The Ghost Town Of Terlingua Is Home To Just 100 People - And One Of The Best Restaurants In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published May 15, 2023
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Ghost towns in Texas make me feel like I’m in an old Western movie – what about you? The most well-known ghost town in our state, Terlingua, is only home to around 100 people, yet it boasts an incredible restaurant that serves up some of the best food you’ll ever try. Housed in an old movie palace, Starlight Theatre in Terlingua offers everything from steak and seafood to mouthwatering BBQ to handcrafted cocktails, all in an atmosphere that’s so perfectly Texas.
As you travel along Highway 118 towards the ghost town of Terlingua, you'll see a whole lot of nothing out your windshield.
The former mercury mining town was abandoned in the Great Depression era, and it's essentially frozen in time. What you see here is just about all there is to Terlingua: a handful of operational buildings (and many abandoned ones), a cemetery where many mine workers are buried, and a rugged desert landscape that extends as far as the eye can see in all directions.
Amid the dusty roads, tumbleweeds, and skeletons of once-thriving businesses that are slowly succumbing to the elements, Starlight Theatre stands out like a diamond in the rough.
A movie palace in a past life, Starlight Theatre is a fine dining establishment in the middle of the West Texas desert, with a lively, welcoming atmosphere to boot.
Live bands regularly perform on the indoor stage, but there is also ample outdoor seating if you prefer to soak up the beautiful surroundings while you eat.
The menu is divided into sections that are named after movie lingo; for example, appetizers are known as "Previews." Perhaps you'll start off with some fried Brussels sprouts with bacon, chile, soy, and sesame...
As far as entrees (or "Feature Presentations") go, everything from steaks and seafood to even chicken-fried antelope is up for grabs. If you're feeling indecisive, try the Mixed Grill, which features shrimp, quail, and your choice of either a filet mignon or ribeye.
...plus tacos, salads, and decadent desserts like bourbon pecan pie and churros with hot fudge dipping sauce. Don't forget to round out your meal with a prickly pear margarita!
Have you ever eaten at Starlight Theatre? If so, do you think it’s one of the best restaurants in Terlingua? Are there any other ghost towns in Texas with amazing restaurants? Tell us in the comments! While you’re in Terlingua, be sure to pay a visit to the Terlingua Cemetery. This hauntingly beautiful place houses the remains of mine workers and victims of the 1918-19 influenza outbreak, and it’s one of the most heavily photographed graveyards in the U.S.
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