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Los Arcos:
A Delicious Excuse to Drive upstream
Article and Photography By Joseph Burgess
 In its desert setting that touts exceptional outdoor recreational options and therapeutic hot mineral baths, Truth or Consequences also offers rewarding experiences in the arts, history and dining.Adventuresome travelers along the Rio Grande corridor between Albuquerque and El Paso who exit Interstate 25 for exploratory excursions have long ago discovered Los Arcos restaurant.The steak and seafood establishment should, in fact, be included in your list of destination restaurants.
“It was our prime top sirloin that built the restaurant’s reputation as an excellent steakhouse,” says owner Bob Middleton.“In addition to the area’s recreational visitors, we have a strong local following, regulars from the Hatch area and even people who drive up from Las Cruces.”
The steaks are aged and trimmed by the restaurant and the staff bakes fresh bread daily. Australian lobster tails and Alaskan king crab are offered and served in combinations with the steak. Specialties include mesquite-smoked Baby Back Ribs with orange pecan barbecue sauce and the charbroiled Filet Monte Vista topped with green chile and Mornay sauce. Seafood and fresh water options include herbbutter catfish, Indonesian shrimp and Walleye Pike, deep-fried in beer batter and charbroiled Almondine or Cajun style.
 The bar offers an extensive list of beer, wine, liqueur, cognac and coffee specialties. “The bar and patio are popular as a gathering place for friends,” Bobby adds, “and handle the overflow from the restaurant.”
As with any establishment that has stood the test of time, consistency, quality and service are essential ingredients to its success. In the case of Los Arcos, the warm, relaxed atmosphere and personal attention from the management team are also key elements. Incidentally, all employees are listed on the menu as managers.
The restaurant opened 36 years ago. The architecture has an elegant 70s flair with wide arches and southwest artwork. The low profile exterior is accented with maguey, giant daggers and other tropical cacti. Finely inlaid wooden tables were built specially for the restaurant 30 years ago and more recently were refinished, providing a unique touch to the décor.
Bobby is a Truth or Consequences native, or more correctly, a native of Hot Springs. He began working at Los Arcos when it first opened and soon started buying into the ownership, ultimately becoming sole owner. Recognizing the benefits of shared ownership, two of Bobby’s long-time employees have earned an interest in the restaurant. Bobby is also a major owner of the Monte Vista Fire Station and Owl Café in Albuquerque, as well as The Rex in Billings,Montana.
 Los Arcos is typically included in the game plan for area water sporting and hot mineral bath enthusiasts…and by the way, Elephant Butte’s water has cleared up and the beaches stabilized.The restaurant is an excellent dinner stop for New Mexico’s I-25 travelers, and for our Las Cruces readers, remember that Los Arcos is a mere hour’s drive upstream. Think sizzling steak and succulent lobster. It doesn’t get any better.
Leave early and take in the museums and a growing list of galleries. It might also be worth your while to follow the progress of new area developments including a gated community and golf course. Retirement opportunities are much broader than in previous years.
Early Warm Springs Apaches, Spanish colonizers and weary pioneers all recognized the health benefits of the local hot springs. And yes, Spaceport America is closer to Truth or Consequences than Las Cruces. The little oasis on the Rio Grande appears to be opening a new chapter in its history that is solidly anchored to the original text. Check it out and include dinner at Los Arcos.
Los Arcos Steak & Lobster is located at 1400 N. Date Street in T or C and is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday, 5:00-9:30 and 5:00- 10:30 on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call (505) 894-6200.
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