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.

“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.

“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 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.

“We … came to Terlingua Ranch Lodge again and again for its refreshing pool, excellent meals at the cafe, hot showers, and incredibly kind and welcoming staff.”–Carlie C.

“Restaurant was amazing. Breakfasts really delicious! Interior and exterior of cabins is so Texas-style! Location is amazing! You can make a BBQ near by cabin…”-Vitalli