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Best Big Bend Restaurants: Top Terlingua Restaurant

Big Bend Restaurants, Terlingua Restaurants

Whether you seek the best of Big Bend restaurants or the top Terlingua restaurant, topping the list for both is the Bad Rabbit Cafe located at the Terlingua Ranch Lodge resort.

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It started out as a design for a boys’ school crest, but the Terlingua Rabbit was just too wild to stay at home. When artist Bill Neale’s creation joined forces with the likes of Carroll Shelby and friends, and adopted the name Crazy Rabbit, it was the beginning of fast living and fast cars.

Per Neale, he had designed the “heraldic rabbit” for Dallas attorney David Witts when Witts had plans to develop his 200,000 acre Chiricahua Ranch into a combination hunting park and boys’ school. “The boys school didn’t materialize for a lot of reasons,” says Neale, “but we didn’t waste the crest.”

During a hunting/partying expedition in the early 60’s, the idea of the Terlingua Racing Team was born and so was Crazy Rabbit’s new career. In an early Racing Team press release, Neale explained the meaning of the crest’s elements: “The rabbit thrives in the Big Bend and being fast of foot was picked to dominate the design. He’s holding his right front foot up to say ‘Hold the chili peppers in the chili.’ The sun is there bcause it always is in the Big Bend country. The feathers represent the three Indian tribes: Comanches, Apaches and Kiowa, that lived in the area and were responsible for the Terlingua name.

Although the three feathers appear to have been dropped when Crazy Rabbit was incorporated into the Terlingua Ranch logo, the original design still graces the ’67 Shelby Mustangs owned and run by many racing enthusiasts.

It is unclear how or why Rabbit’s first name changed from Crazy to Bad – maybe 30 years of being settled at Terlingua Ranch has slowed him down a bit. Or perhaps he’s adjusting to the changing times.

“We had chicken fried steaks, mashed potatoes, fried okra… Inexpensive, good portions and good food. We loved the music! Staff friendly… Mostly locals out for a good time!”–Boot L.

“Best amenities in the area. They have clean showers, hardy food at the Bad Rabbit Cafe, and the friendliest staff you’ll find in a 100mi radius.”–Tracey P.

“The Bad Rabbit Cafe is a true gem… I didn’t meet the cook but wanted to tell him his food is truly delicious. We were surprised at how many items were on their menu. “–Texas Gal

“Love the lodge! The staff is friendly… the pool is always refreshing on a hot summer day, and the live music at the Bad Rabbit Cafe is always good!”–Barrett C.

“Everyone at our table of 7 ordered something different and we shared tastes. Every dish, sandwich, salad was terrific. And hats off to the servers… EXCELLENT!”–Brazos P.

Big Bend Accommodations: Terlingua Lodging Options

Big Bend Accommodations, Terlingua Lodging

Big Bend Accommodations: Terlingua lodging options at the Terlingua Ranch Lodge resort include cabin guest rooms, RV sites with hookups, trailer campsites and tent campgrounds.

Guest Rooms

Terlingua Ranch lodging includes 32 clean and quiet cabin guest rooms with great views of the surrounding Big Bend area mountains by day and a universe full of stars and galaxies at night.

RV Sites

Our Big Bend accommodations include 8 pull-through RV sites with power/water/sewer connections plus 12 back-in RV sites with power/water hookups and a handy dump station.

Tent Campsites

Our Big Bend lodging for campers includes seven private tent campsites, two open camp grounds with shared water spigots, and a horse camp for dry horse trailer camping.

Horse Corral

Our horse corral is conveniently located near our front office and offers pipe pens, large turnout paddocks and a loading chute. Shade and water are available but bring your own hay and feed.

“The cabins were perfect… The view was outstanding, the beds were comfortable, and the water was hot. The cafe had one of the best French Dip sandwiches I’ve ever tasted.”–Jadrian B.

“There is so much to do in the area. We went to Big Bend twice, road the motorcycle on the River Road, visited the Ghost Town and just had an all around great visit.”–Kim T.

“Nice people and a Lodge space exactly what you would want [plus} a great swimming pool surrounded by the epic landscape that is Terlingua.”–Top H.

“If you want to be in the middle of nowhere, with nothing around you except beautiful mountains and a gorgeous night sky, this is the place for you.”–Lee J.

“Terlingua Ranch is a wonderful place… The mountains and night skies are amazing. The cabins are very comfortable, the food at the Bad Rabbit Cafe was very good.”–Donna M.

“Overall, an incredible experience. Highly recommend this RV/lodging spot over ones closer to the Ghost Town. Worth the drive… for the price and the peace.”–Jessica R.

“Excellent service, very comfortable rooms, and a view that won’t be matched by any other lodging! Friendly staff, that are happy to help you enjoy your stay.”–J.T.

“We stayed at Terlingua Ranch while visiting Big Bend National Park. This place has all you need… Everyone at the office and Bad Rabbit Café were extremely friendly!”–Carolina I.

Make Your Reservations

Big Bend Cabin Rentals: Rent Cabins in Terlingua

Big Bend Cabins, Terlingua Cabin Rentals

Big Bend Cabin Rentals: Rent cabins at Terlingua Ranch Lodge resort, which has 32 cozy, quiet cabin guest rooms with shared decks and great mountains views!

If a cabin nestled in scenic mountains of the West Texas Rio Grande Big Bend region is what you’re looking for, look no further than Terlingua Ranch Lodge resort. Remote but conveniently located between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, our rustic but comfortable Terlingua cabin rentals will make your Big Bend vacation getaway a memorable stay.

All of our guest rooms – four to each cabin – have new queen-size beds, a table and dresser, a full bath, heating and air conditioning. Of course we provide clean linens, towels, soap and shampoo, but you’ll need to bring your own hair dryer. There is no phone or TV service, but we have Wi-Fi on the grounds so you can make VOIP calls using services like Skype and watch movies, TV shows and other videos on streaming services like YouTube and Vimeo. What you’ll most likely want to watch, however, is the view out your window!

“The cabins are clean, the beds are comfortable and the stars at night are beyond description. The food is surprisingly good, the price is reasonable and the beer is cheap.”–Hugh H.

“Overall, an incredible experience. Highly recommend this RV/lodging spot over ones closer to the Ghost Town. Worth the drive… for the price and the peace.”–Jessica R.

“We loved our stay at Terlingua Ranch Lodge. Quiet, peaceful, serene and surrounded by beautiful mountains and unspoiled nature! Right up the road from Big Bend [NP].”–Angela S.

“Great place to stay. The rooms were clean and the staff was very helpful and friendly.”–Matt S.

“I love this place, the pool, the restaurant, and the people there. Down to earth kind of place; be yourself and be kind will get you a long way… I want to go again!”–Matilda G.

“[The] cabins have spectacular views from all windows. [We] stayed there over … Memorial Day weekend this year. They have redone the cabins, and they are much nicer.”–Laron S.

“We saw several jack rabbits… If you love the outdoors, quiet starlight nights and a cabin environment, then the Terlingua Ranch Lodge is a great place for your stay.”–Moe T.

“Nice people and a Lodge space exactly what you would want [plus} a great swimming pool surrounded by the epic landscape that is Terlingua.”–Top H.

Make Your Reservations