Turn Back Time With a Stay at a Charming Retro Motel & a Meal at this Diner in Texas

Western Texas is a very unique part of the the country. The desert is vast and quiet in this part of Texas, and the stars at night are really, really big and bright. The folks you’ll meet here are friendly and welcoming, though, and it’s a wonderful place to explore at any time of the year.

The town of Sanderson is in this part of Texas. It’s quite small, with a population of just 740 residents, but it has a lot of heart. If you find yourself traveling in West Texas, you might consider eating and sleeping in Sanderson before you continue on your journey to wherever you're headed. If you’re someone who loves retro motels and vintage-style restaurants, then we suggest you stay the night at the Desert Air Motel and dine at the Ranch House Restaurant while you’re in town.

Both of these establishments are locally owned and you’ll be impressed by the style, comfort, and service at the Desert Air Motel, and the food, service, and welcoming atmosphere at Ranch House. These two spots will give you a taste of Sanderson’s vibe and you’re sure to like that vibe a whole lot.

The Ranch House Restaurant is a great place to stop for a meal after a long day on the road or to fuel up before you start a long day of driving. You'll love the rustic vibe of this comforting and welcoming spot. It's open for lunch and dinner daily except it's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. You'll find everything on the menu to be tasty and affordable, and the service is excellent.

The interior of this establishment offers a Texas vibe and owner/operator Tiffany can't wait to welcome you in. All dishes are made with premium ingredients, fresh vegetables, and meat from Miller Meat Company.

You'll be pleased with whatever you choose to order. The burgers are exceptional! All hamburgers come with a 1/3-lb beef patty except The Hungry Cowboy, which includes a 1/2-lb burger. These are quite filling and you're sure to be impressed.

If you're craving something other than a burger, you might order a BLT, a chicken salad sandwich, a tuna salad sandwich, or a brisket torta. Entrees include Zane's Chicken Fried Steak which is served with cream gravy, brown gravy, or ranchero sauce. The Ranch House Pork Chops are another excellent choice; people also rave about The Ranch House's Fried Catfish with tartar sauce.

No matter what you order at The Ranch House Restaurant, you're sure to leave satisifed. If you want to relax on the patio after your meal, you can do that too - and the bar also often offers live local music.

After you fill your belly at The Ranch House, you can settle in for the night at The Desert Air Motel. It's less than a half mile from the restaurant so you can be checked in and ready for bed within mere minutes. This motel was built in 1960 and has been serving guests ever since. The current owners are the fifth owners of this property and bought it on a whim in 2018 after a visit to nearby Big Bend National Park. The vintage sign out front offers fantastic photo opportunities for visitors who love capturing the past in photos of today.

The current owners have taken great care in renovating the property to clean, modern standards while still keeping the retro and vintage vibe alive. In recent years, they have developed outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy - there's a pool if you want to take a dip! - and they have replaced the carpets in the rooms with tile. They've done a lot of repainting, too.

The results are fantastic. The rooms are now fresh and pleasant but still maintain a retro feel. The Desert Air Motel is a wonderful place to relax and rest your bones when traveling in south Texas. This type of motel is America at its best, and it's fantastic to find spots like this one when traveling on a long road trip in this vast country of ours.

The Ranch House Restaurant and The Desert Air Motel are two small businesses that are well deserving of your patronage when you are passing through Sanderson, Texas. The owners of these two places can't wait to welcome and serve you. You'll be quite pleased with your experience at both of them - so be sure to make note. Don't miss this motel and this restaurant the next time you're passing through Sanderson. Happy trails to you!