hotel. The outside and inside are well maintained and have an Italian style. Ideal place for date night. Wait staff and hostess were both professional and friendly. Our waitress had an amazing personality and helped us pick two dishes. Bread basket was brought to the table. As a bread lover, I was not too happy with the quality and baking style of the bread. We ordered Lobster Ravioli and Chicken Piccata. While the dishes were not seasoned to what I am accustomed to, they did the trick for two hungry tourists. As always, I encourage you to try it for yourself when you find yourself in Roswell, NM.

While visiting Carlsbad Caverns we stayed in town for a couple days and had dinner here our first…read morenight. The waitress who served us was wonderful, friendly, attentive, and incredibly kind to our dog. Prices were very reasonable and the portions were generous. The only negative part of the evening had nothing to do with the restaurant. A man seated next to us spent much of dinner being rude and entitled, repeatedly questioning how the salmon was prepared, criticizing the wine list, and generally acting unpleasant toward the staff. The blonde waitress with glasses handled the situation with impressive patience and professionalism. Honestly, it took restraint not to say something myself. She did a fantastic job dealing with a very difficult customer and deserves recognition for it.

Came here because locals swore this place was "so good." Absolutely not…read more The outside gives you hope, but don't be fooled. They marched us straight to some random back room that looked filthy and forgotten. Dirty walls, dead flies sitting on the window sills, dusty air vents directly over our table, worn-out floors and furniture... the whole place felt grimy. On the way to our table we were also walked past a nasty smelling dishwashing area, which really set the tone for the experience. Now the food. The kids got chicken fettuccine Alfredo, and somehow it managed to be both lava hot and completely flavorless at the same time. The chicken tasted like it lost a fight with the microwave. The meatloaf? I genuinely have no idea what they served me. It looked like cafeteria mystery meat drowned in tomato puree. Honestly offensive. I ordered the green chile cheeseburger with fries thinking maybe they'd at least get that right. Nope. The green chile had zero spice, zero flavor, zero reason to exist. The burger itself was forgettable at best. And the best part? The bill was nearly $100. For dirty vents, dead flies, bland food, and mystery meat. Would I come back? Not even if someone else was paying.

Friendly service with wonderful sandwiches, salads and desserts! The fig and prosciutto panini is…read moreout of this world!

I had been eyeing this spot for a while. My husband & I decided to stop in on a lovely Saturday. I…read moregot the fig jam & prosciutto, my husband got the GOAT.. THEY WERE SOOOOOO DELICIOUS! The service was top tier. Super friendly & informative. Space was clean & music was vibin to the 90's rock. We were even given some cannolis on the way out. I definitely will be back, I'd love to try everything on the menu!

I have mixed reviews regarding this establishment. Firstly, the server lacked in-depth knowledge…read moreabout wine, though they were familiar with the labels, which added an element of amusement. Secondly, the wine tasting options were limited solely to the bottles that were open, priced at 3 for $15, which was reasonable. However, for guests unfamiliar with the region, the presence of local vineyards may come as a surprise. I am aware that high desert areas can yield exceptional grapes, yet the experience did not adequately convey the origins, distinctions, or cultivation methods of the vineyard's grapes. As a winery, it is crucial to educate staff about the grape varieties offered and ensure they can address customer inquiries effectively. One staff member appeared annoyed by questions, while another was unable to provide answers but maintained a pleasant demeanor. Would I visit again to try the food? Sure, Being a chef it'll be interesting if they use the right pairing of the wines to enhance the food they serve. Menu looks amazing. But only can review the bar experience so far. **Reflections of a Traveling Chef: Expectations and Perceptions** In the world of culinary arts, especially when you're constantly on the move like a travel chef, managing expectations becomes a balancing act of its own. Our first interactions with new places and people often paint vivid pictures in our minds, for better or worse. I find myself guilty of overanalyzing initial encounters and reacting more strongly than perhaps warranted. This tendency was clear when I first dined at a restaurant where a server's attitude struck me as indifferent. At that moment, my expectations shifted into a montage of assumptions, casting a shadow over my experience. Yet, I realized later that perhaps, in my haste to judge, I had missed understanding the nuances that come with new environments and personalities--a lesson in perception that time and experience continue to teach. Returning to the same restaurant, I approached with a renewed perspective and sought to experience it anew, sans the baggage of past misjudgments. This time, the culinary offerings of beef Wellington bites and a green chili cream cheese appetizer opened my eyes to the finesse and creativity the establishment could offer. What stood out, however, was not just the food but the human element--Josh, who transformed an initially unpleasant experience into something unexpectedly delightful. Josh's efforts reminded me of the power a single individual holds in reshaping perceptions and the pivotal role attitude plays in hospitality. As I reflect, the lesson becomes clear: while our expectations can skew reality, our ability to embrace change and give second chances can lead to unexpectedly rewarding experiences.

My daughter and I had a pleasant outdoor dining experience for lunch at Pecos Flavors Winery +…read moreBistro back on April 8, 2026. If you do not like honeybees, do not sit outside. They don't bother me at all, but we also had to shoo away them and especially flies which are sure annoying. I opted for a whole #9 turkey with black olives ($13). I am glad I did get chips, salad, or soup. It would have been too much for me. The avocado on my sandwich was a bit of a turnoff, having browned quite a bit. However, it was tasty. My oldest got a whole #12 BLT ($14). That thing had a ton of bacon strips which she didn't share. Lol. She at all of it. She had a cup of tomato basil soup which I thought was okay. Not my favorite. The lemon berry mascarpone cake ($7) was very delicious even though the cake part fell apart easily. Our waitress was friendly, but just a bit weird at times - like not handing me the receipt when I reached for it. She instead placed it further out in front of me. She just was in La La Land I guess. I would back for a lazy brunch with mimosas.

The best homemade Beef jerky!! We tried this on our New Mexico trip last year. And I still order…read morefrom them to deliver to us in California! Best flavor: CAJUN Runner up: Original hot Coffees are just as good.

This as mentioned in past reviews is another Road Trip Regular! Not Only for the Great Cup of Java!…read moreBut for THE RIDICULOUSLY SAVORY HOMEMADE JERKY!!! So many options it's insane. Stop in & Check them out. I know you will leave with at least 3 different flavors, lol!

Words cannot describe our meal at the Outlaw Cafe! I had the…read morehamburger steak I don't chew very well. And I'm telling you there is love love in everything... I thought of that hamburger steak and there was love put in that gravy! It was a mushroom and onion beef gravy I don't know how they did it but they fit the love in there! And I know that's served all over the United States and I have been from San Diego to Bangor, Maine and nothing is that good, nothing! And my son and I got dessert, just because, and it was so creamy and rich...It's the best coconut cream pie I've ever had! And the little girl that was our waitress, was just wonderful. I can't begin to tell you how good this restaurant is find yourself anywhere near Eunice, New Mexico, you've got to stop and eat there, you won't be disappointed! 5 stars!!!

It was decent, but for the price I would rather eat somewhere else other than that good serviceread more

When we asked around for good places to get a drink at Pepper's frequently came up on the list…read more Staff was amazing and helped seat us somewhere we could be a little more loud and the location next to the bar was perfect. The interior is surprisingly large with a spacious dining room to the right, more seating near the bar, and even an outdoor space that had live music when we went. Spicy Beef Nachos Appetizer: Chips topped with queso, green onions, jalapeños, black olives, tomatoes, guacamole, and sour cream. My friend got this and I had a couple bites. Chips were not soggy and it was large enough to cover as his dinner. Green Chile Burger: Topped with monterey jack cheese and roasted chopped Chaves County-grown hot green chile. Served on a jalapeño bun with a side of our hot green chile sauce. Their signature burger and it tasted good. I don't need too much food but the amount of fries I got was too little even for me. Got two Johnny Walker Blacks with a splash of coke and they came well mixed and quickly. We did end up getting rained in and hilariously went back for a second dinner to wait out the rain. Black corn taquitos were OK, I would not get the fried shrimp basked again, the shrimp was too small and there was too much breading.

My band (Shine on Floyd!) is in town on tour and stopped in for dinner and drinks. TBH the food was…read moredecent, but unexceptional... i bumped this up to five stars for the amazing service! The hostess (whose name I forget) went out of her way to take special care of our huge group of 10 people who dropped in on her on a busy night. Our server Heather was a total rock star! She had never heard of Pink Floyd (heresy!) but treated us like royalty. All in all I would have to believe that Peppers treats every single customer like this - and highly recommend a stop.