Fuel has everything you'd want in a small-town espresso shop: the historic building, the bricks and worn wooden floors, the free wi-fi, the bulletin board of local art events (and deer processing), the stage for live music, the side of Jesus, and, of course, the solid cup of the espresso-based drink of your choice.

The menu is a bit of a hoot with Porky's Revenge, the Chicken Fried Whaaa?, the S.O.S., and George's Butt Burner Omelette.

The Monkey Muffin was a bit of dietary overkill after inhaling the Hungry Monkey, but I put my life on the line every day for our dedicated readers, so I dove in. And it was a sticky, nutty, and delicious mess that brought back pleasant memories of making monkey bread with mom in the early 80s.

La Mancha is festive with ample indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff, and a deep menu.

Me and my pants knew we were in trouble when we saw the pink neon sign out front: "Support your local carb dealer."

VooDoo Doughnut will be moving into the old Lucy’s spot on Burnet

Hi-D-Ho brands itself as "Home of the Tiger Burger," a patty-patty voted the #1 cheeseburger in Otero County. And, woo-wee, it was dang good! Large with a perfect balance of beef, cheese, and chile flavors, I was in heaven, the best green chile cheeseburger I've had since I'd had a revelation of a burger in Carrizozo some 20 years ago.

Russell’s has what you want out of a local bakery: good coffee and espresso drinks, good pastries and pies, and good soups, sandwiches, and salads. Their cinnamon rolls are dense and buttery, their sandwiches thick, and their soups savory.

A couple years ago I bought a t-shirt that showed a dumpster with “2020” written on the side and its contents on fire. I wish I could get an “s” added to the end of “2020” since our roaring twenties seem to be roaring out of control with the pandemic, war in Europe, and shooting after shooting.

Making a roux is like democracy in America: there's a fine line between heaven and disaster.